HISTORY k OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Lagrange, steuben, noble and DtKALB COUNTIES Under the Editorial Supervision of IRA FORD LaGrange County ORVILLE STEVENS Steuben County WILLIAM H. McEWEN Noble County WILLIAM H. McINTOSH DeKalb County ILLUSTRATED VOLUME II THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY Chicago and New York 1920 9 7 7 . ^ / 6 /V (9 V Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/historyofnorthea21ford 'ala History of Northeast Indiana Lewis Oscar Bullock is one of the oldest resi- dents of Milford Township in LaGrange. County, having been in this locality over sixty-six years, and is proprietor of a fine farm 2)4 miles north and two miles west of South Milford. Mr. Bullock is a lineal descendant of the Pilgrims that landed at Plymouth Rock December 20, 1620. He was born in the Town of Middleport, Western New York, August 16, 1842, a son of Israel Lewis and Thalia Eunice (Bullock) Bullock. His maternal grandfather, William Bullock, was born in Vermont in I755> and was a Green Mountain volunteer of 1777 in the Revolutionary war. He was with Wash- ington at Valley Forge during the winter season, and suffered all the terrible hardships of that period. The paternal grandfather of Lewis O. Bullock, Israel Bullock, was born in Connecticut, and grew to man- hood, raised his family of six children and died there in 1812. Israel L. Bullock was a native of Connecti- cut, born in 1802, the youngest of his parents’ chil- dren, and was ten years old when his father died. As the family were in poor circumstances he was bound out until he was twenty-one years old. His wife was a native of Otsego County, New York, born in 1804. They were married in 1831, and lived at Middleport, New York, until they came West in 1844, settling thirty miles north of Detroit, in Oak- land Township, Oakland County, Michigan. From there they came to LaGrange County, Indiana, in 1853, making the journey by wagon, and located on land in Milford Township which Israel L. had ac- quired previously. He made that his home for fif- teen years, and then sold his farm and again located on a fruit farm along the lake in Allegan County, Michigan, where he died. The widowed mother afterward came back to LaGrange County, and died at LaGrange in 1881. Israel L. Bullock was an active whig in politics, and in 1856 became identified with the republican party. He was one of the early trus- tees of Milford Township. In his family were four children : Margaret, who died in infancy at Mid- dleport, Now York; William M., Lewis O., and Myron O. William died in 1915, and the only one living today is Lewis O. Bullock. He was ten years old when brought to Indiana, and has acquired the most of his education in the common schools of LaGrange County. On October 6, 1865, he married Carrie M. Eastlick, who was born in Johnson Township, LaGrange County, In- diana, October 8, 1844, a daughter of William and Jane (McDonald) Eastlick, formerly of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Their happy union was con- tinued for more than half a century. In 1915 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and on February 24, 1917, the wife and mother passed away. Both were active members of the Church of God and Mr. Bullock is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Pythian Sisters and has held offices in this fraternity. Through long years of industry he has accumulated an estate of 133 acres of good farming land. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Bullock were five children, of whom Warren Oscar died in 1869; John Ai died in 1877, aged eight years ; C. Dale died in 1902, aged twenty years ; and two are living, Lewis E., a farmer in Milford Township, and Ray E., who is unmarried and lives at home. Lewis E. Bullock, who lives on his farm two and a half miles north and a mile and three-quarters west of Milford, was born in Milford Township January 21, 1878. He attended the district schools, and after leaving school worked for a time in a sawmill in Northern Michigan. He came back to Indiana, worked out by the month, and then mar- ried Grace Latta, a native of LaGrange County and a daughter of William Latta. She is a graduate of high school, and before her marriage was a suc- cessful teacher. Since his marriage Mr. Bullock has farmed his father’s place, and in 1918 he bought the eighty acres where he now lives and which joins his father’s place. He is a breeder of good grades of live stock, is a republican in politics, and a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. He and his wife have one son, Dean O., born September 4, 1911. John B. Parsell has a record as a farmer, public official and banker, and that record is in keeping with the high standing of the Parsell family, which became identified with Steuben County in pioneer times and has furnished many worthy citizens of the community. John B. Parsell was born in Jackson Township of Steuben County, October 25, 1857, and is a son of Thomas B. and Caroline (Klink) Parsell. His grandfather was Moses S. Parsell, who was born February 12, 1797, near Newark, New Jersey. He was reared in that state, learned the trade of shoemaker, and in 1817 married Mary Campbell, who died in 1824. Moses Parsell was again married, March 17, 1825, to Hannah D. Crilley, and they be- came the parents of five children: Aaron G., Abijah D., Thomas B., Sarah W. and Elizabeth S. In 1838 Moses Parsell came West with his family and bought a tract of unimproved land in section 35 of. Jackson Township, Steuben County, and went to work to improve it. After paying for the land and building a small frame house, his plans were interrupted by his death in November, 1839. He left a widow and five children, the oldest less than fifteen years old. The mother played the good part of a pioneer, and kept the children together until she Vol. II— 1 2 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA died in 1846. The old eighty-acre homestead of Moses Parsed is now owned by his grandsons, Austin and Ichabod Parsed, Austin still occupying the land. Of the children, Aaron G. was for many years a successful physician in Steuben County and died in 1904, aged seventy-eight. Abijah D. died in April, 1882, at the age of fifty-five. Thomas B. is mentioned below. Sarah W., after a life of service for others, died unmarried, April 19, 1905, aged seventy-five. The daughter Elizabeth became the wife of Avery Emerson and died April 11, 1915, aged eighty-two. Thomas B. Parsed was born near Newark, New Jersey, January 12, 1829, and was nine years old when brought to Steuben County. He had limited advantages in the public schools, and early went to farming to assist his mother. Later he acquired a good farm of his own comprising 160 acres in sec- tion 35, Jackson Township, and that farm is now owned by his son, George T. Parsed. He died March 10, 1872. He was a republican in politics, and he and his wife were both active in the Presby- terian Church. February 6, 1853, Thomas B. Parsed married Caroline Klink, who was born near Tiffin, Ohio, December 5, 1830. Her parents were Christian and Mary (Failor) Klink. Christian Klink was born in Germany in 1794 and was a soldier in the famous army of Blucher and fought in the battle of Water- loo. He spent five years in the army, then came to America and married, and in 1846 brought his fam- ily to Steuben County, settling in Salem Township, where he acquired a farm of 200 acres in sections 1 and 2. He died there in 1872. The Klink children were: Louisa, the oldest, became the wife of Wil- liam Brugh, and died in Fulton County, Indiana, May 29, 19x9, aged ninety-two ; John, who died in 1870; Caroline, Mrs. Thomas B. Parsed, living on the farm, aged eighty-nine; Catherine, wife of Morris Brown, of Steuben County, aged eighty-five; Christina, who married E. H. Wilson and died in 1907 ; Michael, who died in 1903 ; Mary, who became the wife of Newell Wilson and died in 1914; Eliza- beth, widow of W. W. Parsed and living at Ashley; and Eli Klink, who died at Angola in 1909. Thomas B. Parsed and wife had three children : John B. ; Mary Elizabeth, widow of Hiram M. Crain, and living in Angola, Mr. Crain having died at the farm home near Angola August 14, 1918; and George T., owner of the old homestead. John B. Parsed grew up on the old farm in Jack- son Township, attended the public schools and later Angola Academy, and for several years was em- ployed in teaching winter terms of school. In 1886 he bought the Henry Butler farm of 200 acres in sections 5 and 8, Salem Township, and was busily engaged in improving and making a living from that property until 1895. In that year he moved to Angola to take up his duties as clerk of the Circuit Court, to which position he was elected in 1894. He was the incumbent of that office four years, retiring November 1, 1899, after which he spent a summer on the farm and then returned to Angola and in February, 1901, entered the Angola Bank. In Oc- tober, 1903, he became one of the organizers of the First National Bank, the first bank of Steuben County to receive a national charter. He was as- sistant cashier for six years and since then has been cashier and director and has had much to do with the successful management of the institution. Mr. Parsed is a republican, is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Angola and with both branches of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. January 1, 1887, he married Miss Carrie J. Abbey, a daughter of Giles T. and Martha A. Long Abbey. Her father was one of the early settlers of Steuben County and is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Parsed at the advanced age of ninety-two. Mrs. Parsed is a member of Pleasant Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah and of Angola Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. Mrs. Parsed’s mother died in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Parsed have two children. Florence is a graduate of the Angola High School and from the musical department of Tri-State College, and re- ceived a diploma from the Chicago Art Institute in June, 1918. The son, Lewis, is a graduate of the Angola High School and of the electrical engineer- ing. courses of Tri-State College and of Purdue University. . Giles T. Abbey is one of the few surviving early citizens of Steuben County. He is now in his ninety-second year and his memory of events in this section of Northeast Indiana runs back fully eighty years. He was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, Novem- ber 24, 1827, son of Alanson and Lucy (Daggett) Abbey. Alanson Abbey was born in Ontario County, New York, January. 16, 1792, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. His father, Joshua Abbey, fought in the Revolutionary war. Lucy Daggett, daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, was born in Ontario County, New York, in 1793. In 1819 they moved to Sandusky County, Ohio, and in the fad of 1838 came to Steuben County, Indiana. Two years before Alanson Abbey had entered, land in section 22 of Steuben Township, and he improved it with a log house and set out an orchard. Later he sold this and lived on the shores of Pleasant Lake. He was a carpenter by trade and built many of the early barns in his neighborhood. Alanson Abbey was a whig and republican, and he and his wife were mem- bers of the Free Will Baptist Church but later he joined the Christian Church. He died at Pleasant Lake in February, 1877, and his first wife died in 1840. His children were: Henrietta, Lucy, Jacob D„ Nancy, Giles T., George J„ and Minerva and Harvey, twins. The sons Jacob and George were both soldiers in the Civil war. Alanson Abbey was twice married. Giles T. Abbey was eleven years old when brought to Steuben County. He first attended school at Clyde, Ohio, and his teacher was Lydia Chase, grandmother of Gen. James McPherson, one of the most gallant Union leaders in the Civil war. It was three years after the family settled in Steuben County before a school was established convenient to the home. Giles T. Abbey then completed his education, and one of his teachers was George Emerson, an uncle of Fred Emerson, the present postmaster of Angola. He also attended a school kept by Dr. Aaron Parsed, an uncle of John B. Parsed. Mr. Abbey taught school for six terms when a young man. He first began farming by en- tering forty acres of Government land when nine- teen years old. Later he bought 102 acres in Steu- ben Township, selling this after two years and buy- ing 240 acres near Flint. There being no improve- ments, he rented the John Thompson farm and soon sold the land to Daniel Benninghoof. He left the farm and rented and operated for three years the Union Mills, and then bought eighty acres in Steu- ben Township adjoining forty acres he previously owned, and lived on it four years. While on that farm his first wife died. Her maiden name was Martha A. Long. They were married in 1850. She was the mother of two chil- dren: Ella J., wife of Wellington H. Hollister, of Waterloo ; and Carrie J., wife of John B. Parsed, of Angola. In 1867 Mr. Abbey married Martha HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 3 Davis. There were two children of that marriage, Edith L., wife of Albert F. Theiss, of Memphis, Tennessee, and Earl G., of Kansas City, Missouri. In 1864, the year his first wife died, Mr. Abbey moved to Waterloo, Indiana, and was employed in a grist mill there three years. He was also the first agent for the Fort Wayne, Jackson and Saginaw Railroad. For twenty-seven years he served as cashier of the DeKalb Bank at Waterloo. He finally retired to a small farm adjoining that town, and at present makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. John B. Parsell. Mr. Abbey has been a life- long republican and has been affiliated with the Masonic Order about fifty-four years. His second wife died in 1884, and he then married Sophia Mc- Entarffer, who died February 17, 1909. Leon Rose. While the City of LaGrange regarded the removal of Leon Rose to another and larger city in the summer of 1919 as a distinctive- loss to its citizenship and prestige, there remained the satisfac- tion that the constructive work he had performed as a banker and business man is a permanent asset of the community, and also that Mr. Rose, though far removed from his birthplace, retains many inter- ests in his home city and county. Mr. Leon Rose was born at LaGrange March 17, 1869. His family have been prominent as merchants and bankers of LaGrange for over sixty years. His father was the late Solomon Rose, who was born at Naumburg, Germany, November 2, 1834. a son of Isaac and Eliza (Blum) Rose. Solomon Rose came to America in 1850. For three years he worked as a bookkeeper at Little Falls and Plattsburg, New York, and Worcester, Massachusetts. Coming to Indiana in 1853, he lived three years at LaPorte, then identified himself with the community of La- Grange, which he was proud to consider his home the rest of his life. When he came he had only a few hundred dollars, and with this opened a small stock of clothing in the north room of the old Betts Block. Later he moved to another frame building, occupying the site of the present Eisner store. In 1865 his brother Silas Rose joined him as a partner at LaGrange, another brother, Elias, was a clerk in their store, and still another brother, Lazarus, was a grocery merchant in the town. Soon after the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad was built through the county in the early ’70s Mr. Rose erected the first elevator on the right of way and for many years did an extensive grain and wool business. His mer- cantile interests rapidly increased, demanded larger quarters, and he built for their accommodation the brick block now occupied by C. B. Hinkley. He and his brother Silas and later his son Isaac conducted a store, carrying the largest stock of dry goods and clothing in LaGrange, until 1889, in which year Mr. Solomon Rose retired from merchandising and thereafter gave his entire time to banking. The First National Bank of LaGrange was or- ganized in September, 1874, with John S. Merritt, president, Solomon Rose, vice president, and R. S. Hibbard, cashier. Three years later Mr. Rose be- came president of the First National Bank. When it was reorganized as the National Bank of La- Grange he continued in the same office, and was the real as well as the titular head of this splendid finan- cial institution until the day of his death. On April 10, 1861, Solomon Rose married Caroline Myer, of New York City, but a native of Wuerz- burg, Bavaria. Most of their married life was spent in the pleasant old Rose home located in a grove on Hawpath Avenue. In this old homestead their eight children were born. Later Solomon Rose built and furnished a beautiful home on Michigan Street. In that environment he spent his last days, and death came to him November 10, 1906. He was a member of the Hebrew faith and was affiliated with the Masonic Order. Leon Rose as a boy in LaGrange attended the public schools, and also was a student in Notre Dame University at South Bend. For a few years' he was in the mercantile business at New York City with his brother-in-law, Jacob David. On returning to LaGrange he became a merchant, his store occupying the site of the present building of the National Bank of LaGrange. After five years he sold out and en- tered the mercantile business with the Sol Mier Company of Ligonier. At his father’s death he became manager of the National Bank of LaGrange, and was soon made its vice president and in January, 1919, he was elected president, and resigned this office six months later to accept an opportunity to associate himself with his brother Samuel Rose at Kansas City, Missouri. He is still one of the stockholders in the National Bank and one of the directors and owns four large farms in LaGrange County. When he succeeded his father as manager of the bank its resources were about $33,000, with capital, surplus and undivided profits of $80,000. In a dozen years the bank has grown to aggregate resources of $1,000,000, with its capital, surplus and undivided profit approximat- ing $125,000. Mr. Rose had three purposes in re- taining the management of the bank after his father's death. They were to make the National Bank of LaGrange one of the strongest institutions in Northern Indiana, also the largest financial insti- tution in LaGrange County, and to build for its accommodation one of the most beautiful banking homes in the Middle West. All these three purposes were accomplished before he resigned his major re- sponsibilities. Leon Rose was chairman of the four Liberty Loan organizations of LaGrange County and of the Vic- tory Loan Committee. The response of the county to the Liberty Loan campaigns was the outstanding feature of the war activities in this section. Under the direction of Mr. Rose, with the assistance of local banks and loyal people generally, nearly $2,000,000 were raised and turned over to the uses of the Government. Mr. Rose has for several years been vice president of the LaGrange Corn School Show. Each year he has given $150 for prizes on yellow corn and in 1919 he gave $175, the largest contribution for that specific purpose made to any institution in the State of Indiana. Burdette B. Goodale, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Angola, is a son of the late Dr. Charles W. Goodale and member of one of the old and well known families of Steuben County. Lie was named for his grandfather, Burdette B. Goodale, who with his wife, Mary Ann Goodale, came from Cleveland, Ohio, and settled in Steuben County in 1842. They were among the pioneers of York Township, where the grandfather died June 15,. 1855, at the early age of thirty-eight. His widow survived him many years. There were four chil- dren : Albert N. was a soldier in the Forty-Second Illinois Infantry, and died of wounds received at Chickamauga in October, 1863. Orville F. Goodale served at one time as clerk of the County Court- The daughter, Amelia, married Abraham Stevens. Dr. Charles W. Goodale, who died January 5, 1905, was born in York Township of Steuben County May n, 1844. He lived on the home farm, attended district schools, the Angola High School and Hillsdale College. While a student at Hillsdale he enlisted in the Thirtieth Michigan Infantry and 4 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA served about six months. He began the study of medicine under Dr. Hugh D. Wood at Metz, and finished his preparation in Rush Medical College of Chicago, where he was graduated in 1868. He re- turned to Metz and took up practice. From 1871 to 1874 his home was in Reed City, Michigan, and the next four years he devoted to merchandising at Metz. In 1878 he located as a physician at St. Joe in DeKalb County, but returned to Steuben County in 1880, and for several years was again in business as a merchant. He resumed his practice in 1884 and continued in his profession the rest of his life. He was for many years a republican, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and active in the Christian Church. September 5, 1869, he married Miss Mar- garet A. Parrott, who was born January 9, 1842, and is still living. Her parents were Sylvester and Henrietta (Ogden) Parrott, who were early set- tlers in Richland Township of Steuben County. Doctor and Mrs. Goodale had six children : Bur- dette B.; Alice, wife of E. F. Rose, of York Town- ship; Frank, who died at the age of twelve years; Paul, of Huntington, Indiana; Mildred, wife of S. C. Huffman, superintendent of schools at Waseca, Minnesota ; and Ford, a resident of Indianapolis. Burdette B. Goodale grew up at Metz, attended public schools there, also the Tri-State College at Angola, and spent one year in Purdue University. For several years he taught school and then en- gaged in the drug business at Metz. In 1904 he was elected county treasurer, and filled that office four years, two terms. He then pur- chased from his uncle, Francis Macartney, an in- terest in the Goodale Abstract Company, and in August, 1914, assumed his present duties with the First National Bank of Angola. Mr. Goodale is a republican and for many years has been a leader in his party in the county. Both he and his father were charter members in the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Metz. He and all his family are members of the Christian Church. January 6, 1897, Mr. Goodale married Miss Mar- garet Allman, daughter of Barnabas Allman, a well known farmer in Richland Township. Mr. and Mrs. Goodale have two children. Dorothy, born January 21, 1898, is a graduate of the Angola High School, took further courses in the Tri-State College and is now a successful teacher. Charles D., born January 18, 1900, is also a high school graduate and is now attending the Tri-State College. Mr. Goodale is interested in farming and owns a farm in Pleasant Township. U. C. Brouse, present mayor of Kendallville, has been a resident of Noble County all his life, was a practical and progressive farmer in Allen Township for a number of years, and has been identified with business affairs at Kendallville as a merchant and in other relations. His father, Curtis Brouse, who is now living re- tired at Kendallville, was born in Medina County, Ohio, October 20, 1840. He was fourteen years of age when he came to Noble County, and he lived in Allen Township until he retired from his farm. He was educated in the district schools, and in August, 1861, at the age of twenty-one, enlisted in Company F of the Thirtieth Indiana Infantry. He saw active service for twenty-one months. At the battle of Stone River he was shot through the left lung, and lay on the field of battle until the night of the second day before he was discovered and taken to a hospital. On account of this wound he received his honorable discharge May 11, 1863, and then returned to Noble County. For practically a half century he was engaged in farming and stock raising, and has also been active in local affairs, serving as trustee of Allen Township and two terms as a county com- missioner. He is a republican and a member of Nelson Post No. 69, Grand Army of the Republic, July 1, 1864, Curtis Brouse married Elvira E. Mat- thews. She was born in Grant County, Indiana, May 7, 1846. U. C. Brouse, only child of his parents, was born on the farm in Allen Township, June 1, 1865. While a boy he ' attended the local schools and also the public schools at Kendallville. Being an only child he saw his duty on the home farm, and for many years conducted the place of 140 acres, doing a suc- cessful diversified farming business, raising regis- tered hogs of the Chester White strain, and some fine wool sheep. On retiring from the farm he was in the grocery business at Kendallville for five years. For the past ten years he has been secretary of the Fair Association at Kendallville, and has been one of the leaders in that organization from the first. In the fall of 1917 Mr. Brouse was elected mayor, and has given Kendallville a very progres- sive municipal administration. He is a republican and has served as a member of the Central Commit- tee of Noble County. He is also a member of the State Board of Agriculture. Fraternally his affil- iations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. Brouse married Miss Jennie Tyler, also a native of Allen Township, and they grew up in the same community. Mr. and Mrs. Brouse have one son, of whom they are justly proud. This son, Don Brouse, born August 19, 1895, is a graduate of the Kendallville High School and had two years in Purdue University. He is now with the American Army in France, as second lieutenant in Company H of the 335th Infantry, Eighty-Fourth Division. William F. Baughman has been an enterprising factor in the commercial life of Ashley for a number of years and is proprietor of a general store and of a large business with that community. He was born in Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, May 17, 1871, a son of B. R. and Margaret (DeVore) Baughman, both natives of Holmes County, Ohio. His father was born July 16, 1842, and is still living. As a youth he served in the Civil war, and has long been an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a democrat. He and his wife were married in Ohio and came to Indiana in 1865, locating in DeKalb County. The mother died here April 6, 1880. She had four chil- dren, three of whom reached mature years, W. F., D. I., of Steuben County, and J. A., of Holmes County, Ohio. William F. Baughman grew up on a farm south of Ashley, and besides the advantages of the district schools attended the Tri-State College at Angola. He has followed several different occupations and for a time was an employe of the Wabash Railroad. Later he engaged in the hardware business, also was a druggist, and today has a stock of general mer- chandise. Mr. Baughman married Elba Lyle, formerly a resident of Iowa and a native of New York State. He is affiliated with Ashley Lodge No. 614, Free and Accepted Masons, with Ashley Chapter No. 152, Royal Arch Masons, and is a member of the Scot- tish Rite Consistory at Fort Wayne. He has served as worshipful master and high priest in the Masonic Order and is a past chancellor of Ashley Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Politically he is independent. John W. Priest. A business man of thirty years experience, John W. Priest has become the central HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA o figure in several of the important businesses lo- cated at Topeka, where he is proprietor of the lum- ber yards and vice president of the Farmers State Bank. He was born in Williams County, Ohio, June 20, 1868, a son of Joel and Catherine (Schwartz) Priest. His father, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1837, at the age of nineteen moved to Bryan, Ohio, where for several years he was active in the saw mill and lumber business. About 1886 he bought a farm in Williams County, 'and later sold that and moved to Topeka, Indiana. He finally went to Michigan. He is a member of the Methodist Church and is a past grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a democrat in politics. His wife died in 1916. They were the parents of eleven children, three of whom are still living: John W. ; George, of Camden, Michigan; and James, of Reading, Michigan. John W. Priest grew up on his father’s farm. He acquired a good education, the advantages of the district schools being supplemented by work in the Tri-State Normal College at Angola. For three years he taught school and since then has been en- gaged in the lumber business. He married Miss Gertrude Grose. Their son, Leroy, is a graduate of high school, spent some time in college, and is now associated with his father in business. John W. Priest is a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason, also a member of the Chapter and Council in the York Rite. Major Guy J. Shaughniss, assistant postmaster at Angola, was one of the local citizens of Northeast Indiana whose qualifications and abilities as a soldier were brought out and developed with the stress of the great war recently brought to a successful conclusion. Major Shaughniss was born in Otsego Township of Steuben County July 13, 1874, grew up on a farm, attended district schools, also the high school at Angola, and in 1900 graduated from Hillsdale College in Michigan. He has since been a well known and prominent young citizen of Angola. He has filled the office of assistant postmaster since 1909. Major Shaughniss became interested in military affairs in 1902 when he enlisted in the National Guard. He was promoted to second lieutenant in 1903, to captain in 1907, and in 1915 to major. He saw six months of duty on the Mexican border and on August 5, 1917, was mustered into the Federal service of the National army, becoming major of the First Battalion of the Third Indiana. On Octo- ber i-, 1917, he was transferred to the One Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Field Artillery. Maior Shaughniss is a republican in politics, and is affiliated with the Masonic Order and Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodges at Angola. He was united in marriage to Lydia Jane Pence December 18, 1918. • He is a son of William and Eliza (Clark) Shaughniss, the former born near Ann Arbor, Michigan', and the mother in Otsego, Steuben County, New York. Her father, James Clark, and his wife, Elizabeth Johnson, came to Steuben County, Indiana, in 1840, settling on a farm in Otsego Township. Later James Clark moved to Branch County, Michigan, and spent his last days there. William Shaughniss came to Steuben County, was married there, and spent his active life as a farmer. He was a democrat and a member of the Masonic Order. Besides Major Shaughniss, who was his youngest child, there were three other sons, Wilson J., James A. and John. John died in infancy. James A. Shaughniss, who was born August 5, 1867, attended public schools, the high school at Quincy, Michigan, and Hillsdale College, and for twenty-two years has been engaged in the carriage business at Angola. A republican, he was elected county auditor in 1908 and gave a very successful administration of the office for four years. He has also been a member of the City Council, and is affiliated with the Masons and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. December 24, 1918, he married Mrs. Laura (Deller) Deal, of Angola. Charles L. Smith has been a factor in business and local affairs at Albion for over forty years, and out of his work, good management and judg- ment acquired the competence which enables him to spend his declining years in comfort and peace. He was born at Tiffin, Ohio, April 30, 1847, an< I has now passed the age of three score and ten. His parents, Lewis C. A. and Anna M. (Reif) Smith, were both natives of Germany, his father born April 29, 1816, and his mother December 11, 1820. They grew up in their native country, but were married after they came to Tiffin, Ohio, July 7, 1846. Lewis Smith was a gunsmith and locksmith and followed that occupation in Tiffin until 1859. He then located on a farm a mile and a half south of Tiffin, but about 1872 retired to the town and died at Tiffin in 1907. His wife passed away in the same city January 15, 1908. They were members of the German Lutheran Church, and the father was very active and liberal in its support. As an Amer- ican citizen he voted the republican ticket. There were seven children, and five are still living: Charles L. ; Mary, wife of Jacob Marquart; Amelia, wife of John Wisher; Emma, wife of Fred Bender; and Albert, who lives at Tiffin. Charles L. Smith grew up in Tiffin or on the farm nearby, and acquired his education in both the district and the city schools. He lived at home till the age of twenty-two. He was in the butcher business at Tiffin until 1876, when he removed to Albion and started his shop. Four year later, in 1880, he bought out his partner, and continued active in that business, supplying many of the best people of the town and surrounding country with good meats until 1900. It was through steady application to this business that he made his competence. In 1878 a fire destroyed his shop, but in a few years he had recovered all his lost ground. Mr. Smith has invested in real estate, and now owns two good farms, one of 230 acres and another of a 1 13 acres. December 18, 1877, he married Miss Melissa Beck. She was born at Albion November 4, 1856, and her father, Michael Beck, a pioneer of Noble County, is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three daughters. Leona, a graduate of high school, is the wife of Edwin Hicks, of Auburn, Indiana ; Kate, also a high school graduate, married Ray C. Dilgard ; May, a high school graduate, married Walter Bonham. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he votes as a republican. He has never sought official honors and has been content to perform his community service as a business man. He is a director in the Farmers Bank at Albion. J. E. Jellison is the man chiefly responsible for giving Auburn one of its thriving industries, the Auburn Broom Company, of which he is one of the proprietors. Mr. Jellison is a broom maker of wide 6 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA experience, and is a man of affairs generally. He is well known as a public speaker, having gained his early reputation as a schoolboy orator, and is frequently heard in democratic party campaigns, his services in that line being much in demand. Mr. Jellison was born in Randolph County, Indi- ana, May 17, 1879, a son of Joseph and Mary (Cullen) Jellison. His father was also a native of Randolph County, and when eight years old ran away from home to join the army in the Civil war. While he was much too young for active service the company managed to keep him as a sort of mascot until the close of the war. His wife, Mary Cullen, was born on Kelly’s Island near Sandusky, Ohio, and came to Indiana when nineteen years of age, her father being a man of wealth at Union City, Indiana. After the war Joseph Jellison entered the railroad service, helped grade the Panhandle Railroad, was a brakeman for some years and later a conductor of the Big Four. He was a Catholic and a democrat. There were five children in the family: Florence, deceased; J. E. ; Alice, wife of O. C. McLaughlin, of Dayton, Ohio; Leo, who is married and lives at Dayton ; and Marie, unmarried and living at Portland, Indiana. The father of these children died March 7, 1907. . J. E. Jellison spent three years of his early life at Indianapolis, but secured his education chiefly at Portland and Union City, graduating from the Portland High School in 1898. While in high school he represented the Town of Portland in an oratorical contest held at Richmond and was awarded third honors. For a time he was a drug clerk, was with the Adair Brothers in the drug business from 1899 to 1901, and in the latter year became a broommaker at Ridgeville, Indiana. After three years he returned to Portland and bought a drug store, which he con- ducted for two years. He resumed the broom making business at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he re- mained three years, was similarly engaged at Rich- mond, Virginia, for two years, and then returned to Ridgeville and was secretary of a broom company there and later its sales manager. Mr. Jellison came to Auburn in 1916 and has built up the plant and industry of the Auburn Broom Company and made it one of the flourishing concerns of DeKalb County. In April, 1901, he married Miss Blanche Burke, of Jay County, Indiana. She is also a graduate of the Portland High School. They have three children : Guinevere, born in November, 1903; Gareth, born in May, 1905 ; and Francis, born in January, 1908. Mrs. Jellison is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while he was reared a Catholic. Warren H. Throop. Through three generations and for over eighty years the Throop family have maintained a vigorous and influential position in Clear Lake Township of Steuben County. Several of the first settlers hore the name of Throop, and the confidence the family still enjoys in that com- munity is well testified to by the fact that the pres- ent township trustee is Warren H. Throop, a grand- son of one of the pioneers of the ’30s. Warren H. Throop was born in the same town- ship September 3, 1864. His grandfather, Hiram Throop, was born in Canandaigua, New York, in 1799. He married a Miss Sanford. The first re- corded settlers in Clear Lake Township entered land in 1836. Among them were Charles and Clark Throop, while in 1840 Hiram Throop came to the township. The name frequently appears in the early as well as the later annals of the township. Hiram Throop’s home was in section 28, and he lived in the township until his death in 1872. His children were Roxie, Mary, Estella, Samuel, Allen and Albert. Allen Throop was born June 14, 1832, and on April 12, 1857, married Cloa Dickinson. She was born in Chenango County, New York, in 1833, a daughter of James and Maria (Atwood) Dickinson. Allen Throop acquired his education largely in the district schools of Clear Lake Township, also at- tended school at Hillsdale, Michigan, and as a young man began farming in his home township and spent the rest of his life there. At the time of his death he owned 200 acres, all of it paid for. He died three weeks before his father, in 1872. His widow has survived him for over forty-five years, and has proved a capable business manager and has increased the homestead by the purchase of sixty acres. She was the mother of seven children: Frank; Louisa, who became the wife of Frank Gowthrop; Elva, who married Fred Wigent; Clara, who died in child- hood; Warren; Nellie, who became the wife of George Gowthrop ; and Carrie, who died in child- hood. Warren H. Throop attended district school in Clear Lake Township and acquired his early knowl- edge and experience of farming on the homestead. For eight years he farmed in Scott Township, but with that exception has always lived on the place where he was born. Today he owns 200 acres in section 28, known as Clear Lake Jersey Farm. He does general farming, but for several years has spe- cialized in the breeding of high grade Jersey cattle. Mr. Throop’s public record includes ten years of service as township assessor. In January, 1919, he entered upon his duties as township trustee. He married Marilla Kellog, daughter of Josiah and Emelie (Swager) Kellog. To their marriage were born six children : Walter, who married Ida Chandler; Ray, who married Clela Elgekrout; Harry, whose wife was Lela Becker, by whom he has children, Robert and Victor; Guy who married Mabel Brouse and has two children, Mildred and Cleon; Carl, who entered the National Army and died while in the Great Lakes Training Camp at Chicago ; and Lawrence. Herbert H. Wildman has spent all his life in the village of Wolcottville, began his career there as a merchant but for ever thirty-five years has been identified with banking, and is now president and principal owner of the Wildman State Bank. He was born at Wolcottville, April 5, i860, son of Levi L. and Louisa M. (Taylor) Wildman. His father was a native of Massachusetts. Herbert H. Wildman attended the common and high schools of Wolcottville, and his first business venture was as restaurant proprietor. Later he was in the general merchandise business at Wolcottville until he and his father started a private bank. In 1884 they re- organized, with his father as president and Herbert H. as cashier. Levi Wildman died in 1893, and was succeede*d in the presidency of the bank by Herbert Wildman. In 1917 the bank was organized under a state charter as the Wildman State Bank, with Herbert H. Wildman, president, Lee S. Jennings, vice president, and G. H. Weaver, cashier. The only change in officers at the present time is that George C. Morgan is cashier. The other directors are Harry E. Roy, V. D. Weaver and Clyde A. Walb. Mr. Wildman married at the age of eighteen, Minnie C. Parks. They had four children : Viola W. is a high school graduate, finished her education in the Fort Wayne College, and is the widow of Charles S. Smith. Vida, a graduate of high school, is the wife of Clyde A. Walb of LaGrange. Leon L. after leaving high school took the full course at HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA i Wabash College and two years in Johns Hopkins University at Baltimore, and is now credit man for the Bowser Company at Toronto, Canada. The fourth child, Wilman, is deceased. Mr. Wildman is a member of the Baptist Church, served a number of years as its chorister, and all his children are musicians. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with the Lodge and Chapter of Masons at LaGrange, and in politics is a republican. Oliver P. Brown has been a fixture in the com- mercial life and service of the Village of Hamilton for thirty-six years. In fact he is regarded as the town’s oldest resident, and the place is important to him also as his birthplace. He was born there August 17, 1857, a son of John and Susan (Mann) Brown. His father was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1821, and his mother in the same state in 1834. John Brown came to Steuben County, Indiana, in the early ’50s, and was a school teacher in DeKalb County, where he mar- ried. After he settled at Hamilton he became a merchant and followed business there for many years, until his death in 1884. His widow survived him until 1911. John Brown was a democrat and held the office of justice of the peace. He and his wife had the following children: Oliver P., Jane W., Lawson, Charles M., Eda, Mary E. and Kate. Oliver P. Brown grew up in his native village, attended the public schools there, and for over a third of a century has kept a confectionery store and barber shop. He owns the building in which he does business and has other property there. Mr. Brown is a stanch democrat, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Masons and attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1883 he married Miss Elva J. Fifer. She was born in Salem Township of Steuben County April 23, 1866, daughter of Lewis and Martha Fifer. Her father came to Steuben County in 1861, and was a farmer and a resident of the county for over forty- five years. He died July 23, 1906, and his wife passed away July 15, 1911. In the Fifer family were the following children: Elva, Margaret Laura, John Adam, Orlando and Jessie Alvada. Mrs. Brown’s mother had for her first husband Sylvanua George, and there is one child by that union, Edward Melvin George. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two sons. Grover Cleveland, the older, was born January 10, 1884, had a high school education, and is a barber by trade. He married Mary Crane, and their children are named Oliver Perry, Mildred Ann, Jessie Al- vada,' Leander Timothy and James Kenneth. The second son, Cleland Kenneth, born July 15, 1889, was educated in the Hamilton grammar and high schools, and is now a successful young farmer in Franklin Township of DeKalb County. He mar- ried Audra Chilchote. Edward E. Pray. In LaGrange, Noble and Steu- ben counties the name Pray for at least half a century has been prominently identified with numerous business affairs. It is characteristic of the family to promote new activities and keep busi- ness lively wherever they are. Edward E. Pray represents the third generation of the family since they came to Northeast Indiana. He has figured conspicuously as a merchant, public official and farmer in the Helmer community of Steuben County, where he resides. He was born in Milford Township of LaGrange County November 10, 1868, son of Daniel and Sarah (Rhoads) Pray, his mother a native of Delaware County, Ohio, and a daughter of John Rhoads. His grandparents were John Williams and Charlotte Pray. John William Pray was born on the Susque- hanna River near Horseshoe Bend in Pennsylvania, moved from there to Sunbury, Ohio, later located near Kendallville in Noble County, Indiana, and spent the rest of his life on a farm. He and his wife had six children, named Daniel, Charles, David, Rhoda, Mary and Eunice. Daniel Pray, who was born at Sunbury, Ohio, in early youth, learned the trade of shoemaker. He was not satisfied with what he could turn out by his individual skill and established a business at Middletown, Ohio, and prospered until he had to meet the competition of machinery in making shoes. At one time he employed seven men in this shop. From Ohio he came to Milford Township of LaGrange County, Indiana, bought eighty-five acres of land, and after a few years established a brick yard near Kendallville, looking after the manage- ment of this business while his wife and family remained on the farm. After a few years he re- turned to the farm in Milford Township, and for several years his chief occupation was making brick there. He also made brick at Angola. In 1898 he moved to Helmer, taking charge of the grain ele- vator, which he operated for eight years. At the same time he was in partnership with his son in a general store at Helmer under the firm name of D. Pray & Son. Before moving to Helmer he con- ducted a general store at Turkey Creek. He has been retired from business affairs since 1905, and is now living in Milford Township of LaGrange County. He and his wife had a family of six children : Carrie B., Emma A., William, Edward E. , Alice F (who died young), and Grace V. Edward E. Pray has spent almost as busy a life as his father. He acquired his early education in the district schools of Milford Township, finished the eighth grade at Kendallville and for two years was a student in Angola. He helped work the home farm, also assisted in running the store on the farm, and in the fall of 1889 became a partner with his father in a general store at Turkev Creek. This business was moved to Helmer in 1897, and the partnership between father and son was continued until 1905, after which Mr. Pray operated the store alone until September, 1915. He then sold his busi- ness. For twelve years he was postmaster of Helmer, keeping the office in his store. Mr. Pray o\Jns a good farm of 107 acres in section 34 of Salem Township, and since selling his store has continued to make his home in Helmer and from that point supervises his farm. He has held a com- mission as notary public for fifteen years. He was for many years affiliated with Helmer Lodge No. 424 of the Knights of Pythias, until the lodge lost its charter. Mr. Pray in 1909 married Clara Metz, a daughter of Emanuel Metz. Irven O. Buchtel, M. D. A physician and sur- geon of the homeopathic school whose skill and abili- ties are widely appreciated over DeKalb County, Doctor Buchtel has practiced at Auburn many years and is a native of Northeast Indiana. He was born at Ligonier August 6, 1862, a son of Charles C. and Sarah E. (Simmons) Buchtel. His parents were both natives of Stark County, Ohio, were married in that state, and coming to Indiana located in Ligonier, where they spent the rest of their lives. The father was a carpenter and con- tractor, was active in local affairs, serving as con- stable and member of the regulators, and was a democrat in politics, while his wife was a member of the Christian Church. Doctor Buchtel is one of 8 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA six children and he has two brothers still living: S. E., a merchant at Knightstown, Indiana, and C. W., in business at Cleveland, Ohio. Doctor Buchtel grew up at Ligonier, graduated from the high school there, and attended Buchtel College, now Akron University, in Ohio, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree and took his medical work in the Hahnemann Medical College in Chicago. He also had three years experience and training in New York City and one year in Chicago. Doctor Buchtel is a member of the State Institute of Homeopathy and the American Association of Orifi- cial Surgeons. He is treasurer of the Auburn School Board, a democrat in politics, is a member of the Masonic lodge, the Commercial Club and a stock- holder in the City National Bank of Auburn. April 28, 1889, Doctor Buchtel married Nettie E. Dowell. They have a daughter, Lucile, who has graduated from the Auburn High School and is at home. John Gasser. The Gasser family has been identified with Steuben County for over three quar- ters of a century. As good substantial farmers and equally substantial citizens they have contributed their share to the development and progress of this locality, and their name is one justly respected and esteemed. The father of Mr. John Gasser, now a retired resident of Angola, was the late Benedict Gasser, who lived in Steuben County over sixty years. He was born in Berne, Switzerland, August 9, 1817, son of John and Anna Gasser, who in 1833 brought their family of nine children to the United States and settled in Sandusky County, Ohio, where the mother died the same year and the father the next year. This left the children unprovided for, and they were cared for by different parties. Benedict was a young man when his parents came to this country, and he did his part in providing for his own living and helping his brothers and sisters. In Sandusky County, Ohio, in 1840 he married Caroline Albert. She was born in Hesse, Germany, November 18, 1819. It was two years after their marriage that Benedict Gasser and wife came to Steuben County and located in section 20 of Scott Township. He bought forty acres of wild land, built his log cabin in the woods, and worked steadily until he had most of it under cultivation. Later he increased his farm to 120 acres, and two years before his death moved to Angola, where he died in 1905, at the age of eighty-seven. His good wife passed away in 1893, aged seventy-five. Bene- dict Gasser was a democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He and his wife had nine children: Sanford and Margaret, deceased; John; Josephine; Mary, deceased; Frederick, Addie, Eva and Ida. John Gasser was born in Steuben County Febru- ary 8, 1848, and spent his early life on the old home place, acquiring his education in the public schools. After reaching manhood he acquired the other interests in the old farm, and not only handled it successfully but added to its area by fifty acres, giving him a fine place of 170 acres in Scott Township. Not long ago he sold this farm for $137.50 an acre, and the sale set a record for high prices paid for land in large farms in Steuben County. On February 21, 1918, Mr. Gasser moved to Angola, and has one of the good homes in the town, with a large lot running from one street to another and a vacant lot, where he keeps himself busy in the summer time gardening. He also em- ploys his spare time as a fur buyer, and has been buying furs for about thirty years and is an author- ity on that branch of commerce. In politics Mr. Gasser is independent and strongly favors prohibition. He has never aspired to political office and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. In 1893 he married Miss Ella Moss, of Steuben County. She died in 1906. In October, 1909, Miss Sarah L. Crawford, of Williams County, Ohio, a cousin of his first wife, became his bride. Samuel H. Galloway has long been a citizen of prominence and usefulness in Sparta Township, where he is the present trustee and also a success- ful farmer, has been identified with school work as a practical school man and teacher, and altogether has filled His rather brief life with intense activities. Mr. Galloway, whose home is on his farm in sec- tion 33 of Sparta Township, was born in the same locality September 20, 1886, a son of John F. and Eliza (Brown) Galloway, the former a native of Sparta Township and the latter of Kosciusko Coun- ty, Indiana. His father was a farmer in Noble County for many years. He was twice married, his second wife being Ellen Burns. By the first marriage there were four children : Samuel H. ; Rosa A., a gradu- ate of the common schools and wife of Ernest Wilk- inson ; Sarah E., wife of Ray Prentiss; and Mary E., who is unmarried and lives at home. Samuel H. Galloway grew up on his father’s farm, and was liberally educated. He is a graduate of the Cromwell High School, attended the Tri-State Nor- mal School at Angola, and also was a student in Valparaiso University. His work as a school man has covered a period of about thirteen years. He owns a well kept and well managed farm of forty- three acres, and has about seventy acres in farming use. He is also a stockholder in the Sparta State Bank at Cromwell. October 12, 1912, Mr. Galloway married Jennie Piper, daughter of Charles and Viola Piper. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Cromwell and Mr. Galloway is also superintendent of the Sunday School of the Broadway Christian Church. He is affiliated with the Masonic and Knights of Pythias lodges at Cromwell and in politics is a republican. Charles O. Jones has been a member of the farming community of Millgrove Township for over thirty years, and his own work and interests have supplemented the record of a family that through its different branches have been a part of Steuben County history since earliest times. Mr. Jones was born in Franklin Township of DeKalb County, Indiana, September 21, 1861, and has lived in Steuben County since early childhood. His father, Hiram S. Jones, was born in Vermont in January, 1834, a son of Samuel and Jerusha Jones. In 1843 the Jones family came to DeKalb County, Indiana. Samuel Jones spent the rest of his life there as a farmer. His children, included Julius, Sidney, Henry, Miller, William, Sarah, Hattie and two that died in infancy. Hiram S. Jones had an eventful experience in California during six years of his early manhood. October 21, i860, he married Nancy J. Clark, who was born at Lockport, New York, in 1836, a daugh- ter of Isaac and Jane M. Clark, natives of New York, who moved to Fulton County, Ohio, in 1857, in i860 to DeKalb County, Indiana, and two years later to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Isaac Clark also spent some time in Steuben County. His children were named Nancy, William, Alice, Mary and James. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 9 Hiram S. Jones farmed for a number of years in DeKalb County, also lived on the Clark farm in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and in 1872 bought back his old homestead in Jackson Township of Steuben County. He died while attending the County Fair on October 18, 1877. He and his wife had five children: Charles O., Frank B., Fred A., and Lillie and Leila, twins. The mother of these children was married in 1884 to Almon W. Thorpe. Charles O. Jones acquired most of his education at Orland, also attended school at Flint, and in 1889 began farming his present place in Millgrove Town- ship. He has specialized in thoroughbred stock, breeding Poland China hogs of the big type and also Shropshire sheep. His farm comprises seventy acres situated in sections 33 and 28. Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Orland. November 27, 1883, he married Myrtia Turner, a daughter of William and Susan Turner. Her father was born in Connecticut in 1831 and her mother in Steuben County in 1839. Her mother was a Salisbury. Both the Turner and Salisbury fami- lies figure prominently in the history of Steuben County, as noted on other pages. Mr. and Mrs. Jones had four children: Murl, wife of Joseph Moffett and the mother of Helen and Florence ; Urban, who married Vera Waters and has a daugh- ter, Martha; Bruce, who married May Nash; and Beulah, who was a trained nurse and died in a Chicago hospital. Charles Carter. The coming years loom large with economic problems, but of them all, none are as important as the production of foodstuffs in sufficient quantities to supply not only the constantly increas- ing domestic demand, but that of European nations now partially dependent upon American farmers for the necessities of ordinary existence. Because of these conditions the status of the farmer has very materially improved and his calling is recognized as one of the most important, and those men of ex- perience in agricultural activities are urged to remain in harness during the next few years, which are to prove so potent in the world’s history. One of the men of Steuben County, Indiana, who has spent his life in cultivation of the soil is Charles Carter, who owns a valuable farm in Steuben Township. Charles Carter was born on his present farm March 18, 1854, son of Samuel and Sarah Ann (Frink) Carter, and grandson of Jonas Carter, the founder of the family in Steuben County, Indiana, and also a grandson of Selah Frink. The birth of Jonas Carter took place in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in June, 1767, but he left his native county in young manhood, going to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and investing quite heavily in farm land there, upon which he lived for many years. After locating in that county he was married to Catherine Wheeler, born in New Jersey in 1774, who was taken to Pennsylvania by her parents after the frightful massacre of Wyoming, from which they fortunately escaped. After the birth of eight of their nine children Jonas Carter and his wife moved to Delaware County, Ohio, making the trip in. November, 1815, once more entering upon the privations and hardships of pioneer life. They were among the very earliest settlers of that county, and here they improved a farm and reared their chil- dren. Animated by the same spirit which prompted Jonas Carter to migrate, his sons struck out for themselves, pushing a little farther westward, into northeastern Indiana. In October Lewis and John Carter sons of Jonas Carter, entered several hun- dreds of acres comprising portions of sections 13, 24 and 23, Steuben Township, Steuben County. They returned to Ohio in the fall, but John came back to their claim the next year, bringing his family with him, and he erected a log cabin in July, 1836, in section 24. In July, 1837, Lewis Carter returned to Steuben County, bringing with him not only his own family but his father and his family. Jonas Carter located on a farm later owned by his son Samuel, and lived in a log cabin Samuel had erected for him, and this continued his home until his death in November, 1842. His wife died from the effects of a fall into the cellar while on a visit to her son-in-law, Mr. Jackson, in 1853. The children of Jonas Carter and his wife were as follows: Sarah, Rufus, Lewis, Abigail, John N., Jonas, James, Sam- uel and Mary Ann. Samuel Carter was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, June 27, 1814. Ris first trip to Steuben County, Indiana was made in June, 1835, and he located here permanently in 1836, in the latter year entering about 620 acres of land in Steuben Town- ship. He worked his father’s farm until the demise of the latter, when he acquired it, and moved upon a portion of the land he had entered, but within four years moved to the homestead, where he died in August, 1873. His wife also came of a pioneer family, and was born in Madison County, New York, a daughter of Selah Frink, a soldier of the War of 1812. She died in April, 1873, having borne her husband six children, namely: Mary L.. Sarah H., Charles, Lucy J., Ellen and Celestia. Charles Carter attended the public schools of Steu- ben Township, and was brought up on his father’s homestead. After attaining his majority he began operating his father’s farm, but after his marriage he went to Virginia and lived on a peanut farm for a year, returning in 1900 to the homestead and con- ducting it for two years. For the subsequent six years he was engaged in farming west of Angola in Pleasant Township, and then once more came back to his birthplace. In 1909, Mr. Carter went to DeKalb County, Indiana, and spent a year, and the next year he was in Steuben County. Going back to DeKalb County, he resumed his farming in that locality, and remained for four years, and in 1917 returned to the Carter homestead, where he has since resided. His property is one of the best farms in the township and his buildings, fences and machinery show that he understands his busi- ness and takes a pride in his premises. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Grange, and Mrs. Carter is a Gleaner. In 1890 Charles Carter was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary Hanselman, widow of Charles Hanselman, and a daughter of John and Mary (Crum) Willemar. By her first marriage Mrs. Carter had three children, namely: Jennie, who married Fred Frisbie ; Earl, who was the second in order of birth ; and Mabel, who married Frank Dirrim. Mr. and Mrs. Carter are numbered among the very best people of this section of the county, and their pleasant home is the gathering place for their friends upon numerous occasions, for they enjoy dispensing a generous hospitality to those to whom they are bound by ties of affection. Emery White. The name of Emery White has been associated for a long period of years with the ownership of a good farm in Salem Township, and with the substantial financial interests of that locality. Mr. White, who came to Steuben County forty- five years ago, was born in Richland County, Ohio, in May, 1832, a son of Henry and Susan (Breise) White. His parents were both natives of Columbia County, Pennsylvania, lived in Richland County, Ohio, for a number of years and in 1873 came to Steuben County and located in Jackson Township. 10 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA In 1875 they moved to Salem Township and had twenty acres at Flint and later lived on the farm now owned by their son Emery. The father died in 1907, at the age of eighty-six. There were seven children : Amanda, deceased, Emery, Mary and Matilda deceased, Francis and Nettie, twins, the former deceased, and Minta. The father was inde- pendent in politics and attended the Methodist Church and later the Church of God. Emery White received his education in Richland County. Ohio. As a youth he learned the trade of tanner and worked in a leather store at Mansfield and Plymouth, Ohio. He came with his parents to Steuben County in 1873 and in 1875 bought a farm of eighty acres. At present he has 240 acres in his home place and thirty acres near Hudson. He still does some farming, though most of his land is rented. Several years ago a fine barn was struck by lightning, entailing a loss of $2,000, but was rebuilt with an equally good structure the same year. Mr. White for a number of years has been in business as a money lender. He has been very successful in financial matters. Mr. White is un- married and is a republican voter. Christian E. Slabaugh. Many long years of hard and earnest labor have given Christian E. Sla- baugh their proper reward in a prosperity measured by large land holdings and a wealth of community esteem. Mr. Slabaugh is no longer actively identi- fied with farming pursuits, but is still living in his country home in section 10 of Perry Township, 3 ]/ 2 miles northwest of Ligonier. A native of Indiana, he was born in Clay County, September 29, 1846, son of Elias and Mary Sla- baugh, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany. His parents were married in Pennsylvania, and coming to Indiana settled in the western part of the state, in Clay County. That was their home for about ten years, but in 1852 they moved to Elkhart County and bought another farm. Several years later they traded for land in Perry Township of Noble County, and on that place spent the rest of their days. Elias Slabaugh was a well to do farmer and had made all his wealth through his own efforts. He was a member of the Dunkard Church and a democrat in politics. Of five children, three are still living: Nancy, wife of John Emmett, of LaGrange County; William, who lives in the State of Washington; and Christian E. Christian E. Slabaugh was six years old when his parents moved to Elkhart County, and he has spent nearly all his life in that and in Noble counties. He had a common school education, and lived at home until the age of twenty-one. In 1870 he married Catherine Bowsher, who was born in Perry Town- ship, Noble County. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Slabaugh rented land for one year, and he then bought sixty acres, the nucleus of his steadily increasing estate, which is represented now by the ownership of nearly 900 acres here and elsewhere, including 400 acres of land in New Mexico. He also owns some real estate in Central Colorado. Mr. .Slabaugh is a stockholder in the Citizens Bank at Ligonier and in the Farmers Co-operative Ele- vator of the same city. He is a democrat and has served as township supervisor. Mr. and Mrs. Slabaugh have four children : Sid- ney, of Perry Township ; Willard, of Perry Town- ship ; Ollie, wife of John Larimer, of the State of Montana; and Ray, of Perry Township. Harley H. Webb is cultivating acres that were once cultivated by his father, and is living on the same farm where he was born in Millgrove Town- ship, in section 26. Mr. Webb is one of the highly thought of citizens of that community, and his family is one of the best in Steuben County. Mr. Webb was born April 3, 1876, a son of Arthur and Permilla (Case) Webb. His mother was born in Pleasant Township of Steuben County. Arthur Webb was born in England in 1828, son of John and Grace (Harrison) Webb, both natives of Eng- land who came with their family to America in 1830. The Webbs settled in Steuben County as pioneers in 1845, coming here from Michigan. Arthur Webb in 1850, when a young man of twenty-two, left Steuben County and went overland' by mule team to California. He lived in the gold districts of the Pacific Coast for about five years, and on returning to the States came by boat and around Cape Horn. From New York City he re- turned to Millgrove Township and spent the rest of his life in that locality, where he died in 1912. He was four times married. His first wife was a Miss Heath, and she was the mother of two daugh- ters, Eva and Amy. For his second wife Arthur Webb married Rose Case, and her children were Delmer, Jessie, Zella and Rosa. For his third wife Arthur Webb married Permilla Case, a sister of his second wife. His fourth wife was Martha Hallet, and she is still living. Harley H. Webb, only child of his father’s third marriage, acquired his education in the district schools of Millgrove Township and has been farm- ing since early youth on the place where he now lives. He owns no acres in section 26, and besides farming and stock raising keeps bees as a source of pleasure as well as profit. He is one of the skilled bee keepers in the county. In 1897 Mr. Webb married Miss Alida McGrew, a daughter of Melvin McGrew. Her family, and its various connections and interests in Steuben County, is described on other pages of this publication. Mr. and Mrs. Webb have two children, Hilda and Joyce. Charles Libey. While Mr. Libey’s work and interests for many years have been identified with one farm in Salem Township of Steuben County, the record of his family in its different connections runs through two counties of Northeast Indiana, Steuben and DeKalb. Mr. Charles Libey was born in Steuben Township of Steuben County, July 31, 1870, son of George E. and Matilda E. (Houser) Libey. The parents were both natives of Coshocton County, Ohio, his mother being a daughter of John and Mary (Gonser) Houser. John Houser was one of the early pioneers of DeKalb County, Indiana, locating in Fairfield Township in 1847 and living there until after the death of his wife in 1894, when he moved to Salem Township of Steuben County and lived at the home of his daughter Mrs. George Libey until his death also in 1894. He had the following children: Matilda, Sarah, Ella, Katie and Louisa. William Libey grandfather of Charles Libey, came from Pennsylvania to Ohio and from the latter state to Fairfield Township in DeKalb County, Indiana, in 1847. His farm cornered on that of John Houser. He and his wife died there, leaving a family of small children, George E., the oldest, David, Mary, Jacob, Elizabeth and Margaret. George E. Libey left DeKalb County in 1869 and located on a farm now within the corporation limits of Ashley in Steuben Township. He remained there about four years and then established his home on the farm in section 25, Salem Township, now oc- cupied by his son Charles. In 1901 he and his wife moved to Hudson, where he died in April, 1902, and his wife in the following December. Both were active members of the United Brethren Church at HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 11 Hudson. They had eight children : Frank, who died in 1900; Ulysses G. ; Sarah E., wife of William Fink; Almon G. ; Charles; John E. ; Bert W., and Ora W. Charles Libey grew up in Salem Township, at- tended the Osborne school there, and about the time he turned his majority he began farming the home place and also rented other fields near by. He bought forty acres of the old farm in 1903, and gradually has expanded his property with the increase of his means until he now owns 100 acres. He has re- modeled and added to all the buildings, and has one of the best sets of farm buildings in the town- ship, including a house of modern equipment and comfort. Most of his time is now taken up with the busi- ness of his home place. For six years he was honored with and gave a most efficient administra- tion of the office of trustee of Salem Township. July 8, 1897, Mr. Libey married Mis Carrie Clink, daughter of Charles and Catherine (Ritter) Clink. Her father was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, in 1838, a son of George and Catherine Clink, and at the age of twenty years he came to Steuben County, later going back to Ohio, and in the spring of 1861 returned to Steuben County and in August of the same year enlisted in Company A, of the Forty- fourth Indiana Infantry. He was with his regiment two years, then reenlisted, and served until honor- ably discharged in September, 1865, holding the rank of sergeant. He was in many of the great battles of the war, including Fort Donelson, Stone River and Chickamauga. Charles Clink in 1869 bought a farm of 120 acres in Salem Township, and besides working the farm he also followed more or less the carpenter’s trade. Mr. and Mrs. Libey have two children. Lucille is a graduate of the Hudson High School, has taken three terms in the Tri-State College at Angola, and is now a teacher in the schools of Metz. North C. is also a graduate of the high school at Hudson. Charles E. Wells is one of the older merchants of Angola, and for many years has served some of the best town and country trade as a grocer. His people were identified with the early settle- ment of this county, and .he was born here February 8, 1864, son of Friend S. and Adaline (Howard) Wells. Both parents were also natives of Steuben County. The grandfather, L. Wells, came to Steu- ben County when it was practically a wilderness. He married Ann Soule. The father of Adaline Howard was Morris Howard. Friend S. Wells was reared and educated in Steuben County and followed the. trade of carpenter until his death. He was a democrat and at one time served as trustee of Pleasant Township. He was also active in the Christian Church. His widow is still living. They were the parents of two sons, Charles E. and Archie, both of Angola. Charles E. Wells attended the public schools of Angola, and after leaving high school took a busi- ness course in Valparaiso College. He learned merchandising by practical experience as a clerk in some of the Angola stores, and then entered busi- ness for himself. He has been a merchant for twenty-two years and now owns a well-stocked establishment at the corner of Elizabeth and Maumee streets, where he has been in business for twelve years. Mr. Wells also owns a farm in Pleasant Township. He has never cared for the honors and responsibilities of public office, is a democratic voter and is affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees. In December, 1886, he married Miss Hattie Mor- row. She was born in Pleasant Township of Steuben County in 1865, daughter of Henry and Era (Tolies) Morrow. Her parents came from Hammondsport, Steuben County, New York, first settling in LaGrange County, Indiana, where they lived sixteen years and then removed to Angola, where both of them died. Mrs. Wells’ mother died in 1918, at the age of ninety-one. Mrs. Wells is one of three daughters, Elizabeth, Lucy and Hattie, all of whom live at Angola. Elizabeth is the widow of John Richardson and Lucy is the widow of Joseph Beil. Mr. and Mrs. Wells have two sons. Cleon M., born in 1887, was well educated in the high school and the Tri-State College and is now with his father in business. He married Lila Brown. The second son, Leighton B., born in 1893, has earned distinction as a professional musician. He graduated from the Angola High School and studied music in the Bush Conservatory of Music at Chicago. He is now following his profession at Chicago, and married Miss Ina Brant, who came from the vicinity of Kansas City. John R. Reese has been identified with the farm- ing community of Perry Township in Noble County practically all his life, and has been an active factor therein for over a quarter of a century. He is a veteran of the threshing business, and owns a large acreage and a valuable farm which represents to a large extent his varied industry and capabilities. His home is two miles east of Ligonier. He was born in Perry Township, June 30, 1871, son of John and Elizabeth (Peters) Reese. His parents were born in Germany, came to the United States when young, and two years later were mar- ried at Buffalo; New York. They subsequently re- moved to Noble County, Indiana, and settled in Elkhart Township. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John Reese after ac- quiring American citizenship voted as a democrat. They had eight children, but only two are now living, Elizabeth and John R. Elizabeth is the wife of Ernest Sorgenfrei and lives with her brother. John R. Reese has spent his entire life in the vicinity of his present home. He acquired a com- mon school education and after reaching manhood he bought out the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead of 113 acres and has since made steady progress toward the acquisition of a large landed estate, and now has 422 acres all in Perry Township and most of it adjoining. He uses this land for the raising of general crops and livestock. As a thresherman he ran an outfit for twenty years, and became known to all the farmers in his and a number of adjoining townships. Mr. Reese is a democrat in politics, is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and with Ligonier Lodge No. 123, Knights of Pythias. Orlando Kimmell. Of the older residents of Noble County few have made themselves more prominently a part of the community and have en- joyed more of the well ordered prosperity that comes with long years and hard work than Orlando Kimmell, whose name is perpetuated in the Village of Kimmell, and whose home is in York Township on the Lincoln Highway, two miles southeast of the village of that name. Mr. Kimmell was born at Canton in Stark County, Ohio, March 25, 1830, and has now attained that venerable age where he can survey in retrospect more than fourscore years. His father, Joseph Kim- mell, was a native of Pennsylvania, son of Joseph Kimmell, Sr., a native of the same state, who became 12 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA an early settler in Stark County, Ohio, and lived and died there. Joseph Kimmell, Jr., married in Stark County Catherine Amich, a native of that county. They lived there until 1851, when they removed to Noble County, Indiana, and in this county Joseph Kimmell acquired a farm of 195 acres and was one of the well known and substantial residents the rest of his days. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was quite active in republican politics, serving as trustee and as a justice of the peace in Ohio. He was the father of five children : Cyrus, who spent his life in York and Sparta townships in Noble County; Harriet, who married John Arnold; Orlando, the only living member of his father’s fam- ily ; Maria, who married Nathan White; and Emeline, who became the wife of George Casper. Orlando Kimmell was twenty-one years of age when he came to Noble County. He had attended the log school houses of Ohio, and in that way acquired a practical education. On January 24, 1856, Mr. Kimmell married Jane White. She was born in Marion County, Ohio, and was brought to Noble County, Indiana, when a girl. She attended some of the old log school houses of this county. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kimmell settled on his father’s farm, and rented for thirteen years. His energy as a farmer and as a general business man enabled him to accumulate at one time 1,200 acres of land, and he still owns 1,120 acres. The town of Kimmell was built on land which he owned, and it was through his instrumentality that the railroad right of way was located as it was and the station established bearing his name. Mr. Kimmell made most of his money raising livestock, and has been a buyer and seller of livestock for many years. He is now practically retired from all the heavier re- sponsibilities of business. 'Mr. and Mrs. Kimmell had ten children, two of whom died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Kimmell were happily married over sixty years. She passed away in June, 1918, and was a devout and loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of the children to grow up the following record is made : May, wife of Willis Kinnison, of Garden City, Kansas ; Lillian, unmarried and living with her father; Jen- nie, wife of Doctor Shoab, of Ligonier ; Maud, wife of Ed Eagles, of Albion ; Thela, wife of Martin Beck, of Albion; Morton, unmarried and living at home; and Claudius, who is married and lives on his father’s farm. Mr. Kimmell is a member of the Masonic Lodge and was formerly an Odd Fellow. In politics he has always been a republican since the formation of the party. He served four years as trustee of his township and for two terms was county commis- sioner. He was elected and served as a member of the Indiana Legislature in the session of 1877, and though renominated for that office declined to make the campaign. He was also nominated in 1890 as candidate for Congress from the Twelfth Dis- trict, but declined the nomination. Mr. Kimmell is a stockholder and is president of the Cromwell State Bank, the other officers of which are A. Meyer, vice president, and Bert Tucker, cashier. He is also a stockholder in the Wolf Lake Bank. Mr. Kimmell, though not a member of that denomina- tion, contributed $3,000 to the building of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Kimmell, and has always exercised a similarly liberal spirit in behalf of all community undertakings. He was one of the organizers of the Ligonier Livestock Associa- tion, serving as president of the organization during two years of its early existence. He was for thir- teen years president of the Noble County Agricul- tural Society, and these and other positions indicate the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens of that county. William E. Iddings. There are several careers of younger men in Steuben County which illustrates the fact that opportunities are not all gone for mak- ing a success of farming from small beginnings. One of them is that of William E. Iddings, who came to Northeast Indiana comparatively poor in purse, was at one time a farm hand, and has won prosperity and a large farm in Jackson Township, making the most of his property during the trying years that beset agriculture and the farmer prior to the present great wave of prosperity. Mr. Iddings was born in Belmont County, Ohio, July 3, 1865, and is a member of an old and promi- nent family in that section of Eastern Ohio along the Ohio Valley. His parents were Joseph and Teresa (Close) Iddings. His father was born in Jefferson County, March 25, 1836, and his mother in Belmont County. Her father, Josiah Close, was a Belmont County farmer. The paternal grand- father, Joseph Iddings, also had a farm in the early days of Belmont County. Joseph Iddings followed farming in Belmont County, where his wife died in 1875. She was the mother of the following chil- dren: William E. ; John C., who was born July 6, 1870, and now lives on the old home farm in Bel- mont County; and Thomas J., who was born July 22, 1873, and was killed while on construction work in New York City in August, 1903. After the death of his first wife Joseph Iddings married Sina Hogue. Both are still living in Belmont County. William E. Iddings acquired his education in the public schools of Belmont County, and in April, 1883, when about eighteen years old, came to Steuben County, Indiana. He farmed the first year in Jackson Township, and after two years worked out by the month. He has remained in that one locality, and with his hard earned savings and ex- perience he eventually acquired some land of his own, seventy acres, and with that as a start has built up a large and valuable homestead of 230 acres, devoted to farming and stock raising. He is one of the successful hog raisers of the county, is a good manager, and knows how to make farming pleasant as well as profitable. October 6, 1887, Mr. Iddings married Lottie E. Benninghoof, a daughter of Reuben and Susan (Metzger) Benninghoof. They have two daughters, Violet W. and Iona P. Violet is a graduate of the Flint High School and is now continuing her higher education in DePauw University at Greencastle, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Iddings are members of the United Brethren Church at Pleasant View. Mary Thayer Ritter, M. D. The Thayer and Ritter families were connected with the pioneer life and enterprise of Steuben County. These are family names that have always been associated with the best interests of the community, and it is in comformity to the traditions of her ancestors that Mary Thayer Ritter should choose some special form of usefulness, and in her choice of the medical profession she has achieved success and for fifteen years has been one of the most capable members of her profession in Angola. Doctor Ritter’s mother was Helen Thayer, who was born in Steuben Township of Steuben County September 14, 1843. She was a daughter of Eber and Amy (Golden) Thayer, both natives of New York State. The Thayer family came to Steuben County when most of the land was covered with heavy woods. Amy Golden Thayer became the mother of six children: Mrs. Fronia Carver; Mrs. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 13 Lucinda Kratzer ; Mrs. Emily Scoville ; Mrs. Susie Hunter; William A. and Mrs. Helen Ritter. Doctor Ritter’s paternal grandparents were Theo- bold and Catherine (Hartzel) Ritter. They were Ohio people and in 1854 settled in Steuben Town- ship, on the land where Doctor Ritter was born. Theobold Ritter died in 1877 and his wife in 1869. Their children were Simon, Peter, Sarah, Margaret and Lucy. Theobold Ritter married for his second wife Ruth (Fishbaugh) Johnson, and had two sons, Enos and Eli. Eber Thayer also married a second wife, Laura Mason, and by that union had children named Frank, Charles, Judson and Carrie. Carrie was the wife of Onslow Nixon, and they had two sons in the late war, Mason E. Nixon, who as a member of the Signal Corps was killed in France October 7, 1918; and Clark Nixon, who is also in the Signal Corps and is still in France. Doctor Ritter, who was born in Steuben Town- ship, is a daughter of Simon and Helen (Thayer) Ritter. Her father, the late Simon Ritter, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, November 15, 1836, and came to Steuben County with his parents at the age of sixteen. He spent his life actively and usefully on the farm where his parents had settled and attained the good old age of nearly eighty-one. He died at the home of his daughter Doctor Ritter in Angola September 15, 1917. In 1858 he married Helfen Thayer. They were the parents of thirteen children seven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, the others dying in infancy. Mrs. Helen Ritter died in 1894. Both were members of the United Brethren Church and Simon Ritter was a Republican. The names of his children were Charles, Amy, Loretta, Nettie, Vira, Mary, Lettie, Judson, Fielding, Pearl, Effie, Bertha and Guy. The son Pearl died in 1905 and the son Charles in 1899. Doctor Ritter grew up on the homestead farm, though from 1871 to 1875 her parents lived in Kansas. In 1884 they left the farm and moved to Angola, where Doctor Ritter attended High School and the Tri-State Normal College. After five years of successful work in teaching she took up the serious study of medicine, spending two years in the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, and in 1903 graduated from the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis. Doctor Ritter has been enjoying a busy practice at Angola since April 18, 1903. She is a member in good standing of the County and State Medical Associations, the Woman’s Medical Association, and the American Medical Association, and is a member of the Sorosis Circle and of the Christian Church. Frederick Werner, who has been a figure in the business life of Steuben County for many years, is the present '’postmaster of Orland, and was the first incumbent of that office after it was raised to a third-class postoffice. Mr. Werner was born in Jackson County, Michi- gan, November 24, 1870, a son of George and Pauline (Nooding) Werner, both natives of Ger- many. His father was born in 1832 and his mother in 1830. George Werner came to the United States at the age of fifteen, reaching New York City with only $5 in money. He was a tailor and worked at that trade in New York City for a time and also spent two years on a farm. About 1858 he moved . to Michigan, and in that state followed farming. Eventually he acquired 312 acres in Jackson County, and was one of the prosperous men of that section. He retired when about sixty-five years of age and lived at Somerset Center in Hillsdale County until his death in 1915. His wife died in 1913, at the age of eighty-three. He was an independent demo- crat in politics and 'a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He and his wife had ten chil- dren: George; Joseph, who died when one year old; Jennie; Hallie, who died in 1899; Jacob, Josie, Frank, John, Ernest and Frederick. Frederick Werner grew up on his father’s farm in Jackson County, Michigan. He had a public school education and as a boy learned the trade of harness maker with his brother Jacob. He first came to Orland in 1890 and opened a shop of his own. In 1895 he went to Quincy, Michigan, and engaged in the harness, agricultural implements and buggy business. In October, 1898, his shop was burned out, and then for four years he was travel- ing salesman for the McCormick Harvester Com- pany. Later he represented the Portland Cement Company of Bronson, Michigan, and for six years engaged in the hardware business at Orland. He served as postmaster when Orland was a fourth- class office and the grade was raised to the third class in July, 1916. His appointment as postmaster bears date of December 20, 1916. Mr. Werner has been quite prominent in democratic politics. While living at Bronson, Michigan, he served as treasurer of Bronson Township two years, and also as town- ship clerk. At Quincy he was city treasurer two years, and was precinct committeeman when ap- pointed to the office of postmaster. Mr. Werner is affiliated with Star Lodge No. 225, Free and Accepted Masons, Orland Chapter No. 100, Royal Arch Masons, and both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Eastern Star and of the Congregational Church. In 1894 he married Miss Grace Parker, daughter of John and Elmina (Luce) Parker. Her mother is a daughter of one of Michigan’s most noted governors, Cyrus G. Luce. Mr. and Mrs. Werner have one daughter, Pauline Elmira. She was born December 23, 1896, and was educated in the Orland High School and two years in the Hillsdale College. She is now the wife of Lieutenant Frederick Seitz of Hillsdale, a son of Frederick Seitz, who for many years has been with the Lake Shore Railroad Company. Lieutenant Seitz is a graduate of Hills- dale College, and entered the officers’ training school at Camp Custer, later was sent to Camp Lee of Virginia, and received a commission as lieutenant. He was honorably discharged from the army in February, 1919. Mitchell S. Campbell is the present superin- tendent of the County Farm of Steuben County in Pleasant Township. He is a young man well quali- fied for his administrative responsibilities, is a capable farmer, a vocation to which he has been trained since early boyhood, and is a native of Steu- ben County. He was born in Richland Township, May 27, 1887, a son of William and Sophronia (Haswell) Camp- bell. His parents were both born in DeKalb County, where the grandparents were pioneers. The paternal grandfather, James Mitchell Campbell, was one of the early settlers in that county and developed a farm and spent the rest of his life there. His farm was on Fish Creek. William Campbell was born in 1848 and his wife in 1851, they were married in DeKalb County and in the late ’70s moved to Steu- ben County and bought a farm in Richland Town- ship, where the father lived until his death in 1893. His widow is now living with her son Hugh in Richland Township. They had six children : Viola, deceased; Clara; Florence; Lizzie; Mitchell S. ; and 14 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Hugh A. Hugh A. Campbell also served four years as superintendent of the Steuben County Farm and is now a resident of Richland Township. Mitchell S. Campbell grew up on the home place in Richland, acquired a district school education, and by practical experience has become a good farmer. He also took the Jesse Berry Horse Train- ing Course, and is well qualified to handle and train horses. Until his appointment to his present duties he was a farmer and owned thirty-three acres in Scott Township. In March, 1918, the County Board of Commissioners appointed him as superin- tendent of the County Farm. Mr. Campbell is a republican and is liberal in his religious views. In 1917 he married Miss Verle Holbrook, of Steu- ben County, daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Folck) Holbrook, of Fremont, Indiana. They have one daughter, Mildred Elizabeth, born Decem- ber 15, 1918. Edgar J. Wilson. The prosperity which Edgar J. Wilson now enjoys, surrounded by his rich and pro- ductive acres in Millgrove Township, has) been earned by many years of well directed industry. At one time he was a farm laborer, working for a monthly wage, and only through thrifty habits, good judgment and all round business ability has ad- vanced to the stage of independence. Mr. Wilson was born in Jackson Township of Steuben County, May 4, 1866, son of Edwin H., and Christina (Klink) Wilson. His mother was a daughter of Christian and Mary Klink, of a promi- nent old family of Northeast Indiana. Edwin H. Wilson was born in Richland County, Ohio, a son of John and Hannah (Bodley) Wilson, the former a native of New York State. John Wilson was one of the pioneers of the “thirties” in Steuben County, reaching Salem Township in 1836. He settled near the Block Church, and remained the rest of his life in that township. His children were named Mar- garet, Elizabeth, Melvina, Harvey, Edwin H., and Rebecca. Edwin H. Wilson spent most of his active life as a farmer in Jackson Township. In 1881 he moved to Millgrove Township, and in 1890 retired to Mil- ford Township of LaGrange County, where he died. He and his wife had seven children, named Lillie, May, Edgar and Edson, twins, Edwin, Edna and Addie. Edgar J. Wilson acquired his early education in Jackson Township, attending the Morgan School and District School Number Seven, and for one year attended school in Millgrove Township. He left home and began working out for wages when six- teen years old, and continued in that way for a period of sixteen years. The first farming he did independently was in Millgrove Township in 1896, and for over twenty years he has been enjoying a constantly rising position of influence and pros- perity. He bought ninety acres there in 1904, added thirty-five acres a few years later, and on selling that first place bought his present farm of no acres in section 22. Since 1918 Mr. Wilson has leased his farm and is now practically retired. November 5, 1899, he married Miss Zella L. Webb, a daughter of Arthur and Rosana (Case) Webb. Her father was a native of England and the Webbs were early established in Steuben County. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have two daughters, Mabel and Iva. Mabel is the widow of Claude Brown, and has a daughter, Dorothy. Iva married Homer Fisher, and has a daughter, Mattie Lorene. Cyrus Kint, of Clear Lake Township, came to Steuben County in the role of a hard working farm hand and renter, and gradually the years have brought him their sure reward, and he is today a prosperous farmer and land owner and a citizen entitled to the respect he enjoys. He was born in Williams County, Ohio, December 15, 1856, a son of Simon and Mary Jane (Hight) Kint. His father was a son of Simon Kint, Sr, and they cleared up 120 acres of land in Superior Township of Williams County. Simon Kint was a Republican and a member of the Reformed Church. Cyrus Kint was only six years old when his father died. At the age of thirteen he was bound out to John Snyder, with whom he lived a few years and then worked by the month on a farm and rented land. In 1886 he came to Steuben County, working for Dwight Lewis in Salem Town- ship and later rented William Kinser’s farm for five years. In 1900 he acquired his first farm, 103 acres in Clear Lake Township. He moved to the land in 1901. It was a tract of heavy brush land, and year after year he has broadened the area of cul- tivation, has improved it with good buildings, and enjoys a well earned independence. Mr. Kint is a Republican and a member of the Baptist Church. In October, 1882, he married Miss Alice E. Rogers. She born in Northwest Township of Williams County, Ohio, December 10, 1862, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Robbins) Rogers. Her grandparents, Adolphus and Amelea (Whaley) Rogers, were pioneers in Williams County, and both of them spent their last years at Marion Center, Kansas. The old Rogers homestead today is owned by Lyle Shank, county superintendent of schools of Steuben County. Adolphus Rogers at one time was a merchant in Williams County, also a teacher, and on his farm kept an early day tavern. Joseph Rogers, the father of Mrs. Kint, was a farmer and died in Williams County in 1910, at the age of seventy- four. Mrs. Kint’s mother is still living, aged seventy- five. Mrs. Kint‘s great-grandfather on the maternal side was Thomas Whaley, a very early settler of Williams County who took up government land and made a farm of it. Mr. and Mrs. Kint have two children : Carl, was educated in the public schools, the Tri-State College, and took a course in the Michigan State School of Agriculture at Lansing. He is a practical and scientific farmer and lives in Clear Lake Town- ship, where he owns 164 acres and rents 120 acres. He married Fannie Gowthrop, and they have one son, Carl Vere. Emma L. Kint, is a grad- uate of high school, took the teacher’s course in the Tri-State College, and later graduated from the Indiana State Normal at Terre Haute. She has a state license, and for many years has been a success- ful teacher. She taught in Clear Lake six years, also taught in Angola six years, and is now con- nected with the Tri-State College. Charles H. Bruce has lived at Ashley for over a quarter of a century, and has been a man of great usefulness in that community. He is a lawyer by profession and training, for many years was in the railroad service at Ashley and elsewhere, and is now serving the town and surrounding com- munity effectively in the office of postmaster. Mr. Bruce was born in Noble County, Indiana, March 31, 1854, a son of Charles F. and Sarah A. (Hammond) Bruce. His father was born at the head of Skaneateles Lake in New York State in 1823, and his mother was born in the same year at Lockport, New York. The paternal grandfather, Ezra Bruce, came to Noble County about 1838, after a residence in Erie, Pennsylvania, and acquired government land in Swan Township. Ezra and his HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 15 wife Susannah spent their last years in Noble County. Charles F. Bruce was only a boy when brought to Noble County, and he grew up here, followed farming, and at one time kept the tavern in Swan Township. He was a whig and later a republican, but had no official aspirations. He was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He and his wife had eight children, of whom Charles H. is the only survivor. Two died in infancy and the others were named Edward, Alice, Anna, Luella and William. Charles F. Bruce died in 1882, and his widow survived him and passed away at the age of eighty-three. She lived at Kendallville, but her death occurred while visiting her son at Ashley. Charles H. Bruce spent his boyhood on the old homestead, and after the public schools entered Oberlin College in Ohio, where he graduated in the law department. For a number of years he was a skillful telegraph operator, employed by the Wabash Railway Company. He was located at various places and at different times was at Kalamazoo, Mendon and Cedar Springs in Michigan. In 1893 he came to Ashley, where he began the practice of law, and for several years was also chief clerk in the ’Wabash Machine Shops. He has been one of the leading spirits in community affairs there. He served about six years as city clerk of Ashley, and is now serving his fifth year as postmaster. He is a democrat in politics and is affiliated with Ashley Lodge No. 614, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Ashley Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Kendallville Commandery, Knight Templars, and also the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family attend the Christian Church. In 1882 Mr. Bruce married Miss Lyda Chittenden of Lenawee County, Michigan. Their only daughter is Bessie, a graduate of the Ashley High School and the wife of Jay Gage of Ashley. Mr. and Mrs. Gage have one child, Grace. Harry Black is now the active head of what is probably the oldest mercantile establishment at Al- bion, and one of the oldest in one location and under the direction of one family in Northeast Indiana. The Black family has been in Noble County for over fifty years. The ancestry goes back several generations to about the time of the Revolutionary war, when a German boy came to this country and settled in Pennsylvania. This German immigrant was the father of Peter Black, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1787. Peter Black served as a loyal soldier in the War of 1812. His son Owen Black was born in Pennsylvania in 1813, and grew up in Richland County, Ohio. Owen Black came to Albion, Indiana, in 1856, and in the fall of that year established a partnership with Mr. Love in general merchandising. Three or four years later he con- ducted the business himself, and was at its head until 1862. In that year Samuel Foster became a member of the firm. In 1863 the store was burned and Owen Black then re-established the business for himself under the name Black & Son. This title was continued until 1870, when, upon the death of his son and business partner, another son, Jackson D. Black, was taken in. Finally Owen Black retired,, and the firm was Black & Brother for a number of years. Finally Jackson D. Black took over the busi- ness alone and continued it until about 1905, when he took in his son, and the firm has since been con- ducted as J. D. Black & Son. Jackson D. Black was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 3, 1846, and died at Albion, May 9, 1916. Mr. Harry Black is a son of Jackson D. Black and was born at Albion in December, 1879. His brother, Albert Black, associated with the business, was called to the army May 15, 1918, and was an instructor at Camp Perry, Ohio, with the title of captain. He was discharged January, 1919, and is now at home in the same business. Harry Black married Miss Bertha Belt. They have three living children: Harry D., born in 1907; Marian, born in 1911 ; and John, born in 1915. Mr. Black is a democrat in politics. The Black mer- cantile firm is regarded as a fixture and landmark at Albion, and has been doing business in one loca- tion for sixty-two years. Bertha Belt, wife of Harry Black, is the daughter of Edwin Belt, who came to Noble County from Newark, Ohio. He married Eugenia Kline, daugh- ter of John and Louisa (Potts) Kline. The Potts family were pioneers of Noble County, locating here more than eighty years ago. John B. Rodgers. One of the most interesting families of Steuben County is that of John B. Rodgers, a prosperous farmer of the highest stand- ing in the community of Jamestown Township. Mr. Rodgers comes of sturdy and long lived ancestry, tracing his descent from a victim of the English religious wars, John Rogers, who was burned at the stake. The habit of large families seems to have persisted in nearly all the generations of the family, though Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers hardly measure up to the earlier generations in that particular. Mr. Rodgers was born in Millgrove Township of Steuben County, May 29, 1858, son of James M. and Betsie (Bennett) Rodgers. His maternal grand- father was Daniel Bennett, a pioneer of Steuben County who settled in Jackson Township in 1838 and became one of the prominent farmers and land owners, owning 400 acres of land. Daniel Bennett on May 5, 1795, married for his first wife Sally Sayer. Their children were Thomas, Abraham, Isaac, Mary, Peggie (who died in childhood), Samuel, Sally, Rebecca (who died in infancy), and Prudence. The mother of these died in 1809, and in the same year Daniel Bennett married Rebecca Norris. Daniel Bennett was the father of twenty- four children by these two wives, those of the second marriage being Mary, Peggie, Polly, Hilly, Daniel, Jr., Betsie, Alzina, Norris, Christopher C., Benjamin, Rebecca, John, Orilla, Judson, and the youngest died in infancy. In the paternal line Mr Rodgers is a grandson of Ithuriel Rodgers, who was born October 3, 1778. In 1800 he married Betsie Dodge. Ithuriel Rodgers was a New York State farmer, and his children were Almena, Sabria, John A., Alphonso, William H. H. and James M. James M. Rodgers was born in New York State July 9, 1816. His wife, Betsie Bennett, was born in the same state, April 20, 1819. James Rodgers arrived in Jackson Township of Steuben County in May, 1837, bought land, but after a few years moved to Springfield Township in LaGrange County. In 1850 he joined the tide of emigration to the gold coast of California, making the journey overland. He remained in the Far West a year and a half and about 1854 he moved from Springfield Township to Millgrove Township in Steuben County. In 1880 he retired from his farm to the village of Orland, where he died March 9, 1890. His wife passed away April 2, 1876. They had a family of sixteen children, twelve of whom reached mature years. 16 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA The names of the sixteen were Madison, Bradley, Antoinette, Hila, Romeo, Lodaska, Fernando, Mary Bell, Austin, Orvilla, Romeo, the second of the name, Lina, Zoe, John, Jabez and Alzina. John B. Rodgers as a boy attended district schools in Jackson and Millgrove townships, finished his education in the Orland High School, and has been farming since early manhood. On October 19, 1880, he married Alma Hall. She was born near Nevada Mills in Jamestown Township, April 2, 1863, a daughter of James M. and Mary (Ford) Hall. Her father was born in 1821 and her mother in 1823. James M. Hall was a native of New York State and in 1838 went to Michigan and in 1861 settled in Jamestown Township of Steuben County, where he died in 1892. The mother of Mrs. Rodgers died March 4, 1907. In the Hall family were seven chil- dren : Maria J., John R., James, who died in child- hood, Thomas, William, Ida, who died in infancy, and Alma. Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers are members of the Order of Gleaners. Besides their four children they have a number of grandchildren. Theo M., the oldest of their children, married Ora Laird, and their family consists of Olive I., Cecil B., Robert W., John M., and Wilma Lorine. Maude C. Rod- gers is the wife of Irving A. Wickman, and their four children are Roger I., James A., Alma Mary and Herbert. Hazel M. is the wife of William D. Souder and she has a son, John William. Frank Bennett Rodgers married Ida C. Reynolds, and to them were born five children, Kathryn L., Lucile M., Bennett, who died in childhood, Earl and Wil- ford J. George Franklin Slick, whose home is in Jackson Township of Steuben County, has grown crops in that part of Northeast Indiana for thirty years or more, and his own record is a worthy contribution to a family history which has been associated with this county from the earliest pioneer times. Mr. Slick was born just east of the Block Church, on the farm now owned by Dell Wood, on January 30, 1856. He is a son of Holister and Lavina (Shaf- stahl) Slick. Holister Slick was born in Rochester County, New York, April 23, 1827, a son of John and Mary (Hempstead) Slick. John Slick was a soldier in the War of 1812, so that the American record of this family goes back more than a century. John Slick brought his family to Steuben County in 1840 and settled south of Salem Center, acquiring forty acres of government land. He and his wife spent their last days in that locality. Holister Slick was about thirteen years old when brought to Steuben County, finished his education there, like most of the family, took up farming as his vocation. He owned fifty acres east of the Block Church, and lived there in comfortable circum- stances until his death on August 15, 1909, at the age of eighty-two. His wife who died September 30, 1908, at the age of seventy-five, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, December 24, 1832. She was a daugh- ter of Christian and Christina Shafstahl, who came to Steuben County in 1846. Christian Shafstahl, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1807, on moving to Steuben County settled in Salem Township and lived there until his death in 1880. A number of his children became well known and prominent in this part of Northeast Indiana. Holister Slick and wife were the parents of nine children: Sarah, deceased, George F., Alice, Nancy, Adam, Christina, Mary, Susan and William. George Franklin Slick grew up on his father’s farm and started life with a public school education. The first land he owned was forty acres in Salem Township. After selling that he bought eighty-five acres in Jackson Township, improved it with good buildings, and on April 7, 1917, bought his present place, of thirty-six acres. He has always been pro- gressive in the matter of improvements, and in the spring of 1919 was engaged in the erection of his fifth barn, having put up four other barns on the other farms he owned. April 12, 1883, Mr. Slick married Miss Emma Green. She was born in Pleasant Township of Steuben County May 22, 1861, a daughter of Marvin and Flora (Jones) Green. Her father was born in Medina County, Ohio, September 6, 1833, and her mother in Licking County of the same state in 1836. The Green family came to Steuben County in 1837, when Marvin was four years old. His parents were John and Louisa Green, who as pioneers settled on land in Pleasant Township which is now the Henry Jordan farm. John Green and wife both spent the rest of their days in that locality. Mrs. Slick’s father after growing to manhood bought a farm of 113 acres in Scott Township, and he died in Fremont in 1912. His widow is still living at the age of eighty-three. In the Green family were the following children : Lewis, Ella and Emma, twins, Elmer, deceased, Sarah, Matilda, Bert and Charles. Mrs. Slick’s maternal grandparents were Ziba and Flora Jones, likewise identified with the early set- tlement of Steuben County, and more particularly mentioned in connection with other branches of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Slick had four children. Ella is the wife of John Ritter. Nellie is the wife of Shermie German, and their children are Emma Paulina, who died in infancy, Violet, Raymond, Gladys and Evelyn. The son William married Ona German, and they have a son, Lawrence. Ethel is the wife of Francis Wyatt and has one child, Max. Martin M. Burch has been longer in business as a merchant at Metz than any of his present com- petitors and associates. For over thirty years he has sold goods and furnished an adequate mercan- tile service in his particular line, and enjoys an enviable reputation in commercial circles. Mr. Burch was born in Otsego Township of Steu- ben County August 11, i860, son of Halbert C. and Mary (Rhinehart) Burch, and a grandson of Ches- ter Burch. Chester Burch was born in Vermont March 22, 1810, a son of Oliver and Anna Burch. In 1825 his parents moved to Washington County, Ohio, where he grew up and where in 1831 he married Polly Davis. She was born in that Ohio county April 4, 1812. Chester Burch was one of the early pioneers of Steuben County, Indiana, arriving in the year 1837. Three years later he bought eighty acres in section 10 of Otsego Town- ship, and lived there until his death on January 26, 1879. He was one of the leading members of the Christian Church in that township. He and his wife had seven children. Halbert C. Burch was born in New York State, but was reared and educated in Otsego Township. He served three years and three months in the Union army, and then returned home and took up farming. His career was terminated at the age of thirty-eight, in 1872, when he was accidentally killed by being thrown from a wagon. His widow survived him many years and passed away at the age of seventy-two. Halbert Burch was a republi- can and a member of the Christian Church. He and his wife had four children : Martin M., Eugene, Lorenzo and John Chester. Martin M. Burch grew up on a farm in Otsego Township, had a public school education and was busily engaged as a farmer until 1886. He came to Metz" in that year and opened a harness shop and HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 17 later expanded into a general store, and has been in business at the old stand now for over thirty years. Mr. Burch has taken an active interest in local affairs, is a republican, a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Christian Church and works for every worthy movement. In 1879 he married Miss Deetle Woodcox. She was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, December 26, 1862, daughter of Curtis and Mary (Morrell) Wood- cox. Her parents were early settlers of DeKalb County. Her father died at Millersburg, Indiana, in 1890, at the age of fifty-two and her mother in 1873, aged thirty-two. There were five children in the Woodcox family: Martin, Deetle, George, Bell and Blanche, all of whom are still living. Curtis Woodcox married for his second wife Sarah Green- wood, and they had two children, Frank and Nelson. His first wife was Ida Spears, and she became the mother of one son, Glen. Mrs. Burch’s father moved to Metz in 1872, and was successfully en- gaged in the practice of medicine in and around that village until about six years before his death. Mr. and Mrs. Burch are the parents of five children : Clara, the oldest, is the wife of William Miller and has a son, named Willis. Meda is the widow of Zach Pillsbury and has a son, Marion. Virgil married Naomi Lindow and has two sons, Virgil and Lindow. Floyd enlisted in May, 1918, in the National army and in the spring of 1919 was at Camp Grant, Illinois. He married Louise Loweren. Marie, the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Burch, is clerk in the Stiefel store at Angola. A. Howard Smith represents a family that has been identified with the agricultural community of Noble County for over half a century, and his own efforts as an agriculturist have given him a sub- stantial reputation in several communities, chiefly in. Perry Township, where he owns one of the good farms, located a mile and a half east of Ligonier. He was born in Elkhart Township of Noble County, July 2, 1871, son of Abraham H. and Mary E. (Dumm) Smith. His father and mother were both born in Licking County, Ohio, the former on August 18, 1841, and the latter in 1843. They were married at Brownsville, Ohio, and in 1864 came to Noble County and located in Elkhart Township. They had their home in that community for many years, developed a good farm, and in 1901 retired and removed to Ligonier, where the mother died in 1911 and the father in 1915. They were very active members of the Primitive Baptist Church, the father serving as clerk of the church. He was a democrat in politics. There were nine children in the family, one of whom died in infancy. Those to grow up were: Charles L. ; Emma L., wife of Curtis Cole; Ella M., wife of Dr. A. J. Hostettler, of LaGrange ; Frank R., deceased; A. Howard; Bruce, who is a conductor with the New York Central lines; Edwin D., of Ligonier; and Edith M., wife of Walter Rob- inson, of Ligonier. A. Howard Smith grew up on the home farm in Elkhart Township and had a district school educa- tion. After leaving school he remained with his father helping to till the fields and carry on the work of the farm until he was thirty years of age. In October, 1894, Mr. Smith married Lillie Schwab. She died in 1895. On March 12, 1901, he married Minnie Burket. Mrs. Smith was born in Perry Township and had a common school educa- tion. After their marriage they lived for three years in Elkhart Township, and in 1911 moved to their present farm of 112 acres in Perry Township. Vol. 11— 2 They also own thirty-four acres in Elkhart Town- ship. This is a valuable property, and represents to a large degree the earnest efforts of Mr. Smith since he started life on his own responsibility. He and his wife have one daughter, Mildred M., born May 13, 1905, and now attending school. Mr. Smith keeps good grades of livestock of all kinds and is a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Elevator at Ligonier. He is affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Eagles, and is a democrat. Ross McNett. More than seventy years have passed since the McNett family became settled in Steuben County. As a family they have been hard workers, successful farmers, earnest citizens and always identified with the religious and moral forces of their communities. Of the third generation Ross McNett is a representative, a capable and progres- sive young farmer in Jamestown Township. He was born on the farm where he lives today, August 29, 1882. The founder of the family in this county was his grandfather, Jacob McNett, who was born in Greene County, Ohio, May 21, 1824. He grew up in Logan County, Ohio, and in 1846 came to Steuben County and lived for three years on Jackson Prairie, and in 1849 located on the west bank of Lake Gage, and remained a resident of that neighborhood until his death in 1880. He owned a farm of 180 acres and had the physical ability and power to give a good account of himself as a farmer and was a man of strong will and great Christian spirit and for many years was an active leader in the Methodist Church. He married at the age of twenty-one Mary Jane Rock, and they had seven children : Sarahett, who died in childhood ; George Sylvester; J. C. ; Marietta; Orpha, who died in childhood; and John and Jane, twins. George Sylvester McNett was born in Millgrove Township, March 6, 1848, and spent his life in Steuben County. He began farming in Millgrove, later lived in Jamestown Township, and for many years had his home on the farm now occupied by his son, Ross. He died April 22, 1903. He was active in public affairs, serving four years as town- ship assessor, and completed one term as county commissioner and was on his second term at the time of his death. George S. McNett married for his first wife Gelane Miller, who died leaving one son, George. For his second wife he married Eliza Arnold, who was born in New York State, October 20, 1851. She is the mother of two children, Lulu, wife of Ray Terry, and Ross. Ross McNett acquired his education in the dis- trict schools of Jamestown Township. For two years, 1906-08, he lived with his mother in Angola, but with that exception has spent all his life on the home farm. He owns fifty acres under contract for sole ownership at the death of his mother, also a tract of eighty acres. He is a successful general farmer and stock raiser. December n, 1907, he married Lillie May, a daughter of Albert and Catherine May. They have four children, named Mildred, Mabel, Melvin and Merle. Orda B. Galloway is a native of Northeast In- diana, his people having been pioneers in Noble County, and after a number of years of successful practice as a dentist in his native county he moved to Steuben County, and is now enjoying a large practice and well satisfied clientele at Angola. He was born south of Ligonier, near Cromwell, November 25, 1878, son of Anderson and Harriet (Miller) Galloway. The Galloway family came 18 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA originally to Northeast Indiana from Greene County, Ohio, and acquired extensive tracts of wild land in Noble County. Doctor Galloway’s grandfather was Joseph Galloway. Anderson Galloway was reared and educated in Noble County, and for many years was one of the succesful farmers of that locality. He and his wife now live retired at the Village of Cromwell. He was born March 12, 1840, and his wife July 5, 1845. He is one of the ardent repub- licans of Noble County, is a member of the Masonic Order and his wife is active in the Lutheran Church. They had a family of ten children : Groase, Clara, Etta, Prentice, Cora, Serepta, Verna, Orda B., Ora and Oakley. Prentice, Cora, Serepta and Verna are deceased. Orda B. Galloway grew up on his father’s farm at Cromwell and lived there until he was about twenty- one years of age. His education began in the district schools, was continued in the high school at Crom- well, and for two and a half years he was a student in Hillsdale College in Michigan. He re- ceived his degree Doctor of Dental Surgery at the Dental College of Indianapolis in 1905. He at once returned to his home locality at Cromwell to begin his professional work, and had a good business there for ten years. In 1915 he moved to Pleasant Lake and in the fall of 1918 opened his offices in Angola. Doctor Galloway is a republican and attends the Congregational Church at Angola. In 1915 he married Mrs. Frank Mayfield, of Noble County. Her one son by her former marriage, Jack Mayfield, is now thirteen years old. J. Clifton McNaughton, though a native of Branch County, Michigan, has spent most of his life in Steuben County and is a member of a family that came here in pioneer days, establishing a home in the wilderness more than fourscore years ago. The pioneer head of the family was his grand- father, Alexander McNaughton, a native of New York State, who married Maria Crawford, also of the same state. Alexander McNaughton, accom- panied by his wife and four children, made the long journey by ox team and wagon from New York to Fremont Township of Steuben County in 1836. Only the previous year had the first home been built in that township. They settled on a piece of wild land two miles south of the present Village of Ray. Alexander McNaughton sold that land a few years later and bought 160 acres in section 13, The Village of Ray stands on part of that quarter section. Alexander McNaughton spent the rest of his life there as a farmer, and he platted the Village of Ray and gave its its first impulse toward growth. His children were named Eliza, Joseph, Archibald, Robert, Maria and Sarah Jane. The wife of Alexander McNaughton died March 30,-1-867, and he passed away January 24, 1884. Robert McNaughton was born in New York State and was a small , child when brought to Steuben County. After getting his education he taught school in Fremont Township, made his first efforts as a farmer in the same locality, and after a few years moved to California Township in Branch County, Michigan. When the railroad was built and the Vil- lage of Ray came into existence, he was one of the first men on the ground and established a general store and had his home in the village. He con- tinued as a merchant there for about thirteen years. He and his brother Archibald also built the first grain elevator. From Ray he moved to Jamestown Township, living there about three years. His second wife died in Jamestown and soon afterward he took up his home with his son J. Clifton, and died there. Robert McNaughton married for his first wife Carrie Lathrope. She was the mother of one son, Delbert. His second wife was Jane Duguid, a daughter of John and Helen (Stewart) Duguid. To that union were born nine children, three of whom died in childhood. Those to reach mature years were Kent, Charles B., Alma, who died when a young woman, J. Clifton and Elton. J. Clifton McNaughton was born in Branch County, Michigan, October 31, 1877, and attended his first schools in that county. For one term he was a student in a school in Fremont Township. As a boy he worked on his father’s farm, but since early manhood has been concentrating his efforts upon the place where he now lives. He owns 160 acres in section 13 of Fremont Township, and his friends and neighbors speak of him as one of the most efficient young farmers in that locality. Mr. McNaughton married in 1897 Bertha Handy, a daughter of Spencer and Sarah (Kaylor) Handy. They have two children. Lorene is a graduate of Fremont High School and has taken work in the International Business College at Fort Wayne. Clay- ton, the son, is also a graduate of the Fremont High School. Mrs. Marium E. Campbell. It was in 1847 that the early members of the Campbell and Childs fam- ilies came to DeKalb County, Indiana. They have been quiet, thrifty people and always identified with the development of the county in a worthy way. The late Edward Campbell was long one of the county’s honored and representative citizens. Edward Campbell was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1841, hence was six years old when he accom- panied his parents, Abel and Jane (Taylor) Camp- bell, in May, 1847, to Indiana and settled in Smith- field Township, DeKalb County. They had six sons and two daughters. Abel Campbell died on an his- toric day of the nation’s history, the same on which Abraham Lincoln was first elected President of the United States. Edward Campbell remained on the home farm and looked after the comfort of his widowed mother and subsequently became the owner of the farm and continued its operation for many years. His death occurred there on March 7, 1914, and by loving friends and with Masonic rites, he was laid to rest in the family plot in the Waterloo cemetery. On May 4, 1865, Edward Campbell was united in marriage to Marium E. Childs, whose parents, Bleeker E. and Jane A. (Wood) Childs, came from Wayne County, New York, to DeKalb County, In- diana, settling in Fairfield Township, the family consisting of three sons and five daughters, Mrs. Campbell at this time, September, 1847, being three years old. She grew up in Fairfield Township, at- tended school diligently and fitted herself for teach- ing and later taught schools in Fairfield, Smithfield and Waterloo, and has always been a lady whose in- tellectual acquirements have been recognized in the family and in society. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell on the pleasant old farm in Smithfield Township, namely: Frank, Elnora, Al- bertus, Clark and Thomas. Frank married Almira Buchanan, and they have one son, Robert Leander. Elnora, who is deceased, was the wife of Oliver Hinman, and is survived by one daughter, Willo Hinman. Albertus married Laura Walker, and they have two sons, Edward and Jeremiah E. Clark married Mrs. Dora (Walker) Kelley. Thomas re- sides with his mother at Waterloo, to which city Mrs. Campbell removed shortly after Mr. Camp- bell’s death, although she still retains the ownership of the old Smithfield homestead of 200 acres. Mrs. Campbell is a member of the United Brethren Church HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 19 at Waterloo and takes an interested part in its many avenues of useful beneficence. The early members of the Campbell and Childs families considered politics not only a necessary part of good citizenship, but the male voters of those days were apt to be emphatic partisans. In both families the whig element prevailed, but when the republican party was organized, its principles proved more acceptable. At the present time Albertus Camp- bell is serving as a member of the Board of County Commissioners of DeKalb, being one of the few re- publicans in this county so honored. The late Edward Campbell joined the Masonic Lodge at Auburn and ever afterward he was a member in good standing. He was faithful in all observances and for years never missed a lodge meeting, traveling the seven miles to Auburn on every occasion no matter what might be the con- dition of the weather. By transfer he later became a charter member of Waterloo lodge. On the fiftieth anniversary of his becoming a Mason, brethren of the Auburn and Waterloo lodges celebrated the event and because of Mr.' Campbell’s feeble health at the time, went in a body to his farm, where, with ap- propriate and beautiful ceremony, they presented him with a Masonic emblem that signifies great and special honor. During the remaining year of his life Mr. Campbell prized this mark of appreciation and friendship as one of his dearest treasures, and it is equally prized by his eldest son, Frank, also a Mason, upon whom his mother bestowed it. Mrs. Campbell has a wide acquaintance in the county and at Waterloo, and is held in the highest esteem every- where. Capt. George H. Cosper. For many years a re- tired resident of Hamilton, Capt. George H. Cosper spent his active years chiefly in DeKalb County and went from that locality when a youth to serve in the Union army during the Civil war. The Cosper fam- ily established itself in the wilds of DeKalb County three quarters of a century ago, and of the names longest identified with that locality that of Capt. George H. Cosper is held the highest honor. He was born in Chemung County, New York, July 2, 1842, a son of Charles and Lucinda (Weeks) Cosper. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1808 and his mother in Vermont in 1812. They married in New York State and in 1844 came West by such means of conveyance as were then available and secured Government land in Wilmington Town- ship of DeKalb County. A log house was their first home in the wilderness, and successive years brought them increased material circumstances and comfort. About the beginning of the Civil war Charles Cosper left Indiana and went to Minnesota. He died at Glenville in that state in 1872. His widow then returned to Steuben County and lived at Hamilton until her death in October, 1893. Mr. Cosper was a whig and republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He and his wife had the following children : Ransom, Elizabeth, Emeline, Mary, W esley, Catharine, George H., Amy, James, Lucretia, Martha and Henry. Those still living are Emeline, Catharine, George, Amy, James, Lucretia, Martha and Henry. George H. Cosper spent his boyhood in the woods of Wilmington Township and acquired his educa- tion largely through study at home and as oppor- tunity offered. There were few good public schools in his early youth. In the first summer of the Civil war he enlisted in Company F of the Forty- Fourth Indiana as a private. He was in camp two months before he was sworn in and mustered on September 21, 1861. He saw nearly four years of service, receiving his honorable discharge Septem- ber 14, 1865. He was in all the battles of the Forty- Fourth Regiment, and was promoted to the rank of captain. He received a shot in the face at Shiloh, and was again wounded at Stone River. The war over, Captain Cosper returned to DeKalb County and was engaged in farming until 1885, when he sold his place and bought property in the Village of Hamilton, where he has enjoyed the com- forts that are his due for his record as a soldier and his industry as a citizen. Captain Cosper has always been a stanch republican, but has never sought office. However, while in DeKalb County he served as constable. He is present commander of Leman Griffith Post No. 387 of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a member of the United Brethren Church. February 18, 1864, he married Miss Evaline Dir- rim. She was born in DeKalb County, April 17, 1845, where her parents, Isaac and Eleanor (Wycoff) Dirrim, had settled in the preceding February. Her parents developed a farm in that county, but spent their last years in Hamilton, where her father died in 1892 and her mother in 1900. There were ten children in the Dirrim family : Sarah, Eliza, Han- nah, Evaline, Cyrus, Lavina, Peter, Martha, Mary and Ida. Those still living are Eliza, Evaline, La- vina, Peter and Mary. Captain and Mrs. Cosper have had a happy mar- ried life for fifty-five years, having celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1914. With five children of their own they have seen numerous grandchildren grow up around them. Their oldest child, Marshall, was educated in the public schools and is now a farmer in Otsego Township of Steu- ben County. He married Ida Sanxter, and their children are Harley, Lena, George, Pearl and Addie. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Cosper was named Addie, and died at the age of six years. Florence is the wife of Monroe Garber, of Quincy, Michigan, and they have three children, Lola, Floyd and John. Mary was first married to Ernest Wright, by which union she had two daughters, named Anna and Alta, and is now the wife of Elmer Wideman, of Detroit, Michigan. By her second marriage she has two sons, Albert and George. Leona is the wife of Fred Spurling, station agent at Hamilton. She has reared one of her sister Mary’s children, Alta, who is now attending high school. Charles H. Turner has been one of the busy and useful men of Steuben County for a great many years, and the greater part of his efforts and ex- perience has been applied to developing a farm which his father once owned in Millgrove Town- ship. Mr. Turner was born in that township, November 2, 1862, son of William W. and Susan (Salisbury) Turner. His mother was born in Steuben County in 1839, daughter of a prominent pioneer, Chester D. Salisbury. The record of the Salisbury family will be found on other pages. William W. Turner was born in Connecticut in 1831, a son of Joseph and Sally ■ Anna (Horton) Turner. Sally Anna Horton was born in Coldbrook, New Hampshire, in 1805. Joseph Turner was a shoemaker by trade and followed that occupation for many years in -New York State. Wiliam W. Turner when about eighteen years of age, in 1848 came from New York to Indiana, settling in Millgrove Township of Steuben County. He lived with his older brother, Nathan, for a time, worked out for other farmers, and after a few years bought a piece of wild land in section 14. Some of it had been cleared, but he put up his first buildings among the trees and worked 20 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA along steadily increasing the area of cultivation and giving the farm other improvements until he had a valuable place of 152 acres. He and his wife had three children : Charles H., Myrtle, wife of C. O. Jones, and Julia M., wife of C. C. Mitchell. Charles H. Turner, only son of his parents, ac- quired his education in the Turner School of Mill- grove Township, graduated from the high school at Orland, and for two winter terms he taught in one of the country districts. He was in the old home with his parents until 1895, in which year he built his present commodious residence and has been farming independently there for a quarter of a century. He owns 180 acres in sections 14 and 23, and does general farming and stock raising. Like his father he is a member of the Grange. Mr. Turner married in 1894 Lucy M. Shutts, a daughter of Herman C. and Mary (Collins) Shutts. Her father came to Steuben County in i860, and some of the important facts in his family history are published on other pages. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have three children : Hilda M„ born in 1895, is a graduate of the Orland High School and of the South Bend Business College ; Marian H„ born in 1900, is a graduate of high school and is the wife of Lyston C. Keyes; and Willa S., who was born in 1910. Thomas A. Parker. The County Farm advisor for Steuben County is Thomas A. Parker, who has spent practically all his life in this section of North- eastern Indiana. He was born in Kosciusko County, a son of Elijah J. and Ada Mary (Orr) Parker. His father was born in Kosciusko County and his mother at Westminster, Ohio. His father is still fanning in Kosciusko, and on the home farm Thomas A. Parker grew up. He is a graduate of the Warsaw High School and received his degree Bachelor of Science from Winona College in 1915. He also graduated in 1917 from the College of Liberal Arts at Winona. Mr. Parker was formerly a teacher in the high school at Pierceton, Indiana, and for one year taught in the Vocational School at Metz. In March, 1918, he was appointed county agricultural agent of Steuben County, and took up the duties of that office in the same year, and all through the critical season of 1918, when American agriculture meant so much to the world welfare, he was busy doing his part in the agricultural communities of Steuben County. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Angola, is a Baptist, and a Mason and Knight of Pythias. In January, 1917, Mr. Parker married Esther H. Parker, daughter of Murray and Margaret (Morris) Parker. They have one son, Thomas A., Jr., born May 27, 1918. Emmet B. Chard is a successful farmer of Scott Township, who has applied himself not only to his individual labors as a producer, but also to some of those broad movements and efforts now affecting for the better agricultural conditions and the inter- ests of farmers. Mr. Chard was born in Richland Township of Steuben County January 11, 1885, a son of Robert and Dorcas (Thompson) Chard of Angola. He grew up on a farm as a boy, attended public schools and the Tri-State Normal College, and has taken the short course in agriculture at Purdue Uni- versity. Since early manhood he has given his best energies and study to farming, and is now making a success of the management of the 200-acre farm owned by his father in Scott Township. His father bought this place February 22, 1899. Mr. Chard is a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Percheron horses. He is a member of the Angola Co-operative Ship- pers Association and was formerly identified with the Valley Shippers Association. He is also active in the Bate Farmers Club, composed of twelve families and holding social and business meetings once a month. He has served as chairman of the club. In politics he is a republican and is a member of the Christian Church. December 31, 1909, Mr. Chard married Miss Pearl Beard, daughter of Gates and Louise Beard of Scott Township. They had two children: Esther, who died in infancy, and Robert Gates, born June 9, 1915. Albert F. Straw. The enterprise of the Straw brothers at Fremont is a reflection of the increasing interest paid to the dairy business in Steuben Coun- ty. Straw brothers operate a model creamery and are also manufacturers of ice cream in large quan- tities, a delicious product that is distributed over many towns around Fremont. The Straw family was one of the first to locate at the Village of Fremont, and three generations have lived there. The first generation was headed by Frederick Straw, who was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1811, a son of George and Elizabeth Straw. In 1832 Frederick married Cath- erine Wagner, who was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1813. They came with their chil- dren to Indiana in the spring of 1856 and bought land just west of the present site of the depot at Fremont, which then contained only a store and a blacksmith shop. Frederick Straw cleared up most of his land from the heavy timber and improved a farm of 180 acres. His wife died June 17, 1871, and he passed away about 1891. He was a Jackson democrat until the republican party was formed, after which he was one of its firm adherents. Fred- erick Straw and wife were the parents of eight chil- dren. One of them was Elias Straw, who was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1834, and was married there in 1855 to Catherine Baker. She was born in the same county in 1839, a daughter of Frederick Baker. Elias Straw came to Steuben County at the same time with his father and bought a tract of land in section 28. Later he bought an- other place and for many years was successfully identified with farming. He was a republican in politics, but his chief interest outside of his farm and family was the Evangelical Church. He organ- ized a society of that denomination near his home, and was very attentive to his duties as a church man, being class leader for many years. He and his wife had the following children: William R. ; John, who died at the age of thirteen; Albert F. ; Granville E. ; George W. ; Augusta, who died at the age of two years ; Harvey H. ; and Herman, who is associated with his brother Albert in the creamery business as a member of the firm Straw Brothers. Albert F. Straw was born in Fremont Township, January 6, 1861, and spent his boyhood days on a farm, attending the local public schools. For many years he has been a practical farmer and owns a place of 104 acres in Fremont Township, besides property in the village. In 1913 the Straw Brothers Creamery was built at Fremont, and since that time it has consumed a large part of the dairy products in that locality. The brothers are very enterprising business men and know their special line thoroughly. Mr. Straw is a republican and a member of the Evangelical Church. In 1889 he married Mary Ackerman. She died in 1894, leaving no children. In 1899 he married Belle Wise, who died in 1902. Mr. Straw married for his present wife in 1904 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 21 Linnie Friday. They have three children, Arva, Virgil and Clifton. Lewis A. Keeslar. While Mr. Keeslar for over thirty years has been identified with the farming and community interests of Steuben County, his home is still close to the locality of his birth, over the state line in the historic Gilead Township of Branch County, Michigan. He represents some of the old and prominent families of Southern Michi- gan, people who developed that region from a wil- derness of swamps, woods and “oak openings.” Mr. Keeslar was born in Gilead Township, July 9, 1858, and is a son of William and Sally (Green) Keeslar. Peter Keeslar, his grandfather, was born in New York State in 1800 and died in 1887. He arrived in Gilead Township of Branch County in 1836, entering ninety acres of timbered land. He put all the buildings and other improvements on the farm and lived there until his death. His children were Joseph, Wiliam, George and Clarissa by his first wife and by a second marriage he had children named Charles, Daniel, John, Mary and Jennie. On the maternal side Lewis A. Keeslar is related to an even older pioneer family of Gilead Township. His maternal grandfather was David Green, who married Maranda Chocker. Both the Greens and the Keeslars were remarkable for much of the de- velopment that has transformed a beautiful region of Southern Michigan into beautiful farms and homes. They lived in the same community where Bishop Chase, the first Episcopal bishop west of the Alleghany Mountains, had his home in old Gilead Township. William Keeslar, who was born in New York State in 1827, and died February 15, 1912, spent many years as a farmer in Gilead, beginning with forty acres of wild land which he paid for by money earned at work by the month. The first forty acres he increased to the extent of 120 acres, and in 1874 left his farm and spent one winter in Coldwater and then moved to a farm near Burr Oak, where he remained nine years. In 1884 he bought 115 acres in Millgrove Township of Steuben County, Indiana, and lived there until his death. His wife, who was a native of Seneca County, New York, died July 8, 1900. Their children were five in num- ber, two of whom died in infancy. Those to reach mature years were Louisa C., Lewis A. and Al- fred R. Lewis A. Keeslar acquired his early education in the public schools of Gilead Township, attended school in Coldwater one winter, and finished his education at Burr Oak. He has been farming in Millgrove Township for over thirty years, and made his first purchase of twenty acres in section 16 of that town- ship in 1888. Gradually as a result of many years of toil and good management his property has grown until it now comprises 175 acres, ninety-five in Millgrove Township and eighty acres across the line in Gilead Township of his native county. It is divided into two farms, and on one of these Mr. Keeslar has erected practically all of the substantial buildings. In recent years the heavier responsibili- ties of managing these places have developed upon his two sons. Mr. Keeslar married June 18, 1881, Miss Jennie D. Cross, daughter of Leonard and Asenath (Ar- , nold) Cross. Their two sons are Glenn and Carl. Glenn married Janet Gillis and has three children, Orion, Evelyn and Duane. Carl married Bessie Berry, and their family consists of Donald, George, Helen and Ray. DeWitt Ewers, who for a third of a century has been identified with the business of brick manufac- ture and is manager of the Angola Brick & Tile Company, one of the largest industries of its kind in Northeast Indiana, is a native of Steuben County, and represents several of the oldest families estab- lished here, including the Stockers and Sowles. He was born in Pleasant Township December 21, 1869, a son of Sylvester and Estella (Stocker) Ewers, who were also natives of Pleasant Township, the father born in 1845 and the mother in 1854. The paternal grandparents were James Benjamin and Harriet (Sowle) Ewers. Harriet Sowle was born January 7, 1814, and was one of a number of this family to become identified with the earliest pioneer development in Pleasant Township. James B. Ewers and wife were married in Ashland County, Ohio, and came to Steuben County in 1838. The Sowle ancestry goes back 700 years in English annals and to the year 1140 in France. James B. Ewers was a cooper by trade and died in 1872, at the age of sixty-two, while his widow survived him until 1898. Of their fifteen children only one is now living, Mrs, Melissa Dixon of Sparta, Wisconsin. Mr. DeWitt Ewers’ maternal grandparents were Leland Howard and Lucy (Mallory) Stocker, the former a native of Vermont. They were also among the early settlers of Steuben County. Sylvester Ewers received a public school education and learned the trade of brick mason. In the ’70s he also took up the manufacture of brick and in 1879 moved to Jamestown and in 1880 to Angola, where he started a brick yard, which was the primary industry now known as the Angola Brick & Tile Company. For a number of years he was associated with his brother Ora under the name Ewers brothers, brick manufacturers. He bought out his brother’s interests in 1889 and continued the business until 1893, when it was incorporated as the Angola Brick & Tile Company. Sylvester Ewers owned three- sevenths of the stock in that corporation. He con- tinued giving his time and attention to his business affairs until his death on July 9, 1910. He was a good business man and an equally good citizen and helped make the City of Angola what it is today. Politically he was a democrat and at one time was a greenbacker. He was affiliated with the Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and was a member of the Christian Church. His widow is still living at Angola. They had a family of nine children, named DeWitt, Eugene, James, John, Lucy, George, Maud, Mildred and Elizabeth. Three are now deceased, John, Lucy and Elizabeth. DeWitt Ewers was educated in the schools of Angola, where he has spent most of his life. He attended the Angola High School, and finished the commercial course of the Tri-State Normal. For thirty-three years he has been connected with the brick and tile company and was an active associate with his father and uncle for seventeen years and since the incorporation of the company has been its manager. Mr Ewers is a prohibitionist in politics. He was a member of the first council of the City of Angola. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Knights of Pythias and of the Christian Church. In 1893 he married Miss Ida May Eckman, who was born in Whitley County, Indiana, daughter of George and Marion (Taylor) Eckman. She was only seven years old when her mother died, and her father afterward came to Steuben County and died at Metz, where Mrs. Ewers lived until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Ewers have two children. Leland, born August 31, 1894, was educated in the grammar and high schools of Angola and is now associated with his father and is also engaged in the coal business. Marion, born March 18, 1901, is a student 22 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA of the Angola High School. Mr. Ewers’ nephew, Ralph Ewers, a son of his brother Eugene, is now serving in the One Hundred and Forty-Sixth Artil- lery with the Army of Occupation in Germany. Maurice C. Lemmon has been figuring as one of the leading men in the agricultural industry of Steuben County for over thirty years. He has a large farm in Steuben Township, his address being at Pleasant Lake. He is a native of that county, and his people have lived there for over three- quarters of a century. Mr. Lemmon was born in Otsego Township No- vember 9, 1862, a son of David Riley and Lorana (Tuttle) Lemmon. The grandparents, Maurice and Lucinda Lemmon, came to Steuben County in 1842 and acquired the farm which their son David Riley afterwards owned. Grandfather Maurice Lemmon died at the age of thirty-two and his wife at forty- eight. They had four children, Bert, David Riley, Brace and Clay. The mother of these children afterward married David Lemmon, a brother of her first husband, and by that union also had four children, Tina, Adhill, Mildred and Burr. David Riley Lemmon was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, November 26, 1839, and was about three or four years old when his parents came to Steuben County. He grew up on the homestead, made a choice farm of it, and of the 160 acres he sold sixty-two and a half acres to his son Morton. He also owned forty acres in another place and still another tract of fifty-five acres. In politics he is a republican. His wife, Lorana Tuttle, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, April 15, 1838, and they were married February 20, 1861. Her parents were Lemmon and Lora Tuttle. Mrs. David R. Lemmon died May 12, 1899, and a few years later her husband moved to Pleasant Lake, where he is now living retired. They had a family of nine children, all still living, named Maurice, Cora, Morton, Lora, Chaplin, Vira, Bessie, Ethel and Elsie. Maurice C. Lemmon spent his early years on his father’s farm and attended the district schools and the Pleasant Lake High School. He has given all his time and energies to farming since he was twenty-two years of age, and after renting for three years he bought in 1889 the place where he now lives, comprising 152 acres. Much of the land was rough and uncleared, and he has since put it into cultivation and has improved the farm with good buildings. Mr. Lemmon is a republican, but has never sought political office. In 1884 he married Miss Anna Beecher, daughter of Truman and Statira (Brown) Beecher. Her mother died in 1901 and her father is now living at Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Lemmon have three children : Russell finished his education in the Pleasant Lake High School and died in 1906, at the age of twenty years. Bernice, who was educated in the Pleasant Lake High School, married Clarence Brooks, of Pleasant Lake, and they have two chil- dren, Alice Jean and Maurice George. The son Beecher also had a high school education, and on July 27, 1917, enlisted in the regular army, and served until granted an honorable discharge April 25, 1918. At the time of his discharge he was a sergeant in the quartermaster’s corps. Truman A. Beecher, one of the oldest residents and business men of Hamilton, Indiana, where he has lived more than sixty years, was born in Craw- ford County, Ohio, May 25, 1837, a. son of Truman and Hannah (Sloane) Beecher. His father was born at Litchfield, Connecticut, and his mother near Steubenville, Ohio, and they were married in the latter state in 1824. Truman Beecher and a partner built the first ten locks on the Ohio Canal at Akron, Ohio. Later he moved to Fredericksburg in Wayne County and also lived at Wooster, the county seat of that county. His business as a contractor took him to various localities. He also lived in Crawford County, and in 1845 brought his family to Franklin Township of DeKalb County, Indiana. He soon moved to Albion in Noble County, where his wife died in 1850. About that time he fitted up a com- pany for the overland route to California, and while on the way west he took sick and died at Fort Laramie, Wyoming, when about sixty years of age. His children were John Sloane, Mary, Philemon, Henry and Truman A. Mr. Beecher’s maternal grandfather, John Sloane, was a distinguished figure in Ohio and national his- tory. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1779 and at an early date moved to Ohio. During the War of 1812 he was a colonel of militia. He was a member of the Legislature in 1804-06, serving two years as speaker. He w.as United States receiver of public monies at Canton from 1808 to 1816, and at Wooster from 1816 to 1819. He represented his district in Congress from 1819 until 1829. He was a warm friend and admirer of Henry Clay, and at a time when the presidential election was decided by the House of Representatives in the contest between Adams, Clay and Crawford, he refused a high presidential appointment offered as a reward for his voting for Adams, and remained true to Clay. A warm friendship existed between him and the great Kentucky whig statesman. John Sloane was also clerk of the Court of Common Pleas seven years, secretary of the State of Ohio three years and was appointed United States treasurer and served from November, 1850, to April, 1853. He died at Wooster, Ohio, in May, 1856. Truman A. Beecher was eight years old when his parents came to DeKalb County, Indiana. He at- tended public schools and after the death of his father and mother he returned to Wooster, Ohio, and lived with his distinguished grandfather, John Sloane. As a youth he learned the trade of tinner, and in 1858, on coming to Steuben County and locating at Hamilton, he opened a tinner’s shop. He was in business steadily for over fifty years, until he retired in 1915. Mr. Beecher owns a good home in Hamilton. He has been a steadfast re- publican, his father having been an old-line whig. In religious views he is liberal. On May 4, 1862, he married Miss Statira Brown. She. was born in Erie County, Ohio, in 1840, and died in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Beecher had ten children, including several pairs of twins : Minnie ; Anna, wife of Maurice Lemmon; Harriet Stowe; Nettie and an infant sister; William, whose twin died in infancy; Frank C. and Fannie C., twins; and James Garfield, who was born the day Garfield was elected president. John M. Moore is one of the widely known citi- zens of Noble County, spent many years of his life as a practical farmer, but for the last twenty years has been in the sawmill and lumber business at Cromwell, and is now head of the M. Moore & Com- pany, dealers in lumber and building material and coal. Mr. Moore was born three miles southwest of Cromwell in Sparta Township, November 25, 1856, son of Joseph and Mary (Airgood) Moore. His father, a native of New Jersey, came West to Noble County, Indiana, at the age of sixteen, grew up and HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 23 married here, and then settled in section 19 of Sparta Township. Later he acquired a farm of 162 acres in Turkey Creek Township of Kosciusko County, and lived there until the death of his wife. He afterward married a second time, and spent his last years at Cromwell. By his first wife he was the father of nine children, two of whom died young. Those still living include: Emeline, widow of John S. Shock; Maria, wife of Allen Wright, of Syra- cuse, Indiana ; Almina, wife of Charles Lowner, of Syracuse; Etta, wife of Rev. N. J. Myer, of Denver, Colorado ; and Minnie, wife of William Grider, of Sparta Township. John M. Moore attended the schools near his father’s home and had the usual training and ex- perience of an Indiana farm boy. He sought no particular interest or enterprise outside of farming until 1898, when he left the country and moved to Cromwell. Here he established and conducted a lumber yard and sawmill, and continued it as an individual business under his own name until Janu- ary, 1914, when he associated his son-in-law with him. They carry a large stock and have taken pains to be in a position to supply every demand for build- ing material and similar commodities required by their community. Mr. Moore married Nettie Snyder. He had the misfortune to lose his wife in August, 1914. She was the mother of five children : Elvin C., a busi- ness man of Hartford City, Indiana; Ethel, wife of Calvin Seymour; Freeman C., who lives on the old farm ; Hazel and Mabel, twins, the former the wife of Roy Eaton, and the latter the wife of Forest Heney, of Avilla, Indiana. On January 30, 1919, Mr. Moore married Minnie Bentz, of Turkey Creek Township, Kosciusko County. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past grand and past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a republican. Besides his chief business Mr. Moore is a stockholder in the Sparta State Bank. Arthur L. Peachey. While Mr. Peachey’s enter- prise has been directed over a good farm in Fre- mont Township for a number of years, the original seat of the family in Steuben County was Otsego Township, where he was born and where his par- ents settled at a time not far removed from the earliest occupation. Mr. Peachey was born October 19, 1861, a son of James and Sarah (Brown) Peachey. His parents were both natives of Cambridgeshire, England. Sa- rah Brown was a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Brown) Brown. Joseph Brown, accompanied by his family, including Mr. and Mrs. James Peachey, came from England to America in 1851. He located in Medina County, Ohio, and from there to 1857 moved to Otsego Township of Steuben County, where he spent the rest of his life. He had two daughters, named Rebecca and Sarah. _ James Peachey also located in Otsego Township in i 857 > and was one of the capable farmers of that locality until his death on January 23, 1890. His widow survived him until March, 1910. They have four children, named Walter, Mary, Margaret and Ar- thur L. Arthur L. Peachey acquired his early education in the district schools, attended the high school at Angola, and for nearly thirty years has found his efforts directed pleasantly and profitably along lines of agriculture. In the spring of 1892 he moved from Otsego to Scott Township, farmed there ten years, in 1902 returned to Otsego and in 1910 bought his present place in section 34 of Fremont Township. Mr. Peachey is owner of 167 acres, well improved, two of the buildings having been erected under its present ownership, and all devoted to general farm- ing and stock raising. Mr. Peachey is a breeder of blooded Shorthorn cattle. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Fremont. In 1887 he married Inez McCurdy, daughter of Robert and Celinda (Mumma) McCurdy. They have two children, J. Carl and Achsa. Carl, who runs the home farm with his father, married Lena Stroh. Achsa is the wife of K. B. Mann. J. Frank Stanley is a native of Green Township, Noble County, and during his long career there has concerned himself not only with the successful prosecution of his private business and affairs but also with many community enterprises. He is a former trustee of the township, and has always been active in politics. Mr. Stanley’s home farm is the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of sec- tion 21. He was born in the same township April 7, 1849, and the Stanleys are one of the oldest families of that locality. His parents were H. C- and Sophronia (Beeson) Stanley. His father was born in Preble County, Ohio, January 24, 1818. His mother was born in Wayne County, Indiana, December 22, 1824. When H. C. Stanley was three years old his parents moved to Union County, Indiana, where he grew up. He and his wife were married in Wayne County, Indiana. The Beeson family came from North Carolina. H. C. Stanley after his marriage moved into the wilderness of Green Towship, Noble County, establishing a farm in the northern part of the township. He lived there the rest of his life and was one of the really big men in the community. His material affairs prospered, including the ownership of 400 acres of good farm lands. He also served as county commissioner and three times represented his county in the Legislature. During the Civil war he lent all his influence and resources to the success- ful prosecution of the war against the rebellion. H. C. Stanley and wife had seven children to reach maturity and six are still living: J. Frank; May H., wife of Oro Barnum; M. D. Stanley, of Avilla; Alice, widow of Marshall Bonham ; C. H. Stanley, of Albion; and Charles H., a farmer in Noble County. J. Frank Stanley grew up on the home farm in the northern part of Green Township, and was well educated in the common schools and the schools of Albion. For several years he taught in his native county in addition to farming. He made his home with his parents until he was past the age of thirty. In 1882 he established a home of his own by his marriage to Alma Prouty. She was born in Jeffer- son Township of Noble County and was educated in the common schools. She also taught. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stanley located on their present farm, known as the Fountain Farm, comprising 200 well cultivated acres. Here Mrs. Stanley died in 1886. None of her children are now living. In 1896 Mr. Stanley married Miss Clara Applegate. She was born in Noble County. They have two living children: Aubrey, a graduate of high school and now in Purdue University, joined the students aviation corps at Purdue. Hazel is a high school student. The family are members of 'the United Brethren Church at Green Center. Mr. Stanley is a stanch democrat. He served three times by election and twice by appointment as trustee of Green Township. He is a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank at Alb|gn. Merle C. Nisonger. One of the younger men of the agricultural community: '’of Scott Township, 24 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Steuben County, Merle C. Nisonger has the progressive spirit of youth and has identified him- self with the best interests of the community and with those organizations which represent the modern uplift in country life and agricultural enterprise. He was born on the old Nisonger homestead in Scott Township June 7, 1885, a son of Jackson and Sarah Jane (Dygert) Nisonger. Jackson Nisonger was a native of Kosciusko County, Indiana, and his parents settled in early days in Scott Township, trading their Kosciusko County lands for 107 acres in Steuben County. Jackson Nisonger grew up on the farm, spent his life as an agriculturalist, and since his death his widow has become the wife of James E. Gifford, mentioned on other pages of this publication. Merle C. Nisonger grew up on his father’s farm, attended the district schools, and for two years was a student in the Angola High School. After leaving school he spent a year and a half traveling in Colorado, Oregon and California and other points in the West. With a new outlook and knowl- edge he returned to Steuben County and has since been busily engaged in farming. He bought eighty acres of the Cyrus Cole estate as the principal part of his farm, and has since added another twenty acres, giving him 100 acres for cultivation and man- agement. He keeps a number of grade Holstein cattle and follows modern feeding methods, employ- ing a silo, his silo being 10x40 feet. Since January 1, 1918, Mr. Nisonger has been secretary of the Angola Cooperative Shippers Association. He is a democrat, is affiliated with Angola Lodge No. 236, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and also the Odd Fellows Lodge at Angola. February 16, 1910, he married Miss Dessa Mor- rison, of Angola, daughter of Irvin and Myrtle Morrison. To their marriage were born three chil- dren : Jackson M., Lyle T. and Lorin M. Abram H. Wemple is one of the oldest and best known citizens of Noble County, and continuously for over half a century has lived on and worked out his prosperity on one farm. This farm home, which has so many associations for him and his family, is located in section 23 of Perry Township, a half mile north and three-quarters of a mile east of Ligonier. He was born in Schenectady County, New York, October 8, 1841, son of John A. and Elizabeth (Strang) Wemple, both natives of New York State. His mother was born in New York City. After their marriage they came to Indiana in 1855, locating in Clear Spring Township of LaGrange County. They were farmers in that community, and were active members of the Reformed Church, of which John A. Wemple was a deacon and otherwise active. He was a democrat in political affiliations. Of ten children five are living : Abram H. ; Angelica, widow of Bartlet Smith; James V., a farmer in Michigan ; Elias C., who lives on a farm at Valen- tine in LaGrange County; and Elijah P., of Topeka, Indiana. Abram H. Wemple was fourteen years old when his parents first came to LaGrange County. The following year his father returned to New York State, and it was not until the fall of 1859 that the family settled permanently in LaGrange County. Abraham therefore acquired his education partly in the public schools in LaGrange County. He lived at home until the age of twenty-four. On December 28, 1865, he married Lavina Nelson. She was born in New York State, October 13, 1845, and was brought to Indiana at the age of two years, her people being neighbors to the Wemples in La- Grange County. Mr. and Mrs. Wemple lived for one year with her parents, but in 1867 came to the farm where they have had their home for over half a century. ' Mr. Wemple has not only kept up his own land and improvements but has witnessed a remarkable transformation in many ways that en- hance the value and attractiveness of country life. He has a good farm of 120 acres, is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company and the Co-operative Elevator in Ligonier, and is still man- aging his various business interests. Mr. and Mrs. Wemple had four children: Charles N„ who was educated in the common and high schools, is married and lives in Perry Township ; Clarence E. finished his education in high school and lives in Ligonier; Cora L. was a student in the Ligonier Fligh School and is the wife of Delano Oliver and has one daughter, Mildred, who is a graduate of high school ; and Arvilla, who finished her education in the Ligonier High School and is the wife of Charles Straub, of Goshen. Mr. Wemple has three grandchildren. He and his family are members of the United Brethren Church at Ligonier, and he is one of its trustees. In politics he is a democrat. William F. Krueger. A family that has for many years enjoyed the respect and esteem of a large community in Northeastern Indiana is that repre- sented by William F. Krueger, who is one of the leading farmers in Salem Township of Steuben County, and is a son of the late Charles Henry Krueger. Charles Henry Krueger was born in Germany April 5, 1835, and married there in 1859 Sophia Miller. She was born July 21, 1843. Immediately after their marriage they started for America, and after landing came west to Kendallville, Indiana. Charles H. Krueger had been coachman for a wealthy family in Germany, but after coming to America clerked in a drug store and later in a gro- cery store, and also operated a dray. He was al- ways very fond of horses. In 1878 he moved to Steuben County and bought eighty acres of land, and by his industry cleared most of it and erected very substantial buildings, including a barn 66 by 30 feet. He lived there until his death on January 7, 1906. His widow is still living at the old homestead with her son William. Charles H. Krueger was a democrat in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church. He and his wife had the following chil- dren: Minnie, wife of Alfred Fisher; Henry, who died when twenty-one years old; Georgina, who is the wife of John Ahrens and has three children, named Iona, Milton and Jessie; William; Gusta, wife of Theodore Richards, and they have one child, Theodore. Mrs. Charles Krueger also has an adopted daughter, Augusta, a grandchild, daughter of her son Harmon. Harmon Krueger first mar- ried Pauline Keibel and Augusta is the only child of their union. For his second wife he married Bertha Fogus, and has two children, George and Helen. William F. Krueger was born at Kendallville July 26, 1872, and since early childhood has lived on the home farm. He received his education in the public schools and is a high class farmer, one who takes pride in keeping improvements up to date. He is a raiser of Poland China and Berkshire hogs and Shropshire sheep. He built both the house and the barn and has made many other improvements. When the family came to this farm there was only a log house and a log barn, and much interesting transformation has gone on since Mr. Krueger HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 25 moved here. Mr. William F. Krueger is unmarried and makes his home with his mother. He is a democrat in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church. Amos Bowsher, an honored veteran of the Civil war, whose two sons have done patriotic service for their country in the recent World war, is a native of Northeast Indiana, and for half a century has been actively identified with the Topeka community in LaGrange County. He was born in Perry Town- ship of Noble County September 9, 1842, son of Boston and Sophia (Kuntz) Bowsher. His father was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and his mother in Virginia. The Bowsher and Kuntz families were among the earliest settlers of Northern Indiana, the Bowshers locating near Ligonier in Noble County while the Kuntzes established their early home in Elkhart County. Boston Bowsher and wife after their marriage settled in Perry Township of Noble County, and spent the rest of their days on the farm. He was a democrat in politics. They were the parents of fourteen children, four of whom are still living: Amos; Cephas, a resident of Colo- rado; Mary, wife of Samuel Giant, of lopeka, In- diana; and Catherine, wife of Christ Slabaugh, of Perry Township, Noble County. Amos Bowsher grew up on his father’s farm in Noble County and had such advantages as were offered by the district schools of that day. He was about nineteen when the Civil war broke out, and on January 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company I of the Forty-eighth Indiana Infantry. He was in service over three years, and received a slight wound during the Vicksburg campaign. He held the rank of sergeant. After returning home he rented his father’s farm for a time, and on February 18, 1867, married Miss Clara Poyser. She was born in Eden Township of LaGrange County August 1 1, 1850. Mrs. Bowsher owns in Eden Township 420 acres, the farm where she was born, also the home of her father and maternal grandfather, Senator John Thompson. Mr. Bowsher still owns 120 acres of good farm land, but is practically retired from managing it. He owns local real estate in Topeka. He is a re- publican in politics and is past grand of Topeka Lodge No. 760, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a member of the Masonic Order. His two sons are William H. and Harley M. Wil- liam H. graduated from the State Normal at Terre Haute. He is a mechanical engineer by profession, and during the World war was in the Engineers Corps with the rank of first lieutenant. Fie served in France six months and was wounded in action three times and gassed. He was at the Argonne For- est battle and in other engagements. He makes his home at Topeka. The other son is a graduate of high school, and is a jeweler by trade. During his army service he was assigned to duties with the Eleventh Cavalry Band at Washington, District of Columbia. Isaac Sutton, a former sheriff of LaGrange County, is known all over Indiana as a horse man. On his farm and in his stables he has raised and trained some of the best road horses in the country and is an expert in every detail of staple manage- ment. Mr. Sutton was born in Eden Township February 28, 1853, a son of David and Julia (Miller) Sutton, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. His grandfather James Sutton was a native of England and came to the United States with six brothers, several of whom subsequently located in Indiana. David Sutton grew up in Allen County, and after his marriage settled in Eden Township, where death overtook him in his labors at the age of thirty-nine. He and his wife had eight children, one of whom died in infancy, and the three still living are Marion, Isaac and David, all living near Topeka. Isaac Sutton grew up on a farm which his grand- mother Catherine Miller had entered from the government. He attended the common schools and spent one year in Valparaiso University. As a boy on his father’s farm he took special interest in handling the horses, and he is still in the business of breeding and training road horses. He formerly owned “Jack Dillard,” with a record of 2:11 Hi Among his horses were “Barney M. Hart,” with a record of 2:17)4, “Bonnie B.,” a dam of ‘“Jack Dillard” and “Barney M.” made a mark of 2 :i 6 I /i, and “Ed. H. Hart” 2:io)4, son of “Barney M. Hart.” Mr. Sutton served as sheriff of LaGrange County from December 3, 1900, to January 1, 1905. He lived in the county seat during his term of office, but since then has been on his farm of 170 acres. In September, 1879, he married Julia Roderick, a native of Eden Township, and they grew up together as children. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton have two children; Minnie, who attended high school and is the wife of Karl Ulmer of North Manchester, Indiana; and Guy, who married Beulah Barnes and lives in Topeka. Mr. Sutton is a Past Grand of Haw Patch Lodge No. 760 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has been a member of the Grand Lodge, and he and his wife were formerly members of the Rebekahs. Politically he is a republican and was elected on that ticket to the office of sheriff. Ray D. Hosack is well known to the business community of Angola, where he is the leading musical instrument merchant. He has had a long and active experience in this line of business, and the family tastes largely run along the line of music. He was born in Defiance County, Ohio, November 12, 1892. His grandfather was a native of New York State and when quite young moved to Ohio, owning a farm there, and was also a partner in the Matchlin Machine Works. He died in Ohio. Ray Hosack’s father is a native Ohioan, was reaied and educated there, studying music, and nearly all his active life has been a teacher of music. He travels much in quartet work, has done much singing to aid evangelists, and is now proprietor of a musical instrument store at Edgerton, Ohio. He also has a 100-acre farm near that town. He is a republican and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Ray D. Hosack secured his education in the grammar and high schools of Ohio, had a normal training, and for one year attended Dana’s Musical Institute. He was for several years employed as salesman of musical instruments and for one year worked in a piano factory in New York City. Mr. Hosack came to Angola in 1916 and engaged in the music business, and the following year bought the Conklin Music Store, which is one of the chief centers for the trade in musical instrument supplies in Steuben County. April 20, 1918, Mr. Hosack married Miss Blanche Baker, a daughter of Frank W. Baker, a prominent farmer and member of an old family of Steuben County. Mrs. Hosack was born in 1895. Anderson Galloway, a retired farmer living at Cromwell, has had a long and notable experience during his lifetime of nearly eighty years. He is 26 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA one of the oldest native sons of Noble County, hav- ing been born in Washington Township, March 14, 1840. His parents were Joseph and Frances (Town) Galloway, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Vermont. This was his father’s second marriage. His father first married in Ohio, and coming to Indiana located on Rolling Prairie and entered Noble County as a pioneer in 1837, settling in Washington Township, where he spent the rest of his life. He was always prominent in politics, first as a whig and later as a republican. He and his wife Frances had seven children, five of whom are still living: Anderson; Catherine, widow of James Reed ; Martha, widow of Abraham Hines ; Scott, of Wolf Lake; and Frances, widow of Frank Eaton. Anderson Galloway spent his boyhood days in the pioneer environment of Washington Township, and had opportunities to attend school only during the winter sessions. At the age of eighteen he started out to make his own way in the world. For a time he lived in Illinois, working at wages of $11 a month, then went to Missouri and got an advance of wages to Si 5 a month, and for one summer was employed on a Mississippi River steamboat. He adventured further West to the gold mines of Denver, and re- mained in those diggings for a year and a half, and was more fortunate than most prospectors, since he returned with more than he took with him. Returning to Noble County in 1861, Mr. Galloway, after the death of his father in 1863, enlisted in Company C of the Thirtieth Indiana Infantry. He saw much of the hard fighting of the war during the time he was in the army. He participated in the Atlanta campaign under Sherman, and after the fall of that Confederate stronghold he went back to Tennessee under General Thomas in pursuit of General Hood to Nashville. He received his final discharge in Texas. After his return home on February 8, 1866, he married Harriet Miller. She was born in Sparta Township of Noble County and has lived in that locality all her life. After their marriage they moved to a farm in the southern part of the town- ship and lived there until 1901, when they retired to Cromwell. Mr. Galloway still owns 274 acres of land in Noble County. He became affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Ligonier in 1863, and upon the organization of Cromwell Lodge No. 705, became a charter member. He has always been active as a republican, and he was one of the Township Advis- ory Board for Sparta from the time the law was passed establishing that board for sixteen consecu- tive years. Mrs. Galloway is a member of the Lutheran Church. They have six living children : Gross, a farmer in Sparta Township; Clara, wife of Theodore Wright, of Sparta; Etta, wife of William R. Wright, of Cromwell; Orda, a dentist at Angola; Ora, wife of William Hinman, of Cromwell; and Oakley, of Detroit. Eugene F. Weicht has accumulated a great deal of experience since boyhood, and largely dependent upon his own resources and abilities has achieved a prosperity as a farmer which classes him with the very first and best of that profession in Salem Township of Steuben County. He was born in that township April 15, 1857, a son of Fred and Susan (McEntarfer) Weicht. His father was born in Germany in 1818 and his mother in Pennsylvania in 1839. Fred Weicht came to America with his parents at the age of twelve years. They were a pioneer family in Salem Township of Steuben County. Fred was the oldest of seven chil- dren, the others being William, Leopold, Charles, Ernest (who died in infancy), Christiana and Louisa. Grandfather Weicht acquired 120 acres of government land in Steuben county, and the same tract, greatly improved, was afterward owned by Fred Weicht. Fred Weicht died in 1865, and his widow survived him until 1910. Fred Weicht was a physician by profession and gave much of his time to practice in the early days. He and his wife had five children: Julius, Elizabeth, Adaline, Eugene and Ida. As a boy on the home farm in Salem Township Eugene F. Weicht acquired his education in the public schools and also attended the Angola High School. He was only eight years old when his fa- ther died, and as there was no one to help him par- ticularly he early learned to help himself. For about two years he followed the trade of carpenter. As a farmer he rented land, and later bought forty acres where he still lives. Subsequently he added seventy-nine acres and afterward ninety acres, and is now owner of a fine body of land comprising 209 acres. He uses this for raising the staple crops of the vicinity and also keeps a herd of pure bred Poland China hogs. He is an extensive cattle feeder. Mr. Weicht is a democrat in politics. In 1886 he married Miss Effie Silvey, daughter of Benjamin and Magdalena (Sutterlin) Silvey. Her parents were among the early settlers of Salem Township and her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Weicht have two children. Vern, born October 30, 1889, was educated in the district schools and the Angola High School, also attended Tri-State Normal Col- lege, and on November 26, 1915, married Miss Mil- dred Leas, a daughter of Marvin Leas of Salem Township. They have a daughter, June Catherine. Carmah, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Weicht, was born January 9, 1891, is a graduate of the Pleasant Lake High School and the wife of Asa Glago. Mr. and Mrs. Glago have two children, Madalena and Carroll. John Headley. From the years of early man- hood until his death in 1914. John Headley was a citizen of York Township in Steuben County upon whom his neighbors could depend, when the com- munity needed the support of all its public spirited citizens. He lived a long life, was prospered in his material affairs, and left a name untarnished to his descendants. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Septem- ber 9, 1828, a son of Reuben and Louisa Headley, the former a native of New Jersey and and the latter of Virginia. The family came to Steuben County in 1849, settling in section 16 of York Township, where Reuben Headley died in i860, at the age of sixty-six. His widow survived and passed away February 12, 1892. Their children to reach mature years were John, Hannah, Nancy, Mary, Wheeling, Joseph, Reuben, Sarah Jane, Emma, Louisa and Charles. John Headley was just about twenty-one years old when he came to Steuben County. In the same year he bought thirty-six acres of land in section 16 and deeded it to his mother. In 1851 he bought forty acres for himself in the same section, and there started to clear the land and make a home, and in the later years of his life he had the satisfaction of seeing his efforts rewarded in a farm that was a conspicuously attractive part of the landscape. He at one time owned 280 acres in his home farm, and at the time of his death had 200 acres. He was very successful in handling stock and usually kept his farm supplied with some of the best cattle and horses in the county. He was a loyal republican in HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 27 politics, and for twenty-one years was road super- visor. November 9, 1853, he married Susan Hubbell. She was born in New York State July 13, 1833, and died April 11, 1882. She was the mother of five chil- dren : Edwin E., Edgar, Minard, Cary, who died at the age of six years, and Mordant, who died in infancy. June 24, 1883, Mr. Headley married Harriett Hood. She was born in DeKalb County March 23, i860. She is still living on the home farm in York Township. She was the mother of four children: Alma, born April 20, 1886, and died September 15, 1886 ; Harmon, born March 6, 1892, had a public school education and is a farmer living at home with his mother; Nora B., born August 2, 1894, now the wife of Lawrence Dick, of York Township, and she has two children, named Winona and Alene; and John, born July 9, 1900, finished the common schools and lives on the home farm. Everington F. Beers. A farm widely known as one of the notable old homesteads of Steuben County is the Walnut Dale Farm in Jackson Town- ship, the present proprietors of which are Mr. and Mrs. Everington F. Beers. They and their families have been factors in the early settlement and the later development of Steuben County for three quarters of a century. Mr. Beers was born in Jamestown Township August 30, 1847, son of Bradford and Amanda (Bement) Beers, both natives of New York. His parents were married in that state and came to Steuben County in 1845. His father bought eighty acres in Jamestown Township, and on selling that acquired forty acres in Jackson Township. The last fifteen years of his life he lived with his son Everington and died in 1893, at the age of seventy- three. The mother of Mr. Beers died in 1857, aged thirty-one. Bradford Beers was a democrat, and as a pioneer lived in a log house when he first came to Steuben County. He and his wife had five chil- dren : Eleanor ; Harriet, deceased ; Everington F. ; Imogene, deceased ; and Mortimer. The father mar- ried for his second wife Burnett Whaley, and their three children were Ida, George and Nora, both daughters now deceased. Everington F. Beers grew up on his father’s farm and had a public school education. Until he re- tired he was an active farmer for nearly fifty years, and the first place he owned was eighty acres on Jackson Prairie in the Township of that name. He lived there seventeen years and in 1904 moved to his present home, the old Darius Sams place, for- merly owned by Mrs. Beers’ father. He lived there as a . renter for twelve years before he bought. Mr. and Mrs. Beers have 126 acres in their home place and have added many improvements to it during their ownership. Mr. Beers now rents his farm and is practically retired. He is one of the men who has lived to see early hopes realized in the success of the prohibition cause. When he cast his first vote on the prohibi- tion ticket in Jackson Township he was the only man to support that ticket and he gave his modest advocacy to the cause alone in that locality for sev- eral years. He is a member of the Methodist Church. February 25, 1874, Mr. Beers married Miss Effie Sams. She was born on the place where she now lives February 25, 1854, a daughter of Darius and Phoebe (Lounsbury) Sams. Her father was born in Ohio in 1829 and her mother in New York State in 1831. Darius Sams was a son of David and Elizabeth (Baker) Sams and they were among the earliest settlers of Steuben County, coming in 1835 and locating on a farm south of the Jackson Prairie cemetery. At that time David Sams acquired forty acres and afterward by entry and purchase became one of the extensive land owners in the county. He died on the old homestead in April, 1874, at the age of seventy-three, while his wife passed away in 1888, aged eighty-eight. They had the following children: Mary Jane, Peter, Daniel, Darius, Sarah Ann, Abdilla, Amasa and Henry, the only one now living being Henry. Darius Sams, father of Mrs. Beers, had a good education, attending the Academy at Ontario and the Methodist College at Fort Wayne. After school days he spent his active career as a farmer and bought the 126 acres where Mr. and Mrs. Beers now live, and that was his home for fifty-three years. He also owned a place of 120 acres a mile and a half south and later bought forty acres of his fa- ther’s old home. Darius Sams died in 1915, at the age of eighty-six, having spent practically eighty j^ears in Steuben County. His wife died April 21, 1907, aged seventy-eight. Mrs. Beers was the only child of her parents, though her mother by a previous marriage, to Daniel Sams, brother of her second husband, had a son, Daniel. Mrs. Beers was educated in the public schools, the Orland Academy and the Angola High School. Mr. and Mrs. Beers have two sons. Hugh, born April 8, 1880, was educated in the Orland High School and as a farmer rents his father’s place on Jackson Prairie, comprising 120 acres, including forty acres where the grandparents of Mrs. Beers began keeping house in the pioneer times. Hugh Beers married Anna Nichols, and their three sons are Bruce, Henry and Homer. Mrs. Hugh Beers died in January, 1917, and he married for his second wife Flora White. Harry Beers, the second son, was born January 29, 1888. He also completed a high school course at Orland, and is owner of 120 acres of the old John Parker farm. He married Versa Watters, and has one daughter, Helen. James M. Furnish. One of the farms in Jack- son Township of DeKalb County longest in the possession of one family is that owned by James M. Furnish on the county line between Allen and De- Kalb counties. Mr. Furnish himself has gathered crops from that land for over forty years, and his father before him developed and farmed it. James M. Furnish was born in Ashland County, Ohio, January 26, 1849, a son of David and Mary C. (Davis) Furnish. His father was born in Suffolk, England, in 1805, and came to the United States when about twenty-eight or thirty years of age. He lived in Boston for several years, married in that city, and then moved to Ashland County, Ohio. His home was in Ashland County for seventeen years. He supported his family by common labor and also by farming. After selling his twenty-five acres of land in Ashland County he moved to DeKalb County and bought eighty acres where his son James now lives. He remained there the rest of his life and owing to an injury spent several years almost help- less. James M. Furnish carefully looked after his parents in their declining years and was their main- stay and support during their last years. Both were active in the Lutheran Church and his father was a republican. Of their family of eleven children only four are now living: Abraham, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Margaret J., wife of David Hollabaugh ; James M. ; and Martha. James M. Furnish grew up on the home farm and was educated in the common schools. He worked for his father and took charge of the farm for a number of years and after his father’s death he bought the old homestead. He does general farm- 28 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA jng. Mr. Furnish is a republican in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church. May 13, 1880, he married Ida Steward. She was a native of DeKalb County and was educated in the common schools. They have three children : Ralph, a farmer living with his father ; Sudia, wife of Mel- vin Howey of DeKalb County; David, who is mar- ried and lives at Detroit, Michigan, where he is working with the Ford Automobile Works. a breeder of Duroc hogs. Mr. Barnes is affiliated with Steuben Lodge No. 231 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. December 21, 1912, he married Miss Dorothy Worthington, born March 24, 1894, daughter of William and Nettie Blanche Worthington, of Argus. They have two daughters, Cora Lucile, born De- cember 21, 1914, and Maxine, born April 25, 1919. John A. Barnes. Steuben County received its first permanent settlers during the decade of the ’30s, and it is rather unusual to find a family established here through four generations and with such an honorable record as farmers, good citizens and vigilant members of the community as that belonging to the Barnes connection. One of the representatives in the fourth generation is John A. Barnes, a young and progressive farmer ot iork Township. . . , • . ,• The first of the family in this county was his great-grandfather, Cowee Barnes, who was born Tune 21 1788. September 5, 1809, he married Bridget Howard, who was born May 10, 1791- Cowee Barnes came to Steuben County m 1836. He was one of the settlers of that year in York Township. The first recorded settlers in the township arrived in 1836. Cowee Barnes entered 120 acres of wild land from the government, and before his death, which occurred in 1855, had cleared up most of it and put it into cultivation and improved with good buildings. The wife of Cowee Barnes died August 31, 1856. They had a family of ten chil- dren a brief record of whom is as follows : George, born August 10, 1810; Betsie born July 6 1812; Hannah, born July 6, 1814; Edward, born April 8, 1817; Ira, born June 28, 1819; Cyrus, born April n, 1822; Abigail, born March 28, 1825; Abel M„ born February 15, 1827; John, born June 23, 1829; and Cecilia, born July 3 1 , 1832. Of this family the next to the youngest, John Barnes, who as noted was born in 1829, was born in Delaware County, New York, and was seven years old when his parents came to Steuben County. He grew up in York Township and lived practically all his life on one farm, where his death occurred June 20, 1914. He married September 27, 1855, Julia Handley, who was born in Crawford County, Ohio, in 1838, and died February 6, 1906. lhey were the parents of three children : Alverda Lucinda, born June 11, 1859, and died August 20, 1861; Albert E„ born July 11, 1862, and died June i 3 > 1917 : and Howard, born January 2, 1870. Albert E. Barnes acquired his early education in the district schools of York Township, and had a varied career as a farmer, beginning in York Township, living on rented farms in Fremont and Clear Lake townships, and finally retiring to the old homestead in sections 12 and 13. of York Town- ship, where he spent the rest of his life. Success attended his efforts and he owned 180 acres and most of the buildings still found on the farm were placed there under his direction. He married Octo- ber 15, 1885, Cora E. Hemry, born April 1, 1867, a daughter of John Hemry, and of their two children the older, Vena, died February 20, 1888, at the age of eleven months. John A. Barnes was born while his parents were living in Fremont Township, May 5, 1890. He acquired his education in York Township, took a business course in the Tri-State Normal at Angola, and succeeded his father in the ownership and responsibility of the large farm of 180 acres in sections 12 and 13. He does general farming and is William R. Wright, a member of a well-known family in Noble County, grew up and spent his boy- hood on a farm, but for many years has been iden- tified with commercial pursuits at Cromwell, where he is now the leading hardware merchant. He was born in Sparta Township, December 21, 1869, son of Alexander and Margaret (Hull) Wright, and was the second oldest in their family. His parents were both natives of Ohio. William R. Wright, after getting his education, left home to make his own way in the world and for several years did farm work. He laid the foundation of his business career at Cromwell as clerk in a general store. He was employed by others for thirteen years, but since February 1, 1909, has been pro- prietor of the hardware store and is one of the most successful merchants in that section of Noble County. Mr. Wright married Etta Galloway, a daughter of Anderson Galloway, a well-known Noble County citizen, elsewhere referred to in this publication. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have two children. Stanley A., born March 20, 1895, is a graduate of the Crom- well High School and is married. On June 1, 1918, he enlisted in the navy and after a period of training at the Great Lakes was put on active duty, and dur- ing a portion of the war was stationed at Queens- town, Ireland. The daughter, Velma, is a graduate of the Cromwell High School, and is a proficient young business woman, being bookkeeper in the Sparta State Bank. Mr. Wright has served for the past eight years as town treasurer of Cromwell. He is a republican, is past chancellor of Cromwell Lodge No. 408, Knights of Pythias, is past noble grand of his Lodge of Odd Fellows, and is also active in Masonry, being affiliated with Fort Wayne Consis- tory of the Scottish Rite. Abijah D. Emerson, who recently left his farm in Salem Township to enter into a meat market business at Kendallville, has spent his life in Steuben County and is member of an old and historic family. On other pages of this publication is traced the interest- ing story of his grandfather, Avery Emerson, and other members of the family. Abijah D. Emerson was born on the old home- stead in Salem Township November 6, 1873, a son of Avery and Elizabeth (Parsell) Emerson. He acquired his education in the public schools, finishing the eighth grade, and since school days has been identified with farming. He now owns 127.84 acres of the old homestead, and has his land devoted to general farming and stock raising. He has made a specialty for some years of breeding road horses. He left the farm in the fall of 1918 and moved to Kendallville. He has a great many friends and is regarded as a man of ability in whatever line he undertakes. In politics he is independent and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America, while he and his wife are active in the Presbyterian Church. In 1895 he married Miss Clara Spears, a daughter of John and Emily A. (Helmer) Spears of Steuben HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 29 County. Mrs. Emerson died May 5, 1912, the mother of six children : Mabel, wife of Samuel Greeno, who occupies the Emerson home farm ; Ned, who married Valta Garver and has a son, Lee; Emily, wife of Wayne Sherrick and the mother of one son, Ned; Gladys, Anna and Abijah D., Jr., all members of the home circle. On September 7, 1918, Mr. Emerson married Miss Zola Hamlin, a daugh- ter of Albert and Clara Hamlin of Wolcottville. George M. Emerson, a son of Avery Emerson and a brother of A. D. Emerson of Kendallville, was born on the old Emerson homestead in Salem Township of Steuben County July 17, 1868. He grew up there, acquiring his education in the local district schools, and for thirty years has fol- lowed farming and stock raising as his business. He owns a farm of sixty-four acres, originally a part of the old Emerson homestead. Mr. Emerson is a democrat, but has aspired to no political office. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has been an active member of the lodge for twenty-five years and also belongs to the En- campment and to the Gleaners. Mrs. Emerson is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. April 30, 1896, he married Miss Ona Cleveland. She was born at Flint in Jackson Township October 19, 1871, a daughter of George and Nancy Cleve- land. Her father died in June, 1909, at the age of sixty-seven, and her mother is still living aged seventy-four. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson have three children: George Cary, born January 1, 1901, grad- uated from the Salem Center High School in 1918, and Elizabeth Nancy, born February 7, 1907, and Mildred Arvilla, born in August, 1908, both of whom are still diligently pursuing their studies in the com- mon schools. Charles C. Weingart has been a factor in the business and civic life of Noble County for a long period of years. He was for two terms postmaster of Kendallville, and since leaving that office has been a successful merchant. He gained his first business experience as clerk in the store of John Deibele. He worked for that one man twenty years and three months, and for the last ten years was manager of the hardware and general contracting department. In 1906 Mr. Weingart was elected a councilman at large and carefully looked after the interests of the city during his term. On August 22, 1907, he was appointed postmaster by President Roosevelt and reappointed by President Taft De- cember 30, 1911, serving altogether eight years and eleven months. In February, 1916, Mr. Weingart entered a part- nership with Carl F. Mabus under the name of Weingart & Mabus, dealing in men’s furnishing goods. They established their store near the Noble County Bank and in 1917 bought the Toggery store. Mr. Weingart now gives his personal attention to this business. Fraternally he is affiliated with Kendallville Lodge No. 276, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Weingart is a member and trustee of the Chris- tion Church, and in politics is a republican Robert L. Wade, M. D. Numbered among the successful physicians of Steuben County, Doctor Wade has been in practice at Fremont since 1907, and has given that community not only the benefit of his individual services but has extended the range of his work by founding at Fremont a private hospital. Doctor Wade is a self-made man and earned most of the money which took him through medical school. He was born in Springfield Township of LaGrange County, Indiana, March 18, 1877, a son of Henry M. and Christiana (Lupton) Wade. He spent his boy- hood days on his father’s farm in Springfield Town- ship and attended the district schools there. Later he finished the teacher’s course in the Tri-State Normal College at Angola, and it was his work as a teacher, carried on for six years in his native town- ship in LaGrange County, that enabled him to enter and complete his work in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago. He graduated in 1907, and in the same year located at Fremont, where he has had a very successful practice. In 1914 he built a modern brick hospital at the corner of Toledo and Pleasant streets, in which his office is located. He also owns a comfortable residence on East Toledo Street. He is a member of the County, State and American Medical associations. Doctor Wade has prospered and has acquired considerable property, and was one of the organizers of the First State Bank, which bought the Bank of Fremont. He has been on the Board of Directors since the organiza- tion. Doctor Wade is a republican, has served as a mem- ber of the City Council, School Board and the Ad- visory Township Board, and is affiliated with North- east Lodge No. 210, Free and Accepted Masons, Fre- mont Chapter No. 68, Royal Arch Masons, and Fremont Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. In 1898 he married Miss Lura Talmage, only child of Charles E. and Emma (Joyce) Talmage, of Springfield Township, LaGrange County. Doctor and Mrs. Wade have three daughters: Mildred Joyce, bom in December, 1898, is a graduate of the Fremont High School with the class of 1917 and now assists her father in his office; Wilma, born in 1901 is. a senior in the Fremont High School ; and Bessie, born in 1902, is a junior in the high school. John James Oberlin, who for many years was a business man at Hamilton and is still living in a comfortable home in that village, while looking after his property interests, is a member of a family of early settlers in DeKalb County, where the name is represented by several distinct branches. John James Oberlin was born in Franklin Town- ship of that county June 4, i860, a son of Frederick D. and Sarah (Dirrim) Oberlin, and a' grandson of the pioneer John Oberlin, who in 1845 came to DeKalb County and settled on the northwest quar- ter of section 28 in Franklin Township. He con- ducted a tannery in that locality for a number of years. Frederick D. Oberlin was born in Stark County, Ohio, February 5, 1830, and was fifteen years old when his father came to DeKalb County. He had many pioneer experiences and from an early age chose to be dependent largely upon his own efforts for self-support. In 1850 he bought forty acres of land for the sum of $300, and at the same time began work at the carpenter’s trade, his employer paying him $10 a month for five years. In the course of time he had a large and well-appointed farm of 160 acres, and improved it with good house and buildings. He also lived in the Village of Hamilton for some years, and died there in 1912, at the age of eighty-two years, six months and six- teen days. In politics he was a republican, and he served as township trustee two years and three years as county commissioner. During the Civil war he was a member of Company G of the Fifty- Third Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battle of Kinston, North Carolina. He was affiliated with the Christian Church. February 12, He and his wife were Methodists and later became 30 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA affiliated with the Chrisitan Church. February 12, 1854, Frederick D. Oberlin married Sarah Dirrim, daughter of James Dirrim, another prominent early family in Northeastern Indiana. She was born in Carroll County, Ohio, January 25, 1836, and died at the home of her son John James, November 11, IQ15, aged seventy-nine years, nine months and sixteen days. They were the parents of six chil- dren, and three are still living: Cyrus C., John James and Isaac Charles. John James Oberlin grew up on the homestead farm, had the benefit of the common schools, and through his industry as a farmer acquired a place of eighty acres in Franklin Township a half mile south of the Village of Hamilton. In 1892 he moved into Hamilton and for twenty years was in the livery business. Since then he has been looking- after his farm and other interests, and enjoys the comforts of one of the best homes in Hamilton. Mr. Oberlin is a republican in politics and his family attend the Christian Church. In 1885 he married Miss Lenora Margaret Fifer. She was born in Steuben County in 1867, a daughter of Lewis and Martha (Harpham) Fifer, early settlers of Steuben County. Mr. and Mrs. Oberlin have three children. Lula, who is the wife of Glen Gnagy, of the well- known Gnagy family of Steuben County. Glen Gnagy was in the war, serving at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Roscoe Conkling Oberlin, the second child, lives at Hamilton and married Pearl Cecil Grear. Basil Jesse, the youngest, is managing his father’s farm. He married Mertie Lemon, of Steuben County. John Reidenbach has been a resident of Noble County, Indiana, over sixty years, since birth, has been identified with farming in Elkhart Township forty years, and in material affairs as well as in good citizenship has well earned the place of pros- perity and esteem he enjoys. Mr. Reidenbach and family reside in section 34 of Elkhart Township. He was born in the same township, June 3, 1857, son of Philip and Catherine (Comin) Reidenbach. His father, who was born in Germany in 1820, came to America in 1840 and lived for several years in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He married there Cath- erine Comin, who is also a native of Germany and had come to the United States at the age of twenty and settled in Tuscarawas County. In 1844 Philip Reidenbach moved to Indiana, settling in the woods of Elkhart Township of Noble County. He and his wife spent the rest of their days there, and were long known as people of solid industry and true worth. They were members of the German Methodist Church and the father was a democrat. In their family were nine children, and the follow- ing are still living: Christine, widow of William Miller; Malinda, wife of John Koch; Mrs. Eliza- beth Koch; John; Philip, a farmer in Elkhart Town- ship ; and Mary, widow of Charles Ramer. John Reidenbach grew up on the old farm, and the first school he attended was kept in a log school- house. Later he was a student in the frame school- house, and he made the best possible use of his op- portunities to acquire an education. At the age of twenty-one he married Emma Monk, who died with her only child. He married for his present wife Louise Schmidt, of Wayne County, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Reidenbach have the following chil- dren : George, a graduate of the common schools, married Helen Kirkpatrick; Ella, who completed a high school course, is the wife of Rudy Gill ; Cora, who also had a high school education, is the wife of Oscar Yoder; Brady, a high school graduate, mar- ried Marie Stiffner ; Roy, a high school graduate, served as a first sergeant with the American Expedi- tionary Forces in France; and Florence, who is a graduate of high school and is still at home. Mr. Reidenbach for many years has given his labors to the business of farming and stock raising on his place of 142 acres. He is also one of the directors of the Farmers State Bank of Wawaka. In politics he is a democrat, has served as supervisor of his township, and is a past chancellor and past member of the Grand Lodge of Wawaka Lodge No. 432, Knights of Pythias. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee and steward. Silas C. Cook is owner of one of the farms that have a history in Noble County. Most of it was acquired in a condition of absolute rawness fully sixty years ago by his father. In buildings, general improvements and productivity the Norwood Farm, as it is known, is recognized far and near as one of the best farm estates in the county. It comprises 220 acres, and lies in the southwest quarter of section 19, the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 30, and twenty acres in Noble Township. It was on this farm that Silas C. Cook, its present proprietor, was born December 26, 1867. He is a son of Jonas and Elizabeth (Zigler) Cook. Jonas Cook was born in Carroll County, Maryland, De- cember 10, 1827, son of Baltzer and Elizabeth (Faulk- ner) Cook, both of German ancestry. Baltzer Cook and wife were also born in Maryland. He was a farmer by occupation. In 1830 he moved to Mont- gomery County, Ohio, and he and his wife spent the rest of their days there. Jonas Cook was only three years old when taken to Ohio. As a boy he lived on the farm and attended country schools. At the age of nineteen he began an apprenticeship at the carpenter’s trade, and followed that as a business with marked success for fifteen years. It was with his savings and modest capital derived from his me- chanical skill that he came to Noble County in 1859 and bought 120 acres now included in the Norwood Farm. It was a big task he set himself to make a farm out of a portion of the primeval wilderness. But he steadily persevered and saw all his affairs prosper and increase. He bought other land until he owned 220 acres. On that farm he died in hon- ored old age in February, 1907, and his wife passed away June 4, 1905. He and Elizabeth Zigler were married in 1849. Silas C. Cook is the only one living of their three children. The daughter, Letitia, was married to E. C. Oldwine, and the son Gran- ville married Alta Smith. Jonas Cook in the fall of 1864 enlisted in Com- pany C of the Thirteenth Indiana Infantry, and was in the Union army about a year, receiving his hon- orable discharge and returning home in the fall of 1865. He saw some active service during the siege of Richmond, was also at Fort Fisher and at Ben- tonville, where the last important battle of the war occurred. He was a loyal republican in politics and one of the leading members of the Dunkard Church in his community. Silas C. Cook grew up on the old farm in Green, Township, and besides the advantages of the com- mon schools attended Normal School at Albion and Valparaiso. Besides helping his father on the farm he taught school and was engaged in that profession altogether for about fifteen years. In 1891 Mr. Cook married Miss Emma Garber, who was born near Webster Lake in Indiana. After their marriage they located on the home farm, and have lived there continuously except for two and a half years in North Webster. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 31 Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of three tal- ented daughters : Elsie, a high school graduate and a former teacher, is now in the adjutant general’s office at Washington, D. C. Mildred, also a grad- uate of high school and a former teacher, is now connected with the Gospel Trumpet Company at Anderson, Indiana. The youngest daughter, Eliza- beth, is still a student in high school. Mr. Cook is an active republican and has served as committee- man of Green Township. George Perry is one of the most interesting citi- zens and personalities in Noble County, particularly in the community of Swan Township where he has spent all his life, a period of four-score years. The Perrys are one of the oldest and most respected families of Noble County. The farm he now owns and occupies was the birth- place of George Perry. He was born there March 21, 1839. When he first looked out upon the world with conscious eyes he saw practically the same scenes and environment which the earliest pioneers had encountered. He has witnessed every change and process in the making of Northeast Indiana what it is today. In that progress and development his own part has not been without honor and im- portance. His parents were Oliver L. and Mary (Francis) Perry, the former a native of New York State and the latter of Connecticut. After they married they bought forty acres of land in New York State. A brief residence upon it convinced him that it was practically worthless, and he soon disposed of it for much less than he paid and invested the remain- ing capital in four yoke of oxen and two wagons. In this manner he started westward. He journeyed through Canada, on to Michigan, and purposed to locate at Coldwater in the southern part of the state. All the good land had been taken up in and around Coldwater. News came to him of the construction of the canal from Fort Wayne connecting the waters of the Wabash Valley. He set out for this locality, which he deemed a region of new opportunity. On the way he crossed section 36 of Swan Township in Noble County. At that point his wife broke down with discouragement and weariness and per- suaded him to stop. He therefore entered 320 acres in section 36 and in that way was established the Perry family in Noble County, where they have been located for over eight years. Oliver Perry and wife spent the rest of their days on the old home- stead and during his lifetime fully 200 acres of it was cleared up and made useful for agriculture. He was a man of splendid integrity, a fine type of pioneer, and died at the age of fifty-six. He was a democrat in politics. His widow survived him some years. Of eight children only three are now living: George; Irene, wife of David Fair of Huntertown; and J. Frederick, whose home is in Allen County, Indiana. George Perry had no really good schools to at- tend as a boy and part of his education was acquired in the old-fashioned subscription schools. As soon as his strength permitted he worked with his father in clearing up the land, and at the age of twenty- one hired out to his father by the month. Later he remained with his mother on the farm and eventually succeeded to the ownership of most of it. On May, 1869, almost fifty years ago, Mr. Perry married Miss Rose Mickey. She was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 20, 1836, and was brought to Indiana by her parents in 1839. The Mickey family located in Whitley County near Churubsco, and in that locality Mrs. Perry grew to womanhood, familar with many of the same pioneer scenes as her husband. Mrs. Perry taught school five years, though her teaching was spread over a period of about twelve years. She was an excellent teacher and is still kindly remembered by many of her old pupils. Mr. and Mrs. Perry began housekeeping in May, 1869, and they have lived on that one farm steadily now for fifty years and will soon celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. No children have come into their home. Both are faith- ful members of the United Brethren Church and Mr. Perry is a democrat in politics. He was once nominated for representative from Noble County. He is now practically retired from active responsi- bilities of farming, but owns 160 acres in the old homestead and at one time had 240 acres. Adam Orewiler is one of the representatives of the prominent family of that name identified with Steuben County since pioneer days, and like most of the name his work and chosen vocation has been farming. Mr. Orewiler was born on the Orewiler home- stead just across the road from where he now lives in Scott Township, February 25, 1859, and is a son of David and Lucy Orewiler. Other reference to the family is made in other pages of this publica- tion. Adam Orewiler grew up on the home farm, had a public school education, and has steadily devoted himself to agriculture for forty years. He still retains and manages a good farm of eighty acres and has given forty acres to his son. Mr. Orewiler is a republican without official aspirations and is a member of the Christian Church. In 1884 he married Miss Hattie Tarr, a daughter of John and Sophia Tarr of Angola. Her mother is still living. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Orewiler is Roy, born in 1885. He supplemented his public school education with a course in the Tri-State Normal College, and is making a good record as one of the younger farmers of Scott Township. He married Miss Mellie Maxton, of Steuben County, and they have two sons, Russell Dale and Keith Raymond. Joseph C. Kimmell. During the past quarter of a century no citizen has been more active in public and business affairs in Sparta Township than Joseph C. Kimmell. Mr. Kimmell is a former member of the State Legislatqre, also a former county auditor of Noble County, for years has done a large business as a farmer, and is now giving his time to his duties as cashier of the Sparta State Bank at Cromwell. He was born in Orange Township of Noble County, April 28, 1872, a son of Cyrus and Ellen (Lane) Kimmell, the former a native of Canton, Ohio, and the latter of Pickaway County in the same state. Their respective families came to In- diana in early days, locating in Noble County, where Cyrus and Ellen were married. They first lived on a farm in York Township and then moved to Orange Township, where he owned a fine farm of eighty acres. Cyrus Kimmell and family moved, to Sparta Township in 1873, and purchased" a farm of 160 acres. He was an active member of the Church of God and in politics was a republican, serving at one time as assessor of York Township. Joseph C. Kimmell was the only child of his parents, and grew up in a good home, early had farming experience, and at the same time acquired a liberal education, partly in the common schools and afterward com- pleted a business course in the Tri-State Normal at Angola. On May 18, 1893, he established a home of his own by his marriage to Lena A. Keehn, who was born in Perry Township of Noble County. After 32 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA their marriage they settled on the old home farm, and that is still their home, where they enjoy the peace and contentment of rural life and the pros- perity which their broad and well tilled acres afford. Mr. and Mrs. Kimmel have five living children : Verlie, a graduate of the common schools, now a practical farmer; Joseph K., a high school graduate; Harriet, a junior in high school; Chester, who is also attending high school; and Mildred, in the first year of high school. The eldest daughter, Lera Eva, died April 20, 1910, aged sixteen years. The family are members of the Christian Church at Ligonier, Mr. Kimmell being one of the elders. He is affiliated with Excelsior Lodge No. 267 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the Masonic Order of Cromwell, and politically is a democrat. He was elected on that ticket to repre- sent Noble County in the Legislature in 1907, and gave a good account of himself to his constituents. He was elected and served as auditor of the county from 1911 to 1914. The Sparta State Bank was organized in 1917 with the same officers as at pres- ent, namely: Fred N. Hunt, president; George S. Bouse, vice president; and J. C. Kimmell, cashier. The other directors are J. E. Hilter, J. E. Knapp, A. M. Snyer, N. S. Stump, Martin L. Hussey and Lee Lung. Willard Slabaugh is a veteran of the Spanish- American war, and since the close of his service has been one of the successful farmers and stock raisers in Perry Township of Noble County. His home is in section 9, three and a half miles northwest of Ligonier. He was born in the same township December 8, 1876, son of Christian and Catherine (Bowser) Sla- baugh. They were the parents of four children : Sidney, a farmer in Perry Township; Willard; Ollie, wife of John Larimer of Montana; and Ray, a farmer in Perry Township. Willard Slabaugh grew up on the home farm, at- tended the district schools, and was about twenty-one years of age when, soon after the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, he enlisted in Company L of the One Hundred and Fifty-Seventh Indiana Vol- unteers, under Colonel Studebaker. He was in the service for six months. Mr. Slabaugh married Miss Zinla Latta, who was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, a daughter of James T. and Abigail (Simpson) Latta. After their marriage they located on a farm in Perry Township, and through a period of twenty years have been steadily prospering until they now have a farm of 161 acres in sections 9 and 16. Mr. Slabaugh is making a success of handling the pure bred Short- horn cattle and Duroc hogs. He is a stockholder in the Citizens Bank at Ligonier and is a democrat in politics. He and his wife have four children : Keith, who attended high school for a year and a half is now with his father on the farm ; Dorothy, in the third year of high school ; and Everett and Forrest. Willis Beigh. More than sixty years have passed since the Beigh family became established in Steuben County. Some of the family history is recorded on other pages, and at this point special mention is made of Willis Beigh, one of the prominent resi- dents and farmers of Salem Township. He was born in Jackson Township of the same county August 30, 1859, a son of John and Mary (Gooding) Beigh. He grew up on his father’s farm and lived there until he was twenty-seven years of age, acquiring a good education in the public schools. For thirty-two years he has owned a half interest in 109^ acres in Salem Township, and later he bought \ 2 l / 2 acres more. This farm is one of the good ones in Salem Township, is improved with good buildings, and is the basis of a very satis- factory business. Mr. Beigh is a republican, is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows at Salem Center, and with his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. November 18, 1886, he married Miss Sarah Bell Cary. She was born in Fairfield Township of De- Kalb County, Indiana, May 7, 1868. She was well educated, attending the Angola High School and Tri-State College, and for several years before her marriage was a teacher. Mrs. Beigh is a daughter of John and Christina (Helwig) Cary. Her father was born in the State of New York December 2, 1841, and her mother in Troy Township of DeKalb County, July 29, 1842. Her grandparents were John W. and Martha (Cosper) Cary, early settlers of DeKalb County, and they lived on a farm east of Helmer for many years, and while living here the sons enlisted in the Civil war. John W. Cary died in May, 1880, and his wife in 1885, in York Town- ship, Stevens County, Indiana. They were the parents of the following children : David, who was a Union soldier and died near Helmer ; Phineas, who was also in the Civil war and died at Henderson, Kentucky; John Wallace; Henry, a Civil war sol- dier who was buried at Nashville, Tennessee; George W. ; Cassie, who died in childhood ; and Alice. Mrs. Beigh’s maternal grandparents were Jacob and Sarah (Gorsuch) Helwig, who were among the first settlers of DeKalb County. Jacob Helwig was a farmer, living first in Troy and later in Fairfield townships, and died in the latter locality in 1870. He was prominent in democratic politics, serving in the Legislature in early days. His wife died in 1885, at the age of seventy-six. Jacob Helwig and wife had the following children : Barbara Ann, Kesiah, Mary, Rebecca and Christina. By a former marriage to Miss Jennings, Jacob Helwig had five children, George, Elizabeth, Peter, Isaac and John. John Helwig was a graduate of Wittenberg College at Springfield, Ohio, was a minister of the Lutheran Church, and later for some years was president of Wittenberg College. Mrs. Beigh’s father after his marriage moved east of Salem Center, in Salem Township. In March, 1887, he moved to the farm now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Beigh. John Cary died March 17, 1910, and his wife on December 26, 1888. Mrs. Beigh was their only child. Her paternal grand- father was a prominent Methodist and a local preacher in the early days. Her maternal grand- father was equally prominent in the Lutheran Church as a layman and minister. William L. Braun is one of the older business men of Angola and for thirty-five years has been retailing meats to an appreciative public in that city. For nearly thirty years of this time he has been in business for himself. He has been suc- cessful, has prospered through his own abilities and industry, and is a man of high standing in the community. He was born at Fort Wayne, Indiana, September 26, 1857, a son of Henry Edward and Margaret (Heldti Braun. His mother at the age of one year came from Alsace-Lorraine with her parents to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where John and Barbara Heldt spent their last years. Henry E. Braun was born in Saxony, Germany, February 28, 1831, learned the meat cutter’s trade in the old country, and on coming to America worked at his trade in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he met and married his wife. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 33 Later he moved to Waterloo, Indiana, and engaged in the meat business, and lived there until his death in iqii, at the age of seventy-nine. He was a prohibitionist in politics and a member of the Methodist Church. His widow died at the venerable age of eighty-two years. Their three children, all living, are Katie, William L. and George A., the latter of Auburn, Indiana. William L. Braun was but a child when his par- ents removed to Waterloo, and besides the instruc- tion he received from the public schools there he learned the trade of meat cutter under his father. In 1884 he came to Angola, and after seven years of working for others he engaged in business for himself in 1891, and has always had the reputation of conducting one of the best markets and supplying the highest class of provisions. In politics he is a democrat, is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1879 Mr. Braun married Miss Delia J. Stroh, who was born and reared in DeKalb County, and her people lived on a farm southeast of Waterloo. Mr. and Mrs. Braun have one daughter, Maud, now the wife of Mack Fisher. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are Malba Pauline, Ned Braun and Martha Jeanette. George D. Gaby. The first frame house built in Orange Township of Noble County was erected by the late Timothy Gaby, father of Ligonier’s popular postmaster and prominent democratic leader in Noble County. The Gaby family in many ways have been prominent in this part of Northeast In- diana since early times. Credit is given to George D. Gaby for the achieve- ment of making, at least temporarily, a democratic county out of the normal republican complexion of Noble County. That was while he was chairman of the Democratic County Committee. Mr. Gaby does not give all his time to politics. He is a thorough business man, and for years has been a successful farmer. He owns a good farm in Orange Township, and was born on the old Gaby homestead there July 4, 1853. His father, Timothy Gaby, was born in Genesee County, New York, in 1820, and went from that state to Ohio. There he married Amy A. Ed- monds, a native of Lorain County, Ohio. From Ohio they moved to Orange Township in Noble County, and Timothy bought or traded for land, and spent many busy years in cleaning it up and producing crops there. He died on the old farm in 1912, at the age of ninety-two, one of the most highly respected citizens of that locality. His wife died about 1900. Of the family of seven children only two are now living, George D. and Charles E., the latter also a farmer in Orange Township. George D. Gaby grew up in his native township and acquired a common school education. At the age of twenty-four he entered the merchandise business at Brimfield and sold goods in that locality for eight years. After disposing of his store he returned to the old farm and bought out the other heirs and interests. He has a finely improved place of 190 acres, and he continued to make it his home and the scene of most of his business activities until he removed to Ligonier in 1913. Mr. Gaby served three terms as county chairman of the democratic party in Noble County. Some years ago he was nominated for the office of county auditor. Governor Marshall appointed him one of the trustees of the school for the feeble minded at Fort Wayne, and he served three years, resigning to accept the appointment by President Wilson as post- Vol. 11— 3 master of Ligonier. He is now in his second term of that office, his present term expiring in 1922. Mr. Gaby is a stockholder in the Albion National Bank. He is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Ligonier. May 13, 1880, he married Geneva V. Pancake, who was born in Elkhart Town- ship of Noble County in 1855, a daughter of Isaac Pancake. She was reared on a farm, received a good education in the district schools and in the schools of Ligonier, and is an active member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. and Mrs. Gaby have two sons, both of whom have finished high school and are practical farmers in Orange Township. Timothy E., the older, married Zelma Smith, of Jefferson Township, and they have an adopted daughter, Georgia V. Rolland Roy, the second son, married Ruth Pancake, of Convoy, Ohio, and they have two children, Helen and Norman. Jasper N. Ott, who died June 24, 1919, gave many hard working years to the business of farming in Green Township of Noble County. All the pros- perity he enjoyed and which he has so liberally dis- pensed to his family was the result of his own efforts and enterprise. He was an honored resident of that locality for forty years. His home was in the south half of the southeast quarter of section 19, Green Township. Mr. Ott was born in Benton Township of Elkhart County, Indiana, February 16, 1850, son of Jacob and Margaret (Gordy) Ott, the former a native of Preble County, Ohio, and the latter of Indiana. Jacob Ott came to Indiana at the age of twenty-two, located in Elkhart County, and two years later married and set- tled on a farm there. On leaving the farm he re- tired to Syracuse in Kosciusko County and lived there until his death. He and his wife were mem- bers of the Evangelical Church and in politics he was a very active republican. There were nine chil- dren in the family, seven of whom reached maturity, and the three living today are: John W., of Syra- cuse; Julia A., unmarried and living at Syracuse; and Elmer, also of Syracuse. Jasper N. Ott while a boy on the home farm in Elkhart County attended the local schools, and lived in that county until he was about twenty-six years of age. October 28, 1875, Mr. Ott married Sarah Ott, a native of Noble County, Indiana. In 1876 they moved to Noble County and located on eighty acres of brush grown and wet land. Mr. Ott under- took the tremendous task of making a farm with unlimited courage and energy, and for many years the soil has been drained and available for cultiva- tion, and he has given his farm all its improvements of value. He raised good grades of livestock. Mr. and Mrs. Ott became the parents of three daughters. Mary is the wife of William Hart. Laura married Eugene Ranee and lives near Ripley, Indiana. The daughter Effie is the wife of Willard More and is now deceased. Mr. Ott was an active member of the Durham Christian Chapel, as is also Mrs. Ott, and he was one of the trustees of the church and did much toward financing it. In poli- tics he was a republican. Chester E. Marsh, whose life for the most part has been spent in Steuben County, was born in Branch County, Michigan, June 3, 1853. He was only a small child when his parents, Ebenezer and Minerva (Gleason) Marsh, died, and after their death he was indebted to his aunt, Sally Marsh Lyon, for a home and his early training. Mr. Marsh was educated in the North Eastern Academy at Orland and later the Angola High School, and taught school for several years before 34 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA he took tip farming. To farming he gave his un- divided attention and with increasing success until he retired, and is now enjoying a comfortable home at Orland. He is a member of the Methodist Church. April ii, 1880, Mr. Marsh married Miss Eva C. Webb. She was born in Steuben County July 5 . 1858, a daughter of Arthur and Amelia (Heath) Webb. Her father was a native of England and her mother of New York State, and both families were early settlers in Steuben County. Mr ; and Mrs. Marsh have two children: Lizzie. M., wife of Clyde Spangle of Jackson Township, Steuben County; and Elzie A., who was married to B. Frank- lin Collins. t Clyde Spangle is owner of two handsome and productive farms, in Northeast Indiana, and in every sense of the term is a progressive, up-to-date farmer and a citizen whose name is spoken with respect wherever known. His home farm in Jackson Township of Steuben County was the place of his birth. He first saw the light of day January 3, 1877, and is a son °I Henry and Sarah (Metzger) Spangle. His father was born in Steuben County, New York, in 1821, a son of Henry and Mary Spangle. He grew up in Seneca County and at the age of twenty-three came to Indiana, purchasing 160 acres in Jackson Township. Only six acres had been cleared, and eventually he brought under cultivation 120 acres and placed upon it some exceptional improvements. He died August 16, 1907, and his wife May 29, 1912. His wife was a daughter of Adam and Mary Metz- ger, who settled in Jackson Township of Steuben County. Henry Spangle and wife had two children, Carrie and Clyde. Carrie, who died in June, 1906, was the wife of Jacob Hellinger and she left three children, named Charles, Lucile and Basil. Clyde Spangle attended the district schools in Jackson Township, also at Orland, and since he was eighteen years of age has been farming the home- stead for himself. He is owner of 212(4 acres in section 6 of Jackson Township, and also has 240 acres in Springfield Township of LaGrapge County. Both farms are improved with splendid buildings and for years these farms have been notable for the production of good live stock. December 30, 1903, Mr. Spangle married Lizzie M. Marsh, daughter of Chester and Eva (Webb) Marsh. Her mother was born in Jackson Township in 1859, a daughter of Arthur and Amelia Webb. Chester Marsh was born in Branch County, Mich- igan, a son of Ebenezer and Minerva (Gleason) Marsh, and was two years old when his father died and four when his mother passed away. Soon afterward he was brought to Millgrove Township of Steuben County and with the exception of three years in Michigan has been a resident of Steuben County ever since. His present home is at Orland. Mr. Marsh had two children, Lizzie M. and Elzie, the latter the wife of Frank Collins. Mr. and Mrs. Spangle have two children : Henry, born January 15, 1914; and Evelyn, born March 23, 1909. George Franklin Harding, a successful hardware merchant at Fremont, Indiana, has also been a farmer, and much of the interest of his career centers in the fact that he owns a tract of land that was taken up by his grandfather more than eighty years ago and constitutes one of the oldest farms in Jamestown Township of Steuben County. His paternal grandparents were George and Sophronia Harding. George Harding is credited with having made the third land entry in Jamestown Township, on June 27, 1835. Both tracts of land which he acquired are located on Hoab Lake. He became a permanent settler on this land in 1836. He was a native of England, had lived for several years in Detroit, and was connected with the original survey of the railroad between Elkhart and Toledo, and also did some work on the railroad between Detroit and Ypsilanti, Michigan. He died in 1892, at the venerable age of eighty-two, having spent his later years at Orland. He was three times married, and his second wife was the grand- mother of George Franklin Harding. George W. Harding, father of George Franklin, was born in Jamestown Township, on the old home- stead, March 4, 1845. He grew up in that locality, attended public schools there, and married Florence Flint. She was born at Kinderhook in Michigan in 1849. George W. Harding since 1886 has been a resident of Coldwater, Michigan, where he is asso- ciated with his son Ross W. in the implement busi- ness under the name Harding & Son. For many years he was a farmer in Jamestown Township and still owns a fine place of 200 acres there. Both he and his father were at one time extensively en- gaged in the breeding of pure bred Shorthorn cattle, and frequently exhibited this stock in fairs at Coldwater and Angola. George W. Harding is a republican, and was made a Mason at Fremont, Indiana, being affiliated with Northeastern Lodge No. 210, Free and Accepted Masons, with Fremont Chapter No. 5, Royal Arch Masons, Kendallville Commandery of the Knights Templar, and with the Knights of the Maccabees. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church, which the family attend. George W. Harding and wife had four sons: George F., Lewis K., Amos F. and Ross W. Amos died in 1905. George Franklin Harding, who was born on the old farm in Jamestown Township December 3, 1868, grew up there, attending the district schools, and later was a student in the Tri-State College at Angola, and from the age of seventeen made his home with his parents in Coldwater, Michigan. On January 12, 1893, he married Miss Fannie D. Pease, of Rolling Prairie, Indiana. Before her marriage she was an instructor in a business college at LaPorte, Indiana. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Harding returned to the old Harding home- stead once owned by his grandfather and lived there until 1914. He still owns his homestead of 195 acres, and rents the land. As a farmer cattle feeding was his chief and most profitable business. After moving to Fremont in 1914 Mr. Harding en- gaged in the hardware business with J. W. McClue, but after two years bought out his partner. He is a republican and served one term on the County Council. He is affiliated with Northeastern Lodge No. 210, Free and Accepted Masons, Fremont Chapter No. 48, Royal Arch Masons, Angola Coun- cil No. 27, Royal and Select Masons, and is a member of Coldwater Lodge No. 1023 of the Elks. He attends the Methodist Church, of which his wife is a member. Mr. and Mrs. Harding had six children: Bessie and Bernice, twins, the former dying at birth and the latter at one year of age; George F., Jr., Floyd R., Florence L. and Ralph L. Two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Harding were in the war. George F., Jr., enlisted at Indianapolis in July, 1917, became first sergeant of Company B of the One Hundred and Thirty-Ninth Machine Gun Battalion, and is how at Camp Hancock, Georgia. He is a member of Northeastern Lodge No. 210, Free and Accepted HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 35 Masons, and also of Khairum Lodge of Perfection No. 2 of the Scottish Rite. The son Floyd R. enlisted at Fremont in September, 1918, was sent to a school of instruction at Valparaiso, later to the Carnegie Institute of Technology at Pittsburg, was located for a time at Fort Howard at Baltimore, then transferred to the Clerical School at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and finally to Camp Sherman in Ohio, where he received his honorable discharge in January, 1919. Charles L. Schlabach has been a merchant prac- tically all his active career at Cromwell, and for more than a quarter of a century has been one of the stanch citizens and upbuilders of that thriving little village of Noble County. His birth occurred on a farm four miles east of Cromwell in Sparta Township, June 10, 1869. His parents were \Villiam and Sarah (Braucher) Schla- bach, his father born in Lancaster County, Pennsyl- vania, in 1835, and his mother in Stark County, Ohio. They were married in Ohio and on coming to In- diana located in Noble County. William Schlabach though beginning life poor and gaining prosperity by his unaided efforts achieved prominence in this county. He made a farm of over 3 00 acres, and in many ways expressed his wise benevolence in behalf of those less fortunate than himself. He was an active member of the Sparta Christian Church, was a democrat and served four years as trustee of Sparta Township. He died in 1909, honored and respected all over the county. His wife passed away in 1879. They were the parents of ten chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy. All the others are still living: Mrs. Y. Werker, of Cromwell; J. R., of Cromwell; Anna, wife of James T. Iden, of Sparta Township; W. O., of South Bend, In- diana: Ella, wife of James Smith, of Ligonier ; M. A., of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Charles L., of Crom- well ; Stella, wife of Alvin Moore, of Hartford City, Indiana ; and Harry, of Kimmell, Indiana. Charles L. Schlabach lived on his father’s farm to the age of eighteen and in the meantime ac- quired a good district school education. He then joined his father in a mercantile enterprise and after two years bought , the store at Cromwell, and has now been in business there, selling merchandise to a large circle of patrons for fully thirty years. He is also a stockholder in the Cromwell State Bank, is a democrat, like his father, and has filled all the chairs of the local lodges at Cromwell of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. April 27, 1893, he married Miss Minnie Kauff- man. Mrs. Schlabach is a highly educated woman, a graduate of the Ligonier public schools and took the musical course in Purdue University. They have one son, LaMar, born in 1904, and now in the first year of the high school. Mrs. Schlabach is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Schlabach gives liberal support to that church and to all other worthy causes in the community. Joseph E. Knapp. Though he is vice president of the Wolf Lake State Bank and a director of the Sparta State Bank, Joseph E. Knapp is still living on his farm in Washington Township, a place which he started to clear and make into a farm fully half a century ago. It was his success as a substantial farmer that attracted the attention of his fellow citizens to his qualities and qualifications for public office and other places of trust. Mr. Knapp, who represents one of the oldest fam- ilies of Washington Township, was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, August 17, 1840, a son of August and Anna M. (Wetzel) Knapp. His father was born in Prussian Poland and his mother in Baden, Germany. They reached New York City about 1830 and were married there, and August lived in that vicinity about five years working at his trade as a cabinet maker. He then lived several years in Pennsylvania, and from there located in Sussex County, New Jersey. In the spring of 1850 he brought his family to Noble County, Indiana, and acquired eighty acres in the woods of Washington Township. He cleared his land, and ever afterward was a substantial factor in that community until his death. He was active in the Christian Church, and as a republican was affiliated first with the whig and later with the republican party. He and his wife had ten children, and the five now living are : Fer- dinand; Joseph E. ; Amelia, wife of Aaron King; Cecelia, her twin sister, wife of Joseph Gerken ; and William B., a farmer in Washington Township. Joseph E. Knapp was ten years old when brought to Noble County, and the education he had begun in the East was continued in one of the familiar log schoolhouses of that time. He made good use of his educational opportunities, such as they were, and many men and women now grown to mature years gratefully recall his services as a teacher. Alto- gether he taught for thirteen terms. Mr. Knapp is also one of the honored veterans of the Civil war still living in Noble County. He en- listed February 12, 1862, and was a fighting soldier in the army of the Cumberland under General Thomas. He saw more than three years of service and was not mustered out until in December, 1865, while in Texas. For many years he has been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. . Not long after his return from the army, on February 24, 1867, he married Delilah Breninger. She was born in Ohio and was brought to Noble County when a girl. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Knapp started farming in Washington Township, and they came to their present locality in 1867, and the house in which Mr. Knapp still lives was built in that year. At that time it was completely surrounded by heavy woods, and his own labors cleared away the timber and gradually increased the area of cultivation. He had a very limited capital saved from his wages as a soldier, and this was used to start him after his marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp had six children, two of whom died in infancy. Three are still living: Ed- ward E., a farmer in Washington Township ; Ella, wife of John W. Adair, of Noble Township; and Charles M., who is a graduate of the Wolf Lake High School and married Grace Metz. Mr. Knapp is also proud of his eleven grandchildren. Mrs. Knapp died August 17, 1912, after they had been married forty-five years, Mr. Knapp is one of the extensive farmers of Noble County, owning three hundred and seventy acres of land. He owns stock in the Farmers Bank at Albion in addition to his interests as a stockholder and executive official of the Wolf Lake State Bank and the Sparta State Bank. He has been quite active in republican politics, serving two years as county chairman of the Central Committee, and for six years was a member of the Board of County Com- missioners. He has been active and liberal in sup- port and work with the Christian Church and its Sunday school, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at Wolf Lake. 36 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Charles Holsinger’s home is one of the best im- proved farms in Allen Township of Noble County. It is a mile and a half southwest of Kendallville, and is the old Holsinger homestead, where the people of this name have lived since early times. Mr. Holsinger was born in Orange Township, near Rome City, December 8, 1869, son of William and Lucinda (Dyer) Holsinger. His father was a na- tive of Stark County, Ohio, and his mother of Noble County, Indiana. William Holsinger came to Noble County, Indiana, locating in Orange Township, where he married, and lived on a farm in that locality untd he traded for the old homestead, but in 1903 sold out and moved to Kendallville, where he died. Both parents were active church members, and he was affiliated with the Masons and Knights of Pythias. There are only two living children, Wil- liam and Charles, the former a resident of Chicago. Charles Holsinger grew up in Noble County, at- tended the common schools and the high school, and since early manhood has industriously pursued the business of farming. Besides the operation of the old homestead he also does a rather extensive busi- ness buying stock cattle, feeding and fattening them, and selling them through the different markets. January 30, 1893, he married Miss May Knight. She was born at Leo, Indiana, and was educated in public and high schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Holsinger lived one year in Kendall- ville, then moved to their home farm, spent three years in Saranac County, Michigan, and sold their property in that county at an advantage and re- turned to Noble County and bought the Holsinger homestead in Allen Township. Mr. and Mrs. Holsinger have one son and three daughters: Walter, born in 1898, was educated in the grammar and high schools and is still at home; Bessie, a graduate of the high school at Columbus, Ohio; Helen, educated in the local public and high schools; and Lois, who is still in school. Mr. Hol- singer is affiliated with Kendallville Lodge No. 109, Knights of Pythias, and is a republican. John E. Borntreger. The Borntreger family is one of the large and important ones in LaGrange County, and its representatives stand for good gov- ernment, upright manhood and desirable and loyal citizenship. One of those bearing this honored name is John E. Borntreger of Newbury Town- ship, a man widely and favorably known. He was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1837, a son of Joseph and Barbara (Yoder) Born- treger, who made the trip overland from the Key- stone State to Indiana during the year 1841, in wagons, and bought land in Clinton Township, Elk- hart County, on which they lived for twelve years, moving then to Newbury Township, LaGrange County, and here purchasing 160 acres, to which they later added eighty acres. This continued the family home until the death of the father, April 5, 1908, when he was ninety-six years eight months and one day of age, the mother having passed away October 2, 1888, aged seventy-seven years. Their children were as follows : Elizabeth, Christina, Bar- bara, John and David, all of whom were born in Pennsylvania ; and Eli, who was the first Amish Mennonite child born in Indiana who lived; Susan- nah, Rosa, Daniel, Rebecca, and Martha, all of whom were of Indiana birth. John Borntreger was brought up on his father’s farm, learning how to operate it, and he also at- tended the public and private schools of his neigh- borhood. When he began farming for himself he settled on his present property, which he cleared, and he erected his present house, which replaced the little frame cabin in the woods he built with his own hands. At one time he owned 190 acres, but has sold some of it, so that he now has but 116 acres, all of which is finely cultivated and improved. In 1864 Mr. Borntreger was married to Barbara Mishler, a daughter of Christian Mishler, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Borntreger became the parents of the follow- ing children: Catherine; Samuel, who is deceased; Eli; Polly; Joseph; Lydia, who died at the age of four years; Anna; Menno; John; Barbara, who is deceased ; Levi ; and David. The first Mrs. Born- treger died May 16, 1900. On June 27, 1907, Mr. Borntreger was married to Mrs. Fannie Miller, widow of Levi L. Miller. Of the above children, Eli, who owns a portion of the old homestead, mar- ried Mattie Miller, and has five children. John, who is a farmer, responded to the call of his country during the World war and served in the National army for about a year, reaching France, having en- listed August 21, 1917, as a motor mechanic and was assigned, to the Thirtieth Aero Squadron. He received his honorable discharge April 15, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. John E. Borntreger belong to the old Amish Mennonite Church. When a young man Mr. Borntreger taught three terms in the district schools and three terms also in private school on the farm. Daniel A. Douglass, a former county auditor of Steuben County, has had a long and active career, and is prominent and well known both in that county and in Branch County, Michigan. He was at one time a county official of Michigan County. He was born in Livingston County, New York, November 12, 1843, a son of Alexander and Christie (McCall) Douglass. His father was born in Scot- land in 1809 and his mother in Livingston County, New York, in 1818. In February, 1863, the parents moved to Branch County, Michigan, locating on a farm four miles north of Fremont, Indiana. Alex- ander Douglass died in Steuben County in 1879 and his wife at the home of her son Daniel in 1901. Their children were Catherine, Jennie, Daniel A., Alexander, John, Mary and Lillie. Alexander Douglass was a republican, and he and his wife were devout Presbyterians. Daniel Douglass acquired his education in Liv- ingston County, New York, attended an academy in Wyoming County, that state, and was a young man when he accompanied his parents to Michigan. In September, 1864, he enlisted in Company G of the First Michigan Light Artillery, and was with that organization during the last year of hostilities. After that he returned to Branch County and took an active part in its business and civic affairs. In 1879 he moved to Steuben County, locating in the village of Fremont, where he had his home until 1900. In that year he moved to Angola to take up his duties as county auditor, to which he had been elected. He held that office nearly five years, one full term and ten months of over term. Mr. Douglass after selling his farm of 160 acres in Branch County bought a place of fifty acres in Fremont Township, later sold that, and now owns a place of 120 acres two miles east of Pleasant Lake in Steuben Township. He has always affiliated with the republican party. While living in Branch County he served as supervisor of California Town- ship and was elected register of deeds, beginning his official term January 1, 1870. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Coldwater. During his residence at Fremont in addition to farming he was a traveling salesman for over twenty years. He is also a member of the Grand Army Post. Daniel Douglass married in 1870 Miss Ellen HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 37 Averill, of Ontario, LaGrange County, daughter of James Averill. She died in 1893, the mother of two children : Claude Douglass, of Angola, and Agnes, who was married to William Stevens and has two sons, named William and Donald. The Stevens family live at Coldwater, Michigan. Daniel Douglass married for his second wife in 1907 Alta Wood, of Angola. Claude H. Douglass, secretary of the Angola Bank Trust Company, has been one of the respon- sible men in commercial affairs in Angola for a quarter of a century, and his entire record justifies the confidence and esteem in which he is held. Mr. Douglass was born at Coldwater, Michigan, October 11, 1874, son of Daniel and Ellen (Averill) Douglass. When he was four years old his par- ents moved to Fremont, Steuben County, Indiana, and in that locality his boyhood was spent. He at- tended the local schools, also the high school, and he gained his first business experience as a clerk at Fremont. He also worked on a farm. On coming to Angola in 1894 Mr. Douglass was clerk in a local drygoods store for about three years, and then was associated in that line of business with W. C. Pat- terson. For five years he served as deputy county auditor, and then became interested in a private hank with G. R. Wickwire. In 1906 Mr. Douglass helped organize the Angola Bank Trust Company, and became its assistant secretary. Since 1916 he has been secretary of that solid financial institution. He is a republican in politics and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men. He married in June, 1897, Miss Nora J. Hirst, of Angola, daughter of Joseph Hirst, now re- tired. To their marriage was born two sons, Robert H., born in 1899, at Fremont, and Joseph M., born in 1908. The son Robert is now a student of engineer- ing in the Tri-State College. Hon. John H. Hoffman. During the greater part of his active career covering more than half a century, John H. Hoffman has been identified with business and other interests connected directly or indirectly with the public welfare. At Ligonier he is known as a merchant, farmer and banker, is also a former postmaster, and represented his county in the Legislature in the sessions of 1917 and 1919. He was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, Novem- ber 7, 1845, son of George R. and Sarah (Cramer) Hoffman. His parents were both born in Pennsyl- vania, his father in 1808. After their marriage they lived for several years at Gettysburg, but in 1842 came to Indiana and located in DeKalb County. George R. Hoffman spent his active life as a farmer, and was also prominent in politics, serving as county recorder and in other county offices. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. In a family of six children John H. and his brother George H. are the only living survivors. His brother has long been prominent in South Dakota, where he still resides, and had the distinction of being the first lieutenant governor of that state. John^ H. Hoffman grew up on his father’s farm in DeKalb County and had a common school educa- tion. At the age of sixteen he left home and school to enlist in the Forty-Fourth Indiana Infantry. He was in the army nearly a year. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh in 1862, and that closed his actual service. Toward the close of the war he re- enlisted, but was never called to the front. After the war Mr. Hoffman attended school and for sev- eral years was a teacher. He removed to Ligonier in 1868 and from 1869 to 1873 was a teacher in local schools. Since 1872 Mr. Hoffman has been perhaps chiefly known as a factor in mercantile affairs at Ligonier through the book, stationery and office supply business. He became sole proprietor of his store in 1873, and two generations of patrons have bought their books and stationery from him. He is also one of the directors of the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Ligonier and is vice president and director of the Ligonier Refrig- erator factory. He owns a farm and gives much of his time to its management. Mr. Hoffman married Miss Mary C. Eldred. She was born in Stark County, Ohio, and when a girl came to Huntington County, Indiana, and in 1865 to Ligonier. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have no chil- dren. Mrs. Hoffman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has long been affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, with Post No. 125. He is a past grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, and has sat in the Grand Lodges of both orders. Mr. Hoffman gave eight years to the man- agement of the Ligonier postoffice, serving under Harrison and McKinley. He has also served as town clerk and treasurer of Ligonier. He was elected a member of the Legislature in 1916 and re- elected in 1918. This is the only case in Noble County in which a representative to the Legislature has been elected for two successive terms. L. Wallace Wible is a prosperous farmer of Noble County, his place being two miles south and three quarters of a mile west of Kendallville in Allen Township. In this township he was born December 7, 1880, a son of C. L. and Verda (Halferty) Wible. The Wibles are an old established family in Noble County. C. L. Wible was born in Allen Township May 26, 1852, son of John and Lucinda (Varner) Wible. John Wible was a Pennsylvanian, came to Indiana after his marriage and located in Allen Township in 1850, living there the rest of his life. C. L. Wible grew up in this township, after his marriage located on a farm, and lived and died there. He and his wife were members of the Eng- lish Lutheran Church and he was one of the church officials. He was a republican. C. L. Wible and wife left two sons, L. Wallace and Roy E. The latter is a graduate of the common schools and is now living in Colorado, where he is a ranger in the employ of the United States Government. He mar- ried Bessie Stout. L. Wallace Wible grew up on the home farm in Allen Township, attended the district schools, and has steadily pursued the vocation to which he was trained as a boy. A number of years ago he bought the old farm of eighty acres, and devotes it to vegetables and onions, and livestock. In 1902 he married Miss Minnie Rimmel, daugh- ter of A. J. Rimmel. She was reared in Jefferson Township of Noble County. They have one son, Orville, born April 23, 1904, and now a student in the common schools. Mr. Wible is a republican. William P. Grannis, present trustee of Orange Township, Noble County, and a farmer of that locality, has been a resident of Noble County most of his active life and his own career and that of the family are closely identified with many points of interest in the history of Northeast Indiana. Mr. Grannis’ home is 5^2 miles northwest of Ken- dallville and 3 j / 2 miles southeast of Wolcottville. On the farm where he now resides he was born May 10, 1854. He is a son of Otis P. and Hannah (Creigh) Grannis. Creigh Lake, four miles north 38 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA of Kendallville, on the east side of the old Plant Road, was named for his maternal grandfather, Samuel Creigh, who located on the south side of that body of water in 1844. The Grannis family is of Scotch ancestry. To go back to the time of its earliest settlement in this country requires a leap over nearly three centuries. In 1644 Edward Grannis came from Scotland and settled at Southaven in Connecticut. Edward Grannis was born in 1630. The second generation was represented by John Grannis, born in 1674, the third by Enos Grannis, born in 1720, the fourth by Enos Grannis, Jr., born in 1754, the fifth by Palmer Grannis, born in 1^87 ; the sixth by Otis P. Grannis, born March 2, 1825 ; while William P. Grannis is of the seventh generation in America. Palmer Grannis was born in Connecticut, was married there, took his family to Ohio and in the fall of 1834 moved to LaGrange County, Indiana. As one of the pioneers he entered land a few miles south of Lima, a farm now known as the Hoglund farm, between LaGrange and Howe. At that time the four adjoining counties were still called La- Grange, with Lima as the county seat. In 1836 the family moved to the Lima Mills, one mile west of Lima, where Palmer Grannis built a mill and oper- ated it until his death. He was the father of the following children: Orin M., Isaac P., Otis P., John W., Margaret, and Eliza. Otis P. Grannis was born in Portage County, Ohio, March 2, 1825, and in 1831 moved with his parents to Geauga County in that state and was nine years of age when he came with them to La- Grange County. At the old Lima Mills he learned the miller’s trade and followed it for nearly twenty- five years, working at Mongo, then called Union Mills, Fawn River, Michigan, Jamestown, Rome City, the Minot Mill, Kendallville and the Tamarack. For ! ten years Indians were his associates, and he became fluent in their language, and was presented with a bow and some arrows by one of the chiefs of the Pottawatomies. In 1846 he went to Con- necticut and lived with his uncle, Alva Merriman, at New Milford, for about a year. On returning to Indiana in 1847 he bought, the land where his son William P. now lives. At Sturgis, Michigan, Sep- tember 27, 1849, he married Hannah Creigh, and they began housekeeping at Jamestown in Steuben County, but in the spring of 1850 returned to his farm in Orange Township of Noble County. The next fall they went back to Jamestown and in the spring of 1852 went to Rome City, where Otis P. Grannis fitted up the burrs for the flouring mill and ground the first grain. in the Rome City Mills, conducting it for eighteen months, until he re- turned to the farm. In 1856 he bought a farm, sawmill and flouring mill just across the county line in LaGrange County, at the Tamarack. It was there that William Grannis learned the miller’s trade, and he did the grinding for a number of years. The day following Buchanan’s election in 1856 Otis P. Grannis moved there and was business manager of the two mills for twenty-four years. In the fall of 1880 he sold out the mill, the pond was drained, and thus ended one of the landmarks in that, part of the country. In 1895 he moved to Wolcottville, where his. wife died in 1899, and he continued to live there until September, igo2. His last days were spent at the home of his son, Wil- liam P., on the old farm in Orange Township, where he died May 12, 1903. He and his wife had three children: William P., Charles O., of Wol- cottville, and Frank C., of Howard City, Michigan. While he played a very important part as a miller Otis P. Grannis should be remembered for his effective and sterling citizenship. He gave efficient aid to the movement which vigorously suppressed the organized desperadoes who by their thieving and murdering terrified the early settlers. He was secretary of the first organized regulators at the Tamarack and helped make some of the important arrests. Among the outlaws whom he helped to bring to justice were Malcolm Burnam, Miles C. Payne and Gregory McDougal. He was present at the hanging of McDougal at Diamond Lake in Noble County, January 26, 1858. He was Payne’s guard at Ligonier and persuaded him to make a full con- fession, which practically put an end to the activi- ties of “black legs.” He was also an active stock dealer for twenty- five years and for many years shipped more stock than any other dealer on the Lake Shore Railroad between Chicago and Buffalo. William P. Grannis, the son of this honored pioneer, has been a resident of Noble County con- tinuously since 1884. On December 6, 1883 he married Miss Ella Wert. She was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, in July, 1859. They have one daughter, Vera L., born February 27, 1900, now attending the Rome City High School. Mr. Grannis is a republican, has served as presi- dent of the advisory board, and on April 1, 1918, was appointed trustee of Orange Township. In that township he owns and cultivates a fine farm of eighty acres. Dewitt Clinton Salisbury for many years has been one of the chief factors in promoting business affairs at Orland. He is president of the bank and head of the Creamery Company, and is still inter- ested in farming, a vocation he followed for many years. Mr. Salisbury, who was born March 15, 1857, represents two of the very old and prominent fam- ilies of Steuben County. His father, Chester D. Salisbury, who came to Steuben County in 1836, was born in Jefferson County, New York, in 1817, a son of. Edgar and Susanna (Gore) Salisbury, na- tives of Vermont. Hezekiah, father of Edgar, was at one time owner of the land on which is situated the City of Brattleboro, Vermont. Edgar Salisbury was a soldier in the War of 1812. Chester D. Salis- bury was only eight years old when his father died. That put the widowed mother and the young chil- dren largely on their own responsibilities. At the age of eleven Chester went into cedar swamps to as- sist in making rails. He had no opportunity to attend school until after he reached manhood. Pie learned the trade of tanner, but in 1836 left his master and came to Indiana. He reached this state with only half a shilling or twelve and a half cents. His first location was in Jamestown Township,, where he burned lime two years. He then opened up and improved the farm in the locality known as Nevada, but after four years moved to Millgrove Township, and settled on land that he gradually improved until he had over 200 acres, said to con- stitute at one time one of the best farms' in the county. He married in 1838 Julia Collins, daughter of Barton and Anna Collins. Her parents were the first settlers in Jamestown Township. Dewitt Clinton Salisbury was one of a family of six children, and he grew up on his father’s home- stead in Millgrove Township. He attended the dis- trict schools, also the Orland Academy, and during his mature career he acquired 117 acres of the old homestead of 180 acres, and was prosperously en- gaged in farming there until he sold his place sev- eral years ago. Mr. Salisbury has been a resident of Orland since 1910. He is one of the directors of the Citizens State Bank and has been its president HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 39 for about seven years. He is secretary of the Mill- grove Creamery Company and owns a forty-acre farm a half mile south of Orland. He is active in republican politics, and for the past four years served as trustee of Millgrove Town- ship. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Orland and of the Congregational Church. August 8, 1878, he married Ella Reed, daughter of William Reed, of LaGrange County. J. L. Henry has long sustained a reputation as one of the energetic and substantial business men of Northeastern Indiana, was for many years a mer- chant at Avilla, and is known in every community of Noble County by the service he rendered as county auditor. He is now secretary and treasurer of the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Ligonier. He was born in Wood County, West Virginia, July 27, 1861. His father, Gabriel S. Henry, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, November 5, 1831, and married Sophia McKenzie, who was born in the same state August 4, 1831. In November, 1865, he and his family came to Noble County, Indiana, and settled in Allen Township. They lived there until 1892. Both Gabriel Henry and his wife are now deceased. Their children were : Martha J., wife of Henry Gettle ; Margaret C., who died March 14, 1900: Elizabeth, wife of A. C. Shambaugh; John L„ of Ligionier; Robert A., of Kendallville, In- diana; Ida B., wife of H. L. Ashew, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and William F., now deceased. John L. Henry was about four years old when his parents came to Noble County, and he grew up in Allen Township, acquiring a good education in the public schools. He graduated from the schools of Kendallville, and in 1880 became associated with his father in the furniture business at Avilla. While there he was appointed and served as postmaster and since early manhood has been one of the influ- ential members of the republican party in Noble County. He was elected on that ticket as county auditor, and showed that he was deserving of the honor by the marked success of his administration in the office during four years. Upon the organiza- tion of the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Ligonier Mr. Henry was elected secretary. On January 12, 1909, he was also elected treasurer to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Weir, since which time he has filled the position of secretary- treasurer of the Trust Company and is one of the efficient members of that corporation. December 24, 1882, he married Emma G. Haines, a daughter of Robert S. and Permelia (Baum) Haines. Mrs. Henry was born August 31, 1863, in Avilla. To their marriage were born two children, Perma, who died at the age of four and a half years, and Marjorie A. Mr. Henry is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Charles N. Cline was educated for the medical profession, but has found himself in a more con- genial sphere as a business man. He is member of the firm Cline Brothers, lumber merchants at Kendallville. Mr. Cline was born at Hartford City, Indiana, January 29, 1875, son of William W. Cline, who was born in Blackford County, Indiana, in October, 1837, and a grandson of Michael Cline. William W. Cline grew up in Hartford City, learned a trade and fol- lowed it until about 1872. In that year he opened a factory for the manufacture of drain tile, and was the first man in his section of Indiana to intro- duce the clay drain tile. He finally gave up man- ufacturing and went on a farm, and is still living on his farm near Hartford City, though retired from its responsibilities. His wife, who died in 1889, was Harriet A. Chaffee. They had eight children, two of whom died in infancy. Orlo L., a graduate of De Pauw University, is a successful attorney at Marion, Indiana ; Lora is the wife of Finley Geiger, and she lives on the old homestead with her father; Albert B. is a resident of Bluffton, Indiana; Lillie, a graduate of De Pauw University, is the wife of John E. Higdon, a graduate from the same school and now an actuary in an insurance department in Chicago ; Charles N. ; and Edith, a graduate of De Pauw University, is the wife of Harlan H. York, professor of biology in Brown University at Provi- dence, Rhode Island. Charles N. Cline grew up on his father’s farm. He is a graduate of the Hartford City High School, and took his medical degree from Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis. He was also a student at Purdue University two years. Instead of practicing medicine he removed to Bluffton in 1892 and became associated with his brother, A. B. Cline, in the lumber business. In February, 1904, he came to Kendallville, and has since been manager and pro- prietor of the plant of Cline Brothers in this city. Mr. Cline married Miss Edna Hutchinson. She is a graduate of the Hartford City High School and was a teacher before her marriage. They have two daughters : Gertrude and Lucile, both attending the public schools at Kendallville. Mr. and Mrs. Cline are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a trustee and on the Official Board. He is an Odd Fellow, a republican voter, and is a stockholder in the Noble Truck Corporation. John A. Bontrager. One of the distinctive features of LaGrange County is that a number of its most substantial and successful farmers are native sons of this region, who have given to it a lifetime of effort, and are rewarded by a gratifying prosperity which is well merited, because it has come through hard work and careful saving. The Bontrager family is a large one in this county, and many of its members,, born and bred within the confines of LaGrange. have found congenial em- ployment on their fertile farms in the several town- ships. One of them is John A. Bontrager of New- bury Township. He was born in this same town- ship October 5, 1856, a son of Amos Bontrager, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. Growing up on his father’s homestead, John Bontrager was early taught to make himself use- ful, as well as the fundamentals of a common school education,, and as his attention was thus directed to farming it is not remarkable that he chose it for his life work. In 1879 he bought eighty acres of land covered with timber, to which he has added until he owns 100 acres of land, all of which is under cultivation, and here he carries on general farming and stockraising, specializing in pure bred Hereford cattle. His comfortable residence and large barns are built with lumber cut from the farm. In re- ligious views Mr. Bontrager is an Amish Menno- nite. In 1880 John Bontrager was married to Sarah Harshbarger, a daughter of Abram Harshbarger, who now resides- in Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Bon- trager have had the following children born to them: Holly J., who lives at' Shipshewana,. In- diana; Todd, who lives at LaGrange, married Kate Hostetter, and has no children; Sadie, who died at the age of four months. All -of the work of 40 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA clearing off the farm devolved upon Mr. Bon- trager, but he managed to do it, and also to en- gage in the additional task of putting in his crops as he made ready the land. No one who has not done this kind of work has any idea of how hard it is, nor how discouraging, but there does come a time when things begin to count, and from then on the way is clear. No matter, however, how hard Mr. Bontrager might have worked had he not have been willing to save and known how to invest his money so as to make it work for him he would not be today as well-to-do as he is. It takes brains as well as hard work to gather together any of this world’s goods, as Mr. Bontrager and a number of other LaGrange County men have proven. The young people growing up about them will do well to follow their example, and not only live within their means but out of every dollar earned put by a little for investment so that when old age comes they will have something to show for their life work. Frederick A. Emerson, representing one of the oldest families of Steuben County, is essentially a business man, and had a wide and varied experience in business affairs for many years. He is now serv- ing his second term as postmaster of Angola. His grandfather, Avery Emerson, Sr., who was born in New Hampshire, September 22, 1788, re- moved in early manhood to Auburn, New York, where he married Sophronia Allen, who was born in Massachusetts in February, 1799. The Emerson family moved to Richland County, Ohio, in 1820, and in June, 1836, again became pioneers, when they located in Steuben County, Indiana. Avery Emer- son’s place of settlement was in section 22 of Salem Township, on what was known as the “Indian fields.” Remains of Indian corn cultivation could still be seen. They were among the three or four families who first located in that township, and Avery Emerson served as the first justice of the peace, and in that capacity officiated at the first wedding in the township. From 1841 to 1849 he held the office of probate judge. He sold his farm in 1867 and moved to Angola, and later went to Kendallville, where he died the following October. His wife passed away March 17, 1877. In many other ways Avery Emerson, Sr., was one of the men who made early history in Steuben County. He was a whig and later a republican. He and his wife had ten children. Avery Emerson, Jr., father of Frederick A., was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1827, and was nine years old when brought to Steuben County, where he spent practically all his life. He married Elizabeth S. Parsed, daughter of Moses S. Parsed, who arrived in Steuben County in 1838. Avery Emerson and wife had nine children, seven sons and two daughters. He owned a large farm in Salem Township, and to that gave the best years of his active manhood. Frederick A. Emerson was born on the old home- stead in Salem Township, December 20, 1865. While growing up there he attended the district schools, later took a business course in the Tri-State Normal, and had his first business experience as a merchant at Kendallville. In 1893 he returned to Angola, and clerked for Summerlot and Smith, grocers, for four years was with John W. Snyder, in the hardware business, and continued one year in the same store for Charles A. Bachelor. For two years he was a member of the Angola Granite Company, the firm being Emerson, Kinney & Slade. Selling his in- terests there he traveled two years as a salesman for E. Bement Sons, of Lansing, Michigan, dealers in stoves and implements. He was then with the Germer Stove Company, and represented that firm eleven years. Mr. Emerson was first appointed postmaster at Angola by President Wilson, February n, 1914, and was reappointed September 6, 1918. Politically he is a good democrat and fraternally is affiliated with the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Angola, and with the Elks Lodge at Ligonier. He and his family attend worship in the Congregational Church. May 9, 1893, Mr. Emerson married Miss Ina L. Craig, of Angola, daughter of Andrew and Mary Craig. Her widowed mother is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Emerson. The latter have good reason to be proud of their three young sons, two of whom were soldiers in the great war. The youngest, Lawrence Douglas, born December 11, 1905, is now in the Angola High School. The oldest is Kenton Craig, born December 4, 1895. He is a graduate of the Angola High School, the Tri-State Normal College and took the engineering course there. He enlisted and was mustered into the army service September 4, 1917, at Fort Crook, Nebraska, as a member of Motor Truck Company No. 315. He was transferred to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Novem- ber, 1917, and left for overseas duty December 31, 1917. During practically all the war, beginning early in 1918, he was in active duty in France as a traffic engineer, and was still in the service in August, 1919. The second son, John Thomas, born September 11, 1897, also graduated from the high school and the Tri-State Normal College, and first went into the army in the Hospital Corps of the National Guard. He was on the Mexican border during part of the year 1917, having been mustered in in January of that year. He was called back into active service August 4, 1917, was first located at South Bend and later at Fort Benjamin Harrison, and from there transferred to Hattiesburg, Missis- sippi. He was in the officers training school at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, and was graduated and commissioned second lieutenant October 29, 1918. He was then sent to Camp Jackson, South Carolina, where he remained until after the signing of the armistice and his muster out. Melvin L. Werker, one of the leading business men of Kimmell, has had experience both as a prac- tical farmer and as a merchant, and is one of the busy young men of his community whose services are most frequently sought in any community enter- prise. He was born in Sparta Township of Noble Coun- ty, August 23, 1878, a son of Y. and Clara (Schla- bach) Werker. His father was born in Germany, July 4, 1847, and h> s mother in Ohio, November 6, 1856. The father came to America with his par- ents at the age of four years, the family first locat- ing in Ohio, and later both the Werkers and Schla- bachs moved to Noble County, Indiana, where the parents married. They located on a farm in Sparta Township, but the father is now living retired in Cromwell. He is a democrat in politics. Melvin L. Werker is one of a family of seven sons: Charles, a farmer in Sparta Township; William, a farmer in Iowa; Melvin L. ; Wallace, a farmer in Sparta Township; John, who has farming interests in Mon- tana; Orlo, a Sparta Township farmer; and Harvey. Melvin L. Werker grew up on the home place in Sparta Township, was educated in the local schools, and lived at home with his father to the age of twenty-one. February 11, 1903, he married Lena R. Deardorf, HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 41 who was born in Noble County and was educated in the common schools. After his marriage Mr. Werker settled on a farm in York Township, later spent a year as a farmer in Sparta Township, and moving from there to Cromwell gained a thorough knowledge of merchandising as clerk in a general store. He spent nine years in that business, and then returned to a farm in Sparta Township and resumed agriculture for four years. In 1916 he bought his present store and stock of goods in Kimmell, and is now head of a very prosperous and thriving business. He is also a stockholder in the State Bank of Kimmell. Mr. Werker and family are members of the Sparta Christian Church. He is a democrat, and is affiliated with Cromwell Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He and his wife have two children, both attending school, Merritt being thirteen and Esther eleven years old. Thomas Kelham is the present trustee of Allen Township, Noble County. His public position is in many respects a reflection of the very able manner in which he has prosecuted his private affairs for many years. Mr. Kelham has been a resident of Noble County since early manhood, is a very suc- cessful farmer and land owner, and is a man who began life with very modest capital and has suc- ceeded beyond his sanguine expectations. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1853, son of Edward and Sarah (Fownend) Kelham. His father was born in England October 13, 1812, and came to the United States at the age of twenty-two. His first home was near Sandusky, Ohio, where for a time he was employed with the construction forces of what is now the Baltimore & Ohio Railway. He married at Shelby, Ohio, and for a time lived on a farm, but in 1858 came to Indiana and located in DeKalb County, near Avilla. He was a farmer there the rest of his life. He served as a county commissioner, was a democrat, and a man highly esteemed all over DeKalb County. Of nine children six are still living: Thomas; Edward, of DeKalb County; Joseph, of Noble County; George, whose home is in Swan Township of Noble County: Charles, a resident of Idaho; and Mary, widow of David Turner, of Garrett, Indiana. Thomas Kelham grew up on his father’s farm in DeKalb County, attended the district schools, and lived at home until twenty-one. The next three years he worked out at common wages and relied upon his own energies to get his start in life. Mr. Kelham married Miss Emma L. Lobdell. She was born and reared in Noble County. After their marriage they rented a farm and they made their first purchase of land when they bought forty acres. Mr. Kelham now owns what amounts to a large estate. It was acquired by a gradual process, buying as opportunity and means justified, until his present farm near Avilla comprises 300 acres, and he also owns a large ranch of 1200 acres in Montana. Mr. Kelham was actively identified with the man- agement of his farm and lived in the country until 1912, when he moved to Avilla, from which point he looks after a varied line of business undertakings. He was one of the organizers of the Avilla Tele- phone Company, its first president and is still pres- ident of the company. He is one of the leading democrats of the county, and he served a regularly elected term as trustee of Allen Township from 1904 to 1908. He is the present trustee by virtue of appointment to that office in 1916. Fraternally he is a past master of Avilla Lodge No. 460, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. and Mrs. Kelham are active members of the Evangelical Church, and he is one of its trustees. He and his wife had six children: Annetta, de- ceased wife of Samuel Scheurich ; Alda Z., wife of Leroy Zellars ; Frank E., a farmer near Avilla; James W., who lives on the old home farm near Avilla; Fred, who died at the age of twenty-two; and John C., who died December 6, 1918, aged twenty-four years. All of these children are grad- uates of high school and John completed the course of the Michigan Agricultural College. Henry J. Herrick, whose long and active career as a farmer, lawyer and banker has made him widely and favorably known in Northeast Indiana and in other states, came to DeKalb County when an in- fant more than eighty years ago, and his father at one time was one of the largest land owners in that county. Mr. Herrick, whose present home is on his farm of 1 18 acres in Concord Township, a mile south of Newville, was born at Norwalk, Ohio, August 9, 1835, a son of Lot and Lola (Sutliff) Herrick. His father was born in Herkimer County, New York, and his mother in Connecticut. The parents were married in Ohio. Lola Sutliff was an Ohio teacher, and under her supervision Lot Herrick learned to read and write. In 1836 the Herrick family came to Indiana and settled on the banks of the St. Joseph River, about twenty-six miles northeast of Fort Wayne. Lot Herrick acquired extensive tracts of land in and around that locality and he and his wife spent the rest of their days as farmers. They were members of the Presbyterian Church and he entered politics as a whig voter but subsequently was a democrat. He was elected probate judge of DeKalb County in early days. There were eight children in the Lot Herrick family, Henry J. being the only one now living. Mr. Herrick was a year old when his parents came to DeKalb County. He secured his early training in a log school house, but made good use of his opportunities and for about eight years was a successful teacher. He entered the law department of the University of Michigan and was a member of the first graduating class in 1862, when he re- ceived the LL. B. degree. For one year he prac- ticed in DeKalb County and in 1863, during Civil war times, he moved to Northwestern Missouri, practiced at Princeton until he went into the Union army and served as assistant adjutant general under General Pratt. He was in the army until June 15, 1866. After that Mr. Herrick practiced at Tren- ton, Missouri, and finally moved to the southern part of that state. He was a Missouri lawyer for thirty years, and while living at Trenton held the office of prosecuting attorney for several years. Mr. Herrick married Sarah Fusselman, a native of DeKalb County. She died while they were resi- dents of Missouri, and her only child died at the age of nine years. Mr. Herrick was active in the banking business for about seven years. After the death of his wife he came to DeKalb County and lived with his sister Electa, who has long since passed away. For many years he was a deacon of the Christian Church and in politics a republican. Calvert Metz. Some of the best farms in Noble County are in Washington Township. One of them is the place of Calvert Metz in section 15. Mr. Metz has the reputation not only of owning a good farm but of being a good farmer, and a man of most sub- stantial character in the citizenship of his locality. He has acquired his present comfortable circum- 42 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA stances as a result of self denying labors in youth and for a number of years after he attained manhood he remained at home and helped lift the burden of debt from the old homestead. He was born in the same section of Washington Township where he is now living on July 12, 1867, a son of Aaron and Mary (Prickett) Metz. His father was a native of Ohio. His mother was dis- tinguished as the first white child born in Washing- ton Township of Noble County. Her birth occurred in 1830, and the Pricketts were one of the first fam- ilies to locate in the woods of that section. Aaron Metz went with his parents. to Whitley County, In- diana, grew up there, and learned the trade of sad- dler. He had a shop at South Whitley for several years, later one in Columbia City, and finally moved to a farm in Washington Township, but left the farm to conduct a saddlery and harness shop in Ligonier for seven years. He then returned to his farm, and two years later died. His widow survived him for a number of years and died on the old homestead in Washington Township. Both were active members of the Dunkard Church and Aaron Metz was a re- publican. Of their six children three are still living: William F. Metz, of Albion; Calvert; and Norvel E., a farmer in Washington Township. Calvert Metz grew up on the home farm, and after his father’s death he and his brothers were in part- nership in managing the land and helped pay off the obligations resting upon the homestead. He received his education in the common schools. After leaving the home farm he came to his present place, which comprises two hundred and twenty acres, and is one of the high class farms of the township. Mr. Metz is also a stockholder in the Sparta State Bank at Cromwell. He is a republican and is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Ligonier. April 20, 1889, he married Amelia Gilbert. She was born in Washington Township, July 18, 1867, daughter of John and Margaret (Egner) Gilbert. She has spent practically all her life in Washington Township. Mr. and Mrs. Metz have two daughters, both married, and four granddaughters. Grace is the wife of Melvin Knapp and Velma is the wife of Claude Hardsock. Granville L. McClue represents some of the early settlers of Steuben County, has himself spent his life within the limits of that county, and has long been a successful farmer and stockraiser, though he now has a home in Angola where he spends the winter months. Mr. McClue was born in Steuben County Jan- uary 13, 1859, son of Thomas and Henrietta (Kemp) McClue, the former a native of New York and the latter of England. Henrietta Kemp when a girl came with her parents to the United States, and after some years of residence in New York the family came to Steuben County and settled in Mill- grove Township, where her parents spent the rest of their lives. Mr. McClue’s paternal grandparents were John and Maria (Smith) McClue, pioneer settlers of Steuben County. They lived at the vil- lage of Fremont. John McClue died in Pleasant Township. Thomas McClue was a farmer by occu- pation and died August 13, 1906, at the age of seventy-two. He was a republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife died August 29, 1869, the mother of two sons, Granville L. and John Willis. Granville L. McClue grew up on a farm in Jamesr town Township, had a public school education, also attending high school at Fremont and Angola, and when he was twenty-two years old he bought his first farm in Jamestown Township. Later he traded for another farm, and at the present writing is owner of two complete and well arranged farms, aggregating 320 acres and constituting a compe- tence. Mr. McClue for many years was a success- ful breeder of Shorthorn cattle. In the spring of 1915 he moved to Angola, where he owns a nice home on North Wayne Street. Politically Mr. McClue has been affiliated with the republican party and served as a member of the advisory board of his township, also as a member of the county council. He was formerly president of the Bank of Fremont, which later became the First State Bank of Fremont. Recently he sold his stock in that institution. Mr. McClue married Flora E. Mallory, of Steuben County. She died July 16, 1912, mother of three sons, Carl C., Howard L. and Emmet G. Emmet graduated from the Angola. High School in 1919, at the age of seventeen. The son Carl married Miss Mary Rakestraw and has a son, Wayne Russell. Howard L. married Ethel Clark. On July 16, 1914, Mr. McClue married Mrs. Edith (Munger) Craig, widow of Fred Craig. She has a daughter, Florence E. Craig, now the wife of Dr. Clyde R. Clark of Goshen, Indiana, and is the mother of one child, Vincent. Mrs. McClue, who is a member of the Christian Church, is a daughter of one of the early settlers of Steuben County. George W. Cole. The last several years have found George W. Cole busily engaged in the man- agement of one of the valuable farms of Scott Township in Steuben County. A native of that county, be has been familiar since early childhood with all conditions affecting farm life and work, and is one of the practical, progressive men who are doing much to bring Steuben County to the front, as an agricultural community. Mr. Cole, who represents an old family of North- east Indiana, was born in Scott Township, December 28, 1870, a son of Nelson and Eliza (Phenecie) Cole. His father was born in Portage County, Ohio, May 4, 1838, and his mother in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1843. The paternal grandparents were Jacob V. and Sarah (Geer) Cole,' who were early settlers in Steuben County, where they bought a large tract of land in Scott and Pleasant townships and spent the rest of their days in that community. Jacob Cole and wife had four- teen children, and the three still living are: Charles, of Scott Township, Sarah Rathburn and Marcia Eliza. Nelson Cole and wife were married in Steuben County, February 16, i860. On August 9, 1862, Nelson Cole and his brother Samuel enlisted as Union soldiers in Company H of the Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry. Samuel was severely wounded at Jonesboro, Georgia, and died a few weeks after- ward. Nelson Cole saw a great deal of. severe fighting, participating in the Atlanta campaign and the march to the sea. His cousin, George Geer, was killed in the battle of Chickamauga. After the war he returned to Steuben County and became a farmer and owned a large place of 210 acres in Scott Town- ship. He was later a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and in politics an ardent republican. He died at his home in Scott Township, January 4, 1901. His wife, who died December 29, 1904, came to Steuben County with her parents, George and Mary Ann Phenecie, who also settled in Scott Township. Her father later died in Kansas, and her mother a few years afterward in Steuben Coun- ty. Nelson Cole and wife had four sons: Samuel, who died in infancy, Sherman, Frank and George. George W. Cole grew up on the homestead farm, attended local schools for his education, and lived HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 43 at home until 1909. He then sold his possessions there and bought the farm he now owns in Scott Township, comprising 122 acres. This, under his management, is devoted to general farming and stock raising. Mr. Cole is a republican in politics and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge at Angola. March 1, 1898, he married Miss Jennie Harmon, of Steuben County. She died May 27, 1911, the mother of two sons. Glen, born October 21, 1900, is a student in the Angola High School. Leon, born January 12, 1903, was educated in the district schools and the Angola High School, and died while a high school boy October 20, 1918. Mr. Cole married Lulu Maugherman on December 24, 1915. Glenn W. Kesler, who represents one of the old and prominent families of Noble County, has made good use of his opportunities and is conducting one of the best appointed dairy farms in the vicinity of Kendallville. His home is in Jefferson Town- ship, west of Kendallville. Mr. Kesler was born in Orange Township of Noble Couffiy, June 4, 1890, son of T. P. and Ella (Smith) Kesler. His father was a native of Cardington, Morrow County, Ohio, while his mother was born in Eaton, Ohio. Both were brought to Noble County while children by their respective parents, and they grew up and married there. They were the parents of four children. Alta, the oldest, graduated from the Eclectic Medical College at Cin- cinnati and is now the wife of Doctor Boram, and both are in practice at South Bend, Indiana. Theo P. is a farmer at Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Glenn W. is third in age. Ethel is the wife of Ed Belmont and lives at Price, Utah. Glenn W. Kesler grew up on a farm a mile east of Brimfield, Indiana, and besides the advantages afforded by the schools of that village attended Notre Dame University at South Bend for four years. He is one of the young college men who are making notable strides in agriculture in Indiana today. He has a 600-acre farm, located partly in Jefferson and partly in Orange townships, and his main source of production is dairying. March 10, 1915, Mr. Kesler married Mrs. Pearl Shanafelt. She was born in Fulton County, Indiana, and was educated in the local schools and in the schools of South Bend. By her first husband she has a son, Elwood Shanafelt. Mr. and Mrs. Kesler have one son, Glenn W., Jr. Mr. Kesler is affiliated with Lodge. No. 1194 of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks. Frank G. Salisbury, whose father was one of the settlers of 1836 in Steuben County, is one of the best known citizens, is present county commissioner, former state representative, and while many years of his life were devoted to farming, his chief atten- tion at present is given to the Shady Nook resort at Lake Gage, of which he is proprietor. Mr. Salisbury was born in Millgrove Township November 28, 1854, a son of Chester D. and Julia (Collins) Salisbury. His great-grandfather, Heze- kiah Salisbury, at one time owned land included in the present site of the city of Brattleboro, Vermont. His grandfather, Edgar Salisbury, was in the War of 1812. Chester D. Salisbury was born in Jeffer- ' son County, New York, in 1817, and owing to the death of his father when he was eight years of age had to become a working member of the household and; saw much hardship and few educational or other advantages except such as he could gain for him- self. He served an apprenticeship at the tanner’s trade, but left that employment in 1836 to come to Indiana. On arriving in Steuben County he burned lime for two years in Jamestown Township, then opened up and improved a farm, and after four years moved to another place in Millgrove Township. He reached Steuben County almost penniless and fifty years later was enjoying the income and comforts of one of the model farms of the county. He mar- ried in 1838 Julia Collins, a daughter of Barton Col- lins, distinguished as the first permanent settler in Jamestown Township. Frank G. Salisbury grew up on his father’s farm, attended district schools, high school at Orland and the high school at Angola. He worked on the home place until he was twenty-three, and in August, 1878, he went to the Nebraska frontier. He was in Nebraska until December, 1884. Being a man of good education he employed some of his earlier years in teaching school. He was thus employed for four years in Steuben County, two years in Branch County, Michigan, and while in Nebraska he taught for two years in Fillmore County. On returning to Indiana in December, 1884, Mr. Salis- bury bought a farm in Millgrove Township, joining the place where he was born. He lived there and gained most of his competence for twenty-eight years. On leaving the farm he moved to Orland, and in 1913 he moved to his present home in Shady Nook on Lake Gage in Millgrove Township. As owner of the Shady Nook resort he has a valuable property consisting of a hotel and seven cottages, and it is one of the most attractive and best patron- ized resorts in Steuben County. February 26, 1879, Mr. Salisbury married Barbara E. Pocok, daughter of Levi and Barbara (Yanney) Pocock. Levi Pocock, who was born in 1817, in Maryland, grew up in Ohio, and in 1866 moved to LaGrange County, Indiana, and two years later to Steuben County, where he became a farmer in Mill- grove Township. Mr. and Mrs. Salisbury had four children; Earl married Jeanette Van Fossen, and their family consists of Esther, Martha, Wendell and Arthur. Geneva is the wife of Harry Fashbough and has three children, Barbara, Shirley and Keith. Irene is the wife of Carl Cary and has a son, Gor- don. Winifred is now employed in the adjutant general’s office at Washington, D. C. Mr. Salisbury for many years has been a prom- inent figure in the public life of his home township and county. He served as trustee of Millgrove Township from 1895 to 1900, from 1903 to 1905 represented Steuben and LaGrange counties in the State Legislature, and in 1914 was elected county commissioner, taking office in January, 1916. He is a member of the Lodge and Chapter of Masons at Orland and the Knight Templar Commandery at Angola. Allen J. Greene was for thirty years one of the leading stock buyers of Steuben County, living at Orland, and was also a Union soldier during the Civil war. He was born in Ohio in 1847 and died at Orland November 17, 1900. His parents, Francis and Alceta (Mason) Greene, came to Steuben County about 1856, settling in Fremont Township, where they lived on a farm the rest of their lives. The mother died June 27, 1895. Francis Greene was also a minister of the Baptist Church. Allen J. Greene grew up in that county, had a public school education, and in 1863, at the age of sixteen, enlisted in the 12th Indiana Cavalry and served until the close of the war as a Union soldier. After the war for thirty years he was engaged in the live stock business. He was a republican and finally became a democrat. He was affiliated with the Masons and Odd Fellows at Orland. 44 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA In 1870 he married Miss Mary Brown, a native of LaGrange County, and daughter of Frederick and Olive (Gambia) Brown, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New York. Her father came to LaGrange County when a young man, and was married at Hamilton in Steuben County, his wife being a daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Smart) Gambia, who settled in Steuben County as early as 1843. Mrs. Greene’s parents spent many years on a farm in Greenfield Township of LaGrange County, where, beginning with eighty acres, they gradually acquired 230 acres. Mrs. Greene now owns part of that old homestead. The father of Mrs. Greene died in 1886 and her mother in 1893. Besides Mrs. Greene, the oldest of their children, there were Florence, Frederick, who died at the age of nine months, and Charles. Fleming Newell Wilson. Of the old citizenship of Steuben County, no name for almost seventy years has carried with it, generation after genera- tion, more genuine respect and esteem than that of Wilson. While it has not been an unusually prolific family, it has been sturdy, independent and useful, and not without heroic qualities, for it has not been lacking in military sacrifices. A worthy representa- tive of this fine old family is found in Fleming Newell Wilson, and his large estate of 235 acres, lying in Jackson Township, includes ninety acres of the old original Wilson homestead secured in 1850. Fleming Newell Wilson was born in a log cabin then the family home, standing on land he now owns, in Jackson Township, Steuben County, In- diana, February 20, 1864. His parents were Newell A. and Mary (Klink) Wilson, the former of whom was born near Plymouth, Ohio, and was a son of Fleming and Susannah Wilson, and the latter, also born in Ohio, was a daughter of Christian and Mary Klink. In 1850 Fleming Wilson and his family came from Ohio to Steuben County and secured 160 acres of land in Jackson Township. They were quiet, frugal, industrious pioneers, and after the building of the log house Mr. Wilson cleared his land and gradually improved it, and here both he and wife died. Of their seven children but three reached maturity, namely: Newell A., Levi and John. Newell A. Wilson was thirteen years old when the family came to Indiana, and he completed his schooling in Steuben County, after which he taught school. In the course of time ninety acres of the home place became his property, and he took pride in its possession and never parted with it. His span of life was not extended into old age, for he was a martyr to his loyalty to country. He enlisted for service in the Civil war, was taken sick and came home on a furlough, but failed to recover, dying August 22, 1864. In 1873 his widow married George King, who died in 1905, leaving no children. To her first marriage two children were born: Frances R. and Fleming Newell. Frances R. Wilson was born in June, 1862, se- cured a good education and taught school for some years prior to her marriage to Guy Bodley, a son of Levi N. and Mary Jane Bodley, of Salem Township. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bodley, namely : Ethel and Glenn. Ethel mar- ried Clarence Houts, and they have three children : Lois, Lawrence and Mary. Glenn Bodley married Bonnie Avery, and they have two children : Harold and John. Guy Bodley and his wife live at Kala- mazoo, Michigan. Fleming Newell Wilson was reared on the home farm and first attended the country schools and later the high school at Angola, which was in 1883. He has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and is considered one of the most up-to-date and suc- cessful farmers and stockraisers of Steuben County. For some years he was an extensive grower of sheep. Mr. Wilson has carried on his operations carefully and systematically, keeping well informed through the Grange and by other means, and has built up fortune as well as reputation. Mr. Wilson was married December 24, 1887, to Miss Myrtie L. Barr, who was born in Jackson Township, Steuben County, July 28, 1869, and is a daughter of Luke and Mary (Williams) Barr. Her paternal grandfather, Jared Barr, was born in Massachusetts in 1784, and married Lucretia Hazen, a native of Connecticut, a cousin of the father of General Hazen. They lived in Dover and Elyria, Ohio, until 1845, when they moved to Steuben Coun- ty, Indiana, and bought eighty acres of Lyman Clark in Jackson Township, and both died there. Jared Barr served in the War of 1812, and was captain of a company. He and wife belonged to the Disciples Church, in which he was a minister. Luke Barr, father of Mrs. Wilson, was born at Elyria, Ohio, September 22, 1830. He was an enter- prising citizen and well-to-do farmer, and for many years was widely known as a competent teacher of vocal music. In 1864 Mr. Barr married Mary Wil- liams, who was born at Manlius, New York, May 15, 1840, and died at Reid City, Michigan, June 3, 1902. When eighteen years old she was graduated from Phipps Female Seminary, Albion, New York, and afterward taught school for twenty-five terms, for a while being principal of a school at Newville, Ohio. To Luke and Mary Barr the following chil- dren were born : Lena, Myrtie, Lillie, Charles and Guy. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have had children as follows: Erma, Alma B., Newell H., Lloyd, Loyal B. and Caroll. The eldest, Erma Wilson, was born April 1, 1889, attended the public schools and com- pleted the high school course, subsequently pursuing the study of music in the Chicago Conservatory of Music, since when she has been teaching her art. Alma B. Wilson was born May 18, 1890, was gradu- ated from the Flint High School, after which she studied dramatic art, expression and music with noted instructors in Chicago. Newell H. Wilson was born February 2, 1892, and died in March, 1898. Lloyd Wilson, who was born July 18, 1894, was graduated from the Angola High School, after which he spent several years at Purdue University. He is a successful breeder of Hereford cattle. He was subject to draft during the great war, was called May 21, 1918, was transferred from Colum- bus, Ohio, to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, then to Camp Taylor, Kentucky, and was taking officer’s training when the armistice with Germany was signed, and he was discharged December 1, 1918, when he re- turned home and resumed the pursuits of civil life. Loyal B. Wilson was born March 8, 1900, and was graduated from the Jefferson High School, Lafay- ette, Indiana, in 1919. Carroll Wilson, who was born Tuly 15, 1902, at present is a student in the Jefferson High School of Lafayette. Mr. Wilson is one of Steuben County’s representative men. Charles A. Gatwood is one of the pleasant spoken citizens of Albion, a man of long experience in mer- cantile affairs, and is honored as the present trustee of Albion Township. He was born in that township of Noble County, December 9, 1873, son of Joseph and Mary (Rine- hart) Gatwood. His father was a native of Ohio and his mother of Pennsylvania. Both the Rine- hart and Gatwood families came to Indiana in early HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 45 days, the Rineharts settling near Ossian and the Gatwoods in Wells County, near Zanesville. After Joseph Gatwood was married he moved to LaGrange County, near Howe, worked at his trade as a car- penter there, and on moving to Albion continued business as a contractor and builder and was also in the bakery and grocery business for a time. Then for twenty-three years he was foreman of a gang of railway bridge carpenters. He and his wife are still living at Albion. For a brief time he was a soldier in the Civil war and is a member of the Grand Army Post. He is active in the United Brethren Church. There were eight children: Sarah, wife of J. N. Busz ; John F., of Albion; Emma R., wife of A. B. Pinchon; Charles A.; George W., of Areola, Indiana; Clyde D., deceased; Ted L., of Albion; and Donald M., of Albion. Charles A. Gatwood grew up in Albion Township and attended the public schools of the village. After leaving school he worked as a clerk for ten years, then followed the barber trade in Mishawaka, In- diana, four years, and in the same city was em- ployed as a rubber boot maker four years. On re- turning to Albion he engaged in the grocery busi- ness with J. N. Busz, and after about four years bought out his partner and has been sole proprietor of one of the leading establishments of its kind in Noble County for the past eight or nine years. Mr. Gatwood married for his first wife Elizabeth Meiser, of Auburn, Indiana. She died of smallpox, leaving one son, Joseph L., who is now a student in high school. Mr. Gatwood married for his present wife Nettie M. Stewart, of Avilla. They have two daughters : Hilda Mae, born in 1906, and Lora L., born in 1910, now students in the public schools. Mr. Gatwood and family are members of the United Brethren Church. He is affiliated with Albion Lodge No. 223, Knights of Pythias, of which he is a past chancellor, and is also a member of the Maccabees and the Brotherhood of American Yeo- men. In politics he has been quite active as a re- publican, and his fellow citizens have been proud of the record he has made as trustee of the township. Cary M. Snowberger, representative of an old and well known family name in Steuben County, adopted as his profession dental surgery, and has made a conspicuous success of its practice at Hudson. Doctor Snowberger was born in Steuben County, May 15, 1875, a son of Robert and Marie (Lacey) Snowberger. The family history will be found on other pages. He acquired his early education in the district schools, spent a year and a half in the Angola Tri-State College, and in October, 1897, en- tered the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, where he was graduated in May, 1900. He at once located at Hudson and has been the leading dentist of that village for nearly twenty years and a man of un- usually fine qualifications professionally and as a citizen. While in college Doctor Snowberger became a charter member of Rho Chapter of the Psi Omega dental fraternity. He is a member in good standing of the DeKalb County, Northern Indiana, Fort Wayne District, Indiana State and American Dental associations and the Isaac Knapp Dental Coterie. In Masonry he is affiliated with the Lodge at Hudson,, the Chapter at Ashley and the Council at Angola. Doctor Snowberger married Reba B. Brown, a daughter of Jacob Brown, on March 27, 1901. Solomon Sexauer is widely known as the cattle king of Northern Indiana, and while now practically retired his operations as a farmer, land owner and stockman have covered a wide field in addition to the home farm where he has lived for more than half a century and which was developed from the stumps by the labors of himself and his father. Mr. Sexauer was born in Erie County, Pennsyl- vania, May 28, 1842, a son of Andrew and Mary (Frey) Sexauer, both natives of Germany. His father was born in Baden, Germany, December 15, 1804, and came to America in 1823. For a time he worked for a governor of New York State at Albany, and married while there. He then moved to Erie County, Pennsylvania, and in 1862 came to LaGrange County and settled on the farm where his son Solomon now resides. He owned 250 acres and spent his last days with his son Tobias in Lima Township, where he died March 19, 1891. His wife had passed away July 27, 1890. They had a family of seven children, Solomon being the youngest. Solomon Sexauer on coming to LaGrange County at once set to work to clear up the forest on his father’s land, and has lived in that locality ever since. To the old homestead he added until at present he owns more than 1,200 acres of land, all joining. His home farm is improved with splendid buildings, and here and elsewhere he has carried on extensive operations in feeding and raising cat- tle, also feeding sheep. He is a republican in poli- tics. On January 2, 1882, Mr. Sexauer married Miss Christina Kielkopf, who was born in Sturgis, Mich- igan, December 13, 1864, a daughter of Frederick and Christina Kielkopf, who came from Germany and lived in New York and Sturgis, Michigan, and later settled on a farm in Lima Township of La- Grange County, where her father died in 1909. Her mother is now living in Howe. To Mr. and Mrs. Sexauer were born four children: An infant daugh- ter that died soon after birth; Edward, who married and has a daughter, Margaret ; Carrie and Albert, both at home with their parents. William T. Bowles, a resident of Angola, has had an active career as a farmer, contractor, lumber and coal merchant and in various official capacities in Steuben County. He was born at Mishawaka, Indiana, March 25, 1864. His father, William Bowles, was twelve years old when he came with his father from England to New York, and soon afterward the family came West to Indiana. William Bowles after settling in Steuben County owned a small tract of land near Metz, where he lived until his death on March 8, 1913. He served several years as road supervisor. He was member of the United Brethren Church. His wife, Elnora Reed, was born in 1847 and died February 2, 1913. They had a family of seven chil- dren, Charles, Mary, William T., Archie, Calvin, Gracie and George. The son Archie died in infancy. William T. Bowles acquired his education in the common schools of Steuben County, attended the Tri-State Normal College, and at the age of twenty- two began his practical career as a farmer. He farmed four years and then for six years did con- tracting work at Ashley. Going back on the farm, he later bought eighty acres of land and was busily engaged in producing crops and livestock until 1912. In that year he sold out and engaged m the lumber and coal business at Berlin. He continued his busi- ness career there until the Valley Line was dis- continued. He supervised the construction of all the buildings at Berlin. After leaving that community he moved to Angola, where he resides today. Mr. Bowles has served for years on the Advisory Board and in politics is a republican. March 25, 1886, he married Eveline Wisner, 46 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA daughter of Stephen and Martha Wisner. She was born in Steuben County, June 6, 1866. They have a family of six children, named: Essie, wife of Dr. J. N. Blackman; Ford, who died at the age of thirteen; Ralph, who married Hazel Tuttle; Ethel, wife o f Curtis Steller; Ruth, wife of Paul Will- oby ; and Clark, a schoolboy fifteen years old. Edward C. Moore is a well-known agriculturist in Orange Township of Noble County, and after a considerable diversity of experience has settled down to farming the place where his mother was born and where he also first saw the light of day. This farm, comprising a valuable tract of land and well cultivated, is a mile and a quarter west of Rome City. Mr. Moore was born July 13, 1876, son of Wil- liam H. and Ursula J. (Hitchcock) Moore. His father was born in Elkhart Township of Noble County and his mother, as above stated, on the farm where Edward C. Moore now lives. The father is deceased and the mother is living in Rome City. Of their five children one died at the age of five years and the four still living are : Fred, a graduate of the Rome City High School, who served as coun- ty surveyor of Noble County fourteen years and is now well known in the abstract business ; D. W. Moore, connected with the great Atkins Saw Manu- facturing Company at Indianapolis; Frank H., a farmer in Orange "Township; and Edward C. Edward C. Moore grew up on the home farm and lived at home to the age of seventeen. He is a graduate of the Rome City grade schools. On leav- ing school he went to Indianapolis and spent several years in that city, following different lines of em- ployment. At the age of twenty he returned home, and on October 20, 1897, married Miss Nora M. Miller. Mrs. Moore was born at Turkey Creek in Steuben County, Indiana, and was educated in the district and high schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moore lived a year at Wolcottville, and then moved to the old farm. Six children were born to their marriage, five still living. Harold is a graduate of the Rome City High School. Gertrude is also a graduate of high school. Karl and Louise are both in the first year of the high school, and Mildred, the youngest, is in the fourth grade of the public schools. Mrs. Moore and the four oldest children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Moore is quite active in fraternal affairs and is present master of Rome City Lodge No. 451, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is also worthy patron of the Eastern Star Chapter. In politics he is a republican. Ora W. Foster, whose people came to Steuben County about 1855, has made his efforts count to the building up of a good farm and a commendable degree of prosperity as a farmer in York Township, where he was born and where he has spent most of his life. Mr. Foster was born November 9, 1863, a son of James and Margaret A. (Hemrv) Foster and a grandson of William Foster. William Foster was born in Ireland. June 10, 1811, and was a boy when he came to the United States. August 24, 1836, while living in Richland County, Ohio, he married Margaret J. Bell, who was born in New York State. June 25, 1818. About 1855 they came from Ohio and settled in York Township, locating on a farm. About 1865 William Foster returned to Edgerton, Ohio, remained there about eight years and then came to York Township again and lived until his death on February 11, 1890. His death was the result of an accident. He found it convenient to cross a railroad trestle. He knew that the fast train was due but was informed that it had passed, and he started across and was overtaken and killed. His wife had died April 18, 1889. Their children were: Emily Ann, born September 19, 1838; James, born May 10, 1841; Elizabeth, born March 14, 1844; William, born June 17, 1847; Mary H., born Nov- ember 22, 1849; Margaret, born May 26, 1852; Frank, born April 22, 1855 ; and Olive May, born August 16, i860. James Foster, who was born at West Unity, Ohio, May 10, 1841, was about fourteen' years old when his parents moved from Ohio to York Township. When a young man he was poisoned by sumac, and the infection resulted in a permanent injury to his right leg, so that he has lived physically handi- capped. He and his wife still live in York Town- ship. His wife, Maragret A. Hemry, was a daugh- ter of Abraham Hemry. They had six children: Ora W., George W., Eva M., wife of Frank Brooks, Ida M., wife of Fred Coveil, Emily A., wife of Her- man Trowbridge, and Lilly B., wife of George Court. Ora W. Foster acquired his early education in the district schools of York Township and early took up the responsibilities of life and became self supporting. He worked as a farm hand for about fifteen years. On November 10, 1893, he married Zoe J. Smith, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Troxell) Smith. The spring after his marriage Mr. Foster began farming for himself on a rented place in York Township. Slowly his experience and industry brought him the necessary capital with which to buy land of his own. He made the pur- chase of his present farm in 1902. His first pur- chase was seventy-nine and a half acres,, and since then he has bought twenty acres more. He has added to the buildings and has done more than make a good living out of his land. Mr. Foster is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows at Fremont, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His first wife died December 2, 1915, the mother of two children: Teresa D., wife of Witz Mason, and Thetis M., wife of Hershel J. Reichardt. Nov- ember 30, 1918, Mr. Foster married Mrs. Ida B. Barnes, widow of Albert Barnes. Willliam E. Murray. Though a native of Elk- hart County, William E. Murray has spent most of his life in LaGrange County, in his earlier years worked at the carpenter’s trade, and gradually ac- quired and improved a fine farm, which he still owns and occupies in Van Buren Township. Mr. Murray was born in Elkhart County July 25, 1861, a son of James C. and Mary Ann (Smith) Murray. His parents came to Indiana from San- dusky, Ohio, settled in Elkhart County, and two weeks after the birth of their son William moved to Newbury Township of LaGrange County. They lived on the farm now occupied by their son Frank and owned 130 acres. The father died there De- cember 4, 1892, at the age of seventy-seven, while the mother passed away in 1889, at the age of sixty- seven. James Murray was a democrat in politics and his wife was affiliated with the Methodist Church. They had eleven children, three of whom died young, the others being named Jane, Amanda, Silas, Martha, David, Frank, William E. and Emma. William E. Murray grew up in Newbury Town- ship, was educated in the common schools and at the age of twenty-three began working at the car- penter’s trade and for two years rented a house from Moses Miller. He made his living as a car- penter for eight years. He then bought twenty acres in the woods, where he now lives, put up some HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 47 good buildings, and after clearing the land has gone steadily ahead as a farmer and today owns a good property of eighty acres. He is a democrat but has never aspired to public office. He and his wife are Methodists. December 24, 1884, Mr. Murray married Miss Lydia Neff. She was born in Newbury Township August 18, 1864, a daughter of Abram and Fannie (Plank) Neff. Her parents came to LaGrange County from Holmes County, Ohio, also lived for several years in Elkhart County, but in 1866 moved to Van Buren Township, where they spent the rest of their years. Mrs. Murray’s father died in 1909, at the age of eighty, and her mother in 1904, aged seventy-two. In the Neff family were nine chil- dren, named John, Peter, Joseph, Barbara, Amos (deceased), Lydia, Emma, Mary and Amanda (de- ceased). Mr. and Mrs. Murray had five children. Carrie E. is the wife of Clifford Sixbuy; Edward married Blanche Hayes and has a son, Raymond; Willard married Ocie Davis, a daughter of Eugene Davis, of LaGrange County, and their family consists of Vera, Roscoe and Rachel. The two younger chil- dren, both at home, are Harold E. and Hulda E., twins. Charles L. Crandall. One of the families ear- liest to settle in Steuben County and carry on the work of development on Jackson Prairie was that of Crandall. Charles L. Crandall was an infant when his parents located there, and he has spent over seventy years in this county. He went from here to join the Union army as a boy soldier in the Civil war. Since then for half a century he has given his time and attention to farming, and is now living practically retired and in comfort. Mr. Crandall was born in Seneca County, New York, November 2, 1845, a son of Albert and Sarah (Beebe) Crandall, both natives of New York State, where they grew up and married. They came to Steuben County in 1846 and acquired forty acres of government land on Jackson Prairie. They lived there until after the war, when they sold and bought the eighty acres now owned by their son Charles in Pleasant Township. Albert Crandall died on this homestead in 1876, at the age of sixty-one. He was a republican and a Mason, and with his wife was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He had the following children : Charles L., Lamott, Loren, Randolph, Lavitis and Adella, the last four now deceased. Charles L. Crandall was educated in the Jackson Township schools, and lived at home on the farm until he was about eighteen years of age. On Janu- ary 1, 1864, he enlisted in Company E of the One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Indiana Infantry. He saw some of the very hard fighting in the center of the Confederacy during the last year and a half of the war, was in the Atlanta campaign, the battle of Wise’s Forks and the great struggle at Franklin and Nashville. He was mustered out at Charlotte, North Carolina, August 29, 1865. After the war he re- turned home and following his father’s death, bought the old homestead and has lived there ever since. He has made modern improvements, has raised great numbers of livestock, and a feature of his livestock business and general farming is a silo. Mr. Crandall is a republican, a member of the Masonic Order and the Grand Army of the Re- public. February , 6, 1870, he married Miss Mary Stroh. She was born at Bucyrus, Ohio, and came to Steuben County with her parents, Hugh and Cath- erine (Fike) Stroh. Her father was a Dunkard preacher and spent his last years at Quincy, Michi- gan. Mr. and Mrs. Crandall had one son, Roscoe H. He was born June 20, 1876, was educated in the district schools and the Angola High School, taught two terms and was a farmer until his death. He married Maud N. Holder on April 6, 1899, and she became the mother of three children : R. Clair, born March 30, 1900, who was educated in the public schools; H. Wayne, born February 9, 1902, a stu- dent in the Angola High School ; and Richard Dale, born April 20, 1906, who died in infancy. Mrs. Roscoe Crandall was married September 10, 1918, to Benjamin S. Farris, who is a mechanical engineer now in Tulsa, Oklahoma. ' Mr. Crandall and his daughter-in-law are members of the Latter Day Saints Church, while Mrs. Crandall is affiliated with the Christian denomination. John J. Forker. There is no better known citi- zen of Noble County than John J. Forker. He has lived a long life of three score years and ten, and from youth to the present time he has been active in varied affairs, is a man of diverse interests, and the diligent and successful prosecution of his own business has been accompanied by a worthy public spirit and participation in many affairs that affect the entire neighborhood. Mr. Forker has a large and prosperously conducted farm in Orange Town- ship, in section 36. He is one of the oldest living native citizens of Noble County, having been born in Wayne Town- ship, a half mile east of where he now lives, April 30, 1848. His parents were Oliver and Elizabeth (Dingman) Forker. His father was born in New York State, June 24, 1825, son of John A. and Sybil (Bruer) Forker. From New York State the family moved to Ohio and later to Noble County, Indiana. The Forkers arrived in Noble County as early as 1834 and the Dingmans in 1833. Oliver Forker and wife were married in Noble County and then located on a farm in Wayne Township, where they lived until his death in 1880. The mother passed away in 1893. Oliver Forker was an active member of the Free Will Baptist Church and a democrat in politics. There were ten children in the family, two of whom died young, and five are still living. The oldest is John J. Edmund lives at Redford, Michigan. Ellen is the wife of Curtis M. Evans, of Lincoln, Ne- braska. George O. was a farmer in Steuben County and is now deceased. Perry is a farmer in Wayne Township. James is fireman at the Waterworks plant in Kendallville. John J. Forker grew up on the home farm and at- tended the district schools. On August 18, 1878, he married Miss Emma Strater, who was born in Orange Township, member of one of the old and well known families of Noble County. After his marriage Mr. Forker lived on his father’s farm until 1883, and then bought eighty acres included in his present farm. He had to earn his own modest capi- tal and has made his way by dependence upon his own energies and good judgment. He is now owner of a fine farm of 280 acres, and for many years has been one of the breeders of high grade livestock of all kinds. Mr. Forker was for twenty-five years well known among the farmers of Noble County as proprietor of a threshing outfit, and is one of the veterans in that industry. He is a director in the Lisbon Canning Factory at Lisbon, Indiana, and is adjuster for the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company in Wayne, Orange, York, Elkhart and Perry townships. In politics Mr. Forker is a democrat. When he was chosen treasurer of Noble County in November, 1906, it was by a majority of 100, and that was a 48 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA high testimony to his effiicency and popularity since the county was normally republican by at least 400. He entered upon the duties of his office January x, 1908, and served four full years. In 1883 Mr. Forker was one of the organizers of the Eastern Indiana Fair Association, and he has long been one of its directors and is superintendent of its horse depart- ment. Mr. Forker is an authority on many matters of local history. For many years he has kept a diary, and besides noting his own private affairs he has kept various other interests, including the daily temperature, and that is one of the few records of the kind to be found outside the regular Govern- ment weather stations. Mr. and Mrs. Forker have four children: John, a farmer in Jefferson Township, who married Edith Glosser; Laloh, a graduate of the common schools and wife of Ernest Layman, of Allen Township ; Merle, who runs the home farm and married Rosa Pankop ; and Fred, who is a farmer in Jefferson Township and married Mary Butler. C. A. Hickman, proprietor of the Locust Stock Farm near Wilmot in Washington Township of Noble County, has achieved success and a reputation as a farmer and breeder of horses and cattle after a youth and early manhood of comparative struggle and hard work. He obtained his start by working for others at the usually accepted wages of the time, and has gone steadily ahead year after year, solving the problems as they came up, and letting every ex- perience count to his good in the long run. Mr. Hickman was born in Thorn Creek Township of Whitley County, Indiana, August 7, 1858, son of Lewis J. and Martha (Jones) Hickman. His father was born in Hawkins County, Tennessee, and his mother in Shelby County, Ohio. They met and mar- ried in Whitley County, Indiana, and then settled on a farm in Thorn Creek Township, and from there moved to Greene Township of Noble County, In- diana, locating near Charter Oak Church, where they spent the rest of their days. They were very devout members and worshipers in the United Brethren Church. The father was a democrat. Of their nine children five are still living: C. A.; Ann, wife of John Garland; Ellen, wife of Arthur Rose; Almira, wife of Donald Grabill ; and Sarena, wife of John Benhamer. C. A. Hickman’s boyhood recollections are chiefly centered around the old farm in Greene Township. He attended district school there, and at the age of nineteen left home to make his own way in the world. For several years he worked at monthly wages, and by the time he was ready to marry and settle he had saved $350. That was the capital that provided for his first adventure in home making. February 11, 1886, he married Eva Tulley, who was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, in 1867. For sev- eral years Mr. and Mrs. Hickman rented land in Noble and Elkhart counties, and finally they bought their present farm in Washington Township. The Locust Stock Farm comprises 140 acres, and has a more than local reputation on account of its fine Belgian horses and Shorthorn cattle. His stock of these strains are in great demand by buyers both in the locality and from a distance. Mr. Hickman is a democrat. He and his wife have three children : Sadie, a graduate of the common schools ; Clarence, who is married and lives on a farm near his father ; and Guy, a graduate of the common schools and still at home. James W. Porter is one of the widely known citizens of Richland Township in Steuben County, and is a son of a hard working and zealous pioneer minister in this section of Northeast Indiana. His father, Rev. Joseph Porter, was born in Medina County, Ohio, in 1820, and in 1867 married Huldah Buck, also a native of Medina County. Soon afterward they came to Steuben County, In- diana, locating in Richland Township, where Rev. Joseph Porter did much to build up the interests in the United Brethren Church. He preached in a number of places and continued in ministerial work for many years. After about two years he moved to the vicinity of Nevada Mills in Steuben County and lived there until after the death of his wife. He was three times married. His nine children were: William, two that died in infancy, Samuel D., Edmond R., Henry, John, Gurden and James W. James W. Porter was born in Wood County, Ohio, April 30, 1858, received his education in Steuben County, and learned the tinner’s trade. He later took up farming, was a renter for several years in York Township, and in 1897 bought the farm he now owns adjoining the village of Metz and con- taining 108 acres. He is one of the prosperous citizens in that locality and has frequently been honored with stations of trust. He served as trus- tee of Richland Township six years and as assessor four years. He is a republican and he and his wife have been active in the United Brethren Church for over forty years. In 1878 Mr. Porter married Miss Sarah M. Snider, who was born in Defiance County, Ohio, November 1, 1857, a son of Solomon and Delilah Snider. Her parents came to Richland Township of Steuben County about 1882, and her father died here in 1889 and her mother in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Porter had five children: Minnie, wife of Lester Lechleid and the mother of two children, named Frances and Willis; Myrtle, who is married and has four chil- dren, named Helen, Wilma, Roscoe and Leota; Jennie, who died at the age of twenty-six; Roscoe, who died at the age of eight years ; and Estelle, who died at the age of six. John Jacob Yunker is making a specialty of Jersey cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs on one of the good farms of Lima Township, LaGrange County. He is a man of good education, with the advantage of youth, enthusiasm and unlimited energy, and is regarded as one of the most progressive men in his locality. Mr. Yunker is an American in everything except birth and earliest infancy. He was born in Berne, Switzerland, December 23, 1882, and a few weeks later was brought by his parents, Rudolf and Rosetta (Lew) Yunker to this country. His parents were both Swiss, and Mr. Rudolf Yunker was educated in the common schools there and each year for twelve years took military training and drill. He was a stone mason by trade, and after his father’s death he made his industry the chief support of his widowed mother. In 1883 he brought his fam- ily to America, arriving in New York City October 15th and coming directly to Howe, Indiana. Rudolf Yunker found work at his trade and always fol- lowed that occupation, though owning farms and living on them, allowing his sons to till the fields. He first bought twenty acres in Clay Township and cleared away enough of the timber to make a space on which to erect his log house. In course of time he had most of this tract under cultivation, and he and his family lived there until 1900, and after that spent three years in another part of Clay Town- ship, and in 1903 moved to the farm now occupied by John Jacob Yunker in Lima Township. Rudolf Yunker acquired eighty acres there and had the HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 49 farm improved with good buildings before be moved his family. The farm remained his home until 1913, when he moved to Howe and was living retired when he died June 19, 1919. His wife died on the farm May 15, 1910. Rudolf Yunker and wife had eight children: Rudolf, Jr., Rosetta, John J., Ameil, Mary, Fred, Mabel, who died in April, 1918, and Howard. John Jacob Yunker is a graduate of the Howe High School and spent one summer in the Uni- versity of Indiana and another summer in the Nor- mal School at Ypsilanti, Michigan. He gave three years of his early manhood to teaching, spending one year in the schools of Ontario and two years at Howe. Then for two years he was employed in the cold storage plant of Bollman Brothers, at Sturgis, Michigan, and since then has been farming either in Greenfield Township or over the line in Michigan. He has been directing head of the old Yunker farm since 1913. He is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Yunker married Miss Mabel Kelly June 5, 1907. She was born in LaGrange County, a daugh- ter of Daniel M. Kelly. Mr. and Mrs. Yunker have an interesting family of five children : Gwendolyn E., Helen R., Marjorie E., Robert John and Jean H. Daniel M. Kelly, father of Mrs. Yunker, was born in St. Joseph County, Michigan, August 27, 1861, son of John M. and Asenath M. (Parham) Kelly, the former a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and the latter of Greenfield Township, La- Grange County. John M. Kelly was a son of Wil- liam and Rebecca (Tilej') Kelly, who in 1854 moved from Ohio to St. Joseph County, Michigan, and later came to LaGrange County. William Kelly spent his life as a farmer and lived on one side or the other of the Michigan-Indiana state line until his death. John M. Kelly had a common school education, and taught school in LaGrange County and in Michigan. Most of his active life was spent as a farmer in Greenfield Township. His wife died in 1909 on the old farm where she was born. Her parents were Thomas and Susan (Kenyon) Par- ham, the former a native of England, who came to America when a young man. The Parhams were early settlers of LaGrange County. John M. Kelly after the death of his wife retired to Sturgis, Mich- igan, where he died. He owned 620 acres in Mich- igan and Indiana, and at one time was township trustee in Greenfield. His family of six children are all living, named Daniel M., E. Morton, Susan R., Fidelia J., Mary E. and Albert M. Daniel M. Kelly was one year old when his parents moved to Greenfield Township, and he has spent his life there prosperously and effectively, de- voted to farming and stock feeding. He owns 360 acres in LaGrange County and twenty acres across the Michigan line. He served on the township ad- visory board fourteen years. In 1884 Mr. Kelly married Miss Eliza M. Milliman, who was born in Branch County, Michigan, a daughter of Jerome B. Milliman. They have five children : Mabel A., Eva I., Edith L., Robert J. and Ralph. Shirley D. Fee, a grandson of the first settler in Otsego Township of Steuben County, has been a diligent and public-spirited factor in that commun- ity for many years, was formerly a farmer and is now proprietor of the Fee mills at Metz. His grandfather, John Fee, was born in Southern Ohio, October 13, 1810, a son of William Fee, who about 1830 moved to Williams County, Ohio. John Fee in 1833 married Mary A. B. Houlton, who was born in Highland County, Ohio, in 1811, daughter of Samuel Houlton, one of the first settlers of Chilli- Vol. II— 4 cothe. The Houlton family were conspicuous for their pioneer activities in DeKalb County, Indiana. In 1835 John Fee came to Otsego Township, and his was the first white family to make its home there. He acquired 120 acres in section 32, and was well fitted for his pioneer environment, being a man of great energy and industry. In time he be- came one of the largest land owners in the county, owning about 1,500 acres. His lands also extended into DeKalb County, and comprised several farms. John Fee died April 2, 1873. He was the father of nine children. Of these Frank Fee was born in Otsego Township in 1844, attended the pioneer schools of Steuben County, and had much of the enterprise and ability of his father. At the time of his death he owned 413 acres of land. He was a republican in politics. He married in Steuben County, Setta Gilbert, a native of that county. They were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom reached mature years: Myrtle, Shirley, Flora, John, Asa (who is now deceased), Clarence, Earl, Lloyd and Aldah. Shirley D. Fee was born in Otsego Township in August, 1879. He grew up on his father’s farm and had a public school education. Becoming familiar with farming as a boy, he followed it as a regular occupation for many years, and in 1907 bought a place of sixty-four acres in Otsego Township. On January 1, 1919, he left the farm to take the active management of the Metz Mills, a property which he owns and which does a large business under his management. Mr. Fee is a republican and is affili- ated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge. In 1901 he married Miss Alma Irene Gurtner, daughter of Henry Gurtner of Hamilton and mem- ber of a well-known family of Steuben County. They have one son, Walter Ray, born October 28, 1902, now a junior in the Metz High School. James W. Hunt, a farmer and livestock breeder in Washington Township of Noble Comity, is one of the interesting men of Northeastern Indiana, is widely traveled and variously experienced, and has seen a great deal of the world since his boyhood days in Indiana. He was born in Etna Township of Whitley Coun- ty, September 3, 1867, son of Franklin and Martha J. (Long) Hunt. His grandfather, Smith Hunt, was a prominent resident of Wayne County, Indiana, and in the early days acquired vast tracts of Gov- ernment land in Whitley, Noble and Kosciusko counties. He never lived on this land, but kept his residence at Richmond, where he died. Franklin Hunt was born in Wayne County, February 22, 1828, and as a young man just turned of age in 1849 he left home and on horseback made the over- land trip to California. He was in the Golden West for two years, and on returning to Indiana settled in Whitley County, where he spent the rest of his days as a successful farmer. His wife, Martha J. Long, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, July 10, 1834, and is still living at the venerable age of eighty-four. Her father, Thomas Long, came to Indiana in 1847, locating in Whitley County. James W. Hunt contented himself with the en- vironment of the homestead farm in Etna Town- ship until after he had attained the age of twenty- one. He then started out in the world, and in the course of his travels reached the far Orient in Korea, where he was connected with a gold mining company for a period of twelve years. Then after other travels and experiences he returned to Indiana and for a number of years has been giving all his time and energies to his farm of 160 acres in Wash- 50 HISTORY OF NORTFIEAST INDIANA ington Township of Noble County. Mr. Hunt has never married. He is affiliated with Cromwell Lodge No. 705, Free and Accepted Masons, is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, and is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Ligonier and in politics is a republican. Frank Gettings. The Gettings family has played a part of unusual industry and enterprise in several localities of Northeast Indiana. Frank Gettings of this family was born in Noble County, spent part of his life in LaGrange County, and is now a promi- nent resident of Hamilton in Otsego Township of Steuben County. He was born in Noble County, January 17, 1859, son of Adam and Lovina (Repine) Gettings. His father was an early settler in Noble County, first locating about two miles south of Kendallville and soon afterward buying a farm southwest of that city. He also lived in Kendallville, and was pro- prietor of the Air Line Hotel and entertained the traveling public for a number of years. He also conducted a livery and sales stable and became widely known as a dealer in horses. Finally selling his Kendallville interests he removed to LaGrange County, buying 160 acres in Milford Township. Later he bought forty acres where his son, James, now lives in that county, and on that place he died in 1888, when about sixty-seven years of age. His widow survived him until January 24, 1917, and was ninety-two years old at the time of her death. The father was a democrat, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife was a Method- ist. Their children were Frank, James and Alma, the daughter being now deceased. By a previous marriage Adam Gettings had three children : Thomas, William and Ella. Of these only the daughter survives. Frank Gettings lived in Kendallville until he was twelve years old and while there attended the vil- lage schools. He also attended public school at Milford and for one term was in the college at Angola. His first farm comprised 40 acres in LaGrange County, but he sold that and bought 120 acres and in 1909 moved to Steuben County and bought 160 acres in Otsego Township. This farm is now under the active management of his son, Clair. He also acquired ten acres near the village of Metz, and that is his home and he uses the land and its facilities to conduct a dairy. He has been an extensive cattle feeder and very successful in handling all kinds of livestock. Mr. Gettings is a democrat in politics. He mar- ried Miss Elsie Wright, daughter of Elbridge and Martha Wright, of Steuben County. They have two children : Zoa, at home, and Clair, who is manager of the farm. Clair married Elsie Snyder, and has two children, Esther May and Louise. Jesse W. Camp, one of the active and pushing men in the community of Smithfield Township, De- Kalb County, has spent his active career as a- farmer, is prominent in fraternal work, and has been hon- ored by his fellow citizens with the office of trustee of Smithfield Township, of which he is the incum- bent today. He was born on the farm where he now lives near Ashley May 10, 1877, a son of Aaron W. and Amanda E. (Husselman) Camp. His father was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 17, 1847. His mother was born in Fairfield Township of DeKalb County and is still living, an active member of the Methodist Church. Aaron W. Camp was an active member and at one time chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and was its chancellor when his son took the preliminary work. He was a democrat and was serving as a member of the county council when he died. He and his wife had five children: Jesse W. ; Maude B., wife of Frank Duncan, living near Olivet, Michigan; Eva H., wife of Forest Mil- ler of Ashley; Mabel C., who married H. T. Judson of Auburn, Indiana; and Ethel V., wife of Boyd Kirkland of Kenton, Ohio. Jesse W. Camp, only son of his parents, grew up on the home farm, and since early manhood has been operating it. He has acquired other business interests and is a stockholder and director of the Commercial Bank of Ashley. Mr. Camp married for his first wife Edna Hart- man. After her death he married Catherine Dono- van on September 30, 1917. She was born in Wa- bash County, Indiana, December 24, 1874, and her first husband was Thomas W. Millard. Mrs. Camp has a son, Warren J., who was born September 17, 1898, and is a graduate of the common schools. During the war he was in the aviation repair de- partment at Dallas, Texas, and at this writing is still a Government employe. Mrs. Camp is an active member of the Church of Christ. Mr. Camp is past chancellor of Ashley Lodge No. 394, Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife are members of the Pythian Sisters. Mrs. Camp is a past worthy matron of the Eastern Star and also a past noble grand of the Rebekahs. Mr. Camp is a democrat in politics and on that ticket was elected to his present office as township trustee. James Eric Gifford has been numbered among the leading farmers of Steuben County for a number of years, is a native of Northeast Indiana, and he took up farming after a number of years spent in mechanical trades. Mr. Gifford was born in Scott Township, Septem- ber 20, 1859, a son of Job and Hannah (Trobridge) Gifford. His father was born in Oswego County, New York, and his mother in Vermont. They were early settlers in LaGrange County, Indiana, and from there moved to Scott Township of Steuben County, buying a farm near the Gifford schoolhouse. Job Gifford died here in 1864 and his wife in 1872. Their children were: Lois, wife of Albert Wheaton; Lizzie, wife of Henry Arnold; Ida, who married Ed Hauselman; Freeman and Fremont, twins; Agnes; and James Eric. James Eric Gifford grew up on his father’s farm and attended Gifford schoolhouse. He left the farm in early life to go to work as a machinist, and was employed in machine shops for about fifteen years, and since that time has found both profit and pleas- ure in farming. He is a republican, and also a Mason and Odd Fellow. In June, 1879, he married Ella Walgemuth. Their three children, all living, are Carrie, Eva and Graf- ton. Mr. Gifford married for his second wife Mrs. Sarah Jane (Dygert) Nisonger. She was born in Scott Township, January 6, 1858, a daughter of John and Caroline Dygert, representing an old family of this district. Mrs. Gifford married for her first hus- band on November 17, 1878, Jackson Nisonger. He was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, February 3, 1855, son of Christopher and Barbara (Arnold) Nisonger. His parents were early settlers in Steuben County, and located the land that is now in- cluded in the fine home of Mr. and Mrs. Gifford. They traded land in Kosciusko County for this place, and developed a farm of 107 acres. Mr. Nisonger died in 1874 and his widow is now living in Colorado at the age of eighty-seven. In the Nisonger family were five children, Jennie, Jackson, Jacob, Dora and Alice. Jackson Nisonger grew up on the home farm in Steuben County, had an education in the public schools, and was a successful agriculturist until his HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 51 death. He was a democrat in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Nisonger had two children, Merle and Caro- line. Thomas A. Anderson is one of the oldest resi- dents of Swan Township, Noble County, his home having been in that locality for over sixty years. His life has been spent quietly but profitably as a farmer, and he still gives his active supervision to his farm of seventy acres lying adjacent to the Hopewell Church. Mr. Anderson was born in Pennsylvania, March 21, 1847, son of Thomas A. and Jane (Cooley) An- derson, both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1854 the Anderson family came to Indiana and located in Swan Township of Noble County, where the parents spent the rest of their lives. The father was an active churchman and served as an elder in the Swan Presbyterian Church. He was a republican. Of eight children three are still living : Mary J., wife of Frank Mills; Sarah, widow of James McCoy; and Thomas A. Thomas A. Anderson was seven years old when his parents came to Indiana, and he grew up in a rather frontier community, procuring his education in a log school house. For fully half a century he has been identified with the business of farming. May 21, 1874, he married Miss Mary E. Moore, daughter of Rev. J. P. Moore. To their marriage were born three children, only one of whom is now living, Joseph M. Joseph M. was born August 25, 1882, and married Miss Nora E. Weimer, daughter of Samuel Weimer. Mr. Anderson is an active member of the Presbyterian Church and has served as deacon. He is a republican. Frank Strock. No small part of the business enterprise of Hudson moves to the accompaniment of Frank Strock, who is banker, elevator man, and both a producer and a dealer, well and favorably known in that community. Mr. Strock was born in Wayne County, Ohio, August 28, 1881. His grandparents were George and Mary (Baumgardiner) Strock. His father, Daniel Strock, who was born in Wayne County in June, 1852, had a farm there but did a large business in the buying and shipping of hay and potatoes, and was owner of the elevator at Hudson, Indiana. He died in November, 1909. Fie married Addie Troutman, who was born in Wayne County, a .daughter of Philip and Pleasant Troutman. She is still living in Wayne County. Her children were six in number: Frank, Jay P., Earl Wayne, Mary, Fannie and Florence. Frank Strock acquired his early education in the public schools of Wayne County, and when a young man gained much business experience working with his father in the handling of hay and potatoes. He came to Hudson in August, 1903, to take the man- agement of the Hudson elevator, which was then owned by his father. He has been continuously in that business ever since, and since about 1908 has been owner of the establishment. Hudson is an important onion market, and Mr. Strock has had much to do with stimulating that production, grow- ing onions himself and also buying them. He is president of the Farmers State Bank of Hudson and is a director and stockholder of the Auburn Hardware Company at Auburn. Mr. Strock is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Hudson, also the Royal Arch Chapter, the Commandery at An- gola and the Scottish Rite Consistory at Fort Wayne and the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Eastern Star. March 20, 1906, he married Ada Ketchem, a daugh- ter of Joseph and Frances Ketchem. They have two children, Paul Wayne and Carl A. Carl J. Swank, though not yet thirty years of age, is one of the independent business men of Northeast Indiana, and is active head of the firm Swank & Company, proprietors of two first class furniture and undertaking establishments at Hudson and Ashley. Mr. Swank, who is a graduate embalmer and a man whose ability is greatly appreciated in his pro- fession, was born near Ligonier in Noble County, Indiana, September 12, 1890, a son of Jerome and Almira . (Retfrow) Swank. His father was born near Ligonier, and spent his active life on a farm there. He died in 1893. The mother is now living at Hudson, Indiana. They were married in Noble County and both were active members of the Meth- odist Church. In the family were two sons and one daughter, Grover, a barber at South Milford, In- diana; Carl J. ; and Gertrude, wife of William Mar- shall of Noble County. Carl J. Swank lived on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age. He attended the Topeka High School, and for four years followed the trade of barber. In 1910 he graduated from the Clark Embalming School at Cincinnati and at once re- turned to Hudson, where he followed his profession for four years. He then bought out the business of which he is proprietor. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Hudson and also the Knights of Pythias and in politics is a demo- crat. He and his wife are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. He married Esther M. Bidwell, whose former home was near Rome City in Noble County. Their two children are June Adel, born in 1913, and Wen- dall, born in 1918. Francis H. Ramsay has had a long and varied experience in business affairs in several states, is widely known in Steuben County, lives at Angola, and owns and operates a fine dairy farm near that city. He has been a manufacturer, and farmer, and in various lines of business experience. Mr. Ramsay was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, March 22, 1848. He came to the United States in 1868, at the age of twenty, first locating in New \ork State, where he remained about nine months, then moved to Canada, and in 1874 to Michigan. He was at Mount Clemens for several years and in 1883 moved to Hillsdale, and in 1889 came to Angola, Indiana. Here he was in the cooperage business, employing as many as eight men, and he continued that industry until 1906. Since then he has been engaged in the dairy business, owning a well equipped farm adjoining the corporation limits of Angola and other property in the city. He has been very successful in his affairs since coming to Steuben County. Mr. Ramsay is a republican in politics, and is a justice of the peace, an office he has filled capably for thirteen years. For many years he has been a deep student of Masonry, is thoroughly impressed with its doctrines, and is proud of the fact that most of his sons are also members of the same order and some of them have attained the highest degrees. Mr. Ramsay retains his affiliation in Hillsdale Lodge of Masons, Angola Chapter No. 58, Royal Arch Masons, and Angola Commandery No. 45, Knights Templar. He is a member of the Christian Science faith. In 1867, in Scotland, he married Miss Armanella Hazlett. Mr. Ramsay was divorced from his first wife and in 1903 married Elizabeth Wolfe, of Angola. His first wife died in 1916. The present 52 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Mrs. Ramsay is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Mr. Ramsay by his first marriage had eight children. Robert and Sarah Jane were twins and Robert is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner and a farmer in Steuben County. Francis James, the second son, died in 1896. An- drew John, a farmer in Pleasant Township, is a member of the Masonic Order. Samuel W. is also a Mason and lives in Colorado. Calvin, a well- known attorney at Angola, has attained the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite Masonry and is also grand high priest. Lillie lives in Pleasant Township. David V. joined the Engineering Corps of the National army in October, 1917, was sent overseas about Christmas of that year and saw a great deal of active service for nearly seventeen months, participating in some of the chief cam- paigns, and while in the front lines was gassed and wounded. He returned home on March 10, 1919, and is still suffering from the effects of the gas. Albert D. Sawyer. The Sawyer family have been residents of Noble County more than eighty vears. It is appropriate that a representative of this pioneer family should now hold the office of sheriff, Albert D. Sawyer having been elected and re-elected to that important office. Mr. Sawyer has spent most of his life as a practical farmer. He was born on the old Sawyer homestead in Wayne Township of this county, January 28, 1859, son of Jackson and Margaret (Layering) Sawyer. Jackson Sawyer was born in Ohio, son of John and Charlotte (Pearl) Sawyer. Charlotte Pearl Saw- yer lived to the advanced age of ninety-two. John Sawyer brought his family to Indiana in 1836 and entered a tract of Government land in Wayne Township, this old homestead being now owned by his grandson Albert. John Sawyer died in the fall of 1837, having had little opportunity to improve his land. His widow proved herself a noble pioneer woman, rearing her family of ten children, and re- maining faithful to the memory of her first husband all the rest of her life. All her ten children are now deceased. The old homestead eventually became the property of Jackson Sawyer, who lived there and prospered as a farmer. He was the father of seven children, four of whom are still living: Mervin D., of Ken- dallville, Indiana ; Agnes, wife of Arthur Scott, of Defiance, Ohio; Harvey, of Wolcottville, Indiana; and Albert D. Albert D. Sawyer grew up on the old farm, at- tended the common schools there, and in 1882 mar- ried Miss Charlotte Ream. They have a family of four sons and one daughter. Orrie and Ottie are twins, both graduates of the common school. Orrie is now deputy sheriff of the county under his father and is married and has one child. Ottie is a farmer east of Kendallville and has three children. Guy is farming his father’s place. Another son, Harold, is now with the United States army. The daughter, Bertha, married Chester Bowser and has one daugh- ter. Mr. Sawyer is a member of the Loyal Americans. He was elected sheriff the first time by 125 majority, and the second time by 180 votes. He is a democrat in politics. His farm, now operated by his son, comprises 216 acres in Wayne Township, and he still retains an interest in the livestock. John H. Oberlin. The Oberlins are a family that have been rather numerous and prominent in DeKalb County for over seventy years. Mr. John H. Oberlin, who was born in DeKalb County, has spent the greater part of his active career in Steuben County, and beginning life as a renter followed farming successively and aggressively for many years and is now enjoying a well earned retirement at Hamilton. He was born in Franklin Township of DeKalb County May 1, 1854, son of John and Rachel (Duck) Oberlin. His father settled in DeKalb County in pioneer times, developing a tract of wild land, and later moved to Butler, where he exercised his trade as a tanner by establishing a tannery. He died in 1863. In religion he was a Methodist. He was the father of a large family of children, named William, Fred, Philip, Hiram, Elijah, Benjamin, Joseph, Daniel, Orlando, Mary, Lucinda, Sarah, Hannah and John H. John H. Oberlin, who was only nine years old when his father died, attended public school in Otsego Township, also a school at Butler, and as he inherited nothing except good character and a tendency to industry, he started out as a young man to make his own way in the world. He worked as a farm hand, and on January 23, 1881, when still possessed of little capital, he married Minerva J. Wilson, daughter of Alexander and Mary J. Wilson. They established their first home on a rented farm in Otsego Township, lived there three years, then in Richland Township four years, and in 1888 Mr. Oberlin took possession of the County Farm and lived there three years. In 1891, having in ten years acquired some capital, he bought eighty acres in Otsego Township and followed an uninterrupted career of industry and productive labor on that farm for twenty-five years. In the spring of 1916 he left the farm and has since lived in Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Oberlin became the parents of four children : Edgar, who married Grace Hunt ; Edna May, wife of Benjamin Taylor; Hiram W., who married Hertha Weaver; and Ethel, wife of Fred Haines. The mother of these children died Nov- ember 20, 1913. In February, 1916, he married Rhoda (Martin) Houlton, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Davis) Martin. Her father was a sol- dier in the Civil war. Rhoda Martin was first mar- ried to Lewis Houlton, of Franklin Township, DeKalb County. The family are conspicuous as being the very first family to settle in DeKalb County, locating there in 1831. A number of refer- ences are found to them in the pages of this pub- lication. Mrs. Oberlin has in her possession the first deed given for land in DeKalb County. It was written on parchment and is signed by Andrew Jackson, President of the United States. Mrs. Oberlin by her marriage to Lewis Houlton had three children: Vern, who married Rosa Mills; Firm; and Leland, who married Jessie Hathaway. Mrs. Oberlin is a member of the Christian Church and her husband is a Methodist. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and Knights of Pythias. From 1908 to 1918 he served as assessor of Otsego Township. Harry W. Simmons is one of the practical and enterprising younger men of the farming com- munity of Perry Township who have gone in for the more progressive phases in agriculture and stock husbandry, including registered horses and cattle, and the results of his enterprise are thor- oughly apparent, since he has more than a local reputation not only for his success but for his en- viable qualifications of citizenship. He was born in Perry Township August 28, 1877, a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Klick) Simmons, of a well known family in Noble County. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1829. Harry W. Sim- mons left school at the age of fourteen, and since then has been practically dependent on his own HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 53 efforts to promote him to success in affairs. For several years he worked at wages of eight dollars a month. In fact he labored and gave his abilities to others until he was about thirty-two years of age. In that way he got his start, in the shape of a modest capital, which he used to establish himself on an independent footing. In 1902 he married Ethel M. Bowser, who was born in York Township, Noble County, a daughter of O. L. and Isabel (Calbeck) Bowser, who are now living in Ligonier. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Simmons moved to a farm in Perry Town- ship, and have lived in that locality ever since. The farm where he now lives comprises 168 acres, and he owns a half interest in all the livestock on the farm. He also owns a half interest in another place of no acres in Perry Township, and has re- cently purchased a tract of 160 acres which joins the farm on which he resides. He is a breeder of Shorthorn cattle, and his herd is headed by one of the best males of the type in Noble County, named “Filigree Lad.” He also has four registered cows of the same type. He has several registered Percheron horses and other good graded live stock. Mr. Simmons is a stockholder in the Farmers Co- operative Elevator Company at Ligonier. He and his wife are the parents of three sons : Harold, a graduate of the common schools; Kermit, who was born in 1910; and Thad, born in 1917. The family are members of the Christian Church at Ligonier, and Mr. Simmons affiliates with the democratic party. William Henry Keyes, a resident of Steuben County for over seventy years, has had a career dis- tinguished by many notable services and experiences. He was a brave and gallant soldier of the Union during the Civil war, served two terms as sheriff, and was one of the most efficient officers Steuben County ever had, and has been variously identified with farming, business, religious and social matters. He is now living retired in the village of Hamilton. Mr. Keyes was born in Knox County, Ohio, De- cember 12, 1841, a son of Tolman and Mary (Rich- ards) Keyes. His father was a native of Vermont and his mother of Connecticut, and they were mar- ried in Vermont shortly afterward moving to Ohio. Tolman Keyes served as a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1844 this family came to Steuben County and settled in Richland Township, where they bought eighty acres of land from Mr. Gordon, wh<^ had acquired it direct from the government. Mary Keyes died at Alvarado in the spring of 1863, at the age of sixty-three, while the father lived to the age of eighty-four, dying at Orland in Steuberl County. He was a republican and he and his wife were active in the Methodist Church. Their chil- dren were David, Hiram, Augustus, Charles, Wil- liam H., Harvey H., Elizabeth, Phoebe and Salinda. The only survivor now is William H. Keyes. The latter was about three years old when his par- ents came to Steuben County, and he grew up on the homestead farm in Richland Township and attended the local schools. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company A of the Twenty-Ninth Indiana Infantry, under Col. John F. Miller, who later became United States senator from California. His first battle was that of Pittsburg Landing. Soon afterward he was sent home on a furlough, but rejoined his regiment in time to participate in the battles of Liberty Gap and Chickamauga. The regiment was then assigned to post duty at Chattanooga and Mr. Keyes for a time was in General Stanley’s headquarters, and then detailed to the postal department. He had charge of the mail sent to Sherman after the cap- ture of Atlanta, and' continued on duty until his discharge early in November, 1864. Early in 1865 he again enlisted as a recruit, and was with Company B of the Fifty-Sixth Pennsylvania Infantry until the close of the war. Altogether he served three years and five months. Mr. Keyes saw much of the country while a soldier and his travels have since taken him over most of the United States. He has been in twenty-nine states, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Atlanta, Georgia. From his savings as a soldier Mr. Keyes bought forty acres of land in Richland Township, and was one of the hard working farmers in that locality until 1878, when he was elected sheriff. He then sold his farm. Prior to his election as sheriff he had been identified with the organization known as the Regulators at Metz, and his work in behalf of law and order had attracted attention to his exceptional qualifications for a peace officer, and went far to- ward getting him the more important position of sheriff. He was re-elected in 1880, and distinguished himself not only in the routine duties of sheriff but also as a detective officer, effecting the capture of several well-known criminals. After retiring from the office Mr. Keyes invested his capital of $5,000 in a farm of 100 acres in sec- tion 23 of Otsego Township, and he still owns that place. He was successful as a farmer when he operated his own land and has been equally suc- cessful in the choice of his renters. William Lewis has been running the Keyes farm now for twelve years. In 1900 Mr. Keyes moved to the village of Hamilton, and has since lived largely retired. In matters of politics he has supported the repub- lican party since voting for Lincoln the second time. He was trustee of Richland Township in 1876. Since he was seventeen years old he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for a number of years has been a local minister. January 10, 1865, Mr. Keyes married Melvina Cary. She was born in Knox County, Ohio, Janu- ary 18, 1843, a daughter of William and Melissa Cary. Mr. and Mrs. Keyes were playmates in child- hood and were rocked in the same cradle. The Cary family were also pioneers of Steuben County. Mr. and Mrs. Keyes had no children of their own, but they reared from the age of eighteen months an adopted daughter known as Cora Keyes, who is now the wife of Elza Dewire, of Eaton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Dewire have two living children, a son and a daughter. Mrs. Keyes died in 1901 and in 1902 Mr. Keyes married Mrs. Eva Riblett, widow of Samuel Riblett. Her son, Victor Riblett, whose home is in Detroit, was in the great war, serving in the army at Fort Benjamin Harrison and Fort Shelby, was made a corporal at Fort Shelby and later at Camp Taylor was promoted to second lieutenant. Mr. and Mrs. Keyes had four children: Ella Odessa, aged fifteen, a high school student; William Howard, aged thirteen ; Iola, aged eleven ; and Ruth May, who died in infancy. In many ways Mr. Keyes has exerted his personal influence for the good and upbuilding of his county. He had much to do with getting the Wabash Rail- road located through the village of Hamilton, mak- ing a visit to Detroit for a personal interview with the directors of the road. During his residence on the farm he also sold agricultural implements, espe- cially the Champion Binder and Harvester, and dis- tributed many of those machines throughout Steuben County. Mr. Keyes was elected president of the Steuben Sunday School Association and held that office six years. During that time he made Steuben one of the banner Sunday school counties of 54 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA the state. He was also a Sunday school field worker for a number of years and attended the conventions regularly. Casper A. Df.ardorff is a well known farmer of Noble County and since his marriage has worked his way to independence, beginning as a renter and finally purchasing the farm which he owns today, located a mile east of Cromwell in Sparta Township. He was born in Whitley County, Indiana, Decem- ber 17, 1862, a son of Abraham and Susan (Kendell) Deardorff. His father was born in Stark County, Ohio, October 17, 1817, and died July 18, 1864, when Casper was only two years old. The mother was born in 1828 and died in 1888. Of their family of children only three are still living: Ozro, a farmer near Fort Wayne; Ellen, wife of Solomon Fleck; and Casper A. Casper A. Deardorff spent his boyhood days in Whitley County near Cherubusco, attending the dis- trict schools there during the winter sessions. Every summer as soon as his strength permitted he did his share of work on the home farm, and helped his mother to provide the necessities of her household. He lived with his mother to the age of twenty-one. In August, 1884, he married Miss Arie J. Gaff. She was born in Greene Township of Noble County, June 4, 1865, daughter of Joseph and Susan (Hawk) Gaff. Joseph D. Gaff was born in Stark County, Ohio, August 11, 1833, and his wife was born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 15, 1837, and is still living. The living children in the Gaff family are Mary, Henry, Arie J., Warren, Nora, Minnie, Cora, Lena and Oliver P. There are also forty grand- children. After their marriage Casper A. Deardorff and wife began housekeeping near Cherubusco as renters, sub- sequently moved to Elkhart County and farmed there fourteen years as renters, and by careful econ- omy and thrifty management secured the modest capital which enabled them in 1903 to buy their pres- ent farm of forty-seven acres. Mr. and Mrs. Dear- dorff have three children and twelve grandchildren. Etta, the oldest child, is a graduate of the common schools and the wife of Harry Bunger ; Albert L. is a graduate of the common schools and married Leda Cress ; Edna M. is the wife of Harrison Lemon. Mr. Deardorff is affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees and is a republican in politics. Warren K. Rosenbury, a former commissioner of Noble County, is proprietor of the Pleasant Hill Farm, three and a half miles north of Kendallville. Mr. Rosenbury is a native of Noble County and has spent most of his active career there as a practical and progressive farmer. He was born at a place three miles northeast of where he now lives May 17, 1851. The Rosenbury family has been in Noble County for over seventy years. His parents were Andrew and Justine (Metlin) Rosenbury. His father was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, No- vember 25, 1811, and his mother in Summit County of the same state, December 5, 1811. They were married in Ohio and in 1848 came to Indiana and settled in Noble County. Their first settlement was six miles northeast of Kendallville. Seven years later they sold that farm, after improving it from the wilderness, and bought 280 acres where Warren K. Rosenbury now lives. The parents spent the rest of their days in that locality. Both were members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Of their nine children only two are now living. The daughter, Tane M., lives in Kansas, the widow of Benjamin Devoe. Warren K. Rosenbury grew up on the farm where he now lives, attended the public schools, and was with his parents to the age of twenty-four. On February 13, 1877, he married Lorana Evans. She was born in Licking County, Ohio, March 23, 1855, was educated there, and became a teacher. She taught in Ohio and came to Indiana to teach. After his marriage Mr. Rosenbury lived in Ohio three years, and then returned to Noble County and settled in Allen Township. He sold his first farm and in 1892 bought 200 acres of the old homestead. He has made this a very productive place, devoted to general crops and stock, and has everything in a well ordered prosperity. Mr. Rosenbury lost his first wife by death Feb- ruary 15, 1899. They were the parents of three childrerr: Joseph A., a graduate of the common schools and now living in Montana ; Lizzie L., a graduate of high school and wife of C. R. Nicewan- der, of South Bend, Indiana; and Sarah T., wife of Floyd Dehal. On August 12, 1900, Mr. Rosen- bury married for his present wife Carrie Cothran. She was born in New York State. Mr. Rosenbury and family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Kendallville. He is affil- iated with the Knights of Pythias and in politics is a republican. He was elected on that ticket to the office of commissioner from the northern district, and served three years from January 1, 1905. Mahue A. Brackney is a general farmer and stockman, with a well ordered farm in Noble Town- ship two miles north of Miriam. He was born in Jefferson Township of Noble County, July 14, 1873, son of George W. and Lucinda J. (Zimmerman) Brackney, both of whom are natives of Ohio. After , their marriage they came to Indiana and settled in Jefferson Township and later moved to a farm in Green Township, where the father died after many years of industrious labor. The mother subsequent- ly removed to Albion, where she is still living. There were five children : Minnie, wife of Charles Sealey; Mahue A.; George J., of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Edna, wife of Albert Johnson; Lulu, a kindergarten teacher. Mr. M. A. Brackney was fourteen years old when his parents removed to Green Township, and all his early education was acquired in the schools of Jef- ferson and Green. Living at home to the age of twenty-one, he acquired a practical knowledge of farming under the direction of his father, and since his marriage and the establishment of a home of his own he has been making sturdy progress to- wards independence, and now has a good farm of eighty acres. He married Miss Nellie Ott, who was born in Noble Township, March 24, 1878, daughter of Cor- nelius Ott. To their union were born four children: Marie, a graduate of the common schools ; Harry, at home ; Elsie, who also finished the common school course; and Hubert, who is still a school boy. Mrs. Brackney is a member of the Burr Oak Baptist Church. Politically Mr. Brackney affiliates with the democratic party. John William Mertz. The wonderful changes that have been brought about by science and the ingenuity of man, even within the ordinary life- time of an individual, seem so marvelous that in- telligent and thoughtful earth dwellers bf today hesitate about placing a limit to future achievement. In these changes agricultural industries have had place, and a modern American farm, in method of cultivation and its machinery equipments, illustrates CASPER A. DEARDORFF AND FAMILY HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 55 unbelievable progress. Such a farm is the prop- erty of John William Mertz, a highly respected and substantial citizen of DeKalb County, Indiana, who is proprietor of the Lone Pine Farm in Fairfield Township. He was born in Indiana, as were his parents, Benjamin and Johanna (Auman) Mertz. The founder of the Indiana branch of the Mertz family was John G. Mertz, who came to the United States before the Civil war. His wife, Mary Anna (Sauer) Mertz, was also of German birth. They lived at first in Ohio but before the birth of their son, Benjamin, came to DeKalb County, Indiana. The latter was a farmer like his father, and when he grew to manhood was married to Johanna Auman, who was one of a family of six children born to William and Miss (Bruns) Auman. To Benjamin and Johanna Mertz ten children were born, as follows: John W., Otto E., Walter B., Edward J., Henry A., Theodore A., Daniel B., Metha M., and two who died of diphtheria in early life. The father of this family died June 6, 1898, and the mother died on the 25th of July, 1919, at Kendallville, Indiana. The pioneer Mertz family were charter members of Zion Evangelical Church located in Fairfield Township, near their farm, as early as 1852. There is a parochial school in connection with Zion Church, and it was in that school that John W. Mertz secured his first educational training. Later he was graduated from the Kendallville High School and for three years pursued a literary course of study in the University of Michigan, and in more recent years has attended short courses on special subjects at Purdue University. Since reaching man- hood he has been a farmer in Fairfield Township, DeKalb County, and has taken great interest in his work and through his progressive policy has brought the Lone Pine Farm into great prominence. As indicative of the approval of his methods by his fellow agriculturists, it may be mentioned that he is president of the DeKalb County Better Farming Association, which is county wide in its scope, and is also president of the DeKalb County Breeders & Feeders Association, and of the county branch of the Indiana Federation of Farmers. He is a mem- ber also of the Indiana Commercial Growers Asso- ciation. On February 25, 1906, John W. Mertz was united in marriage to Emma M. Krehl, who died January 11, 1914. She was a daughter of William and Anna (Carl) Krehl, a well known DeKalb County family. She was the mother of three children, namely: Selma Anna, Margaret Ethel and Arthur Benjamin. On January 16, 1917, Mr. Mertz was married a sec- ond time, Mrs. Louise (Schneider) Bluhm becoming his wife. Mrs. Mertz has one son born to her for- mer marriage, Erich Bluhm. Mr. Mertz has sent his children to the same parochial school in which he began his education many years ago. In politics Mr. Mertz, like the older members of his family, has always supported the democratic party from principle and in other ways is worthy of ancestors who during long and useful lives were deserving of the general esteem in which they were held. As a man of progressive thought Mr. Mertz studies agricultural questions intelligently and is ready, in the light of the pas 1 , to believe still more wonderful developments in the future. He keeps abreast of the times in farm equipment, carries on a general farming line and specializes in registered livestock. He can remember the day of the ox- team and the gradual development of horse trans- portation, the coming of the automobile and the farm tractor, and on occasion as he is working in his fields an unusual noise above him tells him that the aerial aeroplane is speeding as a bird with mail and messages from one frontier of his country to the other. He is proud of his country’s achieve- ments and is proud of the part his own family has taken in the development of DeKalb County. Thomas Edgar Gundrum, now living retired at Angola, is one of the reliable and substantial repre- sentatives of Steuben County’s agricultural life and for many seasons cultivated a large farm. From farming he received the competence he now enjoys. Mr. Gundrum was born in York Township in Steuben County, April 20, 1863. His father, Larry Gundrum, a son of John and Charlotte Gundrum, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, May 26, 1825, and at the age of six accompanied his parents to Crawford County, Ohio. All the schooling he ever had in schoolrooms was not longer than seven weeks. At the age of sixteen he left home and became dependent upon his own resources for a living He learned the shoemaker’s trade, and worked at that occupation in Crawford County, Ohio, after he married. In August, 1852, he brought his family to Steuben County and settled on 100 acres which he had bought the previous year in section 18 of York Township. Later he bought an- other seventy acres, and he made farming a source of profit and pleasure and was one of the influential men in his community for many years. He was a republican in politics, was active in community affairs, served as a justice of the peace, and as a member of the Methodist Church helped build the Powers Church in York Township. He died April 14, 1887. May 26, 1847, he married Lovina Beam, who was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, February 29, 1828. Until she was twelve years of age she could not speak a word of English. She died February 8, 1888, the mother of six children: Alonzo R., who died at the age of two years ; Wil- liam C., John H., Theodore C., Mary Bell, wife of Cassius M. Thomas, and Thomas Edgar. Thomas Edgar Gundrum acquired his early educa- tion in the district schools of York and Fremont townships and in the Angola High School. His career as a farmer started on the old homestead, and after about one year there he moved to a farm of 100 acres near Angola, and made that his home for ten years. In 1897 he moved to York Township, buying 194 acres, and gave all his time to its man- agement until 1912, when he retired and moved to his present comfortable home in Angola. Mr. Gun- drum has always been interested in the welfare of his home community, is a republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. October 8, 1887, he married Miss Lila A. Powers, who was born in York Township, September 4, 1866, and was educated in the public schools of that lo- cality. Her father, Calvin P. Powers, was born in New York State in 1834 and was one of the exten- ■farmer'; an H land owners in York Township. Calvin Powers married in. i860, Jane Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Gundrum had three children. Mark Duane, who was born March 26, 1889, graduated from high school^ at the age of sixteen, afterward took the course in the University of Medicine at Chicago, and left a successful and growing practice to enlist in May, 1917, in the Medical Reserve Corps. He was commissioned a first lieutenant and later was made captain. He served at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, until December, 1917, was then sent to Fort Clark, Texas, and in March, 1918, sailed for France and since then for over a year has been with the army on the western front, being now with the Army of Occupation. Doctor Gundrum married Erna Senkey, and they have a daughter, Virginia Rozelle. Mildred Elizabeth, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Gundrum, is the wife of John Dorsey 56 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Folck, a farmer, and has two children, Martha Leona and Jessie Marie. The third and youngest child is Lolabelle, now a resident of Washington, District of Columbia. Thomas J. Halferty. One of the oldest farms under one continuous ownership in Noble County is the Meadow Brook Farm, comprising 179 acres, all in section 33 of Orange Township. The present proprietor is Thomas J. Halferty. Mr. Halferty was born there, and all his life has been familiar with its scenes, associations and activities. He was born August 1, i860, son of William and Catherine (Brodebeck) Halferty. His father was born in Morrow County, Ohio, May 1, 1819, and died July 27, 1875. His mother was born in Mary- land, April 22, 1820, and when she was a girl her family moved to Clark County, Ohio, and later to Morrow County, where she was married. The par- ents after a brief residence in Morrow County moved to Noble County, Indiana, and were pioneers in the community of Brimfield, where they de- veloped a tract of raw land in section 33 of Orange Township. There the father and mother spent the rest of their lives on the old farm. They were among the first members of the United Brethren Church in that community and were active support- ers of the cause. In politics William Halferty was a democrat. To him and his wife were born four children, two of whom died in infancy. The only surviving daughter is Mary E., born May 11, i 857 > and now the wife of Mason B. Faux, of Orange Township. Thomas J. Halferty learned much of the science of farming when a boy. He also acquired a good education in the local schools. He was about fifteen when his father died, and almost from that time forward he had an active and responsible part in the management of the homestead. September 19, 1883, he married Miss Emma L. Kiser. She was born in Jefferson Township of Noble County, November 24, i860, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Stotts) Kiser. Michael Kiser was born in Huron County, Ohio, grew up and married there, and in 1858 became one of the pioneer settlers in Jefferson Township of Noble County, Indiana. Mrs. Halferty had a common school education. She and her husband have two children. Addie D„ who was born November 22, 1885, is the wife of Ora Bowen, and they have a daughter, Talitha, born November 22, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Halferty are very proud of this grand- daughter. Their son, Thomas O., born November 6, 1887, was educated in the common schools and now lives at home and has assumed many of the responsibilities of the farm. He married Hazel B. Harp. The family are members of the United Brethren Church and Mr. Halferty has been a leader in that denomination. He is a republican and has served as township supervisor. John W. Adair. When John W. Adair was elected member of the County Board of Commis- sioners of Noble County on November 5, 1918, to represent the Southern District, he received the support of a large majority of his neighbors and old friends, who respected his integrity of character, his good business ability and judgment, and his long standing as a successful farmer in the county. Mr. Adair, whose farm of 160 acres lies in sec- tions 18 and 19 in Noble Township, was born in Washington Township of the same county, Feb- ruary 1, 1868, son of John N. and Christina (Bash- ford) Adair, both natives of Ohio. The respective families came to Noble County, Indiana, at an early day, and John and Christina were married here and then settled on a farm in Washington Township. Later they lived for a time in Wisconsin, but on returning to Indiana settled in Noble Township, where they spent the rest of their days. John Adair was active in the republican party and at one time served as justice of the peace in Whitley County. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. There were four sons in the family: Wil- liam, of Whitley County; Thomas, of Whitley County; Edwin L., of Albion; and John W. John W. Adair grew up on his father’s farm, and received the advantages of the district schools to the age of sixteen. He then continued to live at home with his parents until he was twenty-one, and on March 31, 1894, he established a home of his own by his marriage to Ella E. Knapp. She was also born in Washington Township. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Adair bought a farm in Washington Township, but after seven years bought their present home in Noble Township. They have been greatly prospered as farmers and in 1915 they completed a modern country home. Mr. Adair is also a director in the Wolf Creek Bank and a stockholder in the Cromwell-Sparta State Bank. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church and he on its finance committee. Mr. and Mrs. Adair have four children : Merle, a student in Wolf Lake High School; Helen F., also a high school girl; and Joseph and Donald, both attending the grade schools. John D. Miller, Jr., is one of the leading farmers and stock men of Eden Township, and has been identified with the agricultural enterprise of La- Grange County since early manhood. He was born on a farm in Elkhart County, In- diana, July 10, 1885, a son of David C. J. and Fannie Miller. The parents were both natives of Elkhart County, his father born six miles east of Goshen. David J. Miller spent his life on the old home where he was born and reared. He and his wife were members of the Amish Mennonite Church. In their family were eight children: Jacob D., John D., Catherine deceased, Lizzie, Lydia, Clara, Amos and Fannie. John D. Miller grew up on the farm where his father was born, attended district schools and worked for his father to the age of twenty-one. On February 22, 1906, he married Katie Christner. They have no children of their own but have an adopted child. They are active members of the Amish Mennonite Church. Mr. Miller has a good farm of ninety-nine acres in Eden Township. He specializes in the breeding of Hereford cattle, his herd being headed by Tips Star Light and Tips Cherry Lass. Morton Friend is proprietor of a farm in Mil- grove Township, part of which was acquired by his maternal grandfather, a member of the original Vermont colony in that part of Steuben County. Some of the fields have been in cultivation eighty years, and under its present ownership the farm is one of the best in Steuben County. Mr. Morton Friend was born on this farm, lo- cated a mile north of Orland, July T3, 1873. He is a son of Jefferson L. and Nancy (Kidder) Friend, his mother having also been born on the same land. She was a daughter of Alanson Kidder, a native of Vermont, who married Alzoa Chapin. Alanson Kidder was with the first settlers who came from Vermont to Steuben County in 1836, and was an in- fluential member of the Vermont settlement in and around Orland. He acquired his land, cleared it, HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 57 and farmed it until about 1866, when he sold and subsequently moved to Trempealeau County, Wis- consin, where he died. His children were Mary, Laura, Joseph, Alzoa and Nancy. Alanson Kidder had eighty acres of the farm now owned by Morton Friend. Jefferson L. Friend was a native of Stark County, Ohio, and as a boy during the ’50s went with his parents to Williams County, Ohio, making the journey with ox teams. He grew to manhood in Northwest Ohio, and attended school at Orland. He left school to enter the army and served during the last eleven months of the war in the Fourteenth Michigan Infantry. A few years afterward he bought the eighty acres from Alanson Kidder, and through his energy as a farmer and good manager increased his holdings to about 205 acres. He lived there the rest of his life. His children were : Fan- nie, wife of Dr. Philip Quick, of Olivet, Michigan; Guy K., who married Emma Barber; Morton; Zoa, wife of Elmer Hunter; and Gretchen, wife of Jesse Reek. Morton Friend acquired his education at Orland, finishing in the high school. Since boyhood he has been at work on the home farm, and since 1900 has been farming the place for himself. He owns 178 acres in sections 17 and 20, and as a stock man is a breeder of blooded Holstein cattle. In 1903 he married Effie Freeman, a daughter of Samuel and Olive Freeman. They have three children, named Maynard J., Frances Josephine and Philip K. Albert J. Collins. There are several communi- ties in Northeast Indiana and Southern Michigan which are deeply appreciative of the services of Albert J. Collins, particularly as an educator. For thirty-eight years he was a schoolmaster, school ad- ministrator, and only recently retired from his office as superintendent of schools at Orland to take up his duties as clerk of the Circuit Court of Steuben County, an office to which he was elected in 1918. His official duties require his residence at Angola, to which city he moved in the summer of 1919. Mr. Collins was born in Delaware Township, De- fiance County, Ohio, November 27, 1861. He repre- sents old American stock. His grandparents were William and Maria Collins. The former a native of Pennsylvania, moved in early manhood to De- fiance County, Ohio, and spent most of his active life as a farmer in Defiance and Williams County. His children were named John, William, Jr., Jesse L., Mary and Nancy. The parents of the Steuben County official were Jesse L. and Rachel (Grow) Collins, the former a native of Lucas County, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania, daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (Myers) Grow. Jesse L. Collins when a young man took up farming in Defiance County, moved to Williams County in that state in 1864, and for the rest of his active life was busily engaged with the duties of his farm. He spent his last days on the farm of his son Albert in Millgrove Township, where he died August 11, 1911. He and his wife were active members of the Dunkard Church. They had a large family of thirteen children, four of whom died in infancy. The other nine were named Alvaro S., Albert J., Elizabeth M„ Diantha, who died in childhood, Viola T., Melissa E., Jesse Elmer, who died when a boy, Ora E. and Chloe G. Albert J. Collins attended his first schools in Williams County, Ohio. He took his high school work at Montpelier and Pioneer, Ohio, and from high school entered Hillsdale College in Michigan, where he completed the regular course and grad- uated in 1892. Mr. Collins was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Greek Letter fraternity at Hills- dale, and was also well known in athletic circles. He especially excelled as a wrestler, and has in his possession six medals won in contests held under the auspices of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Since his graduation from Hillsdale Mr. Collins with the exception of one year, has steadily devoted his time to teaching. In the fall of 1893 he came to Orland as superintendent of public schools. He was connected with the schools of that town until 1901, and from then until 1907 was superintendent of schools at Hamilton and from 1907 to 1912 was superintendent at White Pigeon, Michigan. During 1912-13 he was temporarily retired from school work, and spent that year on his farm in Millgrove Township. He resumed his work with the Orland schools in 1913 as assistant superintendent, and in 1914 was made superintendent. Orland has some of the best public schools in Steuben County, and many of the improvements and advances have been made while Mr. Collins has been in charge. He owns a fine farm of 120 acres in section 32 of Millgrove and in section 5 of Jackson Township. Mr. Collins was therefore not without long and practical experience in official affairs when he was inducted into the office of clerk of the Circuit Court. He is a member of the Masonic Order at Orland. November 7, 1891, he married Eva Jane Cleve- land, a daughter of Albertus B. and Rebecca J. Cleveland. They have had seven children, named as follows : Albert Russell, Lois G., Gelee, who died when four months old, Floiad G., Cleveland C., Rachel R. and Albertus B. Alfred H. King. The roll of prosperous farmers in Swan Township of Noble County would not be complete without reference to the name of Alfred H. King, who for many years has successfully tended his acres and looked after his interests as an agriculturist at his home in section 12. Mr. King represents one of the oldest established families in this part of Northeast Indiana. He was born in Swan Township, November 1, 1872, and is a son of Ira M. and Catherine (Haines) King, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsyl- vania. Ira M. King was born September 18, 1828, and came to Indiana at an early date. His parents settled in Noble County as early as 1837, and were among the first to develop the lands in Swan Town- ship. He married for his first wife Jane Perry, a sister of George Perry. There were three children by that union, one of whom is John King, now a resident of Michigan. Ira King married for his second wife Catherine Haines, who came to Noble County in 1854. To their marriage were born seven children, three of whom are still living: Frank E., a graduate of Purdue University with the degree of Civil Engineer, and has attained prominence in his profession; Alfred H. ; and Lloyd E., who grad- uated from Purdue University with the degree of Electrical Engineer and is now connected with the Western Electric Company at Peru, Illinois. Alfred H. King grew up on the old farm in Swan Township, and chose agriculture as his vocation. After finishing the course of the common schools he attended Avilla High School, and later graduated from Purdue University with the degree Bachelor of Science. He has turned his university training to good account as a farmer. For several years he looked after the home farm and he now owns ninety-five acres. August 29, 1901, he married Miss Alberta Boden- 58 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA hafer, daughter of Levi and Eva (Morgan) Boden- hafer. Mrs. King is a graduate of the Avilla High School, and before her marriage was a teacher at Kendallville. Mr. and Mrs. King have three chil- dren : Laura A., a graduate of the high school, and Winston L. and Harry P. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Avilla and Mr. King is one of the official board and superin- tendent of the Sunday school. Politically he is a republican. Jacob C. Troyer has spent many years as a suc- cessful farmer in LaGrange County, his home being a mile north and three-quarters of a mile west of Topeka. He is in Eden Township and owns a seventy-acre place in sections twenty-three and twenty-four. Mr. Troyer was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 4, 1868, a son of Levi B. and Leah (Zook) Troyer. His father was born in Holmes County, Ohio, and at the age of four years went to Wayne County, where he spent the rest of his life. His wife was a native of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, but was married in Ohio. In the family of Levi Troyer and wife were five children: Mennow Z., of McPherson County, Kansas; Joel L., of West Liberty, Ohio; Jacob C., and Mary A. and Emma, the latter of McPherson County, Kansas. Jacob C. Troyer grew up on his father’s farm in Wayne County and lived there until he was thirty years of age. He married in Indiana and then for a brief time lived in Wayne County before coming to his present place in LaGrange County. Mr. Troyer married Elizabeth Hostettler Decem- ber 6, 1892. She was born in Newbury Township of LaGrange County December 7, 1870, daughter of Moses and Mary A. (Mehl) Hostettler. She was reared and educated in her native township. Mr. and Mrs. Troyer have no children of their own but have adopted a nephew of Mrs. Troyer, Keith W. Hostettler, who is a graduate of the common schools and is now in the high school at Goshen. Mr. Troyer and family are members of the Mennonite Church at Maple Grove. He is a republican in politics and is a stockholder in the Topeka State Bank. Frank B. Deller, who has lived in Steuben Coun- ty over sixty years, is the only surviving son of a rather large family, and taking the old homestead which had been cleared and improved by his father in Scott Township, he has gone steadily ahead im- proving and making use of his talents, and has in- creased his material possessions until he is now one of the leading farmers of the county. Mr. Deller was born in Williams County, Ohio, January 18, 1854, a son of Benjamin and Hannah (Wolf) Deller. His mother was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1823. Benjamin Deller, who was born in France in 1813, was fourteen years old when he came with his parents to New York City. He was a son of Gotlieb and Elizabeth Deller, who soon located in Pennsylvania, and afterward moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, where Gotlieb died a few years later on his farm. His widow then lived with her children and moved with them to Williams County, Ohio, during the ’40s. The Deller family had a log house in Williams County. In 1857 they came to Steuben County, where Benjamin Deller and wife settled on the farm now owned by their son Frank. Of 160 acres not a stick of timber had been cut, and the first home of the family was a log building. Benjamin Deller as his means increased put up a substantial barn in 1859 and a house in i860, and lived there in comfortable circumstances until his death in 1874. His wife died in 1876. He was a democrat, and they were members of the Dunkard Church. Their children were : Lucinda ; William, who was a Union soldier, was wounded in battle and died at Nashville, Tennessee; twin children who died in infancy; Elizabeth; Jane; Frank; Mary; and Lydia. Frank Deller grew up on the old homestead and acquired a good education in the district schools and in the Angola High School. In early manhood he applied his energies to farming on the home place, and had just come to manhood when his father died.. Taking the original 160 acres, he has gradu- ally increased its area until he now has 358 acres. This land is improved with modern buildings, and the material for those buildings came chiefly from timber grown and cut on the farm. Mr. Deller is a general farmer and stock raiser. He has a pure- bred Shorthorn bull and grades of Holstein and Jersey cattle. He has never sought any office, and is a democratic voter. He gave the land on which the South Scott Union Church is built, and there his family attend church and Sunday school. Mr. Deller is proud of his family of children and his numerous grandchildren. March 18, 1877, he married Miss Clara Cleveland, who was born in Steuben County, November 11, 1859, a daughter of Frederick and Amelia (Taylor) Cleveland. Her parents were pioneers in the county, where her father died in 1864. Her mother later married John Lininger, and she died August 6, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Deller have six children : William, Lowell, Ella, Margie, Frank H. and Wayne B. The two youngest sons are in the home circle. William, whose home is in Steuben Township, married Lena Dutler and has five children, named Ruth, Maud, Helen, Hershel and Lewis. Lowell, who lives in the northwest corner of Scott Township, married Jennie Quance, and has four children, Audry, Russell, Roscoe and Margaret. Ella is the wife of Cary E. Coveil, former county surveyor and chairman of the Draft Board, and has two children, Lucile and Wen- dell. Margie is the wife of Carl Sanders and the mother of two children, Dorothy and Willis. Margie Deller was first married to Earl Beard and had one son, Robert. A. J. Rich has lived a life of varied experience, rich in service and hard work, but for the greater part he has been a successful farmer in Noble County. Mr. Rich has a fine and well improved place of 221 acres in section 25 of Swan Township, and makes his home in the Village of Laotto. He was born in Eel River Township of Allen County, Indiana, July 27, 1864, son of Byram L. and Sarmelia (Brook) Rich. His father was born in Knox County, Ohio, July 2, 1833, and his mother in Delaware County, Ohio, July 3rd, of the same year. She came with her parents to Noble County and they settled in Green Township as early as 1848, and spent the rest of their days there. The Rich family is one of the pioneers in the early history of Allen County, Indiana. They set- tled on the Maumee River, eight miles east of Fort Wayne, as early as 1837. Four years later they moved to Whitley County, near Churubusco. The father of Byram L. Rich was a blacksmith by trade. He kept a well patronized shop on his land in Whitley County. He was a very skillful worker and deserved all the patronage that came to him. Later he went to Mason County, Illinois, but finally returned to Whitley County and spent his last years in Churubusco. He was an active member of the Baptist Church. He was a republican and for many years held the office of justice of the peace. The death of this old pioneer occurred in 1887. Byram L. Rich was one of six children. After HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 59 his marriage he went to Illinois, then lived in Allen County, Indiana, for some years, and in 1873 moved to Noble County. During all his active life he was engaged in the lumber business. He and his wife were members of the Dunkard Church. Of their nine children five grew to maturity, and those still living are : Appleton ; Mrs. Sloffer, of Laotto ; A. J. Rich ; and Mrs. Dickes. A. J. Rich was nine years old when his parents moved to Noble County, and he received some of his schooling here. In 1879 he went back to Allen County, and in 1883 he and his brother went south and he was in the South for a period of eighteen months. On returning to Allen County he worked on his father’s farm. September 20, 1891, Mr. Rich married Ida A. Zinn. She was born on the farm in section 23 of Swan Township September 1, 1868, and was educated in the common schools. Her father, Levi Zinn, was a native of Pennsylvania and married Mary A. Fryer. They were married in Noble County, Indiana, and then located in DeKalb County. Mr. and Mrs. Rich are the parents of two children: Waldo A., born July 13, 1892, has been in the service of the United States army during the great war, and Perma A., a graduate of high school and now a student in Indiana State Uni- versity. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Rich is a Mason, and his wife and children are members of the Eastern Star. In politics he is a steadfast supporter of republican interests. George W. Geiger is one of the oldest residents of Green Township, Noble County, and his position and citizenship is the more esteemed because of the fact that he is a surviving veteran of the great war for the Union. He was a young man when he bore arms in defense of the flag, and since then for more than half a century he has been identified with the agricultural community where he was born and reared. On the farm that he now owns, comprising 100 acres, he was born, March 7, 1841, son of Thomas and Mary J. (McGuire) Geiger. His parents were born in Licking County, Ohio, his father December 22, 1814, and his mother in 1815. They were mar- ried in Licking County, September 18, 1835, and a few days later they joined a party of thirty or more who started with wagons and teams and after six weeks of journeying over rough roads and trails arrived on Eel River in Indiana, October 20, 1835. In Green Township, of Noble County, Thomas Geiger bought 200 acres of wild land. He at once began its clearing and cultivation, and continued one of the sturdy citizens of that locality the rest of his life. He was an active member of the Baptist Church and a republican. Of eleven children born to this worthy pioneer couple only four are now living: William, a farmer in Green Township; Clara, wife of Horace McDuffee ; George W. ; and Irene, widow of James Harter. George W. Geiger grew up on the home farm and as a boy assisted in the work of the fields and in clearing more of the land. He had a common school education. On August 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company E of the Eightieth Indiana Infantry. A few weeks later, on the 8th of October, he partici- pated in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky. Decern- - ber 29, 1862, he was in the battle of Murfreesboro or Stone River, and after that continued with his command until May 12, 1863, when he was taken ill, and after a period in a hospital was granted an hon- orable discharge November 3, 1863. He then re- turned home and has since applied himself to the main business of life, farming, of which he has made a notable success. On August 12, 1862, a few days after his enlist- ment in the army, Mr. Geiger married Miss Rebecca Russell. They had a long and happy life together for over half a century, until their companionship was terminated by her death on August 17, 1913. Mr. Geiger has four children: Catherine, wife of William Hosier; Dora, wife of C. V. Crider; A. M. Geiger, of Allen County, Indiana; and Herschei Geiger, of Green Township, Noble County. June 27, 1918, Mr. Geiger married Mrs. Alice Robinson, who was born in Allen County, Indiana. Her maiden name was Alice Pratt. ’ Mr. Geiger and family are members of . the Close Communion Bap- tist Church, and in politics he is a republican. John W. Low. The family name of Low is one of the first to occur in the annals of Clear Spring Township, LaGrange County, and the veteran farmer and business man, proprietor of the Sunnyside Farm in Eden Township, John W. Low, is a son of the original pioneer. Mr. Low, whose farm is a mile and one-quarter north of Topeka, was born in Clear Spring Town- ship February 9, 1845, a son of Nicholas and Eliza- beth (Hendricks) Low. His parents were both natives of Baltimore County, Maryland, where they grew up and on coming west lived for a time in Ohio and in 1832 entered three hundred twenty acres in Clear Spring Township. They were prob- ably the second family to locate in that township, which then was a wilderness with the Indians still roaming through the woods. Nicholas Low cleared a space among the trees for his cabin, and gradually cleared up his land and died there about 1885. His wife was a member of the Methodist Church and he was a democrat in politics. In their family were nine children, four of whom died in infancy, one at the age of ten years, and the others are : Mary J., wife of Joel Greenawalt, of Clear Spring Town- ship; Thomas, living in California; John, and Mar- tha, widow of Solomon Herrington. John Low grew up on his father’s farm and had a district school education. In November, 1867, he married Elizabeth Coppes. She was a daughter of Kichard and Hannah Coppes and spent her girlhood m Clear Spring Township, where she and Mr. Low attended the same school. After their marriage they lived on the Coppes Farm for three years, and in 1872 bought the. place where Mr. Low is still ivmg. He has a ninety-acre farm and many years of industry have brought their sure rewards in comfort and a competence for his declining years Air. Low lost his first wife January 20, 1889. She WaS j h j mother of three children: Hannah, who attended the common schools and Hillsdale Colle°- e and is now the wife of Rudolph Kenagy, of Topeka, Inmana; Martha J., a graduate of the State Nor- mal School, has been a very successful teacher, doing her first work in district schools, spending eight years at Alarion, Indiana, for three years was at Gary Indiana, two years at Oakland, California, and is now connected with the schools of Michigan City, and Emma, who also attended the State Normal and taught tor a number of years in the district schools, is the wife of William O. Hostettler of Eden Town- ship. . On May 3, 1891, Mr. Low married Laura Brentiss, of Noble County, where she was born Mrs, Low is a veteran teacher, having thirty-two terms to her credit. She is a member of the Baptist Church at .Topeka. . Mr. Low was counted as the second active prohibitionist in his township, and several times seryed as county chairman of his party. He and his wife are both stockholders in the Farmers State Bank of Topeka. 60 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA William E. Butz. While he has always gone about his affairs quietly and with an unassuming nature, William E. Butz has been identified with the energetic and enterprising citizenship of Noble Coun- ty for over thirty years, and is one of its most useful citizens. He was born on a farm in York Township adjoin- ing the one where he lives today on May 14, 1868. His father, Christian Butz, was born in Germany and came to the United States when a young man, first locating in York Township of Noble County and later buying land there. He married Mary Lee, and they spent the rest of their days in that locality. They were members of the Lutheran Church and Christian was a democrat. He and his wife had ten children, and nine are still living: Minnie, of York Township; Ulric, a farmer, contractor and carpenter in York Township; John G., a York Township farm- er; Anna, wife of John Shisler ; Lena, wife of Clar- ence Wemple; William E. ; Ida, wife of George Hoffman; Fred, of Kendallville ; and Clara, wife of Thorlo Shaffer, of Kendallville. William E. Butz grew up on the home farm and had a district school education. After reaching man- hood he married Delma Renahan. They are the par- ents of six children : Cleo, a graduate of high school, who attended Defiance College in Ohio and is now the wife of Walter Wolfe; Lela, a graduate of high school and wife of Harvey Hull; Forest, a high school graduate; Harold, in the second year of high school; Walter, in the eighth grade; and Ruby. Mr. Butz has been greatly prospered in his busi- ness affairs and is proprietor of the Walnut Row Farm, consisting of three hundred and forty acres and one of the best farms in York Township. Mr. Butz is well known as a breeder of Belgian horses and Shorthorn cattle. He is one of the directors of the Farmers State Bank of Wawaka, a director in the Farmers Telephone Company, and in politics is a democrat. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, while his wife and children are members of the Christian Church. Claud D. Killinger. Every progressive com- munity in order to keep up its progress must de- pend not only upon the enterprise of its older fam- ilies but also the fresh blood and life of new- comers. One of the younger men who have recently identified themselves with Steuben County is Claud D. Killinger, now the head of a thriving business as a merchant at Metz. Mr. Killinger was born at Edgerton in Williams County, Ohio, January 4, 1880, a son of William Henry and Mary (Schaffer) Killinger. His parents were both born in Williams County, his father in 1849 an d his mother in 1851. The grandparents, John and Rebecca Killinger, and John and Mary Schaffer, were identified with the very early settle- ment and development of Williams County. William Henry Killinger grew up on a farm, had a public school education and as the oldest son assumed responsibilities in advance of his years. He con- tinued farming until 1888, and since then has been engaged in the meat business at Edgerton. He is a republican and served for several years as assessor, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is an active member of the Methodist Church. His first wife died in 1888, the mother of four children, Holly, Edward, Claud D. and Georgia. For his second wife William H. Killinger married Sarah Eve, and they have two children, Gola May and Maurice. Claud D. Killinger grew up at Edgerton, at- tended the high school there, and while going to school was clerk and delivery boy with a local gro- cery firm. Later he learned more about merchandis- ing as clerk at Edgerton, and in 1913 moved to Metz to take the management of the Stiefel store. Four years later, when the Stiefel Company went out of business, he remained at the old stand, introducing his stock of goods, and today the C. D. Killinger Company supplies much of the merchandise con- sumed in that section of Steuben County. Mr. Killinger is a republican and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias at Metz. In 1905 he married Miss Glida Sickels, of Steuben County, daughter of Ananias and Flora Sickels, who were early settlers here. The father is still living in Metz. Frederick L. Bluhm is one of the oldest bankers of Kendallville in point of active experience. He is now secretary of the Kendallville Trust & Sav- ings Company and has been connected at different times with practically all the banks of that city. He was born March 20, 1856, and in 1871, at the age of fifteen, came to the United States with his parents. The family located at Kendallville, where he finished his education. A poor boy, he went to work on the farm of John Mitchell, and was in his employ for about nine years. During that time he also attended night school and made himself pro- ficient in the English language and other branches. He also saved most of his earnings, and had a steady ambition to make the best of his opportuni- ties. For a year he worked in the great car works of Haskell & Barker at Michigan City, but then resumed employment with Mr. Mitchell, then pres- ident of the First National Bank of Kendallville. Mr. Mitchell took much interest in the young man, gave him every encouragement and opportunity to learn banking thoroughly, and if there is any de- tail in the management of a bank in which he has not had experience Mr. Bluhm does not know what it is. He worked as a janitor, as general utility boy, and clerk, and from that through all the grades of responsibilty. He was with the First National Bank from 1882 to 1893. He was then made cashier, and continued with the institution until it liquidated May 1, 1894. After that he was with the Campbell & Fetter Bank fifteen years, and resigned to become assistant cashier in the Noble County Bank. After eight years there he entered upon his present duties as secretary of the Kendall- ville Trust & Savings Company. Mr. Bluhm married May 29, 1888, Louise Lang. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, March 24, 1859, and was brought to Kendallville by her par- ents in 1864. She was educated in the public schools of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Bluhm have two chil- dren : Maurice L„ born March 25, 1889, a graduate of the Kendallville High School and of Indiana University with the degree A. B., following which he entered the law school of the University of Chi- cago. He is now serving as an interne in the United States navy. He married Clara Miller, a teacher in the public schools of Kendallville. Edith Bluhm, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bluhm, is a graduate of the Kendallville High School and wife of John F. Gerwig, of Auburn, Indiana. The Bluhm family are members of the German Lutheran Church, and politically he is a republican. He has served as city clerk three years and was a member of the City Council from 1899 to 1911. Samuel F. Harlan is one of the older residents of Green Township, Noble County, and for a num- ber of years has been the proprietor of what is known as High Point Farm, situated on the highest point of land between Fort Wayne and Goshen. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 61 Mr. Harlan is a man who has become successful through his own exertions and by relying entirely upon himself. He started life without capital beyond a pair of willing hands, and has gained a good farm, provided for his family, and enjoys the complete respect and esteem of a large community. He was born in section 17 of Green Township July 19, 1869, son of James and Agnes (Baker) Harlan. His parents were both natives of Ohio, his father a native of Ashland County. They were married in that state and then came to Indiana and lived on a farm in Green Township of Noble Coun- ty, where they spent the rest of their days. Both were active members of the Christian Church and the father was a republican. Their five living chil- dren are: Myrtle, wife of John S. Friskney; Jane, wife of Abraham Ott; Fannie, wife of Frederick Ott ; Daniel, of Noble Township; and Samuel F. Samuel F. Harlan grew up on his father’s farm and had a limited district school education. When he was only twelve years old a neighboring farmer offered him a home and wages of four dollars a month. From that as a beginning he steadily in- creased his abilities and in a few years was getting sixteen dollars a month as a farm hand. He was not a spendthrift as a youth and by the time he was twenty-one years of age had more capital laid away than most young men at that period of life. On November 22, 1890, Mr. Harlan married Miss Catherine Hire. She was born in Whitley County, Indiana, October 22, 1871, daughter of Leonard and Ellen (Bumbaugh) Hire. After their 'marriage Mr. and Mrs. Harlan bought forty acres, included within their present home, but they have greatly extended their possessions until they now have 180 acres, all well improved and constituting some of the most productive soil in Noble County. The farm has a good barn and a modern home. Mr. and Mrs. Harlan had four children : Cleta May married Omer Zumbrun of Green Township ; Bernice E. is the deceased wife of Floyd Shively; Elza J. is unmarried and living at home ; and Lynn H., born in 1908, is still in school. The family are members of the Church of the Brethren and Mr. Harlan is one of its deacons. In politics he is a republican. William O. Hildebrand, M. D. In the county where he was born and reared Dr. William O. Hildebrand has carried on a very successful career as a physician and surgeon for the past fifteen years, with home and offices at Topeka. Doctor Hildebrand was born in -Bloomfield Town- ship of LaGrange County April 29, 1876, a son of William and Derline (Debow) Hildebrand. His father was born in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1841 and his mother in LaGrange County, Indiana, in 1845. Mr. Hildebrand when a boy came to DeKalb County, Indiana, with his parents, Moses and Maria (Seig- ler) Hildebrand, who located near Auburn. He grew up there and after his marriage settled on a farm in Bloomfield Township. His wife died there in 1884. They were active members of the Method- ist Church. Doctor Hildebrand, only son of his parents, grew up on a farm northeast of LaGrange, and completed his preliminary education in the common schools there. He graduated from the LaGrange High School in 1898, and acquired his first knowledge of. medicines as a drug clerk at Kendallville, where he remained two years. He paid his own way through the Indiana Medical College, entering in 1901 and graduating in 1905. He has done much i to improve his opportunities not only by experience but also by a post-graduate course at Chicago in 1907 and one at the New York Post-Graduate School in 1912. Since 1905 he has had a busy practice at Topeka and is specializing in the treatment of the eye, ear and throat. Doctor Hildebrand is a member of the County, State, Tri-State and American Medical Associations. November 26, 1902, he married Miss Edith M. Robbins. They have one daughter, Nedra L., born November 26, 1909. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. Doctor Hildebrand is affiliated with Topeka Lodge of Masons, the Ligonier Chapter and Council, and is a republican in politics. He and his family reside in a modern home completed in 1912. Doctor Hildebrand is a stockholder in the State Bank of Topeka. For two years he was a member of the Town Council. He accepted that post of responsibility largely in order to push the movement for the installing of a waterworks and electric light system, a valuable improvement brought about while he was a member of the Council. William A. Cook, partner and business associate with his son-in-law, Charles E. Lingle, conducting the leading hardware business at Hamilton, is a man of wide experience and has been engaged in farm- ing and business affairs for over forty years. He was born in Crawford County, Ohio, Decem- ber 7, 1854, son of George and Catherine (Young) Cook and grandson of George Cook, Sr., a native of Germany who came to America when a young man and located on a farm in Pennsylvania. George Cook, Jr., a native of Pennsylvania, moved to Craw- ford County, Ohio, in the early fifties and spent the rest of his life there as a farmer. His wife, Catherine Young, died in 1855, the mother of ten children : David, George, Mary, Sarah and Andrew, both of whom died young, Samuel, Frederick, Rachel, Elizabeth and William A. William A. Cook was only seven months old when his mother died. His father later married Mrs. Rebecca Ronk. William A. Cook grew up in the home of his stepmother and has for her memory only praise and gratitude, since she was in every respect a good and kind mother to him. He attended school in Crawford County, did some farming in Whetstone Township of that county, and in early manhood married Lottie Beck, daughter of Adam and Sarah Beck. About four years after his mar- riage he moved to Williams County, Ohio, and con- tinued farming there for a number of years. He then engaged in business, and coming to Hamilton, Indiana, h^ and his son-in-law, Charles E. Lingle, bought the general hardware business which has since been conducted and has prospered under their management. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have one child, Iola, wife of Charles E. Lingle. Charles E. Lingle is one of the enterprising young merchants of Steuben County, and active head of the leading hardware business at Hamilton. He spent most of his life over the Ohio state line in Williams County and was born there at Evansport, February 12, 1880, a son of Benjamin and Fannie (Eagle) Lingle, both natives of Williams County. His father was a farmer. Charles E. Lingle was one of twin brothers, William and Charles. He attended public school in his native county, and at the beginning of his independent career went to Flint. Michigan, and spent four years in the Durant and Dort carriage factory, which has since become an important auxiliary of the great automobile in- dustry at Flint. He then returned to his native county, locating at Edon, and in 1905 bought the hardware business at Hamilton, Indiana, and has 62 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA conducted a flourishing enterprise there. His busi- ness associate and partner is his father-in-law, William A. Cook. Mr. Lingle married in November, 1903, Iola Cook, daughter of W. A. and Lottie Cook. They have two children, Raymond and Isabel. Mr. and Mrs. Lingle are members of the Methodist Church. Peter J. Miller is a hard working, industrious and upright citizen of Clear Spring Township in LaGrange County, diligently working his home farm in section 10, in the same community where he was born and reared. Mr. Miller was born March 10, 1872, a son of Jacob J. and Mattie (Nisley) Miller, the former a native of Holmes County, Ohio. The grandfather, Joni Miller, was born in Pennsylvania, from there came to Ohio, later came to Indiana, and died in LaGrange County. Joni Miller had sixteen chil- dren, named Jacob J., Christ, Jeremiah, Joni, Joseph, Emanuel, Samuel, John, Mattie, Anne, Lizzie and five others that died in infancy. In the family of Jacob J. Miller were eleven children, ten of whom are living today, named, John, Anna, Joni, Peter J., Susie, Lydia, Fannie, Eli, Noah and Jatob. Peter J. Miller spent his boyhood on a farm in the same section as that in which his present home is located. He attended the district schools, and when not in school worked on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. December 3, 1892, he married Elizabeth Miller, who was born on the farm where she now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Miller attended the same school. Since their marriage they have lived in Clear Spring and Newbury townships and have occupied their present well situated and valuable farm of 120 acres since February 19, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have four children : Emanuel, who married Lizzie Yoder and lives in Clear Spring Township; Lydia, who is the wife of V. V. Lam- bright; and Amandus and Joni, unmarried and at home. The family are members of the Amish Mennonite Church. Frank B. Phillips. The membership of the Phil- lips family in Steuben County comprises a number of very successful farmers, good citizens and people of all around worth and ability. One of them is Frank B. Phillips, who was born in that county, and is successfully identified with the ownership and management of a good farm in Salem Township. He was born in Jackson Township January 31, 1864, a son of Addison and Elizabeth (Wade) Phil- lips. His mother was a native of Canada, a daugh- ter of Robert and Jane (Giles) Wade, a family that came in early times to LaGrange County, Indiana. Addison Phillips was born in New York State Oc- tober 21, ,1821, and as a young man worked on the Erie Canal. In early manhood he came to Steuben County, and arrived here practically penniless and worked out by the month on a farm. Later his par- ents came on and settled at Hamilton, where both of them now rest in the cemetery. Addison Phillips eventually settled in Jackson Township, where he acquired 103 acres of new land. A log cabin stood on the ground, but otherwise there were few im- provements worthy of the name. He kept up the work diligently for many years, and before his death had good buildings and a farm thoroughly productive. His wife died on the old farm Decem- ber 29, 1887, and he died there in 1899. He was very independent in politics, voting as a republican, also as a greenbacker, and was a supporter of Bryan during his first presidential campaign. Addison Phillips and wife had a large family of children, namely: Rollin, born December 16, 1854; Rebecca, born March 19, 1856, deceased; Ellen, born Sep- tember 24, 1857; Ida Isabel, born August 14, 1859; Otis E, born September 20, 1861, deceased; Frank; Charles, born January 29, 1866; Adelbert, born De- cember 28, 1868 ; Mary Elizabeth, born September 20, 1871 ; Anna Lorene, born October 15, 1873, de- ceased ; and Jay W., born March 14, 1877, who died in infancy. Frank B. Phillips grew up on his father’s home- stead and after getting his education worked at what has been the chief business of his life. For three years he rented and then in 1890 bought eighty acres in Jackson Township. That was his home until 1901. He sold his place in February of that year and on April 3, 1901, bought his present home farm in Salem Township, He has done much to in- crease the value of his 160 acres, erecting good buildings, and otherwise keeping his place in per- fect order and in a high degree of productiveness. Mr. Phillips is a democrat in politics, is a member of the Lodge and Encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Salem Center, and is also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife have their church affiliations with the Latter Day Saints. On January 27, 1887, he married Louetta Cham- berlain. She was born in Tippecanoe County, In- diana, in 1864, daughter of Sherman and Mary (Jones) Chamberlain. Her father was born at Hud- son in Summit County, Ohio, and her mother in the State of New York. Her father died in Noble County, Indiana, in 1877, at the age of fifty-four and her mother in 1905, aged seventy-four. Charles Alfred Phillips, a well known Steuben County farmer, whose home is just across the road from his brother Frank, was born in Jackson Town- ship January 29, 1866. He received a public school education and has been a farmer since early manhood. He has made progress slowly but steadily, beginning with a pur- chase of twenty acres of the old homestead. He also inherited twenty acres, and finally had a farm of fifty-seven acres in Jackson Township. He sold that and went to Noble County and bought seventy acres, but after two years found employment at Ken- dallville with the Raber and Lang Cement Tile Works. In 1915 he acquired eighty acres in Salem Township, and since then has been a successful farmer and stock man. He is a democrat in politics and his wife attends the Evangelical Church. In January, 1895, he married Miss Lillie Smith, _ of DeKalb County, Indiana, daughter of John Smith. They have one son, Claud, born November 3, 1896, in Jackson Township. He was educated in the public schools and married Delcia Meeks, of Jackson Township. They have a daughter, Arlene, and a son, Ned. Aaron M. Carr. One of the fine farms longest under one continuous ownership and management in DeKalb is the William Carr farm, two miles south of Auburn. Its original settler, William Carr, is still living there, at the venerable age of eighty-seven. The re- sponsible head of the farming business for many years has been his son, Aaron M. Carr. The latter was born on this farm October 2, 1868, and is a son of William and Fannie (Shuger) Carr. William Carr was born in Richland County, Ohio, June 2, 1832, and was brought to DeKalb County in 1839. He grew up in a pioneer environment, and began the improvement of the land comprised in his present farm in 1859. He is the oldest member of the Auburn Lodge of Masons and is a democrat in politics. His wife died in 1872, and of their six HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 63 children three are living : Margaret, widow of David Dulany; Nora, wife of Miles Osbun, living in Spokane, Washington, and Aaron M. Aaron M. Carr grew up on the home farm and was educated in the common schools. November 25, 1899, he married Anna Strebe. She was born at Auburn March 14, 1871, and was educated in the common schools. They have three sons: William F., the oldest, attended the Auburn High School two years and married Florence Antrup, who lives in Jackson Township, and Walter A., and George A. have both completed the work of the common schools. Aaron M. Carr is affiliated with Auburn Lodge No. 191 of the Knights of Pythias, and Lodge No. 566 of the Loyal Order of Moose. He is quite active in the democratic party. Mr. Carr with the aid of his sons operates his farm of two hundred acres and handles good livestock of all kinds. Elizabeth Roush. No one can tell more of the events and personalities of Washington Township in Noble County than Mrs. Elizabeth Roush, who continuously since birth, a period of seventy years, has lived in one locality on the banks of the Tip- pecanoe River, where her father settled in pioneer times and established an institution widely known for years under the name Rider’s Mills. Mrs. Roush is the widow of the late Alfred Roush, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, in April, 1849. When he was a boy his parents moved to Noble County, Indiana, and he grew up there and on December 2, 1868, he and Elizabeth Rider were married. She was born on the farm where she now resides September 23, 1849, and is a daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Keister) Rider. Her father was a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he was born October 11, 1813, and lived to the venerable age of ninety-seven. When he was twelve years old his parents moved to Ohio, and after his marriage he came to Noble County, In- diana, in 1845. At that time he located on the land which Mrs. Roush now owns. He acquired about 800 acres along the Tippecanoe River. At that time it was covered with heavy timber, and Mr. Rider had to clear away a space on which to erect his log cabin home. In that one locality he spent the rest of his years. He built his grist mill about 1854, and it was the favorite grinding place for farmers in the neighborhood for nearly half a century. He had learned the miller’s trade in boyhood. In order to dispose of the timber from his land he also con- ducted a sawmill and a shingle mill, and in many other ways distinguished himself as a man of great enterprise. He was equally well known for his honest and upright character. In politics he was a democrat. Jacob Rider and wife had ten children, but only two are now living, Mrs. Elizabeth Roush and Mrs. Nancy Wilson. Mrs. Roush had the privilege of attending an old log schoolhouse when she was a girl and later she herself became a teacher in the community. She is a member of the Evangelical Church, of which her husband was an active supporter. Alfred Roush was a democrat but later became aligned with the prohibition cause. Mrs. Roush owns 300 acres of land, 155 acres of which is included in the old Rider estate. She is also a stockholder in the North Webster State Bank and is executrix of the Roush estate. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Roush had nine children, and the four now living are : Harry, unmarried and at home with his mother; Alvin R., who married Orra Seymour; Nellie, a high school graduate and a former teacher, now the wife of A. D. Wilkin- son ; and R. W., who operates his mother’s home farm. Harry L. Taylor, of Fremont, is proprietor of the largest and finest equipped garage in Steuben County. He has been in the automobile business for a number of years and prior to that was asso- ciated with his father in an extensive livestock shipping business with headquarters at Fremont. The Taylor family is an old one in Northeast In- diana, and several of its members are mentioned in this publication. Harry L. Taylor is a son of John H. and Alice S. (Thomas) Taylor, and a grandson of Linus S. Taylor. Linus Taylor was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, near the city of Cleveland, in 1830. John Taylor was born in York Township of Steu- ben County November 7, 1858, attended the public schools in his native locality, also the college at Angola, and as a young man followed teaching as well as farming. In 1880 he married Alice Thomas, daughter of Richard and Minerva (Townsend) Thomas, and immediately after their marriage they pioneered to northern Kansas and tried farming in that state for about two years. Returning to Steuben County and locating in \ ork Township, John Taylor moved from there in 1886 to Fremont, and has been a resident of that city for over thirty years. He has become widely known all over this section of the state as a livestock buyer, and is the oldest man in that business in the county. He still deals in all kinds of livestock except horses. He is a Scottish Rite and Knight Templar Mason, and a member of the Mystic Shrine. John Taylor and wife had two children : Harry L. and Berle E. The latter is in the oil business with headquarters at Fort Worth, Texas. Harry L. Taylor was born in Smith County, Kansas, January 4, 1881, but has no memory of the state of his birth. He has lived in Fremont since 1886, and after finishing the high school course there became associated with his father in the livestock shipping business. In 1913, in con- nection with livestock, he also engaged in the auto- mobile business, and since 1917 has. given all his time to that work. In 1917 he built his garage, which is a building 60 by 130 feet, modern in every respect, including a vacuum vapor system of heat- ing. Mr. Taylor is a republican in politics and was a member of the Town Council of Fremont four years. He is affiliated with Northeastern Lodge No. 2T0, Free and Accepted Masons, with the Chap- ter, Council and Commandery and with the Mystic Shrine at Fort Wayne. He is a member of the Elks Lodge at Coldwater, Michigan. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church and the family attend worship there. January 14, 1905, Mr. Taylor married Miss Maud E. Stroh, of Jamestown Town- ship, Steuben County. They have one son, Percy Barre, born April 23, 1906. Frank Hughes, a former clerk of the Circuit Court of Steuben County and now a member of the Indiana State Tax Board, in the inheritance tax de- partment, has had a very busy and useful career. In early life he was a successful teacher, but for the past twenty years has given his time chiefly to farming in Salem Township, where he still lives. Mr. Hughes was born in that township September 3, 1866, a son of John and Martha (Meek) Hughes. His parents were both born in Ohio. His grand- father, David Hughes, was a pioneer settler in Salem Township, and kept a store at Dutch Mills 64 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Corners. He also served as justice of the peace at Flint for a number of years, and died there. His children included: Lafayette; James, who died as a Union soldier; Eliza; Mary, widow of Luther Hill; Alice; and Nancy. John Hughes grew up and received his education in the public schools of Steuben County, and for a number of years was employed in a saw mill at Dutch Mills Corners. He spent nearly all his life in that township and died in 1893, at the age of fifty-five. He was a republican in politics and a member of the Reformed Lutheran Church. His widow, who died in October, 1918, at the age of sev- enty-two, was the mother of twelve children, named Alonzo, Frank, Lester, Lewis, Emma, Sumner, Jo- sephine, Porter, Rachel, Earl and Burl, twins, and James, who died at the age of twelve years. Frank Hughes in addition to the advantages afforded by the local district schools attended the American Normal School at Logansport, Indiana, also the Tri-State Normal College at Angola and the State Normal School at Terre Haute. He was only a boy when he taught his first term of school at Helmer, and was employed there for a second term. After that he followed teaching twenty years and for nine years was connected with the schools of Salem Township. The summer seasons he was engaged in farming and about 1897 he bought a farm in Salem Township of seventy acres. Later he bought another ten acres and then forty acres, giving him his present well proportioned farm of 120 acres, improved with two sets of buildings. In 1911 Mr. Hughes left his farm and went to Angola to perform his duties as clerk of the Cir- cuit Court. He was elected to that office in 1910, and held it four years. He then remained in the office as deputy for two and a half years. Since then his public duties have been as a member of the state tax board. He is a republican and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Salem Center, while he and his wife are active members of the Presbyterian Church of Salem Township. March 27, 1901, Mr. Hughes married Miss Leona E. Parsed. She was born in Jackson Township Sep- tember 8, 1879, a daughter of Austin M. and Mary Adaline (Weicht) Parsed. Her mother is a sister of Eugene F. Weicht, of Steuben County. Austin Parsed and wife live in Jackson Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have one daughter, Martha Ada- line, born March 23, 1905. She graduated from the eighth grade of the common schools in 19x9. Jacob W. Jennings. When the people of Troy Township, DeKalb County, chose Jacob W. Jen- nings as trustee in 1918 it was as a tribute of ap- preciation of his good business qualities and the energy he has displayed as a farmer, and was also an honor bestowed upon a family of long and prom- inent standing in that part of DeKalb County. His grandfather was Peter Jennings, who settled in Troy Township in 1843. Peter Jennings was born in New Jersey September 13, 1802, a son of Peter, a native of the same county and of English descent. In 1821 Peter Jennings moved with his parents to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and from there came to DeKalb County in 1843. He settled in section 29, and had to clear away some of the heavy timber before he could build his log cabin. Eventually he acquired a good farm of over 200 acres. In 1829 he married Catherine Rainsberger, a daughter of John Rainsberger. She died in 1881 and he lived to be past fourscore. His children were Elizabeth, John, Isaac, William, George, Phoebe and Abraham. William Jennings, father of Jacob W., was born in Carroll County, Ohio, October 14, 1835, and was eight years old when the family drove their ox and horse teams across the country to DeKalb County. He had a useful part in clearing up t^ie old homestead, and in i860 he settled on a farm of his own in section 21 and for many years was a general farmer, and he also specialized in Merino sheep for wool purposes. In 1859 he married Anna McCord, daughter of David McCord, who settled in Steuben County, Indiana, in 1840. Mrs. Anna Jen- nings died in 1918. She was the mother of five children, four of whom are still living: H. S. Jen- nings, of Corning, Iowa; Olive, unmarried and at home; Eldora, wife of D. E. McClellan, of Will- iams County, Ohio, and Jacob W. Jacob W. Jennings was born in Troy Town- ship January 12, 1875, grew up on the home farm and attended district school No. 4. On March 7, 1897, he married Ruby Skelton, who was born in Troy Township. After their marriage they lived in Williams County, Ohio, four years, lived for eighteen months on his father’s homestead, and since then have occupied their present farm, com- prising eighty acres with good improvements. Mr. and Mrs, Jennings have had two children, Glenn B„ born June^ 16, 1905, a student in the public schools, and Chester H., who died aged fifteen years. Mr. Jennings is affiliated with Butler Lodge No. !58, Knights of Pythias. He is a republican in politics and served four years as a member of the Township Advisory Board before his election to the office of township trustee November 5, 1918. He is a stockholder in the Cooperative Association. Charles A. Werker. Farm management and the business of farming generally have found a man of unusual enterprise in the person of Charles A. Werker, whose home is two and a half miles south- west of Kimmeli. While Mr. Werker is member of one of the oldest families of Noble County, his own career has been a direct product of his individual energies and capabilities, and his reputation shows that he has made good in every particular. He was born in Sparta Township, September 22, 1874, son of Yangulph and Clara (Schlabach) Werker. Yangulph Werker, who was born in Ger- many, July 4, 1847, was only five years old when brought to the United States by his parents. They settled in Stark County, Ohio, and he grew up there, receiving a common school education. At the age of nineteen he came to Indiana, settling in Allen County, then moved to Noble County, in Washing- ton Township. He married Clara Schlabach in 1872. She was born in Ohio, and came to Noble County at the age of five years. Yangulph Werker after his marriage settled on a farm in Sparta Township, and was a prominent farmer in that locality for many years, but is now living retired in Cromwell. He is a democrat, and has never sought any official honors. He and his wife have seven children, named Charles A., William E., Melvin L., Wallace O., John Y., Orlo R. and Harvey R. Charles A. Werker had a good preparation for life while living on the home farm. This was the result not only of attendance at the district schools but a wise use of his opportunities to learn farming in a practical fashion. At the age of twenty-one he started out on his own account. In 1899 he married Myrta M. Earnhart, who is a native of Sparta Township and is a woman of good education, having attended both the common and high schools. Since his marriage Mr. Werker has been farming in Sparta Township and now has 390 acres under his direct management. He also owns 235 acres in Ohio, and is therefore one of the larger land own- ers. He has done an extensive business outside his HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 65 farm in the buying, feeding and selling of livestock. He is secretary of the Kimmell Cooperative Ship- pers’ Association and is one of the directors of the State Bank of Kimmell. Mr. and Mrs. Werker have three children : Coral, born October 27, 1902, now a student in the public schools; Kenton E., born February 27, 1904, also a schoolboy; and Charles A., Jr., born December 13, 1908. The family are members of the Sparta Chris- tian Church. Mr. Werker is affiliated with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and is a past grand of Kimmell Lodge. Politically he is a democrat. Elza M. Huntsman, present trustee of Noble Township, has for many years been successfully identified with farming and stock raising in Noble County, and is proprietor of the Lakeside Farm, comprising sixty-six acres in Noble Township. Mr. Huntsman was born in Greene Township of the same county October 6, 1869, a son of George and Susannah (Hosier) Huntsman. His father, who was born in Morrow County, Ohio, August 11, 1837, grew up and married there, his wife being also a native of Ohio. They were married in 1861, and in 1864 moved to Indiana, locating in Greene Township of Noble County, where the father spent the rest of his life as an industrious and progressive farmer. He was a member of the Burr Oak Baptist Church, with which his wife was also affiliated. She died January 21, 1904. Of their nine children five are still living: Elza M. ; Alice, wife of D. A. Harlan; William H., a farmer in Greene Township; Cora, wife of Vernon Strouse; and Anson, a Greene Township farmer. Elza M. Huntsman spent the first twenty-one years of his life on his father’s farm, and during that time acquired a good common school education. Since then he has been a farmer on his own account and for about four years he operated a threshing outfit over a large part of Noble County. April 26, 1890, he married Mertuss V. Wine- brenner, who was born in Noble Township, July 16, 1868, was reared there and attended the district schools. She is a daughter of James E. and Eliza- beth (Rivir) Winebrenner. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Huntsman worked his father’s farm for a time and later bought forty acres in Greene Town- ship, selling that to secure their present larger place in Noble Township, and finally made the move which brought them to their present farm, widely known as Lakeside Farm. Mr. and Mrs. Huntsman have five children : Flossie F. is a graduate of the common schools and is the wife of Wallace Edsel. Bernice L. is the wife of Clarence Mawhorter. Beulah E. is a graduate of the Wolf Lake High School and is the wife of Ted Hile. Verlin B. is a farmer, and married Marie Brackney. Ruby, the youngest of the family, is still in the home circle. Mr. and Mrs. Huntsman are members of the Burr Oak Baptist Church and he is one of the trustees. He was elected on the demo- cratic ticket to his present office as trustee of Noble Township by a majority of fifty votes. Normally the township has a republican margin of twenty-five, but his personal popularity succeeded in overcoming this handicap. Elmer Ritter. The Ritter family has been identi- fied with Steuben County over sixtv-five years. Elmer Ritter, who was born and reared in this county, has been in business at Fremont for a num- ber of years and is the present postmaster of that citv. He was born in Steuben Township of Steuben County August 10, 1867. His father, Philip Ritter, was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, in 1820, a son of John Ritter, who soon after the birth of this son moved to Wayne County, Ohio, and later to Ashland County in that state. Philip Ritter learned the trade of carpenter, and in July, 1852, he settled in section 6 of Steuben Township. He bought 128 acres of heavily timbered land, and built his house of hewn logs the same spring. In 1868 he constructed a more commodious residence, and his success as a farmer gave him a place of nearly 200 acres, most of which was improved under his direct management and supervision. Pie continued to work at his trade as a carpenter and was also an undertaker in his locality for nearly half a cen- tury. He was a member of the United Brethren Church. Philip Ritter married for his first wife Lucy Ann Kope, who died in 1854, the mother of three chil- dren, Henry, Mary and Jacob. Philip Ritter mar- ried for his second wife Martha (Gillander) An- derson, who was born in the north of Ireland. Of their eight children six are still living, named Martha, Barbara, Theophilus, Lavina, Elmer and Orpha. Elmer Ritter grew up on the old homestead in Steuben Township, attended the local schools there, and on moving to Fremont he engaged in the dray- ing business for five years, also sold meat for seven years and then resumed farming for three years. He was appointed to his present duties and respon- sibilities as postmaster of Fremont May 15, 1916, and has given a most gratifying administration of his office. Mr. Ritter is a staunch democrat and served one term as a member of the City Council of Fremont. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Church. In 1889 he married Miss Jennie Saul, of Steuben County. Of their two children a daughter died in infancy and the son, Saul C., was born January 8, 1892. The son was educated in the public schools of Fremont and on April 26, 1918, joined the army, being assigned on account of his previous expe- rience to the postoffice department and was located at Camp Taylor, Kentucky. He has recently re- turned from service and is now assistant postmaster at Fremont, Indiana. John B. Stumpf during his early years was a man of tremendous vigor and industry, and literally with the work of his hands laid the foundation for the prosperity he enjoyed as one of the leading farmers of Salem Township in Steuben County. He has been a resident of Steuben County more than forty years. Mr. Stumpf was born in Seneca County, Ohio, February 22, 1852, a son of George Michael and Elizabeth (Breacht) Stumpf. His parents were both natives of Germany. His father was born in 1812, the son of George and Margaret Stumpf, the former of whom died in Ger- many. George Michael came to America with his widowed mother, who lived in Ohio and died in Upper Sandusky at the age of ninety-eight. The son was married in Seneca County, Ohio, and in 1855 moved to Putnam County of that state. He died at Upper Sandusky in 1895, at the age of eighty-two. His wife came to this country with her parents, who also settled in Ohio. She died in Steuben County in 1884, when about sixty-four years of age. She was the mother of nine children : Rosa, Magdalena and Caroline, all deceased; John B.^ Mary, Sophronia, Frances, Catherine and Tina, who is also deceased. 66 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA John B. Stumpf grew up in Putnam County, Ohio, until he was seventeen years old. He then spent some time in the West and in 1875 located in Steuben County, where he worked by the day or by the job and for a number of employers. During that period of his life he grubbed out 200 acres with a grub hoe, and it was not unusual for him in the fall of the year to cut 100 shocks of corn a day. Such in- dustry inevitably had its reward. He began as a renter and in 1877 bought fifty-five acres where he is living today in Salem Township. He now has a well proportioned farm of eighty-two acres, im- proved with good buildings, and it has furnished him a living and more during the forty years he has lived there. Mr. Stumpf is a democrat in poli- tics. In 1875 he married Miss Sarah Tubbs, whose home was in Steuben County, two and a half miles east of Salem Center. She is a daughter of Leroy and Rosa Jane Tubbs, both early settlers in Steuben County. Her father chopped a place in the woods to build his log cabin in Salem Township, east of Dutch sawmill, and had a good farm of eighty acres there. He died when still in the prime of life, but his widow survived until 1915, at the age of eighty-nine. Mr. and Mrs. Tubbs were members of the United Brethren Church, which Mr. and Mrs. Stumpf also attended. In the Tubbs family were five children, named Elizabeth, Emaline, Ira, Frank and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Stumpf had five children. Ira mar- ried Pearl Middow, and their four children are Roy, Charles, Robert (deceased), and Glena. Mary Evadell is the wife of Raymond Barnett, lives at Kendallville and has a daughter, Ruth. Willie, the third child, is deceased. Alvah Eugene married Bertha Harvey and has a daughter, Marjorie Chris- tina. Ethel is seventeen years old. E. F. Tinney. The two most strongly marked char- acteristics of both the East and the West are com- bined in the residents of the section of country of which this volume treats. The enthusiastic enter- prise which over-leaps all obstacles and makes pos- sible almost any undertaking in the comparatively new and vigorous western states is here tempered by the stable and more careful policy that we have borrowed from our eastern neighbors, and the combination is one of peculiar force and power. It has been the means of placing this section of the country on a par with the older East, at the same time producing a reliability and certainty in business affairs which is sometimes lacking in the West. This happy combination of characteristics is pos- sessed by the subject of this brief sketch, E. F. Tinney, secretary and manager of the Butler Basket Company at Butler, DeKalb County, and who is assuming a deservedly high place in the business circles of that community. E. F. Tinney was born at Ypsilanti, Michigan, on June 12, 1876, and is the son of James D. and Lottie (Sharp) Tinney, who are now residents of Tucson, Arizona. The youthful days of E. F. Tinney were spent in Pontiac, Michigan, where he received a common school education. He supple- mented this training by two correspondence courses and attended and graduated from business college. He then took a course in drafting, for which he had a natural aptitude, and for a time followed that line of work in a jobbing shop. He had a strong liking for machinery, in the handling of which he became an expert, and eventually was appointed superintendent of a carriage manufactory in Butler, with which he was identified until 1917. On July 1, 1911, Mr. Tinney bought the controlling interest in the Butler Basket Company, one of the live and prosperous concerns of that city. The company is incorporated and the official personnel is as follows : President, E. C. Miller; vice president, Jesse Ober- lin; treasurer, L. C. Harding; secretary and manager, E. F. Tinney; directors, in addition to the fore- going officers, Dr. A. A. Kramer and Walter J. Mondhank. Though but a comparatively recent comer to Butler, Mr. Tinney has made a favorable impression on the community and is identified with every movement for the advancement of the best interests of his town and county. In February, 1898, Mr. Tinney was married to Jennie C. Capman, also a native of Michigan. Mrs. Tinney after completing the high school course at- tended a business college. To Mr. and Mrs. Tinney have been born three children, namely: Homer C., who is ^a high school graduate, was a participant in the World war, having served two years in France as an observer in the One Hundred and First Aviation Squadron, and Ruth and Margaret are students in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Tinney are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, of the official board of which Mr. Tinney is a member. Politically he supports the republican party and takes an intelligent inter- est in the trend of public events. His record is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts worked his way from a modest beginning to a posi- tion of influence in the business world. Eugene Sharp. In the scheme of local govern- ment provided for Indiana counties one of the most important offices is that of township trustee. Prob- ably more care is taken to select men properly qualified to fill it, and the place is at once one of great responsibility and honor. The present trustee of York Township, Steuben County, is Eugene Sharp, who is now in his second elected term. Mr. Sharp is a native of Steuben County, and has been known to his fellow citizens as a capable farmer, merchant and business man. He was born in Richland Township, July 7, 1864, son of Mortimer and Olive (Jackman) Sharp. His mother was born in Otsego Township of Steuben County, a daughter of Richard and Orilia (Aldrich) Jackman, numbered among the pioneer settlers. Isaac Sharp, grandfather of Eugene Sharp, was a native of New York, and for many years lived at Syracuse and managed the salt works at Liverpool. He married Melinda Schoville, and about 1852 came to Indiana and settled in Richland Township, where he acquired eighty acres of heavily timbered land. He had partially cleared this and improved it with buildings before he died five or six years later. His children were George, Adaline, Martha, Mary, Mor- timer and Volney. Volney died in childhood. Mortimer Sharp, who was born at Syracuse, New York, was educated in the schools of his native city and also in Richland Township, where he first put his youthful strength to test as a farmer. In 1865 he moved to Smithfield Township of DeKalb Coun- ty, ran a farm there five years, after which he bought the old homestead in Richland Township, and lived on it until his death, September 11, 1880. His first wife died in 1872, the mother of two chil- dren, Eugene and Clyde F. He then married Amina Patterson, and had one other child, Eva. He was a member of the Methodist Church. Eugene Sharp made good use of his early ad- vantages in the schools of Otsego Township and at Angola, and put his knowledge to work teaching school for two terms. He farmed the home place five years, had a farm west of Hamilton in Otsego Township three years, and for three years was. a general merchant at Hamilton. His business train- ing was supplemented by thirteen months in the HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 67 grocery department of a department store at Angola, after which he returned to his farm in Otsego Township, and was busily engaged in its management for eight years. From there he be- came a resident of York Township by the purchase of a place of 120 acres. He raised ten successive crops on this land, and then retired and moved to Metz, where his home is today. Mr. Sharp was first honored with the responsibili- ties of his present office in October, 1913, when ap- pointed to fill a vacancy. He served a year and three months by appointment. In the meantime, in the fall of 1914, he was regularly elected trustee and four years later came another recognition of the adequacy of his work when he was re-elected. Mr. Sharp has filled all the offices in the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Hamilton and has been a member of the Grand Lodge. October 27, 1887, he married Miss Lillie A. Swift, daughter of Oscar F. and Dema A. (Ball) Swift. Their children are three in number: Guy B., Audra L. and Olive. Joseph W. Goodwin is one of the most extensive land owners and lumber men in northern Indiana. He has been identified with farming and lumbering the greater part of his active life, covering a period of over forty years. Mr. Goodwin, whose home is in Fremont, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, October 18, 1853, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Good) Goodwin. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, his fa- ther born in 1817 and his mother in 1820. In May, 1854, the family came from Ohio and settled on a farm a mile west of Waterloo, Indiana, where Samuel Goodwin spent the rest of his days. He died in 1889 and his wife in 1865. In politics he was a whig and later a republican, was a member of the Evangelical Church, and finally became iden- tified with the United Brethren denomination. He had the following children : Ellen, Leander, Lewis and Francis, both of whom died in infancy, Joseph W., Lucy, widow of Stephen George, a soldier of the Civil war, and Alice. Samuel Goodwin mar- ried for his second wife Mrs. Mary (Prosser) Bru- baker. She died in 1917, at the age of eighty-nine. She was the mother of three children, only one of whom is now living, Frank, of Cincinnati. Joseph W. Goodwin grew up at his father’s home in Northeast Indiana, attended the public schools, and acquired very early in life a practical knowledge of both farming and lumbering. For many years he has been in the lumber business under the name of the Goodwin' Lumber Company, both as manufacturers and as retailers. The com- pany has yards at Fremont and Pleasant Lake. Mr. Goodwin owns over 600 acres of land in Steu- ben County, Indiana, and in Branch County, Michi- gan. He has been useful as a citizen as well as in business affairs, and has lent his influence for the promotion of every worthy movement. In poli- tics usually a republican, he has frequently voted for the prohibition ticket and has always been a staunch temperance man. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. November 13, 1877, Mr. Goodwin married Miss Oliva Brown. Her father, Elder Joseph Brown, was one of the early preachers of the United Breth- ren faith in the North Ohio Conference. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin have five children. Lillian is the wife of William Hampton, superintendent of motive power in the great steel works at Gary, Indiana. Charles, a Young Men’s Christian Association worker still with the army in France, married Lorain Dalmage, of Des Moines, Iowa. Alta, the third child, is unmarried. Olie is the wife of Wallace Pirrington and is the mother of three children, named Wallace, Jr., Joseph and Mary June. War- ren, the youngest child, married Louise Powers, and has one daughter, Margaret. Isaiah Alleshouse came to Northeast Indiana when a boy, grew up in LaGrange County, and after varied experiences as a farmer in different localities, including a trial at homesteading in Ne- braska, he has lived for many years and propered as a farmer in Salem Township of Steuben County. He was born in Holmes County, Ohio, March 11, 1855, a son of Adam and Rebecca (Lint) Al- leshouse. His parents were natives of the same county, were married there, and in 1862 brought their family to LaGrange County, buying in Milford Township what is now the Cornell farm. They sold this land to its present proprietor, Mr. William Cor- nell. Their next purchase was a farm in Spring- field Township, and Adam Alleshouse spent his last days in Michigan with his son George, where he died in 1904, at the age of seventy-eight. His wife died in Springfield Township of LaGrange County. They were members of the Reformed Church, and in politics he was a republican from the time that party was organized. Their children were : Ben- jamin, Isaiah, John, Lucy Ellen and Mary Jane, twins; George Washington, and Daniel. Isaiah Alleshouse .attended the public schools of LaGrange County after he was seven years old, and in early manhood he made his independent start by buying forty acres in Springfield Township. Sell- ing that he came to Steuben County, rented the farm , of his father-in-law two years, and lived in La- Grange County two years on his own farm, and •for two years rented the Newton farm in Greenfield Township. After this came his western experience in Nebraska, where he took up a forty-acre home- stead and went through all the trials and vicissitudes of homesteading and farming in the West for eight years. Selling out, he returned to Indiana, and has since been well contented with the climate, soil and opportunities of this section of the state. In Steuben County he located on forty acres which Mrs. Alles- house had inherited from her parents, and they also bought forty-five acres more, giving them the place which is still his workshop as a farmer and the home where his children have grown up and where he is content to pass his declining years. Mr. Alleshouse is a prohibitionist in politics and a member of the United Brethren Church. August 28, 1881, he married Miss Olive Eleanor Ransburg, who was born on the farm where she is now living June 8, 1862, a daughter of Leander and Harriet (Spangle) Ransberg, the father a na- tive of Frederick, Maryland, and the mother of Seneca County, Ohio. After their marriage in Ohio the parents moved to Steuben County, and her father became one of the very prosperous farmers of this section, owning 320 acres. He died in Henry County, Ohio, in 1904, and the mother of Mrs. Alleshouse, who was born in 1833, died January 2, 1909. Leander Ransburg first married Rachael Mithour and had one daughter, Rachael E. By his second wife his children were Chloe, Ella, Edith, Lewis W. and Olive Eleanor. Mr. and Mrs. Alleshouse had five children, and now have numerous grandchildren. Their youngest child, Cecil Dale, died in 1905, aged two years one month and two days. The oldest, Charlotte Estella, is the wife of Albert Ulmer, and her children are Vivialeen Frances, Wellington W., Kenneth Roy, Velma Lucile, Maynard, Gayland, Iona Pearl, Law- rence and Wilbur. Ottomer Amos Alleshouse mar- ried Ulah Woodford, and their children are Russell 68 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Raymond, Gladys, Dorothy, Gerald W. and Wood- ford W. Carl Sherman Alleshouse married Francis Courtwright and has four children, Donald J., Rus- sell I., Dale Wesley and Berdina Gay. Rollie Roy, the youngest of the family now living, was in the army about six months during the World war, and was assigned to duties as a cook at Camp Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky. He married Lovisa Anstett and has a son, Burton Rollie. Aaron J. Moore. Three generations of the Moore family in Wilmington Township have been regis- tered stock breeders. As a family they have some of the oldest herds of registered stock in the state, and the value of their enterprise in raising the standards of livestock husbandry is incalculable. Aaron D. Moore, grandfather of the present gen- eration, had his Durham Shorthorn cattle, Spanish Merino sheep and Poland China hogs registered in the books of the official associations of those breeds. Aaron D. Moore was born in Stark County, Ohio, January 17, 1831, son of a shoemaker, and he grew up in a home of very modest comforts and early had to make his own way in the world. He worked as a boatman on an Ohio canal, and in 1854 came to DeKalb County and settled in the big woods of Wilmington Township. He built his log cabin and used his skill as a hunter to provide meat for his family. It is said that he paid his first taxes with hides and furs. Besides clearing a hundred sixty acres of his own he helped others to clear land and was in every sense a valiant pioneer, and had few equals as an axe man. In 1851 he married Rebecca J. Caldwell, of Stark County, Ohio. Their children to grow up were Hiram M., Margaret A., Ella, A. Alvin, George M. and John R. A grandson of this veteran stock breeder is Aaroft J. Moore, who makes a specialty of Shropshire sheep and Poland China hogs. He was born in Wilmington Township November 24, 1896, and is a son of John R. Moore and Cora B. (Shanklin) Moore. John R. Moore was born on the farm where his son, Aaron J., now resides October 30, 1869, and died there December 7, 1918. He continued the stock breeding enterprise of his father. His wife was born in Defiance County, Ohio, January 3, 1874, and died February 12, 1919. They had three children : Aaron J., Gladys, who died while in high school, and John R., Jr., who is a high school grad- uate, took normal "'training in the Tri-State College and is a teacher. Aaron J. Moore has spent all his life on the home farm. He attended high school two years at Water- loo and he has done much to continue the family tradition and profession as a stockman. He owns eighty acres of the old farm and has a herd of forty head of Shropshire sheep, all pure bred, the herd being headed by A. J. Moore’s Best No. 63. His big type Poland China hogs also contain some of the finest representatives of their class. For several years his animals have been exhibited at state and county fairs. November 18, 1915, Mr. Moore married Estella M. Quaintance. They have two children : Phyllis E., born September 2, 1916, and Aileen, born February 12, 1918. Mr. Moore is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and a democrat in politics. Hugh W. Dirrim is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war, has spent most of his life in North- east Indiana, and for nearly forty years was a suc- cessful farmer of Otsego Township in Steuben County. He is now enjoying the comforts of life in his home at Hamilton. Mr. Dirrim was born in Harrison Township of Carroll County, Ohio, April 13, 1837, a son of James Dirrim and a grandson of Richard Dirrim. Richard Dirrim was born in Delaware, served in the War of 1812, and in September, 1815, moved to Stark County, Ohio. James Dirrim was born in Pennsyl- vania, August 11, 1809, but was reared and educated in Stark County, Ohio. In May, 1845, he brought his family to Franklin Township of DeKalb County, Indiana, and settled on a tract of heavily timbered land in section n. He made a good farm there, and spent the rest of his life in that locality. He was twice married. April 15, 1835, he married for his second wife Hannah Gillespie, a native of Ireland. They had a family of eleven children, and several of the sons fought in the ranks of the Union army. The children were: William, Sarah, Hugh W., James, Isaac, Richard, Margaret E., Hannah D., Elizabeth Ann, John and Milton. Hugh W. Dirrim was about eight years old when he came to DeKalb County, and he received his edu- cation in the schools there. In November, 1862, he enlisted in the Forty-Fourth Indiana Infantry, and was in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga and several other engagements. He was in the army until the close of hostilities in April, 1865. He re- turned home to take up farming and in 1873 re- moved to Otsego Township of Steuben County, where he acquired 133 acres. He developed that land, putting on the building improvements, and lived there with increasing prosperity for many years. In 1901 he retired and moved to Hamilton, and in 1908 sold his farm. He married for his first wife Catherine Spiece, daughter of John Spiece. She died in October, 1900, the mother of six children, Orlando, Lincoln, Clar- ence, Jordan, Nettie and Emma. Nettie is now deceased. Mr. Dirrim married for his second wife Mary Spiece, sister of his first wife. Earl L. Hall has had an active share in the busi- ness affairs of Fremont for a long period of years, and has been chiefly identified with the management of the local milling interests. He is manager of the Hammel Milling Company there, and is widely known among the grain raising farmers over a large surrounding territory. Mr. Hall was born at Fremont, October 6, 1866, a son of Joseph H. and Delia (Beach) Hall. His father was born in Washington County, New York, August 24, 1824, went to Michigan at the age of twenty and about ten years later came to Fremont, Indiana, where he opened a harness shop and was one of the first business men in that town. He died April 23, 1904. His first wife was Mary Beach, by which union there are two living daugh- ters, Effie and Ida. His second wife, Delia Beach, was a daughter of Samuel and Irene (Lawrence) Beach. They came from New York to Saline, Mich- igan, about 1833, and in 1836 settled in Branch County, that state, and took up government land there. Samuel Beach died there when about forty years of age and his wife also died young. Their children were named Cephus, Charles, Frank, Wil- liam, Edward, Emily, Sarah, Delia and Catherine. Samuel Beach served as a justice of the peace in three different townships in Michigan, though all the time living in the same house. That was due to the fact that the county was rapidly settling and the large townships were being cut up and subdivided. Earl L. Hall was reared in Fremont and attended the local schools and also worked on the farm with his father for nine years. He was also with his father in business for a time, afterward was engaged in the meat business for about eight years, and then engaged in the milling trade, working for HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 69 Otis Hammel. After a year and a half he took still a different line, the lumber trade, and followed that a year and a half. But for the past ten years Mr. Hall has been steadily engaged in the manage- ment of the Hammel Milling Company at Fremont. In politics he is a prohibitionist, though formerly a republican. Mr. Hall owns sixteen acres of land adjoining the corporation limits of Fremont, which is known as a part of the Erastus Farnham farm. Mr. Farnham built the Hammel mill, also the railroad depot and the house in which Mr. Hall and family reside. Mr. Hall is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and is liberal in his religious views. October n, 1903, he married Miss Ida Bailey. She was born in Scott Township of Steuben County January 4, 1869, a daughter of John and Jane (Dy- gert) Bailey. Her father was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1830, and her mother in Scott Township of Steuben County Feb- ruary 6, 1844. Mrs. Hall’s maternal grandparents were Abraham and Abigail (Barnes) Dygert, who came to New York State and were among the ear- liest settlers of Steuben County. John Bailey came to Steuben County with his parents, Michael and Catherine (Weaver) Bailey. John Bailey died Sep- tember 30, 1903, and his wife on March 23, 1906. They have had two daughters, Lucy and Mrs. Hall. Lucy was born December 14, 1866, and died in May, 1867. Frank T. Dole. The family of Dole has many relationships with Steuben County people and affairs. Frank T. Dole of Angola is former county treas- urer and has been an intelligent and influential factor in the business life of the community for over thirty years. Mr. Dole was born in York Township, Huron County, Ohio, June 1, 1858, a son of John and Susannah (Kirkwood) Dole. His parents arrived in Salem Township of Steuben County in the spring of 1861 and settled in the midst of the woods where the wild deer and wild turkey disported. They bought 101 acres and improved much of it into fields. Later this farm was rented to his son, Lewis Dole, and John Dole moved to Hudson, lived there six years, was then retired at Salem Center with his daughter, Mrs. W. E. Kinsey, and died at the Kinsey home in 1907, at the age of eighty-six. His wife passed away in 1904, at the age of eighty. John Dole was a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Stratton) Dole, who also came to Steuben County. They were natives of Columbiana County, Ohio. Elizabeth Stratton Dole died in 1889, at the venerable age of ninety-six years. Her children were John, Hannah, Elwood, Mary, Joel and Lewis. John Dole along with farming followed the trade of carpenter for many years. He was a democrat, served as trus- tee of Salem Township several years, and he and his wife attended the Methodist Episcopal Church. Susannah Kirkwood was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, of Irish extraction, one of her brothers being a native of Ireland. John Dole and wife had a family of six children; Frank being the youngest. Daniel M. lives at Hudson, Indiana; Lewis, who died in 1910, at the age of sixty-two, left a widow, Mrs. Kate Ann (Greeno) Dole, now a resident of Angola ; the third child, Charles, died in infancy; the fifth in the family was Sarah, who died in 1891, the wife of J. H. Woodford, of Salem Township. Special interest attaches to the fourth child, Elizabeth Dole, who is the wife of Mr. W. E. Kinsey, now living in Arizona. W. E. Kinsey was a son of Dr. Joseph E. Kinsey, and together they were merchants at Salem Center for a number of years. William E. Kinsey and Elizabeth Dole were married in 1872 and their daughter, Lois I., was married in 1895 to Thomas R. Marshall, then a rising young Indiana lawyer, later governor of the state, and now vice president of the United States. Frank T. Dole received his education in the pub- lic schools of Salem Township attended the Angola High School, and at the age of sixteen was working as a carpenter. He followed that mechanical trade until 1891. After that for a few years he was a merchant at Salem Center, and on moving to Angola entered the employ of Mr. L. C. Steifel, with whom he remained seventeen years. He then resumed the role of an independent merchant and in 1912 was called to the duties of county treasurer, an office he filled with signal usefulness and efficiency for four years. Since retiring from office he has been connected with several business enterprises and is now engaged in the canning business. He owns a beautiful home on North Wayne Street in AngoliL A republican in politics, he served six years in the City Council of Angola. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1878 Mr. Dole married Miss N. Ellen Kinsey. She was born in Salem Township November 6, 1857, is a sister of William E. Kinsey, above noted, and a daughter of Dr. Joseph and Mary (Dill) Kinsey. Doctor Kinsey was an early settler in Allen County, Indiana, moved from there to De- Kalb County and in 1855 to Salem Center, where he established a large practice as a physician and was also associated with his son in the general mer- cantile business. He and his wife spent their last years in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dole, where Doctor Kinsey died in 1910, at the age of ninety-two, and his wife in 1905, aged seventy-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Dole have four children. William Earl, born in 1883, has for a number of years been clerk in the Angola postoffice. He married Edna Cowen, a daughter of Elmer Cowen, and has a son, William Earl, Jr. Floyd J. Dole, born in 1886, is manager of the express office at Continental, Ohio. He spent about eighteen months in the army, being head cook for the One Hundred and Thirty- Seventh Field Artillery, and going overseas to France in December, 1918, returning to this country in February, 1919. The third child, Cora Mildred, was born in 1890, and is the wife of Wayne Mc- Killen, and has a son, James Franklin. Lewis Pyrl Dole, born in 1894, spent three and a half months in training at Camp Grant toward the close of the war. John Moughler is a well known DeKalb County resident, his home being in the southwest corner of Troy Township. He is one of a rather numerous group of farmers who earned their prosperjtfy largely as renters. He farmed rented land for thirty years or more and in that time reared and provided for his family, and his later years are now being spent quietly, prosperously and busily on a farm of his own. Mr. Moughler was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 9, 1850, a son of Jacob and Hannah (Bordner) Moughler, the former a native of Lucas County, Ohio, and the latter of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. They grew up in Wayne County, Ohio, were married there and in the fall of 1852 came to DeKalb County, settling a mile and a half south of Butler in Wilmington Township. They spent the rest of their lives on that farm and the father cleared up and put in cultivation most of the land. The mother was a member of the 70 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Christian Church. Jacob Moughler was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Butler and was a democrat in politics. In the fam- ily were seven children: Amanda, deceased; John; Mary, who became the wife of Orlando Bratton; Emma, deceased ; Daniel, of Butler ; Amos, de- ceased, and Charles, who died when two years old. John Moughler grew up on the homestead south of Butler and attended the common schools. One of the schools he attended was kept in a log house. He played an industrious part helping his father clear and cultivate the farm, and lived at home to the age of thirty-one. September 23, 1880, he married Alice Hendershot. She was born March 6, 1857, a daughter of B. F. and Susanna (Miller) Hendershot, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ashland County, Ohio. The parents were married in Will- iams County, Ohio, and began housekeeping in De- fiance County, and spent the rest of their lives there. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moughler rented the old Yoey Farm not far from his father’s home. Two years later they moved to another farm in Wilmington Township and from there came to Troy Township. A distinctive feature of Mr. Moughler’s career as a farmer is that for twenty- two years he lived on and rented one farm. This farm during this time had three different owners. He reared his family there and eventually put away enough to enable him to buy his present place of forty acres in the southwest corner of Troy Town- ship. He keeps good grades of livestock, and is still busy with farming. Mr. Moughler is a demo- crat in politics. He and his wife have two sons, Burl and Glenn. Burl is one of the leading young farmers of Troy Township, while Glenn has an eighty-acre farm six miles east of Auburn. L. A. Kintner is one of the most progressive of the modern farmers of Steuben County. He has Worked hard, has made several changes, each one for the better, has adapted himself and his methods to changing conditions, and his place in Richland Township reflects well ordered prosperity at every turn. He has lived most of his life in this county, but was born at Edon in Williams County, Ohio, Febru- ary 10, 1868. His father was George Kintner, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, September 24, 1830. When a young man he moved to Williams County and located in a rather wild and primitive district southwest of Edon, where he improved a tract of land bought direct from the Government. He had previously operated a sawmill at Edon. About 1872 he sold his Ohio property and came to Steuben County, buying ninety-three and a fraction acres in Richland Township. This is the land now owned and occupied by his son L. A., and it has been under cultivation by members of the Kintner fam- ily nearly fifty years. In 1880 George Kintner built the large brick house which is still in a good state of repair and furnished an excellent home for the son and family. George Kintner retired and rented his farm in 1890, and lived in Angola until his death in 1907. He married Almira Garwood, who was born in Williams County, Ohio, January 30, 1840. She died in 1915, the mother of three children, H. P., L. A. and E. M. Kintner. L. A. Kintner attended public school at Metz and took commercial courses in the Tri-State Nor- mal College at Angola. All the time he was also acquiring practical experience as a farmer. One winter term he was teacher of a district school, and for three years or so worked out at monthly wages. January 30, 1895, was an important date in his career, marking his marriage to Miss Permilie M. Bockey, daughter of Sylvester Bockey. The fol- lowing eight years he rented his father’s farm. Mov- ing to Fremont, he became a partner in the Fre- mont Lumber & Coal Company, but in January, 1906, left town to resume farming on the old Aleck McClue place south of Fremont, where he lived about a year and a half. In February, 1907, he made a formal purchase of the old Kintner homestead. His ownership has brought him prosperity and has resulted in many notable improvements, the building of good barns and other facilities, and everything is now well arranged and equipped for the general purpose farm. He feeds a number of stock every season. Mr. Kintner is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and Chapter at Angola and with the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife have two children and one grandchild. Mildred A., the daughter, is the wife of Peter Dick, and their son is named Robert. The son is Maurice G. Kintner. Seth Dunham. If any man has a thorough and authoritative knowledge of changing conditions in Otsego Township from pioneer times to the present it is Seth Dunham, a farmer there for over sixty years, and a witness of passing events and circum- stances for fully three quarters of a century. Mr. Dunham, who is still living on his farm at the venerable age of eighty-seven, was born in the City of Buffalo, Erie County, New York, August 7, 1832, a son of Samuel and Sophia (Wilber) Dun- ham. His mother was born in New York State and died there at the age of thirty-two. The father was born in Delaware County, New York. Samuel Dunham brought his children to Indiana in 1844, traveling overland with wagons and two yoke of oxein. After a journey of four weeks he reached Steuben County and settled in Otsego Township. He bought 160 acres of land from his brother, Charles Dun- ham, a previous settler, and during the next ten years did a great deal to , make his land productive and a part of the growing community of homes and farms. He died at Hamilton April 28, 1856, at the age of fifty-two. He was a whig in politics and he died about the time the republican party was or- ganized. He and his wife had eight children, Pan- ama, Seth, Mary, Oliver and Oliva, twins, Harriet, Sophia and Ella. Of this large family Seth Dunham is the only survivor. He was in his twelfth year when brought to Steuben County. Prior to that time he had at- tended public schools in New York State, and he also went to school some in the backwoods schools of Otsego Township. He adapted himself to the pioneer conditions, and became a good hunter as well as a good farmer. As late as 1852 Mr. Dun- ham killed fifteen deer in Otsego Township besides a large number of wild turkeys. At the time of his marriage he bought eighty acres of land where he lives today, and his increasing resources enabled him to improve his possessions until today he owns 280 acres. Along with good crops he has for many years handled livestock, not only raising cattle and hogs but buying and selling and feeding. Mr. Dunham has lived an interesting though not a conspicuous life, has done his duty quietly by his family and his neighbors, but has never sought the distinction of public office. He is a republican, having been identified with that party from > the time of its organization, and his wife is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham are one of the oldest married couples in Steuben County. The date of HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 71 their marriage was November io, 1859. Her maiden name was Mary Ann McEntarfer. She was born in Stark County, Ohio, August 2, 1837, and was an infant when her parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Getel) McEntarfer, accomplished a pioneer over- land journey with ox team and conveyance to In- diana in 1838. They settled in Franklin Township of DeKalb County, where her father died in i860, at the age of sixty. Her mother spent her last days at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dunham and passed away in 1872. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunham. Caroline, the oldest, is the wife of Clark Tingler and had three children, Guy, Lloyd and Mabel. Ellen is the wife of Free- man Cary, and her family consists of Irina, Seth and Irvin. The son Seth married Zelma Teegarain, daughter of Thomas Teegardin. Viola Dunham is the wife of Edward Hand, and has six children, named Dorris, Kenneth, Dunham, Artis, Theodore and Donald. Alexander Thompson came to Steuben County during the Civil war, enlisted shortly afterward in an Indiana regiment, and at the close of the war returned and resumed his civic status as a farmer. He gave nearly half a century to the management of his business affairs, and is now retired. Mr. Thompson was born in Crawford County, Ohio, September 27, 1846, a son of William Cannon and Harriet (Ferguson) Thompson. William Cannon Thompson was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1807, a son of Hugh S. Thompson. He married April 16, 1844, Harriet Fer- guson, who was ' born in Richland County, near Mansfield, Ohio, April 10, 1819. After their mar- riage in Richland County they settled in Crawford County, and in 1864 moved -to Steuben County, locating . on the farm which their son Alexander now owns in Clear Lake Township. William C. Thompson died there May 31, 1890, and his widow at the home of her daughter Harriet in Hillsdale County, Michigan, in December, 1899. William C. Thompson was . a republican, and he and his wife were United Presbyterians. Their children were : Hugh F., who was killed by a horse in Crawford County, Ohio, at the age of six years ; Alexander ; Mary Elizabeth; Harriet F. ; John Franklin; and Effie, who was killed by a horse in Steuben County at the age of eight years. Alexander Thompson lived in Crawford County until he was seventeen years of age, and acquired his education there. When he came to Steuben County in 1864 he rode horseback, and in the fol- lowing February he enlisted at Fremont in the One Hundred and Fifty-Second Indiana Infantry, in Company C. He was with that regiment in serv- ice until the close of hostilities. On returning to Steuben County he bought sixty acres in Clear Lake Township. He farmed for many years, owned con- siderable property in Ray, where he had his home for twenty years, and he also owns the old home- stead of eighty-five acres. Mr. Thompson is affil- iated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. For a time he lived in Branch County, Michigan, and while there served as deputy sheriff of Branch County under William H. Herendeen. In 1875 Mr. Thompson married Alice Ellis, of Branch County, a daughter of Daniel Ellis, now deceased. Mrs. Thompson died in 1901. She was the mother of six children, and a number of grand- children now survive her. The oldest was Effie, who died when six years old. Madge is the wife of Dr. Lee H. Dugand, of Ludington, Michigan, and they have two children, named Muriel Margaret and George. Irene Thompson married C. S. Stephens, of Portland, Oregon, and has a son, Ken- neth. Ross A. is a railroad agent at Rose Lawn in Newton County, Indiana. He married Rose Swartzel. John Rollo Thompson is a well known citizen of Fremont and has a son, John R., Jr. The youngest of the family, Kenneth, died when six years old. Francis Leason. In the early days of DeKalb County a substantial English family was established in Troy Township by the name Leason. A number of its representatives are still found in that vicinity, one of them being Mr. Francis Leason, who still goes about his daily vocation as a farmer on the east half of the northwest quarter of section 8. He was born in Erie County, Ohio, February 2, 1854, a son of Joseph and Mary (Sharp) Leason. His father was born in England December 2, 1810, a son of Francis Leason, while the mother was born March 2, 1819, in the same country. The father grew up in Derbyshire and the mother in Notting- ham, and they were married in June, 1848. The following week they set out for the United States and at once located in Erie County, Ohio. Joseph Leason rented a farm there a short time, then re- turned to England for two years, after which he again became an Erie County farmer and in 1856 made his second return to England. In 1862 he was again in Erie County, Ohio, and continued farming there until 1867, when he removed to Indiana and bought sixty acres in section 8 of Troy Township. He lived there until his death in 1879 his wife having passed away in 1872. He was one of the leading members of the United Brethren Church in the community. He never took out his papers to become an American citizen. Francis Leason was the only child of his parents and since he was thirteen years of age has lived in Troy Township. He acquired his education in the common schools and on December 5, 1879, married Mary E. Stearns. She was born in Troy Town- ship July 20, 1859, a daughter of John and Nancy (Ward) Stearns. Her father was born in Morrow County, Ohio, December 3, 1829, and her mother April 11. 1833, in Ashtabula County of the same state. They were married July 13, 1856, and Mrs. Leason is their only daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Leason have three children: John, Charles, born February 17, 1883, married and living at Monroe, Michigan; and Carrie, born February 6, 1887. still at home with her parents. The latter are active members of the Zion United Brethren Church, and Mr. Leason is a republican. He and his wife have six grandchildren. John Leason, son of Francis and Mary (Stearns) Leason, is a member of the third generation of this family and has a valuable farm in section 8 of Troy Township. He was born May 6, 1881, on a farm adjoining his present home, and he grew up and received his education in that locality. June 8, 1904, he married Mildred C. Hammond. She was born in Franklin Township of DeKalb County October 29, 1883, a daughter of George and Caro- line Hammond. She was reared in her native township and received a common school education. After their marriage John Leason and wife lived on the home farm for about five years and then came to their present place, where they have eighty acres devoted to general farming and stock raising. They are active members of the West Zion United Brethren Church, Mr. Leason being on the official boards and finance committee. Fie is a republican in politics. To their marriage have been born five children, Violet, Martin, Mildred and Dorothea and Doris, twins. 72 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA William Gorsuch has the reputation of being the wealthiest citizen of Sparta Township in Noble County. He is a very extensive land owner, and during his long life has used his industry and energy to such good advantage that accumulations have followed as a matter of course. An interesting fact and one that is significant is that he had only $30 when he came to this county more than fifty-six years ago. He was born in Delaware County, Ohio, Novem- ber 25, 1842, son of Thomas and Anna (Crager) Gorsuch. His parents spent all their lives in Dela- ware County. Of their six children only three are now living: Noah and John E., of Licking County, Ohio, and William. William Gorsuch grew up in his native county and had little opportunity to attend school. He came to Noble County in 1863 to look after a tract of 240 acres of land in Sparta Township. He has made that county his permanent home. April 1, 1866, he mar- ried Mary E. Smith. She was born in Scotland County, Missouri, and came to Noble County with her parents during the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Gorsuch had three children, and the two still living are Thomas A. and John F., both farmers in Sparta Township. Mrs. Gorsuch, who was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died April 16, 1915. Mr. Gorsuch at the present time owns 458 acres of land in Sparta Township, and for many years has been a successful trader in land and other property. He has been a director in the Cromwell State Bank since it was organized, also a stockholder in the Kimmell State Bank, and in politics is a democrat. George B. Maxton has lived in Steuben County since he was about four years old. He has led a quiet, unostentatious, but exceedingly busy and use- ful life, mainly on one farm in Otsego Township, and is raising crops today on the same land that his father cultivated half a century ago. Mr. Maxton was born in Richland County, Ohio, August 30, 1856, a son of John and Christina (Rals- ton) Maxton. His parents were both born in Penn- sylvania, his father October 22, 1822, and his mother December iq, 1826. His grandparents, John and Anna (Clark) Maxton, spent most of their lives in Green County, Ohio. They were the parents of ten children. All these children were living and at- tended the funeral of their father, and at that time their combined ages were 709 years. John and Christina Maxton brought their family to Otsego Township, April 1, i860, and settled on a farm of 1404 acres. John Maxton cleared much of this land, put up some good buildings, saw his efforts prosper, his children grow to useful manhood and womanhood, and in these peaceful surroundings he died January 2, 1900, his wife passing away October 20, 1902. He was a democrat in politics and in religious views adopted a liberal attitude. The children were: Mrs. Jane Burch; Mrs. Lydia Gil- bert, deceased; Mrs. Martha Beebe; George B.; Mrs. Mary Tasker; Joseph, who died in infancy; and Mrs. Anna Sheffler. George B. Maxton grew up on the home farm, acquired a common school education and as a boy assisted his father in clearing more land for fields and tending the fields already in cultivation. He has always lived on the same place and is now proprietor of a farm with splendid improvements and of great productiveness. Mr. Maxton is a democrat, is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias at Angola and is a member of the Hamilton Co-operative Ship- pers Association. In 1880 he married Miss Cassie Tingler. She was born in Hancock County, Ohio, May 25, 1858, and was about four years old when her parents, Michael and Nellie (Opp) Tingler, came to Steuben County and settled in Otsego Township. Her par- ents lived here upwards of half a century. Her mother died in 1906 and her father in 1910. Mrs. Maxton has one sister, Mrs. Phoebe Badger. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Maxton, Hugh and Nellie. Hugh, born May 16, 1881, was edu- cated in the common schools and in recent years has assumed many of the responsibilities of man- aging his father’s farm. He married Miss Georgia Boyles, and their four children are Carroll, Denver, Lewis and Ruth. The daughter Nellie, who was born June 29, 1883, is the wife of Roy Orewiler, a son of Adam Orewiler, of Steuben County. Two sons comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Orewiler, named Russell and Keith. Adolph E. Lambright, member of an old family of LaGrange County, has in his own right and in his own career achieved a dignified success as a farmer and good citizen, and while he has never been in politics has exercised a good influence in the community where he lives. His farm is in Johnson Township, three and a half miles north and one half mile west of Wolcottville. He was born in Clear Spring Township of the same county January 2, 1866, son of Michael and Augusta (Snitzer) Lambright. His father was born in Germany March g, 1839, and came to the United States with his father in 1847, being one of eight children, all of whom grew up in Holmes County, Ohio. Holmes County was the birthplace of Augusta Snitzer, who was born October 18, 1839. She and Michael Lambright were married in August, i860, and in 1865 brought their family to Indiana and settled in Clear Spring Township, two and a half miles southwest of LaGrange. In 1871 he moved to Johnson Township and spent the rest of his active years as a farmer there, but late in life moved to Wolcottville and died there. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. Of their eight children six are still living: William J., of Wolcottville; Adolph E. ; Ella, wife of William Rowe; Miles, of Elkhart, Indiana; Carrie, wife of Frank Eddy; and Alvin E., of John- son Township. Adolph E. has spent all his life in LaGrange County. He supplemented the advantages of the common schools by work in the Normal School at LaGrange and for twelve years was a teacher, and his former pupils credit him with being one of the best teachers of Johnson Township. Whde teaching he also engaged in farming. In April, 1898, after his marriage, he bought the farm where he now resides, consisting of 140 acres. Mr. Lam- bright is well known locally as a breeder of Duroc hogs. He and his family are members of the Methodist Church, and in politics he is a democrat. Mr. Lambright was married April 21, 1891, to Emma Shuman, and they have six children. Agnes is a graduate of the LaGrange High School and a graduate dietitian of the Battle Creek Sani- tarium and is now the wife of Edgar Vasser. Mildred is a graduate of high school, and had a two-year college course. Harold graduated from high school and is now a student of electrical en- gineering in Purdue University. Clyde finished his high school course and was also a student of the Fort Wayne Business College. Lois is now in the high school at Wolcottville, while Julia is in the grade school. MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM GORSUCLI ■ HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 73 Roy A. Van Fossen, though identified with Steuben County only a few years, is a member of a family which has been related with the com- munities of Northeast Indiana and across the state line in Williams County, Ohio, since pioneer times. Mr. Van Fossen, whose farm is in Millgrove Township, was born in Williams County, Ohio, July 12, 1874, a son of John W. and Eliza J. (Gillis) Van Fossen. His paternal grandparents were Wil- liam and Mar3 r (Sloss) Van Fossen. More than eighty years ago they removed from Ohio to Dear- bornville, Michigan, and in 1838 returned to Ohio and settled in Williams County. Williams County at that time was practically a wilderness. William Van Fossen took up Government land in Florence Township. He was identified with the clearing and improvement of that land the rest of his life. He and his wife had six children, named Elizabeth, Rachel, William, Margaret, Jane and Thomas. John W. Van Fossen, who was born at Newark, Ohio, February 11, 1834, grew up from the age of four years in Williams County, acquired his education in public schools, and after attending the Northeastern Indiana Institute at Orland went west to Iowa and was one of the early teachers in that state. Returning to Williams County about the beginning of the Civil war, he enlisted October 31, 1862, in the Fifth Independent Company of Ohio Sharpshooters. After that until the close of hos- tilities he was with the Army of the Cumberland and was never absent a single day from duty. He participated in many engagements and after the battle of Chickamauga he was detailed for duty for six weeks in gathering up and burying the dead. The war over he returned to Williams County, and on February 22, 1866, married Eliza Jane Gillis. Her parents were William and Jane (McLaren) Gillis, the latter a native of Ireland. Mary Sloss, noted above as the wife of William Van Fossen, was also born in Ireland. William Gillis and wife were early settlers in Morrow County, Ohio, and in 1845 moved to Williams County, spending the rest of their days in Florence Township, where their in- dustry cleared up a homestead. After his marriage John W. Van Fossen bought a farm in Florence Township, then moved to an- other place in Northwest Township in the same county, and in 1891 came to Northeast Indiana, set- tling in LaGrange County, on the Dr. Thomas B. Sloss farm. He made his last move in 1900, when he came to Orland, where he died November 2, 1912. His widow survived him until November 27, 1918. The late Mr. Van Fossen was a republican and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he and his wife were Presbyterians, though in LaGrange County they worshipped in the Con- gregational Church at Orland. He was at one time ruling elder of the West Eagle Creek Church in Williams County. Their children were seven in number: Arthur A., deceased; Harvey G. ; Floy; Roy A. ; Dr. William S., of Columbus, Ohio ; Jeanette; and Ella. Roy A. Van Fossen attended the public schools of Northwest Township in Williams County until he was sixteen years of age, when he came with his parents to LaGrange County. He subsequently graduated from the Orland High School. Since leaving school the burden of his activities has been as an agriculturist. He bought a farm of eighty acres in Millgrove Township in 1911, and for the past eight years has done much to give that place modern improvements, and he has it well stocked and equipped for general farming purposes. He has a number of pure bred Duroc Jersey hogs. Mr. Van Fossen is a republican and attends the Con- gregational Church. In 1900 he married Miss Alice Casebeer, of James- town Township, daughter of Samuel and Gelain (Lucas) Casebeer, of Millgrove Township. Two children were born to their marriage : Arline, born November 10, 1902, graduated with the class of 1919 from the Orland High School. Wayne, born June 7, 1906, was just enjoying the promise of youth and the prospects of manhood when he died July 27, 1918. William M. Diggins has lived all his productive years in Noble County, and his interests in farming and as a public spirited citizen of Wayne Township have made him well known and highly esteemed in that community. Mr. Diggins, whose fine farm is a mile and a half west of Kendallville, was born June 14, 1859, son of Artemus and Caroline (Ottman) Diggins, the former a native of New York State and the latter of Ohio. Artemus Diggins came to Indiana when a boy, his people locating four miles north of Ken- dallville. The Ottman family came to Indiana from Ohio, the parents of Caroline Ottman having been born in Germany. Artemus Diggins and wife were members of the Christian Church and in politics he was a republican. There were five children : Wil- liam M. ; Elmer E., a farmer on the old home- stead ; Carrie, unmarried, now living in Los Angeles and formerly a teacher ; Linford W., a railway mail clerk on the New York Central Lines; and George F., a contractor at Kendallville. William M. Diggins has spent his entire life in Noble County, was educated in the district schools and lived at home until he reached his maturity. After two years in North Dakota Territory he re- turned to Indiana and bought a farm. September 29, 1886, he married Miss Tillie M. Pierce. She was born in Noble County February 10, 1862, daughter of E. Clark Pierce. Her father was born in New York State and her mother in Ohio, and both families were early settlers in Indiana. E. Clark Pierce was brought to this state when only a year old. After his marriage Mr. Diggins began house- keeping on the farm where he now resides, and he has made all the improvements. His place com- prises 196 acres, and is the home of good live stock and of thrifty enterprise in every direction. Mr. and Mrs. Diggins have two children and one grandchild. Frank C.. born in July, 1887, married Inez C. Black and they live on the home farm. Harold H., born September 4, 1892, attended the Kendallville High School and spent two years in Purdue University. He married Ruth Needham. The family are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Diggins is affiliated with Kendallville Lodge No. 276, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is a republican. Ray Clark is one of the progressive farmers of Scott Township in Steuben County, having a fine farm of 140 acres in that locality. He was born in Scott Township, June 22, 1876, a son of Arby and Louisa J. (Dygert) Clark. His mother was born in York Township, September 2, 1850, a daughter of Benjamin and Phoebe Anne (Carpenter) Dygert, one of the old and very prom- inent families in Steuben County. Arby Clark was 'born near Jamestown, New York, October 29, 1843, and was not yet eighteen years old when the Civil war broke out. He went all through that struggle as a member of Company A of the Forty-Ninth New York Infantry. After many battles he was cap- tured and was a prisoner of war for three months in Libby prison, was then transferred to Bell Isle, and two weeks later made his escape and swam 74 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA down the James River all night and after many perils and adventures reached safety within the Union lines. Soon after the war he came back and settled in York Township of Steuben County and in 1877 took his family to Arkansas, where he lived five years. On returning to Steuben County he set- tled on forty acres in Scott Township, a tract of land that is now included in the farm of his son Ray. He continued farming there the rest of his life and died in December, 1915. His wife passed away June 30, 1915. They were the parents of six children: Clara, who was born in York Township in 1873; Ray; Nina, who was born January 6, 1879, in Arkansas and died at the age of eighteen years, three months and eight days ; Ina May, born October 12, 1881, in Arkansas ; Leah, born in Scott Township of Steuben County, June 20, 1883; and Aria, born in Scott Township, March 14, 1888. Ray Clark had his first recollections of his parents’ home in Arkansas and was about six years old when the family returned to Steuben County. He ac- quired his education in the local schools, and even- tually acquired the homestead of his father and has added to its area 100 acres, giving him the 140 acres as above noted. He has made good improvements, has tiled much of the land, and devotes his enter- prise to general crops and livestock. He feeds hogs, cattle and sheep every year. He is a republican voter, is affiliated with North East Lodge of the Masonic Order and Steuben Lodge No. 231 of the Odd Fellows at Fremont. April 4, 1914, Mr. Clark married Miss Luella Mc- Clue. She was a daughter of Thomas and Helen (Farnham) McClue and granddaughter of Erastus Farnham, one of the very early settlers of Steuben County. Wesley Weaver, whose affairs as a farmer of Noble County have long prospered, is a member of one of the old families of that section of North- east Indiana, and his people have always done more than merely make a living, and have upheld all those moral forces which give character to a com- munity. Mr. Weaver was born on the farm where he now lives in section 30 of Orange Township July 8, 1861. His parents were Christian and Susanna (Towns) Weaver. Christian Weaver was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, January 1, 1826. In 1849, when twenty-three years of age, he journeyed overland to Northeastern Indiana and bought 180 acres in Noble County, now the home farm of Wesley Weaver. After making the purchase he returned on foot to Ohio, and the following year came to Indiana with the Tow'ns family. He went to work in the woods, cleared away a spot and built a log house, and on September 20, 1851. mar- ried Susanna Towns. She was born in Stark County, Ohio; February 11, 1824. The Towns family settled in Steuben County in 1850. Chris- tian Weaver, though starting life with limited means, has prospered far above the ordinary, and at the same time was extremely liberal of time and means in behalf of church and other worthy causes. His prosperity was represented by the ownership of about 300 acres of land. Soon after coming to this county he and his family joined the Spring- field Church of the Brethren, and in 1835 he was elected an elder in this church. He was a deep student of the Bible, and as a preacher was un- remitting in his devotions and work. During his life he officiated at many marriages and preached many funerals. He was a stanch democrat but never held any office. Christian Weaver died March 16, 1907. His good wife, who was the soul of generosity, died January 10, 1897. Six children were born to them, and two are still living, Sylvanus, of Orange Township, and Wesley. Wesley Weaver grew up on the old farm and was well educated in the district schools. He lived at home until his marriage. Mr. Weaver married Miss Barbara Frick. She was born in Elkhart Township of Noble County and was educated in the local schools. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have occupied the old Weaver homestead, containing 108 acres, and he also has 180 acres in Elkhart Township. He followed general farming and has good grades of livestock of all kinds. Mr. Weaver is also a stockholder in the Kendallville Motor Truck Com- pany. He is a democrat, keeps well informed on all current affairs, and with his family is active in the Church of the Brethren. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have three children: Grover is a graduate of the common schools and married Mary Pickett; Olive is the wife of Lee Franks; and Wilber married Mary Chapman. Ralph A. Morse, a prominent young farmer of Steuben County, is the active manager of the Morse farm in Jamestown Township, where his father lived for many years. The family came to Steuben County over sixty-five years ago, and the name has always been associated with industry and sound citizen- ship. Mr. Morse was born in Jackson Township Sep- tember 15, 1883, a son of Orrin L. and Alice (Cor- bett) Morse, and a grandson of John Morse, who came in 1852 to Steuben County, first settling in Pleasant and later in Jackson Township, where he died. The children of John were George, Sanford, Francis, Hortense, Louisa, Jerome, Orrin and John. Orrin L. Morse was born in Michigan June 5 > 1847, and his wife was born the 25th of June of the same year. He grew up in Pleasant and Jackson townships, and after getting his education went west to Nebraska and homesteaded a quarter section. Later he returned to his home county and first had a farm of forty acres in Jackson Township. He sold that and in’ the spring of 1884 bought eighty acres in Jamestown Township, where his son Ralph now lives. He made many good improvements on this farm, building a substantial brick house in 1892. He lived on the farm and was active in its work until 1911, when he moved to Hamilton. In later years he has made his home at Mason, Mich- igan. His wife died on the old farm May 3, 1907. Orrin Morse is a republican and a member of the Methodist Church. He and his wife had two daugh- ters and one son : Lillie, wife of C. W. Hertz, of Michigan; Daisy, wife of Ira Bowerman, of Jack- son Township; and Ralph A. Ralph A. Morse grew up on his father’s farm and had a public school education, supplemented by courses in the Tri-State College at Angola. He has since been a farmer and now leases the home farm from his father. He handles good live stock. Mr. Morse is a republican and his wife is a Meth- odist. August 27, 1908, he married Miss Eva Tubbs, a native of Branch County, Michigan. John F. Cameron, M. D. A native of Steuben County, Doctor Cameron chose this county as the scene of his life work, and as a physician and sur- geon for thirty years he has gained real distinction in his profession and rendered a service that is appreciated. Doctor Cameron was born in Richland Township May 8, 1855, a son of John and Mary (Carlin) Cameron. His maternal grandfather was Robert HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Carlin. John Cameron was born in Scotland, son of George and Janet Cameron. George Cameron brought his family from Scotland in 1834, and after several years in Canada three of his children came to Indiana. John Cameron came to America six months previous to the family’s immigration. He was nineteen years of age when he came to America, and on leaving Canada he went to the State of New York and took some sub-contracts for work on the Erie Canal. Later the same business brought him to Indiana as a contractor on the Wabash Canal. During a year and a half at that work he saved money sufficient to enable him to take up a homestead in Richland Township of Steuben County in 1841. He acquired 160 acres of timbered land, and lived there until his death in 1878. He was a man of prominence in that locality, serving twelve years as a justice of the peace, and was in his second term as a county commissioner when he died. He was also trustee of Richland Township two terms, and was very active and made his experience as a contractor count for public benefit in laying out and surveying public roads. Doctor Cameron received his early education in the public schools of Richland Township, graduated from the academy at Angola, and spent one term in Hillsdale College of Michigan. He paid his way and earned the money for his medical course by teaching school. He began the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. J. G. Cameron, at Edon, Ohio, and then entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, where he graduated in 1880. On December 12, 1880, he married Elnora Powers, daughter of Hon. Clark Powers. She died in 1886, and her only child, J. Clark, died in infancy. Doctor Cameron began practice at Hamilton on April 29, 1880, and has practiced medicine steadily in Steuben County ever since with the exception of the time he has been in school during, post-graduate work. He still enjoys a large professional business at Hamilton and the surrounding country. He took post-graduate courses in the Medical School of New York, and was in Columbia University Medical Col- lege during the winter of 1886-87. Doctor Cameron was one of the first directors after the organization of the First National Bank at Angola, and has been steadily on the board of that institution ever since. Since 1887 he has frequently attended annual clinics in Rush Medical College at Chicago, and is a member of the County, State and American Medical associations. He is a charter member of Hamilton Lodge Knights of Pythias, which was organized in 1889. On November 6, 1887, Doctor Cameron married Mary Jane Haughey. Don Franklin, the older son of Doctor Cameron, is a graduate of the Hamilton High School, the Tri-State Normal College at An- gola, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Indiana State University at Bloomington, and took his Master’s degree at Chicago University, and has a Fellowship in the University of Minnesota. His major studies were chemistry and physics. He finished his undergraduate medical course in Johns Hopkins University, where he graduated in 1913 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He had one year as interne in St. Luke’s Hospital at Chi- cago. He then served as an interne in Johns Hop- kins University, and there took examination for a medical officer in the navy, receiving a reserve com- mission. For one year and a half he worked under the direction of Doctor Young, an eminent urologist at Brady Institute. He also did three years of post-graduate work in the Minnesota State Univer- sity, but in the meantime, before receiving his degree, was called into the navy and at present is at the 75 Kansas City Recruiting Station with the rank of first lieutenant. Angus Lavern, the second son, completed the high school work in Hamilton, attended the State Normal at Terre Haute two years, and is also a graduate of the Indiana State University, taking one year of his medical work there. He received the degree Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University, and has his Master’s degree from the University of Chicago, where he did special work in pathology and bacteriology. He graduated in medicine from Rush Medical College in 1916. For one year he was connected with the staff of the Children’s Memorial Hospital, and the second year was con- nected with the Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago in the capacity of assistant house surgeon. He went to France as a first lieutenant with Base Hospital No. 13, one of the first units of the American forces to go overseas. At present he is serving a three-year surgical fellowship at the University of Minnesota. Mrs. Cameron’s father was Timothy Haughey, who was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, November 5, 1824, and died June 28, 1914. Her mother was Mary Catherine Gerst, who was born November 29, 1823, in North Bavaria, Germany. Timothy Haughey was a pioneer of Steuben County, locat- ing in Otsego Township in 1843. He spent prac- , tically all the rest of his life there as a farmer. During his_ first years in the county he also taught school during the winter terms. He and his wife had _ the following children : Christiana, Hannah Louise, William D., Phoebe Eliza, Mary Jane, Emily, Laura Rumina and Frances G. Mrs. Cam- eron is a graduate of Valparaiso University, and for eight years before her marriage taught school in Steuben County. She is a granddaughter of Robert and Hannah (Wyckoff) Haughey, both natives of eastern states. They settled in DeKalb County in 1846. Sherman O. Cole. The ability with which he has directed his private affairs as a farmer and all around good citizen has commended him so strong- ly to the confidence and good will of his fellow citizens in Scott Township that Mr. Cole is by choice of the people serving as township trustee. He is a native of his present township and repre- sents one of the old and prominent families of Steuben Township. Other references to the Cole family are found on other pages of this publication. Mr. Cole was born in Scott Township, September 24, 1867, a son of Nelson and Eliza (Phenacie) Cole. He grew up on his father’s farm, and the advantages of the public schools were supplemented by courses in the Tri-State College. From college he returned home and began farming, and his independent career was started with a small place of thirty acres. After keeping that for several years he sold it and bought a larger place of eighty acres situated just east of the farm of his brother, Frank Cole. He sold that in 1904 and then bought the 160-acre Kinney farm. Mr. Cole is in every way progressive and has given his farm some high class modern improve- ments. In 1916 he built a large barn 40x100 feet and also a hay and straw barn 40x60 feet. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and he owns two other farms in Scott Township, eighty .acres in each and both improved with good build- ings. Mr. Cole has interested himself in local affairs and was elected township Trustee in 1918 for a term of four years. He is a republican, is affiliated with the Lodge of Odd Fellows at Metz and the Knights of Pythias at Fremont. He attends the Christian Church. 76 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA November 27, 1890, he married Mary Dotts, who was born in Scott Township, March 7, 1870, a daughter of John and Louisa (Sage) Dotts. Her father was born in Hancock County, Ohio, March 28, 1835, and her mother in Lorain County of the same state July 12, 1842. John Dotts was brought to Steuben County in 1847 by his father and step- mother, and he grew up here and was long well known in the citizenship of northeast Indiana. He died August 30, 1915, and his wife April 21, 1915. Mrs. Cole is one of four living children, the others being Elmer, Lena and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Cole also have four children. Wavel, born July 29, 1891, died February 13, 1900. Ora Nelson, born February 13, 1897, went to the com- mon schools through the eighth grade, attended the Angola High School two years, and is now at home. Wilma, born April 20, 1901, graduated from the Tri-State College. Joyce, born March 15, 1908, is now in the grammar school. Reuben B. Walb. One of the hard working farmers and respected citizens of LaGrange County is Reuben B. Walb, who has spent nearly fifty years in cultivating crops and raising livestock, and now has a fine farm and country home in Johnson Township, in section 17. He was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1850, a son of Reuben and Eliza (Beaver) Walb. The Walb family originated in Switzerland. On coming to America they settled in Pennsylvania. Reuben Walb after his marriage to Eliza Beaver moved to Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Reuben B. Walb grew up there and became acquainted with Susanna Norris. They were married July 22, 1875, and continued to live in Pennsylvania several years. April 5, 1878, Mr. Walb came to LaGrange County, Indiana, and settled in Clay Township. He owns forty acres of land there and worked it at the same time he followed his trade as a car- penter. In 1898 he moved his family to Johnson Township, where he has lived now for over twenty years. Mr. Walb is a republican, and is a trustee of the Valentine Methodist Church, where all his family attend worship. Mr. and Mrs. Walb have five children : Ira B., who was born in Pennsylvania and is now living at LaGrange, Indiana ; Clyde A., who was born in Clay Township, is a former county surveyor and a banker and contractor; Bertha P., born July 16, 1880, is a deaconess in the Methodist Church in Chicago; Vera, born in April, 1882, is the wife of Irvin Cook, of Johnson Township; and Ray, born June 8, 1885, is helping his father farm. Mr. and Mrs. Walb also have nine grandchildren. Zeotus P. Keeslar, whose home is in Millgrove Township, is a member of the rather numerous and specially prominent and influential Keeslar fam- ily, whose name is identified with the early settle- ment and affairs not only of Steuben County but of Branch County, Michigan. Mr. Keeslar was born where Dan Pocock now lives in Millgrove Township, April 29, 1855. His grandfather was Peter Keeslar. Some more extended reference to members of the family, including Peter, is made on other pages. The parents of Zeotus were Dr. George and Mary (Green) Keeslar. Mary Green was born in Seneca County, New York, a daughter of David and Maranda Green. David Green, who died in Coldwater, Michigan, was one of the eminent citizens of Branch County. His wife died at Orland, at the home of her son, Dr. George Keeslar. Dr. George Keeslar was born in New York in 1829 and was a small child when he went to Steuben County, Indiana, with his parents. He had a public school education, studied medi- cine with a physician at Orland, and in 1854 began a busy and successful practice at Auburn. His suc- cess and reputation as an able physician continued after he returned to Orland in 1869, and altogether he put in fifty busy and useful years in his pro- fession. He died in 1905, having retired from practice about a year previous. He was a repub- lican and a Knight Templar Mason. Doctor Kees- lar’s wife died in 1898. Their children were Zaida, who died in 1918 ; Zeotus, and George C. Zeotus P. Keeslar attended school in Auburn, also the Orland Academy, and since early manhood his time and energies have been taken up with the prac- tice of agriculture. He owns a good farm of eighty- two acres in Millgrove Township, and has paid much attention to stockraising, particularly the breeding of draft horses. He is a republican in politics. March 10, 1885, Mr. Keeslar married Mary Alice Gamble, widow of Richard W. Gamble, and daugh- ter of Evan A. and Elizabeth E. (Philips) Rogers. The Rogers family came to Steuben County, and her parents both died there. Mr. and Mrs. Keeslar had one son, George Evan, born in 1888. He lived only eleven months. David A. Borntrager. It is by no means an in- dividual opinion but one based upon the consensus of a community that David A. Borntrager is an ex- ceptionally good farmer and an equally high class citizen. The offices of honor and trust he has filled in his township and county show that, while his farm is a model in arrangement and business like effi- ciency. This farm where he lives in Newbury Town- ship was the scene of his birth December 30, 1864. He is a son of Amos and Lydia (Miller) Born- trager. The Borntragers are an old and numerous family in Northeast Indiana and several of the branches have been described in this publication. Amos Borntrager was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1826. David A. Borntrager attended public school in Newbury Township and when a young man rented his father’s farm for three years and then bought the old home place. All his activities have been centered around the farm where he was born. He now owns 240 acres comprising the homestead and has acquired additional land until his total holdings aggregate 355 acres. On this land he has built a new modern home, has rebuilt the barn, and his buildings are very substantial and well arranged for all the demands made upon them. During the past twelve years Mr. Borntrager has been a breeder of pure bred Duroc Jersey hogs and Hereford cattle. His farm is known as the Sunny Ridge Stock Farm. In 1887 Mr. Borntrager married Mary Hostetler, a daughter of Jacob Hostetler. The children are four in number: Earley, a farmer in Newbury Township, married Delcie Mishler and has two daughters, Alice Hilda and Glenola Ruth ; Flora Amcda, who is the wife of Neri Borntrager and has three children, named Ruby Minerva, Lorene Mar- jorie and Glenden Lamar; Amos Timothy, who has served with the American Expeditionary Forces in France and at present is engaged in reconstruction work, being still in service there ; and Fannie Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Borntrager also took into their home Lester Paul Hostetler when he was three years old, and he is still with the family, being fourteen years of age. The son, Earley, was educated in the high school at Shipshewana, in the Goshen Nor- mal College and for five years was a teacher in Newbury Township. The son, Amos Timothy, likewise graduated from the Shipshewana High HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 77 School and did normal work at Goshen, after which he taught for two years in his home township. Mr. and Mrs. Borntrager are members of the Mennonite Church. Active in public affairs, he served twelve consecutive years as a member of the Township Advisory Board and for four years was a member of the LaGrange County Council. Frank M. Tuttle. The conditions surrounding the operation of land in the fertile regions embraced in northeastern Indiana are so satisfactory that many of the most representative citizens have prac- tically spent their lives here, being perfectly con- tent with the results accruing from their investments in land and time. One of these alert farmers is Frank M. Tuttle of Pleasant Lake, who owns and operates a fine farm of 120 acres one mile west of town. He was born near Pleasant Lake in Steuben Township October 31, 1857, a son of Lemon Tuttle, born in New York State in 1813. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Felora Gould, was born in New York State in 1818, a daughter of Keah and Mehitable (Sturges) Gould. In 1838 Lemon Tuttle came to Indiana and in 1840 located in Steu- ben Township, Steuben County, where he lived until his death in June, 1881. His wife died De- cember 25th of the same year. Their children were as follows: Lorana, Emeret, Chester V., Frank, Alptha, Sylvester, Arad and Byron, the last three dying in infancy. Frank M. Tuttle attended the district schools of Steuben Township, and was then given the addi- tional advantage of two terms at Angola Academy. After attaining his majority he began farming on the old Tuttle homestead, where he remained until 1902, leaving it in that year to go to Colorado. Since then he has made five trips to that state, crossing the Rocky Mountains ten times. With the exception of these trips Mr. Tuttle has spent his entire life in Steuben Township. In the spring of 1919 he sold the Tuttle homestead and bought his present farm, one mile west of Pleasant Lake, which he is devoting to general farming. In 1882 Mr. Tuttle was married first to Dora Lower, a daughter of Jacob Lower, and they had three children, Clair V., Carrol H., and Lower, the latter of whom died at the age of three months. Mrs. Tuttle died in 1901, and Mr. Tuttle was later married to Mildred Lemon, a daughter of Bert Lemon. Mr. Tuttle belongs to the Baptist Church of Pleasant Lake and gives it a generous support of time and money. He is prominent as a Mason and Knight of Pythias, taking a sincere interest in both fraternities. Since locating at Pleasant Lake he has become one of its representative citizens, and is ready to lend his influence to bring about any necessary improvements. An experienced farmer, he has known how to make his efforts yield him a good profit, and at the same time raise the standard for his neighborhood. Walter A. Ross has spent his life in Northeast Indiana and owns one of the many excellent farms found in this part of the state. While he never attended a scientific school of agriculture. Mr. Ross has made a thorough study of agricultural methods, illustrated in the splendid farm of which he is proprietor, known as Maple Shade Stock Farm, comprising 187 acres. This farm is two and a half miles west of Wolcottville on the county line, with thirty acres in Orange Township of Noble County. Mr. Ross was born in Noble County, near Brim- field, November 13, 1870, son of William and Mary (Bear) Ross. His father was born in Morrow County, Ohio, in 1833, while his mother was a na- tive of Pennsylvania. They were married in Mor- row County, then moved to Noble County, Indiana, and settled near Brimfield, and the father spent the rest of his life there as a farmer. The mother is still living on the old homestead. She is a mem- ber of the Mennonite Church and the father was a democrat. Of their six children three died young. Frank is a farmer in Orange Township, and Jennie is the wife of George Strater, of Wayne Township, Noble County. Walter A. Ross grew up on the old farm, at- tended country schools and the schools at Brim- field, and lived at home to the age of twenty-one. He worked out by the year and by hard work, thrifty saving and good management accumulated the capital which finally enabled him to purchase eighty acres of his present splendid farm, where he has lived since April, 1905. In 1892 Mr. Ross married Addie E. Dallas. She was born on the farm where she now lives, a daughter of James and Eliza E. (Young) Dallas. Mr. and Mrs. Ross have five children, who are an honor to their parents. Cecil D., the oldest, grad- uated from high school, spent three years in the Indiana State University, and was a teacher in the high school in Iowa when he enlisted, in June, 1917, in the Army Ambulance Service. He was assigned to duty with the French army and was overseas for sixteen, months. He received his honorable discharge April 15, 1919. He saw real fighting, and was in the battle of Argonne, where the Americans gained the greatest triumph of the war, and in the Champagne offensive and defensive. Elmer, the second son, is a graduate of Purdue and has taken a mechanical engineering course in Pur- due University. The three youngest children are Robert, Margaret and Raymond, the two former in the grammar schools. Mr. Ross is affiliated with Ionic Lodge No. 380, Free and Accepted Masons, of which his sons Cecil and Elmer are also mem- bers. He is a past master of this lodge and is past worthy patron of the Eastern Star, of which his wife is a member. The Maple Shade Stock Farm has gained considerable local note for its spotted Poland China hogs. Frank F. Lewis is the fortunate owner of one of the well cultivated and valuable farms of Steuben County, land that has responded to his efforts as an agriculturist for a number of years. He was for- merly a traveling man, but in the environment of his farm has found that true contentment and pros- perity that is associated with the ownership of a portion of Indiana soil. He was born at Orland August 29, 1869, and is a son of Hiram and Sallie Jeanette (Fuller) Lewis and grandson of Harvey and Elizabeth (Bassett) Lewis. His grandparents were early settlers in Salem Township of Steuben County, the land they owned and developed being now owned by the widow of their son, Dwight Lewis. Harvey Lewis returned to New York State for a time, but after 1855 lived in Steuben County until his death. He and his wife had the following children: Hiram M., Newel Pomeroy, Laura Ann, Frank B. and Dwight B. Hiram Lewis was born in Coventry County, New York, in 1834. He acquired his education in New York and also in the Northeastern Indiana Institute at Orland. He was a teacher in the early days at Orland. By trade he was a carpenter, and he con- structed the old boarding hall connected with the academy at Orland, and was a carpenter for the Kimball buildings on East Street, the two buildings now the hotel and bakery, and the homes of Hib- bard Roberts, Ziba Roberts and John Roberts. A 78 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA very busy man always, he lived a brief but simple life and died in 1873, at the age of thirty-nine. He was a republican and his wife was a charter mem- ber of the Congregational Church at Orland. His wife was born in 1842 in Branch County, Michigan, in a log house along the banks of Gilead Lake. She survived her husband forty years, passing away in 1913, at the age of seventy-one. He had two sons, Homer, who died at the age of six months, and Frank. Frank F. Lewis attended the public schools of Orland, graduated from the high school in 1887, and soon took up the business of traveling salesman. For fifteen years he sold buggies and did business in twenty-six states and in parts of Canada. In 1911 he returned to Steuben County and resumed farming and stock dealing. In 1904 he bought fifty acres, erected a good farm home in 1907, and also a barn, which was subsequently burned and replaced by a large and well appointed structure in 1915. Mr. Lewis now owns 176 acres in Millgrove Township. He is a republican in politics and has been affiliated with the lodge of Odd Fellows at Orland for the past twenty-four years. November 27, 1890, he married Anna Carrie Twitched. She was born in Jackson Township of Steuben County, September 22, 1869, a daughter of George and Laura (Scoville) Twitched, and a granddaughter of Benjamin and Sabria (Rogers) Twitched, the former born in 1805 and the latter in 1804, a daughter of Jonathan Rogers. Benjamin Twitched and wife came to Steuben County in 1836, being among the earliest pioneers. He was a brother of Jonas Twitched, Sr., one of the very first set- tlers in the county. Benjamin Twitched was a blacksmith in Orland and also bought forty acres of land in Millgrove Township and another farm of 120 acres in Jackson Township, and died at Orland in 1868. He and his wife had the following chil- dren: Mary Jane, Henry, William, Homer, Betsy Ann, George Warren and Julia Viola. Betsy Ann Twitched was the first white girl born in Steuben County. George Twitched was born in Steuben County in 1840, in Millgrove Township. His wife, Laura Sco- ville, was born in Richland Township in 1843. He was educated in the Northeast Indiana Institute at Orland, was a farmer and bought the old homestead of 120 acres in Millgrove Township. His wife died there in 1899, and he passed away in 1911. He was a republican and a Mason, and his wife was a mem- ber of the Congregational Church at Orland. Mrs. Lewis was one of four children, named Clyde Sco- ville, Anna Carrie, Cora Bell and Bertha Laura. Mrs. Lewis graduated from the Orland High School, and she and her husband were the first graduates from that school to be married. For some years she was a teacher and she comes of a family of teachers, her brother and sisters having taught, as wed as their mother. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis became the parents of five children. Anna Laura was born December 29, 1891, graduated from the Orland High School in 1911, attended Hillsdale College in 1912-13 and is a milliner by profession, spending two and a half years in her work at Bronson, Michigan. Marion was born in 1893, and died when six and a half years old. Ella Marie was born in December, 1896, and died ten weeks later. Hiram Twitched, born January 22, 1898, is a graduate of the Orland High School, and lives at home with his father. Clyde Scoville was born January 5, 1901, and has a fine record as an athlete in the Orland High School, having won prizes for running and being a good baseball player. John W. Long. One of the rural places that stands out conspicuous for its improvements, extent of acreage, and wed ordered management in Noble County is the Ideal Farm in York Township. The farm proper comprises 400 acres, and its proprietor, John W. Long, also owns an additional 152 acres in another part of the township. His home is a mile west of Albion. That Mr. Long is a very successful farmer and business man needs no proof beyond what has al- ready been stated, but it is interesting to know that he has gained that prosperity practically through his own unaided efforts. He was born in Shelby County, Ohio, January 30, i860, son of John S. and Delila (Harvey) Long, his father a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Maryland. They were married in Ohio and on December 23, 1863, located in Elkhart Township of Noble County. The father bought land there and spent the rest of his days in that community. The mother died at the home of her son John W. John S. Long had a farm of a 120 acres. He was a democrat in politics, and he and his wife were active members of the Chris- tian Church. In their family were fourteen children, divided equally between sons and daughters. The five still living are: Sarah, wife of Henry Conway; Permelia, widow of Daniel Whitmore; John W. ; George, of Detroit, Michigan; and Frank, of Gar- rett, Indiana. John W. Long grew up on the home farm in Noble County, acquired a district school education, and at the age of nineteen started out without a dollar and put in the next five years at hard work and monthly wages. In that time he had saved and accumulated a modest capital of $600. Thus fortified and with some degree of assurance for the future he married Catherine A. Stokes. Mrs. Long inherited forty acres, and they at once moved on that land and began farming. With that excep- tion and with the money Mr. Long had saved before his marriage, all the subsequent prosperity has only been a just reward for their efforts and good judg- ment. Mr. Long has always been a stock raiser. He has also traded a number of farms and has made money in every such transaction. As a stockman he is a breeder of Shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and Percheron horses. Besides his farm he is vice president of the Albion Bank, is a stockholder in the Albion Roller Mills, and has a number of other interests that identify him prominently with his locality. On November 5, 1918, he was elected a member at large of the County Council. In politics Mr. Long is a republican. He and his wife have four children: Fred is a graduate of high school and is a farmer on his own account; Orlando is also an independent farmer; Reed has a farm at Albion ; and Ecil is still attend- ing school. James C. Wicoff, of Clear Lake Township, has spent his entire life in Steuben County as a pros- perous farmer, a member of one of the old families identified with Northeast Indiana and Northeastern Ohio. He was born in York Township September 4, 1871, a son of Peter Bruce and Jane (Hathaway) Wicoff. Jane Hathaway was born at Bryan, Ohio, in 1840, a daughter of Richard and Lurinda (Bates) Hatha- way, both natives of Morrow County, Ohio. Richard Hathaway was born in 1813 and his wife in 1818. When their daughter Jane was a small child they moved to Williams County, Ohio, where Richard Hathaway died in 1885 and his wife in 1893. The Hathaway children were: Doctor Calvin; Jane; MR. AND MRS. JOHN W. LONG . HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 79 Doctor Albert, of Ohio; Sarah, wife of Burton Donovan, of Fremont, Indiana; Charles, who was a railroad engineer and was killed while building a road in New Mexico; Horace, of Fremont, In- diana; Caroline, deceased; and Judson, deceased. The grandfather of James C. Wicoff was John Wicoff, who married Margaret Castle. John Wicoff located in Williams County, Ohio, in 1844, and in 1864 moved to Berrien, Michigan, where Margaret Wicoff died November 21, 1865, at the age of sixty. John Wicoff lived to advanced years and was long a resident of Steuben County. Peter Bruce Wicoff was born in Holmes County, Ohio, March 12, 1837, went as a boy with his parents to Williams County and was married on June 2, 1864. He and his wife at once removed to Berrien Springs, Michigan, and after one year returned to Williams County and settled in Northwest Town- ship. Four years later they moved to Missouri and then to Kansas. In 1874 they settled in Steuben County on a farm of seventy-five acres in York Township. They later resumed their residence in Kansas, where Peter B. Wicoff owned 160 acres of land. In 1880 they located permanently on a farm in York Township, where Peter Bruce Wicoff died in 1907. His widow is now living at Fremont with a daughter. Peter B. Wicoff was a republi- can, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He had a record as a Union soldier, having enlisted in 1861 in Com- pany H of the Third Ohio Cavalry. He was in service until the close of the war. The record of the children of Peter Bruce Wicoff and wife is. as follows : Lurinda is the wife of William Hutchins, of Steuben County. Zoa E., a prominent educator, completed her work in the public schools of Williams County, also attended school in Jewel City, Kansas, the Angola High School, took the scientific course in the Tri-State College at Angola, and for a num- ber of years taught in the country school district of Steuben County, was in the grade school at Crystal, Michigan, and for fourteen years has been con- nected with the schools at Fremont. She owns a fine home in that city. Her mother lives with her. Charles A. Wicoff is a farmer in York Township. He married Mary Reed, and they have seven chil- dren, named Helen, Harold J., Lucile, John, Milton, Arthur and Dale. The fourth of the family is Sarah Wicoff, who attended the State Normal School at Terre Haute, taught in Steuben County and at Angola for six years, and finally went to Battle Creek, Michigan, where she took the nurse’s training course and for the past five years has been a trained nurse in the Battle Creek Sanitarium. John R. Wicoff after finishing his work in the Tri-State College taught three years and then took up railroading, and was killed in a railroad accident at Logansport in 1899. He married Sylvia Shertz. The sixth of the family is Harry J., unmarried and owner of a large ranch in Alberta, Canada. Archie B. died at the age of two years. James C. Wicoff is the youngest of the family. He grew up on the home farm in York Township, attended the public schools, and for a number of years has devoted his best energies to farming. He bought a farm of seventy-five acres in York Township and recently sold that and on March 1, 1918, bought the Sam Bailey place of 100 acres in Clear Lake Township. This is one of the good farms, and under his management its resources are completely devoted to crops and livestock. Mr. Wicoff is a republican and attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1908 he married Miss Vera Hall. She was born in Hillsdale County, Michigan, October 21, 1876, a daughter of Thomas and Keziah (Weaver) Hall, formerly residents of York Township, Steu- ben County. Mr. and Mrs. Wicoff have one daugh- ter, Esther, born September 21, 1910. Jonathan A. Hontz. The ownership of no acres of land in northeast Indiana constitutes a competence which would satisfy the man of ordinary ambition. In the case of Jonathan A. Hontz the ownership of that body of land in Washington Township of Noble County is the product of his own energies and labors carried on through a period of thirty years or more, since he left home to take up the battle of life on his own account. His farm is nine miles south of Cromwell. He was born in Sparta Township of the same county November 11, 1862, and has been a lifelong resident of Noble County. The parents, Jacob and Hannah (Hoak) Hontz, were both born in Ohio, his father in Stark County and his mother in Cham- paign County. Both families came to Noble County in early days, and Jacob and Hannah grew up and married here and then settled on a farm north of Cromwell, but in 1882 moved to the southeastern part of Washington Township, where they spent the rest of their lives. They were good Christian people, hard working and honest, and reared a fam- ily worthy of their names. The father was a demo- crat and quite active in the party. Of eleven children eight are still living: William, of North Webster, Indiana; Jonathan; Jennie, widow of Horace Scott; Daniel S., a dentist at North Web- ster; Harriet A., wife of Noah S. Stump; Lewis C, of Washington township ; Effie, wife of Norvel Metz; and Mabel, wife of Joseph Luckey. Jonathan Hontz attended the district school near his father’s home, and after his education took his place in the fields, and lived on the home farm most of the time until he was twenty-eight years old. In September, igoo, he married Pearl C. Todd, who was born in Dallas County, Iowa, but came to Indiana before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Hontz have seven children : Mary O., wife of Leroy Ringenberg; Mildred M., who is a student in the high school at Etna, Indiana; Ermel L., Sedrick D., Neva, Mabel L. and Thomas M. The family are members of the Baptist Church and Mr. Hontz is affiliated with Etna Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, he and his wife both being mem- bers of the Rebekah Lodge. In politics he is a democrat. William W. Hosler. Good citizenship is not measured altogether by a man’s success in his own business, but also by the interest he shows and the part he takes in the larger and broader affairs of the community in which he lives. While William W. Hosier is one of the most successful farmers of Orange Township, Noble County, his name is known and respected in that community fully as much for the valuable part he has taken at differ- ent times in the promotion of schools, good roads, and the raising of the standards of country life. Mr. Hosier is_ the proprietor of what is known as the Maple Hill Farm, comprising 210 acres, lo- cated two and a half miles east of Brimfield. He has lived in Noble County nearly all his life but was born in Morrow County, Ohio, April 22, 1846, a son of Samuel R. and Barbara (Kifer) Hosier. His parents were married in Ohio, and in 1850 came to Noble County and located in Orange Town- ship, where they were among the industrious and respected citizens the rest of their lives. The mother died in 1910, and the father, who was a re- publican, died in 1915. There were four children: 80 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA J. H. Hosier, deceased; William W. ; Catherine M., wife of Thomas L. Imes; and Ella B., wife of Admiran Imes. William W. Hosier was four >ears old when his parents came to Noble County. As a boy he at- tended the district schools, which were then far below the state of efficiency found in the country schools of this day and age. He also attended a commercial college in Chicago. For about a year he was employed as a clerk and bookkeeper at Brimfield, and then returned to the old farm. On December io, 1874, Mr. Hosier married Mary E. Imes. She was born in Noble County in 1856, and died in 1916, at the age of sixty years. Mr. and Mrs. Hosier had only one daughter, Maude, who was a graduate of high school and spent three years in Oberlin College. She is now the wife of Edward H. Rhoades, of Toledo, Ohio. Mrs. Hosier was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Brimfield. Mr. Hosier is a republican. One item of his public service which deserves especial record was his term as trustee of Orange Township. He was in that office four years, from 1884 to 1888. He was one of the original stockholders of the East Indiana Agricul- tural Fair Association when it was organized in 1883, and for many years has been a director and is now its general superintendent. Stillman L. Collins is a grandson of the first permanent white settler in Jamestown Township, and his individual record has been in keeping with that of the two preceding generations. Mr. Collins, formerly a merchant at Jamestown, is now looking after the old homestead place where he was born. Many of the interesting early chronicles of James- town Township might be described as the experi- ences of the Collins family. His grandfather, Bar- ton Collins, was, like many other early settlers of Steuben County, a Vermonter. He was born in Richland County, Vermont, February 23, 1794. His wife was born in Rhode Island January 2, 1797, and they were married in 1820. Barton Collins first came to the West in 1834, visiting LaPorte, Indiana. In the spring of 1835 he sold his property in the East, and with his wife and six daughters and three sons came west by wagon and team, shipping his goods by water to Detroit and not recovering them for a number of weeks. He traveled through South- ern Michigan to Coldwater and to Bronson, and then came south to the Vermont settlement at Orland. He was attracted to what is now Jamestown Town- ship, and on the third of July, 1836, entered land at the Fort Wayne land office. Some days later all the men from the Vermont settlement came and helped him put up the first log house in Jamestown Township. He and his family lived isolated from neighbors, and when their supply of provisions ran out they had nothing to subsist upon except pota- toes and salt. The nearest milling point was Burr Oak, Michigan, and Barton Collins before raising a crop of his own had to pay $2 a bushel for wheat and $1 a bushel for corn. Late in the fall of 1836 he bought an ox team and went to Detroit to get his goods. Barton Collins was a hard worker, a man of fine influence in the community, but his life was spared only a few years after coming to Steuben County. He died in January, 1849. His widow survived him many years and was one of the best known of the early settlers. She died July 16, 1882, when past eighty-five years of age. She was the mother of eleven children, and undoubtedly derived a great deal of satisfaction from the worthy places her sons and daughters attained in life. The old homestead in Jamestown Township be- came the property of George W. Collins. He was born in Vermont in 1829 and was six years of age when his parents came to Steuben County. He at- tended some of the first log cabin schools, and for over half a century was identified with the social and business life of Jamestown Township. In 1856 he married Avis Walter, whose parents, Seymour W. and Orra (Coe) Walter, came from Vermont to Steuben County in 1846. George W. Collins died m 1912, and his wife in March, 1918. They were the parents of five children: Stillman L., Seymour B., Orra, Lydia (who became the wife of Fred Baker), and Bert L. Stillman L. Collins acquired his education in the district schools of Jamestown Township, also at- tended school at Orland and Angola and remained at home with his parents assisting in the work of the farm until he was twenty-six years old. For about twelve or fourteen years Mr. Collins con- ducted a general merchandise business at James- town. In 1914 he retired to the old home, where he owns gi l / 2 acres and is giving his time to its management, and has it equipped with all the facili- ties for general farming and stockraising. September 15, 1880, Mr. Collins married Frances J. Wooster, a daughter of Dennis K. and Sarah Jane (Hammond) Wooster. Her father was born in Onondaga County, New York, March 30, 1824, and her mother was born in England May 1, 1828. Dennis K. Wooster moved to Branch County, Mich- igan, about 1869, and a year later settled in Mill- grove Township of Steuben County and spent his last years in Springfield Township of LaGrange County. He died in December, 1917. He and his wife had eight children: John, Frances J., Lyman H. (who died in childhood), Rupert L., Herbert and Helen, twins ; Jennie E., and Dennis C. Mr. Collins is affiliated with Lodge No. 261 of the Knights of Pythias at Fremont, and Mrs. Collins is a member of the Pythian Sisters of the same place. To their marriage were born four children, and they also have four grandchildren. Lois M., the oldest of their children, was a successful teacher for about twelve years and is a graduate nurse from the Homeopathic Hospital at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mamie L. also taught school for about twelve years and is now a clerk in the War Department at Wash- ington. Una is the wife of Clyde Berry, and her three children are named Thelma, Elmore and Owen. Grover, the only son, married Elva Darr and has one child, Dale. George F. Ott is a well known farmer of Green Township, Noble County, lives on and has the active management of the Jesse Lock Farm, and is also an aggressive business man and especially active in the field of insurance. Mr. Ott was born in Preble County, twelve miles north of Eaton, Ohio, June 1, 1870, son of John A. and Susanna (Gangler) Ott, both of whom were born and reared in Preble County, Ohio. The grandfather. John Ott, though he spent most of his active life in Preble County, came to Noble County, Indiana, at an early day and invested heavily in the new lands of that district. Mrs. John A. Ott died in 1874 in Noble County and her husband afterward spent his last years in Noble County, Indiana. He was an active member of the Lutheran Church. John A. Ott by his first marriage had three children : Matilda, who died at the age of fourteen ; George F. ; and Minnie, born December 29, 1873, is the wife of Carious Lock, of Ligonier, Indiana. George F. Ott was eight years old when brought to Noble County and received his education here in the public school. On December 13, 1890, he married Corilla Locke. Mrs. Ott was born on the farm where she now resides August 31, 1873, a daughter HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 81 of Jesse A. and Sarah A. (Moore) Locke. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ott lived in Preble County, Ohio, during 1894-95, and then returned to Green Township and have since had their home on the Locke farm. Mr. Ott in addition to farming is solicitor in Green Township for the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. He is a democrat, is present township assessor, and is a member of the Christian Chapel. His sons Willard and Carl are both active members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Ott had six children, five of whom are still living: Carl, who is now serving in the United States Navy; Willard, unmarried and liv- ing in Illinois ; Lulu, wife of Alfred H. Rider, of Whitley County, Indiana; Jessie and Harley, both at home. Orlando Fifer. The agricultural interests of Steuben County are many and varied, and the farmers of this and other counties in northeastern Indiana are justly numbered among the most repre- sentative citizens of the state. One of these de- serving of special mention is Orlando Fifer of Otsego Township, who was born in Pleasant Town- ship, this county, March 14, 1873, a son of Lewis Fifer and grandson of Adam Fifer. The birth of Adarn Fifer occurred in Pennsylvania in 1817, and his wife, Elizabeth, was born in Germany February 15, 1821. She was brought to the United States by her parents, who located in Ohio in 1826. The marriage of Adam and Elizabeth Fifer occurred in Ohio, and on March 28, 1861, they came to Steuben County, Indiana, locating in Steuben Township, where he died November 2, 1883. He and his wife had the following children : Elizabeth, Lewis, Margaret, Lydia, Mary J., Justinna, William, Hattie, Addison, Loretta, Franklin and one who died in infancy. Lewis Fifer was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, October 13, 1842. On March 22, 1865, he was married to Mrs. Martha (Harpman) George, and they had five children, as follows : Elva Jane, Margaret Leonora, John Adam, Orlando and Jessie A. Lewis Fifer became a landowner of Otsego Township when he bought 100 acres in section 18, in 1873, and on it he erected good buildings and made other substantial improvements. He and his wife were consistent members of the United Berth- ren Church, and active in its good work. His political views made him subscribe to the policies and support the candidates of the republican party. A man of the utmost probity, Lewis Fifer carried on all of his business operations with scrupulous uprightness, and was known far and wide as a man of his word. Orlando Fifer grew up on his father's farm, mak- ing himself useful from boyhood, and at the same time he attended the local schools. When he attained to sufficient years he began farming for his father, and in March, 1904, he bought his father’s farm and owns 100 acres of fertile land, on which are excellent buildings. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising, and is noted for the efficient manner in which he carries on his work. On March 1, 1904, Mr. Fifer was married to Minnie Swift, born in Otsego Township, a daugh- ter of David and Anna (Strubble) Swift. Mr. and Mrs. Fifer have the following children : Lewis D., Grace A. and Leona L. Mr. Fifer belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the order of Moose and the Gleaners. Always interested in public matters, he has rendered valuable aid in securing improvements in his township, and holds the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. Walter J. Needham is one of the older residents of Noble County, having come here when a boy, and is a prosperous farmer with a home on Maple Street, two miles east of the Sanitarium, in section 11 of Orange Township. Mr. Needham was born in Chicago, Illinois, No- vember 2, 1869, son of Walter and Martha (Clews) Needham. His parents were both born in Eng- land and were married there. After their mar- riage they emigrated to Australia and lived there several years, where the father followed his trade as a butcher. He then went back to England, and soon afterward sought a new home in Canada, going from there to Chicago, and not long after- ward coming to Noble County, Indiana. The fa- ther died in Noble County, and his widow is still living at Wolcottville. Of their thirteen children seven are still living: William B., who was born in Australia and is now living in Kendallville ; Emma, wife of Carson Marker; Jennie, wife of Allen Hassinger; Anna, wife of George Holsinger ; A. L. Needham; Walter J.; and Fannie, wife of Armel Gault. Walter J. Needham was brought to Noble County when a boy and grew up on a farm and attended district schools. He helped farm the home place, and afterward bought the >160 acres contained therein. November 1, 1892, he married Miss Julia B. Dye. Mrs. Needham was born in Orange Township, a mile east of Brimfield, and is a graduate of the Rome City High School. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Needham lived for five years in Rome City, where he was a railroad man, being a brakeman'on the Lake Shore. He then moved to the farm where he now lives, and has his large place well cultivated, improved and managed as a valuable farm property. . Mr. and Mrs. Needham have two sons. Basil E. is a graduate of the Rome City High School and married Inez Rimmel and lives near his father s home. Bruce B. was born August 15. I 909 - The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Rome City and Mr. Needham is a re- publican. Mrs. Needham is affiliated with the Eastern Star Chapter at Rome City. Charles S. Shutts, a former assessor and trus- tee of Jamestown Township, was born in that local- ity of Steuben County, and has been successfully identified with farming there for the past thirty years. Mr. Shutts was born in Jamestown Township August 24, 1866, a son of Herman C. and Mary (Collins) Shutts. His mother was born Novem- ber 28, 1844, a daughter of Samuel and Betsie (Bush) Collins. Herman C. Shutts was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, June 6, 1839, a son of Charles S. and Susanna (Richey) Shutts. Charles S. Shutts was born July 6, 1809, died November 30, 1859, and was married January 19, 1832. Susanna Richey was born in 1808. They spent most of their lives in Sandusky County, Ohio, and their children were Mary Jane, Eliza, Herman C., Almira and Lucy S. Herman C. Shutts, only son of his parents, moved from Sandusky County, Ohio, to Jamestown Township in i860, buying a farm in sections 19 and .18. All the improvements on that land were put there by his hands or at his direction, and he made a good farm out of the 120 acres, and resided there until his death. His children were : Charles S. ; Lucy M., wife of Charles Turner; Jennie, wife of Horace Davis ; and Erva L., who was married to Frank Mallory. Vol. II— 6 82 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Charles S. Shutts attended public school in James- town Township, and was a little past twenty-two years of age when on March 12, 1889, he married Libbie M. Rubley. She is a graduate of the Collins District School, also attended the Tri-State College at Angola, and afterward taught school. She is a daughter of John and Mary (Frick) Rubley, her father, born in Richland County, Ohio, September 8, 1837. John Rubley came with his parents, J. J. and Margaret Rubley, to Jamestown Township of Steuben County in 1848, and during his mature life was known as one of the prosperous farmers of this section. He died September 27, 1911, at the age of seventy-four. John Rubley and wife had two children: John H. and Libbie M. Soon after his marriage Mr Shutts removed to his present farm in section 29 of Steuben Township. He owns 120 acres, devoted to general farming and stockraising, and has made most of the improve- ments which give the land value, including a set of substantial buildings. His public record includes his four-year term of service as assessor from 1900 to 1904, while from 1904 to 1908 he was trustee of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Shutts have two children, Harry C. and Helen E. Benjamin Franklin Griffith, an honored veteran of the Civil war, was for upwards of half a century successfully engaged in farming in Otsego Township, Steuben County, and is now a retired resi- dent of Hamilton. He was horn in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, May 16, 1846, a son of John and Jemima (Gossage) Griffith. Further reference to his parents and their pioneer efforts at home-making in Northeast In- diana are made on other pages. The family came to Indiana in 1850, when Benjamin Franklin was four years old. He lived in their pioneer home in De- Kalb County until 1857, when his parents moved to Otsego Township in Steuben County. In these localities he acquired his education in the common schools, and in February, 1864, at the age of eighteen, enlisted in Company K of the One Hundred and Fifty-Second Indiana Infantry. He saw some hard service during the last year of the war, most of the time in the Shenandoah Valley. He returned from the army to take charge of the homestead and cared for his widowed mother until her death in 1884. He bought a part of the old farm, 128 acres, and had a busy life as an agriculturist until 1911, when he moved to Hamilton, where he owns a comfortable home. Mr. Griffith is a republican, has been stanch in his party affiliations for over half a century, and at one time was trustee of Otsego Township. For a number of years he was affiliated with the Odd Fellows Lodge at Angola and is a member of the Grand Army Post. December 25, 1868, he married Miss Julia Car- penter. She was born in Huron County, Ohio, April 28, 1850, and was a small child when her parents, Harlow J. and Fanny (Merry) Carpenter, moved to Indiana in the fall of 1851 and settled in the woods of Otsego Township, just across from the old Seth Dunham place. Her father did much to improve his land there and died in 1883, at the age of sixty-eight. Her mother passed away in 1893, at the age of seventy-six. Mr. Carpenter was a republican, though in early life he had voted as a democrat. In the Carpenter family were six children: Jesse, former auditor of Steuben County; Sarah, wife of Robert Humphreys; George; Betsey, widow of Lewis Griffith, of Hamilton ; Julia A. ; and Caroline, wife of Levi Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith have had the following children : Eugene, died in 1894. Harlow, a resident of Hamilton, married Samantha McClish, and they have four children, named Walter, Eugene, Isabel and Don. Walter was a soldier in the World war, spending most of his time at Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Jackson in North Carolina. He was in the service from May, 1918, until February, 1919. Maud the third child of Mr. and Mrs. Griffith, is the wife of Owen Garver, of Montana, and has two children, Valti and Fred. Lee is a resident of Tipton, In- diana. He married Nellie Knouse and has one son, Frank. Ferdinand Knappe, who has passed the age of fourscore and has been a resident of Noble County for over sixty years, has been one of the most active as well as one of the most useful citizens of his community. He has built a solid structure of community esteem by his work and influence, and no one has more sturdily upheld the elements of Christianity, education and morality than this octo- genarian citizen. Mr.. Knappe, who is still living on his farm in Washington Township, six miles south of Kimmell, was born in Pike County, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1838, a son of August and Anna M. (Wetzel) Knappe. His father was born in Prussian Poland and his mother in Baden, Germany. Both came by diverse routes to America about 1830, landed in New York City, and there became acquainted and married. They remained there about seven years, where August followed his trade as a cabinet maker. Later he followed the same occupation in Pennsyl- vania, then moved to New Jersey and lived in Sussex County until 1850, when he pioneered into the western country and located in Washington Township of Noble County, Indiana. Here he acquired eighty acres, and his first home was a cabin in the midst of the woods. He spent the rest of his life as a practical farmer, and acquired con- siderable land in that section. He was a man of distinctive leadership in his community. Both he and his wife for many years were active members of the Christian Church, though August was reared a Lutheran and his wife a Catholic. He was also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and began voting as an American citizen with the whig party, later becoming a republican. In a family of nine children five are still living: Ferdi- nand; Joseph E., of Washington Township; Amelia, wife of Aaron King; Cecelia, twin sister of Amelia, wife of Jasper Gerken ; and William, a farmer on the old homestead. Ferdinand Knappe was about twelve years old when brought to Indiana. He grew up here, and since boyhood has sustained a career of active use- fulness. In 1862 he married Eliza A. Long, and they had a long married companionship of more than fifty years, broken by the death of Mrs. Knappe on July 7, 1918. To their marriage were born two children. Joseph A., the older, died at the age of six years. Sarah, the only surviving child, was born October 25, 1864,- and is the wife of George W. Stults. Mr. and Mrs. Stults have five children, namely: Nellie M., wife of Lester Sechrist; Ernest R., who is the present assessor of Washington Township; Flosse, wife of James Sparrow; Nona, wife of Glen Bailey; and Florence, unmarried. Mr. Knappe has been a member of the Christian Broadway Church since 1863, as was also his wife, and he has been one of its most active leaders. He began teaching in the Sunday school when only fourteen years old, in 1852, and steadily served as teacher and superintendent and at one time was president of the Christian Sunday School Associa- tion of the Eel River Conference. Mr. Knappe owns a good farm of a hundred acres and still HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 83 gives this his active superintendence. He is re- membered as one of the veteran school teachers of the pioneer days of Noble County. He began teaching in 1858, and did his last work in the schoolroom in 1880. At one time his wages were $16 a month, and he boarded around among the families of his pupils. His highest wages as a teacher was $30 a month. His terms of school were usually three or four months. He was elected and served as justice of the peace for a number of years and for two terms he was trustee of his township, from 1884 to 1888. Mr. Knappe is a republican in politics. Owen L. Iddings is one of the prosperous and successful farmers of Orange Township, Noble County, and has one of the most interesting homes in that locality. His farm is on the Fort Wayne road, five miles northwest of Kendallville, and com- prises 100 acres. It is known as the Seldom Rest Farm. The farm has much local history connected with it. In the early days it was the haunt of a gang of counterfeiters and thieves, who made it their headquarters, from which they conducted raids upon the surrounding country, stealing horses and disposing of the spurious coin which they manufactured. All traces of these early uses have long since disappeared, and under Mr. Iddings’ proprietorship it is a peaceful and productive land- scape, the farm being devoted to general crops and livestock. Mr. Iddings was born in Green Township of Noble County January 10, 1851, son of Jackson and Barbara (Dingman) Iddings. His people were pioneers and helped found the City of Kendall- ville and County of Noble. His father was born near Cleveland, Ohio, January 13, 1813. His mother was born near Dayton, Ohio, and was a member of the prominent Dingman-Forker family, who for a number of years has held family reunions and makes up one of the largest family relationships in this section of Indiana. The Dingman family came to Noble County in 1833, and bought eighty acres of land in section 33 of Wayne Township, now within the city limits of Kendallville. The first frame residence within the city limits was built by that family. Jackson Iddings arrived at Kendallville September 10, 1836, with his father, Henry Iddings. Henry Iddings entered a tract of land on which a part of Kendallville has since been built, and he developed it as a farm and lived there the rest of his life. All his children are now de- ceased. Jackson Iddings after his marriage bought eighty acres two miles south of Kendallville, and after living there two or three years and making a num- ber of improvements lost the land by reason of a defective title. He then removed to Green Town- ship, buying 160 acres near Green Center, and cleared up that land and made it his home until 1853. He then moved a mile and a half northeast of Albion in Jefferson Township, where he ac- quired eighty acres, but after nine years sold that and bought a place two and a half miles west of Kendallville in Wayne Township. It was on that farm that Jackson Iddings spent his last days. He was a democrat and served as a justice of the peace in Green Township. His wife was a devout Baptist. In their family were thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters, and the four still living are : Asa, a farmer in Missouri ; Owen L. ; Ruth, wife of Willis Eckles; and Ida, widow of Fred Strater. Owen L. Iddings lived at home with his parents until he was about thirty-five years of age. He acquired a district school education and was well versed in farming before he made it his independ- ent vocation. December 30, 1886, he married Miss Ida Johnson. She was born in LaGrange County, Indiana, Feb- ruary 19, 1861, and was educated in the common schools of that county. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Iddings rented his father’s farm and later bought it, and it has been under his proprietor- ship for the past eighteen years. Mrs. Iddings is an active member of the United Brethren Church. Four children were born to their marriage: Scott is manager for the Indiana Oil Company at Ken- dallville, and married Gladys Newman. Bessie is a graduate of the common schools and is the wife of Holly Leemaster, of Wayne Township. Nellie, the third child, died at the age of two years and twenty-one days. Russell is a graduate of the Rome City High School and is now handling most of the responsibilities of the home farm. Mr. Id- dings is a democrat in politics. George M. Rowley has figured not only as pro- prietor of one of the fine farms of Millgrove Town- ship in Steuben County, but also for his usefulness in public affairs. He has been township trustee and is present township assessor, and is proprietor of one of the finest farms around Lake Gage. Mr. Rowley was born in Oneida County, New York, November 15, 1850, but has spent most of his life in Steuben County. He is a son of Francis A. and Almira A. (Rockwell) Rowley, both natives of New York State, and a grandson of Abner Rowley, who in the early days entered a tract of land in Steuben County but never came here to make his permanent home. The land which he took up was a tract of timber around Lake Gage. Its develop- ment was left to his son, Francis A. Rowley, who reached Millgrove Township in May, 1856. He made the first opening among the trees on the north side of Lake Gage, put up a frame house, gradually cleared land for cultivation, and he and his wife lived there the rest of their days. His first farm comprised ninety-six acres, and the property grew under his management until he owned an adjoining 160 acres. Frances A. Rowley and wife had three children : Charles J., who married Alice Birce and has four children, named Frank B., James, Lee and Servetus. George M. is second in age. Cora B. is unmarried and lives at Los Angeles, California. George M. Rowley acquired his early education in the schools of Millgrove Township, where he has lived since he was six years old. He also at- tended the Orland Academy and for one term was a teacher. His youthful strength was given to farm- ing his father’s place, and in 1872 he married Ella M. Hastings, a daughter of John and Lydia (Sher- wood) Hastings. After his marriage he bought a farm adjoining the old homestead near Lake Gage, and his land has been wonderfully improved under his ownership of forty-five years. Practically all the buildings have been put there by him. His original farm comprised sixty-nine acres. He inherited ninety-eight acres of the old homestead, and has the complete tract of 165 acres devoted to general farming purposes. Mr. and Mrs. Rowley have four children : Iva M. is the wife of Ralph Sperry, lives in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and has one daughter, Ruth ; Matie is unmarried and lives in Detroit; Ned married Ella Haskins, and his family consists of Harold. Helen and James; Nellie is the wife of Frank Gay, of Angola. For twenty years or more Mr. Rowley has given part of his time to public affairs in public office. From 1895 to 1901 he was assessor of Millgrove 84 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Township. From the duties of that office he gave his time to the trusteeship of Millgrove Township from 1901 to 1905. In 1914 he was again honored with election as assessor, and was re-elected in 1918. Benjamin Smith Grogg. The traveler through Richland Township whose attention is caught by the name “Progressive Farm” on substantial, well kept buildings, is not surprised to find in the owner of this property an unusually intelligent, well edu- cated, thoughtful man whose farming enterprises are successful and profitable. Benjamin Smith Grogg, owner and proprietor of Progressive Farm, was born November 1, 1848, in Stark County, Ohio, and was brought to DeKalb County a babe in his mother’s arms in 1849. His parents were Peter and Eliza (Smith) Grogg, whose other children were as follows : Amy Ann, who died in early woman- hood ; Lucinda, who is the wife of David Feagler; Jacob W., who married Mary Fair; James H., who married Ida Showers ; Mary, who is the wife of J. A. Whittington ; Daniel S., who is deceased, married Elizabeth Imler; Ellen, who is the wife of George Rakestrow ; and Elmer E., who is de- ceased, married Ida Smith. The family of the last named live where Peter Grogg located when he first came to Indiana. While there is a combination of French, Scotch, Irish and German blood in the Grogg ancestry, the history of the family in the United States centers in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. Peter Grogg, father of Benjamin S., was born March 2, 1821, in Stark County, Ohio, and was the seventh son born to Solomon and Mary (Snyder) Grogg, and his brothers were: John, Abraham, Solomon, George, Jacob and Daniel, and he had a sister, Catherine. On September 2, 1846, he was married to Eliza Smith, who was the fifth in a family of nine chil- dren born to Benjamin and Rachel (Bender) Smith, whose other children were as follows : Aaron B., Lucinda, Harriet, Susan, Caroline, Ephraim, Hiram and Catherine. Two children were born to Peter and Eliza Grogg before they took up their residence in DeKalb County. When Mr. Grogg located on his first quarter section of land there were only two acres cleared, and it was through his industrial efforts that the wild land was changed into one of the most productive farms in this county. The parents of Benjamin S. Grogg belonged to the English Reformed Church at Tamarack, near their home, but they contributed to the building of churches at Waterloo and Fairfield Center, but later, under changed conditions, they united with the Lutheran, known to all as Sixteen Church, in Richland Township, a present day old landmark of the county. The old family burying place was in Union Cemetery, the younger members of the family owning crypts in the mausoleum in Wood- lawn Cemetery. As indicated above, Benjamin Smith Grogg is a man of progressive ideas, many of which he has introduced in the management of his farm. He merely superintends, however, having a capable tenant, for Mr. Grogg has not been an agriculturist all his life, in fact has been something of a traveler and perhaps has seen more of the western part of the United States than the majority of his neigh- bors. He has been in every state west of the Missis- sippi River and has traveled the whole length of Canada from Detroit to Vancouver, spending time in both mining and logging camps. He made the round trip from DeKalb County to the Pacific Coast four times while his parents were living. In these years of travel he has met with accident and adventure. At one time he was confined in a hos- pital at Santa Fe, New Mexico, for eighty-four days. Like most men who have really done brave things, he is modest in telling of them. On one oc- casion he undertook the dangerous task of crossing the Columbia River on thin ice in order to carry a telegram to a family announcing the death of a soldier son in the barracks at Vancouver, being the only man to volunteer for this hazardous mission. He succeeded in crossing the cracking ice on Nor- wegian snow shoes, but had to remain at his des- tination for a week on account of the breaking ice, and then returned by means of a row boat. Mr. Grogg owns a well tilled farm with excep- tional improvements. His residence is of cement blocks, with sanitary plumbing and a heat, light and water system and with separate apartments for himself and for his tenant and family, the latter being Guy Myers, who married Gladys Grogg, a relative. They make Mr. Grogg exceedingly com- fortable and he passes the most of his time at Progressive Farm. By careful plan he has the barn basement adapted to the care of livestock, having ample room and crib capacity, with a stor- age tank for water in the bank driveway, gravity forcing the water in a constant stream by the open- ing of a valve. When the wind pump fails, there is a gasoline engine to use in emergency, hence water is plentiful at all times, which is one of the greatest desideratums in successful agricultural in- dustries. Mr.. Grogg’s interest in public affairs is that of a well informed, public-spirited citizen. In national matters he is a zealous republican in his political views, but in local campaigns, when some specific issue is at stake, he allows himself to follow his own good judgment and consider the man rather than the party. Seth S. Avery. Every community has several families which are regarded as most representative of its best characteristics, generally because of the lives of the founders of them, who by setting up high standards have so shaped the morality of the neighborhood. Steuben and Otsego townships claim the Avery family as belonging to this class and to them, and no one living here disputes the fact that Jesse Whitcomb Avery and his beloved wife, Eliza (Shumaker) Avery, exerted a powerful influence for good in this part of Steuben County. They were quiet, unostentatious people, who by the very simplicity and sincerity of their lives impressed their assoicates with their goodness and natural wisdom, and they so brought up their children that the present generation are being trained in the same admirable manner. Seth S. Avery, the third born in their family, is one of the substantial men of his community, and is numbered among the reliable farmers and business men of Otsego Township. He was born in this township, July 28, 1859. A man of unusual intel- lectual development, Mr. Avery realized the im- portance of placing in definite form some record of the several old families from which he sprung, and in 1905, while both his parents were in full possession of their faculties, he led them to talk of their ancestors, setting down all the facts as he learned them. These facts he has embodied in a very interesting pamphlet from which the fol- lowing has been gleaned. The Avery family is of English descent, and documents in the family prove that it was located in the American Colonies many years ago. The first of the Averys of whom there is definite men- tion is Samuel Avery, who died in Dearborn Town- ship, Kennebec County, Maine, where he had been married to Sarah Fall, and where their four children HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 85 were born. These children were as follows : John Hutcherson, of whom mention is made below; Amanda, who married Alexander Britton, and they had two daughters, Betsy and Emily ; Dolly, who married David Chard, and they had the following children: George, Sarah, Susan, Amanda, Lydia and Rhoda; and Sarah, who married John K. Van Fleet, and they had the following children : Joshua, Samuel, John, Elizabeth, Anna, Ruth, Mal- vina and Thomas. Mrs. Sarah (Fall) Avery was a woman of strong character, and after the death of her husband she sought better opportunities for her children, first in Marion County, Ohio, and later in Steuben County, Indiana, arriving in the latter during the fall of 1836. Not long after she had located in Otsego Township she was married to George Quick, and they had two sons, Avery and Henry. Mrs. Avery was a sister of the mother of Aaron Taylor, another of Steuben County’s prominent men. John H. Avery, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Fall) Avery, was married first to Maria Whit- comb, and after her death, at the age of twenty-five years from dropsy, caused by the birth of her second child, Maria, who died _ at birth, he was married to his sister-in-law, Louisa Whitcomb. In addition to the infant daughter who did not sur- vive, John H. Avery had by his first marriage a son, Jesse Whitcomb, and he was the father of Seth S. Avery, and was born February 18, 1833, at Big Island, Marion County, Ohio. The Whitcomb family is another old established one of this country, Major Benjamin Whitcomb having served his country during the American Revolution, and as he was the father of Maria (Whitcomb) Avery, and consequently the grand- father on the maternal side of Jesse Whitcomb Avery, he was entitled to a life pension from the government. In fact his papers were placed in order and had it not been for the outbreak of the Civil war, and its long continuance, he would have doubtless received it. As it was this still remains an unpaid claim. Jesse Whitcomb Avery lost his father in 1840, and as his stepmother received all the money left by him Mr. Avery only had as his portion an out- lawed quit claim deed to real estate which had belonged to his paternal grandfather, Samuel Avery, and the west half of section 18, township 36, north, range 14, east, Steuben County, Indiana. Although he was early bereft of a father’s protection, his grandmother looked after little Jesse Whitcomb Avery until a guardian was appointed, and through the latter, Elder Miner, an excellent home was secured for the lad with James Johnson, grand- father of Mrs. Mina (Johnson) Sutherland, of Otsego Township. On February 19, 1854, Jesse Whitcomb Avery was united in marriage with Eliza Shumaker, and they located on the farm his father had entered from the government many years before, and which constituted practically his only inheritance. Here they resided for nearly sixty years, and on this farm all of their children were born and reared, they being as follows : Edward, Amro, Seth S., Mary, who is deceased, Emma, Lida and Jesse Whitcomb, who is also deceased. Mr. Avery and his wife were born in the same year, and they went to school together. Their tastes were similar, and they both held in the highest reverence truth, honor and upright living. Such a couple could not help but diffuse a highly moral atmosphere that was felt by all who came within the family circle. Children brought up in such a home could not help but develop into desirable citizens, for these parents did not simply teach the various virtues, they prac- ticed them, and never by word or deed lowered themselves in the estimation of their children or neighbors. Jesse Whitcomb Avery preceded his wife into the other world, but they lie side by side in the beautiful cemetery of Circle Hill. He died at his home in Otsego Township April 28, 1912, aged seventy-nine years, two months and ten days, and she died November 19, 1915, aged eighty-one years, eleven months and fourteen days. Having been for forty-seven years active in the Odd Fellows Lodge of Angola, his fraternity was in charge of the funeral services. He was a brunette, with brown eyes and straight black hair and had a Roman nose. His height was five feet, seven inches, and his weight was about 145 pounds. He died of hardening of the arteries. No man of Steuben County ever commanded more respect, and he was recognized as the epitome of honesty, sobriety and fair dealing. His wife, Eliza (Shumaker) Avery, was equally notable and is remembered with tender affection by many outside her own family who are indebted to her for innumerable acts of kindness. She was born in Hardy County, West Virginia, December 5, 1833, and when she died she was the only survivor of the nine children born to her parents, Michael and Elizabeth (Myers) Shumaker. These children were as follows: Lydia, who became Mrs. John Baker; Sarah, who became first the wife of Tohn Mills and later of Henry Secoir; John, who mar- ried Amanda Chard, mentioned in the records of the Avery family; Katie; Rosana; Amanda, who became the wife of Aaron Taylor, also mentioned in the Avery records ; George, who became the husband of Katherine Lininger, was married first to Mary Bland; Eliza, who became Mrs. Avery; and Betsy, who became the wife of Henry Secoir, men- tioned above. A brother of Michael Shumaker, John Shumaker married and had five children, namely: Margaret, Rachael, John, James and Harvey. A sister of these two brothers, Mrs. Mary (Shumaker) McClain, had two children, George and Dorcas. The Shumaker family, finding the confines of the old home in West Virginia too small for the young life growing up in it, set forth across the country, stopping for a time in Licking County, Ohio, which they left in 1845 intending to go to the Rock River region in Illinois. However, by the time they reached Steuben County the good father was so ill that they were forced to stay in a little log cabin schoolhouse which stood on the present farm of Frank Jackson, but then on the old Peter Russell Farm in Steuben Township. Here Michael Shumaker died a few days after his arrival, but his widow survived him many years, finally passing away in Steuben County in 1863. With his death the plans of his family were changed, and it was decided that they remain in Steuben County. They were poor and they worked hard, the girls going into the fields and woods and wresting a living from nature. Eliza Shumaker became noted for her skill in dropping corn, being able to keep up with the horse drawing the marker, something all men did not accomplish, and she also dug for ginseng and other roots which were used for medicinal purposes. She also performed all of the arduous household tasks of her day, many of which are scarcely known to the present generation, and developed into one of the finest women God ever made. Sweet of disposition, her sunny temperament never allowed her to show temper, if she ever even felt it. Under the most discouraging circumstances she could always detect the silver lining, and she did not possess a single selfish thought. With her her home and family came first, but she had such a superabundance of Christian charity and kindly 86 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA affection that she was a beneficent presence in her community, and children and grandchildren rose up to call her blessed. During the last nine years of her life she could not be induced to leave her home, although no one would have been more welcome in the families of her children, and her thoughts, freed from domestic burdens, dwelt on beautiful subjects, showing that had she been spared some of the hardships which fell to her lot she would no doubt have developed artistic or literary talents of no mean order. Indeed there is no doubt but that her son Seth S. Avery inherits his undoubtedly clever ideas and literary tastes from his mother. When she was a girl educational opportunities were not many, and the schools were wide apart, but this undaunted young soul would walk two and one-half miles each way to school, and then in the evening repeat the walk in order to participate in the old-fashioned spelling matches, many of which she won, for she was a speller hard to “down.” In her younger years she is described as being a blonde, with grey eyes and brown curly hair. In height she was five feet, four inches, and weighed about the same as her husband, 145 pounds. Her death was caused by valvular trouble of the heart. Seth S. Avery first attended the public schools of Otsego Township, but his parents realizing that this son possessed unusual attainments sent him to the Angola High School, from which he was grad- uated in 1880. Mr. Avery then began teaching school during the winter season and attended Hills- dale College in the spring and fall for two years. Then he turned all of his attention to his educa- tional work and was one of the popular instructors of the young in Steuben County until 1892. He then began selling fencing for the Peerless Fence Company, and is still its representative in this locality. He is a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity of his alma mater. Mr. Avery and his sister, Mrs. Swift, live together, as he never married, and her late husband, Carl Swift, is deceased. Mrs. Lida Swift was born January 10, 1867, and she superintends the operation of the farm. Jesse Whitcomb Avery and his wife have passed from this life, but the weight of their upright and honorable lives remains, and their effect upon their contemporaries is going to be felt to the third and fourth generation. J. Burton Lemmon is member of an old and prominent family of Steuben County, and the family has an interesting military record. Mr. Lemmon himself fought as a Union soldier in the Civil war, had a son with the colors in the World war, while his grandfather was in the War of 1812 and his own father was a captain of militia in the early days. Mr. Lemmon was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, in Green Creek Township, March 22, 1838, a son of Morris and Lucinda (Rathburn) Lemmon. His father was born in New York State in 1813 and his mother in the same state in 1820. Their settle- ment in Steuben County dates from 1843. The land they located on is now owned by Martin Lem- mon in Otsego Township, comprising sixty-two and a half acres. Morris Lemmon increased his hold- ings here until he had 210 acres. Morris Lemmon was accompanied on his migration to Indiana by his father, John Lemmon, whose wife, a member of the Tuttle family, died in Sandusky County, Ohio. John Lemmon died in 1847. His four children were Morris, David, Laura and Mrs. Luretta Wick- wire. Mr. Lemmon did not live long after coming to Steuben County, passing away in 1845. His widow survived until 1868. Their four children were J. Burton, David Riley, Chaplin Brace and Henry Clay, the last two now deceased. The widowed mother married for her second husband David Lemmon, a brother of her first husband, and by that union had four children, Lavina, Mor- ris A., Mildred and Saxton B. Morris Lemmon was a whig in politics and liberal in his religious views. J. Burton Lemmon grew up on the homestead farm, acquired such educational advantages as were available, and from youth upward has been a factor in the farming affairs of Steuben County. On August 7, 1862, at Angola, he enlisted in Company H of the Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry, and was in the army until honorably discharged June 14, 1865. He was in the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Jonesboro and many of the skir- mishes in the Atlanta campaign. He was taken prisoner in Georgia in 1864 and for six months was confined at Andersonville. Mr. Lemmon has been a stanch republican in his political views. November 20, 1867, he married Miss Celestia Car- ter, a native of Steuben County and daughter of Samuel Carter. She died November 22, 1879, the mother of three children, Mildred, Zoa and Frank. October 20, 1883, Mr. Lemmon married Miss Ma- linda Fee. She was born on the farm where she and her husband now reside in Otsego Township February 28, 1866, and is a daughter of Richard and Zilla (Avery) Fee. Her parents came from Ohio and settled in Otsego Township in 1856, and the farm now occupied by Mr. Lemmon and wife has been in the ownership of the Fee family for over sixty years. Mrs. Lemmon’s mother died in 1916, at the age of eigthy-three, while Mr. Fee passed away in January, 1870. There were six children in the Fee family: Maria, Almina, Dwight, Clarinda, Horace G. and Malinda. Mr. and Mrs. Lemmon have three children: Ruth is the wife of Melvin Updyke and the mother of two children, Mildred and Keith. Err married Edna Mnsser, and their children are Harvey Bur- ton, Gertrude, Richard Wier, Isabel and Dwight. Riley Avery, the youngest child, married Edith Rettabaugh and has a daughter, Reva. Riley A. was the soldier representative of the family in the World war, going into the army in August, 1918, and serving at Camp Sherman. John W. Palmer began life about the same place that many young men of the present day have to begin, with hardly better circumstances and with no better prospects, and his success is measured in the ownership of the Palmer Stock Farm, comprising 385 acres in York Township, one mile west and one mile north of Albion in Noble County. All. of this he has made by his hard work and good judgment, and when taken in connection with his high standing as a citizen there are few who would deny that it is a complete measure of success and achievement. Mr. Palmer was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, September 15, 1854, son of Henry and Hannah (Peffer) Palmer. His father was born in West- moreland County, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1828. His mother was born in Tuscarawas County, March 3, 1835. They were married on January 11, 1852, and five years later, in 1857, arrived in Noble County, Indiana. Henry Palmer was one of the well-to-do and well thought of men of his generation, and before his death owned a farm of 185 acres in Noble County. He died January 8, 1894, and his wife passed away December 3, 19x4. He was a republican in politics. Of the five children only two are now ALMER AND WIFE AND SON C. C. PALMER FAMILY GROUP HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 87 living, John W. and Saloma. The latter is the widow of J. G. Steele and lives in York Township. John W. Palmer was between three and four years old when brought to Noble County, and he has spent practically all his life within its limits. As a boy he attended the district schools, and learned farming under the eye and direction of his father. On November 15, 1881, he married Miss Alice Flanagan. Mrs. Palmer was born in Allen County, Indiana, February 27, 1858, daughter of John and Alice ( Murphy) Flanagan. She spent her early girlhood near Ligonier, and had a district school education. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Palmer moved to the old Palmer homestead, and in 1882 he bought eighty acres of this farm and has since kept his possessions growing and expanding until he now has a well proportioned farm of 385 acres, and has built the comfortable house and the barns and other stock buildings. For a number of years he was a breeder of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Palmer is a stockholder in the Farmers Bank at Albion. He is an active republican, has served as committeeman and as dele- gate to state conventions, and for four years was trustee of York Township. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer had two children : Carlos C. and Mabel. Carlos is a graduate of the Albion High School and the Fort Wayne Business College, spent one year at Purdue University and is now field man representing the Iowa Homestead and lives at Des Moines, Iowa. He married Addie Kitt and has two children, John and Jane. The daughter Mabel graduated from the Albion High School and married Carl R. Cobbs. She died in July, 1914. She became the mother of one child, Kenneth P. Cobbs. by profession, has been a farmer, is present trustee of Millgrove Township, and is one of the best known and influential citizens of Orland. He was born in Gilead Township of Branch County, Michigan, January 8, 1862, a son of Melvin and Orsena P. (Brown) Thompson, both natives of New York State. His grandfather, James Thompson, brought his family from New York to Southern Michigan and settled in Branch County in the early days. Melvin Thompson after reaching manhood moved over the state line from Branch County to Millgrove Township in 1867, and spent the rest of his life in that township as a farmer. He died in 1907. Milo Thompson has a younger sister, Della, wife of Moses Latta. . Mr ; Hilo Thompson grew up on his father’s farm in Millgrove Township, attended the district schools there and later the public schools at Orland. One of his early experiences was teaching, a vocation he followed for three terms. After that he was a farmer m Millgrove township and in 1896 left the farrn and engaged in the practice of law at Bron- son m his native Michigan county. He remained there five years and in 1901 returned to the farm in Millgrove. His home . has been at Orland since 1909, and he is the man consulted by most of the people in that community in matters of law and he has developed a good practice. Mr. Thompson was elected trustee of Millgrove Township in igo8 and served a term of six years, until 1914. Then alter an interim of four years he was again elected trustee in 1918 Besides the duties of that office he is clerk of the Village of Orland. Mr. Thomp- son is unmarried, is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Malons a g t'0ri°,„d“ S ’ AnC '"" F "' “ d Ac “ pted John Wagner has been a resident of DeKalb County for over half a century, spent many industri- ous years as a farmer, and is now enjoying his well merited comfort and retirement on his home place in Franklin Township. He was born in Germany October 8, 1842, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Wagner. His parents on coming to America spent a short time in Ohio and then settled in Indiana, north of Water- loo, and their last years were spent in Franklin Township. They were buried at Hamilton, Indiana. Both were active members of the Reformed Church, and the father voted as a democrat. John Wagner is the only one of eight children still living. He was twelve years old when he came to this country and received most of his education in the common schools of Germany. He began earning his own living as a youth in DeKalb County and has pursued a straightforward and industrious career. In 1869 he married Catherine Anthony, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, and was educated in the district schools there. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wagner settled on a farm in DeKalb County, and their home life was uninterrupted until her death more than thirty years later, in igoi. Mr. W agner still lives on the home farm of eighty acres. There were seven children, six of whom are still living: Sarilla, wife of John Timbleson; Lewis; Minnie E„ wife of William Sanders, of Fort Wayne; Charles; Clarence, who married Lottie Walter and has five children, named Homer, Frank, Bessie, John and Dorothy, and Vernie, wife of Glenn Moughler, of Wilmington Township. Mr. Wagner is a demo- crat in politics and has served as a member of the Township Advisory Board of Franklin Township. Milo Thompson has played a varied and useful part in the affairs of Steuben County, is a lawyer Alfred Hantz has been a resident farmer of Steuben County forty-five years, and since 1890 his farm operations have been conducted on a place across the township line between Scott and York townships. He is enjoying a well-earned prosperitv is a man . of substantial character, and his work and activities have commended him to a large group of fellow citizens. He was born in Williams County, Ohio, December 20, 1852, a son of Jesse and Mary Ann (Gorman) Mantz His father was born in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. His mother was the daughter of Abraham Gorman. Jesse Hantz was a Williams County farmer but in the spring of 1865 moved to ocott Township, Steuben County, and spent the rest of his life there. He was the owner of 240 acres. He and his wife were members of the German Reformed Church. He had a family of six a ,r dr !i n V Sar T who married Joshua Metz; A fred; Jane, wife of Nicholas Bontrigger- George- Eh; and Anna, who died in childhood. Alfred Hantz attended the public schools of Scott Township and learned his business as a tarmer while on his father’s home. He remained at home until the age of twenty-five. In 1871 he married Maria Lahman, who died in August, 1874. Her only child, Martha, is wife of Sherman Goodrich. They had a large family of eight children, named William, Gertrude Maude Jessie, Ford, Edith, Herman and Martha’ March 21, 1875, Mr. Hantz married Mary A Kaufman, daughter of Joseph and Anna Kaufman.’ He and his wife had eight children: Jesse James Fred, Anna, Charles, Ella, Robert and Irvin. The son Jesse was drowned July 4* 1898. James died at the age of fourteen. Fred married Ethel Hemry and they have five children, Clarence, Orville’ Dorothy, Cecil and Clinton. Anna is the wife of Nelson Barron and the mother of two children. 88 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Mildred Mary and Roscoe A. Charles married Ethel Krantz, and they have a son, Robert. Irvin married Olie Teegardin and has two children, Earl W. and Lois Mary. Mr. Alfred Hantz in 1873 moved to a farm m the south part of Scott Township and lived there until 1890. In that year he removed to his present place, where he has 175 acres, ninety-five acres being in York Township and eighty acres in Scott Township. His house is in York Township while his barn is across the road in Scott Township. Mr. Hantz does general farming and stock raising, has remodeled the house and put up many sub- stantial buildings. George H. Webb. The records of the Webb fam- ily in Steuben County runs back for over seventy years. George Webb, representing the third gen- eration, has for many years been a successful farmer in Jamestown Township, where he was born, and beginning with little more than his bare hands and with a rented farm he. has achieved a position of prestige and influence in that community. Mr Webb was born March 3, 1872, son of Henry and Nancy (Parker) Webb, and a grandson of John and Grace (Harrison) Webb. His grandparents as well as his father were natives of England. His grandfather was a pioneer in Steuben County. He brought his family from England in 1830, lived tor several years in Michigan, and in about 1845 came to Steuben County, where he acquired a l a J^ e amount of land and was very successful in all his business affairs. Henry Webb came to manhood in Steuben County and in 1850 went with his brother Arthur to California. They traveled west by mule team, and on returning came back by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He was in the gold mines and other districts of California for about five years. On returning to the States Henry Webb began farm- ing in Jamestown Township, lived here many years, and the last twenty years of his life were spent at Angola, where he died in May, I 9 J 4 - His wife passed away in 1916. The children were : Ida, who married Theron Summers; Grace, who became the wife of Silas Bressler; George; and Edna, who married Frank Wert. . . , George Webb acquired his early education in the district schools of Millgrove Township, also attended school at Angola, and for thirty years has occupied his present farm in Jamestown Township, begin- ning his independent career as a renter and now owning 160 acres. . . He has followed general farming and stockrais- ing, and all the improvements, comprising a set of substantial farm buildings, were made under his per- sonal direction. .. . T Mr. Webb married April 3, 1895, Vinme Lucas, a daughter of Thomas Lucas. They have two chil- dren : Helen Arlene, born in 1904, and died April 10 1909, and George Harley, born April 16, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Webb are Methodists and members of the church at Nevada Mills. Thomas Lucas, a retired resident of Orland, was for many years a man of conspicuous enterprise in the farming and stockraising interests of Steuben County. He has been progressive, has sought to better conditions in the community as well as those affecting his own life and circumstances, and he and his family are among the most respected members of that community. Mr. Lucas was born in Ohio March 21, 1849, a son of Israel and Betsey Elizabeth (Bailey) Lucas. His mother was born in Ireland. Israel Lucas was born July 5, 1795 , and his birthplace is of special interest. He was born in the stockade at Marietta, Ohio. Marietta was the first point of settlement in the State of Ohio when the emigrants from New Eng- land floated down the Ohio River and established their first foothold in the Northwest Territory there. When at the age of fourteen his father died the responsibility of looking after the rest of the family, including two younger brothers and two sisters, devolved upon him. He bound out these children and then bound himself out. In 1854, when well advanced in years, he moved to Waterhouse Cor- ners, Kinderhook Township, Branch County, Mich- igan, and in 1864 located in Jamestown Township of Steuben County, where he spent the rest of his life. He and his wife had seven children : James H., Robert, Zevolenia, Theodore, Israel, Girard and Thomas E. Thomas E. Lucas acquired his early education in the district schools of Kinderhook, Michigan, also attended school at Nevada Mills in Steuben County, and during his youth learned the miller’s trade. He worked five years in the grist mill at Nevada Mills, and after that engaged in farming in Mill- grove Township. He was on his farm until Feb- ruary, 1915, since which date he has made his home in Orland. Mr. Lucas still owns 382 acres in Mill- grove Township. For a number of years he was recognized as one of the leading sheep raisers in Northeastern Indiana, making a specialty of the blooded Delaine and Merino sheep. He was a mem- ber of the American Sheep Growers’ Association. It is his distinction to have introduced the culture of peppermint in Steuben County, one of the big money-making crops in that part of the state. Mr. Lucas is affiliated with the Masonic bodies at Or- land, including Lodge No. 225, and the chapters of the Royal Arch and Eastern Star. November 27, 1870, Mr. Lucas married Sarah Helen Chrystler, a daughter of Abraham and Martha Chrystler. To their marriage were born five chil- dren : Vinnie, wife of George Webb; Ora D., who married Ella Showater ; Ella, wife of Elmer Grabell ; Jesse E., who married Mattie Murray; and Harley S., who married Libby Murray. John Oesch. On leaving home and venturing upon his own responsibilities John Oesch had about $300. His active career as a farmer, spent chiefly in LaGrange County, has brought him much to sat- isfy his ambition, and he has no fear of the wolf at the door nor even of the tax collector. His farm in Eden Township is often called the home of the Percherons, and his breeding stock of those horses represent some of the finest in Indiana. He was born in Huron County, Ontario, Canada, January 29, i860, a son of Daniel and Barbara (Roth) Oesch, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Germany, but brought to Canada by her parents when only seven years old. They were married in Waterloo County, Canada, and in 1869 moved to Hickory County, Missouri. They bought land, but after living there four years through some technicality lost title. Daniel Oesch then brought his family to Howard County, In- diana, locating and living near Kokomo for a year and a half. He next moved fifteen miles northeast of Fort Wayne and bought forty acres, where he spent the rest of his days. He died at the age of eighty-one. He and his family were Mennonites in religion and in politics after coming to the United States he was aligned with the democratic party. There are three living children: Christian, of Allen County, Indiana; Leah, wife of Joseph Delegrange, of Allen County; and John. John Oesch lived with his father during the dif- ferent moves above recorded and acquired a com- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 89 mon school education. On leaving home at the age of twenty-five he possessed the modest fortune above noted. December 18, 1884, he married Mary A. Troyer. For a year he rented a farm and then bought thirty-four acres, across the road from where he lives today. He traded this thirty-four acres for seventy-five acres included in his present farm. He bought fifteen acres adjoining and also has eighty-two and a half acres in Newbury Town- ship. Mr. Oesch has been a horse breeder for thirty- three years. He began with the Clyde horses, changing to the Shire, and now for many years has been a specialist in the Percheron. In the spring of 1919 he had six registered mares, three registered stallions and other young stqck, giving him thirteen head of full bloods. He is regarded as one of the wealthy men of Eden Township. He is a stockholder in the State Bank of Topeka and also the Farmers State Bank of the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Oesch had fourteen children, one of whom died in infancy. Those still living are: Levi, Jennetta, Daniel, Amanda, William, Lester, Freeman, Artie, Erma, Chauncey, John and Tru- man. The family are members of the Mennonite Church. Mr. Oesch is a republican in political affiliation. Ira Schlotterback. One of the historic colonies planted in Noble County in the earliest pioneer days comprised several families from the vicinity of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, including the Engles, Hostetters, Wolfes and Teals, all of whom came in 1832 and all settled in the same neighborhood, living in the midst of wild conditions, with Indians as neighbors, and enduring with the patience typical of real frontiersmen the hardships of their time. One of this group of early settlers was Gideon Schlotterback, who was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1812. He was about twenty years of age when he came to Noble County, and shortly afterward, in the same year, he married Mary Engle, member of one of the families just mentioned. They settled on a farm, and were long prominent and substantial residents of Noble County. Gideon Schlotterback as a result of his long continued labors accumulated an estate of 440 acres. He and his wife had twelve children, three of whom are still living: Amelia, wife of C. G. Fait, living in North Dakota; Amy, wife of A. B. Koontz, of Goshen, Indiana, and Ira. Ira Schlotterback was born in Perry Township, a mile east of where he now lives, February 10, 1850. For over forty years he has borne his share of responsibilities as a farmer in that locality. His farm is located in section 33 of Perry Township on the line between that and Sparta Township, where he own 136 acres. The first school he at- tended was kept in a log schoolhouse, and he lived with his parents and helped with the farm work until after he was twenty-one years of age. On February 11, 1875, he married Sarah J. John. She was born at Ligonier, Indiana, November 19, 1854, and grew up in Perry Township. After their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Slotterback managed the old farm, and he now lives on what is known as the Engle Farm. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He and his wife have the following children : ' Leon is married and lives at Ligonier ; Lulu is the wife of Eugene Swinehart and lives near Mongo in LaGrange County; Thomas is married and lives near Noblesville, Indiana; Willis is managing the old home place of 136 acres in Sparta and Perry townships, is married and is a republican in politics; and Ina, the youngest of the family, is the wife of O. G. Bowen, an electrician at Ligonier. Pharaoh Honess. Steuben County with its beautiful topography is an attractive place for people to spend their declining years as well as a country that repays effort and youthful enthusiasm. Pharaoh Honess spent many years of his life in the service of the New York Central Lines. When he retired from railroading he sought a home in the country, and selected his present place in Scott Township, where he is carrying on a systematic business as a farmer. Mr. Honess is a man of interesting personality, and is father of a very brilliant and scholarly family. He was born in Kent County, England, February 22, 1852, a son of William and Margaret (Seeley) Honess. His parents spent all their lives in Eng- land, and in their family of twelve children Pharaoh was the third of age. The latter remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, and is largely self-educated. Arriving in New York without money, he had to make shift to earn a living at different occupations for a time, and soon went to the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio. While working there in 1875 he studied music in night classes at Baldwin University, and spent part of his time composing two pieces of music each week for the Baldwin University. In 1880 Mr. Honess went to work for the New York Central Lines, was night yard master, was soon made check clerk in the "freight house, later was waybiller in the office, and then bookkeeper and collector and chief clerk. He collected millions of dollars for the railroad com- pany and never filed a bond. After twenty years of faithful and efficient service he resigned and in April, 1900, came to Steuben County and bought thirty-eight and one-half acres of land where he lives in Scott Township. He has since added ten acres, and has made a good home and made a living as a farmer and stock raiser. He keeps a small herd of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Honess is a member of the Congregational Church. July 5, 1884, Mr. Honess married Anna Riddles. She was born at Cuyahoga, near Cleveland, August 20, 1863, a daughter of William and Sarah (Nichols) Ford. Her father was born in Kent County, England, in 1804, and her mother in Broome County, New York, in 1822. The family settled in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where her father died in 1886 and her mother in 1894. Both were laid to rest in the Monroe Street Cemetery of Cleveland. Mrs. Honess’ father was in the meat business at Cleveland for many years and later was a farmer. Mrs. Honess was one of four children: Charles, deceased ; Edward, of Lorain, Ohio ; Mary, de- ceased; and Anna. A half sister of Mrs. Honess is Mrs. Sarah Dunham, of Angola. Mr. and Mrs. Honess have five children. Charles, the oldest, born June 28, 1885, was educated at Berea in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, also at the Angola High School, and graduated from Oberlin College, Ohio, in 1912. He won a scholarship in Cornell University, where he took his Master’s Degree in 1913. He also won scholarships at Yale and the University of Chicago and received a Fellowship in Columbia University. He is now geologist for the State of Oklahoma. He is a member of the Sigma Psi Chi Fraternity. Arthur P. Honess, the second son, was born August 10, 1887, is a graduate of the Angola High School, finished his work at Oberlin College in 1914, and won a Fellowship in Princeton University, valued at $1,000 a year. He remained in Princeton three years, receiving his Master of Arts Degree. He has since been con- 90 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA nected with the Pennsylvania State College, where he is now professor of mineralogy and of other subjects. The third child, Edith, born January 21, 1893, is a graduate of Angola High School, grad- uated from Oberlin College in June, 1918, . and is now teacher of science in the Scott Township High School. Thus Mr. Honess’ three oldest children have achieved when still young noteworthy dis- tinction in the field of scholarship. The fourth child, Clayton, was born March 19, 1895, completed the grammar school work and is a mechanic. He was drafted in the World war, went into the army in July, 1918, as a private and was promoted to top sergeant in the Heavy Artillery. He received his honorable discharge in January, 1919. Leon Honess, the youngest of the family, was born in November, 1904, and is now in the freshman year of the Scott Township High School. Herbert Fenton Newnam. It has been said that at no time in history has opportunity been so bounti- ful to the tenant farmer and renter as within the last two or three years. The estate of Herbert Fenton Newnam is one which shows what was possible to the industrious and capable farm tenant in the years of more restricted opportunity, since he made steady progress and while a tenant bought and paid for a farm of his own, which he still oc- cupies and which gives him a place among the fore- most agriculturists of Noble County. Mr. Newnam, whose home is in the northwest corner of Wayne Township in that county, has a large amount of land under cultivation, and has a home equipped with all the modern improvements, including a lighting plant and heating system. He was born on a farm in Milford Township, La- Grange County, Indiana, November 10, 1872. His parents were Joseph E. and Isadora (Spaulding) Newnam. His father was born in Wayne Town- ship of Noble County and his mother in Brushy Prairie. After their marriage they settled on a farm across the road from where Herbert now lives, later lived in Ohio two years, and then re- turned to Noble County. They now reside at South Milford. The father is affiliated with Lodge No. 380 of Masons, of which he is a past master, is also a Knight of Pythias, and is a republican in politics. There were just two sons, Herbert F. and Vern I. The latter is a machinist with the Alliance Steel Foundry at Alliance, Ohio. Herbert Fenton Newnam grew up on a farm joining the one where he now lives, and attended the public schools at South Milford. For three years he clerked in a store. On April 1, 1895, he married Miss Mattie I. Gross. She was born near the center of Milford Township in LaGrange County April 21, 1870, daughter of William and Isabelle (Frances) Gross. She was educated in the common schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Newnam started housekeeping at Greenfield Mills, lived there two years, and at Brushy Prairie one year, and then came to the farm which they now own. For twenty years they worked and saved as renters, and used the proceeds of this long period to buy and construct the splendid farm of 334 acres which they now own. Mr. and Mrs. Newnam have one daughter, Grossie Joe, born February 18, 1897. She grad- uated from the South Milford High School with the class of 1915, and in December of that year married John Wible. Mr. Wible was born in Ken- dallville, Indiana, graduated from the South Mil- ford High School in 1911, and he and his young wife lived happily together for only a little more than a year, until their marriage was broken by his death on January 7, 1917. Mr. Newnam is affiliated with Wolcottville Lodge No. 380, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, with South Milford Lodge No. 619, Independent Order of Odd B'ellows, of which he is a past noble grand, and has been a member of the Grand Lodge and is also a member of the Encampment. Mrs. New- nam is a Rebekah and has held all the chief offices in that order. The daughter Grossie Joe belongs to the Eastern Star Chapter at Wolcottville and to the Rebekahs at South Milford. Mr. Newnam in politics is a republican. Samuel A. Stout. His friends and neighbors regard Samuel A. Stout as one of the fortunate men of Steuben County, though his good fortune, repre- sented in the ownership of what is known as the “Otter Lake Stock Farm,” has been the product of long years of capable management and labor, good judgment and that all around character which the good farmer represents. Mr. Stout was born on the farm which he now owns in section 32 of Jackson Township, September 11, 1859. He is a son of Hervey B. and Sarah (Alcott) Stout, his mother a native of Ohio and a daughter of Samuel Alcott, who married a Miss Collins. Mr. Stout’s grandfather, George Stout, married for his first wife a Miss Bliss. He was an early settler in Michigan, and from that state came to Salem Township of Steuben County and settled on a farm along the county line between Steuben and DeKalb counties, but spent his last years in Jackson Township. The children of his first marriage were Aaron, Orville, Hervey B., George, Edward, Caroline and Nancy. He married for his second wife Cassie Shaddock, and they had four daughters, named Mary, Anna, Olive and Emma. Hervey B. Stout, who was born in Lenawee County, Michigan, in December, 1827, and died in 1880, began his career as a farmer in Salem Town- ship, lived there several years, and then bought the land in Jackson Township comprised in the Otter Lake Stock Farm. When it came into his posses- sion it was practically all wild land. He cleared away a space for his log cabin house and barn and made many good improvements before his death. He cleared up eighty acres out of the 120. He and his wife had eight children: Ellen, wife of T. K. Miller; Charles L. ; Jane, who married William Lock; Orville M. ; Samuel A.; Lydia A., who married M. K. Hall; Dora B., who became the wife of James Parsed; and Frank B. Samuel A. Stout had the educational advantages supplied by the district schools of Jackson Town- ship. When a young man he went out to work on farms at monthly wages, and continued in that way for eleven years, gaining experience and also some meager capital which enabled him to start for himself. In April, 1892, Mr. Stout married Miss Kate Velie, a daughter of Tunis and Margaret (Kroutz) Velie. In August following his marriage Mr. Stout came to his present farm, and during his proprietorship of more than a quarter of a century has erected all the substantial buildings, has equipped his place espe- cially for stockraising, and now has the ownership and supervision of 303 broad acres. He and his wife have three daughters, Clara B., Ruth M. and Mabel G. The two older daughters are both graduates of the Flint High School, and Clara is also a graduate of the Tri-State Normal College at Angola, and Ruth has spent two terms in that institution. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 91 James D. Rowley is one of the oldest residents of Butler Township, DeKalb County, and for nearly half a century has been identified with its farming interests. His home place is in section 36 of that township. Mr. Rowley was born in Henry County, Ohio, March 23, 1845, a son of Thomas and Ellen (Davis) Rowley. His father and mother were born in County Antrim, Ireland, and after their marriage came to the United States. They made their first home in Henry County, Ohio, where the father worked in the construction of the canal between Lake Erie and the Ohio River, and his wife boarded other workmen. Later he followed different lines of employment in Illinois and Southwestern Indiana, and eventually settled in Jackson Township of De- Kalb County, where he and his wife spent the rest of their years. As a farmer he cleared up eighty acres of land. He was a democrat, and he and his wife were faithful Catholics. Of their eight children three are still living: James D., Catherine, wife of Samuel Surface, and John, of Fort Wayne. James D. Rowley grew up from early boyhood in Jackson Township, attended public schools, and has made industry the keynote of his life and by that means has found prosperity sufficient for all his requirements. He is still engaged in general farming and stock raising and owns 215 acres in Jackson and Butler townships. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Rowley married Ella Surface on February 23, 1871. They have nine living children, named, Thomas, Charles, Carl, Elizabeth, Catherine, Mabel, Grace, Walter and Ralph. The son, Carl, is a phy- sician at Boston, Massachusetts ; Elizabeth is the wife of Martin Schaaf, of Fort Wayne; Catherine is the wife of Thomas Kavanaugh, and Mabel is the wife of Forest Sheets. Eugene Van Auken. Some of the thrifty char- acter of his ancestors has been exemplified by Eugene Van Auken in the management of his farm- ing enterprise in Otsego Township of Steuben County. He is one of the men who make farming pay, and does so by able and progressive manage- ment of every detail. Mr. Van Auken was born in Steuben Township September 23, 1872, and is a son of Elton and Sarah (Dutter) Van Auken and a grandson of Everet Van Auken. This is one of the oldest and most prominent family names in Steuben County. Elton Van Auken was born in Portage County, Ohio, and his wife in Pennsylvania, a daughter of George and Anna Dutter. Elton Van Auken as a young man worked in a freight house at Angola, but aside from that experience spent his life as a farmer in Steuben Township. His children were Lena, Eugene, Paul and Carl E. Only Eugene and Carl are now living. Eugene Van Auken attended public school at Angola and the district schools of Steuben Town- ship, and has been farming steadily since early manhood. In 1897 he moved to Otsego Township, and for seven years rented land. Flis present pros- perity is the more creditable for the fact that he began with a minimum of capital and proved his ability as a renter before he became an independent owner. In 1904 he bought his present place of 120 acres in sections 1 and 12. He has kept improve- ments steadily going forward, and even in the midst of war times in the summer of 1918 he built a large bank barn, 40 by 80 feet, one of the best barns in the township. Mr. Van Auken is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Metz. He married No- vember 2, 1893, Dora George, a daughter of Robert and Ann (Smith) George. They have two children, Ralph and Mildred. Otis G. Gates is proprietor of a farm in Otsego Township of Steuben County around which the associations of the Gates family center covering a period of over three quarters of a century. Mr. Gates is able to appreciate the remarkable changes and transformations made in the seven decades since his grandparents settled here. As he goes about his fields he doubtless often thinks and is grateful for the labors done by the earlier genera- tions, and his own career has been a part of the substantial character of the Gates family. He was born on this farm October 25, 1864, a son of Ransom and Abbie (Ellis) Gates and a grandson of Levi and Sallie Gates. Levi Gates brought his family from New York State in 1840. Their place of settlement was in the midst of the heavy woods of Otsego Township. Indians were still found in that locality, and wild animals abounded in the woods. Levi Gates built a log house for the shelter of his family. On the east side of a big tree he put up a shelter which he called a barn, the trunk of the tree forming one side of that structure. He pursued his industrious labors until called away by death a few years after coming to the county. His wife survived to a good old age. Ransom Gates was born in New York State in 1834. He grew up on the home farm, attended the primitive district schools, and during his mature career followed a busy life as a farmer and thresherman. He owned 130 acres of the farm now occupied by his son Otis. He died in 1911. He was a republican and a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. His wife, who was born in Ohio in 1837, died in 1913. Their children, were five in number: Van Rennselaer, who died in in- fancy, Blanche, Otis, Pearl and Burr. Otis G. Gates attended the public schools when a boy, learned farming under his father, and is now proprietor of 170 acres, devoted to good crops and good livestock. Mr. Gates is a republican and attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. August 22, 1886, he married Miss Sarah Den- man. She was born near Rome City in Noble County, a daughter of Smith and Nancy Denman, early settlers in that section of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Gates have two children, Blanche and Glenn. Blanche is the wife of Blaine Willoughby, living on the Gates farm, and their children are Celeta, Gaylor and Ivan. Glenn, who is also on the farm with his father, married Gladys Burkhart, of Wil- liams County. Ohio, and their two children are Otto and Max. Harvey C. Knight. While not the wealthiest man in Steuben County, Harvey C. Knight enjoys the ownership of a good farm, has paid for it out of his own efforts, and his record proves that he has been thoroughly able to fight his own battles and take care of himself and those dependent upon him. What he has he has earned, and beginning as a farm laborer he has steadily progressed toward the goal of independence. Mr. Knight was born in Steuben Township of Steuben County March 8, 1867, a son of Austin and Mary Ann (Dahoff) Knight. His mother was a daughter of Peter Dahoff. Austin Knight was born in Stark County, Ohio, and came to Steuben County about 1858. For several years he was employed grubbing stumps and splitting rails. He then fol- lowed the carpenter’s trade until 1872, and since then has been a busy blacksmith, being proprietor of a well patronized shop at Pleasant Lake. He and his 92 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA wife had six children : Ella, who died in child- hood ; Harvey; Emma; Elizabeth; Herman, who died when about five years old; and Charles, who died at the age of six months. Harvey C. Knight acquired his early education in the public schools of Pleasant Lake and was a boy helper to his father in the blacksmith shop, though he never took up that as a regular trade or occu- pation. For about twelve years he worked for farmers and other employers at monthly wages, and his next advancement was to renting farms, and in November, 1891, he bought his first property in Pleasant Lake. Five years later he bought sixteen and two-thirds acres in Steuben Township. This land had no improvements or buildings. He built a barn there in 1898 and about the same time ac- quired another forty acres. He had several other deals in real estate and in 1906 sold his property in Steuben Township and bought his present place of 120 acres in Millgrove Township. He and his fam- ily lived there since 1907, and he has used his land for general farming and stockraising purposes. His farm is in sections 27 and 28 of Millgrove Town- ship. Mr. Knight married in 1901 Rosa Webb, a daugh- ter of Arthur and Rosa (Case) Webb. Her father was born in England and came to Steuben County about 1845. Some further reference to the Webb family will be found on other pages. Mrs. Knight is a member of the Methodist Church. She was the mother of five children : Bertice, who died at the age of four months ; Walter, Vira, Myrlen, and Albert. Albert S. Hill. No man in Noble County stands higher in general esteem than Albert S. Hill, a sub- stantial farmer of Wayne Township and with many interests that identify him with the life and affairs of that community. Mr. Hill’s farm is in section 13 of Wayne Township. He was born in Noble County November 16, 1865, son of Nicholas and Mary (Kinney) Hill. Nich- olas Hill was born in Germany in 1824 and was six- teen years of age when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Hill immigrated to America and established their home in the wilderness of Noble County, In- diana. Nicholas Hill grew up there and spent his life as a successful farmer. He died April 5, 1902. He and his wife had the following children : Mary, unmarried ; Lawrence, deceased ; Arvilla, wife of William Wright, of Kendallville ; Orange L., a farmer on the old homestead; Wilbur H. ; Charles R., of Richmond, Indiana ; Albert S. ; Rilla, who died in 1918, the wife of Gottlieb Snyder. The father married for a second wife Frances Zim- merman, but her only child is deceased. Albert S. Hill grew up on the old farm which was entered by his grandfather from the Govern- ment. He was educated in the district schools and was at home until after his marriage. September 30, 1886, he married Miss Emma C. Hovarter. She was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, November 11, 1866, daughter of Jacob and Mary Hovarter, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany, but brought to the United States when only eight years old. Mr. and Mrs. Hill realized their ambitions after much denial and struggle and hard work. For seven years they were farm renters and moved to their present well kept farm in 1904. Mr. Hill owns 180 acres, and all of it represents what he and his wife have gained since their marriage. They have two children: Verne R., born October 22, 1889, is a graduate of the common schools, is a farmer in Noble County, but by his marriage to Cora M. Uhl has two children, Ruth May and Don A. Rus- sell J., the second child, is a graduate of the com- mon schools and married September 11, 1918, Leone Lasho. Mrs. Hill is a member of the Methodist Church at Wayne Center. Mr. Hill is affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees Tent No. 52. Politically he has always been a steadfast republican. He uses his farm as a means of extensive operations in cattle buying and feeding. He buys carloads of sheep and cattle, feeds them for market on his farm, and thus does a larger stock business than the size of his farm would justify if he handled his animals through every stage of growth and development. He is also a stockholder in the Kendallville Fair Association. Joseph M. Shew was one of the citizens of Noble County whose memory deserve to be cherished long among his former associates and in the permanent records^ of the county. He was a man of great enterprise and usefulness, though physically a crip- ple, and did a great service as a teacher, an occupa- tion he followed many years, and also at one time held the office of county treasurer. He was born in Ohio May 21, 1841, and came with his parents to Noble County, Indiana, when a boy. The family located in York Township, three miles north of Albion, and in that locality he grew up, attending the common schools and also the college at Wolcottville. He had a well trained mind, and used it as a teacher in the public schools of this county for twenty-eight terms. All the time he was teaching he lived on the farm. In 1889 he was elected county treasurer, and filled that office with signal ability for four years. He was always active as a republican and was a member of the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Albion. He married for his first wife Melissa A. Niles, who died at the age of twenty-six. She was the mother of two children : Clarence W., cashier in Campbell & Felters Bank at Kendallville, and Bertha, wife of Clyde Bowman, a resident of Chi- cago. Mr. Shew married for his second wife Mrs. Almeda (Deater) Spencer, widow of Clifford Spencer. Mrs. Shew, who is still living in Washing- ton Township, on the farm of no acres, which is cultivated by renters, was born at Albion, Indiana, in i860. By her first husband, Clifford Spencer, she had one son, who died at the age of fourteen months. Mrs. Shew is the mother of three children: Paul N., a mechanic at Warsaw, Indiana; Leila, wife of Floyd Fetters, of Noble County; and William B., who lives with his mother. Mrs. Shew is a member of the Baptist Church and is affiliated with the Rebekah Lodge. Jorden Priest, owner of a good farm in section 17 of Washington Township in Noble County, was thrown upon his own resources at an early age, has fought the battles of life for himself ever since, and has earned material success and at the same time the substantial esteem of a large community. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, June 11, 1855, son of George and Mary (Smith) Priest. His parents were also natives of Licking County, and George Priest spent all his life in Ohio as a farmer. After his death his widow married Mat- thew Wright, and they came to Noble County, Indiana, where she died. She was an active member of the United Brethren Church. George Priest and wife had nine children, five of whom are de- ceased, and the four living are : Allen, a farmer in Sparta Township of Noble County; George, a retired farmer at Kimmell ; Jorden ; and Olive, wife of Lewis Schlabach. JOSEPH M. SHEW s 0 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 93 Jorden Priest had opportunities to attend school in Ohio until he was about thirteen years old. At that age, in 1868, he left home and coming to Indiana accepted any opportunity for honorable employment that would give him a livelihood. He worked out on farms and continued in that way until past thirty years of age. On November 28, 1889, he married Luella Pren- tice. She was born in Sparta Township of Noble County December 16, i860, daughter of Nathaniel and Catherine (Rice) Prentice. Her father was born in New York State July 8, 1808, and her mother in Pennsylvania in 1822. Both the Rice and Prentice families were early settlers in Noble County, and Nathaniel and Catherine after their marriage settled on a farm in Sparta Township and spent the rest of their days there. Both were active church members and Nathaniel Prentice for many years dispensed local justice as a justice of the peace. He was a democrat in politics. ' After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Priest settled on their present farm of eighty acres, and have since achieved independence and prosperity. They have one daughter, Mary C., who is a graduate of the common schools and of the Cromwell High School. She is now the wife of Oscar Correll, of Washington Township. Mr. and Mrs. Priest have one grandchild, Charles Edward. The family are members of the United Brethren Church and Mr. Priest is a steward, while his wife has been super- intendent of the Sunday school for nearly thirty years. Politically he votes as a democrat, but never interests himself in politics beyond that. Tobias V. Yoder. At one time Tobias V. Yoder was known as a diligent and ambitious young farm hand, but long since he raised himself above that status into that of an independent farm owner and today he is regarded as one of the largest land owners and most extensive farmers and stock men in LaGrange County. His home place is in section 2 of Eden Township, known as the General Grain Farm, a place of 231 acres. That, however, is only part of his extensive holdings. He was born in Eden Township April 9, 1870, a son of Valentine T. and Catherine (Schrock) Yoder. His parents were both born at Johnstown, Penn- sylvania. his father September 23, 1842, and his mother in March, 1843. His father died April 10, 1913, and his mother July 23, 1918. Both the Yoder and Schrock families came to Indiana in early days, the former settling in Newbury Township and the latter in Eden Township of LaGrange County. Valentine Yoder after his marriage set- tled in section 4 of Eden Township, and spent the rest of his life there. He and his family were members of the Amish Mennonite Church. Of nine children eight are still living: John H., a farmer in Clear Spring Township; Tobias V.; Daniel V., a farmer in Clay Township; Joseph E., of Eden Township; Moses V. and Levi L., both of New- bury Township; Henry H., of Eden Township; and Gertie, wife of Joseph Hooley, of Newbury Township. Tobias V. Yoder grew up on the home farm and attended the district schools to the age of fifteen. The following six years he worked as a hand for his father, and at the age of twenty-one had a. team and some other property, which he used to run his father’s farm for seven years. He then bought, rented, and for many years has lived at his present location. He began his land accumula- tions with 184 acres, and now owns 805 acres in LaGrange County, besides 160 acres in Kansas and 240 acres in Oklahoma. Through all the years he has made much of his income by livestock. Mr. Yoder is a democrat and he and his family are active in the Amish Mennonite Church. To him and his wife were born ten children, and the eight now living are : Lydia A., wife of David Christner; Lizzie, wife of Emanuel P. Mil- ler; Rosa, widow of Brice Elliott; Rufus T., Valen- tine T„ Mina E„ Milo T. and Amsey T., all of whom are at home. George W. Logan. The record of George W. Logan, of Clear Lake township, Steuben County, is that of a successful farmer, a man who has made his own way in the world, and out of his industry and good management has achieved material circum- stances and civic esteem worthy of his many years of well directed efforts. Mr. Logan was born in Clear Lake Township October 26, 1870, a son of Robert and Caroline (Ovenhouse) Logan. His father was born in Wil- liams County, Ohio, in 1827, and his mother in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1838. They were married in that state and in 1869 came to Clear Lake Town- ship, where they established a home on fifty acres of land. The father died there in the midst of his labors in 1877, and his wife in 1874. He was a democrat in politics. Their children were Lizzie, Samuel, Maggie (deceased), Thomas, Lettie, George W., and Clyde. George W. Logan was only four years old when his mother died and seven when his father passed away. After that he grew up in the home of his sister Maggie, wife of Frank McElhenie. From the McElhenie home he attended the neighboring dis- trict schools and was early schooled in habits of industry and thrift. For a number of years he earned monthly wages. In 1894 he went out to Nebraska, worked there for three years and then bought 160 acres and rented other land. He was in Nebraska about seven years, and on returning to Steuben County in 1901 bought forty acres. He has since added another forty and has his farm well improved with good buildings and is doing a prosperous business. Mr. Logan is a republican, and while living in Nebraska was affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. On October 26, 1893, he married Miss Alma Court. She was born in Salem Township of Steuben County in February, 1870, a daughter of Orrin and Mary (Brinker) Court. Her parents came to Steuben County from Marion County, Ohio, during the ’60s. They settled in Salem Township and in 1873 moved to York Township, where her father died in 1887, at the age of fifty-four. Mrs. Logan’s mother is still living and is now eighty-one years of age. In the Court family were ten chil- dren, named Fannie, Emma, John, Mary, Martha, Alma, George, William, Isora and Curtis. Mr. and Mrs. Logan have one son, Robert Q., born May 4, 1907. Greely M. Zimmerman. Probably no one name has been longer or more continuously associated with the mercantile enterprise of Ligonier than that of Zimmerman. Sixty years ago one of the leading stores of the village, it was conducted by Jacob C. Zimmerman, and until recently one of the largest establishments patronized by the general public had as one of the proprietors Greely M. Zimmerman. In this enterprise he was associated with his brother and sister. In September, 1918, they closed out the business and are now engaged in real estate opera- tions and looking after various properties they own. In many other ways he has been actively identified with the social and civic affairs of his home city, and is one of the most popular citizens. 94 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA He was born in Albion, Indiana, October 23, 1855, a son of Jacob C. and Sarah J. (Brown) Zimmer- man. His father was born in Switzerland in 1827, and was brought to the United States when four years old, growing up in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He first came to Indiana and located in Elkhart Township in 1849, and was married in this county. His wife was a native of Ohio. For about five years Jacob Zimmerman was clerk in a store at Albion, Indiana, and in 1857 moved to Ligonier, where he engaged in business for himself. He was a merchant almost half a century, until his death in 1903. In politics a republican, at one time he represented the counties of Elkhart and Noble in the State Legislature. He is the type of citizen who is frequently selected for places of trust and responsibility. He served eight years as trustee of Perry Township, and was also a member of the town council. He was a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Jacob Zimmerman and wife had seven children, four of whom died in infancy. The three still living are : Greely M. ; Frank W. ; and Venona J., wife of S. C. Sackett. Greely M. Zimmerman was two years old when his parents moved to Ligonier, and he grew up in that city, acquiring his education in the public schools. At the age of fifteen he took his place in his father’s store, and had an uninterrupted career of business activity for nearly fifty years. He owns one-third of all the Zimmerman estate properties, also has other real estate, and has two farms aggre- gating 346 acres in Noble County. Like his father he has always affiliated with the republican party. He served sixteen years as treasurer of the City of Ligonier. He is prominent in Masonry, being affiliated with the lodge, Royal Arch Chapter, Coun- cil and Commandery, and also the Scottish Rite Con- sistory. He is a past illustrious master of Ligonier Council, Royal and Select Masters, No. 59, and for the past twenty-six years has been treasurer of his lodge, council and chapter. He is also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. . Mr. Zimmerman has two children by his first mar- riage : Beulah Z., a graduate of high school and wife of Henry D. Stone, living in Los Angeles, California; and Bonnie, wife of Capt. Charles A. Green, of Tampa, Florida. In 1909 Mr. Zimmer- man married for his present wife Mrs. Sarah A. Baker Ward, a daughter of William H. Baker, of Goshen, Indiana. Charles E. Piper. For over thirty years Charles E. Piper has been working his way steadily toward prosperity and improved conditions for himself and family, and is noted as one of the leading farmers in Washington Township of Noble County. He owns a fine farm in section 11 of that township, his acreage comprising eighty-eight and twelve-one hundredths, devoted to the staple crops and live- stock. Mr. Piper was born in the same township October 3, 1862, son of George and Samantha (Shelpman) Piper. His father was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1828, and his mother in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1839. Her parents died when she was a small girl, and her uncle, Doctor Jones, brought her to Noble Township and gave her all the advantages of his home, sending her to school, and she re- mained with the Jones family until her marriage. George Piper and wife settled on a farm, and remained identified with agriculture until his death on September 14, 1907. His widow is still living. George Piper was at one time one of the largest farmers in Noble County, his operations being con- ducted on 600 acres. He was especially a stock farmer. He finally divided his land among his children. He was active in every moral and religious cause, served for a number of years as a trustee of Washington Township, and one term as a mem- ber of the Board of County Commissioners, and during that term the present courthouse was con- structed. He was also prominent in republican politics. He and his wife had eight children, six of whom are still living: Charles E. ; William H., of Washington Township ; Addie, wife of Harry Miller ; George P., of Whitley County, Indiana ; Dora, wife of Clarence Shew; and Della, wife of Harry Beasley. Charles E. Piper grew up in the atmosphere of his father’s large farm and early became acquainted with farm management and stock raising on an extensive scale. He contented himself with a com- mon school education, and on January 10, 1885, established a home of his own by his marriage to Viola Breninger. She was a daughter of Daniel and Sarah Breninger, who died when she was a small girl, and she lived in the home of her sister until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Piper after their marriage lived on a place south of their present home, and since the fall of 1885 have had their home associations in one spot, and from that home and farm have radiated many influences and efforts that have been of benefit to the community. Mr. Piper is a stockholder in the Sparta State Bank, in the Kimmell State Bank and in the Ligonier Farmers and Merchants Trust Company. He is a republican, is serving as township assessor, and is a member of the Township Advisory Board. Mrs. Piper is a member of Stringtown Christian Church. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Wolf Lake and with Cromwell Lodge of Masons. They have two children. Ray, a graduate of the common schools, married Ethel Humes and lives on the farm with his father. Jennie is the wife of Samuel H. Galloway, of Sparta Township. Andrew J. Rarer is one of the quiet, unassuming citizens but thoroughly successful farmer in Noble County. He has acquired by dint of much exertion and long continued years of good management one of the good farms of Orange Township, located south of Rome City. He was born in Portage County, Ohio, in June, 1849, son of Daniel and Mary (Dice) Raber. Both parents were born in Ohio, the mother in Trum- bull County. After their marriage in that state they came to Indiana in 1854 and identified them- selves with the new community of Orange Town- ship in Noble County. Here the father after ten years of hard work in making a farm passed away in 1864 at the age of fifty. His widow survived him many years and died in Minnesota at the age of ninety-two. They had four children: Joel D., of California ; Andrew J. ; Saloma, widow of Carl Risch ; and Amos O., of California. Andrew J. Raber was five years old when brought to Noble County, and his memories of Orange Township go back fully fifty years. He attended the district schools of those days, and also com- pleted a course in the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. For a time he was a teacher, doing his first work in that line in LaGrange County and later for four terms conducted a school in Noble County. With that exception his career has been that of a practical and progressive farmer. March 29, 1877, Mr. Raber married Miss Clara M. Dyer. After their marriage they rented for several years in Orange Township, and by hard HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 95 work and careful saving then negotiated the pur- chase of sixty acres. Later they traded this for the farm where they now live and which contains eighty acres of well cultivated land. Mr. and Mrs. Raber have five living children : Schuyler M., a graduate of the Huntington Business College in Indiana and now a traveling salesman with headquarters at Grand Rapids, Michigan ; Henry F. is also a graduate of the Huntington Busi- ness College and is now manager of a business college at Huntington; Leona is a graduate of high school, was formerly a teacher, and is now the wife of Grant Burkett, of Rome City; Nellie and Ronald E. are both unmarried. Ronald is a graduate of high school, and served during the war in the United States Navy. He was discharged in June, 1919. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Rome City. Mr. Raber is a republican. Charles Motsolf. In a period of about fifty-five years a tract of land in Salem Township has under- gone great transformation and improvement under the ownership of the Motsolf family. Charles Mot- solf was onlty an infant when his father moved there, and under his ownership he has carried for- ward the work which his father begun, and is now- one of the prosperous and well circumstanced citi- zens of his locality. Charles Motsolf was born at Ontario in LaGrange County, Indiana, September 12, 1862, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Noll) Motsolf. His mother was a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of George and Nancy (Hall) Noll. George Noll was born in Pennsylvania in 1796 and came to Steuben County in 1839, living on a farm in section 11 of Salem Township until his death in 1862. The Nolls there- fore are one of the pioneer families of Steuben County. Jacob Motsolf was born in Germany and left that country when a young man in 1844. He was a cooper by trade and found employment in a brewery at Cincinnati. Later he moved to Steuben County and after his marriage went to Ontario. His wife died there in 1864, leaving seven children : Mary, Debold, Eva Jane, Peter, Charles, George and Lennie. Of these only two are now living, Mary and Charles. In the year of his wife’s death Jacob Motsolf brought his children to Steuben County and bought the farm where his son Charles now lives. At the time of his death he owned sixty-seven and a half acres. He had begun with a log house, and had cleared up and put in cultivation a considerable part of the land. In that locality Charles Motsolf grew to manhood and after his education went to work helping his father and eventually succeeding to the ownership of the homestead. His father a short time before his death had built the good home which now adorns the farm, and Mr. Motsolf himself has added a substantial barn to the improvements. Politically he is independent and a member of the Reformed Luth- eran Church, the same faith which his father prac- ticed. March 20, 1883, he married Ida Zimmerman, of LaGrange County, daughter of Oliver Zimmerman, formerly of Noble County. Mr. and Mrs. Motsolf have one daughter, Effie, born February 5, 1885, and now the wife of David Ritter. Mr. and Mrs. Ritter- have a daughter, Opal, born May 22, 1907. David Ritter is a son of David Ritter and grandson of Henry Ritter and member of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Steuben County. Clement G. Routsong is proprietor of the only dry goods store at Wolcottville, and has been a popular and successful merchant of that town for many years. He is a thorough business man and has earned the trust and confidence of his entire com- munity. Mr. Routsong was born in Orange Township of Noble County September 13, 1874, a son of Benja- min and Julia (Routsong) Routzahn. His father was born in Stark County, Ohio, and his mother in Noble County, Indiana. Benjamin came to Noble County when a young man, bought a farm in Orange Township, and after selling it moved to Elkhart Township and acquired a place near Rome City. His last days were spent in Rome City, where his widow is still living. Both were active members of the German Lutheran Church. Benjamin Routzahn was a democrat and served as director of schools. Of his seven children the following brief record is given : Emory E., now retired from business and spending his summers in New Jersey and his win- ters in Florida; Sadie, wife of W. A. Hoke, of Hammond, Indiana ; Ella, wife of Freemont Col- dren, of Canton, Ohio ; Clement G. ; Rose, wife of W. A. Myrick, of Newport, Arkansas; Tilla, wife of Ned Jennings, of Rome City; and Oscar, of Ham- mond, Indiana. Clement G. Routsong grew up at his father’s home in Noble County and acquired a good prepara- tion for his business career. He attended the com- mon and high schools, and finished with a business course at Fort Wayne. While he has given closest attention to his business affairs Mr. Routsong has also been active in the democratic party. He received the nomination from his party for joint state sen- ator from LaGrange, Noble and Steuben counties, but that year the democratic ticket was defeated. Mr. Routsong married Lura De Owen, daughter of M. F. Owen, of Rome City, where she was edu- cated, being a graduate of the high school. They have two children, Pauline De, a graduate of high school and now attending Defiance College in Ohio ; and Maxine Jeannette, a high school girl. Mr. Routsong is affiliated with Ionic Lodge No. 380, Free and Accepted Masons, is a past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Church. John H. Wilson. In Washington Township, Noble County, one tract of land and farm bears evidence of the labors and occupation of three generations of the Wilson family. John H. Wilson, of the third generation, is still living on a fine farm that was entered by his grandfather direct from the Government. The Wilson farm is six miles south of Cromwell. His _ grandfather was Thomas H. Wilson, who came into the county in pioneer times and acquired 379 acres. He built a log cabin in the midst of the woods and for many years was busily engaged in making a home. All his efforts, however, were not confined to his farm, since he was one of the organizers and most active members of the Chris- tian Church. He and his wife had eight children, all of whom are now deceased. Thomas J. Wilson, father of John H., was also born on the Wilson farm in Washington Township. He grew up there, had a common school education, and spent his life as a practical farmer. He died in 1892. He was a democrat and served one term as township trustee. He married Nancy Rider, and both were very active members of the church. Mrs. Thomas J. Wilson is still living. She was the mother of three children, one of whom died in infancy. The two survivors are : John H. ; and Stella, wife of John P. Beasley, and they still occupy a part of the old Wilson farm. John H. Wilson was born at his present home 96 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA in 1862 and has spent his entire life in that one locality. He owns 239 acres, and in addition to his extensive farming interests is a stockholder in the Sparta State Bank and in the Farmers State Bank at North Webster. He is a democrat, but has never taken much part in politics. Both he and his wife are members of the Church of God, and he is one of the deacons of the church at Wilmot. In October, 1885, Mr. Wilson married Barbara A. Huber. She was born in Washington Township March 29, 1865, daughter of Tira and Nancy E. (Black) Huber, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Ohio and were early settlers in Washington Township of Noble County. Mrs. Wilson’s parents are both now deceased. They were loyal church members, and her father was a Mason, a democrat, and for many years held the office of justice of the peace. He and his wife had six children, two of whom died in infancy. The four still living are : Lewis C., of Ohio; Nancy E., wife of John W. Bouse; Barbara A., Mrs. Wilson; and Jennie A., wife of Bert Himes. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had two chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy, and the other, Mary E., died at the age of fourteen. Richard Hlrrick is a native of Otsego Town- ship, is still living there, a prosperous and energetic farmer, and for nearly forty years has given the best of his energies and talents to his duties on the farm and in his community. He was born June 10, 1854, son of W. C. and Lucy (Avery) Herrick. His father was born in Armenia Township of Dutchess County, New York, January 1, 1812, and died on the farm now owned by his son Richard April 7, 1872. His wife was born in Cayuga County, New York, March 18, 1813. W. C. Herrick was a son of James and Abi- gail (Castle) Herrick, who moved from Dutchess to Cayuga County, New York, where Abigail died. In 1833 James moved west to Sandusky County, Ohio, and spent the rest of his years there. W. C. Herrick came to Steuben County in 1840, settling in Otsego Township, on a tract of government land. Altogether he had 120 acres, and his individual labors cleared away the woods and made it produc- tive. His first home was a log house. He and his wife spent their last years there. She died in 1882. He was a democrat in politics, but during Lincoln’s time became converted to republicanism. His three children were Malinda, Rufus and Rich- ard. Richard Herrick lived at home with his parents to the age of twenty-four, and then went west and spent four years in different states and territo- ries. In 1881 he returned to Steuben County and located on his present farm, where he has done much to improve the condition of the land and erect new buildings. He and his wife together have 100 acres, devoted to general farming and stock raising. He is a raiser of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Herrick has been quite active in republican politics, though never a candidate for office him- self. In December, 1881, he married Margaret Ann Willenner. She was born in Wood County, Ohio, in 1844, daughter of John and Mary (Crumb) Willenner. Her parents came to Otsego Township about 1863, and spent their last years here. Mr. and Mrs. Herrick have two children. Cordia is the wife of Earl Allwood, of Edgerton, Ohio, and she has three children, named Zeda, Bernice and Dorothy. Rufus Grant, who lives at Morley, Michi- gan, married Nettie Halverson, and they have three sons, named Richard M., Donaldson and Herbert. James M. Schlabach is a member of a prominent and rather numerous family that has been identified with Noble County for over half a century. He has spent many years of his life as a practical and pro- gressive farmer, and is a stockman of good repute, well known as a horse buyer. His home is in Sparta Township, in section 33. Mr. Schlabach was born in Pennsylvania, April 20, 1865, son of Henry and Mary A. (Young) Schla- bach, both natives of Pennsylvania. His parents came to Noble County, Indiana, in 1866, locating in Sparta Township. His father bought forty acres of land at first and later had a farm of seventy acres. He was for two years a Union soldier in the Civil war, but was always a democrat in politics, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church in Kimmel. Henry Schlabach and wife had a large family of ten children, seven of whom are still living, namely: Emma, wife of Henry Sparrow; John, of Goshen, Indiana; Samuel, of Kimmel; Sarah, wife of Elmer Williams, of Fort Wayne; Ella, wife of Stephenson Schlantz, of Kimmell ; James M. ; and George, of Sparta Township. James M. Schlabach has lived in Noble County since early infancy, spent his early life on his father’s farm and attended the district schools, and at the age of twenty started out to make his own living. For several years he worked on neighboring farms at monthly wages. January 23, 1886, he married Ida A. McFarren. She was born in Wabash County, Indiana, and had a public school education. Mr. and Mrs. Schlabach have had two children : Sylvia Schlabach, who was born October 28, 1886, died August 24, 1888, age twenty-two months. Walter E., born April 1, 1895, married Minnie Saltz and had one daughter, Alecia, who was born in March, 1916, and died March 27, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Schlabach are members of the Christian Church and in politics he is a republican. His home farm comprises fifty-four acres. Monroe Kemery, owner of one of the good farms of Salem Township, is a member of an old and well known famly of Steuben Township. They came to this part of Northeast Indiana more than sixty years ago and have been participants in business and public affairs as well as in agriculture. Monroe Kemery was born at Angola January 19, 1869, a son of Absalom and Rowena (Robbins) Kemery, and grandson of Jacob Kemery. Jacob Kemery was a native of Pennsylvania and died in 1838. His wife, Mary Loubert, was a native of Germany. Jacob and Mary had a family of six sons, two of whom died in infancy, one killed at the battle of Jonesboro in the Civil war, while all are now gone. One of them was Israel Kemery, long prominent in Angola as a landlord and also one of the county officials. He established the second har- ness shop at Angola in 1856. Absalom Kemery was born at Lancaster, Ohio, and in 1855, on moving to Steuben County, settled on a farm 3 J 4 miles northeast of Angola in Pleas- ant Township. About i860 he left the farm and moved to Angola, and in 1861 enlisted in the Fourth Michigan Infantry. He was in service one year and was then discharged on account of disability. After the war he farmed until about 1872, and from that time until his death lived on a small place about a mile north of Angola. He died in January, 1919, and his wife in May, 1916. They were the parents of four children : Monroe, Carl, Lettie and Ernest D. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 97 Absalom Kemery was affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic. Monroe Kemery attended school at Angola and when a young man went to work in the sawmill of Croxton & Butz. He was with that firm for twelve years. Since then his activities have been directed to agriculture. In 1904 he bought forty acres of section 24, Salem Township, and in 1909 sold that and bought eighty acres in section 23. He has improved his farm with good buildings, and is making steady progress toward independence and prosperity. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias. In 1889 Mr. Kemery married Olive Huffman, daughter of Wilson and Maggie Huffman. They have two children, Odessa and Wilson. Odessa by her marriage to Arch Parker has two children, Monroe and Ulamda. Her second husband is Noah Angemyer. Emmet W. Black is a member of one of the best known families of Noble County, and his own efforts and enterprise have been chiefly directed along the lines of farming and today he is pro- prietor of what is known as the Old Home Farm, comprising 156 acres located three miles southwest of Albion in York Township. Besides the home farm he also has a tract of sixty-two acres in the same township. This gives him all the land that he can handle, and he has kept this farm producing maximum crops for a number of years. Mr. Black has spent most of his life in Noble County but was born in Stark County, Ohio, De- cember 14, 1862. His father, J. W. Black, was born in Stark County, Ohio. His mother, Matilda M. Tyler, was born in Michigan. They were married in Ohio and in 1866 came to Noble County and located five miles southwest of Albion, on the land now owned by their son Emmet. J. W. Black was one of the diligent pioneers, a hard-working farmer, and spent many useful years on the farm where his son now lives. He was a republican and for six years served as assessor of York Township. In the family were eleven children, five of whom are now living: John W., of Canton, Ohio; Emmet W. ; Charles, of Noble County; Calvin, of York Township; and Jennie, wife of David Young. Emmet W. Black grew up on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. After reaching his majority he bought ninety acres and farmed that for several years, finally selling it and buying the old home farm. April 19, 1894, he married Miss Ella Blackman, daughter of Sylvester Blackman. Mrs. Black was reared on the old Blackman farm and is a graduate of the common schools. They have three daughters : Gladys, who has taken one year in high school, and Alma and Mary, both graduates of the common schools. The family are members of the Presby- terian Church and Mr. Black is a trustee. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Albion and in politics is a republican. Besides his extensive farming interests he is a stockholder in the Albion Grist Mill. Virgil S. Goodsell. There is no difficulty in identifying Virgil S. Goodsell as a resident of Mil- ford Township, LaGrange County. He has been a public official, a live business man, a farmer, and altogether associated with the best interests of the community for many years. He is one of the proprietors of the Cannon & Goodsell Lumber Com- pany at South Milford, and has recently closed a splendid term as township trustee. He was born in Milford Township October 18, Vol. II— 7 1872, a son of William M. and Catherine (Stoehr) Goodsell. His father was born in Milford Town- ship in December, 1840, and his mother was also a native of LaGrange County. Both are still living in Milford Township. The father is a democrat in politics. There were six children in the family, four of whom are still living: Augusta, wife of Frank Cochran; Treat M., deceased; Virgil S. ; Nellie G., wife of A. E. Fraas; one that died in infancy; and Clara, wife of O. P. Newnam, of Milford Township. Virgil S. Goodsell grew up on his father’s farm, is a graduate of the district schools, and so far has been content with the status of a bachelor. He operates the old homestead, known as the Wigwam Farm, comprising 140 acres, situated five miles north and one mile east of South Milford. This farm is well known for its livestock, especially its thoroughbred Red Polled cattle. The Goodsells have produced some of the finest animals of this class, and their private sales are largely attended. Mr. Goodsell is affiliated with South Milford Lodge No. 619, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a member of the Encampment. Politi- cally he is a democrat. He is a former secretary of the Mercantile Association of Mount Pisgalia, the oldest association of its kind in the United States. This is a co-operative farmers’ club or association and handles a general stock of mer- chandise. Mr. Goodsell was elected trustee of Mil- ford Township in November, 1914, and closed up his term of office January 1, 1919. Many commenda- tions have been paid his record as trustee, and all of them have been deserved. The accountants ap- proved his books without a flaw, and he was espe- cially successful in keeping up the schools of the township to a high standard and paid higher wages than many other townships in this part of the state. Alva Hite. For over fifty years Alva Hite has been numbered among the best and most useful citizens of Perry Township in Noble County. With the exception of four years he has lived all his life on one farm, which is located five and a half miles northwest of Ligonier. He was born there January 13, 1867, son of Thomas W. and Harriet (Teaford) Hite. His father was born in Jay County, Indiana, March 31, 1839. He was a soldier in the Civil war, serving nine months. Both families moved to Noble County in early days, and Thomas and Harriet were married there and then located on the land now contained in farm of their son Alva. Thomas Hite was a man of much enterprise, good business judgment, and acquired 214 acres. He also earned a great wealth of community esteem, was an active republican, and a liberal supporter of the church. He and his wife had ten children, nine of whom are still living: Nelson, of Perry Township; Alva; Clara B., wife of Frank Baker, of Detroit; Laura M., wife of Har- vey Hartzler; Luella, wife of Robert Cooper, of Albion ; Bessie, wife of Harry Pincheon, of Al- bion; Nona, wife of John Baker, of Ligonier; J. C., of Ligonier ; and Homer, a farmer in Perry Township. Alva Hite attended the district schools during his youth and learned all the principles of good farming during the lifetime of his father. At the age of twenty-four he married Cora Crockett. She died in July, 1897, mother of one child, Faye, who was born March 28, 1897, and is now a clerk in the Stansberry store at Ligonier. Mr. Hite married for his second wife Inez A. Milner. They have five children : Anna, attending high school. Dean, Dora, 98 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Thomas and Robert, all of whom are living except Robert. The family are members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Hite is a republican in poli- tics. While he had as a start toward an independent career a capital of about two thousand dollars, he has earned and made all the rest of his prosperity. He owns the old homestead of 134 acres and also thirty-nine acres in LaGrange County. He is a stockholder in the Ligonier Elevator Company and was a member of the Township Advisory Board when the township graded school was built. Jasper B. Gerkin is a representative of one of the old and substantial families of Washington Township in Noble County, and has spent practically all his life there. He owns a good farm and is a man of most substantial citizenship. His home is in section 4 of Washington Township, five miles southeast of Cromwell. He was born in Sparta Township of the same county in November, 1853, a son of Harmon and Mary (Beamblossom) Gerkin. His father was a native of Germany and came to the United States when a young man, locating in Ohio, where he married, his wife being a native of that state. They then came to Noble County and spent the rest of their days in Sparta Township, living in different localities there. Harmon Gerkin was an active mem- ber of the Broadway Christian Church. After the death of his first wife he married again and had five children by that union. By his first marriage there were four children, and the three still living are : Sarah, wife of George Gunder, of Albion, Indiana; William, of Texas; and Jasper B. Jasper B. Gerkin grew up on the home farm in Sparta Township, attended district school there, and since early manhood, a period of nearly fifty years, he has been closely identified with the farm- ing interests of that county. He is a general farmer and stock raiser, still giving active management to his farm of ninety acres. Mr. Gerkin married Cecelia Knappe. She is a member of the old and prominent Knappe family of Washington Township and was born in Branchville, New Jersey, April 4, 1848, coming to Noble County with her parents in the spring of 1850. Mrs. Gerkin was well educated, and like her brothers taught school in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Gerkin had only one child, who died in infancy. They are prominent members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Gerkin is one of the trustees and his wife clerk of the church. He is a republican and is affiliated with Cromwell Lodge No. 4°8> Knights of Pythias. Charles Hagerty is the business partner and as- sociate of his brother Emmet B. Hagerty in the mercantile firm of Hagerty Brothers at Scott. Both brothers are veteran merchants, and Charles Hagerty in early life had much practical experience as a farmer. He was born at Scott in Van Buren Township June 28, 1858, a son of James and Amanda (Bond) Hagerty. He attended public school at Scott and in early manhood began farming in his native town- ship. In 1887 he bought the interest of Charles Munger, then associated with his brother Emmet, and has since been an active partner in the firm of Hagerty Brothers. Mr. Hagerty married Clara L. Moak on January 11, 1881. She is a daughter of Peter and Lovica (Satchel) Moak. Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty have a family of five children : Ethel, wife of Henry Ringler and mother of Oriel ; Loa L., who was mar- ried to Fred Walton, and they have a daughter, Frances; Harold, who married Elizabeth Eash; Dewey; and Wreta. Harold enlisted December n, 1917, in Company Eighteen, Second Regiment, Air Service Mechanics, and left for overseas March 4, 1918. He saw service in France fourteen months, being discharged June n, 1919. He was married after coming back from the war. Ferm Bowman. Of one of the most important institutions in the county, the Noble County In- firmary, Ferm Bowman is by virtue of appointment from the Board of County Commissioners superin- tendent. He is a young man of many qualifications for the office and his administration has already been productive of many of the results which his friends predicted. Mr. Bowman was born in York Township of Noble County September 28, 1879, son of Ream and Alvira (Saltzgaber) Bowman. His father is still living in Fort Wayne. Mr. Bowman was only eight months old when his mother died, and he grew up at the home of his maternal grandfather in York Township. He had an education in the common schools and at the age of fourteen he left home and since then has been making his own way in the world, dependent entirely upon his own efforts. In January, 1913, he married Nora Jones, of Wayne Township, daughter of Edward Jones of Rome City. They have three children : Bulah, Karl and Merton. Mr. Bowman is a republican in politics and was appointed superintendent of the County Infirmary on January 1, 1918. He took up his duties March 1st of the same year, and holds the office for a period of four years. For a num- ber of years before entering upon his present duties he farmed in Allen Township. Minor S. Perkins is one of four brothers who are well known in the business, agricultural and civic life of LaGrange County. Minor S. has a well improved and valuable farm a mile west of Stroh. He was born in Milford Township August 14, 1874, a son of Samuel and Emma (Mains) Per- kins. Some of the interesting particulars in this old and well known family are found on other pages. Minor Perkins grew up on the home farm, located a mile south of where he now lives, at- tended the district schools, and in 1903 married Etta Ringler. She was born in DeKalb County, In- diana, and was educated in the common schools. Since his marriage Mr. Perkins has lived on his present farm and has cultivated and improved it so as to win a livelihood and constantly increase its value. In 1911 he built a modern home, one of the best in the township. Mr._ and Mrs. Perkins have two children: Bertha, born in 1905, and Floyd, born in 1907. Mr. Perkins is affiliated with Philo Lodge of Masons and is a republican in politics. Like his brothers he has been prospered in busi- ness affairs. He is a member of the firm Perkins Brothers, owners of the Stroh Grain Company at Stroh. Individually he owns a half section of land and is one of the directors of the Farmers State Bank at Stroh. John M. Weimer, whose farm home is two miles north and one mile east of Avilla in Noble County, is an example of those straight thinking, upright and hard working Americans who begin life with no special advantages, without capital, and who by an unlimited expenditure of labor, thrift and intelli- gence win good homes and independence. Mr. Weimer was born in Allen Township of Noble County, July 29, 1857, and has lived in that locality HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 99 practically sixty years. His parents were Adam and May (Hess) Weimer, both natives of Germany. They came with their respective families to the United States on the same vessel in 1848. Adam Weimer located at Toledo, where he worked at his trade, was also employed in the same line at Fort Wayne, and afterward married in Noble County, Indiana, and located on a farm near Avilla, where he spent his last years. He and his wife were mem- bers of the Lutheran church and he was a democrat. Of eight children six are still living: John M., Adam, Charles J. and Henry P., all farmers in Allen Township, Elizabeth, unmarried, and Paul, also in Allen Township. John M. Weimer grew up on the home farm, at- tended the common schools, and as a youth started to learn the trade of carpenter. He acquired much skill in that line, and worked not only as a journey- man but also took individual contracts and followed the business for about thirty years. During that time he built a large number of barns and other structures throughout Noble County. From the age of eighteen until he reached his majority ML Weimer gave all his wages to his parents, and then started out even with the world to win his own fortune. He has had the cooperation of his good wife through all the years, and they have secured and developed a valuable farfn of eighty acres, rep- resenting to them a good home and also an invest- ment for their future years. Mr. Weimer has the farm well stocked. January 1, 1887, he married Miss Susanna Diehm. She was born in Allen Township of Noble County and was educated in the common schools. One son was born to their marriage, Carl G., born March 10, 1890. He was educated in the common schools and for five years was a mail clerk in the United States Railway postoffice, having a run on the Wabash Railroad. He left that service to enter the army and remained with the colors until recently, now being at home. Mr. and Mrs. Weimer are members of the Lutheran Church and in politics he is a democrat. Thomas Curtis is one of the men who are carry- ing some of the active burdens of farming and animal husbandry in Lima Township of LaGrange County, and he has been a factor in that com- munity for nearly twenty years. Mr. Curtis was born at London, England, De- cember 19, 1871, and was only a few weeks old when his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Curtis, located in LaGrange County in February, 1872. He grew up at Howe, attended the grammar schools there and also the high school, and from early manhood has been identified with farming as his vocation. He bought his present farm in Lima Township, consisting of ninety-six acres, in 1906. It was well improved land but he has remodeled the house and barn and added a silo, and is doing a prosperous business as a general farmer and stock- ra'iser. Mr. Curtis is a republican and a member of the Episcopal Church. In 1897 he married Miss Ada Abey, of Van Buren Township, daughter of Jacob Abey. She was reared in the home of her grandfather, Jacob Abey. Mr. Curtis died in 1910, at the age of thirty-three. She left one son, Leland H. J., born in October, 1898. He was educated in the public schools and high school at Howe, and is still at home with his father. Rufus C. Fuller is a native of Noble County, has had a busy and useful life as a farmer, and today owns one of the good farms of Washington Township, located in section 1, three miles west of Wolf Lake. He was born in York Township October 15, 1861, son of Cornelius and Mary (Grimes) Fuller, both natives of Ohio. After their marriage they located in York Township of Noble County and spent the rest of their days in that county. Cornelius Fuller was a carpenter and contractor, and built many houses and other structures that still stand to attest his_ skill. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their children were named Melissa, Jacob, Samantha, Amanda and Rufus. Rufus C. Fuller lived in York Township until he was six years old, when his parents removed to Noble Township, and since coming of age he has given his years to the pursuit of agriculture. His present farm comprises 120 acres, and it is well equipped and well stocked and represents a com- fortable competence. Mr. Fuller married May Richmond, who was born at Wolf Lake November 23, 1866, daughter of William and Lete.cia A. (Bethel) Richmond. Her parents were born in Ohio, were married at Wolf Lake, and her father was well known as a teacher, carpenter, contractor and farmer. Mrs. Fuller was reared on a farm, and attended school m Wolf Lake, Ligonier and Spring Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller had five children: Bird, now deceased; Gertrude, wife of Roy Salmon; Letecia, wife of Don Braden; Ralph, a farmer; and Schuyler. Mr. Fuller is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Kimmell and in politics is a re- publican. Sherman Morris. One of the oldest and most val- ued farm homes in Sparta Township is that of Sherman Morris, comprising 240 acres of rich and well cultivated soil which has been in the owner- ship of the Morris family since pioneer days. Sher- man Morris was born on this farm July 15, 1868, has lived there all his life and has been a man of public affairs as well as a capable farmer. His father, Andrew Morris, was born in Preble County, Ohio, November 6, 1828, and when ten years old, in 1838, the family moved to Kosciusko County, Indiana, and entered government land in Turkey Creek Township. The grandfather spent the rest of his days there. Andrew Morris mar- ried at Pleasantville, Indiana, March 17, 1859, La- vina Morrow, whose family were among the first pioneers of Noble County. She was born in Perry Township of that county in 1836, and died Jan- uary 20, 1917. Andrew Morris and wife after their marriage settled in Sparta Township and spent the rest of their days there. His wife was a member of the Universalist Church, and he was a liberal supporter of that cause. He was very active and prominent as a republican and for three years was a member of the County Board of Com- missioners and also assessor of Sparta Township There were four children in the family: John C., of Sparta Township; Jennie, wife of J. F. Eagles; Sherman; and Manford, of Turkey Creek Town- ship. Sherman Morris received a common school edu- cation, and for thirty years applied himself to the practical business of farming the old homestead. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers and Mer- chants Trust Company at Ligonier. On November 10, 1898, he married Rena Buchtel, who was born in Perry Townshio of Noble County January 27, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have no children of their own but are rearing a daughter, Pauline Knapp, who was born March 29, 1905, and 100 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA is now attending the public schools. Mr. Morris is affiliated with Cromwell Lodge No. 729, Free and Accepted Masons, is past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and has been a member of the Grand Lodge. In politics he is a republican. During his four years’ term as trustee of Sparta Township he made a creditable record, and handled all the affairs entrusted to him, particularly the schools, in a way to satisfy the wishes and desires of a great majority of the people of the township. William Pieper has for many years been one of the most industrious and capable farmer citizens of Noble County. His life has been productive in many ways, and among men in whom the people have con- fidence and who carry into private and public life every mark of esteem perhaps no one is better known than Mr. Pieper, whp has been successful as a farmer and has held many of the offices of trust in his county. He was born in Westphalia, Germany, November IS, 1847, son of Casper and Elizabeth (Simon) Pieper. His mother died in Germany, and his father spent his last years in the United States. William Pieper grew up in his native land and lived there to the age of twenty. His education was the result of attending the common schools to the age of six- teen. After that he spent four years selling hard- ware on the road during the winter seasons and helping his father on the farm in summer. He pur- sued this business so energetically that he was able to accumulate about $1,000. With this capital, which made him a rather wealthy immigrant, he started on August 5, 1868, for his future home in the United States. He was nineteen days on the ocean and landed at Baltimore October 5, 1868, and soon afterward arrived in Ken- dallville and from there went to Avilla, in which locality he has lived now for half a century. The first three months he was employed as a farm la- borer, and then bought eighty acres three miles northeast of Avilla. There he built his first home in the county, and two years later he married Miss Rosa Vogeding. She was born at Dayton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Pieper lived on their farm near Avilla for forty-four years, and then moved to his present place, where he has 160 acres in Allen Township and also owns a business house in Avilla. Mrs. Pieper died September 7, 1917, after thirty- five years of married companionship. Five of her children are still living: Henry E., who graduated from Valparaiso College, taught in Noble County and for seven years was a teacher in the Philip- pines, and is now a teacher of Spanish at Valparaiso ; Frank J., who is a hay inspector with the United States government at Toledo, Ohio; William, now living at Washburn, Wisconsin; Charles J., a grad- uate of high school and of Wabash College, was for four years a teacher in the University School at Chicago Heights and is now a chemist in Govern- ment service at Washington; and Lillie, a graduate of the Kendallville High School and keeping up the home for her father. Mr. and Mrs. Pieper also took into their household an adopted child, Hilda Heck- man. Mr. Pieper and family are members of the Cath- olic Church at Avilla. He is a democrat in politics. In 1884 he was elected trustee of Allen Township, and gave a competent direction to his official affairs for six years. He was elected a member of the County Council and served four years. For nine years, three successive terms, he was a county com- missioner of the Middle District of Noble County. Amos C. Schrock is trustee of Van Buren Town- ship in LaGrange County, and the good work he is doing in that office is what was anticipated by his fellow citizens, who have long known him as a practical farmer and business man identified with every movement in the community for advancement and progress. Mr. Schrock lives today on a farm where he was born December 12, 1873. He is a son of Cor- nelius Schrock, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1830, and a grandson of Peter and Fannie (Plank) Schrock, both natives of Ohio. Peter Schrock settled in Elkhart County, Indiana, in 1842, and lived there the rest of his life. His children were John, Abraham, Rachel, Mary, Peter, David, Joseph and Cornelius. Cornelius Schrock married Magdalena Bontrager, who was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1832, a daughter of John and Martha Bontrager. In 1871 Cornelius Schrock bought the farm in Van Buren Township now owned by his son, and was busy with its care and superintendence the rest of his life. He owned eighty acres. His death occurred January 27, 1913. He and his wife had a large family of children, named Peter, Cyrus, Joseph, Anna, Daniel, Isaac, John, who died at the age of sixteen, Henry, Eli, who died when two years old, Christ, David, who died at the age of two years, Amos and Andrew, who died in childhood. Amos Schrock acquired a district school education in Van Buren Township and when sixteen left home and began earning his living as a monthly laborer. He followed this line of employment until he was twenty-three years of age. In 1893 Mr. Schrock left Indiana, spent one year in Nebraska, and after that lived in Kansas until 1900. He then returned to Van Buren Township and in 1902 bought the home- stead of eighty acres in section 33. He also owns thirty-one acres in Newbury Township. Mr. Schrock married Laura Marhofer April 4, 1898. She is a daughter of Valentine Marhofer, of Greenwood County, Kansas. To their marriage have been born three children : Marion V., a student in the Indiana State University; Jesse E., and Glendon L. Mr. Schrock was elected and began his duties as township trustee in January, 1919. During the four preceding years from January, 1915, he held the office of township assessor. Alvin R. Roush. This is a family name that has been identified with the good citizenship and agri- cultural activities of Washington Township in Noble County for a great many years. Alvin R. Roush is one of the younger members of the family and has had a successful career as a general farmer and stock raiser. His farm of eighty acres is in section 19, and is the same farm where he was born in August, 1882. His parents were Alfred and Elizabeth (Rider) Roush. His father was a native of Ohio. His mother was born in October, 1849, on the same farm where she now lives with her children. Her father, Jacob Rider, was a pioneer in this section of In- diana, entered government land, and was long known for his upright and honest character. He had learned the miller’s trade in Pennsylvania, be- ginning when he was sixteen years old and after he came to Indiana he built and for many years operated what was known as Rider’s Mills. He was a democrat in politics. Jacob Rider lived to the age of ninety-four. Of his seven children only two are now living: Mrs. James Wilson and Mrs. Alfred Roush. Alfred Roush during the high tide of his activity as a farmer conducted and operated 250 acres of land. He was an active member of the Lutheran Church. He and his wife had nine chil- dren, and the four now living are : Harry, who is unmarried and lives with his mother ; Alvin R. ; HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 101 Nettie, a high school graduate and a former teacher, now the wife of A. D. Wilkinson of Whitley County, Indiana; and R. W., a resident of >i?orth Webster, Indiana. Alvin R. Roush spent his entire life on the old farm. He was well educated, first in the district schools, later in high school for one year, and he also attended college at Hillsdale, Michigan, and at Angola, Indiana. On May 9, 1903, he married Orra Seymour, who was born in Noble Township and County June 7, 1881, and is a graduate of the Wolf Lake High School, after which she taught for five years, until her marriage. She is a daughter of George and Lydia (Howenstine) Seymour, of Wolf Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Roush have lived on their present farm since their marriage and have been steadily prospered, and already have sur- rounded themselves with all the circumstances of prosperous people, including a family of four bright young children. These children are: Francis, born October 19, 1904, now a student in high school; Alfreda, born in September, 1907; Thomas, born in January, 1909; and Georgie E., born in December, 1910. Mr. Roush is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Cromwell and is a democrat. Keep Lemmon. Several pages of this publication are given over to tracing the conspicuous facts in the record of the Lemmon family in Steuben County. In all their varied relations and long resi- dence here they have proved themselves stalwart and worthy citizens, good farmers, good neigh- bors, and people of the utmost worth and value. They are one of the oldest families, and many of them have intermarried with other old families. One of the younger generation is Keep Lemmon, a prominent farmer of Otsego Township. He was born in that township. May 19, 1869, a son of Brace and Dill (Crain) Lemmon and a grandson of Mor- ris and Lucinda (Rathburn) Lemmon, who were the founders of the family in Northeast Indiana. Brace Lemmon was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, in 1845, had a common school education and after his marriage, which was celebrated in DeKalb County, settled on a farm now owned by Earl Lem- mon. He cleared up much of that land and re- peated that process with two other tracts of land. About T889 he moved to the place now owned by his son Keep Lemmon, and lived there until his death in January, 1918. His first wife died in 1875, leaving two children,, Lucinda and Keep. Brace Lemmon married for his second wife Diana Quick. They had four children : Lee, wife of Lewis Wallberry, a son of George H. Wallberry, the old soldier and well known citizen of Otsego Township; Bell, wife of Joseph Sewell; Phena, wife of Lafayette Wells; and Edna, wife of Glenn Greenwood. Grace Lemmon was a republican and a member of the Methodist Church. Keep Lemmon grew up on the farm of his father in Otsego Township, acquired a good education in the district schools, and during his life has ac- tively prosecuted his business as a farmer. He owns 179 acres, including the ninety-two acres last owned by his father. He gives his attention to general farming and stock raising. He is, like his father, a republican and a member of the Grange. September 19, 1893, he married Miss Clarissa Fee, a daughter of Calvin Fee and a granddaughter of John Fee, who is recorded in history as the first settler of Otsego Township. Mr. and Mrs. Lem- mon have two daughters, Myrtie and Marie. Myrtie is the wife of Basil Oberlin, a son of James Ober- lin of Steuben County. Marie is the wife of Ford Keppler, of Otsego Township. Both daughters are graduates of the high school at Hamilton, attended the Tri-State Normal College at Angola, and prior to their marriage were teachers. John Ott is a native son of Noble County, a man who has distinguished himself by enterprise and thrift and good judgment in all his relations with his community, and is one of the leading farmers of Noble Township. His home is in section 13. He was born in Green Township of that county, March 31, 1852, son of Jesse and Docia (Brown) Ott. His parents were both natives of Preble County, Ohio, his father born December 1, 1822, and his mother in January, 1830. They were reared in Preble County, and after their marriage moved to Indiana in 1850, settling in the southern part of Green Township, where after clearing and improv- ing their land they lived until their death. They were active members of the Christian Church, Jesse Ott serving as a trustee, and was a republican in politics. They were the parents of eight children : Cornelius; Amanda, wife of William Cucas ; John; George, who is deceased; Fred; Abraham; Eli; and Alpha. John Ott grew up on his father’s farm in Green Township, and had only the advantages of the common schools, but has wisely improved his op- portunities and is a man of wide inclination as well as much practical ability. For four years he worked out by the month, later rented, and since his mar- riage has acquired his present farm of seventy-four acres. Besides farming he follows the carpenter trade. In November, 1879, Mr. Ott married Martha Man- ning. She was born in Allen County, Indiana, and received a common school education. Mr. and Mrs. Ott have a fine family of eight children, fourteen grandchildren and tw'O great-grandchildren. Their children are: Emmaretta, wife of William H. Huntsman ; Mary, wife of George Edwards ; Jesse, a farmer in Noble Township; Orvin, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Nevada, wife of Leo Gaff; Clinton, of Noble County; Clara, wife of Archie Friskney; and William, still at home. The parents are members of the Baptist Church and Mr. Ott is a republican. Oliver F. Schutt. A substantial farmer of Clay Township, LaGrange County, is found in Oliver F. Schutt, who owns a well improved farm of eighty acres, which he devotes to grain and general produce and to the raising of standard stock. He was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, March 20, 1863, and is a son of Christian and Mary (Seybert) Schutt. The parents of Mr. Schutt lived at Erie, Pennsyl- vania, before coming to Warsaw, Kosciusko County, Indiana. The father died in this county in 1871, when aged forty-nine years. His children were as fol- lows : Julia, Maria, Susan, Hannah, Martha, Henry, Aaron, Maggie, John and Oliver F. The mother was first married to Mr. Shue, who died during the war. One son, Jacob, was born to that union. The mother died in 1879. Oliver F. Schutt was nine years old when he came to live in LaGrange County with his sister Susan, who was the wife of Davis Wolfe, a farmer in Van Buren Township, on the bank of Buck Lake. He was well taken care of, was sent to school and was taught to be a practical farmer. Later he bought his first farm, a tract of fifty-eight acres in Clay Township, but he soon sold that property and bought eighty acres six miles from LaGrange, in Newbury Township, and this he also sold and in 1912 came to his present farm of eighty acres in 102 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Clay Township. Mr. Schutt may feel that he has done well, considering that he has had his own way to make in the world ever since boyhood. In 1885 Mr. Schutt was married to Miss Emma Newman, a daughter of Rozaine H. and Almeda Catherine (Laughlin) Newman. Formerly they were farming people in Van Buren Township but now live comfortably retired at LaGrange. Mrs. Schutt has one brother, Burr. Mr. and Mrs. Schutt have two children : Floyd, who was born July 24, 1886, is a farmer east of White Pigeon, Mich- igan, married Bessie Bollinger, and they have a daughter, Myrtle; and Verne, born May 10, 1888, who is a farmer in Bloomfield Township, married Nora Miller, and they have two children, Pauline and Virgil. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Schutt is a re- publican. Sylvester Blackman is one of the oldest native sons still living in Noble County, and has spent more than three-quarters of a century there, during which time he has witnessed the upholding of nearly every condition which has important bearing upon the material prosperity and civilization of the present generation. Mr. Blackman was a veteran of the Civil war, and for half a century or more has been a practical farmer. He still lives on his fine farm in section 26 of York Township. He was born in that township, October 6, 1842, the son of Elisha and Amy (Rollins) Blackman. Elisha Blackman was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, August 1, 1801. He went to Ohio in early life and at Troy in Miami County of that state married Amy Rollins on October 23, 1824. She was born in Miami County, Ohio, September 2, 1808. Elisha Blackman and wife were among the earliest settlers of Noble County, locating in the year 1836 at Roudy Ridge, where he entered a tract of land comprising eighty acres. He was a blacksmith by trade, and set up a shop in the woods and did more mechanical work than he did farming. After several years he sold his first place and bought eighty acres near where his son Syl- vester now lives. There he divided his time between his blacksmith shop and his fields. In religious faith he was a Swedenborgian, and in politics was formerly a whig and later a republican. He died February 29, 1872, and his wife died May 16, i860. They were the parents of thirteen children. Sylvester Blackman grew up in a pioneer com- munity and attended school in a log schoolhouse. Altogether he received only a few months of school- ing. A few weeks after his twenty-first birthday, on December 23, 1863, he enlisted in Company B of the Twelfth Indiana Infantry, and fought in active service from that time until the close of the war. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea and was honorably discharged from the service at Louisville, Kentucky, July 15, 1865. He returned home and during all the years since then has been busily engaged in farming. On October 29, 1867, he married Mary Jane Burns, who died forty-five years later, on April 4, T913. Mr. and Mrs. Blackman are the parents of seven children. All are living except Frank, who died March 10, 1904. He was a graduate of the Ligonier High School. Ella, the oldest, is the wife of Emmet Black of York Township; Joseph E. married Lillian Dennison and William married Olive Smith. Ger- trude, Thaddeus and Anna are all unmarried. Thaddeus is a graduate of the University of Chi- cago, with a degree Bachelor of Philosophy. Mr. Blackman is a member of the Sparta Chris- tian Church, and served twelve years as a trustee of the Eel River Christian Conference. He was made a Mason January 4, 1864, at Albion, Indiana. He is also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter and Council at Ligonier, and is a Knight of Pythias. In politics he is a sterling republican. Mr. Black- man is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company at Ligonier. He lives on his fine farm of 277 acres and enjoys the comforts of a fine modern home. Manassas M. Borntrager is one of the well known residents of LaGrange County, and occupies a fine farm which he bought and paid for out of his earnings as a practical agriculturist, and which is situated three miles west and four miles north of Topeka. He was born in section 4 of Eden Township, No- vember 24, 1879, a son of Manassas J. and Lydia (Yoder) Borntrager. This is an old and well known family of LaGrange County, and his pa- ternal ancestors make a long line of Americans who have been in this country for more than a century and a half. Mr. Borntrager grew up on his father’s farm, attended district school to the age of seventeen, and then worked at home until reaching his major- ity. On January 19, 1905, he married Elizabeth Miller, who was born in Clear Spring Township, April 23, 1887, a daughter of Emanuel and Anna (Slabaugh) Miller. Mrs. Borntrager grew up on her father’s farm in Clear Spring Township and attended the common schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Borntrager lived for one year on her father’s farm, then bought eighty acres in Clear Spring Township, but after four years sold that place, rented one summer and in 1912 bought the 120 acres comprising their pres- ent well managed and valuable farm, which is de- voted to general crops and livestock. Mr. and Mrs. Borntrager have seven children, named Emanuel, Urias, Sylvia, Anna, Amos, Noah and Manassas. The family are members of the Amish Mennonite Church. George M. Brown. There is a dignity connected with work well done, and a satisfaction that comes of industry and' thrift in living. The man who early realizes that whatever is worth attempting is worth executing to the best of his ability is the man who wins out in life’s contest. The measure of a man’s ability is found in the esteem in which he is held by his associates. Those who meet him in the everyday vocations know just what he can and will do, and how he handles the problems presented to them all. Some fall far below the average, but there are others who set the pace, and in no line of endeavor is this truer than in farming. In reviewing the work of Steuben County agricultural- ists the biographer is struck by the fact that certain ones are deserving of special mention, and it may be truthfully said that if ever there was a leader in a farming community in whom the people for a wide radius placed implicit trust it is George M. Brown of Otsego Township, who is now serving his county as commissioner. George M. Brown was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, November 24, 1863, a son of Moseley and Eliza (Abbot) Brown. Moseley Brown was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, and died at Angola, Indiana, in January, 1873, while his wife, who was born in the same county as her husband, died in 1868. In 1869 Moseley Brown moved to Michigan, but after a year in that state came to Angola, where he worked as a teamster until his death. He and his wife had the following children : Mary, who married George Sage ; Martha, HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 103 who married Henry Kankamp ; Celia, who married George Elliot ; George M., whose name heads this review ; and Leland, who was the youngest. After the death of his father George M. Brown went to live with his uncle at Ray, Steuben County, remaining with him until he was eighteen years old, and during that period attended the district school. He then became a student of the Fremont High School, and still later of the Tri-State College at Angola, earning the money for the latter courses by selling books through Ohio and Virginia during the winter of 1881-2. Having thus prepared him- self, Mr. Brown began teaching school, his first appointment being to the Farnham School in Fre- mont Township, Steuben County, where he remained two years, and then for an equal length of time he taught in Otsego Township. In 1888 Mr. Brown entered upon the line of work for which he was so pre-eminently fitted, commenc- ing his operations on a hundred-acre tract bought for Mr. and Mrs. Brown by Mrs. Brown’s father. From the start he succeeded, and he has kept on adding to his farm until he now owns 400 acres of as fine land as there is in the township, and on it he carries on general farming and stock raising. In addition to his farming Mr. Brown is at present manager of the Co-operative Shipping Association of Hamilton, Indiana, and he has handled con- siderable livestock during the past ten years. In 1908 Mr. Brown’s fellow citizens elected him trustee of Otsego Township, and he served in that office until January 1, 1915. They further testified to their appreciation of his abilities by electing him commissioner of Steuben County in 1917, he assum- ing the duties of that office in 1918. From boyhood it was Mr. Brown’s ambition to become the owner of a farm of considerable size, but never did his fondest hopes attain to the reality of today. He is essentially a self-made man, is proud of the fact, and has every reason to look with pride on what he has accomplished. Not only is he a man of wealth, he is much more, a man of the highest character, whose stability and power of concentration have placed him among the worth- while men of his state. His present prosperity has been attained after almost increditable persistence and determination, and while he has made such a material advance, he is still the incarnation of probity and kindness, of steadfast devotion to his duty as he sees it, and the needs of the whole com- munity. He is living a life full of inspiration to his neighbors, and it is but natural that he should receive popular recognition in the future as he has in the past. On March 1, 1888, Mr. Brown was united in mar- riage with Alma M. Williams, a daughter of Ephraim B. and Martha (Cooper) Williams, and they have one son, Harold F., who is engaged in farming with his father. This son married Pearl Lautzenheiser, and they have a daughter, Zelda Ruth. Ephraim B. Williams was born in Orleans County, New York, January 10, 1833, the fifth child of Henry R. and Mary Ann (Case) Williams, who brought their family to Jackson Township, Steuben County, Indiana, in 1836, their arrival in the county being saddened by the death of the good mother December 2d of that same year, of tuberculosis. She had borne her husband the following children : Hamilton, Maria, Wallace, Ephraim B. and one who died in infancy. Two years later Henry R. Williams was married to Philma Town, and in 1842 removal was made to Otsego Township, where he bought 100 acres in section 9, and there he died October 9, 1879, when in the eighty-fourth year of his life. His widow survived him until 1882. There were no children of the second marriage. The boyhood and youth of Ephraim B. Williams was spent in Steuben County, he alternating attend- ance in the district schools with hard work on the farm of his father, and he grew up strong and self- reliant, so that when he began farming on his own account he had a practical knowledge of the work and was able to carry it on successfully. He bought a farm in section 17, Otsego Township, and was engaged in agricultural work all his active life, becoming one of the wealthy men of his neighbor- hood, and the owner of 280 acres of valuable land. In 1893 he moved to Angola, where he lived in retirement until his death, September 28, 1905. In 1857 Ephraim B. Williams was united in mar- riage with Susan Pearce, and she died June 15, 1863. On February 18, 1864, Mr. Williams was married to Martha Cooper, and they had three chil- dren, namely: Alma, Lucy and Susan. In his political views Mr. Williams was a republican, and always supported the candidates of his party. Martha (Cooper) Williams was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1833, a daughter of William and Lucy (Thomas), Cooper, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. In 1844 William Cooper came from Pennsylvania to Steuben County, Indiana, locating in Richland Township, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1868. He and his wife had the following children: Elizabeth, Mary, Martha, Sarah and Anna. Ellis Smith is counted among the progressive farmers who have done most for the agricultural uplift in Perry Township of Noble County. Mr. Smith has for thirty years or more been a farmer, and owns a fine farm and corresponding improve- ments in section 32 of Perry Township. He was born on an adjoining farm in the same township February 7, 1864, a son of Benjamin F. and Charity (Lane) Smith. His father was twelve years old when brought to Noble County and was a son of Jacob and Abigail (Bloomer) Smith. Ben- jamin Smith’s early education was largely neglected, and he was put on his own responsibility at an early age. How well he made use of his oppor- tunity in his struggle with adversity is indicated by his accumulation of 230 acres of land. He was a republican in politics. He and his wife had ten children. Those still living are : Emma, wife of Emmett Caldwell ; Ellis ; Hattie, wife of Andrew Umbenhower; Howard, of Kentucky; William H., of Whitley County; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Cass, of Perry Township, on the old homestead of her father ; and Clara, wife of Thomas Kensler, of Panama. Ellis Smith grew up on his father’s farm and ac- quired a common school education. He lived at home to the age of twenty-four. On October 3, 1888, Miss Anna Earll became his wife. She was born in Noble County in August, 1865. Six children have been born to their marriage : Ralph, the old- est, married Ruth Harper. Emmett is a graduate of the Ligonier High School, attended the Tri-State Normal at Angola, and has been a teacher. He married Henrietta Murry and is now a farmer. Ruth, the youngest of the family is a graduate of the common schools, attended the State College at An- gola, and is a successful teacher in Sparta Town- ship. Three are deceased, Ben E., Frank L., and Albert. Mr. Smith as a farmer specializes in registered Hereford cattle. He owns 285 acres, all joining and in one farm. He is a stockholder in the Farm- 104 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA ers Elevator at Ligonier and also of the Citizens Bank of that city. Politically he is affiliated with the republican party. Charles J. Walker, whose home and farm are in Union Township ij 4 miles east of Auburn, is a member of an old and prominent family in DeKalb County. His grandfather, John R. Walker, was born in Yorktown, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and married Cath- erine Frumrine. In 1835 he moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, and in 1844 came to DeKalb County and bought 160 acres in section 35 of Smithfield Township. He cleared most of the timber from the land and in i860 bought another quarter section. George K. Walker, a son of this pioneer, was born in Indiana, in Smithfield Township, and mar- ried Anna Ashelman. She was a daughter of John W. Ashelman, who became one of the largest land owners in DeKalb County. George K. Walker and wife were married in DeKalb County and are now living at Waterloo, Indiana. They are members of the United Brethren Church and the father is a democrat in politics. There are four children : John, of Grant Township; Alice, wife of Charles O. Spear; William, of Smithfield Township; and Charles J. Charles J. Walker, who was born on a farm in Smithfield Township December 3, 1880, was edu- cated there in the district schools and is a graduate of the Waterloo High School. For ten years he has been a prosperous farmer and a breeder of Holstein cattle. He is a democrat and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. December 24, 1912, he married Mary Funk. She was born in Allen County, Indiana. Theo Wright is a citizen who has been identified with the affairs of Sparta Township for thirty years or more, and always in some useful and public-spirited way. He is a practical farmer and his home is three miles southeast of Cromwell, in section 27. He was born in the same township February 15, 1868, son of Alexander and Margaret (Hull) Wright. His parents were natives of Ohio, but were married after they came to Noble County, and then lived on a farm in Sparta Township. Alexander Wright had a record as a Union soldier during the Civil war. He was for two years a private in Company A of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry. After the war he joined the Grand Army of the Republic and was a republican in politics and served as road supervisor for Sparta Township. He and his wife had five children: Theo; W. R., a hard- ware merchant at Cromwell ; Rosa, wife of William Crow; Melvin, a farmer in Whitley County; and Arthur, also of Whitley County, Indiana. Theo Wright grew up on his father’s farm, had a district school education, and when fourteen started out to make his own way in the world and his experiences and achievements since then have indicated his self-reliance, his initiative and energy in making the best of his opportunities. He has always been a hard worker, but reached the age of twenty-one with very little capital. February 11, 1891, he married Clara A. Galloway, a daughter of Anderson Galloway, a well-known citizen of Noble County elsewhere referred to. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wright rented the Scott Galloway farm for several years. They are the parents of three children. Ercell is a farmer in Kosciusko County ; Clarence served with Re- mount Squadron No. 323 with the Expeditionary Forces in France; Elma is a graduate of the com- mon schools and now a student in high school. Mr. Wright is the present assessor of Sparta Township. He is also a director in the Farmers Mutual Aid Association, and is a leading republican. He is now in his second term as township assessor, serving one term of four years and being re-elected for a consecutive term. He is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, past grand of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and also a member of Cromwell Lodge No. 705, Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Wright and family reside on a farm of twenty-three acres. Archie L. Carpenter, who has spent all his life in Northeast Indiana, is a capable young farmer, a resident of Clear Spring Township, LaGrange County, in which locality he has had his home since about the time he received his first instruc- tion in the common schools. He was born in Noble County, December 9, 1876, a son of John and Lu- celia (Hervey) Carpenter. His mother was born in Clear Spring Township, LaGrange County, in 1840. His father was born in May, 1837, in Cass County, Michigan. After his parents married they settled in Noble County and later moved to La- Grange County. The father was a republican and the mother a member of the Methodist Church. Of their three children two are still living: Warren W., deceased ; Ella, widow of Abe Gipson ; and Archie L. Archie L. Carpenter was six years old when his parents moved to LaGrange County, and he grew up on the farm which he owns today. He has fifty acres of land, well cultivated and improved, and constituting one of the good homes of that part of the county. He received his early education in the district schools. In 1896 he married Miss Esta Bowman. She is a native of Elkhart County, Indiana, and received a common school education. To their marriage have been born eight children : Adren, a farmer, married and living on the home farm ; Lee, who is married and is a farmer; Elsie, wife of Mr. Poiser; Miles, Retha, Kenneth, Fern and Ruby, who are the younger children still at home. Mr. Carpenter is a republican and a member of the Church of the Brethren. Daniel J. Yoder. While he has reached that en- viable period in life when he might be classified as retired, Mr. Yoder is still living on his farm a mile west and half a mile south of Topeka. He has turned over the burdens of management of this farm to his son, and has lived in that same place since his marriage. Mr. Yoder was born in LaGrange County October 12, 1857, a son of John S. and Catherine (Stahley) Yoder, the former a native of Mifflin County, Penn- sylvania, and the latter of Stark County, Ohio. His parents were married in Indiana, and spent the rest of their days in LaGrange County. They were active members of the Maple Grove Mennonite Church, and the father was a republican voter. Their five children were: Samuel W., of Eden Township ; Daniel J. ; Emanuel C., of Goshen ; Mel- vin A., of Eden Township; and Alvin E., of Goshen. Daniel J. Yoder attended district school and lived at home to the age of twenty-one, and helped his father run the homestead for several years. On February 18, 1886, he married Emma C. Burkholder. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 29, i860, grew up in that county and attended the common schools there. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Yoder began farming on the place which they still own and where they still reside. They are HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 105 members of the Maple Grove Mennonite Church. Mr. Yoder is a republican and a stockholder in the State Bank of Topeka. His farm is well stocked with grade Holstein cattle and a specialty of the farming is the raising of pure blood White Leghorn chickens. Their only son, Edwin J. Yoder, was born Decem- ber 2, 1889. He is a high class young farmer with an interest in the scientific as well as the practical side of agriculture. He graduated from the Topeka High School, attended Goshen College and also took a course in Purdue University. He married Mollie Stoltzfus, and their three children are Geneva, born January 7, 1914; Gerald, born December 6, 1915; and Gladys Louise, born June 5, 1919. Sherman Strawser. Though a resident of the village of Salem Center, Sherman Strawser is still active in the management of his extensive farming interests in Salem Township. He has worked the lands and raised crops in that vicinity for thirty years or more, and to some extent still specializes as an onion grower. Mr. Strawser was born in Defiance County, Ohio, November 8, 1864, a son of George W. and Rhoda J. (Rose) Strawser. His father, who died May 26, 1914, at Hudson, where he had lived for several years, was a native of Ross County, Ohio, but from 1843 grew up in Defiance County. On August 15, 1861, he enlisted in Company D of the Thirty-Eighth Ohio Infantry, and served until July, 1865, nearly four years. He was color bearer of his regiment in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Chick- amauga, Missionary Ridge and Jonesboro. The Thirty-Eighth Ohio was one of the hardest fighting regiments in the war. George W. Strawser was wounded at Jonesboro, where his regiment lost heavily. After the war he returned to Ohio and married Rhoda J. Rose, who was then the widow Higbea, her first husband having died while a Union soldier in 1863. In 1872 George W. Strawser moved to Steuben County and in 1881 bought a farm of 170 acres in section 21 of Salem Township. He and his wife had five children : W. T. Sherman, Amanda J., George D., Mary C. and John W. Sherman Strawser attended his first school in Defiance County and from the age of eight has lived in Steuben County, where he attended school in Otsego Township. He also for a time was a student in the schools of Salem Center. He began working on his father’s home farm two miles south of Salem Center and later became independent manager of that place, which he farmed continuously until 1916. He has since rented the farm to his son, Earl, and in the spring of 1919 moved to a comfortable home in the village of Salem Center. He owns 170 acres formerly owned by his father, and during his pro- prietorship has rebuilt the barn and put on several other buildings. Mr. Strawser is affiliated with the Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the Masonic Lodge at Hudson and the Odd Fellows at Salem Center. In 1890 he married Miss Della M. Anstett, a daughter of George W. and Mary Jane (Wilsey) Anstett. Mr. and Mrs. Strawser have seven chil- dren, named George Earl, Verna May, Verda J., Carl, Wayne, Wade and Ruby. The first four are married. George L. married Emma Wilcox; Verna' is the wife of Daniel Tritch and has two children, Philus and Fay, Verda is the wife of Ralph Daily; while Carl married Imo J. Bassett and has a daugh- ter, Mildred. Finley C. Fuller is known to a majority of citizens all over Noble County, and every one in York Township knows and esteems him for his success in life and the high stand he has taken as a citizen and neighbor and friend. The farm that he now owns was the scene of his birth on May 1, 1856. He is a son of Robert L. and Margaret J. (Coleman) Fuller, his father hav- ing been born in New Jersey July 10, 1822, and his mother in Guernsey County, Ohio. Robert L. Ful- ler went to Ohio and married in Guernsey County, and after four or five years there moved to Noble County, Indiana, in 1854. At that time he acquired the land contained in the present farm of his son Finley, and altogether owned 200 acres. He was one of the prosperous farmers of his generation, and a man active in other lines, prominent in the Methodist Church and a stanch republican. There were five children in the family and the three still living are: Basil, a retired farmer in York Town- ship; Finley C. ; and Alice, wife of Frank Bennett, of Warsaw, Indiana. Finley C. Fuller grew up on the home farm and had a district school education. At the age of eighteen he began learning the carpenter’s trade, and for forty-four years of his life he followed contracting, and he still takes contracts. He owns and lives on his farm of 184 acres in sections 24 and 32 of York Township. November 21, 1877, Mr. Fuller married Samantha Ann Waltman. She was born in Noble County. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have four living children: Bessie, a graduate of the common schools, is the wife of Orpheus Earnhart and lives in Elkhart County, Indiana ; Mabel is a graduate of the com- mon schools and was also well trained in music, and is the wife of Marion C. Hursey of South Bordman, Michigan; Bertha is a graduate of the common schools and the wife of James Dazey, and they live on the farm with her father; and Harry B. is engaged in contracting with his father. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are members of the Presbyterian Church and he is one of the elders in the York Church. He is affiliated with Albion Lodge No. 97, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, with Kendall- ville Chapter No. 64, Royal Arch Masons, and both he and his wife are members of Prentiss Chapter of the Eastern Star at Albion. In politics Mr. Fuller has given stanch allegiance to the republican party since he cast his first vote. The people of York Township still have grateful appreciation of the service he rendered as trustee from 1891 to 1895. He was also for two years a member of the County Council. Henry P. Weimer. The best years of his life Henry P. Weimer has given to the business of farming, and the results of his efforts stand out conspicuously to the traveler through Allen Town- ship of Noble County. Mr. Weimer’s farm is four miles southwest of Kendallville. He was born in Allen Township, September 23, 1866, a son of Adam and Mary (Hess) Weimer. His father was born in Germany, July 29, 1819, and there learned the trade of shoemaker. On coming to the United States he located in Toledo, Ohio, and married there Mary Hess. She was born in Germany in 1832 and came to the United States on the same vessel with her future husband. Adam Weimer worked steadily at his trade as a shoe- maker in Toledo two years, and one of his chil- dren was born there. ' Later he moved to Fort Wayne, worked at his trade there several years, and in the meantime invested in forty acres of raw land in Allen Township, Noble County. About 1851 he moved his family to this land, and he was steadily identified with the farm and with the local citizenship the rest of his days. He died honored 106 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA and respected July 27, 1903, and his wife died July 27, 1890. In their family were eleven children, and the six still living are John, Adam, Charles, Henry P., Lizzie and Paul. Henry P. Weimer grew up on the old farm in Allen Township, and since reaching manhood has made his own way in the world. He had a common school education, and at the age of twenty-one left home to become a farm laborer. Since then he has graduated into the role of an independent farmer, and now has eighty acres, of good soil, well cultivated, and constituting one of the best farms of Allen Township. November 18, 1897, he married Miss Dora Diehm. She was born in Allen Township, February 16, 1872, a daughter of George and Johanna (Wehmeyer) Diehm. Her father was born in Noble County, Indiana. Her mother was born in Germany and was brought to the United States at the age of twenty-one. Mr. and Mrs. Weimer have one daughter, Elsie H., born September 13, 1899. She graduated from the common schools in 1915 and is still at home. The family are all members of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Weimer is an independent voter. George Straw is the present assessor of Clear Lake Township, beginning the duties of that office when his term as township trustee left off. That is evidence of his high standing as a citizen, and he is also one of the capable farmers of that locality and has spent the greater part of his life as an agriculturist in Steuben County. The history of Steuben County! has frequent records concerning the Straw family. His grand- father, Frederick Straw, was born in Pennsylvania, June 9, 1811, a son of George and Elizabeth (Gear- hart) Straw. Frederick Straw came from Pennsyl- vania to Steuben County in the spring of 1856, buying land just west of Fremont. He became owner of 180 acres, constituting one of the best farms in the township. Frederick Straw, was a democrat until the republican party came into ex- istence, and after that affiliated with the new organ- ization. In 1832 he married Catherine Wagner, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1813. She died in 1871, the mother of eight children: Elias, Anna, Elizabeth, George W., Frederick, Amanda, Benja- min and Philip A. Elias Straw, father of George Straw, was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1834, and died in 1892. In 1855 he married Cath- erine Baker, a native of the same county, born in 1839, a daughter of Frederick Baker. The year after their marriage they came to Steuben County, locating at Fremont when it contained only two general stores. Elias Straw soon bought land in section 28 of Fremont Township, and in 1864 ac- quired another farm of 120 acres, where he spent the rest of his active life. He was a republican, and he and his wife were members of the Evangelical Association. They had eight children : William, John, Albert, Granville, George, Harvey, Augusta Jane and Hermie. George Straw who was born in Fremont Town- ship, August 2, 1868, acquired his education in the district schools there and the high school at the Village of Fremont. Along with farming he has had much business experience. As a young man he clerked a year in a dry goods store at the Village of Ray. In 1890 he went to Iowa and was a sales- man of agricultural machinery, with headquarters at Columbus Junction, for one year. On his return from Iowa he began farming in Fremont Township, lived there until 1909, and then sold his property and bought his present place in Clear Lake Township. He has 112 acres in section 18, and during his own- ership all the buildings have been remodeled and improved. He handles much good stock, being a breeder of Holstein cattle. Mr. Straw served as township trustee from 1914 to 1919, and in the fall of 1918 was elected assessor. In 1891 he married Miss Lulie Young, a daughter of L. I. C. and Elizabeth (Potter) Young. Her father was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, in 1837, a son of Charles and Nancy (Scothorn) Young, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. His parents were married in Ohio in 1818, and his father spent most of his active life as a farmer in Sandusky County. L. I. C. Young grew up on the home farm with his widowed mother, and in 1858 came to Steuben Township and settled in section 18 of Clear Lake Township. He taught school and worked his farm alternately, and in 1862 enlisted in Company A of the Twenty-Ninth Indiana Infantry. Though sick part of the time, he was with his command until October, 1865. After the war he resumed farming and also became prominent in local affairs. L. I. C. Young married Elizabeth S. Potter in 1862. They had eight children : Theresa M., J. Orville, Lulie E., who was born September 26, 1868, Armina V., Ozra V., Eda Z., Amie P. and Mattie E. Mr. and Mrs. Straw are the parents of five chil- dren, Walter, Clayton, Hubert, Edith and Lewis. Walter married Bessie McTaggart and Clayton married Beulah Duguid. The son, Walter, saw some of the heaviest fighting in the great war. He went overseas with the Eighty-Fifth Division, land- ing in France August 2, 1918. He was soon trans- ferred to the 139th Infantry in the Thirty-Fifth Division, and before the signing of the armistice was under fire for twenty-one days. The heaviest fighting seen by any American division was in the Argonne Forest, and he was a participant there. During 1919 he has been a student in the university maintained for the “Men in Khaki” at Lyons, France. The son, Hubert Straw, was also in train- ing for military duty, being a student of electricity at Washington, D. C. He was taken ill with the in- fluenza there and in the spring of 1919 was still in a military hospital. Orlando C. Bassett has spent his life in La- Grange County almost entirely as a farmer, though he is now associated as a partner with his son in a successful merchandise business at Appleman- burg. He was born in Milford Township May 19, 1867. His grandparents were George W. and Samantha Bassett, both natives of New York, the former born August 6, 1805, and the latter September 16, 1806. They were married September 28, 1826, and in the fall of 1833 moved to Brockport, New York. Some years later they came to LaGrange County and settled four miles east of LaGrange and sub- sequently moved to Milford Township, where they lived on a farm. George W. Bassett and his son Lucas Bassett, who was a native of New York, bought eighty acres in Milford Township, cleared and improved a good farm there and put up some excellent buildings for the time, including a good home, a bank barn, and other structures. On Au- gust 23, 1866, Lucas Bassett married Christina Wy- cuff. They were married by Squire Starkey. She was born in Pennsylvania July 22, 1850, a daughter of Jesse and Katherine Wycuff, who subsequently moved to Ashland County, Ohio, where her father died in 1862. She and her widowed mother then moved to Noble County, Indiana, where her mother died soon afterward. Lucas Bassett was a demo- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 107 crat in politics, casting his first vote for Buchanan. He died December 8, 1912. His children were Or- lando, Cora Adele, Franklin, Emma J., George, Christina and Mabel. Orlando C. Bassett was educated in the public schools of LaGrange County and after leaving the home place he bought forty-seven acres of the old Daniel Wert farm. He sold that and in 1901 bought 120 acres in Springfield Township from the John M. Wade estate. Another forty acres he acquired in 1902 and now has a 160 acre farm well developed for general crops and stock. In 1914 he bought his father’s old place and occupied it a year and a half, when he sold and returned to his farm in Springfield Township where he now resides. Mr. Bassett on January 4, 1919, bought the mercantile business at Applemanburg, and his son Lloyd is now a manager of the store. Mr. Bassett has been an influential man in local affairs, and though a dem- ocrat he was elected township trustee, being the only trustee of that political faith in the township. He also served as assessor of Springfield Township for six years in succession. March 19, 1889, he married Rosa Gross. She was born in Milford Township October 8, 1868, a daughter of William and Isabel (Francis) Gross. Her father was born in Pennsylvania in 1844 and her mother in Noble County, Indiana, October 1, 1848. The Gross family moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio where the father of William Gross was in the hotel business and subsequently came to Mil- ford Township and bought the farm known as the John Forst farm. After a few years the grandpar- ents moved to Tennessee, and acquired about 400 acres near Spring City, where both of them spent the rest of their days. William Gross remained in Milford Township, married there, and acquired a farm of eighty acres on which he lived until his death in 1884. His widow is still living, a resident of South Milford, where she bought the Wonders property. William Gross was a democrat and his parents were members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Rose Bassett is the oldest of her father’s chil- dren. Her sister Mattie I. was born April 21, 1870, and is the wife of Herbert Newnam of Milford Township and has one child, Grossie. Her other sister Nettie L. is the wife of George W. Lovett and has two sons, Jesse and Lester. Mrs. Bassett’s maternal grandfather Samuel Fran- cis was born in Bradford, Connecticut, June 14, 1811, and as a youth moved to Genessee County, New York, and from there in 1836, soon after his marriage to Sarah Combes, came to Indiana and set- tled in Swan Township of Noble County. He en- tered land from the Government, cleared and made a home there, and in 1853 bought about 200 acres of the old Colonel Cochran farm in Milford Town- ship of LaGrange County. He lived there until 1874 when he moved to Kendallville where his wife died, and in 1879 he went to Fort Wayne and mar- ried Mary Miller. He died at Kendallville Febru- ary 15, 1901. In the Francis family were seven children, Welton, Sylvester, Isabel, Elbridge, Eliza, Mattie and one son that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett have two children, I.loyd and Velma Luella. Lloyd was born October 23, 1893, had a good education, being a graduate of the Springfield Township and the LaGrange High Schools. He was formerly manager of the Mount Pisgah Mercantile Association for two years, and then removed to Applemanburg to take charge of his father’s business. On December 23, 1914, he married Miss Lucile Faust of Springfield Township. They have a daughter, Eileen, born December 2, 1916. Velma Luella Bassett was born May 23, 1900, is a graduate of the Springfield Township and La- Grange High Schools, also attended the Tri-State College at Angola, and is now assistant cashier of the Farmers State Bank at Stroh. John A. Thunander is a resident of Noble County who appreciates the value and opportunity of American citizenship, and in turn his own sub- stantial character, his enviable work and enterprise are thoroughly appreciated in the community where he has lived and worked out his destiny and success during a period of thirty years. He is a farmer in section 36 of Sparta Township. Mr. Thunander was born in Sweden, November 26, 1856, son of Erickson and Christina (Lyon) Thunander. His parents spent all their lives in Sweden, and his father was a contractor and builder by profession. Both parents were very active members of the Lutheran Church. Erickson was chorister in the church for forty years, and that was his chief interest outside of his business and home. Of eight children six are still living: Carl, a farmer in Sweden; John A.; Claus, of Elkhart, Indiana ; Anna, unmarried, and still living in Sweden; Alfred, a Swedish farmer; and Oscar, also farming in Sweden. John A. Thunander grew up on a farm in his native land, attended the common schools, and at the age of eight started out to make his own living. He remained in Sweden until he was twenty-seven years of age. In April, 1884, he landed in New York City and came direct to Ligonier, Indiana, to join his brother. During the next two years he was a laborer at monthly wages in Elkhart County. On December 4, 1888, he .married Matilda Walter. She was born in Sweden July 12, 1862, attended school there, and came to the United States in September, 1887, from the same locality as her husband. She lived near Ligonier until her mar- riage. Mr. and Mrs. Thunander rented a house and during the following three years he supported his little family chiefly by day work. He was a ditch digger and accepted any other employment which would earn him an honest living. He then moved to York Township and rented a farm, and they remained on one place for nine years. For four years he rented the Orlando Kimmell farm, and then with the savings of fifteen years or more bought eighty acres in Sparta Township. He has since increased this to 100 acres, and is now the fortunate possessor of a good farm and has a home with all the improvements. His farm is well stocked. Mr. and Mrs. Thunander had one child, who died when a week old. They took into their home Wayne Scott Breece when five years old, and carefully reared him and gave him a good education. He graduated from the common schools at the age of fourteen, later from the Wolf Lake High School, and also attended South Bend Business College. This adopted son married Lena LeCount, and they have one daughter. Bertie May. Mr. and Mrs. Thunander are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Kimmell, and he gives as much time to church duties as did his father. Mr. Thunander is treasurer, steward, trus- tee and class leader of the church. He has also served as township supervisor, is a republican in politics, and is a past grand of Sparta Lodge No. 773 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. John L. Crothers. For over fifty years the name Crothers has been spoken in Noble County with the respect due a family of more than ordinary 108 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA intelligence, business ability, energy and resource- fulness. Representing the third generation of the name John L. Crothers learned a mechanical trade as a youth, still continues it, but is also a farmer and one of the leading onion growers of Allen Township. Mr. Crothers was born in Green Township of that county, December 30, 1882, a son of Cyrus and Mary (McCoy) Crothers. His parents were both born in Green Township of Noble County. The grandfather, Lafayette Crothers, was a native of Ohio, married Martha Beard, and they arrived in Noble County about 1855, settling on a farm in Green Township, where they spent the rest of their days. Their four children were Viana Parker, Cyrus, W. C. and Leslie, all of whom are still living. After his marriage Cyrus Crothers settled on a farm and lived there until 1906, when he moved to another farm in the county. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Protestant Church, and he was a republican. Cyrus Crothers and wife had four children: John L. ; Lettisha, wife of Ernest Rawson, of Kendallville ; Lafayette, a farmer in York Township; and Arthur, of Ken- dallville. John L. Crothers grew up on a farm in Green Township and received his education in the local schools. When only fifteen years of age he began learning the trade of plasterer, and has followed that occupation in the intervals of his other business affairs to the present time. He now owns a good farm of eighty acres in Allen Township, and has nineteen acres of good muck soil devoted to onion culture. His average crop is about 8,000 bushels a year. He also raises the other crops suitable to a general farm. , April 14, 1901, he married Miss Mina Hetzel, who was born in York Township of Noble County and was educated in the public schools, fl hey have four children : Floyd, Coy, Martha and Kenneth. Mr. Crothers is a republican. Maurice McClew, a former member of the Legis- lature from Steuben County, a farmer and a lawyer by profession, represents some of the oldest names identified with the early history of Steuben County. He was born at Fremont in that county, May 5, 1879, a son of Charles and Mary (Farnham) Mc- Clew. His great-grandfather, David McClew, was a native of Scotland, and on coming to this country prior to the Revolutionary war settled in New York and passed his last years in Niagara County of that state. The founder of the family in Steuben County was grandfather John McClew, a native of New York, who came to Steuben County in 1836 and brought his family here the following year. He was one of the first settlers of Fremont Township, taking up eighty acres of Government land. Eventually he owned several farms, followed the carpenter’s trade, was a man of great influence and substantial char- acter. For eleven years he served as a county com- missioner. In early life he was a Presbyterian and later a Methodist, and in politics he was allied with the whigs and later the republicans. He died at Fremont in February, 1891. Charles McClew, son of this pioneer, was born in Steuben County, December 27, 1842. His wife, Mary Farnham, was born in the same county, April 3, 1846, a daughter of Erastus and Lucinda (Brad- ley) Farnham, the former a native of Delaware County, New York, and the latter of Connecticut. Erastus Farnham came to Fremont Township in 1836. Prior to coming here he had taught school in twelve different states. He was a surveyor by profession, and at one time held the offices of county surveyor and county treasurer in Steuben County. He died in 1873, at the age of seventy-one. Charles McClew was educated in public schools and the Orland Academy, was a teacher for about two years, and otherwise a farmer, owning farms in Pleasant and Jamestown townships. He was a republican in politics. He and his wife had three children : Maurice ; Bell, wife of Claud Neer, a mining engineer at Denver, Colorado ; and John J., an engineer at San Jose, California. Charles Mc- Clew’s wife by a previous marriage to Henry M. Willis had two children, Estella, who died in Sep- tember, 1914, the wife of Lorenzo D. Creel, of An- gola, and Elizabeth, wife of John J. Gavin, of Wash- ington, D. C. Maurice McClew grew up on his father’s farm in Pleasant Township, attended public schools there, the Normal School at Angola, and like several of his ancestors, was a teacher in early life. He studied law with Brown & Carlin for a year and a half, was admitted to the bar in 1905, and spent about a year in the West. He has been successfully en- gaged in farming in addition to his law work. Mr. McClew was elected a member of the Legislature in 1910, on the republican ticket. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Angola and at the age of twenty-three was elected master of the Grange in Fremont Township. June 10, 1917, in Chicago, he married Nora Hurd. She is a member of the Christian Church and the Eastern Star. Daniel J. Bontrager. This family name is prac- tically synonymous with good farming, good citizen- ship and individual prosperity in m~ny localities of Northeast Indiana. Daniel J. Bontrager, whose ef- forts have brought him the ownership of a large and well managed farm in Van Buren Township of LaGrange County, is a son of John J. and Fannie (Kauffman) Bontrager. Much of the information concerning other members of the family will be found on other pages of this publication. Daniel J. Bontrager was born in Eden Township December 25, i860. He was reared and attended district schools in Van Buren, and has applied his chief efforts and experience as a farmer in that locality. He bought his first land, about seventy- eight acres, in section 31, in 1887, and during the thirty odd years since then h^s seen his possessions expand until they now include 400 acres in sections 31 and 30 of Van Buren and forty-six acres in New- bury townships. All of this land is under general cultivation and he has always made live stock a feature of his business. December 23, 1886, he married Lovina Mast. She was born in Newbury Township November 14, 1866, a daughter of Jacob and Susie (Bontrager) Mast. Mr. and Mrs. Bontrager and family are members of the Amish Old Order Mennonite Church. Since its organization he has been secretary and treasurer of the Farmers Threshing Association. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Bontrager comprise nine children, named in order of birth : Jacob, John, Levi, Susie, Moses, Gideon, Fannie, Daniel and Katie. Jacob married Fannie Schrock, and they have six children, named Simon, Clara, Laura, Daniel, Viola and Ida. Levi married Lizzie Graber and has two daughters, C’adys and Viola. Susie is the wife of Milo Miller, and her children are Erwin and Mahlon. Harry C. Kankamp. Among the younger men who have already won recognition as capable farm- ers in Steuben County, one of the most conspicuous HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 109 is Harry C. Kankamp, who only recently turned his majority, but has the responsibility and is suc- cessfully looking after all departments of a large farm in Steuben Township. Mr. Kankamp is a son of Fred and Etta (Hayden) Kankamp, more particularly referred to on other pages of this publication. He was born on the home farm in Pleasant Township October 6, 1896, grew up in a good home, acquired a good education in local schools and in the Angola High School, sup- plemented by a course in the Tri-State Normal Col- lege. The farm he operates comprises 251 acres two miles southeast of Angola. It is one of the good and well improved farms of the township, and Mr. Kankamp is using it for general farming and stock raising purposes, specializing in pure bred Shropshire sheep and Duroc Jersey hogs. In politics he is a republican. July 23, 1916, he married Miss Ida Mae Kain. She was born in Union Township of Wells County, Indiana, Febru- ary 15, 1898^ a daughter of William Henry and Mary Mandilla (Fryback) Kain. Her parents are now living near Youngstown, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Kankamp have one daughter, Mary Ellen, born June 2, 1917. David H. Renner. While so much of his life has been passed in the quiet environment of the farm in Steuben Township, his intimate friends know that David H. Renner has always been ready for duty when duty’s call was heard. Those duties have been none the less important because they have been performed as part of the day’s routine, and the same spirit has characterized his performance of simple and homely toils as uged him on when a young man in following the flag of the Union during the Civil war. Mr. Renner was born in Union County, Pennsyl- vania, December 21, 1837, a son of John and Julia Renner. His parents came to Steuben County and settled in section 31 of Otsego Township in 1844. They had six children, four of whom were born in Pennsylvania and two in Steuben County. David H. Renner grew up from the age of seven on the old home place, acquired such education as was possible in the limited district schools of his youth, his school days being spent chiefly in District No. 7 of Otsego Township. He worked out as a farm hand, and in August, 1861, enlisted in Company A of the Twenty-Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. In September he was transferred to Company E of the Ninth Indiana Infantry at LaPorte. The regi- ment to which he was transferred left at once for the West Virginia campaign, and except for a short time in a hospital at Louisville Mr. Renner was with his command in all its engagements. While in Louisville and while convalescent he was assigned to duty as a cook. Several times he urged his offi- cers to let him return to his old organization at the front, but he was told some one must cook and he had to stay. One day he and his comrades were paid off. It was the first money he had received since entering the army. His pay amounted to over $100. Most of it he sent to his wife, and then packed up his belongings. A company was leaving the next day for the front, going to the same locality where his old company was stationed. When this organization left the barracks Mr. Renner went A. W. O. L. and traveled with them. The first day’s journey was by train. On leaving the train the company was lined up at a mess shack, and the men counted before going in. The extra member was then discovered and the captain asked : “Have one of you men deserted from Louisville and come along with this company?” Mr. Renner stepped out and replied, “Yes, sir, I did.” Fie then explained to the captain why he had come. “Well, I’ll be damned,” said the captain, “hundreds of men have deserted to get away from the firing line, but you are the first to desert to get back to it.” Mr. Renner was then issued a pass back to his old com- pany. That was not the first instance of his good soldierly qualities and his eagerness to be on the fighting line. While he was a recruit of Company A, Twenty-Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, the Ninth Regiment was ordered to the front. Com- pany E lacked about twenty men. The organization of Mr. Renner were then lined up and the captain explained the situation and asked for volunteers to fill out the quota of Company E. Mr. Renner and a number of his comrades at once stepped out and volunteered. He was in the army until receiv- ing his honorable discharge in September, 1865, more than four years after his enlistment. He left a wife and two children to go into the army, having married in 1857 Miss Ellen Ruthrauff. After the war he returned to his father’s farm and then bought his present place of forty acres in section 25 of Steuben Township, and has lived there quietly and uneventfully for over half a cen- tury. He now makes his home with his daughter Nora, and her husband is running the farm. Mr, Renner lost his wife by death May 28, 1912, after they had been married over half a century. Their children were: James; Frank, deceased; Edward, Henry, Nora, Jacob and Isaac. Nora is the wife of Joseph Metzler. She has six children, named Lillie, Roy, Ralph, Addie, Della and Clarence. Mr. Renner is proud of the fact that two of his grand- sons, Roy and Ralph Metzler, were American sol- diers in the great war. They are members of Company M, Thirty-Sixth Infantry, having enlisted May 21, 1918, and in the spring of 1919 were in camp in Massachusetts. James E. Yeiser is one of the influential citizens of Allen Township in Noble County. He is a prac- tical farmer, and farming has been his regular vocation all his active years. His home is two and a half miles west of Avilla. Mr. Yeiser is all but a native of Noble County, having been brought there when less than a year old. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, September 25, 1854, a son of John and Margaret (Shambaugh) Yeiser, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Ohio and in April, 1855, moved to Noble County, Indiana, locating in Allen Township, three and a half miles west of Avilla. The parents spent the rest of their useful lives in that community. The father was a republican. Of five children four are still living: Elizabeth, widow of Jacob Myers and now living with her brother, James E. ; James E. ; Mary, widow of P. Brooks and a resident of Oklahoma; and Frank C., also living in Allen Township. James E. Yeiser grew up on the old farm, was educated in the district schools and lived at home until past twenty-one. He sold his interest in the old estate and homestead, and later he and his sister Elizabeth bought the eighty-acre farm where they now reside. Elizabeth’s husband, Jacob Myers, had died in the meantime, and she and her brother have since had a congenial home and an effective arrangement for handling the farm and the house- hold to their mutual satisfaction and profit. Mr. Yeiser is a republican in politics. Fred B. Kimball. Orland is a substantial com- munity that still reflects the spirit and qualities of its pioneers. It was originally known as the Ver- 110 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA mont settlement, most of the pioneers having come from that state. They brought with them many of the outstanding characteristics of the New England- ers, and probably no community in Steuben County had at an earlier time churches, free schools and other evidences of culture and enlightenment of New England people. One of the early families to settle there was that of Kimball. Deacon Timothy Kimball reached the Vermont settlement in 1836, and soon afterward built the first grist mill on the river just north of the settlement. The building of this mill proved a boon to the community, and was patronized by farmers for miles around. Deacon Kimball was also prominent in founding the First Presbyterian Church at Orland, and in many other ways lent a helpful hand. He married Abbie Baldwin, and they came with their seven children to Steuben County. They had left New York State in 1830, going to Detroit, and thence by wagon to Tekonsha in Calhoun County, Michigan. Deacon Timothy Kimball bought about 160 acres around Orland, and lived there the rest of his life. He was a local judge at one time. His children were: Augustus, William, Miles, Betsey, Julia, Abbie and Jerusha. Miles B. Kimball was born at Whitehall, New York, August 29, 1826. He married Elizabeth Persis Birce on January 9, 1862. She was a native of Syracuse, New York. Miles B. Kimball attended the first public schools taught in Orland. In 1850 his spirit of enterprise impelled him to go to the California gold fields, and he staj'ed in the Far West until 1861. He was prospered in California, and after returning to the East he invested heavily in lands and bought and improved and sold a number of farms. He also conducted a hardware store at Orland, and at one time was owner of the flour mill known as the Greenfield Mill. He also did a large business in raising and dealing in sheep and cattle. He died September 1, 1895. He and his wife had four children : Martha B., who married James Canse, a member of the Eccles Wholesale Lumber Company of Ogden, Utah; Fred B. ; Wil- liam, who was assistant law librarian and a member of the bar at Indianapolis at the time of his death ; and Harry M., a resident and practising lawyer of Vicksburg, Michigan. Fred B. Kimball was born at Orland, August 12, 1866, attended the public schools there, also Oberlin College at Oberlin, Ohio, and the Tri-State Normal College at Angola. He graduated in the commer- cial course at Angola. As a boy he had received some commercial training while helping his father in the hardware store. He engaged independently in business as a dealer in carriages and implements in Kansas City, and remained in that city for about twenty years. In 1904 he returned to Orland, bought a farm adjoining that town, where he has since lived, and has carried on extensive operations as a farmer, as a breeder of blooded Holstein dairy cattle and is, like his father, a stock dealer. On June 14, 1905, Mr. Kimball married Mary A. Wilder, daughter of Charles H. and Jennie (Scott) Wilder. Mrs. Kimball is a graduate of the Orland High School, then taught two years in the Orland primary grade, after which she entered Hillsdale College in Michigan, and for two years after her course there was instructor in the Orland High School. In the fall of 1892 she went to California and became a teacher, and for ten years was con- nected with the high school at Tulare. In 1903 she accepted the post of librarian at Orland, being the first librarian. She is active in the Congregational Church and a member of the Eastern Star. Mr. and Mrs. Kimball have two children : Miles W., born June 3, 1906, and Charles Scott, born July 18, 1910. Samuel Stine. Out of eighty odd years of his longf and useful life Samuel Stine has spent more than sixty-five of them in LaGrange County, and the greater part of this time has been a resident on one farm in Lima Township. As a farmer he has achieved much success, represented in a large farm, and in every way has been substantially identified with the welfare and progress of the community. He was born September 19, 1836, son of Samuel and Catherine (Myers) Stine. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Maryland, The Stine family came to LaGrange County in 1852 and settled in Lima Township, on part of the land where Mr. Samuel Stine now lives. His father took up eighty acres in the midst of the woods, and the chief improvement was an old log house. He made better living arrangements by the addition of a wing to this house, and he lived there until his death six years later, February 10, i860, at the age of fifty- eight years, eight months and twenty-five days. The widowed mother survived until July 5, 1877, dying at the age of seventy-two years, five months and two days. They had a family of eight children : Mary, wife of John Northway; Catherine, wife of Owen Holmes; Rebecca, wife of Hiram Mashon; Jane, wife of Abe Harding; Amanda, wife of Henry Wentworth; Jacob; Samuel; and Daniel, who died in infancy. Samuel Stine was reared partly in Pennsylvania and partly in Ohio, and was sixteen years of age when he came to LaGrange County. Several years later he acquired forty acres of land in Clay Town- ship, and was busily engaged in its improvement and cultivation. About three years after his father’s death he traded that land for 147 acres in Lima Township and still later he acquired the old home- stead. His possessions steadily grew for a number of years until he had 365 acres, improved with three complete sets of buildings. The house in which he now lives was erected in 1877. He has followed general farming and stockraising. Mr. Stine is a democrat. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. On February 4, 1874, he married Mary Jane Moul- ton. She was born in Ohio April 10, 1839, and died April 9, 1915, at the age of seventy-five. Mr. and Mrs. Stine had one daughter, Bertha Jane. She was born at the old farm on July 2, 1878, was educated in the public schools and on June 5, 1912, became the wife of Victor Camp. Mr. Camp, a widely known and prominent citizen of LaGrange Township, was born in Ohio in 1865, son of Jacob and Jane Camp, who came to LaGrange County and settled in Clay Township, where both of them spent their last years. Victor Camp attended public school in this county, also the LaGrange High School, and took a busi- ness course in Valparaiso. He was a teacher in La- Grange County for several years. In 1913 he was called from his farm to the duties of the office of county treasurer, and served one term. He has also been assessor of Clay Township and in other minor offices. Mr. Camp owns the old Camp homestead and is one of the directors of the elevator at Howe. Mr. and Mrs. Camp have one child, Stine J., born at LaGrange January 4, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Stine also reared two children, Eva McManus, a niece of Mrs. Stine, and Alton Went- worth, a nephew of Mr. Stine. Eva McManus is the deceased wife of Charles Eaton. Alta Went- worth is a machinist living at Mishawaka, Indiana. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 111 Morton Hanselman, one of the men who have done most to promote and stimulate good farming in Steuben County, and owner of two valuable places in Otsego Township, is member of a family that has been identified with this part of northeast Indiana for several generations. Mr. Hanselman was born on the old homestead in Otsego Township, a son of John Quincy and Margaret (Kankamp) Hanselman, and grandson of Aaron Hanselman, who brought his family to Steuben Township in pioneer times. Morton Han- selman grew up on the home farm and was well educated in the local schools. During his mature career he has acquired a good farm of eighty acres, which with valuable buildings constitutes a splendid place for general farming and stock raising. He also has another farm of 136 acres in Otsego Town- ship adjoining his home place, and with 216 acres in the aggregate he is able to direct his affairs somewhat leisurely, and spends much of his time on the farm. August 29, 1900, he married Miss Etta Van Auken. She was born in Steuben Township November 10, 1874, a daughter of Horace M. and Elizabeth (McMillen) Van Auken, both natives of Ohio. Her father came to Steuben County when a young man with his parents, Jacob and Nancy (Straway) Van Auken, who were early settlers in Steuben Town- ship. Mrs. Hanselman’s mother was the third white child born in Steuben County. Her parents had a family of eight children, three of whom died in infancy and the others were Ernest, Mary, Amy, Etta and Horace. V. Clare Simon is the present trustee of Swan Township, Noble County, and his official position is only a sign and symbol of his general business and social standing in that community, where he has spent most of his life as a very successful and progressive farmer. Mr. Simon was born at Goshen, Indiana, February 25, 1868, a son of Charles and Caroline (Perry) Simon. His family, especially on his mother’s side, is identified with the earliest pioneer period of Noble County. Caroline Perry was born in section 36 of Swan Township when all that district was a wilder- ness. Charles Simon was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1838 and was ten years of age when his parents moved to Indiana and settled in Swan Township. V. Clare Simon was six weeks old when his grandmother brought him to Noble County. He was educated in the district schools and began farm- ing as soon as he reached his majority. On Febru- ary 25, 1895, he 'married Mary E. Jarrett. They then settled on their present place in Swan Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Simon have three living chil- dren. One pon, Raymond P., is deceased. Ina is the wife of Don Brown; Walter is a high school stu- dent and Grace is also in the local high school. The family are members of the Lutheran Church and Mr. Simon was for twenty-two years on the church council. Since early manhood he has always taken an in- terest in the republican party. He served as a mem- ber of the Advisory Board and was elected trustee of Swan Township in 1914. He entered upon his official duties in January, 1915, and his first term was of such constructive value and meant so much to the welfare of the local schools and other inter- ests entrusted to his charge he had the satisfaction of being returned to the office for another four year term on November 5, 1918. Mr. Simon looks after a good farm of 149 acres, is also a stock- holder in the Mutual Telephone Company, and is agent for the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Noble County. William A. Cochran. While his interests first and last have been chiefly identified with the great business of farming and stock raising, William A. Cochran’s influence has gradually spread from his farm to include many important affairs in Ligonier and elsewhere, and in every sense he has been one of Noble county’s foremost citizens in progressive- ness and public spirit. He is owner of one of the noted farms of the county, known as the Maple Row Stock and Dairy Farm, comprising 290 acres lo- cated on the Haw Patch and White Pigeon road two miles northeast of Ligonier. That farm is of the more interest to him because he was born there, August 9, 1857, son of Alfred and Cynthia (Hays) Cochran. His parents were both born in Perry County, Ohio, his mother being a daughter of John Hays. They were married in their native county, and soon afterward, in 1849, came to Indiana and located on the farm where their son now lives. Alfred Cochran at that time built a cabin and his industry gradually effected a number of improvements, some of which are in evidence today. He died on the old farm in 1883. He and his wife were active members of the Methodist Church and in politics he was a republi- can. Of their family of eight children four are still living: Mary E., widow of George W. Vedder; Mahala, wife of A. J. Ramsbey; Melissa, widow of John Denney; and William A. William A. Cochran grew up on the home farm and had a common school education, being a grad- uate of the district schools. On March 7, 1878, he married Luella Hays, daughter of William D. and Harriett E. (Smith) Hays. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of Indiana. Her father at one time owned about 500 acres near Ligonier. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran ever since their marriage have lived on the Maple Row Stock and Dairy Farm. Mr. Cochran altogether owns about 800 acres around Ligonier and vicinity, his property being in three different farms, and he has 260 acres in Oklahoma near one of the most productive oil belts. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers Co-operative Elevator at Ligonier, was one of the stockholders in the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Ligonier and is its vice president, and has been active in many community affairs. He gave much of his time to war auxiliary movements, serving as a member of the County Council of Defense, and was the first county chairman of the Y. M. C. A. in the state organization. He has served as town- ship chairman of Perry Township and is a republi- can. He and his family are members of the United Brethren Church at Ligonier, and he is one of the trustees and has been director of the choir of the church for the past forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran have three children. Edith, a graduate of the common schools, is the wife of C. R. Stage, of Perry Township. C. Deane, who attended school at Big Rapids, Michigan, married Eva Lance and lives at Ligonier. Florence Jessie is a graduate of the common schools, attended high school and is the wife of George Goshorn, living on the Maple Row Stock Farm' with her father. Emmet B. Hagerty has spent his life in one of the best rural communities of LaGrange County, Van Buren Township, and for over thirty years he has served that community ably and well as a mer- chant. The firm Hagerty Brothers has been in busi- ness at Scott as general merchants since 1887. Mr. Hagerty, who was born in Van Buren Town- 112 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA ship July 3, 1862, represents a pioneer family in Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana. His grandfather, Patrick H. Hagerty, was a native of Ireland and brought his family to America in 1819. He lived for a time in New York and later at New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he spent the rest of his life. For many years he was a faithful employe of old Commodore Vanderbilt, founder of the great Vanderbilt fortunes. Patrick H. Hagerty by his first wife had four children, James, Michael, Mary and Sarah, and by a second marriage had a son, George. James Hagerty, father of the Van Buren town- ship merchant, was born in Donegal, Ireland, August 1, 1816, and was three years old when brought to this country. He spent his boyhood days in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and when General Lafayette was on his last tour of America this boy had the honor of handing the great Frenchman a drink of water at New Brunswick. In 1834 he sought new opportunities in the new country of the middle west and settled in White Pigeon Township of St. Joseph County, Michigan. White Pigeon was then one of the principal towns in Southern Michigan. He ac- quired 160 acres of Government land, but after three years traded his land for a half interest in a grist mill at Scott, Indiana. He lived there the rest of his life, devoting much of his time to farming. For twelve years he was a justice of the peace. James Hagerty died in October, 1890. He married for his first wife Clarissa Munger, who died leaving one child, James E. For his second wife he married Amanda Bond, a native of Montour County, Penn- sylvania. She was the mother of Charles B., I. Adella, who married Chauncey Troyer and lives in Duluth, Minnesota ; and Emmet B. Emmet B. Hagerty attended the Scott schools in Van Buren Township, and had a thorough business training, at first for eight years in a general store at Scott. In 1884 he and Charles Munger bought the business, and in 1887 Munger sold his interest to Charles Hagerty, thus establishing the firm of Hagerty Brothers. The brothers rebuilt their store building in 1894, and conduct one of the best gen- eral merchandise establishments in the county. In 1902 the brothers also acquired the Junod farm in section 26 of Van Buren Township, and its manage- ment is another of their responsibilities. Emmet Hagerty is also vice president of the Farmers State Bank of Shipshewana and has been a director of that institution since it was organized. He is a char- ter member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Shipshe- wana, and he and his wife are active members of the Scott Methodist Church, which he serves as trus- tee and steward. Mr. Hagerty married Ida J. Walter January 1, 1892. She is a daughter of George and Catherine (Bickel) Walter. Sherman C. Baker. One of the oldest and best known families of Washington Township of Noble County is that of Baker, and one of its representa- tives is Sherman C., a progressive and successful farmer who has devoted the best part of his life to agriculture and has realized all the profits of experience and enterprise in that field. He was born at Cromwell, Indiana, June 30, 1871, son of Jacob and Mary A. (Smith) Baker, both natives of Ohio. His mother came to Cromwell when she was a girl, grew up and married Jacob Baker, who owned a farm comprising a portion of the land on which the Village of Cromwell stands. Later he sold that property and bought 160 acres in Washington Township, where he continued the pursuit of agriculture until his death. His widow is still living. Jacob Baker was quite prominent in local affairs, served three terms as trustee of Sparta Township, and was active in republican politics. Of seven children five are still living: George W., a farmer in Kosciusko County; Henry, of Denver, Colorado; Lewis, of Washington Township; Julia, wife of Rev. W. H. Budelmyre, of Indianapolis; and Sherman C. Sherman C. Baker was about four years old when his parents came to Washington Township, and during his boyhood he attended the local schools and acquired a practical knowledge of the business which he has followed since early manhood. Mr. Baker owns a farm of sixty acres, devoted to gen- eral crops and livestock. January 21, 1892, he married Lusina Burnheimer, who was born in Whitley County, Indiana, De- cember 1, 1869, daughter of Aaron and Julia (Welker) Burnheimer. Her father was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1842 and died in 1917. Her mother was born in 1847. Mrs. Baker spent her early girlhood in Whitley County, and was educated in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have two daughters : Bernice M., a high school graduate and wife of Leonard Van Vcjrest, of Kimmell ; and Mildred I., who besides completing the high school course attended the Tri-State Normal at Angola and is now one of the successful teachers of the schools of Washington Township. Mr. Baker is a republican and is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Columbia City. Jesse Warner is one of the enviable citizens of Noble County, possessor of an ample farm, and has regulated his life and affairs in conformity with the best standards of citizenship. The farm where he now lives was the scene of his birth on October 8, 1856. It is one of the oldest farms in one continuous ownership in Noble County. The Warner family in pioneer times moved West from New York State to Michigan, and later came to Indiana. They journeyed up the Maumee River on a boat which was urged against the sluggish current by poles, and after landing they made their way to Fort Wayne on horseback. They reached Fort Wayne in 1836, when there were only a few buildings in the city. The grandfather for a time worked in an old tavern at Fort Wayne and later moved to Noble County, locating near where Jesse Warner now lives. He built a little shack in the woods, and the grandparents spent the rest of their days in Swan Township. Jesse Warner is a son of Corodon and Lydia (Simon) Warner. His father was a native of Genesee County, New York, and his mother of Ohio. His father spent all his life on the old farm in Noble County. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church and he was a republican. Of eight children only two are now living, Jesse and Losina. The latter is the wife of Dr. William Adair, of Idaho. Jesse Warner grew up on the old farm, attended the common schools, and for thirty-five years or more has industriously cultivated and managed the land which was his father’s before him. He has 130 acres in one body and strictly as a farmer he has provided liberally for all the needs of his family. April 4, 1881, he married Sarah Gillet. They are the parents of the following children : Floyd, a graduate of the high school and of the Huntington Business College, formerly an employe of the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad and now at home ; Odeyne, a graduate of Ferris Institute and a teacher; Jessie, a graduate of the Laotto High School and also a teacher; and Fern, who is a teacher. Mrs. Warner HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 113 was also engaged in educational work before her marriage. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics Mr. Warner is a republican. J. Howard Moore. For over half a century J. Howard Moore has lived in Swan Township and Noble County, and his record throughout has been that of a trustworthy and efficient citizen, a good farmer, and a man whose life is open to inspection on every page. He was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1853, son of Joseph P. and Mary (Bigger) Moore, the former a native of Washing- ton County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Beaver County in the same state. Joseph P. Moore was a highly educated man and a minister and teacher for many years. He graduated from old Washington College in Pennsylvania, taught in private schools and later founded the East Liberty Collegiate In- stitute, of which he was the head for about twenty- five years. He brought his family to Indiana in the spring of 1865 and settled in Swan Township of Noble County. The journey was made by wagons from Fort Wayne. Joseph P. Moore was an or- dained minister of the Presbyterian Church, and preached at Albion and Avilla among other charges in Northeast Indiana. He was a republican in poli- tics. Of their six children three are still living: Mary E., wife of Thomas Anderson; J. Howard; and William C., whose home is in Missouri. J. Howard Moore was twelve years old when his parents came to Indiana, and besides a common school education he acquired much knowledge under the immediate direction of his father. On October 12, 1876, Mr. Moore married Osie May Mendenhall. She was born in Swan Township of Noble County and from the common schools entered the Method- ist College at Fort Wayne, where she took the lit- erary and musical course. Being gifted musically she taught that art for some years. Mr. and Mrs. Moore had three children. Lillian is a graduate of high school and the wife of Charles Hosier, liv- ing near Laotto. John P., also a graduate of the common schools, married Grace Bradley and has four children, Arthur R., born in 1905 ; Reuel and Ruth, twins, born October 25, 1910; and Leah May, born October 25, 1918. The youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Moore was Fiannai, or Fannie, who died aged twenty-one years. Mr. Moore lost his noble wife November 30, 1899. Mr. Moore is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, is an active republican, and has served as party committeeman. For one term he was trustee of Swan Township, and gave a faithful administration of the affairs of that office. As a farmer he occupies the old home estate of his father, containing ninety- four acres, and through agriculture has made ample provision for his family and home. Charles A. Campbell. With the exception of seven years when he kept a lonely bachelor’s cabin on the prairies of North Dakota, Charles A. Camp- bell has lived in Smithfield Township of DeKalb County all his life. He has been an industrious farmer, has made his work practical, and while look- ing after his own affairs he has not neglected the interests of the community. In every sense he has been a useful citizen. He was born on the farm that he now owns September 3, 1866, a son of John and Cornelia (Hemstreet) Campbell. These were pioneer families, the Hemstreets coming to DeKalb County in 1843 and the Campbells in 1847, both settling in Smithfield Township. John Campbell was born in Summit County, Ohio, November 14, 1835, and his Vol. II— 8 wife in Huron County, that state, October 21, 1838. They were married in Smithfield Township in 1859, and then settled on the farm where their son Charles lives, and spent the rest of their days there. The father died March 2, 1904. John Campbell was a republican, but subsequently became affiliated with the democratic party. He served a term as trustee of Smithfield Township. He and his wife had four children: Jennie, wife of Carey Duncan, of Eastern Ohio ; Sarah, wife of George Parnell, of North Carolina ; Scott, of Montpelier, Ohio ; and Charles A. Charles A. Campbell grew up on the home farm and attended common schools. At the age of twenty-one he went west and homesteaded 160 acres in North Dakota, proving up on his claim and cul- tivating it for seven years. In 1895 he returned to DeKalb County and in 1898 married Sophia Schweitzer, who was born in Smithfield Township October 1, 1876, and had a common school educa- tion. Since their marriage, for over twenty years, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have occupied the old Camp- bell homestead, where he owns 102 acres devoted to general farming and stock raising. He is active in democratic politics, a member of the township ad- visory board, a member of the Ashley Co-operative Association and a stockholder in the Gleaner Clear- ance House. He and his wife are both members of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. During the World war Mr. Campbell served as township chairman for the Council of Defense and was active in all patriotic campaigns. To his marriage were born six children: Josh J., Herman, Ruth, John, June and Helen. Herman and John are deceased. The others are all at home, and Josh and Ruth are graduates of the common schools. C. P. Baker, whose home is in section 21 of Sparta Township, Noble County, presents a good example of the man who has made a striking suc- cess from humble beginnings and against heavy odds. He was very young when his father died, was the only son in the family, and at a time when most boys are in school had to assume the burdens and heavy work of the farm. He started life after reaching his majority and after his marriage with very limited capital, and yet today he is one of the largest land owners, one of the most successful stock breeders, and one of the most liberal and public-spirited citizens in the county. He was born in Champaign County, Ohio, August 1, 1847, a son of Samuel and Nancy (Woods) Baker, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia. They were married in Ohio, and in 1850 settled in Turkey Creek Township of Kos- ciusko County, Indiana, where they spent the rest of their lives. The parents were zealous members of the Church of God. Samuel Baker was a re- publican in politics. They had six children, and all five of the daughters at one time or another taught school. The four children still living are: Anna, wife of Newton Rerrick, of Sparta Township; Josephine, wife of Milton Woods, of Kosciusko County; Paulina, wife of Augusta Roach, of Burton Township; and C. P. Baker. C. P. Baker was only three years old when his parents moved to Kosciusko County, and he re- ceived all his schooling in that locality. He was still a small boy when his father died, and he then took charge of the farm and lived there until he was about twenty-six years of age. In February, 1872, he married Catherine Cole, of Noble County, Indiana. After their marriage they lived for a couple of years on the old farm, and then came to Noble County and bought sixty acres, which is included in the present extensive estate 114 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA of Mr. Baker. He added other lands from time to time and now owns 310 acres, which of itself is a good indication of what he has done with his time and opportunities. Much of his success has come from his ability in raising and handling live- stock. He has always kept good horses, and has been an extensive breeder of Shorthorn cattle. His herd was headed by White Hall Sutton. He has also been a breeder of the big type Poland China hogs, his hogs being headed by Buster Wonderer. Mr. Baker was the first president of the Sparta State Bank at Cromwell. He has taken an intelli- gent interest in local affairs, and was elected and served a term of six years as trustee of Sparta Township. He is a republican in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Baker had three children, two of whom are still living, Gertrude and James Otis. Gertrude is a graduate of high school and had a commercial course and is now the wife of Robert Bouse. They live on a farm in Washington Town- ship, and their daughter is the wife of Roy Hontz. Mr. Hontz is train dispatcher at Garrett, Indiana. James Otis Baker is a graduate of high school and married Mattie Cramer. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one grandchild, Mabel Hontz. Philip M. Cause. One of the prosperous farm- ers and well known men of Noble County, whose valuable farm of 200 acres in Swan Township repre- sents the toil and energies and savings of many years of his life, is Philip M. Gause, who was born in the township where he now lives, August 24, 18S9. His parents were John C. and Anna M. (Beard) Gause. His father was born in Wuertemberg, Ger- many, December 20, 1815. In 1841 he came to the United States, being then twenty-six years of age. From New York City he went West to Ohio, lived in that state two years, and in 1843 arrived as a pioneer in Noble County. Here he bought land, which could scarcely be said to be improved, in sec- tion 34 of Swan Township. He was a man of great enterprise, and handled large affairs outside of his farming. He took a contract to build a section of the plank road through this part of Indiana. He also had a contract for construction work on the Eel River, and that nearly proved disastrous, since he lost most of his capital. Later he had a contract for building some miles of the Lake Shore Railway. After a varied fortune in this line of work he finally devoted all his energies to the farm and lived on his land in Noble County until 1864, when he went to Allen County and took charge of the Judge Hanna farm of 1,040 acres. He used that extensive prop- erty for raising sheep, and was engaged in a suc- cessful business there for sixteen years. He then returned to Noble County and died here honored and respected and in advance age May 2, 1902. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and was very active in the democratic party. Of seven children three died in infancy. Of those living John C. is a resident of Missouri ; Maggie is the wife of David Wert, of Quincy, Indiana ; Katie is the widow of Joseph Peffer; and Philip M. is the youngest. . Philip M. Gause grew up on a farm and had a common school education. He was at home with his parents to the age of twenty-one. After that for two years he found employment in Fort Wayne and also spent nine months in Michigan. Eventually he rented the old farm of his father and finally had progressed far enough to purchase the land out- right. He has continued its successful manager for many years. One specialty of the Gause farm is pure bred Duroc hogs. October 24, 1884, Mr. Gause married Miss Mary J. Fogle. She was born in Allen County, Indiana, August 14, 1861, and was reared and educated there. Seven children have been born to their marriage : Floyd, a graduate of high school, who also attended college, has been a successful banker, was first presi- dent and for three years has been cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and was also for a time an employe of the Fort Wayne postoffice; Anna is the wife of Clarence Freeman; Ora P. married Arthur Potter; John is a farmer at home; Trude is the wife of Merle Gump ; Pearl is married and lives at home; George, the youngest of the family, wears the uniform and has seen service with the American Expeditionary Forces in France. Mr. Gause has been a liberal supporter of church and allied causes. He is affiliated with Huntertown Lodge No. 689, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and has attained the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, in the Fort Wayne Consistory. Politically a democrat, he has aided his party and has been a live and public spirited factor in his own community. Charles Weller. “The Fairview Farm,” which speaks for itself among the pleasant attributes of Swan Township, Noble County, is owned by Charles Weller in section 1, comprising 120 acres. Mr. Weller is a very particular and careful agriculturist, and combines just the right amount of science with good practice, so that his ledger has always shown a comfortable balance on the credit side. Mr. Weller was born in Butler Township, of De- Kalb County, Indiana, November 24, 1869, son of Philip and Elizabeth (Rakestraw) Weller. His parents were both natives of Ohio, his father of Clark County and his mother of Greene County. After their marriage in Ohio they moved to In- diana about i860 and settled in DeKalb County, but in 1871 moved to section 1 of Swan Township in Noble County, and lived there the rest of their lives. They were members of the Methodist Prot- estant Church and in politics the father was a re- publican. Of eleven children six are still living: Martha, wife of Levi Treesh, of DeKalb County; Joseph, a farmer in DeKalb County; Oliver and Olive, twins, the former a resident of Ligonier, and the latter the wife of Henry L. Houser of DeKalb County; Emma, wife of David Heitz, of DeKalb County; and Charles. Charles Weller grew up on the old farm in Swan Township and had a district school education. Since the age of twenty-one he has been making his own way in the world. He married Ida L. Henry. She was born in Noble County, on the farm where she and her husband now reside. Her birth occurred July 12, 1870, and she received her education in the district schools. For three or four years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Weller lived in DeKalb County and then returned to Noble County and bought their present home. They have two chil- dren : Gertrude is a graduate of the Avilla High School and is the wife of Freeman Kelham, living in DeKalb County. Gladys is a graduate of the common schools and of the high school. Mr. and Mrs. Weller are members of the Methodist Prot- estant Church and he is one of the church trustees. He is a past master of Avilla Lodge No. 460, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons, and in politics is a republican. Harvey E. Musser has been a resident of DeKalb County since early infancy, and during his mature career of thirty years has been a member of the farming community of Franklin Township. He owns a farm of eighty acres in section 5 of that township. Mr. Musser was born in Stark County, Ohio, Feb- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 115 ruary 23, 1863, a son of William and Catherine (Yutzler) Musser. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania. The mother was born in Switzerland and was fourteen years of age when she came with her parents to the United States. She grew up in Ohio and was married in Stark County. In 1865 the Musser family came to DeKalb County, Indiana, Harvey E. being then about two years old. He was the oldest of seven children, and as a boy he attended the common school and acquired an education sufficient for his needs. He is a member of Hamilton Lodge of Masons, also belongs to the Hamilton Grange and in politics is a democrat. He and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. December 29, 1883, he married Ida Hamman. They have five children: Effie, wife of Ozro Richey; Sherman, who lives in DeKalb County, near Hamil- ton ; Ethel, wife of Leroy Hodges; Edna, wife of Err Lemon; and Floyd, who married Laura Kauff- man. Mrs. Musser is a daughter of Adam and Rebecca (Curry) Hamman. Her father was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 12, 1838, and her mother in Co- lumbiana County, that state, in March 1842. In the Hamman family were eleven children, and those liv- ing today are: Ida; Lydia, wife of Benjamin Dun- can; Jesse, of Williams County, Ohio; Cora, wife of John Rohrbaugh ; Rebecca, wife of William May; and Miles, of Pleasant Lake Indiana. The Ham- man family settled in DeKalb County in 1854. Mrs. Musser was reared in Franklin Township and at- tended the public schools there. Elbridge E. Butler has spent nearly all his active years as a farmer in Salem Township of Steuben County. He was born there, grandson of one of the earliest settlers, and his own life has been in keeping with the high standards of industrious and good citizenship set by the earlier representatives of the name. Mr. Butler was born in Salem Township Septem- ber 16, 1865. His grandfather was Jesse Butler, representing an old Vermont family. In June, 1838, Jesse and his brothers Loren and Daniel with their families started for Steuben County, Indiana. There were of course no railroads, and they made the journey by the feasible routes then in existence. They first proceeded to Albany, New York, crossed New York State on the Erie Canal, from Buffalo went by lake boat to Toledo, and near Toledo bought the teams and wagons which brought them to Salem Township in Steuben County. The three brothers bought 500 acres in sections 5 and 8, and they not only improved their lands from the wilderness into good farms, but were men of promi- nence in every way. The children of Jesse Butler were Seymour, Mary Jane, who became the wife of Newton Bodlie, Parthena and James W. James W. Butler, father of Elbridge E., was born in Salem Township April 25, 1843, and died May 13, 1895. He married Elnora Wright. She was also a native of Salem Township, daughter of Elbridge and Martha (Cochran) Wright. Elbridge Wright was one of the early farmers of Salem Township. His children were Elnora, Henry, Cyrus, Monroe and Marion, twins, Elsie, who became the wife of Frank Gettings, and Dora, who married John Tritch. James W. Butler received a public school educa- tion in Salem Township, also attended the academy at Orland, and from early manhood devoted himself to farming in his native township. He owned the 160-acre homestead of his father and lived there until his death. But besides looking closely after the management of this farm he became noted as probably the most successful stock buyer in this part of Indiana. His wife died May 27, 1885, the mother of four children : Elbridge E. ; May, who became the wife of Benjamin Hayward; Cora, who died at the age of thirteen ; and Lura, wife of Edward Bussell. Elbridge E. Butler attended the Butler School in Salem Township, and with the exception of two years when he was managing a livery business at Kendallville has devoted his energies to farming in his native township. In 1900 he bought his present farm in sections 4 and 9, and has 160 acres well fitted for staple crops and livestock. He is a breeder of Jersey cattle and as a farmer knows his business thoroughly. October 2, 1889, Mr. Butler married Elizabeth Emerson, a native of Salem Township and daughter of Avery and Elizabeth (Parsed) Emerson. The Emersons are a well known Steuben County family. Mrs. Butler is a sister of Fred Emerson of Angola. To their marriage were born four children: Monroe, who married Irene DeLong and has two children, Ruth and Jean; George Clifford who married Margaret Emerson ; James A., who died in child- hood; and John Elbridge. Mr. and Mrs. Butler also took into their home Cora Barkley at the age of seven years, and she has lived with them for the past fifteen years. Mr. Butler is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. James T. Iden. One of the farms longest occu- pied in Sparta Township is that of James T. Iden in section 25. Mr. Iden and wife have lived in that locality of Noble County nearly forty years, have cultivated innumerable crops, and have seen their efforts grow and prosper under their hand. In every sense of the word they are substantial citizens, good neighbors and upholders of the best com- munity spirit. Mr. Iden was born in Licking County, Ohio, Sep- tember 4, 1854, a son of Samuel and Julia A. (Hull) Iden, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Ohio, and after some years of residence in Licking County moved to Noble County, Indiana, in 1864, settling near Indian Village’ in Sparta Township. The parents spent the rest of their days there, and Samuel Iden had a farm of 120 acres; He was a very active member of the Baptist Church and in politics a democrat. There were five children, and the three now living are: James T. ; Alpheus J., a resident of LaMesa, California; and Sarah E., unmarried. James T. Iden was ten years old when he came to Noble County. He had attended school back in Ohio and finished his education in the district schools of this county. After reaching the age of twenty-one he worked out by the month, and on April 17, 1881, married Anna S. Schlabach. She was born in Stark County, Ohio, November 9, 1859, and was only an^ infant when her parents came to Noble County. She was educated in this county in the common schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Iden located on the farm where they have lived ever since. They have 100 acres of land devoted to general farming and stock raising. Mr. Iden is a democrat in politics. He and his wife have no children. William M. Schlabach, father of Mrs. Iden, was born in Pennsylvania. He went from that state to Ohio and married there Sarah Braucher. For many years they were farmers in Ohio, but in the spring of i860 came to Noble County, Indiana, and located in Sparta Township, where they spent the 116 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA rest of their lives and became well known and highly respected people of that community. Mrs. Iden’s mother died in July, 1880, and her father passed away February 2, 1909. There were eight children in the Schlabach family, seven of whom are still living: Clara A., wife of Yangulph Werker; John R., who lives near Cromwell; Anna, Mrs. Iden ; William O., of South Bend; Mary E., wife of J. W. Smith, of Ligonier; M. Schlabach, of Fort Wayne; Charles L., of Cromwell; and Ida E., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Schlabach were mem- bers of the Christian Church. Mrs. Mary E. Thompson, widow of the late Elza J. Thompson, is a member of the well-known Pan- cake family of Noble County, and is daughter of the late John Pancake, one of the most prominent citi- zens of this section of Indiana. He first settled in Elkhart Township of Noble County. The late Elza J. Thompson was born three miles north of Albion in 1851, was educated in the dis- trict school and taught school, and on January 14, 1886, married Mary E. Pancake. Mr. Thompson died fourteen years later. Mrs. Thompson has two children: Jennie E., born August 3, 1888, still living with her mother, and Forest P., who was born November 26, 1891. Mrs. Thompson has eighty acres in her home farm, 160 acres in Elkhart Township, and she owns her father’s old home of 160 acres. She is a depositor in the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company at Ligonier and a stockholder in the Topeka Bank. William O. Shambaugh has been an active man of affairs in Noble County for over forty years, and the greater part of this time has been devoted to the cultivation of his farm in Green Township. He owns one of the best homes and homesteads in that locality, and aside from his position as a successful farmer always carried much weight in public af- fairs. Mr. Shambaugh was born in Ashland County, Ohio, January 18, 1855. son of Henry and Margaret ( McKinley) Shambaugh, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. His father went to Ohio when a boy, grew up and married there, and two years after his marriage moved to Wisconsin, where he bought a farm. When the Civil war came on he went into the ranks as a sol- dier and served faithfully and bravely until the close of hostilities. Having sold his property in Wisconsin he returned with his family to Ohio, and bought the old homestead in Ashland County. In 1874 he moved to Noble County, Indiana, and lived the rest of his life in Green Township. He was a democrat in politics. Of four children born to the parents three are still living: William O. ; Nancy, wife of Isaac Shambaugh, of Green Township; and Clara, wife of Lewis Sommers, of Green Township. William O. Shambaugh grew up on his father’s farm in Ohio, had a common school education, and was a member of the home circle until the age of twenty-one. On September 14, 1876, he married Miss Fannie E. Arthur. She was born near Green Center in Noble County, February 14, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Shambaugh have two children : Cora is a graduate of the common schools and the wife of Curtis Bonar now on Mr. Shambaugh’s home farm ; Franklin is a graduate of the common schools, lives in Green Township and married Della McCoy. After their marriage Mr, and Mrs. Shambaugh began farming in Green Township, and they now own a well cultivated and improved farm of 120 acres. Mr. Shambaugh also has property at Churu- busco. He and his wife and family lived for two years at Kendallville. Mr. Shambaugh is one of the trustees of the parsonage of the United Brethren Church at Green Center, where he and his family worship. He has a record of efficient service as a trustee of Green Township, an office he held from 1900 to 1904. Charles H. Hoverstock, who is proprietor of the Hoverstock Garage at Topeka, has come into the automobile business by a natural process of evolu- tion, having in early life been connected with the manufacture of bicycles, and when that vehicle was largely superseded by the automobile he became agent for one of the pioneer cars of America, and for over fourteen years has sold the famous Buick. He was born in Eden Township of LaGrange County November 18, 1875, son of James and L. (Parks) Hoverstock. His father was born in La- Grange County April 28, 1850, a son of William and Margaret Hoverstock, who came to this state from Ohio and settled near Topeka on a farm lying partly in Eden and partly in Clear Spring Township. James Hoverstock, who died April 15, 1913, was a promi- nent and wealthy business man, owning a livery establishment which he operated for many years, until he retired. He and his wife were active mem- bers of the Methodist Church and he was a repub- lican. Charles H. Hoverstock, only son of his parents, grew up on a farm and received most of his educa- tion in the schools of Ligonier. For several years he was a foreman in a bicycle factory and in an as- sembly department at New Castle and Hartford City, Indiana. Fourteen years ago he took the local agency for the Buick automobile, and handles in ad- dition the Chevrolet car. He built his present com- modious garage in 1914. Mr. Hoverstock is a stock- holder in both banks in Topeka. In 1897 he married Alice Lantz, daughter of Ezra and Susanna (Yoder) Lantz. They have three chil- dren : Kenneth W., associated with his father in business; Caistro H., a student in high school; and Alice L., who is twelve years old and a student in the common schools. Mrs. Hoverstock is a member of the Baptist Church. He is a republican and is affiliated wth the Modern Woodmen of Amerca. Albert L. Addis. One of the most interesting citizens of Noble County is Albert L. Addis, who owns the Arrowdale Stock Farm in section 14 of Noble Township. Mr. Addis is not only a capable farmer and an equally capable citizen, but is a man of scholarly tastes and pursuits and is probably the highest local authority on all subjects pertaining to archeology in Noble County. Much of his work has received official recognition from the foremost scholars and from the Government at Washington. Mr. Addis was born on the farm where he now resides March 6, 1878, son of Milton and Mary (Kneener) Addis. His father was born in Monroe County, Ohio, May 2, 1838, a son of John Addis, who brought his family to Noble County in early days and spent the rest of his life here. Milton Addis was a young man when he came to the county, was married here, his wife coming from Darke County, Ohio, and he then bought the 115 acres where his son is now living. He was a soldier in the Civil war, and while in the army lost his hearing. Albert L. Addis was the only child of his parents, both of whom are now deceased. All his life has been spent on the home farm. He acquired a com- mon school education, and has made use of oppor- tunity since leaving school to extend his studies and investigations in various channels, particularly in tracing and investigating the remains of HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 117 aboriginal inhabitants in this section of Indiana. After the death of his father he took charge of the home farm, and on April 14, 1897, he married Mary M. Huff. She was born in Greene Township of Noble County January 27, 1881, daughter of Christ and Nancy J. Simmons Huff. Her father was born in Swan Township of Noble County June 18, 1843, and her mother in Darke County, Ohio, September 7, 1855. Mrs. Addis was reared in Greene Township. The}' have four children : Edna, Artie and Lawrence, who have all finished the work of the common schools, and Mabel, who is now in the seventh grade. Mrs. Addis is a member of the Baptist Church at Wolf Lake, and has been affiliated with that organization since 1907. Mr. Addis is a democrat. It was about 1899 that Mr. Addis formally under- took the collection of specimens that would serve as a systematic evidence of the early occupation of aboriginal tribes in his section of Indiana. Later he sold this collection to a museum of American Indians in New York City. He was paid $3,000 for his collection in 1915. At the present time Mr. Addis is busily engaged in acquiring another col- lection. He also contributed for Noble County the account of aboriginal remains published by the Bureau of Ethnology. Edmon F. Smith. One of the excellent farmers and cattle feeders of Steuben Township, Steuben County, is Edmon F. Smith, owner of 120 acres of as good land as can be found in this part of the state. He was born on his present farm in section 29, Steuben Township, November 7, i860, a son of Amos Smith and grandson of Michael Smith, a na- tive of Pennsylvania, who became one of the pio- neers of Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana. A few years after locating in that town- ship he came to Steuben Township, where he lived the remainder of his life. He married Elizabeth Fox, and they had the following children: Jacob, Amos, Emeline, who married John Fish, and Ada- line, who married Frank Slayball. Amos Smith was born in Lancaster County, Penn- sylvania, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Wolfgang, was born in Pennsylvania, she being a daughter of Samuel Wolfgang. Coming to Steuben Township with his father, Amos Smith became the owner of 200 acres of land in Steuben Township, a portion of which is now owned by his son E. F. Smith. He and his wife had the follow- ing children: Sarah, who married Charles E. Shu- man ; Edmon F., whose name heads this review ; and Della, who married Henry Mountz. Amos Smith became well known in his community as a man of sterling character and unquestioned integrity, and his verbal promise was considered as good as an- other man’s bond. Edmon F. Smith attended the district schools of Steuben Township, and was taught to be a farmer by his experienced father. After attaining his ma- jority he began farming the homestead on his own account, and has owned it since 1893, the farm com- prising 120 acres. Here he carries on general farm- ing and breeds Shorthorn cattle, his methods of do- ing his work being such as to win for him the com- mendation of his neighbors. In 1895 he erected his present comfortable modern residence, and has re.- modeled the other buildings so that his premises present a neat and attractive appearance and show that the owner understands his business. On September 22, 1885, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Enola I. Weldin, born October 22, 1864, in Jackson Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, a daughter of Leander F. Weldin and his wife, Rebecca J. (Moore) Weldin. Leander F. Weldin was born in Columbiana County, Ohio. When the Civil war broke out he naturally espoused the cause of the North, and in August, 1861, gave proof of this in his enlistment as a member of the Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, in which he served for four years and three months and participated in the following battles : Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, Rocky Face Ridge, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Lovejoy’s Station, Franklin and Nashville. After he received his honorable discharge he located in Steu- ben Township, where he continued to farm the re- mainder of his life. He and his wife had the fol- lowing children : Enola, Kimber M., Delbert G. and Arthur L. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children, namely: Velma E. and Waldo E. Waldo married Leafa Kohl and they have a daughter, Ruth De Vere, and a son, Warren Kohl. Like his father, Mr. Smith stands deservedly high in his community, and he and his wife entertain their friends at their comfortable home upon many occasions, for they delight in gathering about them those to whom they are bound by ties of affectionate regard. Joseph S. Watson is one of the well known and well-to-do farmer citizens of York Township, Noble County, and has come into his present prosperity by relying entirely upon his own good sense and hard efforts since assuming life’s serious responsibilities for himself. His home is four miles southwest of Albion. Mr. Watson was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, June 19, 1866, a son of Robert and Electra (Wells) Watson. His father was born in Medina County, Ohio, and his mother in Clark County of the same state. Their respective families came to Indiana at an early day, locating in Allen County, where Robert and Electa grew up and married. They lived on farms in different counties of Indiana and for eleven years were residents of the State of Tennes- see. Robert Watson was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a stanch republican in politics. Of their seven children six are still living: Milton C., of Fort Wayne; Elvira E., wife of M. V. Hall; Hans A.; Theresa, wife of John App; Joseph S. ; and Viola, wife of Nelson Curtis. Joseph S. Watson grew up on a farm and at- tended the district schools. At the age of twenty- one he started out to earn his own way in the world. For one winter he was a cattle feeder, and the fifty dollars he saved from that work he invested in two head of cattle and later he bought a farm in Jasper County, Indiana, and traded that for land in Ten- nessee, where he lived for four and a half years. On returning to Indiana he acquired eighty acres in Allen County, and he was a farmer in that locality for twelve years. Since then he has extended his efforts as a farmer and business man in Noble County, and now has a well modeled farm of 160 acres. He does general farming and stock raising. Mr. Watson married in 1893 Dora Stephenson, of Allen County, Indiana, but a native of Paulding County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are the parents of six children. Goldie, who finished her education in the college at Fort Wayne, is now general clerk with the firm of Ackerman & Hardenbrook. Etha D. is a graduate of high school and of Manchester College, and also of the Indiana Business College at Fort Wayne, and is now connected with the Gen- eral Delivery Company at Fort Wayne. Alva N., Emerson, Alice and Cora May are the younger children, all at home. Mr. Watson is a republican in politics. 118 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Charles E. Newcomer. In the same Townshp where he was born and reared, Franklin Township, Charles E. Newcomer has spent his active life as a tiller of the soil, has gathered many crops through the consecutive seasons, and is directing a large and valuable farm in section 8, where he has his home and where his family of children are growing up around him. Mr. Newcomer was born in Franklin Townshp May 12, 1873, a son of George and Barbara (Van Horn) Newcomer, the former a native of Colum- biana County, Ohio, and the latter of Allen Town- ship, Noble County, Ohio. George Newcomer came to DeKalb County with his parents, grew up here and after his marriage settled in section 29 of Franklin Township. Some years ago he and his good wife retired from the farm and are now living at Waterloo. He is a democrat and is a member of the Masonic Order. Of the seven children six are still living : Charles E. ; Lona, unmarried ; Mary M., widow of John Brown; Arnie, who occupies the old homestead; Elmer, also of Franklin Township; and William, of that Township. Charles E. Newcomer spent his boyhood days alter- nately attending school and working in the fields and about the home. He married Effie Mann, a native of Franklin Township. They have a family of five children: Marion, born June 22, 1897; Harold, born January 16, 1900; Howard, born December 23, 1901 ; Grace, born October 25, 1903 ; and Gladys, born November 30, 1907. The four older children are all graduates of the common school and all are still in the home circle. Mr. Newcomer is affiliated with Lodge No. 7 0I > Free and Accepted Masons, Royal Arch Chapter No. 106, Council No. 83, Royal and Select Masters, and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star Chapter. He is a past grand of the Odd Fellows and a member of the Grand Lodge and is a past chief patriarch of the Encampment. Mrs. New- comer is a past grand of the Rebekahs. Politically Mr. Newcomer affiliates with the democratic party. He is a member of the Hamilton Grange. His farm in Franklin Township comprises 200 acres and he has it well equipped and well stocked with good grades. Mrs. Newcomer was born in Franklin Township August 8, 1876, a daughter of Jahn and Elizabeth (Curry) Mann. Her father was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1838, and came with his parents to Franklin Township in 1839. His wife was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1840 and came to DeKalb County when a young lady. They were married March 24, 1864, then lived in Franklin Town- ship one year, spent a year in Missouri, and after that lived in Franklin Township the rest of their days. Mr. Mann was a democrat in politics. There were two children : Almeda, deceased wife of Adam Hamman, and Effie E., Mrs. Newcomer. Claude Kimmell is a prominent representative of a numerous family of that name in Noble County, and for a number of years has been suc- cessfully engaged in general farming and stock raising on a large place in Sparta Township. He was born in York Township of the same county June 24, 1879, son of Orlando and Jane (White) Kimmell. Claude was the youngest in a rather large family. He grew up on the old farm, attended district schools. He also for two years attended Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan, and then took a business course at Indianapolis, In- diana. He lived at home until his marriage. In August, 1909, Miss Hannah Kiester became his wife. Mrs. Kimmell is a woman of thorough education and culture. She is a daughter of John and Barbara (Moore) Kiester. She was born and reared in Washington Township, attended the dis- trict schools there, is a graduate of the State Normal School and holds a life certificate as a teacher. She was a teacher both in the common and high schools before her marriage. They have two children : Anna May, born December 18, 1910, and Claude A., born August 14, 1917. In this large family of Kimmells in Noble County, Claude A. happens to be the only grandson bearing the name Kimmell. Mr. Kimmell is farming on an extensive scale, and has a total of 640 acres under his control and management. He breeds and raises all kinds of livestock. He is a stockholder in the State Bank at Kimmell, is a republican, and a member of Albion Lodge No. 97, Free and Accepted Masons. Ira L. Myers, proprietor of the Union Home Farm of 360 acres in Orange Township of Noble County, is a man of interesting characteristics and experience. He early trained himself for a career as a pharmacist, also studied medicine, but reasons of ill health brought him back to the farm where he was reared, and for a quarter of a century he has been one of the leading agriculturists of Noble County. Those familiar with Mr. Myers’ operations say that his success is largely due to his good judg- ment and his willingness to take long chances, the same quality that makes successful business men as well as good farmers. Mr. Myers was born in Orange Township, March 15, 1871, a son of Reuben D. and Sarah (Kiefer) Myers, the former a native of Summit County, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Reuben Myers moved to Indiana when a young man and settled in Noble County, and his wife’s people also came to the same locality. After their marriage they settled on a farm in Orange Township, where the father lived until his death in 1912. The mother is still living. The family were members of the United Brethren Church at Oak Grove. The father was affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Rome City, and in politics was a democrat. Of four children, three are still living: Melissa, wife of Emanuel Myers, of Elkhart, Indiana; Frank E., of Orange Township; and Ira L. Ira L. Myers spent his. boyhood on the farm where he is now living, and acquired his early education at Rome City. He attended the high school there and entered the pharmacy department of North- western University of Chicago, graduating with the degree Ph. G. on February 25, 1890. In the fall of the same year he entered the medical department of Northwestern University and diligently pursued his studies for two years. Then, as above noted, he left school and aban- doned a professional career on account of ill health, and returning home engaged in farming. For sev- eral years he rented his father’s place, and later began buying until he owns 360 acres. One of his main standbys as a farmer has been wheat, and he made money on that crop long before the era of high prices and Government regulation. He also keeps his farm well stocked and it represents a large investment and is a business handled with every degree of efficiency. November 2, 1895, Mr. Myers married Lizzie Shaeffer. She was born in Orange Township, March 23, 1875, and graduated from the Wolcottville High School in 1892. Mrs. Myers is a member of the Evangelical Church at Wolcottville. They have one son, Victor L., born January 11, 1908, and now in HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 119 the sixth grade of the public schools. When this son was a year old the father invested for him eighteen dollars in three sheep. The sheep were kept as a nucleus of a steadily growing flock, and now at the age of nine years the son Victor has 185 sheep and has $2,800.00 to his credit in cash securities. Mr. Myers is a democrat and has served as precinct committeeman of his party. Charles W. Warring for a number of years has been an active member of the farming community of Jackson Township in Steuben County, and has lived in that county since he was a child. He was born in Cayuga County, New York, Jan- uary 25, 1870, a son of William and Phoebe Ann (Brown) Warring. His mother was born Feb- ruary 25, 1845. William Warring was born in Ire- land, October 4, 1841, a son of William Warring, Sr. His mother died in Ireland and in 1845 William Warring, Sr., came to Canada with his son William and daughter Cassie. He died in Canada after his second marriage. William Warring, Jr., served an apprenticeship at the trade of spinner in a woolen mill and followed that trade for a number of years. He became head boss in the Hayden factory in Cayuga County, New York. He was married while living there and he and his brother-in-law, Charles Brown, bought eighty acres of land, but after a few years he sold his interest and returned to work in the woolen mills. In 1876 he came to Steuben County with his family, buying eighty acres of timbered land without fences. He cleared up the place, built a good house, and became one of the substantial farmers of Jackson Township. He also owned an acre of ground and a house in Flint. He spent his last days with his son, Charles, and died August 24, 1907. His first wife died March 30, 1884, the mother of three children, named Charles W., Robert J. and William, the last dying in infancy. Robert J. Warring was born January 4, 1878, and is a farmer in Jackson Township, where he has seventy acres and is a successful breeder of Duroc Jersey hogs. He married Geneva Ritter, and their four children are Raymond, Wayland, Wilma and Levi. William Warring married for his second wife Minna Williams, and she died in March, 1907. Charles W. Warring grew up on the old home- stead in Steuben County from the age of six, and besides the public schools took a commercial course in the Tri-State College at Angola. Today he owns the old homestead and has added forty-nine acres of the Charles Brown place and has it all well im- proved and as a stockman devotes particular atten- tion to the Spotted Poland China hogs. He is a democrat, and his father was of the same political faith until late in life. In 1891 Mr. Warring married Florence V. DeLong, a daughter of James DeLong. Three children were born to their marriage: Rose Anne, born January 30, 1892, is a graduate of the Flint High School and the Tri-State College and is the wife of Ellis Call, by whom she had two children, Opal and Maynard, the latter dying at the age of six months. Roscoe Curtis Warring, born July 15, 1893, was educated in the Flint High School, took a commercial course in the Tri-State College, and as a farmer rents the John Parsell farm. He married Winifred Parsed, a daughter of George Parsell of Jackson Township, and has one son, Ralph. William Charles Warring, the youngest of the family, was born March 2, 1899, graduated from the Flint High School, attended the International Business College at Fort Wayne, and is still at home. Mrs. Warring’s father, James DeLong, was born in Ohio and married Polly Daily, a native of the same state. When a child he was taken to Allen County, Indiana, by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George De- Long, who spent the rest of their years there and were buried in the Cedar Creek Cemetery. Polly Daily’s parents, George and Julia Ann (Essig) Daily, were also early settlers in Allen County, where they spent the rest of their lives. James DeLong had a public school education, and in early life went west to Colorado and took up a claim. Part of that land is now covered by Colorado City. His wife started west and got as far as Missouri, where he returned to join her and they came back and settled in DeKalb County, Indiana. Mr. DeLong enlisted while there in the Union army and served eighteen months. After the war he returned to DeKalb County and was a successful farmer, though he never owned any land. He refused to take any pension for his services as a soldier, but after his death his widow received back pension and with it bought seventy acres in Jackson Township of Steuben County. Mrs. Warring’s father died in 1877 aged forty-four. Her mother lived until 1906, when she was seventy years of age. Her children were George, Catherine (deceased), Sylvia, Curtis, William, Ira, Florence and Ada (deceased). James DeLong was a republican and he and his wife were members of the United Brethren Church. Curtis DeLong, a brother of Mrs. Warring, was born in DeKalb County, March 3, 1862, and has been a resident of Steuben County since 1891. He owns considerable land in that county, comprising 200 acres in Jackson Township and other land else- where. He married in 1894 Miss Maud Mercer, of Steuben County, daughter of Wesley Mercer. They have three children : Mary, born in 1896, Marie, born in 1903, and Madge Mary, born in 1908. Burl Moughler. One of the best representatives of the younger generation of farmers in DeKalb County is Burl Moughler of Troy Township. When he bought his present farm of 118 acres in 1907 he had only $525 cash. From the products of the fields and his livestock he paid for the 118 acres, and since then has bought 48 acres additional. He is a thoroughly efficient stockman and realizes the necessity of the best improvements and methods of handling land and stock. Mr. Moughler was born in Wilmington Township, DeKalb County, a mile and a quarter south and a half mile east of Butler, August 16, 1881, a son of John and Alice (Hendershot) Moughler. His father was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 9, 1850, and his mother in Defiance County, Ohio, March 6, 1857. Both are residents of Troy Township, where they located when their son Burl was three years old. The mother is a member of the United Breth- ren Church. The father is a democrat. They have two sons, Burl and Glenn, the latter a farmer in Wilmington Township. Burl Moughler acquired his education in the dis- trict schools and as a young man he rented a baleing outfit and for three years traveled about the different farms baling hay. On December 19, 1903, he married Della C. Riser, who was born in Troy Township August 5, 1885. For three years after their marriage they rented land in Stafford Township, and then with the limited capital above noted bought their present home. The additional forty acres was ac- .quired in 1918. Mr. Moughler breeds good grades of livestock, and for several years has fed hogs and cattle on an extensive scale. His two sons are en- thusiastic members of the Boys Pig Clubs, and were contestants in the pig feeding contest for the dis- tricts of Stafford, Troy, Wilmington and Franklin townships and were awarded the first prize of $20 in gold. 120 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA The children of Mr. and Mrs. Mougler are : Olis L., born October 21, 1904; Ora Dale, born August 12, 1906; Roy J., born December 23, 1912; and Helen, born February 27, 1915. The family are members of the United Brethren Church and Mr. Moughler is trustee of the parsonage and formerly superin- tendent of the Sunday school and active in all de- partments of the church. He is affiliated with Lodge No. 157 of the Knights of Pythias at Butler and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Edgerton, Ohio. Politically he is a republican. Lewis T. Baker has for thirty years or more been identified with the farming activities of Noble County, and is owner of eighty acres in Washington Township. Mr. Baker has followed general farming but has also specialized to some extent as a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and of O. I. C. hogs. He was born at Cromwell, Indiana, November 14, 1861. His parents, Jacob and Mary A. (Smith) Baker, were both natives of Ohio and came to Noble County, Indiana, with their respective fami- lies. They grew up here, were married, and then located on a farm near Cromwell and subsequently moved to Sparta Township, where Jacob Baker lived as a practical agriculturist until he moved to Washington Township, where he died on the farm. His widow is still living. Both have been active members of the Methodist Church, and as a re- publican he gave three terms of excellent service as trustee of Sparta Township. Of the children five are still living : G. W. Baker, of Kosciusko County; H. E. Baker, of Denver, Colorado; Lewis T. ; Julia, wife of Rev. W. H. Brightmire, of In- dianapolis ; and Sherman C., of Washington Town- ship. Lewis T. Baker spent his boyhood days and acquired his education at Cromwell, but has been a resident of Washington Township since he was sixteen years old. In September, 1885, he married Frances Palmer. She was born in Whitley County and was educated in the common schools. Mr. Baker had the misfortune to lose his wife by death in May, 1913. There were no children. He is affiliated with the Lodge of Odd Fellows at Etna and is a past master of that lodge and a member of the grand lodge. In politics he is a republican. Frank T. Knisely. Nearly seventy years ago the late John B. Knisely came to Steuben County and began the development of a farm in York Township which is now the property of Frank T. Knisely. The latter, long regarded as one of the most substan- tial citizens of Steuben County, is an adopted son of John B. Knisely. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, June 21, 1874, and at the age of two months was adopted by the Knisely family. The late John B. Knisely, who died November 26, 1912, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, No- vember 27, 1830, a son of David and Sarah Knisely. David Knisely entered land in section 6 of York Township, Steuben County, when the land was first put on the market. John B. Knisely at the age of twenty-one came to Indiana to improve this land, and his prosperity eventually was measured by the ownership of 360 acres. David Knisely died in Ohio in 1877. May 22, 1853, John B. Knisely married Emma S. Johnston. She was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, May 22, 1836, a daughter of Silas and Aseneth Johnston. John Knisely and wife had five children, including their adopted son Frank. The three to reach mature years were Letta E., wife of George Osfall, a farmer and merchant of York Township, and the mother of one child, Emma L. ; Frank T. ; and Nellie C„ who married Charles Hershmiller and died in Massachusetts, October 31, 1909. Frank T. Knisely, who continues the Knisely name acquired his education in the public schools of York 1 ownship and as a boy and young man worked on his father s place. For three or four years he lived on a nearby farm, but with that exception his labors have been devoted to the old Knisely homestead. He owns 395 acres in sections 6 and 7, and by his industry, good judgment and public spirit has proved worthy of his inheritance. With the exception of the house he has put practically all the buildings and ° 2 1 , er improvements on the land. Mr. Knisely is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. In 1896 he married Kate McElroy, daughter of Robert and Alzina (Brooks) McElroy. The Mc- Elroys and Brooks are old families of Steuben County, and special reference to them is made on other p ag e S Mr and Mrs. Knisely have had six n ,dr I n ’ u Ver ?l B V r1 ’ Nev . a ’ .° rIo > Arlene and Dorothy, but Dorothy died in infancy. iviiNARD t. Kose. A resident of Steuben County over three-quarters of a century, Minard F Rose has some interesting recollections of the journey which brought the family to this county from North- ern Ohio. He has concerned himself during his active years with farming in York Township, long since acquired a competency from his efforts, and in his declining years has the satisfaction of seeing 11s own children and some of his grandchildren plane^ and eStabhshed in Iife on a self-respecting Mr. Rose was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, December 9, 1841, a son of Jacob O. and Mary A. (Comstock) Rose. His father was born in Rens- selaer County, New York, May 18, 1814, a son of Elias and Eva (Overrocker) Rose, natives of New York and of Dutch ancestry. The Rose family moved from New York and settled near Cleveland in 1835. On April 12, 1837, Jacob O. Rose married Mary A. Comstock, and she was born July 3, 1817, a daughter of Stephen and Charlotte (Fitch) Com- stock, natives of Connecticut. It was in 1845 that Jacob O. Rose and family moved to Steuben County, settling in York Town- ship. They made the journey by wagon and team. Minard F. Rose was then four years old, but recalls some of the incidents of the journey. He remem- bers that his father brought five head of Devonshire cows and a Chester White hog, and he recalls the difficulties of crossing the Swanee River. Just about that time Mr. Rose had his experience of the whooping cough. The family settled a mile and a half east of where Minard Rose now lives, on eighty acres of wild land. Jacob Rose eventually ac- quired 240 acres there, but after ten years sold and bought what is now the Robinson farm. He lived there another period of ten years and then went to Big Rapids, Michigan, where he died October 24, 1883. His widow then returned to Steuben County and lived with her son, Minard, until her death. They had three children : Elias Overrocker, Char- lotte, who died in infancy, and Minard F. Minard F. Rose grew up in York Township, and has lived there since he was four years old. He acquired a good education, attending the public schools and was also a student at Hillsdale College under President Fairfield. In his early life he also taught school in Williams County, Ohio, two miles east of Columbia. For two years he rented the old homestead and in the fall of 1863 moved to his present place, where he has 140 acres. The im- provements when he moved there consisted of a 2 . HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 121 frame house, which was the second frame building erected in the township. Mr. Rose has since com- pletely changed the aspect of things on the farm, clearing and improving and erecting substantial buildings. He and his son, Irwin, have long been associated in the management of the farm and for some years they were breeders of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Rose was the first county assessor under a new law, being appointed by the Board of County Com- missioners and later elected to that office. In poli- tics he is a republican and also served one term as township trustee. He is a member of the Christian Church at Metz, his father having been a member of the same denomination. October 6, 1862, Mr. Rose married Miss Ann Eliza Powers. She was the second white child born in York Township, born January 2, 1839, a daughter of Winn Powers, and member of the well known Powers family of Steuben County, including her brother, Riley Powers. Mrs. Rose, who is now de- ceased, was the mother of five children. Mary is the wife of Ed E. Mitchell, of Phoenix, Arizona, and her daughter, Maggie, is married to Walter E. Frazee, of Rushville, Indiana. Jay O., the second child, lives at Angola, and by his marriage to Edith Fay has two sons, Minard F., Jr., and John. J. O. Rose is a minister of the Christian Church, was pastor of churches at Fort Wayne, Kendallville, Bryan, Ohio, and many other places, and in later years has been instructor in Bible classes at the Tri-State College. William E. Rose, a resident of Chicago, married Lena Merry, and their children are Winn, Lois, Edith and Dorothy. Irwin F., who for a number of years has been associated with his father on the farm, married Alice Goodale, daughter of the late Dr. Charles W. Goodale of Metz, and to their union have been born seven children : Mil- dred, Margaret, Graydon, Helen, Catherine, Ruth and Gordon, all living except Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. Rose lost one child, Ida, when she was two weeks old. Isaac A. Wert is proprietor of 113 acres of the old Wert farm two and a half miles north and a mile and a half east of South Milford. This farm is chiefly known because of the saw mill industry which has been operated there by Isaac A. Wert and by his father before him for a long period of years, and has been the source of pro- duction of much of the lumber manufactured in that part of LaGrange County. Isaac A. Wert was born on his farm August 29, 1858, a son of Daniel and Eliza (Miller) Wert. His father was a native of Stark County, Ohio, and his mother of Seneca County, and after their mar- riage they came to Indiana, about 1855. In 1857 Daniel Wert bought the saw mill in Milford Town- ship. The plant was originally constructed about 1843, more than three quarters of a century ago. After buying the property Daniel Wert tore down the old plant and reconstructed a new and better one, and he continued its operations until the in- firmities of age prevented him from managing the business any longer, since which time his son Isaac has been proprietor. The father died at the age of eighty-seven years. Isaac A. Wert married in 1884 Ella Eiman. She is the mother of one son, Cyrus D., born in 1883, who is married and lives 'with his father. Mr. and Mrs. Wert after their marriage lived on a farm six years and then moved to the Mill Farm, where they have lived ever since. During the World war Mr. Wert operated his mill to its fullest capacity in order to supply government needs. He is a stock- holder in the Noble Truck Company at Kendall- ville and the Sterlite Sales Company at Auburn, Indiana. He is affiliated with South Milford Lodge No. 619, International Order of Foresters, and with the Encampment, and in politics is a democrat. Walter W. Mountz is one of the best known public men in the official life of DeKalb County, is clerk of the DeKalb County Circuit Court, and has been a leader in local affairs for a number of years. Though of an old family of Northeast Indiana, he was born at Overbrook in the State of Kansas July 10, 1886. He is a son of Francis and Della (Smith) Mountz. His father was born near Pleas- ant Lake, Indiana, July 6, 1859, had a common school education, was married at Ashley, and after his marriage lived in Kansas six years. Returning to Indiana, he settled in DeKalb County, at Garrett, where for fourteen years he was proprietor of a retail hardware business. He was also prominent in democratic politics, represented the Second Ward in the City Council of Garrett, and was an active member of the Garrett Fire Department at the time of his death. His widow is still living in Garrett. There were three children : Walter W. ; Dessa, who graduated from the Garrett High School in 1906 and is the wife of Harry M. Barrie; and Russell M., clerk in a clothing and shoe store at Garrett. Walter W. Mountz spent his early life at Garrett, attended the grammar schools there and one year in high school, and on leaving school was in the West for two years. July 10, 1909, he married Lulu Maurer. She died in July, 1910, and on August 5, 1912, he married Myrtle Osborne, of Kendallville, Indiana. Mrs. Mountz is a daughter of William S. and Anna (Johnson) Osborne and is a graduate of the Kendallville High School. They have one son, William W., born February 28, 1918. Mr. Mountz was elected for two terms as city clerk of Garrett, going into office January 1, 1910, and serving seven years. He was reelected without oppo- sition but resigned toward the close of his second term, on December 1, 1916, to take up his duties as circuit clerk. Mr. Mountz is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Royal Arch Chapter at Garrett. He served as secretary of the Lodge of Eagles from June 1, 1909, to Janu- ary 1, 1917. He is also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a member of the Auburn Commer- cial Club, and of the Presbyterian Church. Carl A. Surfus is one of the younger business farmers of Noble County, has been very successful in handling land, crops and livestock, and is also one of the most influential in the public affairs of Noble Township. His home is a half mile north of Wolf Lake. He * was born on a farm adjoining his present home December 31, 1881, a son of E. L. and Anna J. (Clark) Surfus. His father was born in Iowa and his mother in Ohio. Both the Clark and Surfus families came to Noble Township and settled in the woods, and both families have contributed much of the labor by which the present day improvements have been brought about. Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Surfus had two children, Carl A. and Stanley L., the latter of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Carl A. Surfus grew up on a farm near Wolf Lake. He attended high school at Wolf Lake, and lived at home and acquired a practical knowledge of farming before he was ready to start out on his own account. He married Lottie Kiester, of Noble Township. She is also a graduate of the Wolf Lake High School. Mrs. Surfus is one of a large family of seven daughters and three sons, all living but one. 122 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA This interesting family is named briefly as follows : Anna, wife of E. L. Prickett, former clerk of Noble County' and now living at Albion; Martha, wife of C. E. Butts, of Sparta Township; Nancy, deceased wife of C. H. Bender; J. T., of Washing- ton Township; Hannah, wife of Claude Kimmell, of Sparta Township; Mary, wife of Charles Beers; Lee, of Washington Township; George, of Noble Township ; Lottie, Mrs. Surfus ; and Ruth, wife of M. J. Beers, of Perry Township. After his marriage Mr. Surfus located on the farm where he now lives and has eighty acres under a high state of improvement and cultivation. He buys and feeds the Polled Angus cattle and also the Durhams, and is regarded as a man of special ability and wisdom in livestock husbandry. He is also a stockholder in the Wolf Lake State Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Surfus have three children: Claude E., born in 1910; Lora Belle, born in 1914; and Lucile, born in 1917. Mr. Surfus is a democrat in politics and was one of the youngest township trustees ever elected in Noble Township. He was only twenty-six years old when he was chosen to that responsible office, and the four years he remained an incumbent fully justified the expectations of his friends and sup- porters. S. P. Willibey, who was born in Williams County, Ohio, and whose people were pioneers in that state, has been identified with Steuben County as a prac- tical farmer and thresherman for over thirty-five years, and is one of the leading men in influence and activities in Richland Township. Mr. Willibey was born in Williams County, Flor- ence Township, July 6, 1853, son of George and Abigail (Look) Willibey. George Willibey was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 6, 1819, son of John Willibey, who was an early settler in the old Ohio Western Reserve, and finally moved to Wil- liams County, Ohio. George Willibey was one of the first settlers in Florence Township of Williams County, and spent the rest of his active life on a farm which he developed from the woods. He erected the first buildings and cleared the first land constituting his farm. He died in 1903. His wife, who was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, August 18, 1818, daughter of David Look, died in 1904. They were the parents of six children: John, who served with honor in the Union army during the Civil war, Elizabeth, Anna, Mary Jane, S. P. and Jeremiah. Jeremiah died in childhood. S. P. Willibey secured his education in the public schools of Florence Township, and from early man- hood his experience has been in growing crops, be- ginning in Florence Township and after 1883 con- tinuing in Richland Township of Steuben County. With the exception of five years spent in York Township he has lived in Richland Township ever since. He bought his present farm of eighty acres in section 8 of Richland Township in 1915, and carries on a good business as a general farmer and stock raiser, handling the big type Poland China hogs. The harvesting feature of farming has been a matter of particular concern to Mr. Willibey. For forty years he operated a threshing outfit every sea- son. Mr. Willibey married Harriet Lechleidner, daugh- ter of David and Rebecca Lechleidner. Nine chil- dren were born to their marriage, and they now have a number of grandchildren. Their children in order of birth were Maud May, Clarence, Blaine, Fred, Iva, Glenn, Paul, Orville and George David. Clarence died at the age of twenty-one. Maud May is the wife of Ernest Wisner, and her two daughters are Ila and Dorothy. Blaine married Blanche Gates and has three children, Seleta, Galor and Ivan. Fred married Emma Gilbert and has two children, Alene and Alton Gilbert. Iva is the wife of William Hopkins and has a son, Kenneth. Glenn married Wava Newman, and their one child is Raymond. Paul married Ruth Bowles and has a child, Leotto. The family are members of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Willibey has given his due time and means to the support of all religious causes. In his home church he has served as superintendent of the Sunday school, as a steward and trustee. Isaac Clyde Allen. One of the younger men in the agricultural community of Salem Township, Isaac Clyde Allen has had sufficient time to make his efforts count and has achieved the dignity of the ownership of a fine farm and is working steadily toward a larger prosperity and the important service which the farmer represents. Mr. Allen was born in Salem Township, July 27, 1883, a son of Artemus and Alvira (Garrison) Allen. His father was a son of Justice Allen, who after the death of his wife in Ohio brought his son Artemus to Steuben County in early days, and he died near Stroh many years ago. Artemus Allen lived for a number of years with Isaac Davis, and he met there Alvira Garrison, who was born in Kosciusko County in 1854 and for many years was a member of the Davis household. After their marriage they settled on a farm one mile south and half a mile east of Salem Center, and on selling that forty acres moved to a place a mile east and bought eighty acres, later increasing it to 127 acres. Mrs. Alvira Allen also inherited eighty acres from Isaac Davis. Artemus Allen lived in Salem Town- ship until his death at the age of sixty-five, and his widow is still living on the old farm. Both were active members of the! Trinity Reformed Church, and he was a democrat in politics. They had nine children, named Samuel J., Edith, Ida May, Anna Elvira, Isaac Clyde, Everett E., Bertha, Amos, who died in infancy, and Wayne. Isaac Clyde Allen grew up on the home farm and had a public school education. Since early man- hood all his efforts have been expended on agricul- tural work, and he made his independent start with only forty acres. He acquired another forty acres, and on selling this property bought in October, 1917, his present attractive and valuable farm of 120 acres. He is engaged in general crop raising and stock raising. Mr. Allen is an independent democrat in politics and his wife is active in the Trinity Churcb. He married in 1904 Miss Ida May Ferris. From the age of two years she was reared in the home of Edward Noll of Salem Township. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have two children : Loyal W., born August 6, 1906, and Fay E., born September 22, 1910. William Eckert. While there is now the fourth generation in the house of Eckert in DeKalb County, William Eckert of Locust Dale Farm in Fairfield and a brother, Jacob H. Eckert, of Kendallville, be- long to the second generation, being the only surviv- ing children in the family of Sebastian Eckert, who located in Fairfield March 28, 1855, and since that time Locust Dale has been the family homestead. The present owner of Locust Dale, William Eckert, was born there June 8, 1864, and his life has all been spent in one place, and his own children have had his childhood environment. There is Scotch, Welsh and German blood in the family. However, his father, Sebastian Eckert, was one of six children brought by their mother, Mrs. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 123 (Pfeiffer) Eckert, from Germany. Their father, Peter Eckert, died of a fever in March, 1830, and in May of that year the mother and her children em- barked for America. They were three months on the Atlantic, landing in August. She located in Frank- lin, Pennsylvania, and from there the family scattered, the mother finally going to St. Louis. Sebastian was her only son. The oldest daughter died in childhood. The other four sisters were Elizabeth, Margaret, Eve and Barbara. Sebastian, Margaret and Barbara all lived in DeKalb County, Elizabeth being the wife of John Sthair, a blacksmith, and Barbara the wife of Jerome Reynolds, a cabinet maker. Both these men once operated shops in Fairfield Center. All the family now lie buried in the Fairfield Cemetery. December 14, 1848, Sebastian Eckert married Susan Cox, a daughter of Jacob and Jane (Denman) Cox of Wayne County, Ohio. She was one of nine chil- dren : Eli, Mary, Susan, Freeman, Andrew, Rebekah Jane, Alpheus, Samuel and Newton. Three of them, Susan, Eli and Andrew, were later citizens of De- Kalb County, and they all lie buried at Fairfield. The children of Sebastian and Susan Eckert were Elizabeth, Jacob, Margaret, Amiel, Alice, Florence,. William, Belle, Luther, Kate and Spener, the only two living today being mentioned above. These children all had a common school education. The family were members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. All but the two surviving brothers died before marriage. There are today only five voters in" the Eckert family in DeKalb and Noble counties, and this vote is cast solidly in the interests of the democratic party. William Eckert and Miss Mary Sf. Ringer were married June 8, 1886, which was his twenty-second birthday and the eighteenth birthday of the bride. They were married at the home of her parents in Richland Township. She was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wright) Ringer, whose family his- tory in DeKalb County goes back to 1853, when they came from Stark County, Ohio. Jacob Ringer as an Ohio shoemaker had earned the money with which he bought his farm in Indiana. He was the only son of George and Mary (Herbster) Ringer. He had five sisters, the oldest dying before the birth of the others. The four to grow up were Mary, Susan, Leah and Margaret. The six children born to William and Mary Eckert are: Blanche R., wife of C. W. Getts; Ethel, who died at the age of eleven days ; Roswell, who married Irene Stomm and has a son, Donald Cecil; Imo, who was buried February 24, 1915, just one year from the date of her marriage with John Berkes; Gran- ville J., who married Charlotte Bonbrake and has a son, William Louis, the first born in the fourth generation of the Eckert family in DeKalb County; and Martha Belle, the youngest daughter. The two grandchildren in the Eckert household are William Louis and Donald Cecil. Roswell and Granville and their cousin, Russell Eckert of Garrett, were all young men under the draft. Granville was temporarily exempted because he was engaged in agriculture. Roswell had military training at Camp Taylor, Camp McClellan and Camp Grant. He was battery clerk and was advanced to the grade of corporal when the armistice changed the prospect of so many young American soldiers. Rus- sell Eckert was at Fort Thomas. The Eckert children were all given the same educational advantages, and Granville and Martha have diplomas from the common schools. Sebastian Eckert, founder of the family in Indiana, died at the family homestead September 6, 1890, while his wife lived on until March 19, 19x9, and had survived to welcome the two grandchildren of the fourth generation. The farm buildings at Locust Dale were built in the reconstruction period following the Civil war, when there was an abundance of native timber, and the farmstead today is one of the well kept places in Fairfield Township. John A. Clingerman. While not one of the largest farms in Noble County, Springhill Farm, of which John A. Clingerman is proprietor, has the distinctive characteristics of being a fine country home and a place where a good business is carried on in general farming and in stock raising. It is located in section 29 in Sparta Township and com- prises forty acres. It is the home of some high- class Jersey cattle and Shropshire sheep, Mr. Clin- german specializing in these branches of livestock husbandry. This is the farm where Mr. Clingerman was born March 31, 1867, a son of John and Matilda Clinger- man. His parents were both born in Ohio, were married there, and then came to Noble County and settled on the farm where they spent the rest of their days and where their son now lives. They were active members of the United Brethren Church. John Clingerman, Sr., saw active service as a Union soldier during the Civil war, for many years was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics always voted republican. He and his wife had seven children, and the three still living are : Isaiah W. of Whitley County, Indiana; Ellora, wife of Frank Spark, of LaGrange County, and John A. John A. Clingerman* as a boy attended the nearby district schools, and his career has been one of industry since early manhood. On June 6, 1894, he married Anna Adora Cripe. She was born in Noble County April 29, 1872, daughter of Noah and Lydia A. (Hammon) C r iP e > the former a native of Elk- hart County and the latter of Ohio. The Cripe family is an old and prominent one of Elkhart County. Since their marriage Mr. Clingerman with the exception of two years has lived on the old homestead, and it has been owned by them for over twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. Clingerman have one son, Virgil W., born December 13, 1897. He has distinguished himself as a scholar. He graduated from the common schools when only thirteen, from the Cromwell High School at the age of seventeen, and for three terms attended Goshen College. He is now principal of the Laotto High School. Mr. Clingerman is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias I.odge at Cromwell and is a republican. He has served several terms as road supervisor. Charles H. Dull has been one of the most widely known farmers and livestock traders in Noble Coun- ty for many years. He has been a buyer and dealer in horses for twenty years, and most of his opera- tions in this field center at Ligonier. He also has a fine farm, where he resides, in section 6 in Sparta Township. Mr. Dull was born in Washington Township of Noble County, July 5, 1867, a son of Peter and Mary (Moore) Dull. His parents were natives of Ohio, and their respective families came at an early day and settled in Washington Township of Noble Count3^, where Peter and Mary were married. They were farmers of Noble County for a number of years, and finally died at the home of their son Charles in Sparta Township. They were active in the Lutheran Church, and Peter Dull was a repub- lican in politics. Of their eight children, seven are mentioned : Cora A., deceased ; George W., who is associated with his brother Charles ; Charles H. ; 124 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Perry, of Kosciusko County; William, who lives in Ohio; John, of Sparta Township; Archie, of Elkhart Township, Noble County. Charles H. Dull lived in Washington Township until he was seven years old, and then went to York Township and at the age of eighteen removed to Kosciusko County. He acquired his education in the common schools, and in Kosciusko County he worked at monthly wages for five years. On March 4, 1892, he married Catherine Rapp, of Kosciusko County, where she was born. For several years Mr. and Mrs. Dull rented land, and then traded for their present place of 1 1 5 acres, the improvements of which and the value of the property represents many years of hard toil and good management on their part. Mr. Dull is also a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Ligonier, and in the Farmers Elevator at Ligonier. He and his wife have one daughter, Ethel, a grad- uate of the Cromwell High School. She is now the wife of Ray Maggert and lives at Cromwell. Mr. Dull is affiliated with Cromwell Lodge of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past noble grand. He has been quite active in re- publican politics, and is now a member of the County Central Committee, representing Sparta Township. Nelson Ellsworth Carey. From the standpoint of continuous ownership by one family one of the oldest farm homes in Steuben County is Pleasant View Farm in section 19 of Richland Township. Its present proprietor is Nelson Ellsworth Carey, who was born there, and the land was originally ac- quired by his father seventy-five years ago. The first of the family in Steuben County was his father, William S. Carey, who was born May 15, 1818, son of John and Margaret Carey, who spent their last years in Knox County, Ohio. In that county William S. Carey married on February 21, 1843, Melissa Gordon. She was born in New York State, January 28, 1825, a daughter of William and Mary Gordon. William Gordon, who was born in Manchester, England, September 17, 1773, was a son of a physician and silk manufacturer and a man of great influence in England. As a result of a disagreement with his father William, at the age of twelve, ran away to sea, and spent three years before the mast on a whaling vessel and later joined the English army, his father’s influence securing him a colonel’s commission. Part of his service was under the Duke of Wellington. In 1802 he left England and came to this country and in 1809 was married and in 1814 took up his residence in Mor- row County, Ohio. He and his wife reared a family of eight children. It is said that in his last years William Gordon suffered the keenest regret for his early relations with his family and planned to revisit the old home. However, he put off carry- ing out this design, and finally died in 1882, at the remarkable age of 109 years. In 1844 William S. Carey and wife came to Steuben County and settled in Richland Township, where he died February 27, 1869, after having carried forward many of the early improvements on the farm. He and his wife were very active members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. She survived her husband many years and died in 1894, at the age of sixty-nine. Nelson Ellsworth Carey, who was born on the old homestead, November 29, 1861, has always lived in that locality. He attended the public schools at Alvarado, and since early manhood has been busily engaged on the home farm. He has it well im- proved and among other buildings has a double barn, each 30 by 50 feet. For some years he was a success- ful breeder of Duroc Jersey hogs, and all the hogs on his farm are pure bred though not registered. Mr. Carey is a republican, and has served as road supervisor. He is affiliated with the Lodge of Knights of Pythias at Metz, and is a member of the Christian Church at Eden, Ohio. On April 10, 1881, he married Miss Relefia Dally, daughter of Vincent Dally and a member of the prominent family of that name so frequently men- tioned in the annals of Steuben County. Mr. and Mrs. Carey have two children. The! daughter, Melissa H., was born August 15, 1886, and was well educated in the public schools. The son, William Elmer Carey, is now in active charge of the home farm and one of the most pro- gressive young farmers in Richland Township. He was born April 26, 1896, and was educated in the public schools, graduating from the eighth grade at the age of thirteen and from the Eden High School in 1913. December 24, 1916, he married Miss Arilla A. Van Zile, of Richland Township, daughter of Alonzo and Sina (Strubel) Van Zile. To their marriage has been born one son, LaMar Gordon, January 27, 1918. William E. Carey is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at Metz, and he and his wife are very active members of the Christian Church at Eden. He has been superintendent of the Sunday school for three years. Politically he votes as a republican. John K. Riddle is one of the old timers of Noble County, having lived here for seventy years, and throughout this long period has been actively identi- fied with farming. He now lives with his only son,* O. F. Riddle, in Wayne Township. He was born in Morrow County, Ohio, April 20, 1845, a son of Joseph B. and Traney M. (Knox) Riddle. Both parents were born in Richland County, Ohio. In 1848 they came to Noble County and when all the country was new settled in Jefferson Town- ship and lived there for some years, later moving to Albion in Noble County, where both of them died. Joseph B. Riddle was a republican in politics. Of their nine children six are still living: Elizabeth, widow of John Cotton; William W., former treas- urer of Noble County, living at Kendallville ; John K. ; Homer; Comfort, widow of Henry Stanley; and Edith, wife of John G. Gill. John K. Riddle was three and a half years old when brought to Noble County and as a boy he at- tended the local schools near his father’s home. His education was finished at the age of eighteen, and since then he has been bearing his part as a sturdy laborer in the world. At the age of twenty-one he started out for himself. January 29, 1871, he mar- ried Miss Jennie Foster. She was born in Noble County, and after over forty-one years of married companionship passed away April -16, 1912. Of her two children, one died in infancy. O. F. Riddle, only child of his parents still living, graduated from the Albion High School and also attended college at Lansing, Michigan. He married Lida Grate. They have four children : Howard and Ralph W., both students in high school ; Mar- garet, in the sixth grade; and John Harold. O. F. Riddle is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a republican voter. The home farm comprises 269 acres, highly cultivated, improved, and kept up in a high degree of productiveness. Charles W. Bender. One of the best improved farms in York Township of Noble County is that owned by C. W. Bender in sections 20 and 29. Mr. Bender has lived there practically all his life, and has succeeded beyond the ordinary as a farmer and stock raiser, and also as a capable citizen and worker in his community. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 125 He was born in the house where he is still living July i, 1870, son of John E. and Evaline (Lafevre) Bender. John E. Bender, his father, was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1815. He was left an orphan at the age of seven and for the next ten years lived as a bound boy with Samuel McClintock. During that time he had no oppor- tunity to attend school, and was given a mere living, and left his employer with only an old suit of clothes. He then went to work on a salary, and the first year received only $8 a month. His wife, Evaline Lafevre, was born in Tennessee. In 1868 they settled in Noble County, Indiana. John E. Bender and wife had four children: Charles W. ; Myra, deceased wife of Samuel DePew; John A., a farmer in York Township; and Joseph, who died in infancy. Charles W. Bender grew up on the old farm in York Township and had a district school education. For many years he has been a general farmer, and now owns 200 acres of land. He is also a breeder of Belgian horses and has several pure blooded animals of that strain. He has done much shipping of live stock in past years. Mr. Bender was a charter member and one of the solicitors for the stock at the organization of the Kimmell State Bank and became one of its first directors. February 11, 1892, Mr. Bender married Miss Nancy E. Kiester. She was born in Washington Township of Noble County. They were happily married twenty-five years, and Mrs. Bender passed away November 7, 1917. She was the mother of three children : Ermal, born April 9, 1894, is a graduate of high school and attended Goshen Col- lege and is now the wife of Dr. Homer Hiatt, serv- ing with the rank of first lieutenant in the Medical Corps of the United States Army. Cecil, born De- cember 7, 1895, is also a high school graduate and is the wife of Ralph Denny, an attorney. Carl, born July 22, 1902, has finished the common school course. Mr. Bender also has two grandchildren. He is a member of the Christian Church, as was his wife. He is past noble grand of Kimmell Lodge No. 773 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has sat in the Grand Lodge, and his wife was active as a grand of the Rebecca Lodge and also repre- sented her lodge in the Grand Lodge. Isaac Eaton. Large land ownership, good agri- cultural methods,- nublic spirited citizenship and an influence steadily directed toward elevating the reli- gious and moral life of the community have been characteristics of the Eaton family in Steuben Coun- ty for many years. Mr. Isaac Eaton, one of the extensive land owners and successful farmers of Fremont Township, is the only child of the late Lucien B. and Melinda (Phelps') Eaton. On both sides he represents pioneer families in this section of Northeast Indiana. His mother, Melinda Phelps, was born near Brookville in Franklin County, In- diana, November 15, 1815. She was born when In- diana was still a territory. Her parents were Reuben B. and Ruth (Carson) Phelps. Reuben B. Phelps deserves a special memory as one of the earliest settlers of Steuben County, having moved here from Franklin County about 1833. His place of settlement was on the left side of Lake James in Pleasant Township. This Steuben County pioneer had no male descendants, the line being carried on through his five daughters, Melinda, Lucinda, Julia, Ruby and Ruth. Lucien B. Eaton was born in Canada, December 17, 1808, and died in February, 1889. He came to Steuben County from New York State, settling in Jamestown Township with the very first pioneers there in 1836. He was a man of unusual person- ality, business energy and enterprise, and at one time owned about 900 acres of land in Steuben County, and also had extensive farming interests in Michigan, selling his Michigan property about 1875. These landed accumulations were enough to absorb the energies of an ordinary man, but in addition he did much work as a Methodist preacher, preaching in his home locality, and his last regular charge was in Whitley County, Indiana. Mr. Isaac Eaton acquired his education in the public schools of Fremont. He was born on the farm where he now lives, January 12, 1855. For over thirty years he has been a farmer in that neighborhood, and is the owner of over 500 acres. Mr. Eaton is thoroughly well informed on the Scrip- tures and Biblical history, and is a member of the “Beasterian” Church, the name of which is the coin- age of Doctor Lane, of Fort Wayne, and represents an effort to return to the original sources of reli- gion as given by God, untainted with paganism and racial antagonisms. Enoch Davis, who is now retired as one of the oldest residents in Clear Lake Township of Steuben County, grew up there from the age of ten years, and was for a long time a factor in the farming enterprise of that locality. Mr. Davis was born in Noble County, Ohio, July 12, 1847, a son of Hiram and Esther (Jefferson) Davis. His parents came to Steuben County in 1858, settling in Clear Lake Township. In 1862 Hiram Davis bought a saw mill, and used it for the manufacture of lumber and incidentally as a means of clearing up much of the land in this part of the county. He died in 1897, at the age of eighty-six, while his wife passed away in 1895, aged seventy. They were the parents of six children: William, who enlisted in 1862 and served two years and ten months as a Union soldier and is now de- ceased; Martha, deceased; Enoch; Joseph; Samuel; and Adelaide. Hiram Davis was a republican, and he and his wife were members of the United Brethren Church. Enoch Davis grew up in Steuben County, and after leaving the public schools went to work on a farm. In early manhood he bought forty acres in Fremont Township, and after selling that spent three years in California. On his return to Steuben County he acquired a farm of ninety-two acres, and on selling that bought the seventy-seven acres where he lives today. He has effected some of the good improvements on this land, and has good buildings but has turned over the management to a son and is now living retired. He is a republican, and with his wife is a member of the Latter Day Saints Church. In 1869 he married Dora Ellis. They had two children, Byron and Leona. Leona is the wife of Bert Dagert, of York Township. Byron, who was born January 2, 1872, owns forty-three acres of land in Fremont Township and rents and manages his father’s farm. He married Allie Geedy, who died leaving him four children : Roy, Orville, Gladys and Golda. Roy saw two years of service in the National army, and was in France about six weeks. Clyde Franklin Wilsey. The Wilsey name has been one of honored consideration in DeKalb County since 1848 and has many worthy representatives here at present, a well known one being Clyde Franklin Wilsey, an active and substantial citizen of Corunna and the owner of the Corunna Telephone Exchange. Mr. Wilsey was born in DeKalb County September 22, 1884. The first Wilsey in DeKalb County was William H. 126 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Wilsey, a native of New York, who married Ursula Jane Haskins, a native of Vermont, January 25, 1843. Five years later they moved from New York to Indiana and entered land in Fairfield Township, DeKalb County, paying $1.25 an acre for the same. On that farm three generations of the Wilsey family were born. Henry E. Wilsey, father of Clyde F., was born here November 28, i860, and on January 26, 1882, he was married to Mary L. Krum, who is a daughter of Jacob and Martha (Holden) Krum, old residents of Steuben County, Indiana. There were five children in the Krum family, namely: Martha, Elizabeth, Eugene, Allen and Minerva, the last named being deceased. Two children were born to Henry E. Wilsey and his wife: Clyde Frank- lin and Grace, the latter of whom was married De- cember 25, 1906, to Elmer E. Shipe, and they have one son, Ford. Henry E. Wilsey and wife reside at Hudson, Indiana. Clyde Franklin Wilsey was educated in the public schools. On November 1, 1906, he bought the Corunna Telephone Exchange and has had charge ever since and many extensions have been made since that time, this exchange being now considered indispensable to both business and social life. For some years he was editor and publisher of the Corunna News. He has been active in community welfare effort, an example being his suggestions that a park be maintained along the New York Cen- tral Railway line at Corunna, and mainly through his efforts the plan was carried out, the park, with shrubbery, park seats, swings and other forms of amusement, together with band concerts ofter given, providing an admirable opportunity for out door en- joyment. In this and other ways Mr. Wilsey has made himself very unselfishly popular, an evidence of this popularity being shown when he was elected constable on the democratic ticket, although he had always been a republican. Only July 30, 1905, Mr. Wilsey was united in mar- riage to Miss Nettie A. Wilhelm, who is a daughter of John and Mary (Cook) Wilhelm, who were married July 9, 1865, and resided at Elkhart, Indiana, their children being: William, John, Mary, Albert, Harrison, Clarissa, Rilla, Nettie and Cora. Mr. and Mrs. Wilsey have three children, the oldest born on the old homestead : Lester A., born May 15, 1906 ; Bernardine M., born October 29, 1911; and Robert L., born February 6, 1915, the last two born in Corunna. Mr. and Mrs. Wilsey have a charming summer place in Island Cottage on Story Lake, and when not stopping there themselves, they generously permit their friends to use it. On January 25, 1893, the grandparents of Mr. Wil- sey celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. It had been the cherished ambition of the venerable grandmother to make the most of the preparations for this event with her own hands. It was an occa- sion never to be forgotten by her loving descendants, but these tender preparations probably overtaxed her strength, for she passed away ten days later and with her passed one of the noble pioneer women of De- Kalb County. The grandfather lived six years longer, passing away December 6, 1899. The early Wilsey family belonged to the United Brethren Church, while the Wilhelms were members of the Evangelical body. Clyde F. Wilsey and fam- ily belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Corunna. He is not active in fraternal life but as a prominent and responsible citizen constantly is in co-operation with others in laudable civic movements and in helpful enterprises here and elsewhere that relieve distress. Jack Buckles is distinguished among the resi- dents of York Township of Noble County as pro- prietor of the Maple Grove Stock Farm, where he breeds and raises some of the finest Shorthorn cattle and big type Poland China hogs found anywhere in Northern Indiana. The farm comprises 198 acres, located in the northwest quarter of section 32. Mr. Buckles was born in Washington Township of the same county November 22, 1866, son of John H. and Mary (Wiley) Buckles. His father, a na- tive of West Virginia, came to Noble County, In- diana, when only four years old, was reared here, and after his marriage located in Washington Town- ship, where he acquired a good farm of 160 acres. He is also a thresher man and sawmill man, and has a great deal of enterprise which he has used profit- ably both for himself and his community. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. His wife is a native of Washington Township. They had a large family of children, noted briefly as follows: Jack; Nellie, wife of John Earnhard; Ida, wife of Ed Pollock; Mary, wife of Frank Braden; James, a carpenter of Fort Wayne; Austin Buckles, of Cygnet, Ohio; Jennie, wife of H. O. Barllet, of Chicago; Winifred, wife of Walter Sanders, of Marshalltown, Iowa; Grace, wife of Louis Hade, of Wawaka, Indiana; and T. A., of Indianapolis. Jack Buckles grew up on his father’s farm in Washington Township, and had a practical educa- tion to fit him for the duties and responsibilities of life. He married Minnie D. Blain. They had no children of their own but have an adopted daughter, Bonnie Louise, who was born February 10, 1916. Mr. Buckles is a member of Wolf Lake Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks of Ligonier, and in politics is a democrat. Arthur L. Budd is a well-known farmer and business man of Noble County, proprietor of the Glendale Farm of sixty-four acres in Green Town- ship, and also active in insurance and other busi- ness lines. Mr. Budd was born in Ashland County, Ohio, De- cember 31, 1879, but has lived in Noble County since boyhood. His parents, Thomas E. and Agnes (Davis) Budd, both natives of Ashland County, grew up and married there and were farmers in that locality. The mother died on the home farm in Ashland County in 1881. Thomas Budd continued to live in Ashland County until 1887, when he moved to Noble County, Indiana, and bought 120 acres in Green Township. He continued active as a farmer until 1906, when he became one of the organizers and a director and is now president of the Farmers State Bank at Churubusco, in which town he makes his home. He and his first wife had two children : Effie J., wife of Leroy Ressler, of Green Township, and Arthur L. By his second marriage he also had two children ; one of whom died at the age of eight- een months. The surviving child, Erlin, was educated in the common schools and is now a second lieutenant in the American army, and when last re- ported was at Winchester, England. Arthur L. Budd was eight years old when his father came to Noble County, and here he grew to manhood and received a good education in the local schools. He continued to live with his father until his marriage with Mina May McWilliams, daughter of Frank W. McWilliams. Mr. Budd has made a success of the management of his small but well improved and productive farm. He is also agent for the Fidelity Phoenix Fire Insurance Company, and does a considerable busi- ness as a horse buyer. He has been active in re- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 127 publican politics and has been honored with positions of trust and responsibility by his fellow citizens. Robert N. Tate. For over sixty years the name Tate has been an honored one in Noble County, always representing sturdy, honest and industrious people, good citizens and supporters of education and religion. The old Tate farm in Wayne Town- ship, on rural route No. 3 out of Kendallville, now has as its proprietor Robert N. Tate, son of the first settler in that community. Robert N. Tate was born in Wayne Township October 13, 1856. His father, James Tate, was born at Paris, Flaxby Grange, Westriding, York- shire, England, February 22, 1822. When a young man he came to Ohio, and there married Carolina Julia Scofield. After a number of years they left Ohio and in 1854 settled in the northeast corner of Wayne Township, Noble County. In 1864, ten years later, they moved to the farm where Robert N. Tate now lives. In 1872 James Tate moved to Orange Township, near Rome City, and there he spent his last years. He and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and gave liberally to its support and all its causes. He was also a Mason and was a leader in the local republican party. Of the six children only two are now living: Robert N. and Dora L., the latter the widow of W. L. Wones and living in Warsaw, Indiana. Robert N. Tate has spent nearly all his life in Orange and Wayne townships of Noble County. His education was supplied by the district schools. He came to manhood with a good training and discipline in farm work and inherited the old home- stead from his father. He has 170 acres of well cultivated land in Wayne Township and eighty acres in Orange Township, and is also a stockholder in the State Bank of Wolcottville and in the Noble Motor Truck Company. Mr. Tate is a republican and a member of the Orange Township Advisory Board. He is affiliated with Rome City Lodge No. 451, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, with Kendallville Chapter No. 64, Royal Arch Masons, with the Council,, Royal and Select Masters and with the Knights Templar Commanderv No. 19. Charles L. Borton, gardener, poultry raiser and summer resort proprietor of Clear Lake, has been a resident of Steuben County for twenty years and came here from Fulton County, Ohio, where his people were among the earliest settlers. The Borton ancestry in America goes back to Quakers who on account of religious persecution emigrated from England in 1674 and settled in New Jersey. Mr. Borton’s grandfather, John Borton, came from New Jersey to Ohio in 1836 and located in the woods of Fulton County, his first home being a log cabin. He was greatly prospered and at one time owned more than 1,300 acres. His wife was Elizabeth Taylor. Charles L. Borton was born in Fulton County, April 9, 1868, a son of William and Regina (Oliver) Borton. His parents, have spent all their lives in Fulton County and his father is a farmer. They had five children : Ada, deceased ; Charles; Sadie, deceased; John; and Arthur. Charles L. Borton was reared and educated in his native county and was a farmer there until 1899; when he moved to Steuben County and acquired his present farm of sixty-four acres in Clear Lake Township. He took this land when its improve- ments were still largely characterized by a log house. That old building has been replaced by modern, up- to-date structures, and he now has facilities for handling with profit a large flock of White Leghorn chickens, makes a specialty of raising garden prod- uce, and has part of his land situated on the banks of Clear Lake, set apart for about forty cottages, all of which are usually occupied in the summer season. Mr. Borton is a republican in politics, and he served as township trustee and assessor for one term each. In 1894 he married Miss Nora Alberta Baker, of Hillsdale County, Michigan. They have four children : Ruth, who was educated in the public schools and the high school at Montgomery, Michigan, is the wife of Glen Forester; Allen, a graduate of the Montgomery High School, is em- ployed at Fremont, Indiana; Dorothy is a student in the Fremont High School, and Chester is still in district school. Willard S. Tustison. The residence of Mr. Tusti- son is in the extreme southeast corner of DeKalb County. He is a farmer, and was born on the land which he owns today, in section 33, April 29, 1859. Mr. Tustison has always enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors and friends in DeKalb County and is a former trustee of Newville Township. His parents were Sebastian and Anna (Allen) Tustison. His father was born in Crawford County, Ohio, a son of Nelson and Sarah (Brown) Tustison. Nelson Tustison was a native of Copenhagen, Den- mark, and when he ran away from home at the age of sixteen went to sea and was a sailor to many of the ports of the world for sixteen years. He left the sea and settled at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania County, where he married and afterward moved to Crawford, Ohio, and spent the rest of his life as a farmer. He possessed unusual business judgment, a great amount of energy, and accumulated about 600 acres of land in Crawford County. These ample posses- sions he shared with his family of nine sons and one daughter, all of whom are now deceased. Sebastian Tustison grew up in Crawford County, had a common school education, and in 1845 moved to DeKalb County, Indiana, and after his marriage settled in the southeastern corner of the county. He was a farmer there and at one time was superin- tendent of some men employed on the Baltimore & Ohio Railway. He also participated in local affairs, being assessor and justice of the peace and in politics was a democrat. He was the father of four children : George W. and Henry, deceased; Mary Jane, wife of Joseph Langham ; and Willard S. Willard S. Tustison grew up on the home farm and had a common school education. On December 12, 1878, he married Lois Jump, who was born in Scipio Township of Allen County, Indiana. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tustison lived for three years in Scipio Township, and rented his father-in-law’s farm. They then returned to New- ville Township and bought sixty acres and after four years he bought out the other heirs in the old Tustison homestead. Mr. Tustison has ninety-one acres in his farm and has it stocked with some good grade Durham cattle. As a factor in local politics he served six years as justice of the peace, four years as assessor, and four years as township trus- tee. Like his father he is a democrat, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Tustison had eight children, seven of whom are still living: Delmer D., of Hillsdale, Michigan; Linnie, wife of Frank Lash, of Michigan; Grace, wife of Guy McCurdy, of Allen County, In- diana; Rena, wife of Albert Shaffer, of Garrett; Owen S., of Garrett, Indiana, who is a graduate of the Hicksville, Ohio, High School, as is also his next younger brother, Ross C. ; George W., who was with the Aviation Corps of the American Army 128 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA and died November 17, 1918, while in the overseas service near Liverpool, England ; and Paul, who is married and lives at Hicksville, Ohio. John A. Baughman. Some of the best land of Noble County is in Noble Township, so there also are found some of the best and most progressive farmers. One of them is John A. Baughman, who has lived in that locality for over forty years, and though he started life with practically no capital, he has made good in every sense of the word and is now owner of one of the excellent places in his locality. Mr. Baughman was born in Richland County, Ohio, November 26, 1855, a son of Gideon and Mar- garet (Swiggart) Baughman. The Baughmans originally came from Germany and were early set- tlers in the colony of Virginia. Gideon Baughman was a son of Henry and Susan (Trumbull) Baugh- man. Margaret Swiggart was a daughter of John and Barbara Swiggart, early residents of Stark County, Ohio. John Swiggart was born in 1779 and served as a captain in the War of 1812 and was the first school teacher in Monroe Township of Richland County, Ohio. Gideon Baughman and wife were reared and married in Ohio, the former being a native of Ashland County and the latter of Stark County. They lived there for many years and in 1876 moved to Noble County, Indiana, spend- ing the rest of their lives in this county. They were members of the Lutheran Church. The father was a democrat. Of six children two are still liv- ing: Susan, widow of Archie Collins, living in Ohio, and John A. The four deceased were Michael, Martin L„ Henry M. and Elizabeth, the latter the wife of John Oiler. John A. Baughman spent the first twenty years of his life in his native county in Ohio and was educated in the common schools. Soon after he came to Noble County he married on August 19, 1877, Melissa J. River. She was born in Noble County, April 19, 1861, and was educated in the common schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Baugh- man rented his father’s farm until his means had increased as a result of their mutual thrift and in- dustry to a point where he could buy the farm, and he has spent practically all his adult life in this one locality. Mr. and Mrs. Baughman had three children. Clyde, the oldest, completed the work of the com- mon schools and also attended Valparaiso College and Hillsdale College in Michigan, and is now a railroad employe. Chauncey, a graduate of the common schools and of the Valparaiso College, is a farmer and teacher in Noble Township. Iva, who is the wife of Floy Stureman, of Noble Township, also attended Valparaiso and Terre Haute colleges. Mr. Baughman has been quite active in the affairs of the democratic party in his locality. He is en- gaged in general farming and the livestock business and has 88 H acres, all of which he manages with a high degree of productiveness. Frank Hanlon is a former trustee of Green Township of Noble County, and is one of the best known men in that community. For many years he was a successful teacher, and some of his most loyal friends are his old pupils. He has also been a farmer, and is now giving most of his time to the management of his place in section 2 of Green Township. On the farm where he now lives he was born, August 8, 1866, son of James and Mary (Hendricks) Hanlon. His parents were both natives of Penn- sylvania. His father was born in Allegheny County and came to Noble County, Indiana, in 1856, grew up here and married, then developed the land where his son now lives into a good farm. The parents were both active members of the Summit Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics the father was a democrat. There were three children : William, who died at the age of thirteen months; Frank; and Warren, who died when twelve years of age. Frank Hanlon while reared in a rural environment and having experience from early boyhood in the duties of the farm, acquired a liberal education apart from the opportunities presented by the local dis- trict schools. He attended the Albion Normal School and also the Methodist College at Fort Wayne. He taught his first term of school in 1884, thirty-five years ago, and there was probably not a year in which he did not give several months or more to teaching until 1907. He then gave up the profession in order to take complete supervision of the home farm, but in the winter of 1918, probably as a patriotic service, he again taught a term of school. He has a well cultivated farm of 160 acres, and he is a thorough and systematic farmer. In the fall of 1908 Mr. Hanlon was elected trustee of Green Township, and filled that office to the satisfaction of all concerned for six years. He is a democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a trustee, steward and superintendent of the Sunday school. September 5, 1889, he married Margaret J. McCoy, who was born in Green Township. James E. Terry did his principal work as a farmer in an era of low prices and adverse condi- tions, but made such good use of his time and energy as to win a competence, which now enables him to enjoy life at leisure and in retirement. His home for many years has been at Nevada Mills in James- town Township. Mr. Terry was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, April 8, 1849, a son of Thompson C. and Harriet (Richey) Terry, both natives of New York State. His father was born in 1828 and his mother in Genesee County in 1833. Thompson Terry was an early settler in the woods of Sandusky County, Ohio, cleared up a farm there, and in 1864 again ventured as a pioneer to Jamestown Township in Steuben County, where he bought the George New- nam farm and finally sold that and moved to Nevada Mills in the same township, where he engaged in merchandising. He died in 1897 and his widow on May 15, 1916. He was quite active in republican politics for a number of years, and held the office of justice of the peace for nearly a quarter of a century. Both he and his wife were liberal in their religious views. They had three children : James E. ; Alice Jeanette, who died in 1864, at the age of four years; and George, a resident of Millgrove Township in Steuben County. James E. Terry was about fourteen years old when his parents moved to Steuben County, and finished his education here in the public schools and also attended the Orland Academy and the college at Angola, and thus prepared he became a success- ful teacher, a vocation he followed five terms. With that exception he has been farming since early man- hood until he retired, and is owner of a place of 180 acres. Mr. Terry has had his home at Nevada Mills since 1884. In politics he is a republican with- out any official record, and attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a member. October 1, 1871, he married Miss Helen Hobson, of Steuben County. She died in January, 1895, the mother of three children. Raymond, who is a mer- chant at Inverness in Steuben County, married Lulu McNett, and they have two children, Eleanor and Ralph. Fred, a merchant at Nevada Mills, married HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 129 Iola Bachelor, and has had two daughters, Helen, deceased, and Genevieve. Lou is the wife of Perry Sprague, a lumber merchant at Syracuse, Indiana, and is the mother of one son and two daughters, Alice, Nellie and Dale. In January, 1897, Mr. Terry married Flossie Kreuder, who was born in Medina County, Ohio, August 1, 1868, a daughter of Conrad and Catherine (Turner) Kreuder, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ohio. The Kreuder family came to Steuben County in 1876, settling in Pleasant Township, where Mrs. Terry’s father died in 1883, at the age of sixty-four, and her mother in 1894, aged sixty-two. Mr. Kreuder was a farmer. Mrs. Terry had a public school edu- cation, attended the Tri-State College, and was a successful teacher for ten years. She was one of a family of four children, named Mary, Theodore, and Flora and Flossie, twins. Frank L. Kiplinger is president and manager of the Knisely Dry Goods Company of Butler, one of the oldest business establishments of DeKalb County. The Knisely brothers were in business at Butler be- ginning nearly fifty years ago. The present firm is an incorporation, with Mr. Kiplinger its executive head and H. B. Miller, secretary and treasurer, and the directors are Mr. Kiplinger, H. B. and E. C. Miller and Mrs. Kiplinger. Mr. Kiplinger was born in Ashland County, Ohio, July 29, 1859. He has been a merchant nearly all his life. His father was a country merchant in Ohio, and the son when not in the village schools was working in his father’s store. At the age of twenty-one he went out to Kansas and had a varied mercantile experience in that state for several years. On coming to Indiana he was a clerk in the employ of Knisely Brothers at Butler for ten years. After that he was a traveling dry goods salesman over Indiana Territory, representing a Cleveland house for ten years. He then returned to Butler and bought an interest in and took the management of the old business of Knisely Brothers. Mr. Kiplinger married Della Miller, of Waterloo, Indiana, a graduate of the high school of that city. Mrs. Kiplinger has been prominent in local affairs at Butler and was one of those instrumental in securing the public library, and for the past twelve years has served as secretary of the Library Board. Mr. and Mrs. Kiplinger are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and he is a trustee. He is affiliated with Forest Lodge No. 259, Free and Accepted Masons, with the Royal Arch Chapter and Council, the Apollo Commandery of Knights Tem- plar at Kendallville, was a Shriner and was a mem- ber of the Scottish Rite Class of 1919. George Gloyd. One of the old and carefully tended homesteads of Sparta Township in Noble County is owned and managed by the Gloyd broth- ers, comprising George and W. H. Gloyd, who have been successfully identified with agriculture and stock raising and with the citizenship of that locality practically all their lives. The farm is on the Lin- coln Highway, a mile southeast of Kimmell. George Gloyd was born on that farm December 8, 1848, a son of William and Matilda (Beachgood) Gloyd. His great-grandfather, Daniel Gloyd, was a soldier in the American Revolution, enlisting at the age of sixteen and at the battle of Bunker Hill was wounded while fighting for the cause of inde- pendence. William Gloyd, grandfather of George, was an overseer in the employ of Major Lewis, who married General Washington’s step-daughter. William Gloyd, Jr., father of the Gloyd brothers, was a native of Missouri and moved from there to Vol. II— 9 Ohio, where he married Matilda Beachgood. She was born in Maryland and her father was a soldier in the War of 1812 under General Jackson. Her brother, James Beachgood, was with Phil Sheridan’s army at Winchester, and served all through the war. William and Matilda Gloyd after their marriage moved from Ohio to Noble County, Indiana, and were pioneers in Sparta Township. They were members of the Sparta Christian Church and were highly thought of people all their lives. Of. their six children three are still living: Caroline, wife of John Foster, of York Township, who served in the Civil war; George and W. H. Gloyd. W. H. Gloyd was also born on the old homestead, had a district school education, and on March 15, 1877, married Mary R. Bowers. She had two brothers who were Union soldiers. Henry S. Bowers enlisted in 1861 and remained until the close of the war, being with Sherman on the march to the sea and participating in twenty-three battles but was never wounded. The other brother was in the war two years. The Gloyd brothers are members of the Christian Church and both are active republicans, their father having been a whig and a charter member of the republican party. The Gloyd farm comprises 240 acres. John Hemry has been a citizen of Steuben Coun- ty for more than half a century, and the name is well known in York and Clear Lake townships, where the people of this name were pioneers. The Hemry family were among the earliest settlers in the State of Ohio, the old home having been in Crawford County for many years. John Hemry was born in that Ohio county, No- vember 2, 1838, a son of Abram and Mary Ann (Mc- Claskey) Hemry, and grandson of Isaac and Nancy (McCullen) Hemry. Isaac Hemry lived for a num- ber of years in Carroll County, Ohio, and in 1832 moved to Crawford County, where he died August 11, 1868, at the age of eighty-four. His widow sur- vived him and passed away at the age of ninety-one in August, 1879. Isaac Hemry during the War of 1812 was captain of an Ohio militia company. Abram Hemry was born in Carroll County, Ohio, in 1812. His wife, Mary Ann McClaskey, was born in Ashland County of that state in 1820, a daughter of Jacob McClaskey. In 1845 Abram Hemry brought his family to Steuben County, but some years later returned to Crawford County, Ohio, living there for four years, and afterward settling again on his farm in York Township, where he died when about sixty-five years old. His wife died in Steuben County about 1850. At one time he owned 160 acres in Steuben County, and at the time of his death his farm consisted of seventy-five acres. He and his first wife had nine children, named John, Margaret Ann, Nancy, Lydia, Rebecca, Lila, George, Andrew and Eva. For his second wife Abram Hemry married Mrs. Elizabeth Hanselman and had one child, Lizzie. John Hemry was seven years old when his par- ents first came to Steuben County. When he was seventeen he went back to Crawford County, and in 1864 settled permanently in Steuben County, buy- ing forty acres of land in York Township. At the present time he owns a farm of 109 acres, also had twenty acres in Ohio for some years, and has sold twelve and a half acres to his son-in-law. His farm is well improved with buildings, his barn being 40 by 72 feet. He is still acting and looking after his farm though eighty-one years of age. Mr. Hemry is a democrat in politics. In 1864 he married Miss Rebecca Ramsey, of Crawford County, Ohio. She died in 1905, at the 130 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA age of sixty-seven. They had two children : Cora is the deceased wife of Albert Barnes and had one son, John. Carl, now deceased, married Edith Isen- hour, and they had two children, including one son, Kenneth. Clarence A. Mallory. Some of the earliest names in the chronicles of Jamestown Township of Steuben County are those of the Mallory, family. Clarence A. Mallory is a member of the third gen- eration of the family and has spent practically all his life on the old Mallory homestead in James- town. . His father was Asa Mallory, who was born in Ver- mont in 1824, a son of David Mallory, who first came to Steuben County in 1835. Asa Mallory fol- lowed him soon afterward, and was long identified with the upright citizenship of the county. Some additional facts concerning his history are published elsewhere in this work. i Clarence A. Mallory was born on his father s homestead November 8, 1876. He acquired his edu- cation in the public schools and since early manhood has been a practical farmer. He now handles the operations of 115 acres of the old homestead where his mother is still living. He devotes his land to general farming and stockraising. Mr. Mallory is a democrat, and he and his wife attend the com- munity Church at Jamestown village. November 29, 1900, he married Miss Lodema Lilly, of Branch County, Michigan. They have two children: Emory Wright, born December 18, 1901, now a junior in the Fremont High School; and Leona Lilly, born November 2, 1907. William Deems is one of the honored survivors of the great Civil war, and for three years he rep- resented DeKalb County in that great conflict. He has been a resident of DeKalb County all his life, and is well deserving of the comfortable retirement he now enjoys on his home farm in Wilmington Township. He was born in that township November 22, 1843, a son of George and Hannah (Dudgeon) Deems, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. George Deems was one of the pioneers of DeKalb County and lived in Wilmington Township until he met death in 1845, being killed by a falling tree. The care and rearing of the six children then devolved upon his widow. These six children were named, John, Joseph, Eli, Eliza, George and Will- iam, William being the only survivor. William Deems grew up on the home farm and had a limited education in the log cabin district schools of his day. He was only eighteen when the war broke out, and in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H of the Eighty-Eighth Indiana Infan- try. He served faithfully as a corporal and was mus- tered out in June, 1865. After the war he returned to DeKalb County, farmed and worked as a farm hand, and eventually acquired an independent hold- ing. He now has seventy acres of good farm land in Wilmington Township. Mr. Deems’ parents were members of the Methodist Church. He is affiliated with Meade Post No. 44 of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a republican in politics. William R. Cole. The home of William R. Cole is a mile north of Wolf Lake in Noble .County. It is one of the fine farms in that locality, and its proprietor is a man of thorough training and experi- ence and capabilities both as a farmer, business man and as a public-spirited citizen. Mr. Cole was born in Greene Township of the same county, December 27, 1870, son of James R. and Martha J. (Ray) Cole. His father was born May 2, 1844, and his mother December 3, 1848. They were married in Noble County, Indiana, in 1867, and for the next two years lived on a farm in Greene Township, then moved to Jefferson Township, where they bought forty acres, and after five years sold that and moved to York Township, where James Cole acquired eighty acres and for many years was successfully identified with its cultivation and man- agement. In 1916 he moved to Albion, where he is now living retired. He was born in Ashland Coun- ty, Ohio, and as a boy enlisted in the First Ohio Regiment and served as a Union soldier throughout the Civil war. He has long been identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a republican in politics and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He and his wife had ten children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows : FranJ.c W., September 10, 1868; William R., December 27, 1870; Elmer, August 9, 1873 ; Prentis B., February 9, 1876; Floyd, March 12, 1880; Mary )., June 8, 1882; Mattie, January 27, 1885; Nellie, June 2, 1887; Catherine, in 1889; and Belle, in 1890. Mattie, Catherine, and Belle are all graduates of the Albion High School. William R. Cole has lived all his life in Noble County, and acquired a common school education as a preparation for the duties of his mature years. He left home when nearly twenty-one, and has since been making his own way in the world, and had acquired a fine reputation as a farmer. After his marriage he rented a farm in Jefferson township for four years, then bought eighty acres west of Wolf Lake, and on selling that acquired his present farm of 160 acres. He raises and feeds cattle and hogs, and is also a stockholder in the Wolf Lake State Bank. Mr. Cole is a republican but has no desire to hold public office. He has been affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Albion. October 11, 1899, he married Dora B. Gray, daugh- ter of William D. and Rachel Gray. She was born on the farm where she and her husband are now living. They have three children : Harold G., a graduate of the common schools ; Mabel M., who has also completed the work of the common schools ; and Martha R. Ira E. Brill, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in LaGrange County, is a worthy representative of the farming element of Northeast Indiana. He has spent his life in Indiana, and has made his present success as an industrious and capable farmer, a man of broad information and very popular among his fellow citizens. He is proprietor of the Scenic Hill Farm, comprising 100 acres in Johnson Township. Mr. Brill has a number of good grade Belgian horses. He was born in Elkhart Township of Noble Coun- ty, October 30, 1867, a son of George W. and Char- lotte E. (Trittipo) Brill, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia. They were mar- ried in Indiana and located in LaGrange County and later in Elkhart Township of Noble County, where they spent the rest of their years. The father was an active member of the Lutheran Church. In the family were eight children: Lurella E., wife of W. M. Rendfro ; Walter E., of Elkhart Township, Noble County; Franklin E., of Ohio; Mrs. Ida M. Reed, of Ligonier; Ira E. ; Lillie M., wife of Joe Finck; Melvin G., of Ligonier; and Beulah, wife of Elza Smith. Ira E. Brill grew up on his father’s farm in Noble County, attended common schools, and for the past thirty years has been a hard working member of the agricultural community. In 1892 he married Jennie M. Shanower, of Johnson Township. They have mam HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 131 one son, Russell R., who was born October 29, 1895. He married Amy A. Gordon and has one child, Hugh G., born November 15, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Brill are members of the Baptist Church, and in politics he is a republican. Fremont Bachelor. For many years the name Bachelor has been significant of good farming methods, large farms, well managed, and a high degree of enterprise and public spirit in all matters of community interest. This is one 'of the oldest families of Steuben County, and some of the im- portant facts in the history of some of the early members are found on other pages. Fremont Bachelor, of Millgrove Township, is a son of the late Amos Bachelor, who in his time was one of the largest land owners in the county. Fremont was born in Pleasant Township March 19, 1856, and as a boy attended district schools in Mill- grove and Jamestown townships, and finished his education with a high school course in Waterloo. As a young man he began farming on the old home- stead. In 1887 he married Miss Harriet Ebbert, a daughter of Isaac and Lorena Ebbert. Mr. Bachelor then took his wife to a farm at In- verness, and lived in that locality for thirteen years. In the fall of 1899 he returned to the old farm, occu- pying it when his father retired and moved to An- gola. He has had his home there for twenty years, and now owns 250 acres. Much of the substantial equipment of the farm is due to his work and in- vestment. He has remodeled the house, and a large barn and’ silo were also constructed by him. Mr. and Mrs. Bachelor have one daughter, wife of Fred Collins. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have one son, Don Fremont. Frank Teutsch owns a lot of good land in DeKalb County, his home farm of eighty acres being in Troy Township. He has another tract of seventy acres in the same township and 120 acres in Franklin Town- ship. He has been a hard working citizen and farmer for over twenty years, and in that time has bought and paid for, largely from his labors and the products of the soil, 150 acres of the land he owns. He keeps good livestock of different grades, and is an active member of the Arctic Cooperative Association. Mr. Teutsch was born in Franklin Township March 13, 1875, a. son of Peter and Artemisia (Olds) Teutsch. Peter Teutsch was born in Alsace, trance, March 22, 1850, a son of Michael Teutsch, who brought his family to America in i860, settling in Franklin Township of DeKalb County. Peter Teutsch grew up on the farm, was educated partly in France and partly in DeKalb County, and he lived in Franklin Township until late in life, when he retired to Butler, where he and his wife died. He married Artemisia Olds January 5, 1873. Her father was an early settler of Franklin Township and she was born in DeKalb County. Peter Teutsch and wife were members of the United Brethren Church, and he was a republican in politics. They had four chil- dren, one dying in infancy. The three living are Frank; Foster, who married Elsie Campbell and lives in Franklin Township; and Leota, wife of Logan Woods of Fort Wayne. Frank Teutsch spent his early life on the home . farm and acquired a common school education. On June 20, 1898, he married Saloma Mark, who was born in Franklin Township. Since his marriage Mr. Teutsch has occupied and operated his home farm of eighty acres. He is a republican in politics. He and his wife have three children : Mildred, Loren and Roy. Mildred graduated from the common schools in 1919. Charles E. Pollock has made his mark among the citizens of Washington Township in Noble County and is a very progressive, live and enter- prising farmer. His present home is located two and one-half miles west of Wolf Lake. He was born in Ligonier, Indiana, June 20, 1861, son of Cyrus and Martha (Kendall) Pollock. His father was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 12, 1832, and his mother in Greene County, Ohio, May 5, 1835. Both the Pollock and Kendall families came in an early day to Noble County, Indiana, settling in the woods of Sparta Township, where Cyrus and Martha were married. For several years they con- tinued to live in Sparta Township, then moved to Perry Township, and finally to Ligonier, buying a farm in York Township. In that community they spent their , last years. They were members of the Universalist Church, and Cyrus Pollock was a re- publican. He served as superintendent of the County Infirmary from 1876 to 1881. In the family were nine children, seven of whom are still living: Charles E. ; Morton, a resident of Angola ; Ella, wife of William Lafong; Edwin, of Wolf Lake; Laura, wife of Myron Baker; Lizzie, wife of Harry Schlotterback ; and Vivian the wife of Joseph Geiger. One of the deceased children was named Milton. Charles E. Pollock spent his boyhood days in York Township, and his early advantages were supplied by the district schools. He remained at home till the age of twenty-two, and since then has been solving the problems of life on his own account. The farm his wife owns comprises 112 acres, and in im- provements and productiveness bares favorable com- parison with any farm in Washington Township. Mr. Pollock served seven years as assessor of York Township. He married for his first wife Mary L. Wright, who was born in Noble County, was well educated in the common and high schools and was a teacher before her marriage. The three children born to them are all now deceased. Their names were : Rolland, a graduate of Albion High School ; Elva M., who also graduated from the high school and died at the age of twenty-four; and one daughter that died in infancy. The mother of these children died in 1907. On February 28, 1918, Mr. Pollock married Mrs. Clara L. McKenzie. She was born in Stark County, Ohio, June 8, 1859, and came with her parents to Kosciusko County, Indiana, locating near Pierceton, and six months later the family moved to Washington Township, Noble County, and Mrs. Pollock grew up on a farm adjoining that of her husband. She was married to Royal McKenzie on August 27, 1913. He died July 16, 1914. Mrs. Pollock is a stockholder in the Wolf Lake State Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Pollock are members of the Christian Church, and he served many years as a deacon and is one of the trustees of the Eel River Christian Conference. In politics he is a republican, Amos E. Longnecker, who has spent all the years since early childhood on one farm in Milford Township of LaGrange County, is regarded as a man of exceptional ability in general farming and stock raising. From his farm he has sent many carloads of choice stock to market, and he knows that branch of agriculture probably as well as any other man in LaGrange County. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, February iS, 1870, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hampshire) Longnecker. His father was born in Seneca County 132 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA in November, 1844, and he and his wife were married October 1, 1863. They came to Indiana in 1871, locating in Milford Township. Late in life Jacob Longnecker moved to South Milford, where he died February 7, 1903. His wife was born in Fostoria, Ohio, November 18, 1841, and died January 5, 1905. Both were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while the father was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and was a republican. There were two children in the family, Jessie M. and Amos E. Jessie is the wife of George Nifer, and they live in Milford Township. Amos E. Longnecker was one year old when his parents came to Indiana and four years old when they established their home on the farm where he now lives. Besides the district schools he at- tended the Tri-State Normal at Angola, but the greater part of his life’s efforts have been confined to farming. May 31, 1892, he married Mabel C.. Teal. She was born in Clear Spring Township December 11, 1873, and was educated in the district schools. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Longnecker have occupied the home farm. They have two children, Ota E., born February 23, 1894, a graduate of high school and the wife of Harry L. Reed; and Jacob A., born December 19, 1897, who after finish- ing his high school course attended Purdue Uni- versity and for about six months was in the air service of the army in France. Mr. Longnecker is prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a past noble grand of the lodge at South Milford, a past patriarch of the Encampment, while he and his wife are both past grands of the Rebekahs. Politically he is a republican. Mr. Longnecker’s farm comprises 191 acres, and for a number of years he has used it largely as a feeding ground for livestock. He is president of the South Milford Shippers’ Associa- tion and its manager. Mrs. Longnecker is a daughter of Ashbury and Ellen (Myers) Teal. Her father was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 14, 1837, and her mother in DeKalb County, Indiana, March 20, 1846. Ashbury Teal came to Northeast Indiana when a youth, was married October 11, 1861, and died at Montpelier, Ohio, May 1,1911. He was a democrat in politics. In the Teal family were five children, all living, named Edward E., Mabel C., Eleanor, John A., and Charles V. Thomas M. Ott. Clover Leaf Farm in Noble Township of Noble County is one of the high class places where the agricultural art is seen at its best, and the management and appearance of the farm stamps its owner, Thomas M. Ott, as one of the leading agriculturists of the county. The farm com- prises 200 acres, and Mr. Ott also owns another place of eighty acres in the same locality. Clover Leaf Farm represents to him not only a business and his present home but also the associa- tions of early childhood. He was born there De- cember 15, 1853, a son of Abraham and Sarah (Mor- gan) Ott. His mother was a native of England and was a small child when brought to the United States by her parents. His father was born in Maryland. Both families subsequently settled in Preble County, Ohio, where Abraham Ott and wife were married. In 1840 they came to Noble County, Indiana, locating on land which he had pre-empted in 1838, being the original owner direct from the Government. Abraham Ott was a man of many fine qualities which constituted him a leader in the com- munity, and he was active in politics as a republican and as a member of the Christian Church. Of nine children four are still living: Julia A. Winebremer, widow of David S. Winebremer; George W., a farmer in Allen County, Indiana ; Almina, widow of John R. Young; and Thomas Ott. Thomas Ott has seldom for any great length of time been away from the farm home where he was born. He attended the common schools, and re- mained with his father and finally succeeded to the ownership of the place. December 11, 1879, he married Alta A. Seymoure. She was born in Noble Township, and she and her husband grew up in the same locality. They have five children: Charles A., a graduate of Wolf Lake High School, is married and lives in Noble County; Lura, a graduate of the common schools, still at home; Frank J., a graduate of high school, is married and lives on a farm in Noble Township; Harvey, a graduate of high school, and Elmina, who has also finished a high school course. Mr. Ott and family are members of the Chris- tian Church, and he and his wife and daughters are members of the Pythian Sisters. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Wolf Lake and is past chancellor and a member of the Grand Lodge. In politics he is a republican, has served as a member of the Advisory Board and every worthy movement in his community is certain of his support and co-operation. He is one of the stockholders in the Farmers State Bank at Wolf Lake, is a director in the Albion National Bank and a stockholder in the Albion Grist Mill. Glenn Brown. Some of the most important in- terests of agriculture and stock industry in Steuben County are concentrated in the Brown family. Glenn Brown, a son of the well known Steuben County land owner, Frank M. Brown, of Fremont, whose career and family connections are reviewed on other pages, is personally directing many of the family interests and is one of the leading farmers of the county. Mr. Brown was born in Jamestown Township January 6, 1883, acquired a good education in the district schools, the high school at Jamestown, also the high school at Fremont, and was a student in the Tri-State Normal College at Angola. He has been farming on his own responsibility since igoq, and handles more than 300 acres of his father’s land in Jamestown Township. The field crops under his management seldom figure as sources of direct income. The principal business is cattle and hogs. Mr. Brown feeds about four carloads of cattle for the market every year, and in the spring of 1919 he put 265 hogs on the way to market condition, at a time when the price of hogs was the highest in history. In 1908 Mr. Brown married Pearl Legg, daughter of G. D. and Adaline (Fulmer) Legg. They have two young sons, Roscoe E. and Russell L. Jonathan Wilhelm. A highly esteemed and widely known resident of DeKalb County, who has made his home here for sixty-eight years and has witnessed and taken part in the development of this section of Indiana, is Jonathan Wilhelm, who lives practically retired in his comfortable home at Water- loo. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, January 18, 1843, and was eight years old when he accompanied his parents, David and Christina (Shaumbacher) Wilhelm, to DeKalb County. David Wilhelm was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, of German parents. He was reared to farm pursuits and when he reached manhood married Christina Shaumbacher, who was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, came from there as an immigrant to Ohio, and in that state supported herself until HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 133 her marriage. Six children were born in Columbiana County and two more were added to the family after settlement was made in Indiana. Of these children but two survive: Jonathan and Caroline. Jonathan Wilhelm grew up on a farm and gave his father assistance, as was the duty of a good son. He well remembers the old days when forests covered a large amount of the present richly culti- vated farm acreage and when the main highways were little more than Indian trails. In his boyhood a village called Uniontown stood on the site of the present busy City of Waterloo. His father had to haul all family supplies from Fort Wayne. With the coming of such sturdy settlers as the Wilhelms, however, improvement began and constant develop- ment has followed. After embarking in business for himself Mr. Wilhelm for many years engaged in farming and bought and shipped livestock, his main market being Buffalo, although demands from Cleve- land were also attended to, and he has additionally done shipping to Chicago. He still owns 326 acres in four different farms or tracts of land in Smith- field Township, over which he maintains oversight. Jonathan Wilhelm was united in marriage to Mary E. Geeting, who had accompanied her mother, Mrs. Sophronia Geeting, from Canton, Ohio, to DeKalb County. Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm became the parents of four daughters : Lizzie, Sophronia, Gertrude and Mary. Lizzie who is deceased was the wife of P. A. Bolder and the mother of four children namely: Ralph, Elmer, lone and Floyd. During the World war Ralph went to France in an engineer corps with the American Expeditionary Forces. Elmer was also in service, attached to the Coast Defense Corps on the coast of Florida. Both were at home at the time of their mother’s death. Sophronia and Gertrude reside with their father at Waterloo, look- ing after his comfort since the death of their mother. Mary, the youngest daughter, is the wife of R. C. Thompson, and Mr. Wilhelm’s only sister is a mem- ber of the Thompson household. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have two children, Lavon and Roger. Mr. Wilhelm has never been active in a political sense but has always been a helpful and conscientious citizen, practical in business and honest and upright in every relation of life. Capt. Lewis W. Griffith. In the death of Capt Lewis W. Griffith on January 25, 1919, there passed away a brave and gallant soldier and a citizen of Steuben County whose life was a long exemplifica- tion of civic virtue and fidelity to duty. Captain Griffith was born in Tuscarawus County, Ohio, June 17, 1838, a son of John and Jemima (Gossage) Griffith, the story of whose lives is told on other pages. Captain Griffith was twelve years old when his parents moved to DeKalb County, In- diana, and when about nineteen he accompanied them to Otsego Township in Steuben County. He was educated in the public schools and on July 25, 1861, enlisted in Company A of the Forty-Fourth Indiana Infantry. He was in the siege and capture of Fort Donelson, was wounded at Pittsburg Land- ing, and for gallant conduct at the battle of Stone River was promoted from sergeant to first lieuten- ant, and later was with the Forty-Fourth when it was almost annihilated at the battle of Chickamauga, where he was again wounded and received a cap 1 tain s commission. He and his surviving compan- ions of the regiment were afterward put on post duty. Captain Griffith veteranized and remained in the army until October 22, 1865. Captain Griffith was at one time commander of Steuben Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. After the war he returned home and engaged in farming and buying and shipping livestock. His army service caused a permanent disability. He was a stanch republican. In 1868 he was elected assessor of Otsego Township, and later was county assessor and deputy county auditor, and had a long official record of about twenty-five years. He was a stanch republican and was affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Hamilton. On September 1, 1861, after he had enlisted and before he was called to duty, he married Betsy Carpenter, who is still living. Her parents were Harlow J. and Fanny (Merry) Carpenter. Harlow J. Carpenter was born in Vermont in 1813, went to Ohio in early manhood, and was married there in 1836, his wife being a native of Ohio, born in the same year as her husband. In 1849 Harlow Car- penter moved to Steuben County, buying land in Otsego Township. For many years he was one of the leading members and local preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was widely known as Elder Carpenter. He died April 30, 1883, and after his death the church in Otsego Center was rededicated under the name Carpenter’s Chapel. Captain and Mrs. Griffith had ten children. Emma, who became the wife of Roscoe Harpster lives in Kansas and their son Claud was in the famous Thirty-fifth Division as a corporal, and was a participant in the battle of the Argonne Forest. Jessie is the widow of John Hammond, who left four children, Harry, Harold, Joyce and Ruth. Of these Harold was in the Thirty-Second Division in France and Harry was with the navy at the Great Lakes Training Station. Edna, the third child, is the wife of John Zimmerman, living in the State of Washington. Sarah married William Healey and has three children, Charles, Pauline and Griffith. Nellie died at the age of twenty years. George married Lillian Isenhour, and during the Spanish- American war he was a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-Seventh Indiana Volunteers. Shirley married Pearl Curl, and their children are Edna. Bertha, Lewis, Bettie, Yovona and Thomas. Ford died at the age of eight years. Bert was in the army during the World war. Vella is the wife of Merle Mortorff, and their three children are Helen, John and Alda. Elias W. Olinghouse, who is now concentrating his energies upon his farm in section 31 of Clear Spring Township in LaGrange County, became widely known over this section of Northeast In- diana as a veteran thresherman, a business he fol- lowed forty years. He was born in Eden Township a half mile west of Topeka, Indiana, December 11, 1853, a son of Jonathan and Mary (Collet) Olinghouse. His par- ents were both natives of Ohio and grew up and were married in Indiana, in LaGrange County, near Topeka. They settled on a farm a half mile east of Topeka, where Jonathan Olinghouse conducted a blacksmith shop in addition to clearing up and de- veloping his land. In 1878 he moved to another farm four miles southeast of LaGrange, and spent his last days there. His first wife died in Clear Spring Township. They were active members of the Methodist Church. Jonathan Olinghouse had fourteen children by his two marriages. His first wife was the mother of four sons and three daugh- ters, six of whom are still living: Elias W. ; Charles, of Ligonier ; Theo, deceased; Burther, who lives six miles east of LaGrange; Ada, wife of Harvey Babb ; Etta, wife of O. C. Harsh; Mary, wife of C. E. Babb. Elias W. Olinghouse grew up on the home farm and had a common school education. At the age of nineteen he began working out for his living, and 134 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA in 1874 bought a threshing outfit, which he operated successfully every season for forty years. He owns 187 acres in his home farm in LaGrange County and also has forty acres in Oklahoma. He is a stock- holder in the State Bank of Topeka. Mr. Olinghouse married Miss Catherine Medlaum. Their children are Russell, Ray and Roy, twins, and Martha, wife of Frank Dovel. Mr. Olinghouse is a member of Hawpatch Lodge No. 760, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past noble grand, and is a member of the Encampment No. 133. He has sat in the Grand Lodge of that order. Politically he is a republican. Joseph Rohrabaugh lived a life of extreme in- dustry and to good purpose, started out in young manhood without resources beyond the experience he had acquired working for others, was a farm hand, a renter, and eventually acquired a good place of his own. He was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, February 5, 1861, the only child of Joseph and Mary Ann (Frick) Rohrabaugh, early settlers of DeKalb County. Joseph was a small child when his father died. His father was well educated, taught school in early life and was also a stone and brick mason by trade. The widowed mother married John Rubley, and by that marriage had two children, John H. and Elizabeth. Joseph Rohrabaugh at the age of eight years moved with his mother to Steuben County, and from that time made his home in Jamestown Town- ship. He assisted his stepfather in clearing up the farm. Later he worked out by the month, spend- ing eighteen summers in that way. For nine years he was a renter and in 1901 bought eighty acres of land in Jamestown Township. He made the land pay for itself and give him a good living be- sides, and he improved it with a substantial barn and had much to show for his efforts. In politics he was a democrat, and his wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. April 2, 1892, Mr. Rohrabaugh married Abbie U. Latta. She was born in Branch County, Michigan, in 1874, a daughter of Moses and Jane (West) Latta. Her mother was a native of Steuben County, daugh- ter of George and Sarah (Sams) West. Moses Latta came to Steuben County when a young man, and after his marriage settled in Pleasant Township and later in Jamestown Township, where he died in 1906, at the age of severity-four. His wife died in 1904, at the age of sixty. They were the parents of three children: Abbie, Jennie and Moses. Mrs. Rohrabaugh’s mother married for her first husband Robert Sillabaugh, and by that union had two chil- dren, Milo J. and Robert Morton, both now de- ceased. Both the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rohra- baugh died early in infancy. Mary, born in 1894, lived nine months, while Christian, born in 1897, died eleven days later. Richard L. Cook. There have been representa- tives of four generations of the Cook family to spend part of their mature years in LaGrange County, and their activities have been particularly manifested in the agricultural community of Van Buren Town- ship. A fine farm in that locality managed for many years by Richard L. Cook was the scene of his birth on July 29, 1879. He is a son of Adelbert and Orlinda Bell (Parker) Cook and a grandson of William and Catherine (Fowler) Cook, while his great-grandparents were John and Mary Cook. William Cook was born in England and came with his parents to America early in the last century. The Cook family settled in LaGrange County in 1831 and John Cook died the same year of his set- tlement here. John and Mary Cook had four chil- dren: William, Elizabeth, George and Jane. Will- iam Cook was married in LaGrange County, and his children were Samuel, Marie, Charles and Adel- bert. William Cook bought 180 acres in Van Buren Township, and lived there until his death in 1904, at the advanced age of ninety-two. Adelbert Cook was born in Van Buren Township September 26, 1847, grew up on the old Cook Farm, was educated in common schools, and has spent his active life as a farmer. He owns 183 acres, and this is the farm where his son Richard was born and where the latter has been in full charge as manager for many years. Adelbert Cook is a democrat, and that was also the politics of his father, William. His wife was born September 2, 1857. Richard L. Cook grew up on the old homestead, attended the local schools and for about twenty-five years has had an increasing share of responsibilities in connection with running the old homestead. He is a democrat like his father and grandfather and is affiliated with Lodge No. 698 of the Masons at Howe. In 1911 he married Esther L. Firestone. She was born in Elkhart County February 2, 1890, a daughter of Jacob and Nancy Firestone. Her mother is still living. Richard L. Cook and wife have one daughter, Kathryn Virginia, born April 7, 1917. Clarence Hanselman. A farm in Otsego Town- ship that has been improved by the labors of two generations of the well-known Hanselman family is in section 5, comprising 140 acres, and now owned and cultivated by Clarence Hanselman. Mr. Han- selman is one of the most successful representatives of his family and has proved his worth both as a practical farmer and as a public-spirited citizen. He was born on the homestead where he still lives, October 19, 1875, a son of John Quincy and Margaret (Kankamp) Hanselman and a grandson of Aaron Hanselman. A more detailed record of this family will be found on other pages of this publication. Clarence Hanselman grew up on the home farm. After acquiring a public school educa- tion he took up farming as his serious career, and in course of years acquired the old homestead of 140 acres. He has remodeled the barn, and installed many other improvements, including a furnace in his home. He is a breeder of pure bred Shorthorn cattle and also keeps the best grades of Duroc Jersey hogs. Politically Mr. Hanselman is a re- publican. October 30, 1907, he married Miss Lela Dora Sut- ton, member of an old and prominent family of Steuben County. She was born in Scott Township, March 7, 1882, a daughter of Roswell and Emma J. (Waller) Sutton. Her parents were both natives of Steuben County, her father born April 27, 1852, and her mother on January 1, 1859. Roswell Sutton was a son of Roswell and Nancy (McMinn) Sutton, both pioneers of Northeast Indiana. Roswell, Sr., was the first, or- one of the first, teachers in Steuben County. Emma J. (Waller) Sutton, who died March 3, 1912, was a daughter of Jacob and Rhoda (Trobridge) Waller, likewise pioneers of Steuben County. Mrs. Hanselman’s father is still living in Scott Township. He had four children, named, Delevan, Robert, Lela Dora and Orville. Mr. and Mrs. Hanselman have a son and daughter, Russell Clarence, born October 3, 1908, and Helen Ruth, born August 1, 1911. Roy Perkins, cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Stroh, has been identified with that institution two HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 135 years, and is one of the leading business men of LaGrange County. He represents a family well known for their en- terprise and good citizenship in Northeast Indiana. He was born on a farm in Milford Township, August 26, 1881, a son of Samuel and Emma (Mains) Perkins. Some additional facts regarding his father and the early history of the family will be found on other pages. Samuel Perkins and wife, who spent their last years on a farm in section 23 of Milford Township, were active in the Methodist Church, and he was a republican. They were the parents of five sons and the four still living are J. D., of Milford; M. S., of Milford; Clyde, of Milford; and Roy. The Perkins brothers have a number of individual interests and are also associates in the ownership of the Stroh Grain Company, and for five years were engaged in drainage contracting. Roy Perkins grew up on the home farm in Mil- ford Township and graduated from the South Mil- ford High School and spent three years in the State Normal. He is well known for his splendid work as a teacher. For thirteen years he was engaged in schoolroom work, and during that time was super- intendent of the South Milford school five years and principal of the Stroh school four years. The Farmers State Bank of Stroh was organized November 16, 1915. Its officers are: H. B. Lewis, president; S. A. Stout, vice president; Roy Perkins, cashier, while the Board of Directors consist of H. B. Lewis, S. A. Stout, Roy Perkins, M. S. Perkins, j. D. Perkins, J. B. Hayward, R. O. Conklin, F. N. Wilson and E. E. Goodsell. The bank is capitalized at $25,000. November 28, 1905, Mr. Perkins married Opal Lovett. She is a graduate of the South Milford High School. They have four children, named Mar- jorie, Katherine, Dale and George. Mr. Perkins is a past master and charter member of Philo Lodge No. 672, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a past grand of the Odd Fellows. His wife is both a Rebekah and a member of the Eastern Star. Politically he is affiliated with the republican party. Charles B. Oury is a resident of Jackson Town- ship, Steuben County. Farming has constituted his work, and he has been a busy and successful agri- culturist for the past twenty years. In that time he has acquired a good farm of his own, and his prosperity is very much in evidence. Mr. Oury, who is connected with several leading families of Steuben County, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, October 21, 1871, but has lived in Steuben County since early childhood. He is a son of William and Rachel (Bowerman) Oury, the former born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1849, and the latter in Seneca County, a daughter of Simon and Lydia (Spangle) Bowerman. William Oury, who died in 1901, came to Steuben County about 1874, and after 1876 had a farm in sections 16 and 21 of Jackson Township. Charles D. Oury was the oldest of six children. He attended district school No. 4 in Jackson Town- ship, and went to work as a young man at farming. In 1899 he moved to Pleasant Township, and in 1901 moved to another farm in Springfield Town- ship of LaGrange County, where he directed the operations of 290 acres for ten years. He bought his present place in section 4 of Jackson Township- in 1 91 1. He has a farm of 120 acres, well improved and increasing in value every year under his man- agement. Mr. Oury is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Flint. May 29, 1897, he married Miss Emma Dudley, a daughter of Grove H. and Mary (Closson) Dudley. Reference to her father is made on other pages of this publication. Mr. and Mrs. Oury have four children : Maynard, born September 8, 1899 ; Way- land, born November 25, 1901, and died August 25, 1911; Ruth Ma'rguerite, born October 20, 1904; and Mildred Rachel, born October 1, 1908. Levi I. Miller. Everyone having business rela- tions with the community of Shipshewana knows the work and position of Levi I. Miller as cashier of the Farmers State Bank. Mr. Miller has been one of the leading young business men of that town nearly twenty years. He was born in Clay Township of LaGrange County July 10, 1877, and represents an old family, early settled in Northeast Indiana, and formerly of Pennsylvania. The Millers represented many of the fine and enviable qualities of the sturdy Men- nonites, who were so prominent in the early life and affairs of Pennsylvania. He is a son of Daniel T. and Catherine (Thomas) Miller, both natives of Somerset County, Pennsylvania. His father was born January 17, 1849, and his mother on January 23, 1846. Catherine Thomas, who died January 22, 1905, was a daughter of Jacob and Rachel (Blough) Thomas. The great-grandfather of Levi I. Miller was Christian Miller, whose father came over from Germany and located in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. There are more than 700 descendants of Christian Miller, and of this great family connection there are sixty-six who are ministers and deacons in the Mennonite Church. Jacob S. Miller, grandfather of the Shipshewana banker, was born in Somerset County December 10, 1795. He came to Clay Township, LaGrange County, in 1866, and lived in that locality until his death on January 26, 1874. He was twice married, and by both wives had eighteen children. His first wife was Catherine Kime, who died in 1832. She was the mother of Christian, Henry, Jacob, who died in infancy, Joseph, Martha, John, George and Fannie, who died at the age of seventeen. Jacob S. Miller married for his second wife Fannie Hershberger, who was born May 9, 1806. Her children, ten in number, were Susan, Barbara, Katie, Sarah, Lydia, Moses, Lizzie, Fannie, Daniel J. and Polly. Daniel J. Miller came to LaGrange County with his parents when seventeen years of age, and a few years later bought his father’s old homestead and lived there in Clay Township until about 1880. Since then he has made his home in Newbury Township and is owner of 100 acres of good farming land. He and his wife had three children : Harry D., Levi I. and Lucy, who is the wife of Herbert Hos- tetler and has a daughter, Arlene. Levi I. Miller attended the district schools of Newbury Township, is a graduate of the Shipshe- wana High School, and in the same year completed a commercial course in Valparaiso University. Dur- ing his first year out of school he was employed by the Farver Brothers Lumber Company at Ship- shewana, but in 1901 entered upon his banking career as assistant cashier of the Bank of Shipshewana. When this bank was reorganized in October, 1907, and the name changed to the Farmers State Bank he was promoted to the post of cashier and is the genial and efficient man with whom most of the patrons of that bank have done business ever since. Mr. Miller also writes fire and tornado insurance and is owner of a farm in Newbury Township. He was honored with the responsibilities of trustee of Newbury Township from January, 1915, to January, 1919. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Shipshewana. 136 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA June 6, 1906, he married Amanda Bowers, a daughter of Samuel and Catherine Bowers. They have two children: Helen, born January 10, 1912, and Stanley, born January 25, 1915. George H. Walberry. A special place of esteem has always been reserved for George H. Walberry in Otsego Township of Steuben County, where he has spent forty-five years of his life. Mr. Walberry made an interesting record as a soldier of the Union during the Civil war. He served with an Ohio regiment, and after coming to Indiana busied himself for many years in clearing and developing a good farm in Otsego Township and is still living there though now retired. He was born at Fremont in Sandusky County, Ohio, October 26, 1845, a son of Christian and Sophia (Miller) Walberry. His father was born in Germany, came to the United States at the age of twenty-two, and was married the same year. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania. Christian Wal- berry had a tragic end. He had been .away from home working for a neighbor, and on his return alone he was taken ill and died, and his body was not found for three days. His death occurred in July, 1846. George H. Walberry was then an in- fant, and the other child was Rhoda Ann. In 1854 the widowed mother married William Burkett, who died in 1864, the father of five children, Ellen Jane, George W., Caroline, Angeline and Charlotte. The first two are now deceased. The mother spent her last years at Elkhart, Indiana, where she died Janu- ary 9, 1883.. The family circumstances being as they were George H. Walberry early had to face serious re- sponsibilities upon his own account. He acquired some education in Sandusky County, and at the age of fifteen began working in sawmills and on farms. On December 9, 1863, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the Ninth Company of the First Battalion of Ohio Sharpshooters. This company was after- wards assigned to the Sixtieth Ohio Infantry, but after a protest to the Government it served its orig- inal purpose as sharpshooters for the Second Brigade, Third Division, Ninth Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Walberry was in his first battle at the Wilderness and later at Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor was under fire for seven days. He was in the siege of Petersburg, and was one of a party of twenty volunteers who responded to a call to “go over the top” and capture a portion of the enemy’s works. After the successful charge only ten were left uninjured. Mr. Walberry par- ticipated in thirteen battles, serving under Grant most of the time, was at the surrender of Appomat- tox, and was a special guard on a number of oc- casions. He stood guard at the Carroll prison in Washington when Mrs. Suratt, the famous spy and an accomplice in the murder of Lincoln, was hanged. Mr. Walberry received his honorable discharge July 28, 1865, and then returned home to his mother and worked at farming for a few years. On De- cember 5, 1875, he came to Steuben County, where the previous year he had bought ninety-five acres in Otsego Township. He at once busied himself with its clearing and improvement, put up good buildings, ditched the low ground, and successfully followed farming and stock raising there until the death of his wife in 1900. He then went to Oklahoma Terri- tory and proved up a quarter section of land in that part of the Southwest. He held his Oklahoma land until February, 1919, when he sold out at a good profit. Mr. Walberry is a democrat in politics. He was elected trustee of Otsego Township on an inde- pendent ticket in 1880. He is a member of the Grange and has been interested in all matters per- taining to the welfare of his community. December 22, 1867, at Woodville, Ohio, he mar- ried Miss Sarah Rhinehart, of Ottawa County in that state. She died in 1900, the mother of four children. Llewellyn, Perry O., Anna Bell and Roscoe Conklin. Charles W. Austin. The Austin family have kept their home and interests quite well concen- trated in Milford Township through a period of nearly eighty years. It is one of the oldest and best known families of LaGrange County. One of them, Charles W. Austin, has passed the age of three quarters of a century, but is still actively en- gaged in looking after his farm in section 21 of Milford Township, 2*4 miles north and % of a mile east of South Milford. He was born in section 31 of the same township, January 14, 1842, a son of John W. and Louisa (Fathergill) Austin. His father was a native of Maryland and was one of the first settlers in Mil- ford Township. The Fathergill family also came at an early date to LaGrange County, and located in Springfield Township. Louisa Fathergill was a na- tive of Ohio and was reared and married in Spring- field Township. Both parents spent their last years on a farm in section 31, where they owned eighty acres. They were members of the Methodist Church and the father was a republican. Of five children, three are still living: Charles W. ; Albert, a farmer in Milford Township; and Dora, widow of F. L. Racine, of Fort Wayne. Charles W. Austin grew up in section 31, attended the district schools in winter and worked on the farm in summer, and at the age of twenty-one bought land and became a practical farmer, a voca- tion he has followed ever since. He now has a place of forty acres devoted to general farming and stock raising. August 15, 1862, he married lea L. McGowen. She was born in Morrow County, Ohio, September 20, 1847, and spent two years of her girlhood in Iowa and after that settled with her family in Mil- ford Township. Mr. and Mrs. Austin have six liv- ing children : Rose, wife of Charles Grim, of Ken- dallville; Fred H„ of Kendallville ; Frank, at home; Grace, wife of Zofer Sherman; Floyd, of Milford Township; and Dora, wife of S. D. Vesey, of Mil- ford Township. Mr. Austin is a republican in political affiliations. Ira T. Bachelor. One of the oldest and most substantial American communities in Steuben County is in Millgrove Township, where a preponderance of the early settlers were New England people, par- ticularly from Vermont. Members of the Bachelor family have been identified with that section over eighty years, and one of the best known is Ira T. Bachelor. Mr. Bachelor was born in Jackson Township of Steuben County, August 14, 1853. His grandparents were Ira and Hannah (Green) Bachelor. They had two children, Amos and Lucy. Ira Bachelor died in Ohio, and after his death his widow became Mrs. Elijah Owen. By that marriage there were three children: Henry, Ira and Hannah. Elijah Owen brought his family to Steuben County in 1836, mak- ing the trip from Ohio with ox team and wagon, and they were among the first settlers of Millgrove Township. Amos Bachelor was eleven years old when brought to Indiana. He was born in Lake County, Ohio, in April, 1825. He married Susan Burroughs, who was born in New York State December 10, 1828, a HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 137 daughter of Rev. Truman Burroughs. Her father was a pioneer Baptist minister who carried the gos- pel through several counties in Indiana and Mich- igan. Amos Bachelor began his career as a farmer m Jackson Township, and in 1857 came to Millgrove Township. In May, 1869, he left the farm and lived at Waterloo until March, 1874, in order to give his children the advantage of high school. With that exception he spent all his active career on the farm in Millgrove Township. In the fall of 1899 he retired from farming and moved to Angola, where he died January 29, 1905. His widow passed away in June, 1911. Amos Bachelor was one of the highly successful farmers of Steuben County, and at one time owned over 500 acres of productive land. He and his wife had four children : Ellen, who is the wife of James Campbell and lives at Waterloo; Ira, Fre- mont and Elmer. Ira Bachelor in his individual career has mani- fested many of the good business qualities of his father. He acquired a good education, partly in the district schools of Jamestown Township, also in the high school at Waterloo, and for three terms he taught school. He has many talents and gifts in music. He began his farming career in Millgrove Township, where he has lived for over thirty years. He owns a farm of 185 acres, and all its substantial buildings were put on the land by him with the ex- ception of one house. Mr. Bachelor married in 1873 Miss Etta Patter- son, daughter of William Patterson. They have three children: Clyde, Io, wife of Fred Terry, and Paul. Theodore Hunt. The passing years have dealt pleasantly with Theodore Hunt, one of the prosper- ous farmers of Franklin Township, DeKalb County. He has lived in DeKalb County most of his life, has worked hard for his prosperity, and enjoys high standing as a citizen and has a happy family around him. Mr. Hunt, whose sixty-eight acre farm devoted to general crops and livestock is six miles north of But- ler and near the Town of Hamilton, was born at Fostoria, Ohio, October 9, 1864, a son of Theodore and Harriet H. (Boughton) Hunt. His father was born near Fostoria and his mother was a native of Connecticut, coming when a girl with her parents to Seneca County, Ohio. In 1867 the Hunt family moved to Williams County, Ohio, locating five miles northwest of Bryan. In 1877 they settled in Frank- lin Township of DeKalb County, but after several years sold their property and returned to Bryan for about two and a half years. They then resumed their residence in Franklin Township, where the father and mother spent their last years. They were active members of the Methodist Church and the father was a worker in the Grange and was a past grand and member of the Grand Lodge of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he was a stanch republican. He and his wife have eight children : Ellen and H. B., both deceased ; Emma, wife of John Hinkle; Mary, deceased wife of Ed Hinkle; Theodore; Hattie, wife of Arthur Oberlin; Eben ; and Jennie, wife of Oren Aldrich. Mr. Theodore Hunt was about thirteen years old when his parents first came to Franklin Township. He completed his education in the district schools, and after the age of nineteen began his independent career. On December 31, 1883, he married Belle Taylor, daughter of Jasper S. Taylor. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have three children : Grace, wife of Bert Oren ; Ida, wife of Guy Obbendorph ; and Ralph T., who makes his home with his father. Mr. Hunt is affiliated with Hamilton Lodge No. 648 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a past grand, and he and his wife are both members of the Rebekahs. Politically he is a republican. Charles Black. It was not altogether personal popularity nor partisan strength that resulted in the choice of Charles Black for sheriff of Noble County at the general election of November, 1918. Mr. Black has exceptional qualifications for any posi- tion to which he might aspire. He has been a resi- dent of Noble County practically all his life, is a sturdy and thorough farmer, and bought and sold stock for a number of years and has been direct- ing the management of a good farm right up to the date he assumed the duties of his office. Mr. Black was born in York Township October 18, 1871, son of John W. and Matilda (Tyler) Black. His parents were both born in Stark County, Ohio. The father was born October 16, 1837. They were married in that county, and about the close of the Civil war moved to Noble County, Indiana. After a few years in York Township as a renter John W. Black bought a farm, and at the time of his death owned 156 acres. He was a republican, quite active in his party, and served at one time as assessor of York Township. In his family were twelve children, five of whom are still living: John W., a resident of Canton, Ohio; Emmett, a farmer in York Town- ship; Charles; Calvin, of York Township; and Jen- nie, wife of David Young, of LaGrange County, Indiana. Mr. Charles Black grew up in York Township and attended school in winter and worked on the farm in summer. At the age of twenty-one he left home and spent' three years in Illinois, and on returning to Noble County he and his brother bought ninety acres in York Township and farmed it in partner- ship for five years. Mr. Black then sold his in- terest to his "brother and on March 7, 1912, he moved to Albion and engaged in the business of buying and shipping livestock. He lived on his farm three miles southwest of Albion and also has a residence in the Town of Albion. He is a stock- holder in the Albion Grist Mill. Air. Black has been active in republican politics for a number of years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and he and his family attend worship in the Pres- byterian Church of York Township. October 17, 1901, he married Aliss Lulu A. Aloore. Mrs. Black died October 9, 1916, the mother of two sons, Clarence G. and Charles D. On February 28, 1918, Air. Black married Mrs. Gail Frazure. Noah S. Stump. For nearly forty years the Stump family have been factors in the agricultural development and business and civic enterprise of Washington Township in Noble County. Noah S. Stump, who came to that locality when he was a boy, is a farm owner, farmer and stock raiser in section 22. He was born in Jackson Township of Elkhart County, Indiana, December 7, 1873, son of Noah and Alaria (Hettzel) Stump, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Pennsylvania. The Stump and Hettzel families came to Indiana in early days and Noah and Maria were married here, after which they settled four and a half miles southwest of Paris, Indiana, and from there in 1880, after selling their farm, went to the western frontier in Nebraska, but after a brief experience returned to Indiana and then bought land in Wash- ington Township of Noble County. Both parents 138 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA spent the rest of their lives in this county, where the father died in 1912, and the mother in May, 1917. They were active members of the River Brethren Church. A brief record of their large family of twelve children is as follows : Daniel D., a former county commissioner of Noble County; Anna, deceased; Adam, of Washington Township; Susan, of Kosciusko County; Mary, wife of Marion S. Weigle, of Washington Township; John B., of Washington Township; Fannie, wife of Lewis C. Hontz ; Noah S. ; Frank, of Monroe, Michigan; Levi, deceased; James, of Columbia City; and George, of Washington Township. Noah S. Stump was seven years old when his parents came to Washington Township, and in addition to the advantages of the district schools attended the Tri-State College at Angola and has a term or so of teaching to his credit. On December 30, 1899, he married Aldine Hontz. She was born in Noble County, August 26, 1872, and is a daughter of Jacob Hontz. Mr. and Mrs. Stump have three children : Earl, a graduate of the common schools and with three years of attendance at high school, is unmarried and is still at home; Jennie is a gradu- ate of the common schools and attending high school ; and Paul is still in the district school. Mrs. Stump is a member of the Baptist Church. He is a past grand of Lodge No. 722 of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, is a member of the Grand Lodge, and is past chief patriarch of the Encampment. Both he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs and she is a past grand of that order. He is also affiliated with Cromwell Lodge No. 705, Free and Accepted Masons. Politically, Mr. Stump is a democrat. The farm which he conducts with so much profit comprises 147 acres. One phase of his efforts there is the breeding of registered hogs. He is a stockholder and director in the Sparta State Bank at Cromwell and is also a stockholder in the Farmers National Life Insurance Company. Frederick E. Shroyer, who in his early life was a successful teacher, has been equally successful as a practical farmer. He is one of the best known men of Milford Township in LaGrange County, where he is the present township trustee. Mr. Shroyer was born in Orange Township of Noble County, Indiana, August 23, 1882, a son of William F. and Florence (Reinoehl) Shroyer. His father was born in the same township of the county April 30, 1861, a son of Edward and Mary (Swine- hart) Shroyer, both natives of Ohio, who came to Noble County in early days and settled in Orange Township. William F. Shroyer now lives near Hel- mer, Indiana, an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, an Odd Fellow and a democrat in political affiliations. He and his wife had three children, one of whom died in infancy. The two sons are Frederick E. and John F. The latter is a graduate of the Bushy Prairie High School, gradu- ated from Business College in Fort Wayne, and is a farmer in DeKalb County. Frederick E. Shroyer grew up on a farm in Orange Township of Noble County and received his first advantages in the district schools there. He also graduated from high school, attended the State Normal at Terre Haute, Indiana, and spent one year in the State University at Bloomington. Mr. Shroyer was a teacher in the common schools for seven years and for two years in high school. September 12, 1907, he married Inez Milbourn. She is also a graduate of the high school at South Milford and for four years taught there, being the primary teacher in South Milford. They have two children, Harold E., born October 21, 1910, and Mildred I., born January 16, 1914. The Shroyer family are members of the Christian Church at Stroh, Indiana. He is affiliated with Philo Lodge No. 672 of Masons, and in politics is a democrat. Before entering upon his duties as town- ship trustee he served four years as township as- sessor, from January 1, 1915, to January 1, 1919. Mr. Shroyer is a general farmer and stock raiser, having 136 acres in Milford Township under his management. Robert H. Snowberger, one of the successful farmers and landowners of Northeast Indiana, was a veteran of the Civil war, and for over half a cen- tury has been identified with different agricultural communities in Steuben and DeKalb counties. He comes from a family of well known promi- nence in this section of Indiana, being a son of David and Evelyn (Haughey) Snowberger. Some of the other details of the family history are found on other pages. Robert H. Snowberger was born in Ashland County, Ohio, December 19, 1845, but grew up in Steuben County, acquiring his education in the Cali- fornia district school in Steuben Township. He was not yet eighteen years of age when on August 4, 1863, he enlisted in Company D of the Seventh In- diana Cavalry. He was in service for more than two years, receiving his honorable discharge February 2, 1866. He participated in the campaign in Missis- sippi, involving the battles of Okolona and Guntown, and saw much other active service. After his return from the army Mr. Snowberger did some ditching work for a year and a half, then bought a small stretch of land in Steuben Township, a few years later moved to DeKalb County, and remained there a year and a half, again moved to Steuben Town- ship and then located on the farm where he had previously lived in DeKalb County, and remained there nine years. His next place was a farm of 200 acres in Pleasant Township of Steuben County, and that was his home and the scene of his activities for the next twenty-nine years. After leaving there Mr. Snowberger and his family lived in Angola for a year, and in March, 1918, he moved to his present place in Jamestown Township. His efforts have been prospered, and at the present time he owns about 359 acres in Pleasant and Jamestown town- ships. Mr. Snowberger is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He married in 1867 Maria Lacey, daughter of Thomas Lacey. Some of the records of the Lacey family are found on other pages. Mrs. Snowberger, who died in 1909, was- the mother of five children, the first two dying in in- fancy. Those living are : Cary M. a dentist at Hud- son ; Grace A. the wife of Homer Brown ; and Fred who also follows the profession of dentistry. Mr. Snowberger married for his second wife Mrs. Clara Baker. James C. DeVinney. While much of his time is spent away from LaGrange County in handling his business as a traveling salesman, James C. DeVinney is a member of an old and well known family of this part of Northeast Indiana, and owns an exten- sive and well arranged farm in Van Buren Town- ship. He was born in Newbury Township of LaGrange County November 28, 1858, a son of Dennis and Lauretta (Dibble) DeVinney. His father was a native of Pennsylvania. Lauretta Dibble was born in New York State, a daughter of Volney C. and Hannah Fidelia (Parker) Dibble. Volney Dibble was born in the same state January 7, 1808, a son of Andrew Dibble, and came to Lima, Indiana, in 1843, and conducted a wagon making shop there until HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 139 1859. He then moved to a farm in Elkhart County, later established his home in Newbury Township of LaGrange County, and continued farming until 1871. After that he spent four years in DeKalb County, and in 1876 moved to the farm now owned by James C. DeVinney in Van Buren Township, in section 32. He lived there until his death in 1901. He was a good mechanic and a capable farmer and a man whose relations with the community gave him a place of special prominence. Volney C. Dibble had three children : Hannah, Lauretta and Adel- bert. Dennis DeVinney came to LaGrange County when a young man, and after his marriage worked in the wagon shop with Mr. Dibble. Subsequently he was a farmer in Newbury Township, and he died in 1863, when a comparatively young man. His wife had passed away in 1862. Their children were : Charles A., who lives in DeKalb County, and by his marriage to Emma Treman had three children, Laura, Clair, who died at the age of two years, and George. James t. is the second child. Ida L. L. is the widow of Charles Weiss, who died April 2, 1915, and her children are Lola Fidelia, Henry C., E. Eugene, Earl C., and Ruth, who died when four and a half years old. James C. DeVinney, who is popularly known as Mont DeVinney, was left an orphan when about five years of age, and he and his brother and sister were reared by their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Dibble. He attended public school in Newbury and Van Buren townships, also the Normal School at LaGrange, and taught seven terms of school. For over two years he clerked in a store at Howe, Indi- ana, and then took up his work as a traveling sales- man, which he followed for seven years. From 1892 to 1907 he was in the general merchandise business at Howe. He sold out in 1907 and spent the follow- ing two years repairing and working the home farm. Since 1909 he has had a general agency for the well known Kalamazoo tile and wood silos. He sup- ervises the sale of these silos in fifteen counties in Northern Illinois. Mr. DeVinney owns the fine 175-acre farm in Van Buren Township where his widowed sister and her family reside. When he is not looking after his business affairs in Illinois he makes his home with his sister on the farm. Mr. DeVinney is un- married. He served as trustee of Lima Township four years and for three years was manager of the Lima Creamery. Mr. DeVinney is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Howe and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at LaGrange, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Howe. Raymond J. Luse. There are a number of illus- trations of men who have gone from the farm into commercial and professional careers. The cases are not so numerous where young professional men have given up their chosen work to devote them- selves to agriculture. A case in point is that of Raymond J. Luse, who enjoyed high standing as a physician and surgeon in Steuben County and a few years ago surrendered his practice and has made unequivocal success at dairy farming. Doctor Luse was born at Niles, Ohio, March 13, 1880, son of Jesse B. and Frances (Sanderson) Luse, the former a native of Niles and the latter of Youngstown, Ohio. His father is still engaged in farming near the industrial city of Niles. Dr. Raymond J. Luse grew up on his father’s farm and in early life acquired some of the experi- ence and training which has fitted him for success since he entered dairying. He was educated in the common and high schools of Niles, and first came to Northeastern Indiana as a student in the Normal College of Angola. He graduated in 1900 and in 1902 entered the school of medicine of Drake Uni- versity of Des Moines, Iowa, graduating in the year 1906. He at once returned to Angola, and took up the practice of medicine, which he continued suc- cessfully for seven years. Mr. Luse left his profes- sion in 1013, and then moved to his farm one mile west of Angola. He has acquired a splendid herd of blooded Holsteins, noted for their milk produc- tion, and keeps twenty cows for his splendid busi- ness of dairy farming. Doctor Luse married in 1907 Clela Powers, daughter of Judge Powers, of Angola. They have two children : Raymond Powers and Anna. Doctor and Mrs. Luse are members of the Christian Church. Charles W. Dancer, M. D„ who has practiced medicine and surgery at Stroh for the past eighteen years, comes of a well known family of professional and business men in LaGrange County. He is a son of Dr. John.and Isabelle (Hodges) Dancer and was born at South Milford, November 29, 1871. His father became well known all over Northeast Indiana. He was a native of Stark Coun- ty, Ohio, and spent most of his boyhood in DeKalb County, Indiana. He graduated from Rush Medical College in Chicago and for nearly half a century practiced his profession at South Milford, in an ever growing circle of esteem. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, at Ken- dallville, and a democrat in politics. He served two or three terms as trustee of Milford Township. Doctor Dancer and wife had ten children, six of whom are still living: Maggie, wife of Ephraim Frandt; Katie J., widow of Dr. H. M. Newman, of South Milford ; Dr. Charles W. ; Edna, wife of Dallas West, a chemist with the Wabash Portland Cement Company at Stroh ; George W., a dentist at Dayton, Ohio; and Jesse E., an interurban railway conductor with home at Fort Wayne. Dr. Charles W. Dancer grew up in South Milford, attended the public schools there, and in 1893 gradu- ated from St. Mary’s College at Dayton, Ohio. From 1895 to 1898 he was a student in Rush Medical College, his father’s alma mater, and took his degree in medicine from the Tennessee Medical College in 1899. The following year he located at Stroh, and has since had a busy town and country practice. He is a member in good standing of the County and State Medical societies, is a democrat and has served as county chairman of LaGrange County four years. He has also been a trustee of Milford Township and a few years ago was nominated for the State Senate on the democratic ticket. In a district normalR republican by 2,500 he was defeated by only 800 votes. Dr. Dancer is a charter member and was the first master of Philo Lodge No. 672, Ancient Free and Accepted Mason, and is affiliated with the Royal Arch Chapter and Knight Templar Ccm- manderv at Kendallville. He has also passed the chairs in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men. Doctor Dancer married Elizabeth Weingart in 1908. George M. Manahan has lived a life of unusual ’ experience and has had his home and work in a number of different environments. In early life he was thrown- upon his own responsibilities, had to work for himself and others, too, but in the course of thirty years has accumulated a generous pros- perity and is now one of the leading farmers and farm owners in Jackson Township of Steuben County. 140 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA He was born in Ottawa County, Ohio, December 26, 1865. His parents were Ira and Nancy (Weatherwax) Manahan. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Manahan, was a farmer in Ottawa County, Ohio, and had a family of children named Rebecca, Elizabeth, James, William, Samuel, Ira, Jefferson, Thomas and Joseph. Ira Manahan was also born in Ottawa County, Ohio, October 9, 1836, and on March 1, 1863, married Nancy Weatherwax. She was born August 28, 1842, a daughter of Lawrence and Nancy Maria (Weatherwax) Weatherwax. Lawrence was born October 3, 1813, and Nancy Maria, March 1, 1821. In the Weatherwax family were six children: Elizabeth, born June 13, 1838; Lydia, born April 2, 1840; Nancy, born August 28, 1842; John, who died in infancy; Maria Jane, born July 18, 1855; and Martha, born July 23, 1859. Ira Manahan during his active life was a farmer in Ottawa County, Ohio. He died there October 16, 1872, when his son George was only seven years old. After his death his wife and children continued to live on the home farm some eight or ten years, and the family then came to Pleasant Township of Steuben County. Mrs. Manahan bought a farm of fifty acres about two miles west of Angola, and lived on that place until 1892. She then went west to Adams County, Nebraska, and kept house for her two sons, Charles and Bert, and remained there until the marriage of her son Charles, since which time she has resumed her residence in Steuben County and now lives at Angola. She was the mother of a family of five : Samuel L., born July 10, 1864 ; George M., whose birth has above been noted; Minnie Jane, born October 30, 1867, wife of Edward Baker ; Charles W., born October 24, 1869; and Bert I., born September 22, 1871. George M. Manahan acquired most of his edu- cation in his native county of Ohio, but also at- tended district schools in Pleasant Township. He was only thirteen years old when -he became a wage earner, working out at $10 a month. His career as an independent farmer was begun in 1888 in Pleasant Township on a rented farm. After a year and a half he moved to Jackson Township, continued farming there until 1894, and then spent a year as a farmer in Nebraska. After returning to Steuben County he located in Pleasant Town- ship and for fifteen years lived on various places and made a number of moves, though most of the time he was a farmer. He has owned several dif- ferent farms and has been a permanent resident of Jackson Township since 1911, when he bought his present place. The prosperity gained by years of effort is represented in the ownership of 265 acres, with building improvements of exceptional value. Mr. Manahan married Nellie R. Moore, a daugh- ter of Robert and Rachel A. Moore. They have two children : Glenn L., who married Hilda Leese ; and Esther C. George F. Praul. One of the most complete and modern farms in DeKalb County is the Maple Lawn Farm, a mile and a half north of Butler in Franklin Township. Its proprietor is George F. Praul, and on the land which he cultivates today he was born November 19, 1869. He is a son of Edwin A. and Sarah A. (Firestone) Praul, both of whom were also natives of Franklin Township, the father born December 15, 1848, and the mother September 13, 1851. The paternal grand- parents were Edward and Lucy (Thompson) Praul, the former a native of Pennsylvania while the latter was born in Greene County, New York, March 16, 1817. They were married in New York, moved from there to Pennsylvania and then to Indiana in 1845, locating in Wilmington Township and later in Frank- lin Township, where they spent the rest of their lives. Lucy Praul died March 13, 1885, while he died July 4, 1863, his death being the result of a rattle- snake bite. Of their twelve children five are still living, named Lucinda, wife of Nick Bucher, of Cincinnati; Nancy, widow of Benjamin Walton, of Garrett ; -Hattie, wife of Charles Thompson ; Min- nie, widow of Watson Halabaugh ; and Rachel, widow of Henry Workman. Edwin Praul grew up in DeKalb County in a lo- cality and under circumstances which prevented him from getting a good education. On July 3, 1868, he married Sarah A. Firestone, who was one of thir- teen children, five of whom are still living. George F. Praul was the only child of his parents and he has spent practically all his life on the home farm. As a boy there he attended the common schools. On December 27, 1893, he married Mar- garet A. McClintock. She was borji in Troy Town- ship, DeKalb County, February 18, 1873, a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Scott) McClintock. Her father was a native of Perry County, Pennsylvania, and her mother of Crawford County, Ohio. They were married in Ohio and in 1867 came to Indiana. Jeremiah McClintock was a Union soldier, having served three years in Company K of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry. In later years he was active in the Grand Army of the Republic and was an influential mem- ber of the republican party. In the McClintock fam- ily were four children, three of whom are still living: Elias, of Auburn; Margaret and Mattie, wife of Vernon L. Kepler, of Troy Township. Mrs. Praul received her education in the common schools of Troy Township. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Praul lived on a rented farm two and a half years, then spent six years at Butler, and with that exception they have lived on the old homestead. Mr. Praul has sixty acres of good farm land and he is also one of the directors of the Butler Farmers Elevator Company and a stockholder in the Arctic Cooperative Livestock Association. He has been active in the republican party and he and his wife are members of the Wilmington Grange. Both are affiliated with the Pythian Sisters, Mrs. Praul being past chief and a member of the Grand Lodge. His membership is with Butler Lodge No. 158, Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Praul is a Methodist. They have three children : Sherley E. is a grad- uate of high school, also took advanced training at Winona and Angola, and for three years was a teacher. She is now the wife of Clarence T. Car- son, and lives in Chicago. Bessie G. is a high school graduate, wife of D. A. Baker, of Butler. Russell E., the youngest, is still at home and attending school. Ori.a L. Fast. Bearing a name that has long been honored in the citizenship of Steuben County, Orla L. Fast has added credit to the name and is now holding one of the responsible offices of the county, as trustee of Pleasant Township. Mr. Fast has lived at Angola since he left his farm about ten years ago. He was born in Pleasant Township, Steuben Countv. Tuly 17, 1867. a son of Christian and Rhoda M. (Wells) Fast. His grandparents were Martin and Catherine (Blosser) Fast, of Pennsylvania. In 1816 they moved to Ashland County, Ohio, the total population of which then consisted of nine families. Catherine Fast for three months never saw the face of a white woman. The county settled rapidly after they came, and Martin and Catherine spent their last years with every comfort of civilization. They HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 141 reared a family of seven children, named John, Anna, Eli, Mary, Jacob, Christian and Elijah. Christian Fast was born in Fayette County, Penn- sylvania, February 12, 1814, and from the age of two years lived in the pioneer surroundings of Ash- land County, where he farmed for several years. In 1852 he brought his family to Steuben County, and secured 160 acres in Pleasant Township. Only four acres had been cleared. Twenty acres he re- served as a timber lot, but all the rest gradually came under cultivation, and he earned an abundant prosperity. He died December 13, 1898. In 1839 he married Henrietta Sowle, who was born in Oneida County, New York, in 1820, daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Allen) Sowle. She died in December, 1859, mother of the following children : Joseph J. ; Rosanna, who married Alonzo Burlin- game ; Mary, whose husband was Orville Goodale ; Francis Allen; Eli; Rachel, who became the wife of Melville McGrew; John A., who died young; and Henrietta. Christian Fast married for his sec- ond wife Rhoda M. Wells, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, December 12, 1837, daughter of Loton and Anna M. (Sowle) Wells. To the second mar- riage were born : Elmer, who died in infancy ; Ira C. ; Orla L. ; and Laura, who died aged nine years, Christian Fast was a justice of the peace many years, and was a member of the Christian Church. Orla L. Fast, after getting his education in the district schools of Pleasant Township, took charge of his father’s farm, and from the age of twenty- one handled it independently and planted and har- vested crops there every season until 1910, when he left the farm and moved to Angola. In the county seat he was for two years engaged in the draying business. He was elected trustee of Pleasant Town- ship in 1914, and in 1918 the citizens set the seal of their approval upon his capable administration by returning him for a second term of four years. He is a popular member of the Masonic and. Odd Fellows lodges, and is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Fast married Miss Catherine Penner, daugh- ter of Martin and Elizabeth Penner. Their family consists of five children, named Paul A., Mildred A., Arline, Hershel and Henrietta. Milo R. Jones has been a prominent citizen of Orange Township, Noble County, for many years, is a native of that township, and his family were established in this section of Indiana at a pioneer date. Mr. Jones is prominent in local affairs and is the present assessor of his township. He was born January 30, i854< son of George R. and Hannah E. (Hunter) Jones. His father was a native of New York State, and his mother of Champaign County, Ohio. His grandfather, Milo Jones, came to LaGrange County, Indiana, as early as 1843, and a few years later moved to Noble County and settled in Orange Township. He lived to the age of eighty-five. The family were mem- bers of the Free Will Baptist Church, and the grandfather was a Mason and a republican and was active in politics, serving four years as trustee of Orange Township. Milo R. Jones was one of five children, one of whom died in infancy. He is the oldest of the four still living. His brother William O. is a re- tired farmer in Orange Township. Ichabod also lives in Orange Township and Lucy A. is the wife of John Taylor. Milo R. Jones grew up in Orange Township and lived with his grandfather to the age of twenty- one. He received a common school education. After reaching his majority he farmed the old homestead. June 4, 1876, he married Sallie A. Eddy. She died leaving two children : Grace, now the wife of Benjamin F. King, of Elkhart Township, and Enos M., who married Mildred Conklin. For his second wife Mr. Jones married Ella Kesler. She died in 1900, without children. For his third wife he mar- ried Mrs. Ada E. Kesler, widow of Albert Kesler and daughter of Samuel Wolf. Mrs. Jones by her first husband has two children : Grover, who mar- ried Maude Hanes and lives in Noble County; and Edith, a graduate of the Rome City High School and a graduate nurse of the Fletcher Sanitarium at Indianapolis. Mr. Jones is an active republican. He has served ten years in the office of township assessor and was reelected to that office November 5, 1918, for an- other term of four years. As a farmer he cultivates eighty acres of the rich and productive soil of Orange Township, his home being in section 9. Guy K. Friend. Though born over the state line in Branch County, Michigan, Guy K. Friend has spent most of his life in Steuben County, grew up on a farm, and has found in farming a congenial and profitable vocation through which he has expressed his best service to himself and the world. Mr. Friend, who is owner of one of the good farms of Millgrove Township, was born in Noble Township of Branch County July 30, 1870, a son of Jefferson L. and Nancy (Kidder) Friend. Jef- ferson L. Friend was a native of Stark County, Ohio, grew up in Williams County, Ohio, served as a soldier in the Union Army, and a few years after the war bought a farm in Millgrove Town- ship which had been originally settled and cleared by his wife’s father, Alanson Kidder, a pioneer of 1836 in Steuben County and a member of the orig- inal Vermont colony at Orland. Guy K. Friend acquired his education in Orland, including his high school course, and for several years was associated with his brother Morton in running his home farm. In 1901 he bought a place in section 29 of Millgrove Township a half mile south of Orland, but after four years sold out and bought his present farm of 224 acres in section 16. Since then he has improved the place with build- ings and other facilities, and his surroundings indi- cate every degree of prosperity. December 25, 1892, Air. Friend married Emma B. Barber, a daughter of William and Sidney (Slay- baugh) Barber, and a sister of W. S. Barber. Mr. and Mrs. Friend are members of the Congrega- tional Church at Orland. George A. Wagner for a number of years has been identified in a progressive and enterprising way with the agricultural affairs of Franklin Township, De- Kalb County, is a native of that township, but for a considerable period of his lifetime lived in .the West and laid the basis of his fortune as a farmer there. He was born in Franklin Township September 7, 1867, a son of Fred and Maria (Healy) Wagner. His father was born in Germany February 14, 1834, was educated there, and at the age of twenty came to the United States and settled in Ohio and later moved to DeKalb County. He married in DeKalb County and then settled on a farm in Franklin Town- ship, where he lived out his industrious career until his death on August 2, 1902. His widow survived him until February 8, 1914. He was a Dunkard in religion and a democrat in politics. There were six children: Lena, wife of J. E. Firestone; Ada, wife of John Rohrbaugh; George A.; Cora, wife of Ora Hiner; Essie, wife of Luther Bryan; and Jesse, of Butler. 142 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA George A. Wagner grew up in Franklin Township. He was educated in the district schools and at the age of nineteen left home and went out to the states of Nebraska and Kansas, where he spent altogether thirteen years. He acquired a quarter section home- stead and after developing and improving that bought 160 acres more. After selling his lands in the West he returned to DeKalb County and bought the forty acre farm where he lives today. In 1904 Mr. Wagner married Kate Chambers. She was born in Wisconsin May 10, 1864, but came to Indiana with her parents at the age of _ six years and was reared in Steuben County, attending school at Fremont. She was one of the nine children, seven of whom are still living, of Nicholas and Mary J. (Noyes) Chambers. Mr. Wagner is a past grand of Butler Lodge No. 282 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is also a member of the Encampment, and he and his wife are affiliated with the Rebekah Lodge at Butler. They are also members of the Wilmington Grange, of which he is a past master. For some years he has been prominent in the democratic party in De- Kalb County, has served as a member of the election board and has also been a township supervisor. He is a trustee of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Butler. Alfred Pendill for many years has been actively identified with the farming interests of Steuben County, where he was reared and educated, and has one of the well-improved places of Pleasant Town- ship. As a farmer he depends not only upon hard work but good judgment in handling his crops and marketing the products of the farm, and has every reason to be satisfied with the prosperity he has achieved. His father is Hiram J. Pendill, living on the same farm in Pleasant Township. Hiram J. Pendill was born in Union Township of Branch County, Michi- gan, August 21, 1837, son of James and Eliza (Wilder) Pendill, the former a native of Palmyra, New York, and the latter also a native of that state. James Pendill was one of the first settlers in Branch County, Michigan. It was a country of woods and prairies, and for a number of years he used his axe as diligently as he did his plow. He helped clear up that county and spent the rest of his life there as a farmer. His children by his first wife were Mary, Elijah, Hiram and Melvin. He married for his second wife Melvina Rice, and she had three children, Samuel, Louisa and James. James Pendill married for his third wife Mrs. Eliza Barnes. Hiram J. Pendill attended school, in Branch County and when a young man was initiated into the business of farming. In February, 1861, he came to Mill Grove Township of. Steuben County, and after five or six years working for others he engaged in farming for himself, and that continued his occupation for practically half a century. In 1905 he moved to the farm of his son Alfred and has since lived there. Hiram Pendill married Sarah Hyzer. They had four children, Eva, Alfred, Ortensa and Frank. Alfred Pendill acquired his early education in the public schools of Millgrove Township. He learned farming under his father, was associated with the elder Pendill for a number of years, and. since 1905 has occupied his present home and farm in Pleasant Township. Alfred Pendill married Miss Ella Brown, now deceased. She was a daughter of Jerry and Margaret (Arnold) Brown. Mr. Pendill is the father of four children : Eva M., wife of Asa Johnson; Earl, who married Nora Harter; Robert R„ who married Mina Sowle; and William, whose wife was Elsie Stuttler. Dallas Wert is a member of an old and well known family of Milford Township, LaGrange County, and his own career has been partly busi- ness and partly professional. He is now head chemist of the Wabash Portland Cement Company of Stroh. He was born on the old Wert farm in Milford Township, June 9, 1870, a son of Daniel and Eliza M. (Miller) Wert. Some of the important facts concerning his family are published on other pages. Dallas Wert, youngest of his father’s children, grew up on a farm, attended the Center brick school in Milford Township, and took his college work in St. Mary’s College at Dayton, Ohio, where he graduated with the degree Bachelor of Science. Later he was student in Purdue University, and' at one time was a prescription drug clerk at Mil- ford. For four and a half years he was engaged in the furniture business, but in 1903 went with the Wabash Portland Cement Company as a chemist. In 1907 he was promoted to head chemist in charge of the laboratory, and has had supervision of the technical processes of manufacture in the plant at Stroh. March 18, 1897, Mr. Wert married Dee Edna Dancer, member of another well known family of LaGrange County. She was born at South Mil- ford and besides her education in the local schools she attended the Conservatory of Music, being also a vocal student of Hillsdale College of Michigan. They have three children: Bernard N., born Feb- ruary 5, 1898, was in the Students’ Army Training Corps at the University of Michigan and is now a student at St. Mary’s College at Dayton. Ohio. The two younger children are Octa H. and Norma E., the former a student in the Kendallville High School and the latter in the grade schools at Stroh. Mr. Wert is affiliated with Philo Lodge No. 672, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is a dem- ocrat in politics. Oliver M. Gramling is the prosperous owner of a 135-acre farm in Jackson Township of DeKalb County, has made most of his prosperity through his own efforts, and is one of the leading citizens of that community. He is a stock man and a breeder of high grade Durham cattle. Mr. Gramling, whose home is a mile and a half southwest of Auburn, was born in Smithfield Town- ship of DeKalb County May 12, 1864, a son of Peter and Lavinia (Meyers) Gramling. His father was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1848, and his mother in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1842. They were married in Ohio and then came to Indiana and set- tled in Smithfield Township and spent the rest of their lives there. They were active members of the Barkers Chapel of the Methodist Church, and Peter Gramling was a republican. He served as postmas- ter at Summit, Indiana. In the family were eight children : Mary, wife of Thomas Lacy ; Oliver M. ; Isaac S., a railroad man living at York, Pennsyl- vania ; Eleva, wife of Thad W. Thomas ; Lottie, wife of J. I. Farley, head salesman of the Auburn Automobile Company; W. H., a farmer at Summit, Indiana; Carrie, wife of William Zurbrugg; and Richard A., of Cleveland, Ohio. Oliver M. Gramling and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Auburn. He is a re- publican in politics. He married Miss Helen I. Shaffer, who was born in Union Township of De- Kalb County arid is a graduate of the Auburn High School. They have three children : Lester S., born March 1, 1901, a student in the Auburn High School; Frances L., born September 30, 1906; and Oliver H., born December 11, 1907. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 143 Daniel W. Weitz, who was through the Civil war as a Union soldier, has for half a century been an honored resident of Williams and DeKalb coun- ties, for more than fifty years being a farmer in Troy Township of the latter county. His home is a half mile west of Arctic. Mr. Weitz, who is also a justice of the peace, was born in Portage County, Ohio, June 7, 1840, son of Adam and Elizabeth (Yeager) Weitz. His father was born at Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in February, 1810, while the mother was born in Beaver Countv, Pennsylvania. They were married Septem- ber 17, 1839, at Franklin Mills in Portage County by B. F. Hopkins. They lived in Portage County for several years, and in 1846 became pioneers in Williams County, Ohio, where they spent the rest of their lives at Edgerton. Adam Weitz was reared a Catholic but later became a prominent member of the Methodist Church and founded the Weitz Methodist Episcopal Church in Williams County. He also took up democratic affiliation in politics but in 1856 joined the newly established republican party. He held several township offices. He and his wife had a family of eleven children, nine of whom are still living: Daniel W. ; John A., de- ceased; Harriet; Lucina and Lavina, twins; Joseph; Charles W. ; Thomas T. ; George A.; Francis E. and William A., deceased. Daniel W. Weitz grew up on a farm in Williams County and acquired most of his education in school district No. 3 and in high school at Williams Cen- ter. He also made liberal use of his opportunities to study outside of school, and became a very suc- cessful teacher, a vocation he followed for about twenty years. Most of his teaching he did after the war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H of the Third Ohio Cavalry, and was with that com- mand until the close of hostilities, being mustered out with the rank of first sergeant. Though he was never wounded nor taken prisoner he was con- fined to a hospital by illness for six months. After the war he returned to Williams County and on October 11, 1868, married Mary E. Bower- sox. She was born in St. Joe Township of Wil- liams County, being the first white girl born in that township. She was a sister of Judge C. A. Bowersox of Bryan, Ohio. In 1869, soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Weitz removed to Troy Township of DeKalb County, and have had their home there for over fifty years. He owns a farm of 130 acres. He was also the first president of the First National Bank of Butler, serving for three years, then became the vice president and is now a stockholder of that bank. Mrs. Weitz died Sep- tember 9, 1902. Of their five children three are still living: Nellie, who is a graduate of the high school at Edgerton, Ohio, and Tri-State College at Angola, is the wife of Joseph R. Wiley; Floy, who is a young woman of brilliant intellect and has spent twelve years as a teacher in Troy Township, is unmarried and lives at home with her father ; Charles H. is a graduate of the Butler High School and Purdue University, with a degree in civil en- gineering, and is now in business at Salt Lake City. Mr. Weitz is affiliated with Forest Lodge of Ma- sons at Butler, is a member of Meade Post No. 144 of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a re- publican in politics. He voted for Abraham Lincoln under a pine tree in 1864. He was then in Georgia in war service. He has served as a justice of the peace for about thirty years. During a residence in Edgerton, Ohio, he served as a member of the City Council and as City Solicitor. J. P. Cox. Steuben County furnishes not a few examples of men who have spent many years in business, trades and professions, and who for the settled years of their careers made a choice of farm- ing and country life. One of them is J. P. Cox, who, however, was born and reared on a farm in Salem Township, and after spending two decades at the painter’s trade bought back a portion of the property on which he spent his boyhood and is now success- fully engaged in raising corn and hogs and other crops. Mr. Cox was born in Salem Township April 17, 1866, a son of Eli D. and Margaret (Eckerd) Cox and a grandson of Jacob and Ann (Denman) Cox. His grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania, moving from that state to Ohio. Jacob Cox was a Wayne County farmer, and died there in 1881. His children were Eli D., Susan Ann, who married Se- bastian Eckerd, Andrew, Rebecca, who married Wes- ley Harper, Samuel, Alpheus and Freeman. Eli D. Cox was born in Sugar Creek Township of Wayne County, Ohio, in 1825. He married Mar- garet Eckerd in 1852. She was born in Germany in 1830, and her father, John Eckerd, came to Amer- ica with his family about the same year. In 1858, six years after his marriage, Eli D. Cox came to In- diana and located in section 32 of Salem Township, Steuben County. The eighty acres he bought at that time had two or three log buildings, but otherwise the work of clearing and cultivation had hardly begun. The subsequent condition of the farm rep- resented many years of hard labor on his part, and in the course of time he had a well won prosperity. In 1871 he built a large barn and in 1873 a fine resi- dence, and continued actively engaged in farming there until 1893. After that he lived retired in Hudson until his death on May 3, 1901. His widow survived him until January 26, 1913, being eighty- three years of age at the time of her death. Their children were : Mary Ellen, who died in childhood ; Jennie, who married Jacob Clinesmith ; William Franklin ; Susannah, who married Rudolphus Fred- erick; Cora Etta, wife of George Clinesmith; J. P. ; H. B. ; J. F., who died in childhood, and O. W. Cox. J. P. Cox acquired his early education in the Pleasant Ridge School House. At the age of twenty- one he left the farm, where he had put in several years of work and gained a general knowledge of farming, to learn the painter’s trade. He followed it actively for twenty years, nine years of the time being spent in Chicago. He gave up his vocation in 1905, and then bought a farm west of Kendallville, Indiana, living there a year. In 1905 also he bought his present place of eighty acres. The buildings on his farm are good ones and represent his work and investment since he became proprietor here. He is engaged in general farming, and keeps some excellent stock, and for the past five years has been rather extensively engaged in buying and shipping live- stock. At the present time Mr. Cox is manager of the Farmers Cooperative Shipping Association at Helmer. On October 29, 1899, he married Miss Alma Hen- ney, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Shellenber- ger) Henney. They have three children : Harold J., born January 12, 1902; Deri E., born January 31, 1904; and Hilda B., born September 2, 1909. Jacob Henney, father of Mrs. Cox, was born in . Holmes County, Ohio, July 24, 1823, and in early manhood settled in DeKalb County, Indiana, on wild land, and developed a good farm. He died March 7, 1906. He married Catherine Shellenberger November 17, 1853, and their children, ten in num- ber, were : Amanda, James, David, Catherine, Albert, Jennie, Edward, Emma, Alma and Susie. James, Catherine and Albert are deceased. 144 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Leslie H. Green represents one of the capable younger generation of Steuben County farmers, a young man who has met the test of manhood and has proved worthy of the robe of citizenship and the responsibilities descended upon him from his father. Mr. Green, who operates the old Green homestead in Pleasant Township, was born in Scott Township of Steuben County, May 22, 1890, a son of the late Elmer A. Green, whose life record forms the title of a sketch on another page of this publication. Mr. Green attended public schools in Scott and Pleasant townships and in March, 1912, at the age of twenty-two, began his serious career as a farmer. He has always lived on the old homestead and since his father’s death in 1916 has had the active manage- ment of the farm of 146 acres owned by the widowed mother and her sons. He has nearly ten years of practical experience behind him, and that, supplemented with some sound native ability and a constant spirit of progress and study, fortifies him among the best farmers of Steuben County. Mr. Green married Grace Riggleman, a daughter of George and Orda (Reed) Riggleman. They have three children, Donald C., Dale and Marvin E. Oris D. Cannon is well known *to the community of South Milford and all who sojourn within its limits as proprietor of the Hotel Cannon. He has been a successful business man, farmer and public official in that part of LaGrange County for many years. He was born in Wayne Township of Noble County, July 25, 1876, a son ff William and Mary (Fink) Cannon. His mother was also a native of Wayne Township, and after their marriage they settled in Milford Township of LaGrange County, where they still live. William Cannon is affiliated with the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Red Men, and is a democrat in politics. There were three children : Oris D. ; Cora, unmarried and living at home; and Curtis, of Milford Town- ship. O. D. Cannon grew up on a farm in Wayne Township of Noble County. When he was two years old he was taken into the home of his grand- father, who gave him a good education in the dis- trict schools and also supplied him with the advan- tages of the Tri-State College at Angola. After his grandfather’s death he continued to live with his grandmother, and after his own marriage he pro- vided a home for her. September 5, 1901, Mr. Cannon married Maude Bartlett, who was born in Milford Township and was educated in the Milford schools. For a year after his marriage Mr. Cannon conducted a livery business in South Milford and then followed farm- ing, was clerk in a hardware house and did other things. He owns 120 acres of land in Milford Township. He bought the hotel at South Milford, and took its active management in 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Cannon have one son, Paul F., born November 16, 1908, and now attending the schools of South Milford. Mr. Cannon is a past noble grand of South Milford Lodge No. 610 of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, is past chief patriarch of the Encampment, and Mrs. Cannon is a member of the Rebekahs. She is active in church work as a Methodist and for a number of years has been a teacher in the Sunday School. Politically he is a member of the democratic party and is the present assessor of Milford Township. Elias Kline is one of the large land owners and successful farmers and stock men of Spencer Town- ship, DeKalb County. His home is two and three- quarters of a mile northwest of Spencerville. Mr. Kline has 160 acres of land and has his farm well improved and stocked with good grades of cattle, horses and hogs. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, December 24, 1848, a son of Henry and Maria (Rudy) Kline. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, were married in Ohio, and in the spring of 1866 came to Indiana and settled in Spencer Township. In 1870 they located on the farm where they spent the rest of their lives. Elias Kline acquired his education in Stark County, Ohio, and was about twenty-two years old when he came to Indiana. In politics he has always been a republican. January 1, 1900, Mr. Kline married Mary V. Cail- let. She was born in France June 19, 1866, a daugh- ter of John H. and Anna (Rich) Caillet. Her father died in the old country in 1871. Her mother brought her four children to the United States in 1874, landing at New York in February and going from there to Canton, Ohio. She later married John Shontz. Of her eight children four died in France and the four now living are August, Frank, Mary and Justin. Mr. and Mrs. Kline have one son, Vernon E., born April 3, 1902, now in the third year of high school. Fred H. Green. Doubtless as many and as im- portant a volume of business and civic interests at Ligonier revolve around the family name Green as are associated with any other one group of local citizens. The Green family during their long resi- dence in Noble County has been active as business men, farmers and bankers, and many of the impor- tant public offices have also been held by them. Fred H. Green, of this family, is perhaps best known as the president of the Farmers and Mer- chants Trust Company of Ligonier, the office which he has held since the organization of that institution. This bank was organized in 1906. He was born in Ligioner, Indiana, June 18, 1862, the oldest son of Henry and Magdalena (Kaul) Green. His parents were both natives of Germany, and his father came to the United States at the age of sixteen, his mother at nineteen. When his father, Henry Green, first came to this country he came to Massillon, Ohio, and stayed with his uncle, who at that time owned a farm near that city and who later came to Noble County, Indiana, and bought a farm west of the City of Ligonier. After staying with his uncle at Massillon for a short period he then went to Cairo, Illinois, and later became a Mississippi River steam- boatman, running from Cairo down the river to New Orleans. He then went to Washington, D. C., and was employed as a foreman in a packing house, which business he had taken up while in Germany. After staying there a short time he then went to Jefferson City, Missouri, and engaged in a meat busi- ness for himself and while there, in the year 1861, he was married to Miss Magdalena Kaul. During the Civil war he furnished meat for both the Northern and Southern armies. Being in communication with his uncle, who insisted on his coming to Indiana, he did so and while here made his first purchase of 100 acres of heavily wooded land west of town and later moved from Jefferson City, Missouri, to the Town of Ligonier and spent one year on the farm. He then engaged in business in Ligonier, and his first associate was Fred Mackley, and they together ran a meat market and bought live stock and were widely known throughout this section of the coun- try. He conducted an active business until his death, which accurred in 1900. He was also among HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 145 the leading men of affairs in Noble County, Indiana. Politically he was a democrat, a member of the Masonic and the Odd Fellows lodges, and he and his wife were active Lutherans. Henry Green was survived by three sons, all of whom were born here and well known and prominent business men of Ligonier, Indiana, named Frederick H., John H. and Harry, who are at present connected with the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company, and are in the real estate business in the partnership of Green Brothers and Oldfather, which firm deals exclusively in high grade farms and are buyers of timber as well as other commodities. The Green Brothers still operate large farms and deal exten- sively in the stock business. Fred H. Green spent his boyhood days in Ligonier and attended public school until he was twelve years old. He early became associated with his father in business, and later on his two other brothers en- tered the business of his father and the firm became known as H. Green and Sons, and was widely known throughout this section of the country, as they were among the heaviest dealers in live stock as well as timber and other business pursuits. The extensive property interests of the Green family are still con- ducted under the name of H. Green and Sons. On February 17, 1898, Fred H. Green married Hattie B. Hays, a daughter of W. D. and Harriett E. Hays. W. D. Hays was widely known in this section of the country and was a man who held many offices of trust. Hattie B. Hays was born on a farm which is now known as the Willow Spring Farm, where she spent her early childhood days, and later on she attended the high school at Ligonier and finished her education with a college course at Oberlin, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Green were the parents of four chil- dren. William H., the oldest, is a graduate of the Ligonier High School and of the University of Wis- consin, and is now managing the Willow Spring Dairy Farm one-half mile northeast of Ligonier, on which his mother was born. Frederick H., the second child, died in infancy. George E., the third son, is also a graduate of the Ligonier High School, as well as the University of Wisconsin, and served with the American Expeditionary Forces in France. Magdalena, the only daughter, is the youngest of the family. The Green family are active members in the United Brethren Church, of which Mr. Green is one of the trustees. He is a past noble grand in the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows and is also a member of the Knights of Maccabees, and in politics is a democrat. He has been prominent politically in Ligonier, was elected on the City Council at the age of twenty-six, served two consecutive terms as mayor, has been a member of the County Council, and also served as a member of the Ligonier School Board. While he was mayor of the city the present city water works were built. He was also president of the Library Board when the Ligonier Public Library was erected. The Green Brothers were the chief organizers of the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company, and through their efforts this bank was organized and at the time of its organization the stockholders were about seventy in number. The institution has thrived from the very beginning and has been one of great benefit to this community in more ways than one from a banking standpoint. The Green Brothers have always taken an active interest in the general interest of the city and community and could always be relied upon when any move was put forth for any purpose. Clair W. Wisner. By long experience Clair W. Wisner has developed a high degree of skill as a merchant, and for a number of years has offered a splendid service as a dealer in hardware at the town of Metz. He knows what the people of that com- munity need and want, and is unceasing in his ef- forts to provide the best goods at the fairest prices. Mr. Wisner, who represents an old and substantial family in Steuben County, was born in Richland Township, September 21, 1879, a son of Steven Wisner. He attended the public schools of Richland and for one year was a student in the Angola Tri- State College. As a young man he started clerking in a hardware store in Metz, and for fifteen years worked for others, mastering the business, and ac- cumulating the capital and credit which he used to buy out the store in January, 1907. Since then he has greatly expanded the store and service and in 1908 built the substantial building in which his stock of general hardware is now housed. Mr. Wisner married for his first wife Mattie Allman and had one child, Heyman. Mrs. Wisner died in August, 1917, and in December, 1918, he married Hazel Mote. Mr. Wisner is a member of the Church of Christ and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. ' Ira B. Young, who has been one of the most useful professional men to the farmers and stock raisers of LaGrange County, in his work as a veterinary surgeon handles his large practice and lives on his farm at Stroh. He was born in Johnson Township of LaGrange County, August 6, 1867, son of Emanuel and Mary (Teeter) Young. His father was born in England March 20, 1842, and was two years old when his parents came to America in 1844. The family lived in New York State a time, then moved to Ohio and from there to LaGrange County, Indiana. Emanuel Young is now living in Johnson Township. He is a member of the Evangelical church and a repub- lican in politics. His family consisted of twelve children, nine of whom are still living: Anna, wife of Thomas Fields, of Johnson Township; Dr. Ira B. ; Laura E., wife of Fred Talbert, of Albion, Indiana ; Clara E., wife of Clayton Healey, of Johnson Township; Nancy A., wife of Walter Howard, of Newbury Township; Orville J., of Noble County; David H„ of Milford Township; Celestia B., wife of Herbert Himes, of Clay Town- ship; and Preston E., of Johnson Township. Ira B. Young grew up on the old farm in John- son Township, attended the common schools, was a student for two years in the Wolcottville High School, also attended the Tri-State College at An- gola, and is a graduate of the Business College at Lexington, Kentucky. For a number of years he spent his time alternating between teaching and farming, and in 1903 he graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at Grand Rapids, Michigan, with the degree D. V. S., also attended the Toronto Veterinary College of Toronto, Canada, and has given much of his time to his veterinary practice. He is a stockholder in the Wildman State Bank at Wolcottville. Dr. Young married for his first wife Mary A. Kimmel. She is deceased, and of her four chil- dren only one is living, Ethel, wife of Reverend Mr. Summers, a Lutheran minister. Dr. Young mar- ried for his second wife Bertha A. Schermerhorn, daughter of Aaron and Maria Schermerhorn. She attended high school three years and was a teacher four years. They have five children ; Ruth, a graduate of the Wolcottville High School, who also continued her education in the Tri-State Nor- Vol. II— 10 146 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA mal College and is now a teacher; Nellie I., a high school student ; Dena M., Dorothy M. and Bion A. Dr. Young is affiliated with Philo Lodge No. 672 of the Masons and is a charter member of his lodge. Harry D. Miller. Many of the best regulated farms of LaGrange County may be found in Clay Township, and one of these belongs to Harry D. Miller, a worthy member of one of the old families of this section of Indiana. The family history will be found in this work. Mr. Miller was born in Clay Township, March 15, 1875, and is a son of Daniel J. Miller. Harry D. Miller attended the public schols in Clay Township and grew to manhood on the home farm in Newbury Township, where he continued in school for a time and then accepted a clerical position in the New York Central Railroad offices, where he remained three years. Mr. Miller had come of farming stock however, and agricultural surroundings and interests began to be more attrac- tive than outside work, and this led him back to the farm, where he has remained contented and pros- perous ever since. In 1907 he bought a farm of eighty acres, later adding twenty acres, making 100, acres in all, situated in Clay Township, and carries on general farming and stockraising, working along modern lines and assisted by the best of improved farm machinery. In the spring of 1909 Mr. Miller and his wife bought eighty acres of the old Wiler home- stead in Newbury Township, on which she was born. December 25, 1901, Mr. Miller was united in mar- riage to Miss Edith Wiler, who was born on her father’s farm January 12, 1880, and is a daughter of William and Martha (Freed) Wiler, who came to LaGrange County from Ohio, settled in New- bury Township and lived on the same farm for fifty-two years. The parents of Mrs. Miller are deceased, the father surviving the mother and pass- ing away February 10, 1918, when aged seventy years. Mrs. Miller has one sister, Bessie, who is the wife of Mahlon Weaver. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have an interesting family of four children, namely: Freeda, who was born December 26, 1903, is a graduate from the eighth grade in the public schools ; Lucile, who was born June 8, 1909; Pauline, who was born July 6, 1911; and Katherine, who was born October 17, 1915. The family belongs to the Mennonite Church. In politics republican, Mr. Miller was township assessor four years. D. P. Hindman. One of the progressive younger farmers of DeKalb County is D. P. Hindman, of Concord Township, whose persistent and aggressive efforts and excellent management have brought to him the prosperity which is today his. He has ever stood ready to do what he could in pushing for- ward the wheels of progress in his community, and is well worthy of the high esteem in which he is held. Mr. Hindman was born in Concord Township on June 16, 1889, the son of Samuel and Nancy (Le- dour) Hindman. Both of these parents were na- tives of Ohio, the former having been born in Logan County and the latter in Hardin County. After their marriage they came to Indiana, locating on a farm near Orangeville, where they remained about twenty years. They then moved to a farm i )4 miles north of St. Joe, but about ten years later settled on a farm at Jackson Center. They are the parents of two children, the immediate subject of this sketch and Lee, of Fort Wayne, a dispatcher on the Northern Indiana traction line. D. P. Hindman was reared on the paternal farm- stead and received a good district school education. About 1910 he settled on the farm where he now lives in Concord Township, comprising about seventy-four acres of splendid land, to the cultiva- tion of which he gives intelligent direction. He is also part owner of a sawmill at St. Joe. Mr. Hind- man has also given some attention to the raising of live stock, in which he has met with splendid suc- cess. In 1910 Mr. Hindman was married to Anna M. Kosht, a native of Wilmington Township, in the common schools of which she received a good prac- tical education. To this union have been born three children, Doris E., aged eight years; Samuel C., four years ; and Madonna, six months old. Mr. and Mrs. Hindman are members of the Christian Church at Newville, while Mr. Hindman holds fraternal re- lations with Concord Lodge No. 556, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Lodge No. 671 Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the lodge of Knights of Pythias at St. Joe. Politically he is a democrat and has been an effective worker in the ranks of his party, taking a keen and intelligent interest in the public affairs of his community, state and country. He is a man of broad and progressive views, advocating twentieth-century methods and stands deservedly high in the estimation of the community in which he lives. William J. Case. During the past thirty years no one has been more prominent in sustaining the business activities of Orland than William J. Case, who for over twenty years was the leading dry goods merchant of the village, and during the past five or six years has continued an insurance agency and is cashier of the Citizens State Bank. Mr. Case was born May 10, 1864, in Dover Town- ship of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, near the City of Cleveland, a son of Byron and Louise (Sage) Case. His mother was born in Erie County, Ohio, daugh- ter of George and Lucy (Davis) Sage, her father having been a farmer of that county. Byron Case followed farming and fishing in Cuyahoga County many years, and in 1868 moved to Erie County and six years later, in 1874, went to Toledo, where he had his home until 1911. In that year he joined his son in Orland, and died on April 27, 1913. His widow is now living with her daughter in Welling- ton, Ohio. They had three children : Arthur, who died in 1897 ; Jessie, wife of Rev. O. J. Coby, a Methodist minister at Wellington, Ohio; and Wil- liam J. William J. Case attended public school in Toledo, graduating from high school in 1881. He laid a thorough foundation for a business career while an employe of C. L. Luce & Company, wholesale dry goods of Toledo. He was with that firm five years. In 1886, when Luce & Company established a branch store at Orland, Indiana, they selected Mr. Case to take charge of the business. In September of the same year he and Henry Carver bought the store and the partnership was continuous until 1892, after which Mr. Case was sole owner and kept up the service standards of his store for twenty consecu- tive years. In 1912 he sold the business and in 1913 bought a local fire insurance agency, which he has since handled, and in 1914 became cashier of the Citizens State Bank. During the great war he was prominent in his section of Steuben County, serving as treasurer of all the war auxiliary organizations at Orland. _ He is a trustee and treasurer of the Congregational Church, and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star Chapter. In 1890 Mr. Case married Miss Cora Wilder, member of one of the oldest and most prominent HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 147 families of Northwestern Steuben County. They had a happy married life of over a quarter of a century. Mrs. Case died on October 16, 1916. She was the mother of five children, Celia, Wilma, Rus- sell, Caryl and Roberta. Wilma was married in 1912 to Leo Purdy, and they have two children, Raymond and Betty Jane. Caryl is the wife of L. E. Hackett. The son Russell saw active service during the great war as a member of the Ninth Aerial Squadron. He served with the Expeditionary Forces for about fourteen months, spending nine months in England and three months in France. In April, 1919, he was at Fort Benjamin Harrison, In- dianapolis. Russell Case married Lois Collins in 1917. The late Mrs. Case was an adopted daughter of George K. and Harriet (Luce) Wilder. Mr. Wilder was born in Oswego County, New York, in 1828, a son of William and Mary (Gray) Wilder, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of New Hampshire. The Wilder family came to Steu- ben County in 1836, and located in the Vermont settlement around Orland. Here George K. Wilder grew to manhood and attended the pioneer local schools. At the age of twenty-one he went to Cali- fornia, being ninety days on the overland journey from Missouri to the Pacific Coast. He remained there six years. For a year and a half he was a miner and the rest of the time a farmer. On return- ing to Indiana he bought a farm two miles northeast of Orland. George K. Wilder, in 1862, enlisted in the Ninth Michigan Infantry, and was with his regi- ment until on account of ill health he was dis- charged at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. After the war he farmed, and in 1877 retired to Orland. He married in 1862 Hattie N. Luce, only daughter of Walter and Mary (Gray) Luce.' They reared a family of eight children. Charles W. PyatT, whose home is a half mile east of South Milford, has the reputation of being a producer, a man of .industry and one of the best farm managers in LaGrange County. He is a son of Jackson and Julia (Swogger) Pyatt. His father was born in Seneca County, Ohio, March 5, 1829, and was ten years old when he was brought to Northeast Indiana by his parents, Moses and Elizabeth (Parker) Pyatt. The family settled in LaGrange County in the fall of 1839, remained three years, then spent three years in Kendall County, Illinois, after which they returned to La- Grange County. Moses Pyatt died May 9, 1866, and his wife June 24th of the same year. Both were members of the Disciples Church. Julia Swogger was the daughter of Isaac and Susanna Swogger, likewise early settlers in LaGrange County. Jackson Pyatt died June 6, 1912, and his wife February 16, 1898. They had three children: Ada, wife of Eugene Nichols ; Amanda, wife of David Wert; and Charles W. Charles W. Pyatt was born on the old farm where he lives today, July 15, 1867. He attended the pub- lic schools of South Milford and on April 20, 1898, married Lodenia Sigaty. She was born in Johnson Township and was educated in the district schools and the schools of Wolcottville. Mr. and Mr. Pyatt have no children of their own but have taken into their home a girl to rear, Iva Vail. Mr. Pyatt has under his individual management - 700 acres of land in Milford and Wayne townships, 260 acres of which was included in the old home farm. A large part of this is cultivated to the staple crops and he is an extensive feeder of cattle, sheep and hogs. Politically he is a democrat and is affiliated with South Milford Lodge No. 619 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are both Rebekahs. Moses P. Hostetler. A good farmer and more- over a real leader in the community of Eden Town- ship, LaGrange County, Moses P. Hostetler is a member of an old and well known family of North- east Indiana, He was born in Eden Township August 5, 1873, a son of Paul J. Hostetler. His grandfather, Moses J. Hostetler, a native of Somerset County, Pennsyl- vania, came to LaGrange County at an early day and many of his descendants are still found here. Paul J. Hostetler married Esther Miller, and spent most of his life as a farmer in LaGrange County. A more complete review of this branch of the Hos- tetler family will be found on other pages. Moses P. Hostetler received his early education in Eden Township, began farming there, and after eight years of tending crops in Eden he moved in April, 1903, to Clay Township, where he continued his farming enterprise for three years. Since then he has lived in his present home place in Eden Township, where he owns 114 acres. He has con- structed some substantial buildings and has sur- rounded himself with all the equipments and com- forts of a first class farmer. From 1906 to 1912 Mr. Hostetler also operated a threshing outfit, which he made a medium of useful service to most of the grain raisers in Eden Township. Mr. Hostetler married Carrie Mehl on December 11, 1892. She is a daughter of Jacob C. and Lucinda Mehl. To their marriage have been born three chil- dren, Ernest Mehl, Dewey W. and Nellie. Ernest, who married Susie Kitchey and has a son, Ernest, Jr., is a minister of the Mennonite Church, being a graduate of the Topeka High School and did normal work at Goshen, Indiana. The son Dewey is a graduate of the Topeka High School and fin- ished his education in the Tri-State College at An- gola. Mr. Hostetler and family are active mem- bers of the Mennonite Church. George M. Pence has had a busy career that has made him well known over LaGrange County, where he has lived for half a century, since early boyhood. He started life as a carpenter, proved a competent and able workman, and made his trade the basis of a larger business as a contractor and builder and the operator of a sawmill, and from his home in Topeka Township he still carries on those activi- ties. Mr. Pence was born in Clinton Township of Elk- hart County, Indiana, April 8, 1861, a son of Pat- rick H. and Lucinda (Prough) Pence. His father was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, and in 1835 came to Indiana and settled in LaGrange County in 1857, where on February 23, i860, he married Lucinda Prough. After their marriage they settled on a tract of land of ten acres, where he worked at his trade as a carpenter. Later he traded for 142 acres, and died in LaGrange County July 19, 1912, Lucinda Prough, his wife, was born in Ohio May 31, 1841, daughter of Samuel and Salonia (Confer) Prough, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Samuel Prough and wife were mar- ried in Ohio and came to LaGrange County as early as 1849 and lived there until their death. They were members of the Dunkard Church. Lucinda Prough Pence is still living, an active member of the Luth- eran Church. Her husband was a democrat. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are still Hying: George Milton, Henry M., Ida S., wife of Ed Miller; Samuel B., of South Bend; Della M., 148 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA wife of Amos Cobbun; Rose E., wife of Jesse Shoup; and Bessie, wife of Robert Larimer, of Elk- hart County. George M. Pence lived with his parents in Elkhart county until 1868, when the family moved to Eden Township of LaGrange County, and in the past thirty years he has contracted for and built many houses, barns and other structures in the towns and country communities of LaGrange and Elkhart coun- ties. In 1884 he went to Kansas, and lived in Kan- sas and Oklahoma until 1895, and then came back to LaGrange County. July 7, 1888, Mr. Pence married Sarah E. Veach. They have three children: Bessie M., wife of Nor- man E. Strang; Grace, wife of Vance T. Myers; and George R., who married Mary L. Boomershine and lives at Topeka, having served fourteen months in the great war. He was only fifteen years, one month and one day of age when he enlisted for the service. The family are members of the Baptist Church and Mr. Pence is a democrat in politics. Among other distinctions he has an honorable rec- ord as a farmer trustee of Eden Township, an office he held for four years, from 1915 to 1919. Bert P. Sprague, who for many years has been a citizen of Steuben County, followed farming and eventually engaged in the lumber business, and is now interested in a number of plants, but chiefly at Pleasant Lake, known as the Pleasant Lake Lumber Company. Mr. Sprague, who has come into success through the avenue of hard work and close attention to busi- ness, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, August 8, 1868. His father, Samuel Sprague, was born in the same house January 23, 1845. The grandfather, Samuel Sprague, Sr., was six years old when his people went to Muskingum County, and were the very first white settlers in that section of Southern Ohio. Samuel Sprague, Jr., son of Samuel and Nancy Sprague, married Malona Powelson. She was born in Muskingum County, May 11, 1847, daughter of Rhineer and Maria (Black) Powelson. Samuel Sprague attended public school at Otsego, Ohio, and as a young man took up farming, which was his permanent vocation the rest of his life. He died January 12, 1916. He was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, being a member of Company F, Seventy-Eighth Ohio Infantry. On October 20, 1870, he moved with his family to Branch County, Michigan, lived on a farm there nine years, and then moved across the state line into Steuben County, locating at Orland in the fall of 1881. After ten years he returned to Branch County and lived close to the line between Branch and Steuben counties the rest of his days. He was a member of the Methodist Church. His three chil- dren are: Laura, wife of A. H. Hiller; Bert P., and Perry R. Bert P. Sprague was a small child when brought to Indiana and he spent most of his school days at Orland, being a graduate of the high school there. He began the serious occupations of life as a farmer and school teacher, and continued farming until February 19, 1912, at which date he became a busi- ness man of Pleasant Lake. The Pleasant Lake Lumber Company of which he is the active head handles coal, lumber and all classes of building material. Mr. Sprague is also interested in lumber yards at Pioneer, Ohio, Syracuse, Indiana, and La- Grange, Indiana, and Buchanan, Michigan. In 1895 he married Miss Nellie Wilder, daughter of Norton and Eliza (Shutts) Wilder. They have two sons: Ralph, born December 24, 1897; and Russell, born July 1 1 , 1902. Mr. Sprague and family are members of the Methodist Church at Fremont. Clyde N. Swogger, who has spent his life in La- Grange County, is well known as a banker, being the first and only cashier of the Farmers Bank at South Milford. This prosperous institution was organized July 30, 1910, and from the beginning Mr. Swogger has handled most of the executive details and is the official best known to the public and the bank’s customers. Mr. Swogger was born in Milford Township, March 29, 1881, a son of Thomas and Catherine (Engler) Swogger. He grew up on his father’s farm, attended the district schools and graduated at the age of nineteen from the Fort Wayne Busi- ness College. After leaving school he spent a year on a farm and then followed different occupations in Kendallville for a time. At the age of twenty- two he married Maggie Zonker, a native of DeKalb County and a graduate of the common schools. She died in July, 1911, the mother of two children: Gretta, born in 1906, and Walter, born in 1911. May 3, 1913, Mr. Swogger married Vena Whitcomb, who was born and reared in LaQrange County and is a graduate of the South Milford High School. Mr. and Mrs. Swogger are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and he is a teacher in the Sunday school. He is affiliated with Kendallville Lodge of Masons, with the Odd Fellows at South Milford, and he and his wife are both Rebekahs. Politically Mr. Swogger is a democrat. Elliott P. Masters, whose place as a business man is signally indicated by his senior partnership in the firm of Masters & Reed, proprietors of the Hamilton Lumber Company, is a man of many thor- ough business qualifications, derived from an active experience of forty years, and most of his life has been spent in Northeast Indiana or over the line in Williams County, Ohio. He was born in Fulton County, Ohio, October 10, 1853, a son of Hon. Ezekiel and Susanna B. (Perkins) Masters. His father was born in Knox County, Ohio, December 3, 1816. He settled with his family in Williams County in 1869, and for many years was regarded as a very successful business man. He also enjoyed well deserved prominence in local affairs. In early life, in 1836, he became interested in the local militia organization of Ohio, being appointed orderly sergeant of the volunteer Rifle Company. Eighteen months later he was made second lieutenant, and eventually became colonel of the regiment. He was active in church and politics and at one time was a member of the State Legis- lature. Elliott P. Masters was about sixteen years old when his parents moved to Williams County. He finished his education in the public schools of Pioneer in Williams County, and as a young man followed farming there. On November 18, 1875, he married Martha B. Fulton, a daughter of Peter B. and Angeline (Thorpe) Fulton. After his marriage Mr. Masters engaged in the produce business and in June, 1882, moved to Butler, Indiana. He soon had a business built up to suc- cessful proportions there, and for eighteen years his enterprise was the leading one of the kind in that part of Northeast Indiana. He was a buyer and shipper of produce and was also in the coal business. In February, 1910, he sold his establishment at Butler and bought an interest in the lumber busi- ness at Hamilton, where he has since been head of the firm Masters & Reed. This firm handles all kinds of building material. SHILLING FAMILY GROUI HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 149 Mr. Masters is a Mason and Odd Fellow, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He and his wife have three children: Bertha G., wife of W. D. Plow, of Bad Axe, Michigan ; Herbert F., a resident of Ellis, Kansas ; and Lottie B. Charles E. Reed, who has had a working career of over thirty years, is a successful business man of Hamilton, partner and joint proprietor of the Hamilton Lumber Company under the firm name of Masters & Reed. Mr. Reed was born in Wayne County, Indiana, December 26, 1866, son of John W. and Elizabeth (Myers) Reed, the former a native of Frederick County, Maryland, and the latter of Wayne County, Indiana. John W. Reed spent many years of his life as a farmer in Miami County, Indiana. He was affiliated with the Masonic order and Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, was a member of the Methodist Church, and his children will always take pride in the fact that he served as a Union soldier for three years and six months in the Nineteenth Indiana Battery. He participated in twenty-one battles and was in Sherman’s march to the sea. Charles E. Reed in early childhood accompanied his parents to Miami County, where he was edu- cated in the public schools. As a young man he began to contract for building construction in that county, and gradually developed increasing inter- ests. In 1907 he moved to Butler and on February 28, 1910, located at Hamilton, where he is a partner in the Hamilton Lumber Company. He is a good business man, has a thorough knowledge of lum- ber and builders’ supplies, and is a man who can be trusted to carry out every obligation he assumes. In 1890 he married Miss Margaret Mays, daugh- ter of James and Mary Mays. They "have two children, Esta and Elbert. Mr. Reed is a Methodist and is affiliated with the Masonic Order, the Knights of Pythias and the Maccabees. Daniel Shilling, for many years a resident and progressive farmer in Jackson Township, DeKalb County, is representative of one of the first fam- ilies established in Concord Township. Mr. Shil- ling owns a fine farm of about 146^/2 acres in sections 12 and 13 of Jackson Township. He was born four miles from Massillon, Stark County, Ohio, October 19, 1849, a son of Solomon Shilling. Solomon Shilling, long prominent in De- Kalb County, was born in the same locality of Stark County in 1823, a son of Adam and Mary (Roan) Shilling. Adam Shilling came to DeKalb County at an early date and entered and bought ex- tensive tracts of government land in Concord Town- ship. Pie gave each of his sons 160 acres and each of his daughters eighty acres. Solomon Shilling came to DeKalb County to take possession of one of these quarter sections of wild land in 1850. This land was in section 19 in Concord Township. He built a log cabin, cleared and improved, and by his work and good management was accounted one of the wealthy men of the township. He became an extensive shipper of livestock, and shipped the first carload of stock over the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from this locality to Chicago. He owned about 400 acres of good farm land. In 1872 he was elected trustee of Concord Township and re- elected in 1874. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Solomon Shil- ling married Esther Bliler, who was born in Penn- sylvania. They were the parents of six sons and six daughters, one daughter dying in infancy, and the eleven to reach maturity being: Daniel, Jo- sephus R., William, Mary, Sarah, Adam, Francis, Hiram E., John, Vienna L. and Dora. Eight of these children are still living. Daniel Shilling grew up on the farm home in Concord Township and has been a resident of De- Kalb County since early infancy. He attended district school and lived at home to the age of twenty-six. On November 9, 1875, he married An- netta Widney. At the time of his marriage he bought his present home farm, and Mrs. Shilling died there in 1880. She was the mother of three sons : Adam E., who was liberally educated, was a teacher and died at the age of twenty-six ; Sam- uel H., who married Maud Stafford, lives in Jack- son Township and has a daughter, named Bonnie ; and Frankie, who died the year after his mother. Mr. Shilling has long been active in the Methodist Protestant Church and also in its Sunday school. He is a republican, is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and has been a liberal factor in his com- munity, being especially patriotic in behalf of the various causes for the recent war. Lucius B. Hart is a veteran railroad man and for many years has been a competent engineer handling one of the passenger runs on the Baltimore & Ohio between Garrett and Chicago. Mr. Hart, whose home is at Garrett, is a native of Northeast Indiana, having been born near Ligonier March 1, 1867. His parents, David and Rebecca J. (Cummings) Hart, were natives of Ohio. His father was born in Ashland County October 17, 1835, and his mother in Van Wert County January 17, 1845. When these families came to Indiana the Harts located in De- Kalb County and the Cummings family in Noble County. David Hart and wife were married in the latter county and then settled on a farm east of Ligonier, later lived in Tennessee for about seventeen years, and on returning to Indiana settled in DeKalb County. David Hart died at Butler, Indiana, in 1890. He was a fine mechanic in wood and also a farmer. He was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church and a republican in politics. Of the six children four are living: Lucius B.; Dora, wife of Fred Wagner, of South Bend; Mrs. Rena Todd, of South Bend; and Oda, wife of J. A. Engstrom, of Garrett. Lucius B. Hart was seventeen years old when his parents returned to Indiana and settled in Butler. He had acquired his education in the public schools of Tennessee and at the age of fifteen started out to make his own living. He worked in a woollen mill in Tennessee and on coming to Indiana entered the service of the Wabash Railroad as a call boy. He was employed in the mechanical department and on moving to Garrett entered the service of the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad in 1886. He was a fireman six years, was made a freight engineer in 1892, in 1900 was promoted to traveling engineer, in 1902 became the road foreman of engines on the New- castle division of the Baltimore & Ohio, and in the latter part of the year returned to Garrett and took charge of locomotives on the Chicago division. Since 1905 he has been a passenger engineer between Gar- rett and Chicago. On June 8,1904, Mr. Hart married Geraldine Bevard, a native of Allen County, Indiana. His wife before her marriage spent seventeen years in school work, and had finished her education in the Methodist Col- lege at Fort Wayne. They have two daughters, Jane Ellen, born April 22, 1905, and Louise, born October 31, 1907, both attending the common schools. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Hart being on the official board and long a faithful worker in church and Sunday school. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive 150 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Engineers and is affiliated with Garrett City Lodge No. 537, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Garrett Chapter No. 129, Royal Arch Masons, Apollo Com- mandery No. 19, Knights Templar, and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. He is a republican in politics. Timothy H. Dirrim, a resident of Hamilton, where he is practically retired, has enjoyed a life of unusual effort and experience. He has been a farmer, merchant, hotel proprietor, and when well past middle life he went to the Northwest and took up a homestead claim and developed it. Mr. Dirrim, who represents one of the old and prominent- families of DeKalb County, was born in Franklin Township of that county, May 23, 1857. His grandparents were Richard and Hannah (Wyckoff) Dirrim, the former a native of Dela- ware. Richard Dirrim died in 1875, at the age of ninety years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. At the time of his death his descendants numbered 142. Richard Dirrim moved to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1883. His children were Zachariah, Han- nah, James, Isaac, William H. and Eleanor. William H. Dirrim, father of Timothy, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, July 8, 1820, and grew up in Ohio. September 12, 1839, he married Christiana Haughey, who was born in Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling, Virginia, in 1820, daughter of Robert and Hannah (Wyckoff) Haughey. William H. Dirrim was educated in Ohio and in 1844 came to DeKalb County, Indiana, and the following fall settled on 160 acres of wild land in section 11 of Franklin Township. The land was covered with heavy timber and the first winter he lived in a rude house without glass in the windows and with the openings covered with muslin cloth. The door was pinned and bolted together without the use of a single nail. His wife at that time spun all the wool for the clothing, and William H. Dirrim made the shoes for the family. For a term or two he and his wife both taught school in the neighborhood. The first wheat crop he raised brought him only 48 cents a bushel at Fort Wayne. It had to be hauled to Fort Wayne and in the absence of a team and wagon he paid one shilling a bushel for that service. Gradually the area of clearing grew until he had 100 acres under cultivation and had a good residence and other farm buildings. He served as assessor of Franklin Township two terms, was also township trustee, and he was a very prominent Methodist. For twenty years he served as district steward of the Methodist Church and had the ministry of the District Conference covering a period of fifty years. He and his wife had nine children: Hannah J. ; Robert R. ; William Samuel; Mary E., who died at the age of eight years ; Mary Elizabeth ; Christiana ; Francis A., who died at the age of four years ; Caroline, and Timothy. Timothy H. Dirrim acquired his education in the public schools of Franklin Township and one term at Butler, Indiana, and one term at Hamilton. As a young man he farmed with his father on the shares, and in the spring of 1888 he moved to Hamilton and for about four years was clerk in a drug store. In. 1892 he bought a furniture and undertaking business at Hamilton, and was one ot the successful merchants of that place until he sold out in 1904. He then built the Fish Lake Hotel and was its landlord for five years. The hotel property he traded for a farm of eighty acres in Otsego Township, and has since sold thirteen acres and owns the rest. In December, 1913, Mr. Dirrim went to Montana and filed on a homestead in Blaine County and spent four summers improving it. Mr. Dirrim served as a notary public for sixteen years. He is a member of the Church of Christ. In 1895 he married Miss Lulu Garver, daughter of Isaac and Emeline (Cummings) Garver. Her father was a farmer in Defiance County, Ohio, served as justice of the peace there for twenty-eight years, and during that time married over 200 couples. He was aiso a commissioner of Defiance County one term. The children of Isaac Garver were : Adella, Dora, Lula and Owen. Mr. and Mrs. Dirrim have two adopted children, Pauline and Harry. Jasper N. Sigler is one of the oldest residents of Milford Township, where after his marriage he began with a place of forty acres, and has prospered until he now owns a farm of 180 acres in section 7. He was born in Wood County, Ohio, May 11, 1842, a son of Jacob and Mary (Clark) Sigler. His father was born in Allegheny County, Penn- sylvania, February 19, 1813, and spent his early life in Ohio, where he was active in democratic politics and served as a township trustee. February 20, 1834, he married Mary Clark, who was of Irish descent and was born at Baltimore, Maryland, March 7, 1808. They came to Milford Township June 2, 1853, and spent the rest of their lives in that locality. Jacob Sigler was a Baptist and was a member of Lodge No. 380 of the Masonic Order. He and his wife had seven children, one of whom died in early childhood while the two living are David of Milford Township, and Jasper N. Jasper N. Sigler was eleven years old when he came to LaGrange County and grew up on the farm where he lives today. He attended the com- mon schools, and remained at home until twenty- one years of age. He spent two years in California, and upon his return to LaGrange married Mary Fields on January 15, 1874. She was born in Lima Township of LaGrange County October 4, 1853, and had a common school education. Since their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Sigler have lived on their pres- ent farm. Their two children are Ulilla C. and Charles J. The daughter was born March 15, 1878, graduated at the age of eighteen from high school and taught two terms before her marriage to John Carry of Johnson Township. Charles, who was born March 28, 1884, married Sadie North and lives in Milford Township. Mr. and Mrs. Sigler have ten grandchildren, five boys and five girls. The family are members of the Evangelical Church at Woodruff and the son is a trustee of the church. Mr. Sigler is a democrat in politics. Samuel J. Miller has had a substantial part in the affairs of Clear Spring Township, LaGrange County, for many years. He owns a valuable farm there and has frequently been honored with posi- tions of -trust and responsibility by his fellow citi- zens. Mr. Miller, whose home is four and a half miles southwest of LaGrange, was born in Newbury Township of the same county, November 15, 1863, a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Zook) Miller. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania. Jonathan Miller was brought to Indiana by his parents in 1836. The family were among the first settlers in Newbury Township. However, they soon left and returned to Pennsylvania. Jonathan Mil- ler married about 1858 and came west and settled in LaGrange County, and in 1871 answered another call or desire to visit Pennsylvania, and for seven years also was a resident of Kansas. He spent his last days in Pennsylvania. He and his wife were members of the Mennonite Church. In their family were three children : Samuel J., Levi D., a farmer HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 151 of Elkhart County; and Daniel S., who remains in Pennsylvania. Samuel J. Miller, though a native of LaGrange County, spent most of his boyhood in Pennsyl- vania. He afterward went to Kansas, in the pioneer days of that state, entered a quarter section home- stead in Pratt County, and remained on it until he got title to the land. He was unmarried at that time. From Kansas he came back to LaGrange County, and here he married Ida A. Bickle. They have two children : Carrie, a graduate of the com- mon schools, is the wife of Gale Anderson and lives in LaGrange County; and Ewart S., who re- ceived the degree Ph. G. from Angola College and is a prescription clerk at Goshen. The family are members of the Lutheran Church at La Grange. Mr. Miller is active in the Knights of Pythias, and has served as master and member of the Grand Lodge. Politically he is a repub- lican. He has served as road supervisor in Bloom- field Township, and from March, 1914, to March, 1919, was superintendent of the Rogers Orphans’ Home. Mr. Miller owns a fine farm of 185 acres. His wife is a member of the Pythian Sisters at Howe, Indiana. John J. Cole, a retired attorney living at Kendall- ville, is a man of wide and diversified experience in the law and in public affairs, and represents a notable family of brothers. He has nine brothers who are steadfast and sturdy republicans, and one of them, R. Clint Cole, is the present nominee for congress- man from the Eighth Ohio District. John J. Cole was born near Findlay, Ohio, April 22, 1863, son of John W. and Sarah (McCree) Cole. His father was born near Ashland, Ohio, January 2, 1832, was educated in the common schools, grew up on a farm, and moved to Hancock County, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his life as a farmer. He developed a high class farm of 160 acres and lived there until his death in 1906. He was a member of the Methodist Church and in politics a republican, his sons taking after him in that respect. He served as township trustee and as a member of the school board. John W. Cole married Sarah McCree, a native of Aberdeen, Scotland. She was brought to the United States by an uncle at the age of nine years and lived at Ashland until her marriage. She died in 1879. This couple became the parents of seventeen children, eleven sons and six daughters. Sixteen of them reached mature years and thirteen are still living. One other son, Hon. Ralph D. Cole, is a former congressman representing the Eighth District of Ohio, and is now serving with the rank of major in the One Hundred and Twelfth Military Police in France. John J. Cole grew up on his father's farm near Findlay, attended district schools, and acquired much of his education through his own efforts. He read law while teaching, and in 1892 graduated LL. B. from the law department of the Ohio State Uni- versity. After that he taught another year and began practice at Cary, Ohio, transferring his offices to Findlay, and building up a splendid practice in Han- cock County. In the spring of 1911 he went to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and for two years served as deputy United States marshal of that territory. In 1913, returning east, he located at Kendallville, Indiana, and has since been busied with his private affairs. He is a republican, and is affiliated with Findlay Lodge No. 75, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In December, 1893, Mr. Cole married Olive B. Tussing. She was born in Hancock County, Ohio, and was educated in the district and city schools. They have one son, Richard R., born in April, 1903, now attending the Kendallville High School. Jonathan E. Taylor is classified as a retired farmer at Fremont, is still in middle age, and has made splendid use of his time and opportunities. He is one of the largest land owners in Steuben County, and has gained his prosperity almost en- tirely through the avenue of agriculture, showing that men with good judgment and industry do acquire wealth in that field. He was born in York Township of Steuben Coun- ty. July 23, 1866. His grandparents were Jonathan and Anna (Smith) Taylor. Jonathan Taylor, the grandfather, was born in New York State and was an early settler in Northern Ohio near Cleveland. It is said that he owned the first horse team ever in Dover Township, Cuyahoga County. Jonathan Taylor, by his first marriage, had the following children: Julia, Rebecca G., Enos S., Linus S. and Stirata. Linus Taylor was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, February 17, 1830. He married Catherine Kellog, who was born April 19, 1833, a daughter of Hiram and Emeline (Fisk) Kellog. Linus Taylor was reared in Ohio and in 1852 went with a party of too men overland to California in search of gold. On the way he was left in Salt Lake City to die of Mountain Fever, but recovered, went on, and in California became one of the owners of the old Empire Claim. Later he sold out and returned east in 1855, being shipwrecked off the Isthmus of Pana- ma. After these experiences he settled in York Township of Steuben County, and was one of the leading citizens of that locality for many years. Late in life his mind became impaired, and he died in an asylum, May 9, 1909. He was the father of three children: Gibbs, who died in infancy; John H., born in 1858; and Jonathan E., born July 23, 1866. Jonathan E. Taylor attended public schools in York Township and also the Tri-State Normal, be- ing a student in the second term of that institution’s existence. He attended college about three years. He left school with a debt of $40, and he worked several months at wages of 75 cents a day to pay off that indebtedness. He also helped run the old homestead farm, and gradually he became an inde- pendent farmer and continued to make his home in York Township until 1903, since which year he has lived in Fremont. Mr. Taylor and family occupy one of the most beautiful modern homes in that little city. He now gives his time to looking after his farms, which comprise 900 acres in Steuben County and 500 acres in Michigan. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Masonic Order. July 22, 1888, he married Lovina A. Wicoff. She was born May 23, 1870, a daughter of William and Armelia (Eldredge) Wicoff. William Wicoff was born July 25, 1830, a son of John and Margaret (Cassel) Wicoff. Armelia Eldredge, mother of Mrs. Taylor, was a daughter of Martin and Agnes Eldredge. William Wicoff and wife had three chil- dren : Willis M., born April 1, 1857; Peter B., born January 9, 1859; and Lovina A. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were the parents of four children, the two oldest, Frank M. and Rush L., dying in early childhood. The two living daughters are Alice A. and Catherine. Noah J. Yoder. For many years the name of Noah J. Yoder has been substantially identified with the interests of LaGrange County as a farmer, stockman, member and official of churches, and a leader in every worthy movement. Mr. Yoder, whose fine farm home is in section 152 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 4 of Eden Township, was born in Newbury Town- ship of the same county November 4, 1862, a son of Joseph C. and Susanna Yoder. The Yoder family is a prominent one and represents people of high standing in Northern Indiana. His first American ancestor was Christian Yoder, who was born in Switzerland in February, 1728, and came to the American colonies in 1744. The grandfather of Noah J. Yoder was Christian C., who was born December 13, 1790, and died November 17, 1867. His first wife was born July 24, 1789, and died No- vember 8, 1832, while his second wife was born January 3, 1800, and died December 10, 1879. There were six sons of Christian C. Yoder who came to Indiana, Joseph C., Jacob, Tobias, Felta, John and Herman. All settled in LaGrange County except Jacob, who founded the family in Elkhart County. All bought land, developed farms and be- came heads of prosperous families. Joseph C. Yoder, father of Noah J., was born November 20, 1819, and in 1861 married Susanna Yoder. She died September 4, 1863, leaving one son, Noah J., then ten months old. The latter at- tended the district schools and at the age of seven- teen took up the task of making his own way in the world. He was a farm laborer six years. He spent four years in Wayne County, Ohio. Mr. Yoder married Fannie L. King who was born in Champaign County, Ohio, October 2, 1865, a daugh- ter of Christian C. and Lydia (Kauffman) King. Her parents were natives of Mifflin County, Penn- sylvania, and after their marriage in Logan County, Ohio, settled in Champaign County. Mrs. Yoder at the age of six years was left an orphan, and she lived with her guardian, Jacob K. Yoder, to the age of eighteen. She then spent three years in Cass County, Missouri, came to LaGrange County, Indiana, returned to Ohio, and was married to Mr. Yoder on February 5, 1891. Since that date Mr. and Mrs. Yoder have been in LaGrange Town- ship. He owns 170 acres in Eden Township and sixty and three-quarters acres in Newbury Township, and carries on diversified farming, making a spe- cialty of Duroc hogs. Mr. Yoder has been prom- inent in the Mennonite Church and served as trustee for eight years. He has also been a school director and is a republican in politics. He and his wife had four children: Alma F. is the wife of John Roth and lives in Tazewell County, Illinois. The three younger children, all at home, are Carrie B., Elmer D. and Ora C. All the chil- dren are graduates of the common schools. William H. Hutchins was born and grew up in Scott Township of Steuben County, and for the past quarter of a century has owned and lived on one of the best farms in that township. His affairs have been prospered and he is a man both of sub- stance and of influence in his locality. He was born in Scott Township July 14, 1864, son of Nelsen and Phoebe (Jones) Hutchins. His father, who came to Steuben County in early man- hood, was born in Genesee County, New York, April 16, 1818, a son of Ezra and Mahala Hutchins, the former a native of Massachusetts. Ezra Hutch- ins and wife also came to Steuben County about two years after their son, and they both died in Scott Township. Mahala died in 1857. Ezra was born May 22, 1792, and died in 1882, at the age of ninety years. Nelson Hutchins married December 1, 1850, Phoebe Jones, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, January 2, 1827. They were the parents of four children: Alice E., born December 2, 1852; Ella, born January 29, i860; William H., born July 14, 1864; and Carry A., born September 24, 1865. Nelsen Hutchins for many years filled the office of justice of the peace. He was a republican and his wife a Methodist. On coming to Steuben County he acquired eighty acres of land in Scott 1 ownship that had been entered direct from the Government by Isamon Brown. He cleared and improved that land and in the course of time had a farm of 200 acres. He lived there in prosperity and comfort and died October 20, 1896, while his wife passed away in 1903. William H. Hutchins grew up on his father’s farm, and lived there to the age of thirty. He had a public school education and early acquired habits of industry that have been very useful to him in sub- sequent life. On May 15, 1904, he moved to his present farm in Scott Township, comprising 190 acres. All the buildings and other improvements on the farm were erected under his ownership. He has always made it a policy and rule to combine stock raising with the staple crops. Mr. Hutchins cast his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harri- son and has been a steadfast republican. He is affiliated with and is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Fremont. March 27, 1894, he married Miss Lorinda E. Wycoff. She was born in Williams County, Ohio, May 30, 1865, daughter of Peter B. and Jane (Hathaway) Wycoff. Her father was born in Holmes County, Ohio, March 12, 1837, and her mother in Morrow County, Ohio, on November 13, 1840, daughter of Richard Hathaway. Richard Hathaway was a pioneer of Williams County, set- tling near Columbia in 1853. Peter B. Wycoff was a son of John and Margaret Wycoff, who settled in Williams County in 1844. In 1869 Peter Wycoff took his family to Missouri, two years later moved down to Kansas, but after some experience in the Sun- flower State returned to Indiana and settled in York Township. Peter Wycoff was widely known in Steuben County, where he died May 7, 1907. His widow is still living in Fremont. In the family were eight children, Lorinda E., Zoa E„ of Fre- mont, a teacher; Charles B., of York Township; Sarah J. ; John R., deceased; Harry, of Alberta, Canada; Archie B., deceased; and James, of Clear Lake Township, Steuben County. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins have three children: Ruth L., born May 3, 1898, died at the age of four months ; Nelson Bruce, born March 19, 1905, now in the eighth grade of the public schools; and William Judson, born March 3, 1908. Samuel S. Lantz began his career as a farm hand when fifteen years old, and has found his way to prosperity over the route of hard work and com- plete personal integrity. He and his wife are now owners of two-thirds of the stock and the business of the J. J. Yoder Hardware Store at Topeka. J. J. Yoder was one of the oldest hardware merchants of that village, and established the first store of the kind, continuing in business until his death. Mr. Lantz is now carrying on that business and making a success of it. He was born in Elkhart Township of Noble County September 15, 1868, a son of Isaac and Sa- lome (Plank) Lantz, the former a native of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Ohio. His parents spent many years of their lives on farms in Noble County, passing their last days in Perry Township. They were members of the Mennonite Church and the father was a republican. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are still living: Fannie, wife of Henry Ramsey, of Alanson, Michigan; Solo- mon, of Ligonier ; Ella, wife of D. K. Byler, of Coldwater, Michigan; Salome, wife of H. H. Kauff- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 153 man, of Denver, Colorado; Samuel S.; Edward I., of Los Angeles; and Mary, wife of John Leperd, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Samuel S. Lantz until the age of ten lived on the farm in Noble County, then spent a year in Michi- gan, and up to the age of fifteen lived on a farm a mile south of Topeka. After acquiring only limited advantages in the common schools he began work- ing at monthly wages on a farm, and had made some progress toward an established position in the com- munity before he married. In 1896 he married Miss Anna Yoder, a daughter of J. J. Yoder, the pioneer hardware merchant of Topeka. She was born near that village and attended district school and before her marriage was a successful teacher both in La- Grange and Noble counties. Mr. and Mrs.. Lantz are members of the Methodist Church. He is affil- iated with Topeka Lodge No. 688, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and with the chapter and council of Masonry at Ligonier. Politically he is a republican, and he also belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge at Topeka. Edward Avery. Several communities in Steuben County have known the presence and have benefited thereby in the Avery family, who have lived in that county for over sixty years. Edward Avery repre- sents the family in Salem Township,, where for many years he has been one of the leading farmers. He was born on the old Avery farm in Otsego Township, March 14, 1855, and is a son of Jesse W. and Eliza (Shumaker) Avery. Some references to this family are made on other pages of this pub- lication. Edward Avery attended public school in Otsego Township, was also a student in Angola, and for three terms taught a school in Otsego. He made his home with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age. In February, 1879, he married Miss Hattie Dutter, daughter of George and Anna Dutter. With his marriage he began farming in Otsego Township, was there three years, farmed in Salem Township three years, then again in Otsego for ten years, was a resident of Scott Township three years, and in 1899 moved to his present home place of eighty acres in section 12 of Salem Township. Mr. and Mrs. Avery had two children : Edna and Ethel, the latter dying in childhood. Edna is the wife of William H. Gochenaur. Mr. Gochenaur was born in Scott Township of Steuben County, May 24, 1880, a son of Henry and Lucinda (Smith) Goche- naur, and a grandson of Henry Gochenaur, a na- tive of Pennsylvania who came to Steuben County in early days. Henry Gochenaur, Jr., was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and his wife in Wayne County, Ohio. He settled in Steuben Town- ship of Steuben County in 1854, acquiring land near what is now known as the Lake Valley Church. He and his brother Joseph bought eighty acres, cleared it up and began with log buildings. After a few years he moved to Scott Township, and from there to Pleasant Township, where he continued farming until his death. Henry Gochenaur had three chil- dren, Elmer Ellsworth, Amelia and William, Amelia dying at the age of eighteen. William H. Gochenaur after getting his education in the Sandhill School of Pleasant Township, went to work as a farmer there, rented for two years and then bought the old homestead near the Sand- hill School. He sold that property in 1911 and bought a farm in section 33 of Jackson Township. He owns 120 acres, built a good house, and is carry- ing on his affairs with a high degree of prosperity and spirit. Mr. Gochenaur married Edna May Avery in 1905. They have two children, Leon and Ethel. Jont M. Borntrager. Of a family whose lives of integrity and industry have identified them per- manently with the best interests of LaGrange County, one who deserves special mention is Joni M. Borntrager, a successful farmer living seven miles southwest of Shipshewana, in section 5 of Eden Township. He was born in section 5 of the same township, June 20, 1868, son of Manassas J. and Lydia (Yo- der) Borntrager, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter of Ohio. The Borntrager family originated in Germany and has been resi- dents of the United States for more than a century and a half. Manassas Borntrager was a son of John and Anna (Yoder) Borntrager, John being a son of John and Barbara (Johns) Borntrager, while the next generation was headed by Martin Borntrager, a native of Germany who came to the American colonies on October 5, 1767. Manassas Borntrager came to Indiana with his parents when he was six years old, and the family at that time located in section 4 of Eden Township. His wife also came to Indiana with her parents. Manassas Borntrager and wife had twelve children, eleven of whom reached adult life: Barbara, wife of Moses Lehman; Joni; John, who married Mary Easch and lives in Michigan : Catherine, wife of Christian D. Hostettler, of Eden Township; Daniel, who married Margaret Miller and lives in Eden Township; Benjamin, whose wife was Elizabeth Miller, and they live in Clear Spring Township; Manassas, who married Elizabeth Miller and lives in Eden Township; Noah M., who married Katie Glick and occupies the old home farm in Eden Township; Christian, who married Mary A. Miller and lives in Eden Township; Anna, wife of Joseph J. Raber, of Eden Township; and Lydia, wife of Andrew Easch, of Eden Township. Joni M. Borntrager spent his boyhood days on a farm just across the road from his present place. He attended the district schools. For many years he has found himself pleasantly and profitably en- gaged in farming and is owner of 198^2 acres, a goodly property, most of which is to be credited to his industrious efforts. He keeps good grades of livestock. Mr. Borntrager and family are members of the Amish Mennonite Church, known as the West Honeyville District, and he is a deacon in the church. January 10, 1889, he married Anna Borntrager, who died September 9, 1897. She was the mother of three children : Levi, who married Sarah Thom- as ; Gideon, who married Rosa Bender, and she is now deceased ; and Lydia, wife of Ervin Stutsman, living in Iowa. January 4, 1900, Mr. Borntrager married Amanda J. Gingerich. Six children were born to their union, Emma, Barbara, Manassas, Amelia, Amanda (deceased), and Susie. Richard E. Tarlton has made an honorable rec- ord in the most ancient and honorable of profes- sions, agriculture, and is well known as a farmer in DeKalb County. His home is on his farm in section 29 of Keyser Township, and comprises the southwest quarter of that section. He was born in section 30 of the same township December 23, 1873, a son of Joseph E. and Elizabeth (Fountain) Tarlton. His father, who was born in Mansfield, Ohio, January 30, 1848, is now living at Avilla in Noble County, Indiana. Elizabeth (Foun- tain) Tarlton, died March 19, 1898, the mother of three children, Richard E., William J. and Sadie J. 154 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Richard is the only one now living. Joseph Tarlton married for his second wife Amanda R. Davis. Richard E. Tarlton grew up at the old Fountain farm in Keyser Township. He attended the district schools from the age of seven to twenty-one, and on December 25, 1897, married Milia L. Truelove. She was born in Noble County, Indiana, was edu- cated in the common schools, and died May 18, 1915. She was the mother of two children, Myrtle M. and William R. Mr. Tarlton after his marriage lived in Keyser Township, for thirteen years was a resident of Allen Township in Noble County, also lived one year in section 1 of Swan Township, and has since been located at his present home, where he has ninety- two well cultivated acres. He also owns thirty-eight acres in section 33, near Altona, and has eighty acres in section 1 of Swan Township, Noble County. Mr. Tarlton is a member of the Evangelical Church and is a republican. William Fountain was a DeKalb County pioneer, developed a home out of the woods and acquired a modest fortune in lands and many riches of com- munity esteem on account of his honorable life and character. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, December 25, 1811, a son of Simon and Rebecca Fountain. He was only three days old when his parents died and he grew up under the care of his older sisters. In June, 1848, after his marriage, he came to the United States, his wife being a native of the same county in England. After a brief stay in Ohio they came to DeKalb County in the same year and William Fountain bought eighty acres in the midst of the heavy woods. A little cabin home had already been prepared and there he and his wife began their humble task of housekeeping. William Fountain was a man of prodigious industry and before his death had accumulated a tract of 400 acres. He died June 11, 1889, and his wife survived him until July 4, 1909. Both were active members of the Methodist Church and he gave liberally to its support and various causes. He was a republican in politics, and his home was constantly the scene of a liberal hos- pitality. William Fountain and wife had three chil- dren : Sarah A., born December 3, 1850; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Joseph Tarlton and died March 19, 1898; and William R. William R. Fountain was born February 3, 1855, had a common school education and since the death of his parents he and his sister have lived on the old home farm. They jointly own 260 acres of the old Fountain homestead and he also owns a business building on Randolph Street in Garrett and three dwelling houses there. Both he and his sister are members of the Methodist Church at Garrett. Wil- liam R. is a republican. LeRoy Isenhower, proprietor of the leading ga- rage and automobile agency at Fremont, is one of the younger business men of Steuben County, and has been a factor in keeping up the business enter- prise of Fremont since early manhood. He was born at Fremont, March 1, 1884, a son of Amos and Caroline (Geedy) Isenhower. His grand- parents were Peter and Sarah (Wade) Isenhower, who came to Fremont Township in Steuben County in 1859. Peter Isenhower died on the farm which he bought when he came to this county, and was well known to all the early settlers. He and his wife had the following children: Benjamin, Jacob, Catherine, Mary, John and Amos. Amos Isenhower was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1852, and was seven years old when brought to Steuben County. He married in 1870 Caroline Geedy, also a native of Pennsylvania and daughter of William and Mary (Taylor) Geedy, the former a native of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and the latter born in Eng- land. William Geedy settled in Fremont Township in 1865. but enjoyed the use and cultivation of his farm of eighty acres less than a year. He died in 1866. His children were : Enos, Caroline, Erman- da, Simon, David, Mary, Martha Ann and Emma. Amos Isenhower farmed for several years and then engaged in the livery business in Fremont and for a few years also conducted the local hotel. He was active in business until his death on December 22, 1905. He and his wife had the following chil- dren : Bert; May, wife of Homer Gripman ; Eva, wife of James Noggle; Frank; Lilly, wife of George Griffith ; Delvin, who died in childhood ; and LeRoy. LeRoy Isenhower acquired a public school educa- tion at Fremont and took a business course at De- troit, and at the age of twenty-two bought a half interest in his father’s livery. After about a year he went into the bakery business, following that for two years, and then for three and a half years was a retail meat dealer. In December, 1914, Mr. Isenhower established his garage and automobile sales agency, and his business has been a landmark to motorists for five years. He has the local agency for the Overland, Buick and Oakland cars. Mr. Isenhower married May 22, 1906, Blanch Fay Grim, daughter of Elmer and Ida Grim. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church and he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge. H. E. Craig spent the greater part of his active business career as a traveling salesman, but in re- cent years has been identified with the management of one of the fine farms in LaGrange County. This farm is in section 15 of Clear Spring Township. Mr. Craig was born in LaGrange County, in Eden Township, June 2, 1857, son of William and Mar- garet (Thompson) Craig. His father was born in Ireland in 1825, the son of an Irish linen weaver. William Craig was a cooper and farmer. He came to the United States about 1835, and eventually worked at his trade in Warren, Ohio. After his marriage to Margaret Thompson he came to In- diana about 1854 and located on a farm in Eden Township. The last eight years of his life were spent in Topeka, where he died in 1908. His widow died in the same village in 1912. William Craig was a democrat in politics. He was the father of eight children, seven of whom are still living. Ada, wife of Dr. J. W. Nihart, of Petoskey, Michi- gan: H. E. Craig; Celia, wife of Clinton Stage, in Noble County, Indiana; Clara, widow of Andrew Cooper, of Ligonier, Indiana ; Marion, who lives in the State of Washington; Eden, a dairy farmer in New York State; and Ethel, who is a graduate of dietetics and is head nurse at Howe School Hos- pital. H. E. Craig grew up on his father’s farm in Eden Township, and besides the district schools attended commercial courses in Valparaiso University. He taught both before and after attending the Valpa- raiso school, putting in altogether four years in school work. In 1880 he married Miss Carrie Cun- ningham. They lived in Minnesota three years, and his wife and their two children died there. Mr. Craig took an active part in democratic poli- tics in Minnesota and was elected to represent the twenty-eighth district in the State Legislature, serving one term. Mr. Craig spent twenty years with the E. H. Andrews Company of Chicago, man- ufacturers and dealers in school and bank fur- niture. He left that firm temporarily to enlist in the HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 155 United States navy at the time of the Spanish- American war, and was discharged at the close of hostilities. From that time until 1913 he represented the E. H. Andrews Company as a private salesman. Mr. Craig returned to LaGrange County, and on March 16, T916, married Estella V. Parks, widow of Dr. J. L. Miller. Mr. Craig was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Minnesota and is affiliated with Grand Prairie Lodge No. 54, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, at Brookston, Indiana. Mrs. Craig is a daughter of William T. and Lydia A. (P ought) Parks. She was born on the farm where she is now living March 8, 1857. Her father was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, April 1, 1827, and her mother in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 22, 1828. William T. Parks came with his parents to LaGrange County in 1835. This was one of the early families to settle in this county. After he reached manhood he bought eighty acres in Eden Township, and lived there until he bought the eighty acres where Mr. and Mrs. Craig now live. From a portion of this land he cut away the timber to build his home, and he remained there until his death on April 14, 1903. Mrs. Craig’s mother is still living, and is an active member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Parks was a steadfast republican until 1884, when he became a democrat. At one time he owned 300 acres in LaGrange County. In the Parks family were four children : Roherles M., who died at the age of two ; Zidana M., who is the wife of F. P. Smith ; Calvares M., who died at Victor, Colorado, at the age of forty-one ; and Estella V,, who was educated in the district schools and for eight terms was a successful teacher, six terms in LaGrange and two in Noble County. Decem- ber 5, 1887, she became the wife of Dr. J. L. Mil- ler, who died in January, 1915. John E. Pancake. For a period of over forty years John E. Pancake has been one of the lead- ing citizens of Elkhart Township in Noble County. He has been useful to himself, to his family, to his friends and, in fact, to the entire community. An evidence of the high esteem in which he is held was afforded at a recent election when he was can- didate for county commissioner of Noble County. The county went republican by a majority of 600, but Mr. Pancake was defeated by only ninety-nine votes. While he is not a member of any church, he has been one of the most active and liberal sup- porters of the Baptist Church of his community, was a member of its building committee and one of the largest contributors when the edifice was constructed. He is at present a member of the County Central Committee of the democratic party. Mr. Pancake is also a charter member of the Topeka State Bank, and served as its vice president fourteen years and is still on the board of directors. He is a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank at Wawaka, a stockholder in the National Bank at Albion, and a stockholder in the Noble Motor Truck Company of Kendallville. For many years his time and energies have been well bestowed on his farm of 400 acres in Elkhart Township, where he special- ized in Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. His father was Joseph Pancake, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, May 22, 1822, and was reared and educated in that locality. He married Ruann Halstead, who was born in the same county and died at the early age of twenty-three. John E. was their only child. Joseph Pancake died in Ottawa, Kansas, January 8, 1871. John E. Pancake was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, July 22, 1848, and acquired a good education in the local schools of Ohio. Later he graduated with high honors from the Union Christian Col- lege at Merom in Sullivan County, Indiana. After finishing his education he returned to his native county in Ohio and taught three terms of district school. In the summer of 1870 he went to Franklin County, Kansas, worked on a farm there one year, and then homesteaded a claim of his own in Wil- son County, Kansas. He had the usual experiences of a Kansas pioneer. After 1872 he sold out and coming to Noble County, Indiana, entered the serv- ice of his uncle, John Pancake. He worked on the Pancake farm and also spent six terms as a teacher in the district schools. He then took entire charge of his uncle’s farm and later administered the John Pancake estate. On January 11, 1916, Mr. Pancake married Mrs. Barbara A. Swank. She was born in Illinois Sep- tember 8, 1865, and lived in that state to the age of nineteen, when she married Richard Swank. They came to Indiana and located in LaGrange County, beginning housekeeping in Topeka. Mrs. Pancake has one daughter by her former marriage, Dora, now the wife of W. G. Waynright, of Marshall, Michi- gan. Mr. and Mrs. Waynright have one daughter, Edith, now seven years old. Mrs. Pancake is a member of the Lutheran Church in Elkhart Town- ship. Joseph E. Yoder. Every rule has its exception, but it would be difficult to find a Yoder in La- Grange County who is not financially sound and without land, stock and other improvements of value as evidence of the honest toil and good man- agement displayed in the passing years. These evi- dences of thrift and prosperity in the case of Joseph E. Yoder are found at his farm on rural route No. 1 out of Topeka, in Eden Township. He is one of the seven sons of Valentine T. and Catherine (Schrock) Yoder and was born on the farm where he lives today July 20, 1875. He grew up on that farm, and with the exception of two winters attended district schools until he was twenty years of age. On November 19, 1896, he married Miss Katie Miller. She was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, September 12, 1877, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Hostetler) Miller. She acquired her educa- tion in the common schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Yoder lived two years in Elkhart County near Forest Grove and then returned to LaGrange County and occupied a farm of his father adjoining the homestead. They lived there six years as renters, and then rented the old homestead and in a year or two bought 160 acres. In 1913 Mr. Yoder increased his holdings by the purchase of eighty acres adjoining. He has forty acres at an- other locality in Eden Township and 222 in Elkhart County, so that his landed possessions foot up to 500 acres. Most of this represents the steady ac- cumulation of years of good management and good farming. He is a successful stock man, being a breeder of Belgian horses, the Polled Durham cat- tle, the Hampshire sheep and the Spotted Poland hogs. Another side line, handled largely by Mrs. Yoder, is White Wyandotte chickens. The Yoder family are active members of the Amish Mennonite Church. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder have four living children : Oscar, born February 15, 1909; Arie, born December 30, 1912; Orpha, born May 27, 1916; and Henry, born January 4, 1919. John Allen McClellan, owner of one of the good farms in section 2 of Jackson Township, De- Ivalb County, is a man who has surmounted many difficulties in his career, and remembering the hard- ships. of his early life has endeavored to smooth 156 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA out as far as possible the pathway of his own chil- dren. Mr. McClellan was born in DeKalb County August 7, 1859, a son of Harvey and Eliza (George) Mc- Clellan. His father was a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and his mother of DeKalb County, Indiana. Harvey McClellan was married in DeKalb County and then settled in Richland Township. Not long afterward he enlisted as a Union soldier in the Civil war and died while in the army. He left two young children: Laura, wife of William Dorson, of Co- runna; and John Allen. John A. McClellan hardly remembers his father, and he grew up in the home of hs grandfather George. He had only a common school educaton and at the age of seventeen he went to work to earn his living as a railroad man. For three years he was employed as a locomotive fireman by the Balti- more & Ohio road. He then married Viola Shull and for three years lived on the Shull farm and then bought eighty acres where he resides today. His grandfather George spent his last years and was tenderly cared for in the home of Mr. and Mrs. McClellan. Mr. McClellan does general farming and stock raising. He has two children. John is a graduate of the State University of Indiana, is a successful teacher in Chicago, and is married and has one child. Emma L. is a graduate of the common schools and the wife of Howard Hootmier. George Icices. Many of the most substantial farmers of Steuben County have been born within its confines and today own land they acquired from their fathers, so that their interest in their com- munities is deep seated and sincere. No man can fail to be inspired with a love for the region his own ancestors helped to wrest from the wilderness, and this is the basic principle back of so much of the loyalty shown in Northeastern Indiana. One of the men who is not only a native son of Steuben County but who is now living on the farm which gave him birth is George Ickes, whose natal day was March 6, 1859. He is a son of Adam and Mary (Campbell) Ickes, and grandson of George and Nancy Ickes. George Ickes was born in Pennsyl- vania, but later went to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he became a prosperous farmer. Adam Ickes was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, where his wife was also born, she being a daughter of James Campbell. At a very early day in its his- tory Adam Ickes came to Steuben County and ac- quired eighty acres in Steuben Township. At that time the utmost pioneer conditions prevailed, and he and his family endured many hardships. In order to get a space big enough to put up a little house Adam Ickes had to grub out the stumps, and once he had his family housed he began the long and laborious task of clearing off his land so as to put in the crops. During the years that followed he labored long and hard, and when he died he had the satisfaction of knowing that he had a nice property, and that he had also accomplished a good deal work- ing at his trade of carpenter. He and his wife had the following children: Nancy, Margaret, Barbara, George, James, Cynthia, Adam, Mary and Sophia, of whom James is now deceased. George Ickes was reared on the homestead and shared in the hard work. During his boyhood he at- tended the Henderson School in Steuben Township. After attaining his majority he began farming the homestead, and has continued in that line ever since, carrying on general farming and stock raising, and becoming very prosperous. He owns 118 acres of as fine land as can be found in Steuben County. His buildings and fences are kept in first class condition, and his entire premises show that he is a good manager and takes a pride in his place. In 1905 Mr. Ickes was married to Sarah F. Fish, a daughter of Warren and Louisa (Gardner) Fish. Mr. and Mrs. Ickes have two children, namely: Roscoe W., who was born May 9, 1906, and Jesse, who was born January 4, 1912. Recognizing the importance of understanidng and adopting new methods, Mr. Ickes has joined the Gleaners, and finds that organization of benefit to him. He is thoroughly abreast of the time, and oftentimes his advice is asked by those less progressive, for he is recognized as one who knows what he is about. Hav- ing devoted himself so closely to his farm in years past, Mr. Ickes has not become deeply interested in public life, but he has always been willing to give his aid in forwarding those measures promulgated for the welfare of his community, and has justly won his right to be numbered among the representa- tive agriculturalists of Steuben County. Ora P. Newnam, whose home is five miles north of South Milford and seven miles east and two miles south of LaGrange, is the possessor of a goodly heritage, and by his own work and actions has well justified his ownership, and as a practical farmer and stock man is rendering a valuable productive service to his community and his coun- try. Mr. Newnam is owner of 179 acres, and alto- gether farms 279 acres. He was born on this farm August 6, 1873, only son and child of F. A. and Eunice (Kellogg) New- nam. His father was born in Springfield Town- ship of the same county, and his mother was born in Maryland, but was brought here when young.. They were married in LaGrange County, then located in Springfield Township and later removed to Milford Township, where F. A. Newnam spent the rest of his life and died in 1906. The widowed mother is still living and is an active member of the Methodist Church in South Milford. The father was never a formal member of the church but a liberal supporter and trustee of the_ Brushy Chapel. He was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a past grand of the latter and a member of the Encampment. Politically he was a republican. Ora P. Newnam grew up on the home farm and attended the district schools and finished his edu- cation in St. Mary’s College at Dayton, Ohio. He then returned to the farm, and in its manage- ment has found sufficient occupation for all his talents. September 6, 1899, he married Clara Goodsell. She is a daughter of Marshall and Catherine (Stoehr) Goodsell, and was educated in the com- mon schools. They had two children: Francis M., deceased, and Walter, born May 3, 1913. Mrs. Newnam is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Newnarn is a republican and is a member of the board of the County Council. Scudder E. Shutt is the present trustee of Key- ser Township, DeKalb County. He is well known to the people of that locality, and by his record as a successful farmer is entitled to the esteem and confidence manifested through the office of which he is incumbent. Mr. Shutt, whose home is i>2 miles south and a mile east of Garrett, was born in Allen County, Indiana, November 28, 1876, a son of Jackson and Lanora (Bowman) Shutt. His parents were born in Ashland County, Ohio, and were married in De- Kalb County, Indiana, after which they settled on a farm. Three years later Jackson Shutt entered HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 157 a medical college, and on completing his studies be- gan practice at Harlan in Allen County. He had to abandon his professional career on account of failing eyesight, and then settled on a farm in Jack- son Township, where he lived until his death. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he was a democrat, and prominent in local affairs, serving as trustee of Jackson Town- ship six years. In the family were ten children, eight of whom are still living. Scudder E. Shutt grew up op his father’s farm in Jackson Township, attended district schools and was at home until twenty-four years old. February 7, 1898, he married Mary Shoudel. She was born in DeKalb County, north of Waterloo in Smithford Township, February 10, 1876, a daughter of Michael and Catherine (Cline) Shoudel. Her parents were both natives of Germany, her father born in 1827 and her mother in 1839. After their marriage they came to the United States and were early settlers in DeKalb County, and spent many years of their lives in Jackson Township. Mr. and Mrs. Shutt have the following children : Alouis, who finished the common school course in 1917; Edward, who graduated in the common schools in 1919; John, Victor and Esther, the last two being twins. Air. Shutt is a practical farmer and owns 117)4 acres of land in Keyser Township, and is also a stockholder in the Garrett Elevator and Livestock Association. Politically he has been quite a power in DeKalb County for a number of years as a demo- crat. He is now in his second term as township trustee, having made a most creditable record dur- ing his first four years’ administration of the of- fice. Lewis Howey is the present trustee of Jackson Township in DeKalb County. He is also proprietor of the Valley Farm, containing seventy acres sit- uated in section 2 of Jackson Township. Air. Howey started life a fatherless boy without means and only the experience acquired by hard work in the fields. He has achieved success, and is one of the citizens of highest standing in DeKalb County. He was born in Concord Township of that county January 31, 1866, a son of Huston and Elizabeth (Ballentine) Howey. His father was a native of Jackson Township and died in 1868. The mother was born in Concord Township and is still living, being the widow of L. R. Wasson and a resident of Au- burn. Lewis Howey, only child of his father, was about two years old when his father died, and he lived with his mother in Concord Townshp to the age of twelve. He then took employment with a neigh- boring farmer, and was with him steadily for twelve years. He received very little wages and at the age of twenty-one had no capital. He earned his first capital by hauling logs, an occupation he fol- lowed about five years. He then bought twenty acres of land and married Dorcas Brown and began farm- ing. He lived there eight years and then moved to the place where he now lives and subsequently bought the seventy acres. Mr. Howey’s wife died in 1903. She was the mother of two daughters: Jennetta, a graduate of the common schools and wife of Jesse Provines, and they live on the Howey farm ; and Gladys, wife of. Charles Carper, and she lives in Garrett. Mrs. Howey was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church at Concord. Mr. Howey is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at St. Joe, Indiana, and is a trustee of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. He was the first man elected on the republican ticket to the office of trustee of Jackson Township. This township is normally democratic by about seventy, and he was elected by a majority of four votes. Chester C. Klinic. There is a growing disposi- tion in the minds of liberal men to judge people not by their possessions but by what they do and the calue of their work and position in any community. Applied to Chester C. Klink of Salem Township in Steuben County this scale of appraisal brings out the fact that he is in the words of one of his neighbors “a corking good farmer,” has made good his stew- ardship of one of the older homesteads of Steuben County, is a man whose judgment is civic and com- munity affairs is respected, and his is one of the most interesting families in Salem Township. Mr. Klink was born on the Klink homestead in section 12 of Salem Township, December 16, 1879. This homestead was once the property of his grand- father, Christian Klink. Christian Klink was a na- tive of Germany, served over five years in the Napoleonic wars in Europe, and on coming to America landed at Baltimore, where he worked to pay his passage money. Afterward he settled in Ohio, and in 1848 came as one of the pioneers to Steuben County, Indiana. He acquired at that time a tract of land including the present farm of his grandson. He lived to see much of this land in cultivation, the log cabin replaced by a frame house, and the esteem with which he was regarded was proportionate to his material achievements. His son, Eli Klink, was born in Ohio in 1844 and was a small child when brought to Steuben County. He became a successful farmer and in 1878 built a fine fourteen-room brick house on the old home- stead. He died at Angola in 1909. He married Syrena Deller, who was born in Steuben County in 1850 and is still living. Eli Klink and wife had six children, Chester C. being fourth in age. Chester C. Klink acquired his education in the public school of District No. 1 of Salem Township known as the Klink School, and from there entered the Angola Tri-State Normal College, taking the literary course two years and then graduating in the commercial course. As a young man he farmed in section 14 of Salem Township a year and a half, and then returned to the old Klink home and for a number of years has carried on his affairs in a systematic and efficient manner which_ spells success in farming and stock raising. He is well known as a breeder of blooded Shorthorn cattle, having a herd of about thirty of these fine animals and is also a breeder of spotted Poland China hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Klink are members of the Trinity Reformed Church. June 6, 1900, he married Mabel S. Lacey, daughter of Robert A. Lacey, member of a well-known family of Steuben County. They are the proud parents of six fine looking and sturdy children, named in order of age, Robert E., Vinson C„ Wayne E., Thelma S., Wilbur M. and Wesley W. Joseph R. Snyder has spent practically all the years of his life in LaGrange County, and has ordered his career along the pleasant and not un- profitable lines of agriculture and the building trade. For many years he was associated with his brothers under the name Snyder Brothers as general contractors and builders, and his father was also a skillful carpenter. Mr. Snyder lives on a good farm a mile north and a mile west of Wolcottville in Johnson Township. He was born in Bloomfield Township of La- Grange County, October 14, 1862, a son of Wil- liam J. and Julia A. (Hilderbrand) Snyder. His 158 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, and their respective families moved from that state to Ohio, where William and Julia were married. Immediately after their marriage they located on a farm in Bloomfield Township of LaGrange County, where they spent the rest of their days. They were very active members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, and William Snyder did much of the carpenter work in the construction of the church edifice. As a contractor and carpenter he worked at his trade until hindered by the in- firmities of old age. In politics he was a republi- can. He and his wife had a large family of twelve children, seven of whom are still living: Mrs. Addie Philipson ; Louisa, wife of George Can- field; John J., of Mongo, Indiana; Catherine, wife of Joseph Johnson, of Auburn; Joseph R. ; Bloom- field, of Elkhart, Indiana; and May, wife of Wil- liam Seaman. Joseph R. Snyder grew up on his father’s farm in Bloomfield Township and had a common school education. At the age of sixteen he began earn- ing his own living, and worked by the day and month until he married. He learned the carpen- ter and joiner’s trade under his father, and in as- sociation with his brothers was a contractor and carpenter for fourteen years. January 22, 1885, Mr. Snyder married Jennie Holsinger. She was born in Johnson Township March 11, 1866, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Fleck) Holsinger, the former a native of Stark and the latter of Seneca County, Ohio. Their re- spective families moved to Indiana, where Mrs. Snyder’s parents were married and then settled in Johnson Township, where her father entered land direct from the Government, and as a pioneer cleared up and put under cultivation a large tract. He is remembered as one of the stalwart early set- tlers, very charitable and helpful to his neighbors and to the unfortunate, and an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Snyder lo- cated at LaGrange, but a year later moved to John- son Township, where he continued the work of his trade. He has occupied his present farm since February, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have one daughter, Izetta, wife of Clarence Cook, living in Elkhart. Their one .grandson, George W. K., is a graduate of the Elkhart High School and is a talented young musician. Mr. and Mrs._ Snyder are members of the Lutheran Church, he is a past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has sat in the Grand Lodge, and in politics is a republican. His home farm comprises fifty-five acres. George E. Clark. One of the recent comers to Northeast Indiana, George E. Clark became a farm renter after his marriage, made thrift and economy the keynote of his domestic and business career for several years, and did not become a permanent land owner until he moved to DeKalb County. He owns one of the good farms in Butler Township, lo- cated in section 20. He was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, Decem- ber 28, 1874, a son of Charles W. and Lucinda (Bear) Clark, both natives of Ohio, his father be- ing a native of Knox County. After their mar- riage they settled at Middlepoint, Ohio, where the father was a farmer, and he lived there until he met an accidental death while handling a team. He served as a Union soldier in the Civil war and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife died in Van Wert in 1918. They had nine children: A daughter born September 24, 1869, and died in infancy; John H., born Septem- ber 14, 1870; Charles A., born February 29, 1872; Mary C., born June 10, 1873; George E., born De- cember 28, 1874; Sarah A., born January 6, 1877, and is now deceased; a daughter born January 8, 1879, and died in infancy; Willis E., born March 14, 1880; and Ethel, born April 25, 1883. George E. Clark grew up on his father’s farm in Ohio and had a district school education. He lived at home to the age of twenty-five. In November, 1899, he married Elva O. Fawcett. She was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, December 30, 1877. Her father, Levi Fawcett, died in 1916, at the age of eighty-three, and her mother, whose maiden name was Ellen Burr, is still living. In the Fawcett fam- ily were thirteen children, namely: Emma J., de- ceased; Albert, of Toledo, Ohio; Iza, wife of R. H. Somerset, living near Middlepoint; John, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; David, of Van Wert; Robert who lives southeast of Middlepoint; William, living in Ohio; Alma, wife of John Parnett, of Van Wert County and now deceased; Luella, wife of Noah Ashbaugh ; Elva, Mrs. Clark; Frank; Charles O., deceased; and Nellie, wife of Thomas Lynch, of Fort Wayne. After his marriage Mr. Clark settled on a farm in Van Wert County, and was a renter until he removed to DeKalb County in 1915. At that time he bought 127 acres constituting his present farm in Butler Township. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have five children: Mildred I., born October xo, 1900; Velma R., born October 9, 1902; Neoma L., born October 23, 1904; Francis W., born May 2, 1907; and Clif- ford, born June 4, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Friends Church near Van Wert, Ohio. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Middlepoint, Ohio, and in pol- itics is a republican. Daniel Stomm. The best way to identify Daniel Stomm with the citizenship of DeKalb County is to say that he is proprietor of Vistawald in Fair- field Township. He was born May 20, 1862, and is now the senior in the house of Stomm in the United States. He looks both backward and forward over two generations of the family in DeKalb County. The house of Stomm was first established in this country when his uncle, Daniel Stomm, whose name he bears, accompanied by a sister, Margaret Stomm, located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1851. They were soon followed by the rest of the family from Baden, Germany. In 1854 George Henry Stomm and his family arrived in DeKalb County, after living for a short time in both Pennsylvania and Ohio. The son Daniel, who was a blacksmith in Pittsburg, died there unmarried, but the daughter Margaret came on with the family to the new home in In- diana. When George M. Stomm and wife, Mar- garet (Holtzworth) Stomm, crossed the Atlantic to join their son and daughter in America they were accompanied by four children, Henry, Elizabeth, Barbara and Catherine. Henry, who was the father of Daniel, the present head of the Stomm family, was born in Germany March 24, 1833, and had just attained to manhood when he came to DeKalb County. He had learned the weaver’s trade in Germany, but agriculture has been the forte of the Stomm family in this coun- try. The 'naturalization papers of Henry Stomm are now a matter of record in the DeKalb County court house. Today the history of all that genera- tion of the Stomm family has been written on the tombstone in the DeKalb-Steuben County Line Ceme- tery in Steuben County. The Stomm family name was identified with the German Reformed Church, HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 159 and in politics the family vote always went to demo- cratic candidates. Henry Stomm married Anna Maria Gettz on Jan- uary 9, 1856. She had come with her parents, Wil- liam and Eliza (Hosier) Gettz, from Pennsylvania. Two of her sisters, Sarah and Susannah Putt, who married brothers, are living at Garrett, Indiana. The seven living children born to Henry and Anna Maria Stomm are: Daniel, Elizabeth, Moses, William, Mary, Nora and Clara. Three others deceased were Sarah, Amanda and Cora. The mother died October 1, 1882, and Henry Stomm married Catherine Bickle, who helped rear his 3munger children. On January 1, 1886, Daniel, who, it will be noted, was born about eight years after the family came to DeKalb County, married Nancy Elizabeth Urey. She became the mother of two sons. Voyde G. and Roy C. She died January 3, 1891. On October 10, 1894, Mr. Stomm married Mary M. Borger, of Owen County, Indiana. She is a daughter of Joseph and Emma (Hostetler) Borger, whose eight children were : George M., Costa M., William F., Mary M., Ida A., Esther, Martin J. and Jacob E. An older set of children than these were seven half brothers and sisters bearing the name Borger : Rachel, Ben- jamin, Levi, David, Elizabeth, Catherine and Sarah. The three children born to Daniel and Mary M. Stomm are Ralph B., Ruth O. and Emma M. The two older sons, Voyde and Roy, were reared in the same household. Voyde married September 28, 19x7, Iva High, and they have one child, Lois M. Roy married, May 31, 1914, Mary Benjamin, and their son, Austin Leroy, and the father, Roy, are both now deceased. The son Ralph B. married Theresa M. Hanes December 2, 1917. They have one son, Robert G. Ruth O. was married January 1, 1919, to Hubert Boyd. Lois May and Robert Gerald Stomm are the two representatives of the fifth generation of the Stomm family in DeKalb County. Since 1887 Daniel Stomm has lived in his present home in Fairfield and today Vistawald is one of the most picturesque and attractive farmsteads in the entire county. The hill top building site is high and dry, and the home buildings are well set in orchard and small fruit groves. Strawberry culture is a specialty. Spraying and other necessary work is done in season in order to secure high class fruit A small apiary is maintained with the double purpose of honey on the dinner table and the better poleni- zation of fruit. There is a stucco house with full basement story, modern heating, electric lighting and water system, the water being forced into the house by hydraulic ram from a spring that supplies suffi- cient water for all domestic purposes and for the live stock as well. Winter or summer there is no water to pump and a stream down the hillside from the fountain, encased in cement, has a continuous and bounteous supply. There is the second basement barn, one having been destroyed by lightning in a storm in which six other barns were burned in the same neighborhood. The silo back of the barn was one of the first built in DeKalb County. Vistawald is a scene of thrift and contentment and of work in which all members of the family par- ticipate. The farmstead is hills and dales and adapted to diversified farming and fruit, live stock and agriculture. There are yet some unfinished- plans, the World war delaying some of them, but the traveler will go a long way before he finds a more attractive spot than Vistawald. Paul W. Sanders. Some of the most successful of the Steuben County agriculturalists are those who have returned to the soil after having been engaged in other lines of industry. One of those belonging to this class is Paul W. Sanders of Pleasant Township. He was born in Pleasant Township July 21, 1886, a son of William Henry Sanders and grandson of Samuel Sanders. William Henry Sanders was born December 26, 1847, and died December 20, 19x7. He attended the schools of Auburn and Waterloo, Indiana, and his first business experience was obtained in the hardware line at Wolcotville and Hudson, Indiana. About thirty-two years ago he sold his hardware business and moved on a farm in the vicinity of Angola, occupying himself with conducting it until the fall of 1915, w-hen he retired and, locating at Angola, lived there until his death two years later. In 1872 William Henry Sanders was married to Loretta Wickwire, a daughter of George W. and Loretta (Lemmon) Wickwire, and they had the following children: Guy, who married Jennie Smiley and has two children, Mark C. and Hugh G., and Paul W., whose name heads this review. Mr. Sanders belonged to the Christian Church and his wife has been a member of this same denomination for forty- three years. He was a man of sterling characteris- tics and one who stood high in the estimation of his fellow citizens. Paul W. Sanders attended the public schools of Pleasant Township, the Angola High School and the Tri-State College of Angola, and was graduated from the latter institution with the degree of Bachelor of Science. After completing his col- legiate course he spent two years as clerk and cashier of the McHenry Millhouse Roofing Company, but then decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, and returned to the old homestead, where until 1911 he was engaged in conducting his an- cestral acres. He then bought his present farm of ninety acres in Pleasant Township, and here is profitably carrying on general farming. On October 5, 1910, Mr. Sanders was united in marriage with Dessie Crain, a daughter of Hiram and Mary E. (Parsell) Crain. Mr. and Mrs. San- ders have two children, Loretta C., who was born November 20, 1911, and Mary, who was born Janu- ary 3, 1914. The Church of Christ holds Mr. San- ders’ membership. Fraternally he is prominent as a Mason and Knight of Pythias. Mrs. Sanders is a graduate of the Angola High School, and she also attended the Tri-State College at Angola and for three years after completing her educational train- ing was engaged in teaching school. She is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. Like her husband she is interested in fraternal matters and belongs to the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs and Pythian Sisters. Hiram Crain, father of Mrs. Sanders, was born in Pleasant Township, March 27, 1859, a son of Abra- ham D. and Harriet (Perry) Crain. Hiram Crain alternated attendance in the public schools of his native township with work on his father’s farm, and grew up useful and sturdy. After he attained his majority he began working by the month for farm- ers in order to secure sufficient money to put him through high school, recognizing the benefits of education and training, and after he had taken the courses offered by the Angola High School he was engaged in teaching school for eight years during the winter months, while in the summer time he further improved his own mind. In 1884 he was married to Mary E. Parsed, a daughter of Thomas B. Parsed, and they became the parents of the fol- lowing children : Dessie, who is Mrs. Paul W. Sanders, and Thomas A., who died at the age of fourteen years. After his marriage Mr. Crain went to live on the farm where he was born, and there 160 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA spent three years, but in 1887 he moved to a farm in Pleasant Township, two and one-half miles north- west of Angola, and there he died August 14, 1918. Mrs. Crain moved to Angola in March, 1919, where she proposes to reside permanently. Mr. Crain was a member of the Odd Fellows and Modern Wood- men of America, and Mrs. Crain belongs to the Rebekahs. Both the Sanders and Crain families are numbered among the most representative of the best type of people in this part of Indiana, and the members of the families have more than borne their part in the development of this important section of the state and the upholding of high moral standards. B. Frank Deal. From almost the earliest period of settlement in LaGrange County the Deal family has had a part in the work of improvement and development. One of the representatives of this old and honored family is B. Frank Deal, whose home is in the Mt. Pisgah community of Milford Township. His farm is in section 3, eight miles east and three miles south of LaGrange. He was born in Springfield Township of the same county April 21, 1855, a son of Harrison and Ellen (Jones) Deal. His father who was born in Marion County, Ohio, April 20, 1828, and died June 7, 1897, was an old time thresherman, a busi- ness in which he engaged between the ages of six- teen and twenty-four. He had lived in LaGrange County from 1835, the family being pioneers in section 23 of Springfield Township. January 5, 1851, Harrison Deal married Ellen Jones, who was born in LaGrange County June 9, 1832, and died March 3, 1904. After his marriage Harrison Deal lived on his farm of eighty acres in section 23 of Springfield Township until his death. He bought another 120 acres and had 200 acres highly developed as a farm and owned another tract of 120 acres in Milford Township. He was a gen- eral farmer and stock raiser, a republican in poli- tics, honored with several minor offices, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He had a family of four sons and two daughters : B. Frank; William H., of Milford Township; Lewis E. ; Charles, deceased; Carrie, wife of Ed Hess; and Jennie M., wife of Isaac Troyer. B. Frank Deal grew up on his father’s farm on Brushy Prairie in Springfield Township. Besides the advantages of the district schools he attended a college at Ontario, Indiana, and had a license to teach. For over forty years he has been a farmer and his home place comprises eighty acres, im- proved with a fine modern home, which was erected by him and his son in 1914. He is a breeder of Jersey cattle. He also for fourteen years worked at his trade of cabinet making in Kendallville. December 27, 1876, Mr. Deal married Jennie Goodsell. She was born in Milford Township Sept- ember 7, 1858, a daughter of Mynott and Nancy (Johnson) Goodsell. Her father was born at Litch- field Connecticut, May 29, 1817, and was twice married, having thirteen children by his two wives, six by his marriage to Nancy Johnson, who was born in Ohio February 15, 1840. Mrs. Deal was the oldest of her mother’s children. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Deal are five in number, four of whom are still living: Alvah C., a graduate of the South Milford High School, married Eska Gaskell and lives in Blaine County, Montana; Mer- tie A., wife of Ray Kingsley, of Springfield Town- ship ; Guy attended the Kendallville High School and is a graduate of the Fort Wayne Business College, was tariff clerk at Kendallville for the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad ten years, mar- ried Beulah Cording, of Kendallville, and is a mem- ber of Kendallville Lodge No. 176, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and is past noble grand of Lodge No. 316 of the Odd Fellows and past chief patri- arch of the Encampment ; Harry M. is the de- ceased son; and Imo, born November 16, 1886, is the wife of Claude Potts, of Milford Township. Mr. and Mrs. Deal also have five grandchildren: Thola Kingsley, Leon Kingsley, Leonard Kingsley, Marion Potts and Joe M. Deal. Mr. Deal is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Kendallville. and is past chief patriarch of the Encampment. In politics he is a republican. Christian J. Stahly, who has had a wide ex- perience as a farmer and business man, has for several years capably managed the old Stahly home- stead in Newbury Township of LaGrange County. The Stahly family presents one of the most in- teresting famity records in Northeast Indiana. It is reviewed at length with its different members and family connections on other pages. Christian J. Stahly was born in the house where he still lives October 8, 1871, being a son of John C. Stahly. He is also a brother of Daniel J. Stahly of the same township. Mr. Stahly attended district schools and as a young man worked as a farmer. In 1891, at the age of twenty, he married Anna Hostetler, a daughter of Moses M. and Mary Ann (Mehl) Hos- tetler. After his marriage Mr. Stahly applied himself with great diligence to the business of farming in Newbury Township until 1909. He and his fam- ily then went to Texas, where he had three years’ experience as a farmer in the Lone Star State. He returned in 1912, spending one year at Wabash, In- diana, four years at Goshen, and since the fall of 1915 has occupied the old Stahly homestead in New- bury Township. He owns 150 acres in section 30, and along with general farming and stock raising makes something of a specialty of growing wheat. Mr. Stahly and family are members of the Chris- tian Church at Goshen. He and his wife have five children : Duane A., born August 26, 1892, mar- ried Sibyl Stoner and lives at Kansas City, Mis- souri; Elizabeth A., born April 15, 1896; Mary A., born August 5, 1898; William J., born July 22, 1900; and Winifred M., born March 2, 1908. J. Bruce Pessell. It is always pleasant and profit- able to contemplate the career of a man who has made a success of life and won the honor and re- spect of his fellow citizens. Such is the record of the well-known citizen whose name forms the cap- tion of this sketch, than whom a more whole-souled or popular man it would be difficult to find in the community where he has his home. J. Bruce Pessell, postmaster at Butler, Indiana, was born at Quincy, Michigan, on August 17, 1882, and is the son of Henry D. and Susanna E. (Wat- kins ) Pessell, the latter of whom was born at Hali- fax, Nova Scotia. Henry D. Pessell was born in Devonshire, England, and at the age of fifteen years came to the United States, locating at Quincy, Mich- igan, where he grew to manhood. He was a farmer by vocation and was successful in his business af- fairs. Under President Cleveland’s administration he was appointed postmaster of Quincy, serving one term of four years. In 1903 he was fatally stricken by lightning and his widow died in 1908. They were active members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Pes- sell was greatly interested in Freemasonry, having taken all the degrees of the York Rite and those of the Scottish Rite up to and including the thirty- second degree. He was eminent commander of the HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 161 ■Commandery of Knights Templar at Coldwater and had an appointment from the grand commander of Knights Templar of Michigan to go to Porto Rico in the interests of that order. Mrs. Pessell was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Politic- ally Mr. Pessell was a democrat and stood high in the councils of his party locally. To Henry D. and Susanna Pessell were born eight children, of whom seven are living, namely: George, superintendent of the city water works at Los An- geles, California; Arthur, assistant baggage master on one of the railroads running into Los Angeles ; Lucile, who is a teacher in a polytechnic school in Los Angeles ; Sarah, of Glenellyn, Illinois ; Fred, a manufacturer of butter at Arcadia, Ohio ; Cora, who lives in the old home at Quincy, Michigan; and the subject of this sketch. J. Bruce Pessell attended the public schools of Quincy, being a graduate of the high school, after which he attended and graduated in the agricul- tural course from the Ohio State University. Dur- ing the ensuing three years he was employed in the making of butter and ice cream at Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1904 he came to Butler and engaged in the same line of work, in which he was successful. On February n, 1915, he was appointed postmaster of Butler, and is now serving his second term in that position, his reappointment meeting with the hearty approval of the patrons of the office whom he had faithfully served for four years. Attentive to the interests of the people of the community and cour- teous in his dealings with them, he has .won a host of friends. Mr. Pessell is also captain of the Butler fire department. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, in which he has met with distinctive preferment, being a past master of the Blue Lodge, a past high priest of the Chapter and past illustrious master of the Council. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the advancement of which they are deeply inter- ested. Mr. Pessell was married to Addie Austin, of Quincy, Michigan, and their union has been blessed by two children, Rovelle and Clyde. Mr. Pessell is well endowed with those qualities which go to the making of good citizens, and he has won and retains the esteem of his fellow citizens to a marked de- gree. Daniel Oury. When the people of an Indiana township select their most responsible and important official, a township trustee, their choice usually falls upon a man of known and proved substantial character, good business ability and with a public spirit that when necessary will make him sacrifice his private interests in order to serve the public welfare, especially in the matter of good schools. It was that type of man which was selected to manage the affairs of Jackson Township in Steuben County when Daniel ,Oury was promoted to the office. Mr. Oury is now serving his second term. He was born in Jackson Township April 26, 1874, son of William and Rachel (Bowerman) Oury. His mother was born in Seneca County, Ohio, a daugh- ter of Simon and Lydia (Spangle) Bowerman. William Oury, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1849, was thrown upon his own responsibilities when a boy and what he achieved in later years was an exhibition of his personal resources, industry and all around ability. He was married in Ohio and about 1874 he came to Jackson Township in Steuben County with his wife and one child. In 1876 he bought the farm in sections 16 and 21 where he spent the rest of his life and where he died in 1901. He built a house on that farm, built a barn, Vol. II— 11 and at the time of his death left a good property of 200 acres. He and his wife were active members of the Methodist Church at Flint. Their children were six in number: Charles Berton; Daniel C. ; Pearl, wife of Guy Barr; George J. ; Simon; and Ethel, wife of Clyde Ferris. Daniel Oury was born soon after his parents came to Steuben County. He attended the No. 4 district school in that township, and was well trained in habits of industry, his father keeping him busy in the fields when he was not in school. He was thus well qualified to assume the responsibilities of managing the home farm when his father died in 1901, and he has since acquired the individual ownership of 166 acres of the land formerly owned by his father- He does general farming and stock raising and breeds Chester White hogs. Mr. Oury married Miss Katie M. Jackson, a daughter of Charles and Martha Jackson. They have two children. Cecil L., a graduate of the Flint High School, spent two terms in Angola Normal School, was a teacher for three terms and is now farming in Jackson Township. He married Mildred Miller and has a daughter. Catherine Elizabeth. Clarence McKey, the second son, is a graduate of the Flint High School. Mr. Oury was elected trustee of Jackson Town- ship in 1914, and after one term of four years was re-elected in 1918. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Flint, and his wife and sons are members of the Methodist Church there. James E. Luckey, M. D. For over a quarter of a century Dr. James E. Luckey has borne the re- sponsibilities and performed the duties of a busy practitioner in and around Wolf Lake, and is one of the foremost medical men of Noble County in point of years of experience and personal ability. He was born in Noble County July 18, 1865, son of Robert and Abigail (Adair) Luckey. His mother was the second white child born in Washington Township of Noble County. Her father was a native of Ireland and married Eliza Window, who was born on the Isle of Wight. Robert Luckey was born in Nelson County, Virginia, in 1824, moved from that state to Pennsylvania, and at the age of thirteen came to Indiana, locating in Elkhart County. In early life he learned the trade of bricklayer, and as a contractor erected many buildings in Ligonier, Goshen and at various points in Elkhart County. Some years later he moved to a farm in Washington Township of Noble County and spent the rest of his life in that locality. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was a democrat until 1896, when he became affiliated with the republican party. He and his wife had seven children, as follows: Anna, wife of Dr. W. C. Hontz, of North Webster, Indiana; Lydia, wife of T. I. Ashlick, of the State of Washington; Dr. James E. ; May, wife of Dr. D. S. Hontz, of North Webster ; Thomas A., a Noble County farmer ; Man' J., wife of J. H. Starkey, also a farm owner in Noble Township; and Joseph E., one of the extensive farmers and onion growers in this section of the state. Dr. James E. Luckey spent his early life on his father’s farm, attended the district schools and the high school, and was graduated in medicine from the Indiana University School of Medicine. He began practice at Wolf Lake in 1892, and has been steadily engaged in the work of his profession at that point for over a quarter of a century. September 8, 1892, Doctor Luckey married Dott B. Benfer, a native of Noble Countj'. They have three sons: Hugh A., a graduate of high school, married Hazel Gandy; Harold A., who is now liv- ing at home and has taught school for two years, is 162 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA a high school graduate and also attended Goshen College and spent one year in the State University; Robert C. is a high school student. Doctor Luckey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Albion, with Kendallville Chapter No. 19, Royal Arch Masons, with Ligonier Council, Royal and Select Masters, with the Knights Templar at Columbia City, and is a member of the thirty-second degree Scottish Rite and the Mystic Shrine at Fort Wayne. He is also affiliated with the Elks at Ligonier. In politics Doc- tor Luckey is a democrat. He is a member of the United States Pension Examining Board, is a stock- holder in the Wolf Lake State Bank, and is also in- terested in farming, owning ninety acres in Noble Township. Harvey A. Strater is one of the successful farmer citizens of Noble County, owns a good place of eighty acres situated three miles west of Kendallville in Orange Township, and has been identified with the agricultural and civic affairs of his county for over thirty years. He was born in Orange Township April 11, 1862, son of John F. and Anna M. (Toby) Strater. His parents were both born in Germany. His father came to the United States when a boy with his parents. The mother was twelve years old when her parents came to the United States. Both families settled in Richland County, Ohio, where John F. Strater and wife were married. Later they moved to Noble County, Indiana, and settled where Martin Strater now lives. In that locality they spent the rest of their lives. John F. Strater was a man of great industry, of fine moral char- acter, and enjoyed the full esteem of his friends and neighbors. He came to Indiana with only $400 in capital, and by an industrious life he accumu- lated 280 acres of land. He was a very ardent democrat in politics. He and his wife had a large family of twelve children. One died in infancy, one passed away recently in 1916, and ten are still living, as follows : Catherine, wife of Samuel Linzy; Mary, wife of Ephraim Acton, of Wayne Township; Jenetta, widow of Nelson Shamlin, of Orange Township ; Laura, unmarried and living in Wayne Township; George, of Wayne Township; J. M., Strater of Orange Township; Harvey A.; Minnie, wife of Walter A. Rhea, of Orange Town- ship; Emma, wife of John Rhea, of Orange Town- ship; and Albert, of Wayne Township. Harvey A. Strater grew up on the home farm in Orange Township and had a common school edu- cation. At the age of twenty-one he began work- ing out for others and also rented a farm. He married for his first wife Isabella I. Imes. She left two children : Glenn and Carl, both of whom are married and established in homes of their own. On June 24, 1895, Mr. Strater married Mollie Spence. She was born in Jefferson Township of Noble County October 12, 1872, and was reared in that locality. Her father, Rev. T. P. Spence, a minister of the United Brethren Church, was born in Morrow County, Ohio. His wife was a native of Wyandot County, Ohio, and they were married in Seneca County of that state in 1859, and in 1865 moved to Noble County, Indiana. T. P. Spence served three years as a soldier in the L T nion army. Mrs. Strater was educated in the common schools, graduating at the age of sixteen. Mr. and Mrs. Strater had seven children: Dale, a graduate of the common schools and now married and living in Kendallville; Wilma, a graduate of the common schools ; Edna, a student in high school ; Claire, who has finished the common school course ; Olive, now in high school ; Reva, and one that died young. Mrs. Strater is an active member of the Unified Brethren Church. In politics Mr. Strater is a democrat. Joseph Y. Hooley, a resident of LaGrange County since 1881, started life with no particular advantages and from farm labor has progressed steadily during the passing years to a comfortable independence rep- resented in the ownership of a fine farm in New- bury Township. Mr. Hooley was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, June 30, 1861, a son of Joseph and Rachel (Yoder) Hooley. His mother was a daughter of Jacob Yoder. She was born October 10, 1834, and died March 21, 1893. Joseph Hooley was born in Mif- flin County, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1829, and he and his wife were married January 9, 1855. For a number of years he farmed in Mahoning County, but in 1863 moved to St. Joseph County, Michigan, where he spent the rest of his life on a farm. He and his wife were members of the Amish Mennonite Church. They had a family of children as follows : Enos, who married Lydia A. Yoder; Menno S., who married Frances Hostetler; Anna, who became the wife of Isaiah Hostettler ; Joseph Y. ; John F., who died November 4, 1865; Emma J., who became the wife of Jacob Hostetler; and Magdalene, who mar- ried William W. Hartzler. Joseph Y. Hooley grew up in St. Joseph County, Michigan, attended the district schools there, and was about twenty years of age when he came to Newbury Township. He worked out as a farm hand and on March 1, 1884, married Gertrude Yoder. Then for several years he followed the trade of carpenter and in 1891 bought his first farm, com- prising eighty acres. After two years he sold that and bought another eighty acres, which he still owns, and in 1902 bought a place of 120 acres, on which he has lived since 1907. He also owns nearby forty acres, and has eighty acres in Elkhart County. Mr. Hooley has rebuilt the buildings and put many im- provements on his home farm, and in the matter of buildings it is one of the best places in the town- ship. His home is in section 8 of Newbury Town- ship. In the comfortable prosperity of later years Mr. and Mrs. Hooley have the companionship and solace of both children and grandchildren. Their own children numbered eight. Levi F., the oldest, mar- ried Minnie Miller, and they are the parents of Nancy, Amos, Titus, Rachel, Reva and Yada. Noah J., the second son, married Syvilla Blough and has three children, Francis, Florence and Ernest. Menno S. married Dora Mast and has two children, Walter Harold and Verna. Lydia Ann is the wife of Elmer Murray, and their children are named Gerald, Joe- ulla, Elmer, Jr., Gladys and Grace. Beulah F. is the wife of Adam Birkholder, and they have Sa- verna and Mabel. The three younger children, still unmarried, are Ora J., Katie R. and Luella G. Solomon Alwood, whose interests as a farmer, public spirited citizen and leader in church and com- munity affairs identify him prominently with Troy Township of DeKalb County, lives five miles south- west of Edon, Ohio. He was born in Troy Township January 29, 1861, a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Rosenburg) Alwood. His parents were both natives of Ohio, his father, born January 22, 1827, and his mother August 24, 1827. After their marriage they came to DeKalb County and settled in Troy Township, where the father followed farming until he enlisted in Com- pany G of the Thirteenth Indiana Infantry. He was a faithful soldier and died July 4, 1865, before being mustered out of the army. He was a democrat in HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 163 politics. His widow survived him many years, pass- ing away July 5, 1902. She was the mother of seven children: John, of Butler, Indiana; Henry, of Bat- tle Creek, Michigan; Leonard, of Angola; Saman- tha, of Edon, Ohio; Solomon; Warren, of Clare County, Michigan ; and Ananias, deceased. Solomon Alwood was four years old when his father died. He grew up at the old home, was edu- cated in the district schools, and helped his mother run the farm until his marriage. November 13, 1899, Della Van Wormer became his wife. She was born in Troy Township December 16, 1867, a daughter of William and Sarah (Has- well) Van Wormer, the former a native of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Ohio. Her parents were married in Indiana and her father served in Com- pany K of the One Hundredth Indiana Infantry until the close of the Civil war. The Van Wormers were members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. and Mrs. Alwood after their marriage lived on the home farm until he bought his present place in Troy Township. He owns a 118-acre farm, and has specialized to a considerable extent in the breed- ing of Duroc hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Alwood have four children : Clark W., born September 6, 1890, is a blacksmith in Steu- ben County; Claude L., born June 27, 1892, a farmer in Troy Township; and Leland and Lelah, twins, born August 7, 1902, both graduates of the common schools and now in the senior year of the Butler High School. The family are members of the United Brethren Church and Mr. Alwood is a church trus- tee and superintendent and teacher of the Sunday School. He was a candidate on the democratic ticket for the office of trustee of Troy Township in 1918. Howard E. Lees, cashier of the First State Bank of Fremont, is a banker of several years’ experience, but for a much longer time was a popular and suc- cessful teacher. Most of his career was spent in Northwestern Ohio, but he is one of the well known and enterprising young leaders in business affairs in Steuben County. He was born at Edon in Williams County, Ohio, July 14, 1889. His grandfather, Hugh Lees, was born in Belfast, Ireland, and spent much of his active life as a farmer in Ohio. He had the follow- ing children : Zeph, Murvin, Elmer, Willis, Edson, Mary, who married Henry Stuller, and Elizabeth, who became the wife of David Metzler. Murvin A. Lees was born at Edon, Ohio, on the same farm as his son Howard, and has spent all his life as a farmer there. He has been prospered and for several years has specialized in Holstein dairy cattle. He is also one of the leading stock buyers in that section of Ohio. He married Hannah Fetters, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Kimmel) Fetters. Mur- vin Lees and wife are members of the Church of Christ. They had four children : Beulah, wife of Samuel Burkhart ; Florence, wife of Orvie Eyster ; Howard E. ; and Fay, who married Juanita. Skelton. Howard E. Lees attended public school in Edon, graduating from the high school there, and first became acquainted in Steuben County as a student in the Tri-State College. In the years 1909-10 he took advanced work in Miami University. Mr. Lees taught school for nine years, three years near his native Village of Edon, five years in that town, and one year in the State of Washington. In 1916, after his last work in school, he returned to Ohio and became an employe of the First Na- tional Bank of Hicksville. In December, 1916, he moved to Fremont, Indiana, and was assistant cashier until he was made cashier in July, 1918, of the First State Bank. In the fall of 1911 he married Pearl Musser, of Bryan, Ohio, daughter of E. A. and Carrie Musser. They have one child, Helen Lucile, born in 1912. Mr. Lees is a member of the Church of Christ and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge. F. E. Seymoure is a progressive farmer in Noble County, living on land a part of which was origi- nally entered from the government by his father. He has a large farm in section 16 and 21 of Noble Township, and for a number of years has devoted part of it to the cultivation of onions, and is one of the leading onion growers in this section of Indiana. He was born at his present home January 12, 1864, son of McIntyre and Sophia (Boerger) Sey- moure, the former a native of New York State and the latter of Germany. His mother was brought to the United States at the age of thirteen, and she married for her first husband Henry Freer, and by her second marriage was the mother of four children : Alta A., wife of Thomas M. Ott, of Noble Township; Rudolph J., a resident of Bluff Springs in Florida ; F. E. Seymoure ; and Anna, wife of Simon Hire, of Whitley County, Indiana. F. E. Seymoure has always lived at the home he now occupies, and during his boyhood attended the nearby district schools. He remained with his mother until he was thirty-one years of age, and in 1895 married Alma Kimmell. She was born in Summit County, Ohio, July 14, 1866, daughter of M. J. and Christina (Getz) Kimmell. When she was a few months old her parents came to Noble County, Indiana, and since her marriage she has lived in Noble Township. Mr. and Mrs. Seymoure have three sons and one daughter. Carlos R., born April 30, 1896, is a graduate of high school, was a teacher for two terms, and is now following the occupation of agriculture. Martha, Roy and Harold are the three younger children and Martha is a student in high school. Mr. Seymoure is a charter member of Wolf Lake Lodge of Knights of Pythias, and is a past chancellor and member of the Grand Lodge. His wife is a member of the Pythian Sisters at Wolf Lake. In politics he is a democrat. Mr. Sey- moure’s fine farm comprises 120 acres, and 100 acres of this was entered by his father at a gov- ernment land office. Samuel M. Miller. A good farm in Newbury Township, with ample equipment and efficiently man- aged, is the distinguishing mark of the service ren- dered by Samuel M. Miller. Well known in that community, he is also a member of a widely known and numerous family, the Millers having been prom- inent in Pennsylvania and in Northeast Indiana for many generations. Mr. Miller was born in Newbury Township De- cember 24, 1870. He is a son of Manassas Miller and a grandson of Moses B. and Susanna (Hersh- berger) Miller. Moses Miller spent his life as a farmer in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. His chil- dren, several of whom came to Indiana, were Isaac, Jacob, Manassas, Sarah, Lena, Susie, Mary, Chris- tina, Daniel, Samuel and Catherine. Manassas Miller was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1842, and came to La- Grange County, Indiana, in 1864, locating in New- bury Township. He lived there the rest of his life and passed away October 8, 1916. On March 29, 1866, he married Anna Miller, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, June 20, 1848, a daughter of 164 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Christian and Catherine (Mast) Miller. Christian Miller was also a native of Somerset County, Penn- sylvania, but in early life became a farmer in Holmes County, Ohio, where his wife was born. In 1859 they moved to Newbury Township of LaGrange County, and in 1872 Christian Miller went further west, to Shelby County, Illinois, was a farmer there ten years, and in 1882 established a home in Reno County, Kansas, where he was a pioneer. He lived there until his death the year of the Johnstown flood, 1889. The children of Christian Miller were Susanna, Martha, Anna, Moses, Jacob, Christian, Katie, Joseph and Noah. Manassas Miller and wife had twelve children, nine living, a brief record of whom follows : Levi M. married for his first wdfe Anna Troyer, who died in 1908, and for his second wife, Hosana Troyer; Jacob married Polly Troyer; Samuel; Susie, who lives in Kansas, the wife of Christian E. Troyer; Christian, also a resident of Kansas, married Lydia Ann Miller; Elizabeth, wife of John E. Christner; Moses, who married Elizabeth Yoder; William, who married Polly Borntrager ; and Martha, who died when eighteen years old. Samuel M. Miller received his educational ad- vantages in Newbury Township, and from early manhood has been a practical farmer. He farmed for about four years in his home locality, spent a year and a half in Elkhart County, and since then has been busy with the management of his farm in section 32 of Newbury Township. He owns 160 acres, and he has provided liberally for all his needs. He and his wife are members of the old order of the Mennonite Church. In 1894 he married Lydia Troyer, a daughter of Eli D. Troyer. While they have no children of their own they have taken into their home two chil- dren to rear, Fannie and Ammon Troyer, who are children of his wife’s brother, David E. Troyer. Homer L. Casebere is one of the younger men whose enterprise entitles them to special considera- tion among DeKalb County agriculturists. Mr. Case- bere operates the fine old Casebere farm in Stafford Township, on the eastern edge of the county. This farm has many characteristics to be admired in the way of improvements and productiveness, and its good features are by no means covered up and lost sight of by the name chosen by the owner and offi- cially recorded among farm names in the court house at Auburn. This name is “Just-A-Mere Farm.” Mr. Casebere was born on this farm July 27, 1887, a son of S. S. and Flora (Dunkle) Casebere. His father was born in Williams County, Ohio, January 22, i860, son of George and Mrs. (Knisely) Casebere. His parents now reside at Butler and are active mem- bers of the Christian Church there. S. S. Casebere has been quite active in the republican party and was formerly township trustee and member of the County Council. In the family were three children: Lester, who married Lottie McDaniel, of Stafford Township; Mabel, wife of Frank Lyons, of Wil- mington T ownship ; and Homer L. Homer L. Casebere grew up on the home farm and finished his education with two years in high school. He married Princess Thomas, daughter of Elder Fred A. Thomas of Milford, Indiana. Mrs. Casebere finished her education at Valparaiso Uni- versity. They have three children : Mabel, born October 1, 1912; Harold, born May 31, 1914; and Rachel, born January 22, 1916. The family are mem- bers of the Christian Church and Mr. Casebere is one of its elders and also a teacher in the Sunday school. His farm comprises 155 acres and while it fur- nishes him ample employment for all his energies he has other interests, being a member of the Arctic Shipping Association of Arctic, is secretary of the Hobb Threshing Company, and a stockholder in the Hamilton National Bank at Fort Wayne. He is also a member of the Grange and is a republican in politics. Francis J. Clark. In the person of the late Francis J. Clark, Steuben County had one of its most enterprising citizens, a successful and hard- working farmer, a thorough business man, and possessed of that character which makes his influ- ence still count for good in the community where he lived for so many years. He was born in Jamestown Township of Steuben County, March 27, 1861, and spent practically all his life there. His parents, Martin and Elizabeth (Conner) Clark, were both natives of Ireland. His father was born in 1813 and died in 1867 and his mother was born August 3, 1821. Martin Clark set- tled in Jamestown Township in 1855, and spent the rest of his life there as a farmer. His children were Walter, Mary A. and Francis J. Francis J. Clark attended school in Jamestown Township, but owing to his father’s death when he was only six years old, had meager opportunities to acquire a thorough education. He made good use of subsequent opportunities, became widely read and well informed, and always sought the companionship of men of good judgment and sound intelligence. After his father’s death he worked industriously to help his mother pay off the mortgage on the farm, and he conducted the farm for a number of years. Eventually he became owner of about 200 acres, and enjoyed success in other lines as well. He was one of the organizers of the First Bank of Fremont, and served as a director until a short time before his death. Mr. Clark died June 5, 1915. He was for one term a trustee of Jamestown Township, and was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Masons, being a charter member of the Knights of Pythias at Fremont. October 17, 1906, he married Alma M. Baum, daughter of Michael and Mary A. (Michael) Baum. Mrs. Clark, who survives her honored husband and still lives at Fremont, represents a family that has been identified with Steuben County for seventy years. Her grandparents were Abraham and Eliza- beth Baum. Her maternal grandfather, Phillip Michael, was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Steuben County in 1849, settling at Fremont, where he followed the trade of weaver. He was quite successful and was able to start all his sons in business in and around Fremont. His ten chil- dren were named Enos, Joshua, Phillip, Jacob, David, Mary A., Lydia, Sarah, Lovina and Cath- erine. Mrs. Clark’s father, Michael Baum, was born in Pennsylvania, April 17, 1818, and also came to Steuben County in 1849. He lived at Fremont and was a carpenter by trade. He died in August, 1873. Jay Stuckman has been a resident and farmer of Noble County for seventeen years, and owns a well ordered property and good rural home in Noble Township. He has handled his own affairs with admirable success and has attracted attention to himself several times by his neighbors and friends, who have nominated him for public office. He was born in Defiance County, Ohio, May 2, 1879, son of Isaac and Evaline (Rogers) Stuck- man. His father and mother were both born in Crawford County, Ohio, and lived in that state HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 165 until about 1897, when they moved to Elkhart County, Indiana, and in that locality spent the rest of their days. The father was an active member of the Progressive Brethren Church and an elder or minister of that denomination. He and his wife reared a large and interesting family, comprising eleven children, a brief record of whom is as follows : Hattie, wife of George Myers ; Curtis M. ; Charles and William, all living in Defiance County, Ohio; Emma wife of Jesse Snyder, of Williams County, Ohio ; George, a farmer in Defiance County ; Lewis, of Elkhart County, Indiana; Jay; Clyde, of Elkhart County; Ida wife of Carl Berkey, of Elkhart County; and Lottie, wife of C. A. Whittle, of Goshen, Indiana. Jay Stuckman was eighteen years old when his parents came to Elkhart County. He had acquired his education in the common schools of Ohio, and since coming to this state has been applying all his time to farming and the varied relationships of a useful career. He moved to Noble County in November, 1902. His farm comprises 235 acres, and a part of it is devoted to the profitable crop of onions. He is also specializing in livestock, has some fine Shorthorn cattle and big type Poland China hogs. He is a director in the Wolf Lake State Bank and a stockholder in the Kimmel State Bank. In 1900 Mr. Stuckman married Drusilla Wysong, a daughter of Joseph Wysong. She is a graduate of the Nappanee High School and was a teacher before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Stuckman have five children: Elva, Vesta, Guy, Paul and Roger. The two older children are both graduates of the Wolf Lake High School. Mr. Stuckman is a democrat, and his party nominated him a year or so ago for the office of county treasurer. Charles Haarer. One of the best instances of the selfmade man is found in the person of Charles Haarer of Newbury Township, LaGrange County. Coming to this country a stranger to its language and customs, he has worked hard and saved thriftily and is now one of the well-to-do men of his region. He was born January 22, 1850, in Ger- many, he was there reared, and between the ages of six and fourteen years received the educational ad- vantages offered by its public schools. In 1869 he left his native land for the United States, and after landing made his way to Ann Arbor, Michigan, ob- taining employment first on a farm, and later on the construction of the Pere Marquette Railroad. He next moved to a wild piece of land in Michigan, 100 acres, and then from there came to Indiana. In 1886 he came to LaGrange County, Indiana, and rented a farm, and also assisted in the operation of the saw-mill owned by Tilly Schrack for a year. While living in Michigan he had bought a farm of eighty acres, which he later traded for 100 acres on the Banbridge Road in LaGrange County. Af- ter conducting it for three years he traded his sec- ond farm for the Half Moon farm of 160 acres, adding to it until he had 260 acres, but sold this property in 1917, and another farm he had bought he disposed of in 1918. In 1912 he bought his pres- ent farm, and is still conducting it. His political faith is that of a republican. For a number of years he belonged to the Lutheran Church, but sixteen years ago united with the Mennonite Church, o.f which his wife has been a member for thirty-five years. On April 25, 1880, Mr. Haarer was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Emmert. born in New- bury Township, LaGrange County, Indiana, Decem- ber 10, 1862, a daughter of Leonard and Catherine (Eash) Emmert, natives of Germany and Pennsyl- vania, respectively, who were married in Elkhart County, where they lived for a few years prior to settling in Newbury Township. He died in Ore- gon in 1900, aged sixty-seven years. His widow, al- though eighty years old, survives and makes her home in Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Haarer became the parents of the following children: John, who is on the old homestead, married Edna Eash, and they have four children, Orpha A., Ruby Ruth, Roy and Charles ; Mary Viola, who married Daniel M. Kauffman, and their children are, Ray, Ruth and Ruby, twins, the latter deceased ; Rufus Charles, Clara and Henry; Willie Henry, a farmer, who married Fannie Eash, has the following children, Aldine, Corona, Sylvester and Leonard; Joseph Frank, who is a farmer of Newbury Township, married Grace Beam, had the following children, David Paul, deceased, and Ethel Marian ; and David A., Charles Edwin, Martha Elizabeth and Susan Magdelina, all of whom are deceased. An experienced farmer and excellent business man, Mr. Haarer is held in respect for his good qualities in his neighborhood, and deserves great credit for what he has accomplished in the land of his adop- tion in the half a century he has resided in it. George H. Smith is proprietor of the Buckeye Farm, consisting of ninety acres in section 22 of Jackson Township, DeKalb County. Mr. Smith is an Ohio man, and has been a resident of DeKalb County for the past ten years. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, April 16, i860, son of William S. and Cristy A. (Wood) Smith. His parents were also natives of Ohio, and in 1910 moved to Indiana and settled in DeKalb County. George H. Smith grew up in his native county, had a common school education, and on September 22, 1878, married Sarah E. Davis. He began his career as a day laborer and from a modest start acquired two farms in Putnam County, Ohio. On moving to DeKalb County in 1910 he bought the ninety acres comprised in the Buckeye Farm, and has used it for general farming and stockraising. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Spencerville. Mr. Smith is a democrat and is affiliated with Lodge No. 536 of the Masons at Leipsic, Ohio. He and' his wife have three sons: Bert Smith, who lives near Hudson, Michigan ; Earl, also a farmer near Hudson ; and Audrey L., who is mar- ried and lives on the home farm. William J. Menges. The farmer is a man who needs to be well informed upon many subjects if he hopes to make a success of his work. The day has passed when men sought only to “make a living” from their farms. Land is too valuable and the need for food is too urgent to permit of any such haphazard methods. The modern farmer needs to understand the chemical elements in his soil and how to supply any which may be lacking to bring it up to the highest degree of fertility. He has to know all about rotation of crops, and make such changes in the disposition of his fields as will pre- serve his soil from unnecessary deterioration. His buildings must be constructed so as to conform with state sanitary regulations, and he recognizes the practicality of installing improved machinery. In order to properly realize on his crops he must be posted as to markets and best methods of trans- portation. If he is a stock raiser as well as grain grower many other avenues of knowledge must be traveled by him. In fact the farmer never stops learning something about his work from the time 166 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA he first goes on his farm until he leaves it for the last time. Yet. if he likes farming and appreciates its dignity and importance, in spite of the hard work and occasional reverses, he comes to recognize that he is the most independent man on earth, and that all other classes are looking to him for the most urgent necessity of life, food. One of the representative farmers of Steuben County, who not only has spent his entire life in the county but was born here, is William J. Menges, of Steuben Township. He was born on a farm adjoining his present one, in Steuben Town- ship, September 15, 1866, a son of Samuel Menges and grandson of Adam Menges and William Wolf. Adam Menges was born in Pennsylvania, but came to Steuben County in 1853. His wife bore the maiden name of Huffvines. William Wolf, the maternal grandfather, was born in Loudon County, Virginia, August 6, 1805, and his wife, Catherine (Fetterhoof) Wolf, was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. After their marriage they moved to Ashland County, Ohio, and in 1864 to Steuben County, Indiana, settling on the northeast quarter of section 7, Steuben Township, where William Wolf developed into a prosperous farmer. He and his wife had the following children: John, Susanna, Andrew, Jacob, Adam, Joseph, Mary Ann, Cath- erine, Magdalena, William, Amos, Lydia, Front, Phoebe and Sarah, of whom Mary Ann, born in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 21, 1843, became the mother of William J. Menges. Samuel Menges was born in Wayne County, Ohio, January 26, 1840, but was only a lad when his father located in Steuben County, and he here attended the public schools. After attaining his majority he acquired a farm, all covered with timber, and had to clear a space in order to erect a log cabin in which to house his family. This pioneer farm has been developed by him and William J. Menges into the present magnificent rural property upon which the latter is residing. The little log cabin was in time replaced by a substantial residence that is still used. Other necessary buildings were erected by Samuel Menges, and he lived on this farm until he retired, when, during the spring of 1899, he moved to Angola, and there he died September 10, 1905. His widow survives him and lives at Angola. Their children were William J., whose name heads this review, and Ida, who married Morton Lemon. Samuel Menges was a consistent member of the United Brethren Church of Steuben Township. During the Civil war Samuel Menges responded to the call of his country, and enlisted during March, 1865, his regiment, the One Hundred and Fifty- Fifth Indiana Infantry, being detailed at Wilming- ton, Delaware, on provost duty. William J. Menges attended the local schools of his native township and assisted his father in con- ducting the farm. After his marriage in 1890 he rented the homestead for a few years, and then rented another farm located in Otsego Township, where he lived until 1897, in that year going to Angola, where he was in a draying business until 1901. Selling his business, he rented his present farm of 118 acres, leaving it in 1903 for a farm he bought in Pleasant Township. After the death of his father he sold his farm and bought the old homestead, where he has since resided. In 1907 his neighborhood was visited by a destructive cyclone and all of his buildings except the residence were blown down, but since then he has erected new ones and has improved the house. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising, and is justly numbered among the leaders in his com- munity. He belongs to the Baptist Church. On October 1, 1890, Mr. Menges was united in marriage with Jennie Stover, a daughter of Isaac and Emma (Tubbs) Stover. Isaac Stover was born in Ohio, and his wife was born in Huron County, of that state. In young-manhood Mr. Stover came to Steuben County, Indiana, and became a farmer of Salem Township, where he died in 1869. He and his wife had the following children : George Stover and Mrs. Menges. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Menges are as follows : Zeno, who died when small; L. D., who married Olivia Lacey; and June. J. H. Nye, M. D. The community of Cromwell in Noble County, has had the able and kindly services of Dr. J. H. Nye as a physician and surgeon for nearly twenty years. Dr. Nye is a man of high attainments in his profession, of thorough training, and experience has brought him a general recognition of his talents. He was born in Dix, New York, in April, 1870, a son of Ebenezer and Margaret (Sharp) Nye, both natives of New York State. His father was a graduate of the Buffalo Law School and spent many years as a successful lawyer in Schuyler County, New York. He served for a number of years as a justice of the peace and was active in republican politics. Dr. J. H. Nye was educated in the common schools of Yates and Schuyler counties, graduating from the Dundee High School, and for seven years he earned his living as a teacher in the schools of New York and Pennsylvania. He finally entered the Medical College of Indiana, and after the full course was graduated M. D. in 1892. The following two years he was located at Buffalo, where he practiced medicine with his brother Dr. O. S. Nye. He then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore and took a post-graduate course, and in 1901 came to Indiana and located at Cromwell, where his work has been greatly ap- preciated ever since. He has served as deputy coroner of Noble County, and is a member in good standing of the County and State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. Doctor Nye is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Knight of Pythias. In politics he is a republican. Among other local interests he is a stockholder and one of the directors of the Sparta State Bank at Cromwell. Doctor Nye married Miss Pearl Voorhees, daughter of Doctor Voorhees. She is a graduate of the Mansfield Normal School of Pennsylvania and was also a teacher of the public schools of that state and of New Jersey before her marriage. W. P. Steward is a popular figure in business cir- cles in the southern part of DeKalb County, being proprietor of the Steward Lumber & Grain Company at Spencerville. He was born in Spencer Township, formerly Con- cord Township, March 7, 1887, a son of L. W. and Cora C. (Barr) Steward. His father was born in Jackson Township of DeKalb County in 1862, and his mother in Spencer Township in 1864. She is still living. L. W. Steward was a sawmill operator and a retail lumberman for many years and died in 1912. He was a Methodist. He and his wife had four children, one of whom was the late Fred Stew- ard, a partner with his brother W. P. in the lumber business. Fred Steward was a graduate of high school and went into the army and died at Camp Taylor in 1918. He married Laura Worley and left one son. The three living children are Arminta, W. P. and Jennie, wife of Roscoe Walters. W. P. Steward is a high school graduate and from HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 167 school entered his present business and has carried it on successfully for a number of years. He is one of the leading men of Spencerville, being a director of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, president of the Town Hall Association, and is a stockholder in a hardware business at Fort Wayne. He married Hazel Berry of St. Joe, Indiana, March 20, 1909. She is a graduate of the St. Joe High School. They have two children, Ercil and Florence. Mrs. Steward is a member of the Meth- odist Church. He is affiliated with Concord Lodge of Masons, is a member of the thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Consistory at Fort Wayne, both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star, and she is a past worthy matron and a member of the Grand Lodge. He is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias and has sat in the Grand Lodge. Politically Mr. Steward is a republican. Charles A. Dohner is not only a farmer but re- garded as one of the livest business men of Troy Township, DeKalb County. He owns 120 acres, all of which he has acquired and made as a result of years of hard work and saving and careful co-opera- tion between himself and his wife. He is also a stockholder in the Arctic Co-operative Livestock Shipping Association and is one of the directors of the Butler Grain Shipping Association. Mr. Dohner was born in St. Joe Township of Wil- liams County, Ohio, August 20, 1876, a son of Isaac and Rachel (Adams) Dohner. Isaac Dohner was born in Wayne County, Ohio, December 31, 1838, and died in a hospital at Detroit, Michigan, July 7, 1911. He came to DeKalb County in 1859. On No- vember 28, i860, he married Susan Bratten, of Wil- liams County, Ohio. He left home and on March 28, 1864, enlisted in Company H of the Eighty-Eighth Indiana Infantry and was in active service until wounded at Bentonville, North Carolina, in one of the last battles of the war, on March 19, 1865. While he was in the army his wife died, leaving one child, Clara, wife of Adolph Vogal, a resident of Chicago. On November 1, 1866, Isaac Dohner married Rachel A. (Adams) Johnston, of Wayne County, Ohio, widow of Cyrus Johnston, who was also a Union soldier and died while in the war. Mrs. Johnston by her first marriage had one son, Robert, now de- ceased. Isaac Dohner and wife were the parents of seven children : William H. ; May, wife of Charles Jennings; Etta, wife of William Wilson; Ella, wife of Jacob Cole; Mary, wife of Floyd Hollinger; Charles A., and John, of Williams County. The parents were members of the United Brethren Church at Big Run. Mrs. Isaac Dohner is still liv- ing at Butler. Her husband was an active member of the Grand Army Post at Butler and a repub- lican in politics. Charles A. Dohner spent much of his early life in Steuben County, where he attended the common schools. At the age of fourteen he went to work on a farm and then for five years was employed in a basket factory at Edgerton and Sherwood, Ohio. On coming to DeKalb County he worked on a farm and on September 19, 1896, married Jessie M. Souder. She was born in Troy Township April 19, 1880, a daughter of George B. and Sarah M. (Adams) Souder. Her father was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1846, and in 1859 went with his parents to Richland County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In 1874 he settled on section 24 of Franklin Township, DeKalb County, and in 1879 moved to Troy Township, where he is still living, the owner of eighty acres of land. Mr. Souder mar- ried Sarah M. Adams February 27, 1868, who was a daughter of Andrew Adams, of Richland County, Ohio, where she was born January 14, 1848. Mrs. Dohner grew up on her father’s farm and had a common school education. For one year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dohner lived at Butler and since then have been farmers in Troy Town- ship. They have three children ; George, born April 28, 1898, is a graduate of the common schools and married Edith Worthington, and they have one child, Howard E. Glen, born June 22, 1899, graduated from the common schools at the age of fifteen; Ross, born September 7, 1902, finished his common school edu- cation at the age of twelve. Mr. Dohner is affil- iated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Butler and he and his wife are members of the Butler Grange. He is a republican and on that ticket was elected a member of the DeKalb County Council November 5, 1918. William H. Huntsman. While much is heard in these days of farming as a business, there are a number of men in Northeast Indiana who at the outset of their careers had practically nothing but experience, ambition and hope, and have managed to rear their families and provide for all their needs and comforts through strict dependence upon the tilling of fields and the raising of livestock. One of these is William H. Huntsman, a prosperous farmer in Greene Township, in section 7, Noble County. He was born on the farm where he now resides November 25, 1875. His parents were George and Susanna (Hosier) Huntsman, both natives of Ohio. His father was born in Morrow County, that state, grew up and married there, and on coming to In- diana located in Greene Township of Noble County. They spent the rest of their days on the old home farm. They were devout church members and in politics the father was a democrat. They had nine children and five are still living : Elza, a farmer in Noble Township; Alice, wife of D. A. Harlan, of Noble Township; William H. ; Cora, who is mar- ried and lives in Noble Township; and Anson L., of Greene Township. William H. Huntsman has spent practically all his life on the home farm and as a boy he attended the local district schools. In October, 1896, he married Miss Emmaretta Ott. She was born in Noble Township of Noble County and had a district school education. Mr. and Mrs. Huntsman started life with no capital, and for eleven or twelve years he worked for his father on the farm. Having saved all he could during this interim and at the same time having provided for the expenses of a growing family, he then bought a half interest in the home farm, and his prosperity has been growing steadily with the passing years. To Mr. and Mrs. Huntsman were born eleven chil- dren, ten of whom are still living: Cleo, Blanche, Fern, Wilda, Lavon, Martha, Hays, Raymond, Lydia and Robert. Cleo is the wife of R. Weber. Mr. Huntsman is a democrat and was the nominee of his party for county commissioner in 1918. Perry W. Bowerman. Some of the best land of Jackson Township in Steuben County has been developed through the enterprise of members of the Bowerman family, some of whom have been here for over thirty-eight years. After an active career spent on one of the farms there Perry W. Bower- man is now living retired at Flint, but still owns a large farm. Mr. Bowerman was born in Seneca County, Ohio, July 5, 1856, a son of Simon and Lydia (Spangle) Bowerman. The maternal grandfather was Jacob 168 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Spangle. The paternal grandparents were Jacob and Mary (Ritter) Bowerman, the former a native of New York State, who moved to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1S27, and spent the rest of his life as a farmer in that locality, having lived there from earliest pioneer times. Jacob Bowerman’s children were Simon, Michael, Henry, John, Jacob, Isaac, Joshua, Charles, Catherine, Susan and Mary. Of this large family, two are still living, Charles and Mary. Simon Bowerman was born in New York State, January 4, 1820. He was a child when taken to Ohio and after reaching manhood became a farmer in Seneca County. In 1872 he brought his family to Jackson Township of Steuben County, locating in sections 16 and 17, and made the bulk of his prosperity while living there. He acquired the ownership of 240 acres of land. He died^ April 27, 1903. His wife, who was born in New York State in 1823, died in November, 1907. They were mem- bers of the Dunkard Church. The children of Simon Bowerman and wife were: Rachel, who be- came the wife of William Oury ; Cassie, who died in childhood; Joshua; Perry W. ; Clarence, who died when a small boy; and Charles, who died in early life. Perry W. Bowerman was sixteen years old when his parents came to Steuben County. He finished his education in School No. 4 of Jackson Township, and soon afterward began farming there. In 1879 he married Jennie Johns, a daughter of Peter Johns. After his marriage he bought a farm in section 16, adjoining the old Bowerman estate, and for nearly forty years was diligently engaged in its manage- ment and cultivation, putting up all the buildings and carrying on his business as a general farmer and stock raiser until the spring of 1918. At that date he moved to a good home in Flint, and his farm of 180 acres is now carried on by a son. Mr. Bower- man is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge in Flint. He and his wife have four children : William, who married Myrtle Daily and has five sons, named Carrol, Cleo, Willis, Devere and Walter. Lydia, the wife of John Stayner. Branch, who married Fred Seybert and has one son, Howard. Ora B., who rents his father’s farm, married Ruth Boyer and has a son, Keith. Frank W. McWilliams. One of the most inter- esting farms in the rural district of Greene Town- ship, Noble County, is 'widely known as the Old Homestead, an estate that has been continuously in the name and ownership of the McWilliams fam- ily for eighty-five years and has been the home of portions of five generations of the McWilliams family. It comprises 190 acres of well cultivated land with modern improvements and is now in the ownership of Frank W. McWilliams. The land was entered by his grandfather Oliver P. McWilliams as early as 1834. There has never been a transfer of title since that date. Frank W. McWilliams is a son of John P. and Josephine (White) McWilliams. His father was born in Ju- niata County, Pennsylvania, and was about eighteen years old when his parents came to Noble County. He lived on the old McWilliams farm and died there. His wife was a member of the Lutheran Church and he was a democrat, and was quite prom- inent in county affairs. In i860 he was elected county recorder, serving tw>o terms, and later was county commissioner two terms. He was also assessor of Greene Township. In early life he taught school for several terms. John P. McWilliams and wife had nine children: Alma, wife of Oliver Fred- erick, of Rice County, Kansas; Frank W. ; William H., who is unmarried and is employed by the Pull- man Company of Chicago; Alta, wife of M.- D.. Brackney, of California; Walter P., of Idaho; Charles, of South Chicago ; while the other children are now deceased. Frank W. McWilliams spent part of his youth at Albion, and afterward returned to the home farm and attended the district school nearby. On October 6, 1881, he married Elzada Hines. She was born in Richland County, Ohio, and came to Noble County with her parents and received her education here- Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams have two children. Mina M. is the wife of A. L. Budd, of Greene Township. Carlos P. is a graduate of the Albion High School and also attended the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana. He now lives on the home farm. He married Helen Earnhart, and has two children, John C. and George H. Frank W. McWilliams is a member of Albion Lodge No. 178, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and also belongs to the Eastern Star. He is a dem- ocrat and is a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank and a stockholder and director in the grist mill at Albion. Isaiah Smith is a farmer both by inheritance and by choice, and has spent all his life on the old Smith homestead in Spencer Township, DeKalb County. His model country home is located three and a half miles southeast of Spencerville, close to the Allen County line. Mr. Smith was born on that farm November 23, 1856, a son of Levi and Harriet (Robb) Smith. His father was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, Feb- ruary 22, 1828, a son of Peter and Elizabeth Smith, natives of Pennsylvania, and he grew up a farm boy and shoemaker's apprentice. In 1849 he mar- ried Harriet Robb, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Robb. In the same year he bought land in Portage County, Ohio, and in 1854 removed to DeKalb County, Indiana. He be- gan here with eighty acres of partially improved land, and many years before his death was pos- sessor of a highly improved farm of 320 acres, and possessed ample means for all his needs. He lived on the farm until his death in September, 1900. His- wife passed away in April, 1904. They were mem- bers of the Methodist Church, and he was for a number of years a leading democrat in his section of the county. He was especially liberal in behalf of his church and always favored public improvements. He and his wife had two sons, Ira E. and Isaiah. Isaiah Smith grew up on the home farm where he has always lived and had a common school edu- cation. In 1878 he married Eliza Sibert. They- have two children, Samuel L., who is married and lives in Spencer Township, and Emery R., who lives in the same Township and is married. The mother of these sons died in 1887. June 17, 1888, Mr. Smith married Delilah Kinsley. She was born in Allen County, Indiana, March 12, 1861. To this union were born three children : Effie, born July 20, .1889, wife of James Stewart; Warren, born July 30, 1893, and still at home ; Clara, born April 10, 1899. Mrs,. Smith is an active member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Smith is a democrat. In addition to his inherit- ance of 160 acres of the old homestead he bought 150 acres more and has 310 acres under complete and successful operation for general farming and stock- raising. Samuel Hook, present trustee of Stafford Town- ship, DeKalb County, is a farmer on the extreme eastern line of the county and has spent practically- all his life in that one locality. His home is in section 16. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 169 He was born there March 17, 1872, a son of Henry and Ursula (Strohl) Hook. Henry Hook was born in Germany, and was eleven years of age when brought to the United States by his parents, who settled in Summit County, Ohio, where his father Spent the rest of his life. Henry Hook came to De^ Kalb County, Indiana, when a young man and after his marriage settled on land in Stafford Township. His first wife was Rachel Miller, who died in 1861. She was the mother of four children : Mary A., wife of John Zimmerman, of Defiance County, Ohio; John J., a prosperous farmer in Stafford Township; Amanda and Sarah, both deceased. Henry Hook married Ursula Strohl for his second wife. She is still living on the same farm with her son. By his second marriage there were seven children, five of whom are still living: William, of Defiance County; Ida, wife of Uri Murphy, in Allen County, Indiana ; Irene, Samuel and Rosa. Henry Hook besides being a prosperous farmer was a leader in local affairs and at one time served as trustee of Stafford Town- ship. Samuel Hook grew up on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. He was a small child when his father died and when he became old enough he took charge of the homestead and at present owns 140 acres, but manages and cultivates 320 acres. This extensive property he uses for gen- eral farming and stockraising. Mr. Hook has always been a democrat. He served four years as township assessor and on November 5, 1918, was elected township trustee. He had a ma- jority of six votes over his opponent though the township is normally republican by about ten. He has also been active as a member of the County Central Committee of his party. John L. Anspaugh. It is the good, honest record of farmers and capable citizens that bring the Anspaugh family frequently into the annals of Steuben County. Several of the name have given good accounts of themselves, including Mr. John L. Anspaugh, who grew up in Steuben County and for a number of years has been one of the chief farmers in the Crooked Lake district of Pleasant Township. He was born in Williams County, Ohio, Septem- ber 5, i860. His grandparents, Jacob and Barbara Anspaugh, were natives of Pennsylvania and settled in Stark County, Ohio, in 1808, and moved to Williams County in 1844, where Jacob Anspaugh died in October, 1857, and his wife in 1874. John Anspaugh, father of John L., was born in Stark County, Ohio, and married Sarah Ann Cain, who was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1830. John Anspaugh lived for several years in Williams County, Ohio, and in March. 1870, settled in section 5 of Richland Township, Steuben County, where he acquired a good farm and where he did his duties as a private citizen and a worthy member of the community for many years. John L. Anspaugh, who was ten years old when the family came to Steuben County, finished his education in the district schools of Richland Town- ship, and began farming in that township when a j'oung man. In 1880 he moved to Pleasant Town- ship and in 1892 became superintendent of the Steuben County Farm. He held that office until he had rounded out a term of twenty years and six months, and had made a record of administration entitled to the highest praise and commendation. He left the County Farm in 1912 and has since been identified with his own business interests in Pleasant Township. In 1915 he built the home where he now lives on the banks of Crooked Lake. For about ten years he owned seven cottages at Pebble Beach on Crooked Lake, and they were in regular demand during the summer seasons by resorters. He sold this property March 15, 19 1 9 - Mr. Anspaugh now owns about 100 acres in Pleas- ant Township, in section 8, on the north branch of Crooked Lake. That is his home farm, and ht also has 160 acres in section 31 of Millgrove Town- ship. , , All of this property represents the steady accumu- lation of years of hard work, thrifty management and successful farming. n n . , , September 5? 1885? be married Cora B. Tvicharcl- son, daughter' of Henry Richardson, a well known family of Pleasant Township spoken of more m detail on other pages. Mr. and Mrs. Anspaugh have one son, Glenn E., who is a graduate ot the Tri-State Normal College at Angola and is now looking after one of his father s farms. David W. Eberly is a successful farmer and stock- man in Swan Township of Noble County, and for years has been one of the public spirited citizens of that locality, having to his credit a most efficient administration as township trustee for six years. He was born in Greene Township of Noble County January i, 1863, son of David D. and Mar- garet ( Kanagy) Eberly, the former a native ot Pennsjdvania and the latter of Ohio. After their marriage in Ohio they moved to Indiana and settled in Allen County, later in Whitley County, and from there came to Noble County, where they spent the rest of their days. Both were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father was a republican voter. There were five children, three living; Susanna, wife of John Waterson; Zachariah and Ruanna, both deceased; Emma, wife ot Eli Spear; and David W. David W. Eberly grew up on the home farm, had a district school education, and lived at home to the age of twenty-one, but from the age of seven- teen has been self-supporting and by industry and intelligent management has carved his own destiny without particular help from anyone. He married Miss Dessie Krider. At the time of his marriage he had bought a small piece of land, and he took his bride to that farm and in that one locality has steadily worked toward better fortune and now owns one of the best farms in the town- ship, comprising ninety-one acres devoted to gen- eral crops and livestock. Mr. and Mrs. Eberly have two children: Bertha, wife of Frank Fulk, of Swan Township, and Leslie, who is still at home. The family are members of the Church of God, and Mr. Eberly is affiliated with Churubusco Lodge No. 37, Knights of Pythias, Churubusco Lodge No. 515, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is a member of the Eastern Star lodge of the same place. He is a stockholder in the Exchange Bank of Churubusco. He is keenly interested in local im- provements and has served as superintendent of the county stone road, and his term as township trustee from 1908 to 1914 was signalized by many important services in behalf of the public schools and other matters entrusted to his official charge. Mr. Eb- erly is a republican in politics. A. Frank Wilson, a well-to-do farmer of Rich- land Township in Steuben County, has made the successive years of his active career count for steady progress towards better things and is re- garded as one of the most useful members of his home community. He was born in Otsego Township, on the old Wilson homestead, March 9, 1872. a son of Alex- ander G. and Mary Ann (Maxwell) Wilson. This 170 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA is one of the well known families of Steuben County. Mr. Wilson grew up on his father’s farm, attended local schools, and spent the winter of 1893-94 in the Normal School at Angola. For a quarter of a cen- tury he has devoted his best efforts to farming. In 1899 he bought forty acres in Richland township and in 1902 he bought the farm of eighty acres on which he now lives. He- sold his first forty acres in 1904. He has kept the improvements increasing as a measure of his prosperity. He remodeled the house in 1912 and has a fine barn that was built in 1910. Mr. Wilson is a republican and served two years as assessor of Richland Township and for four years as a member of the advisory board. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church at Mount Pleasant. October 30, 1895, he married Miss Mary E. Lint. She was born in Richland Township April 1, 1873, a daughter of John S. and Rebecca J. (Allomong) Lint. John S. Lint has long been a well known resident of Richland Township. He was born in Williams County, Ohio, September 15, 1845, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Lint, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The Lint family settled in Williams county in 1841. John S. Lint and his brother Wil- liam were both Ohio soldiers in the Civil war, en- listing in September, 1862. They served all through until the Grand Review at Washington, participat- ing in the greatest battles of the Middle West and South, including the Atlanta campaign and the march to the sea. John S. Lint married Rebecca Allomong on August 1, 1869. She was born in Richland Township of Steuben County, March 6, 1847, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine Allo- mong. The Allomongs were pioneers in Steuben County. Joseph Allomong had the reputation of being the most corpulent man in Steuben County, but that did not interfere with his very successful business career. At one time he owned about 600 acres of land and many fine horses. He died Octo- ber 11, 1889, and his wife on April 16, 1869. John S. Lint for half a century lived on a farm in section 20 of Richland Township. He and his wife had three children: Flora, wife of John Penrod, of Bryan, Ohio ; Mary E. ; and Martha, wife of Rev. S. L. Cunningham. Mr. and Mrs. Lint are members of the Lhiited Brethren Church. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have one son, Robert Burns. He was born October 23, 1900, and completed the eighth grade in school work in 1913. He attended high school at Eden, Ohio, graduating in 1918. He spent two summers in the Tri-State College and during the winter of 1918-19 was employed to teach the Alvarado School in Richland Township. He was given a teacher’s license for two years and is employed to teach the Bethel School during the year of 1919-20. Oscar F. Rakestraw. Everyone in Steuben County knows Mr. Rakestraw as the veteran editor of the Steuben Republican. He has been continu- ously identified with that publication for over forty years and is one of the oldest newspaper men in Northern Indiana. He was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, October 30, 1849, a son of Caleb and Elezan Rakestraw, who came to Steuben County, Indiana, in 1858. . Oscar Rakestraw finished his education at Hillsdale Col- lege, Hillsdale, Michigan, and his first important business experience was as general agent for an in- surance company of Hartford, Connecticut, working much of the time as general agent in New Eng- land. He followed that business for a few years, until 1877, when he entered the Steuben Republican office at Angola, and since then has been connected with every phase of the business, most of the time as editor and proprietor. He is, like his paper, republican in politics, is affiliated with the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and for over forty years has been a mem- ber of the Christian Church at Angola. On June 10, 1879, at Angola, he married Melissa Cline, daughter of Michael and Barbara Cline. They have two daughters, Zanna and Dorothy. Dorothy is the wife of S. P. Hull, formerly of Baraboo, Wisconsin, and now living at Montgomery, Michigan. Zanna is organist at the Jefferson Theater in Fort Wayne. Eli B. Griffin. Food is the great necessity of the next few years and many of the patriotic and far-visioned men of the country, especially those who have had experience in farming, are returning to the soil, realizing that in cultivating it they will be rendering a valuable service to humanity." One of these men who are practically demonstrating their love of country is Rev. Eli B. Griffin of Pleas- ant Township, Steuben County, Indiana, a man already distinguished in the ministry of the United Brethren faith. The birth of Eli B. Griffin took place on his present farm in Pleasant Township August 1, 1867. He is a son of Charles and Jane (McBride) Griffin, the former of whom was born in Steuben County, New York, January 12, 1834. The latter was born in Stark County, Ohio, October 6, 1839, a daughter of William McBride, a native of Ireland. The paternal grandparents, Eli and Eliza (Bundy) Griffin, were natives of New York State and Cayuga County, New York, respectively. They came west from New York to DeKalb County, Indiana, settling on a farm near Auburn. Charles Griffin attended the schools of DeKalb County, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until he was twenty-two years old, when he met with an accident which resulted in the loss of an arm. He was driving a team operating an old- fashioned threshing machine when it ran away, and so injured him that amputation resulted. It is a remarkable fact that although he was thus crippled he attained a wide reputation as an expert wood chopper. With the loss of his arm, however, he found it necessary to adopt some calling which would enable him to earn a living without too much physical effort, and he became a student at Wayne Seminary, where he prepared himself for teaching. At one time he was professor of mathematics at Fort Wayne, and always was an able instructor. With the salary paid him for teaching he bought and paid for a farm in DeKalb County, which he later sold and purchased a mercantile business at Sedan, Indiana, but in 1867 traded it for a farm in section 33, Pleasant Township, Steuben County. When he took possession of it the only building then standing was a log cabin, and only six acres of the land were cleared. Immediately he began im- proving the place, erecting suitable buildings and installing appliances, and here he spent the remain- der of his life, at the time of his death owning 182 acres of land. He and his wife had the following children : Emma J., who died at the age of twenty years; John N. ; Eli B., whose name heads this biography; Ida, who married Walter Ward; and Byron. The parents of these children were con- sistent members of the United Brethren Church. Eli B. Griffin attended the public schools of his native township, and then took a three years’ course at the Angola Tri-State College. A United Breth- ren by inheritance: and 'inclination, Mr. Griffin entered the ministry of that church and continued to serve as such continuously until October, 1917- He HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 171 is now on an inactive leave for one year, and is making good use of his vacation by operating his fine farm of fifty-five acres. Mr. Griffin has been very active in his church, serving for twelve years as presiding elder of the Michigan Annual Con- ference of the United Brethren Church. For twenty successive years he has been elected as a member of the General Conference of the church. On June 23, 1892, Mr. Griffin was united in mar- riage with Nettie May Dirrim, a daughter of Hugh W. Dirrim, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin became the parents of the following children: Charles Wesley, who married Zana Oberst; Etta May, who married Clarence Munger ; Elcie Fae, who married Paul Irvin; Wilhelmina Daisy; and Henry L. Mrs. Griffin died October 2, 1918, having been a devoted wife and mother and true Christian, and her loss is mourned by her many friends. Mr. Griffin is a man who has always given boun- tifully of his gifts to his people, and has exerted a wonderful influence for good in his community. He is not one to be readily deceived in men or misled in measures, and so has naturally been chosen as a leader. His work has been carried on capably and effectively. Always accessible and sympathetic to those who seek his help, sincere and unselfish, he has always been an inspiration for activities of the best sort. James A. Stewart is proprietor of one of the good farms in Noble County. His home is near Laotto, where for a number of years a goodly tract of 1 15 acres has responded to his wise and intelli- gent methods of cultivation, and where he has gained prosperity sufficient “for his own needs and at the same time has provided liberally for those dependent upon him. Mr. Stewarr was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 19, 1857, a son of John W. and Su- sanna (DeHoff) Stewart. His parents were natives of the same county and state. John W. Stewart was a son of Samuel Stewart and a grandson of Mathias Stewart, a native of Scotland who came to the United States and settled in Maryland. Sam- uel Stewart . was born in Maryland, January. 30, 1793, and was one of the pioneers to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he spent his life as a farmer and died in 1872. Samuel Stewart married Eliza- beth Long, who was born June 10, 1790. John W. Stewart and wife came to Indiana and settled in Allen County, where he died. She died February 15, 1919. Both were active members of their church, and he was a democrat in politics, being quite radi- cal in his beliefs. There were five children: Benja- min, of Holmes County, Ohio, who died May 20, 1919; James A.; David D., of Avilla, Indiana; Eliz- abeth, wife of Robert Teare; and Belle, wife of John Wilken. James A. Stewart came to Allen County in 1884, and on December 20, 1884, married Miss Rittie DeHoff, of Noble County. She was born in Colum- biana County, Ohio, January 19, 1855, a daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth (Hampshire) DeHoff. An- thony DeHoff was born in Columbiana County Sep- tember 10, 1824, and died May 19, 1876. In 1862 he moved to Noble County, Indiana, locating in Swan Township, and cleared up a farm from the midst of the woods. Mrs. Stewart was reared in Swan ' Township and was educated in the common schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stewart rented land for some years, and removed to their present farm in 1900. They have two children : W. Edward, born June 3, 1888, a graduate of the com- mon schools and still at home, unmarried, and Alice H., wife of Virgil Harter of Swan Township. The family are members of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Stewart is one of the trustees and superintendent of the Sunday school. In poli- tics he votes as a republican. Noah V. Zumbrun is one of the best known farmers and citizens of Green Township, Noble County, being proprietor of the Fairmount Farm, comprising 134 acres in section 29 in Green Town- ship. Mr. Zumbrun was born on a farm in Thorn Creek Township of Whitley County, Indiana, Octo- ber 9, 1871, a son of Christian K. and Louisa J. (Ott) Zumbrun, the former a native of Montgomery county and the latter of Preble County, Ohio. Both were reared in Indiana, and after their marriage they moved to a farm in Whitley County, and for three years Christian Zumbrun was in the nursery business at Columbia City, Indiana. He then re- turned to a farm in Whitley County, lived there about six years, traded that property for a place in Thorn Creek Township, and finally moved to a farm in Noble County, where he lived until his death in 1916. His widow is still living. Christian Zumbrun was an active member and minister of the Church of the Brethren, and his long life was spent in industry and in honorable relations with every community where he lived. Of their ten children eight are still living: Noah V.; Charles W. ; Jere- miah F. ; Mary E., wife of Howard Harter, of Kosciusko County; Elsie, wife of Winfield Gaertie, of Noble County; Clara, wife of William Norris; Omer O., of Green Township; and Laura, widow of E. Frick, and living at home with her mother. Noah V. Zumbrun grew up in Whitley and Noble counties and had the advantages of the common schools. He lived at home to the age of twenty-one. In 1893 he married Miss Della Anspaugh, a native of Whitley County. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Zumbrun lived on the old home farm one year and they then moved to another place in Noble County and were for fourteen years on one farm in Green Township. Selling that place, they moved to their present home, the Fairmount Farm, where they have found their ambitions as home owners and farmers thoroughly realized and have so pro- vided that their future years are secure with every comfort. Mr. Zumbrun is a stockholder in the Al- bion Grist Mill. He and his wife have four children : Wildah, a graduate of high school and now a teacher in the Merriam school of Noble Township ; Hearl, a grad- uate of the common and high schools, was for one year in North Manchester College and is now a student at the I. B. C. at Fort Wayne; Obra and Loetta R. are the youngest of the family. The family are members of the Church of the Brethren, and Mr. Zumbrun is a republican. Christian M. Borntrager has had the good for- tune to call LaGrange County his home from birth to the present time, and his life’s activities have been chiefly expressed through the business of farm- ing, of which he has made a notable success. His home is in section 4 of Eden Township, where he was born February 5, 1884. He is the ninth child in the family of eleven born to Manassas and Lydia (Yoder) Borntrager, early settlers in LaGrange County. The Borntrager fam- ily was established in the American colonies in 1767, and many generations have proved their useful citi- zenship and fidelity to the best interests of their communities. Christian Borntrager grew up on the home farm in Eden Township, attended the district schools in winter and worked for his father in the summer. 172 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA February 9, 1905, he married Mary Ann Miller. She was born in Elkhart County December 6, 1882, a daughter of Joseph J. and Susana (Keim) Miller, the former a native of Holmes County, Ohio, and the latter of Eden Township, LaGrange County, In- diana. Joseph Miller came to LaGrange County and was married February 5, 1882, and is now living in Elkhart County. Mr. and Mrs. Borntrager have eighty acres of land in their farm, and both are active members of the Amish Mennonite Church. They had four children : Edna May, deceased ; Ina, Elizabeth and Alice. Adam D. Boyer is a progressive and enterprising farmer. His farm home is in Salem Township, and he has spent all his life in Northeast Indiana, having come to Steuben from DeKalb County. Mr. Boyer is one of the pleasant gentlemen in Salem Township, is father of a fine family, and has worked hard to provide for them and meet his obligations as a citizen and member of a farm community. Mr. Boyer was born in Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, October 20, 1866, a son of Balis H. and Susan (Oberlin) Boyer. His mother was a native of Franklin Township, DeKalb County, daughter of David Oberlin. Balis H. Boyer was born in Stark County, Ohio, a son of Adam and Rebecca (Houlten) Boyer. Adam Boyer was one of the early settlers of DeKalb County, and spent his active life as a farmer in that locality. His children were : Elmina, who married Andrew Dunkin ; Balis; Mary Ann, wife of Royal Fisk; Irene, who married Archie Smith ; and Ira, who died when eighteen years old. Balis H. Boyer when a young man bought eighty acres of wild" and uncleared land in Smithfield Township of DeKalb County. He had to clear away a place in which to erect his first log cabin, and all his children were born in a log house. Eventually he had good improvements and most of the land under cultivation. Finally this first farm was sold and he moved to another in Franklin Township, where he died eight years later, on June 1, 1907. His wife passed away April 6, 1897. Their children were: Warren J. ; Mary Minnie, wife of Martin Smurr ; Adam D. ; and Francis M., who died on his eighteenth birthday. Adam D. Boyer had the advantages of the dis- trict schools in his native township, and his first experiences as a farmer were in the same locality. He rented for two years and then bought forty- seven acres in Franklin Township of DeKalb County. In 1897 he traded this DeKalb County farm for the place he now owns in Salem Township. He has a larger farm, comprising no acres in section 20, has built a new barn, remodeled the house, and there is hardly a foot of the ground which is not under cultivation and put to some useful purpose. He keeps a good deal of grade livestock, and in his farm work now has the assistance of some of his children who are at home. September 21, 1887, he married Blanche Conrad, daughter of Demn and Margaret (Linsey) Conrad. Mr. and Mrs. Boyer have nine children : Grace, Ralph, Bruce H., Ruth, Bertha B., Ruby, Naomi, Amy and Merritt. Grace is the wife of Carl Leas, had two children, Ross, dying in childhood, and the other being Marjorie. Ralph married Delphia Martin and has two children, Donald and Robert. Bruce H. served in the United States Marine Corps during the war, being stationed along the eastern coast. Ruth is the wife of Ora Bowerman and has a son, Keith Harold. Bertha B. is married to Harvey Wilson. William S. Bryan of Swan Township, Noble County, is a young man upon whom enterprise has evidently set every mark of approval and commen- dation. He is one of the younger men in the agri- cultural field, alert to every opportunity, and has made a most satisfactory record of progress in the years that his career has been in full swing. Mr. Bryan was born in Hancock County, Ohio, July 17, 1884, son of J. A. and Martha (Dice) Bryan. His father was born in Hancock County, Ohio, in 1850. His mother was born in Pennsylva- nia, and came to Ohio before her marriage. In 1893 J. A. Bryan brought his family to Indiana, and settled in Whitley County. The parents are now living in Churubusco, Indiana. He is a past master of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and is a republican in politics. There are six children in the family: Blanche, wife of Newton L. McGuire; Linne and Letta twins ; Earl ; George ; and William S. William S. Bryan was nine . years old when his parents came to Indiana, and in Whitley County he completed his education in the common schools. He also had one year in high school. His active career on his own account began at the age of nineteen. At Erie, Pennsylvania, he learned the trade of stove plate molder, and worked at it three years. Returning to Indiana, he was a resident of Fort Wayne two years. He then married and settled on his present farm of 120 acres in Swan Township, where since then he has been working hard and has much to show 'for his labors. He raises Duroc hogs and the Leghorn poultry, and besides his farm interests is stockholder in a local nursery. Mr. Bryan is a republican voter. He and his wife have one son, Darwin R., born July 5, 1908, and now in the fifth grade of the public schools. Edward M. Kalb is one of the live and progressive citizens of Washington Township, and for a number of years has done much to contribute to the volume of agricultural production in Noble County. He has a splendid farm in sections 4 and 8, and while his individual ownership comprises eighty-one acres, he cultivates and handles altogether about 200 acres. Mr. Kalb was born on the old Kalb homestead in Washington Township, March 31. 1872. He is a son of Peter and Sarah (Haning) Kalb. Peter Kalb, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1837, is still living in Noble County, one of the venerable and highly respected citizens. He and his wife had eight children: Amanda, wife of Sam Shoupe; Wesley, Steward and Mary, all deceased; Phoebe, wife of Adam Stumn ; Millie, wife of Marshall Draim ; and Charles E. and Edward M., twins, the former now deceased. Edward M. Kalb grew up on the old farm and made good use of the advantages supplied by the local district schools. After leaving home at the age of twenty-one he worked out for a year, and he and his twin brother then rented a farm and worked it together for three years. March 23, 1898, Mr. Kalb married Lestie Schla- bach. She was born in Sparta Township of Noble County in 1881, and is the daughter of Samuel Schlabach. Mr. and Mrs. Kalb have three children : Shirley L., born in igoi ; Orris M., born in August, 1007; and Orpha E., born in July. 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Kalb also have two grandchildren. The Kalb family are active members of the Christian Church. Mr. Kalb is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Kimmell and is a past grand of his lodge. He is also active in the republican party in his section of the county. JOHN S. FRISKNEY AND FAMILY HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 173 John S. Friskney, one of the prominent farmers of Greene Township of Noble County, has long oc- cupied an enviable position in local affairs, and his popularity and the confidence in his judgment has been such that he was able to overcome the normal democratic majority and is the second republican to hold the office of trustee in the township. He is now serving his second term. Mr. Friskney was born in Ashland County, Ohio, March 3, 1862, son of John and Jemima (Jesson) Friskney. His father was a native of England, grew up and married there, and his first wife died in England. Later he came to the United States and settled in Richland County, Ohio, where he married his second wife and where he spent the rest of his years. He was a quiet, unassuming man, a devout Baptist, and faithful to all the duties and responsi- bilities of life. Of his eight children five are still living: Jemima, unmarried and a resident of Ohio; Allie, widow of Elias Carpenter; John S.; Thomas, a farmer in Whitley County, Indiana ; and Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Lowe, of Ashland County, Ohio. John S. Friskney grew up on his father’s farm in Ashland County and received his education in the common schools. He came to Indiana in 1880 and in 1881 he married Mary M. Harlan, whom he had known from childhood. She was born in Ashland County, Ohio, February 24, 1855, and her parents moved to Indiana in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Friskney started out with no capital, and by their o\Yn exertions have budded toward independence until they now have a well proportioned farm of 160 acres. They are the parents of a family of five children : John Arthur, a farmer in Greene Township, mar- ried Vanice Smith. Bessie and Dessie are twins, the latter unmarried and living at home. Bessie, who like her sister is a graduate of the Albion High School, was a teacher until her marriage to Chauncey Baughman and they now live in Noble Township. Archie married Clara Ott. Frank R., the youngest, married Iva Sinderson. The family are members of the Baptist Church and Mr. Friskney is a deacon and trustee, is a charter member of the church and has served in past years as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. He has long been active in local affairs and was re- elected for a second term as trustee of Greene Township in 1918. Henry Gurtner, an honored, veteran of the Civil war, has for half a century been a factor in the farming and community life of the vicinity of Ham- ilton, and is now enjoying a well earned retirement and the comforts gained by a life of industry. He was born in Crawford County, Ohio, February 14, 1845, a son of Peter and Sarah (Tiernans) Gurtner, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Stark County, Ohio. Peter Gurtner died in Ohio in 1853, when his son Henry was only eight years old. The widow and her family of three sons and two daughters came to Steuben County in 1855, and she spent her last days near Hudson. Henry Gurtner grew up in Jackson Township, had a public school education, and in 1863, at the age of nineteen, enlisted in Company C of the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry. He saw some of the hard fight- ing and scouting service of Jhe cavalry branch until - the close of the war. In 1866 he and his father-in- law, David Cummings, bought the David Morgan farm of ninety acres, and he lived there about nine years. Selling his interests, he moved to DeKalb County and bought eighty acres, and successfully farmed it for about twenty-five years. He also owned ten acres in DeKalb County near the railway depot at Hamilton, and he lived on that place for ten years. Since selling it he has bought a com- fortable house and lot in Hamilton village. Mr. Gurtner has always been a stanch republican and is a member of Griffith Post No. 648, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife is a Methodist. In 1866 he married Sarah Cummings. Their five children were named Adelbert, Minnie, Ella May (wife of Warren Arnold, a merchant at Flint, In- diana), David and Harriet Elizabeth. After the death of his first wife Mr. Gurtner mar- ried Joanna Clark. They had two daughters: Rena and Ina, the latter the wife of Professor Forney, superintendent of the Waterloo schools. For his third wife Mr. Gurtner married Mrs. Lucretia (Cas- per) Clark, of Hamilton. Peter Crowl. Americans have been accused of being too unstable, too much inclined to go from one locality to another and experiment with dif- ferent callings, thus wasting valuable time and making no permanent location. It is stated that such action tends to do away with a proper pride in one community, and destroys concerted co-operation. That such conditions do prevail with a few is true, but the great agricultural regions, especially in In- diana, give many instances of men who have spent their lives in the neighborhood in which they were born, and who have concentrated their efforts upon making themselves perfect in the business of farm- ing. One of these men who is now living on the fa: m acquired by his father when he was but an infant, and on which he has spent practically all of his life, is Peter Crowl of Steuben Township, Steu- ben County. Peter Crowl was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, June 9, 1863, a son of William and Nancy (Freed) Crowl. William Crowl was born in Vir- ginia, but was brought to Ohio in his boyhood, and there he was reared and married to the daughter of Peter Freed, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, following which he began farming. In the fall of 1863 he brought his family to Steuben County, and for a year lived in Salem Township, but then bought a farm of 120 acres on section 4, Steuben Township, on which he spent the remainder of his life, dying in February, 1907, his wife having- passed away in 1904. Their children were as fol- lows : Lina, who married Addison Feifer ; Peter, whose name heads this review; Ida, who married William Ensley; Cora, who died at the age of nine years ; and Edward, deceased. Peter Crowl attended the public schools of his district, and has always been engaged in conducting his present farm, first for his father and later on his own account. He has 120 acres of exceedingly valuable land, on which he carries on general farm- ing^ and stockraising, and as he understands his business thoroughly he has been deservedly success- ful in his operations. On December 25, 1887, Mr. Crowl was united in marriage with Cora Wolf, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Menges) Wolf. Mr. and Mrs. Crowl have one son living and one deceased. Glenn, who, after being graduated from the Pleasant Lake High School, attended Angola Tri-State College one year, and then began teaching school. After two years’ experience in the educational field he returned to the farm, and is occupied in working with his father. He was married to Minnie Sturgis, and they have a son, Richard L. Peter Crowl and his son are rightly numbered among the good, substantial farm- ers of Steuben County, who are doing their part 174 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA in maintaining the agricultural supremacy of this region. Charles W. Sloffer, owner and proprietor of a well improved farm in Swan Township of Noble County, started his career as a renter and has used his opportunities to such good purpose that he now possesses an enviable prosperity and is one of the influential men of his community. He was born in Eel River Township of Allen County, Indiana, December 7, 1862, son of William and Rebecca (Miller) Sloffer, the former a native of New York State and the latter of Ohio. Their respective families came to Indiana in early days and located in Allen County. William Sloffer and wife were married in that county, and were farmers there the rest of their lives. Charles W. Sloffer grew up on a farm two miles east of where he now lives in Allen County, and received his education from the district schools. On October 21, 1886, he married Miss Edith Bow- man. She is a native of Noble County and received her education in the common schools there. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sloffer rented land for several years, and then bought the eighty- six acres in the present home farm. They have done much to improve this, and conduct it as a general farm and stock proposition. They have two children : Glenn, a graduate of the common schools and a teacher in Swan Town- ship; and Leah, who was born November 12, 1896, and is a graduate of the Laotto High School. Mr. and Mrs. Sloffer are members of the Church of God, and he is one of the church trustees. He is affiliated with Churubusco Lodge of Masons and in politics is a republican. Charles S. McLouth. The place he owns, the extent of his acreage, its improvement and general management indicates that Charles S. McLouth is one of the leading farmers of Steuben County. His home is in Clear Lake Township, and he is today cultivating the same land which his father cultivated when the son was born. Mr. McLouth was born November 24, 1864, and is a son of Benjamin Mason and Sophia (Duguid) McLouth and a grandson of Benjamin and Patience P. (Ashley) McLouth. His grandparents were both natives of Massachusetts. Benjamin McLouth, who was born in 1806, came to Clear Lake Township of Steuben County in 1854. He had lived for ten years in New York State. He was a good business man, a man of high principles, and besides managing his property he gave much of his time to the work of the Baptist ministry. He had preached for several years in New York State, and after coming to Indiana he continued preaching as a member of the Baptist Church. In Clear Lake Township he ac- quired 480 acres of land and lived on the farm and supervised its management in connection with his ministerial engagements. The last two years of his life were spent in Branch County, Michigan, where he died in 1868. His children were Mary, Benjamin, Adelia, Ellen, Jennie and Wilbur. Benjamin Mason McLouth, who was born in Massachusetts, was partly reared and attended schools in New York State, took up the work of the farm in Steuben County in early manhood, and continued farming where his son Charles now lives until 1876. He then retired, moved to Ray, Indiana, and during the rest of his life was devoted to the ministry of the Baptist Church. For two years he had a circuit, and after that did local _ preaching. The death of this honored old time, minister and farmer occurred September 5, 1912. His widow, who is still living, was born in Fremont Township of Steuben County, a daughter of John and Ellen (Stewart) Duguid. She was the mother of eight children: Elmer E., Luella, Charles S., John A., Arthur, Edith, George and Edna. Only three are now living, Charles S., John and Edna. Luella died in 1918 and the rest in early childhood. Charles S. McLouth as a boy attended the district schools of his native township, also attended school at Fremont and for three years was a student in the college at Hillsdale, Michigan. He was a mem- ber of the Phi Delta Theta college fraternity. On completing his education Mr. McLouth spent six years as a farmer in Branch County, Michigan, taught school three years, was a salesman of agri- cultural machinery in Steuben County for about seven years, and in 1905 moved to Fremont in order to give his children the advantages of better schools. In the spring of 1912 Mr. McLouth moved to a farm on .the line between Fremont and Clear Lake Town- ship, and from there in the spring of 1919 moved to the farm where he was born. Besides his holdings in this county he owns 500 acres of land in Missis- sippi. Mr. McLouth married Anna Vance, September 24, 1891. She is a daughter of Alexander and Mary (Barnhill) Vance. They have four children, Lisle, Ruth, Donald and Janet. The daughter Ruth is the wife of J. O. Hochstedler. The son Donald en- listed in the United States Navy July 6, 1918. He was still in service in the early summer of 1919. His first duty was on the battleship New Jersey, with which he made one voyage to Europe. Since then he has been with the Liberator, and on that vessel made three trips to Europe. John H. Strong. In view of the fact that this country has today so many young men just, or about to be, discharged from the army, it is interesting to note that the majority of the soldiers of the Civil war, after their return to civil life, developed into prosperous business men, giving their government just as efficient service as private citizens as they did during the dark days of the war. The strict discipline and rigorous training of army life brings into being qualities which make for the best type of citizenship, and for some decades past the people of every community have been proud of their old soldiers. One of these veterans of the conflict be- tween the states, now living in retirement at Pleas- ant Lake, Indiana, is John H. Strong, who after a gallant service as a soldier for many years car- ried on an extensive contracting and building busi- ness at Pleasant Lake. John H. Strong was born at Fort Wayne, In- diana, April 3, 1843, a son of Henry and Angeline Strong. Henry Strong was born in Holland April 5, 1812, and died in 1896, his wife having passed away in 1857. He brought his wife to the United States in 1838, and after some months in New York City came west as far as Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his life, being en- gaged in business as a shoe merchant. He and his wife had the following children : Clara, William, Henry, Lena, John H. and Louisa, all of whom are now deceased except John H. Strong. Until he was eighteen years old John H. Strong attended the public schools of Fort Wayne, Indiana, but at that time he enlisted as a private, on August 28, 1861, in Company Cj Forty-Fourth Indiana In- fantry for service during the Civil war, and was honorably discharged January 3, 1864. During this period of service he participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Perrysville, Stone River, Chickamauga and many skirmishes, and had the re- markable record of not only never being wounded HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 175 but also of keeping in such excellent health that it was not necessary to administer to him a single dose of medicine. There are few of the soldier boys of today who can truthfully say the same thing. His gallantry in action earned him successive promo- tions and he was discharged as a second lieutenant. Following his discharge Mr. Strong returned to Fort Wayne, where he worked as a carpenter, but the confines of the old home town did not offer him the opportunities his ambition sought and in 1877 he moved to Pleasant Lake, where he has since re- mained, growing with the place and expanding into a contractor and builder. Some of the most impor- tant contracts have been executed by him. It has been characteristic of him that he not only. lived up to the letter of these contracts, but the spirit as well. For forty years he has lived in the same house, to which he is deeply attached. In 1864, after his return from the war, Mr. Strong was united in marriage with Elizabeth A. Bower, a daughter of John and Mary Bower, and they had the following children : William F. ; Edward and Harry, both of whom died in childhood ; Lillie, who was married June 30, 1903, to Worthy E. Tuttle; and Claude, who died at the age of eleven years. Mrs. Strong died April 18, 1915, having been a de- voted wife and mother and a kind neighbor, and she was deeply mourned by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. Mr. Strong is a devout mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, to which he gives gen- erous support. Having lived at Pleasant Lake for forty-two years, he is one of its oldest residents, and has seen many interesting and important changes, in some of which he has taken an important part. Never caring for public life, he has not sought political honors, but has always been willing and ready to render aid in forwarding any movement which in his estimation would work out for the benefit of his community and the betterment of its people. Guy W. Sanders, whose active career has identi- fied him with Pleasant Township in Steuben County, where he owns one of the well improved farms, was at birth an interesting factor in the life and affairs of the little community of Steubenville in Glenn Township. On March 29, 1874, when he came into the world, he was hailed as the first boy born in the village. His father was William Henry Sanders, a son of Samuel Sanders. William Henry was born De- cember 26, 1847, and died December 20, 1917. He was an early merchant in the' hardware business. at Wolcottville and Hudson, Indiana, and on selling his store moved to a farm near Angola and followed agriculture until he retired in 1915- He married Loretta Wickwire, daughter of George W. and Loretta (Lemmon) Wickwire. Guy W. Sanders, oldest of his father’s children, attended district schools in Pleasant Township, also the Angola High School, and took a commercial course in the Tri-State Normal College. His career as an agriculturist began on a rented farm in Pleas- ant Township, and in 1907 he bought his present place of 162 acres, part of which lies in section 17, though the building improvements are in section 16. Mr. Sanders has worked not only to the end of producing good crops and getting the most profit out of his soil, but also to give his farm permanent improvement and increased value from year to year. He has repaired the buildings, and the farm stands as one of the good ones in that locality. He does general farming and stock raising, is a breeder of blooded Duroc Jersey hogs, and is one of the largest stock feeders in the county. Mr. Sanders married March 10, 1897, Jennie Smiley, a daughter of George and Catherine Smiley. Mrs. Sanders taught school in the district schools of Steuben County for about seven years before her marriage. She was educated in the public schools of Steuben County and in the Tri-State Normal. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders have two children, Mark C. and Hugh George. Mr. Sanders is a Knight Templar Mason, a trustee of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, and Mrs. Sanders is worthy matron of the Eastern Star Chapter at Angola. Both are members of the Christian Church. Cary R. Frisbey. It is difficult to estimate and value properly the life and character of such a man as Cary R. Frisbey of Clay Township, LaGrange County. He is the type of man to whom his fellow citizens .give honors and responsibilities gladly Everyone knows where and how he stands, and that he could be relied upon. Mr. Frisbey and his good wife have lived on one farm for over half a cen- tury, and that long residence is of itself character- istic of the solid and enduring qualities of this hon- ored couple. Mr. Frisbey was born in Morgan County, Ohio, February 2, 1836, but has lived in LaGrange County since early youth. His grandparents were William and Ruth Frisbey. His father, John Frisbey, was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and in June, 1817, married Mary A. Van Clief, a native of Wash- ington County, Ohio, and a daughter of Peter Van Clief. John Frisbey brought his family to La- Grange County in 1844, spent a year in Clay Town- ship, was then in Lima Township until 1855, in which year he returned to Clay Township, and was there until his death on November 1, 1858. He and his wife had a family of ten children : James, Jane, Daniel, Ephraim, Peter, Mary Ann, Ruth, Cary, Sarah and John. Cary R. Frisbey was eight years old when his parents came to LaGrange County. He attended his first school at Chester Hill, Ohio, and later at- tended the district schools of Lima township. He finished his education in the Ontario Collegiate Insti- tute in Indiana. September 30, 1861, Mr. Frisbey enlisted in Com- pany H, of the Forty-Fourth Indiana Infantry. On July 17, 1862, he was mustered out on account of disability. In the meantime he had been a part of General Grant’s army in the capture of Fort Donel- son. On September 30, 1864, he re-enlisted in Com- pany D of the One Hundred Forty-Second Infan- try of Indiana, and remained until the close of hostilities. During the battle of Nashville his regi- ment formed a part of the reserves. After the war Mr. Frisbey at once entered upon a busy career, one productive of much service to his community. He taught public school for fifteen winters and for over forty years was a veteran singing master, being a leader in many singing schools. On April 2, 1864, he married his first wife, Julia Osborn, who died September 22, 1864. On October 27, 1867, he married Elizabeth Boyd, daughter of James and Catherine (Engle) Boyd. They moved to their farm in 1868, and probably no couple in Clay Township had lived longer in one home and one locality. For a period of forty-eight years Mr. Frisbey has been a writer of the local news for Clay Town- ship, and probably knows the history and the people of that community better than any other man. He served as deputy county treasurer under Treas- urers Hoff, Preston, Anderson, Halbert, McCally and Musser, altogether a period of twenty-four years. He was county coroner by election and ap- pointment four years; jury commissioner one year; 176 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA was census enumerator in 1890; spent thirty-five days on a jury; was justice of the peacefor Clay Township by appointment and election for seven years, and re-elected for another four year term ; served as township assessor two years ; was deputy real estate appraiser under Lampman and Schermer- horn two years ; has been superintendent of_ the Ridge, Pointer and Clay Sunday schools for fifteen years ; was deacon of his church three years and township president of the Sunday School Associa- tion twenty-nine years. He has been a popular mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic and has attended both the State and National Encampments. He has had some active relations with practically everything that has taken place in his township for the past half century. Mr. and Mrs. Frisbey had three children: Erie S., who married Olive Crowl and has two children, Roger and Audrey; Minnie May, who married Ed- ward Pyle and has three children, Beth, Juanita and Edith; and Frances, wife of Henry Frank, and mother of a daughter, Phyllis. Mr. and Mrs. Frisbey celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1917. James Boyd, father of Mrs. Frisbey, was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in 1801. His wife, Catherine Engle, was a native of the same county. This family moved to Noble County, Indiana, in 1842, living near Wawaka, and in 1855 established their home in Clay Township of LaGrange County, where they spent the rest of their lives. James Boyd died in 1877. He was the father of a numer- ous family of seventeen children, their names in order of birth being Delilah, Eston, Arion, Har- rison, Edward, John, Charles, Elizabeth, James, Mary, Peter, Jacob, Douglas, Urias, Samuel, Daniel and Corinda. Moses P. Miller is a LaGrange County citizen whose part has been played laboriously and efficiently in agricultural affairs. He has lived here for half a century, has endured the vicissitudes as well as the fortune of this long period of time, and is still able to take his part in management and farm work at his home place in Clay Township. Mr. Miller was born in Cambria County, Pennsyl- vania, July 28, 1845, a son of Joseph D. and Nancy (Yoder) Miller. His grandparents were Daniel and Mary (Mast) Miller/ Joseph D. Miller and wife were both natives of Somerset County, Pennsyl- vania, the latter being the daughter of Yost Yoder. Joseph D. Miller was- a Pennsylvania farmer until 1857, when he went to Eden Township, LaGrange County, Indiana. Here he farmed until 1871, when he moved to Hickory County, Missouri, and lived there until 1873. He and his wife had the follow- ing children: Daniel, Frances, Moses P., Eliza- beth, Jacob. Nancy and Samuel. Moses P. Miller was twelve years old when brought to LaGrange County, and he finished his education here in the public schools. _ For three years of his early manhood he farmed in Newbury Township and in i860 sought a new home in Hickory County, Missouri. He remained there three years, but in 1872 returned to Eden Township, was there four years, and in 1876 moved to his present farm in section 3, Clay Township. He owns 108 acres, has gathered crops from the land for forty years, and practically all the good buildings represents his in- vestment and labor. In 1865 Mr. Miller married Eva Hostetler, a daughter of Moses J. Hostetler. To their marriaere were born a family of eleven children, noted briefly as follows : Betsey Anna, who died September 4. 1896; Josiah; Nancy M., who died June 16, 1898; Moses M. ; Uriah M. ; Polly E., who died December 4, 1903; Fannie Jane, who died January 30, 1896; Minnie May, who died March 3, 1903 ; Eva Adaline ; Samuel, who died March 3, 1919 ; arid Katie, who died in 1903. Mr. Miller is a member of the Men- nonite Church. Samuel Miller, a son of Moses P. Miller, married Katie Bontrager. After his marriage he lived at home and farmed the old place for his father until his death. Since then his widow and her children have remained with Moses P. Miller and have car- ried on the operations of the home farm. Samuel and Katie Miller had seven children, named Fayma Irene, Maud Adaline, Martha Lydia, who died July 21, 1912, Freeman, Oscar Moses, Orpha Catherine, who died January 8, 1918, and Mary Elizabeth. Samuel F. Loney came to man’s estate thirty- five years ago and since then has made many changes in his circumstances and every change for the better. He started farming with very little capital and very little land, and now owns one of the most complete and best adapted farms in Pleasant Township of Steuben County. Mr. Loney was born in Pleasant Township March 4, 1862, a son of Hugh and Mary (Freighley) Loney, of an old and well known family of Steuben County. Lie grew up on his father’s farm and soon after leaving public schools went to work as a farm hand In fact he was only fifteen years old when he earned his first wages, $8 a month. He continued in this way for several years, later started farming on his own account, and bought his first place of sixty-four acres in Otsego Township. He sold that, bought another farm of eighty acres in the same township, and after holding it four years came to his present place in Pleasant Township in February, 1918. Mr. Loney’s farm comprises 130 acres with good im- provements, and is only three miles from Angola, the county seat. All the property he has represents his individual work and good management spread over a number of years. Mr. Loney is a democrat and has never asked for a political office. March 20, 1890, he married Miss Mary Jane Hutchins, member of the well known and prominent Hutchins family of Steuben County. She was born in Scott Township June 26, 1866, a daughter of John Riley and Waty Ann (Sowle) Hutchins. Her father was born in Sandusky County, Ohio,, in 1832, and her mother was born in the same state in 1834. Her mother was a daughter of Joseph T. and Mary (Brown) Sowle, the Sowle family having furnished several pioneer settlers to Steuben County. Mrs. Loney was one of five children: Joseph, deceased; Tohn R. ; Mary Jane; Cora Dell, deceased; and Fred. Mr. and "Mrs. Loney had two children : Mont- gomery G. died January 18, 1904. Ethel May, born March 24, 1895, is the wife of Jay Bollinger and has two children, Opal Ilene, born June 22, 1916, and Donald S., born July 22, 1918. Mrs. Loney has a nephew, Lewis Hutchins, son of her brother John Hutchins and wife, Lottie V. Hutchins, who enlisted at Toledo while serving as a brakeman with the New York Central line and joined the noted Railroad Engineers’ Division. He went into the service in April, 1918, and after some training at Camp Laurel, Maryland, was sent over- seas in June and had some of the interesting experi- ence of the Railroad Engineers’ Division, which made a splendid record and introduced some of the effi- ciency of American railroad management into the handling of transportation facilities in France. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 177 Edward G. Crain. For over sixty-five years one farm in Otsego Township has responded to the labors and care of the Crain family, and most of the land contained in it has probably produced at least sixty crops. The present possessor, Edward G. Crain, son of the late Lucius H. Crain, settled on the land in 1853. The Crain family has a long and honorable record in American history. Edward Crain’s great-grand- father, Elijah Crain, was a Revolutionary soldier and was a participant in the battle of Bunker Hill. He died in Chautauqua County, New York, in 1848, in the ninety-ninth year of his age. The grand- parents of Mr. Crain were Lucius and Paulina (Frink) Crain. The former visited Steuben County, Indiana, as early as 1836, when most of the land was a wilderness and still owned by the Govern- ment. He bought part of section 36 in Steuben Township and in September, 1837, moved his family there. The following year they returned to New York and settled permanently in Steuben County in 1840. Lucius Crain died August 31. 1848. Lucius H. Crain was born at Eden in Madison County, New York, June 6, 1827, and was thirteen years old when the family settled permanently in "Steuben County. On January 29, 1851, he married Nellie Aldrich, who was born in Vermont in 1830, a daughter of Isaac T. and Lovina Aldrich. Her parents settled in DeKalb County, Indiana, in 1837. For a brief time after his marriage Lucius H. Crain lived in DeKalb County and in 1853 he settled on a tract of wild land in section 31 of Otsego Town- ship. He built a log house in the midst of the timber and began clearing around it, and in course of years had eighty acres cleared and the greater part under cultivation. He was one of the good farmers and good citizens of that locality and lived there until his death in 1912. His wife died in 1904. He was reared in the> United Brethren Church and his wife was a Methodist, and in politics he was a democrat. Lucius H. Crain and wife had four children, Jane, who died at the age of eleven years, Charles T., Mary P. and Edward G. Edward G. Crain was born on the farm where he now resides in Otsego Township June 15, 1873. He attended district schools and for a number of years was working with his father and since 1898 has been farming for himself on the old homestead. He has increased its area to about ninety-nine acres and devotes his land to general agriculture. Mr. Crain is a member of the Methodist Church. In 1904 he married Pearl Harris, daughter of James and Mary (Zedekar) Harris. Two children were born to their marriage, Charles Clair and Ivan Carl. Abraham A. Yoder. One of the substantial farmers and a very highly respected citizen of Clay Township, LaGrange County, is Abraham A. Yo- der. who belongs to an old family of this section that has lived and prospered in this county for over seventy years. Mr. Yoder was born in New- bury Township, LaGrange County, Indiana, July 16. 1871. The parents of Mr. Yoder were Aaron T. and Magdalena (Kauffman) Yoder. The father was Torn in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1843, a son of Tobias C. and Maria (Swartsen- tooker) Yoder, who came to Newbury Township, LaGrange County, in 1847, bought 160 acres of land and added forty acres, and a part of this old farm is yet in the family. The mother of Abraham A. Yoder was born April 14, 1848. and died April 16, 1007, survived by the father until January 21. 1908. The maternal grandparents were John J. and Kath- erine (Miller) Kauffman, who were pioneers in Newbury Township. The grandfather operated a Vol. 11—12 sawmill until he removed to Douglas County, Illinois, but later returned to Newbury Township and died there, the grandmother dying in Elkhart County. Aaron T. Yoder remained on his father’s farm and was a farmer all his life, owning 440 acres of well developed land. Both he and Ms wife be- longed to the Amish Church. They had the follow- ing children: Rudolph, born April 17, 1867; John, born June 1, 1868; Barbara, born November 27, 1869; Abraham A.; Daniel, born February 17, 1873, died January 4, 1875; Peter, born August 20, 1874; Amos, born December 6, 1876, living on the old home farm; Aaron, born April 17, 1879; and To- bias, born January 6, 1882. Abraham A. Yoder had country school advan- tages and grew up on the home farm with his brothers and sisters. His father was a man of practical good sense, one who trained his sons to be industrious and useful. In 1894, when Mr. Yo- der came to his present farm, he found himself well qualified to operate it economically and profita- bly, and is considered one of the most successful general farmers and stockraisers in Clay Township. In 1904 he bought the farm in Clay Township and has made all the improvements on the place and erected all the buildings except the barn. Mr. Yo- der has always taken great interest in his work as a farmer, and his undertakings have usually turned out satisfactorily. On January 15, 1893, Abraham A. Yoder was married to Miss Lydia Miller, a daughter of Isaac D. and Mary (Hostitler) Miller, who still survive and reside with Mr. and Mrs. Yoder. The latter have the following children : Amos, born October 7, 1893, died July 8, 1912; Martha, born Decem- ber 20, 1894 ; Mary, born August 30, 1896 ; Ezra, born May 28, 1898; Joseph, born June 27, 1900; Katie, born April 12, 1902, died November 9, 1918; William, born February 17, 1904; Susie, born Jan- uary 7, 1906; Polly, born February 16, 1908; To- bias, born April 2, 1910; Amelia, born February 18, 1912, died September 13, 1912; and Lydia, born September 7, 1913. Mr. Yoder and his family all belong to the Amish Mennonite Church, and follow the quiet peaceful teachings of this faith. Marion A. Oberst is proprietor of a valuable and productive farm in Clear Lake Township of Steuben County. He has spent practically all his life in that county and represents several famity names that have had much to do with the development of the county from pioneer times. He was born in York Township, January 17, 1865. His father, Christopher Oberst, who was born in Ottawa County, Ohio, August 26, 1841, died July 10, 1919. His parents, John and Barbara Oberst, were natives of Germany and came to America about 1830, living for three years at Rochester, New York, and then moving to Ottawa County, Ohio, where Barbara Oberst died in 1856 and her husband in 1877. Christopher Oberst was the youngest of eight children, and he grew up and received his education in Ottawa County. He was honored among other things for his record as a soldier in the Civil war. He enlisted in 1861 in Company A of the Forty- Fourth Indiana Infantry, and was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River and Chickamauga. He was wounded at Chickamauga in September, 1863, lay on the battlefield ten days and fell into the hands of the enemy. After his parole he was sent to a hospital and did not rejoin his command until May, 1864. After being mus- tered out of the army, in November, 1864. he came to Steuben County and bought a farm in Clear Lake Township and was identified with that community for over half a century. On September 3, 1861’, 178 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Christopher Oberst married Mary M. Lord. Her parents, Henry A. and Catherine (Flora) Lord, came to Steuben County in 1849 and were early settlers in Clear Lake Township. Mrs. Mary Oberst died in April, 1901. On March 30, 1903, Mr. Oberst married Mrs. Elvira Fletcher, widow of Milton Fletcher. She still makes her home on the farm in Clear Lake Township. Christopher Oberst by his first marriage had two sons, Marion A. and George A. George A. Oberst, who died September 16, 1914, married Linnie McElhenie. Marion A. Oberst acquired his education in the district schools and worked on the farm with his father for a number of years. In 1886 he married Miss Addie Laughlin, daughter of Robert and Kate Laughlin. Since his marriage he has given his time to farming, and for over thirty years has lived in sections 31 and 32 of Clear Lake Township, where he has 102 acres, the buildings and other improve- ments representing his personal labor and invest- ment. Mr. and Mrs. Oberst had two children : Zana and Walter Keith, the latter still at home. Zana is the wife of Charles Griffin, and three children were born to their marriage, Marvin, Thelma and Velma, the last two, twins. Marvin and Thelma are now de- ceased. Robert Laughlin, father of Mrs. Oberst, was for many years a farmer in Camden Township of Hills- dale County, Michigan. He died September 25, 1905, and is survived by his widow. They had four children : Addie, Mabel, who died at the age of five years, Earl and Pearl, twins, the latter the wife of O. V. McFadden. Theodore McNaughton, who for many years has been prominent as a banker, grain merchant and farmer in the Ray community of Steuben County, is a member of a family that has been in Steuben County for over fifty years. Mr. McNaughton was born in Fremont Township February 13, 1854, son of Joseph and Jeanette (Du- guid) McNaughton. His father was a native of New York State, while his mother was born in Steuben County, a daughter of James and Eleanor (Jones) Duguid. Joseph McNaughton was a farmer in Fremont Township from early manhood until his death. He owned eighty acres there. By his first wife he had five children, Theodore, Louisa, John B. (who died in childhood), Eleanore and Robert. Later he married Mrs. Robert Duguid, and by that marriage had four children, French, Leslie, James and Nettie. Theodore McNaughton acquired his education in the district schools of Fremont Township and ac- quired his early knowledge of farming in the same locality. At the age of twenty-five he bought eighty acres in California Township of Branch County, Michigan, and spent four years in that country com- munity. After selling his Michigan property he bought his present farm of eighty acres in section 13. He has sold off portions of this land until he now re- tains only about fifty acres. He still makes his home on his farm, though for thirty-one years he has operated the elevator at Ray, part of this time in partnership with his brother Robert. About 1904 Mr. McNaughton was instru- mental in establishing the Ray Bank, and has been president and directing head of that sound financial institution ever since. In 1877 he married Edith Fulton, a daughter of J. R. and Ellen (Reynolds) Fulton. Five children have come into their home : Earl, who married Pearl Ford; Ruth, who died March 4, 1919; Foye, who married Cecille McMillin; Dean, who died in 1912; and Miriam. Robert C. McNaughton is one of the oldest busi- ness men of the village of Ray in Fremont Town- ship. Associated with other members of the Mc- Naughton family, who were prominently identified with the pioneer settlement of this section of Steu- ben County, he had been a grain merchant and dealer for a quarter of a century or more. Mr. McNaughton was born in Fremont Township November 17, 1865, a son of Joseph and Jeanette (Duguid) McNaughton. His father was born in New York State in 1830, a son of Alexander Mc- Naughton, and of Scotch and Irish ancestry. The McNaughton family came to Steuben County in 1836 and were among the first settlers of Fremont Town- ship. They were prominent in the early organiza- tion of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in that section of the county. Robert McNaughton, who was one of the four children of his father’s first marriage, grew up on the home farm, attended the district schools and the high school at Fremont. As a young man he did farming and has owned several different farms in the county. About 1890 he engaged in the grain business with his brother Theodore. Since 1905 he has been associated with his half brother, Leslie, in the lumber business at Ray. Mr. McNaughton is independent in politics, was reared in the Reformed Presbyterian Church but he and his wife are now members of the Methodist denomination. In March, 1899, he married Miss Elnora Griffin, a daughter of Edward and Mary (Magnus) Griffin, a well known old-time family of Steuben County. Her father is still living. Mr. and Mrs. McNaughton have four children: Brock Waldo, born March 27, 1900, a graduate of the Fremont High School, now in the sophomore class of DePauw University; Geraldine Pearl, born in 1904, a sophomore in high school ; Rosamond Fern, born in March, 1905 ; and Frederick Lavern, born in March, 1916. Homer Watkins. There is one farm in Otsego Township, Steuben County, that has been continu- ously occupied by its owner, Homer Watkins, for over forty years. Mr. Watkins is a successful man in the agricultural field, and is also widely known to many appreciative patrons as owner and pro- prietor of one of the most attractive summer re- sorts in Steuben County. He was born in Richland Township of Steuben County June 23, 1855, a son of Simpson Watkins. Simpson Watkins was born in New York State and was a pioneer in Northeast Indiana, coming to Steuben County in 1836 and entering a tract of land in Richland Township. In 1840 he brought his family west and settled permanently on his farm. In 1870 he moved to Otsego Township, and after some years of residence in Michigan spent his last days in Otsego, where he died December 23, 1901. Simpson Watkins married Adelia Thomp- son, and they reared a large family of children. Some further references to the Watkins family are made on other pages of this publication. Mr. Homer Watkins grew up on the home farm in Richland Township, attended the district schools, and worked for his father. He has lived in section 14 of Otsego Township since 1871. For many years he has owned a good farm of ninety-six acres, has developed the land, constructed good buildings, and carries on a large business as a general farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Watkins entered the resort busi- ness in 1897 when he built a hotel on Fish Lake. CHRIS CHRISTENSEN AND FAMILY HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 179 Every season it has enjoyed a large patronage and in 1913 it was necessary to construct an addition to the hotel. This is known as the Cold Springs Resort, and is located on the Watkins farm two miles north of Hamilton. Mr. Watkins is a member of the Masonic Order. August 28, 1880, he married Emily Haughey, daugh- ter of Timothy Haughey. The Haughey family has long been a part of the history of Steuben County and many of its members have intermarried with other well-known families. Frequent references to the name appear on these pages. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have four children: Josie, wife of Charles Chard : Roscoe, who married Georgia Todd and has three children, named Lyle, Marjorie and Robert; Odie, a school teacher at Boyne City, Michigan ; and Harold. Chris Christensen. A native of Denmark, and with all the sturdy characteristics of the Danes, Chris Christensen is an example of a man of for- eign birth who came to the United States without means and with no knowledge of American tradi- tions, and by hard work and good management has achieved a prosperity such as few native born Americans surpass. He is one of the leading farm- ers and stock raisers in Swan Township, near Laotto, Indiana. Mr. Christensen was born in Denmark, May 12, 1862, son of Jesse and Margaret (Bodter) Chris- tensen. His parents spent all their lives in Denmark. They had seven sons, six of whom are still living. Two of these sons were compelled to give their services to Germany during the great World war. Their names are Hans and Peter. The other four are residents of the United States. Nels is in Montana, Christian, in Illinois, and Christopher is also in this country. Chris Christensen spent the first nineteen years of his life in Denmark and was educated in the Danish schools. In April, 1882, he landed at New York City and soon went to Petersburg, Illinois. He reached there with only $2.00, and owed $50 for his passage money. He was soon working as a farm hand in Illinois for $10 a month, putting in fourteen to sixteen hours a day of hard labor and he kept that up for several years, gradually getting some capital and acquiring a working experience of American farming conditions. Mr. Christensen married Anna Hansen, also a native of Denmark. She came to the United States in 1894. For several years Mr. Christensen was a renter and in 1909 he came to Noble County and moved to his farm on March 1, 1910. He went in debt $7,400 for 160 acres of land, but has paid that and has also made a good living, chiefly by raising hogs and cattle. He sold forty acres of his farm in 1918. He and his wife had four sons : Elmer, Harvey, Walter and Cicero. The family are members of the Lutheran Church and he is a republican in pol- itics. Mr. Christensen acquired his second citizen- ship papers March 1, 1890, and is one of the most thoroughly loyal Americans in Noble County. Milo H. Rowan. Of such great importance are the agricultural interests of the United States at the present time that people not only of our own but of other lands anxiously watch our crop reports and market conditions. The farmer today is the most valuable man in the country, for when the world is hungry it is to the tillers of the soil it must look for relief. There are many experienced farmers and stockmen in LaGrange County, a sub- , stantial representative being found in Milo H. Row- an, whose well cultivated acres, lying in Clay and Clear Spring townships, thoroughly demonstrate: his efficiency as an agriculturist. Milo H. Rowan was born in Claj r Township, La- Grange County, Indiana, July 26, 1864. His parents were Jacob and Anna (Carr) Rowan, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and was mother- less when he accompanied his father, Jesse Rowan, to LaGrange County. He grew up in Clay Town- ship, attended the early schools, became a pros- perous farmer and at the time of death, in 1877, owned 200 acres of land situated one-half mile west of his son’s property. He married a daughter of David and Sarah Carr, who were early settlers in Noble County, Indiana. She died in 1901, the de- voted mother of a large family of children, six of whom are living. The parents of Mr. Rowan were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father gave his political support to the democratic party. Milo H. Rowan was reared in Clay Township and had educational advantages in the country schools. He worked for his father and neighboring farmers through early manhood and then went to Kansas, where he spent sixteen years as a farmer. When he returned to LaGrange County he bought a tract of eighty acres in Clay Township, to which he later added eighty acres, continuing to add as circum- stances favored until he now has 327 acres, situated in both Clay and Clear Spring townships. A prac- tical and experienced farmer, he has given intelli- gent attention to the proper development of his land, choice of standard stock, and may justly be numbered with the successful agriculturists of the count3c Mr. Rowan keeps well posted on all mat- ters pertaining to his line of business, and in his farm operations makes use of improved machinery. He has adequate and substantial buildings and all his farm undertakings prosper because of his good judgment and the close attention he gives them. In 1892 Mr. Rowan was united in marriage to Miss Ella Beaty. Her parents were Samuel and Eliza (Mosier) Beaty, very early settlers in Clay Township who entered land from the government and in the course of time acquired 500 acres. Sam- uel Beaty died in 1897 and his wife in 1909, aged respectively eighty-nine and eighty-two years. Of their eight children four are living. Mr. and Mrs. Rowan have three children, namely : Samuel, who is a graduate of the LaGrange High School, mar- ried Pearl Scott and they live on the old Beaty farm on which his mother was born; Noel, who was educated in the public schools and assists his father on the home farm; and Fern, who is a graduate of the high school at LaGrange. Mr. Rowan is broad- minded in his political views and casts an inde- pendent vote. J. E. Rarick, M. D. A physician and surgeon at Wolcottville since 1906, Dr. Rarick has found his time and talents fully engaged in a busy professional practice. He is a prominent member of the com- munity, has_ a high standing as a physician, and is also active in local business and civic affairs. He was born on a farm in Rock Creek Township of Huntington County, Indiana, April 25, 1881, a son of Samuel W. and Cornelia (Cupp) Rarick. He was the only child of his parents, and during his boyhood he engaged in the diversions and work of the home farm in his native township. He at- tended the public schools at Markle, graduating from high school, and took his college work in Heidelberg College at Tiffin, Ohio. He graduated there with -the degree Bachelor of Science" and pur- sued his medical studies in the Indiana University School of Medicine, from which he received the Medical Doctor degree. Before taking up private 180 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA practice he spent a year as interne at Hope Hospital in Fort Wayne. Dr. Rarick began his professional career at Wolcottville December 11, 1906. He is a member of the County, State and American Medi- cal Associations and for three years served • as health officer of Wolcottville. He is a stockholder in the Wildman State Bank. Fraternally he is affiliated with Wolcottville Lodge of Masons, the Knights of Pythias at LaGrange, is a democrat, and still retains his membership in the Reformed Church in Rock Creek Township, Hunt- ington County. Cassius M. Barr. The farming element of any section of the state is justly included among the most representative and important of its citizens, for not only is the vocation of farming one of the lead- ing branches of industry, but the men engaged in it are essentially of the highest type of mankind. Steu- ben County is contributing some of the best of these progressive agriculturists, one of them being Cas- sius M. Barr of Otsego Township. He was born in Otsego Township April 4, 1877, a son of Henry K. Barr. Henry K. Barr was born in 1828, and he was married in Ohio to Almeda Souders, born November 6, 1836. They came to Steuben County in 1870, settling on a farm in Otsego Township, where they resided for many years, but after their retirement from farming they moved to Hamilton, where he died June 17, 1918, aged ninety years, she surviving him until September 15, 1918, when she passed away, aged eighty-two years. Politically he was a demo- crat. The United Brethren Church held his mem- bership, while she was an equally earnest member of the Christian Church. Their children were as follows : Marcella, who is the widow of George McNeal; Berdella, who is the wife of John Dargue, of Hamilton; Hattie, who is the wife of Lewis Hagerty of Hamilton ; Alta, who is the wife of George S. Malone, of Chicago ; and Cassius M. Cassius M. Barr attended district school No. 1. of Otsego Township, and was reared on his father's farm. In 1903 he bought his present farm of eighty acres in Otsego Township, to which he later added more land until he now has 113 acres of valuable land. He erected the comfortable modern residence on this property and made other improvements, and here he carries on general farming and stockraising. By inheritance and inclination he is a democrat, and is faithful in his adherence to the principles of his party. On June 4, 1902, Mr. Barr was united in marriage with Myra Cary, born in Salem Township December 12, 1877, a daughter of George and Elmira (Shaff- stall) Cary, early settlers of Salem Township, Steu- ben County. Several brothers of George Cary, David, Flenry and Phineas Cary, were soldiers dur- ing the Civil war, one of them dying during General Sherman’s march to the sea, and the other two soon after the close of the war from the effects of their military service. Adam, Frank and Nathaniel Shaff- stall, the maternal uncles of Mrs. Barr, were also soldiers of the Civil war. Mr. Cary died August 10, 1911, having been a farmer and prominent citi- zen. Mrs. Barr attended the public schools, the Tri- State College at Angola and the Epsworth Hos- pital Training School for Nurses, from which she was graduated July 9, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Barr have three children : Henrietta, who was born Octo- ber 30, 1903 ; Marguerite, who was born March 29, 1913; and Georgiana, who was born January 18, 1916. The circle of friends Mr. and Mrs. Barr have gathered about them numbers some of the leading- people in this part of the county, and all enjoy at frequent intervals the delightful hospitality of the rural home of the Barrs, where they are always made cordially welcome. While Mr. Barr has never sought political honors, his popularity and fitness for office would doubtless result in his securing many votes if he cared to devote the time to such matters, but so far he has been so occupied with the farm and house affairs that he has not wished to go be- fore the people for their suffrage. Dorilas L. Teegardin, who since the age of seven has been a resident of Steuben County, has been a well satisfied and prosperous agriculturist of Otsego Township for more than thirty years. At one time in his early manhood he had an ambition to achieve success as a homesteader in the far West, but a brief experience convinced him that there was no country better than Steuben County. Mr. Teegardin was born in Allen County, Ohio, October 18, 1862. His father, Josiah Teegardin, was born in the same county January 3, 1839, and was a son of Joseph and a grandson of William Teegardin. Records of this interesting family are noted on other pages of this publication. Josiah Teegardin and other members of his family came to Steuben County in 1869, and Josiah became one of the extensive farmers and land owners in Otsego Township. Dorilas L. Teegardin grew up on his father’s farm in Otsego Township, worked in the fields and at- tended school, and made his pioneer adventure to the Northwest in 1885. He went to South Dakota, which was then Dakota Territory, and prospected for a homestead, but soon became convinced that the country was not to his liking and in December returned to Steuben County and accepted the forty acres given him by his father for a start in life. He put all the buildings and other improvements on that land, and gradually expanded his scope of enterprise to include 186 acres, devoted to general farming and stock raising. Mr. Teegardin inherits the skill of his father as a cabinetmaker and wood- worker. The son has in fact displayed some rare ability in this line and if he had followed it as a profession would undoubtedly have made a great success. As it is he has exercised his skill on the furniture in his own home and has produced a number of pieces of splendid art and equalling the fine lines of the famous masters. December 20, 1885, Mr. Teegardin married Sarah Adelia Baker, daughter of Christopher and Roseman (Watkins) Baker. They have had six children: Elmer Clinton, deceased ; Clarence B., who married Laura Decker and has one child, Hollis ; Izola E., wife of Harris Dirrim and the mother of a daugh- ter, Henrietta; Lester L., Prentice and Verald. Mr. Teegardin and family are members of the Metho- dist Church and he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grange. Christopher Baker, father of Mrs. Teegardin, was born in Virginia April 18, 1836. His father, Samuel Baker, came to Steuben County in 1850, locating in Otsego- Township, where Christopher Baker fol- lowed farming for many years. August 28, 1859, Christopher Baker married Roseman Watkins. She died February 13, 1876, the mother of three chil- dren, Samuel, Adelia and Frank. On May 24, 1877, Mr. Baker married Annie J. Fox. They had two children, Leno C. and Leora E. Christopher Baker died January 23, 1893. George F. Eshelman, whose career as a farmer , brought him substantial success as fruitage of long years of toil and well directed effort, is now living retired at Wolcottville, and moved to that village HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 181 in April, - 1907, at that time building the beautiful modern home of native stone in which he and his family reside. Mr. Eshelman is widely known in LaGrange County, which he served as a county commissioner. He was born in Orange Township of Noble County January 21, 1864, a son of Levi and Nancy (New- nan) Eshelman. His father was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1837 and died in 1906. His mother was born in Noble County, Indiana, in 1839. They were married in Johnson Township of LaGrange County and a year later moved to Orange Township of Noble County, where they had their home about six years. Returning to Johnson Township, they lived' on the southeast bank of Adams Lake two years, then for several years the home was on the north of that lake, and from there the parents moved to Wolcottville, where they spent their last years. They were members of the Evangelical Church and Levi was a republican. In the family were seven children : George F. ; Leroy, of La- Grange; Henry of Seattle, Washington; Harvey G., of Noble County; John J., the only member of the family now deceased; Mary E., wife of Riley Case, of Johnson Township; and Nellie, widow of Garland Case. George F. Eshelman grew up and spent his child- hood chiefly in Johnson Township, where he ac- quired his education in the common schools. After reaching his majority he had the interesting experi- ence of life in Montana for one year and then re- turned to LaGrange County, and on March 14, 1888, married Emma S. Hall. She was born in Spring- field Township of LaGrange County, April 9, 1866, a daughter of Charles G. Hall and received her education in the local schools of Indiana. After his marriage Mr. Eshelman began as a farm renter and at the end of four years was able to buy a place of his own. His accumulations have mounted rapidly since then and now includes 390 acres of good farm land, nearly all of which he has made himself. He and his wife have two children : Eva is the wife of Sabin Austin, living on the home farm. Hilda, who is a graduate of high school and spent two years in the State University became a teacher in the high school at Albion, Indiana. She was married July 9, 1919, to Glode Ruppert, of Albion, Indiana. Since coming to Wolcottville Mr. Eshelman has been interesting himself in local affairs and is a director of the Cement Products plant there. His service on the board of county commissioners was for six years, between 1908 to 1914. He is an active republican, is a member of Ionic Lodge No. 380, Free and Accepted Masons, and is past noble grand of Aldine Lodge of Odd Fellows, and has sat in the Grand Lodge. Mrs. Eshelman is active in the Eastern Star and Rebekahs, and has filled the highest chairs in the latter. Francis F. Wolf. With the problem of feeding the destitute of Europe in addition to supplying the needs of our own country before us, we have come to appreciate more thoroughly the work accom- plished by our farmers, and to accord them the credit they have long deserved but not oftentimes re- ceived. The farmer has always been a very im- portant factor in the life of his country, because if he did not labor people could not eat. All have not appreciated him until through the pressure of cir- . cumstances brought about by the late war the de- mand for foodstuffs increased in so remarkable a manner as to make the production of food of para- mount importance, and will result in the future of bringing back to the soil many who have left it, thinking to gain much by gathering in the more congested regions. There are a number of intelli- gent men, however, who did not need any such rousing, having long ago adopted farming as their life work, and kept at it until they have accumu- lated a fair proportion of this world’s goods. One of these representative men of northeastern Indiana is Francis F. Wolf of Steuben Township, Steuben County, who is now operating the homestead of his family. Francis F. Wolf was born in Ashland County, Ohio, December 26, 1856, a son of William and Catherine (Fetterhoof) Wolf, and grandson of Adam Wolf. Adam Wolf was a pioneer of DeKalb County, Indiana, he having located near Hamilton when the county was undeveloped, although he was then of advanced age. William Wolf was born in Louden County, Virginia, August 6, 1805, and his wife was born in Pennsylvania, December 31, 1812, she being a daughter of Jacob Fetterhoof. Until 1864 William Wolf was engaged in farming in Ash- land County, Ohio, but in that year he came to Steuben County, Indiana, locating on the farm now owned by his son, Francis F., in Steuben Township. This farm contains 160 acres, and at the time he bought it there were but few improvements upon it, and he had to work hard to put it in prime condi- tion. Here he lived and was engaged in farming until his death in 1889, his widow surviving him many years, dying in 1902, when about ninety years old. They had the following children: John, Su- sanna, Andrew, Jacob, Adam, Joseph, Mary Ann, Catherine, Magdalena, Sarah Ann, William, Amos, Lydia, Francis F„ Phoebe and two who died in infancy. Francis F. Wolf grew up on his father’s home- stead amid ideal family relationships, and assisted him while attending the district school and after he had completed his schooling. In 1880 he went to Leadville, Colorado, where he spent six months in a mining camp, and then went into Kansas. Pre- ferring Indiana to these western states, in 1882 he drove a team back to his old home. The year fol- lowing he was married, March 10, 1883, to Eliza J. Shoemaker, a daughter of John and Amanda Shoe- maker, and they had two children, Bert C. and Earl F. Mrs. Wolf died November 21, 1894. After her demise Mr. Wolf was married to Emma LIughes, a daughter of John and Martha Hughes, and they be- came the parents of the following children : Hazel, Waldo, Wayne, Estol and Leo. Of these children Hazel is a member of Company D, I32d Machine Gun Battalion of the Thirty-Sixth Division, Ameri- can Expeditionary Forces, and went to France in September, 1918. He is one of the brave boys of Steuben County who have helped to make the name of the “Yanks” a synonym for bravery and clean living. Six months after his first marriage Francis F. Wolf moved to the family farm, and here he has since resided, carrying on general farming and stock raising, in which he is pre-eminently successful. His farm is a model one, and his buildings, fences and machinery show that he is a man who knows how to take care of things and is proud of his place. Mr. Wolf is a Mason, and lives up to the ideals of his order. His interest in his community is of such a character as to inspire wholehearted endeavor on the part of others in the direction of securing im- provements for the township and county. Joseph Robinett. The year 1919 marks the seven- tieth anniversary of the residence of the Robinett family in Steuben County. As a family they have been distinctive not only for their long residence but by very unusual ability and other substantial qualities. They have been large land owners, have 182 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA built up several extensive tracts from wilderness con- ditions and many of them are still tillers of the soil and recognized as splendid citizens of their com- munity. The first generation to settle here were Samuel and Julia (McDonald) Robinett. The former was born in 1802 and died May 3, 1893. The latter was born in 1800 and died September 9, 1888. When they came to Richland Township in 1849 they ac- quired 233 acres of land, and there lived the rest of their lives as farmers. Their son, Thomas Robinett, who was born m Ohio August, 19, 1827, was a young man when he came to Steuben County with his parents.' He lived on 225 acres known as the old homestead, and later bought 326 acres. As these ample possessions indi- cate, he was a very successful farmer. He was a man of special note in his community. He had strength, skill and endurance much beyond that of the average man. He especially excelled as a grain cradler at a time when the cradle was the only known implement for cutting and harvesting grain. He never met a man who could keep up with him in swinging the cradle hour after hour. He estab- lished a record when he cut seven acres of oats in one day. He and another man cut and put into shocks fifty-five acres in eleven days. While his services were naturally in great demand in harvest time, he spent a considerable part of the year fol- lowing his trade as a carpenter. He was a democrat and though liberal in religious views was a thor- oughly moral man and his parents had been strict Baptists. Thomas Robinett died November 18, 1901. He married Helen Buell, who was born in Vermont July 7, 1837, and died May 6, 1872. She was the mother of nine children: Samuel, deceased; Elnora, Elijah, Joseph, Juliette, Thomas, Myrtie, James, Byron, also deceased ; and Dolly. Thomas Robinett married for his second wife Elizabeth Rosenberry, and their six children are still living, named Germ Oliver, Vada, Jennie, Alta, Florena and Ferm. Joseph Robinett was born on the old homestead of his father March 14, 1863, and as a boy attended the local public schools. In 1894 he bought his pres- ent farm of no acres in Richland Township. He still lives there and has done much to improve it with good buildings. He now rents out his land and is practically retired. In politics Mr. Robinett is a democrat. January 1, 1887, he married Miss Etta E. Brunner of Troy Township, DeKalb County. She died in 1901, the mother of three children. Ethel, the older, •was educated in the public schools and is the wife of Galon Campbell, and had four children, only one of whom Mary Janette, is living. The three deceased were named Helen, Clifton Dale and Joseph. Mary B., the second daughter of Mr. Robinett, is a grad- uate of the Edon High School in Ohio, and the teacher’s training course at the Tri-State College, after which she taught school, and then attended business college at Fort Wayne, and during the period of the war has been a typewriter in Govern- ment offices at Washington. In 1903 Mr. Robinett married Miss Sarah Somer- lot. They have a daughter, Sevilla Irene, who grad- uated from the eighth grade in 1919. Mr. Robinett has been a member of the Liberal United Brethren Church since he was twenty years of age and has been a trustee of the church for over ten years and was treasurer when the new church was built in Troy Township of DeKalb County. His first wife was a member of the same church and joined it when a little girl. Their daughter Mary was the youngest child ever formally admitted as a member of the church, being only nine years old at the time. The present Mrs. Robinett is also a member of this congregation. J. H. Metz has spent forty years as one of the progressive and practical farmers of Otsego Town- ship in Steuben County. The farm occupied by him and his family is situated in section 10, and is land that has been in a state of improvement for over half a century. Mr. Metz, who has long been one of the valued citizens of Steuben County, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, March 14, 1856. His father, Chris- topher Metz, was born in Baden, Germany. He married in February, 1842, Eva Katharine Gretch- man. She was born in Baden April 2, 1822, daugh- ter of Carl and Marguerite Gretchman. Christopher Metz brought his family to America in 1854. They were 103 days on the ocean. One of their sons died in Germany, they buried a daughter at sea, and another son was buried in New York. When they embarked on the ship they carried with them supplies of clothing and other goods, but all these possessions were lost in New York. The family went on to Ohio and about i860 came to Otsego Township of Steuben County, where with the ex- ception of two years Christopher Metz spent the rest of his life. His children besides those above mentioned were : Catherine, who was born in Ger- many; Joshua, who was also born in Germany and was a soldier in the Civil war; J. H., William, Martha and Nathan. J. H. Metz attended district school in Otsego Township, and his people being in modest circum- stances he went out to work when a boy and has found prosperity after traveling a long road of diligent effort. April 13, 1879, he married Mary Teegarden, daughter of Aaron W. and Katie Ann (Tharp) Teegarden. The year following their marriage they moved to the farm they still occupy. Mr. and Mrs. Metz have 100 acres, all thoroughly cultivated, and with improvements of the best. Practically all of the buildings have been constructed under Mr. Metz’ ownership. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and belongs to the Methodist Church. He and his wife have two children. Bertha is the wife of George Mortoff and has two children, Nova and Wayne. Virgil married Hazel Kissinger and their one child is named Wilodine. Aaron W. Teagarden, father of Mrs. Metz, was born in Pennsylvania in 1812. His wife, Katie Ann Tharp, was born in Ohio in 1819. William Tea- garden, father of Aaron, moved from Pennsylvania to Pickaway County, Ohio, and spent the rest of his life in that state. He was the father of eleven children, five sons and six daughters. In order to give his numerous family opportunities of land ownership he entered extensive tracts in Allen County, and bestowed upon each of his children 160 acres. Aaron Teagarden went to Allen County and per- sonally cleared up his quarter-section and made a good farm. He lived there about twenty-five years and in 1864 came to Steuben County and settled in Otsego Township. He bought an improved farm and owned 420 acres of land, part of which is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Metz. Aaron Teagarden died in Steuben County in 1896 and his wife passed away in 1901. He was a democrat in politics and he and his wife were active in the Christian Church. The Teagarden children were: Eliza, Susannah and Abram, twins, Margaret, George, Lucinda, Jacob, Elizabeth, Elias, Mary M. and Thomas W. The son Abram was killed in the Battle of Bull HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 183 Run while a Union soldier. George and Lucinda both died in infancy and Elias is also deceased. Charles W. Reed has been a well known figure in the business and agricultural community of York Township for a number of years, and in 1918 was elected trustee of the township for the regular term of four years, an office which of itself is sufficient proof of the esteem in which he is held by _ his fellow citizens and of the many enviable qualities he possesses. Mr. Reed was born in Sparta Township of Noble County, August 23, 1870. He grew up in Sparta Township, attending the district schools there. When only thirteen years old he started out to make his own way in the world, and the success and posi- tion he today enjoys is entirely the product of his own aims, ambitions and industry. He worked at wages paid by the month and by the year for farmers, and at the age of twenty-one had saved a considerable sum and at the age of twenty-eight he established a home of his own by his marriage to Ida D. Secrist, of Kosciusko County. Mrs. Reed was born in Noble County, but was reared in Kos- ciusko County. After their marriage they located at Cromwell, where for ten years Mr. Reed was connected with the Moore & Company lumber yards, being yards foreman most of the time. He then located on his present farm, where he has fifty acres and is prov- ing his ability to get results from a small farm well and intelligently handled. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have two children. Hugh is a graduate of the common schools and is now in the third year of the Cromwell High School. Le- nora was born in 1910. The family are active members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Cromwell. Mr. Reed is past chancellor of Crom- well Lodge No. 408, Knights of Pythias, and is a past noble grand of Lodge No. 78 7 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has repre- sented both orders in the Grand Lodge. In politics he is a republican. Carl E. Tuttle. During the days of reconstruc- tion following the great war the greatest problem to be solved is how to secure sufficient food to supply the world. Not only have millions of men been sacrificed in this titantic struggle, but vast areas have been devastated to such an extent that it will be several decades before they can again be devoted to agricultural purposes. Therefore it is but nat- ural that the world looks to America for food, and upon the farmers of this country devolves the meet- ing of this legitimate demand. As never before, in consequence of this pressure of circumstances, the work of the farmer has become a dignified and necessary calling, and the men who are devoting their energies and capabilities to this line of en- deavor are displaying patriotism and sound business sense. One of the men now numbered among the successful agriculturalists of Steuben County is Carl E. Tuttle of Steuben Township, who comes of a long line of ancestors who tilled the soil and helped to develop this part of Indiana. Carl E. Tuttle was born in Steuben Township, June 19, 1868, a son of Chester V. and Tillie (Belles) Tuttle, and grandson of that stalwart pioneer woodsman, Lemmon Tuttle. Lemmon Tuttle was a native of New York State, where he was born in 1813, but did not spend many years there, as his parents moved to Ohio when he was, still a small boy. In 1838 the spirit of adventure led him to walk from Clyde, Ohio, to Indiana in search of a suitable location, which he found in 1840, when he settled permanently in Steuben County. Here he secured fifty acres of land from the Government, and a little later bought forty acres more, and worked the remainder of his life developing and improving it, having when he died in June, 1881, one of the best farms in his neighborhood. He married Filora Gould, born in Cayuga County, New York, in 1818, a daughter of Kiah and Mehitable (Sturges) Gould, who died December 25, 1880. The children born to Lemmon Tuttle and his wife were as follows : Lorana, Emeret, Chester V., Frank M. and Alptha, all of whom lived into old age ; Adesta, who died in 1880; and Sylvester, Arad and Byron, all of whom died in infancy. Chester V. Tuttle was born in Steuben Township in July, 1847. Like the young men of the present period, when his country had need of his services he responded and enlisted in 1863, in the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, and served until the close of the Civil war, participating in a number of important battles which took place in the territory covered by the Department of the Mississippi, to which his regiment was assigned. After having done his duty as a soldier Mr. Tuttle returned home and was equally useful as a private citizen, first in the mer- cantile field at Pleasant Lake and later as an agri- culturalist of Steuben Township, where he was fortunate enough to own eighty acres of land in section 26. Still later he was called upon to serve his county as treasurer for two terms, and when these responsibilities were acceptably discharged he retired and spent the remainder of his life in his comfortable home at Pleasant Lake, where his widow still resides. His death occurred December 7, 1902. Mrs. Tuttle is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and she is a daughter of George and Caroline (Bridinger) Belles. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle became the parents of the following children : Earl, Carl E., Worthy and Harry. Mr. Tuttle was both a Mason and Odd Fellow. Carl E. Tuttle was reared in Steuben Township and attended its schools. From boyhood he has worked at farming, and it was but natural that he should adopt agriculture as his life work. He car- ries on general farming and stock raising, and is a breeder of blooded Spotted Poland China hogs. His 100 acres of land are kept in a magnificent con- dition, his buildings are adequate and the premises indicate that a capable man is in charge and one who takes a justifiable pride in his farm. On March 22, 1894, Cad E. Tuttle was united in marriage with Lotta Hanver, a daughter of Henry and Adoline (Brandeberry) Hanver. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle have the following children: Winnefred, who was born September 8, 1896; Hanver, who was born November 16, 1897; and James Warren, who was born January 10, 1910. Hanver Tuttle served during the great war in the aviation branch of the army, being a member of the 294th Aero Squadron, stationed at Mather Field, Sacramento, California. He has to his credit a flight of one hour and ten minutes, on which he served as the mechanic. Carl E. Tuttle is a member of the Pleasant Lake Baptist Church, and his wife belongs to the Metz Christian Church. They are fine people and are held in high esteem by all who know them. George L. Mishler. In order to measureably realize the agricultural wealth of Indiana, the ob- serving and interested traveler should make a lies- urely journey among the finely cultivated farms of LaGrange County, stopping, perhaps, to partake of hospitality often generously proffered by many of the fine people of Newbury as well as of other town- ships. Here he may find George L. Mishler, who 184 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA owns many acres of improved land and many head of standardized swine and other stock. Mr. Mishler came to LaGrange County in 1879. George L. Mishler was born in Pennsylvania, No- vember 15, 1857, and is a son of Joseph C. and Rachel (Livingston) Mishler. The mother died in 1877, aged forty-nine years and six months. Her first marriage was to Simon Miltenberger, and a daugh- ter, Elizabeth, survived her father. In 1878 Joseph C. Mishler came to LaGrange County, where he died in 1916, aged eighty-six years, two months and nineteen days, having spent the last thirty-five years of his life with his son George L. His children were as follows: Lucy, James, George L., Jacob, Susan, Sarah, John and Moses, all of whom survive. They are a religious people and some hold church offices, James being a deacon in the Mennonite Church ; Jacob, a deacon in the Dunkard Church in Cali- fornia; John, a minister in the Dunkard Church; and Moses, a minister in the Dunkard Church at Newton, Kansas. George L. Mishler had country school advantages in Pennsylvania, and until 1879 worked on a farm there and then came to LaGrange County, Indiana. In 1880 he bought eighty acres of land in Newbury Township, upon which he lived until I 905 > then sold and bought the farm of 120 acres on which he re- sides. This was the old Eash farm and belonged to the parents of Mr. Mishler’s wife, who settled here in 1864. Mr. Eash put good improvements on the place, to which Mr. Mishler added when he bought it in the way of a silo and new and modern buildings. It is well kept up and is one of the most valuable properties in the country. Mr. Mishler carries on general farming and is an extensive breeder of Ohio Improved Chester White hogs. In 1880 George L. Mishler was united in marriage to Miss Polly Eash, who was born in Pennsylvania, August 21, 1856, a daughter of Jonathan and Cath- erine (Miller) Eash. They were highly respected people in Newbury Township, where they settled in 1864. The father of Mrs. Mishler died in 1907, when aged seventy-three years, and the mother in 1914, aged seventy-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Mishler have four children, namely : Della, who is the wife of Jesse Brandebery, and they have six children, Viola, Roy, George R., Gertrude, John R. and Floyd; Levi, who married Georgia Haines, has one son, Don Le Roy; Joseph, who married Bernice Hulbert, has one son, Joseph; and Katie, who is the wife of Emmon J. Yoder. They are rearing a boy, Jacob Miller by name. Mr. Mishler and his family are members of the Mennonite Church, and all are people who stand high in the estimation of their neighbors far and near. Fred Kankamp, owner of two good farms _ in Steuben County, has spent all his life in that section of Northeast Indiana, and is rated as one of the men in the farming industry who know how to get the best results and the largest profits consistent with good management and conservation of the resources of the soil. Mr. Kankamp, whose home is in Pleasant Town- ship, was born at Angola June 25, 1875- His father, Henry Kankamp, was a native of Germany and was brought to this country when a boy, spending most of his life in Steuben County. For a number of vears he was well known in Angola as a teamster and drayman, but for the last four or five years lived with his son Fred and died at the latter’s home in Steuben Township in 1913. Henry Kankamp married Martha Brown, who was born in New York State and is a sister of George M. Brown of Steu- ben County. Fred Kankamp was the older of two sons, his brother being Frank. Mr. Kankamp attended public schools in Angola, and since early manhood has been farming. The first place where he made his labors productive as a farmer was in section 36 of Pleasant Township, where he owns his present home. After about three years he moved to another farm in sections 1 and 2 of Steuben Township, but in the summer of 1918 returned to the Pleasant Township farm, where he owns ninety acres. His other farm in sections 1 and 2 of Steuben Township comprises 157 acres. Both farms are well improved with good buildings and are devoted to general farming and stock raising. Mr. Kankamp married July 13, 1895, Etta Hayden, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Boyls) Hayden, the latter still living. John Hayden, who died March 18, 1918, was for a number of years a farmer in Hillsdale County, Michigan. His children were Lawrence, Mary Ann, Etta, Michael James and Clyde. Mr. and Mrs. Kankamp have two children, Harry and Ettafred. Mr. Kankamp is affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose. Justin F. Faux is a prosperous farmer of Noble County who has spent nearly all the days of his life in one locality in Orange Township, and now has a good farm and home five miles west of Kendall- ville. He was born in Morrow County, Ohio, February 23, 1871, son of Charles and Maria (Stockdale) Faux. His father was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, and his mother in Morrow County, Ohio, where they were married. In 1874 the family came to Orange Township of Noble County, and the parents spent the rest of their days there. They were active members of the Baptist- Church and the father was a democrat and at one time served as a trustee and as a justice of the peace in Morrow County. These parents had a large family of children, fourteen in number, seven of whom are still living: M. B. Faux, of Orange Township; Sadie, wife of Josiah Ziegler, of Rome City; Charlotte, wife of John Spice, of South Mil- ford, Indiana; Alpheus K., of Allen Township; Wallace, .a bachelor living with his brother Justin; Justin F. ; and Estella, wife of John W. Harvey, of Jefferson Township. Justin F. Faux was three years old when his par- ents came to Noble County, and he grew up on the old farm and received his education in the local schools. He has always continued to live in the home locality and was with his parents until his marriage. October 17, 1908, he married Charlotte A. Gret- zinger. Mrs. Faux was born in Swan Township of Noble County and was only three weeks old when her mother died, after which she was reared in the home of her uncle, George Gretzinger. She has made her own living since she was thirteen years of age and for eleven years she was employed in the home of her husband’s mother. Mr. and Mrs. Faux have two adopted children, Harvey E. Stiver and Helen Louise Stiver. They now have the names Robert Fulton Faux and Helen Marie Faux. Mrs. Faux is an active member of the 'United Brethren Church at Zion. Mr. Faux has main- tained a steady interest in local affairs and is a democrat in politics. He has sixty acres of the old homestead and in 1916 erected a modern home. He uses his land for general farming and stock raising. Robert A. Lacey. Farming is a business and one which requires long experience and a natural in- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 185 clination for it if the one engaged in this line de- sires to do something more than “just make a liv- ing.” Land values have materially increased since the days when our forefathers could obtain large grants of land from the Government for the entry fee in such magnificent agricultural states as In- diana. Then, perhaps, there might have been some excuse for a farmer being something of a slacker, but not today, when every acre is needed to pro- duce the amount of food required for our own country and starving Europe as well. However, the progressive farmers, especially those of North- east Indiana, knew of the importance of their un- dertaking long before the great war opened the eyes of others to the necessity of production and conservation. They have held on to their land, improved and developed it, and today as a result of their industry, thrift and broad vision stand among the most useful citizens of their nation. One of these men whose family has long been established in Indiana, and who is now living on the farm entered by his father from the Government, is Robert A. Lacey of Steuben Township, Steuben County. Robert A. Lacey was born in Steuben Township, Steuben County, Indiana, March 21, 1849, a son of Thomas M. and Nancy (McGaughey) Lacey, and grandson of William Lacey. The latter died when his son, Thomas M„ was a small boy, after coming to Eastern Ohio from Virginia. Thomas M. Lacey was born in Virginia in 1803, and his wife was born in Washington County, Maryland, in 1807, a daugh- ter of William McGaughey, who came to Eastern Ohio when his daughter was a child. Growing up in Belmont County, Ohio, Thomas M. Lacey was there married, and following that event he came to Steuben County, Indiana, but later returned to Ohio and lived for a time in Seneca County. In 1837 h e came back to Steuben County and entered 240 acres of land in Steuben Township, he paying $1.25 per acre for it, and then returned to Ohio once more. Having thus provided a home for his wife and six children, he brought them to it, and the first cabin he erected was only sixteen feet square. There were two rooms, one upstairs and the other below. Not a nail was used in this primi- tive home, and the furnishings were quite as pioneer in character as the house. Here three more chil- dren were born, making nine in the family. The land was entirely undeveloped and much hard labor was required to put it in shape to yield crops that made farming worth while. Thomas M. Lacey lived here until his death, which occurred in i860, his widow surviving him until 1890. Their chil- dren were as follows : William, Nathan, John, Mary, James, Thomas, Rosanna, Marian, Robert A. Of these children John and Thomas are veterans of the Civil war. Thomas M. Lacey and his excellent wife were consistent members of the Baptist faith. Robert A. Lacey attended the district schools and for eight terms was a student of the Angola school. For the succeeding four or five years he was en- gaged in teaching school, but for the past forty years has been engaged in farming and owns 106^3 acres of land. He carries on general farming and stock raising, specializing in breeding Jersey cattle and Duroc hogs. He has erected practically all of the buildings on the farm, and made numerous other improvements, and has one of the best rural properties in his part of the township. On January d, 1877, Mr. Lacey was united in marriage with Sarah C. Gramling, a daughter of Henry and Sabilla (Foltz) Gramling, and they had three children, namely: Mabel S., who married Chester Klink: Nancy Madge, who married Carl Ingals ; John Mark, who married Alice Shachford. Mrs. Lacey died in 1884, and Mr. Lacey was subse- quently married to Margaret Wills, a daughter of Elmus and Sarah Clingerman. By his second mar- riage Mr. Lacey has two children, Hazel Lynn and Florence. The latter married Leonard Rohm. Mr. Lacey belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and gives it a generous support. Having spent prac- tically all of his life in Steuben Township, his in- terest is centered here and he has been instrumental in securing some improvements for his neighbor- hood. He is a friend of the public schools and an advocate of good roads, and in his farming uses modern methods and lives up to the sanitary regula- tions of his state. Isaac W. McConnell is one of the most progres- sive factors in the agricultural, livestock and business community of Green Township, Whitley County. He is still a young man, has a great deal of concen- trated effort and achievement to his credit, and the promise of many years of continued and enlarged usefulness. Mr. McConnell was born in Putnam County, Ohio, January 1, 1881, a son of William J. and Louisa E. (Hallabaugh) McConnell, both of whom were na- tives of Ohio, the father born in Putnam County and the mother in Hancock County. Both were educated in the common schools, and after their mar- riage settled on a farm in Putnam County, four miles north of Leipsic. In the spring of 1888, when Isaac was seven years old, they sold their Ohio posses- sions and moved to a farm near Ligonier, Indiana. In 1898 they bought a farm in Whitley County, Indiana, where the father is still active as a farmer and stock man. They are members of the Chris- tian Churcth, in which he is serving as a deacon, and he is affiliated with, the Knights of the Maccabees and in politics is a republican. There are five chil- dren in their family: Bertha, wife of Volney King, of Whitley County; Isaac W. ; George, a graduate of the common schools and a farmer in Whitley County ; Ross, who graduated from the Churubusco High School ; and Mary, wife of Sidney Ortt, who at the close of the war was a second lieutenant in the army at Atlanta, Georgia. Isaac W. McConnell acquired his education in the public schools of Ligonier, and graduated from the high school at Churubusco May 3, 1901. He spent five years working at the carpenter’s trade, and was a building contractor for three years. On May 3, 1906, Mr. McConnell married Oma Diffen- daffer. They have two children : Wiladean, born November 12, 1907, and Leo, born May 14, 1910. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McConnell be- gan farming at their present location. He started with eighty acres, and by an unusual display of energy, good judgment and careful management has acquired a fine farm of 220 acres, well improved. As a stockman he specializes in Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell are active members of the Church of God at Sugar Grove, and he is secretary and treasurer of the church and is superintendent of its Sunday school. In politics he is a republican. Besides his private interests as a farmer Mr. Mc- Connell has taken an energetic part in the co-oper- ative movement of his locality. He is secretary and treasurer of the Churubusco Livestock Shippers’ As- sociation, Incorporated. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank of Churubusco and a mem- ber of the Advisory Board. Edwin Ditmars, of Swan Township, Noble County, has lived a most useful life, is a prosperous farmer and citizen of his community, and has been 186 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA known in that section of Noble County from earliest boyhood to the present time. Mr. Ditmars was born in Ashland County, Ohio, December io, 1850, a son of Henry and Catherine (Lybarger) Ditmars, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Ashland County, Ohio. Henry Ditmars was a son of Abram and Cornelia (Striker) Ditmars, who were pioneer settlers in Holmes County, Ohio, where they spent their last days. Henry Ditmars was one of a family of eight sons and two daughters. From Holmes County he moved to Ashland County, married .there, and in 1853 brought his family to a farm in Swan Town- ship, Noble County. In that community he and his wife spent their last years. Both were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was one of the local leaders in the republican party. Of eleven children six are still living: Elizabeth, wife of William Lawrence; Cecelia, wife of Henry Bloxson; Edwin; Henry, of Churubusco; Elmer E., a farmer of Swan Township; and Emmett, of Fort Wayne. _ Edwin Ditmars grew up on the old farm in Swan Township and secured those advantages to be had in the local district schools. His life was at home and with his parents to the age of twenty-three. Then, on December 25, 1873, he married Sophia Simon. Mrs. Ditmars was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, January 30, 1845, a daughter of Peter and Louisa (Fair) Simon. Her mother was born in Frederick County, Maryland, and her father in Columbiana County, Ohio. They were married after they came to DeKalb County, Indiana, and settling in Butler Township they lived there the rest _ of their lives. They were members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mrs. Ditmars was reared in that ^Mr. and Mrs. Ditmars started life on a scale of utmost simplicity. They built a house in the midst of the woods and added to their comforts and con- veniences as they could afford them. Farming has been his lifelong pursuit, and besides raising crops for forty years or more he has cleared away many acres of land and developed a good farm. His pres- ent place comprises 100 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Ditmars had five children, hour are still living: Silas G. owns part of the old Simon farm in DeKalb County; Sidney also lives in De- Kalb County; Treat S. is a farmer at home; and lames T. farms in DeKalb County. Mr. Ditmars is ci member of the United Brethren Church a.nd 3 . republican in politics. Fred Hutchins. Some of the best farms and some of the best farmers in Steuben County are found in Otsego Township. One of them is Fred Hutchins, a renter of a place of 300 acres where he does an extensive business in producing crops and livestock. He is well qualified for the re- sponsibilities he enjoys, his experience _ since early youth having been identified with practical agricul- He was born in Scott Township of Steuben County December 15. 1873. He is a son of John R. and Wadie Ann (Sowles) Hutchins, and member of the well-known Hutchins family that came to Steuben County over three-quarters of a century ago. Further reference to this family will be found on other pages. John R. Hutchins followed farm- ing in Scott Township until his death in 1888. He and his wife had five children: Joseph, John, Jane, Cora and Fred. Joseph died in early child- hood. • Fred Hutchins attended public school m his native township, and was only a youth when he began cultivating crops on his own responsibility. In 1912 he moved to his present place in Otsego Town- ship. Mr. Hutchins married, September 4, 1898, Melinda Ann Zimmerman, daughter of John and Netta (Stevens) Zimmerman. They have a family of five children: Frances, Paul, Leon, Lawrence and Lewis. Frances is a graduate of the Hamilton High School and is now a teacher in Otsego Town- ship. Mrs. Hutchins is a member of the Methodist Church and he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Masons. James L. Machan. One of the families well and favorably known in agricultural circles in La- Grange County is that of Machan, represented by James L. Machan, who after a number of years of work at a mechanical trade retired to a farm in Johnson Township, and is enjoying both the com- forts and the profits of rural life. He was born in Bloomfield Township of the same county, December 15, 1869, a son of Samuel and Nancy (Preston) Machan. His father was a native of Tuscarawus County, Ohio, and his mother of the same state. Their respective families pme to Indiana in early days and located in LaGrange County, where Samuel and Nancy were married. Samuel died in 1909 and his widow is still living in Clay Township. Both were active members of the Presbyterian Church at LaGrange. There were four children: Harry, who lives in Bloomfield Town- ship and married Viola Alwatter ; Lawrence S., deceased; Garfield A., a Bloomfield Township farmer; and James L. James L. Machan grew up on his father’s farm in Bloomfield Township, and received his public school education in LaGrange. For a time he was employed in a LaGrange grocery store, and then learned the trade of carriage ironing. That trade furnished him his regular occupation for a period of twenty-one years, and for eight years he was foreman of the shop. May 4, 1892, in Johnson Township, he married Catherine M. Hallett. She was born on the farm where she now resides and is a graduate of the LaGrange High School. Mr. and Mrs. Machan retired to their farm in 1907. They have 147 acres and it is devoted to general farming and stock raising. They have one daughter, Wilma J., now a student in the public schools of LaGrange. Mr. and Mrs. Machan are members of the Presbyterian Church at LaGrange and both are very active in the Rebekah Lodge, Mrs. Machan being a past grand. He is a past grand and past chief patriarch of the Lodge and Encampment of Odd Fellowship and has sat in the grand lodge. Politically he is a republican, and on November 4, 1918, was elected a member of the LaGrange County Council. Curtis Shontz is one of the fortunate young men whose experience and mature powers were de- veloped in time to share in the generous prosperity now accorded the agricultural class in America. Mr. Shontz began his career as a farm hand, and today owns one of the high class farms in Steuben Town- ship in the county of that name. He is a native of Northeast Indiana, having been born at Sedan in DeKalb County, October 23, 1880, a son of Ferdinand and Rachel (Lidge) Shontz. His mother was a native of Ohio, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Lidge. Adam Lidge was a pioneer in Fairfield Township of DeKalb County, going there when all the country was wild, clear- ing a farm and rearing a family of five children. Ferdinand Shontz was a young man when he ar- rived in DeKalb County. He was an expert black- smith, conducted a shop at Fanselers Mills on the Ashley and Auburn road, later was a blacksmith at HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 187 Sedan, and finally ran a shop at Steubenville and continued the work until his death in 1890. His widow is still living at Ashley. Their five children are named Henry, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah Jane and Curtis. Curtis Shontz received most of his education in the California School House of Steuben Township. Then followed a period when he was earning his own living and getting valuable experience as a farm hand at monthly wages, and on May 13, 1908, he married Martha M. Dahuff, a daughter of Simon Dahuff. In 1909, the year following his marriage, he bought a farm of ninety-five acres in section 19 of Steuben Township. His industry brought him a comfortable living on the farm from 1909 to 1916. In March of the latter year he bought the farm which he occupies today, comprising 126 acres, known as the old Mountz place. His home im- provements and eighty acres are in section 19, while forty-six acres lie across the road in section 30. For a time Mr. Shontz farmed both places, but in 1918 sold his first farm of ninety-five acres and with his home place is doing a successful business in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Shontz is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 257 at Hudson. Noah M. Bontrager besides being one of the prosperous agriculturists of Eden Township in La- Grange County is prominent in the Amish Mennonite Church as bishop and supervising head of that con- gregation in this section of the county. Mr. Bontrager was born October 27, 1881, on the farm where he now lives in section 4 of Eden Town- ship, four miles north and four miles west of Topeka. He is the son of Manassas and Lydia (Yoder) Bon- trager, of a prominent family in Indiana, his earliest American ancestor having come from Germany to this country in 1767. Manassas Bontrager was a native of Pennsylvania, his wife of Holmes County, Ohio, and he was brought to Indiana when five months old, while his wife came here when a girl. After his marriage he settled in section 4 of Eden Town- ship. Manassas Bontrager and wife had twelve chil- dren, eleven of whom are still living, Noah being the eighth in order of birth. The latter grew up on the home farm and attended the district schools in winter sessions, working for his father in the summer. On February 1, 1906, he married Katie Glick, who was born in Eden Town- ship February 18, 1887, and was educated in the common schools. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bontrager have always lived on the Bontrager homestead. They have three children : Mahlon, born December 21, 1906; Rosa, born November 26, 1911; and Enos, born October 10, 1917. Mr. Bontrager owns 160 acres in his home farm and has forty acres more in another part of the township. As bishop of the Amish Mennonite Church he has the supervision of the two churches known as the East Side and West Side churches in the Honeyville district. He is the man responsible for making the rules of the church, and, as is cus- tomary in that denomination, he gives all his services without remuneration, depending on his farm for his material prosperity. Eber J. Williamson. For over fifty years the Williamson family has been identified with Steuben County, chiefly as farmers, and always as good citi- zens and people who neglect none of their responsi- bilities to their community. Representing the third generation in this county is Eber J. Williamson, owner of one of the fine farms in York Township. He was born in York Township January 12, i860, and is a son of Peter and Hannah (Gamble) Williamson, both natives of New York State, his mother being a daughter of Solomon Gamble. The grandparents, Cornelius and Elizabeth (Singer) Williamson, the former a native of New York State, came to Steuben County some years prior to the Civil war and spent the rest of their days in York Township. They reared a family of children named Jacob, John, George, Arthur, Cornelius, James, Peter, Mary and Annett. Peter Williamson was an arrival in York Town- ship about 1857, coming direct from New York State. He had a farm and was busily engaged in its cultivation until late in the Civil war.' About 1863 he went into the army and died while still in service, on September 2, 1865. His widow remained on the farm, reared her children, and died July 17, 1894. She was the mother of three, Debbie, Eber J. and Izora. Eber J. Williamson hardly remembers his father at all.* He grew up in the home of his mother, en- joyed such advantages as could be obtained from the local schools in the intervals of his own em- ployment, and has always worked the home place since reaching manhood. Mr. Williamson owns a good farm of ninety-seven acres and is engaged in general cropping and stock raising. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Knights of Pythias lodges at Metz. In October, 1883, he married Emma Betzer, a daughter of Jacob and Anna Betzer. They have two children. Lottie is the wife of Arthur Morison and has three children, named Sidney, Wilbur and Inie. Vertie married Sylvia Kentigh. John F. Holsinger. For many years the name Holsinger in LaGrange and Noble counties has been synonymous with extensive holdings of land. The Holsingers are farmers and business men, and their practical energy has enabled several of the family to overcome the handicaps of initial poverty and achieve such material success as few men can equal. The same has been true of John F. Holsinger, as it was of his father. The son is an extensive land owner and farmer in Noble County, and is one of the directors of the State Bank of Wolcottville and identified with other business organizations there. He was born in Orange Township of Noble County, October 16, 1850, a son of John and Sarah (Stroman) Holsinger. His father was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1817, and his mother was a native of Summit County, Ohio. After their mar- riage they moved from Ohio to LaGrange County, Indiana, settling on a farm, and from there moved to Orange Township of Noble County. John Hol- singer spent his last years in Kendal'lville, but his wife died on the farm. They were members of the Evangelical Church and the father was a republican. John Holsinger came to Northeast Indiana with practically all his goods and possessions in a wagon, and by hard work and constant exercise of good judgment achieved a striking success. He owned at one time 733 acres of land. He was a popular member of the Masonic Lodge. Of eleven chil- dren by three marriages the following are still liv- ing; Dora, who lives in I, os Angeles. California; Frank, of Wolcottville; Walter, of Indianapolis; John F. ; Ida, wife of Martin Fanning, of Angola; and Adrin, of LaGrange. John F. Holsinger grew up on his father’s farm, had a district school education, and lived at home until nearly the age of twenty-two. He worked for his brother William for one year, rented his father’s farm four years, managing it in association with his brother, and later farmed by himself. A fter his experience justified it, he adventured upon farm 188 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA owning independently and made his first purchase of 122 acres. He went in debt for a considerable part of it, but paid out, then bought another ioo acres, then 60 acres, then 40 acres, later 222 acres, and 46 acres, these various purchases giving him a splendid body of land 622 acres in extent, all in the northwest part of Orange Township. March 30, 1879, Mr. Holsinger married Sarah Raber. She was born in Orange Township July 28, 1854, a daughter of David and Susanna (Dice) Raber, the former a native of Stark and the latter of Trumbull County, Ohio. Her parents after their marriage in Ohio came to Indiana in 1853 lo- cated in Orange Township of Noble County, where they spent the rest of their days. Of the ten chil- dren in the Raber family four are still living: David; Elias, whose home is in the State of Wash- ington; John, of Elkhart, Indiana; and Mrs. Sarah Holsinger. Mrs. Holsinger had a good common school education. She is the mother of three chil- dren. Olive M. graduated from the common schools and is the wife of Garfield Eschelman, living at Wolcottville. Clark graduated from high school, has his home in Orange Township and married Bessie Rowe. Ellis is a high school graduate and married Marie Eschelman, of Orange Township. Mrs. Holsinger is a member of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Holsinger was one of the first di- rectors of the State Bank of Wolcottville. He and his family have had a town home in Wolcottville since the fall of 1912, but they still retain their rural residence in Orange Township of Noble County. Mr. Holsinger is a director in the Cement Products Factory. He has been a stock buyer for about fourteen years, and does an extensive business in that line, buying and feeding cattle by the car- load lots. James Skelly is the fortunate owner of a good farm in Salem Township of Steuben County. His farm contains a group of handsome buildings and in every way is adapted for comfort and for maxi- mum efficiency in every department of its manage- ment. Mr. Skelly started life on a modest scale, beginning with a very small amount of land under his ownership, and has made steady strides during the different years to the possession of what he enjoys today. A resident of Steuben County for many years, he was born in Millersburg, Ohio, October 1, 1855, a son of William and Sarah (Steele) Skelly, the former a native of Cumberland County, Pennsyl- vania, and the latter of Holmes County, Ohio, where her father, James Steele, was a farmer. James Skelly is a grandson of James Skelly, who spent his active life as a farmer in Holmes County, Ohio. William Skelly acquired his early knowledge of agriculture in the same county, but about 1875 came to Salem Township of Steuben County, ac- quiring a farm’ near Hudson. That was the scene of his activities until the last year of his life, when he moved to DeKalb County. He and Sarah Steele Skelly had four children, named Martha, wife of John Calhoun, Tames, David and Leander. When the mother of these died the father married Mrs. Ellen (Baughman) Buckmaster. By that union there were also four children : Mary, wife of Hiram Towns; Elizabeth, who married Amos Myers ; Robert ; and Olive, wife of George Putt. James Skelly was about twenty years of age when his father came to Steuben County. He began farming about the same time on his own account and about 1879 was able to buy thirty-four acres three-quarters of a mile west of Hudson. He made good as a farmer there, remained about nine years, and in 1888 traded for his present farm in section 19 of Salem Township. Here, with his wife, he owns 175 acres besides fifty acres across the road in Milford Township of LaGrange County. The building improvements all represent his own plan- ning, labor and investment. In 1879 Mr. Skelly married Flora A. Gonser, daughter of Moses and Louisa (Wright) Gonser. Her father, an old time resident of Northeast In- diana, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, Jan- uary 14, 1829, a son of David and Catherine (Miller) Gonser. He came with his parents to DeKalb County in 1848 and in 1869 moved to Steuben County. He acquired a large property of 250 acres in sections 35 and 36 of Salem Township and across the line in Fairfield Township of DeKalb County built a fine two-story brick home in 1880 and owned much other property, all of which represented his thrifty and industrious career from early youth to mature years. He filled several offices in his com- munities and at one time was a county commissioner of Steuben County. He cast his first vote for the whig candidate of 1852, and became an original republican. He and his wife had six children, Amanda, Albert, Flora A., Marietta, Robert M. and Martha L. To Mr. and Mrs. Skelly were born four children : Grace, Elsie Maude, Willis R. and Esther. Grace is the wife of Clyde Perkins, and has four children : Dorothy, Mildred, Ralph and Donald. Maude married Dr. C. C. Wright and has one child, Louise, and Esther is the wife of Professor Charles G. Hornaday. Willis R. Skelly is an expert agriculturist and is giving much energy to the management of the home farm, he and his father being associated in the business. He was graduated in 1911 with the Bache- lor of Science degree in the Tri-State Normal Col- lege at Angola, in 1914 received his degree Bachelor of Science in agriculture from Purdue University, and in 1916 was awarded the Master’s degree by the same institution. For three years he had the valuable experience of working in connection with the Purdue University Agricultural Department as instructor in farm crops. Willis Roy married Ar- villa Hornaday, of Lafayette, and they have one daughter, Virginia Mae. Henderson M. Richey is a young man whose abilities and services have been much appreciated by the City of Auburn. He is the present city treasurer, having been appointed by the City Council on May 1, 1919, as successor to E. E. Shilling, who resigned. Mr. Richey, who served the Government during the period of the war, is by profession a newspaper man. He was born at Angola, Indiana, September 20, 1894, a son of David H. and Luella A. (Moore) Richey. When he was a year and a half old his parents moved to Auburn, where his father was a buggy manufacturer and where he spent the rest of his life with the exception of several years in the newspaper business in Monroe, Michigan, and Fostoria, Ohio. Henderson Richey’s mother is still living. He was educated in the common schools of Auburn, graduating from the senior class of high school in 1915. He had already made considerable progress in a business way, having worked in news- paper offices carrying papers before and after school. On leaving high school he was given a regular place as reporter with the Evening Star at Auburn, and is the present city editor of that well known journal of DeKalb County. February 5, 1918, Mr. Richey enlisted in the Spruce Production Division of the Air Service, and for thirteen months was employed in that work in HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 189 the states of Washington and Oregon. He was dis- charged with the rank of master electrician in the Air Service, the highest non-commissioned rank in that branch. He returned home March 16, 1919, and has found an abundance of civil and business duties to employ him. Mr. Richey, who is unmarried, is a member of the Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity, is treasurer of the Men’s Class of the Presbyterian Church, and is a member of the Red Cross Committee of DeKalb County. William Metz. For thirty consecutive years William Metz has planted and cultivated crops on his farm in Otsego Township of Steuben County, and he has properly earned and deserves all the generous prosperity he now enjoys. Mr. Metz was born in Morrow County, Ohio, March 13, 1838, a son of Christopher and Eva Cath- erine (Gretchman) Metz. His parents were both natives of Baden, Germany, and came with their family to America in 1854. They had a long and tedious ocean journey of over 100 days, and one of their daughters was buried at sea. About i860 the Metz family came to Otsego Township, and Christopher Metz spent the rest of his days there. William Metz was only an infant when brought to Steuben County and as a boy he attended the district schools of Otsego Township. He left home in order to make his own way in the world and for about twelve years was a farm hand whose steadiness and industry commended him to all his employers. On March 14, 1888, he married Lucetta Davis, and they at once began farming independently in section 14 of Otsego Township. Mr. and Mrs. Metz own eighty acres of land, and the buildings have been placed under their ownership. Mr. Metz does general farming and stock raising, keeps good grades of all live stock and takes splendid care of it. fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. Emmet Fulghum was born and reared in Wayne County, Indiana, in one of the fine old Quaker communities of that section of the state, and be- came identified with Northeast Indiana as a station clerk with the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. He finally resigned that position to become cashier of the State Bank of Wolcottville, duties in which he is engaged at the present time. Mr. Fulghum was born in Wayne County. In- diana, August 23, 1886, a son of Calvin and Mar- garet (Woodruf) Fulghum. His father, also a native of Wayne County, was a farmer and for many years was active in public affairs, being one of the leaders of the republican party in his county. He served two terms as trustee of New Garden Township, and also served as county assessor of Wayne County. He died in 1905 and his wife in 1907. They were prominent members of the Friends Church at New Garden and the father was a Ma- son and Knight of Pythias. Of their family of six children three are now living: Florence received a liberal education in high school and Earlham Col- lege, and was a teacher before her marriage to Harry Woofers. George B. is a high school gradu- ate and a train dispatcher at Fort Wayne for the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. Emmet Fulghum grew up on his father’s farm and finished his education in the high school at Fountain City. He then returned to the farm and worked a year, learned telegraplty, and was given his first position with the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, and served that company faithfully at Wolcottville and LaGrange. Since August 1, 1917. he has been cashier of the State Bank of Wolcott- ville. He married Miss Lottie Taylor, daughter of S. P. Taylor, of Wolcottville. She was educated in the grammar and high schools. They have one son, Ralph. Mr. and Mrs. Fulghum are members of the Methodist Church and in politics he is a republican. George K. Wisel. One of the names most fre- quently met with in Salem Township of Steuben County is that of Wisel. As a family they were among the earliest settlers, and the second child born in the township was Daniel R. Wisel, whose birth occurred March 9, 1837. The late George K. Wisel was a son of Otis Wisel. The Wisel family for many generations lived at Providence, Rhode Island. Otis Wisel was a son of David Wisel, who was born in 1777 and was the seventh son in the seventh generation of seven sons. The name of each of this particular number in each generation was David, and all of them prior to the David that came to Steuben County operated a foundry in Rhode Island. David Wisel with his family, consisted of his wife and three youngest children and his two oldest sons and their families, settled in Salem Township, October 25, 1836. He entered the southwest quarter of section 10 from the Government, erected a log house and improved twenty acres, and lived there until his death in 1844. The five children to come with him to Indiana were David, Otis, Ira, Phoebe and Laura, while his other five children subsequently came from New York and joined him in that county. Otis Wisel was born at Watertown, New York, in 1810, and was twenty-six years of age when he came to Indiana. He bought fifty acres from his father, and improved that and lived on it until the spring of 1853, when he bought a quarter section in section 22. He improved a large amount of land and was one of the leading farmers of his locality for many years. He married Betsey Van Pelt, who was born in Montgomery County, New York, in 1811. Their children were: Otis, Jr., Daniel R., mentioned above, Elizabeth and George K. George Wisel was born in Salem Township, March 23, 1850. He acquired his education in the district schools and as a young man began farming in section 22 and remained on the same farm for more than fifty-five years. He was a man of fine qualities, successful in his affairs, was a charter member of Lodge No. 376 of the Knights of Pythias at Salem Center, and in many ways played a useful part in his community. He died May 17, 1908. On February 10, 1873, he married Annie Coombs. She was born in Livingston County, New York, March 22, 1853, a daughter of William and Mary (Wheeler) Coombs, both natives of England. George K. Wisel and wife had five children. Elsie is a well know educator, has taught exclusively for over twenty years in Salem Township and is now a teacher in the grammar grades at Salem Center ; Tellie was also a successful teacher for ten years and is the wife of Amos Grady; the third child is George O. Wisel, now proprietor of the old home- stead ; Anna was a teacher for one year, married Charles Twitchell, and for the past thirteen years has been a nurse ; Sabrina spent four years as a teacher in the primary grades at Helmer and is the wife of Ray Teeters and lives on a farm east of Pleasant Lake. Cornelius Altland, a leading farmer of Van Buren Township, LaGrange County, has lived in this county since early boyhood, and his early life was one of much struggle and hard work, while his later 190 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA years have brought him an enviable degree of pros- perity and the highest esteem of his community. Mr. Altland was born in York County, Pennsyl- vania, September 27, 1843, a son of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Chamberlain) Altland. His father was a na- tive of York County and his mother of Maryland. They were married in York County and in 1854 moved to White Pigeon, Michigan, buying a farm a mile east of that old town. Jacob Altland farmed there for many years and finally moved to Waterloo, Iowa, buying a farm in Blackhawk County. He died there in 1875, at the age of sixty-three. His widow subsequently returned East and died at White Pigeon in 1885, also about sixty-three years of age. Jacob Altland was a republican and a member of the Dunk- ard Church. His children were Edward, Sarah, Maria, Cornelius, Jacob, Elizabeth, William, Cath- erine, Jane, Anne and George. Cornelius Altland received a limited education in the public schools, having attended school for about two months in Pennsylvania. When about fifteen years old he came to LaGrange County and worked for his uncle, Peter Altland. Later he was on a farm in Michigan for a year, and for over half a century has occupied his present location. This was the farm of John Dalton, and Mr. Altland leased it for twelve years, and subsequently he and his wife acquired possession. This homestead was originally 347 acres, but Mr. Altland has sold off fifteen acres. He built a fine house and other buildings and has followed general farming and has done much buy- ing and selling of livestock. His farm has always been notable for its good stock. He raised one horse that was later sold to Theodore Roosevelt as a driv- ing horse. Mr. Altland is a republican but has been a quiet citizen and without any aspirations for po- litical office. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. In 1866 he married Frances Dalton. She was born on the farm where she now resides January 27, 1847, and has spent all her life in LaGrange County except for one year. Her parents were John and Anna (Hayner) Dalton, of an old and prominent family of LaGrange County. Mr. and Mrs. Altland had six children, Inez, Zelda, Walter, Anna, Mortimer and Merle. The first two died in infancy and Merle died when five years old. Walter, who was born November 3, 1874, was educated in the public schools at Scott, and married Myrtie Reed, their one daugh- ter, Verna, having been born November 11, 1905. Anna, who was born October 26, 1878, was educated in the Scott schools, was a teacher for one year, and is now the wife of Samuel Rehm. Mortimer at- tended the public schools and is a resident of Kala- mazoo, Michigan, being superintendent of an enamel works in that city. He married Mary Miller. Wtlson Crain. No history of Steuben County would be complete without considerable mention of the Crain family, for it is one of the oldest as well as most important of those established in this part of Indiana during the pioneer period. By mar- riage the members of the Crain family are con- nected with other old families, among them being that bearing the name of Frink, and all have con- tributed much toward securing the present pros- perity of this locality. One of the best representa- tives of these two old families is Wilson Crain of Steuben Township. Wilson Crain was born on his present farm in section 36, Steuben Township, August 14, 1875, a son of James Madison Crain and grandson of Lucius Crain and Selah Frink. Lucius Crain, born in Connecticut, was reared in New York State, where he was married to Paulina Frink, a daughter of Selah Frink. Word of the fertility of the Indiana farming land came to the people along the Atlantic Coast, and the Crains and Frinks decided to migrate. Selah Frink came first, locating in Otsego Township, Steuben County, and in 1837 Lucius Crain followed. The latter selected land in section 36, Steuben Township, in the same county, but after he had erected a log cabin and cleared off about five acres he became discouraged on account of the prevailing ill health of his neighbors, and went back to his old home. Learning of bettering con- ditions a little later, after two and one-half years absence, he came back and lived on his farm until his death in 1849, and here he reared his five chil- dren. James Madison Crain, father of Wilson Crain, was born in Madison County, New York, in 1830, and so spent practically all of his life in Steuben County. When his father died he took charge of the homestead, and this property has descended to his two sons and daughter, Lucius, Wilson and Arvilla. James Madison Crain was married to Margaret J. Renner, a native of Pennsylvania, a daughter of John P. Renner, and they had three children: Arvilla, Lucius and Wilson. When James Madison Crain died in 1896 he was justly numbered among the prosperous farmers and sub- stantial men of Steuben County. Wilson Crain was brought up in a moral atmos- phere, being watched over by careful parents, who believed in teaching their children how to become useful to themselves and their neighbors. During the formative period of his life he attended the Windfall School of District No. 7, and at the same time assisted with the work of the homestead. With his brother and sister he inherited the family property of 276 acres lying along the township line between Otsego and Steuben townships, Wilson Crain living in the last named township and his brother in the former. The brothers operate their land together and have never been separated in their business operations. On August 16, 1918, Wilson Crain was united in marriage with Helen Renner, a daughter of Samuel and Kate Renner. Mr. and Mrs. Crain have no children. Mr. Crain belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Both he and his brother are representa- tive men, who take an interest in public affairs and the advancement of their neighborhood. They are engaged in general- farming and breeding Shorthorn cattle, and their farm equipment is of the finest, they recognizing that in order to produce the best results it is necessary to have modern buildings and machinery, and their success proves that they are right. George C. Morgan, cashier of the Wildman State Bank at Wolcottville, has been a prominent factor in LaGrange County affairs for many years, is a former clerk of the Circuit Court, and was long identified with the newspaper business. Mr. Morgan still makes his home at LaGrange. He was born in South Wales, November 20, 1859, a son of Henry and Martha (Parry) Morgan. His parents were also natives of Wales, and on coming to the United States in 1873 settled in Pennsylvania and later moved to LaGrange, Indiana. Henry Morgan followed the business of gardening, and that was his first trade throughout his life in the United States. His wife was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church and he was a Meth- odist and a democrat.. Of six children only two are now living. Mary E. is the widow of George Shap- land and lives at LaGrange. George C. Morgan was only thirteen years old when he came to this country and up to that time HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 191 his education had been acquired in the private and public schools of Wales. He also attended school in LaGrange, and as a boy went to work in the offices of the LaGrange Standard. He learned printing and the newspaper business with that paper and served it in various capacities. From 1900 to 1903 he was associated with Carl H. Rerick in the ownership of the Standard. Mr. Morgan in 1903 was appointed clerk of the LaGrange Circuit Court, and in 1904 was regularly elected for a four year term on the republican ticket. He gave all his time to the duties of the office until January, 1909. In October, 1910, he bought a half interest in the Saturday Call from W. D. Rheubottom, and continued with that paper until he sold out four years later to the LaGrange County Democrat. From 1914 to August, 1918, Mr. Morgan conducted a profitable general insurance business at LaGrange. At the latter date he was elected cashier of the Wildman State Bank at Wolcottville. In 1880 he married Emma E. Speed. They have one daughter, Leda S., who is a graduate of the LaGrange High School and is the wife of Adolph Gaertner, of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gaertner have three children, named Morgan, Carl and Martha. Mr. Morgan and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a past grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was financial secretary of his lodge for twenty-five years, until December 31, 1918. He is also a Ma- son and a member of the Encampment of Odd Fel- lows, being past chief patriarch and district deputy grand patriarch, and is a member of the LaGrange Rebekahs. In politics he is a republican, and served five terms as a member of the LaGrange school board, having been a member of the board for fifteen years. Charles A. Griffith spent several years as a railroad man, but recently resumed farming, the occupation to which he was reared and trained in youth. He operates some of the most productive land in Steuben Township, with home at Pleasant Lake. He was born in Steuben County, December 15, 1870, son of John and Mary (Crandall) Griffith and a grandson of John Griffith, one of the pioneers of Steuben County. Grandfather John Griffith was born in Ohio in 1813 and came to Indiana in 1850, locating in DeKalb County and some years later acquired business interests that brought him to Steuben County. He died in i860. Charles A. Griffith grew up on the home farm and was educated in the public schools of Otsego Town- ship. In early years he began working for monthly wages, ^ later rented a farm, and from that went into the railroad service, in the building department, as a carpenter. That was his work and employment for about seven years, at the end of which time he re- turned to farming. In the fall of 1917 Mr. Griffith -bought a farm adjoining Pleasant Lake, and in ad- dition to that he also rents a place of 157 acres a mile from Pleasant Lake. His time and energies are therefore fully taken up with the business of general farming and stock raising. Mr. Griffith is a republican in politics and is affil- iated with the Masonic Lodge at Pleasant Lake and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Hamil- ton. He and his wife are identified with the Bap- tist Church. July 1, 1894, he married Miss Ella King. She was born in Richland Township, September 9, 1874, a daughter of Samuel and Martha (Heller) King. Her parents came from Pennsylvania to Steuben County when children. Samuel King was a son of Peter and Elizabeth King, the former of whom died in 1880, at the age of eighty-one, and the latter in 1884. Samuel King spent his active life as a farmer, was a republican and a member of the Lutheran Church, and died in March, 1911, at the age of seventy-four. Mrs. Griffith’s mother is still living at the age of eighty. There were nine chil- dren in the King family, six of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith have four children, all liv- ing. Weir Eugene was born August 18, 1895, is a graduate of the Pleasant Lake High School, and in 1913 married Lucile Matson, a daughter of James Matson and a granddaughter of Lewis Matson, of a prominent family elsewhere referred to. Weir E. Griffith and wife have three children, named Mau- rice, Naomi and Johan. Ford Lauren Griffith, the second child, was born June 24, 1897, graduated from the Pleasant Lake High School, attended the Tri-State Normal College, and at the age of seven- teen went west to Montana and has spent several years as a teacher in that state. When the war closed he was in an officers training school at Camp Taylor, Kentucky. The two younger children are Edith Lyle, born April 6, 1902, now a junior in the Pleasant Lake High School, and Gertrude Luella, born September 3, 1908. Bernard F. Haines represents the thrifty and progressive element of the agricultural citizenship in Allen Township of Noble County. He has a good farm, one well tended and productive, and has made himself a factor in that rural community. His home is two miles north of Avilla. Mr. Haines was born in Adrian, Michigan, Au- gust 28, 1890, son of Frank J. and Alice (Fowler) Haines. Frank J. Haines was born at Albany, New York, September 11, 1867, and when he was three years of age his parents moved to Adrian, Michi- gan. There he married Alice Fowler, who was born in Adrian, August 30, 1865. Both had at- tained educations in the local schools, including high school, and Alice Fowler had also attended Adrian College. After they married they located on a farm, and Frank J. Haines still cultivates 200 acres of the fine soil of Southern Michigan. His first wife died in 1902 and he then married his wife’s sister. Bernard F. Haines was the only child of his father’s first marriage. He spent his boyhood days on the farm, attended the public and high schools of Adrian, and in 1910 graduated Ph. B. from Adrian College. He re- ceived a license to teach school but never used it, and has found farming more to his liking and more profitable withal. A fellow student with him in Adrian College was Orpha A. King. They were married September 10, 1911. Mrs. Haines was born on the farm where she now lives in Noble County, Indiana, March 9, 1888, the only child of Hiram L. and Margaret A. (Brundige) King. Further reference to her hon- ored father, one of the old timers of Noble County, is made in a later paragraph. Mrs. Haines was edu- cated in the public schools before she attended col- lege, and was a student in that institution three years. Mr. and Mrs. Haines have one child, Ruth Alice, born August 8, 1916. Mr. Haines is affiliated with Kendallville Lodge No. 276, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, with the Royal Arch Chapter, with the Council, Royal and Select Masters, and with the Knight Templar Com- mandery at Kendallville. Both he and his wife are members of the Chapter of the Eastern Star at Kendallville. Politically, like many young men of modern times, he votes independently. Mr. Haines has 200 acres in his farm and has discharged his 192 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA responsibilities as a farmer and stock man with a high degree of success. He breeds Shorthorn cat- tle, and feeds a large number of cattle and sheep every year. He also has a farm in Michigan. Hiram L. King, father of Mrs. Haines, was born in Perry Township of Geauga County, Ohio, Oc- tober 2, 1826, and was a child when his parents moved to Portage County, Ohio, and later to Car- roll County, and in May, 1837, established their pioneer home in Swan Township of Noble County, Indiana. Hiram L. King was a son of Hiram and Catherine (Lowe) King. Hiram King, Sr., was born in New York State July 13, 1799. Catherine Lowe was born in the same state May 4, 1803. Soon after their marriage they moved to Ohio and then more than eighty years ago chose a homestead in Noble County, in section 3, Swan Township, where they lived and labored and where their lives came to a close, Hiram King on April 16, 1866, and Cath- erine King December 14, 1883. Both were active members of the Presbyterian Church. In their fam- ily were six children. Hiram L. King was eleven years of age when brought to Noble County, and he finished his edu- cation in the common and subscription schools here of the early days. He early made a hand on his father’s farm of 400 acres. He was at home to the age of twenty-three and eventually bought his father’s place of 400 acres and took his young bride to that as their first home. June 7, 1859, Hiram L. King married Frances A. Mumford. She died Oc- tober 9, 1864, the mother of two children : Herbert H., who died October 21, 1884, and Helen F., born June 29, 1862, and died in June, 1893. On May 9, 1886, Hiram L. King married Mrs. Margaret (Brun- dige) Craig, widow of William N. Craig. Mr. and Mrs. King had one child, Orpha A., now Mrs. B. F. Haines. Hiram L. King for many years was one of the leading citizens of Noble County, a progressive and broad-minded farmer, and equally open minded and open hearted in all his public views and actions. Lie was a republican in politics. He died in Noble County October 23, 1907, and his widow passed away January 4, 1914. Lewis Fetch started into the world empty handed so far as inheritance was concerned, had only his native industry and intelligence to rely upon, and for several years was known in LaGrange County as a farm laborer and day workman. He had de- termination, thrift and unlimited energy, and for many years there has been a steady progress in his material circumstances. He is regarded as one of the best farmers and has one of the best farms in Van Buren Township. Mr. Fetch was born in Prussia, Germany, July 13, 1857, but has been an American since infancy. His parents were Henry and Caroline (Walter) Fetch, both natives of Germany. They came to America in the spring of 1859, locating at White Pigeon in St. Joseph County, Michigan. Henry Fetch moved to Van Buren Township in 1861, and in December of that year his first wife died. Two years later he married Carolina Enderly. Henry Fetch showed his patriotism by enlisting in the Fourteenth Michi- gan Infantry in 1864, and was with his regiment in all its engagements until the close of the Civil war. He then returned home to Van Buren Township and lived there the rest of his life, becoming the owner of a farm of sixty-eight acres. He died in 1882, at the age of fifty-two. Lewis Fetch was the only child of his first marriage. By his second wife he was the father of Lena, Henry, William, Richard, Anna and Albert. Lewis Fetch acquired all his education at the Stone Lake School in Van Buren Township. He was working to pay his own way in the world when only a boy and for six years he was employed by different farmers and accepted any work that would afford him an honest living. He realized his ambition to become a land owner by a very modest start, his first purchase being eleven acres. With that as a nucleus he has gradually increased his property un- til he now owns 311 acres in Van Buren Township. This land comprises three farms, with a complete set of buildings. The building improvements represent his individual investment with the exception of one house and part of another. He has this land well equipped for general farming and stock raising. In May, 1884, Mr. Fetch married Lavada Kline, a daughter of Reuben and Mary Ann (Snook) Kline. Her father was a farmer in St. Joseph County, Michigan, and died in 1911. The children of Reuben Kline were Viola, Lavada, Fred, Curtis and Ada. Mr. and Mrs. Fetch have two sons, Homer Charles and Oliver Lewis. The former married Mary Blair and has two children, Helena Opal and LeRoy Homer. Oliver married Myrtie Dunker, and their family consists of Lewis, Lorema and Loretta May. Mr. and Mrs. Fetch were reared in the Lutheran Church. Fred Chadwick. The Chadwick family is one of the old-established ones in Steuben County, where its representatives have made the name synonymous with integrity and public spirit For many years there have been Chadwicks engaged in developing the fertile land of Northeastern Indiana, their ef- forts being directed toward gaining a living from’ tilling the soil, so that they are intimately associated with the agricultural history of this region. Other members of this family have achieved distinction along commercial and mercantile lines, and all of them are 100 per, cent Americans and loyal citizens of the highest type. One of the members of the Chadwick family liv- ing in Steuben County is Fred Chadwick, who owns eighty-seven acres of farm land in Steuben Town- ship. He was born at Angola, Indiana, August 22, 1856, and he is a brother of Frank H. Chadwick, who is on the advisory board connected with the issuance of this history. Growing up in Steuben Township, Fred Chadwick was reared by careful parents and given the educa- tional advantages offered by the excellent rural schools of his neighborhood. His natural inclina- tions made him a farmer, and he has been engaged in this calling all of his life, his field of operation being Steuben Township with the exception of the years between 1880 and 1886, inclusively, when he was in the State of Kansas. Upon his return to Indiana Mr. Chadwick acquired his present farm of eighty-seven acres, on which he carries on gen- eral farming. In April, 1886, Mr. Chadwick was united in mar- riage with Elnora Shaver, a daughter of Franklin and Fila Shaver. Mr. and Mrs. Chadwick have the following children : Fern, who married Charles Cook ; Harry, who is one of Steuben County’s sol- dier boys, is serving in the Eighth Replacement Unit, Section Five, Base Hospital Seven Hundred and Sixteen, American Expeditionary Forces ; Merle, who married Roland Gramlin ; Mildred ; Carl ; Olga and John. Mr. Chadwick belongs to the Masons and Gleaners, and his son Harry belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Solomon Nichols is proprietor of a particularly fine farm in Scott Township, valuable and produc- tive, and of especial interest to members of the HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 193 Nichols family, since it has been part of the family possessions in Steuben County through three- gen- erations. The land was acquired in its virgin state by Mr. Nichols’ grandfather in the year 1852. Solomon Nichols was born in Scott Township April 27, 1866, a son of Benjamin and Mary (Reek) Nichols. His grandparents were Samuel and Pa- tience (Wellington) Nichols, both- natives of Ohio, the former born in 1796 and the latter in 1801. They came to Steuben County about 1840, settling in Scott Township, near Scott Center, and later on the land where Solomon Nichols lives. Samuel Nichols died there September 18, 1861, at the age of sixty-five years, six months and thirteen days. From the time of his death the farm was owned by his son Solomon until 1890, and was bought by Benjamin Nichols and he in turn passed it on to the present owner, Solomon Nichols. Samuel and Patience Nichols had the following children: Perry, Esther, Nancy, Martha, Lucinda, Solomon, Benja- min and Betsey. Benjamin Nichols was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1834, and was a small boy when brought to Steuben County. He received a public school edu- cation and became an expert mechanic, a stone mason, a painter and a carpenter, and lived at Fre- mont and worked at his trade for a number of years. After twenty-one years of residence in Fre- mont he bought in 1890 the old homestead of eighty acres, and with the aid of his son Solomon made many improvements in his buildings and gen- eral equipment and also purchased thirty-five acres of adjoining land. He left the farm in 1904, and with his wife moved to Angola, where he spent his last days and where he died September 2, 1906, at the age of seventy-two. He was a republican in politics, and he and his wife were liberal in their religious views. Benjamin Nichols was widely es- teemed as a veteran of the Civil war. He enlisted in Company C of the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, and served during the last eighteen months of the war. He was a member of the Masonic Order at Angola. July 31, 1865, Benjamin Nichols and Miss Mary Reek were married. Mrs. Benjamin Nichols, who is still living at Angola, was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, three miles from McKees- port, June 26, 1843, daughter of George and Nancy Jane (Mahood) Reek. George Reek was born in Germany and his wife was born in Pennsylvania in 1827. In 1852 George Reek came to Pleasant Town- ship and bought a farm in Otsego Township of forty acres. John Mahood, maternal grandfather of Mrs. Benjamin Nichols, put up what was known as the old Davis sawmill and was a prominent pioneer miller in the county. He also ground meal in this mill on a stone burr that he made from a large native rock. He arrived in Steuben County about 1854. Mrs. Nichols’ parents after selling their farm in Otsego Township bought eighty acres in Pleas- ant Township, in the midst of the woods, and later sold that and bought a farm in Scott Township, where they spent their last years. In the Reek family were the following children: Mary, Mrs. Benjamin Nichols, William, Martha Jane, Mar- garet Ann, Sarah, Emaline, George and John. Ben- jamin Nichols and wife had three children: Solo- mon, Samuel, of Fort Wayne, and Lottie, widow of Jacob Raber, also of Fort Wayne. Solomon Nichols spent most of his youth and . early manhood in Fremont, was educated in the public schools there and became a skilled carpenter and mason, trades which he followed until he began giving all his time and attention to the farm. Since his father left the farm he has kept its improve- ments going forward, and has both the land and the equipment required for his business as a farmer Voi. n— 13 and stock raiser. He keeps a number of grade Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Nichols has also taken a public spirited part in local affairs, serving as a member of the advisory board when the Scott High School was built. He is a republican in poli- tics. . Mr. Nichols married Miss Etta Burch, January 12, 1896. They have two children, Ardith, a junior in the Scott High School, and Arthur, in the first year of the local high school. Mr. Nichols is a member of the Angola Co-operative Shippers As- sociation. Mrs. Nichols is a daughter of Chester and Jane (Maxton) Burch. Her father was born in Otsego Township of Steuben County, July 29, 1848, and died in Scott Township, May 24, 1904. His father, Ches- ter Burch, Sr., was born in Vermont in 1810, son of Oliver Burch. He grew up in New York State and in Washington County, Ohio, and in 1831, in the latter locality, married Polly Davis, who was born in 1812. Chester Burch, Sr., came to Steuben Coun- ty, Indiana, in the pioneer year of 1837, settling in Otsego Township and some years later buying eighty acres in section 10 of that township, where he lived until his death in 1879. He and his wife had seven children. Chester Burch, Jr., was an active farmer for many years, was a republican, an Odd Fellow, and he and his wife were members of the Christian Church. On June 28, 1868, Ches- ter Burch married Jane Maxton, Mrs. Nichols be- ing their only child. Jane Maxton was born in Richland County, Ohio, May 6, 1847, and is now living with her daughter. Her parents were John and Christina (Ralston) Maxton, both natives of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. From Pennsylva- nia they moved to Richland County, Ohio, lived there many years and in i860 came to Steuben County, Indiana, settling in Otsego Township, where John Maxton died January 8, 1901, at the age of eighty-seven, and his wife on October 23, 1902, aged seventy-nine. George Shumaker is one of those fortunate men who have never been obliged to go far from home and birthplace to secure their opportunities for use- ful labor in the world. He is living today on the farm where he was born in Steuben Township, and for many seasons has helped produce the generous crops on a farm that was formerly owned by his father. Mr. Shumaker was born November 30, 1876, a son of John and Amanda (Chard) Shumaker, the former born in Virginia December 31, 1824, and the latter in Ohio in 1833. John Shumaker was a pioneer settler of Steuben County. He came to this section of Northeast Indiana a poor man, seeking opportunities to better his condition, and his hard work and his ability in handling livestock and in all other branches of agriculture brought him a striking success. He first settled east of Pleasant Lake four miles, on a farm that he later sold to Lewis Fifer. Subsequently he bought the farm oc- cupied by his son, George, and lived there until his. death in 1887. Besides the 166-acre farm where his son George lives he owned 160 acres in Salem Township and another place of eighty acres in the same township. He was a democrat in politics and his wife was a member of the United Brethren Church. Their children were : Cyrenus, born in 1853; Dolly, born in 1855; Sylvester, born in 1858; Eliza, born in 1862; John, born in 1864; Ella, born in 1867; Elijah, born in 1870; and George, born in 1876. George Shumaker, the youngest of the family, is joint owner with his brother Elijah of the’ old homestead. As a boy he attended the Parsell school, 194 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA and he learned habits of industry from his father. He was about twelve 3^ears old when his father died, and his share of the inheritance was forty-six acres of the homestead. He soon after went to work for himself and subsequently rented some of his brother’s land. Gradually his efforts have borne fruit and he is one of the substantial property own- ers of Steuben County. The substantial house in which he lives was built by his mother after his father’s death. The barn represents one of Mr. Shumaker’s many improvements. He is independent in politics and attends the Trinity Reformed Church, of which his wife is a member. In 1900 Mr. Shumaker married Miss Rosa Parker. She was born in Marshall County, Indiana, a daugh- ter of William and Pena Parker, who lived in Steuben County for a few years but afterward re- turned to Marshall County, where her father died in 1918. Her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Shumaker have three sons, Harry, born March 19, 1901 ; Oscar, born May 16, 1902 ; and Ora, born September 2, 1905. These boys have all received good advantages both at home and in the public schools. Ulysses S. Willard, who for many years has been one of the familiar and popular figures in the State Bank of Lima at Howe, is a member of an old LaGrange County family, though he was born in Morris County, Kansas, May 2, 1873. ' His parents are Ransom j. and Susan M. (Horner) Willard, whose careers are noted on other pages of this pub- lication. Mr. Willard was a small child when his parents settled at Pleasant Lake in Steuben County and in 1884 they removed to Ontario, where Ulysses S. Willard completed his education in the public schools. He graduated in 1892 from the Lima High School at Howe, and then for a period of six years was a teacher. Since 1899 he has had his home continu- ously at Howe. For a year and a half he worked in a local hardware store, then for one year was a rural mail carrier, delivering mail over one of the first routes established in LaGrange County, and in 1903 entered the service of the State Bank of Lima, with which he has been identified ever since. Mr. Willard is a republican and for the past four years has served as trustee of Lima Township. He is affiliated with Howe Lodge No. 698, Free and Accepted Masons., LaGrange Chapter No. 102, Royal Arch Masons, Council No. 50, Royal and Select Masters, at Kendallville, and is a member of the Scottish Rite bodies at Fort Wayne. He is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at Howe and he and his wife belong to the Episcopal Church. They own the old Will Block in LaGrange. Mr. Willard married Miss Harriet R. Schaeffer on April 29, 1896. She is a daughter of James W. Schaeffer of Howe. To their marriage were born three children : Ruth S., who has completed the work of the Lima High School at Howe; Paul, a senior in the Lima High School ; and Kenneth S., who is in the junior year of his high school work. Clarence F. Dally. Members of the Dally fam- ily have been residents of Steuben County for over half a century. They have been known as farmers, intelligent and public-spirited citizens, and people of the utmost personal and community worth. One of them is Clarence F. Dally, who now has a well-ordered farm in Otsego Township, where he was born September 27, 1882. His grandfather, Vincent Dally, was born in Vermont, May 24, 1812, and died October 25, 1888. On March 17, 1842, he married Hannah Mumper. She was born in Penn- sylvania January 4, 1821, and died March 26, 1888. Vincent Dally came to Steuben County and settled in Richland Township about 1863, and lived there the rest of his life, for twenty-five years. The record of his children is : Margaret, born March 24, 1843, was married to Silas Shoup on March 22, 1865; Marion, born November 14, 1846, died March 21, 1902; Mary Jane, born January 16, 1849, became the wife of Hortie Lamport on May 27, 1875; Sarah, born August 25, 1851, married Richard Burrell February 15, 1881 ; Lovine Ellen, born January 15, 1856, married Frank Metzler August 20, 1876; Emma, born September 2, 1858, died December 8th of the same year; Relifa Alice, born February 26, 1863, married on April 10, 1881, Elsworth Cary. Marion Dally, father of Clarence, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, November 14, 1846. He married, April 25, 1875, Miss Jennie Bland, a native of Seneca County, Ohio, and daughter of William Bland. As a young man he began farming in Rich- land Township and after his marriage moved to Otsego Township, where he spent the rest of his life and where he acquired the ownership of a good farm of 120 acres. His first wife died Octo- ber 17, 1882, the mother of two children, Clyde F. and Clarence F. He married for his second wife Rhoda A. Bland, sister of his first wife. They have one daughter, Elsie B. Clarence F. Dally after attending the public schools of Otsego Township went to work on his father’s farm and continued to work the fields after his father’s death. At the age of twenty-one he rented the home place for three years, and in 1905 came to his present home, where he bought sixty acres. Since then he has bought thirteen and one- third acres, and now has his land in fine condition. His farm is in sections 1 and 12 of Otsego Town- ship, and is devoted to general crops and stock raising. January 6, 1904, Mr. Dally married Ethel J. Par- rott, a daughter of Orson and Mary Parrott. They have two daughters, Mabel, born August 27, 19x0, and Marjorie, born April 3, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Dally are members of the Christian Church at Metz. William Lepley is proprietor of one of the val- uable small farms of Salem Township, a place where he has spent practically all his life, and which his father took and improved from the woods more than half a century ago. Mr. Lepley was born in Huron County, Ohio, February 7, 1862, and was about two years of age when his parents came to Indiana. He is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Hender) Lepley, the former a native of Greenfield Township, Ashland County, Ohio, and the latter of the same locality. His grand- parents were Peter and Catherine (Dick) Lepley. Peter Lepley, a native of Pennsylvania, moved from there to Huron County, Ohio, and spent the rest of his active life on a farm there. His last two or three years were spent in Salem Township at the home of his only son, Samuel. He had one daugh- ter, who was the wife of Levi Ludwig. Samuel Lepley came to Salem Township in 1864, and at that time bought seventy acres in section 15, the land being covered with heavy woods. He cleared away a considerable part of it and lived there the rest of his industrious life. He and his wife were active members of the Reformed Lutheran Church. They had two children, Ella and William. William Lepley acquired his education in the pub- lic schools of Salem Township, and even as a boy took some heavy responsibilities in the field and in the other work around the farm. He also learned the carpenter’s trade, and has used his skill not HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 195 only at home but in the service of a large com- munity. In connection with farming he has done more or less carpenter work during the past twenty years. He has been the responsible manager of the old farm since 1889, and today owns fifty-five acres. He and his wife are active members of the Lutheran Reformed Church. July 4, 1888, Mr. Lepley married Deborah Conk- lin. She was born at the village of Salem, Sep- tember 2, 1861, a daughter of Ensign and Elizabeth (Hollister) Conklin. Mr. and Mrs. Lepley have a family of six children: Guy, who married Gladys Spangler and has three children, Udell, Winifred and Oneta; Hazel, Cecil, who during the war was a member of Battery A of the Third Regiment of Field Artillery at Camp Jackson; Herbert, who sailed overseas in March 1918, as a member of Company A of the Twenty-Fourth Engineers, and was part of the American Expeditionary Forces; Sheldon; and Katheryn. Ensign Conklin, father of Mrs. Lepley, was born in Ohio, son of David Conklin and a grandson of Isaac Conklin. The Conklins were among the first families to settle in Steuben County. Isaac Conklin arrived here in 1842. David Conklin came to Steu- ben County in September, 1844, locating in section 15 of Salem Township. He was born in New York State in 1803 and married Polly Van Vleet. They were the parents of seven children. Ensign Conk- lin spent his life as a farmer in Salem Township. His wife, Elizabeth Hollister, was born in Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of Artemus and Clarissa Hollister. Artemus Hollister, also a native of Pennsylvania, came from there to Salem Township in the early days and had to cut a road four miles between Pleasant Lake and the place of his settlement. He lived on a farm in Salem Township the rest of his life and reared a family of three sons and three daughters. Ensign Conklin, who was the oldest of the family of seven children, had the assistance of his brothers in clearing up a good farm of 160 acres. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church at Salem Center and he was a democrat in politics. Their children were six in number, George, Dora, Estella, Guy, Deborah, and Flora. Dora and Es- tella are both deceased. Theodore F. Wood, M. D. If it were the purpose to single out the physician whose service has been longest and whose work has been most represent- ative of the high character of the medical profes- sion in Steuben County, choice would inevitably fall upon the veteran Theodore F. Wood, who handled his first cases in this locality while the Civil war was in progress, and rounded out a full half cen- tury of effective work in his profession and in be- half of his fellow men. He is not the only member of the Wood family conspicuous in the medical profession in Steuben County. He was one of four brothers and all of them adopted medicine as their career and all of them practiced in Steuben County. His forefathers were English people, and his grandfather was born in Canada and moved from there to New York State, where he reared his family. The father of Dr. Wood was Joseph Wheeler Wood, who was born in New York State in 1801. His first wife died young, the mother of one daughter. He married for his second wife Sarah Farnham, who was born in Connecticut in August, 1804. She was of Welsh ancestry.. They had eight children : Warren Alphonso, Elizabeth, Sarah, Phedima, Hugh D., Melvina, Theodore F. and Frederick B. In 1843 the Wood family moved to Williams County, Ohio, and in 1846 settled in DeKalb County, Indiana, where Joseph Wheeler Wood died in February, 1851, and his wife in 1859. Of the four physician brothers the oldest, Warren Alphonso, began practice in 1850 at Metz in Steuben County and later moved to Angola, where he died in 1868, at the age of forty-two. Hugh D., the second brother, was born in 1836, worked his way through college by teaching and farming, studied medicine under his brother Warren A. and later in college, and began practice at Metz in 1861. In 1869 he moved to Angola to succeed to the prac- tice of his deceased brother, and was engaged in his professional work there until his death, Decem- ber 17, 1918, at the advanced age of eighty-three. He was one of the prominent men of Steuben County in many ways. He was one of the founders of Fort Wayne Medical College, held a chair in its faculty, was president of the County Society, of the Northeast Indiana Medical Society, and other- wise widely known in medical circles. He was the first secretary of the County Board of Health, and led in the organization and was the first president of the Tri-State Normal College Association at Angola. The youngest of the four brothers, Fred- erick B., began practice at Big Rapids, Michigan, in 1866, later moved to LaGrange, Indiana, and finally to Garrett, Indiana, and spent his last days with his brother, Theodore, at Angola. He had a record of service as a soldier during the Civil war. Of the sisters of Dr. Wood Elizabeth married Dr. Solomon Stough, of DeKalb County, and both are now deceased. Sarah died in DeKalb County when a young woman. Phedima became the wife of Leveret Williams and died in DeKalb County. Mel- vina is the wife of David Ferrier, of Steuben County, later moving to Kansas, where he died. Dr. Theodore F. Wood was born in Chenango County, New York, June 2, 1840, and was three years old when his parents moved to Ohio and six when they settled in DeKalb County. After the death of his father he lived with his sister, Mrs. Stough. and while there attended district schools and did chores at home and around his brother-in- law’s office. This early association with Dr. Stough was the primary influence leading to a career as a physician. Like his brothers he paid for his prep- aration by his own earnings. He was a farm hand and also a teacher, and by the earnings of these occupations paid for four years at Hinsdale Col- lege in Michigan. He also studied medicine with his brother, Warren A., at Metz, and for six con- secutive terms taught school in Otsego Township. During the winter of 1863-64 he attended Rush Medical College at Chicago and then began practice at Metz with his brother. He remained in the prac- tice there when his brother moved to Angola in 1865. Progressiveness has always been a feature characterizing the professional careers of the Wood brothers. Dr. Wood never neglected an opportunity to improve his skill and experience. Though well established in private practice, he took additional courses in the Charity Hospital Medical College at Cleveland in 1868-69, where he received his Medical Doctor degree, again spent some time in Rush Medical College, and in 1872-73 attended lectures in New York and Philadelphia. In 1887 he and his brother, Hugh, went abroad and spent much time in the hospitals of London and the Continent. His reputation as a physician brought him an extensive practice not only over Steuben County, but over DeKalb County and Williams County, Ohio. Dr. Wood has served as president and secretary of the County Medical Society, also as president and in other offices of the Northeast Indiana Medical So- ciety, and has long been a member of the Indiana State and the American Medical associations. He 196 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA was made a Mason in 1861 and an Odd Fellow in 1863, and is one of the oldest members of these orders. He is affiliated with Angola Commandery No. 45 of the Knights Templar and Fort Wayne Consistory of the Scottish Rite. Dr. Wood is lib- eral in his religious views, but has assisted finan- cially in building churches in a number of localities in this part of Indiana and also in Ohio. He was ■one of the organizers of the First National Bank ■of Angola, and has always been on its Board of Directors. Among property interests he owns two good farms a mile and a half from Angola. April 12, 1863, Dr. Wood married Miss Elizabeth Powers, who was born in Steuben County in Jan- uary, 1842, daughter of Calvin and Emeline Powers, well known farming people of Steuben County. Mrs. Wood died May 5, 1908. They were the par- ents of three children : Lillie, the oldest, died at the age of fourteen months. Edna B. is the wife of Dr. Thomas J. Creel of Angola. Alphonso Calvin Wood, the only son of Dr. Wood, chose the profession of law as his life work and is one of the leading attorneys of the Steuben County bar. He was born in Richland Township of this county, January 23, 1874, and lived at Metz to the age of eighteen. While there he attended the public schools and on July 7, 1895, graduated in the classi- cal course from the Tri-State College at Angola, and on June 22, 1899, received his LL. B. degree from the law department of the University of Mich- igan. Since then he has been in active practice, having been admitted to the bar in April, 1897. Mr. Wood is a democrat, served as town clerk, is a member of the Congregational Church, and is a Knight Templar and Scottish Rite Mason. June 28, 1899, he married Miss Mayme Moffett, daughter of Thomas R. and Mary (Moffett) of Angola. They have one son, Theodore Thomas, who represents the fourth generation of the Wood family in this part of Indiana, and was born Feb- ruary 2, 1905, and is now a high school student at Angola. Thomas J. Creel, M. D. Recently Dr. Creel con- cluded a quarter of a century of steady practice as a physician and surgeon in Steuben County. His work has been attended with every degree of suc- cess and attainment, and he is easily one of the leaders in his profession in Northeast Indiana. Dr. Creel was born at Parkersburg, West Vir- ginia, April 5, 1868, son of John N. and Calesta D. (Parmenter) Creel, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of New York. Dr. Creel’s mother died in 1873 at Parkersburg. John N. Creel spent his last days in Steuben County, where he died in 1895. There were seven children : Hattie V., Kate, Emma, Anna, Gilly, Lorenzo D. and Thomas J. Dr. Creel attended district schools near Parkers- burg, and in r886, at the age of eighteen, came to Angola, Indiana to enter the Tri-State College. He first graduated in the commercial course and later in the normal course and prepared for teaching. After two years of teaching he entered upon the study of medicine in 1888 at Metz with Dr. Theo- dore F. Wood whose daughter he later married. In 1889 he entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, from which he graduated in 1893. He at once located at Angola, and has long been associated with Dr. Wood. He is a member in good standing in the County and State Medical societies and the American Medical Association. Dr. Creel is a democrat and at one time served as mayor of Angola. He is active in Masonry, being affiliated with Angola Commandery No. 45, Knights Templar, Fort Wayne Consistory of the Scottish Rite, and the Mystic Shrine. He and his family attend the Congregational Church. March 31, 1891, Dr. Creel married Miss Edna B. Wood, daughter of Dr. T. F. Wood. They have two children: Joyce V. and Donald W., the latter now a student in the Angola High School. Joyce after graduating from the local high school attended Bel- mont College for Girls at Nashville, Tennessee, was two years in St. Mary’s Academy at South Bend, and prior to her marriage was a successful teacher of domestic science in the high school at Angola and also the Tri-State College. She is now the wife of Martin Eastburn of Indianapolis. Mr. Eastburn during a portion of the war was training as a sol- dier in one of the camps in Kentucky. David E. Wright. The fine record of a family through four generations in Steuben County is properly considered in the individual career of David E. Wright, one of the leading farmers and citizens of Salem Township. This record goes back to his great-grandfather Jeptha A. Wright, who was born in New Hamp- shire in June, 1788, and married in that state Betsey Emerson. From New Hampshire they went to New York, all their children were born there, and Jeptha Wright followed the trade of blacksmith and later bought a farm in Orleans County. In 1837 he made a further stage of his western journey, going to Southern Michigan and buying a farm of eighty acres near Ypsilanti. The following fall he came to Steuben County to get land for his sons, several of whom had reached manhood. Acquiring 133 acres in section 19 of Salem Township, he was so pleased with the country that he soon followed with his family from Michigan. He found Steuben County practically a wilderness, his own land with- out a stick cut, and the first home to which he introduced his family was a log house. His first wife died in 1848 and his second wife in 1872. He lived until June, 1874, when almost eighty-six years of age. Those of his children to reach mature age were : Edward, Hemen, Mary, Evans, Elbridge, Chauncy, Charles and Richard. Jeptha Wright during his residence in Steuben County together with his sons acquired the ownership of about 700 acres of land. The family history is carried on through his son Elbridge, who was born in New York State Decem- ber 28, 1822, and died May 28, 1879. He was about fifteen years old when brought to Steuben County, grew up on the pioneer farm in Salem Township, and was one of the highly successful farmers in the county, owning 300 acres of land. He married Martha Ann Cochran, who was born in Ohio March 3, 1824. His widow survived him several years, and their children were Elnora, Henry, Cyrus, Mon- roe and Marion, twins, Elsie and Dora. The representative of the third generation was Henry Wright, who was born in Salem Township May 29, 1850. With the exception of three years he spent all his life on a Salem Township farm in sections 19 and 20 now owned by his son David. For three years he operated a sawmill at Fairfield Center, and aside from that time his vocation con- tinuously was one of an agriculturist. He acquired the 160 acres in sections 19 and 20 in 1881, and that combined with twenty acres in section 21 gave him the large farm now owned by his son. He was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, Knights of Pythias and Improved Order of Red Men. Henry Wright died February 15, 1909. He married Mary E. Frederick. She was born in Salem Township June 26, 1850, and died September 12, 1906. Her parents were David and Mary HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 197 (Fisher) Frederick, the former a native of Stark County, Ohio, and moving to Salem Township of Steuben County prior to the Civil war, in which he served as a Union soldier. After the war he spent the rest of his active life as a Salem Township farmer and lived retired at Hudson for about three years before his death. The children of David Frederick and wife were Susanna, Mary E. and Sarah, twins, Joseph and Josie, Ephraim and Jennie. David E. Wright, who was born during the brief residence of his parents at Fairfield Center in DeKalb County September 28, 1873, was one of two children, his brother Charles E. dying when nine years old. He acquired a good education in the district schools of Salem Township, attended school at Angola one term, and in early life assumed in- creasing responsibilities in the management of the fine farm of his father and eventually succeeded to its ownership and has lived there since he was eight years old. His affairs have prospered and the farm represents a valuable property. In 1902 he built the farm house in which he lives, and nearby is another dwelling occupied by a tenant. October 30, 1895, Mr. Wright married Miss Celia A. Hunt. She was born near Kendallville, Indiana, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Spero) Hunt. They had three children : Russell L., who died at the age of fifteen months; Floyd E., born September 11, 1900; Laurence, born January 2, 1905. Urvan J. Troyer. The country owes much to the intelligent labors of its farmers and stockraisers, for it is largely dependent on their efforts. While there are but few farms of the old-fashioned type remaining in LaGrange County, where antiquated farm methods are still pursued, not every farmer here is as progressive and enterprising as Urvan J. Troyer, who carries on his industries in Clay Town- ship and is widely known as a breeder of Holstein cattle. Urvan J. Troyer was born in Newbury Township, LaGrange County, Indiana, October 6, 1880, and is a son of Samuel and Fannie (Eash) Troyer, the latter of whom was born in 1862, and the former in i860, in Harvard County, Indiana. Extended men- tion of his father, Jeremiah Troyer, will be found in this work. When fourteen years old Samuel Troyer accompanied his parents to Newbury Town- ship, LaGrange County, where he became a farmer and owned 210 acres of land. In 1911 he removed to Elkhart County and now resides on his farm of forty acres there. His seven children were as fol- lows : Emma, Urvan J., Matie, Lizzie, Martha, Ber- tha (deceased), and Edith. Samuel Troyer is a republican in politics, and he and family belong to the Mennonite Church. Urvan J. Troyer continued in school until he left the Shipshewana High School, and then began the business of cultivating land and raising stock, to which he has given his close attention. He owns 212 acres of valuable land, which he operates intel- ligently, according to the best approved modern methods, and is greatly interested in his stock, hav- ing the sensible opinion that the best grade is the most profitable. As one evidence of his good judg- ment his investment for breeding purposes in Hol- stein cattle may be cited. At the present time he has in his fine herd a cow with the record of twenty- four pounds of butter in seven days, which almost equals the butter record of the famous champion Holstein cow that was sold at Philadelphia in June, 1919, and brought $26,000. Mr. Troyer has been equally judicious in the selection of his other high grade stock of pure bred swine and Shropshire sheep. In 1902 Mr. Troyer was united in marriage to Miss Addie Miller, who was born in Clay Town- ship, LaGrange County, November 28, 1881, and is a daughter of Moses P. Miller, mention of whom will be found on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Troyer have four children, namely: Ma- rie, Wavia, Bernice and Glenn. Mr. Troyer and his family are of the Mennonite faith. Mr. Troyer is a republican in politics. Doak Robert Best. Of the present bar of Steuben County one of the men longest in practice and with many accumulated honors of the profession and public life is Judge Doak Robert Best. He was born in Huntington County, Indiana, June 16, 1850, son of James C. and Jane Eliza (Doak) Best. His grandfather, James Best, and wife, Mary (Coulter) Best, were both natives of Virginia and spent all their lives there. Of their family of fifteen children all but one daughter removed from Vir- ginia to other states. James C. Best was born in Augusta County, Virginia, in 1800 and his wife in 1805. They married in Virginia and about 1822 moved to Kentucky, and about 1836 settled among the pioneers of Huntington County, Indiana, where they bought a farm three miles north of the county seat. James C. Best lived there until his death in 1869, his wife surviving until 1872. He was a whig and later a republican and a strong abolitionist in sentiment. At one time he was a member of the Board of County Commissioners in Huntington County. He and his wife had seven sons and seven daughters, twelve of whom reached adult years. Judge Best, youngest of the family and the only one now living, was reared on a farm in Huntington County and lived there to the age of nineteen. He supplemented a district school education by attend- ing the Warsaw High School, and for a time was a teacher at Leesburg in Kosciusko County and also in Huntington County at Andrews. He received the degree Bachelor of Science from the Lebanon Normal College in 1872, and was a student of law all the time he was teaching. He was also in the office of his brother, George W. Best, a well known attorney at Elkhart. Judge Best located at Angola in the spring of 1875, and has continuously been a member of the bar for over forty years. He has owned some property in Angola ever since 1875, and has some farm lands in the county. In 1875 he became associated with Jesse M. Gale and Leland H. Stocker, both old and prominent lawyers of Steuben County, under the firm name of Gale, Stocker & Best. The senior partners retired about 1883, and afterward for six years Judge Best and Judge Emmet A. Bratton were in partnership. Charles A. Yotter became a member of the firm in 1893, and the title of the firm was Best, Bratton & Yotter until Judge Bratton was elected circuit judge. It then remained Best & Yotter. Judge Best has fre- quently been appointed a special judge, and there- fore his popular title is not merely honorary. He is an active republican, has served as a member of the School Board six years, was county attorney for a number of years in his earlier career, and is now serving his second four year term as* city at- torney. He served as a member of the Legislature in 1883 and again in 1885. Judge Best is one of the organizers of the Angola Bank Trust Company, the name of the institution being suggested by him. For the past three years he has been its president and is one of the directors. For many years he has taken a helpful part in the affairs of the Tri-State College, served several years as a trustee, and is now dean of the law department. Judge Best is a 198 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. March II, 1875, Judge Best married Mary E. Lancaster, of Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from the State Normal School at Baltimore, com- pleted a classical course in the Tri-State College at Angola, and for several years was a teacher in pub- lic schools. She is now employing her time as teacher of French in the Tri-State College, and she instructed a class of soldier boys in that language in 1918. Frank D. Munger was born on a farm in North- east Indiana, has always been more or less inter- ested in farming and farm ownership, but his main tastes and talents have run along mechanical lines. It is doubtful if a more skillful machinist can be found in this section of the state than Frank D. Munger. He has served several large corporations and at present is connected with the Western Gas Company of Fort Wayne. Mr. Munger was born in Noble County, Indiana, June 25, 1863, a son of Orin and Mary (Ayers) Munger, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New Jersey. His maternal grand- parents were Enoch and Nancy (Riker) Ayers. Enoch Ayers was a native of New York, was a turner and millwright by trade, and was one of the early settlers of Pleasant Township in Steuben County. His children were named Mary, ITestran, Nancy, Armstrong, Margaret, and Isaac. Orin Munger came to Pleasant Township of Steuben County in 1864 and bought a farm from his father-in-law, Enoch Ayers. He lived on that farm in Pleasant Township until about 1874, when he moved to Jackson Township and became the owner of a place of 160 acres, which he cultivated and occupied until his death. He and his wife had the following children: Lorenzo D. ; Virginia J., who became the wife of Alexander Hallstead; Frank D.; Brazil; and Edith, who married Gran- ville McClure. Frank D. Munger spent his early life on his father’s farm, attended public schools in Pleasant and Jackson townships, and in early manhood learned the trade of blacksmith. Working in iron proved a fascinating occupation to him, and he gradually developed his skill as a machinist and for upwards of thirty years has been a machinist of rare and skillful workmanship. About 1899 he bought a farm of 275 acres in section 36 of Jackson Township, and still owns that fine place. He im- proved it with buildings, and personally supervised its cultivation and management for sixteen years. Since then the farm has been rented to his son Clarence. After leaving the farm Mr. Munger was employed as a machinist by S. F. Bowers at Fort Wayne, eight months later joined the Western Gas Company there, and in January, 1919, moved to Angola, where for four or five months he was in the machine works. Since then he has resumed his place with the Western Gas Company. Mr. Munger married Allie Zimmerman, a daugh- ter of John Zimmerman. Both are members of the Methodis't Church at Angola. To their marriage were born nine children, Ralph, Lula, Roy, Eula, Vera, Clarence, Etta, Clyde and Paul. Eula and Etta died in early childhood. Ralph married for his first wife Della Meeks, and their children were Orlow, Ora, Waldo, Harold and Ruth. She died at the birth of her daughter Ruth, and Ralph Mun- ger has since married Mrs. Edna Brown. The daughter Lula was the wife of Herbert Jackson and has a daughter, Pauline, and her second hus- and is Lloyd Pairon. Roy is the soldier representa- tive of the family, having served in the One Hun- dred and Twenty-Seventh Field Artillery with the Expeditionary Forces. He married Jennie Pairon and has a son, Donald. Clarence, manager of the home farm, married May Griffin and has two chil- dren, Ida May and John. Everitt W. Shank is in the opinion of many, one of the very best and most successful farmers in Eden Township of LaGrange County. He lives on the old Short estate in section 6, and both his crops and livestock show the evidence of his skill and management. He now farms over 200 acres. Mr. Shank was born in Elkhart County of In- diana, June 3, 1864, a son of Jonas and Lucinda (Bentley) Shank, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of New York State. Jonas Shank came with his parents to Elkhart County in 1836. The family were pioneers in the Forest Grove community, where he grew to manhood. The Bent- ley family were also early settlers in Elkhart County. Jonas Shank and wife after their marriage moved to LaGrange County, where they spent the rest of their lives. Of their five children three are still living: Jane, widow of Oscar Short, of Go- shen, Indiana; Lucy, wife of C. C. Method, of Mil- lersburg, Indiana ; and Everitt. The latter grew up in LaGrange County and at- tended the district schools to the age of seventeen. On December 31, 1893, he married Burdette Kauff- man. She was born in Elkhart County in 1875, and had a common and high school education. After their marriage they settled on their present farm of 200 acres, and Mr. Shank has been handling that fine property for a quarter of a century. As a livestock man he is well known as a breeder of thoroughbred Hereford cattle, Poland China hogs and Belgian horses. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church at Fish Lake and he has served as church trustee. He is a republican in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Shank have five children : Helen, Willis, Irene, Wilma and Carl. Helen is the wife of Ray Larimer, of Eden Township, while the other children are still at home. David H. Reese. The Reese family had a very interesting and useful part in the pioneer develop- ment of Williams County, Ohio, and from that sec- tion their interests many years ago were trans- ferred to Steuben County. David H. Reese, a na- tive of Williams County, has lived in Steuben County for a quarter of a century, part of the time as a farmer and latterly as a successful merchant at Angola. He was born in Williams County, September 13, 1866, a son of Herman J. and Frances Amanda (Merchant) Reese. His father was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1828 and his mother was born in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1832. They married in Seneca County and in 1852 moved to Williams County. The section of Williams County in which they settled had been neglected by the earlier residents of North- west Ohio, and was virtually a wilderness. Her- man Reese and wife went through all the trials and hardships incident to pioneering. Their first home was a log cabin. There were no doors nor windows, and the spaces between the logs were chinked with clay and mud. Every night they kept a vigorous fire burning in order to scare away the wolves. The nearest and most convenient trading point was De- fiance, Ohio, thirty-five miles away. Herman Reese acquired his land at $1.25 an acre, and started his career in Williams County with only 50 cents in cash. In spite of all these difficult circumstances HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 199 at first he had the true pioneer grit and the ability to raise himself above the level of poverty. For some time he spent his days working in a saw mill, and then would continue with his day’s labor several hours at night cutting wood and clearing up his farm. This life of industry and toil brought its sure reward, and at the time of his death he owned 160 acres, constituting a good farm in Williams County and also eighty acres in Richland Township of Steuben County. For eight years he was en- gaged in the implement business at Edon, where he owned a good residence and also a business block. He was very active in politics as a republican and at first was affiliated with the United Brethren and later with the Edon Methodist Church. Herman Reese died in Edon in 1894 and his wife in 1902. By a previous marriage he had a daughter, named Elizabeth. He and his wife Frances Amanda had a large family of eleven children, named Calvin A., John H., Alwilda Jane, Lewis Jackson, Amandus E., Ida Bell, David H., Burton B., Joseph E., Mary B. and Frances Ella. David H. Reese spent his own early life on the farm which his father had in the meantime cleared out from the woods. At the age of sixteen he went to Edon and attended high school and then for nine years was engaged in the implement business. In 1891 he married Miss Angelina L. Fetters, of Wil- liams County. She is well known in that county, where for seventeen terms she taught school. Mr. Reese for three years after his marriage was en- gaged in the implement business, until his store at Edon was burned in July, 1894. He then took possession of the farm in Richland Township of Steuben County, which his father had formerly owned. He remained there in the diligent cultiva- tion of his soil and crops for eighteen years, and had eighty acres. He sold this land in 1912 and on the 7th of March in that year moved to Angola, where he has since built up a large trade in coal. Mr. Reese is a republican in politics and is affiliated with the Lodge of Knights of Pythias at Edon, Ohio, of which he is a charter member. He and his family are members of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Reese have two sons, Paul D., who was born May 30, 1894, was educated in the Edon High School and the Tri-State College at Angola. He married Lola Rinehart and has a son named Claud Burton. Claud Burton Reese was born August 18, 1900, and is now a student in the Tri- State College. He has been appointed for four years to Annapolis to prepare for a naval officer. He secured the appointment by making highest per cent in grades. Wilbert T. Hines for over forty years has been one of the practical and progressive farmers of Jefferson Township, Noble County, and is widely known over the county by his former service for two terms as county treasurer. Mr. Hines was born in Noble County February 29, 1864, son of Thomas and Sarah (Koontz) Hines. His father was a native of Knox County, Ohio, and his mother of Harper's Ferry, Virginia. They mar- ried in Ohio, and on coming to Indiana first lo- cated in LaGrange County for one year, and follow- ing another interval spent in Ohio came to Noble County. Thomas Hines had the following children : Anna E., Mrs. William Bowen; Lucetta, wife of Jerry Henney; Melvin, a farmer in Jefferson Town- ship; Mary, wife of George Black; Ella, wife of Martin Halferty; Lydia, wife of Albert Singery; and Wilbert T. Wilbert T. Hines grew up in Jefferson Township, and was educated in the district schools there. He lived at home to the age of twenty-three, when he established a home of his own by his marriage with Miss Eva Black, daughter of Benjamin and Ruth Black. Mrs. Hines was born in Jefferson Township and was educated in the district schools. After their marriage they located on their pres- ent farm, where Mr. Hines has 220 acres, and has given a very fine account of his possessions as a stock farmer. He built his modern home in 1903, and has one of the valuable estates of the county and also an ideal home for his family. He is the father of two children : Glenn B., now assistant cashier and bookkeeper of the Noble County Bank; and Fern R., wife of Charles Lem- mon of Jefferson Township. There are also four grandchildren. Mr. Hines is a democrat, and it was on that ticket that he was elected for his two terms of service as treasurer of Noble County. He is affiliated with Albion Lodge No. 94, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Kendallville Chapter No. 64, Royal Arch Masons, and has always interested himself in any movement for the welfare of his community. Archie Gaskil after a number of years in the service of the Wabash Railroad returned to the old home farm in Otsego Township of Steuben County, and is now numbered among the pros- perous and progressive agriculturists of that section. He was born in York Township January 8, 1882, a son of Guy and Florence (Emerson) Gaskil and a grandson of George and Theodosia (Reeves) Gaskil. His grandparents were natives of New York State and settled in York Township of Steu- ben County about 1850. George Gaskil as one of the early settlers took up and developed a good farm and lived there the rest of his life. His chil- dren were named Benjamin, Charlotte, Martha, Garrett, Mary, Louisa, Diantha, Lydia and Guy. Guy Gaskil, who was born in York Township of Steuben County, became a farmer there and about 1900 moved to the place where his son now lives in section 1 of Otsego Township. He was a man held in the highest esteem, was prospered in his business enterprise and was in comfortable circumstances when he died in July, 1916. His wife, Florence Emerson, was a native of Stark County, Ohio, daughter of Ira and Almira (Teeters) Emerson. Archie Gaskil acquired a good public school edu- cation in York and Otsego townships, and as a young man entered the service of the Wabash Rail- road. He was a railroad man for eight years, and during that time made his home at Montpelier, Ohio. In 1914 he returned to the home farm. He was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. In July, 1908, Mr. Gaskil married Ruth Soule, daughter of Darwin and Margaret Soule. They have two children, Florence Imo Jean and Bettie Jean. Henry H. Yoder. Another of the notable family group of Yoders whose records are scattered through this publication is Henry H. Yoder, pro- prietor of the Grand View Stock Farm, comprising 15654 acres and located six miles southwest of Ship- shewana in Eden Township of LaGrange County. Mr. Yoder was born on an adjoining farm March 10, 1883, and is the seventh son and youngest child of Valentine T. and Catherine (Schrock) Yoder. He grew up on the home farm and after graduating from the common schools remained with his parents, helping in the fields, until he was twenty-two years of asre. January 5, 1905, Mr. Yoder married Mary L. Wingard. She was born in Newbury Township of LaGrange County, September 8, 1884, and died December 28, 1918, after nearly fourteen years of 200 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA happy married life. She was the mother of five children, one of whom died in infancy. Those liv- ing are Beulah, Leroy, Katie and Carrie A. Mr. Yoder was born on an adjoining farm March a generous prosperity, and besides the farm on which he lives he has 123 acres in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It is something of a family characteristic of the Yoders to be successful stockmen. Mr. Yo- der’s specialty is registered Guernsey cattle and Belgian horses, also Duroc hogs. He is a demo- crat in politics and a member of the Amish Men- nonite Church. Roscoe Conklin. The Conklins were among the pioneers in Steuben County, and many of the family have been esteemed as prosperous farmers and pub- lic spirited citizens in Salem Township. Mr. Roscoe Conklin, who represents the third generation of the family to reside here, is still living on a fine farm adjoining Salem Center where he was born on September 9, 1865. The Conklin family for many years lived in New York State, at first in Dutchess and later in Cayuga County. The great-grandfather, Isaac Conklin, brought his family from Cayuga County to Rich- land County, Ohio, where he was among the pio- neers. About 1842 he moved to Steuben County with his youngest son, James, and settled in Salem Township. Isaac Conklin spent his last days in Kansas. His son, David Conklin, grandfather of Roscoe, was born in New York in 1803 and arrived in Steuben County in 1844. He settled on the north- east quarter of section 15, Salem Township. In 1874 he moved to Fulton County, Ohio, where he died in 1881. He married Polly Van Fleet, who died in Ohio. Their seven children to reach mature years were named Ensign, Calvin, Nelson, William, Elizabeth, Cynthia and Lime. Calvin Conklin, father of Roscoe, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, in 1832, and was twelve years of age when the family moved to Steuben County. He acquired eighty acres of his grand- father’s estate, also another eighty acres, and was a prosperous farmer at the time of his death on April 17, 1916. He married Lydia Ann Boss, daugh- ter of Dr. Jacob Boss of Kosciusko County. She is now living at Angola at the age of eighty-two. She is a member of the Methodist Church, and her husband was a democrat. Roscoe Conklin, only son of his parents, was reared on the homestead and educated in the local schools and the Angola High School, and for many years has been proprietor of a large farm in Salem Township, his land holdings aggregating 338 acres. He has been extensively engaged in stock raising, especially as a feeder of cattle and sheep. His farm has all the modern improvements. He is a repub- lican in politics, but has never asked for office. In 1891 he married Miss Etta Weaver, of Pauld- ing County, Ohio, where she was born October 23, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Conklin have one daughter, Ruth, born February 8, 1904. Mrs. Conklin is a daughter of David and Sarah Jane (Shade) Weaver, the former a native of Toledo and the latter of Crawford County, Ohio. She was the only child of her parents, and her mother died October 29, 1884. Thomas Hall. For about forty-five years Thomas Hall has been engaged in the business of agriculture, part of the time in Michigan and part of the time in Steuben County. He owns one of the large and valuable farms of York Township, and is one of the men of highest standing in that community. He was born in Branch County, Michigan, Octo- ber 18, 1854, but came to Steuben County when a small boy. His parents were James and Mary (Ford) Hall, his father born in New York State in 1819 and his mother a native of Ireland. James Hall went to Branch County, Michigan, about 1840. He acquired 160 acres of raw land, which he de- veloped as a farm and improved with buildings, but in i860 left Michigan and moved over the Indiana line to Jamestown Township of Steuben County. That locality was his home until his death in 1891. The children of these parents were: Maria, who was the wife of Horace Lyons ; John R. ; James; Thomas; William; Ida; and Alma, wife of John Rogers. Thomas Hall acquired his education in the dis- trict schools of Jamestown Township, and had his first experience as a practical farmer in that lo- cality. He lived there several years and in 1885 moved to Hillsdale County, Michigan, but in 1902 returned to Steuben County and has since been a farmer in sections 8 and 9 of York Township, where he owns 163 acres. He keeps most of this in cultiva- tion and has a good set of buildings, all of which have been rebuilt or remodeled under his ownership and supervision. Mr. Hall married Keziah Weaver, daughter of Jonathan Weaver. To their marriage were born four children : Guy, who died in July, 1916, married Nellie Rowe and had three children, named Gail, Mildred and Harland. Ray married Maude Welch and has one child, Ledean. Vera is the wife of James Wicoff and the mother of a daughter, Esther. Bessie is the wife of Charles Dally and has one child, Olin. John C. Gillian has been a factor in business affairs in Northern Indiana for many years, and is widely known to the trade as a traveling salesman out of Kendallville. He gained his early experience and training in Noble County, and was born in Allen Township of that county June 6, 1858. His parents were John and Margaret (Householder) Gillian. His father, a native of Germany, came to this country at the age of fourteen, and grew up on a farm in Allen Township of Noble County. He married in that county, his wife, a native of France, having been brought to the United States by her parents when seven years of age. John Gillian was a farmer and lived on the farm until after the death of his wife, when he retired to Kendallville, where he is still living. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, as was his wife. They had six children, five still living: John C. ; Elizabeth, wife of Martin Parr ; Mary, widow of Lemuel J. Holmes; Katie, wife of George Snyder; and Charles, a farmer in Allen Township. John C. Gillian spent his early life on the old farm, and besides the district schools had the ad- vantages of the Methodist College at Fort Wayne. After graduating there he took up work as a teacher, and followed the profession of educator for eight- een years. He also gained a knowledge of business as salesman in a local dry goods store. When he first went on the road it was as representative for the McCray Refrigerator Company. He was with that house nine years and introduced the noted McCrav refrigerators in .many parts of the country. Later he was with the Mishawaka Woollen Manu- facturing Company, but for the past seventeen years has been a traveling representative of Cooper, Wells & Company, manufacturers of hosiery at St. Jo- seph, Michigan. He has always lived at Kendall- ville, and has some local interests there, being a stockholder in the Noble County Bank and in the HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 201 Noble Motor Truck Corporation. In Masonry he is affiliated with the Lodge, Chapter and Council and also with the thirty-second degree Consistory. He is a republican and Mrs. Gillian is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. January 9, 1881, he married Elizabeth Geanger. She was born in Allen Township of Noble County, January 6, 1862, daughter of Frederick Geanger. Mr. and Mrs. Gillian grew up as children together and attended the same school. They are the parents of four sons: Walter A., a graduate of the Hunt- ington Business College, is now cashier of the Noble County Bank; Herman A., a graduate of the same school, is now secretary of the Bacon Brothers Company, at Toledo, Ohio; Clarence C., a graduate of the local high school, Fort Wayne Business Uni- versity and Purdue University, is associated with his father as salesman in the state of Indiana ; and Carl J., the youngest, is a student and still at home. Irvin W. Pence. Certainly one of the outstand- ing features of the personal and family record of Irvin W. Pence, of Angola, is civic loyalty and patriotism. Steuben County has been a fervent center of patriotism in all its history, and the Pence family has contributed not a few of the names that have made up the roll of honor, including a son of Mr. Pence, who was the first man to volunteer from Steuben County for the war with Germany. Long well known in the State of Indiana as a newspaper man, Irvin W. Pence is now serving as county auditor of Steuben County. He was born at Ligonier, Indiana, February 5, 1869, son of Sam- uel N. and Eliza (Simmons) Pence. Samuel N. Pence was born near Ligonier, in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1820. He married for his first wife Miss Hannah Gerber, a relative of Hon. E. B. Gerber, of Ligonier, Indiana. By that mar- riage there were born three children : Harvey A., who died in infancy; David S. ; and Eliza, wife of W. K. Sheffer, the veteran Angola editor and pub- lisher. David S. Pence, who died in December, 1917, had the misfortune when a child to have all his fingers burned off. Notwithstanding that handi- cap he became a proficient and successful instructor in penmanship and was well educated. At one time he was an instructor in the Ohio Northern Univer- sity at Ada, also taught school at Angola and finally removed to Kansas, where for twenty-eight years before his death he served as county superintndent of schools of Sedgwick County. The mother of these children died in Ohio, and Samuel N. Pence later married Eliza Simmons. Her father, Jonathan Simmons came to Ligonier in 1865, and had a farm adjoining that of the Pence family. Samuel Pence in 1866 moved to his farm a half mile from Ligonier. In 1870 he moved to Ligonier, and lived there until his death in 1902. His wife died November 15, 1897. He was a re- publican, but outside of his family and business his chief interest was in the Christian Church. He was one of the organizers of the church at Ligonier and an elder for many years. Hi$ wife was also a member. They were the parents of nine children : Mrs. Maggie Yonker, deceased; Ida, wife of J. D. Hendrickson, of Elkhart, Indiana; Emma, of An- gola; John, who died in Ligonier; William, who also died in Ligonier; Carroll, who died in infancy; Irvin W. ; and two others that died in infancy. Irvin W. Pence, the subject of this sketch, was born at Ligonier, Indiana, February 5, 1869, and received his education there, attending the high school, and in 1884 entered the Tri-State Normal at Angola, taking the commercial branches. October 4, 1884, he went to work in the office of the Angola Herald, learning the trade of printer. He was there seven years, and on March 2, 1889, married Miss Cora Jarvis, of Angola. In May, 1890, he was em- ployed on the Kendall ville News and Standard, but in 1892 returned to Ligonier and for nine years was connected with the Ligonier Leader, and in Feb- ruary, 1901, 'established the Plain Dealer in that city, which he published until September 21, 1904. Following that for thirteen years he was connected with the Steuben County Republican, and left that paper upon his election, in 1916, as county auditor. He is still serving his four-year term. Mr. Pence is an ardent republican. For several years he was a member of the National Guard Com- pany at Ligonier, and went with that company when it was absorbed by the 157th Indiana Regiment at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, serving in Company H of this regiment. During the late war he was in many ways a leader in patriotic ac- tivities, and was a member of the publicity com- mittee for the Steuben County War Conference and exerted himself in every possible way to maintain the high standing Steuben County has always en- joyed among the counties of Indiana as a center of sterling patriotism. Mr. Pence, about 1907, published a book entitled: “Steuben County and Her Lake Resorts,” and later published another work called “Camera Glimpses of Angola.” He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at Angola, and he and his wife are both members of the Christian Church. Mr. Pence is the father of a family of eight chil- dren : Linda Jane, the eldest, was married Decem- ber 18, 1918, to Major Guy J. Shaughniss ; Nora, the second in age, is the wife of E. B. Gilmore, who during the war was in the trench motor service in France; Arlie is the wife of F. R. Rogers, superin- tendent of schools at Salem Center, Indiana ; Sam- uel A., the eldest son, was the young man who gained the enviable distinction of being the first to enlist from Steuben County. He enlisted April 7, 1917, and was for a time company clerk and was promoted to lieutenant at Camp Taylor, Kentucky. He was in the army nineteen months and since his release has served as deputy auditor under his father. Dorothea the fifth child, is the wife of William Aranguren of Fort Wayne. The three younger children are Richard A., Oscar W. and Byron J., all students in the Angola High School. John W. Chrysler. A native of Steuben County and now one of the prosperous farm owners in Jackson Township, John W. Chrysler represents a family of three generations resident in this section of Northeast Indiana. He was born in Jackson Township of Steuben County June 17, 1866. His parents were John Wes- ley and Martha (Wilsey) Chrysler, the former a native of Cattaraugus County, New York, and the latter of New Jersey. The paternal grandparents, Abraham and Martha (Bowers) Chrysler, were early pioneer settlers in DeKalb County, Indiana, moving into the woods and creating a home from the wilderness. Later they came to Steuben County and were connected with the early settle- ment of Jamestown Township. Their children were named John Wesley, William, Henry, George, Eugene, Joseph, Martha, Manda, Helen and Emma. John Wesley Chrysler took up farming as soon as he reached his majority, living on a place in Jack- son Township near Flint, later going to Jamestown Township, and was a resident of that community until his death. He owned a good farm of sixty acres. He and his wife had three children, named John W., Frank D. and William H. The mother of these died and he married Viola Sugars, who was the mother of two children, Ora M. and Nora. 202 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA John W. Chrysler spent his boyhood on the home farm in Jackson Township, attended school there, and on February 27, 1889, at the age of twenty- three, married Margaret A. Nuttle. She is a daugh- ter of Robert and Lucinda Nuttle. The two years after his marriage Mr. Chrysler spent as a farmer in Branch County, Michigan, and then returned to Jamestown Township, where he was a progressive member of the agricultural community in that sec- tion until 1905. In the latter year he bought his present farm of eighty acres in section 18 of York Township, and in addition to the responsibilities of managing this place he has taken an active part in local affairs, having been elected assessor of the township in 1914 and re-elected in 1918. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Metz, he and his wife are active members of the Christian Church, and he is a deacon and trustee. Mr. and Mrs. Chrysler have four children: Bell, wife of Harvey Shoup ; Hazel, deceased, who was married to Homer Teegardin, also deceased; Claude; and Clarence. George W. Roy has spent his profitable and useful life in LaGrange County, for many years was a farmer, and is now postmaster of Wolcottville. While the office of postmaster is conferred by Federal appointment, Mr. Roy has a claim to the office not only by Federal commission but by popu- lar choice. When it came to decide upon a new postmaster a hundred patrons of the office balloted for a new incumbent and seventy of the votes went to Mr. Roy. He was born in Clay Township of LaGrange County December 14, 1859, son of John and Ellen (Giggy) Roy, the former a native of New York State and the latter of Germany. His mother was brought to this country at the age of fourteen and grew up in Noble County, near Kendallville. His father came from New York State to LaGrange County, was married there, and then spent his life on a farm. He was one of the leading farmers of his county, and owned 220 acres, all of which he had made himself. He and his wife were active in the Methodist Church, and for fourteen years he was a trustee of Clay Township. In politics he was a democrat. John Roy and wife had six children, two of whom are still living. James H. Roy is the present postmaster at Topeka, Indiana. • George W. Roy spent the first twenty-one years of his life on his father’s farm, and while helping in the fields he also attended district school. In 1879 he married Margaret Zimmerman, and they began on a rented farm. Later they bought forty- three acres and lived there until they sold out and moved to Wolcottville in June, 1917. Mrs. Roy died June 21, 1917. She was the mother of two children. Ethel is a graduate of high school and the wife of Lorin Shanower, of Wolcottville. H. J. Roy married Panzy Preice and lives in Wol- cottville. Mr. Roy is active in the Baptist Church, being a deacon and trustee, and is assistant superin- tendent of the Sunday School. He is a past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge. For a number of years he has been one of the most influential democrats in his section of LaGrange County. Elmer E. Orewiler is a member of a family that has been identified with Steuben County since early days. He himself has played a varied role in the life of the county, as a teacher, farmer, public of- ficial and for half a dozen years has been an active business man of Angola. He was born in Scott Township in Steuben County, March 2, 1861, son of David and Lucy (Mas- ters) Orewiler, the former a native of Richland County and the latter of Crawford County, Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Adam Orewiler, was a native of Pennsylvania. David Orewiler received a public school education in Ohio, and came to Scott Township in Steuben County and acquired a tract of land that was largely covered with timber and brick. He spent a number of years clearing up this land, and in company with a brother-in-law acquired a large farm of 280 acres. His share of this prop- erty when it was divided was 160 acres, comprising a valuable farm upon which he spent the rest of his life. He served ten years as trustee of Scott Town- ship and was an active member of the Church of Christ. He and his wife had six children, and their names are Alice, Adam, Elmer, Mellisa, Alta and Jesse. Elmer Orewiler grew up on his father’s farm and attended public schools of Scott Township, also at- tended school at Angola and took his commercial course at Hillsdale College, Michigan. Altogether Mr. Orewiler taught school through seven winter terms. Besides teaching he was also engaged in farming, and until 1902 lived on a farm of forty acres in Scott Township. That year he re- moved to Agola, and for four years served the office of county surveyor. Mr. Orewiler engaged in the coal business in Angola in 1913, and was one of the leading coal dealers of the county until 1918. In August of the latter year he started a feed mill, and has a business that now supplies ground grain products over a large part of Steuben County. Mr. Orewiler married Bertha Holdridge, and they have one daughter, Vera. Mr. and Mrs. Orewiler are members of the Christian Church and he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. Steven Wisner is an old soldier of the Civil war, his youngest son was with the colors in the World war, and his individual record has been that of a sterling citizen, a good farmer and a man of highest standing in the Metz community of Steuben County. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Febru- ary 26, 1838. a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Rich- ardson) Wisner, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Columbiana County, Ohio. His father came to Steuben County during the ’50s, locating in Richland Township, where he spent the rest of his life. The children in the family were : Delorma, Steven, Melissa, Richard, Theresa and Abraham. Steven Wisner acquired his early education in the schools of Salem, Ohio, and had not yet reached manhood when he came to Steuben County. From this county he enlisted August 3, 1861, in Company C of the Seventh Michigan Infantry. At the Wilderness he was shot through the finger and spent more than two months in a hospital at Balti- more. A soldier who had deserved well of his country and fellow citizens Mr. Wisner at the close of the war returned to Metz and except for two years spent northwest of Angola has lived in that com- munity ever since. For half a century he has been engaged in agriculture but is now living retired in the Village of Metz. Mr. Wisner married in 1866 Martha Ferrier, and they had three children : Evelyn, Clifford and Addie. He married for his second wife Malinda Hannas, and she was the mother of Clair, Justine and Clar- ence. Mr. Wisner married Leah Petre, daughter of Benjamin Petre, for his third wife, and they had one son, Clayton. Clayton Wisner entered the army May 21, 1918, as a member of the Thirty- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 203 Sixth Regiment of Regular United States Infantry. Most of his time was spent at Camp Devens, Massachusetts, and on March 29, 1919, h e was dis- charged at Camp Taylor, Kentucky. Moses H. Lehman. LaGrange County has long been noted for its fine farms and valuable agricul- tural development, but this prestige is due to the efforts of the men who have invested their time and money in the land of this region. Because of what they have accomplished for themselves and in constructive community progress they deserve in no small degree a place among the leading men of Northeast Indiana. Among them it is but right to mention Moses H. Lehman of Newbury Town- ship. He was born in Pennsylvania, January 27, 1862, a son of Harmon and Christina (Harshbarger) Lehman, who in 1866 came to Indiana, and after stopping in Elkhart County for a year came to LaGrapge and bought the farm in Newbury Town- ship which their son, Daniel Lehman, now owns. Here they lived until death claimed them, he pass- ing away April 15, 1896, aged sixty-three years, and she, November 13, 1889, aged fifty-five years. Their children were as follows : Polly, who is deceased, Moses H., Daniel, Noah, Joseph, Levi and John. Both parents were devout members of the Menno- nite Church. Moses H. Lehman remained on his father’s farm until he was sixteen years old, and then began work- ing by the month for the neighboring farmers. After his marriage in 1885 he moved on a farm he owned, comprising 120 acres in Newbury Town- ship. Since then he has remodeled the buildings and put everything in first-class shape. He has ac- quired the greater part of his possessions through his own industry and thrift, and has every reason to be proud of what he has accomplished. In 1885, Mr. Lehman was united in marriage with Miss Barbara Borntrager, a daughter of Manassas Borntrager, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Lehman became the parents of the following children : Lydia, is the wife of Joseph Borntrager, their children being: Lizzie, Moses, Ruth, and Milo ; Polly, who is the wife of Emanuel Harshbarger, has the following children : Amelia, Katie, Mattie, and Reuben ; Jonas, married Fannie Troyer, and their children are : Amos, Laura, Mahlon, Levi, Enos, and Sarah ; Anna, who married Benjamin Raber, has the fol- lowing children : Abbie, Mary, and Mattie ; Katie, who is at home ; Amelia, who married Levi Mast, has one son, Andrew, and Manassas, who is at home. Harvey E. Shoup, now serving his second term as county recorder of Steuben County, is one of the younger men in the courthouse at Angola, but has thoroughly justified the confidence of his friends and supporters who relied upon him for an effi- cient handling of the routine of this important office. ^ Mr. Shoup, who was a well known educator in Steuben County before taking public office, was born in Williams County, Ohio, October 15, 1889. His parents were Jacob and Mary (Scheiber) Shoup. His father was born in Crawford County, Ohio, October 30, 1852, and his mother was born in Wur- temburg, Germany, July 20, 1856. Jacob Shoup when four years old was taken to Williams County, Ohio, by his parents, Peter and Anna Catherine (Field) Shoup. Peter Shoup was an early settler there, acquired a tract of eighty acres of timber land, and cleared away the woods and made a good farm. He owned 100 acres there eventually and died in 1894, at the age of seventy-five. His wife also passed away at the age of seventy-five. Their chil- dren were : John, who enlisted as a Union soldier in the Civil war in 1861, and later re-enlisted as a veteran and was killed during the siege of Atlanta while with Sherman’s army; Margaret, who became the wife of Charles Kaellner; George, who died in Williams County, Ohio; Jacob, Magdalena, wife of Christian Smell, of Williams County; Catherine, who married Joshua Michael, and both are now deceased; and Elizabeth, wife of Albert Harwood, of Altona, Indiana. Jacob Shoup received his education in the public schools of Williams County, and became a farmer there. In 1895 he moved to Steuben County and bought eighty-eight acres in Scott Township. He was one of the honored residents of that locality and lived there until accidentally killed while thresh- ing in September, 1912. His widow now lives at Angola. Jacob Shoup was a stanch republican, and a member of the Methodist Church, in the family were four children: Anna, wife of Burton R. Brown, and occupying the old home farm ; Emma, who died at the age of five years ; Rosa, who mar- ried John J. Greenamayer of Scott Township; and Harvey E. Harvey E. Shoup spent his boyhood on the old home farm in Scott Township, attending the public schools there and also the Fremont high school. Later he was a student in the Teachers’ Course at the Normal at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and the Tri- State College at Angola. He also is a graduate of the International Business College at Fort Wayne. For one year he was a teacher in Michigan, and then taught steadily in Steuben County for six years. He taught school every year after leaving high school until he entered upon his duties as county recorder. He took that office January 1, 1916, and has been re-elected for a second term. Mr. Shoup is a re- publican, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. May 28, 1911, he married Miss Nadda Belle Chrys- ler of York Township, daughter of John W. and Margaret (Nuttle) Chrysler, of York Township. Mr. and Mrs. Shoup are the parents of three chil- dren: Otto Clare, born July 1, 1912; Willis R., born August 30, 1914; and Miriam Margaret, born March 13. 1918. Frank Haughey lived forty-one years, earned prosperity for himself and family, and left a record of achievement in his community, but for all that his death on May 27, 1908, was looked upon as a calamity and the end of a career which could be ill spared. He was born in Otsego Township of Steuben County April 7, 1867, and died at his home in the same locality. His father, Timothy Haughey, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, November 5, 1824, and died June 28, 1914. Timothy Haughey came to Steuben County in 1843 and was one of the early school teachers in Otsego Township and otherwise a farmer. He married Mary Catherine Gerst, who was born in 1823 and died in 1800. They reared a large family of children, one of the daughters being the wife of Dr. John F. Cameron of Pleasant Lake. Frank Haughey attended the public schools of Otsego Township and also took a course in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. Three years of his early life were spent in teaching school in his native county, but at the same time he was following the plow during his vacations and working on the farm in section 23, where he spent the greater part of his life. He acquired the ownership of 120 acres there and altogether had 153 acres. He improved the farm with good build- ings, and since his death it has been capably man- 204 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA aged by Mrs. Haughey, who now has the assistance of her son Dwight. From 1904 until his death Mr. Haughey served as trustee of Otsego Township. On October 7, 1893, he married Mrs. Louise Aldrich, a daughter of Orlando and Hannah Hicks and widow of Simeon Aldrich. Her first husband was a brother of David W. Aldrich, elsewhere mentioned in this publication. Mr. and Mrs. Haughey had five chil- dren : Helen Lucile, who is a graduate of the Hamilton High School and wife of Samuel Kohl; Inez Genevieve, also a graduate of the Hamilton High School, wife of Don Isenhart and the mother of one child, Donald D. ; Edna and Dwight, both of whom are graduates of high school ; and Laura Wilma, a student in the high school at Hamilton. Mr. Haughey was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge. The late Mr. Haughey was distinguished by a broad-minded character, by an intelligence that never ceased to seek information and study prob- lems, and in all things he was thorough. In serving as trustee he applied the excellent rules of his private life, economy in expenditure, accuracy in accounts and mastery of details, and had a record of faithful performance in that office. By nature he was somewhat retiring in disposition and did not permit himself to press his own claims for recog- nition. He was upright and honorable, and the respect that was paid him by his friends and the confidence shown him in his election to the office of trustee were fully justified in every particular and in every act of his life. Frank C. Wolfe is the proprietor of the Wolcott- ville Elevator Company, and is one of the most pushing and enterprising business men of LaGrange County. He and his brothers have all achieved busi- ness success and prominence, though they grew up next door to poverty and early had to assume seri- our responsibilities and become workers for their daily bread. Frank C. Wolfe was born at Scott in LaGrange County, April 29, 1884, a son of Christian and Rose (Schwartz) Wolfe. His parents lived on their farm near Scott about eight years, and then went to St. Joseph, Michigan. Later Christian Wolfe returned to LaGrange County, Indiana, and rented a large farm, but lived there only six months, when he was killed by lightning while plowing in the field. That left his widow with a family of young children. With the aid of her sons she managed to keep the rented farm going for about eight years, then moved to another rented place near Brighton, and finally she bought 135 acres in St. Joseph County, Mich- igan, where she is still living with her two unmar- ried daughters. She is active in the Evangelical Church, as was her husband, and he was a repub- lican. The family comprised seven children : C. G. Wolfe, proprietor of the elevator at North Liberty, Indiana; F. C. Wolfe; W. F. Wolfe, owner of an elevator at Athens, Michigan ; E. P. Wolfe, a farmer near Kalamazoo, Michigan ; E. A. Wolfe, proprietor iof the elevator at Shipshewana, Indiana; and Rose and Lucy, both of whom live with their mother. Frank C. Wolfe grew up on the farm in LaGrange County, had a district school education, and was with his mother until the age of twenty-one. He wbrked out by the month, later rented a farm, and in February, 1911, married Bessie Seybert. She was also born near Scott in LaGrange County and had the benefit of a grammar and high school education. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe rented for three years and in the winter of 1914 moved to Wolcottville and bought the elevator on the tracks of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. He knew the elevator business, since he had spent two years as an employe of an elevator at Howe, Indiana. In May, 1915, the elevator was burned by lightning, but in the same year was rebuilt more substantially and with greater capacity than ever. About that time Mr. Wolfe bought out his brother’s share and formed the partnership of Wolfe & Pierce. They own and operate both the elevators in Wolcottville, one on the Grand Rapids & Indiana and the other on the Wabash road. Mr. Wolfe and wife have two children: Pearl E., born September 20, 1913, and Vivian, born October 11, 1915. The family are members of the Evangel- ical Church and Mr. Wolfe is one of the trustees and church secretary. Politically he is a repub- lican. Elmer J. Cowan. Two of the family names most prominently identified with Otsego Township in Steuben County are Cowan and Swift, both having been represented in the person of the late Elmer J. Cowan, long a prominent farmer and land owner, who spent his last days at Angola, where Mrs. Cowan, member of a pioneer family of DeKalb County, is still li-ving. The grandfather of the late Elmer J. Cowan was John Cowan, who came from Ireland to New York, and afterward became an early settler at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he spent his last days. His wife, Lucretia Cowan, also died at Ann Arbor. John Cowan, Jr., was born in New York State, grew up in Southern Michigan, and from there came to Steuben County and settled in Otsego Town- ship, where he died on his farm November 10, 1875. John Cowan, Jr., married Delphena Swift. She was also a native of New York State, and a daughter of George W. Swift, one of the pioneers of Steuben. County. George W. Swift was born in Massachusetts in May, 1804, a son of Ephraim Swift, who died while a soldier in the War of 1812. George W. Swift at the age of fourteen went to live with an uncle in Broome County, New York, and in 1826 married Lucretia Gates, who was born in that county in 1807. They came with their family to Steuben County and settled in Otsego Township in the early year of 1836. George W. Swift was one of the honored and trusted men of that locality, served as township trustee and in other positions, and was a deacon in the Baptist Church. He died after a life of great usefulness in 1868. Their children were : Edward, Oscar, Alice Delphena, Adolphua, David K., Susan L., and Josephine. The old Swift homestead at Otsego Township is now owned by Mrs. Edna Dole, a great-granddaughter of George Swift, while the Cowan homestead is owned by Maud Sheffer, a granddaughter of John Cowan, Sr., both Mrs. Dole and Mrs. Sheffer being daugh- ters of the late Elmer J. Cowan. Mrs. Delphena Swift Cowan died at Angola August 4, 1906. John Cowan, Jr., was a democrat and a Baptist, while his wife was a member of the Christian Church. Their children were : Elmer, Edward, Josephine, Lucretia and George. Elmer J. Cowan, who was born in Otsego Town- ship October 31, 1855, grew up on the home farm and received most of his education under Dr. Theo- dore Wood. He subsequently acquired the old Cowan place of 180 acres, also the Swift farm of 180 acres, and his wife, Mrs. Cowan, owned 180 acres adjoning the Cowan farm. Thus they were among the largest land owners and farmers in Ot- sego Township. _ Elmer J. Cowan was an independent democrat in politics, and he and his wife were mem- bers of the Methodist Church, though Mrs. Cowan is now a member of the Christian Church. In 1904 A' HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 205 they moved to Angola, where Mr. Cowan passed away November 4, 1916. He and his wife owned the home now the property of Doctor Frazer, while Mrs. Cowan lives on West Maumee Street. December 31, 1878, Mr. Cowan married Miss Fannie Latson. She was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, December 23, 1855, a daughter of James and Charlotte (Rowley) Latson. Her parents came from New York State to DeKalb County and set- tled at Auburn, where her mother died August 14, 1898. Her father died in Angola November 20, 1906. Mrs. Cowan was one of nine children : Wil- liam, Emma, Helen, Hattie, Sadie, Frank and Fannie, twins; Joel and Alda. Mr. and Mrs. Cowan had two daughters, Edna and Maud. Edna is the wife of Earl Dole, of An- gola, and she has a son, Earl, Jr., born September 2, 1917. Maud is the wife of Waldo Sheffer and they have an adopted son, Harold, born February 21, I9IS- George W. Fahl has been a leading farmer and business man of Noble County for the past fifteen years, and has spent practically all his life in North- ern Indiana. His present home is a mile west of Ligonier in Perry Township. Mr. Fahl was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, March 19, 1859, son of Tobias and Susan (Orch- ard) Fahl, His mother was born in Preble County, Ohio, and came to Indiana with her parents. His father was born in Canada, a son of Andrew Fahl. Tobias Fahl died March 10, 1863, when his son George W. was only four years old. There are four children living: Andrew, of Goshen; Solo- mon, of Perry Township ; George W. ; and Louisa, wife of John Price. George W. Fahl grew up in Elkhart County, and his education was limited to the district schools until he was ten years old. Since that age he has been making his own way in the world, and in the light of early handicaps and adverse circumstances his progress has been distinctly creditable. As a boy he worked as a farm hand at $7 a month. For six years he was with S. F. Evans, and under him learned how to buy stock. On March 20, 1881, he married Susan E. Hire. She was born in Elkhart County and grew up in the same township as her husband. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fahl settled on a farm in Elkhart County, but in 1904 removed to Perry Town- ship of Noble County. In addition to farming his eighty acres Mr. Fahl is one of the largest stock- holders and a director, in the Farmers Mutual Fire & Cyclone Insurance Company of Elkhart, and so- licits business for this company in Noble County. He and his wife have two children: June M., born in June, 1882, is the wife of O. V. Borger, and before her marriage was a successful teacher. Zelda is the wife of Ed Tyler. Mr. Fahl and fam- ily are members of the United Brethren Church, and he is a republican in politics. Lucius F. Crain. There is something specially gratifying in having the privilege of living on prop- erty which has been in the family for a number of years. Such possession differentiates the owner from those others who are here today and gone tomorrow and gives him a standing in his com- munity as a stable man and one who has honorable and substantial ancestors behind him. Such a citi- zen of Steuben County, Indiana, is Lucius F. Crain of Steuben Township. He was born on his present farm in section 36, November 6, 1873, a son of James Madison Crain. James Madison Crain was born in Madison County, New York, in 1830, a son of Lucius Crain, a native of Connecticut, who was taken in boyhood to the State of New York by his parents. Lucius Crain was married in New York State to Paulina Frink, and in 1837 he started for Indiana with his family, locating on land which was a portion of section 36, Steuben Township, Steuben County. On this he erected a log cabin, and cleared off about five acres of land, but in 1838, on account of sick- ness, he decided to return to his native state until the county was more thickly populated. He there- fore went by team to Toledo, Ohio, and thence by boat back to his old home. Two years later his father-in-law, Selah Frink, who had become a resident of Otsego Township, Steuben County, sent him word that it was now safe for him to return, and the little party once more located in Steuben Township, where Lucius Crain died in 1849. There were five children in his family. Of them one was James Madison Crain, father of Lucius F. Crain. After his father’s death James Madison Crain took charge of the homestead, and became its owner. He was married to Margaret J. Renner, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John P. Renner. They became the parents of the following children : Arvilla, Lucius and Wilson. James Madison Crain died in 1896, having become a very prosperous farmer and representative citizen. Lucius F. Crain attended the Marshall School of District No. 7, Steuben Township, and from boyhood was taught to make himself useful, those early lessons of thrift and industry standing him in good stead in after years. When he was old enough he began farming the homestead, and he and his brother, Wilson, succeeded to the family property in landed estate and have always con- ducted it together. They are very prosperous in their work, and are engaged in general farming and the breeding of Shorthorn cattle. Their build- ings are modern, sanitary and convenient, and everything about the property is kept in fine condi- tion. Lucius Crain lives in Otsego Township and Wilson in Steuben Township, the farms running along the township line and aggregating 276 acres. In 1905 Lucius F. Crain was married to Rosa May Musser, a daughter of William and Catherine Musser. There are no children of this marriage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Crain are very popular in their neighborhood, and delight in entertaining their many friends at their beautiful rural home. Sterling J. Strickland has been a factor in busi- ness affairs in Wolcottville in the lumber business for a number of years and is manager of the Isbell- Strickland Company. This is now an extensive retail lumber business, with yards at twelve different points over Northern Indiana, but the original yard was established at Wolcottville, and Mr. Strickland has helped the business grow and expand to its present large proportions. He was born three miles south of LaGrange Au- gust 28, 1876, a son of James and Mary (Ams- baugh) Strickland, both natives of Ohio. They were married after coming to Indiana and then located on a farm three miles south of LaGrange. James Strickland was killed by a horse in 1881, when his son, Sterling, was only five years old. After that he lived with his mother, and then went to the home of an uncle two and a half miles northwest of Wolcottville. After the death of his uncle he went out to work by the month, and in the meantime ac- auired a more or less substantial education in the district schools. On August 25, 1901, Mr. Strick- land married Carrie Gordon. She was born in John- son Township of LaGrange County, four miles north of Wolcottville, andjiad a common school education. At the time of his marriage Mr. Strickland had 206 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA about $600 in capital, and he farmed as a renter for three years. Then moving to Wolcottville, he ran a dray two years, and since then has been in the lumber business. After three years, having acquired a thorough knowledge of the technical details of lumbering, he was made manager of the company and a stockholder. The business is incorporated with H. I. Isbell, president; C. B. Isbell, vice presi- dent ; E. E. Isbell, secretary and treasurer ; and S. J. Strickland, manager. Mr. Strickland has two children, Alice and Leon K. , the former in high school and the latter in grammar school. Mr. and Mrs. Strickland are active members of the Evangelical Church and he is treasurer, and both are members of the Rebekah Lodge, of which Mrs. Strickland is a past grand, and he is affiliated with Lodge 484 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is past grand. He is a republican and is at present a member of the town- ship advisory board. F. E. Rhodes is president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Spencerville, and has long been identified with that community as a practical farmer, and owns part of the noted Rhodes homestead, which has been in the possession of this family continu- ously since earliest pioneer times. Mr. Rhodes was born on the farm which he owns a mile and a quarter northeast of Spencerville, Jan- uary 12, 1868. He is a son of Milus and Elizabeth (Beams) Rhodes. His father was born on the same farm February 22, 1838, and died January 16, 1918, at the age of eighty years. The pioneer was grand- father Daniel Rhodes, who came from Ohio and was numbered among the very earliest settlers in Concord Township of DeKalb County. He en- tered 160 acres of land, and that farm has never been in any other ownership except the Rhodes fam- ily and the Government. Daniel Rhodes was a democrat. His children were Daniel, Newton, Milus, Nancy, Mary, Matilda, Sarah, Alice, Manda and Minerva. Milus Rhodes had a common school education in pioneer days and after his marriage lived on the home farm the rest of his life. He was an active member of the Lutheran Church and a democrat in politics and also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He had two sons, Ray- mond R., of Spencerville, and F. E. Rhodes. F. E. Rhodes is a well educated man. As a boy on the farm he attended district schools, also had a high school course and finished his education in the college at Valparaiso. For fourteen terms he was a teacher. May 18, 1893, Mr. Rhodes married Amanda Rhodes, who was born in Noble County, Indiana, in 1867. Her family was not related to that of her husband. She was educated in the district schools. For two years after his marriage Mr. Rhodes lived at New Paris, Indiana, where he conducted a grocery and bakery. Returning to DeKalb County, he taught for a time at St. Joe and then took up farming. He owns 230 acres, including no acres of the old homestead. His brother has 120 acres of the Rhodes farm. Mr. Rhodes has one son, M. E. Rhodes, a grad- uate of high school, and who married Verne Jolly. They are members of the Lutheran Church and he is one of the most liberal supporters and a deacon. Though an active democrat he has never held any office. The Farmers and Merchants Bank of Spencer- ville has the following officials : F. E. Rhodes, president; L. B. Fisher, vice president; C. G. Recten- wald, cashier; W. A. Bierbower, Albert H. Peters, F. E. Rhodes, Adam Shilling, W. P. Stewart, L. B. Fisher, John Beninghoof and Reuben Remm, direc- tors. Mr. Rhodes is also secretary and treasurer of the Township Shipping Association. William W. Loney. The present generation has no conception of what the pioneers of Steuben endured before the wild land and timber tracts were put into suitable condition for raising crops. Not only did the great forest trees have to be felled and the prairie sod broken, but as transportation facilities were so poor it was difficult to secure what the persons of today consider the bare necessi- ties of life. Markets were far distant and mills when found were crude affairs. It was no unusual thing for farmers to carry their grain across their saddle in bags for miles to the nearest mill and then wait two days for their turn at the little horse-power mill, the stones for which had been brought from some far-distant city. The earliest settlers came up with Indians, but none of them continued hostile after the Government opened the lands for entry. The pioneers cleared off their land, put in crops and gradually developed their farms until today it would be difficult to find more valuable properties in this part of the country than those in Northeastern Indiana. One of the families asso- ciated with the early history of this section is that bearing the name of Loney, and a highly esteemed member of this family is William W. Loney, a farmer of Pleasant Township. William W. Loney was born in Pleasant Town- ship, Steuben County, Indiana, August 3, 1859, a son of Hugh and Mary (Freligh) Loney. In young manhood Hugh Loney came to Steuben County, locating in Pleasant Township, where he secured a tract of wild land, and for a number of years was engaged in clearing and cultivating it. He was engaged in this township in farming the rest of his life, dying in August, 1916. He and his wife had ' the following children : Charlotte, who is de- ceased ; Charles ; Mary, who died in childhood ; William W. ; Harriet; Samuel; Joseph; Hugh, and Effie. Growing to manhood in a pleasant home, care- fully guided by watchful parents, William W. Loney acquired a practical knowledge of farming and the fundamentals of an education, attending during the winter months the district schools. Becoming a farmer on his own account, Mr. Loney rented land for fifteen years, and then bought sixty-six acres of land in Scott Township on which he had been living as a tenant, and remained there until the fall of 1917, when he moved to his present farm of forty acres in Pleasant Township, which he owns in addi- tion to his former farm in Scott Township, and here he is carrying on general farming. William W. Loney was married to Florence Bolin, a daughter of James and Sarah (Coleman) Bolin, and they have one son, Ralph W., who married Florence Ganoy, and they have a son, Homer D. Mr. Loney belongs to the Odd Fellows. He is one of the highly esteemed men of his township, and is recognized as being strictly scrupulous in all his transactions and one whose word is as good as another man’s bond. Rufus A. Lantz. A well known and highly re- spected citizen of LaGrange County, who is success- fully carrying on farming and stock raising in Clay Township, is Rufus A. Lantz, who bought his present well improved farm in 1913. Mr. Lantz was born in Noble County, Indiana, January 25, 1870. The parents of Mr. Lantz were David and Nancy (Wenger) Lantz, the latter of whom survives and lives at Topeka, Indiana. She was born in La- Grange County, Indiana, in 1852, and is a daugh- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 207 ter of Joseph and Leah (Hartzler) Wenger, who were pioneers in Indiana. They stopped for a time in Elkhart County, but later moved to LaGrange County and located permanently in Clear Spring Township, where Mr. Wenger died in 1891. His widow survived until 1917, passing away at the ven- erable age of ninety-two years. They were fine people in every sense of the word, kind, charitable, industrious and thrifty. David Lantz, father of Rufus A., was born in Ohio in 1844 and accom- panied his parents to Noble County, Indiana, in his childhood. He owned a farm in Noble County, from which he moved to Topeka, in 1893, and his death oc- curred in that city in 1894. In his early political life he was a democrat, but later became a republican. Both he and his wife belonged to the Mennonite faith. They had a family of six children born to them, as follows : Rufus A. ; Salina, widow of Solo- mon Kurtz; Jesse, Joseph, Vernon and Blanche. During boyhood and youth Rufus A. Lantz resided in Noble County, where he received a good com- mon school education. He then embarked in the restaurant business and conducted a first class res- taurant at LaGrange for two years, removing then to East Chicago, in Lake County, where he contin- ued in the same business for seven years, going then to Crown Point, Indiana, where he operated a restaurant for two years, making eleven years in all in that line of business. During this time Mr. Lantz met many people of public note and formed a very wide acquaintance. He came to Newbury Town- ship, LaGrange County, after retiring from the restaurant business, but later sold the forty acres he had purchased, and in 1913 came to Clay Township and bought eighty acres, which constitutes his pres- ent farm. This is valuable, well improved land and Mr. Lantz is making his agricultural industries profitable. In 1895 Mr. Lantz was married to Miss Sarah Prough, a daughter of Harvey C. and Margaret (Hoffman) Prough, the latter of whom is deceased, Mr. Prough making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Franklin Lupoid. The grandfather of Mrs. Lantz, John Prough, was known as “Coon” Prough because of his many hunting exploits in very early days in this section. Mr. and Mrs. Lantz are mem- bers of the Congregational Church at Shipshewana, Indiana. Mr. Lantz is a zealous republican and an earnest citizen, but he never desired any political office. Albert H. Peters. One of the most influential business men and farmers of Jackson Township in DeKalb County is Albert H. Peters, who has spent his life in this county and has been known from early manhood as a capable worker and industrious and substantial citizen. His parents, Ernest and Rickey (Gael) Peters, came from Germany to America in 1872 and settled in DeKalb County. They were the parents of six children: Albert H. ; Charles; Fred, deceased; Sarah, wife of John Dannenberg; Edward; and Freda, wife of William Habig, of Fort Wayne. Albert H. Peters was born in DeKalb County February 3, 1875, was educated in the district schools of Jackson Township, and began life as a farm laborer. At the age of twenty-one he was elected constable of Jackson Township, and held that office for eight years. April 11, 1900, he married Della Kester, a daugh- ter of Joseph and Mary (Shilling) Kester. They have one child, June B., born June 19, 1912. Mr. Peters owns a fine farm of ninety acres. He is also one of the directors of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank at Spencerville, having been on the board since the organization of the bank. He is a member of the Lutheran Evangelical Church. Mrs. Peters died May 24, 1918. Elmer A. Green. The ordinary, everyday men, engaged in the vocations which bring daily bread, are the true representatives of the nation’s citizen- ship. Such a man is the normal type, and to it the community looks for support. The great men of their age do achieve distinction, but after all their success depends upon the support given them by the rank and file, just as no general ever won a battle unless his soldiers were behind him. As it is in military life, so is it in those tactics which have to do with the operation of business activities. The people of the country and of the whole world are beginning to realize this and to accord to their citizens, past and present, the credit due to those who were content to pursue the ordinary tenor of their way and do their full duty in the walk of life to which the capabilities called them. One of these men, whose straightforward and honorable life points the way in which others should walk, was the late Elmer A. Green, for many years a prosperous agriculturalist of Pleasant Township, Steuben County, Indiana. Elmer A. Green was born in Pleasant Township, Steuben County, February 28, 1864, a son of Marvin Green, and grandson of John Green and his wife, Louisa (Culver) Green. There were two children born to John Green and his first wife, namely: George and Marvin, and then she died June 27, 1835, and he was later married second to Diantha Olin. The children of his second marriage were as follows : Francis, who served as a soldier during the Civil war, died at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Henry, Amos, Martha, Eliza, Emory and Allen. In 1836 John Green located in Jamestown Township, Steuben County, Indiana, where he entered land in section 36, moving his family thereon in September, 1837. Here he died February 7, 1865. Until the organization of the republican party, whose prin- ciples coincided with his own views, John Green was a whig, but from 1856 voted the straight re- publican ticket. The Baptist faith had in him an earnest supporter, and he belonged to the local church of that denomination. During 1849 Marvin Green, son of John Green, came to Steuben County, at first stopping in Scott Township, but moving from there to Pleasant Town- ship. Still later he moved back to Scott Township, where he lived until he retired from the arduous labors of farming, at which time he settled perma- nently at Fremont, where he died. Marvin Green was married in Medina County, Ohio, to Flora Jones, born in Licking County, Ohio, and their chil- dren were as follows : Lewis, Ella, Emma, Elmer, Sarah, Matilda, Berton and Charles. A hard work- ing thrifty man, Marvin Green became prosperous and he was also one of the highly respected men of his community. The late Elmer A. Green spent his life in farm- ing, and was eminently successful in that line of endeavor. His first experience was gained in Scott Township, but in 1886 be moved to Fremont Town- ship, where he was engaged in farming for three years. In 1889 he returned to Scott Township and lived there until 1905, when he bought a farm of 146 acres of land in Pleasant Township, in section 13, on which he continued to do general farming and stock raising until his death July 31, 1916. Elmer A. Green was married to Christie Slick, born in Salem Township, Steuben County, Novem- ber 5, 1864, a daughter of Hollister and Lovina (Shaffstall) Slick, and their children were as fol- lows : Leslie H. ; Lizzie Pearl, who died in child- hood; and Freddie J. Mr. Green was president of 208 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA the advisory board of Pleasant Township at the time of his death, and was otherwise prominent, his loss being felt as a public calamity. In addition to the farm which he left his family, Mrs. Green owns forty acres of land, so she and her sons have two adjoining farms along the Angola and Fremont road, about two and one-half miles from Angola. These properties have excellent buildings on them and are well improved. Since the demise of Mr. Green Mrs. Green and her sons have conducted these farms. It would be difficult to find better or more representative people than the Greens, and their location in Steuben County was a decided acquisition for this section, for those bearing the name have always been upright and public-spirited, and their example has proved a stimulus to further industry and good citizenship. Uriah M. Miller. A representative citizen and excellent farmer of Clay Township is found in Uriah M. Miller, whose well cultivated farm indi- cates careful management with profitable returns. Mr. Miller is one of the best known residents of LaGrange County, where almost all of his life has been spent. He was born in Missouri, June 3 > 1^72, and was but four months old when brought to this county by his parents, Moses P. and Eva (Hostett- ler) Miller, further mention of whom will be found in this work. When Uriah M. Miller was four years_ old his parents moved from Eden to Clay Township. Here he grew up on his father’s farm well trained in agricultural industries, and obtained a public school education. Since then in addition to carrying on general farming and stockraising for twenty-six seasons he has engaged in threshing. After leaving home he operated first the old Robertson farm of eighty acres, next the farm where John Troyer lives, then the farm owned by Orvin Troyer, known as the Jacob Rowan farm. In 1907 he bought the Parker farm, which is his present home place. Mr. Miller has eighty acres, only fifteen acres having been cleared when he purchased the property, and he has put up first class buildings and made many substan- tial improvements. In 1893 Mr. Miller was married to Miss Barbara Kauffman, who was born in Newbury Township, LaGrange County, February 5, 1876. Her father, Tobias Kauffman, was born in Ohio in 1827, and died in Indiana in 1881. He came when a young man to LaGrange County, and was married here to Bar- bara Hershberger, a daughter of John and Eliza- beth (Lehman) Hershberger, who were pioneer set- tlers in Newbury Township. The mother of Mrs. Miller died in February, 1876. Mrs. Miller was the eighth in a family of eight children, the others being as follows: Daniel C. and John, both of whom are deceased; Samuel, who resides at Middlebury; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Mary Ann, who is the wife of Jonas Yoder; Rudolph, who is deceased; and Abram, who is in the grocery business at Goshen, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller the following children have been born : Mary Ellen, who lived one year, one month and one day ; Mabel Edith, who passed away in 1918, when aged twenty-one years and ten months; Susie Elmira, who completed the eighth grade at school and now assists her mother ; Irma Elizabeth, who is a member of the junior class in the Shipshewana High School ; Elva Adeline, who is also a student in the above school ; and Fanny Elnora, Daniel Truman, Eva Arlene, Uriah Bernon, all of whom are attending the public schools. Mr. Miller and his family are of the Mennonite faith. In politics he is a democrat. He is known as an honest, upright man, good farmer and trustworthy citizen. Reuben E. Borntrager. LaGrange County has been the scene of some of the most profitable agri- cultural activity this part of Indiana has known, for the farmers who own its broad acres have known how to make their land produce banner crops, and taking a pride in their properties have not hesitated to expend considerable time and money upon improving them according to modern ideas. One of the men who is justly accounted as belong- ing to the best class of farmers of this region is Reuben E. Borntrager of Newbury Township. He was born in Clinton Township, Elkhart County, In- diana, July 13, 1852, and the following year was brought to Newbury Township, LaGrange County, by his parents. Growing up in LaGrange County, Reuben E. Born- trager here learned how to be a practical farmer and acquired the fundamentals of a common school education in the neighborhood schools. As he earned money he invested it in land, and now owns 301)4 acres in Newbury Township, and at one time also owned 320 acres in Kansas. Mr. Borntrager was a general farmer and stock raiser, and one of the substantial men of his neighborhood. He is a Mennonite in his religious faith. In 1872 Mr. Borntrager was united in marriage with Elizabeth Yoder, a daughter of Joseph Yoder, an early settler of LaGrange County, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Borntrager became the parents of children as follows: Anna, who is the wife of David Shrock, and has two children, Polly and Elizabeth; Joseph R., who married Magdalena Schlabach, has the following children: Fannie, David, Samuel, William, Amanda, Lizzie, Polly, Mattie and Daniel. Daniel R., who married Millie Winyard, who died leaving two children, Lizzie and Annie, and he married second Gertie Eash, a daugh- ter of Tobias Eash, of Eden Township, their chil- dren being Mary and Abraham ; Manassas, who died at the age of nineteen years ; Polly, who is the wife of William Miller, has the following chil- dren : Lizzie, Sam, David, Millie and Amanda (twins), Anna, Levi, Nettie and Wilma; David, who married Lydia Christner, has the following children : Amanda, Levi, Amos, Lizzie ; Abraham, who died in October, 1918, aged twenty-eight years, left a widow whose maiden name was Susie Christ- ner, and the following children: Millie, Amos, Har- ley and Abraham ; Levi, who married Anna Christ- ner, a sister of the wife of David Borntrager, has a daughter, Edna May; and Edward, who married Mabel Hostetler, but has no children. After many years of hard work in 1915 Mr. Born- trager felt that he was entitled to a little rest, and so relinquished his active supervision of the affairs of his farm, although he is still interested in keep- ing up the improvements. He is a man who has always stood very high in the public esteem and is recognized as upright and sincere and one who car- ries his religion into his everyday life. Joshua Showalter, an honored veteran of the Union army, who also had a son in the recent great war, has lived in Steuben County sixty-five years. He went from this county into the army, and on his return took up the duties of civil life, mainly farming, which he has followed for half a century. He is still living at his rural home in Pleasant Township. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, November 2, 1840, a son of Michael and Mary (Welpmore) Showalter, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. Michael Showalter HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 209 brought his family to Steuben County in 1854, locating on a farm in section 12 of Pleasant Town- ship. He was in comfortable circumstances, owning 250 acres, and lived in that locality until his death. Plis children were : Elizabeth, Solomon, Simon, Joshua, Hiram, Mary, Jacob, Wesley and Sarah. Joshua Showalter was fourteen years old when he came to Steuben County. Prior to that he had attended district schools in his native county of Ohio. In Pleasant Township he completed his edu- cation in the Pleasant Hill school. He was not yet twenty-one when in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company A of the Forty-Fourth Indiana Infantry. He saw four years of active service, receiving his honorable discharge in September, 1865. He was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing and Stone River, in the terrible fighting at Chickamauga, and in various skirmishes in Tennessee and Georgia. When he left the army he worked at the carpenter’s trade for three years and since then has been stead- ily identified with agricultural pursuits. He bought a place in Pleasant Township and now has forty- seven acres of fertile and nicely situated land on the east side of the first basin of Lake James. He has lived on his present farm since 1895. Mr. Sho- walter is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1871 he married Amelia Musselwhite. She was born in London, a daughter of John Musselwhite. To that marriage were born five children: Alice, who died in childhood, Albert, Freeman, Medie and Edith. In 1885 Mr. Showalter married Ella Wilsey, daughter of John and Margaret (Lint) Wilsey. They became the parents of six children : Ruth, Onia, Michael, Ira, Lena and Frederick. Ira is the soldier son of the family, being a member of Bat- tery B of the Three Hundred and Fourteenth Field Artillery in the Eightieth Division. For a number of months, 1918-19, he was with the American Ex- peditionary Forces in France. John P. Smith. The citizenship of Clay Town- ship, LaGrange County, is made up of many fine men, not all of whom have had great advantages in youth, and there are some who have earned all they own in middle life through their own unassisted efforts. One of the substantial farmers here of the latter class is John P. Smith, who is well known all over the county. Mr. Smith was born in Clear Spring Township, LaGrange County, Indiana, in 1873. The parents of Mr. Smith were George and Mary (Lint) Smith, the former of whom was born in 1849 and the latter in 1846, both in Clear Spring Township. The paternal grandfather, John P. Smith, married a Miss Murray, and their home throughout life was in Clear Spring Township, and there the father, George Smith, was born and at one time owned a farm there. In later years he moved to Van Buren Township and died there in 1899. His widow survived until June, 1919. They had six children, namely: Jennie, Mina, John P., Frank M., Melvin and Grace. Frank M. was killed by a stroke of lightning in 1907. After his school attendance was over John P. Smith made himself useful on the home place and ■then started out for himself as a farmer. He rented land in several townships and gained the reputation of being a wise farmer and good judge of stock. It was in 1907 that he felt prepared to invest in a farm of his own, in that year purchasing the 150 acres where he lives in Clay Township. For some, years he devoted himself to raising grain but now carries on a general farming line and has been unusually successful. He has always worked hard and has justly earned his present financial independence. Vol. 11—14 In 1896 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Ada Keasey, who died in 1898, leaving a son, Howard, who lives with his father. In 1900 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Edith Swank, no children being born to Mr. Smith’s second union. In politics he is a democrat. He belongs to the order of Macca- bees. JamEts M. Toder. A number of the important dis- tinctions of country life belong to the Yoder fam- ily, the head of which is James M. Yoder of New- bury Township, LaGrange County. Mr. Yoder owns a large and fine farm in that township, is a general farmer and also a successful peppermint grower. He has some sturdy sons who are well fitted to become successors to their father in the role of agriculture, and the prize winning efforts of the Yoder boys are widely known over Northeast In- diana. Mr. Yoder was born near his present home Au- gust 29, 1873. He is a son of Noah C. and Mary M. (Lambright) Yoder and a grandson of Christian C. Yoder, who was born in Somerset County, Penn- sylvania, May 29, 1819. Christian married Catherine Harshberger on June 27, 1841. She was a daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Summey) Harshbergdr. Christian C. Yoder went to Elkhart County, In- diana, in 1843, and in March, 1851, moved his home to Newbury Township of LaGrange County. Noah C. Yoder was born in Elkhart County and was a boy when the family came to LaGrange County. He spent the rest of his life in Newbury Township, where he reared a family. He died in 1897, at the age of fifty-three. His efforts brought him the ownership of 320 acres. He and his wife were active members of the Lutheran Church. His widow, still living, was born in Bavaria, Germany, a daugh- ter of Peter Lambright. The children of Noah \ oder and wife were: Albert C., a physician at Goshen; James M. ; Sylvia A., widow of Samuel F. Nelson ; and Rolland Otis, of Indianapolis. James M. Yoder received his education in the district schools and at the age of twenty-one be- came a farm worker at monthly wages for Rollin Ellison. He was with Mr. Ellison for five years, and under him acquired much valuable knowledge of farming. He then returned home and began operating the homestead, and has lived there ever since. He is individually the owner of 270 acres, has remodeled the buildings and has put in many improvements. For the past twelve years he has devoted part of his land to the culture of pepper- mint. The Yoder farm is a model country place, the house having such city equipments as electric lights, steam heat and hot and cold water. Mr. Yoder married Ella Large in 1894. She is a daughter of Samuel E. and Jane (Reickard) Large. Mr. and Mrs. \oder and all their children are mem- bers of the Congregational Church at Shipshewana. A brief record of their family is as follows : Charles Fred, who married Bertha Nelson, and they have two children, Charles Fred, Jr., and Janette ; 'Mabel, who is a teacher and student; Antoinette, who is the wife of Lester Oesch ; Dewey Dwavne, who was an enlisted member of the Students ’ Army Training Corps at Angola during the war and is now con- tinuing his studies in the Tri-State College there; Rollin Albert, who was also in the Students Army Training Corps at Angola; and James Willard. Since the organization of the LaGrange Corn School each of the \oder boys has entered corn or other exhibits and each has been awarded prizes and honors. Charles Fred has been a prize win- ner every year he has entered and has won three scholarships to Purdue University. Dewey Dwayne 210 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA has also been successful at every entry he has made and was given a twelve weeks’ scholarship at Val- paraiso University, and in 1913 at LaGrange received the silver cup as the first prize for scoring corn. Rollin Albert has been honored for his work in scoring and in raising corn, while James W. was given a prize for an original essay and also for a corn exhibit and corn scoring. David F. Clink. Many winters and summers have come and gone since the Clink family estab- lished itself in Steuben County. David F. Clink, son of the settler of over sixty years ago, is living on the farm in Steuben Township where he was born, and his own part has been that of an indus- trious and capable farmer, thus continuing the hon- orable record of the family. His father, John R. Clink, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, April 23, 1836, a son of George and Catherine (Smith) Clink, both natives of Germany. George Clink came to the United States with his parents when twelve years of age, lived in Penn- sylvania and afterward in Sandusky County, where he and his wife died. John R. Clink came to Steu- ben County, Indiana, in the spring of 1855, and five years later bought eighty acres in section 36 of Steuben Township. He lived in the log cabin that stood on the land, and had a log barn, the latter being replaced in 1867 by a large frame barn. The home was built in 1873, and at that time was re- garded as one of the best in the township. He did much as a horticulturist, setting out a large number of apple, cherry and peach trees and other small fruits. The last few years of his life John R. Clink spent in Ashley, where he died November 20, 1911. His widow is still living at the old home with her son David. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Ritter. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, April 15, 1834, a daughter of Henry Ritter, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Steuben County, In- diana, in 1851 and was "a pioneer settler on section 8 of Steuben Township. David F. Clink was one of the seven children of his parents, their names being George H., Ezra E., Charles K., Clara B., Cora E., David F. and Fred- erick J. David Clink attended the public schools of Steu- ben Township, also those of the Village at Hudson, and began his career as a farmer with his father. He spent one year railroading with the Wabash Railroad Company and for three years worked in the northern jvoods. Since 1909 he has given all his time to farming the old homestead. December 26, 1906, Mr. Clink married Lena Johnson, a daughter of A. B. and Mary (Slaybaugh) Johnson. Her father died in 1902 and her mother in 1904. A. B. Johnson came to Scott Township of Steuben Coun- ty about fifty-five years ago, when a boy, with his father, and later moved to Angola, where he spent most of his life. The three children of A. B. John- son and wife were Alsines B., Lena and Hannah. Mr. arid Mrs. Clink have two children, John Ray- mond and Edwin Willis. Mr. Clink is affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose and his wife is active in the Christian Church at Ashley. Charles W. Slack. Perhaps no family in La- Grange County is better known than the Slacks, for they have been here many years and have been good people, excellent farmers and useful citizens. Charles W. Slack, who is engaged in farming and stockraising in Clay Township, is a grandson of Isaac Slack, who came here sixty-seven years ago. Charles W. Slack was born at LaGrange, Indiana, September 12, 1868, the eldest of four children born to William J. and Lucy P. (Preston) Slack. Wil- liam J. Slack was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1845, a son of Isaac and Ann F. (Sawyer) Slack, who came to LaGrange County in 1852. They settled first in Johnson Township, then owned a farm in Van Buren Township and later the farm in Clay Township, now the property of Samuel Yoder. Isaac Slack and wife died there, the former May 29, 1890. William J. Slack was married Octo- ber 15, 1867, to Lucy P. Preston, who was born in Portage County, Ohio, October 27, 1848. Her parents were John and Fidelia (Waldo) Preston, who came to LaGrange County May 15, 1850. Wil- liam J. Slack and wife lived at LaGrange until 1877, and then moved to a farm in Clay Township. The father was accidentally killed on a bridge near La- Grange June 18, 1888. The mother of Charles W. Slack survived until December 28, 1916. They had the following children : Charles W. ; Grace M., who married John F. Boesinger ; Harry C., who mar- ried Clara A. Porter; and Newton W., who married May Griffin, of North Yakima, Washington. The father was a republican in his political views. Both parents belonged to the Presbyterian Church. Charles W. Slack attended school for one term in the oldest schoolhouse at LaGrange, and after the family moved to the farm in Clay Township he at- tended the country schools. He has devoted him- self to agricultural pursuits all his life. In 1902 he bought his present well improved farm of thirty- one acres in Clay Township and established him- self there in September of that year. He carries on general farming and raises stock. Mr. Slack was married on February 1, 1891, to Mary Smith, who was born in Crawford County, Ohio, February 11, 1870, a daughter of John Fred- erick, and Caroline (Walter) Smith. The mother of Mrs. Slack was born at Alstadt, Germany, May 7, 1840, and died in De Kalb County, Indiana, March 10, 1888. The father was also born in Germany, No- vember 17, 1833, and came to the United States and settled in Crawford County, Ohio, later coming to Bloomfield Township, LaGrange County, where he died in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Slack have three chil- dren, namely : Harley, Ora and Vivian M., the youngest of whom was born October 23, 1909. The eldest, Harley Slack, was born February 18, 1892. He completed the high school course and afterward entered Purdue University. He married Miss Mabel Gottschalk. Ora Slack, the second son, who has just been welcomed home from overseas military service in the World war, was born in September, 1893, and was graduated from the eighth grade in the public schools. On November 22, 1917, he an- swered the call to war service, went to Camp Custer and from there to Waco, Texas, for training, and on February 18, 1918, left for France .with a contingent of the American Expeditionary Forces and landed at Brest March 4, 1918. He served as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth In- fantry, was transferred to Company I, One Hun- dred and Twenty-Eighth Infantry, took part in all the battles of his division with American bravery, but rejoiced to return home when the war was over, crossed the Atlantic on the George Washington and was safely landed in New York harbor May 5, 1919, and was honorably discharged at Camp Custer May 17, 1919. This young hero’s name should appear on Indiana’s roll of honor. He has resumed work at the carpenter trade as a finisher. Mr. Slack is somewhat independent in his political views but usually votes the republican ticket. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the order of Maccabees. / Charles Henry Bangs, of the Bangs homestead in Richland Township, DeKalb County, is a member HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 211 of “The Edward Bangs Descendants,” one of the colonial families which traces its lineage back to 1297, at which time the early English records show the crossing of the family from France to England. They lived there until their descendant, Edward Bangs, came to America to establish the new branch in 1623. The early church records of England in- dicate the same family tendency as shown in its history in America, that of following the learned professions. “The Edward Bangs Descendants” numbers among its members such celebrities as John Kendrick Bangs, Governor Eugene Foss, Pro- fessor Francis S. Bangs of Columbia University; Congressmen Foss and Ireland, George D. Bangs, superintendent of the Pinkerton Detective Agency whose father, in the same capacity, planned and carried out the protection of Abraham Lincoln on that first momentous trip to Washington, together with many other notables in the professions. The American lineage in brief is as follows : Edward Bangs, born in Chichester, England, 1591, died at Eastham, Massachusetts, 1678. He came to America in “Ye Goode Ship Anne” in July, 1623; settled at Plymouth and superintended the building of the first bark there; was made a freeman in 1633 ; settled at Eastham, Cape Cod, 1644 ; town treasurer, 1646-1665; selectman and deputy to Colony Court, 1652. Was married first to Lydia, daughter of Robert and Margaret Hickes, and sec- ond to Rebecca. Jonathan, sea captain, second son of Edward, born 1640, married July 16, 1664, Mary Mayo. Seal of early ancestors used and still preserved. Captain Samuel, fourth child of Captain Jonathan, born at Harwick, Massachusetts, July 12, 1680, died June 11, 1750, married first January 13, 1703, Mary Hinckley, daughter of Samuel H. She died Jan- uary 7, 1741, at Harwick; married second Widow Mary Rider, April 1, 1742, leaving one son. David Bangs, third child of Samuel, born March 29, 1709, at Harwick, married Eunice Stone, daugh- ter of Rev. Nathaniel Stone, son-in-law of Gov- ernor Thomas Hinckley. Moved to Wilmington, Windham County, Vermont, where he died in April, 1803, aged ninety-four years. His wife, born Sep- tember 23, 1721, went to see her sixteen sons enlist in the Revolutionary war. At death she was aged one hundred and four years and nine months. Azariah Bangs, sixth child of David B., was born April 8, 1740. Nathaniel Bangs, son of Azariah, was born May 4, 1770, died at Bakersville, Vermont, January 14, 1867, carpenter, cabinetmaker, millwright. Children of his first marriage were : Amos Parker, born December 29, 1794, died September 21, 1856, and Azariah, born December 7, 1797, died March 7, 1875. Married second Judah Elwell, having two children. Sally Georgia Lyons, born September 26, 1809, died December 10, 1893 ; and Heman. The mother was drowned in the Erie canal at Lockport, New York, while on her way to visit her son Heman. From 1842 to death, Nathaniel Bangs lived with his son Azariah. Heman Bangs, youngest child of Nathaniel and Judah (Elwell) Bangs, born at Shaftsbury, Ver- mont, June 14, 1813, died May 31, 1902; went to live with Robert Madison, neighboring farmer at eleven years and at fifteen accompanied him to Genesee County, New York. Started out with $100, purchased farm in 1837 of Holland Company in Niagara County, New York, sold farm in 1839, spent winter in Kalamazoo, Michigan. On March 13, 1840, settled on the Bangs homestead in DeKalb County, Indiana. He was a carpenter, joiner and farmer and a man who was liked by every one and became very prosperous. He was married Novem- ber 22, 1842, to Catherine Elmira Chaffy, born March 7, 1821, died August 21, 1899, a daughter of Joshua and Polly (Bowers) Chaffy. The Chaffy family came to DeKalb County from New York in 1838, then moved to LaGrange County. Their children were: Eunice L. (Showers), Nathaniel, John H., Matilda (deceased), Winfield Scott, Caroline L. (Vian) and Charles H. Heman Bangs joined the Methodist Protestant Church in 1841, and later both he and his wife united with the United Brethren. Politically he was a whig and then a republican. In 1840 he helped build the first schoolhouse in the township, made the first coffin for the first death in the township, and made the first loom in the county in 1840. Charles Henry Bangs, youngest child of Heman and Catherine E. Bangs, was born May 26, 1857, on the Bangs homestead in Richland Township, DeKalb County, Indiana. While a young man he became dee'p- ly interested and was a leader in the lyceums of that day and had a reputation as a debater. He was a musical director, also a teacher in the old singing schools of the tune-fork days. He pursued success- fully the mercantile business for a number of years, when, due to the advancing age of his parents, and for the benefits of a rural environment for the home to be so soon established, he gave up the business of a merchant, for which he was well fitted, for the farm. Mr. Bangs was married June 25, 1885, to Virginia (Jennie) H. Reynolds, who was born October 8, 1862, at Fairfield Center, a daughter of Jerome and Barbara (Eckert) Reynolds, who died eleven weeks apart, in 1884. They had the following children: Eolian M., Clarence M., Melvin F., Walter T., and Virginia H. To Mr. and Mrs. Bangs the following children were born : Owen Roscoe, Guy Reynolds, Clare W. H., Gladys May and Faye Edna. Owen Roscoe Bangs was born June 14, 1886, secured the degrees of B. S. and A. B. from the Tri-State Col- lege, has taught in all departments of the public schools, has been superintendent of schools for eight years and is now studying in the department of education, Columbia University. He was married November 19, 1911, to Bessie E. Fried, born Feb- ruary 12, 1886, died March 7, 1919. Their son, Rex D., was born January 9, 1913. Guy Reynolds Bangs was born December 9, 1887, received degrees from Tri-State College, is a grad- uate of the International Business College in Ac- countancy, was for five years superintendent of schools, two years as accountant, and has been pro- fessor of education and registrar in Huntington College. He was married August 21, 1912, to Mabel G. Husselman, who was born January 22, 1893, and they have two children : Una Joyce, born January 24, 1914; and Kenneth Leon, born March 19, 1916. Clare W. H. Bangs was born May 5, 1890, re- ceived the B. Pd. and A. B. degrees from Tri- State College ; A. M. from Huntington College ; student in King’s School of Oratory, Indiana Uni- versity and Chicago University; completed course in civil engineering ; superintendent of schools three years ; professor of sociology and philosophy three years ; president of Huntington College four years, resigning to enter law, member of general board of education for the United Brethren Church ; gen- eral secretary of education of denomination ; mem- ber of American Academy of Political and Social Science; Fellow Royal Society of Arts of London; member of Association of American Colleges, also of the Association of Indiana Colleges; charter member Edward Bangs Descendants ; investigator of social problems, Chicago and St. Louis, and at various times a Chautauqua and commencement lec- turer. He was admitted to the bar July 5, 1919. He 212 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA was married July 18, 1917, to Nellie A. Binning, born November 7, 1881, and their son, Charles Edward was born October 12, 1918. Gladys May Bangs was born August 18, 1892, received Bachelor of Music degree from Tri-State College; student of voice and piano, Pittsburgh; student in King’s School of Oratory. Studied piano under Roy David Brown of Chicago; is a graduate of Huntington College Academy and department of Domestic Science. For two years Miss Bangs has been associate teacher of piano with Professor Roy David Brown in the Huntington College Conserva- tory of Music. Faye Edna Bangs, the youngest daughter, was born September 13, 1897 ; is a grad- uate of the Tri-State College Academy, also of King’s School of Oratory; student in Huntington College; has taught in all departments of the pub- lic schools; was supervisor of music and art for four years in high schools ; and has done commer- cial designing and platform work. Mr. and Mrs. Bangs have interested themselves largely in civic betterment and movements for civic advancement. Feeling keenly the lack of educational facilities in their youth, they haye worked for a better school system and have inspired and aided their children to secure the best education possible. They have always been active in moral reform and religious work. Their convictions upon the foundation principles underlying character have been clear, definite and fearlessly followed. Mr. Bangs has been an active organizer in the republican party. For fourteen years he was an officer in the DeKalb County Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, dur- ing thirteen years of which he was actuary, through which capacity he has formed a wide acquaintance through the county. Early he became interested in the study of soils and soil fertility, and for four- teen years has been the official district crop reporter for the United States Department of Agriculture, making surveys that include farm labor, costs, crop conditions, varieties of wheat, etc. For twelve years he has been a notary public of Indiana. George W. Hoff, county treasurer elect of La- Grange County, has lived here seventy years, and long before he entered politics and became a prom- inent figure in the life of the county he had builded on a firm foundation a solid prosperity as a farmer and land owner in Clay Township, where he still resides. Mr. Hoff was born in Johnson Township March 3. 1849, a son of Michael and Hannah (Mowers) Hoff, the former a native of Maryland and the lat- ter born in Virginia, a daughter of Isaac Mowers. Grandfather Michael Hoff, Sr., was born in Ger- many, and married Mary Bennett, also of that coun- try. Michael, Sr., became a distiller in Maryland and reared a family of ten children. Michael, Jr., came to LaGrange County in 1848 from Richland County, Ohio. He established a general store at what is now called Woodruff, but after about two years moved to a farm in Johnson Township and in 1868 established his home in Newbury Township where he lived until his death in 1886. His wife passed away in 1879. Their children consisted of Sarah, Melancthon, Mary, Samuel, George W., Isaac, Catherine and Andrew. George W. Hoff as a boy attended one of the district schools in Johnson Township, later attended the Collegiate Institute at Ontario, Indiana, and completed a course of business training at Hills- dale College in Michigan. For about ten' years he taught winter terms of school and part of the time farmed during the summers. He bought his first land, fifty-eight acres, in 1873. That acreage is still part of his much larger and more valuable holding, comprising 320 acres, all of which he has bought and paid for out of his individual efforts. He has improved it with splendid buildings, his home being in section 6, his farm being the east half of that section. Mr. Hoff married in 1876 Anna Lampman, daughter of Arad Lampman. They have five chil- dren : Nellie, Festus, Irma, Alsa and Jasper. The son Jasper was one of the LaGrange County boys to see active service in the great war. He was a member of the Three Hundred and Seventh Unit of the Medical Reserve Corps, was attached to the Seventy-seventh Division, went to France in Au- gust, 1918, and participated in the battle of the Argonne Forest. Mr. Hoff was elected county treasurer of La- Grange County in November, 1918, and his official term begins in January, 1920. He is affiliated with the Lodge of Maccabees, and he and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at LaGrange. Nathaniel B. Griffin. For many years to come as a result of the great war the problem of feeding humanity is going to be an international one, and the solving of it is going to devolve principally upon the American farmers. For this and other cogent reasons the vocation of farming has gained and will retain an added dignity and importance which will attract to it still more of the representative men of the country. One of the men who long ago recognized the desirability of this line of endeavor is Nathaniel B. Griffin, of Otsego Township, Steu- ben County, Indiana. He was born in Jackson Township. DeKalb County, Indiana, July 15, 1852, a son of Eli B. Griffin. Eli B. Griffin was born in Pennsylvania, in Febru- ary, 1802, and his wife, Eliza (Bundy) Griffin, was born in Pennsylvania in April, 1812, a daughter of Nathaniel Bundy. In 1846 Eli B. Griffin moved from Pennsylvania to Jackson Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, becoming one of the pioneers of that section. There he entered eighty acres of land and lived there until 1865, when he moved to Wil- mington Township in the same county, on a farm of 140 acres which he had purchased, and there he continued to reside until his death. He and his ex- cellent wife had the following children : Thomas, Susan, Charles, George, Polley, William, Edward, Maria, Nathaniel B. and Nelson. Until he was twenty years of age Nathaniel B. Griffin remained with his father, during that period learning how to be a farmer and attending the dis- trict schools. For the subsequent four years he worked for neighboring farmers, and then he was married and started for himself on rented land. Later he bought a farm, conducting it until 1901, when he traded it for his present one of 140 acres in section 30, Otsego Township, and here he is profitably engaged in general farming and stock raising, his success in this line proving his good judgment in selecting this line of work. In 1876 Mr. Griffin was united in marriage with Miss Viola Cameron, a daughter of William and Sarah (Carlin) Cameron, and they had two chil- dren : Luella, who died at the age of fourteen years, and Etta, who married Charles Crowl and has three children, Viola, Fred and Laurence. Mrs. Griffin died in 1906, and in 1909 Mr. Griffin was married to Mrs. Agnes Cook. William Cameron, the father of the first Mrs. Griffin, was one of the prominent men of Steuben County, Indiana. He was born at Abernethy, Scot- land October 23, 1817, he being the second of the nine children born to George and Janet Cameron, who came to the western district of Canada in 1834. GEORGE W. HOFF HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 213 The mother survived the change but four years, dy- ing in 1838, and in 1848, the father dying, three of the children, including William, came to Indiana, he settling in Richland Township, on 160 acres of land in section 8. John Cameron, a brother, also set- tled in Richland Township, Steuben County, but he died in 1878. Donald, the other brother, settled in Posey County, Indiana. In 1864 William Cameron sold his farm, which he had considerably improved, and bought another farm in section 29, Otsego Township. Although a poor man upon coming to Steuben County, through his industry and thrift he accumulated property and died a wealthy man. He was married in March, 1843, to Sarah Carlin, a na- tive of Wayne County, Ohio, where she was born February 1, 1826, a daughter of Robert and Sarah Carlin, who settled in Richland Township in 1841. William Cameron and his wife became the parents of the following children: Robert, "J ane > Juliet, Sarah, John, Maria, Viola and one who died in infancy. Nathaniel B. Griffin is a man who possesses will and resourcefulness and has known how to so con- duct his farm as to gain a good return on his in- vestment of time and money. He has recognized the importance of operating according to modern methods in order to produce large crops and market them expeditiously and his experiments with their attending results are matters of considerable inter- est to those of his neighbors less experienced than he. James A. Shoup. The Shoup family was estab- lished in LaGrange County, Indiana, over sixty years ago, and through its sturdy qualities has grown and prospered, and its members of today are people of worldly substance and of trustworthy character. A well known and highly respected member of this family is James A. Shoup, who owns one of the fine farms of Clay Township. James A. Shoup was born in Eden Township, LaGrange County, March 28, 1857, two years after his parents came to this sec- tion. They were David and Abigail (Evans) Shoup, both natives of Pennsylvania, who, prior to 1855, when they came to Indiana with their eight children, had spent their lives in their own state. Their first pioneer home of logs was on a tract of eighty acres situated in Eden Township. To this twenty acres were added, and on this homestead of 100 acres both parents died. Of their family of ten children James A. was the youngest, the others being as fol- lows : Simon, Margaret, William, Urilla, Abram, Charlotte, John, Dorsey and Thomas. The father united with the republican party on its formation. Both he and wife were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. James A. Shoup grew up on the old homestead and remembers many interesting events of early days here. One in which he was annually interested in boyhood was the sugar maple camp, as it was his business to attend to all the jobs a boy could do during the boiling of the sap and “sugaring off.” He attended the country schools and in the course of time became owner of a part of the old home farm. That land he traded for fifty acres situated in Clay Township, which tract he sold in 1905 and bought his present farm of 101 acres in Clay Town- ship, which lies about 2)4 miles from LaGrange. He carries on general farming and also has been a member of a threshing outfit for many' seasons. Few farmers in this section are better posted as to agricultural conditions and farm values in the county. He has a wide acquaintance and many friends. In 1880 Mr. S' oup was married to Miss Amelia Sigler, who was born in Clear Spring Township, LaGrange County, and is a daughter of William and Lydia Sigler, early settlers in that part of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Shoup the following chil- dren were born : Pearl, who married Roy Shrock, and they have five children, Theron, Calvin, Paul, Allen and Wilmer; Orley, who operates the farm for his father ; Lillie, who married Mathias Schem- erhorn, and they have had six children, Leroy, Clyde, Gladys, Marlow, Roscoe and Dale; Otto, who is deceased ; and Clair, who married Ada Charles, and had twin sons, Homer and Omer, the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. Shoup has always been identified with the republican party, but has never concerned himself about a political office, although undoubtedly well qualified for many. He has been a liberal supporter of schools and churches and has done his part in securing the county’s fine road system. William M. Ballentine. For a number of years William M. Ballentine has been rated as one of the independent and successful farmers of Butler Town- ship in DeKalb County. Some of his good neigh- bors and friends remember a time when he was .working as a farm hand or as a renter and know that his good fortune and present prosperity have been well merited and earned by an efficient career of hard labor and good management. Mr. Ballentine, whose home is in section 17 of Butler Township, was born in DeKalb County, Sep- tember 27, 1866, a son of James and Emeline (Mon- roe) Ballentine, both natives of Ohio. His father, who was born in Richland County, married after moving to DeKalb County, Indiana, and settled down on land east of Auburn, where he spent the rest of his life. He was a Union soldier for eight- een months and an honored member of the Grand Army. Politically he was a republican. There were three children: William M., Phoebe, wife of Jacob Kemery, of DeKalb County, and Samuel, who is emoloyed in the elevator at St" Johns, Indiana. William M. Ballentine grew up on a farm near St. Joe, attended the district schools and was fifteen years old when his father died. After that he, being the oldest child, had to assume most of the responsi- bilities of working the fields and to a large degree he filled his father’s place. His mother afterward married again, and when about twenty-one years of age he moved to Butler Township and worked out as a farm hand. December 22, 1891, he married Elnora Smith. She was born in Butler Township, March 1, 1870. After their marriage Mr. Ballentine was a ditch contractor about two and a half years and for three years worked on the section of the New York Central lines. He began his independent career as a farmer on land he owns today. At that time he was a renter, but he has since bought the farm, seventy- six acres. He is also a stockholder in the Garrett elevator. A democrat in politics, he has filled the office of supervisor. Mr. and Mrs. Ballentine have four children. Arlo E„ a graduate of the Garrett High School, attended North Manchester College, and is a foreman of car repairing at Garrett. Fred is a graduate of the common schools, lives on a farm in Keyser Town- ship, and married Bernice P. Rugman." Raymond, the third son, is a graduate of the Garrett High School, also attended a business college at Fort Wayne, and married Velma Grove. Mabel Lucile is the fourth and youngest child. Mr. Ballentine has four grandchildren, Josephine L. and James H„ children of his son Fred; and Omar and Virginia M„ children of Arlo. 214 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Samuel A. Anspaugh. A resident of Steuben County since 1870, Samuel A. Anspaugh, has had a lifetime of extreme activity and usefulness, for ten years was superintendent of the County Farm, and for over thirty years has given his time and man- agement to his own farm in Richland Township. Mr. Anspaugh was well fitted for the vigorous life he has lived. He is a splendid specimen of physical makeup, would pass for being ten years younger than he really is, and has the muscular development of an athlete. He was born at Florence in Williams County, Ohio, July 16, 1852. His father, John Anspaugh, was born in Stark County, Ohio, a son of Jacob and Barbara Anspaugh, natives of Pennsylvania. The family removed from Stark to Williams County in 1844, and John Anspaugh was married there April 27, 1847, to Sarah Ann Cain. She was born in Har- rison County, Ohio, October 11, 1830, a daughter of Samuel and Hester Cain. John Anspaugh and wife lived for several years in Williams County, and on March 8, 1870, settled in section 5 in Richland Township, Steuben County, where he acquired eighty acres of land. In early life he was very fond of hunting. He was a republican, and he and his wife were members of the United Brethren Church. John Anspaugh died June 5, 1904. He was the father of seven children, all born in Wil- liams County, Jacob, Samuel, Benjamin, Hester, wife of Charles D. Bowles, John L., Mrs. Amanda Flegal and Henry G. Samuel A. Anspaugh received most of his educa- tion in Williams County, Ohio. He was eighieen years of age when he came to Steuben County with his father, and from that time forward was able to make his own way in the world. In 1878 he was appointed to the responsible and exacting duties of superintendent of the Steuben County Farm, and he gave a careful administration of that institution for ten years. In March, 1888, he retired and lo- cated on his home farm in section 5 of Richland Township. He has remodeled the house, put up other buildings, and has the eighty acres in a fine state of productiveness. He raises a great deal of live stock. Mr. Anspaugh served fourteen years as supervisor of the Township of Richland. He is one of the active members of Lodge No. 236 of the Masonic Order at Angola. January 1, 1876, he married Margaret Cameron, daughter" of John and Mary (Carlin) Cameron. The Camerons are an old and prominent family of Steuben County. Mr. and Mrs. Anspaugh have one son, George E. Anspaugh, who has distinguished himself in the field of scholarship and education. He graduated from the Tri-State College at Angola, entering that institution at the age of thirteen and graduating at sixteen. Later he graduated from the Indiana State University at Bloomington and is also a graduate of Columbia University. At pres- ent he is principal and superintendent of the City High School at Farmer City, Illinois. George E. Anspaugh married Edith V. Mohler, and they have three children, Edith L., Robert E. and Helen May. Ralph Waldo Sheffer, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Angola, has spent all his life in that city and is a son of the veteran editor and newspaper man of Steuben County, William K. Sheffer. His great-grandfather, Moses Sheffer, was a min- ister of the Baptist Church in Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents were Adam and Rachel (Starr) Sheffer, the former born in Maryland in 1826 and the latter in Pennsylvania in 1825. They were married in Ohio, and for many years lived in Morrow County, that state. On coming to Indiana they settled near Mount Pleasant in Noble County, were farmers there many years, and subsequently moved to Kendallville, where Mrs. Adam Sheffer died. Adam Sheffer died at Angola. He was a democrat, and he and his wife were members of the New School Baptist Church. Their children were: Dennis, who died young; Banner R., William K., Barton S., Sylvester S., and Mary Etta. William K. Sheffer was born in Morrow County, Ohio, July 6, 1845. He lived there to the age of nineteen, acquiring a public school education. Later he taught in the same district where he had learned his first lessons. In 1864 he moved to Noble County, Indiana, was a teacher for some time, and first en- gaged in the printing business at Kendallville. In 1872 he entered the office of the Ligonier Banner under John B. Stoll, later a prominent newspaper man of South Bend. He was with the Banner until July, 1877, when he came to Angola and bought a half interest in the Herald from William B. Mc- Connell. The Angola Herald was established in 1876. W. Iv. Sheffer in January, 1878, became sole owner and proprietor and editor, and in subsequent years steadily promoted its influence and prosperity. He was with the Herald continuously for twenty- nine years except for two years when absent from Angola. He sold the Herald in 1889 to John F. Schuman and William Blatner. During the suc- ceeding two years he was associated with his younger brother, Sylvester S. Sheffer, in the publication of the Kendallville News. He then returned to Angola and repurchased the Herald. In 1906 he again sold the Herald to Ernest C. Klink, who later sold to Harvey W. Morley, the present owner and publisher. Soon afterward he took up the real estate, insurance and loan business, was for several years local corre- spondent and is now in charge of the circulation department of the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette at Angola. He is an active democrat in politics. His wife was a member of the Christian Church, where the family attend worship. November 27, 1873, at Ligonier, William K. Sheffer married Miss Eliza A. Pence, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, August 16, 1851, daughter of Samuel N. and Hannah Pence. A record of the Pence family is published on other pages of this publication. William K. Sheffer and wife had the following children : Lenora Elma, born June 6, 1876, and died in 1904, wife of John R. Pulver, by whom she was the mother of four children, named Anna M., Agnes, William F. (who died in infancy), and Ruth Elma. The second child, Samuel E., born in 1880, is a printer with the South Bend Tribune, having learned the business with his father. Laura Bessie died in infancy. Ralph Waldo is the fourth in age. Mary Ethel is the youngest. Ralph Waldo Sheffer was "born at Angola October 18, 1885, and received his education in the public schools and also the Angola High School, from which he graduated in 1904. He took a commercial course in the Tri-State College and learned business by practical experience as a clerk in the grocery store of T. L. Gillis for two years. For five years he was chief clerk in the freight office of the Lake Shore Railroad at Angola, and in September, 1911, became bookkeeper of the First National Bank. For the past four years he has held the office of assistant cashier. Mr. Sheffer is a republican, and is a Knight Templar Mason, being affiliated with Angola Com- mandery No. 45. He is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and is a member of the Chris- tian Church. In 1906 he married Miss Maude Cowan. She was born in Otsego Township of Steu- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 215 ben County, where her father, the late Elmer Cowan, was a well known farmer. They have one son, Harold Edward, born February 21, 1915. Elmer F. Seagly. The success of a business man can best be measured by the variety or extent and importance of the interests directed by or partici- pated in by him. One of the business men of LaGrange County who perform a number of serv- ices to their communities is Elmer F. Seagly of South Milford, who is a hardware merchant, a grain dealer, a farmer, and both in public affairs and business has been prominent for a number of years in that section. Mr. Seagly was born in Johnson Township of LaGrange County, July 16, 1870, a son of John and Julian (Dannemiller) Seagly. His mother was a native of Germany and came to the United States with her parents in 1834. The family located near Canton Ohio, where she grew up and married. Her husband was a native of Pennsylvania. In 1853 John Seagly and wife came to Indiana and lived in Whitely County until 1865, when he settled in John- son Township of LaGrange County. He finally moved to Wolcottville, where he died in 1903 and his wife in 1904. Elmer F. Seagly spent his boyhood in Johnson Township, attended the district schools and after- ward acquired a liberal education, with three years in the Wolcottville High School and one year in the State Normal. For seven years Mr. Seagly was a successful teacher in the country districts and in the intervals of teaching also followed farming. In the fall of 1897 he engaged in the hardware business at South Milford, and beginning with a very limited capital he has built up a large store and at the same time has made his personal influence and capital count with a number of other local enterprises. For several years he also conducted a hardware store at Stroh and Helmer. He is a stockholder in the Home Grain Company, operating elevators at La- Grange and South Milford. Mr. Seagly owns 280 acres of land in Milford Township and uses it as a stock feeding ranch, feeding several carloads of stock every year. He gives his personal supervision to his farm. He has served as president of the Milford Township Farmers Institute, and is secre- tary and treasurer of the Farmers Shipping Asso- ciation at South Milford. Mr. Seagly married Grace Shallower, of Johnson Township, on December 23, 1894. They have two sons, Gerald J. and Elmer G. Gerald is a graduate of high school and is now with his father in business. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Seagly is a trustee, and out of the twenty-two years he has lived at South Milford he has been superintendent of the Sunday School for nineteen. He has been treasurer of the local lodge of Odd Fellows for eighteen years, is a member of the Encampment and his wife is a Rebekah. Politi- cally Mr. Seagly is a republican. E. J. Hackett is an old resident of Steuben Coun- ty, for many years was engaged in farming, and latterly has become affiliated with business affairs at Orland, where under the name of E. J. Hackett & Son he conducts an automobile and implement busi- ness. Mr. Hackett was born in St. Joseph County, Mich- igan, August 19, 1858, a son of John and Caroline (Hoyt) Hackett. John Hackett, who for many years was identified with Steuben County, was born in Cayuga County, New York, in 1821, a son of Miner and Electa (Case) Hackett, natives of Ver- mont. John Hackett in early manhood came west to Oakland, Michigan, and eventually settled in the wooded country south of Adrian. From there he moved to Burr Oak, Michigan, and in 1844 went to California, making the journey by water and suf- fering many hardships and exposure to disease. After thirteen months in the West he returned to Michigan, and at that time had a capital of $1,300. He triumphed over many obstacles, and though he never had a chance to obtain an education he ac- quired much knowledge of the world and altogether was a very successful man. He spent several years in Kansas, at one time operated a saw mill at Burr Oak, Michigan, and in 1875 acquired 200 acres of land in Steuben County in Millgrove Township. He used his resources and experience to develop that into a fine estate, and lived there until his death in 1897. He went to Kansas in 1862 and bought a farm four miles south of the City of Lawrence. When he left Kansas he sold the property and profited $3,000 by the transaction. His first wife, whose maiden name was Ellen Richardson, died of smallpox while they were liv- ing in Michigan. She was the mother of two children : John, of Sand Lake, Michigan, and Josephine, deceased. John Hackett married for his second wife Anna Hause. One of their two children died in infancy and their son Frank now lives in Steuben County. In 1856 John Hackett married Caroline Hoyt, who was born in Canada, February 14, 1830. She is still living at the venerable age of eighty-nine years and is an active member of the Methodist Church. She was the mother of six chil- dren : Edwin J. ; Gertrude ; Maud ; Lillie, de- ceased; Carrie, deceased; and Fred, who is in the real estate business in Orland. Edwin J. Hackett was four years old when his parents went to Kansas, and he acquired his educa- tion there and also in the Scott School in Steuben County. After reaching manhood he acquired a part of the old homestead, and was steadily engaged in farming there until April, 1915, when he moved to Orland and bought an automobile and implement business. His active associate has been his son Lyle, and under the name of E. J. Hackett & Son they do the leading business in their line in Mill- grove Township. Mr. Hackett is affiliated with Star Lodge No. 225, Free and Accepted Masons, and he and his family for twenty-five years have been members of the Congregational Church. In 1880 he married Miss Nellie Van Benschoten, daughter of S. and Sarah (Claflin) Van Benschoten. Mr. and Mrs. Hackett have six children: Florence is the wife of Jesse Monroe, of Bronson, Michigan, and has four children, named Nellie, Guy, Ruth and Millie. Earl, a farmer in Millgrove Township, mar- ried Blanche Crow and has three children, Julia, Morris and John. Louel is the wife of Elmer Snyder, of Cleveland, and was the mother of two children, Thelma, deceased, and Edna. Marie is the wife of Weldon Laurmer, who spent six months at Camp Shelby in Mississippi during the war. Lyle, his father’s business associate, married Carroll Case, daughter of William Case, of Orland. The youngest of the family is Glen. Josiah M. Miller is a native of LaGrange County and has spent nearly all his life in an active career as a farmer, divided between Clay and Newbury townships. He owns one of the good farms in Newbury Township and is widely known all over the county as a dealer in live stock. Mr. Miller was born in Newbury Township Au- gust 31, 1866, a son of Moses P. and Eva (Hostet- ler) Miller. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1845, and came to LaGrange County in 1857, and is still living in Clay Township. His personal rec- ord appears on other pages of this publication. 216 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Josiah M. Miller when three years of age was taken by his parents to Hickory County, Missouri, and he attended his first school in that section of Missouri. In 1872 the family returned to LaGrange County and settled in Eden Township, where he was a student in the local schools for three years. He finished his education in Clay Township and began his personal career as a farmer there. He re- mained in Clay Township as a farmer for eleven years and in 1900 bought his home place in New- bury Township, in section 25, where he has eighty acres. For the past nine years in connection with farming he has been buying and shipping live stock. Mr. Miller and wife are members of the Mennonite Church. He married Fannie Yoder, a daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Miller) Yoder, on September 1, 1889. To their marriage have been born five children: Earl J. v a farmer in Clay Township, who married Ruby Stahl and has two children, Ruth and Helen; Eldon, who died in childhood; Orva, who farms with his father ; and Clyde and Iva Elizabeth. Fay Ebbert. It is a source of pride to anyone to be able to trace back through honorable ancestry those who bore a part in developing any given sec- tion of a state or country, and those men of Steuben County who are descended from the pioneers of this locality take an added interest in keeping up the good work by forwarding any new movements for its further advancements. Fay Ebbert, of Pleasant Township, belongs to a family early founded in Steuben County, and he is himself a native son of Steuben, as he was born in Johnson Township, August 19, 1872, a son of James and Emma J. (Dove) Ebbert, and grandson of Hiram Ebbert. Hiram Ebbert came to Indiana in 1857, and after stopping for a while in LaGrange County, one mile north of LaGrange, he came to Steuben County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He mar- ried Maria Jackson, and they had the following children born to them : James, Isaac, Sarah, Ma- tilda and Eliza Jane. James Ebbert was born in Stark County, Ohio, September 5, 1842, and grew up in that and Steuben County. He was well started in life as a farmer when he felt that his country needed him for the army, and he enlisted in Company B, One Hundreth Indiana Infantry, for service during the Civil war as a volunteer. After a long and faithful service as a soldier he was honorably discharged and returned to Jackson Township, where he continued to engage in farming up to 1891, in that year moving to La- Grange County, Indiana, and locating on a small farm in Lima Township. About 1913, he made another change, and now lives at Howe, Indiana. James Ebbert was married to Emma J. Dove, born in Jackson Township, and their children are as fol- lows : Clark, Lilly, Etta and Fay. He is one of the pillars of the Presbyterian Church of Howe. Fay Ebbert attended the schools of Jackson Town- ship, and at the same time gained a practical knowl- edge of farming uhder his father’s instruction. Branching out for himself, he began farming in Springfield Township, LaGrange County, Indiana, but in 1898 moved to Pleasant Township, Steuben County, buying his present farm of forty acres, and proceeded to rebuild the house and erect a new barn. He has made other improvements which add very much to the appearance of the place and the con- venience of the various buildings, and has a com- fortable home. On March 18, 1895, Mr. Ebbert was united in mar- riage with Florence Walter, a daughter of Calvin Walter, and they became the parents of three chil- dren, namely: Wanda, who is deceased; Hazel, who is also deceased; and Robert. Calvin Walter, the father of Mrs. Ebbert, was born near Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, March 2, 1854, a son of Daniel and Jane (Craimer) Walter, the former born Oc- tober 1, 1828, and the latter born January 19, 1835. Daniel Walter moved from Wayne County, Ohio, to DeKalb County, Indiana, when Calvin Walter was three years old, and he spent the greater part of his life in the latter county, being a farmer of some note. In 1882, however, he moved to Pleasant Township, Steuben County, where he lived until his death in 1884. He was married to Ellen Brum- baugh, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Leady) Brumbaugh, the former born December 28, 1824, and the latter born November 26, 1829. The chil- dren of Calvin and Ellen Walter were as follows: Margaret Jane, Florence, Squire and May, of whom Florence became the wife of Fay Ebbert. John H. Clark. It is easy to identify the career of John H. Clark in the farming industry of Steuben County, since he has been a resident for over thirty years, and his work has contributed to the improve- ment and development of several tracts of land. He owns one of the fine farms in Pleasant Town- ship, has won a competency through his integrity and ability, and is now preparing to live a retired life. Mr. Clark was born in Williams County, Ohio, January 12, 1871, son of Joseph B. and Ellen (Favorite) Clark. His father was a native of Wil- liams County, while his mother was born in Eaton County, Michigan, a daughter of John Favorite, a farmer of that state. Joseph B. Clark was a blacksmith and wagon maker who lived in Williams Countv until about 1885, when he moved to Clear Lake Township in Steuben County and located on a farm. Late in life he moved to Jamestown Town- ship, and died there about 1912. He and his wife had the following children : George W., John H., Thomas T., Charles A., Cleveland F. and Izole May. John H. Clark had the privilege of attending the public schools of Williams County only a few years. Practically from the time he was nine and a half years old he has made his own way in the world, has overcome many obstacles and has worked his own way to independence and influence. On Febru- ary 4, 1894, he married Mary Beigh, a daughter of John and Mary (Gooding) Beigh. After his marriage Mr. Clark rented a farm, and about 1897 he bought forty acres in Salem Town- ship. This land had no buildings, and in order to operate it he rented a nearby tract of land with buildings. The Salem Township place was sold in 1902, and he next bought seventy ^cres in section 11 of Pleasant Township. He has increased his farm by a subsequent purchase of ten acres, and all the good buildings on the farm represent his invest- ment and construction. He has used the land for general farming and stock raising purposes. In 1919 Mr. Clark was engaged in building a home at Angola, which he designed for the comfort of his years of retirement. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have one daughter, Pauline B., born August 13, 1904. When Frank Little was twelve years old Mr. and Mrs. Clark took him into their home, and he has been with the family ever since and is now renting the Clark homestead. Mr. Clark is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Clark’s father was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, while her mother was a native of the City of New York. They were among the pioneers of Steuben County, arriving in May, 1854, and set- tling in Jackson Township. John Beigh bought eighty acres at $4-50 an acre, built a log house, and HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 217 cleared the land. After fourteen years he sold this farm at $44.00 an acre, and then bought 100 acres in Salem Township, where he lived honored and re- spected until his death in 1902, at the age of eighty- two. He was a republican and with his wife was active in the United Brethren Church. The children of John Beigh were Silas, Julia, Lucinda (deceased), Edwin, Willis, Amelia, Rosella (deceased) and Mary. William Haller, an honored veteran and pen- sioner of the Civil war, was through nearly all that struggle, and for over forty years has been a resi- dent and farm owner in LaGrange County. He is still active and gives his supervision to his farm, located four miles east of Topeka. Mr. Haller was born in Henry County, Ohio, April 15, 1841, a son of Benjamin and Mary (Mil- ler) Haller, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They were married in the lat- ter state, and then settled on a tract of raw land in Henry County, Ohio, where they were among the early settlers. After the Civil war Benjamin Haller moved to Indiana and bought eighty acres in Elkhart County, where he spent the rest of his days. He was a stanch and steadfast republican in politics. There were six children in the family: Sybilla, born in February, 1838, widow of Jasper Spergeon; William; Louisa, born September 11, 1844, unmarried ; Lucinda, born in 1847, widow of David Gehrett; John M., living in Ohio; and Re- becca J., wife of George Held. William Haller grew up in the county district of Henry County, Ohio, attended the common schools there, and just about the time he attained his ma- jority he volunteered for the war, enlisting in Com- pany F of the Fourteenth Ohio Infantry. This was a three months’ regiment, and after his term had expired he re-enlisted in Company A of the Sixty- Eighth Ohio Infantry for a period of three years. When he had served two years and two months he accepted the opportunity to veteranize at Vicksburg, and continued on until the Union banners were folded in victory. He was a corporal and sergeant, and in one engagement was wounded in the left knee. After the war he came to Indiana and located in LaGrange County, where his activities have ever since been concentrated. Mr. Haller owns a good farm of eighty acres. He has served as constable, township supervisor and school director, and is a republican in his political allegiance. April 16, 1864, while on furlough from the army, Mr. Haller married Martha J. Russell, who died in February, 1913. To their union were born nine chil- dren, four of whom are still living: Harrison, of Noble County, Indiana; Almeda, wife of Jacob Hull; Will H., who married Leona Sanders ; and Caroline, wife of Henry Rochenbauch, of Elkhart County. There are also thirteen grandchildren living. Frank Drenning. In order to make a success of farming a man must have a natural inclination for it, and understand all of its possibilities. The reason that some fail in this line is because they only en- gage in it as a last resort, without any practical ex- perience or liking for the soil. Their experiments are costly and seldom successful, and the land under their ineffectual management loses many of its prop- erties and becomes unfertile and practically worth- less. However, when a man does know how to cul- tivate his farm and likes the work there are almost unlimited opportunities for him. Given fair treat- ment land will yield more generously than almost any other kind of investment. The out of door life, good food and dignity which comes of being a pro- prietor instead of a hired man, all are aids in keep- ing the farmer on his job. Within the past couple of years a new element has arisen which gives added importance to the work, for owing to the pressure of circumstances arising out of the great war Amer- ican farmers will have to supply a large amount of the food for the world during the next few years. Ihey can and will do it, and those thus fed will ac- cord praise where it is due. Indiana farmers will rank among the best in this work of regenerating the devastated people, and one who is now and has been for many years one of the representative farm- ers of Steuben County is Frank Drenning of Steuben Township. Frank Drenning was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1850, a son of John Dren- ning and grandson of Henry Drenning, the latter having been a farmer of Bedford County, Pennsyl- vania. John Drenning was married to Catherine Clark, of Greenberry, Bedford County, PennsyL vania, and they had the following children: James, Mary, who died young; John; Maria, who married Sam Laizer; Martin; Frank; Elizabeth, who mar- ried Martin Penner; and Susan, Richard and Josiah, all of whom died young. In 1872 John Drenning came to Steuben County, where he passed the re- mainder of his life. He and his wife were devout members of the United Brethren faith. Frank Drenning attended the local schools of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and was taught farming from the time he was a small boy, assisting his father until his marriage in 1873, when he se- cured a farm in Steuben Township and began farm- ing for himself. With the exception of three years which he spent at Angola, Mr. Drenning has lived on this farm since he bought it, and his premises show that the owner is on hand and takes a pride in having everything in order. The excellent and suit- able buildings on this farm have either been erected or completely remodeled by him, and he has also put in many other improvements, adding very ma- terially to the value of his 100 acres. When he bought this property it was practically in the timber, and he has cleared off the greater portion of it. On March 13, 1873, Frank Drenning was married to Jane Menges, a daughter of Peter Menges, and they had the following children : Alice, who mar- ried George Grubbs and lives at Indianapolis, In- diana; William H. ; Lovina ; and Fannie, who mar- ried George Crossland. Mrs. Drenning died January 1, 1906. Jacob Kepler. The Keplers moved into Franklin Township of DeKalb County over eighty years ago. As a family the name has been identified with some of the largest land holdings in DeKalb and Steuben County, and throughout this region the name is synonymous with prosperity, good business man- agement and undoubted thrift and hard work. Jacob Kepler, a son of the original settler in De- Kalb County, has for many years owned and worked a large and complete farm in Otsego Township, part of which is in the Village of Hamilton, where he resides. His father, Samuel Kepler, was born in Stark County, Ohio, October 30, 1814, a son of John Kepler. Samuel Kepler in the fall of 1837 settled , on section 21 of Franklin Township in DeKalb County. He entered land in that section and in section 28. He went there with practically no capital, but was young, willing to work hard and was ambitious, and succeeded much above the average. His enterprise took several different directions. About 1853 he built the first grist mill in the town- ship, on Fish Creek, and that mill was fulfilling its functions in grinding local grain for over thirty 218 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA years. Samuel Kepler was one of the largest wheat growers in Northeast Indiana. He had a genius for acquiring extensive tracts of land, and at the time of his death, which occurred March 19, 1862, at the age of forty-seven, he owned over 1,000 acres in Steuben and DeKalb counties, and 1,100 acres in Iowa. He was not content to hold the land merely as an investment, but always improved it, and had a fondness for good buildings. His old grist mill stood about a mile and a half east of Hamilton. Along with farming he sold agricultural implements, and had a store at Hamilton. In 1834 he married Mary Noragon, who was born in Pennsylvania. She died June 15, 1892, at the age of seventy-one years. They had a family of fourteen children, and those to reach mature years were: Andrew, John, Caroline, who married Samuel Hussman, Edwin, Samuel, Sarah Jane, who married Lafayette Perkey, Solo- mon and Jacob. Jacob Kepler was born September 14, 1851, in Franklin Township of DeKalb County, and attended public school there. Fie early learned the value of honest toil as a means of making his way in the world. He worked his mother’s place in Franklin Township for several years. He married Rosanna Brown, daughter of William and Elizabeth Brown. After his marriage he moved into Otsego Town- ship of Steuben County, and has since occupied his present farm, about thirty acres of which are within the corporation limits of Hamilton. Altogether he has 320 acres. The splendid buildings were all erected by him and his farm is devoted to general agriculture and stock raising. Mr. Kepler is a member of the United Brethren Church. He has three children : Gertrude, who married Charles Hoch and has two children, Oline and Gertrude; Bertha, wife of Charles Swift, has one child named Marsell; and Wier. John H. Yeager is a business man as well as practical farmer of Johnson Township, LaGrange County. For many years he has been a dealer in live stock, and through him a large part of the stock raised in LaGrange County has found its way to market. However, he lives on his farm a half-mile northeast of Wolcottville. In connection with his dealing in live stock he owns and operates a slaugh- ter house. His business associate is Herbert F. Newnam, of Wayne Township, Noble County. Mr. Yeager was born on a farm near Wolcott- ville, in Noble County, December 21, 1865, a son of. Andrew R. and Frances E. (Shanower) Yeager. His father was a native of Ohio and his mother of Pennsylvania, and their respective families came at an early day to LaGrange County, Indiana, where Andrew and Frances were married. Andrew Yeager was in the saw mill business for some time and later with his older son became a contractor and builder. He died as a result of injuries received in his mill. He was active in the Masonic order, was a republican, and his wife was a member of the Methodist Church. They had four children, two of whom are still living, Dora, wife of George W. ; Leonard, of Milford Township, LaGrange County; and John H. The son, Edmond E., who died on the operating table in his home, was master of Masonic Lodge No. 380, Free and Accepted Masons, and was prominent in the building of the Masonic Temple at Wolcottville, and a republican in poli- tics. Rena, the deceased daughter, became the wife of J. W. Reif Schneider, and her death was a tragedy, she being burned to death. John H. Yeager was two years old when he came to LaGrange County, acquired a good common school education and qualified himself "for teaching, which he followed three years. Since then he has been chiefly engaged in the buying of horses, mules and live stock. He owns a good farm of sixty- one acres, and is also president of Wolcottville Cement Products Company. September 30, 1890, Mr. Yeager married Cora Newhouse, of LaGrange County, where she was born and educated. They have five children, four daughters and one son : Beryl, who is engaged in business with his father and also operates a profit- able side line in the raising of white Leghorn chickens; Hermona, a high school graduate, with Normal training received at Woodruff, is now a teacher ; Pauline D., a student nurse in the Lutheran Hospital at Fort Wayne; Eloise, a high school stu- dent; and Dorothy E., in the grammar schools. Mrs. Yeager is a member of the! Methodist Church and her daughters are of the same faith. Mr. Yeager is affiliated with Ionic Lodge No. 380, Free and Accepted Masons, and also with the Royal Arch Chapter and Council at Kendallville. Politic- ally he is a republican. George W. Grim. The distinguishing feature of Mr. Grim’s long career as a Steuben County farmer has been the breeding and growing of thorough- bred Hampshire sheep. His sheep have made his name famous among sheep raisers throughout the Middle West, and from his farm has gone some of the highest class breeding stock to many states and distant Western ranges. For twenty-three years Mr. Grim made it a cus- tom to exhibit his sheep at stock shows and fairs. His rams and ewes were on exhibition at the State Fairs at Syracuse, Columbus, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids and Springfield, Illinois, and every fair where exhibited prizes were awarded. He has a beautiful pair of large silver cups as trophies award- ed his stock at the Michigan State Fair, and many medals besides. For the last few years Mr. Grim has not entered his sheep at state fairs, but still continues to exhibit at all nearby county fairs. A member of one of the older families of Steuben County, Mr. Grim was born in York Township,. June 14, 1856, a son of William and Mary J. (Keller) Grim. His mother was born in Portage County, Ohio, a daughter of Henry and Margaret Keller. William Grim was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, a son of Andrew and Angeline Grim. An- drew Grim was a farmer in Eastern Ohio. William Grim .came to Steuben County and settled in York Township in 1853, locating on a farm where he lived until 1867, and then went to Fremont Township, owning no acres there, and in that locality he lived until his death. He and his wife had four children: Henry; Libbie, wife of Samuel Waters, Elwood and George W. George W. Grim acquired his early education in the district schools of York and Fremont Town- ship, attended school in the village of Fremont, and his first independent efforts as a farmer were made in Fremont Township. He lived there until 1900, and in the month of March of that year moved to his present place. This is a farm with modern facilities and buildings, all put up in his time, and his arrangements are especially suited for sheep husbandry. Mr. Grim is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at Fremont, he and his wife are mem- bers of the Pythian Sisters, and they belong to the Methodist Church of Fremont. April 20, 1882, Mr. Grim married Mary J. Michael, daughter of Enos and Barbara Michael. Mr. and Mrs. Grim have two daughters and one son, the son representing the family in the World war. Lola B., the older daughter, is the wife of Carl Miller, MR. AND MRS. DANIEL P. DONEY HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 219 living in Chicago, and has two daughters, named Mary and Georgina. Bessie B. is the wife of Dwight Eckler, of Montpelier, Ohio, and has one child, named Loraine. Clifton E., the son, married Lillian Oberlander. He enlisted in May, 1916, in the Second Cavalry, was stationed during his train- ing period at Fort Ethan Allen in Vermont, and was sent overseas and arrived in France in April, 1918. Since then he has been with the Expeditionary Forces, and had not returned home in the early summer of 1919. Daniel P. Doney. Among the fine farms of Clay Township, LaGrange County, one that would par- ticularly attract attention bears the name of Pleas- ant View, which indicates its location and suggests the comfortable and substantial surroundings of this well improved property that belongs to Daniel P. Doney, one of the county’s well known and highly respected citizens. Daniel P. Doney was born in Clay Township, La- Grange County, Indiana, May 24, 1857, and is a son of Samuel and Lydia (Perry) Doney, the latter be- ing the father’s third wife. She was born in Elk- hart County, Indiana, in 1834, and died in Oregon September 28, 1885. She was the mother of five children, namely : Daniel P., John Edward, Samuel, George and Joseph. Samuel Doney was born in Crawford County, Ohio, July 4, 1816. He came to LaGrange County, Indiana, in 1840, and stopped for a time with his father-in-law, Ralph Herbert, on Cedar Lake, then settled in Clay Township, where he cleared a tract of 160 acres and improved the same. In 1876 he moved to Oregon, but after the death of his third wife he returned to LaGrange County and died in 1903, at the home of a daughter, Mrs. George Libey. He rented and for some years operated the old water-wheel sawmill first known as the Doctor Hobb’s and later Fleck’s mill. He was a leading member of the Dunkard faith in this neigh- borhood and his last wife was also a member of this church. His first wife was Jane Herbert, who died in 1853, the mother of four children, namely: Elizabeth, Charles, Alice and Sarah. His second wife was Huldah Lawrence, who died eighteen months after marriage, leaving one child. His third marriage was to Lydia Perry. Daniel P. Doney attended school in Clay Town- ship and assisted his father, whom he accompanied to Oregon. He remained there five years. In 1895 he purchased forty acres of land in Clay Town- ship, LaGrange County, to which he later added forty acres and still later seventeen acres, all of which he has practically developed, as when he first came here the only evidence of civilization was a log house. The clearing and improving of this land has demanded Mr. Doney’s best efforts for a num- ber of years, but he now has a beautiful home and a valuable property. He carries on general farm- ing with the method and care that insure the best results, and may well be named as a representative agriculturist of this section. In 1876 Mr. Doney was married to Miss Mary Green, who was born in Clay Township, March 11, 1859. H er parents were James and Hannah Ann (Brown) Green, who settled in Clay Township in 1842 and became people of prominence there. Her father acquired 380 acres of land and operated what was known as Green’s sawmill. The settlement was named Green Corners in his honor, and he also gave his name to what is yet called the Green school- house. His death occurred in October, 1904, when aged ninety-one years. The mother of Mrs. Doney died March 12, 1893, at the age of seventy-one years. Their children bore the following names: Frances, Maggie, Thomas, Lucinda, Willis, Mary Josephine, Sophronia, Seymour and Icy. Mr. and Mrs. Doney have had two children, namely : Leona J., who was born in Oregon March 18, 1877, died September 28, 1885, and George, who was born July 11, 1887. The latter is a farmer in Clay Township, like his father, and is equally prosperous. He married Miss Nettie Mann, and they have two children : Mary Ann and Margaret Elizabeth. Mr. Doney is a democrat in his political views, but he has never been willing to accept any township office, although he is a man well qualified for the same. George Earl Crampton. One of the farms in Van Buren Township of LaGrange County that has been longest under cultivation is that owned by George Earl Crampton and his mother, Emily A. Crampton. Mr. Crampton was born$ on the farm, and it was acquired by his maternal grandfather in the earliest period of settlement. Mr. Crampton was born January 22, 1869, son of William and Emily Adelia (Cook) Crampton. His father was born near Boston, Lincolnshire, England, June 18, 1830, and when a young man crossed the ocean to New York, spending forty days on the water. He went up the Hudson River to Albany, thence by rail to Buffalo, and from there crossed Lake Erie to Toledo, traveling from there down the Erie Canal to Fort Wayne and by stage to Lima, Indiana, where he arrived in August, 1851. One summer he spent working in a distillery, and the following winter was hostler for the prosecuting attorney of Steuben and LaGrange counties. In the spring of 1852 he went to Sturgis, Michigan, and worked in a distillery and also on the newly com- pleted railroad. In 1853 he began seven years of employment for Orsen Douglas, a Michigan farmer. In 1854 h e and Mr. Douglas erected the first pepper- mint still in Sturgis Township. In the spring of 1859 he moved to Indiana, and in December, i860, was married and then bought sixty acres of what is known as the Marionas Cowan Farm. He lived there one year and then bought a part of the Cook homestead owned by George Cook. Including his wife’s inheritance, he acquired about 160 acres and lived there as a farmer until his death on May 16, 1913. He was a republican and was well known in LaGrange County politics, serving two terms as county commissioner and two terms on the Advisory Board of Van Buren Township. Emily Adelia Cook, mother of George Earl Cramp- ton, was born on the land where she is living today in February, 1840. Except for one year of her life she has made her home in that locality for prac- tically eighty years. Her father, George Cook, was born in England and married a Miss Cowan, a native of New York. In 1831 the Cook family moved to White Pigeon, Michigan, and soon afterward settled in Van Buren Township. The father of George Cook was John Cook, who died in August, 1831. George Cook carried the mail between Constantine and Cassopolis, Michigan, in 1832. He owned about 180 acres in Van Buren Township, and lived there until his death in December, 1858, his wife passing away in 1853. They were the parents of four children : Emily Adelia, Mary, George Albert and Jennie L. George Cook married for his second wife Harriet (Fowler) Bates. After his death she be- came the wife of Lewis Nichols, and she is still living at the advanced age of ninety-five. William and Emily Crampton were the parents of three children : Alta lone, widow of Edgar Mc- Claskey; George Earl; and Edwin Cook Crampton. Edwin C. Crampton is a prominent lawyer at Raton, New Mexico, and was a delegate to the Constitu- tional Convention when the Constitution of the new 220 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA State of New Mexico was framed. He also served two terms in the first State Senate and had much to do with the formulation of the school system of New Mexico. He is a graduate of Indiana State University, and has been an extensive traveler. George Earl Crampton grew up on the home farm and has always lived there. He attended the public schools and spent one year in the high school at Lima, and in 1895 took the agricultural course at Purdue University. He has found pleasure and profit in farming and is one of the well known and substantial citizens of LaGrange County. He is a republican and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Shipshewana and the Knights of Pythias at Howe. December 23, 1902, he married Miss Cora May ■ Keefus of Lima Township. They are the parents of three children : Hilda Margaret, born in Novem- ber, 1903, a student in the Scott High School Ray mond Li born May 3L D06; and Wallace Edwin, born May 7, I9 11 - Chauncey M. Kauffman. While Mr. Kauffman was born in LaGrange County and has spent prac- tically all his life there, he has made a number of changes, and every change has been a step in progress in his material circumstances. He became an independent farmer over thirty years ago, and has always farmed what has been coin sidered high priced land. He has bought several times at "the top of the market and later has sold at a great advance. His present splendid farm is in Greenfield Township and is regarded as one of the most valuable in point of acre value in the Mr. Kauffman was born in Clay Township, No- vember n, 1864, son of Jonas and Mary Jane (Schermerhorn) Kauffman. Jonas Kauffman was born in Holmes County, Ohio, August io, 1826, son of Stephen and Martha (Miller) Kauffman. His parents moved to Indiana in 1844 and cleared up and improved forty acres of land in Elkhart County where Martha Kauffman died in 1854 and her husband in 1858. Jonas Kauffman was one ot four sons and four daughters. He was a carpenter by trade and followed that occupation from the time he was eighteen years of age until 1850. With three other men he also built and operated a saw mill in Newbury Township of LaGrange County. In 1854 he bought 200 acres in Clay Township, and for ten years he and his family lived in a log cabin. In 1864, having sold that property, he bought 140 acres in another part of Clay 1 own- ship, and lived there until 1888, when he sold and bought the Isaac Plank farm on Pretty Prairie in Greenfield Township. This farm contained 185 acres, and he paid $67 an acre, then considered an unusually high price. He sold the farm in 1905. and after that lived with his children until his death in December, 1916. He married Mary J. Schermer- horn on March 28, 1852. She was born in Stark Countv, Ohio, and died in February, 19 «3- J 0 " 3 ® Kauffman was a member of the German Baptist Church. His wife's father, Michael Shermerhorn was a native of Germany and married Elizabeth McKibbin, a native of Ireland. Jonas Kauffman and wife had eight children: Julia A Mary M., Laura A., Sarah A., Ada I., Chauncey M., Augusta J. and Luther J. , . , Chauncey M. Kauffman spent his early life on his father’s farm in Clay Township. He attended district schools and spent one year in the Lima Hivife of John Wrinkle and lives at Archbold, Ohio ; and Viola, Mrs. J. P. Smith, of Bryan, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Garlets have two children : Mil- ton, born in 1891, married Bess Gochenaur, and Charles, Jr., Milton M. and John P. are the three grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Garlets. The daughter, Thelma, was born in 1898 and is now a teacher in the Darrow school. She is a graduate of the LaGrange High School with the class of 1917. Daniel A. Schaeffer. Through a period of three-quarters of a century the name and good works of the Schaeffer family have effected a con- tinuous impression upon the material and social progress_ of Fremont Township in Steuben County. A farm in section 16 of that township was originally acquired direct from the Government by the late John Schaeffer, and that farm today is owned and under the capable management and direction of his son, Daniel A. Schaeffer. The late John Schaeffer was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, April 10, 1820, a son of William and Margaret (Beck) Schaeffer. Reared on a farm and with a common school education, he found his opportunities somewhat limited in the well-settled districts of Pennsylvania, where he spent his youth, and in 1845 he came to Northeast Indiana and entered a tract of land in Fremont Township. After he had completed his business transaction at the land office and had made some other preparations he and a Mr. Michael went back to Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. They walked the entire distance, the journey taking them three weeks. Few men aside from professional pedes- trians would undertake such a journey today for any price. There was a strong stimulus urging John Schaeffer to make the journey. When he re- turned to Dauphin County he was married Novem- ber 4, 1847, to Eve Walmer. She was a native of the same county, born in 1823. In 1848 John Schaeffer made permanent settlement on his land in Steuben County, and gradually cleared away the heavy timber until he had a cultivated farm, and owned 172 acres. He and his wife were active members of the German Methodist Church. John Schaeffer died May 5, 1904, and his wife passed away in 1901. Of their seven children five reached mature years: David J., John W., Eleanor E., Daniel A. and Margaret M. Daniel A. Schaeffer was born at the old home- stead in Fremont Township May 22, 1858, acquired his education in the district schools and began farming with his father. In 1887 he married Miss Ollie Balch, a daughter of William and Susan Balch. He then took his bride to Reading, Michigan, was engaged in the butcher business there six years, for another year lived at Coldwater, Michigan, in the same line of business, and then returned to look after the homestead farm, his parents being well advanced in years. He made his father and mother comfortable, and they lived with him until their death. Mr. Schaeffer owns ninety-six acres of the old homestead, and has it well equipped with build- ings and other facilities for farming and stock raising. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church at Fremont. They have five children, named Earl, Glenn, Hazel, Paul and Lyle. Earl married Edith Eastham and has two children, named Dean and Esther. Glenn married Laura Adams and has a child, Rolene. Hazel is the wife of Harold Hoff- naughle, and their family consists of Richard and Rollo. George F. Chrystler has been a resident of LaGrange County for half a century, and from farm labor and farm renter has so conducted.his affairs as to become owner of a good farm and independently prosperous. Mr. Chrystler, whose home is in Clay Township, was born in Cattaragus County, New York, Febru- ary 7, 1847, a son of Abraham Chrystler. There are several representatives of the Chrystler family in Northeast Indiana, and much of Mr. Chrystler’s family history is told on other pages. Mr. Chrystler when a boy of only thirteen began working out by the month, and continued in that line until he was twenty-four years of age, then for about two years he was a renter, at the end of which time he bought his first land and is now owner of a good farm of 160 acres. In 1870 he married Samantha Saylor, a daughter of William Saylor. They are the parents of five children and have a number of grandchildren. The oldest, William, married Rosa Olney and has three children, Arthur, Harley and Hazel. Bracie, whose first husband was Frank Smith, by whom she had two daughters, Alma and Ethel, is now the wife of Jacob Selig and has a son, Howard. A'Jva married May Snow and has a son, Raymond. Frank is at home. Guy married Viola Church, and they have a son, Harold. Daniel J. Glick. The farming interests of La- Grange County are heavy and valuable, made so through the efforts of some of the best agriculturists of Indiana. One of the men who has achieved to an enviable prosperity in this very important in- dustry is Daniel J. Glick of Newbury Township. He was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1863, a son of John and Martha (Hooley) Glick. These parents, in 1868, came to LaGrange County, Indiana, and for ten years lived on rented land in Middlebury Township, then buying sixty-seven acres of land, on which the father died May 17, 1896, aged sixty-six years, ten months and five days. He was born July 14, 1829. His widow, who survives him, was born March 15, 1835, and is now eighty-five years of age. Their children were as follows : Emma ; Fannie ; Daniel ; Katie, who is deceased ; .Noah, who is a resident of Clear Spring; Lydia, who is a resident of Middlebury Township; John, who lives in Iowa; Jacob, who lives in Ohio; and Sam- uel, who also lives in Ohio. Daniel J. Glick was only five years old when he was brought to LaGrange County, and he was here reared, and entered upon his industrial career as a farm hand, working by the month. Until he was twenty-one years old he gave his father the money 260 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA he earned. On January 28, 1886, he was married to Rosa Hostetter, born September 18, 1862, a daugh- ter of Enos and Ann (Emmerick) Hostetter. Mr. Hostetter died in 1862, and his widow was again married and moved to Minnesota, where she died in 1918, aged eighty-two years. By her first mar- riage there were four children, namely: Martin, who is a resident of Wabash County, Illinois; Abraham, who lives in Minnesota; Jacob, who also lives in Minnesota ; and Airs. Glick. By the second mar- riage there were two children : Charles E. and Caroline. After his marriage Daniel J. Glick lived on rented land and worked for others by the day until he in- herited a third interest in the homestead of his fa- ther. He moved on this property and conducted it for three years, and at the same time rented 160 acres additional. At the expiration of the three years Mr. Glick bought forty-seven acres of land at Honeyville in Eden Township, for which he paid $50 per acre, later adding twenty-seven acres to that farm, and operating it all until 1901. In that year he sold his property and went to Tioga County, Ohio, buying 225 acres at $20 per acre. Three years later he returned to LaGrange County, and bought a farm of 160 acres in Newbury Town- ship, for which he paid $50 per acre, to which he has added eighty acres. He also owns two more pieces of property in this same township, one of twenty acres and the other of eighty acres. Still later he disposed of some of his property, but still owns 240 acres, well cultivated, on which are ex- cellent buildings and fine improvements. All of what he now owns he has made himself, and de- serves much credit for his success in life. Mr. and Mrs. Glick became the parents of the following children : Katie, who is the wife of Noah M. Borntreger, of Eden Township, has the following children: Mahlon, Rosa and Enos; Moses, who is a resident of Defiance County, Ohio, mar- ried Barbara Harshbarger, and they became the parents of children as follows : Levi, Rosa, who died in 1918, Milo, Lizzie and John; Enos, who is a res- ident of Holmes County, Ohio, married a sister of the wife of his brother Moses, and their children are Katie and Ada, twins, Perry and Mary, the last named being deceased ; Mattie, who married Earl Kemp, lives in Washington County, Iowa ; and Anna, who is the wife of Atlee Miller of Newbury Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Glick are members of the old order of Alennonites, and are most excellent people in every respect. Mr. Glick is a man whose spoken word is as good as another’s signed note, and few men in his locality command such universal respect as he. T. W. Harwood, of Wilmington Township, DeKalb County, was a soldier in the Civil war, and though more than half a century has passed since the close of that conflict he is still active as a farmer and citi- zen and still does a day’s work when his stock and fields require it. Air. Harwood was born in Vermont, a son of Asa and Cynthia (Stockwell) Harwood, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Vermont. When they left the Green Mountain State they moved to Medina County, Ohio, and in March, 1857, settled in Wilmington Township of DeKalb County, where they spent the rest of their days. Asa Har- wood was a man well advanced toward age when the Civil war came on, but he enlisted in the Forty- Fourth Indiana Infantry and served until wounded and incapacitated at the battle of Stone River. After the war he lived on his farm and also followed his mechanical trade at Waterloo. He was the father of five children, and two of the sons were in the , war. The three children now living are Emmett, Henry and T. W. Henry was the other soldier son and now lives in Michigan. T. W. Harwood was sixteen years old when he came to DeKalb County and he finished his educa- tion here in the district schools. He served nearly a year toward the close of the Civil war, and then returned to DeKalb County. In June, 1865, he mar- ried Julia A. Smurr. After their marriage they set- tled on the farm where they live today. Mr. Har- wood has ninety acres in his own name and twelve acres belong to his wife. His land and other ac- cumulations represent many years of faithful labor on his part. Mrs. Harwood is a daughter of George N. and Rebecca (Kinsey) Smurr, and a granddaughter of George Smurr, who came as a pioneer to DeKalb County and entered forty acres from the Govern- ment, part of which is now in the home farm of Mr. and Mrs. Harwood. Mr. and Mrs. Harwood have six children : Albert W., born November 20, 1866, and married Elizabeth Dill; George N., born Feb- ruary 12, 1869, married Leora Love; Daniel C., born Alarch 6, 1873, now deceased; Anna I., born Feb- ruary 9, 1876, wife of Fred Piper; Cecil L., born August 23, 1878, married Nora Gesinger; and Inez, born March 5, 1886, wife of Ray Treman. Mr. Har- wood is a republican in politics. „ Harvey B. Lewis, former county auditor of La- Grange County, is a native of Steuben County, where his people lived for a number of years, and the place of their original settlement in Northeast In- diana was Salem Township of Steuben County. Harvey B. Lewis for many years has been an ex- tensive sheep breeder, and the farm he occupies and owns in Springfield Township is probably the oldest feeding ground for sheep in LaGrange County. Air. Lewis was born in Salem Township, Steu- ben County, November 3, 1877, son of Dwight and Sarah’ (Newnam) Lewis. His father was born in Chenango County, New York, in 1843, son of Har- vey and Elizabeth (Bassett) Lewis. As noted else- where in this publication, the family came to Steuben County about 1850, and Dwight Lewis, then a boy of seven years, grew up on a farm in Salem Township, and finished his education in the Orland High School. As a farmer he started with forty acres, but soon went on the old Lewis homestead and was known for years as one of the leading feeders of cattle and sheep. He was a re- publican, and for three terms held the office of county commissioner in Steuben County. He was president of the Farmers Insurance Company for more than twenty years, from the time of its or- ganization until his death. He was also affiliated with the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, while he and his wife were active in the Methodist Church. Sarah Newnam was born in Springfield Town- ' ship, LaGrange County in 1844, and the promi- nence of the Newnam family calls for some special mention here. Her father, Nicholas Benson New- nam, came to Springfield Township in 1836, set- tling on the land now included in the large place of H. B. Lewis, his grandson. He lived there until his death in 1876. Nicholas Benson Newnam was the father of fifteen children, and all of them are now deceased except Mrs. Sarah Lewis. One son was Samuel H. Newnam, who was born in 1841, on the farm now occupied by his nephew, Har- vey Lewis. He spent his life there. With a capi- tal of only $100 he began renting the homestead HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 261 and after his father’s death he bought 320 acres. He was a stockman, and made his farm widely known as a feeding ground for sheep. He was a republican and served as county commissioner of LaGrange County. Samuel Newnam married in December, 1870, Emma Faulkner, who was born in Springfield Township in 1841. Dwight Lewis and wife had two sons, Benson R. and Harvey B. Benson was born June 1, 1872, and received his higher education in the Tri-State College at Angola and in Purdue University. His iqterests have been identified with lifestock, and for a number of years he did a farming and stock shipping business. He still owns 490 acres in Steu- ben County, including the old homestead. His business abilities, however, have called him to greater responsibilities and on August 1, 1906, he moved to East Buffalo, New York, and from that date until March 1, 1919, was connected with the widely known livestock and commission house of Clay, Robinson & Company. He was hog sales- man and manager of this company in the Buffalo market. March 1, 1919, he engaged as a salesman with Stacy, Dement & Beadle at East Buffalo. Benson Lewis married Nellie Strong and has two sons, Myron Dwight and Burdette Parker. Harvey B. Lewis was reared on the homestead farm of his father, and attended public schools, supplemented by attendance at the Tri-State Col- lege in Angola. After his father’s death he ac- quired eighty acres of the homestead and in 1918 sold that to his brother. Since 1901 he has been on the Samuel H. Newnam farm of 320 acres. He rented it until 1908, and then bought the old New- nam place. Among other improvements he has erected a second dwelling house on the farm. As noted above he makes a specialty of sheep feed- ing, and is one of the leading men engaged in that business in LaGrange County. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers State Bank of Stroh in 1915, and has since been president of that institu- tion. March 15, 1906, he married Olive Dunham, who was born in York Township, Steuben County, in 1879, a daughter of Lorenzo and Sarah Dunham, pioneer settlers of Steuben County. Her mother is living in Springfield Township. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have two children : Burton, born October 12, 1907, and Geneva, born July 28, 1909. Peter F. Weaver was born at old Brockville, now Fremont, September 24, 1848. He was six years old when Brockville was changed to Fremont. He was born on a farm and still lives on a farm. His home is sixty-six acres within the village limits of Fremont. His has been a life of more than seventy years, and in that time he has witnessed a wonderful . panorama of change. The first school he attended in the village was kept in a log school house. He was in school only during the winter terms and when there was little to do on the farm. The school was a subscription school, supported by the families who had children there, and besides money contributions the different families also contributed wood supplies. Peter F. Weaver has plowed many a day with an ox team and he helped to build the first railroad through Fremont. He comes of a family of pioneers and of patriotic Americans. His ! father, Jacob Weaver, was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, son of Henry and Polly Weaver, both natives of that state. Henry Weaver came to Steuben County, following his son Jacob, and spent his last years here. His children were Jacob, George, Susannah and Polly. Polly became the wife of Mike Bailey. The parents died in Fremont Township. Henry Weaver, January 10, 1855, age seventy-seven years and four months, and his wife, Polly, died Septem- ber 24, 1851, age sixty-nine years. January 20, 1842, Jacob Weaver married Mar- garet Schaeffer. She was born in Susquehanna Township of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Octo- ber 16, 1823, and represented a lineage that has helped to make American history. The first repre- sentative of the Schaeffer family in Pennsylvania was John Nicholas Schaeffer, who sailed from Rotterdam, Holland, on the ship Dragon, George Spencer, Master, and arrived in Philadelphia Sep- tember 6, 1749. He settled in Berks County and was commissioned captain of the First Battalion, Berks County Militia, January 20, 1777. His bat- talion rendered service in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey in the War of the Revolution. John Nicholas Schaeffer became an extensive land owner and one of the most influential members of old Berks County. He married Juliana Margaretta Michael, whose parents sailed from Rotterdam, Hol- land, on the Phoenix, John Mason, Master, reaching Philadelphia September 15, 1749. The children of John Nicholas Schaeffer and wife were all born in Heidelberg Township of Berks County, as fol- lows : Christian, born July 24, 1753, became a large land holder in Dauphin County; Casper, born November 27, 1754; Margaretta, born January 1, 1757; Elizabeth, born March 4, 1759; Susanna, born January 13, 1761; Nicholas, born September 12, 1763; Felix, born February 17, 1766; Anna Margaret, born February 1, 1768; Michael, born May 15, 1770; William, born June 20, 1772; Johan, born January 1, 1775; and John born March 27, 1778. The father of these children died November 3, 1780, and his widow August 26, 1804. Members of the Schaeffer family have participated in every American war in the history of the nation, including the Revolution- ary, the Whiskey Insurrection, the War of 1812, the Mexican and Civil wars, the various Indian wars, the Spanish-American war, while a direct descend- ant, one of the Weaver family of Steuben County, Indiana, was in the present war with Germany. William Schaeffer, maternal grandfather of Peter F. Weaver, was born in Dauphin County, Pennsyl- vania, at the date above noted and died in 1831. In 1813 he married for his third wife Margaret Beck, who was born June 4, 1790. The children of Wil- liam Schaeffer were named Barbara, Samuel, Jacob, John, Margaret, Catherine, Susannah, Daniel, Peter, Mary and Lydia. William Schaeffer was a distiller in Pennsylvania and after his death his widow and her children managed the distillery. After her sons came to manhood she came to Fremont, Indiana, about 1844, where her sons Samuel and John were living. Jacob Weaver and wife with their two children, William Henry and Mary Amanda, left Pennsyl- vania in 1845, and they came to old Brockville in Steuben County, making the journey with a horse team. Jacob Weaver at that time bought thirty acres of land from Evert Parmenter, located a half mile northeast of the present town of Fremont. Only one acre had been cleared, and the only struc- ture was a small log house. Jacob Weaver did much to improve his circumstances, owning fifty- 'two acres of land and making a comfortable home and other provisions for his family. He lived there the rest of his life. He was a member of the German Methodist Church and a republican in poli- tics. His family consisted of four children : William Henry, born October 10, 1842, and died April 12, 1859; Mary Amanda, born September 23, 1844, wife of Henry Lott; Priscilla Ann, born August 22, 262 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 1846, and .died March 16, 1859, and Peter F., who was born September 24, 1848. Peter F. Weaver married March 30, 1873, Clara E. Fox. She was born July 27, 1854, a daughter of Jacob K. and Susannah (Michael) Fox. In the year of his marriage Mr. Weaver began farming on a place near the old home, but in 1889 he returned to the homestead and built the house in which he now lives in comfort. He has lived there for thirty years, and still looks after the farm. His wife died April 9, 1908. She was the mother of four children: Villa and Lillie, twins, born Janu- ary 10, 1875, the former dying September 28, 1875 ; Bertha May, born December 1, 1881 ; and Rolland J. Rolland J. Weaver, who was born February 26, 1894, is exemplifying the fighting blood of his Schaeffer ancestors, and is now in France with the Three Hundred and Ninth Supply Company of the Quartermaster’s Corps. He went to France June 6, 1918, landing at Brest on the eighteenth of the same month, and was still with the army of occupation in April, 1919. Arthur G. Smith, assessor of Johnson Town- ship, LaGrange County, has spent all his life on one farm in that locality, his place being located in Woodruff. Nearly fifty years ago at one corner of that farm stood an old tavern by the wayside and in that house Arthur G. Smith was born October 1, 1870. His parents were Michael and Sarah (Bower) Smith. His father was born in Alsace-Lorraine, a French subject, on May 24, 1837. The mother was born in Ohio, February 28, 1841. He died March 10, 1890, and she passed away August 17, 1903. Michael Smith came to the United States when a boy, the family locating in LaGrange County, where he grew up and learned the trade of blacksmith from his father. He worked as a blacksmith all the rest of his life and conducted a shop on the farm where Arthur G. Smith now lives. He was the father of eight children, five of whom are still living: Charles F., of Salt Lake City, Utah; Byron, a captain in the National army, and still in the overseas service in France in April, 1919; Arthur G. ; Eugene, who lives in Detroit, Michigan, and is foreman in the interlocking and signal department of the Pere Marquette Railroad; and Mayme, wife of Melvin Rowe, of Great Falls, Montana. Arthur G. Smith has spent his entire life in LaGrange County and is now cultivating land that has produced perhaps fifty successive crops for the Smith family. His farm comprises sixty-two and a half acres. He received his early education in the local schools and lived at home until he was twenty- one. On November 18, 1897, he married Cora M. Preston. She was born near LaGrange August 17, 1876, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Preston, and received her education in the public schools of LaGrange and was a successful teacher before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children : Hazel M., who is attending the high school at Wol- cottville ; and Carl F. and Glenn E., both in the common schools. Mr. Smith is a republican in poli- tics and was elected on that ticket to the office of assessor. Jacob Rheinheimer! The record of this well known citizen of Newbury Township introduces a prominent family of LaGrange County, one that has been a live and progressive factor in the county history for more than half a century. Jacob Rheinheimer was born in Newbury Town- ship February 27, 1870, a son of John and Anna (Miller) Rheinheimer. His mother was born in 1845, a daughter of Christian Miller, who was one of the early settlers in LaGrange County and died in Eden Township. Christian Miller married a Miss Hostetler. John Rheinheimer was born in Ger- many in 1840 and in 1861, at the age of twenty-one, settled in Holmes County, Ohio. Two years later, in 1863, he moved to LaGrange County, Indiana, was married here, and out of his careful savings bought a farm of eighty acres. In 1879 he sold that place and went to Oregon, where he remained from August to the following April. He then returned to LaGrange County and settled in Newbury Township, where he owns 138 acres. He died February 12, 1906, and his wife in 1886. Their children were Polly, Christian, Mary, Carrie, Jacob, John (de- ceased), Lizzie and Minnie. Jacob Rheinheimer grew up on a farm, had a pub- lic school education, and in 1899, twenty years ago, bought forty acres of his present home farm. Later he bought fifty acres more and also has another place of sixty-five acres in Newbury Township. He has acquired these properties through his long continued industry and good management and they represent practically financial independence. Mr. Rheinheimer is a breeder of Belgian horses. He and his family are members of the Mennonite Church. In 1891 he married Rachel Sunthimer, a daughter of Fred Sunthimer, while her maternal grandfather was Joseph. Miller, an early settler in LaGrange County. Reference to the Sunthimer family is made on other pages of this publication. Mrs. Rheinheimer died in 1895, the mother of three children, Uriah Ed- ward, John Frederick and Ira J. In 1898 Mr. Rhein- heimer married a sister of his first wife, Mary Ann, who at that time was the widow of Jacob J. Johns. By her first marriage she had two children, Addie and Hettie, both now deceased. Hettie married Eli Plank, and at her death left a daughter, Mary Cath- erine, who now lives with Mr. and Mrs. Rheinheimer. H. S. Platner is proprietor of the old Platner farm seven miles east of Auburn in Wilmington Township, and has 118 acres under a perfect state of cultivation and efficient management. Mr. Platner was born on this farm February 23, 1869, and has assisted in its cultivation for nearly thirty years. He is a son of Samuel and Sofia (Rey- nolds) Platner, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in Lancaster County March 14, 1814. They were married in Marion County, Ohio, farmed there for two years and in 1847 moved to DeKalb County, Indiana, first settling in Concord Township and later moving to Wilmington Township on the farm now owned by their son. The mother died there in 1893 and the father on March 26, 1895. He was a democrat and an active member of the Ma- sonic Lodge at Newville. Of the nine children three are now living: Laura, widow of Wiliam Stroh, of Auburn ; J. E. Platner, who lives near St. Peters- burg, Florida ; and H. S. Platner. H. S. Platner grew up on the home farm and had a district school education, supplemented by several terms in the Angola Tri-State College. He spent two years as a locomotive fireman on a western railroad, and on returning to DeKalb County he married Bertha Rose on May 4, 1891. She has lived in De- Kalb County since early girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Platner have two children : Joy, wife of Rolland Muhn, a contractor and carpenter t of Auburn; and Jessie Platner. They also have two grandchildren. Mr. Platner is affiliated with St. Joe Lodge No. 602, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a democrat in politics. Frank McKinley. For several years before his marriage Frank McKinley was working as an in- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 263 dustrial farm hand in LaGrange County, and about thirty-five years ago he settled on a farm in Spring- field’ Township and has been giving a good ac- count of himself as a local agriculturist ever since. For the past few years he has been a factor in the Mongo community, where he owns a small farm adjoining the village. He was born in Ashland County, Ohio, Septem- ber 9, 1855, a son of William and Sarah (Romine) McKinley. His paternal grandparents were Samuel and Mary (Starky) McKinley, the former a na- tive of Ireland. He married and lived for several years in Pennsylvania and moved to Ashland County, Ohio, when his son William was about four- teen years old. Samuel and Mary McKinley both died and are buried at Hayesville, Ohio. William McKinley, father of Frank, was edu- cated in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and during the early forties moved to Greenfield Township of LaGrange County, where for one year he rented a farm. That was before the old Plank Road to Fort Wayne was built This road is mentioned because his business in early days was freighting and teaming to Fort Wayne. Later he returned to Ohio, and in 1862 settled in Jackson Township of DeKalb County, Indiana, where he cleared up a tract of land and lived the life of a farmer until his death. He and his wife are buried in the Cedar Creek Cemetery. He held several local offices. William McKinley was twice married. He was the father of fourteen children by his two wives. His first wife was Mary Sheneman, and her children were Belle, Benjamin and Adam. For his second wife he married Sarah Romine, who was born at Woodruff, Indiana, a daughter of Ross Romine, who married a Miss Oliver. Ross Romine and wife were married at Woodruff in LaGrange Coun- ty, and lived there and also in Ohio. Six of the Romine sons were Union soldiers and two of them were killed in battle. The children of William McKinley and Sarah Romine were Ross, James, Samuel, Frank, William, Stephen, Alexander, Al- mida and Arminda, twins, Jane and Louisa. Of these Samuel, Alexander and Almida are deceased. Frank McKinley spent most of his early life in DeKalb County. The home in which he was reared was one of strict Presbyterian influence, both par- ents being stanch members of that church. At the age of twenty he came to Springfield Township, LaGrange County, and worked on the farm of John Booth until his marriage. He then located on the farm where his son Clyde now lives, and developed that place of eighty acres, putting up all the buildings and clearing part of the land. In 1916 he moved to his present home at the edge of Mongo, where he built a fine residence and has a farm of thirty acres well diversified, one of his specialties being the breeding of Duroc hogs. In 1883 Mr. McKinley married Miss Flora Cus- ter. She was born in Ohio and was two or three years old when her parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Roush) Custer, came to LaGrange County. Mr. and Mrs. McKinley bad five children: Bessie, Mrs. Herman Haskins, of LaGrange; Clyde C., on the old farm; Clifford, in a lumber yard at Jones, Michi- gan ; Evert, cashier of the State Bank at Hicks- ville, Ohio ; and Mildred, at home. Mr. McKin- ley has for many years been affiliated with Mongo Lodge of Knights of Pythias. Daniel Custer, father of Mrs. McKinley, was born in ■ Stark County, Ohio, August 29 , 1832 , a son of Isaac and Rebecca (Machen) Custer. Isaac Custer was born either in Scotland or of Scotch parents, while his wife was of Irish ancestry. Daniel Custer was one of a family of eight children, was reared and educated in Stark County, and married there Elizabeth Roush. She was a native of Tus- carawas County, Ohio, and a daughter of Frederick and Christina (Roush) Roush, who died in Tus- carawas County. James. Custer, a brother of Daniel, was a Union soldier during the Civil war. Daniel Custer brought his family to LaGrange County in 1866 , and after a brief residence at LaGrange lo- cated on a farm in Springfield Township, where he cleared the land and made a good home. His farm contained 120 acres, and both he and his wife died there. They were members of the Lutheran Church. In the Custer family were six children : Margaret, Mrs. Alonzo Wilson; Amanda, wife of John Fair; Jefferson; William; Flora, Mrs. Frank McKinley; and Ella, deceased wife of Ralph Fair. Sanford McElhenie is an intelligent and pros- perous young farmer of Steuben County, and in the twenty years since he attained manhood has made a great deal of progress in bettering his own circumstances and has at the same time been a factor in the welfare of several communities where he has lived and worked. Mr. McElhenie was born in Camden Township of Hillsdale County, Michigan, January 11, 1878, a son of Sanfrancisco and Margaret (Logan) Mc- Elhenie. His mother was born in Williams County, Ohio, a daughter of Robert and Caroline (Oven- house) Logan. Robert Logan moved from Williams County to Clear Lake Township of Steuben County in 1871, and spent the rest of his life on a farm south of Clear Lake. He was the father of seven children, named Elizabeth, Margaret, Samuel, Thomas J., Lettie, George W. and Clyde. James E. McElhenie, grandfather of Sanford, was born in Pennsylvania and married Priscilla Teeters, a native of Sandusky County, Ohio. From Ohio this family moved to Steuben County about 1853 and were among the early settlers of Clear Lake Township. James McElhenie spent the rest of his years in that township and died in August, 1894. He and his first wife had four children : Edgar M., Sanfrancisco, Elisha M. and Mary. After the death of his first wife James E. McElhenie married Lucinda Wallace, of Williams County, Ohio, and by that union there were six children, named Clara, Sadie, Cora, Della, Linnie and Ada. Sanfrancisco McElhenie, generally known as Frank, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, came to manhood in Clear Lake Township of Steuben County, and during his active career was a pros- perous farmer there, owning 120 acres in that town- ship and also fifty acres in Fremont Township. He retired from the heavier responsibilities of the farm in 'March, 1913, and has since lived in the Village of Fremont. Mrs. McElhenie died there June 9, 1918. They had one son and two daughters: San- ford, Jenrtie, wife of Earl Cope, and Hattie, wife of Ira Thomas. Sanford McElhenie, though a native of Michigan, has spent practically all his life in Steuben County. He acquired his early education in the district schools of Clear Lake Township, attended the Tri- State Normal College, and for several terms was a successful teacher. His home was with his par- ents until he was twenty-five years of age. In 1903 he began farming on eighty acres which he had bought in York township, and for fifteen years was one of the substantial agriculturists of that locality. In March, 1918, he moved to his present place in Fremont Township, where he has 120 acres in sec- tions 22 and 27 devoted to general farming and stock raising. Mr. McElhenie on June 24, 1903, married Laura 264 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Dean, a daughter of John and Rachel (Parr) Dean, of Litchfield, Michigan. To their marriage were born four children: John S., Rowena, who died March 5, 1919, Franklin S., who died May 1, 1914, at the age of six months, and Linnie Lucile. Mr. McElhenie is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Samuel P. Hostetler. The best Americans today are those whose energies are devoted to the produc- tive processes by which the world is fed and clothed. Measured by this standard, Samuel P. Hostetler, of Clay Township, in LaGrange County, has an enviable record. He has been a practical farmer all his life and has sought no honors beyond those connected with good honest toil and kindly relations with his community. He was born in Eden Township, September 27, 1871, and is of a family whose long connections with this part of Northeast Indiana have been surveyed on different pages of this publication. His grand- father was Moses J. Hostetler, who was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1812. He married Elizabeth Mast, who was born May 1, 1822. They were early settlers in LaGrange County, and Moses died April 17, 1894, and his wife August 9, 1889. Their children were John M., Elizabeth J., Elias M., Moses M., Eva, Paul J., Lizzie, Polly, Jacob J., David J., Andrew J., Uriah J. and Henry J. Paul J. Hostetler, father of Samuel P., was born November 25, 1847, in Holmes County, Ohio. Nov- ember 16, 1869, he married Esther Miller, who was born October 16, 1851, a daughter of Samuel D. and Fannie (Baumgardner) Miller, both natives of Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Samuel D. Miller moved from Somerset County to Newbury Town- ship of LaGrange County about 1843, and spent the rest of his life as an honored and diligent worker. He established his home in the midst of the heavy woods, built a log house and eventually cleared up and developed a good farm of 160 acres. The Millers were all members of the old order of the Amish Mennonite Church. In the Miller family were nine children: Sarah, who died in childhood, Joseph, Daniel, Mary, Elizabeth, Barbara, Esther, Samuel and Yost. Paul J. Hostetler began farming in Eden Town- ship soon after his marriage. He remained there about six years and spent the rest of his career in Newbury Township. His widow is still living on the old farm. Its buildings and improvements rep- resented his management and labor. He and his wife were also of the old order of the Mennonite Church. Paul Hostetler did a successful business as a farmer and stock raiser, and at one time owned about 800 acres of land. The children born to him and his wife were Samuel, Moses, Emma, who died December 4, 1876, Elmer, Perry, who died February 1, 1888; Paul Almon; Andrew Omer; and Early P. Samuel P. Hostetler acquired his education in the district schools of Eden Township, farmed in that locality, but about twelve years ago moved to his present place in Clay Township, where he owns 160 acres. Fie and his wife are members of the Men- nonite Church. March 11, 1893, he married Eliza- beth Yoder, and they have two children, Orley O. and Wilma. Orley married Bessie Nelson and has a daughter, Susannah. Mrs. Hostetler is a daughter of Jacob J. and Barbara (Miller) Yoder, the former born in Somer- set County, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1851, and the latter on October 22, 1853. Jacob J. Yoder, who died in 1913, spent many years of his life as a farmer in Clay Township. His children were: George A., Lydia, deceased, Jacob J., William M., Samuel J., Fannie, Elizabeth, Andrew, deceased, and Susan. John Crampton. Just as the young men of to- day have rallied to the defense of the country did the “boys of the ’6os” respond to the call for troops, and not only did the latter stay in the serv- ice as long as they were needed, but when they re- turned home they developed into fine citizens, as- sisting their government in times of peace as well as in those of war. The experiences of these old soldiers and the success attained by so many of them in the days after the war must prove encourag- ing to the veterans of the great war who face prac- tically the same problems. One of these honored veterans of the Civil war, who for many years was a leading agriculturist of Steuben County, is John Crampton of Steuben Township. John Crampton was born in Lincolnshire, Eng- land, September 24, 1841, a son of William and Mary (Oatfield) Crampton, the former of whom was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1817. In 1849 William Crampton came to the United States, leaving his family behind him until he could make a home for them, and the journey across consumed six weeks. In the fall of that year he located land in Steuben Township, Steuben County, Indiana, and in 1850 sent for his family. Mrs. Crampton came to join him, bringing the five children with her, and it took her thirty-one days to cross the ocean. They were poor and had to work hard, and before they died were very prosperous, owning one of the finest farms in the township. The five children born in England were as follows : Henry, John, William, Herbert and Tom, and after they were settled in Steuben County, three others, Martha, George and Jesse, were born to them. John Crampton was brought up to make himself useful at home, and when he began working for others, as he did when old enough, his services were of value. Although not born in this country, John Crampton is a loyal American and proved it very conclusively when he enlisted for service during the Civil war, on October 24, 1864, in Company A, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry. He received his honorable discharge September 14, 1865. Returning home, the gallant young soldier was united in marriage on November 28, 1865, to Amelia A. Shaver, a daughter of Franklin and Fila Shaver. The following December Mr. and Mrs. Crampton moved to DeKalb County, Indiana, where they were engaged in farming for 2 Rj years, and then re- turned to Steuben Township and bought land. In 1883 they built the brick residence they still occupy, and they have erected all the other buildings on the farm, as well as made many other improvements. The farm comprises 317 acres of very fertile land, and it is exceedingly valuable. During the earlier days Mr. Crampton was a contractor for digging ditches, and during that period conducted his farm with hired help. Mrs. Crampton is a most remarkable lady, being now in excellent health and holding the record for not requiring medical attention, for she has not called upon a physician for professional aid for fifty-three years with the exception of having had a broken bone set in her wrist. Mr. and Mrs. Cramp- ton have never had any children. They are known all over Steuben County, and few people are so popular. Mr. Crampton has always advocated im- provements in the public schools and of the public highways, and can always be relied upon to give his assistance to^ whatever measures are on foot to bring about a’betterment of existing conditions. / HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 265 Edward A. Wolfe. Of all the lines of business that engage the attention of men and firms in the United States today, none equal in importance those connected with the production and handling of food stuffs, particularly grain, the food of the world. The carrying on of this business in an honorable way, to assure justice both to themselves and the public, is a matter of grave Consideration with such firms as Wolfe & Bevington, owners and operators of two grain elevators at Shipshewana, and additionally in- terested along assimilated lines. The members of the above firm are men of sterling character and of con- siderable business experience, and both personally and as a firm they enjoy the confidence of the public. Edward A. Wolfe was born in Van Buren Town- ship, LaGrange County, Indiana, January 25, 1890, and is a son of Christian and Rosanna (Schwartz) Wolfe. Both were born in 1850, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and grew up and were married there. When they came to the United States they settled first in Ohio, coming from there to LaGrange County, Indiana, in 1880. The father bought forty acres of land in Van Buren Township and engaged in farming there for some years, then moved to St. Joseph County, Michigan, and there his death occurred in 1896 from a stroke of lightning. The mother of Mr. Wolfe still lives in Michigan. They had the following children: Rosa, Lucy, Frank, William, Ernest and Edward A., all of whom are living. Edward A. Wolfe attended the public schools and was graduated from the Brighton High School. In 1913, in association with his brother William Wolfe, he bought a grain elevator at Shipshewana, after farming for himself for a year. Then Frank Bev- ington bought a half interest in the elevator, and the firm of Wolfe & Bevington has become one of large importance here, owning and operating two elevators at present, buying wool and handling all kinds of farm products. In addition to carefully attending to the business of the firm Mr. Wolfe is a justice of the peace, to which office he was elected on the republican ticket. On November 30, 1913, Mr. Wolfe was united in marriage to Miss Norma Bevington, who then lived at Sturgis, Michigan, but was born in Ohio, Sep- tember 20, 1894. She is a daughter of Frank and Martha (Robeck) Bevington, now of Shipshewana. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His political support has been given the republican party ever since he reached manhood. During the World war Mr. Wolfe proved true and loyal. On September. 3, 1918, he enlisted for service in the Motor Transport Corps, going first to Lafayette, Indiana, and from there was trans- ferred to Fort Sheridan, Illinois, later to Camp Merritt, New Jersey, and from there to Camp Mills, Long Island. While at Fort Sheridan he was made truckmaster. His training was thorough, but be- fore his unit took passage for overseas the armistice was signed with the enemy, and soon after he was released from the obligations he had himself as- sumed when he felt such to be his duty. Frank Bevington, father of Mrs. Wolfe, and Mr. Wolfe’s business partner, was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, September 20, 1869, a son of James H. and Malinda (Hooks) Bevington, the former of . whom was born in 1837 in Van Wert County, and the latter in 1838 in Mercer County, Ohio. James H. Bevington was a farmer before he enlisted for service in the Civil war, in which he served two years in a heavy artillery regiment. Of his six children Frank was the third in order of birth. He was reared in Van Wert County and attended the public schools and took a course in the Ohio North- ern- University at Ada. For sixteen years he occu- pied himself in farming during the summers and taught school in the winters. In 1909 he removed to St. Joseph County, Michigan, where he bought a farm of 120 acres, and after selling that property became manager of the Sturgis Grain Company at Sturgis, and two years later bought a grain elevator at Atkins, Michigan, which he operated until 1915, when he came to Shipshewana, Indiana, bought a half interest in his son-in-law’s business, and since then has been one of the city’s active business men. In 1890 Mr. Bevington was united in marriage to Miss Martha Robeck, of Mercer County, Ohio, and they have had children as follows : Lillie, who be- came the wife of Alonzo B. Smith, of Van Wert County, Ohio, has two sons, Gordon and Gale ; Norma A., who is the wife of Edward A. Wolfe; Henry Guy, who was the first man to enter the World war from Newbury Township, LaGrange County, enlisting in August, 1917, and sailing for France in November following, and is yet in Europe; and Malinda C., who is a student in the high school at Shipshewana. Mr. Bevington has always given his political support to the republican party, but has never felt inclined to accept any public office. He was reared and has in turn reared his own family in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For many years he has been identified with the order of Odd Fellows and prizes his membership in the lodge at Ohio City, Ohio. ) Vernon L. Kepler, whose farm interests are lo- cated a half mile north of the village of Arctic in Troy Township of DeKalb County, is president of the Arctic Co-operative Shipping Association, one of the most successful marketing organizations of the farmers in that section of Northeast Indiana. The manager of the association is C. H. Fetter ; P. S. Farnham is secretary and treasurer, and the other directors are Charles Lehman, M. S. Enterline, Charles Ridge, Lewis Miller, George Harmon and Fred Kimple. Vernon L. Kepler was born in Franklin Town- ship of DeKalb County January 17, 1874, a son of Samuel and Malinda (Rosenbury) Kepler. His father was a native of Stark County, Ohio. The parents were married in Indiana, and then settled on a farm in Frankln Township, where they lived until the death of the mother. They were active members of the United Brethren Church and the father was a democrat. The children were: Nealia, wife of Henry Oberlin ; Alta, wife of William Lewis ; Mertie, wife of Jink Houlton ; Vernon L. ; and Jen- nie, wife of Ward Fisher. Vernon L. Kepler grew up on the home farm in Franklin Township and had a district school edu- cation. He remained at home with his father until he was twenty-five years of age. April 15, 1901, he married Mattie McClintock, who was born in Troy Township. They have four sons, Arthur, Chester, Ferm and Roscoe. Arthur completed the work of the common schools at the age of fifteen and is now in high school. Mr. Kepler is affiliated with Butler Lodge No. 158 of the Knights of Pythias and is past chancellor of the lodge. He is a republican, is present supervisor of his township and a member of the Township Committee. For a number of years he has been successfully identified with farming, and has a well improved place of 140 acres. Harlow J. Hern is one of the citizens of long- est residence and most honorable standing in La- Grange County. In fact he is one of the oldest living native sons. He was born near Plato in 266 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Bloomfield Township, December 22, 1834 or 1835. One part of his life record that commends him especially to the present generation was his service as a Union soldier during the Civil war. His parents were William and Sarah (Good- neau) Hern, both natives of the State of New York. The paternal grandfather, William Hern, followed his son William to Indiana, and spent his last days with him. The maternal grandfather also came to LaGrange County, but suffered so much from the ague, then prevalent here, that he re- turned east. William and Sarah (Goodneau) Hern came to LaGrange County from New York in 1837. That was a day when there were no railroads in the Middle West, and thev made the journey by team and wagon. Their first home was near Plato in Bloomfield Township, where they were partic- ipants in the historic Association Farm near where Brighton now is. Part of the land now owned by Harlow J. Hern was included in his parents’ possessions. Later William Hern owned the very farm where Harlow lived for so many years, a little west of Brighton, a portion including some of the old Association Farm. William Hern had about 180 acres, and cleared much of it and im- proved it with good buildings. He and his wife had three children: William, deceased; Susan E., deceased wife of Samuel Bradford; and Harlow J. Harlow J. Hern grew up in a pioneer community, attended the schools that were maintained near his home, and also was a student in a school at Salem, Ohio. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C of the One Hundredth Indiana Infantry. He enlisted as a private, later »was made corporal, and by special ability was assigned to scouting duty. While in command of a detachment of scouts and carrying dispatches to Knoxville he was accidentally wounded. His revolver was in his boot and as he jumped off his horse the trigger was caught in the bridle reins and the discharge caused a severe wound in his leg. After the war Mr. Hern lived on the old farm, and was actively identified with agriculture and stock raising there until his residence burned in February, 1917. Since then he has made his home at Brighton, where he has bought a residence. His farm until recently was the same size as that of his father’s. This farm is now occupied by his son-in-law, and a new home has been erected to replace the old one. Mr. Hern in former years raised fine cattle and standard bred horses. He has been a factor in community affairs, serving three years as township trustee. About 1856, in Ohio, he married Miss Martha Mix, a native of that state and a daughter of James and Naomi Mix. She died the mother of four children: Willis, Charles and Harlie, and Arthur died in infancy. Charles is now deceased. September 28, 1881, at Burr Oak, Michigan, Mr. Hern married Miss Mary A. Mohler, daughter of William and Esther Mohler, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. The Moh- ler family came to Indiana about 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Hern had four children : Mary, Grace, Ross and Maude. Grace is deceased. E. L. Kiester. One of the most progressive farmers and stockraisers of this part of Indiana is E. L. Kiester of Pleasant Township, Steuben County, who is known far and wide as a breeder of the large type of blooded registered Poland- China hogs. He was born in Noble County, In- diana, March 1, 1866, a son of Levi and Catherine (Cromley) Kiester. Levi Kiester was born in Alle- gheny County, Pennsylvania, and his wife was born in the same county. In 1842 Levi Kiester came to Indiana from his native state, locating on a farm in Noble County. At that time there were still Indians in that section of the state, and the most rigid pioneer conditions prevailed, so that the family suffered many privations, but lived through them and became well-to-do and active in local affairs. He owned and conducted a farm of 200 acres in Washington Township, Noble County, remaining there until his death in 1901. Levi Kiester and his wife had the following children: John, Mary, Emily, George, Charles, E. L. and Ambr.ose (who is deceased), and five others who died when very young. For a number of years Levi Kiester was well known as a Mason. The children of this generation would feel that they were very much abused if they had to attend a school like the one which housed E. L. Kiester and his schoolmates in Washington Township, Noble County, Indiana, and yet he and they there learned the fundamental principles to which they later added knowledge through experience and observation of men and events. There Mr. Kiester grew to manhood and began farming on the home- stead, but later went into a merchandise business at Defiance, Ohio, and conducted it for eight years, when he sold it, and in November, 1915, came to' his present 180-acre farm in Pleasant Township, Steuben County, Indiana, renting it until he moved on it, after he bought it in 1912. He has made practically all of the improvements on the place, including the erection of the buildings, and he has also increased the fertility of the soil, the farm having been very much run down when he bought it, but through the application of. scientific knowl- edge it has been completely reclaimed and is now one of the best rural properties in this part of the township. Experiment having taught him of the desirability of raising the large type blooded Poland China hogs, all registered, he has specialized along this line for some years and now has. some of the best swme in Northern Indiana. His success in farming and stock raising proves conclusively that it does pay to cultivate the land according to modern methods, and that time and money invested in this way makes large returns. Mr. Kiester married Nevada Harper, of Ligonier, Indiana, who died in early life, leaving him an infant daughter. In 1904 Mr. Kiester married Mary D. Hoyles, of Garrett, Indiana, who was born at Avilla, "Noble County, Indiana, a daughter of Simon and Ellamanda Beeber, early settlers of Noble County. Mr. and Mrs. Kiester have one son, Edwin Lee Kiester, at home. Mr. Kies.ter’s . daughter, Beulah, who married John Brown, lives in Canada. Mr. Kiester also has one step-son, Harry Hoyles, who lives in Decatur, Illinois. James H. Mills. The Mills home, known as the Drake farm, is in section 5 of Johnson Township, LaGrange County, in the same locality where Mrs. Mills has spent practically all her life. Ihe farm comprises eighty acres. Mr. Mills started out when he left home as a farm worker at monthly wages, and is one of the men who has achieved independ- ence in farming though starting with very limited capital. He was born in Johnson Township, August 10, 1870, a son of Charles H. and Hopey A. (Gardner) Mills. His father, a native of New York State, came to Indiana when a boy, grew up here and lived out his life as a farmer in Johnson Township. In politics he was a republican, and he and his wife were very devout members of the Methodist Church at Valentine and gave liberally to all church causes. Of their family of six children four are living: HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 26? James H. ; Clara, wife of Arthur Huff ; Laura, wife of Milton Bellman; and Vera, wife of Raven Drew. James H. Mills received a common school edu- cation and attended the high school one year. He was nineteen years old when he left home and be- came a wage earner by working for neighboring farmers, and he continued in that way until he had the experience and the meager capital which en- couraged him to start life independently. On August 1 7, 1890, he married Nina E. Drake, daughter of Joseph A. and Severnia E. (Turner) Drake. Her father was born in Wood County, Ohio, and her mother in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and after their marriage they came to Indiana about 1870, stopping at Waterloo and then settling in Johnson Township of LaGrange County, where they spent the rest of their years. Joseph A. Drake served three years as a Union soldier in the Civil war, and was a member of the Masonic order. Mr. and Mrs. Drake had two daughters': Elminda, born May 3, 1869, was married in 1888 to L. J. Baldwin and is now deceased. Nina E. was born September 9, 1873, and had a common school education. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have four children : Ethel E. is a graduate of the common schools and had three years in high school. She is now the wife of William H. Baker. Hazel, a graduate of the common schools, married Delbert Carney. Ilo is the wife of Herman H. Baker. Jasper D. is a graduate of the common schools and is now a student in the Wolcottville high school. The family are members of the Methodist Church and Mr. Mills is one of the trustees, while Mrs. Mills is secretary of the Ladies’ Aid Society and treasurer of the Missionary Society at Valentine. Both are members of the Gleaners. ’Silas H. Nugen. Probably every farm owner and farmer in DeKalb County claims acquaintance with Silas H. Nugen, who for many years has been a leader in the agricultural community and the pro- gressive affairs of farmers. Mr. Nugen’s career has been one of self help, and progress from limited circumstances to a position of one of the leading farmers and land owners of the county. He was born in Jackson Township of DeKalb County February 2, 1857, a son of John and Rebecca (Hughes) Nugen. His father was a native of Ire- land, came to the United States when a young man, lived in Ohio until after his marriage, and then came to DeKalb County and secured 160 acres in Jackson Township. His first home was a log cabin, and when that was replaced by a frame house a fire de- stroyed the building and he had to build over again. He was reared a Catholic but later became affiliated with the Methodist Church. He was a democrat in politics. John Nugen died about 1865, and was the father of six children. Silas H. Nugen, the only one of thesd children now living, grew up on the home farm in Jackson Township and was a small boy when his father died. At the age of fifteen he took upon himself the re- sponsibilities of earning his way and worked out at monthly wages and also attended winter terms of school whenever possible. For three years he was employed by John Sheffer and then for about three years was with William Carr. Being thrifty and in- dustrious he accumulated about $700, and with that capital he rented the Carr farm. He also bought an interest in a threshing outfit and operated it for two years. Mr. Nugen paid $1,300 for eighty acres covered with heavy timber, and as he cleared the land he sold the timber and put the cleared spaces into crops. September 1, 1885, he married Emma Bartels. At that time he moved to his present farm. Mrs. Nugen was born in Noble County, Indiana, but was living in Jackson Township at the time of her marriage. In connection with farming and clearing his land Mr. Nugen bought a threshing outfit and conducted it for thirteen years, rendering an important service to the grain growers of the county. Later he bought another eighty acres, and at the present time has 428 acres in DeKalb County. Along with the building up and management of his farming interests Mr. Nugen has again and again been called upon for public duties. He was elected and served five years as township assessor and later filled the office of township trustee six years. He was one of the organizers of the Grange in Jackson Township and was its master. He. is now manager of the Farmers Shipping .Association at Auburn and is treasurer of the DeKalb County Federation of Farmers. He is. affiliated with Auburn Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Nugen have seven children : Roy, Dorsey, John, Frank, Harold, Lelah and Hayes. Henry W. Kline is a well known farmer and onion grower in Troy Township of DeKalb County. Mr. Kline is a young man, but has much to show for the energetic years of his active career. He had only $250 of capital when he bought his present farm of seventy-one acres, and he has handled his land and its resources and his business affairs with such efficiency as to be considered one of the inde- pendent and substantial men of his community. He was born in Williams County, Ohio, October 17, 1882, a son of John and Christina (Kaiser) Kline, the former a native of New York State and the latter of Ohio. His parents were married in Williams County, and settled on a farm close to the Indiana line. They are members of the German Lutheran Church and the father is a democrat. There were twelve children, and those to grow up are: Henry W. ; Louise, wife of Daniel Erney; Clara, wife of William Linn; Clarence, of Elkhart, In- diana ; Fred, of Williams County, Ohio ; Charles, also of Williams County; Ida, Hettie, Wayne and Ernest, all at home. Henry W. Kline attended the district schools of his home community until he was sixteen years of age and lived at home with his parents until he was twenty-seven. On August 11, 1910, he married Lou A. Wise. She was a graduate of the Butler High School and for many years was a successful teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Kline are members of the United Brethren Church, the Zion Church, and he is superin- tendent of the Sunday school. He is also affiliated with Eden Lodge No. 644, Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a republican. Mr. Kline is a stock- holder in the Arctic Co-operative Association. Daniel Garlets. One of the improved farms in Springfield Township of LaGrange County is that owned by Daniel Garlets, much of the prop- erty having been in the possession of the family for nearly half a century. Mr. Garlets has been one of the busy and substantial men of his com- munity for many years. He was born near New r Philadelphia or Canal Dover in the Tuscarawas County, Ohio, February 5, 1857, a son of Peter and Maria (Fair) Garlets. His father died April 7, 1914, after having resided in LaGrange County for forty-seven years to the day. The mother died in 1889. Daniel Garlet grew up on the home farm from early childhood, at- tended the public schools of Indiana, and since early manhood has been a farmer. He owns 157 acres and for a number of years was one of the farmer specialists, growing vegetables and other 26 $ HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA truck. Besides the old home property he has other lands. Mr. Garlets is a republican and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1878 he married Miss Mary Faust, of Branch County, Michigan. Mr. Garlets has children, grand- children and great-grandchildren. His first wife’s two children were Willie and Pearl. Willie, who lives at Bronson, Michigan, married Eliza Jennings, a daughter of Edgar Jennings, of Springfield Town- ship, LaGrange County. Their two children are Clarice and Marie. Clarice is the wife of Joy Q. Dennis and is the mother of two children, Robert and Eegeru. Marie is the wife of Don Harris. The daughter Pearl married Carl Bartholomew and her five children are Claude, Kenneth, Oscar, Leon and Berneta, deceased. Mrs. Garlets died in 1900, and in 1901 he married Mary A. Campbell, who was born in Decatur County, Indiana, in 1877! To their marriage have been born five children, Goldie, Peter, Lucile, Eunice and Paul. Paul died at the age of two years. David B. Kuhns is known as a man who has achieved a worthy success, having started in life with little save the skill and strength of his hands and is now proprietor of the Lakeside Farm, situated on the banks of Long Lake in Noble and York townships of Noble County. He has 238 acres and is one of the enviable men who are now well estab- lished in American agriculture. Mr. Kuhns was born in Noble Township of Noble County January 20, 1862, son of Samuel and Martha (James) Kuhns. f|is father was born in Lancaster County, Ohio; and his mother in the same state. Samuel Kuhns came to Indiana as early as 1832, locating in the southern part of Noble Township, where he entered a fractional eighty acres. His wife’s people were also early settlers in York Town- ship and cleared up a farm there. After their marriage Samuel Kuhns and wife moved to Noble Township, where they spent the rest of their lives as industrious farmers. He was a republican in politics. In their family were four children: James M., deceased; Phoebe, wife of Thomas Collier, of Pierceton, Indiana; John, deceased; and David B. David B. Kuhns spent his early life on a farm adjoining the Lakeside Farm which he now owns. He attended the district schools and was fourteen years old when his mother died. Two years later he started out to earn his own living. He. worked in brickyards, on railroads and at other employment, and at the age of twenty-one found himself possessed of a wife and one horse. He then rented land from his father, and has made such good use of his opportunities and energies that he now owns not only his father’s old farm but also the farm of his wife’s father, altogether constituting one of the best landed estates in Noble County. December 25, 1882, Mr. Kuhns married Miss Catherine Taggart. She was born in Noble Town- ship of Noble County, December 25, 1864, daughter of John and Sarah (Mayfield) Taggart. Her father was born on the Isle of Man January 12, 1819, and came to America on a sailing vessel, being nine weeks on the ocean. Landing in New York, he came on west to Indiana and located near Ligonier. His first wife, Catherine Clark, whom he married on the Isle of Man, died soon after coming to the United States, leaving four children, Thomas R„ John J., William C. and Eliza. He then married Sarah Mayfield, who had been previously married and had one child, Elizabeth Fair. They became the parents of eleven children. Ten of them are still living, as follows: Edward; Lafayette; Martha; Sadie and Catherine, twins ; Sherman ; Sophronia ; Frank; Charles; and Amos. Catherine Taggart was reared in Noble Township, and attended the dis- trict schools near her home. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhns have four children : Dorris is a graduate of the common schools and was trained as a stenographer, and is now the wife of Hilbert Walters of South Bend. Samuel, after graduating from the high school and the Tri-State College at Angola, became a teacher and is now owner of the Albion Garage. He married Oma Shoe. The two youngest children of Mr. and Mrs. Kuhns are Dale and Glenn, both at home. Mr. Kuhns is affiliated with Albion Lodge No. 97, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is a past chan- cellor of the Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a republican. George Oliver Harding, of Clay Township, rep- resents one of the oldest families to settle in La- Grange County. The Hardings have been here for more than eighty years and their record is one of industrious and good citizenship and undoubted patriotism. George Oliver Harding, whose father died while a Union soldier, was born in Clear Spring Town- ship of LaGrange County, September 22, 1862. His grandfather, Oliver Harding, was a native of New York State and married Almina Leonard. In 1835 they brought their family from New York to Clear Spring Township, LaGrange County, entered 160 acres of land, and made some of the first clearings in the wilderness of this county. Oliver Harding did not live long to develop his holdings, since he died April 12, 1837, his wife passing away in October of the same year. They have four children : Leon- ard, born November 12, 1831 ; Levi, born August 26, 1833; Demick, born March 15, 1835; and Elisha, born April 22, 1837. Elisha Harding, who was born in Clear Spring Township, was one of the first white children born in that locality. He grew up there in pioneer days and in 1861 married Elizabeth Bain, daughter of Peter and Sarah J. (Schermerhorn) Bain. Elisha Harding soon left his young wife to go into the army, enlisting in the 129th Indiana Infantry. After he had been in service for a couple of years or more he' returned home on a furlough, and immediately on rejoining his command was sent to the hospital with erysipelas. Later he developed smallpox and died Januarjr 24, 1864. His widow survived him with one child, George Oliver, and after the death of the husband a daughter was born, Sarah Jane. Mrs. Elisha Harding after the death of her husband moved to Lima Township, and died March 25, 1903. George Oliver Harding attended district schools in Lima and Clay townships and has made the best of his opportunities through his industrious life. In 1883 he bought h'is home farm, comprising eighty acres in section 20 of Clay Township. In 1892 Mr. Harding married Martha E. Chrystler, a daughter of William and Van Lula (Latta) Chrystler. Mrs. Harding died February 11, 1909. The children, eight in number, most of them at home with their father, are Sarah Jane, Julia Catherine, Laura L., Esther Van Lula, Ruth A., Amy Viola, William Oliver and Gladys E. Raymond U. Bowser came to Spencerville from Allen County, Indiana, less than twenty years ago, and he and his wife had as cash assets not more than six dollars. He began farming, but his natural bent for salesmanship and business has been turned to advantage and he has built up an extensive busL ness at Spencerville, dealing in livestock, and han- dles a large amount of goods used both in town and HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 269 country, including fireproof safes, sheet metal for all purposes in buildings, pumps, plumbing supplies, windmills and gasoline engines. Mr. Bowser was born in Perry Township of Allen County, Indiana, September 17, 1878, a son of Theo and Celia A. (Gloyd) Bowser. His father was also born in Perry Township, and is still living on a farm in that county. The mother is deceased. Both were active members of the United Brethren Church, and Theo Bowser has been a republican. There were three children: Raymond U. ; Ivan, of Fort Wayne; and Homer, a farmer in Perry Township. Raymond U. Bowser grew up on the homestead farm, attended public schools and at the age of eighteen entered the Bowser factory at Fort Wayne, where he thoroughly learned a trade as a mechanic and machinist. He spent about five years there, and in 1900 came to DeKalb County and located on a farm west of Spencerville. Beginning . almost in poverty, he has made such good use of his time and opportunities that he owns today the most modern and best home in Spencerville and is also stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank and is one of the busiest men in the community. Mr. Bowser is a republican in politics and his wife is a Methodist. They have four children : Roy, who graduated from high school at the age of sixteen and is now assisting his father, Cleo, who has com- pleted the work of the common schools, and Gale and Ada. Fred C. Fast, who recently became identified with the business community of Angola, where he is ren- dering a useful service in helping supply that city with pure milk, is a member of an old and interest- ing family of Steuben County, where he himself was born and has spent his life. His grandfather was Christian Fast, who came to Northeast Indiana in 1852. He was born in Fay- ette County, Pennsylvania in 1814, son of Martin and Catherine (Blosser) Fast. In 1816 the family joined the few scattered pioneers of Ashland County, Ohio, where Christian Fast grew up in a frontier com- munity. On coming to Steuben County in 1852 he settled in Pleasant Township, where in the course of a quarter of a century he developed a fine farm, after taking it as wild land, and surrounded himself with every material comfort and evidence of popular esteem. He died December 13, 1898. In 1839 married Henrietta Sowle, who was born in New York State in 1820. They had a family of eight children. .... Allen Fast, a son of Christian Fast, is widely known in Steuben County as one of the former sheriffs. He was born in Ashland County, Ohio, August 25, 1845, and from the age of seven lived on his father’s farm in Pleasant Township. Winter terms of school and summer work in the fields were his early opportunities and advantages. He also learned the carpenter trade. From 1878 to 1882 he was trustee of Richland Township, and in the latter year was elected sheriff, and by re-election in 1884 served two terms. Since retiring from this office he has been primarily engaged in farming in Rich- land Township, but is now living retired in Angola. He has been noble grand of his lodge and four times represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of Indiana Odd Fellows. In 1864 he married Julia A. Sowle, daughter of Isaac and Ann Marietta Sowle. She died in 1866, the mother of one child, Curtiss. Allen Fast married in 1869 Emma Gaskell, who was born in Scott Township of Steuben County, daugh- ter of Asa and Emily (Goodale) Gaskell. By this union there were four children, Stanley, Fred, Ethie and May. Mr. Fred C. Fast was born at Metz February 25, 1878, and supplemented the advantages of the dis- trict schools of York Township with studies in the Tri-State Normal College at Angola. As part of his life experience and service he taught school twenty-two months. After that he settled down to the industrious business of farming in Richland Township, and for fifteen years also operated a saw- mill and converted a large amount of native timber into good hardwood lumber. In the spring of 1919 he left his farm and established his retail dairy busi- ness at Angola. Mr. Fast married in 1900 Miss Artie Deller, daugh- ter of John A. and Lucy (Mercer) Deller. They have four interesting young children, Ralph, Wanda, Margaret and Christian. Mr. Fast is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and is a past chancellor of Metz Lodge No. 411. With his family he is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. Melvin Eugene Wilson. The Wilsons have been regarded as one of the most permanent families of LaGrange County, and their activities as farmers and good citizens have made them especially well known in Springfield Township. Melvin Eugene Wilson was born in that town- ship June 1, 1857, a son of Wallace William and Elizabeth (Notestine) Wilson. Wallace W. Wil- son came to LaGrange County when a young man, was married, and in 1861, at the call of his coun- try, he left his farm and his family to enlist in Company G of the Thirtieth Indiana Infantry. He served as a courageous soldier until he was shot in the leg in the battle of Stone River. He died and was buried at Nashville, Tennessee. He left two children, Isaac Elonzo and Melvin Eugene, the latter be : ng about six years old when his father died. The widowed mother carefully reared her two sons and lived to the advanced age of eighty- six, passing away February 22, 1917. Melvin Eugene Wilson received his primary edu- cation in Springfield Township, and since early youth has known no other occupation than farm- ing and has always been a resident of his present community. He bought the farm where he now lives about 1906. This farm has two complete sets of building improvements, and the buildings where his son Roy lives were put there by Mr. Wilson himself. He owns 290 acres, and he and his son are well known stockmen, keeping pure- bred Shorthorn cattle, Duroc Jersey hogs, high grade Shropshire sheep and grade horses. In 1880 Mr. Wilson married Miss Catherine Alice Horner. She was born in Fayette County, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of William and Mary (Milhuff) Horner. Her parents came from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, to LaGrange County in 1868 and settled in Greenfield Township, where they spent the rest of their lives on a farm. Mrs. Wil- son’s grandparents all lived out their lives in Pennsyl- vania. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, the two oldest, Earl and Marvin dying young. Corda is the wife of Claud Funk and has a daughter, Margaret E., their home being on her father’s farm in Greenfield Township. Roy is asso- ciated with his father in farming and on February 22, 1916, married Miss Neva McKinzie, daughter of Nelson McKinzie, a native of Springfield Township. Roy and wife have one daughter, Evelyn May. John B. A. W. Mugg. Members of the Mugg family were identified with the pioneer element in Pleasant Township of Steuben County, locating there during the decade of the thirties. A promi- nent representative of this family was the late John 270 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA B. A. W. Mugg, who began life a poor boy and by industry and good judgment acquired a competence. He was a farmer and business man and was widely known throughout Steuben County. He was the son of Jesse J. and Elizabeth (Squires) Mugg. Jesse J. Mugg was born in Yates County, New York, February 13, 1814, and married Elizabeth Squires, a native of Ontario County, New York, January 17, 1818. The date of their marriage was June 12, 1836, in Sandusky, Ohio, and between the years 1841 and 1844, they came to Steuben County, Indiana, where they engaged in the hotel business at Angola. Jesse J. Mugg died at Angola, September 9, 1864. His wife passed away December 6, 1854. Their children were : Sarah Caroline, born July 13, 1839, a t Sandusky, Ohio, died at Angola, November 21, 1857; Mary Jane, wife of Charles Merriam, born September 8, 1841, in Sandusky County, Ohio, died in Chicago in 1903 ; Adaline Louisa, born June 25, 1844, at Angola, died March 20, 1845, at Angola; Francis Lafayette, born June 21, 1846, at Angola, died February 28, 1847, in the town of his birth; John B. A. W. (the subject of this memoir), born October 13, 1850, in Angola, died November 1, 1910, at Angola; Helen Eliza, born June 27, 1848, at Angola, wife of Andy Hackett, deceased, who resides at Beatrice, Nebraska, the only surviv- ing member of her parents’ children. Jesse J. Mugg married for his second wife, Nancy Nichols, on December 24, 1861, but there were no children by that union. Concerning Jesse J. Mugg’s career it may be stated that by trade he was a shoe- maker, and when he first came to Angola he pur- chased lots from the northeast corner of the public square east to Martha street. On the corner of East Maumee and the public square, was a building in which Mr. Mugg conducted a shoeshop. Subse- quently he owned and conducted the Russell House, then known as the Eldorado. He owned a stock of goods in the Carver building; in 1852 he and his wife moved this stock to Elkhart; where they con- ducted a store two years, and in 1854 returned to Angola, to the same building they had left. Mr. Mugg soon built a building just west of the Russell House, into which he moved his general stock of merchandise. Later, he sold out his stock to John Bigler, who moved it to Michigan. In 1855 Mr. Mugg bought the property on the corner of West Maumee and North Superior street, where he remained until his death, September 9, 1864. During the time he resided in Angola, he was county treasurer, from 1844 to 1850. He had stock in the Jonathan Weaver grist-mill and after its destruction by fire, he went into the rebuilt mill in order to retrieve his loss. Politically, Mr. Mugg was a democrat, and his fra- ternal society affiliations were numbered among the Masons and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was one of the original members of the Angola Lodge of Odd Fellows formed in 1857. John B. A. W. Mugg, son of the above named Jesse J. Mugg, born in Angola, Indiana, October 13, 1850, lived in the place of his birth until the death of his father in 1864, when he went to Clyde, Ohio, to live with his uncle, Basil Mugg. His. uncle had a life scholarship at Hillsdale College (Michigan) and John was sent there, but not liking it, returned to Clyde. When seventeen years of age, he went to Missouri, where he clerked in a store, but finally returned to Angola, where he lived with his sister, Helen Eliza, wife of Andy Hackett. At the age of twenty-one, he again returned to Clyde, Ohio, and settled up with his uncle, who had been his legal guardian, and then came to Angola. He was not given his full name until large enough to talk. His father wanted him named Warwick and the mother desired his name to be Arthur. His uncle, Basil Mugg, told him if he would have his name — John Basil, he would give him a colt. After that he called himself John Basil Arthur Warwick Mugg. When he went to Clyde to make settlement with his uncle, he received the promised colt and rode it back to Angola. He of whom this sketch is written was reared and educated mostly in Angola, and from 1888 to 1891, was engaged in the grocery business, having for his partner his father-in-law, Moses L. Freligh. In 1894 Mr. Mugg moved to his farm at the west end of Crooked Lake, in Pleasant Township, but in 1900, returned to Angola and in 1907, built the substan- tial brick home at the corner of North Wayne and Broad Streets, where his daughters, Lola and Mabel, now reside. Mr. Mugg was united in marriage March 18, 1880, to Miss Sophia Adelaide Freligh. She was born in Pleasant Township, Steuben County, September 1, 1858, daughter of Moses L. and Eleanor (Lockwood) Freligh. Her father was born in Ontario County, New York, May 12, 1828, and her mother in the same county and state, May 20, 1833. John Freligh, father of Moses Freligh, came from Holland to Clyde, Ohio, when he was twelve years old. Moses Freligh came to Steuben County in 1834; he was married December 16, 1856, and lived on the old Freligh farm three and one-half miles northeast of Angola, where his father had settled upon coming to this county. By occupation Moses Freligh was a farmer, but was also interested in business in Angola, where he died May 30, 1908. His wife passed away November 30, 1914. They had celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1906. Eleanor Lockwood was a daughter of James and Ann (Berry) Lockwood, who in the spring of 1837, ar- rived in Steuben County and settled on a farm that is now owned by Charles McClue. Ann Berry Lockwood came from Ireland when four years of age. In 1855 James Lockwood moved to Atlantic, Iowa, where his wife died October 21, 1876, aged sixty-nine years and seven months. He then re- turned to Steuben County and lived here till death in 1881, at the age of seventy-seven years and four months. James Lockwood was a carpenter by trade. He and his wife had the following children : Ann, born July 27, 1829, died August 10th of the same year ; Albert, born September 29, 1830, and died August 2, 1861 ; Eleanor, born May 20, 1833, died November 30, 1914; Lucy Kirk, born March 29, 1836; Adelaide, born April 28, 1844, died August 9, 1852. Moses and Eleanor Freligh had two children, Sophia Adelaide and Elfie May. The latter was the wife of Fred L. Picket, and after his death became the wife of Homer S. Green of Bluffton, Ohio. By her first husband, she had a daughter, Emma L. Picket Clymer. Mrs. Clymer has one child, Margaret Louise, born October 14, 1915. Concerning Mrs. Mugg it should be said that she was a well educated woman, having attended high school under Professor Williams and Professor Albert W. Long. Mr. and Mrs. Mugg were the parents of two daughters, Lola Inez and Mabel Ade- laide, of whom further mention will be made. Mr. Mugg, after enjoying the prosperity earned by his years of industry, spent the last years of his life in comfort and died November 1, 1910. His widow passed away May 17, 1917. Politically, Mr. Mugg was a democrat and in lodge affiliations was a member of the Masonic order, also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. In Masonry, he had ad- vanced high and was a member of Angola Com- mandery No. 45, Knights Templar. Both he and HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 271 his wife were charter members of Irene Court No. 44 of the Tribe of Ben Hur. Of the two daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Mugg, above named, it should be said that Lola Inez was born in a home owned by her grandfather, Freligh, on North Wayne street, May 5, 1888, and graduated from the Angola High School June 1, 1907. She completed her course in the Tri-State College June 1, 1916. She is a graduate in music with the degree of B. M., also finished a course in art, and has been a talented and successful teacher. For two years she taught music in Fort Wayne, from May, 1915, to May, 1917. Mabel A. Mugg, sister of Lola Inez, was born in Angola, May 28, 1892, graduated from high school in 1909, and for three years attended the Tri-State College. She began teaching in 1910, and for two years was at Churubusco, one year at Helmer, and she also taught three years in the South Whitley High School. The sisters, Lola I. and Mabel A. Mugg, own a business block in Angola, and a farm of two hun- dred acres in Pleasant Township. While enjoying incomes from a substantial property, they have al- ways sought lines of special usefulness and. effort, and have rendered much good service in their com- munity. Lola is an active worker in the First Con- gregational Church and her sister, Mabel, in the Christian Church of Angola. Both belong to the Eastern Star Chapter and the Rebekahs, the latter being a Past Noble Grand, while Lola is a member of the Pythian Sisters. Both Lola and Mabel re- ceived the decoration of Chivalry conferred by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows November 8, 1919, at Kendallville. William H. Marks. There are several localities in LaGrange County that are able to appreciate the abilities of William H. Marks as a farmer and business man. It was his ability to direct farming operations on a large scale that constituted the quali- fications leading to his appointment as superintend- ent of the DePauw University lands in Clear Spring Township. This is a large body of 733 acres. He manages the lands and all the operations, and in- dividually farms a large part of the tract himself. Besides this work, which obviously requires most of his time, he himself owns a farm in Clay Township. He was born in Clay Township, March 27, 1864, a son of David and Anna (Eiman) Marks. His father was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1842 and his mother was born in Johnson Township of LaGrange County, February to, 1841. David Marks came to LaGrange County when a boy, grew up and married in Johnson Township, then moved to Clay Township, later bought a farm in Broomfield Town- ship, and after many years of residence retired to the city of LaGrange, where he spent the rest of his life. He was a democrat. He and his wife had six children: William H. ; Nancy A., who is married and lives in Oregon ; Martha E., wife of Albert Bixler; Florence, wife of Frank Duncer ; Daisy, wife of James Corry; and Bertha J., widow of Fay Cresler. William H. Marks was seven years old when his parents moved to LaGrange, and he acquired an education in the public schools of that city, but in early manhood decided upon farming as his choice of vocation. On December 16, 1886, he married Miss Rebecca C. Bushong. She was born in Bloomfield Township, Februa^ 10, 1867, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Moffett) Bushong. Her early edu- cation was acquired in the public schools of Rome City. After his marriage Mr. Marks began farming in Clay Township, but after several years moved to Johnson Township, then to Clear Spring Township, and for seven years again lived on his farm in Clay Township. Several years ago he was appointed superintendent of the farms owned in Clear Spring Township by DePauw University. Mr. Marks is affiliated with Star in the West Lodge No. 159, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, also with the Knights of the Maccabees, and is a democrat in politics. He and his wife have five children : Virgil D., a graduate of the common schools ; Hazel M., who also completed her work in the common schools and is the wife of Glenn Mooney; Carl J., who has finished school and is still at home ; Melvie B., wife of Norman Dodge; and Vera V., a graduate of the common schools. Hon. Orville Carver. At no time in the last half century has the community of Angola been unappre- ciative of the services and the possession of Orville Carver. He fought as a soldier of the Union in the Civil war. He was in the drug business for so many years that the people of Angola came to look upon his store as a permanent feature of the business district. He was postmaster fifty years ago, and has been a member of the State Senate, prominent in republican politics, and in many ways has con- stituted the ideal of good citizenship. Mr. Carver was born at Hebron in Tolland County,' Connecticut, August 20, 1843, a son of Dr. Lewis E. and Frances A. (Porter) Carver. His parents were also natives of Connecticut. In 1845 the family came west and settled in Steuben County, at Orland, then known as Vermontville, where Doctor Carver prac- ticed his profession of medicine, riding horseback over three counties. In 1850 he moved to Angola, and lived there until his death. There were many interruptions to his career as a phygcian. In 1849 he was elected county treasurer, and after three years was elected county recorder. When his official duties required his presence at Indianapolis he made the trip on horseback from Angola. He was one of the first members of the republican party, and was a strong anti-slavery man. In the early days his home was a station on the underground railroad. His wife, Frances A. Carver, was a member of the Pres- byterian Church. In his religious views he was lib- eral. Doctor Carver and wife had eight children: Eugenia, deceased; Orville; Adelaide, deceased; Os- car; Adelbert, deceased; Eugene; Frank; and one that died in infancy. Orville Carver was seven years old when his parents moved to Angola, and he received his early education there in the public schools. While he lost much during his school days by his early enlistment he believes that it intensified his loyalty and patriot- ism. He was only seventeen when he enlisted, in May, 1861, in the Fourth Michigan Infantry, and after a few weeks of training participated in the first battle of Bull Run. He was also in the Penin- sular campaign, Antietam, Gaines Mills, Malvern Hill, second battle of Bull Run, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, Petersburg, Gettysburg and Fredericks- burg. He participated in forty-two engagements, both large and small. At the battle of Gettysburg he was struck by a minie ball, but was not in a hos- pital during his service of over three years. He was mustered out at Detroit in July, 1864, but later re- enlisted, this time in Hancock’s veteran corps, and was with the army until some months after the close of hostilities. 272 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Mr. Carver returned to Angola to engage in the drug business, and that was the enterprise by which he was perhaps best known to the people of the com- munity for forty years. In 1869, under President Grant, he was appointed postmaster, and for fourteen years kept the postoffice in his store. In 1889, with W. G. Croxton, Mr. Carver organized the Steuben County State Bank, and has been one of its directors and its vice president for thirty years. There are many other relationships by which he has been identified with the community. At one time he was trustee of Pleasant Township, and was elected a member of the State Senate to succeed James Drake. For ten years he was a trustee of the Tri-State Normal College, and one of the men most active in promoting the upbuilding of that in- stitution. He also served as the first mayor of Angola, and for three successive terms was chairman of the republican county committee. He was on the governor’s staff at the World’s Columbian Ex- position at Chicago, with the rank of lieutenant colonel of artillery. He was a delegate to the Na- tional Convention of 1884 when James G. Blaine was nominated. He also attended as a delegate the Progressive National Convention at Chicago in 1916. Mr. Carver has been affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for more than half a century, and in 1885 was a member of the Grand Lodge, and was one of the members who located Circil Hill Cemetery, and was a trustee over thirty years. He was also one of the trustees of the order during the construction of their lodge building, 62 by 210 feet, the largest structure in the city. He was a charter member of the Silver Gray Fishing Club thirty-six years. For many years he has also been an active member of the Grand Army of the Re- public. He and his family are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Carver has owned two farms near Angola, one of 160 acres 2^4 miles south- west, and the other of thirty-three acres about a mile from Angola, but the smaller farm is now owned and occupied by his son Lewis. In 1867, at Union City, Michigan, Mr. Carver mar- ried Miss Fronia Thayer, daughter of E. Thayer, formerly of New York. Mrs. Carver died in 1889, without children. In 1892 he married Miss Flor- ence Bowman, daughter of a former sheriff of Steuben County. She is the mother of his two sons, Edwin B. and Lewis O., twins, born August 18, 1895. Both sons were educated in the grammar and high schools, and attended Tri-State College. Lewis mar- ried Rose Gale, and has one son, Waldo O. The son Edwin was taking an engineering course at the Tri- State College when he was called into active service as a member of the National Guard for duty on the Texas border. Later as sergeant of Company B of the One Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Field Ar- tillery he went to France. Mr. Carver is proud of the service he and his sons have rendered to their country. Ora B. Notesxine. More than seventy years have passed since the Notestine family became es- tablished in LaGrange County. They have been people of the highest worth and respectability, have been good farmers and have supplied patriotic citi- zenship to their community, state and nation. Ora B. Notestine is one of the younger genera- tion, and owns one of the good farms of Spring- field Township. He was born on that farm Feb- ruary 26, 1870. His parents were John and Maria (Brown) Notestine. His father was born in Ohio, September 11, 1832, and his mother in New York State, October 15, 1831. In 1847 the Notestine family, consisting of Nicholas and Sarah Note- stine and their children, including John, set out from Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and after a num- ber of days of travel reached Springfield Township of LaGrange County. Nicholas Notestine acquired 120 acres, which he developed as a farm and later bought forty acres more. He died in Springfield Township in April, 1870, and his wife in 1885. Their children were : Lavina, born September 24. 1825; Peter, born February 20, 1828; Elizabeth, born April 14, 1830; John, born September 11, 1832; Henry M., born March 24, 1835, and died young; Sarah, born November 24, 1837 ; Isaac, born February 2, 1843; Della Ann, born March 20, 1846; Delilah, born December 31, 1848. John Notestine was fifteen years old when brought to Indiana. He acquired most of his edu- cation in his native state, but also . attended school in LaGrange County. Besides farming he also followed the trade of carpenter. He bought forty acres of land and later traded it for forty acres now owned by his son Ora, and also bought the other forty acres which makes that a complete farm of eighty acres. He lived there until his death in March, 1917. His widow is still living, residing with her son Ora. John Notestine was a republi- can and voted for Lincoln. He and his wife had four children : Charles R., born February 6, 1857 ; Armida, born January 10, 1859; Hattie, born June 26, 1865 1 and Ora B., born February 26, 1870. Ora B. Notestine grew up on the home farm and besides the district school attended the LaGrange High School. For a quarter of a century he has been operating the old homestead of eighty acres and is regarded as one of the men in LaGrange County who thoroughly understand the business of agriculture and stock farming. Politically he is a republican and for four years was honored with the office of trustee of Springfield Township. November 30, 1899, he married Miss Anna Fair. She was born in Springfield Township, October 1, 1873, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Strome) Fair, and a granddaughter of John Fair, one of the early pioneers of LaGrange County. Mr. and Mrs. Notestine had eight children, named Carl Gerald, Pauline Augusta, Harriet May, Harold Ora. Isabel Pearl, Charles Franklin, Marie Elizabeth, and Paul Gaylord. But the youngest died in infancy. Harry K. Brandeberry. It is remarkable how many of the farmers of Steuben County are the sons of farmers, this region giving to the state some of the best agriculturalists because they have been trained in their line of work from boyhood, and have always been interested in it. One of the men who comes under this classification is Harry K. Brandeberry, whose father was one of the early settlers of Steuben County and a farmer of Rich- land Township, where the son now resides. Harry K. Brandeberry was born in Richland Township July 6, 1877, a son of Isaac and Thressa (Thomp- son) Brandeberry. The father was born in Carroll County, Ohio, July 20, 1833. He was married in Williams County, Ohio, his wife having been born there February 12, 1840, although in the meanwhile he had come to Steuben County in 1854, securing land in the woods in Richland Township. On this he built a log cabin and cleared off his land. Al- though he had left home and become self-supporting when only thirteen years old, he prospered and became a man of considerable means, at his death, September 14, 1909, owning two farms of 140 acres HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 273 of land and property in Angola. In addition to farming he bought and sold considerable farm land, but in his later years lived in retirement at Angola. His wife died many years before him, passing away April 16, 1885. They had the following children : Olive, who is the widow of Bruce Garwood; W. C., who is a farmer of Richland Township; Edna, who is the wife of S. C. Hammond, a son of Dr. A. Hammond ; and Harry K., whose name heads this review. Mrs. Brandeberry was an earnest member of the Christian Church. Harry K. Brandeberry attended the public and high schools at Angola, being graduated from the latter May 28, 1892, and he later was a student for several terms at the Tri-State College at Angola. In 1002 Mr. Brandeberry moved on his present farm in Richland Township, since which time he has erected a comfortable residence, and here he is carrying on general farming and stock raising. He also owns another farm of fifty acres in Richland Township. In politics he is a republican. His fraternal connections are with Metz Lodge, Knights » of Pythias, the third largest of this order in the county, which has a fine hall of its own. On March 1, 1902, Mr. Brandeberry was married in Richland Township to Miss Ina Gasser, who was born in Scott Township November 20, 1881, a daugh- ter of Frederick and Charlotte (Tuttle) Gasser, and granddaughter of Benedict Gasser, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. Frederick Gasser and his wife are now living in comfortable retire- ment at Angola, but were formerly farming people of considerable prominence in Scott Township. They had two children, namely : Lena, who is the wife of John Carson, of Angola; and Ina, who is Mrs. Brandeberry. Mr. and Mrs. Brandeberry have one son, Harold Kelley, who was born October 11, 1903, is now attending the Metz High School. He and his mother belong to the Christian Church. Mr. Brandeberry is a man of sterling worth and stands well in public esteem. His family is an old and honored one in the county, as is that of Mrs. Brandeberry, and their connections are many in this part of the state. Myron Atwater has been a citizen of Clay Township, LaGrange County for over half a cen- tury, and is one of the staid and prosperous farmers and land owners of that community, still enjoying good health, a reasonable degree of prosperity, and the fullness of esteem on the part of his neighbors and friends. Mr. Atwater was born in Luzerne County, Penn- sylvania, October 27, 1841, a son of Thomas S. and Hannah (Enos) Atwater and a grandson of Luther Atwater. His parents were both natives of New York State. Thomas S. Atwater came to LaGrange County, Indiana, in 1855, and from that time until his death in 1872 lived in Lima Township, about a mile northwest of the village of Lima. He had married for his first wife a Miss Conner, and had one daughter, Margaret. His second wife, Hannah Enos, who died in 1875, was the mother of four children named Myron, Charles L., John and Monroe. Myron Atwater as a young man worked on his father’s farm. He was fourteen years old when brought to LaGrange County, had a common school education, and in April, 1865, came to the farm in Clay Township where he lives today and where it is a matter of satisfaction to him to survey the many improvements that have grown up under his hands and management. All the good buildings on the farm have been put there during his ownership. His farm comprises 160 acres. Vol. 11—15 Mr. Atwater served one term as trustee of Clay Township, and his son, Walter, is now filling the same office. February 11, 1867, he married Ann Brinley, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Guy- singer) Brinley. Mrs. Atwater died in 1908, the mother of eight children: Nellie, wife of Albert H. Yoder; Thomas, a farmer in Haskell County, Kansas; Mary, wife of Elmo Neely; Walter, the present township trustee; Jessie, wife of Norman Zimmerman; Grover, on the farm with his father; and two children that died in infancy. After the death of his first wife Mr. Atwater married Mrs. Laura (Cripe) Schrock. By her first husband she had three children, named Mabel, Carl and Lettie Schrock. Wallace Abel. The present representative on the Board of County Commissioners of DeKalb County from the southeastern district is Wallace Abel, member of one of the oldest and best known families of that part of the county, and his own record as a farmer, business man and public-spirited citizen has given him every title to the confidence expressed in his incumbency of his present office. Mr. Abel, who is also a trustee of Newville Town- ship, where he resides, was born in Concord Town- ship November 4, 185!, a son of George and Ann (Milliman) Abel. His mother was a daughter of John and Mary (Warren) Milliman, both natives of New York State. Mary Warren was related to General Warren, one of the first American officers to lose his life in the Revolutionary war. George Abel was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, and his wife in New York State. Later both families came to Indiana and settled in DeKalb County in pioneer times. George Abel and wife after their marriage began farming in Concord Township, and he lived there until his death. His widow is still a resident of St. Joe, aged eighty-six years, and is a member of the Christian Church. George Abel died in 1862. He was the father of five children, and the three now living are Wallace, Charles, a carpenter in Michigan, and Fremont, whose home is at St. Joe. Wallace Abel grew up on the farm in Concord Township, had a limited common school education, and was eleven years old when his father died. After that he helped on the farm and lived with his mother until he was twenty-one. In 1876 he married Antoinette Coburn. She was born in Newville Township August 10, 1858, a daugh- ter of William and Lovesta Coburn, and had the advantages of the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Abel have four children: Roy, born May 15, 1877, Bessie, born September 24, 1879, Blanche, born March 19, 1882, and Gladys, born July 24, 1895. The son is a graduate of the St. Joe High School and is identified with farming on the home place. The daughters were all well educated, Gladys graduating from the Butler High School and was formerly a teacher. The daughters are all married. Mrs. Abel is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Abel is treasurer of William Hacker Lodge No. 326, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Politically he has been active in the democratic party for a number of years. He served four years as trustee of Newville Town- ship and was elected to the Board of County Com- missioners and entered upon his duties January 1, .1915. In 1917 he was elected for a second term. He follows general farming and stock raising and has eighty-seven acres in Newville Township. Ambrose L. Logue is a native of Iowa but has spent most of his life in LaGrange County and is known among his neighbors of Milford Township as a suc- cessful general farmer and stockraiser. His home is in section 22 of that township. He has interests in 274 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA several business concerns and his career has been one of steady progress towards prosperity and the full usefulness of manhood. Mr. Logue was born at Winfield, Iowa, September 28, 1864, a son of Emanuel and Julia A. (Adams) Logue. His father, a native of Maryland, was edu- cated as a minister of the Church of God, and as a missionary he built and organized the first Church of God west of the Mississippi River. That was in 1857, and he labored in Iowa until his death in 1867. The widowed mother is still living, with home at Morning Sun, Iowa. Ambrose L. Logue was three years old when his father died, and he was afterward adopted by David and Sarah Bixler, with whom he came to Indiana. He grew up in the home of his foster parents and attended the Kendallville High School. In 1885 Mr. Logue married Ida Foster. They have a son, Clar- ence, who was educated in the common and high schools and lives in Chicago. Mr. Logue owns 128 acres and is still actively engaged in farming. He is a past grand of South Milford Lodge No. 619 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a past chief patriarch of the en- campment and has served as district deputy grand master. Politically he is a democrat. Daniel Dague has been a respected resident and industrious farmer of Greenfield Township in La- Grange County for forty years. His early life be- fore coming to this county was spent in Ohio and Michigan, where his parents resided. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, April 14, 1849, a son °f Levi and Harriet (Flackinger) Dague. His father was born in Wayne County in 1824 and his mother in Pennsylvania, August 7, 1822. They were married August 7, 1845, and about 1867 they moved to Branch County, Michigan, where Mrs. Levi Dague died in 1872. She was the mother of five children : Mary Ann, born Sep- tember 20, 1846, in Ohio; Daniel; Susan, born September 19, 1850; Jonas, born October 26, 1852; and Catherine Margaret, born May 22, 1859. After the death of the mother in Branch County the father moved to Mason County, Michigan, and bought forty acres and lived on it ten years. He married for his second wife Leah Hoffmyer. After selling his Mason County land he came to LaGrange County and died in Greenfield Township. Daniel Dague acquired his early education in the schools of Ohio and was about eighteen years of age when he went to Michigan with his parents. He lived at home until he was twenty-seven and then married Catherine Libey. Her father, John Libey, was an early settler in LaGrange County and died at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dague came to LaGrange County in 1879 and bought 120 acres in Greenfield Township. Mr. Dague has improved the land, erected good buildings, has a farm well adapted for crops and livestock. For twenty years he fed sheep on a rather extensive scale. He is a republican in politics and with his family is identi- fied with the Dunkard Church. He and his wife had three daughters. Wilma is the oldest. Alice Adella is the wife of D. Swi- hart, and her four sons are named Donald, May- nard, Stewart and Ledger. The youngest, Elsie is the wife of Arlis Depew and the mother of two children. Samuel Schieber, one of the progressive farmers of Richland Township, while not long a resident of Steuben County is thoroughly identified with its best interests. He was born in Bucyrus, Craw- ford County, Ohio, July 31, 1853, a son of John C. and Leah (Hershberger) Schieber, and grandson of Gotlieb and Magdalena (Brosy) Schieber, natives of Germany, who in 1832 with their children and seventeen other families came to the United States, landing at New York, from whence they came west to Buffalo, New York, on the canal, and then traveled by lake to Sandusky, Ohio. From there Gotlieb Schieber came to Crawford County, Ohio, and secured heavily timbered land, which he cleared and developed into a farm, and on which he lived until his death in 1868, his widow surviving him until 1890. Their children were as follows: Chris- topher, Gotlieb, Christian, Catherine, John C., Jacob and Mary, all of whom are now deceased. John C. Schieber was born in Germany in 1828, and his wife was born in Lancaster County, Penn- sylvania. Only a child when his parents came to Crawford County, Ohio, he attended its schools while growing up, and after he became a man he bought eighty acres of timber land, which he cleared, becoming a successful farmer. He died on his farm in igoa and his wife in 1909. Their children were as follows: Samuel, Amanda, Mary, Jacob, Joseph, Lizzie, Tillie, Charley and Ida, of whom Mary is deceased. Samuel Schieber, like his father, was reared on a Crawford County farm, and went to the schools of his neighborhood. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-five years old and then bought forty acres of land in Crawford County, living on it until 1900, when he went to Oklahoma, but in 1905 came to Steuben County, renting land until 1911, and then bought his present farm of forty- seven acres. He repaired the barn, did some ditch- ing and made other improvements and now has a fine property, on which he is carrying on general farming and breeding registered hogs. He is a republican, but does not aspire to office. The Metho- dist Episcopal Church holds his membership and receives his generous support. On October 15, 1881, Mr. Schieber was united in marriage with Miss Susie Nagel, born at Sandusky, Ohio, February 19, 1862, a daughter of John and Margaret (Ulrich) Nagel, both of whom were born and married in Germany. Upon coming to the United States they first stopped in Sandusky, Ohio, later settling in Crawford County, where he died in 1899, at the age of seventy-six years, his widow surviving him until 1907, when she passed away at Bucyrus, Ohio, aged eighty-two years. Their chil- dren were as follows: John, Sarah, Amelia, Sussie (who is Mrs. Schieber), and Louisa. Mr. and Mrs. Schieber have the following children : Clarence, who married Bertha Klink, and has two children, Esther and Victor; Blanche, who is the wife of Lloyd Daley of South Bend, Indiana, and has one son, Fred; Milo, who married Lillian Sternly, and has one daughter, Marian ; and Leonard Arthur, Earl and Lula, all of whom are at home. Mr. Schieber is an excellent farmer and good citizen, and he has brought up his children to be industrious and frugal. Rascelus Gushwa. A resident of LaGrange County for fifty years, Rascelus Gushwa has for the most part been devoted to the quiet duties of agri- culture, but his name has at different times ap- peared prominently in connection with public affairs, especially as a successful administrator of institu- tions for the poor and unfortunate. He is now superintendent of the Rogers Orphans Home in Clear Spring Township. He was born in Hancock County, Ohio, December 19, 1854, a son °f Frederick and Eliza J. (Solomon) HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 275 Cushwa, both of whom were natives of Holmes County, Ohio, where they were reared and married. From Holmes they moved to Hancock County and in 1864 came to LaGrange County, Indiana. The father was drafted for army service in 1864 and died three months later. That left his widow with the taxing burden of caring for the children, a duty she faithfully performed and thereby earned their lasting gratitude. She died in 1911. Of the seven children five are living: John, of LaGrange County; Amanda, wife of John Holsinger, of Valentine, Indiana; Joseph, of Ligonier ; Cynthia, wife of Levi Fair, of Sturgis, Michigan; and Rascelus. Rascelus Gushwa grew up on a farm in Johnson Township of LaGrange County and attended the common schools. He lived at home with his mother to the age of twenty-one. He married Ellen W ells, of DeKalb County, daughter of J. C. and Hannah Wells. Mrs. Gushwa was born and reared in De- Kalb County and had a common school education. For about four months after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gushwa lived at Cassopolis, Michigan, and then returned to LaGrange County. With limited capital, they had to accept the best possible means of making a living and for twenty years were rent- ers, thereby earning the capital which enabled them to buy a farm of sixty acres in Clay Township. About that time Mr. Gushwa was appointed super- intendent of the County Infirmary, in 1895, and filled that office to the satisfaction of all concerned six and a half years. He then returned to his own farm, and in 1906 was appointed superintendent of the Rodgers Orphans Home. He remained there five years, went back to his farm, and in March, 1919, was again called to the duties of superintend- ent, which he had so carefuly performed in a pre- vious term. Mr. Gushwa and wife have five children : E. A., a merchant at Shipshewana; Carrie, wife of Sher- man Hart, of St. Joseph County, Michigan; Mertie, wife of Clarence Wagoner, of Sturgis, Michigan; Charles, who lives on a rented farm in Newbury Township of LaGrange County; and Mabel, wife of Arthur Conway. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Gushwa is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 144, and has been a member of the Grand Lodge. His wife is active in the Pythian Sisters, being past chief and past record keeper. Politically Mr. Gushwa is a republican, and several years ago was a candidate for county sheriff. During the war both he and his wife were leaders in war auxiliary movements, especially the Red Cross. He was superintendent of the Red Cross sale, and put the county over the top on that drive. Mrs. Gushwa has been treasurer of the Red Cross of Clay Township. George H. Fairbanks. For three score and ten years George H. Fairbanks has been a resident of Allen Township of Noble County. During that time he has had the experience of the normal lifetime, has worked industriously, has accumulated a com- petence for his future needs, has reared a family and is a man properly looked up to in his com- munity. Mr. Fairbanks is a distant relative of the late vice president Charles W. Fairbanks. He was born in Geauga County, Ohio, January 21, 1846, a son of Samuel C. and Margaret (Armstrong) Fairbanks. Samuel C. was a son of James and Margery (Potter) Fairbanks. James in turn was a son of Nahum Fairbanks. The Fairbanks family came from Eng- land to the American colonies about 1633, the im- migrant being Jonathan Fairbanks. In the same year that he was born George H. Fairbanks was taken by his parents to Noble County, Indiana, and they located in Allen Township, where he grew up and where he attended such schools as were maintained in his day. He also studied in college, but on leaving school he took up the voca- tion of an agriculturist and has followed it without important interruption ever since. The home of Mr. Fairbanks, which comprises 5154 acres is two miles north of Avilla and just 100 rods east of the geographical center of Allen Township. On November 23, 1875, he married Miss Clara J. Baughman, who was born at Lisbon in Allen town- ship of Noble County, January 22, 1855, daughter of G. D. Baughman. Mr. Baughman was one of the trustees of Allen Township, as was also the father of Mr. Fairbanks. Mrs. Fairbanks was edu- cated in the common schools and for one term taught in Whitley County. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks settled on their home farm. He is a democrat in politics and has served in township offices. He is affiliated with Kendallville Lodge No. 76, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and with Chapter No. 64, Royal Arch Masons. Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks have four daughters : Edna E., a graduate of the Avilla High School, is the wife of David Shanline, of Avilla ; Agnes A., a graduate of the same school, was a teacher and is now the wife of R. A. Whitford; Bessie B., also a high school graduate, is still at home, as is her sister, Lucile M., who likewise completed the course in the high school. Clarence Richardson, a native of Northeast In- diana, has spent his life profitably and usefully as a farmer in Steuben County and is directing the business of one of the good farms in Pleasant Town- ship. He was born in the same township July 12, 1875, a son of Henry and Sarah (Sowle) Richardson. His parents were both born in Ohio and were brought to Steuben County when children, grew up there and married. The paternal grandfather was William Richardson, an early settler in Pleasant Township, where he located in the ’40s. The maternal grand- father was Joseph Sowle, member of the prominent family of that name who had much to do with the early development of Pleasant Township. Henry Richardson served eighteen months as a soldier in the Civil war. He died in July, 1896, at the age of fifty-four, and his widow passed away in 1906, at the age of sixty-two. He was a member of the Grand Army Post, 3 . republican, and his wife was a Methodist. He had six children : Cora, Mary, Clar- ence, Austin, Harry (who is deceased), and Dora. Clarence Richardson grew upon the home farm of his father, attended the public schools, and since early manhood has been identified with the agricul- tural industry. He has a lease on the old Palda farm and is one of the most successful tenant farm- ers in the township. He is a republican and his family attend the United Brethren Church. In 1895 he married Miss Laura Farley, of Steuben County. Five children were born to them : Sylvia, Lewella, Mabel, Joseph and Walter C. Sylvia ac- quired a splendid education in the Angola High School and Tri-State Normal and is the wife of Hugh Campbell. They have three children, named -Donald Irwin, Mabel Louise and Robert Hugh. The daughter Lewella is the wife of Paul Moore and has one daughter, Virginia Maxine. Carl U. Bartholomew is in the midst of a very busy and successful career as a farmer in Spring- field Township, LaGrange County. At the age of forty he has accomplished many of those things 276 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA that an ambitious man desires to do, and undoubt- edly there are many years of usefulness and honor still before him. Mr. Bartholomew, who is related to many inter- esting and prominent families of LaGrange County, was born in Springfield Township, August 28, 1879, a son of Horace Oscar and Edna (Shepardson) Bartholomew. His paternal grandfather, Horace Bartholomew, was a soldier in the Fifteenth United States Infantry in the Mexican war of 1846-47. He died while on the victorious march under Gen- eral Scott from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. He left his widow, whose maiden name was Salena Gates, with two children, Horace Oscar and Mary. Mary afterward married Miles Squire. When Horace Bartholomew entered the army he and his family were living in St. Joseph County, Michi- gan, where his son Horace Oscar was born May 13, 1845. The widowed mother brought her chil- dren to LaGrange County about 1850, and in 1851 she became the wife of Hugh Caldwell, a well known pioneer character. Hugh Caldwell located at Brighton and for many years was a blacksmith there. He finally bought the farm where Carl U. Batholomew now lives, and died in 1877, his widow surviving him until 1887. Horace Oscar Bartholomew was reared at Brighton, was educated in public schools and the Orland High School, and for many years was a successful farmer of the county. He owned 240 acres, and died on the homestead January 28, 1919. His widow still lives among her children. Horace O. Bartholomew was a republican and served as a member of the first advisory board in Spring- field Township. He was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. His wife, Edna Shepardson, was born in Springfield Township, September 20, 1852, daugh- ter of Edmond and Catherine (Wilson) Shepard- son. Edmond was a son of Otis Shep'ardson, who came to LaGrange County in 1835 and entered a large tract of land near "Mongo, building a house near the present schoolhouse. He died May 7, 1843, and was buried in the Shepardson family graveyard. His wife was Susan Gibbs, who was born at Stratton, Vermont, October 13, 1796. The children of Otis Shepardson and wife were : Otis, Edmond, Elijah, Lorenzo Dow, Pliny, Samuel, and Susan, who became the wife of Frank Freileigh. Edmond Shepardson was born November 15, 1822, and came to LaGrange County with his par- ents in 1835. For many years- he was a merchant at Mongo, and died August ix, 1882. He was a man of varied capabilities, a blacksmith by trade, also a farmer, and while running his farm estab- lished a stock of merchandise at Mongo. He was also a buyer of wool and other farm produce. It was through him that the name of the community was changed to Mongo while he was postmaster there. He was a republican and was one of the first school trustees. One of his brothers, Elijah Shepardson, was a soldier in the Confederate army during the Civil war. The wife of Edmond Shep- ardson died June 10, 1902. Their family consisted of Emma, Edna, Sarah Elizabeth, Augusta, Dow Fremont, Susan Sophia, Clara Elizabeth, and John Everett. Horace O. Bartholomew and wife had just two sons, Carl U. and Don C. Don C. has had an in- teresting military career. He was educated in the Lima High School, the Tri-State College, formerly was a teacher at Mongo and Brushy Prairie and also in Michigan, and in 1916 graduated from the Detroit School of Medicine. In June of that year he went into the regular army with the Reserve Medical Corps, was stationed at Washington for a time and in July, 1918, went overseas to France. He was assigned to work with the Eighty-fifth Di- vision with the rank of first lieutenant. He re- turned to the United States in April, 1919, an in- valid, and recuperated at Base Hospital No. 25 at Fort Benjamin Harrison. Since his recovery he has been assigned a place on the hospital staff at that fort. He married Amy Huss, daughter of Nel- son Huss, of Springfield Township. Carl U. Bartholomew grew up on the home farm, had a good education in the public schools, the Mongo High School and the Tri-State College and since school days has been busily engaged as a farmer. He lives on the old homestead. He is a republican and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. In 1901 he married Miss Hattie Pearl Garlets, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Faust) Garlets, of an old and well known family of Springfield Town- ship. To their marriage were born five children: Claud H., Kenneth B., Benita, who died in infancy, Oscar D. and Leon B. F. A. Zeigler, who has spent his life in Northeast Indiana, was for over a quarter of a century an industrious and skillful harnessmaker, but in later years has been identified with farming in Salem Township of Steuben County. He was born in DeKalb County December 2, 1861, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Melton) Zeigler, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of DeKalb County, Indiana. Samuel Zeigler when a young man moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and later to DeKalb County, Indiana, where he spent practically all the rest of his life as a farmer. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. His children, six in number, were J. B., Frank, F. A., Barbara Ann, Mary Josephine, and Elmer. Of these Frank and Elmer are now deceased. F. A. Zeigler acquired his early education in the district schools of DeKalb County. When not in school he was working on a farm and soon after reaching his majority he left the farm to learn the harnessmaker’s trade. That was his business for twenty-seven years. Mr. Zeigler married Neoma Langley, a daughter of Samuel Langley. She died in 1904. In De- cember, 1907, Mr. Zeigler married Mrs. Cora (Zel- ler) Ransburg, widow of Dr. Martin V. Ransburg. Since his second marriage Mr. Zeigler has lived on his wife’s farm of eighty acres in Salem Town- ship and has proved his adaptability to farming, looking after his present interests with as much skill as he formerly did in his mechanical trade. The farm is in section 14. Mr. Zeigler is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Salem, with his wife is a member of the Rebekahs, and his church is the Methodist. Mrs. Zeigler is a daughter of Henry Zeller. By her first husband she has one child, Dawson Ransburg. Charles E. Chrystler, the present assessor of Clay Township, is a member of an old and well known family of that section of LaGrange County. His own career has been? spent largely in farming and his efforts have been directed to such good purpose that he owns one of the best farms in the township. He was born in Clay Township, February 17, 1876, a son of William and Lula (Latta) Chrystler, the former a native of New York State. A more complete record of his father’s family is found on other pages. Mr. Chrystler as a boy attended a dis- trict school near his old home, and was also a pupil la grange HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 277 in the schools of Flint in Jackson Township, Steuben County. He had barely reached his majority when he started as an independent farmer in Clay Town- ship, and has been a hard and constant worker ever since. His first farm consisted of forty acres, and in February, 1917, he moved to his present farm in section 12, where he had a hundred acres, most of it under cultivation and with good improvements. He is a breeder of good livestock. Mr. Chrystler entered upon his duties as township assessor in January, 1919. He is a member of Lodge No. 144 of the Knights of Pythias at LaGrange. In 1899 he married Ethel L. Richner, a daughter of John D. and Viola (Davis) Richner. They have three children, Leo, Iva and Wayne. Leopold C. Stiefel. The year 1919 rounded out a half century of growth and service for a mercantile establishment at Angola, known far and wide all over Steuben and adjoining counties. Today it is a monumental department store, and the business as a whole exemplifies and represents the genius of the Stiefel family as merchants. The present pro- prietor, Leopold C. Stiefel, has been connected with the store since his twenty-first birthday and had as associates several of his brothers. The business was founded fifty years ago by his father, the late Joseph Stiefel. Joseph Stiefel was a native of Germany, as was his wife, Caroline Heilbronner. Joseph came to America about 1845, reaching New York City with nothing to commend him to the favor of the new world except a willingness to work and learn. Af- ter one year in New York he went to Fort Wayne, and a short time afterward to Auburn, Indiana. There he began a small mercantile business in part- nership with Aaron Wolf. These two men were partners for a number of years, and after dissolv- ing their relations Joseph Stiefel returned to New York City after the Rebellion and engaged in the wholesale clothing business. He had a partner named Strauss. His own enterprise and experience might have insured the success of the business even in the keen competition of the metropolis, but through mismanagement on the part of his partner the firm became bankrupt, and Mr. Stiefel was left to shoul- der the heavy debts of the firm. He sacrificed nearly everything he had to satisfy his creditors, the ven- ture entailing him a loss of nearly $100,000. He had only $1,000 left to start life over again. In the fall of 1869, with the moral and financial support and credit offered by eastern manufacturers and wholesalers who had a keen sense of gratitude toward the stalwart character of the man, Joseph Stiefel came to Angola and opened up a modest stock of clothing. He had a small place, and the store at first was known simply as J. Stiefel. Af- ter three years he took in as his partner his oldest son, Moses, and the name was changed to J. Stiefel & Son, clothing and dry goods. Fifteen years later another son, Louis, came into the firm, entailing an- other change, as J. Stiefel & Sons. It was about five years later that Leopold C. Stiefel acquired an interest in the partnership, and at that time the father retired. The new title was J. Stiefel’s Sons. After two years Moses Stiefel withdrew to go into business in New York City, and Louis and Leopold remained together about seven years. Leopold then bought the interest of his brother Louis and con- tinued the name as J. Stiefel’s Son. Many notable changes have occurred in half a century, and the most marked of them all is the sole ownership of Mr. Leopold Stiefel. In the early years the firm did a business hardly exceed- ing $20,000. In 1918 the aggregate of sales was $150,000, and from the showing made in the early months of 1919 the volume of business will prob- ably exceed $200,000 for that year. Mr. Stiefel has inaugurated many modern methods, including a one price system, and has further expanded the business to include everything found in a modern depart- ment store. The business employs from twenty- five to thirty-five people, and the stock is housed in a modern business block 66 by 170 feet, with steam plant and electricity for lighting generated in the building. Mr. Leopold Stiefel is vice president of the Indiana Retail Dry Goods Association. Leopold Stiefel was born at Auburn, Indiana, March 24, 1863. June 6, 1892, he married Edith Kahn, of Indianapolis, a daughter of Samuel Kahn, of that city. They have two daughters, Charlotte K. and Elsie R. Mr. Stiefel is widely known as a merchant over the State of Indiana. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Masons at Angola. Dexter E. Wilder. The Wilders, originally from New England, were among the substantial settlers from that point of origin who established the first homes and institutions in Millgrove Township of Steuben County. Dexter E. Wilder represents the third generation of the family here and has spent all of his own life of over sixty years in the same township and county. He was born in Millgrove Township, December 7, 1856, a son of Charles H. and Betsey (Smith; Wilder and a grandson of William and Mary (Breed) Wilder. William Wilder was a native of Massachusetts and his wife of New Hampshire. William Wilder was a pioneer in three states. In early manhood he pioneered into Otsego County, New York, and had much to do with the early de- velopment of that section. In 1835 he moved with his family to Portage County, Ohio, and in February, 1836, came to Steuben County, settling on land en- tered by him the year before. William Wilder entered 240 acres, and the family eventually had over 500 acres in the same locality. This old Wilder farm is the place where Howard Barnes now lives. William Wilder set out a long row of maple trees, some of which are still standing. He died about 1863, and his wife died in 1852. Charles H. Wilder was born in New York State and was a small boy when brought to Steuben County. He grew up in Millgrove Township, at- tended the public schools, and served over three years in the Union army as a member of the One Hundredth Indiana Infantry. After the war he owned a farm of forty acres in Branch County, Michigan. He died in 1882. Charles H. Wilder married Betsey Smith, a native of Steuben County and daughter of Hezekiah and Mary (Calkins) Smith. Hezekiah Smith was born in Connecticut in 1801 and came to Steuben County in 1844. Betsey Smith was Charles H. Wilder’s first wife and Dex- ter E. Wilder was the only child from this mar- riage. This was before the commencement of the Civil war, and after Mr. Wilder’s return home he subsequently married Jennie Casper, and to this union Mary Wilder was born, and she married Fred’ Kimball. Dexter E. Wilder was the only child of his mother. He was educated in public schools and the Orland Academy, learned the jeweler’s trade, though most of his life has been spent as a farmer. He has much mechanical skill and has used it to good purpose on his farm. Mr. Wilder has a life lease on 111 acres belonging to his uncle Orlando Wilder. He also owns 33 1-3 acres adjoining his home place. In politics he is a republican. In 1886 Mr. Wilder married Lucinda Kreider, of Elkhart County. She is a daughter of Tobias and 278 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Eliza (Myers) Kreider, who came from Ohio to Elkhart County and later moved to Branch County, Michigan, where Mrs. Wilder’s mother died in 1868, at the age of forty-two. Her father subsequently returned to Ohio and died in 1896, at the age of seventy-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Wilder have four children and sev- eral grandchildren. The oldest is Bessie, a graduate of the Orland High School and wife of Burton Ivugler. Jessie, also a graduate of the Orland High School, married Louis Webb and their children are Lyle Raymond, Lois Caryl, Wanda May and Weir Charles. Charles H. Wilder, the third child, grad- uated from the Orland High School and was em- ployed in the Liberty Motor Works at Detroit. He married Grace Adams and has three children, John Kendrick, Patricia Jane and Nance Lucinda. The youngest child, William Roland, who completed the common school course and then took a course in automobile engineering with the American School of Correspondence, served seven months overseas as a member of the Seventieth Artillery. He re- ceived his honorable discharge in March. 1919, and is now employed with the Cadillac Company at Davenport, Iowa. Wilton E. Purdy. Of a family whose lives of in- tegrity and industry have identified them perma- nently with the best interests of Steuben County, one deserving special mention is that of Wilton E. Purdy, whose years have been spent profitably in the county since earliest childhood, and is today owner of a fine farm in Millgrove Township. Mr. Purdy was born in Canada November 4, 1859, a son of Robert and Eliza S. (Benschoten) Purdy. The more important data of the earlier family his- tory is given on other pages. Wilton E. Purdy came to Steuben County with his parents in March, 1861, when he was not yet two years old. He grew up at Orland, attended the public schools there through the grades, and as a youth took up the trade of wagon maker. He worked at it four years and afterward as a carpenter. He was the carpenter for the construction of his own residence and other buildings on his farm. About 1882 he engaged in farming, and has eighty acres in his home in Mill- grove Township and thirty-eight acres in Jackson Township. He follows diversified farming. Mr. Purdy is a democrat, and he and his wife are mem- bers of the Grange. March 25, 1881, he married Miss Hattie Robinson. She was born in Jackson Township March 25, 1861, a daughter of Albert B. and Lovina S. (Sprague) Robinson. Her parents settled in Jackson Town- ship in 1854. Her father at one time owned 283 acres there. The first home of the Robinsons was a log house, and much of the land was cleared dur- ing the lifetime of Albert Robinson, who died No- vember 20, 1891, at the age of seventy-three. His wife died at Orland May 7, 1881, aged fifty-five. In the Robinson family were the following children : Chauncey, who was born December 28, 1842, owned a large ranch of 500 acres in Kansas, and died in 1918; Hannah, who was born November 30,-1844, and died in 1865 ; Fowler Elias, born April 7, 1847, and died in July, 1848; Frank Lee, born December 12, 1859, died February 2, i860; Hattie R., Mrs. Purdy; and Albert Fremont, born January 6, 1864, a wholesale commissioner dealer at Fort Wayne. Mrs. Purdy’s father was a prominent man in Steu- ben County, was a good farmer, was a physician by profession and also a teacher and minister. Mrs. Purdy was educated in the Orland Academy. Mr. and Mrs. Purdy have one son, Clyde, born April 12, 1883. He attended the Orland High School and is now a salesman of motor trucks and lives at Lafayette, Indiana. He has also been interested in lands, having owned 160 acres in Oklahoma, also 200 acres in Kentucky, which he sold, and had another farm in Missouri. Clyde married Bertha Van Wag- ner, daughter of Melvin J. and Mary (Laughrey) Van Wagner, of Steuben County. They have six children: Vera, born January 9, 1905; Elton J., born May 12, 1906; Robert N., born October 21, 1907; Alice Bernice, born April 10, 1909; Paul Wil- son, born November 7, 1913; and Byron D., born August 20, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Purdy also have an adopted daughter, Irene, born October 3, 1909, and still in school. John W. McKenzie, proprietor of one of the largest and finest farms and containing one of the best country homes in Greenfield Township, La- Grange County, has spent all his life in that lo- cality and was born there October 22, 1865. His present home is only a half mile from his birth- place. He was the youngest of the four children of his parents, John and Julia (Klinghaman) McKenzie, and was born in LaGrange County. His father was born in 1822 and his mother in 1825, both in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, where they mar- ried and where all their older children were born. These children were Josiah, Nelson, Simon, Ellen and John. The McKenzie family came to La- Grange County in June, 1865, and settled in Spring- field Township. The father rented a farm one year, and then bought no acres southwest of Brighton, where he spent the rest of his life and died in Feb- ruary, 1894, his wife passing away in 1880. John McKenzie, Sr., was a democrat and his wife was a member of the Lutheran Church. John W. McKenzie has found his opportunities within a very small radius from the home of his childhood. He attended public schools, also the high schools at Mongo and Howe, and has had fully thirty years of practical experience as a farmer and stockman. In 1904 he and his wife located on an eighty acre place originally acquired direct from the Government by Mrs. McKenzie’s grand- father, Benjamin Reed. Benjamin Reed after se- lecting his land walked to the land office at Fort Wayne to enter it. Mr. McKenzie is a democrat in politics. October 23, 1890, he married Libbie Reed. She was born in Springfield Township, October 27, 1861, daughter of Nathan and Julia (Elya) Reed. Nathan Reed was born in a log cabin in Green- field Township, on the land where his only child and daughter, Mrs. McKenzie now lives. His birth occurred in July, 1836. His wife was a native of New York State. The grandfather, Benjamin Reed, married Nancy Barr, a daughter of Amos Barr. Benjamin Reed was born in Delaware and his wife in Ohio. When the nineteenth century was still young Benjamin Reed came west, and in South- western Michigan took up a tract of land, but be- coming dissatisfied sold his rights for fifty dollars. That land is now the site of the City of Niles. On leaving Michigan he came to LaGrange County and acquired the eighty acres mentioned above. Later he added sixty acres to this, and all told accumu- lated about 400 acres in LaGrange County. He died in Greenfield Township, May 4, 1890, at the age of eighty-four, while his widow survived him until June, 1904, and was then eighty-nine years of age. Their children were Nathan, Amos and Sarah Jane. Amos died in the Civil war, while Sarah became the wife of John Whitlock. Nathan Reed grew up in pioneer surroundings, HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 279 and though his education was confined to the com- mon schools he became widely informed through his habit of diligent and attentive reading. For many years he was accounted the best speller in Greenfield Township. His interest in such mat- ters did not prevent him from achieving success in practical business. He owned 240 acres of well improved land in Springfield Township, and 140 acres of this is now contained in the farm of Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie. His last days were spent at the McKenzie home, where he died in February, 1905. Nathan Reed was a republican and served as trustee of Springfield Township. At the present time Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie have 480 acres. He built a fine barn 40 by 70 feet in 1909, and the following year put up what is re- garded as one of the best residences in Greenfield Township. Mr. McKenzie is an expert stockman, and for a number of years has raised hogs on a large scale. To his marriage were born three children : Alnie, the oldest, is a graduate of the Brighton High School and the LaGrange High School, and is still at home ; Anddra is also a graduate of the Brighton and LaGrange High schools, attended the Tri-State College and was a teacher until her marriage to Vern Elliott, son of James Elliott, of Bloomfield Town- ship. Nathan Reed McKenzie, the only son, was educated in the Brighton High School and is a farmer at home. He married Marion Troxel, a daughter of Charles Troxel, of Greenfield Town- ship, and they have a daughter, Halcyon Mae. Lester J. Hughes during the greater part of his active career covering thirty years has been a suc- cessful farmer in Salem Township of Steuben County, and has also been active in politics and public affairs. He was born in Salem Township, July 3, 1868, son of John and Martha (Meek) Hughes. His grandfather, David Hughes, was a pioneer in Salem Township and one of the earliest merchants, and he also served as a justice of the peace. John Hughes spent his active career in Salem Township as a sawmiller and farmer, and died in 1893. Lester J. Hughes is a brother of Frank D. Hughes, a former clerk of the Circuit Court of Steuben County. Lester was reared and educated in his native township, attending the common schools, and in early life started out to make his living as a farm hand. In 1889 he married Susan Haines, a daughter of John and Maria Haines. She died in 1903, the mother of one son, Dean, who is now associated with his father in managing the home farm. Dean married Grace Ensley and has one child, Phillys. March 30, 1908, Mr. Hughes married Bell Wark, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Wark. They have two children, Roena and Lois. Mr. Hughes began farming on his brother Frank’s place in 1900, living there near Salem for two years, then spent some time in the Village of Salem, and in 1906 bought his present farm of 120 acres in section 14. He has made the building improvements and has supplied the farm with a generous equip- ment of everything necessary for its successful operation. Mr. Hughes served six years, from 1908 to 1914, . as assessor of Salem Township. He is at present deputy assessor and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Samuel R. Yoder, whose place in LaGrange County is that of a prosperous farmer and stockman in Clay Township, has accomplished those things in life that the people of LaGrange County in general have come to expect of members of the Yoder family. This particular branch of the family was estab- lished here in pioneer times by Reuben Yoder, who was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, Jan- uary 9, 1831. He was a son of Christian C. and Catherine (Miller) Yoder, both natives of Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Reuben Yoder married Har- riet Riehl, a native of Somerset County and daugh- ter of John and Mary Riehl. John Riehl was a cabinet maker by trade. Reuben Yoder moved from Pennsylvania to Newbury Township, of LaGrange County, about 1851. He lived in that locality the rest of his life and died after a long and active career in 1912. His wife passed away in 1908. They had a family of children whose names were : Elizabeth, Samuel R., Daniel R., Mary, Menno S., Moses A., Peter, Abraham (who died when four months old), and Levi R. Samuel R. Yoder attended district school in New- bury Township, where he was born March 9, 1856, and made his first independent efforts as a farmer in that township. In 1891 he bought his first place, of eighty acres in section 9, Clay Township, and has worked there steadily for over a quarter of a cen- tury. He has rebuilt the buildings and made many substantial improvements. He served one term as assessor of Newbury Township, and he and his wife are both members of the Dunkard Church. May 16, 1880, he married Emma Lupoid, daughter of Samuel and Shirley Lupoid. They have a family of four children. Orpha Pearl is the wife of Wil- liam Mast, and is the mother of Lucile, Doris and Woodrow. Nellie Opal married James Limeric. Roy and Ray are twins. The former married Beulah Evans. Ray married Lettie Dillon and has two children, named Otha and Raymond. A. I. Shaeffer. It is a recognized fact that busi- ness is the very life blood of national health and prosperity, and no branch of it is more important than that represented by the farmers of this coun- try, who through their industry and knowledge of their work are producing crops never before equalled, upon which the future of the world is depending. Indiana has always been noted for its fertile farm lands, and at present under the directing hands of men of experience in agricultural matters it is holding its place among its associate states. One of these representative farmers of Steuben County is A. I. Shaeffer, who owns and operates a valuable farm in Scott Township. He was born in Fremont Township, two miles west of Freemont, August 27, 1857, a son of Samuel Shaeffer, born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in 1816. The first of the Schaeffer family to locate in Penn- sylvania was John Nicholas Shaeffer, and he sailed from Rotterdam, Holland, on the sailing vessel Dragon, George Spencer, master, arriving at Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, September 6, 1749. Settling in Berks County, Pennsylvania, he soon became prominent in local affairs and was commissioned captain of the First Battalion of Berks County Militia, January 20, 1777, which saw extensive serv- ice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York during the American Revolution. John Nicholas Shaeffer was a large landowner and one of the most influential men of his community. John Nicholas Shaeffer was married to Juliana Margaretta Michael, whose parents also sailed from Rotterdam, Holland, for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they arrived September 15, 1749, on the sail- ing vessel Phoenix, John Mason, master. The children born of this marriage were as follows : 280 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Christian, who was born July 24, 1753, became an extensive landholder in Dauphin County, Pennsyl- vania, and reared a family in that section ; Casper, who was born November 27, 1754; Margaretta, who was born January 1, 1757; Elizabeth, who was born March 4, 1759; Felix, who was born February 17, 1760; Susan, who was born January 13, 1761; Nich- olas, who was born September 12, 1763 ; Anna Mar- garet, who was born February 1, 1768; Michael, who was born May 15, 1770; William, who was born June 20, 1772; Johann, who was born January 1, 1775; and John, who was born March 27, 1778. All these children were born in Heidelberg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. John Nicholas Shaeffer died November 3, 1780, his widow surviv- ing him until August 26, 1804. The John Shaeffer, whose name is attached to numerous old documents, was the youngest son of John Nicholas and Juliana (Michael) Shaeffer, and he died September 24, 1836, having served in the War of 1812, holding the commission of captain. • His children were as follows: John, Elias, Lydia, Chink and Catherine Elser. Records show that members of the Shaeffer family have served this country as soldiers during the- Revolutionary war, the Whiskey insurrection, the War of 1812, the Mexican war, the Civil war, the Spanish-American war and the World war, which certainly entitles them to register themselves as 100 per cent Ameri- cans. The grandfather of A. I. Shaeffer, whose name heads this review, was William Shaeffer, who was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in 1 777. He was a farmer and distiller, owning forty acres of land, on which there was a substantial stone resi- dence, in which his children were all born and reared, as well as several of his grandchildren. His distillery was built of logs, was two stories in height, the upper story being used for living purposes. The water used in distilling was carried by pipes made of logs, hollowed out and fitted together, into the upper story from a spring in a field on high ground. The necessary fuel was procured from a wooded tract on the mountain side about three miles dis- tant. William Shaeffer was married three times, his first wife dying, leaving him with two little daughters, Nelly and Elizabeth. To take care of them he em- ployed a housekeeper, whom he subsequently mar- ried, but as she only survived a year he married for his third wife Margaret Beck, born June 4, 1790, the ceremony taking place in 1813. They had nine children to reach maturity, two passing away in in- fancy. These children were as follows : Barbara, Samuel, Jacob, John, Margaret, Catherine, Susannah, Daniel, and Lydia. The daughters of William Shaeffer’s first marriage became the wives of Ger- mans named Maigleig and Neidhammer, and nothing is known of them subsequently nor of their de- scendants. William Shaeffer died in 1831, when his youngest child, Lydia, was but eleven months old. His wife, left a widow with a large family, bravely went into the field with her sons and labored to make a living. The eldest daughter, with the help of an old woman, Betsy Gewherlinz, who lived with the family, kept house and took care of the younger children. The distillery was operated by the sons and the husband of Mrs. Neidhammer, Mrs. Shaef- fer’s stepdaughter, for a time, but later was aban- doned. One of the sons, Daniel Shaeffer, is quoted as saying: “When I came home on my wedding trip in 1847, I caught a mess of frogs in an old vat in the distillery.” The second son, Jacob, becoming dissatisfied with his mother’s management, left home, but Samuel and John remained with her, and worked for and with her until 1844, when they came to Indiana in search of new homes. After Mrs. Shaeffer’s fam- ily had grown up and gone to homes of their own she sold the homestead in Dauphin County and came to Indiana to live with her children, the majority of whom had located at Fremont, Steuben County, Margaret, Samuel and John arriving here in 1844-5, and Lydia in 1851. Daniel accompanied his mother in 1854. He visited with his brothers and sisters, and then going back to Dauphin County, brought his family to Fremont in 1855. Mrs. Shaeffer lived until January 14, 1875, and spent her declining years at the homes of her several children, to the very last being an important factor in their lives. She passed away at the home of her daughter, Margaret, who was the wife of Jacob Weaver. This branch of the Shaeffer family was descended from Christian Shaeffer of Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, who was the father of Wil- liam Shaeffer, and son of John N. Samuel Shaeffer, son of William Shaeffer and father of A. I. Shaeffer, was married in 1840 to Susanna Weaver, born in Dauphin County, Pennsyl- vania, a sister of Peter Weaver, a biography of whom appears elsewhere in this work. During 1844-5 Samuel Shaeffer came to Steuben County, Indiana, locating on a farm of 192 acres in Fremont Township, where he carried on general farming and stockraising, and improved his property, erecting the necessary buildings and fences, and otherwise adding to its value. The children born to him and his wife were as follows : Mary, who was born in 1842, died in 1848; Oliver, who was born in 1844; Enasetta, who was born in 1846, died in 1855 ; Daniel, who was born in 1849, died in 1904; Christopher, who was born in 1855; and A. I., who was the youngest in the family. Samuel Shaeffer died at Fremont September 16, 1877, his wife surviving him until February 3, 1880. They were consistent mem- bers of the German Methodist Church of Fremont, and he was one of the largest contributors toward the erection of the first church edifice of that de- nomination at Fremont. A. I. Shaeffer attended the public schools of Fre- mont Township, and during his boyhood and youth assisted his father on the farm. When he was twenty years old he began conducting a threshing outfit, operated by horse power, and in 1878 added the conduct of a sawmill to his activities, moving in that year to Fremont, where his mill was located. In 1879 he bought a steam rig to replace the horse power in his mill, and continued to live at Fremont until 1896, at which time he rented the farm of George Straw near Fremont, and lived on it for ten years, moving then to a farm in Jamestown Town- ship. Two years later, in December, 1909, Mr. Shaeffer bought his present farm of seventy acres, since which time he has rebuilt and added to the barn and erected several other buildings, putting the place in first class order. His farming is carried on according to modern methods, and he is satis- fied with the results, as he has every reason to be. On December 10, 1878, Mr. Shaeffer was married to Miss Ellen C. Kauffman, a daughter of John and Mary Kauffman, and they became the parents of the following children : Bert E., who was born Decem- ber 3, 1879, died November 9, 1908, and married Euphemia Lytle, who died January 4, 1919, leav- ing their one child, A. C., who was born December 18, 1907; Ina May, who was born March 21, 1881, married Lester Harter, and they had one child, Bernice Harter. She was later married to Wilbur E. Young, and they have had three children, Ber- nard F„ Berdene and Berlene. The third child of Mr. and Mrs. Shaeffer, Eva A., was born October 13, 1892, and she was married to Ivan Isenhower, HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 281 and they have a son, Maynard S., who was born in November, 1916. Daniel J. Shank has spent all his life in Indiana and for nearly forty years has been a resident of Steuben County, and for the past thirty years has been proprietor of a large and flourishing lumber business in the City of Angola. He grew up around his father’s grist mill and acquired a knowledge of the milling business and was connected with milling operations for some years. Mr. Shank was born in Adams County, Indiana, April 9, 1849, a son of John R. and Mary (Lizer) Shank. His father was a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and his mother of Center- ville, Wayne County, Indiana. John R. Shank went to Ohio in 1841, and soon afterward to Indiana. A miller by trade, he followed his occupation in Adams County for many years, but in 1890 moved to Steu- ben County and operated a mill at Hamilton for several years. He finally retired to Angola, where he died in 1900, at the age of eighty-two. His wife, who died at the same age, passed away in 1912. John R. Shank was a democrat and a member of the Methodist Church. He and his wife had four children: Michael, who died about 1852; Kansas B., who died in 1865 ; Daniel J. ; and Henry, who for a number of years was a druggist in Angola. Daniel J. Shank acquired a good public school edu- cation in his native county. After several years of work with his father in the milling business he moved to Angola in 1880, and acquired an interest in the local grist mill and lumber yard. In 1887 he bought the lumber yard near the depot, and for over thirty years has supplied the needs of a large surrounding country with lumber and building materials. For about ten years of this time he also sold coal. Mr. Shank has been a director in the Steuben County State Bank for twelve years, and has prosecuted all his business interests with much vigor and corre- sponding success. He has been a member of the City Council, is a republican, is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and is a member of a very interesting local social club known as the Scavenger Club. This club evi- dently has strong fraternal ties among its members, since it holds only one stated meeting in the even years of the calendar, the date of meeting being on February 2, “ground hog day.” Mr. Shank’s mother was a devout Methodist, but he is a member of no church. His family are all members of the Christian Church. In 1873, at Monroeville, Allen County, Indiana, he married Miss Malinda C. Dague, of that county, though a native of Ohio. Mrs. Shank died January 18, 1918, at the age of sixty-four, after they had been married forty-five years. She was the mother of four children : Emmet E. is associated with his father in the lumber business and by his marriage to Ella Goff has three children, named Adelbert, Editha and Anna Malinda. Nora V. is the wife of Joseph Brokau and has four sons, Austin, John, Richard and Robert, the last two twins. Myrtle P. is the wife of George G. Niehous and has one child, Mary Malinda. Mildred Mary is the wife of John Bakstad. Jefferson Betz is an honored figure in the com- munity of Franklin Township, DeKalb County, is an old soldier of the Union, has been a resident of DeKalb County for half a century, and is now en- joying a well earned retirement from his respon- sibilities as a farmer. Mr. Betz was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 21, 1838, a son of Henry and Catherine (Stull) Betz, the former a native of Bedford Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Columbiana County, Ohio. After their marriage they spent all their lives in Columbiana County. Jefferson Betz grew up in his native state, had a common school education, and early in the Civil war en- listed in Company D of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Infantry. He saw a great deal of active service during the next fifteen months, and was then granted an honorable discharge on ac- count of impaired hearing. After the war he went back to his native district in Ohio and in April, 1865, married Jennie Musser. She was born in Columbiana County. Mr. Betz brought his family to Indiana in 1869 and has been a resident of DeKalb County ever since. For many years he worked in the fields and handled his farm, but is now living in comfort among his children. He is a republican in poli- tics and active in the Grand Army Post at Hamil- ton. He is the father of four children : Della, wife of George W. Kepler; Dora, wife of Oliver W. Fee ; Elmer, who lives on the home farm in Frank- lin Township; and Emma, wife of Clyde Hinker. George W. Stout probably has the premier honors of long and veteran service in Uncle Sam’s post- office department. He has been connected with the Hamilton postoffice almost continuously for thirty years, most of the time as assistant postmaster, and since 1914 has been chief executive of the office. Mr. Stout was born at Fairfield Center in DeKalb County, Illinois, August 19, 1866, a son of Andrew J. and Sarah Anna (Houser) Stout. His mother, who died July 28, 1914, was born in Ohio, a daugh- ter of Samuel Houser. The paternal grandfather, George Stout, was an Ohio farmer living near Attica. Andrew J. Stout was born in Seneca County, Ohio, and in March, 1868, came to Hamil- ton from DeKalb County, Indiana, and established himself as a shoe and boot maker. He bought his leather direct from the tanners. In connection with his business he also served about twelve years as postmaster of Hamilton. He was also a skillful veterinarian, and practiced that profession for a number of years. In 1917 he disposed of his busi- ness interests at Hamilton and has since lived re- tired at Ashley. Recently he paid a visit to old home localities in Ohio after he had been away from that community for forty years, and he died at the home of his son in Dayton, Ohio, March 12, 1919. He and his wife had four children: George W., Samuel W., one that died in infancy, and John W. George W. Stout received his education in Hamil- ton, graduating from high school there, and took a business course at Oberlin, Ohio, and was a stu- dent in the Tri-State College at Angola when illness of his father called him home. He then took up the duties of assistant postmaster, and has assisted every postmaster since his father’s time with the exception of one. He received appointment as post- master of Hamilton, July 1, 1914. July 28, 1888, Mr. Stout married Lenora Dirrim, of DeKalb County, daughter of Robert R. and Amanda (Firestone) Dirrim. The Dirrims are one of the oldest and most prominent families of DeKalb County. Mr. and Mrs. Stout had six children : Webster G., assistant postmaster under his father at Hamilton, married Mrs. Vera B. (Copp) Barney, daughter of Abner Copp, of St. Joseph, Indiana. Letha M. is the wife of Jesse Mountz, operating the Home Bakery at Butler. Walter L. died July 282 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 20, 1904. Fernie B. and Waldo F. are still at home, and George W. died in infancy. Charles C. Eaton. Forty-three years ago when a boy of twelve Charles C. Eaton helped put in and harvest a routine of crops. He has never missed a season since then, and out of his forty odd years of farming experience he has achieved a competency and one of the best farms in Clay Township of LaGrange County.' Mr. Eaton was born in that township July 4, 1864, a son of Josiah and Rachel (Preston) Eaton. His mother was a daughter of John M. Preston. Josiah Eaton, a native of Sandusky County, Ohio, grew up in Lima Township of LaGrange County from the year 1845 and began farming there. About 1856 he moved to a place in Clay Township owned by Dr. J. T. Hobb, and as a renter made such good use of his opportunities that in a few years he acquired the ownership of the Hobb farm. He was not only a successful farmer, but served as assessor of Clay Township, and was drainage commissioner of La- Grange County eight years. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church and superintendent of its Sunday school many years. He and his wife had five children: Sarah E., wife of Mott Bowen; J. Edward; Charles C. ; William, deceased; and Alton H. Charles C. Eaton attended the district schools of Clay Township, and during his mature career has kept his affairs progressing and prospering. He owns a farm of 233J4 acres in Clay Township, his home being in section 10. He has for a number of years been a prominent hog raiser. He served nine years as superintendent of the Sunday school of the Methodist Protestant Church, of which he and his wife are both active members. In 1888 he married Eva McManus, daughter of Nelson McManus. She died August 24, 1893, the mother of two children ; Ethel and Clarence. Ethel is the wife of Lloyd Bricker and has four children, named Cecil, Gladys, Melvin and Mary Jane. Clar- ence married Bessie Ellsworth and has a son, Charles Ellsworth. In November, 1894, Mr. Eaton married Addie Atwater, a daughter of William Atwater. They have one daughter, Bell, still at home. Moses M. Miller, who for over a quarter of a century has had his home in section 29 of Clay Township, has developed a fine farm out of the woods there, and is a sturdy representative of one of the old and well known family names of La- Grange County. He was born in Hickory County, Missouri, Feb- ruary 24, 1870. His father is Moses P. Miller, more extended reference to whose career will be found on other pages. Moses P. Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1845, had come to LaGrange County in 1857, but from 1869 to 1872 lived in Hickory County, Missouri, and since then has been a resident of LaGrange County. Moses M. Miller was therefore brought back to LaGrange County before he was able to remember things consecutively, and has lived here ever since. He attended district schools in Eden and Clay townships, was employed on his father’s farm, at the age of twenty-one worked out as a farm hand, and the following fall moved to the place where he is still living. He was married July 19, 1891, and took his bride to a tract of timbered land, where his efforts have resulted in many improvements and developments. He makes a specialty of well bred Holstein cattle and is properly regarded as one of the best farmers in the township. Mr. Miller married Lydia Patterson. They had ten children : Rollin, born May 7, 1892, and died in March, 1896 ; Ray M. ; Roy ; Minnie May ; Samuel ; Moses Ivan; Ina and Nina, twins, who died in in- fancy; Milo Uriah; and Wilbur. Mr. Miller and family are members of the Mennonite Church. Mrs. Miller was born in Van Buren Township of LaGrange County, a daughter of George and Polly (Miller) Patterson. Her father was a life- long farmer in LaGrange County. In the Patterson family were the following children: John, Simon, who died December 27, 1899; Fannie, who died in 1915; and Clara, Lydia, Hattie, Jacob, Amanda, Susan, and Daniel. John Mault. For over thirty years the name of John Mault has been identified with the farming enterprise of Sparta Township. He is proprietor of one of the well managed and valuable farms of that locality of Noble County, his home being on the Lincoln Highway three miles southeast of Ligo- nier. He was born in Shelby County, Ohio, January 24, i860, a son of William and Amanda (Morris) Mault. His parents were also natives of Shelby County, were married there, and on August 20, 1866, moved to Noble County, Indiana, and settled in Sparta Township, where they spent the rest of their lives. They were active church people and William Mault was a republican. Of seven children three are still living: John R. ; William, of Sparta Township; and Clara, wife of James Smith. John R. Mault was only six years old when brought to Noble County, and he grew up here, at- tending the district schools and also the high school at Syracuse. He lived at home to the age of twenty- one. Then after several years of work on his indi- vidual account he married on July 3, 1886, Martha L. Beck. She was born in Hardin County, Ohio, April 6, 1869, a daughter of Lewis F. Beck, of Pauld- ing County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Mault have six children: Minnie, wife of Ralph Gallup; Wilbur, who is married and lives in Toledo, Ohio; Andrew, a farmer at Middlebury, Indiana; Albert, unmarried and at home ; Walter, also at home, who married Elma Price ; and Clarence, at home. The family are members of the Broadway Chris- tian Church. Mr. Mault is affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Kimmell, his wife is a member of the Rebekahs at Cromwell, both are members of the Knights and Ladies of the Macca- bees, and she belongs to the Pythian Sisters at Crom- well. In politics he is a republican but has never had official aspirations. The Mault farm is one of the best in Sparta Township, comprising 136 acres, and is well stocked with grade cattle and hogs and has very superior equipment and facilities. Clyde A. Walb, president of the LaGrange County Trust Company, has been a man of affairs in LaGrange County for a number of years. He was formerly county surveyor and engineer. In later years a prominent drainage contractor, he still operates a large fleet of dredges which have excavated millions of cubic yards in the process of reclaiming thousands of acres of fertile soil in Northern Indiana. Mr. Walb was born in Clay Township of La- Grange County October 3, 1878, son of Reuben B. and Susana (Norris) Walb. His parents are still living. He grew up on a farm in Clay Township, attended district schools there, graduated from the LaGrange High School, and studied civil engineer- ing. He was elected county surveyor and engineer on the republican ticket, filling that office with credit for six years. He then engaged in the busi- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 283 ness of drainage contracting, operating steam shovel dredges, and his work in this line has included a number of contracts in different parts of the state and in other states. He owns ten steam shovel dredges and has a highly adequate and efficient or- ganization for their operations. Mr. Walb helped organize the LaGrange County Trust Company and has been president since it started. He married Vida Wildman, a graduate of the Wolcottville High School. They have four chil- dren: Walter, Eloise, Ralph and Clyde A. Jr. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of which Mr. Walb is a trustee. He is ac- tive in Masonry, being past high priest of the Royal Arch Chapter, is a member of the Knights Templar, the Scottish Rite and the Shrine. He is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He is present county chairman of the republican party. Besides the interests detailed above Mr. Walb is president of the LaGrange Hardware Company and is half owner in a tract of 320 acres of land. He is therefore one of the most substantial men of LaGrange County and it is easy to understand the weight his name carries in public affairs. Laora M. Rowe formerly a druggist and for many years engaged in the real estate and insur- ance business at LaGrange, and is member of a family that has played an active part in this sec- tion of Northeast Indiana for over sixty years. He was born in Preble County, Ohio, August 15, 1838, a son of Milton and Caroline (Dorsey) Rowe. His father was born in Preble County, Ohio, July 3 1 . 1833, and his mother near Baltimore, Maryland, February 18, 1832. They were married in Preble County, Ohio, October 26, 1854, and after living for some time in Preble County came in the spring of 1861 to LaGrange County, Indiana, and settled on a farm of 120 acres in Eden Township. Later Milton Rowe added forty acres more and was one of the industrious agriculturists of that locality un- til his death on June 17, 1915. His wife died March 25, 1886. They were the parents of a large family of nine children. Josiah, a farmer of Eden Town- ship, married Nora Benham ; Emma who died April 13, 1880, the wife of Mathias Longcor; Laora M., Henry A } , who died in his fourth year ; Margaret E.,.wife of August Herrmann of LaGrande, Ore- gon ; Cecelia, who died March 4, 1896, wife of Lo- renzo Haller ; Charles who married Anna McKib- ben lives on the McKibben homestead ; Mary E., who died October 25, 1899, the wife of John Pen- rose ; and Howard P., who lives at Enterprise, Ore- gon, and married Cora Pierman. Laora M. Rowe grew up on the homestead farm in LaGrange County and supplemented his educa- tion in the country schools with attendance at the LaGrange County Normal. At the age of nineteen he taught his first term of school and was an edu- cator six years, four years in country schools and two years in the LaGrange schools. He then joined his brother-in-law E. S. Ballou and Dr. Betts in the drug business and continued in that line for about fourteen years until he sold out. During the second administration of President Cleveland he was appointed postmaster of LaGrange. Since then he has been an insurance man, a notary public, a dealer in real estate and now is a member of the LaGrange Bar and these various activities ac- count for the last eighteen years of his life. Mr. Rowe is a democrat, and four times received appointment by the judge as a member of the board of review. October 12, 1881, he married Miss Ann M. Ballou, sister of O. L. and E. S. Ballou, else- where mentioned in this publication. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe had three children, Anna M., dying in in- fancy; Lura A., a graduate of the LaGrange High School, now residing at Lincoln, Nebraska, and Anna C., also a graduate of the LaGrange High School and the wife of Walter Spangenberg of Sturgis, Michigan, and the mother of one child, June Pauline. Jacob Miller. There are a great many people who will recall the upright life and character of the late Jacob Miller, who for many years was one of Salem Township’s most substantial farmers. The farm he acquired, developed and owned so many years is now the property of his widow and under the active management of his only son, Henry Miller. Mr. Miller was born in Ohio January 28, 1844, son of an Ohio farmer who lived near Edgerton. Jacob Miller had a good rearing and training in early youth, especially in habits of industry and thrift, and he became a resident of Steuben County in 1874, moving from DeKalb County. At that time he bought 215 acres in Salem Township, and during the next quarter of a century he was busily engaged in cultivating his fields, making improvements in every direction, putting up all the buildings which still adorn and give value to the place, and left his work well done when he obeyed the last sum- mons on April 23, 1900. January 5, 1869, five years before coming to Steuben County, Mr. Miller married Miss Sarah E. Slayman. She was born in Fairfield Township of DeKalb County June 21, 1851, a daughter of George and Barbara (Bales) Slayman. Her father, who was born in 1824, was a pioneer in Fairfield Town- ship, DeKalb County, and lived as a farmer there until his death in 1881. His children were Rebecca, Sarah E., Jennie, Ida Bell, who died in infancy, Ella, a son that died in infancy, and Arwilda. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Miller had three children, Henry and Mina, twins, and Cora Elizabeth, who died when two years old. Mina is the wife of John Holbrook, a farmer of Salem Township. Henry Miller was born September 11, 1869, and has lived since earliest childhood on the home farm in Salem Township. He attended the Turkey Creek School there and began making himself useful to his father when a small boy. Since his father’s death in 1900 he has been farming the place on his own responsibility and raises a great deal of live- stock. The farm now comprises 380 acres, owned by the Miller estate. Henry Miller married Nettie Frederick, daughter of Joseph Frederick. They have three sons, Ray Owen, Clyde William and Russell Ellsworth. Alvin E. Lambright. An unusual example of a progressive and successful farmer of Northeast In- diana is afforded in the person of Alvin E. Lam- bright, whose home is in section 19 of Johnson Township, six miles south of LaGrange. Mr. Lam- bright is not yet forty years of age, and in a dozen years has achieved a degree of material success which counts him among the large farmers and land owners of Northeast Indiana. He was born at the old Lambright farm where he still resides November 2, 1881, a son of Michael M. and Agusta (Schintzer) Lambright. His father, born in Germany March 9, 1837, came to the United States with his father in 1845 and in 1850 the family moved from Ohio, their first place of settlement, to LaGrange County, Indiana. Michael Lambright grew up in Indiana, and was married in Ohio, where his wife was born. He then settled in Johnson 284 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Township of LaGrange County, on section 19, #md lived there forty years or more, until 1902, when he retired to Wolcottville. He died September 12, 1907, and his wife, March 22, 1918. Of their nine children one died in infancy and six are still living: William J., a retired farmer at Wolcottville; Adolph, of Johnson Township; Etta, wife of William Rowe of Wolcottville; Lewis M., an engineer with the New York Central Railroad, living at Elkhart; Carrie, wife of Frank Eddy of Moorcroft, Wyoming; and Alvin E. Alvin E. Lambright grew up on his father’s farm and had a common school education. For three years of his early life he worked out by the month, and he started with limited capital. He inherited part of the old Lambright farm, and from that as a beginning has built up a farm of 300 acres under his individual ownership, and is one of the lead- ing producers of crops and live stock in LaGrange County. He raises large numbers of cattle and hogs and has made it a rule, a profitable one, to raise his own feed, a policy with him, as with many others, which has proved very profitable. Mr. Lam- bright also owns a three-fourths interest in the Lambright Block at Wolcottville. Perhaps his chief hobby is good roads, and he was instrumental in constructing a mile and a half of gravel road along his own farm. Politically he is a democrat. Mr. Lambright married Martha A. Moore of Clear Spring Township, LaGrange County. They have four children: Dorothy, Ruth A. and Ruby W., twins, and Alvin E., Jr. Harry C. Marquiss made a successful record as an Illinois farmer and then brought the proceeds of his experience to Noble County, and now owns one of the valuable farms of York Township, located 2 p2 miles northeast of Albion. Mr. Marquiss was born in Piatt County, in the corn belt of Illinois, December 9, 1862, a son of Henry and Mary J. (Corn) Marquiss. His parents were both natives of Ohio, and their respective families moved to Illinois at an early day. They married in that state, became farmers, and the father was also interested in a grist and sawmill. He died when Harry C. Marquiss was a small child. The mother never married again, and managed to keep her family together. She had eight children, and the three sons still living are: Oliver A., a farmer in Piatt County, Illinois; James E., superintendent of waterworks and street superintendent at Monti- cello, Illinois; and Harry C. Harry C. Marquiss grew up in Piatt County, Illi- nois, attended the country schools, and lived at home until he was about twenty-four years of age. He married Anna' C. Duvall in 1886. Mrs. Marquiss was born in Piatt County May 13, 1866, and was educated in the common schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Marquiss lo- cated on her mother’s farm and pushed their affairs in Illinois to successful ends for a number of years. In 1910 they came to Indiana, and Mr. Marquis now owns 240 acres in Noble County. He and his wife became the parents of ten chil- dren, including: Charles H., who entered the Great Lakes Training Station as a machinist in the avia- tion section, and later was appointed an instructor in that branch ; Mary, a graduate of a high school in Illinois, is the wife of Clarence Baldwin, of Noble County ; Emma is unmarried and at home ; Loren, who saw active services with the American Expedi- tionary Forces in France; Carl; Wilber, a graduate of the Albion High School; Albert; Otis, also a high school graduate; and Lora A., who died in October, 1918, aged twenty-six years. She was the wife of Herman Parrott. Mr. Marquiss has for many years been an active Odd Fellow and in his home lodge at Deland, Illi- nois, served as noble grand, and also as chief pa- triarch of the Encampment at Monticello, Illinois, and represented both branches in the Grand Lodge. He and his wife are active members of the Rebekahs of Albion. He is also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he has been a vig- orous republican, and while living in Illinois served as assessor and as a justice of the peace for eight years. Eugene Dickinson. Of the men whose ability, industry and forethought have added to the charac- ter, wealth and progress of LaGrange County, none deserves better mention than Eugene Dickinson of Johnson Township. Mr. Dickinson grew up in La- Grange County, learned farming by practical ex- perience and has proved one of the progressive agriculturists of the county. He is well known as a breeder of Jersey cattle. His farm two and a half miles north of Wolcottville has about fifty head of these beautiful animals, his herd being headed by a grandson of “Hood Farm Torona.” Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson have about 240 acres of land in Johnson Township. He was born in Orange Township of Noble County, Indiana, August 31, 1853, a son of Barrett W. and Sarah J. (Rowe) Dickinson. His father was born in Genesee County, New York. His grandfather, William Dickinson, came to LaGrange County in pioneer days, in 1836, and bought a sec- tion of land in Johnson and Orange townships of Noble County. He spent the rest of his life in Johnson Township and was one of the prominent citizens of early days. It is said that he brought the first carriage to this part of Indiana. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. William Dick- inson had four children : Barrett W., Almon, Eu- gene and Emily Hurlbert, all of whom are now deceased. Barrett W. Dickinson after his marriage lived on a farm in Orange Township of Noble County and died there when his only child, Eugene, was eleven months old. His widow then married Almon Dick- inson, brother of her first husband, and they soon afterward came to LaGrange County and located on the farm where Eugene Dickinson now lives. 'To their marriage were born three children. Eugene Dickinson has lived practically all his life at his present home. He was educated in the dis- trict schools and afterward was graduated from Indiana University with the degree A. B. He also attended the Divinity School of the old Chicago University and was awarded the degree Bachelor of Divinity, and in the same year the Master of Arts degree by Indiana University. He was ordained a Baptist minister and is widely known over this sec- tion of Indiana for his unusually able efforts in the ministry. He was pastor of churches at La- Grange and Kendallville, and continued his chosen profession from 1886 to 1906. Since retiring from the ministry he has given all his time to farming and stockraising. June 18, 1879, he married Angie G. Wildman, a sister of H. H. Wildman, the Wolcottville banker. One of their two children died at the age of nine. The only survivor is Lena W., who graduated from the Baptist College at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and took her A. B. degree from the University of Chi- cago. She was a teacher in the high school at Montague, Michigan, and at Litchfield, Illinois, until her marriage to Professor R. G. Rapp at Hammond, Indiana. Mr. Dickinson in politics is a republican. Charles Jordan was one of the enterprising mer- HARRY C. MARQUISS AND FAMILY HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 285 chants of Steuben County, and in a brief life achieved a large measure of success and the respect of the entire community in which he lived and labored. He was born in Steuben County July 26, 1852, son of David and Alvina (Wier) Jordan. The par- ents came from New York State in 1851 and settled in Fremont Township of Steuben County, later moved from their farm to Angola, and lived there until the death of David about five years later. His widow survived him about twenty years. He was a republican and a Methodist. David Jordan and wife had six children : Henry, Andrew, Harriet, Loretta, Charles and Ella. Charles Jordan grew up on the homestead farm and had a public school education. He engaged in business as a meat dealer and rendered a good serv- ice and made friends of all his patrons. He was engaged in that line until his death on July 25, 1886, just a day before his thirty-fourth birthday. He was a republican -in politics. In November, 1874, Charles Jordan married Nancy Spangle, member of one of the older families of Steuben County. She was born in that county No- vember 3, 1856, daughter of Simon and Harriet (Bennett) Spangle, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter of Seneca County, Ohio. They were married in Seneca County and came from there to Steuben County, Indiana, settling in Jack- son Township and later moving three miles north of Angola. Simon Spangle died in 1885, at the age of sixty-two and his wife on October 20, 1898, aged seventy-four. Their children were: Susan, wife of George Johnson, of Brooklyn, New York; Mary, wife of Hiram Baker ; Elizabeth, wife of S. L. Crandall; Edwin, Ephraim, Jane, Nancy and Etta. The three living are Mrs. Jordan, Edward and Ephraim. Mrs. Nancy Jordan is still living in Angola and is the mother of one son, David Charles Jordan, who was educated in the public schools, includ- ing the high school at Angola, took a business course in the Tri-State College and attended Notre Dame University one year. He is a graduate from the pharmacy department of Purdue University, and for several years was in the drug business at .Alex- andria, Indiana, and has since been a traveling rep- resentative for the great paint manufacturers, Sher- win-Williams Company. David Charles married in 1917, Cora Fulton, who was born at Lockport, New York. Wiliaam Chrystler. Very many of the early settlers of Indiana were natives of New York, and when they journeyed into what was then a frontier region they bore with them the habits, thoughts and customs of a sturdy civilization that has its influ- ence yet, as is evidenced by the good citizenship that prevails throughout Indiana. To have been born in the Empire State and to live in Indiana has many times been helpful in opening the door of both soc : al and business opportunity. This has been the fortunate experience of William Chrystler, one of the highly resnected and substantial men of LaGrange County, Indiana, whose fine farm is situated in Clay Township. William Chrystler was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, August 7, 1852. His parents were Abraham and Martha (Bowers) Chrystler, both of whom were born in New York and were married in that state. In 1858 they moved to In- diana, urged perhaps by the needs of a growing family, and for some years lived in different sec- tions before settling in Jackson Township, Steuben County, in the early ’6os. Later the family home was near Nevada Mills. Both parents died in Steuben County. They had nine children, namely : Wesley, Henry, Martha, George, William, Helen, Amanda, Emma and Eugene. The father was an industrious man although he never accumulated a fortune. The mother taught her children to be honest and frugal and ever set them the best of examples. While never active to any extent in poli- tics, the father was a well informed man and gave his political support to the republican party because he believed in its principles. William Chrystler was about seven years old when he had a chance to start to school in Steu- ben County, and was thirteen years old when he began work for George Twitched. He continued to work on farms in Steuben and afterward in LaGrange County, to which he came in 1870. Here he bought land and now owns 120 acres of valu- able farming land, which lies in Clay Township. For a number of years after his marriage he con- tinued to farm and raise stock, but later, when another business opportunity was presented, he turned the management of his farm over to one of his sons. It is not so many years ago that scien- tists discovered the process of preserving green fodder for the use of stock, the building of silos being a comparatively new departure in many of the otherwise well managed farming districts. Mr. Chrystler, as an intelligent and progressive agri- culturist, has gone into the business of selling silos, and is meeting .with the success so important an enterprise deserves. On October xi, 1871, William Chrystler was mar- ried, to Miss Hannah Latta, who is a daughter of Silas Latta, extended mention of whom will be found on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Chrystler have had ten children, as follows : Charles, whose sketch appears in this work; Wil- liam Albert, who is a farmer in Clay Township, married Clara Myers and they have two children ; Mattie, who was the wife of Oliver Harding, left nine children at time of death; Samuel, who at his death left a widow, May Van Darsen ; Fred, de- ceased, married Celia Paigh ; Lewis, who married Eunice Baer; Julia, who is the wife of Lewis Myers; Myrtle, who is the wife of Stephen Eddy; Cecil, who married Grace Swinehart, is living in LaGrange ; and Edith, who died when five months old. Of the above family, Lewis Chrystler rents the homestead farm. In politics Mr. Chrystler and his sons are republicans, but for the last twenty years he has been active in the prohibition move- ment. Few men in this section of Indiana are bet- ter known. Ichabod Parsell is the present trustee of Steuben Township, Steuben County. One of the most im- portant offices in the county government, the people of Salem Township chose Mr. Parsell for that re- sponsibility by reason of his long residence, his successful record as a farmer, and his ability and trustworthiness in every relationship of life. Mr. Parsell was born in Jackson Township of Steuben County March 4, 1864, and is a son of Abijah D. Parsell and grandson of Moses Parsell. Moses Parsell was born February 12, 1797, and in 1838 brought his family to Steuben County, Indiana, and settled among the pioneers of Jackson Town- ship. On December 17, 1817, he married Mary Campbell, who was born September 10, 1795. She died in 1824, and in 1825 he married Hannah Crilley, who died in 1846. Abijah D. Parsell was born in New Jersey Octo- ber 25, 1827, a child of his father’s second marriage, 286 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA and was eleven years old when the family came to Steuben County. He finished his education here in the district schools, and in 1851 married Jane T. Alcott. She was born in Ohio September 24, 1829, a daughter of Samuel and Nancy Alcott. After his marriage Abijah Parsell bought a farm in section 35 of Jackson Township, and spent over twenty years as a practical farmer. In 1872 he engaged in the produce business at Angola, remained there a year, and in 1878 resumed his connection with the mercantile interests of Angola and continued it until his death on November 11, 1882. His wife passed away in 1888. Of their seven children three reached mature years: Austin M., born November 1, 1855; Ichabod; and Michael A., born January 18, 1870. Ichabod Parsell acquired part of his early educa- tion in the district schools of Jackson Township and also attended the public schools of Angola. He started life as a farmer in Salem Township, and has owned his farm in section 2 of that township for many years. He continued the active super- vision of his 130 acres until 1915, since which date he has lived in the Village of Salem. He also owns forty acres in section 35 of Jackson Township. December 3, 1891, Mr. Parsell married Estella D. (Brown) Woodford, daughter of Samuel W. and Elizabeth (Wilson) Brown. Her first husband was Ira Woodford, and by that union she has a daugh- ter, Ruth, now the wife of Wallace D. Kinsey. Mr. and Mrs. Parsell have one son, Samuel A., who is now running his father’s farm in Salem Township. Samuel married Muriel Spears and has two children, Barbara Ruth and Bettie Muriel. Mr. Parsell was accorded the responsibilities of the office of township trustee in 1914, and after one term of four years was re-elected on his record in 1918. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Salem. Elias C. Wemple has lived since early infancy in LaGrange County, grew up on a farm, adopted agriculture as his mainstay in life, and is now pro- prietor of a good farm in Johnson Township. He has fared equally well in the esteem of his com- munity, and made a splendid record during the time he served as township trustee. Mr. Wemple was born in Schenectady, New York, December 28, 1857, son of John A. and Elizabeth (Strang) Wemple. His parents were natives of New York, and after their marriage came to In- diana in 1855. A year later they went back to their native state, and in 1859 came to Indiana, and from that time until their death lived in Clear Spring Township of LaGrange County. Five of their chil- dren are still living: Abraham, of Perry Township, Noble County; Angelica, widow of Hiram B. Smith; James, of Wexford County, Michigan; Elijah P., of Topeka, Indiana; and Elias C. Elias C. Wemple was eighteen months old when his parents came to LaGrange County, and he grew up here and was educated in the common schools. He lived at home with his parents until he was twenty-eight years old. In 1886 he married Mattie E. Baugher. She is a native of LaGrange County and made good use of her early advantages in the common schools and the Ontario Normal and for seventeen years was a successful and popular teacher. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wem- ple began farming north of Valentine, and in 1890 moved to their present place a half mile west of that village. Mr. Wemple has 72 y 2 acres devoted to general farming and stockraising. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge and also with the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a past chancellor and member of the Grand Lodge, and Mrs. Wemple is a past chief of the Pythian Sisters. Mr. Wemple was elected to the office of township trustee on the democratic ticket. Aaron Yoder. Farming is the oldest industry, and it is one of the most important, attracting to it some of the exceptional men of the country, who recognize the fact that in it they can develop from comparative poverty to affluence provided they are willing to exert themselves and save their money. One of the leading agriculturalists of LaGrange County, who has placed himself in the front ranks of his calling through his own efforts, is Aaron Yoder, of Newbury Township. He was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1862, a son of Daniel and Barbara (Kauffman) Yoder, both natives of Pennsylvania, where he died in 1886, aged sixty-one years. His widow survives him and is now eighty-one years old. Their chil- dren were as follows : Aaron, whose name heads this review; Noah, who was taken away by death in 1887; Levi, who was third in the family; Stephen; and Nathaniel. The father was a widower when he married the mother of Aaron Yoder, having been previously married to Miss Catherine Hos- tetter, and their children were as follows: Cynthia; Moses, who died at the age of twenty-six years ; Josiah, who died in 1887; Daniel; and Barbara. Growing up in his native state, Aaron Yoder at- tended its public schools, and remained at home assisting his father until he attained his majority. At that time he commenced working for the neigh- boring farmers for a year, when he moved to La- Grange County. During the two years that followed his advent in the neighborhood he worked for others, and then rented a farm for nine years, moving from it to another rented place for a year. In 1898 he bought sixty acres of land in Newbury Township, later adding forty acres to it and now has 100 acres of finely cultivated land. He has two sets of modern buildings on the place, and his farm is well improved in every way. In 1887 Mr. Yoder was united in marriage with Amanda Hostetter, born in Pennsylvania in 1861, but brought to LaGrange County by her parents, Samuel and Sarah (Miller) Hostetter, in 1866. Mr. Hostetter is now deceased, but his widow survives and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Yoder. Childless themselves, Mr. and Mrs. Yoder adopted a boy when he was only six weeks old and reared him. He was born November 11, 1894, and after taking the grammar and high school courses of his neighborhood attended Goshen College, and for three winters was engaged in teaching. During the World war he was called into the service March 29, 1918, and after the preliminary training at Camp Taylor was sent to France, and was at the front when the armistice was signed. He was returned to the United States in May, 1919, and after his honorable discharge returned to the farm, where he is now engaged in assisting his father. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder are consistent members of the Men- nonite faith. John H. George. Among the men known in Stu- ben to be good, practical farmers and representative citizens is John H. George of Otsego Township. He was born in Crawford County, Ohio, February 16, 1869, a son of Robert and Anna (Smith) George, he born in Morrow County, Ohio, November 12, 1842, and she in Crawford County, Ohio, in 1848. For a time after their marriag? they lived in Craw- ford County, Ohio, but in 1878 came to Steuben County, Indiana, buying forty acres near Fox Lake HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 287 in Pleasant Township, but later went to Scott Town- ship, on eighty acres which they bought. After selling this farm they went on the Russell farm in Steuben Township, but after four years went on another farm in the same township and conducted it for seven years. Once more they went on the Russell farm, and there Mrs. George died July 24, 1912. Robert George died in a hospital at Ann Arbor, Michigan, October 6, 1917. In politics he was a democrat, but did not aspire to office. The United Brethren Church held his membership. A level-headed man, he worked hard and did his duty as he saw it, and no man in his neighborhood was held in higher esteem. He and his wife had chil- dren as follows : Alice, who died at the age of three years; John H., whose name heads this review; W., who lives at Pleasant Lake; Dora, who is the wife of Eugene Van Auken; an unnamed infant; Elsa; Frank; two unnamed infants; and Robert. John H. George was reared as any farmer’s son of his time and locality, and received the benefits of a public school education. In February, 1909, he bought eighty acres of land in Richland Town- ship, and in 1912 made another purchase, investing in twenty acres in Otsego Township on which he now lives. In 1918 he added forty acres to his orig- inal eighty acres in Richland Township. All of the improvements on his property have been made by him and the land is very valuable, and he is a man of considerable means. In national affairs he is a democrat, but in local elections reserves the right to cast his vote for the man he deems best fitted for the office in question. Mr. George joined the Odd Fellows at Angola, later transferring to the lodge at Metz, and now belongs to Mount Pleasant Lodge No. 239, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Metz Lodge No. 2111, Knights of Pythias. Having spent his life in Steuben County, Mr. George naturally is deeply interested in it and all that pertains to its welfare, being willing and ready to lend his aid to further public improvements. His family is an old and honored one in this part of the state, and its members are desirable additions to any community in which they have located, for they are upright and law abiding and thoroughly Ameri- can in every respect. Henry Moreland Wade. While he owns the farm on which he lives in comfort and plenty in Springfield Township of LaGrange County, Mr. Wade since 1905 has relieved himself largely of the responsibilities and labors of its management and is enjoying a well merited leisure during his declining years. His _ family had very early and pioneer associa- tions in Northeast Indiana. However, Mr. Wade himself was born in Canada, June 23, 1844. He was five years of age when his parents returned to LaGrange County in 1849. His father, Robert Wade, was born in England and in 1829 came to America with his brothers John and Richard, lo- cating in the region around White Pigeon, Michi- gan. In 1830 Robert Wade wrote a very detailed letter back to his parents in England, giving a de- scription of the country of Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana, then practically an uninhabited wilderness. Probably through the influence of this letter his parents, Robert Wade, Sr., and wife, also came to America and spent their last years in LaGrange County. In 1833 Robert Wade married Jane Giles. She came from England to Detroit, Michigan, with her parents in 1830, but the entire family went back to England the same year. Soon afterward they returned to the United States and settled on English Prairie in Greenfield Township, LaGrange County. John Giles, her father, as one of the pioneers on English Prairie, made a device from stones by which he was able to grind wheat, and that was probably the first instance of flour manufacture in that community. John Giles and his wife Jane, are both buried" at Old Lexington, now Brighton, in Greenfield Township. In 1837 Robert Wade and wife removed to Can- ada and, as noted above, lived there until 1849, when they returned to LaGrange County and set- tled in Springfield Township. In 1853 Robert Wade went west to California and a few years later met his death as a passenger on the Central America, a ship which went down off the coast of Lower California. He had served as a volunteer soldier at the time of the Blackhawk Indian war in 1832. His wife died June 20, 1885, aged seventy-seven years, five months and four days. She was an active member of the Methodist Church. Robert Wade and wife had a family of eight children: Elizabeth, deceased wife of Addison Phillips ; Mary Ann, deceased wife of Abram Ackerman; John and Charles, both deceased ; Ellen, who married Henry Deal; Henry M. ; Sarah Jane, who was the wife of Headly Deal ; and Walter, who died in in- fancy. Henry Moreland Wade was educated in the pub- lic schools of Springfield Township, and in early youth he and his brother Charles bought out the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead. Later Henry sold his share to his brother Charles and then bought eighty acres where he is now liv- ing. His farm at the present time comprises ninety acres, forty acres in LaGrange and fifty acres in Steuben County. His farm has modern buildings and for years Mr. Wade conducted it as a high class general farm. Mr. Wade is a republican and served four years as trustee of Springfield Town- ship. He is widely known for his musical gifts and was a teacher of music for many years and was a member and for thirty years was chorister at the Springfield Church. December 16, 1870, Mr. Wade married Mrs. Chris- tina Schreder. She was born December 28, 1837, and died April 5, 1911, aged seventy-three years, three months and eleven days. Her first husband was George Schreder, and her two children by that union were Thomas Herbert and Mary Ma- tilda, the latter the wife of James Spero. Mrs. Schreder’s maiden name was Lupton. Her father, Thomas Lupton, was a Methodist minister and also owned a farm in Lenawee County, Michigan, where he died. Rev. Mr. Lupton married a Miss Cooper. Mr. and Mrs. Wade had two children, Effie Janet and Dr. Robert L. of Fremont, Indiana. Concern- ing this son special mention is made elsewhere. The daughter, Effie, was born September 9, 1873, on the farm where she now lives. She was edu- cated in the public schools and also studied music at Hillsdale College under Professor Chase and in Detroit under Professor Neff. On February 27, 1907, she became the wife of Henry Spears. Mr. Spears was born January 5, 1877. He is a successful farmer, owns eighty acres of good land and also handles the Wade farm of ninety acres and lives at the Wade homestead. He is a republi- can in politics. Mr. Spears is a son of John K. and Emma (Helmer) Spears, of an interesting fam- ily of LaGrange County. John K. Spears was born in Springfield Township while his wife was a na- tive of New York. His grandparents were Tunis and Mary Spears, who came to LaGrange County in 1836. Tunis was a native of New Jersey and his wife of Connecticut. They came to LaGrange County from Ohio and took" up eighty acres of government land a little north of Applemanburg. 288 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA This land was all under timber and Tunis Spears was busily engaged in clearing and developing it as a farm. He died in 1850 and his widow subse- quently married a Mr. Sears and died at the pres- ent site of the Village of Helmer, owning the land on which that town is built. The wife of John Iv. Spears was a daughter of Peter and Esther Helmer, who came from New York State about 1848 and acquired land in Milford Township, mak- ing a home in the woods, where they spent their last years. John K. Spears acquired his early edu- cation in LaGrange County and was left to shift for himself when about thirteen. He worked out for monthly wages, subsequently acquired a farm south of Milford and later lived on and owned a farm in Jackson Township of Steuben County. In 1897 he moved to the farm now owned by his son in Springfield Township and had eighty-five acres there. He was. affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at. Salem Center. John K. Spears and wife had eight children: Etta, Mrs. John Weber, of Salem Center; Eliza, wife of F. T. Miller, of DeKalb County ; Dora, Mrs. R. Butler, near Wol- cottville in Noble County; John Alva; Fred, of Salem Center; Clara, Mrs. Bijah Emerson, de- ceased ; Henry Spears ; and Harley, present county surveyor of LaGrange County. John Alva Spears, who lives on the old Spears farm, grew up in Steuben County, later was in the meat business in Livingston County, Illinois, for three years had a market at Millersburg, Indiana, and in igoi came to the home farm of eighty-five acres. He was one of the organizers of the Stroh Shippers Association. He is unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Spears have two children : Lillian Matilda, born April 10, 1909, and John Wade, born November 17, 1914. Nathan Metz, member of a very well known family of Steuben County, was born there soon after the family located in Indiana, and since early manhood has been an industrious and successful farmer, and besides making comfortable provisions for himself and family through his efforts has been honored twice with the office of trustee of Richland Township. He is still the incumbent of that office. Mr. Metz was born in Otsego Township Septem- ber 2, 1863. His father, Christopher Metz, was born in Baden, Germany. He married in February, 1842, Eva Katherine Gretchman. She was born in Baden April 2, 1822, daughter of Carl and Marguerite Gretchman. Christopher Metz brought his family to America in 1855. They were 103 days on the ocean. One of their sons died in Germany, they buried a daughter at sea, and another daughter was buried in New York. When they embarked on the ship they carried with them supplies of clothing and other goods, but all these possessions were lost in New York. The family went on to Ohio, and about i860 came to Otsego Township of Steuben County, where with the exception of two years Christopher Metz spent the rest of his life. His children besides those above mentioned were: Catherine and Joshua, who were born in Germany; J. H. Metz; William, Martha, and Nathan. Nathan Metz attended district schools and fin- ished his education in the Tri-State College at Angola, graduating in the commercial department. On January 14, 1896, he married Mrs. Eugenia Morley, widow of Robert G. Morley and daughter of G. C. and Cordelia (Purvis) Cary. Her first husband, to whom she was married October 3, 1875, was Robert G. Morley, who was born in Richland Township in 1855, only son of Albert and Ruth (Dally) Morley. Albert Morley was born in New York in 1832, of New England parentage, and his father. Ebenezer Morley, settled in Richland Town- ship of Steuben County in 1842, among the pioneers. Robert G. Morley was for several terms county surveyor of Steuben County and died July 22, 1886, when his career was especially full of promise. Mrs. Metz by her first marriage had three children : Leo R., who married Lelia Dewire; Nellie C., who is the wife of Shirley Teegardin ; and Ruth Dea, who died August 22, 1889, at the age of five years. Mrs. Metz finished her education in the Angola Academy and for about six years was a successful teacher in Steuben County. After his marriage Mr. Metz began farming on the present place in Rich- land Township, and has done much to improve and increase the value of his farm, comprising eighty- five acres in section 20. He has remodeled the barn and carries on an extensive business as a crop raiser and raiser of good livestock. Mr. Metz served about fourteen years on the Advisory Board of Richland Township, and from that position was' advanced to the office of trustee of the township in 1914. He gave such good service in handling the schools and other matters entrusted to his official jurisdiction that he was re-elected in 1918. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church and he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at Hamilton. G. C. Cary, father of Mrs. Metz, was born in New Jersey and in 1849 came to Richland Township and acquired some land in section 20, eventually owning a well improved farm of ninety-six acres. He was one of the early school teachers in Richland Township. He died in January, 1900, and his wife in 1909. Their children, five in number, were Lewis ; Eugenia ; Milton, who died at the age of twenty- three: Lizzie, who married Elmer Lees and residing in Edon, Ohio ; Lutie, who married George Scott and also lives at Edon, Ohio. Jacob J. Lambright. To the credit of the many hard working years of Jacob J. Lambright is a farm accounted one of the best in LaGrange County, known as the Grain and Meadow Farm, comprising 190 acres in Eden Township. This beautiful country estate is five miles north and a mile and a quarter west of Topeka, and part of the land was in the old Lambright homestead where Jacob was born December 28, 1879. He is a son of Jacob J. and Sarah (Yoder) Lam- bright. His father, a native of Germany, was brought to the United States as a boy and was bound out to a family in Ohio. After coming to Indiana he married and settled in Newbury Town- ship, but about two years later sold that place and moved to the farm where his son now lives and where he died. He had a family of four sons and four daughters, six of whom are still living: Amos and Michael, of Newbury Township; Jacob J. ; Lizzie, wife of Samuel Miller; Laura, wife of David Hostettler ; and Tillie, wife of Calvin Troyer. Jacob J. Lambright grew up on the old farm and acquired a common school education. He began working for others when about fourteen years old, and while he inherited some money, most of his property has been acquired through the intelligent effort by which he has accepted his opportunities and managed his resources. He married Fannie Yoder, a native of LaGrange County. After their marriage they rented land one year and then bought ninety-six acres of the old homestead. Mr. Lambright now owns altogether 325)4 acres, having eighty acres two miles south of the homestead and 55)4 acres just east. He is a republican in politics, and he and his family are members of the Amish Mennonite Church. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 289 He and his wife have nine children : Jeremiah, Tobias, Ammon, Edward, Clara A., Milton, Zilma, Elsie, and Freeman. Carman J. Closson. There is no other line of activity which exacts such exhausting service if success is attained than that of farming, but on the other hand it richly rewards those who are willing to labor early and late for some years, enabling them to retire at an age when they are still young enough to take pleasure in other pur- suits, and give intelligent attention to civic mat- ters. Steuben County has a number of these sub- stantial men who, having accomplished their aims, are now living in enjoyment of what they earned, leaving the active operation of their lands to others. One of these retired farmers is Carman J. Closson, of Steuben Township, owner of 160 acres of very valuable farm land. Carman J. Closson was born in Delaware County, Ohio, September 14, 1850, a son of George W., and grandson of John Closson and his wife, Esther. George W. Closson was born in Genoa Township, Delaware County, Ohio, January 8, 1816, and was there reared and educated, and there he was mar- ried to Bertha Weeks, born in 1819. In 1852 George W. Closson and his father, John Closson, came to Steuben County, Indiana, the latter locating in Ot- sego Township, and the former in Steuben Town- ship. George W. Closson bought 160 acres of land in Steuben Township and spent the remainder of his useful life upon it. In addition he owned forty acres of land in Otsego Township, and was a man of considerable influence in his community. He and his wife had the following children : Adalaide, Mary, Edgar, Carman J., and Bertha, all of whom were carefully reared by their watchful parents, and given the advantages offered by the public schools of Steuben Township. They were taught habits of industry and thrift, and became valuable members of whatever communities they settled in. Carman J. Closson is a farmer by inheritance and inclination, for he has always liked the work and believes that there is no other equal to it. After he grew up he assisted his father, and in 1875 began farming the homestead on his own account. In time he became its owner, and has made many im- provements upon the place, which is one of the best in the township. Here he carried on general farm- ing and stockraising and was unusually successful. He still retains his farm, although in 1911 he re- tired from the active management of it, his son-in- law, Coy Myers, attending to that for him. On November 17, 1877, Carman J. Closson was united in marriage with Eugenia Carter, a daughter of James and Mary (Staley) Carter. Mr. and Mrs. Closson became the parents of the following chil- dren : Ruth, who is deceased, was the wife of Bart Scoville ; Carrie, who married Blaine Huff- man, has two children, Esther and Russell ; Lois, who died in childhood ; Isabel, who married Coy Myers, has two children, Ellen and Ned; and Dorothy, who is at home. Mrs. Closson died March 18, 1914, having been a most devoted wife and mother, and she was deeply mourned by the entire neighborhood for her many noble characteristics and gentle charities. Mr. Closson has spent his entire life upon his present farm, and is proud of the fact that it has descended to him from his father. He believes in keeping these landed properties in the family, feeling that a community benefits when people keep on living in it from one generation to another. When too frequent removals are made a feeling of indifference arises, and it is difficult to maintain proper civic pride. Ynl . 11—19 Hon. C. H. Grube, former representative of De- Kalb County in the Indiana Legislature, is a farmer by occupation but has many broad interests and connections that made him truly a representative of his home locality. He was born in Stafford Township January 6, 1888, a son of William Henry and Mary (Haas) Grube. His grandfather, Peter Grube, was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 26, 1804, and in 1835 married Elizabeth May, who was born in Bavaria in 1811. They came to the United States in 1836, in 1838 settled in Ohio and in 1843 moved to DeKalb County. Peter Grube arrived in this coun- try with only $11 in cash, and after many years of hard work had more than 200 acres of farming land. It is said that when he bought his first eighty acres he could pay only $50 in cash. He was cele- brated among the old timers for his great endurance and powers as a pedestrian. He was the father of five children: William H., Elizabeth, Peter, Kate and Jacob, all of whom are deceased with the ex- ception of William Henry. William Henry Grube was born at Massillon, Ohio, November 25, 1842, and from the age of one year was reared in DeKalb County. He was a thresher- man for a number of years, and developed two fine farms, one of no acres and another of 160 acres in Stafford Township. He is also a director in the First National Bank of Butler, and has many other financial interests. He is a democrat in poli- tics and is affiliated with Forest Lodge No. 239, Free and Accepted Masons, Butler Chapter No. 106, Royal Arch Masons, Butler Council No. 83, Royal and Se- lect Masters, Apollo Commandery, No. 19, Knights Templar, and the Mystic Shrine at Fort Wayne. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Butler for fifty years and was instrumental in the building of the new Independent Order of Odd Fellows Building of Butler. In 1880 William Henry Grube married Mary Haas, a Cana- dian girl who came with her parents to the United States about 1870. Their oldest child, Charles, was killed* in 1903 while in his junior year at Pur- due University and while on his way to Indianapolis to play football with Purdue against Indiana Uni- versity. The second is C. H. Grube. Andrew P. is a graduate of the Butler High School and now runs the old homestead. C. H. Grube grew up on the farm, is a graduate of the Butler High School and since early man- hood has been a practical and progressive farmer. He has 102 acres of land in Stafford Township. He is also a member of the Wilmington Grange at Butler, and is president of the board of directors of the Farmers Elevator Company. He was one of the first members of the Farmers’ Mutual Rod- ded Fire Insurance Company, which takes in the counties of DeKalb and Steuben. This company was organized five years ago and they now have nearly $2,000,000 of insurance. Mr. Grube has been actuary for this company for four years. He was elected to the Legislature on the democratic ticket in 1916. Mr. Grube is past master of his Masonic Lodge past high priest of the Chapter, and a mem- ber of the Council, of Royal and Select Masters, and past patron of the Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Grube is past matron. She is also a member of the Methodist Church. In 1913 he married Garnet Brink, daughter of Frank A. Brink, a well known attorney of Butler. She was a teacher before her marriage. They have one daughter Mary M., born September 22, 1914. 290 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA James K. Duff, D. D. S., who has enjoyed un- usual success in his professional labors as a den- tist at LaGrange during the past ten years, is a member of an old and well known LaGrange Coun- ty family, son of William H. and Harriet (Keith) Duff. Concerning his parents and other members of the family further mention is made in other pages of this publication. Doctor Duff was born at old Lima, now Howe, November 29, 1882. He attended the public schools of Howe to the age of nine, and then lived with his parents at LaGrange. He graduated from the LaGrange High School in 1901. For three years Doctor Duff was a rural mail carrier out of La- Grange. In 1906 he entered the Indiana Dental College at Indianapolis, and was graduated after the full course in 1909. He at once began prac- tice at LaGrange, and in his professional and through various manifestations of public spirit has closely identified himself with his community. He is a member of the town board of LaGrange. Dur- ing the World war he was active in the Prepared- ness League of American Dentists, and served as dental member of the medical advisory board. He is a member of the American, state and local den- tal societies and the Isaac Knapp Dental Coterie of Fort Wayne. He also belongs to the Interstate Association of Anesthetists. He is a member of Sigma Delta dental fraternity. Politically Doctor Duff is a republican. In 1909, the same year he began his professional work, he married Bess L. Gilbert, daughter of Charles A. and Vira (Hackett) Gilbert. Reference to her parents is made on other pages. Doctor and Mrs. Duff have one daughter, Gladys Betty, born July 11, 1911. James B. Watkins. It is but seldom that a man is elected to public office unless he possesses the confidence of his fellow citizens and has proven by his life among them that he is worthy of such distinction. Thus it is that occupancy of office is usually taken as a proof of high character and ability, and when this is combined with years of successful endeavor along any one line it furnishes incontestable evidence of desirable citizenship. James B. Watkins, a native son of Steuben County, spent his life in the county, was one of the pros- perous farmers of Otsego Township, and upon sev- eral occasions was chosen by his fellow citizens for important offices of the township and county, so that, judged by the above standards, he measured up exceedingly well among the best element of this part of the state. His death occurred on the 25th of April, 1919. James B. Watkins was born in Richland Town- ship, Steuben County, Indiana, February 23, 1853, a son of Simpson Watkins and grandson of Simp- son Watkins, the latter having been an extensive shipper of merchandise and produce out of New Haven, Connecticut. His children were as follows : Greenleaf, who was a pioneer of Illinois, lived to be over 108 years of age; Alonson, Oliver and Simpson. Simpson Watkins, the younger, father of James B. Watkins, was born in New York State, where he was later married to Adelia Thompson, a daugh- ter of James and Mary (Mahetibal) Thompson. About 1836, desiring to secure Government land, Simpson Watkins came as far west as Steuben County and entered a tract in Richland Township, after which he rejoined his family in the East. In 1840 he once more made the trip to Indiana, this time bringing with him his wife and their two little daughters, coming from New York to Detroit, Michigan, and thence the remainder of the way with teams. At Adrian it was impossible to secure horses, so oxen were hitched to the wagons, and the little party arrived in safety at the new home. There residence was maintained until about 1870, when he moved into Otsego Township and lived there for eleven years. For the subsequent ten years he was in Michigan, but then returned . to Otsego Township, where he died December 23, 1901. The children born to Simpson Watkins, the younger, and his wife were as follows: Rosman; Hulda, who married Joseph Hall; Oliver; Lucretia, who died in infancy; Elonson; Victor; James B.; Homer; Willard; and Emory. James B. Watkins attended the schools of Rich- land Township and Angola, and learned farming in all of its details from his father, and after he attained his majority he began conducting the homestead. After he had been married about four years Mr. Watkins moved on his present farm, where he afterward resided with the exception of four years when they lived at Angola during his period of service as county auditor. This farm com- prises 147 acres, on which he carried on general farming and stock raising. The original farm con- sisted of forty acres, to which Mr. Watkins added from time to time. All of the land is in a high state of cultivation except that portion reserved for pasturage, and he erected all of the buildings, as well as made other improvements, and it is now a very valuable property. On December 27, 1877, Mr. Watkins was united in marriage with Margaretta Cruson, born in Wood County, Ohio, a daughter of Wesley and Mary Ann (Apple) Cruson, the former of whom came to Otsego Township, Steuben County, in 1864, and was engaged here in farming the remainder of his active life. He died May 8, 1917, his wife having passed away June 4, 1898. They had two children, Mar- garetta and Harlow. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins had the following children born to them : Alta, who married Charles Ransburg, and has a daughter, Pauline; Frank, who married Olive Lewis, and has a son, James Howard; and Muriel, who married Glenn Zimmerman and has a daughter, Margaretta. Mrs. Watkins belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mr. Watkins gave a liberal sup- port. Some years ago Mr. Watkins was elected trustee of Otsego Township, and served two terms, and later he was elected auditor of Steuben County, and discharged the duties of both offices capably and with due regard to the community’s interest. James B. Chandler. For the greater part of his active lifetime James B. Chandler has given his time, energies and enthusiasm to his business as a farmer in Johnson Township of LaGrange County, to his duties as a public official, and to the performance of all the obligations laid upon a high-minded and responsible citizen. Mr. Chandler, who is a former township trustee, was born in LaGrange, Indiana, June 14, 1853, a son of Samuel R. and Julia H. (Strang) Chandler. His father was born in Ohio August 25, 1828, and his mother in New York City August 13, 1829. They came to Indiana with their respective parents, the Chandler family settling in LaGrange County during the ’30s, and the Strangs in 1840. Samuel and Julia were married November 12, 1848, in Clear Spring Township of that county, and after living on a farm for a few years moved to LaGrange, where Samuel was in the grocery business the rest of his life. He also served as deputy sheriff, and while in that office was one of the most vigilant prosecutors of horse thieves in the early days. An HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 291 important part of his business was dealing in horses. A judge of a good horse he had few superiors, and in the early days he frequently bought large num- bers of horses which he took to market at Toledo and Detroit. While he was a good mixer, mingled with men and affairs all his life, he was a model of temperance, never tasted whiskey nor tobacco, and did not indulge in profanity. In politics he was a republican. He and his wife had four children, two sons and two daughters. Both daughters died in childhood. The other son died at the age of thirty-nine. James B. Chandler was twelve years old when his parents removed from LaGrange to a farm in Clear Spring Township. He had rather limited oppor- tunities to get a good education, and from early manhood has farmed, worked in a sawmill for several years, and spent one year in New York State working at the trade of carpenter. From the age of thirty-three he gave his entire attention to farming. Mr. Chandler married Frances S. Koontz, who was born in Ohio July 22, 1854, and came to In- diana in 1858, and has ever since lived in LaGrange County. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Chand- ler lived in Clear Spring Township, and from 1886 to 1894 he served as superintendent of the Rogers Orphans Home in that township, being appointed to those duties by the board of county commission- ers. He served as road superintendent of Clear Spring Township during the life of that law. His service as trustee of Johnson Township was for a term of four years. These various positions of re- sponsibility have come to him without solicitation, and he has been only nominally active in democratic politics. Mr. Chandler has a good farm of ninety- five acres, and still handles its cultivation. He and his wife have one son, John P., who grad- uated from the common schools at the age of thir- teen, also attended high school, and since he mar- ried Eva Huff has lived on the home farm with his father and mother. Mr. Chandler is affiliated with Ionic Lodge No. 380, Free and Accepted Masons of Wolcottville, Indiana. James A. Boots. There is no name that has stood for better things and has been longer identified with DeKalb County than that of Boots. The family was established here by the late John S. Boots, whose life was one of great purpose and energy and in many ways was directly associated with the progress and upbuilding of the community. The late John S. Boots was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, October 5, 1822, a son of James and Sarah (Stringer) Boots. His father died in 1855 and his mother in 1877. When he was two years old, the family removed to Richland County, Ohio, where John S. Boots grew to manhood and acquired a district school education. On April 12, 1849, he married Eliza Ambrose. She was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1823. A few days after his marriage John S. Boots started for the West to find a place to locate, entered land in section 35 of Jackson Township, and on June 20th again started from Ohio, this time with his wife to make permanent settlement. He had only $2 when he arrived in Indiana, bought 160 acres, cleared and improved, and worked steadily until he was rated as one of the prosperous men of the town- ship. He developed a fine farm of 280 acres. He was a real leader in the township, and was a pioneer in the good roads movement. For many years he was road supervisor, and his district, No. 5, was twice awarded prizes for the best roads in the county. He was also a school director and in every sense a public spirited citizen. John S. Boots died in 1909. His first wife passed away August 26, 1866, the mother of six children: Sarah J., Amanda S., James A., Ida, William R. and John T. In 1868 John S. Boots married Matilda Hall. Three children were born to their union: Pearl, Clyde and Myrtle, all living. John S. Boots was a member of the Masonic order and a republican in politics. The old homestead farm is now owned and occupied by three of his children: Amanda S., James A. and William Rufus. James A. Boots, who was born on the farm where he now resides, constituting the northeast quarter of section 35, 3% miles west of Spencerville, on March 19, 1856, has lived here all his life and has never married. He is a director in the Farmers and Mer- chants Bank at Spencerville and a republican in politics. I. D. Deller. One of the thoroughly representa- tive farmers of Steuben County is I. D. Deller, who owns 180 acres of valuable land in Steuben Town- shin. He was born in this township December 19, 1858, a son of Nicholas Deller. The original an- cestor was born in Switzerland, but came to the United States in 1827, settling in Butler Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, where he continued to live until his death. Nicholas Deller was born near Berne, Switzerland, in 1818, accompanied his father to the New World in 1827, and was reared in Butler Townhip, Colum- biana County, Ohio. There in young manhood he was married to Lydia Redman, who died in 1848, leaving three children, George H., John A., and Aaron. There were also two children who died before their mother. Nicholas Deller was married second to Mary Ann Fetterhoof, born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and they had the following children : Serena, Loretta, I. D., Thompson, and Perry N. In 1851 Nicholas Deller moved with his wife and children to Steuben Township, Steuben County, and settling in section 8, lived there until death claimed him, June 21, 1874. He was a farmer by occupation, and worked hard all his life. I. D. Deller began farming on his present farm and has made a valuable property of it, erecting all of the present buildings, which are modern and well adapted for their several purposes. He owns 180 acres of fertile land, and here he does general farm- ing and stockraising, and his efforts have met with a gratifying success. On March 28, 1878, Mr. Deller was united in mar- riage with Margaret A. Harpham, and they have the following children : Geneva, who married Ottimar Chasey, has two children, Paul D. and Margaret A. ; and Clarence F., who married Dean McDowel. For a number of years Mr. Deller has been a con- sistent member of the United Brethren Church, of which he is at present a trustee. In all of his busi- ness transactions he is scrupulously upright, and when he makes a promise those acquainted with him know that he will keep it, no matter what the cost may be. He is well posted on current affairs, and gives support to movements looking to secur- ing good roads, efficient teachers and first class transportation facilities for farm products. . Charles C. Souder, whose farm home is two miles north of Butler, has been industriously engaged in agriculture in DeKalb County for over twenty years. He is a son of George B. Souder, a well known retired farmer living in Troy Township. George B. Souder was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1846, son of John and Rachel A. (Billow) Souder and a grandson of Martin Souder.. Martin was a native of Germany, came to the United States when a boy, settling in Perry 292 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA County, Pennsylvania, and married and reared his family there. His children were Henry, John, Katie, Rebecca and Sarah. John Souder’s wife, Rachel A. Billow, was a daughter of George Billow, also a native of Germany. George Billow while a soldier was taken prisoner and with six companions was shut up in a barn preliminary to being hanged. The prisoners escaped, and he soon afterward came to the United States, settling in Perry County, Penn- sylvania, where he married Susanna Ensminger. For a number of years they conducted a popular place of entertainment known as the Billow’s Tavern. After his death his widow moved to Shelby, Ohio, where she died. In the Billows family were children named David, Adam, George, Susan, Sarah and Rachel. John and Rachel Souder moved from Perry County, Pennsylvania, to Richland County, Ohio, where they spent their last years. Their children were: Jane, wife of George Blatman, of California; George B. ; Hannah, wife of Amos Snyder, of But- ler, Indiana; Rachel, wife of Will Sheley, of Browns- town, Indiana. George B. Souder was fourteen years old when he accompanied his parents to Richland County, Ohio, and he acquired most of his education in a German school in Pennsylvania. On February 27, 1868, he married Sarah Melissa Adams, who was born in Crawford County, Ohio, January 15, 1848, and was reared near Shelby. After his marriage George B. Souder rented his father’s farm five years and in 1873 came to DeKalb County and bought eighty acres in Franklin Township. He lived there until 1878, when he bought his present home. He is a republican in politics and has filled the office of supervisor. Of his six children five are living: Charles C., of Franklin; George M. and Ernest C., also of the same township; Jessie M., who is the wife of Charles A. Dohner, of Troy Township; and Harry L., also a resident of Troy Township on his father’s farm. Charles C. Souder was born near Shelby, Ohio, October 18, 1871, and was a year old when his par- ents moved to DeKalb County. He grew up on the home farm, attended the local schools, and in March, 1896, married Catherine Coll. She was born in Troy Township. They have one child, Ora L., who was born June 23, 1898, and is a graduate of the Butler High School and took a business course at South Bend. Mr. Souder is a stockholder in the Arctic Co-opera- tive Livestock Shipping Association, and conducts his general farming and stock raising operations on a place of eighty acres. He is a republican and is affiliated with Butler Lodge No. 283 of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Harlie J. Hern has been a resident of LaGrange County the greater part of his life, is a practical farmer, for many years was engaged in educa- tional work, and on November 5, 1918, was elected to the responsible office of sheriff, of which he is the present able incumbent. Mr. Hern was born in Greenfield Township of LaGrange County, June 2, 1872, a son of Harlow J. and Martha (Mix) Hern, the former a native of Bloomfield Township and the latter of Lima Township in LaGrange County. His father after his marriage became a Union soldier, and after- ward returned to LaGrange County and followed farming the rest of his life. He was an ardent prohibitionist. He had eight children, five of whom are still living. Harlie J. Hern grew upon the farm, and had meager advantages to obtain a good education until after he was on his own responsibility. At the age of thirteen he went to work for a neighbor and at the age of fourteen went west to Nebraska and spent four years in that state as a cattle herder and also as an employe of a big contractor on rail- road construction. He was working for Reuben J. Towne when the latter was elected sheriff of Thayer County, Nebraska, and then became his deputy, serving about a year in that capacity. Mr. Hern on returning to LaGrange County at the death of his grandmother took charge of the farm and has continued farming and teaching school in winters many years. He owns a well improved place of 142 acres in Lima Township. He was called from the farm to the duties of public office by his election as sheriff. December 30, 1897, he married Florence E. Long, a native of LaGrange County. They are the par- ents of five children, Robert J., Dorothy F., Ralph E., Martha A. and Helen J. The family are mem- bers of the Episcopal Church at Howe. Mr. Hern is affiliated with the Masonic Order and Knights of Pythias Lodge at Howe, being past chancellor of the latter. In politics he is a republican, and was elected on that ticket to the office of sheriff, though his general popularity among the citizenship also counted heavily in his favor. Abraham L. Phillips has lived on one farm in Steuben County since he was a small child, has cultivated his acres and made many crops, and throughout has borne the reputation of being a hard-working and public-spirited citizen. Mr. Phillips, whose home is in York Township, was born in Hancock County, Ohio, May 19, 1866. His father, the late Augustus C. Phillips, who died January 26, 1918, was born in Athens County, Ohio, February 23, 1834, a son of Job and Louisa Ann Phillips. The Phillips family located in Hancock County, Ohio, in 1835, and subsequently moved to Hardin County in the same state, where Job Phil- lips died in 1879. Augustus Phillips married, No- vember 11, 1858, Tabitha White, who was born in Hancock County April 7, 1843, daughter of George and Isabel White. Mrs. Augustus Phillips died February 25, 1917. She was the mother of ten children, and the six to reach mature years were: Leander B., Louretta, Abraham L., Lucinda, Adolphua and Flora D. Augustus C. Phillips brought his family to York Township, Steuben County, in the fall of 1869, buying eighty acres of partially improved land in section 20 of York Township. On that farm Abraham L. Phillips has lived since childhood, acquired an education in the public schools, and for several years farmed the place on the shares with his father. December 23, 1900, he married Mabel L. Stallman, a daughter of A. A. Stallman, a well known citizen of Steuben County. Mrs. Phillips died June 29, 1919. She was a member of the Powers Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also Mr. Phillips. Charles S. Royer is a LaGrange County citizen and has been prospered as a farmer, has been a good business man and has shown an active public spirit in all his relations with the community. Mr. Royer owns one of the well developed and valu- able farms of Johnson Township, in section 8. He was born in the same township August 29, 1862, son of A. J. and Catherine (Wert) Royer. His father was born near Akron and his mother near Van Wert, Ohio. His father first married in Ohio Martha Stahl. They had one child, Norman, who is now a rural mail carrier at Wolcottville. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 293 A. J. Royer came to Indiana, where his first wife died, and he then married Catherine Wert and set- tled on a farm. They lived in Johnson Township for forty years and then moved to LaGrange, where the father spent his last years in retirement. They were members of the Evangelical Church at Wood- ruff and in politics he was a republican. Of eight children born to their marriage seven are still liv- ing; Mary, wife of J. H. Murray of Albion, Mich- igan; Charles S. ; Dr. William A. of Battle Creek, Michigan ; Ida, wife of Clinton Stover of Chicago ; Jennie, wife of Daniel Free of Battle Creek; Laura, wife of Arthur Munger of Oklahoma; and Mrs. Lou Wortheridge, living in Canada. Charles S. Royer grew up on a farm in Johnson Township, had a common school education, and lived at home to the age of twenty-one. He chose farm- ing as his vocation, and for nine years occupied and managed the old homestead. In 1899 he bought his present place, comprising seventy-one acres, well improved and very productive. He breeds good horses and cattle. Mr. Royer is a republican in politics and is affiliated with Lodge No. 76 of the Masonic order at LaGrange and also the lodge of Odd Fellows in the same town. He is a very active member of the Methodist Church at Valentine, and is church steward. October 17, 1888, Mr. Royer married Miss Lizzie C. Troxell. Mrs. Royer is one of the practical and public spirited women of LaGrange County and has been active in promoting many affairs of value to the community. She was born in Florence Town- ship, St. Joseph County, Michigan, near Constan- tine, January 12, 1862, a daughter of George and Mary E. (Bradley) Troxell. Her father was born in Pennsylvania in 1839 and her mother in 1842. Her mother died August 29, 1913, and her father is also deceased. Mrs. Royer was six years old when her parents came to Indiana and settled near Ontario in LaGrange County. She was educated in the local schools and taught nine years. Mrs. Royer was one of the seven who organized the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of LaGrange County and she has served as its secretary through- out its existence with the exception of three years. The society now has over 100 members, meets six times a year and has accomplished an immense amount of good in the matter of general enlighten- ment and the promotion of those principles of co- operation upon which good agriculture, fruit grow- ing and other rural interests depend for their suc- cess. Mrs. Royer is also a member of the Eastern Star and of the Rebekahs, and belongs to two lit- erary societies, one at LaGrange and one at Wol- cottville. Howard E. Purdy. It is an opinion shared by many people in Steuben County that Howard E. Purdy has done his work well, whether as a prac- tical farmer or as a good citizen. He has spent practically all his life in Steuben County and for nearly thirty years has enjoyed the ownership and the returns from a fine farm in Jackson Township. He was born in Orland, Indiana, April 1, 1865, a son of Robert N. and Eliza (Benschoten) Purdy. His father was born in Canada, near Lake Ontario, January 1, 1824, and died August 12, igo6. The mother was a native of Erie County, Ohio, a daugh- ter of Daniel Benschoten. Robert N. Purdy when a young man moved from Canada to Ohio, from' that state went to Fond du Lac County. Wisconsin, working in a sash, door and blind factory, and about 1859 settled at Orland, Indiana, where his services as a carpenter were in demand throughout the rest of his active life. He and his wife had seven children: Tacy; Wilton, who died in child- hood; Jennie, Corena, Wilton, Iona, and Howard. The public schools of Orland furnished Howard F. Purdy with his early advantages. He made wise use of them and was himself a teacher for twelve years, spending one year in LaGrange County and the rest of the time in Steuben County. He taught his first school in 1884, at the age of nineteen, and continued teaching even after he became a farmer, until 1896. Mr. Purdy has occupied his present farm in Jackson township since 1890. He owns 160 acres, eighty acres in section 3 of Jackson and eighty acres in section 34 of Millgrove Township. The substantial buildings on the place have been put there in his time, and he has done much to develop his farm as a stockraising proposition. He is one of the few breeders in Steuben County of the Milking Shorthorn cattle. On October 20, 1886, Mr. Purdy married Lydia O. Stayner, daughter of William Perry and D. Jane (Powers) Stayner. Her father, now deceased, was born in Ohio in February, 1829, and was about two years old when he came to Steuben County with his father, John Stayner, and his uncle, Jacob. Both his father and uncle had served as soldiers in the War of 1812. John Stayner built a cabin in the wilderness on the north side of Jackson Prairie, and for over eighty years members of the Stayner fam- ily have played a notable part in Steuben County. John Stayner died in 1870. It was at his suggestion that his township was named in honor of General Jackson. He was instrumental in building the first schoolhouse in the township, the first county clerk’s office was in his residence, and the first election was held in his dooryard. At one time he represented his district in the Legislature. Mrs. Purdy’s father for many years owned and occupied the old pioneer homestead. He married Jane Powers, who was born in New York State in 1835, and her father, Stephen Powers, came to Steuben County in 1837. Mrs. Perrj' Stayner is still living at Orland. Of her six children only two reached mature years, Oliver and Lydia. The latter was born August 28, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Purdy have two children : Leo B. and Bertice. Leo B. Purdy graduated from the Orland High School, took the commercial course in the Tri-State Normal College at Angola and also the normal work taught in the public schools of Steuben County seven years, and is now teacher of manual training in the Orland High School. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Orland and bj r his marriage to Wilma Case has two children, Raymond C. and Betty Jane. Bertice Purdy is also a graduate of the Orland High School, took her normal preparation in the Tri-State College, and was a teacher for six years in Steuben County prior to her marriage to D. Carl Brown, who has recently been returned to civil life after serving with the national forces. He sailed for France on the Saxonia September 1, 1918, being a member of Company D, Three Hundred and Thirty-Fifth Infantry, Eighty-Fourth Division. From the Eighty-Fourth he was transferred to Com- pany D of the Ninety-First Division and still later was placed in the Twenty-Seventh Division. He was returned to New York March 9, 1919, and was mustered out at Camp Grant April 5, 1919. H. O. Waltz is a prosperous farmer of Spencer Township, and is also one of the influential men in the community in promoting co-operation among the farmers of DeKalb County in marketing their prod- ucts. He is manager of the Tri-Township Shipping Association. This corporation has as its officers : J. E. Ulm, president; F. E. Rhodes, secretary and treasurer; and Mr. Waltz, manager. 294 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Mr. Waltz was born in Defiance County, Ohio, March 14, 1875, son of William and Ellen (Hil- bert) Waltz. His parents were both born in Defi- ance County and his father was a farmer there until his death in 1878. The mother is still living at Lima, Ohio. Both were members of the United Brethren Church. H. O. Waltz, the only one now living of two chil- dren, was reared in the home of his maternal grand- parents after the death of his father. He acquired a common school education and after his marriage he farmed the Hilbert place for two years. November 24, 1898, Mr. Waltz married Miss Cora Farlow. She was born in the same community where she is still living. They lived on a farm in Defiance County for a number of years, but in 1915 came to DeKalb County and bought the no acres known as the Sunny Brook Farm. Mr. and Mrs. Waltz have two sons: Harold and Olan, both of whom graduated in the same class in the common schools and the former is now in high school. The family are members of the United Brethren Church but attend the Christian Church at Spencerville. Politically Mr. Waltz is a democrat. Rozain Henry Newman, now living retired in the City of LaGrange, has spent almost a lifetime identified with the agricultural enterprise in La- Grange County. He and his wife were among the charter members of the Horticultural and the Agri- cultural Society of that county. Mr. Newman was born at Ontario in Lima Town- ship, LaGrange County, February 22, 1844. That was three-quarters of a century ago, and the family name was one of the first to he identified with the pioneer settlement of the county. His parents were Richard L. and Mary Ann (Parker) Newman. His father was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, De- cember 12, 1820, and his mother was born in Gene- see County, New York, in August, 1821. Richard L. Newman came to LaGrange County in 1832, when eleven years of age, in company with his uncle. He grew up in Lima Township, acquired his educa- tion in the primitive schools there, and in 1851 bought a farm west of Howe. He lived on that land until 1858, when he sold and moved to Van Buren Township, acquiring 160 acres which he occu- pied and cultivated until the death of his wife in December, 1893. After that he lived among his children and died at the home of his son Rozain in LaGrange June 28, 1912, at the venerable age of nearly ninety-two. He and his wife were married in Lima Township. He was a republican, and was one of the charter members of the First Baptist Church established in LaGrange County. That church was located at Howe, and he was one of the builders of its first edifice. In the family of Richard L. Newman and wife were five children: Rozain H. ; Frances Emma, who died at the age of two years; Delmar, of Van Buren Township; Orlinda, who died in July, 1895; and Charles, who lives at Howe, Indiana. Rozain H. Newman attended common schools in Lima and Van Buren Townships, and finished his education in the Collegiate Institute at Ontario. When a young man he bought the land included in his father’s original farm a mile west of Howe, and remained there seven years. After selling that he bought eighty acres in Clay Township, and at the present time owns 200 acres of fertile and well improved land in that township. He has placed all the building improvements on the land except the barn. He was steadily identified with productive agriculture on that farm for twenty-eight years. September 6, 1906, Mr. Newman moved to La- Grange, and for the past thirteen years has lived retired. Mr. Newman is a republican, though he has never sought official honors. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. October 8, 1865, was the date of his marriage to Almeda Laughlin. She was born in Williams County, Ohio, June 23, 1848, a daughter of James and Isabel (Libey) Laughlin. In 1853 her parents moved to LaGrange County and settled on a farm in Van Buren Township, where her father died in 1863, at the age of thirty- six, and her mother on November xi, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin had nine children: Almeda; Oscar, deceased, Margaret, Lydia Ann, Mary Emma, John D., James B., Samuel and Belle. Mr. and Mrs. Newman have been married more than half a century. Their two children were born early in their married life. Emma, born Jxdy 19, 1867, was educated in the public schools of Clay Township and the Normal School, and is the wife of Oliver Schutt. She has two sons, named Floyd and Vern. The only son of Mr. Newman is Frank Burr, born April 28, 1870. He had a good educa- tion in the local schools and is now in the shoe business at Jackson, Michigan. Frank B. Newman married Della Kimler. To their marriage were born four children, Flora, wife of Thomas Cook, Hollis, Cecil and one that died in infancy. The son Hollis entered the aviation department in the National Army in February, 1918, and was in training at the aviation field at Lake Charles, Louisiana, and later at San Antonio, Texas, where he was honorably discharged in April, 1919. The son Cecil has had a very interesting army experience. He joined the regular army in 1917, and was on the Mexican border, participating in the expedition under General Pershing in the pursuit of Villa. Later he went to France with General Pershing as a member of Company G in the First Division. He participated in many battles, in the great conflict of the Argonne Forest. He was wounded in the left leg and the right hand and was also gassed. He received his honorable discharge in March, 1919. Cecil Newman married Beatrice Minnich, a daughter of Charles Minnich, of Ontario, Indiana. Frank H. Chadwick. A veteran merchant, a citizen whose public spirit has entered into and inspired every worthy community enterprise for years, Frank H. Chadwick is one of Steuben Coun- ty’s foremost men of affairs and has lived in this section of Northeast Indiana all his life. He was born in Jamestown Township of Steuben County October 23, 1854. His grandfather, Andrew Chadwick, was a native of New York State, and was an early settler in Northern Ohio at Perrys- burg, where he died when his children were very young. He left children named John, Charles, "Samuel, Rowena, who married William Maholm, Samantha, who became the wife of Hiram Wake- field, and Harriet, who married William Haynes. His widow afterward married a Mr. Pratt and be- came the mother of a daughter named Ann, who married Fred Birdick. John Chadwick, father of the Steuben County merchant, was born in Ohio June 25, 1825, and was a small boy when his father died. He married Abigail Saxon, a native of New York State. John Chadwick was one of the men who helped clear the wilderness of Steuben County. He arrived here in 1848 and bought eighty acres of woodland in Jamestown Township at $1.25 an acre. About 1859 he moved to Clear Lake Township, on another farm of eighty acres, and in 1863 to a farm two miles north of Angola in Pleasant Township. It was on HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 295 that land that he built his first frame house, his previous residences having been the typical log cabin. Mrs. Abigail Chadwick died June 18, 1865, soon after removing to Pleasant Township. About 1868 John Chadwick moved to a farm two and a half miles southeast of Angola in Steuben Town- ship, and in 1874 left this county, going to Branch County, Michigan, and locating on the main road between Coldwater and Quincy. In 1880 he sold his Michigan farm and after spending one year in Missouri went to Osage County, Kansas, and about 1890 moved to a small farm near Topeka and a year later to Potawattamie County in that state. Upon the death of his second wife, Jane Owen, he re- turned to Topeka, spent two years in the home of a daughter, and then returned to Steuben County and lived with his son Frank H. the rest of his life. He died October 1, 1909. By his marriage with Abigail Saxon he had four children, namely: John, who died in infancy ; Ethel R., wife of Ezra Haw- ley ; Frank H. ; and Fred N. He also had four children by his second marriage; Mabel, wife of Nelson McConnell, Pearl H., Lynn and Alice. John Chadwick was for a number of years affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Angola. Frank H. Chadwick acquired a good education, attending public schools, including the high school at Angola, and after completing high school he taught one term in Jamestown Township during the winter of 1872-73. His career as a merchant began on the 23rd of March, 1873, more than forty-five years ago, when he was assigned duties as a clerk for the well known old time firm of Scoville & Latson. He remained in their store three years and on April 12, 1876, removed to Pleasant Lake and began a general merchandise business which has grown and prospered through more than forty years of active management. The firm was originally Chadwick & Company, engaged in general mer- chandise and the produce business. The silent partner of the firm for fourteen years was Henry Linder. Afterward the business was reorganized and became Chadwick, Ransburg & Company, Mr. Linder remaining in the firm until his death in 1906, and Mr. Chadwick then bought his interests and the firm has since been Chadwick & Ransburg. This is the old reliable and largest store for gen- eral merchandise in the little city of Pleasant Lake. Mr. Chadwick has distinguished himself as a man of unusual business ability, and in all his affairs has been very systematic and efficient. In 1914 he was one of the organizers of the First State Bank of Pleasant Lake, which was opened for business November 1, 1914. Mr. Chadwick is vice president. He has served as deacon and trus- tee of the First Baptist Church of Pleasant Lake, and from 1902 to January, 1919, was superintendent of its Sunday school. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Angola. October 24, 1875, Mr. Chadwick married Miss Arietta S. Snyder, daughter of John and Cornelia Snyder. They became the parents of three children : Carl D., who died when about two years old, John Guy and Ray D. John Guy is a resident of Pleasant Lake and is a traveling salesman for a New York wholesale house. He married Ethel Lemon, and has three children, named Robert, Joyce and Frank- D. Ray D. Chadwick married Agnes Rose, of Lexington, Kentucky, and they have two children, named Judith and Ann. Ray Chadwick is a very successful educator with some unusual experience as a school administrator, and in 1916 he was called to the Morgan Park School at Duluth, Minnesota, as its principal to organize and introduce the Gary school system there. Mr. and Mrs. Chadwick were born on the same day and their first child was born on their birthday. Mr. Chadwick had the misfortune to lose his wife after they had been married more than forty years, on January 14, 1916. He married for his present wife Mrs. Nellie L. McElhennie, of Montpelier, Ohio. Charles Wolf. The well-directed labors of Charles Wolf, one of the progressive and energetic representatives of LaGrange County, is represented in the ownership of a handsome property in John- son Township, all of which stands as a monument to his hard work and his career, which he began as a farm hand and continued as a renter until he was able to become a land owner. Mr. Wolf is classified as a general farmer, and is also a successful breeder of Belgian horses. He was born in Orange Township of Noble County March 27, 1866, a son of Washington and Rebecca (Keefer) Wolf. His father was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1837, and his mother in Pennsylvania in 1843. The family came to Noble County, Indiana, in early days, where Washington Wolf spent his active career as a farmer. He was a democrat, and by his first marriage was the father of four children, three of whom are still living, Charles; William, a farmer in Orange Township; and Eugene, a farmer in the same locality. By his second marirage he had two children, Harvey and Erie. Charles Wolf grew up at the old home farm, ac- quired a district school education, and on January 27, 1887, married Lucetta Keck. She was born in Orange Township April 10, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf had practically no capital when they, were married. He supported his family by working out at day wages for fourteen years. He then became a renter in Johnson Township, and for several years rented the farm which he now owns, comprising 147 acres. He also owns thirty- two acres in another tract. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf are the parents of ten chil- dren : Arthur, Claude, Inez, Hilda, Ross, Mary, Lester, Russell, Hester and Paul. Edwin Ball. The Ball family is one of the old established ones of Steuben County, and its repre- sentatives have been connected with agricultural pur- suits since locating in Indiana. One of the present members of this family, who is well known and highly esteemed in his neighborhood, is Edwin Ball, a prosperous farmer of Pleasant Lake, Steuben Township, where he was born October 23, 1863, a son of Augustus V. Ball. Augustus V. Ball was born in Ontario County, New York, May 24, 1818, and died May 14, 1907. He was a son of Gideon Ball, the founder of the family in Steuben County, who was born at Gran- ville, Massachusetts, December 27, 1785. When he was still a child the parents of Gideon Ball took him to Eastern New York, and located at the mouth of Catskill Creek, on the Hudson River. Still later removal was made to Ontario County. There Gideon Ball was married to Lydia Dodge, born at Wiscassit, Maine, July 6, 1794, but taken to Ontario County, New York, by her parents while yet a little girl. In 1832 Mr. Ball came west to Sandusky, Ohio, and in 1835 to Steuben County, Indiana, where he en- tered about 900 acres of wild land in Otsego, Steu- ben and Salem townships. Having thus prepared for his family, he brought them to the new home May 24, 1836. For many years after locating in Steuben County Gideon Ball was engaged in buying and selling land, and usually was successful, so when he died he was a man of considerable means. 296 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA At his death, in July, 1870, he was survived by eight children, all but the youngest being natives of New York. These children were as follows: Sheldon, Augustus V., Julius, Edwin, Frank, Charlotte, Demia, and Emeline. Augustus V. Ball was eighteen years old when he came with the rest of the family to Steuben County, and until he was twenty-four years of age he assisted his father in clearing the land. In that year he spent a summer season cod fishing at Hud- son Bay. Upon his return he cleared a farm for himself and conducted it for a time, but then moved to Pleasant Lake and engaged in merchandising until 1865, and in that year moved on a farm of 164 acres in sections 23 and 14. This gave him two farms, aggregating 274 acres. Augustus V. Ball was married to Emeline Stuttler, born July 31, 1843, a daughter of William and Sarah Reber Stuttler. Mr. and Mrs. Augustus V. Ball became the parents of three children, Edwin, Theda, and Dora, but the last named died at the age of nineteen years. Mrs. Ball died August 8, 1909. Edwin Ball attended the public schools of Pleas- ant Lake and until he attained his majority he as- sisted in the work of the homestead. After he was twenty-one years old he began buying land for himself, now owning 266 acres, a portion of which formed his father’s homestead, on which he has practically spent all of his life. Here he carries on general farming and stock-raising. For many years he has been regarded as one of the progressive agriculturalists of his township, and he has been very successful in his operations. On February 16, 1892, Mr. Ball was united in marriage with Zora Lemon, a daughter of J. B. and Celesta (Carter) Lemon. Mr. and Mrs. Ball have one son, Wayne E. Well known as a Mason, Mr. Ball belongs to the local lodge of that order. He fully realizes the importance of his calling, espe- cially now when the raising of food occupies so much attention, and is proud of the fact that he and his have been connected with agricultural pursuits. Never caring to enter the political arena, Mr. Ball has nevertheless done his duty as a citizen and given his support to men and principles which best meas- ured up to his ideals of Americanism. Having lived in Steuben County all his life he is naturally inter- ested in everything connected with its progress, and can be counted upon to lend assistance to any move- ment which has for its object the advancement of local improvements. His excellent judgment on agricultural matters has caused him to be accepted as an authority, and his advice is oftentimes sought by those less experienced than he. Abraham Ott has had a long and prosperous career as a farmer in Noble County, and his at- tractive and valuable home is in Noble Township, where he has lived for thirty-five years. He was born in Green Township of the same county October 24, 1856, a son of Jesse and Dica (Brown) Ott, both natives of Preble County, Ohio. His father who was born in 1822, grew up and mar- ried in Ohio, and about 1850 brought his family to Indiana and settled in Green Township of Noble County. He was one of the early settlers and was a man who well earned the rich esteem which he enjoyed in his community. He was one of the first members of the Christian Church in his neighbor- hood and for many years a trustee. Of the family of eight children seven are still living. Cornelius, a farmer in Noble Township; Amanda J., wife of William Clucus ; John, a farmer in Noble Township; George W., deceased; Fred, a farmer in Green Township; Abraham; and Eli, of Whitley County. Abraham Ott had his childhood experiences on the home farm in Green Township and was educated in the district schools there. After attaining man’s es- tate he farmed the homestead two years. In May, 1882, he married Jane Harlan, a sister of Samuel F. Harlan. For two years after their marriage they lived in Whitley County, and then came to their present home of 160 acres in Noble Township. Mr. Ott conducts this farm as a general crop proposi- tion and is also a successful stock raiser. He and his family are members of Miriam Christian Chapel, of which he is one of the trustees. In politics he is a republican. He and his wife had eight children, seven of whom are still living: Dica, wife of Raymond Reed; Agnes E. ; Levi, of Columbia City; -Ethel, wife of Fay Conrad; Sula and Ruth, both at home; and Harlan Zay, who attended high school one year. The deceased child is John, who died aged eighteen months. William C. Patterson, one of Angola’s most prominent merchants and business men, and repre- sentative of an old family in Steuben County, was born at Angola, December 24, 1863, a son of Robert and Amanda (Mallory) Patterson. His mother, who is still living, was born in Vermont in 1828. Robert Patterson came to Steuben County from Ashland County, Ohio, and for many years was a merchant at Angola. He built the block where Frank E. Burt now has his jewelry store. His death occurred in Angola in 1870. They had four children : Charles, who died at the age of four years, Frank, who died when twenty-four years of age, William C. and Fred R. William C. Patterson attended the public schools of Angola and began his business career as clerk for A. H. Brokan, a grocer. Later he became asso- ciated with S. R. Latson in the dry goods trade, and was with him from 1880 to 1888. In the latter year he bought out his employer and soon afterward formed a partnership association with his brother Fred. They have kept their business growing and expanding until the Patterson department store is now one of the best and most reliable sources for high grade merchandise and mercantile service in Northeast Indiana. Mr. Patterson is a republican and an Odd Fellow and a member of the Congregational Church. Janu- ary 29, 1889, he married Luna Weaver, who was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, a daughter of Jonathan and Elmira Weaver. Mr. and Mrs. Pat- terson had three sons, the first dying in infancy. The other two are Robert G. and Ralph W. Robert G. , born August 26, 1892, is a graduate of the Angola High School and the Indiana State Uni- versity, and left his father’s business to join the officers’ training camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant. He went with the Eighty-Fourth Division to France and participated in the record of that division of the Expeditionary Forces. Ralph W. Patterson was born April 3, 1897, was educated in high school and the Tri-State College, and is now an assistant in his father’s store. Roy E. Rozell. One of the substantial men of Otsego Township, who is now serving as trustee of his township, was born here December 16, 1876, a son of Charles O. and Sarah C. (Lininger) Rozell, and grandson of David C. Rozell, a native of New Jersey. When the latter was still a little boy his parents migrated as far west as Ohio, and he, in 1849, animated by the same venturesome spirit, crossed the plains to California in search of gold, . GEORGE M. DITMARS AND FAMILY HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 297 making the return trip by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and New York City. While he was suc- cessful in his search for gold, he was unfortunate enough to deposit his fortune in an unreliable Cali- fornia bank, and lost it when that institution col- lapsed. Upon his return he went into the woods of Michigan, near the present City of Saginaw, where he lived until 1870, at which time he came to Steuben County, Indiana, buying a farm in Otsego Township, where he lived until his death. He had three children by his first marriage, namely : Horace, Charles O. and Cordelia. After the death of the first Mrs. Rozell, Mr. Rozell was married to Mary E. Todd. Charles O. Rozell was born near Fremont, Ohio, September 25, 1849, and died March 9, 1906. His wife was born in Otsego Township December 24, 1851, and died May 3, 1911. She was a daughter of John and Elizabeth Lininger, the former of whom was born in Stark County, Ohio, February 7, 1824, the fourth in the family of nine children born to Samuel and Catherine Lininger. The Lininger fam- ily came to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1839. John Lininger was married August 26, 1849, to Elizabeth Dotts, born in Stark County, Ohio, and their chil- dren who grew to maturity were as follows : Sarah C., John A., Francis M. and Perry. After the death of the first Mrs. Lininger, John Lininger was mar- ried to Mrs. Amelia (Taylor) Cleveland, and their children were as follows : Sylvia A., Elmer, Luella and Nettie. In 1850 John Lininger came to Indiana and spent that winter in Noble County, but the subsequent spring came to Steuben County, locating on eighty acres of land that was heavily covered with timber, in section 5, Otsego Township, later increasing this homestead to 120 acres, and in addi- tion to it he owned forty acres in Pleasant Town- ship, all of which he cleared and developed. In 1862 he enlisted for service during the Civil war in the Twenty-Ninth Indiana Infantry, but was honorably discharged in a few months on account of ill health. His politics were those of a re- publican. Fraternally he belonged to Angola Lodge No. 180, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Charles O. Rozell was engaged in farming during all of his mature years, first on rented property, and later on his own farm of 160 acres in Otsego Town- ship. He and his estimable wife had the following children : Ora, who died in childhood ; Roy E., whose name heads this review ; Ray O., who lives near Hillsdale, Michigan; Glen C., who is a farmer of Otsego Township. Roy E. Rozell grew up in his native township and laid the foundations for higher educational advantages in the district schools, later becoming a student of the Tri-State College at Angola. Subsequently he became one of the popular educa- tors of Steuben County, teaching for four consecu- tive years. From 1901 to 1909 Mr. Rozell was con- nected with the Government service as an employe of the postoffice of Toledo, Ohio, but in the latter year located on his present farm, which he owns. There are 105 acres in this homestead and it is a part of section 8, Otsego Township. In addition Mr. Rozell is serving as secretary of the Co-opera- tive Shippers’ Association of Hamilton, Indiana, shippers of live stock. Mr. Rozell was chosen by his fellow citizens on November 5, 1918, to repre- sent their interests as a trustee of Otsego Township, which office he is still holding. On April 28, 1898, Mr. Rozell was united in mar- riage with Jessie M. Williams, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Rozell have had the following children born to them : Letha G., who was graduated from the Angola High School, attended the Tri-State College of Angola, graduated from that institution, and she is now engaged as a teacher of the Hamilton, Indiana, High School ; Leon E., who is a student of the Angola High School ; Alice P. ; and Sarah J. Mr. Rozell is well known as a Mason. He is a man of pleasing per- sonality, and his varied experience has taught him to be an excellent judge of men and conditions. As a farmer he is making a record for himself, as he has in other lines in which he has been engaged, and is justly regarded as one of the most representa- tive citizens of Steuben County. Nelson Baugher is an honored veteran of the Civil war, and for sixty years has lived in one locality of LaGrange County. He and his brother Isaac are bachelor brothers who have always re- mained together, have kept their home in common, and have shared many of their business and other interests. Nelson Baugher was born in Chester Township of Wabash County, Indiana, February 28, 1842, a son of Jesse and Clarinda (Tindle) Baugher. His father, a native of Rockingham County, Virginia, was married in Wabash County, Indiana, and after some years there moved to Whitley County, where in re- turn for clearing forty acres of land he received a like amount of wild land. Later he sold that and bought eighty acres on section 4, Johnson Township, LaGrange County, and there spent the rest of his life. He was born in 1813 and died in 1894. He was very hard working, but never attained any degree of wealth. He was a republican, and he and his wife were active members of the Christian Church. In the family were twelve children, only three of whom are living today: Nelson; Mattie E., wife of Elias C. Wemple; and Isaac W. Isaac was born in the residence of Rev. Squire Rowe, in Johnson Township, April 22, 1858, and is still living in the house that was his birthplace. Nelson Baugher grew up on a farm, and had little opportunity to attend school, his services be- ing required at home as soon as his strength per- mitted him to work in the fields. On September 28, 1864, he was called upon to shoulder arms in defense of the Union, and served with a Union regiment until mustered out in June, 1865. He reached home July 3d of that year, and it may be said that from that time to the present he has had no other outside interests than that constituting his farm and the immediate locality. His brother Isaac is a member of and has filled some of the chairs in LaGrange Lodge No. 144, Knights of Pythias, and Nelson is a member of both the lodge and encamp- ment of the Odd Fellows and has taken the Re- bekah degrees. Both brothers are republicans and Nelson served a number of years as supervisor. He is also affiliated with the Grand Army Post of LaGrange. The brothers own ninety-eight acres of land. George M. Ditmars since early manhood has car- ried on the operations of the old Ditmars home- stead in Jackson Township of DeKalb County. He is the only son of the late Isaac Ditmars, who owned and developed this farm. The Ditmars farm is two miles southwest of Auburn. George M. Ditmars was born in Keyser Township of • DeKalb County August r, 1869, a son of Isaac and Martha (George) Ditmars. His parents are both natives of Ohio, his father of Holmes County. The Ditmars and George families came to DeKalb County in the early days, and Isaac spent his life as a farmer. He died in 1919 and his wife in 1906. He had served as a soldier in the Union army dur- ing the Civil war and was an active member of the 298 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Grand Army. He was a Baptist and republican. Of four children, one died at the age of ten years and George M. is the only son. Mary is the wife of Frank Olinger and Anna, the wife of Frank Daw- son. George M. Ditmars grew up on the home farm and attended the district schools. November 8, 1893, he married Cora E. Olinger, who was born in Iveyser Township, a daughter of John S. and Lucy (Yarde) Olinger. Ever since his marriage Mr. Ditmars has lived on the homestead and manages and owns about 120 acres in general farming and stock raising. He and his wife had two children: Chester, who was born October 7, 1895, and died at the age of three years, four months and twenty- five days ; and Floyd F., who was born December 6, 1897, and is a graduate of the common schools and has attended the Auburn High School. Mr. Ditmars is a republican, and though living in a township normally democratic by over eighty votes came within four votes of being elected trustee. Henry Sunday. A farm in section 8 of Steuben Township has been under the continuous ownership and management of the Sunday family for over half a century. Henry Sunday was born there, and for the past fifteen or twenty years has owned the old homestead and has made it the scene of his product- ive labors. He is one of the leading citizens of that part of Steuben County. Mr. Sunday was born July 2, 1869, son of Andrew and Mary (Ritter) Sunday and grandson of Daniel and Catherine Sunday, early settlers of Steuben County. Both were born in Center County, Penn- sylvania, Daniel in 1809 and Catherine in 1806. They moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio and from the latter state came to Steuben County, Indiana, in 1855, accompanied by their sons John and Dan. Their son Andrew preceded them to this county about two years. Andrew Sunday was born in San- dusky County, Ohio, August ix, 1831, spent the greater part of his life in Steuben Township, and owned a place of 120 acres, which his industry did much to improve and make valuable. He built the barn which is still standing on the farm. He was a hard working man, but did not realize all the fruits of his industry, since he died February 25, 1870, when not yet forty years of age. Andrew Sunday married Mary Ritter, who was born No- vember 4, 1835, and died April 6, 1912. Her father, Henry Ritter, was born in Union County, Pennsyl- vania, in 1803, was reared in Ohio, and in 1851 set- tled in section 8 of Steuben Township. He brought only a few hundred dollars to that county, lived in a log cabin, and gradually saw his industry bear fruit, and he had a large farm of over 200 acres. Henry Ritter married Mary Harpster, and they were the parents of five children : David, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine, and one daughter that died in infancy. Andrew Sunday and wife had seven children : Levi, born April 11, 1856, died November 26, i860; Emma J., born June 30, 1857, died August 26, 1858; David, born January 2, 1859; Willie, born December 9, 1862, and died May 8, 1864; Mary Catherine, born June 26, 1864, was married to Jefferson Hartman; Carrie Della, born December 11, 1867, wife of William H. Freed, of Steuben County; and Henry. The mother of these children was an active member of the Re- formed Church. Henry Sunday after getting his education in Steuben Township went to work on the home farm and at the age of about twenty-one rented the farm from his mother. After his mother’s death, in 1913, he bought the old homestead and is using it as a general purpose farm, raising the special crops fitted to this climate and livestock. September 21, 1892, Mr. Sunday married Dora Hoyer. She was born April 26, 1873, in Williams County, Ohio, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Saul) Hoyer. Mr. and Mrs. Sunday are members of the United Brethren Church. They have two daughters, Vera G., born March 6, 1897, and Dessa M., born May 17, 1902. Vera is the wife of Bert J. Swager, and her only child, Robert, was born September 7, 1917. Peter Kalb is one of the oldest residents of Wash- ington Township, is now retired from his active responsibilities as a farmer, and is still living at his country home in section 3. He was born in Westmoreland County, Penn- sylvania, January 17, 1837, a son of John and Phoebe (Howenstine) Kalb. His mother was born in Ger- many and was brought to the United States at the age of three years. John Kalb was a native of Penn- sylvania, was married in that state, and he and his family moved to Ohio with wagons and teams, settling in Stark County. Peter Kalb grew up in that section of Ohio and married there Sarah J. Henning. Not long afterward they came to the woods of Noble County, Indiana, and Mr. Kalb bought eighty acres, which his sustained industry through a long period of years brought under cultivation and gave him a good farm, where he has prospered and where he has lived for half a century. He still owns sixty acres, but has not cultivated it for a number of years. His first wife died in this county, and was the mother of eight children, four of whom are still liv- ing: Amanda, wife of Sam Shoupe; Phoebe, wife of Adam Stump; Millie, wife of Marshall Draime; and Edward, of Washington Township. Mr. Kalb married for his second wife Lydia A. Deardorff, who died in 1907. She was the mother of one daugh- ter, Maude May, born September 21, 1885. Mr. Kalb is a member of the Christian Church and is a republican in politics. He served as town- ship supervisor fourteen years. Elroy Brooks, a retired farmer living at Angola, was born in York Township of Steuben County April 12, 1856. His grandfather was a native of England, and he brought his family of ten children to America and settled in Steuben County. Elroy Brooks’ father was born in England. He was reared and educated in Steuben County, and left his farm of fifty acres to enter the Union army in Company B of the One Hundredth Indiana Infantry. He died as a result of exposure and hardship in the war. His wife was Barbara Douglass, and their children were Elroy, Elizabeth, Jay and Samuel. Elroy Brooks spent thirty years of his life as a successful farmer. He owned a good place of forty-six acres in Millgrove Township. Since 1912 he has lived at Angola. In 1878 he married Rosella Robnet, daughter of James and Cloa Robnet. To their marriage were born five children : Cora, wife of Henry Nelson ; George, who was killed August 15, 1918; Dora, wife of Worthy Crowell; Barbara, wife of Wade Crampton, of Otsego Township; and Samuel I. Frank M. Brown, a resident of Fremont, is one of the largest land owners and farmers in Steuben County and is a member of a family that has been identified with this part of Northeast Indiana since pioneer days. The Brown family has always been one of prominence and its members have a record of unadulterated American patriotism. Several of his early ancestors lived at Windham, Connecticut, and they were represented by service in the Revolutionary war. His great-grandfather HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 299 was Elijah Brown, who was a son of Stephen, a grandson of John and great-grandson of Ezekiel Brown, a line of ancestors going back to the very earliest times of the Connecticut colony. Elijah Brown was born in 1773 and married Elizabeth Greenfield. Russell Brown, grandfather of Frank M. Brown, was born in Stephentown, Rensselaer County, New York, January 24, 1805. In 1828 he married Laura Sweet, of Stillwater, New York. Her father, Wil- liam Sweet, was a Revolutionary soldier. In 1836 Russell Brown came to LaGrange County, Indiana, and for many years was identified with the upbuild- ing and improvement of that locality. He and his wife had five children, Philena, who died at the age of fifteen, Ezekiel, Warren, Erastus and William. Ezekiel Brown, father of Frank M. Brown, was born in Cayuga County, New York, in 1830, and was about six years old when brought to LaGrange County. He attended a log cabin schoolhouse and in 1858 moved to Steuben County and became a merchant at Crooked Creek. Soon afterward he bought 250 acres of land, about 100 acres of which was in stumps. Eventually he had over 500 acres, constituting one of the finest farms in Steuben County, improved with splendid buildings. The Brown home was always noted for its hospitality. Ezekiel Brown represented his county in the State Legislature in 1878. In 1855 he married Mary C. Barry, daughter of John and Mary A. (Darrow) Barry, natives of Orleans County, New York, who came to Indiana in 1835. Ezekiel Brown and wife had two sons, Frank M. and Clinton M. Clinton M. Brown, who was born February 2, 1859, attended high school at Angola, graduated from Hillsdale College in Michigan in 1881, and in the fall of the same year moved to Nebraska, and in many ways has been prominent in that state. He now lives at Cambridge, Nebraska, where he is president of the First National Bank of Cambridge. He is an attorney by profession and represented his district in the State Legislature. He also owns and manages a large cattle ranch in Wyoming. Frank M. Brown, who was born January 3, 1858, in Applemanburg, Springfield Township, LaGrange County, received his early education in Jamestown Township of Steuben County. He attended high school at Angola and took up farming at an early age, having made a definite choice of his vocation as an agriculturist. He farmed in Jamestown town- ship from 1882 until the spring of 1916, at which time he retired with an adequate competence for all his future requirements. Since then he has lived in Fremont, but he still owns three farms aggregating 526 acres, some of it the finest land in Steuben County. January 3, 1882, Mr. Brown married Myra Wilder, who was born in i860, a daughter of Norton and Lyda (Shut) Wilder. Her father came to James- town Township in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have three children: Lewis Glenn, born January 6, 1883, married Pearl Leg and has two children, Roscoe and Russell. Lucile, born May 15, 1884, is the wife of Elmer Van Gilter, living on a farm in James- town Township, and their children are Marjorie, Maxine and Roberta. The youngest, Laura Bell, born May 14, 1891, is the wife of L. W. Masters, a dentist by profession. J. W. Van Drew. A resident of LaGrange County nearly fifty years, J. W. Van Drew is one of the stanch and sturdy followers of agriculture in Johnson Township, and is a man who in all the relations of a busy life has stood true to principle, has been successful in his affairs, and is known and honored for the fine family and good influence that has always radiated from his home. Mr. Van Drew, who lives in section 19 of Johnson Township, was born in Pennsylvania, June 17, 1850, a son of Jacob and Margaret (Neighwander) Van Drew. His parents spent all their lives in Pennsyl- vania, where his father was a farmer. His father was a democrat, and he and his wife were members of the Mennonite Church. Of their seven children six are still living: Sarah, J. W., Jennie, Sarah, Eliza and Margaret. J. W. Van Drew grew up on his father’s farm and had a common school education. At the age of twenty he left home and came to Indiana, and in 1872 settled in LaGrange County. He married Alice Case. She became the mother of three chil- dren, two of whom are still living: Guy, a mer- chant at Des Moines, Iowa ; and Ray, a merchant at Valentine, Indiana. On November 7, 1889, Mr. Van Drew married Emma Charles. She was born in Seneca County, Ohio, a daughter of Jasper E. and Susanna (Grossman) Charles. Her parents were born and were married in Franklin County, Penn- sylvania, moved from there to Seneca County, Ohio, and in 1873 settled at Woodruff in Johnson Town- ship of LaGrange County, Indiana. Mrs. Van Drew received her education in the schools of Ohio and Indiana. She became the mother of three children. Loyd C., who had a high school education and a business course at Fort Wayne, Indiana, was with the American Expeditionary Forces in France and is now at home. Hazel M„ after three years in high school, took the nurse’s training course, is a grad- uate nurse of Christ Hospital at Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1918 engaged in Red Cross work. Florence M. left high school to train in the Lutheran Hos- pital at Fort Wayne. Mrs. Van Drew is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Van Drew follows the democratic allegiance. His place of business is a farm of sixty-nine acres, where he gives his time to general farming and stockraising. Earl Reed, one of the oldest residents of Steuben County, figured for many years as a prominent timber buyer throughout Northern Indiana, and is now busily engaged in looking after and supervising his fine farm just east of Fremont. Mr. Reed, who was brought to Steuben County when a child, was born in Richland County, Ohio, November 11, 1842, son of James and Adaline M. (Weber) Reed, the former a native of Seneca County, Ohio. Adaline Weber was a daughter of David and Lucy Weber. James Reed followed farm- ing in Richland County, Ohio, and in 1853 brought his family to Salem Township, Steuben County, buying eighty acres. Later he lived in Pleasant Township and still later in Scott Township, where he died. Earl Reed attended school in Pleasant Township and as a young man began farming there. When about thirty-four years old he took up the business of buying timber for Huffman Brothers of Fort Wayne. He also bought for the Michigan Tie Com- pany of Grand Rapids. It was a business that re- quired much travel and gave him the acquaintance of the owner of nearly every important timber lot in Northeast Indiana. He thoroughly understood his business, relied upon honest principles of dealing, and has a host of friends among his former patrons. In 1904, after retiring from business as a timber buyer, he bought his present farm just out of the corporation limits of Fremont. He owns 100 acres, and has done much to improve it in material build- ing equipment and also in increasing the fertility of the soil. Mr. Reed is a man of modern and pro- gressive views in this respect, and every year feeds 300 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA a large number of live stock not only for the profit there is in it but to conserve the fertility of his farm. Each winter he feeds a large number of lambs. Mr. Reed married for his first wife Alta Mabery, daughter of Daniel Mabery. She was the mother of three children, Lula, Clyde and Carl. Clyde mar- ried Lona Boor. For his second wife Mr. Reed married in 1889 Rachel Hodges, daughter of Charles Hodges. Jonas M. Hutchins has lived most of his life in Noble County. Farming has absorbed his ener- gies and has given him the substantial prosperity he now enjoys. At the same time he has taken an interest and helpful part in all commercial affairs, including the church and educational interests, and is still giving his time to the operation of his farm in section 2 of Wayne Township, on rural route No. 1 out of Kendallville. Mr. Hutchins was born in section 2 of Wayne Township, May 21, 1852. His parents were Roscoe and Susie (Stahl) Hutchins. Roscoe Hutchins was born in Knox County, Maine, March 8, 1831. His father, Henry Hutchins, took his family from Maine to Ohio in 1834, locating near Fostoria, where he lived and died. His children were Roscoe, Charles, Franklin, Lydia A. and Almetia. The son Franklin was a Union soldier and was killed in the great battle of Chickamauga. Roscoe Hutchins grew to maturity in Seneca County, Ohio, attended the common schools there, and soon after his marriage brought his bride to Indiana, in 1851, locating in Wayne Township ot Noble County. He lived the rest of his life in section 2 of that township, from which community he went out when the Civil war was raging as a member of Company K, 46th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and though he was on constant duty for three years he was never wounded. At the close of the war he rejoined his family in Noble County, and thereafter was a successful farmer. He was a democrat in politics. Of his children, six in num- ber, two are still living, Jonas M. and Lydia Ann Eliza, the latter being the wife of George R. Lovett, a farmer in LaGrange County, Indiana. The de- ceased children are: Delcena, who married Frank Bower and died at the age of twenty-four; Frank- lin, who died when two years old ; Jerome D., who died at the age of twenty-one; and Henry, who died when fifty-five years old. Jonas M. Hutchins spent his early life on the home farm in Wayne Township, and while there put in the usual time attending the district schools. He was with his parents to the age of twenty-one, and earned his way by contributing his labors to his father. He also worked as a farm hand by the month, and gradually accumulated enough to enable him to buy his first farm, consisting of fifty- four acres. He did well in handling that land and has since increased it by eighty acres, giving him a well proportioned and arranged farm of a hun- dred and thirty-four acres, highly improved and well stocked. Mr. Hutchins married for his first wife Opal Myers. She was the mother of two children : Bes- sie F., wife of Clarence Simon, and Sterling, a graduate of the common schools and now living at South Milford. For his second wife Mr. Hutchins married Ida May Randal. To this mar- riage were also born two children: Wava B., a graduate of the common schools, and also a student at the European Schools of Music, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, is the wife of Roy C. Green ; Audrey S.. a graduate of the South Milford High School class of 1917, is the wife of Fred C. Zimmerman. The family are members of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Hutchins is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Kendallville, being a past chan- cellor and a member of the Grand Lodge. He has filled the office of justice of the peace in his pre- cinct for the past ten years, and has gained much esteem in his community for his impartial handling of the various cases tried before him. He is very active in his church, and is a democrat in politics. John Dygert. The record of the Dygert family has an inalienable right in the affairs of Steuben County, where the name has been represented promi- nently for over eighty years. John Dygert was born in Montgomery County, New York, February 27, 1826, a son of Adam and Jane (Duesler) Dygert, both natives of New York. The Dygert family after leaving Montgomery County lived for two years in Seneca County and later in Monroe County, New York. In the early thirties Adam Dygert came to Steuben County and entered land in York Township, acquiring 160 acres. In 1838 he settled his family there, and he and his wife lived in the county until death. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and in that generation the politics of the family Was democratic. Adam Dygert and wife had children named Lany, Abraham, William, Christian, Levi, Benjamin, Harvey, John, Jeremiah and Henry Adam, John Dygert being the only one still living. John Dygert was twelve years old when he arrived in Steuben County October 19, 1838. For over eighty years he has been a witness of changing scenes and conditions. He attended some of the early day schools and as a youth he manufactured many grain cradles and also worked one year at the blacksmith’s trade. As a farmer he bought a tract of cranberry land two miles east of Angola, and later bought the farm where his sons Levi and Carl reside and where he makes his home. Mr. Dygert is independent in politics and has served as assessor and township treasurer and has been an active leader in the Grange and Farmers’ Alliance and in other local movements. He is the last sur- viving county official of the group who were in- cumbents of office when the court house was built. At that time he was serving as county commissioner. He is liberal in his religious views. In 1851 John Dygert married Caroline Stotts, of Steuben County. She died in 1875, the mother of two children : Charles F., a farmer in Scott Town- ship, and Sarah Jane, who became the wife of Jackson Nisinger and has two children, Merle and Caroline. April 20, 1881, Mr. John Dygert married Miss Mary Grubb. She was born in Richland County, Ohio, September 27, 1843, a daughter of John and Mary (Bellamy) Grubb. Her parents were natives of England and her father was killed by a falling tree in Richland County, Ohio, in 1843. Mrs. Dygert came with her widowed mother to Steuben County in 1862. Her mother died February 1, 1881. In the Grubb family were seven childern: Sarah, William, Ann, John, who died while a soldier in the Civil war, Alice, Elizabeth and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Dygert had three sons : Ora Clyde, Carl and Levi. Carl married Grace Weicht, and their six children were John, Audra, deceased, Mil- dred, Louise, Galen and Herman. Levi Dygert, who was born on the home farm in 1885, was educated in the common schools, and for a number of years with his brother Carl has worked the homestead. He is independent in poli- tics, a member of the Odd Fellows and Moose. In 1911 he married Miss Balding, who was born in Scott Township June 3, 1891, daughter of George HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 301 and Alice (Nisinger) Balding. Her father died in 1894. Levi Dygert and wife have two children: George Wendell, born January 26, 1913, and Rollin John, born February 27, 1917- Warren D. Wells. This veteran editor and newspaper man of Northeast Indiana has evidently had very few of the vicissitudes and rapid changes of the average publisher, since he has been a fixture and a useful one at Fremont for over a quarter of a century, where he founded and has conducted the Fremont Eagle. Mr. Wells was born in Allen County, Indiana, November 17, 1859, a son of John and Julia (Dewey) Wells. His mother was a native of Steuben County, New York. John Wells was born in 1825 and spent many years of his life as a farmer in Allen County, Indiana, where he died in 1901. His widow after his death made her home with her only son and child, Warren D., at Fremont, where she died in 191 1. Warren D. Wells acquired a good education, at first in the public schools in Allen County, later in Fort Wayne College and also in Valparaiso College. He taught school several j r ears, and in 1889 began the printing trade at Fort Wayne. Three years later, in 1892, he came to Fremont and established the Fremont Eagle, a paper that has stood for the best interests of the community, has been published and owned by Mr. Wells for a quarter of a cen- tury, and has become a highly successful property. Mr. Wells while he has given his time to the management of his newspaper has also been a figure in the public affairs of Steuben County, and held the office of County Recorder from 1908 to 1912. He is a Mason and Knights of Pythias. In 1884 he married Anna M. Clark, a daughter of Thomas R. and Margaret (Miller) Clark. They have a family of six children: Emma G., wife of Otto O. Wolter; Arthur D., who married Hazel Whitmore; Edgar D., who married Edith Birch; Donald H. ; Henry F., who married Sylvia Noggle ; and Winifred. Arthur has followed in his father’s footsteps as a journalist and is editor of the Orland Zenith, published at Orland, Indiana. Mr. Wells is very proud of the fact that three of his sons were in the country’s service during the war, Edgar, Donald and Henry. Donald is now managing editor of Base Hospital Journal at Camp Sherman, Ohio. Henry is with Battery C. of the One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Field Artillery, and is with the American Army of Occupation in Luxemburg. Charles Ramer. Though a comparatively brief life was vouchsafed to Charles Ramer, he devel- oped a real farm out of the woods of Clear Spring Township, and left his family in comfortable cir- cumstances. He was highly esteemed as a citizen and was true to himself and to all the duties and obligations of life. He was born in Brown County, Ohio, January 14, 1861, a son of Henry and Catherine (Suffef) Ramer. His parents were both natives of Germany. Henry Ramer came to the United States when a young man, and after a year or two went back to the Fatherland to settle up his father’s estate. On his second trip to this country he met Catherine Suffel, and on May 27, 1859, they were married' and in the same year located in Brown County, Ohio. _ Henry Ramer was born April 22, 1830, and his wife was born April 16, 1838. They were the parents of twelve children. In 1877 the family moved to Noble County, Indiana, and in i8g6 to LaGrange County, where Henry Ramer died July 15, 1897, and his widow March 23, 1905. Charles Ramer was sixteen years old when brought to Indiana, had a farm rearing and a com- mon school education, and on April 19, 1885, mar- ried Mary A. Reidenbach. She was born in Elk- hart Township of Noble County May 3, 1862, a daughter of Philip and Catherine (Kermin) Reiden- bach. She was reared on a farm in Noble County and had a common school education. Mr. and Mrs. Ramer after their marriage lived in Noble County a few years, and on coming to LaGrange County located on the place of 160 acres which at that time was all in the woods and which Air. Ramer’s industry converted into the good farm which it is today. He died there in the midst of his labors, when he was beginning to realize their fruit- age, on May 30, 1916. He was active in the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, as is Mrs. Ramer, and in politics was a democrat. There were five children: William A., who mar- ried Dorothy Steinbarger ; John W., a graduate of the common schools and unmarried; Amelia M„ who completed her work in the local schools and is the wife of Harry Wiard; Laura L., a common school graduate, wife of Ira M. Keim, who served with the American forces in France, and is now at home; and Carl F., a graduate of the common schools. There are also the following grandchil- dren: Lawrence E., Florence M., Mildred M., John C., and Dona Belle. Joshua J. Metz is spending the evening of life at his comfortable rural homestead in Otsego Town- ship. The energies of his manhood’s prime were well bestowed, had ample fruitage, and gained him not only sufficient of this world’s goods but the esteem and good will of the community where he has lived so many years. Mr. Aletz is an honored veteran of the great Civil war. He was born at Baden, Germany, June 25, 1846. His father, Christopher Metz, was also born in Baden, Germany. He married in February, 1842, Eva Katherine Gretchman. She was born in Baden April 2, 1822, daughter of Carl and Marguerite Gretchman. Christopher Metz brought his family to America in 1854. They were 103 days on the ocean. One of their sons died in Germany, they buried a daughter at sea, and another daughter was buried in New York. When they embarked on the ship they carried with them supplies of clothing and other goods, but all these possessions were lost in New York. The family went on to Ohio and about 1862 came to Otsego Township of Steuben County, where with the exception of two .years Christopher Metz spent the rest of his life. His children be- sides those above mentioned were : Catherine, who was born in Germany; Joshua; J. H. ; William; Martha, and Nathan. Joshua Aletz was only nine years old when brought to this country, and he acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of Steuben County, in Otsego and York townships. In the time when all the young men of the country were aroused to a sense of patriotic duty, Joshua Metz showed un- usual patriotism and when not yet seventeen years of age, on Christmas evening of 1863, enlisted in Com- pany A of the One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth In- diana Infantry. He saw nearly two years of active service, and received his honorable discharge at Charlotte, North Carolina, August 29, 1865. He took part in some of the hardest fighting which broke the back of the Confederacy, including the battles of Resaca, Buzzard Roost, Fort Fisher, Five Forks, Goldsboro and numerous skirmishes. When the war was over he returned to Otsego Township and in September, 1866, married Sarah 302 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Hantz, daughter of Jesse and Mary (Garman) Hantz. After his marriage Mr. Metz farmed a year in Scott Township, was then in Otsego Township un- til 1872, and from there moved to Richland Town- ship for a year, lived in DeKalb County two years, and since then has spent his energies on one farm in Otsego Township, in section 13. He owns 120 acres and its improvements and buildings represent his individual labors and investments. Mr. and Mrs. Metz are members of the Meth- odist Church. They have been married over a half a century, and while they had struggles and priva- tions at the beginning they have ease and comforts at life’s decline. They are the parents of three children, John I., David E., and Lillian. John mar- ried Lora Avery, who died in 1917, leaving two children, Dorothy M. and Dawson. John Metz married for his second wife Mrs. Hattie Ferrel. David Metz married Lura Anspaugh, and has two children, Pauline L. and Sarah L. Arthur B. Cookerly. Of all the positions of trust and responsibility in LaGrange County none is more important to the welfare of the present and future generations than that of superintendent of the public schools. The present incumbent of that office is Arthur B. Cookerly, a man of high ideals in an educational way, of long training and thorough experience, and has been identified with practical school work as a teacher and administrator since early manhood. He was born at South Milford, Indiana, April 3, 1884, a son of J. C. and Emma (Smith) Cooker- ly, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of DeKalb County, Indiana. J. C. Cookerly came with his parents to Jay County, Indiana, where he grew to maturity, acquired the trade of mechanic and for a number of years worked at Kendallville. Later he moved to Orland in Steuben County, had a blacksmith shop there, and later at South Milford, where he is now living retired. He and his wife have nine children, A. H., Arthur B., Zura, Mary A., Vennie, Archie, William, Edith and Richard. Archie and William Cookerly were both soldiers in the World war, and William was with the Ex- peditionary Forces in France. Arthur B. Cookerly spent most of his early life in South Milford, and attended the public schools there, graduating from high school in 1904. He has always been a student as well as a worker in the practical lines of his profession and attended the State Normal School two terms, was for two years in Indiana University, and two terms at the University of Wisconsin. He taught his first school in 1904, and with the exception of one year his service in the profession was continuous until 1917. He served as principal of the Stroh School three years and assistant principal of the South Milford schools four years. Since 1917 he has been county superintendent of schools. June 17, 1912, he married Zella Parks, daughter of H. R. and Minnie (Fites) Parks. Mrs. Cookerly was born at Montpelier, Ohio, September 24, 1893, and during her early girlhood lived with her parents in Chicago for eight years. She received most of her education in the public schools of Ashley and Stroh, Indiana. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at LaGrange. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cookerly are active in fraternal affairs. He is past grand and past chief patriarch of South Milford Lodge No. 619, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and South Milford Encampment No. 238, and has sat in the Grand Lodge. Both he and his wife are members of South Milford Lodge of Rebekahs No. 416. He is affiliated with LaGrange Lodge No. 144, Knights of Pythias, with Philo Lodge No. 672, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master, with LaGrange Chapter No. 102, Royal Arch Masons, and with Kendallville Council No. 50, Royal and Select Masters. He and his wife are active members of the Eastern Star Chapter at LaGrange and Mrs. Cookerly is secretary. In politics his affiliations are democratic. Abram F. Summey, whose home is on a farm in Van Buren Township, has during his long and active life had a part in the clearing and developing of five farms in LaGrange County. Mr. Summey was born in Wayne County, Ohio, September 26, 1858, a son of John and Lucinda (Plumb) Summey. His parents came from Wayne County to LaGrange County in 1866, settling on eighty acres in Newbury Township. Their first home was an old shack of a log house. The father cleared the land and improved it, and spent the rest of his career as a farmer. He was drowned in Shipshewana Lake January 22, 1897, when fifty-six years of age. His wife died in 1898, aged fifty-seven. He was a republican and liberal in his religious views. Abram F. Summey was the second born and is the only one living of six children, the others being Silas, John, Sarah, John and Lillie. Abram F. Summey from the age of eight years grew up on the homestead in Newbury Township, attended public schools, and for several years farmed his father’s place on the shares. He also spent a year farming in Missouri. On returning to LaGrange County he bought forty acres included in his present place in Van Buren Township, and has cleared and improved it with good buildings. Mr. Summey is a republican. In 1881 he married Hannah J. Arnold, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1861. Her parents, Mathias and Amy Arnold, spent all their lives in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Summey had eight children : Anthony F., who married Elma Zuber ; Eugene, who married Cora Lautenschlager ; Ada, wife of Mel Hawkins; Warren, who married Irene Bodish ; Hazel, wife of Jay Mast; Wilma, wife of Percy Moser ; and Macey and Arnold, both deceased. C. W. Dally, manager of the Fremont Lumber Company, is a good and substantial business man and has devoted a large part of his active business life to farming and public affairs in Steuben County. He served six years as a county commissioner. He was born in Richland Township of Steuben County September 1, 1867, a son of Robert V. 3nd Helen Jane (Morley) Dally. Robert V. Dally, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, January 28, 1824, a son of Isaac and Eleanor Dally, came with his parents to Richland Township in 1846. Robert Dally gave a service of great usefulness in this community for thirty-six years as a carpenter. All that time he owned a farm, and managed to keep its improvements up, and finally on leaving his trade devoted all his time to agriculture. He owned 100 acres. He died in October, 1905. He was an active member of the Christian Church. Robert V. Dally married Helen Jane Morley, who was born in Ontario County, New York, June 16, 1829, and died September 5, 1903. She was a daugh- ter of Ebenezer and Celinda Morley, the former born in Connecticut April 26, 1792, and the latter in Vermont in 1797. Ebenezer Morley came with his family to Steuben County in 1842, and only five other families were living at that time in Richland Township. He settled in section 21 and was a basket maker and farmer, and died there in 1864. Robert V. Dally and wife had five children: An- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 303 nette Celinda, who married A. Barren ; Mary, who became the wife of Orson Parrett; Jessie, wife of Theron Gordon ; Morton R., who married Della Ingle; and C. W. Dally. C. W. Dally attended public school in Richland Township and in early manhood became identified with farming in his home township. In 1906 he moved to York Township, and actively prosecuted his interests as a farmer there until 1917. He still owns a good farm of eighty-five acres in that town- ship. After a few months of residence at Angola Mr. Dally moved to Fremont, and for the past two years has given his time to the management of the Fremont Lumber Company. His service as county commissioner was from 1911 to 1918. Mr. Dally is a member of the Methodist Church and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. In 1896 he married Dora B. Duell, daughter of Byron and Mary Duell. Four children were born to their marriage : Charles E., who married Bessie Hall and has one son, Olan ; Bernice, born in 1899 and died in 1908; Frank W. ; and Herman R. Paul E. Sigler. There are many reasons why the people of LaGrange County have been willing to entrust their public affairs to the management of Paul E. Sigler, who is now county commissioner representing the southern district of that county. Mr. Sigler has lived in LaGrange County all his life, is a practical farmer, and in all the relations of a busy life has proved true and deserving of confidence and trust. He was born in section 2 of Clear Spring Township August 22, 1861, a son of William and Lydia (Hime) Sigler. His father was born in Washington County, Maryland, October 20, 1820, and died June 20, 1902, at the age of eighty- two. His wife was born March 5, 1823, in Penn- sylvania, and died in 1903. They were married in Ohio December 29, 1841, and on October 2, 1852, came to LaGrange County. William Sigler at that time was poor in purse but had great ambition and enterprise, and in the course of years acquired 316 acres of land. While exceedingly busy, he was al- ways a liberal supporter of the church and did much to help out his neighbors and those in misfor- tune. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church and politically he was a republican and served as one of the early constables of Clear Spring Township. William Sigler and wife had eleven children, six of whom are still living: Amanda, widow of Lewis Moore; Samuel L., of LaGrange County ; Matilda, wife of Emanuel Shelly; Solomon F., of Sturgis, Michigan; Amelia, wife of Allen Shoup; and Paul E. Paul E. Sigler grew up on the old home farm and attended the district schools. May 22, 1881, he mar- ried Jennie Todd. She was born in Lima Town- ship, LaGrange County, March 1, 1862, and acquired a good education and was a successful teacher be- fore her marriage. She is a daughter of Milton Todd, an early resident of Indiana. He married D. E. Rowan. Mr. and Mrs. Sigler settled on the old Sigler farm, which he rented until after his mother’s death, and then bought thirty-five acres of the land, and now has seventy-five acres. Besides farming he has been much occupied with public affairs. He served as assessor of Clear Spring Township six years, and for two years held the office of county drainage commissioner, resigning that to accept ap- pointment as county commissioner. He is an offi- cial member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been Sunday school superintendent. Mr. and Mrs. Sigler have three children: Wil- liam C., who married Ora Updike; H. Ort, a grad- uate of the LaGrange High School, formerly a teacher and now a farmer in Bloomfield Township, and who married Alta E. Seybert ; and Lulu M., un- married and living at home. Jonathan Farver. The business community of Shipshewana has one of its oldest and most force- ful figures in Jonathan Farver, veteran lumberman and lumber manufacturer, active head of the Farver Lumber Company. . Mr. Farver, who has lived in LaGrange County since early childhood, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, June 6, 1857. He is a son of Abraham and Harriet (Snyder) Farver and a grandson of John Farver, who was born in New Jersey of French parentage. John spent most of his life as a farmer in Holmes County, Ohio. His children were named John, George, Jacob, Abraham, Wil- liam, Jonathan, Solomon and Barbara. Abraham Farver became a millwright by trade. His wife, Harriet Snyder, was born in Somerset County, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of Daniel Snyder. In 1863 the Farver family moved from Holmes County to Newbury Township of LaGrange County, acquir- ing a farm about four miles south of Shipshewana. While living in that locality Abraham Farver spent part of his time as a cabinet maker, but in the main operated his farming interests and lived on his farm until his death in 1892, at the age of sixty- six. His wife passed away in 1873. In religion he was a Presbyterian, while his wife was of the Men- nonite faith. They have six children, named Eliza- beth, Jonathan, William, Emma, Barbara and Moses. Jonathan Farver, who was six years old when brought to LaGrange County, attended the district schools of Newbury Township and in early life fol- lowed in the same line as his father, learning the cabinet making trade. Mr. Farver spent about twenty-seven years as a building contractor. He became associated with his brother William in 1889 in the sawmill and lumber business in Shipshewana. Thus that industry has been established there under the Farver name for thirty years. William Farver dissolved the partnership by death in 1906, and until 1915 Mr. Farver continued the business alone. In the latter year the Farver Lumber Company was incorporated with Mr. Farver as president. His firm still operates a saw mill, manufacturing hard- wood lumber for both the wholesale and retail trades. In the yards at Shipshewana they handle all kinds of building material, cement and coal. In 1882 Mr. Farver married Catherine Weaver, a daughter of David and Catherine Weaver and a sister of V. D. Weaver, cashier of the National Bank of LaGrange. Mr. and Mrs. Farver have five chil- dren : Laura, wife of Samuel P. Curtis; Belva, wife of James Beecher; Stewart, who died at the age of six years; Cuba, wife of Fred Lampman; and Irene. The daughter Irene, who completed her junior year in high school in 1919, has in all her school experience not a single case of tardiness nor absence recorded against her score. Mr. Farver is an active member of the Methodist Church at Ship- shewana. Christian K. Parsell. A number of the pro- gressive agriculturalists of Northeastern Indiana are specializing on certain lines of activity, experiments proving to them that their farms are adapted for certain purposes, and if they desire to achieve the best results it is better that they utilize all the possi- bilities. _ One farmer will devote himself to the production of dairy products, another prefers to grow_ varied grain crops, while still another special- izes in breeding live stock. With the great demand 304 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA for wool has come large profits in raising sheep, and the farmers of this section of the state are turning toward this branch of agriculture with profitable results. One of the men who is well known as a sheep breeder is Christian K. Parsell of Steuben Township, Steuben County. Christian K. Parsell was born in Salem Town- ship, Steuben County, Indiana, February 7, 1865, a son of Wickliff W. and Elizabeth (Klink) Parsell, the former of whom was born at Millburn, New Jersey. About 1863, Wickliff W. Parsell came from New Jersey to Steuben County, and spent some time with his brother, William Parsell, in Jackson Town- ship. He was then married to Elizabeth Klink. a daughter of Christian and Mary Klink, and bought 160 acres of land in Steuben Township, on which he and his wife located in the spring of 1865, re- siding upon it the remainder of their lives. Their children were as follows: C. K., whose name heads this review j Blanche, who married W. A. Ferrier; and Bertha, who married a Mr. Meisner. Christian K. Parsell was born in Salem Township and attended the schools of Steuben Township and those of Angola. After attaining his majority he be- gan farming on rented land in Steuben Township, but in 1890 he inherited seventy acres of land in the same township, and bought nine more, making eighty acres. On this tract he has since lived, carry- ing on general farming and stock raising and spe- cializing in the breeding of Oxford sheep, having been engaged in the latter line for the past twenty years, increasing his flocks to meet the demands of a rising market. On December 1, 1887, Mr. Parsell was united in marriage with Ollie M. Gonser, a daughter of Daniel and Catherine Gonser. Mr. and Mrs. Parsell have four children, namely: Daniel Ward, Charles C. and Grace E., all of whom are living, and the third child, Warren, who died at the age of seventeen years. The family are very well and favorably known throughout Steuben County, and Mr. Parsell is recognized as an authority on sheep breeding, and his advice is often sought by those who wish to fol- low his example. He is a friend of the public schools, good roads and other improvements, realiz- ing that this is an age of progress and that any- thing calculated to advance the community raises the value of property, and offers more inducements to the rising generation to remain at home instead of going into the neighboring cities. Frank Chase Wade, M. D. One of the busiest firms of physicians and surgeons in Northeast In- diana is that of Doctors Wade and Wade at Howe. They handle the practice for the Howe Military School and also a large general practice. Both are capable, talented young physicians, and men of the best qualifications for their chosen profession. The older, Dr. Frank Chase Wade, was born at Mongo, Indiana, July 27, 1877, and is a son of Alfred A. and Emily Eleva (Chase) Wade. A sketch of the career of his father is given on other pages of this publication. Doctor Wade was eight years old when his parents moved from Mongo to Howe, where he attended the public schools and graduated from the Howe Military School in 1894. He completed his under graduate medical training at Detroit College of Medicine in 1900, and since then has taken post-graduate courses in New York City and at Harvard University in Boston. He began active practice in 1900 at Howe and since 1909 his brother, Alfred A. Wade, Jr., has been associated with him. Doctor Wade is a member of the County, State and American Medical asso- ciations. He is a prominent Mason, being affiliated with the Lodge at Howe, LaGrange Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Council No. 50, Royal and Select Masters, at Kendallville, and with the Scottish Rite bodies and Shrine at Fort Wayne. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias at Howe. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. October 24, 1900, Doctor Wade married Miss Minnie M. Schaeffer, daughter of James W. Schaef- fer of Howe. She died January 26, 1910, leaving one daughter, Rachel Elleva, who was born Decem- ber 20, 1903. On August 14, 1912, Doctor Wade married Miss Ruth M. Nelson, daughter of Myron Nelson, of Clear Spring Township, LaGrange County. Doctor and Mrs. Wade have two daughters, Mary Ann, born June 17, 1913, and Ella Jane, born January 14, 1916. Thad K. Miller, one of the prominent citizens of Steuben County, where he has lived for over half a century, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, August 2, 1847, a son of Samuel and Katharine (Kain) Miller, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. His mother died in Seneca County in 1853. Flis father came to Steuben County during Civil war times, and followed the trade of mill- wright. He died in 1891, at the age of seventy- nine. Thad K. Miller grew up in Seneca County, had a good education in public schools and academy, and in 1862, at the age of fifteen, enlisted in Company A of the Sixty-First Ohio Infantry, and he saw some very hard service until June 10, 1865. He was at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign and the march to the sea. Mr. Miller came to Steuben County June 1, 1865, and has been a resident of the county ever since. He located in Jackson Township and acquired a farm there. For many years his chief work was as a marine engineer, and for several years he had his headquarters at Detroit. In 1895 he was elected county recorder of Steuben County, and filled that office with admirable efficiency for four years. He then took up the practice of law and has had many cases before the Department of Interior and the Treasury at Washington. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Chris- tian Church and is affiliated with the Lodge, Council and Commandery of the Masonic Order and is prominent in the different branches of Masonry. April 18, 1869, he married Ellen M. Stout, of Steuben County. Her father, Hervey B. Stout, came to this part of Northeast Indiana in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had four children. Frank H., a railroad engineer living at Montpelier, Ohio, married Artie M. Davis and has six children: Harold E., a first lieutenant of infantry; Ralph, of Company A, One Hundred and Twelfth Supply Train, now in France; Lois, John, Sarah and Thad K., Jr. Belle S. Miller is the wife of William Mabie, a farmer of Steuben County, and has a son Thad K., Jr. Harry W. is a merchant in South Dakota and married Ida Day. Katherine is the wife of A. G. Weldin, of Cold- water, Michigan, and their children are Ellen R., Marjorie D. and Leander M. G. Rtley Powers. From the time the Powers family landed in the woods of York Township, Steuben County, in 1837, much of the history, much of the development and many of the most im- portant influences that have shaped and moulded that community have had this family as their de- termining factor. In their case the term. “old family” also means a race of strong people, indus- trious, capable, upholders of religion and education and valuable elements in the county and state. The ancestry of the Powers family goes back to HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 305 Ireland, where Arad Powers married Lydia Bruce, a native of Scotland. Coming to America before the Revolutionary war, they settled in Massachusetts. Their son Oliver Powers was born in Massachu- setts and married Lydia Winn. Oliver Powers was a Revolutionary soldier. After the winning of independence he moved to Oneida County, New York, and afterward to Ontario County. losiah Powers, son of Oliver, was born in Massachusetts in 1772, and married in 1799 Hannah Church. After their marriage they moved to Oneida County, New York, and in 1805 to Ontario County, where Josiah died in 1808. His sons, most of whom became connected with Northeast Indiana, were: Stephen, born in 1800; Winn, born in 1801; Clark, born in 1803; Josiah, born in 1806; and Cal- vin, born in 1808. Winn Powers was born in Oneida County, New York, in December, 1801. He acquired a good education and taught school for a time. In 1825 he married Betsy Reeves, who was born in New Jersey in May, 1801. After their marriage the young couple moved to Allegany County, New York, and settled on a wild farm. About 1836 they con- cluded it was their duty to provide homes for their children, and they therefore sold their possessions in New York and started for Indiana, where the brothers Clark and Calvin Powers had entered land in the spring of the preceding year. The Powers family were really the first settlers of York Town- ship. Winn Powers started from Allegany County, New York, in May, 1837, with a two ox team, and drove all the way to York Township. From Fre- mont to Angola this was the first team to get through the woods. Winn Powers had to cut much of the brush and trees in the way. He took up eighty acres of heavily timbered land, and started out a poor man. They lived in a log cabin, and their lot was one of heavy labor, the endurance of many hardships, but in the course of time he had his chil- dren well established and Winn Powers had 200 broad acres to account for his own industry. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for about thirty years, was an active democrat, and he and his brothers did much to promote religious worship and education, providing for the Powers Church and the Powers Cemetery and also for the school known as the Powers School House. Winn Powers died June 24, 1883, and his wife on April 14, 1873. Their children were: Myron, born in 1826; Hannah, born in 1828; Edwin, born in 1831; Calvin, born in 1834; Mowry, born in 1836; Ann Eliza, born in 1839; and George Riley. George Riley Powers, whose life record makes him a man of prominence in York Township, where he has spent the greater part of half a century as a farmer, was born on the old Powers farm in section 29 of that township July 27, 1842. He at- tended the Powers School House as a boy, worked on the farm, and at the age of twenty-one started for himself on the place where he is still living, and which has been the center of his work and associations for fifty-five years. All the improve- ments on that good farm have been erected by him. September 3, 1864, he married Lydia A. Hemry, daughter of Abraham and Mary Ann Hemry. Mr. and Mrs. Powers own ninety-one acres in sections 29 and 30 of York Township. Mrs. Powers’ father was born in Ohio, a son of Isaac Hemry. Abraham Hemry was a farmer in Crawford County, Ohio, and about i860 came to York Township in Steuben County and spent the rest of his life there. He owned eighty acres of land. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Ann Vol. II— 20 McLaskey. They had the following children : John ; Margaret, wife of James Foster; Nancy J., wife of John Stance; Lydia, wife of G. R. Powers; Re- becca, who married Alexander Hanselman ; George E. ; Delia, wife of Haden Franks; Andrew J. ; and Eva, wife of Douglas Gamber. After the death of his first wife Mr. Hemry married Mrs. Elizabeth Hanselman, and had a daughter, Mary E., who married Minard Headley. Mr. and Mrs. Powers are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church known as Powers Church. He served one term as trustee of York Township • and has interested himself in every worthy community improvement. He and his wife have two children. Emry married Della Lash and has a son Wayne. Luella married Henry Van Pelt and has two children, Lena and Forest. Wesley C. Strang. In addition to the material success which has awarded his efforts as a LaGrange County farmer, there is special interest in the career of Wesley C. Strang, whose home is two and a half miles east of Topeka, in the fact that practically all his life, constituting three score years and ten, has been spent in the one environment. Here he grew up when the woods were tall, and has witnessed a remarkable transformation and evolution, has played his own part worthily, and still enjoys many of the associations which were familiar to him as a boy. He was born on the farm which he now owns August 23, 1846, a son of John L. and Margaret (McQuiston) Strang. His father was a native of New York City and his mother of Virginia. They grew up in Indiana, were married in LaGrange County, and then settled on the land which is now in the home farm of their son Wesley. They were active members of the Methodist Church. John Strang was a republican in politics. Of the five children three are still living: Mary A., wife of B. A. Jones; George E., of Michigan; and Wes- ley C. Wesley C. Strang attended the common schools of the ’50s and early ’60s, and the only time he was ever away from home for any important interval was a six weeks’ trip to the far west during his early manhood. In 1872 he married Mary V. Tritipo, who was born in Ohio October 22, 1841. Mr. Strang is owner of a well proportioned farm of. 200 acres in section 33 of Clear Spring Town- ship. He is a republican and has served as town- ship supervisor. He and his wife had four children: Jesse R„ a graduate of the common schools, who married Edna Sutton and lives at Indianapolis ; Ethel is the wife of Willis O. Sesoline, of South Bend ; Porter E. married Lulu Bowman, of Topeka; and John L. is a high school graduate and was with the American Expeditionary Forces in France. He has returned from the overseas service and is now in the regular army as a first lieutenant. Lewis A. Hendry. One of the most conspicuous names in the early settlement of the northwestern corner of Steuben County is that of Hendry. The family have an honorable place throughout the rec- ords of the county for over eight years. Lewis A. Hendry, now living at Angola, is re- garded as one of the men who have been most closely identified with the growth and development of that city. He was born in Lorain County, Ohio, November 18, 1835, son of George and Thankful (Hotchkiss) Hendry, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. It was in the spring of 1836 that the Hendry family came to Steuben 306 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA County and located 2 }/ 2 miles south of Orland, close to Jackson Prairie. They made the journey from Lorain County, Ohio, with wagons and ox teams. George Hendry had already selected 120 acres of Government land and had built a log house pre- paratory to the shelter of his family. By trade he was a blacksmith and for many years he kept his shop on his farm. Later he lived in York Town- ship, but finally moved to Angola, where he died in 1898, at the age of eighty-six. His widow survived until 1907, and was ninety-four when she died. They had six children : Marsden, Marcia, Lewis A., El- mina and Elzina, twins, and William. Lewis A. Hendry was only a few weeks old when the family came to this country. He attended the district schools near his father’s home, and later was a student in Oberlin College, located in the same county where he was born. He began life as a farmer and for many years did an extensive busi- ness as a dealer in live stock. He also extended his enterprise to general merchandising, and became widely known as a grain and wool buyer. In some years his dealings in wool reached a high total of $100,000. About fifteen years ago he gave up the dry goods business, and has since exerted his means and influence for the material upbuilding and im- provement of Angola. He has probably given that city as many substantial improvements as any other individual. He built several substantial blocks and is owner of the Hendry Block, which covers about an acre and a half of ground and includes the Hotel Hendry. He was also one of the men most prominent in financing the Tri-State College. He has been a lifelong republican but never an aspirant for any office. During the Civil war he married Miss Catherine Jackson, of Steuben County. The only child of that union, Belle, married Doctor Lewis and her daughter, Bessie, is the wife of Mr. Lowe, and they have four children. After the death of his first wife Mr. Hendry married Chloe Moss. By this mar- riage there were three children. The oldest is Ada, wife of Frank Beil. The second is George, a resi- dent of Angola, who married Zella Brown. Of their four children their son George Jr., saw active serv- ice in France during the war. The third of the family is Gladney A., referred to in following sketch. Gladney Arthur Hendry, son of Lewis A. Hen- dry, whose career is given above, has for a number of years been one of the leading business men of Angola. He was born in that* town July 11, 1874, and was well educated in the public schools, the high school and the Tri-State College. For several years he managed the Hotel Hendry for his father and for about eight years was also a practical farmer. In 1909 he engaged in the building material business and has built up a large trade and developed facili- ties adequate for a wide and comprehensive service in that line. Mr. Hendry is a republican in politics and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1899 he married Miss Stella Allen, of Windfall, Indiana. To their marriage were born five children : Pauline and Genevieve, who died April 27 and April 28, 1917, respectively, both of diphtheria ; Helen, Luella and Sarah Virginia. George E. Shanower. While practically all his life has been spent in Northeast Indiana, George E. Shanower has had experience as a farmer in Noble as well as LaGrange County. He owns a good farm in Bloomfield Township of the latter county, and is one of that community’s most highly respected and valued citizens. He was born in Noble County September 30, 1867, a son of Samuel and Susan (Hartz) Shan- ower. His parents were both born in Ohio, his father in 1841 and his mother in 1847. The paternal grandfather, George Shanower, was an early set- tler in Johnson Township, LaGrange County, locat- ing on eighty acres a mile south of Adams Lake. He sold that property and moved to Noble County and finally retired to Wolcottville, where he died at the age of eighty-six and his wife at seventy-two. Their children were Fannie, Samuel, Mary Ann, deceased, Jacob, Clinton, Newton, Amos, Harriet, and George, deceased. Samuel Shanower came to Northeast Indiana when he was a boy, had a public school education, and served in the 44th Indiana Infantry as a Union soldier until the close of the war. After the war he rented a farm in Milford Township, later was in Elkhart Township of Noble County, where he bought a hundred twenty acres, and from there came to Johnson Township in LaGrange County and owned a farm of a hundred fourteen acres and later a place of sixty-two acres. Recently he sold out his landed possessions and is now living re- tired at Wolcottville. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and a republican in politics. His wife, Susan Hartz, is a daughter of Samuel Hartz, who was an early settler in Johnson Township and later moved to Michigan, ten miles north of Toledo, where he spent his last days. In the Hartz family were five children, named Jacob, Amanda, Samuel, Fannie and Susan. Samuel Shanower and wife have three children : George E. ; Jennie, wife of Ira Brill; and Loren. George E. Shanower was educated in Noble County and when about twenty-one years of age came to LaGrange County. He lived in Johnson Township until about 1905, when he bought his present farm of eighty-eight acres in Bloomfield Township. He is a republican in politics. On January 26, 1893, Mr. Shanower married Miss Lottie Price. She was born in LaGrange County, a daughter of Dr. Henry and Mary Ann Price, early settlers of the county who came here from Pennsylvania in the spring of 1865. Her father practiced medicine at Brighton and later at Woodruff. Doctor Price and his wife are both deceased, the doctor dying in 1894 and Mrs. Price in 1906. Moses J. Miller. The name of Moses J. Miller is connected with some of the best farming that has been done in Newbury Township, and he is held up as an example of the rising generation of what a good man and a desirable citizen should be. He was born in his present township, April 29, 1844, a son of John and Margaret (Sutter) Miller, who made the long trip overland to Indiana from Penn- sylvania in wagons in 1842, and upon their arrival in LaGrange County bought eighty acres of land in Newbury Township for $230.00. The father worked hard at clearing off the land until his death in 1861, when he was forty-nine years old. His widow survived his death until 1873, when she died at the age of fifty-nine. In religious faith they belonged to the Amish Society. Their children were as follows: Joseph, who died November 28, 1918, aged seventy-five years ; Moses J., whose name heads this review; John, who died at Shipshewana, De- cember 14, 1918, aged seventy-two years ; and Barbara, who died at the as?e of. three years. Moses J. Miller was reared in his native town- ship, and after he had attended the public schools he became a student of the institute at Ontario, HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 307 Indiana. For nine terms he was engaged in teaching school, and then in 1875 bought 160 acres of land in Van Buren Township, adding to it until he had 345 acres. During his residence in Van Buren Township, he was engaged in the public affairs of his town- ship, being elected township assessor in 1884, and served one year satisfactorily and to the approval of his constituents, and as executor of wills, admin- istrator of decedents’ estates, he administered and settled many estates, always to the satisfaction and approval of the parties connected therewith. In 1903 he bought another farm of eighty acres at Pashan in Newbury Township, and moved thereon and conducted it for six years, owning in all now 425 acres. During these six years he sold the farms in Van Buren Township and in 1909 bought the Brookside Farm of 102 acres in Newbury Town- ship, which is one of the best improved farms in the township, and moved on it. He erected a tenant house, retired, and rented the farm, which is devoted to general farming and stockraising. Politically he has given his support and vote to the candidates of the republican party. Both he and his wife are Mennonites. On April 9, 1865, Mr. Miller was married to Elizabeth Miller, born in Cambria County, Penn- sylvania, in 1848, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Yoder) Miller, who came to LaGrange County in 1855, and settled west of Emma in Eden Township. Later they moved to Missouri, where he died about 1870, and she returned to her old home and there died. Mr. Miller dates his ancestry in this country back to his great-grandfather, John Miller, who lived in Berks County, Pennsylvania, as early as 1757, later moving to Somerset County, that state. His son, Joseph Miller, was born in that latter county, and was the father of John Miller, the father of Moses J. Miller. At the time the great-grandfather, John Miller, was still living in Berks County, occurred the terrible massacre of the Hostetter family by the Indians in that region. One of the descendants of the latter family was married to Moses P. Miller, and they lived in Clay Township, LaGrange County. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been as follows : Nancy, who died at the age of eleven years ; Martha, who is the wife of Henry Elliott, has the following children, Florence, Fern, Bruce, Brice, Claude and Katie; Mary, who is the wife of Edward Mishler, of Van Buren Township, has the following children, Bertha, Ida, Howard, Harley, Fern and Mildred; Frank, who married Esther Taylor, has two children, Kelso and Taylor; Katie, who is the wife of Monroe Hostetter, and their children are as follows: Joy, Guy, Margaret and Claude ; Minnie, who is the wife of Levi Hooley, and their children are Amos, Nancy, Titus, Rachael, Reva and Vada; and Loretta, who is the wife of Levi Berkey, has the following children, Cletus, Perry, Harley and Opal, living, Ray having died. Mr. and Mrs. Berkey rent the homestead from Mr. Miller. The grandchildren of Mr. Miller who are married are as follows : Florence Elliott, who married Leonard Hess, has the following children, Lucile, Mark, Paul and William ; Bruce Elliott, who first married Wanona Michael, had two children, Lester and Chester, twins, and afterward he was married to Alva Jessup, and their child is named Herman ; Brice Elliott, who married Rosy Yoder, a daughter of Tobias V. Yoder, and their children are George, Arthur and Henry, and Brice died in 1918; Fern Elliott, who married Ira Shideler, and their children are Frank and Harry; Claude Elliott, who married Irene Holderman, had one child, Robert. As will be seen by the above, Mr. Miller is con- nected with nearly all of the leading families of the county, and he and his stand very high in public esteem. John W. Stienbarger. One of the prosperous general farmers and stockraisers of Steuben County is John W. Stienbarger of Scott Township, who was born in Elkhart Township, Noble County, In- diana, April 1, 1855, a son of Charles G. and grandson of Joseph Stienbarger. The great-grand- father was Frederick Stienbarger, who was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, but the family origi- nated in Prussia, Germany. Joseph Stienbaiger was born near Culpeper, Virginia, but later moved to Ohio, where he was married to Mary Cracraft, born in Shelby County, Ohio. The Stienbarger family were millers and distillers, and when Joseph Stien- barger came to Cooperville, Noble County, Indiana, he built a saw and grist mill, and was engaged in operating it until his death. Some of the material in this mill was hauled by team from Adrian, Michigan. As his mill was the only one in the neighborhood, at some seasons of the year the farmers would so crowd the capacity that it was kept running day and night, and those desiring their grain ground would have to wait two days for their turn. These farmers came from a distance of twenty miles, carrying their grain on their horses in f>-ont of them as they rode over the dirt 'high- ways. There were four sons and two daughters in his family who grew to maturity. Charles G. Stienbarger was a farmer of Elkhart Township, Noble County, where he spent his entire life. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Lininger, and she was born in Star County, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Weir) Linin- ger. Mr. and Mrs. Stienbarger had the following children born to them: John W., George, Joseph LI ard Sarah. The first Mrs. Stienbarger died, and Mr. Stienbarger later was married to Rebecca Lamp, his children by his second marriage _ being as follows : Ansel, who died in infancy, David M., Mary, Charles and Fred. All his mature years Charles G. Stienbarger was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. John W. Stienbarger attended the public schools of his native township, and for some years after he reached his majority he worked for different farmers, thus gaining a practical and first hand knowledge of farming. On April ix, 1880, he was united in marriage with Manda J. Zimmerman, a daughter of Noah and Fannie Zimmerman. Mr. and Mrs. Stienbarger became the parents of two children, Charles H., who married Zella Teagarden, and Millard, who married Alta Ettinger. In 1894 Mr. Stienbarger moved on his present farm, which was formerly owned by Mrs. Stienbarger’s parents, and which comprises eighty acres of very valuable land. Mr. Stienbarger has made a success of his farming and is held in high esteem by his neigh- bors, who appreciate his good qualities as a man and a citizen. Henry J. Hostetler, who has lived in LaGrange County fifty-five years, has found his time fully occupied since early manhood in the vocation of farming and in the performance of his varied re- lationships with the community, both as a public official and as a private citizen. He is a farmer with home located two. miles east of Topeka. Mr. Hostetler was born in Holmes County, Ohio, June 18, 1863, a son of Moses J. and Elizabeth (Maust) Hostetler. His parents were both natives of Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The father was 308 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA born June 9, 1812, and the mother May 1, 1822. They were married January 7, 1838. The father died April 1 7, 1894, and the mother on August 9, 1889. They were hard working, industrious, God- fearing and worthy people, were parents of a large family of thirteen children, were active in the old Amish Church and the father was a democrat in politics. The names of their children, with dates of birth, are as follows: John M., born April 16, 1839: Samuel J., February 19, 1841; Elias M., Octo- ber 3, 1842; Moses M., March 21, 1844; Eve, March 18, 1846; Paul J., November 25, 1847; Elizabeth, November 26, 1849; Polly, February 2, 1852; Jacob J., August 12, 1854; David, July 10, 1856; Andrew, August 18, 1858; Uriah, March 6, 1861; and Henry J., June 18, 1863. Six of these are still living. Henry J. Hostetler, the youngest of the family, was about a year old when his parents came to In- diana in 1864 and located in Eden Township of La- Grange County. He grew up there, with an educa- tion in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-six moved to Clear Spring Township, where he has since had his home. He owns eighty acres of land, thriftily and productively cultivated, and is also a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank of Topeka, and is a stockholder in the Sycamore Lit- erary Society at Topeka. As a voter he has always been affiliated with the republican party and gave a very competent administration of the office of trus- tee of Clear Spring Township from 1900 to 1904. He and his family are members of the Mennonite Church. June 1, 1886, he married Miss Ida May Roderick. Their four children were: Velma B., born March 18, 1888, now the wife of Dale Stroman ; Lora V., born August 10, 1891, wife of Kenneth Leming; Bessie, born July 6, 1893, who died at the age of eighteen ; and Willie PI., born December 7, 1898, married Lucile Cline. Latta F. Hershf.y, whose people came to Steuben County seventy 'years ago, has been an active farmer forty years, and was called from the routine duties of his crops and fields to the office and responsi- bilities of sheriff of Steuben County. He served capably two terms, and has since remained in Angola as deputy sheriff, though still owning and supervis- ing the work of his farm. Mr. Hershey was born in Fremont Township of Steuben County April 29, 1858, son of George R. and Joanna (Freligh) Hershey, his paternal grand- parents being George and Nancy (Holsinger) Hershey and his maternal grandfather John Fre- ligh. George R. Hershey was born in Ontario County, New York, January 25, 1811, and his wife was a native of the same state. He was educated in the public schools, was married in New York State, and in 1849 brought his family to Steuben County, Indiana, establishing his home on a farm in Fremont Township. He was a mason by trade and followed that in connection with farming, and by his industry made ample provision for his fam- ily. He lived in Steuben County the rest of his life with the exception of one year. He and his wife had a large family of children, named Mary, Nancy, Susan, Moses B., Martha, George, Joan, Eugene, Marshall and Latta F. Latta F. Hershey acquired his education in the public schools of Jamestown Township. He was only a young man when he began farming, and in 1879 he established a home of his own by his mar- riage to Rosetta Richardson. She was born March 17, 1862, a daughter of Lewis and Frances (Hutch- ens) Richardson. Mr. Hershey took his bride to his farm in Jamestown Township, and then followed an uninterrupted career of diligent work and good management until January, 1913. At that date he removed to Angola to take up his duties as sheriff, an office to which he was elected in 1912. He was re-elected in 1914, and gave all his time to the man- agement of his office until January, 1917, since which date he has remained as deputy of the office. Mr. Hershey owns a good farm of 320 acres, cleared part of the land and all the substantial buildings represent his personal investment and supervision. Mr. Hershey lost his wife by death on February 14, 1898. She was the mother of two sons, Ross, born January 17, 1882, and Lewis B., born September 12, 1893. Lewi's has made a splendid record as a soldier, going overseas as adjutant with the One Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Field Artillery. He ranks as a captain, and in the spring of 1919 was at Brest, France. Mr. Hershey is affiliated with the Chapter, Coun- cil and Commandery of Masonry and is a member of the lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Ira Ford, supervising editor for LaGrange County in the compilation of this publication, h‘as been in close touch with people and events in that county for at least half a century and has lived there since he was about eight years old. Mr. Ford was born in Wayne County, New York, October 13, 1848, and came with his parents from that county to LaGrange County in April, 1856. His father and mother were Jared and Rebecca Ford, and all of their seven children grew to manhood and womanhood, Ira being the youngest, the only one now living. Mr. Ira Ford was educated at LaGrange, and beginning when he was twenty years of age taught school in that county. His teaching continued from 1868 until 1881. After that he applied his efforts to farming in Clearspring Township, and he made his farming enterprise notable over the county for his breeding of fine sheep and hogs, and later he became a specialist in the breeding of fine poultry. For four and a half years Mr. Ford was cashier of the Ellison Bank at Topeka, Indiana. He served as trustee of Clearspring Township from 1882 to 1884. He is president of the Old Settlers Asso- ciation of LaGrange County, is a stanch republican in politics, is affiliated with Haw Patch Lodge No. 760 of Odd Fellows at Topeka and is an elder in the Presbyterian Church at LaGrange. On February 6, 1873, he married Julia A. Peck, daughter of Hawley and Harriett Peck. Her father came with his family to LaGrange County in 1846 from Wayne County, New York, making the jour- ney by wagons and settling in Clearspring Town- ship. Mrs. Ford was one of twelve children, four of whom are still living. Charles A. Yotter was born in Iowa and came to Steuben County to attend the Tri-State Normal at Angola. After finishing his education there he studied law in a local office, and during the past quarter of a century has become one of the most prominent members of the bar of Northeast Indiana. He was born in Lee County, Iowa, January 16, 1864, and lived in that state until after reaching manhood. He is a son of Jacob and Anna Marie (Carstens) Yotter. The father was an architect and practical mason in Southeastern Iowa. He died on the 12th of February, 1911, at Fort Madison, Iowa, and the mother died at the same place in 1901. Charles A. Yotter received his early education in Denmark Academy and the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant. He came to Angola in 1887. graduated from the Tri-State Normal College in 1890, and began the study of law in the HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 309 office of Best & Bratton. He was with them two years, and in 1893 was made a partner of the firm, and has been steadily engaged in practice ever since. Mr. Yotter is a democrat and a member of the Knights of Pythias, and he and his family are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In October, 1897, he married Gussie B. Best, a daughter of John G. Best and a niece of Judge D. R. Best. Mrs. Yotter died in 1900, leaving one child, Karolyn, who died December 20, 1909, at the age of ten years. In 1902 Mr. Yotter married Rena Sears, daughter of Charles E. and Maggie (Veasey) Sears, of LaGrange County. They are the parents of four children : Anna Marie, born December 13, 1906; George Albert, born July 13, 1909; Edward Sears, born May 12, 1914; and Ruth, born July 13. 1916. Harvey Wilson. The increased demand for foodstuffs, with the consequent betterment of mar- keting facilities and advance in prices, have led a number of essentially representative men to return to the farm and devote themselves to agricultural pursuits. That this move was a patriotic one goes without saying, but the success which is attending these experienced farmers shows that it was one of good judgment as well. One of these men is Harvey Wilson, whose family has been connected with the cultivation of the land of Steuben County for many years. He is now living on the home- stead of his father in Otsego Township, where he owns a finely cultivated and well improved farm. Harvey Wilson was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 27, 1858, a son of Alexander Griffin and Ann Jane (Maxwell) Wilson, he born in Pennsyl- vania, October 15, 1829, and she in Ashland County, Ohio, November 10, 1828. They were married in 1850, and in the fall of i860 they came to Steuben County, Indiana, locating on a farm in Otsego Township entered from the Government by Joshua Hunt. After the death of the mother in 1906 the father retired, but he is still living. They had nine children born to them, namely: Wesley, Olive Curtis, Samuel James, Harvey, Minerva Jane, Mar- cella, Alexander, Franklin and Leander. The boyhood and youth of Harvey Wilson were spent on the home farm, and he acquired a knowl- edge of the fundamentals of education in the dis- trict schools. His first business experience was gained in the mercantile field, in which he remained for three years, operating in Troy Township, De- Kalb County, Indiana. He then conducted a wagon route from Hamilton to the outlying rural district for three years in the interests of Hagerty and Swaidner. Mr. Wilson then engaged with Byers brothers and Wesley Davis in the poultry, butter and egg business at Angola, but left it in 1914 to buy his present farm, which is a portion of the one his father purchased upon coming to Steuben County. He erected a new barn in 1917, making it conform to sanitary regulations and sufficiently commodious for all purposes for which it is used, and remodeled the house, making it modern and very comfortable. Here he carries on general farming and stock rais- ing, and as he thoroughly understands all the details of his work is making money. Politically, he is a strong republican. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias. The Methodist Episcopal Church holds his membership and benefits by his generous donations. In 1881 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Phebe Elizabeth Baker, who died in November, 1901, leaving two children, Jacob Griffin, who married Eunice Skelton, and they have a son, Rosco, and Jessie, who married Curtis Casebere, of Edgerton, Ohio, and has four children, Earl, Wannita, Aletha and Ruth. In 1907 Mr. Wilson was married to Mat- tie Goudy, a daughter of William and Mary E. (Dirrim) Goudy, pioneers of Steuben County. Mr. and Mrs. Goudy lived at Orland, Indiana, but sub- sequently went to Nebraska. Coming back to In- diana, they lived for a time in DeKalb County, but later bought land in Richland Township, Steuben County, and still later moved to Otsego Township, settling near Cold Lake, where he died in February, 1904, Mrs. Goudy surviving him and is still living on the farm. William Goudy was a son of Samuel Goudy. Mr. and Mrs. Goudy had the following family: William, who died in infancy, Fletcher, Frank, Mattie, Charles, Robert, Fannie, Timothy and Crissie. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have one son, Raymond, who was born April 28, 1914. The Wil- son and Goudy families are among the old estab- lished ones in this part of Indiana, and their mem- bers stand very well wherever they are found. The majority of them are interested along agricultural lines, are owners of property and in every way sub- stantial and influential citizens, who hold the respect and confidence of their fellow citizens. It is such people as these which make the United States what it is, and enable it in times of stress to measure up to the highest standards of manhood. Alvin A. Goodwin has heavy responsibilities in a business way, being manager of the Goodwin Lum- ber Company, one of the chief firms engaged in hard- wood lumber manufacture in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. Mr. Goodwin for many years has been engaged ,jn the lumber business either as a retailer or manufacturer, and is a member of one of the old and prominent families of Northeastern In- diana. He was born at the Town of Waterloo in DeKalb County September 8, 1872, son of Leander S. and Rebecca (Hively) Goodwin. His grandfather, Sam- uel Goodwin, was born in Pennsylvania in October, 1816, son of David and Catherine (Zimmerman) Goodwin. In 1822 the Goodwin family moved to Wayne County, Ohio, later to Ashland County, where David Goodwin died, and Samuel Goodwin grew up in Ashland County and in 1843 married Elizabeth Good. From that section of Ohio in 1854 they moved to DeKalb County, Indiana, and settled on a farm near Waterloo in Union Town- ship. Samuel Goodwin cleared away the woods and made a choice farm of 115 acres and accumu- lated a good property which kept his age free from care and labor. His wife died in 1865. Two of his brothers, David and Daniel, also came to De- Kalb County, and as they had adjoining land the three families constituted almost a community. By his first marriage Samuel Goodwin had five chil- dren: Mary E., who died in 1918; Leander S.; Jo- seph W., of Fremont, Indiana; Lucy, who married Stephen George ; and Alice, who became the wife of William Atwood. Samuel Goodwin married for his second wife Mary Brubaker, a widow, and they had three children, Ina, Frank and William. Leander S. Goodwin was born in Ashland County, Ohio, August 18, 1846, and was about eight years old when the family moved to DeKalb County. He grew up on a farm there, acquired a public school education, and in addition, to farming he sold agri- cultural implements and was also a dealer in timber lands. He was a republican, and during the session of 1895 served as postmaster of the House of Rep- resentatives in the Indiana Legislature. He died in 1898, and his wife, who was born in Ohio in 1847, died in 1884. Both were active members of the United Brethren Church. Leander Goodwin and his first wife had five children : Etta ; Ella, ticket agent 310 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA at Waterloo ; Alvin A. ; Elizabeth, who died in 1876 ; and Samuel L. Leander Goodwin married for his second wife Jennie Lawhead, and they were the par- ents of three children, Martha, Jay and William. Both Jay and William have been soldiers in the great war. Jay is now with the army in France. William has been assigned to duty on the military police in New York City. Alvin A. Goodwin grew up in DeKalb County, at- tended the public schools, and in 1891, at the age of nineteen, went to Pleasant Lake in Steuben County and entered the service of his uncle, Joseph W. Goodwin, in the saw milling business. In 1900 Mr. Goodwin bought a local lumber and coal yard, and continued that business for twelve years, building it up to large proportions and selling out at a figure which represented a comfortable com- petency. For many years he had been engaged in the manufacture of lumber, and, as above noted, is manager of the Goodwin Lumber Company, which has a number of mills in Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana. In 1918 this corporation fur- nished about $75,000 worth of lumber for govern- ment purposes. Mr. Goodwin is also the owner of the Standard Body Company, of White Pigeon, Michigan, which company builds cabs and bodies for automobile trucks, and their product is sold through- out the central states, mostly from their distribut- ing branch in Detroit. Their slogan — “From Tree to Truck” is well known in the motor truck world and the factory is always away behind in filling orders because of its being impossible for the pro- duction to keep pace with the increasing business. The product of this factory is seen throughout the country, on the busy streets of all the large cities and on country roads. While so much of his time has been taken up with practical business affairs Mr. Goodwin is known to a great many people not in a business way but as an author. His poetry has attracted much atten- tion, and has been published in some of the lead- ing magazines, also in the columns of the Fort Wayne daily papers. Some of his selected poems have been published in book form. Mr. Goodwin is affiliated with Pleasant Lake Lodge No. 593, Free and Accepted Masons, with the Order of Gleaners, and with the United Commercial Travelers of Fort Wayne. He and his family are members of the United Brethren Church. In 1895 Mr. Goodwin married Miss Lena Bigler of Pleasant Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin have two children : Van, whose individual sketch follows ; and Verne, born June 29, 1902, still in high school. Politically Mr. Goodwin is a republican, but has been too busy to concern himself with the responsi- bilities of public office, though he is an active worker for his party and served on the Credentials Com- mittee at the State Convention in 1916. Van Bigler Goodwin. In vegetation the flower is often esteemed more than the fruit. Childhood and youth are the flower of human growth, and their perfect symmetry and beauty, when their time of fruitage in experience and achievement is denied, frequently represent the greatest ultimate good within the compass of mortal vision. It was the brevity of his years, and not any im- perfection involved! in youth itself, that lent a tragic aspect to the death of Van Bigler Goodwin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin A. Goodwin of Pleasant Lake, which occurred on October 12, 1918, as a result of influenza in the terrible epidemic which swept the country. Although but twenty years of age — he was born September 6, 1898 — he was one of the most widely known men of Northeastern Indiana and a promis- ing young life went out because of the ravages of the disease. He first became widely known as one of the best basket ball players in the country, his skillful and at the same time clean playing winning him friends by the thousands, and this, added to a remarkable irresistible personality, made him one of the best liked young men of the several counties of North- eastern Indiana. At the conclusion of both the 1917 and 1918 basket ball tournaments at Kendallville, at which place some eighty players had been in action, he was selected as one of the two “forwards” on an “All-Star” team, the selection being made by the referees who knew none of the players of the tournament. Many fans mourn his death, for he made hun- dreds of friends in surrounding towns who never failed to get an inspiration from his smile which he always carried even in the heat of the game, and it is conceded by all who knew him that he was one of the factors in making basket ball a popular game in this part of the state. A remarkable circumstance is, that his friends were not confined to those of his own age, but busi- ness and professional men of all ages, and those much younger than he, were among his best friends and he will always live in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to meet him. “Van, you’re gone but not forgotten, By the world you left behind; From old age back to the cradle, By every class of human kind.” Ledger D. McKibben. It is a fortunate and truly American community that reflects the progressive spirit of such citizens as Ledger D. McKibben. Mr. McKibben is a member of an old family of La- Grange County and is living on the farm near Val- entine, where he was born February 18, 1881. His parents were James S. and Lissa A. (Van- kirk) McKibben, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Bloomfield Township, LaGrange County. They were married in this county and lived on the farm until the spring of 1905, at which time they moved to the City of LaGrange and are now living retired. Both were charter members of the Methodist Church at Valentine, and the father served it many years as a trustee. Formerly a re- publican, he is now an equally ardent prohibitionist. James S. McKibben and wife had two sons: Orley R., a farmer in Bloomfield Township ; and Ledger D. Ledger D. McKibben grew up on the home farm and is a graduate of the LaGrange High School with the class of 1900. Before getting married and set- tling down to the serious occupation of farming he taught district schools for three years. June 15, 1904, he married Alice E. Scott. She was born at Ontario, Indiana, and her father, J. G. Scott, is prominently known as a former county treasurer of LaGrange County. Mrs. McKibben is a graduate of the Howe High School with the class of 1899. To their marriage were born four children : J. Scott, a graduate of the common schools in 1919 ; Lucile Iona, Francis E. and Carol E. The family are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Valentine. Mr. McKibben teaches a class of boys and young men in the Sunday school and Mrs. McKibben is a teacher of the young ladies’ class. Out of his Sunday school class there were eleven young men who went into the service in the World’s war, five going overseas to France, and two wounded in action. Politically Mr. McKibben is a prohibi- tionist. His farming activities are conducted on a model place of* ninety-seven acres, and besides look- ing after his farm he handles the local agency for the Overland automobile. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 311 Samuel E. Weaver, who is one of the leading farmers and is secretary of the Shipshewana Ship- pers’ Association, has proved the truth of the con- tention that whoever is willing has a place of useful- ness and honor in his community. He was born at Nappanee, Indiana, February 26, 1880. His father, Emanuel Weaver, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1849, grew to manhood in Elkhart County, Indiana, and moved his family to LaGrange County in 1890. In 1876 he married Mag- dalena Yoder, who was born in LaGrange County in 1854. They are now retired and have a home with their son Samuel. Of their seven children whom they reared five have college degrees. Samuel E. Weaver attended primary school in Elk- hart and LaGrange counties, graduated from the common schools in 1894, from the Newbury Town- ship High School in 1899, being a member of the first class of the commissioned school, and after finishing high school did teaching, being connected with the schools of Newbury Township from 1899 until 1908. In 1911 he graduated from Goshen College, and from 1912 to 1917 was superintendent of the Newbury Township High School. He was only thirteen years of age when he took his place as a farm hand dur- ing the summer months at wages insignificant com- pared with modern salaries even on a farm. He never missed a summer of work on the farm until 1909 when he was in college. It is within the strict limits of truth to say that Mr. Weaver began his career absolutely without capital. By a singular com- pensation of energies, thrift and good business abil- ity he is now proprietor of an eighty-acre farm nearly paid for, keeps pure bred stock, and for a number of years has been one of the successful ex- ponents of alfalfa growing in his locality. During the war Mr. Weaver was a solicitor for the Bed Cross and Y. M. C. A. funds, and as a notary public he worked almost night and day filling out the boys’ questionnaires. He has held a commission as notary public since January 22, 1918. He also gives much of his time to his duties as an official of the Shippers’ Association at Shipshewana. Mr. Weaver has been an active member of the Mennonite Church since 1899 and in 1904 was ordained to the min- istry and was a preacher in his home locality until 1916, when he resigned on account of ill health and lack of support. In 1902 he married Miss Fanny Stahly, who died a year later after giving birth to son, Stahly Weaver. In 1904 he married Laura Johns, a daughter of Jacob Johns and member of the Johns family after whom Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was named. They have two children: Rachel Weaver and Eunice Weaver. Lafayette Burkett has deserved well of his fel- low men by reason of the four years he spent in the Union army during the Civil war, by over fifty years of residence accompanied by hard work and productive effort in Steuben County, and through all the responsibilities and duties of life he has proved faithful. Mr. Burkett, who lives in Angola, retired, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, December 25, 1841, son of Peter and Sarah (Burkett) Burkett. His. father was born in Pennsylvania and his mother in Sandusky County, Ohio. The great-grandfather, John Burkett, was a native of Switzerland and came to the American colonies in time to serve in the war of independence as a member of Wash- ington’s army. He afterward removed to Ohio, and died in Sandusky County at the advanced age of ninety-nine years, eleven months and twelve days. His son William Burkett was a soldier in the War of 1812. Thus the record of the Burkett family is almost unsurpassed for American patriot- ism and military service. Peter Burkett, father of Lafayette, spent his life in Sandusky County, Ohio, where he died when his son Lafayette was a small child. The latter’s mother married again and had nine children. Lafayette Burkett at the age of fifteen came to Steuben County, Indiana. He was then dependent upon his own resources and worked by the month or by the day. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company B of McClellan’s Dragoons, and served eighteen and a half months with that organization. At Harrison Landing he was taken ill with typhus fever, and received an honorable discharge. He soon re-enlisted this time in Com- pany K of the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, and was with that command two and a half years. His total service in the Union army was four years lacking six days. While in a campaign in Mis- sissippi between Okalona and Pontotoc he was wounded and received a furlough. After the war Mr. Burkett returned to Steuben County and resumed work by the day. Finally he invested his modest capital in twenty acres of land, and sold that and acquired sixty-three acres in Scott Township. He lived on that farm for thirty- three years, and laid the bulk of his prosperity while there. On November 12, 1917, he came to Angola, and has since sold his farm and owns a good home on Broad Street. Mr. Burkett has always been a steadfast repub- lican in politics, is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he and his wife are affiliated with the Christian Church. _ On June 7, 1863, while he was a soldier, he mar- ried Sarah Zimmerman. She was born in Penn- sylvania September 30, 1841, a daughter of Godfrey and Sarah (Cramer) Zimmerman. In 1852 they identified themselves with the community of Steuben County, Indiana, settling in Scott Township. They were farmers there and Mrs. Burkett’s mother died August 6, 1871, at the age of sixty-three and her father in 1881, at the age of seventy. There were seven children in the Zimmerman family, the three now living being Mrs. Burkett, Jane and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Burkett have had the satisfaction of seeing children grow up around them, and they also have a number of grandchildren. Their oldest child, Ada, is the wife of Clark Ellis and has two children, Ford and Welma. Welma is the wife of Earl Berry and has a daughter, Martha, and they live in Phila- delphia, where Earl Berry is an engineer. William Lafayette Burkett lives in Angola and .is married. Ethel first married William Zimmer and for her second husband Samuel Ramsey, and her only child, Sarah Elizabeth Ramsey, was two and a half years old when Ethel died, the daughter being now tender- ly cared for in the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Burkett. Maud Bell is the wife of J. C. Gilbert. Daisy, who died at the age of twenty-five, was. a very talented young woman, a proficient musician, a great worker in the Christian Church and a teacher in the high school at Angola. Her sisters Maud and Ella also taught school. Boyd M. Davis is owner of a drug business at Ashley which his father conducted for a number of years, and is a graduate pharmacist from the North- western University of Chicago. He was born at Ossian in Wells County, Indiana, March 22, 1885, a son of Andrew B. and Bertha A. (Hayward) Davis. His father was born on a farm near Ossian in 1855 and for about thirty-six years was engaged in the drug business. The mother is still living at Ashley. Both were members of the 312 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Methodist Church, and the father was a Knight of Pythias and Mason and was the first chancellor of the Knights of Pythias at Ossian. Politically he was a republican and held the office of postmaster eight years. There are five living children : Dessie, a graduate of the Ossian High School, wife of Thomas Sharp, of Flint, Michigan ; Boyd M. ; Hope, a graduate of the Ashley High School ; Orville, who graduated from the Hudson High School ; and Everett, attending high school at Ashley. Boyd M. Davis received his education in the grammar and high schools at Ossian and later entered the pharmacy department of Northwestern University. He had eight years of practical experi- ence with the H. B. McCord drug store at Auburn, Indiana. He bought his father’s business at Ashley in 1915, and he also owns the business block and a home in Ashley and is an active member of the Cooperative Association. He married Elta R. Ritter, of Hudson, Indiana, a graduate of the high school of that town. They have two children, Winford and Marjorie. Mr. Davis is affiliated with Ashley Lodge No. 394, Knights of Pythias, and is the present keeper of records and seals of the lodge. He is also a member of Lodge No. 614, Free and Accepted Masons, and Hudson Chapter No. 152, Royal Arch Masons. William Marcus Gallutia. One of the men who is successfully engaged in farming in Steuben Coun- ty is William Marcus Gallutia, a son of David and Mary (Fox) Gallutia and grandson of Joseph and Lucy Gallutia and George and Emeline (Gordon) Fox. Joseph Gallutia was a farmer of Ohio, where he and his wife both died. They had the follow- ing children : David, who was the father of Wil- liam Marcus, and Milo, who died at the age of thirty-three years in Steuben County, was living with his brother David. George Fox was born in June, i8t6 and his wife was born in April, 1815. They came to Steuben County many years ago, buy- ing 120 acres of land which they cleared, and on which he died in 1902, his wife passing away in November, 1886. Their children were as follows: Mary; Malissa, who is the wife of Joseph Hatha- way; and Amy, who is the wife of Christopher Baker. David Gallutia was born in Morrow County, Ohio, in 1840, and his wife was born in 1843. They were married in Ohio in i860, and came to Steuben County, Indiana, in the fall of 1865, buying forty acres of woodland in York Township. For a time they lived in a log cabin, but later replaced it with a frame house. After ten years on this farm they sold and bought eighty acres, also in York Town- ship, where he died in 1890, his widow surviving him until May 13, 1916, when she too passed away. He was a democrat, and prominent in local matters. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but she later joined the Christian Church. They had the following children : William Marcus, who was the eldest ; Emma, who is de- ceased ; Charles ; George ; and Elnora, who lives with her eldest brother and keeps house for him. William Marcus. Gallutia was reared and educated in York Township, and has always been a farmer. In 1900 he bought eighty acres of land in Richland Township, and has operated it ever since, being a general farmer and stockraiser. He has always voted the republican ticket and takes an intelligent interest in the affairs of his community, but has not sought political honors. For many years he has been a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Gal- lutia has never married. As Tie has devoted all of his attention to farming, he understands it thorough- ly and has been very successful with his work and is accounted one of the most representative agricul- turalists of his township. James North. Among the substantial agricultural element of LaGrange County perhaps none of those now enjoy so much prosperity or had more interest- ing variety of experience and early struggles than James North, who is still occupying his farm at Woodruff. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, February 28, 1851, a son of Richard and Sarah (Baker) North. His parents were reared and married and spent their lives in Lincolnshire. His father was a musician and shoemaker, and it is said that he made some of Queen Victoria’s shoes. James North was only eighteen months old when his mother died, and six years later his father died. Opportunities to get an education by formal schooling were denied him, and as an office boy he had to work his own way and make a living as best he could. Frequently he was paid only 3 cents a day for what his strength permitted him to do. He managed to get some edu- cation in the meantime, and in 1875 he left England and came to the United States, landing in New York City. Later he came to Indiana, to the farm of William Baker, a relative, and in the spring of 1876 was employed by Weible Foster, working for him until he was able to buy a tract of land and clear it up and make a farm. In 1878 Mr. North married Naomi Baker. She was born and reared in LaGrange County. They then settled on their farm and for many years Mr. North kept his affairs growing and prospering until he had sufficient for his own needs. He still owns 160 acres, and has had other land which he has sold to his sons. He and his wife have seven chil- dren : Sarah, a graduate of the common schools, wife of Charles Seigler; Blanche, wife of Ernest Sperrow; Nellie, unmarried; William, a farmer in LaGrange County; George, a farmer in Johnson Township; Lizzie, wife of John Milbon ; and Rus- sell, unmarried. The family are members of the Lutheran Church and Mr. North is a republican. At one time he was rather extensively engaged in breeding registered sheep. Henry E. Kratz. For a period of nearly thirty- five years Henry E. Kratz has been the old and re- liable druggist of Angola, and during that time has not only kept his business growing but progressively adapted to the needs and conveniences of the com- munity. His record is a most successful one and is the more conspicuous because of the fact that he started life with no capital beyond his own ex- perience, energy and determination. Mr. Kratz was born in Lorain County, Ohio, Oc- tober 20, 1857, son of Henry and Barbara (Deichle) Kratz. His parents were both natives of Germany. His father, who was born in 1824, came when a young man to America and settled in Lorain County, Ohio. He married there. His wife’s father, John Deichle, settled in Lorain County, Ohio, in 1854, his wife having died near Stuttgart, Germany. Barbara Deichle was born in Germany in 1831. After about six years in Lorain County Henry Kratz moved his home to Henry County, Ohio, and was one of the leading farmers in that rich district until his death in August, 1908. His wife died May 15, 1896. Henry Kratz was one of the very first men in his section of Ohio to become affiliated with the republican party, and remained a stanch adherent the rest of his life. He and his family were members of the Evangelical Church. There were eight children : HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 313 Mary, deceased; Henry; Margaret, deceased; Wil- liam; Katie; John, of Angola; Sarah Jane, deceased; and Barbara, who died in February, 1917. Henry E. Kratz spent his early life on the home farm in Henry County, Ohio, attended the public schools there, and in 1878 went to work at Napoleon, the county seat, to learn the drug business. The first year he worked for experience only, receiving no salary. The second year he was paid $50.00 and the third year $100.00. He remained at Napoleon seven years, and on October 5, 1885, opened his business career at Angola as a druggist. He has been in that business longer than any other man and has developed the largest and finest store of its kind in Steuben County. He also owns a half in- terest in the building occupied by the store and owns the old Dr. Morris farm of 120 acres near Angola. Mr. Kratz is a republican, has served as a member of the Angola School Board, and is a member of the Methodist Church. He married in Henry County, Ohio, Miss Catherine Wise. They have two sons, one of whom is a successful druggist and the other a practical farmer. The older, Melvin, graduated from the Angola High School, attended the Tri-State College and later graduated from the Pharmacy School of the University of Michigan. He is now the competent manager of his father’s business. He married Elsie Zabst and has one child, Catherine Laura. The second, Harold Frank- lin, is also a graduate of high school and is now a farmer in Scott Township. He married Vangia Pillrod, daughter of Charles Pillrod, now a resident of Toledo, Ohio. Harold F. Kratz and wife have three children, Louise, Virginia and Henry Franklin, the latter born January 28, 1919. George W. Miller is easily identified among the popular citizens of Stafford Township, not only by reason of his official prominence as township as- sessor but as proprietor of the Pine Hill Farm, a farm with a character of its own both in the mat- ter of improvements and productiveness. This farm contains a hundred forty-four acres and has been the home of Mr. Miller for over twenty years. All his farming methods are progressive and up to date, and the Pine Hill Farm is widely known as the home of some fine registered Shropshire sheep. Mr. Miller was born in Defiance County, Ohio, December 19, 1871, a son of Henry and Mary (Prettiger) Miller, the former a native of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Defiance County, Ohio. After his marriage his father settled on a farm in Defiance County and spent the rest of his life there. The mother is still living and an active mem- ber of the Christian Church. The father was a democrat and served about six years as trustee of Milford Township in Defiance County. Beginning life comparatively poor, he at one time owned four hundred acres of good land. Of seven children six are still living: Carrie, wife of Frank M. Light; Flora, wife of J. W. Suffel ; Frank H. of Defiance County; George W. ; Mary C„ wife of Paul B. Hootman; and Lewis, of Defiance County. George W. Miller grew up on the home farm in Milford Township of Defiance County and acquired his education in the public schools. January 22, 1896, at the age of twenty-four he married Minda P. Hootman. She was born in Defiance County - April 9, 1877, and had a common school education. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller moved to their present farm in the eastern part of DeKalb County. They have one son, Donald E., who was born July 22, 1898. He is a graduate of the Butler High School, attended the Tri-State Col- lege at Angola and was a teacher for one year. Mr. Mdler and family are members of the Christian Church at West Milford, Ohio, and he is affiliated with the Ancient Order of Gleaners and is a demo- crat in politics. As a democrat he was elected township assessor of Stafford November 5, 1918 He is also a stockholder in the Hicksville ’ Grain Company at Hicksville, Ohio. John Craig. This is the name of one of the earliest settlers of LaGrange County in the country around Howe. He came here more than eighty years ago and was then a man in middle age. He passed away long since, and of his family of chil- dren, many of whom were identified with the farming community around Howe, only one is now surviving his daughter Mary, Mrs. Fleming, who is living in Howe. John Craig was born in Pennsylvania December 23, 1784, was educated there, and on April 29, 1819, married Jane Derr. She was also a native of Pennsylvania. They lived on a Pennsylvania farm until they came West. In the fall of 1835, with their children, they started for the West, their goods being packed in two covered wagons, while a covered buggy was the comfortable vehicle in which Mrs. Craig and some of her smaller children rode. The children consisted of four sons and three daughters. James, Esther, Joseph, and the next younger Wil- liam had died in infancy, Serena, Frederick, Robert and Mary. _ When the family got to the “Black Marsh’’ in Northwestern Ohio they found the roads impassable, stayed there through the winter and the following spring put in a crop. The next fall they resumed their journey in the same wagon, and after some days of slow travel reached the Lima community now called Howe. John Craig soon bought forty acres of timber land near LaGrange, but never settled on it because it was inconvenient to schools. He rented farms in Lima Township for several years and then bought a place three miles northwest of Howe containing eighty acres. Out of the products of his labor he increased his farm to several hundred acres in extent, and improved it with a. fine house, which is still standing there. He and his wife lived out their lives in that home. They were active in the Presbyterian Church, and John Craig was a noted Bible student and reared his family in strict obedience to the tenets of his faith. Of his children James never married and spent all his life on the old farm. Joseph had a good farm near Howe. Frederick was likewise identified with that agricultural community. Robert lived out his life as a farmer^ in Lima Township. Esther became the wife of William Smith, a pioneer citizen of Howe. Serena was the wife of John Smith, one of the best known citizens of Lima Township and an associate editor of this publication. Mary Craig, the only one of the children now living, was born November 9, 1834, and was carried in her mother’s arms during the long journey from Pennsjdvania west. On November 9, 1871, she be- came the wife of William Fleming, now deceased. Mr. Fleming had a son by a former marriage, Oran A„ now superintendent of the LaGrange city schools. Mrs. Fleming before her marriage adopted Lucinda Switzer at the age of ten years, reared her, and this foster daughter is now Mrs. Frank Cook, of Lima Township. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fleming they lived on his farm a mile away from her home, and later retired to Howe. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming were active members of the Baptist Church at Howe. Mr. Fleming was a son of Abbott and Margaret Fleming, the former a 314 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA pioneer Baptist minister of LaGrange County. William Fleming was born on the farm where he spent most of his life. Though Mrs. Fleming is eighty-five years of age, she does all her own housework, from choice, not from necessity, and the neatness and system with which she keeps her home might well be a model for emulation for younger housekeepers. She is also well known in her community for her kindness and cheerfulness, and she has many interesting reminiscences drawn from her memory of events in the Howe community for fourscore years. William McKinley. In the years to come his- torians in writing of the period of the great war will not confine all their attention to military tactics, but will give due credit to the important part played by those who through their industry and experience made possible the control of the warring nations by furnishing a sufficient amount of food. It is now generally recognized that hunger foments more dis- content and consequent uprising than any other cause, and if a people are well fed they are generally found to be contented and willing to let existing conditions continue. The farmers of the United States have nobly risen to meet the demand of the world for foodstuffs, and Indiana occupies a fore- most place among the states in agricultural suprem- acy. This enviable place has been gained entirely through the efforts of its farmers, and of them Steuben County has furnished its full quota, one of them being William McKinley, of Scott Township. William McKinley was born in Ashland County, Ohio, October io, 1856, a son of William McKinley, and grandson of Samuel McKinley, the latter being a native of Ireland. The elder William McKinley was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, and he was a second cousin of President William McKin- ley. When he was still a boy his parents moved to Ohio, and there he was reared. In the fall of 1862 he moved to Jackson Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, and remained there until 1887, when he became a resident of Butler Township, DeKalb County, and there he died in 1896. He was first married to Mary Shinniman, and they had three children, Bell, Benjamin and Adam. After the death of his first wife he was married to Sarah Romine, born in Johnson Township, LaGrange County, In- diana, and they became the parents of the following children: Ross, James, Samuel (who was drowned at the age of twelve years), Frank, William, Steve, Almindo and Almeda, twins, Jane, Louise and Alex- ander. William McKinley, whose name heads this review, was reared in Jackson Township, DeKalb County, where he attended the public schools, and having learned the principles of farming from his father he started in that line of endeavor after attaining his majority, first in Jackson Township, but in 1881, moving to Butler Township in the same county, he remained there until 1889, at which time he went to Union Township, DeKalb County. After eight years in the latter township he moved to his father’s old farm, and took care of his mother until her death two years later. He then bought a farm in Jackson Township, DeKalb County, on which he lived for seventeen years, leaving it in 1917 and selling the farm to buy one in Pleasant Township, Steuben County. In February, 1919, he sold at a profit his property in Pleasant Township, and bought his pres- ent farm of eighty-one acres in section 18, Scott Township, where he is now doing general farming and stock raising. In 1888 Mr. McKinley was united in marriage with Miss Etta Swank, a daughter of George and Minerva (Woodring) Swank, farming people of Jackson Township, DeKalb County, Indiana. Mrs. McKinley was one in a family as follows : Anna, Etta, William, Ella, Myrtle, John and Maude. Mr. and Mrs. McKinley became the parents of children as follows: Thomas Franklin, who is deceased; and Milo, who married Clara Beebe, and has one son, Robert J. Mr. and Mrs. McKinley are very well and favorably known in the several communi- ties in which they have lived, and although newly come to Scott Township, they have already estab- lished themselves in the confidence of their neigh- bors. The success which has accompanied Mr. Mc- Kinley in his former efforts promises equal pros- perity in his new locality, and he is planning some very desirable improvements on his property, which will add to its value and perhaps furnish new ideas to his associates in the agricultural line. While his private affairs have hitherto absorbed all his time so that he has had no opportunity to enter public life, Mr. McKinley is to good a citizen not to be in- terested in local matters and to give the best element his heartj' support in every particular. James F. Atwood. The career of James F. At- wood reflects practical and useful ideals, and its range of activities has included the promotion of agriculture and the best interests of the community in politics and education. Mr. Atwood belongs to a prominent old family of LaGrange County, and has spent the greater part of his life in Johnson Township. He was born in New York State December 17, 1846, a son of Andrew J. and Sarah J. (Kaple) Atwood. His father was born in Vermont in 1815 and his mother in Massachusetts in 1813. They were married in New York State, and in 1853 came to Indiana and settled on the shore of a little lake which for many years has been known as Atwood Lake. Andrew Atwood spent the rest of his life there. He was one of the prominent members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was also a republican, and a man of substantial influence in public affairs as well as prosperous in business. He served nine years as county commissioner of LaGrange County. Four years of this time was during the Civil war, when the county commissioners had many unusual responsibilities. Andrew Atwood and wife had five children : Isabel, who never married ; Harriett, who died at the age of seventy ; Bernard, who died when eighteen months old; James F. ; and Jennie, widow of John Schermerhorn. James F. Atwood attended district school of a a primitive kind, and from early manhood to the present has been a farmer. He married for his first wife Clarissa Dallas. They had two children, Clarence F. and Grace L. The latter was well edu- cated in the public schools and by private tutors and is the wife of William Bower. After the death of his first wife Mr. Atwood married Ida Dallas. She is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Atwood is a democrat. He owns 323 acres of land and has earned an enviable prosperity sufficient for all his future needs. His son, Clarence Atwood, who lives on the old farm on the bank of Atwood Lake, was born there and was well educated, graduating from the Wol- cottville High School in 1905. Since then he has been busily engaged in farming. February 14, 1914, he married Louise Kitchen, daughter of S. M. and Anna (Rowe) Kitchen. Her father was born in Clear Spring Township and her mother in the same locality. S. M. Kitchen was a son of John and Mary (Butler) Kitchen, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Ohio. They were pioneers of LaGrange County. S. M. Kitchen and wife were HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 315 married in August, 1890, and are the parents of eleven children. • Mrs. Louise Atwood was educated at Topeka, Indiana, graduated from the high school at Goshen, and was a successful teacher for four years. Clar- ence Atwood is affiliated with Ionic Lodge No. 380, Free and Accepted Masons, and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. Politically he is a republican. Clarence Atwood handles a large farm of 297 acres, and in live stock gives special attention to Duroc hogs. He and his wife are both stockholders in the Wildman State Bank at W olcottville. Clyde C. Carlin. Through a period of three- quarters of a century Steuben County has been able to appreciate the services of the Carlin family, at first as pioneer farmers and homemakers, later as influential figures in educational and other phases of professional and public affairs. Of those still living in the county there are Robert V. Carlin, who for many years was superintendent of education in the county, and his son Clyde C., long one of the prominent members of the bar in Angola. The family was founded here by Robert Carlin, who was born in one of the eastern states in 1806. He married Sarah Perkey, whose birth occurred in 1811. They were early settlers in Wayne County, Ohio, and from there came to Steuben County, Indiana, in 1840 and located in the woods of Rich- land Township. They made a home there and Sarah Carlin died in 1865 and her husband in 1868. Of a family of thirteen children twelve reached mature years. Robert V. Carlin was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 26, 1834, and was six years old when brought to Steuben County, where he was reared and educated. After the limited advantages ac- corded by the district schools of Richland Town- ship he entered at the age of eighteen Mount Union College at Alliance, Ohio, where he came under the instruction of the noted Professor Holbrook, after- ward founder of the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. Robert V. Carlin graduated from Hillsdale College in Michigan in 1866, and during the next four years was principal of the Angola High School. In 1870 he was elected county re- corder, and filled that office with characteristic efficiency for eight years. He then resumed teach- ing, and in 1883 was elected county superintendent of schools and filled that office continuously for fourteen years. His is one of the longest records in the educational annals of Steuben County. For the past twenty years he has lived retired. He is a republican, is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife both active members of the Christian Church. March 31, 1868, Robert V. Carlin married Miss Maria Kinney. She was born November 18, 1831, daughter of Joseph J. and Emily (Hitchcock) Kin- ney, natives of Vermont, who moved to Ohio in 1830 and to Steuben County, Indiana, in 1851. Joseph Kinney died in 1853 and his wife in 1879. Robert V. Carlin and wife had two children, Emily dying in infancy and Mrs. Carlin died April 8, 1916. Clyde C. Carlin was born at Angola, July 28, 1870, and had a liberal education as the foundation for his professional career. He attended the Angola High School, graduated in 1888 from the Tri-State Nor- mal College at Angola, and in 1892 received his diploma from his father’s alma mater, Hillsdale College. He was associated with E. O. Rose in founding the Angola Magnet in 1893, and was con- nected with that paper about a year. He then dili- gently pursued the study of law with William M. Brown, and in 1898 formed a partnership with his preceptor, and for twenty years has been one of the busy lawyers of Steuben County. Mr. Carlin is a republican, is a member of the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been one of the influential men in his community. October 1, 1911, he married Gertrude Hauver, of Angola, daughter of Henry Hauver, a former county sheriff. Charles W. Brown. A lawyer by training but a farmer by inheritance and choice, Charles W. Brown has made for himself a distinctive place in the community of Springfield Township, LaGrange County. He has prospered in his business affairs and has so arranged his private matters as to have time not only for civic duties but the pleasures and pursuits of literature. He was born in Springfield Township April 19, 1868, oldest child of Warren and Falona (Baxter) Brown, both of whom are living. He attended country district school at intervals from the age of four until sixteen. At the age of twenty-one he took a business course at Angola in the Tri-State Col- lege, and subsequently pursued the study of law in Huntingdon, Tennessee, under the direction of Tames H. Land. He was admitted to the Carroll County bar May 6, 1899. Still later he studied the Indiana statutes and reports for several months at Marion under the supervision of G. A. Henry. Convinced that he had more ingenuity in other directions than in the field of law, he never engaged in it as a profession, although he served as justice of the peace in Springfield Township for ten years, from 1905 until 1915, and since 1915 has held a commission as notary public. He grew to manhood in the vicinity of his birth- place and has lived in that community the greater part of his life. He became acquainted with the duties of his father’s farm, and though he appre- ciated the never ending drudgery he was also at- tracted by the other advantages of the country, especially the free open air and the wide out of doors, the wholesome exercise and the abundant opportunity for a well balanced and useful existence. In 1905 he took up his residence on the place of ninety acres known as the “Valley Farm,” and that has since been his home. For five years he farmed this place and since then has rented the land for the most part and has occupied his time in the broader problems of farm management and in literary pursuits. During his mature years he has been a diligent student, and takes delight in his library of six hundred volumes on a variety of sub- j ects. Mr. Brown has never joined any church organi- zation. His religious views are between those of the Unitarian faith and the Freethinker. Politically he is inclined to acceptance of the socialist doc- trines. In 1901 he joined the association known as the Improved Order of Red Men, Suwanee Tribe No. 311 of Stroh, and continued his membership until the Tribe disbanded in 1917. In 1918 he con- nected with the Masonic fraternity, Philo Lodge No. 672, at Stroh. He has also been a member since 1912 of the Mississippi Valley Historical As- sociation, the Indiana Historical Society, and since 1913 of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical So- ciety. As to his ancestral record and immediate family Mr. Brown furnishes an account which is a matter of interesting record to the people of LaGrange County and can best be told in his own words : My most remote ancestor of whom there is record was one John Brown who came to America from England in 1624 with the John Robinson Company, 316 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA landing in Massachusetts Bay or Plymouth Har- bor. He was one of three brothers who early came to America, one of them crossing on the Mayflower and being one of the original band of Pilgrims. My Brown ancestors for several generations dwelt in Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut. In the meantime they married into Irish families and sub- sequently emigrated to more western states. Another branch, the Olneys, were early members of the Roger Williams Colony in Rhode Island, in which state many of their descendants still live. Of my maternal ancestors, the Smith family came from England to America in 1638 and settled in New London County, Connecticut, which county is the home of many of their descendants to this time. The Caulkins family somewhat later settled in Connecticut in New London County. Of the Baxter family three brothers came from Scotland to America some two hundred years ago, my direct ancestor by that name living for a considerable time at Long Meadow, Connecticut, from which place they eventually drifted westward. Not less than five of my forefathers were soldiers in the war of the Revolution. One grandfather, Hosea H. Baxter, was a volunteer soldier in the Civil war. His father, Benjamin F., was a graduate of Harvard University and served in the War of 1812. My grandfather, Russell Brown, in company with his brother-in-law, Orsemus Jakeway, and their families migrated from Cayuga County, New York, to LaGrange County, Indiana, settling in Spring- field Township in June, 1836. They went by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence across Lake Erie to Toledo. They were ten days making the trip from Toledo to LaGrange County owing to difficult traveling through the far famed Black Swamp. He invested in considerable land, which cost him for the most part only one dollar and a quarter per acre. Here in Springfield Township three of his sons grew to manhood, and aside from his farm labors he taught school several winters and served as township trustee. He was unusually proficient in mathematics and assisted in surveying lines for numerous highways in LaGrange and Steuben counties during the early years. He moved to Orland in 1855, where he lived until his death in September, 1888. My father, Warren Brown, is a native of Cayuga County, New York, where he was born February 6, 1833. He came with his parents to Springfield Township when little more than three years old, and here he has resided continuously except three years in the Village of Orland during the late ’50s. He and his three brothers were among the pioneer boys of Northeast Indiana — a generation now few and scattered. Although suffering frequent attacks of illness in his earlier years he has been noted through life for his untiring industry. His occu- pation through life has been general farming. Of his brothers only one, Hon. William M. Brown, of Angola, survives. On Thanksgiving day, December 7, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Falona S. Baxter, of Norwalk, Ohio. They are the parents of two sons and a daughter, Charles W., Homer H. and Mrs. Laura E. Talmage. In December, 1916, Warren Brown suffered an injury by a horse, resulting in a broken hip, thus making him a confirmed cripple, his only means of getting around being a wheel-chair. Otherwise his health is fair for a man in his eighty-seventh year. My mother, Falona S. Brown, was the sixth in her father’s family of thirteen children, and the youngest of three born to Hosea H. and Frances (Caulkins) Baxter. She was born at Vermilion, Erie County, Ohio, June 18, 1841. When scarcely past her infancy her parents moved to South Mil- ford, Indiana, at which place she was left mother- less when two and a half years old. She lived in her father’s family to the age of ten, when she went to live with an aunt in Norwalk, Ohio. She lived in Norwalk until the age of twenty-three, when, in December, 1863, she came to Orland to visit some uncles and cousins and in the month following, while staying with a sister in LaGrange County, she became acquainted with Warren Brown, to whom she was afterwards married. She was by trade a dressmaker, but worked as a domestic in the family of Russell Brown during the years 1864-65. Since 1866 her home has been in La- Grange County. Her father, Hosea H. Baxter, was one of the LaGrange County pioneers. He ran several thresh- ing crews or outfits in LaGrange and Noble coun- ties during the season of 1837. Some time during 1841 he moved from Erie County, Ohio, to South Milford, Indiana, and engaged in the mercantile business, conducting a general store. Some time later he went in partnership with Ed Wright, a glove maker, and they carried on the manufacture of potash in connection with the mercantile busi- ness both at South Milford and Mt. Pisgah, Mr. Wright having charge of the Mt. Pisgah branch. Mr. Baxter left South Milford for Mich- igan early in 1849, while Wright removed to De- Kalb County and established a third store at what is now Woodruff, at that time Wright’s Corners. Homer H. Brown has been a factor in several farming communities in Northeast Indiana for over a quarter of a century and now occupies the old Brown homestead in Springfield Township. He was born in that township March 29, 1871, and is a son of Warren Brown. In the Brown family line he, his father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all second sons. The interesting story of his ancestry and family connections in Northeast In- diana and elsewhere is told on other pages. He was educated in the country schools, and lived at home until his marriage to Nancy Louvina Parker August 9, 1898. He then moved to a piece of land he had previously purchased, known as the Prentiss Mill property, and not long afterward moved on the farm now occupied by his brother Charles. In 1903, having sold the Prentiss property, he moved to his father’s homestead and remained there three years. He next went to what is known as the old Hamilton farm in Steuben County, own- ing that place four years. He sold the property in 1908, and since then for eleven years has made his borne on the Brown homestead. Mr. Brown is the father of three children. Philena M. and Dorothy C., are the daughters. The only son, Warren D., died March 1, 1916. He was a young man of unusual promise and his death was an overwhelming blow to his father, whose in- terest and affections centered in the youth. Politi- cally Mr. Brown is a republican, having cast his- first presidential vote for Benjamin Harrison in 1892. Joseph L. Swihart came to LaGrange County when a boy of eleven years, and since early manhood has been identified with the agricultural activities of the county. For over forty years he has lived in the Brighton community of Greenfield Township, and in that time a large acreage has come under his ownership and has been developed as one of the most productive farms in that locality. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, March LEAN HER T. CRAIN FAMILY Three Generations Represented HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 317 7, 1849. The record of his grandfather, father and other members of the Svvihart family is given more in detail on other pages of this publication. Joseph L. Swihart was eighteen months old when his par- ents settled in Allen County, Indiana, and ten years later they moved to LaPorte County, thence to St. Joseph County, Michigan, and in i860 came to LaGrange County. Mr. Swihart finished his educa- tion in the public schools of Greenfield Township, and on starting for himself farmed two years south of Brighton. He moved to his present home west of Brighton about 1878. Mr. Swihart owns 200 acres in Greenfield Township and fifty acres in Bloomfield, and has increased the value and attrac- tiveness of his farm by the addition of a number of substantial buildings. In 1872 he married Miss Anna Horner, a native of Ohio, daughter of Eli Horner, who came to Greenfield Township in 1866. To their marriage were born five children: Ora is the wife of Christian Wolf, manager of an elevator at North Liberty, Indiana ; Rolland is a farmer in Greenfield Township; Jason is with his father on the farm ; Alma is the wife of Roy McDonald, a Greenfield Township farmer; and Bertha, the youngest, is Mrs. Albert Merrifield, living in Illinois. Leander T. Crain. It would be impossible to find any more representative a class of American citizens than those now engaged in operating the fertile farm lands of Steuben County. Many of these agriculturists not only have been engaged in farming all of their lives, but have inherited their love of the soil from father and grandfather, their work in this line extending back over many gener- ations. Such men, who live close to nature, have deep in their hearts a patriotism, a love for their country, which is not often equalled, and never ex- ceeded by those residing in the more congested sec- tions. One of these good citizens of Steuben County is Leander T. Crain, owner of a fine farm in sec- tion 26, Steuben Township, where he has lived since 1901. Leander T. Crain was born in Franklin Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, May 29, 1845, a son of Ervin J. Crain and grandson of Charles Crain. Charles Crain was born in Vermont and his wife, Fidelia (Case) Crain, was also a native of that state. They came west to Painsville, Ohio, at an early day, and in 1836 moved to DeKalb County, Indiana, locating in Franklin Township. There Charles Crain spent the remainder of his life with the exception of the last two years, during which period he was retired from farming and a resi- dent of Hamilton, Indiana. He and his wife had the following children: Ervin J., Leander T., Ozro, Charles, Ann, Fidelia, Jackson and Martha. After the death of his first wife Charles Crain was mar- ried to Eliza Severns, and they had children as fol- lows : Ezra, Oscar, Harvey, Samuel, Elvina and Joseph. Ervin J. Crain was born at Middleberry, Vermont, in January, 1813, and his wife, Nancy (Gaylord) Crain, was born in Pennsylvania in 1812. He spent the greater part of his mature life in Franklin Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, where he was engaged in farming. His death occurred in Octo- ber, 1874, as the result of an attack of a vicious bull. He and his wife had the following children : Melissa, Fidelia, Leander T., Horace J., Luther and Ervin. Leander T. Crain grew up in his native township and attended its schools. Just as he was merging from boyhood, when only seventeen years old, he enlisted, November 14, 1863, for service during the Civil war in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty- ninth Infantry. He received his honorable discharge August 23, 1865, having continued with the same regiment and company during his period of serv- ice. Mr. Crain took part in some of the most hotly contested engagements of the war, among them be- ing those of Resaca, New Hope Church, Kensaw Mountain, Lost Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro, all in Georgia, and Johnsonville, Columbia River and Franklin, Tennessee, and was at both battles of Nashville, Tennessee. The regiment then went to Washington. During the winter of 1864-5 he took part in the memorable campaign through North Caro- lina, being at the engagements of Fort Anderson, Fort Fisher and Goldsboro, and was never wounded during all of his service. Returning to DeKalb County, Indiana, after his discharge, Mr. Crain spent three years farming in Franklin Township, and then in 1868 went to Mon- tana, where he remained until 1876, during which period he spent two years gold mining and four years ranching. He then returned to Franklin Township and for thirty years was actively engaged in farming, becoming one of the best known men in that section. In 1901 Mr. Crain bought his pres- ent farm and became one of the honored residents of Steuben Township and county. One of the pleas- ant recollections of his life in Montana is a trip he made to the National Park. Mr. Crain has been twice married, first on March 3, 1876, when he was united with Mary A. Fee, a daughter of John Fee and Mary A. (Houlton) Fee, and she died in 1889, having borne him the follow- ing children : Charles K., who died at the age of fourteen months ; Ervin J. ; Mary, who married Grover C. Brown; and Elsie A., who married Ar- thur Fisher. In 1892 Mr. Crain was married to Miss Martha George, a daughter of James Carter George, and she died January 6, 1896. Ervin J. Crain, the eldest living child of Mr. Crain, was at one time captain of Company B, Third In- diana Infantry, and was put on the retired list in 1916. Leander T. Crain relives his military experiences among his old comrades of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, while he maintains social relations with them as well. He belongs with the Odd Fellows. For some time past Mr. Crain has not taken any active part in the farm work, al- though he is interested in it and everything per- taining to agriculture, to which he has devoted his efforts during a long and honorable life. While not one of the old residents of Steuben County, he has resided here long enough to become imbued with its spirit and takes an active and intelligent inter- est in those movements calculated to bring about reforms, develop good roads and keep the young people on the farms. He is a firm believer in the future of this locality, and as he is a native of the state naturally feels that Indiana is hard to beat in any way. The incarnation of probity and kindness of heart, his friends have in him a tower of strength in times of trouble. Both as a soldier and private citizen he has proven his worth as a man, and it may be truly said of him that he was always from boyhood sincere and unselfish, patriotic and cour- ageous, and had the great war come a few years sooner his country would have been offered his services as a soldier, and his government did have them as an individual in the local work of conser- vation and various drives. Such men as he helped to make our country what it is today, preserving the Union from destruction, and they raised up sons and daughters to carry on the good work and pass the torch of truth and understanding to their de- scendants in turn. No wonder this country has never 318 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA been beaten when it is backed by such men as Lean- der T. Crain and the men who with him wear the uniform of the “old soldier.” William S. Covell. The late William S. Covell was during his lifetime one of the prosperous farm- ers of Steuben County, as well as one of its most representative men, and when he died he left behind him a valuable farm in Scott Township, on which his family still reside, his son Guy attending to its management. William S. Covell was born in Pleas- ant Township, Steuben County, May 16, 1850, and he died March 22, 1909. He was a son of Lyman G. Covell and a grandson of William Covell, the latter having been born at Danbury, Connecticut, June 13, 1768. He was married June 3, 1791, to Jerusha Hollis, born June 1, 1775, at Lanesboro, Massa- chusetts. In 1816 they moved to Oneida County, New York, where she died August 19, 1834, he sur- viving her until July 15, 1850, when he passed away at Macon, Lenawee County, Michigan, while on a visit to his children. Lyman G. Covell was born at Vienna, Oneida County, New York, August 25, 1810, and after the death of his mother he was taken into the family of Doctor Chatfield, with whom he remained for three years, leaving these friends then to go to Albany, New York, where for a year or so he was con- nected with a mercantile establishment. On May 13, 1840, he was united in marriage with Maria Hollis in Huron County, Ohio. She was born at Charlotte, Chittenden County, Vermont, September 24, 1815, a daughter of Lyman and Betsy (Palmer) Hollis, who moved to Huron County, Ohio, in 1835, living there until they were claimed by death. On October 10 of the year of his marriage Mr. Covell came to Steuben County, Indiana, and located in section 1, Pleasant Township, where he developed a farm and lived for eighteen years, leaving it in February, 1859, to move to Scott Township, in section 15, where he owned eighty acres of choice farm land. Mr. and Mrs. Covell became the parents of the following children: Elizabeth, Jerusha E., William S., Janette, Abyram and James L., the last three children dying when very young. Members of the Disciples Church, they were pillars of their congregation for many years. They were kind and charitable to those who needed assistance, and their benefactions were many and varied. Mr. Covell was interested along many lines, and in addition to his agricultural ac- tivities he was a school teacher during his younger years and worked at the carpenter trade. His fellow citizens elected him trustee of Pleasant Township, and he served as a justice of the peace for seventeen years. William S. Covell was reared in the atmosphere of a religious home and early learned the distinc- tions between right and wrong. He was sent to the neighborhood school, and later to that of Angola, and acquired sufficient training to engage in school teaching for ten years in Scott Township, during six of which he was in charge of the Jones school. Leaving the educational field, Mr. Covell com- menced to put to practical use the lessons his father had taught him relative to farming, and moved to the old homestead of eighty acres of land in Scott Township. Here he made many improvements, erecting some of the buildings and remodeling others so that the premises are in prime condition. On October 10, 1875, Mr. Covell was united in marriage with Maria A. Crawford, born in Scott Township, March 31, 1855, a daughter of Edward and Mary E. (Hutchins) Crawford. Mr. and Mrs. Covell became the parents of the following children : Guy; Fred, who married Ida Foster and has the following children, Royal, Iver, Harry, and Margie; Cary E., who married Ella Deller, has two children, Lucille and Wendell; Pliney, who died in childhood; Jesse, who is mentioned below; and Elsie, who is the youngest. Jesse Covell entered the military service of his country on June 18, 1908, in Company B, Third Indiana Infantry, and was promoted to corporal in 1910 and to be sergeant in 1911. In 1913 he received his commission as second lieutenant, and later in that same year was made first lieutenant. When he received his commission as captain in 1916 he was the youngest officer of that rank in his regi- ment. Since September, 1917, Captain Covell has been stationed at Camp Shelby. William S. Covell was a Mason. He served for four years as town- ship trustee and for four years as a justice of the peace. A man of high principles, he lived up to what he believed to be right, and never allowed him- self to be swerved from these ideals. Isaac C. Schrock. Though he is now accounted one of the largest farmers and land owners of Eden Township, Isaac C. Schrock at the time of his mar- riage had little to begin on, rented for a time, went in debt for land, and paid out after a number of years of self denial and sacrifice. The Schrock farm is two miles west and three miles north of Topeka. Mr. Schrock was born in Elkhart County, In- diana, March 4, 1862, a son of Cornelius and Mag- dalena (Borntrager) Schrock. His parents were both born in Pennsylvania, his father coming to Indiana at the age of twelve and his mother at eight years. The Schrock family settled in Elkhart County and the Borntragers in LaGrange County. After their marriage the parents lived in Elkhart County several years and in 1865 moved to La- Grange County, where the father died. The mother is still living. The Schrocks are members of the Amish Mennonite faith. Cornelius Schrock and wife had thirteen children, and the eight still living are: Peter, of Fulton County, Ohio; Cyrus, of Reno County, Kansas ; Joseph, of Holmes County, Ohio ; Anna A., wife of J. V. Yoder, of LaGrange County; Isaac C. ; Henry, of Texas; Christ, of Elk- hart County ; and Amos, who lives on the old home- stead in LaGrange County. Isaac C. Schrock grew up on a farm in LaGrange County and attended district schools in winter and worked on the farm during the summer. He worked out at monthly wages for one year, and on February 18, 1883, married Anna Chistner. She was born in Holmes County, Ohio, but was brought to In- diana when an infant. For two years after his marriage Mr. Schrock was a renter and then went in debt for 120 acres of land, being able to pay only about $600 down. Mrs. Schrock inherited about $2,000, but with that excep- tion they have worked out their destiny along, and are now proprietors of 370 acres, a high class farm and one well known for its Percheron horses and other good grades of livestock. Mr. and Mrs. Schrock have a large family of twelve children, named : Cornelius, Eli, Amos, Susie, Levi, Mary, John, Andrew, Lydia, Amanda, Ammon and Fannie. Seven of these are married. They are all members of the Mennonite Church and Mr. Schrock is a democrat. George W. DeLancey. The citizens of Steuben County have twice called George W. DeLancey to the honors and responsibilities of the office of sheriff. Mr. DeLancey is one of the best known men in the county, and has long enjoyed a high standing and success as a farmer and stockman. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 319 He was born in Richland County, Ohio, September IQ, 1855, but has lived in Northeast Indiana since early boyhood. His parents were George W. and Sarah (Corzier) DeLancey. His father was born in Richland County in 1824 and his mother in the same section of Ohio in 1825. They married there, and after three years of residence in Crawford County, Ohio, moved to Steuben County, Indiana, in 1868. They settled on a farm in Steuben Town- ship two miles west of Angola, and the father lived out his industrious life in that locality, where he died in 1880. The mother passed away in 1897. The father was a republican and the mother a member of the Methodist Church. In their family were eleven children, three of whom died in infancy. The others were named Mary, Rebecca, Jane, Harriet, John, George W., Charles and Naomi. The only ones now living are Charles and George W. George W. DeLancey was thirteen years old when brought to Steuben County, and he grew to man- hood on the old home farm which he now owns. He was educated in the local schools, and for over forty years has followed farming as his chief busi- ness. His home farm comprises 138 acres and is well adapted for the general crops and stock. Mr. DeLancey has been one of the sterling re- publicans of Steuben County, and was elected on that ticket to the office of sheriff in 1915, taking up the duties of office January 1, 1916. He was re- elected in 1918. The sheriff is affiliated with Pleas- ant Lake Lodge of Masons, Angola Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and is also a member of Angola Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He and his family are members of the Methodist Church. December 15, 1878, he married Miss Sarah A. Landis, of Steuben Township, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Apple) _ Landis. Her father came from Wood County, Ohio, to Steuben County in 1865. Mr. DeLancey's parents are both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. DeLancey have two children and seven grandchildren. The son, Walter, after leaving school took up farming and now owns a place in Pleasant Township, about two miles from Angola. He married Laura Cline, and their four children are Floyd, Martha, Marland and Wando. The daughter, Verle, is a graduate of the Angola High School and is the wife of Paul Horn. Their chil- dren are Stephen, Bessie and Lillian. James W. Schaeffer began to take a part in the agricultural activities of LaGrange County in 1872, and out of the generous prosperity he builded through his years of consecutive work and good judgment he has been able to live retired and enjoy the comfort which his declining years deserve. He is a resident of Howe. Mr. Schaeffer was born in Center County, Penn- sylvania, February 17, 1848, a son of Daniel and Plarriet C. (Hock) Schaeffer, also natives of Penn- sylvania, and a grandson of Peter Schaeffer, who spent all his life in the Keystone state. James W. Schaeffer was fifteen years old when he and his parents started west to find a home in Michigan, and on November 25, 1863, reached White Pigeon. His parents spent the rest of their lives in St. Joseph County, Michigan, where his father farmed for a number of years and later retired to Sturgis. They had a family of eight children, James W.; Peter, deceased, Albert, Edwin H„ deceased, Daniel B., deceased, David O., John C., deceased, and George W. James W. Schaeffer had some advantages in school _ in Pennsylvania and also attended school at White Pigeon, Michigan. He was still a young man when he came to LaGrange County in the spring of 1872, and in 1882 he bought sixty-eight acres in Lima Township, which became the nucleus of the farm of two hundred seventy-nine acres which he now owns and which represents in im- provements and facilities one of the best farms in that locality. Since 1900 he has lived retired at Howe. Mr. Schaeffer was reared in the faith of the German Reformed Church, of which his parents were active members. September 20, 1871, he mar- ried Susan S. Sheaffer, whose name, it will be noted, is spelled somewhat differently to his. She was born in Ohio, a daughter of George Sheaffer, who became a well known citizen of LaGrange County. Mrs. Schaeffer died August 19, 1895, the mother of six children: Hattie R., Mertie B., Bertha, Minnie M., Clarence and Mabel. Of these Mertie and Minnie are now deceased. In 1897 Mr. Schaeffer married Miss Hattie J. Smeltzly, a sister of F. G. Smeltzly, of LaGrange County. To this marriage were born three children, James W., Clif- ford- D. and Ernest V., all living. Albert Haskins, an honored veteran of the Civil war, was born in LaGrange County more than three- quarters of a century ago, and most of his active life has been spent in that county, where he is widely known as a financier and public official. Mr. Haskins was born in Springfield Township August 14, 1843, a son of Willis and Jane (Jackson) Haskins. His parents were natives of New York, were married in that state, and at once came to LaGrange County, Indiana, in 1838. They made the journey from New York to Indiana by wagon and team. Willis Haskins entered Government land, and was a resident of Springfield Township until his death. On his land he put up the first buildings and cleared the first fields. He and his wife had a family of eight children : Elizabeth, deceased wife of Alanson Harger; Franklin, deceased; Charles; George, deceased; Albert; Mary Jane, who died as the wife of John Sawyer ; Edith and Willis, both deceased. Albert Haskins received his education in the schools of Springfield Township. As a boy he began working out at monthly wages, and before he was of age he moved to the vicinity of Elgin, Illinois. While there he enlisted on May 14, 1863, in Com- pany K of the One Hundred and Forty-First Illinois Infantry, and was in service until the close of the war nearly two years later. Thirty-five years ago Mr. Haskins engaged in the private loan business, and has continued that service to the community of Springfield Township ever since. His offices are at Mongo, where in 1913 he and others were associated in the organizatoin of the Mongo State Bank. The first year he served as vice president and since has been president of the bank. Mr. Haskins for thirty-four years has been a justice of the peace, and at the expiration of his present term he will have spent forty years in that office. He has done much to adjust community difficulties, and few of his decisions have been appealed or reversed by higher tribunals. October 19, 1879, Judge Haskins married Miss Amie Huss. She was born in Ohio, a daughter of Elijah Huss, who came to LaGrange County when his daughter Amie was three or four years old. Mr. and Mrs. Haskins have three children : Garfield and Herman, twins, the former a farmer in Green- field Township, and the latter a lawyer at LaGrange; and Louis, a farmer in Springfield Township. H. H. PiNCHON, a native of Northeast Indiana, has given his mature life to the saw milling and lum- ber business. He was head sawyer in the Goodwin mills at Fremont for a number of years, afterward operated independently in the woods of Michigan, 320 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA and is now proprietor of a prosperous and growing concern in the manufacture of lumber at Fremont. Mr. Pinchon was born at Wawaka in Noble Coun- ty, March 7, 1871, son of Anthony and Mary Ann (Beckmann) Pinchon. His mother was born at Philadelphia, a daughter of Charles and Wilmina Deckmann. Her father died near Hudson in Steu- ben County, Indiana. He was a shoemaker by trade. Charles Deckman and wife had the following chil- dren : John, Jacob, Conrad, Adam, Henry, William, Lena, Wilmina, Mary and Caroline. Two of the sons, Adam and William, were soldiers in the Civil war. Mr. Pinchon’s paternal grandparents were John and Susannah Pinchon, the former a farmer near Wawaka in Noble County. Their children were: John, Harvey, Anthony, Frank and Cassie. The son John died in childhood. Anthony Pinchon, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in early life distinguished himself as a very skillful axman. It is said that he cleared up over 200 acres of heavy timber, and would take con- tracts to clear off a tract of land at $1.25 an acre. He was a very useful man to have in a community, being skilled in mechanical occupations, was a grain thresher and a wagon maker and wagon repairer. He built wagons by hand, making them with thorough workmanship from tongue to endgate. He spent many years at threshing and wagon making and died in 1884. His first wife was Lydia Lower, and of their children who survived infancy their names were Frank, Jefferson and Susanna. He mar- ried for his second wife Mary Ann Deckmann who died April 22, 1919, and H. H. Pinchon is a son of that marriage. He acquired his early education in the public schools of Noble County, and at the age of nine- teen went to work as head sawyer in a lumber plant. For eleven years he was employed in that capacity by J. W. Goodwin at Fremont, and he then bought a small sawmill and operated about two years near Moserville, Michigan. He then bought ninety acres of timber and used his mill to work it up into lumber. In January, 1909, he returned to Indiana and bought the mill at Fremont, and has supplied a large part of the local hardwood lumber to this locality. In 1895 Mr. Pinchon married Ella DeHuff, daugh- ter of Simon and Mary DeHuff. They have four children : Zona, Inez, Clarence and Wava. The family are members of the Methodist Church. Thomas Fields. A worthy representative of the clear-headed and progressive business men and farmers of LaGrange County, Thomas Fields has lived a life of satisfying experiences and accom- plishments and is one of the most highly esteemed residents of the Woodruff section, where he still lives on his farm. He was born in Johnson Township of LaGrange County, September 15, 1862, a son of Robert and Sarah (Taylor) Fields. His parents were both na- tives of Lincolnshire, England, and came from there to the United States when young and unmarried and were wedded in LaGrange County, after which they settled on a farm there. Thomas Fields was only two years old when his mother died, and he then went to live and grew up in the home of Joseph Taylor, his uncle, who owned the farm which Thomas Fields has since acquired. He at- tended the common schools at limited intervals, and was with his uncle up to the age of twenty-one. He then rented the Taylor farm and worked it until he engaged in the general merchandise busi- ness at Woodruff. He was a merchant at that vil- lage for four years and for eight, including that time, was postmaster. March 12, 1885, Mr. Fields married Anna Young, who was born in Johnson Township April 18, 1865. Mr. Fields and his wife both attended the same schools. For thirty years they have lived on their present farm, where they own 136 acres, and forty acres in Orange Township of Noble County. Mr. Fields has been quite active in republican politics, and his name is associated with a competent service as township trustee of Johnson Township for six years. Mr. and Mrs. Fields have a family of interesting children : Charles, who is a high school graduate and a graduate of the law department of Valparaiso University, is a fruit grower at Hood River, Ore- gon ; Maude is the wife of Clyde Keck, of Clay Township, LaGrange County; Mary graduated from the common schools and married Bert Bowser and lives in Noble County; Elgie is a high school grad- uate and wife of Harvey Grossman; Willie, a high school graduate, is still at home and is secretary- treasurer of the Farmers’ Shippers’ Association at Wolcottville ; Raymond is in the medical department of the army at Fort Sheridan, Ilinois; and Clara, the youngest, has completed the common school course and is at home. D. Carl Ransburg, a former trustee of Steuben Township, has had a business career as a merchant that has been distinguished by long and uninter- rupted service in practically one store and one firm. As a boy he started clerking for the veteran mer- chant of Pleasant Lake, Frank H. Chadwick, even- tually won a partnership, and for over a quarter of a century has been a member of the firm Chadwick & Ransburg, who do the greater bulk of the general merchandise business in and around Pleasant Lake. Mr. Ransburg was born at Tiffin in Seneca County, Ohio, March 16, 1862. His father, John T. Rans- burg, was born near Frederick, Maryland, March 15 , 1835, and married Elizabeth Zimmerman, who was born near Tiffin, Ohio, in 1838. In 1864, when Carl Ransburg was two years old, the family re- moved to Steuben County, Indiana, settled on a farm in Salem Township. John Ransburg was a man of mechanical skill and of great industry, and in connection with farming operated a saw mill. In 1870 he moved to Pleasant Lake, and there became established as an important factor in business af- fairs, operating a lumber yard, also a general mer- chandise store, and selling drugs. After 1875 he sold out the merchandise and drug business and gave all his attention to the operation of his lumber mill. He also operated a threshing outfit, and through this varied enterprise became one of the best known men in his section of the county. More than that he was a helpful factor in promoting religious and spiritual life. He had a splendid voice, and gave that talent to evangelistic work, and was usually present at any important religious gathering in his section of the county. He was the leader in estab- lishing the United Brethren Church at Pleasant Lake. This well known and esteemed citizen died in 1907 and his wife in 1905. They had a large family of children, a brief record of whom is as follows : Effie, who died at the age of eleven months ; Harper G., an executive official connected with the Adams Express Company; D. Carl, third in age; Ella B., wife of Cyrus Robertson ; Claudia May, wife of John W. McCrum ; Frank L., who is connected with the Adams Express Company at San Francisco; Nellie G., who died at the age of twenty-nine, the wife of C. L. Bunting; Mark R., a traveling sales- man ; Grace E„ who died at the age of four years ; Paul ; and Gertrude E., wife of Charles Gilbert. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 321 H. G. Ransburg entered the employ of the Adams Express Company at Indianapolis, was messenger, cashier and onhand clerk, later was traveling auditor, having a special agency at principal points and was then made superintendent of the Chesapeake Divi- sion, with headquarters at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He has been associated with the company for thirty- seven years. D. Carl Ransburg received his early education in the schools of Pleasant Lake. In 1877, when fif- teen years old, he became a clerk and general utility man in the store of Mr. Chadwick. He grew with the business in ability and efficiency, and in 1890 was admitted to the firm, which then became Chad- wick, Ransburg & Company. Mr. Ransburg has therefore devoted the best years of his life to the building up and management of this well known concern. However, he made a splendid record dur- ing the six years he served as trustee of Steuben Township, from 1908 to 1914. He is a member of the United Brethren Church. March 15, 1885, he married Elizabeth H. Brown, daughter of George A. and Ursula (Stocker) Brown. To their marriage were born three chil- dren : Don R., Harold B. and J. Raymond. The last named was born in 1896 and died in 1900. Don R. Ransburg was for seven years a telegraph operator with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and is now engaged in the advertising business. He mar- ried Florence Dickey and has one child, Don Byron. James J. Mishler. Many of the excellent farmers and upright citizens of LaGrange County, Indiana, came to this section from Pennsylvania, the majority being intelligent and well educated. An. example may be cited in James J. Mishler, who is one of Newbury Township’s most highly re- spected and substantial citizens. For thirty-seven years Mr. Mishler has been a deacon in the Men- nonite Church. James J. Mishler was born in Pennsylvania, November 21, 1855. He attended the public schools and also a normal school, where he prepared to be a teacher, and afterward alternated working on a farm and teaching school until 1877, when he came to LaGrange County, Indiana, a section to which other members of the family also came. In 1879 he bought a farm on Seminary Road, five miles west of LaGrange, in Clay Township, eighty acres of good land, and lived there for five years and then took advantage of a fair offer and sold. He then bought eighty acres on the Banbaga Road, on which he also lived for five years and sold. In 1889 he came to Newbury Township and bought the first seventy acres of "his present farm, adding tracts from time to time until he now owns 128 acres. This land is all in fine condition, and the remodeled buildings are adequate to the necessities of a modern farm business. He carries on general farming and raises stock. In 1879 Mr. Mishler was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Yoder, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Jacob Yoder, who was a pioneer settler in Clay Township. Mr. and Mrs. Mishler had the following children : Albert, Mabel, Oliver, William, Lizzie, Amanda, James and Ola. The mother of these children died December 3, 1896. On February 28, 1899, Mr. Mishler was married to Miss Amanda Miller, a daughter of John Miller, Jr., of Newbury. He died in 1894, aged sixty years. Mr. and Mrs. Mishler have four children, namely: Ira, Claud, Nona and Lucy. All of Mr. Mishler’s first family of children now living have married and had children, as follows : Albert married Inez Wampole. They have two children, Elden and Maxine, and they live at Tillamook, Oregon. Oliver Vo], 11—21 married Pearl Yoder, and they have one child, Frances. He is in the lumber business at Ship- shewana. William married Mary Gittens, and they live at Woodburn, Oregon, where he is prominent in school affairs, an educator there for nine years and for two years superintendent of the high school. Lizzie is the wife of Jerry C. Troyer, of Newbury Township, and they have four children: Inez, Dorothy, Francis and Esther. Amanda is the wife of Joseph E. Nelson, rural mail carrier, and they live west of Shipshewana. James married Verna Miller, of Llolmes County, Ohio, and they live in Newbury Township and have one child, Mary Ruth. Ola is the wife of Ira E. Yoder, a farmer in New- bury Township, and they have one child, Catherine. Mr. Mishler has great reason to be proud of so fine a body of descendants. Daniel M. Plank, now living in comfortable retirement in Brighton, has been a farmer, thresher- man, carpenter and an industrious worker in every duty assigned him, and has earned the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. He was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, August 18, 1863, a son of Christian J. and Mary (Mosier) Plank, both natives of Ohio. His grandparents, Christian and Elizabeth Plank, were natives of Pennsylvania, and spent the last ten or fifteen years of their lives with their son Christian in LaGrange County. Grandfather Plank was a flour miller by trade. Mary Mosier was the daughter of a Swiss emigrant, the Hosiers being early farmers in Adams County, Indiana. Christian J. Plank was educated in Wayne County, Ohio, moved to Elkhart County, Indiana, about 1862, and after farming there some three years moved to Greenfield Township, LaGrange County, in 1866. After the death of his wife there he left the farm a year or two before his death. He improved a farm of 193 acres. He was a charter member of the Farmers Rescue Insurance Company and served many years on its board of finance. He and his first wife had children named Amos F., Katherine, Rebecca E.; Susan, Mary A., Daniel M., Samuel, Lydia, Elizabeth and Alice. Christian J. Plank married for his second wife Mrs. Fannie (Morrell) Plank, a widow with three children, named Elida, Jeptha and David, and to her second marriage was born one son, Harvey Plank. Daniel M. Plank received his education in country schools and at Howe, and as a youth manifested special mechanical genius, which led him to take up the threshing business. He operated threshing out- fits altogether for twenty-one years and had prac- tically all the various types of grain threshing machinery of that period. He was also a farmer, the first five years living on his own place near Cedar Lake and then for five years on his father’s farm. He moved to Brighton in 1900, and for several years followed the business of threshing and the trade of carpenter. For four years he made his home at LaGrange, and during that time was a motorman on the St. Joseph Valley line. Since returning to Brighton he has built a comfortable home, enjoying life somewhat at leisure. Mr. Plank married on October 2, 1890, Miss Etta Steirnagle, a native of LaGrange County and a daughter of John Steirnagle. They have one daugh- ter, Bertha, now Mrs. Floyd Bolley, of Brighton. Charles Young. Steuben County has some of the most substantial farmers of Northeastern In- diana, who take a pride in the fact that they are descended from the pioneers of this part of the state and that members of their family assisted in de- veloping the country. One of those who belong to this class is Charles Young, of Pleasant Township. 322 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA He was born in Pleasant Township, Steuben County, March 3, 1852, a son of Jacob and Nancy (Failing) Young, and grandson of Andrew Young and Thomas Failing. Andrew Young was born in New York, but moved to Steuben County, Indiana, in 1835, lo- cating in Pleasant Township, where he bought eighty acres of land, and on it lived out the re- mainder of his life. He and his wife had the fol- lowing children: Edward, Laton, George, Jacob and Daniel. Thomas Failing arrived in Steuben County a year later than Andrew Young, and he located land in Jamestown and Scott townships, and in 1837 brought his family to his new home, they living in Jamestown Township. He was a native of Montgomery County, New York, where he was born March 20, 1796, and he died in Steuben County, In- diana, November 18, 1883. On December 8, 1818, he was married to Catherine Klock, and they had the following children : Ann, Elizabeth, Nancy, Adam and Marietta. Mrs. Failing died October 24, 1879. They became wealthy after locating in Steuben County, and were very highly respected. Jacob Young was born in Jefferson County, New York, in 1822, and his wife, Nancy Failing, was born in the same county in 1827. After attending the schools of his native county he assisted his father, and later began clearing off land of his own. In 1849 he went with other gold seekers to California, and remained in the West for eighteen months, but did not live many years after his return home, as he died at the age of thirty-three years. His widow survived him many years, dying in 1909, at the age of eighty-two years. They had three children, namely : Ella, who married William Simms ; Charles; and Albert, who is now deceased. Charles Young grew up like any normal farmer’s son, being taught to be useful on the farm and sent to the public school of Pleasant Township. After attaining his majority he moved to his present farm and now owns 160 acres in Pleasant Township, four and one-half miles directly north of Angola and 160 acres across the road in Jamestown Township. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising. In 1890 Mr. Young was united in marriage with Viola Carmoney, a daughter of Jacob and Abigail (Gochemaur) Carmoney. Mr. and Mrs. Young had three children: Vera, Charles and Wayne. Vera, married Ford Champion, and they have four chil- dren, Cleyon, Reno, Clair and a baby daughter. Mrs Young died in 1912, deeply mourned by all who had the privilege of her acquaintance, for she was a lovely character, who made friends everywhere. Mr Young served Pleasant Township as supervisor, and safeguarded its interests efficiently and con- scientiously. He is a man of means and deserves an important place in the history of his community. Henry Eshelman after more than forty-five years of steady management and work as a farmer is living on his attractive and valuable place 2J4 miles northeast of Wolcottville in LaGrange County. Years have brought him ample prosperity for all his needs, and he has utilized many opportunities to help his community and participate in movements that reflect the best ideals and spirit of progress. Mr. Eshelman was born in section 23 of Johnson Township, LaGrange County, April 23, 1851, a son of Joseph and Mary (Erford) Eshelman. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, went to Ohio when a young man and after his marriage lived there eight or nine years. He brought his family to Indiana in the fall of 1850 and settled in section 23 of Johnson Township, living there many years and then moving to the farm where his son Henry resides. He died there He was a very active member of the Evan- gelical Church and was affiliated with the repub- lican party, and always willing to do his share in any community undertaking. He became the father of eleven children, only three of whom are still living, Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Royer; Henry; and John F., of LaGrange County. Henry Eshelman grew up on the farm in section 23, and with the exception of two years spent in Iowa has always lived in LaGrange County. His education was supplied by the district schools. He went to Iowa at the age of twenty-one, and on re- turning to this state bought eighty acres included in his present farm, and subsequently bought twenty acres more. On February 17, 1875, he married Odella Sigley. She was born in Whitley County, Indiana, but lived in LaGrange County from the time she was six years of age. Mrs. Eshelman, who died January 28, 1917, was the mother of seven children, two of whom are living. Adrian, who is a graduate of the common schools and had one year in high school, lives in Johnson Township. Edith M. is a graduate of the common schools and spent two years in high school, and is a graduate of the Conservatory of Music at Fort Wayne. She is now the wife of Harry E. Lower, of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Eshelman has five grandchildren. He has long been identified with the Evangelical Church and in politics is a republican. With great capability he filled the office of trustee of Johnson Township one term. He has served as treasurer and is now a director of the Farmers Telephone Company. Franklin Cary. It is no small distinction that Franklin Cary has lived to witness the growth and development of Angola for a period of over seventy years, but he has never been merely a witness of action and progress and has participated personally in the work of the community and even today, at the age of eighty-seven, is seen on the streets and in daily attendance upon his business affairs. Mr. Cary was born at Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio, August 29, 1832, son of Abel and Sarah Cary. His mother died in Bucyrus and the father came to Steuben County and settled at Angola in 1840. He was one of the first merchants and lived there until his death at the age of seventy-five. By his first wife he had four children : Marcie, who is now ninety-three years of age ; Bartley K., deceased ; Franklin; and Nancy, deceased. Franklin Cary came to Angola in 1845, when thir- teen years old, and except for several years spent in California has been a continuous resident. He made three trips to California, going both by the overland and by the water route. His half brother, William Carey, also went to California, and returned by way of Cape Horn. Franklin Cary early learned the trade of blacksmith, and he followed that occu- pation industriously for a period of half a century. For some years he was also in the well drilling busi- ness, and for the past twenty years has been a hard- ware merchant at Angola. He is owner of a wooden block known as the Cary Block, and has consider- able other local property. He here has made a success financially, stands high in the esteem of the people of the county, and has well earned all the respect he enjoys. Mr. Cary is a republican in politics, and is deeply interested in Masonry. He has been affil- iated with that order fifty-eight years and is now the oldest and the only surviving charter member of Angola Lodge. He takes much pride in the fact that both his son, Charles, and his grandson, Carl, are also Masons. In 1857 Mr. Cary married Miss Alvina Mariman. Mrs. Cary died about twenty years ago.^ after they had been companions together on life’s highway HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 323 forty years. The only son and child is Charles Cary of Angola. Mr. Cary has four grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren. Charles Cary married Cinda Gordon. Their four children are : Etta, Nellie, Leta and Carl. Etta is the wife of C. J. McIntyre and is the mother of five children, Donna Marie, Morris, Elizabeth, Charles and Mary. Nellie is unmarried and is a teacher in the public schools of Gary, Indiana. Leta is the widow of Cash Freeland. Carl Cary, the only grandson of Franklin Cary, was in the army for six months as a motor mechanic in the field artillery. He married Irene Salsbury of Orland, and has one son, Gordon. William Miller for a third of a century has lived and farmed on one place in Lima Township. He has enjoyed the esteem of that community for his industry as a farmer, his public spirit as a citi- zen, and several times has been honored with pub- lic responsibility. He was born in Ontario County, New York, September 8, 1845, a son of James and Elizabeth (Hutchison) Miller, the former a native of On- tario County, New York, and the latter of England. The paternal grandparents, Thomas and Sarah (Ripper) Miller, spent their lives as New York State farmers. The maternal grandparents came from England, settled in New York State, and at a very early date moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the maternal grandfather died at Huntertown in that vicinity. James Miller was born and edu- cated in New York, and during the ’50s came to LaGrange County with his family. On coming west he had traveled up Lake Erie by boat. He bought a farm in Lima Township soon after his arrival and made some improvements there, but later moved to English Prairie, where he acquired three hundred sixteen acres, clearing off much of the land and making many improvements to increase its value and productiveness. He built a barn on this farm and lived there until his death. At one time he served as trustee of Greenfield Township, and was an active member of the Presbyterian Church. He and his wife had six children, Wil- liam, Charles, James, Clara Jane, Mary Elizabeth and George. All are living except Clara Jane. William Miller grew up on his father’s farm on English Prairie, attended the district schools, and lived on the home place until he was twenty-seven years of age. His farming activities have always been productive in the northern part of LaGrange County, and about 1886 he moved to his present place, a little east of Howe, where he has ninety- nine well cultivated acres. He has improved and added to the house, and has all the comforts that go with modern high class farms. Mr. Miller has served as assessor of Greenfield Township. In 1879 he married Miss Mary Burn- side, a native of LaGrange County and a daughter of Alexander Burnside. Their only child is Lil- lian, widow of Sidney Ganiard, a former state senator. Elisah Keefer has been a business man at Mongo over forty years. Everyone in Springfield Town- ship, and in fact most people of LaGrange County, know or know of him in his character as a reliable merchant and good citizen. For thirty-three years he presided over the local postoffice as postmaster, and in that time he was delegated with the responsi- bility of establishing the first free delivery service out of Mongo, and he held the office through the Cleveland administrations and until the first elec- tion of Wilson to the presidency. Mr. Keefer came to Indiana when he was about twenty-two years of age. He was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1852, a son of Peter and Caroline (Baer) Keefer. His parents were also natives of Somerset County, where his father spent all his life. Peter Keefer was a Union soldier, serving in Company K of the One Hundred and Seventy-First Pennsylvania Infantry until he was discharged by reason of sickness. From the exposure and hardships of his service he died in August, 1865. He was the father of eight children, the oldest, Simon, dying in infancy. Several of these children still live in Somerset County, Pennsyl- vania, including the second, Diana, who is Mrs. Theodore Engle. Elisah is third in age. Sarah Ellen died in 1875 as Mrs. Zenas Holliday. Herman is still in Somerset County, Elizabeth died unmarried in 1876, and Alice died in 1863. Aden, the youngest, lost his life by being accidentally shot while hunting. He was living in Pennsylvania. Elisah Keefer acquired a good education in the public schools of Pennsylvania and also the Myers- dale Normal. For one term he taught in his native county and then worked on farms there until 1874. On coming to Indiana he entered the employ of Mr. Peter Garlets, three miles east of Mongo. He was on the Garlets farm until 1882, when he moved to Mongo and bought a half interest in a drug store with Joseph Fair. That store occupied the same building and at the same location as the present Gay meat market. After a partnership of one year Mr. Keefer retired and has since engaged in the general merchandise business and has never had a partnership for forty years, though his son is now actively associated with him in the business. On becoming a general merchant Mr. Keefer moved to a frame building then on the site of the present Mongo hardware store, and in 1886 came to his present location on the corner. He has prospered in business affairs, built a modern home in Mongo in 1919, and also owns sixty acres of farm land in Greenfield Township. He • is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at Mongo. In 1875 Mr. Keefer married Miss Mary A. Gar- lets. She was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, a daughter of Peter Garlets. Of the Garlets family nothing further need be said here, since complete representation of the honored family is made on other pages. Mr. and Mrs. Keefer had three chil- dren, Clinton and Grace both dying in infancy, and Alpharus M., who is with his father in the store. John B. Allman. The present generation of peo- ple in Steuben County need no introduction to the personality and career of John B. Allman. He is widely known as a former Circuit Court clerk of the county, spent over thirty years as a practical farmer, and in every relationship has measured up to the qualifications of a real man and a public- spirited citizen. Mr. Allman was born in Williams County, Ohio, November 23, 1856. Several generations of his fam- ily have been identified with the westward march of civilization. His great-grandfather, Ebenezer All- man, moved to Stark County, Ohio, in 1810 and was one of the first to develop that section of the Ohio wilderness. His grandfather, James Allman, who was born in Washington County in Southwestern Pennsylvania in 1806, grew up in Stark County, mar- ried in 1829 Margaret Anspaugh, and in 1842 moved to Williams County, Ohio, where he in turn became a pioneer. James Allman died in 1846, survived many years by his widow, who was born in 1810. James Allman and wife had seven children, Barna- bas, Haman C., John, Jacob, Catherine, Magdeline 324 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA and Agnes. The sons made worthy records as sol- diers in the Civil war, and Haman died of wounds received in battle. Barnabas Allman, father of John B., was born in Stark County, Ohio, March 20, 1833, was nine years old when he went to Williams County, and in 1856 he married Ellen Barcalow. She was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 1833, a daughter of John and Martha Barcalow. In April, 1864, Barnabas Allman moved to Steuben County, settling in section 5 of Richland Township, and became a prosperous farmer and land owner in that county. He began on a rented farm half a mile south of Metz, and at the time of his death owned xoo acres. He was a carpenter by trade and he filled the office of justice of the peace for about twenty years in Richland Township. He and his wife were active members of the Methodist Church, and in politics he yvas a republican. Barnabas Allman died December 26, 1888, and his widow in 1902. Their children were John B.; Edith M., wife of Ford Norris, living at Toledo, Ohio; Haman C. ; Martha J., now deceased, whose first husband was Clarence Gilbert and whose second husband was Clair Wisner; James; and Mar- garet, who married B. Goodale. John B. Allman from the age of eight years at- tended district schools in Richland Township, and had his full share of work in the fields as a boy. December 17, 1881, he married Evelyn Barron, daughter of Elmus L. and Roxanna Barron. Her father was born in 1823 and came to Indiana with his parents, Fayette and Arvilla Barron, at an early date. For many years Elmus Barron made his residence at Metz, was a farmer, a gunsmith by trade, and was a noted hunter in the early days. It is said that he had over 500 deer to his credit as a marksman. His wife’s parents moved to Steuben County in 1843. The spring following his marriage Mr. Allman be- gan farming a mile and a half south of Metz, and he was in that one locality giving diligent attention to his business as an agriculturist until October, 1907. At that date he sold his farm and moved to Angola, and served for four years, from January 1, 1908, to January I, 1912, as clerk of the Circuit Court. On leaving office he returned to Metz, and in March, 1917, bought and moved to his present farm, where he owns 100 acres of well improved land with good buildings in section 8 of Richland Township. Prior to his service as Clerk of Circuit Court Mr. Allman was for about five years trustee of Richland Township, and has justified every public honor be- stowed upon him. He and his wife are active mem- bers of the Christian Church at Metz. They have had four children. Elsie M. is the wife of W. P. Faulhaver, a farmer in Williams County, Ohio. Roxie E. is a graduate of the Angola Tri- State College in the business department, took part of her literary course there, and is now the wife of T. P. Charles and the mother of two children. Flora E. and John B. Heyman B. also graduated from the •Angola Tri-State College, took further work in the Indiana State University and Purdue University, and married Ethel Chard. They have a daughter, Martha E. The youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Allman was Carl, who died young. Roy B. Ford has built up an extensive business as a general merchant at Stroh, has been interested in a number of business and civic affairs in that community, and is a former postmaster of the vil- lage. Mr. Ford was born in Ingham County, Michigan, September 3, 1874, a son of Oscar D. and Frances C. (Eaton) Ford. His father was a native of Chautauqua County, New York, but spent his boy- hood at Albion, Michigan, where he attended the common schools. He was married in Ingham County, Michigan, where his wife was born, and later he worked his way through Rush Medical Col- lege of Chicago, graduating in 1895. For a number of years he practiced medicine at Leslie, Michigan, and in 1888 moved to South Milford, Indiana, where he had professional and business interests until he died. Dr. Ford was a charter member of the Ma- sonic Lodge and its first master, and is also a mem- ber of the Royal Arch Chapter and in politics a republican. Of his four children two are living, Dorman E., an employe of the Rock Island Rail- road, and Roy B. Roy B. Ford first attended school at Leslie, Mich- igan, and is a graduate of the South Milford School. After leaving school he became associated with his father in business at South Milford, and when his father died he took over the store and conducted it until 1900, when he moved his business to Stroh, and is now proprietor of a mercantile service that covers a large part of LaGrange County. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank of Stroh, and for eight years was postmaster, the postoffice being kept in his store. August 24, 1899, he married Miss Ella Geiser of LaGrange County. She is a graduate of the Wol- cottville High School and for several years before her marriage was a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Ford have two children, Rudyard G., a student in the Morgan Park Military Academy at Chicago, and Marjorie F., a graduate of the common schools. Mr. Ford is a charter member of Philo Lodge No. 672, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is a mem- ber of the Council and Chapter at Kendallville. Politically he is a republican. W t lliam E. Heckenlively, a prominent lawyer of the Steuben County bar, was born in that county December 6, 1861, son of Henry and Mary A. (Kirk) Heckenlively, the former a native of Colum- biana County, Ohio, where he was born January 20. 1841, while the mother was born in Delaware County, Ohio, December 2, 1840 Henry Hecken- lively went to Williams County, Ohio, about 1850 with his parents, George and Elizabeth Hecken- lively. The grandfather was a farmer and broom corn raiser and manufacturer of brooms. Henry Heckenlively became a farmer and veterinary sur- geon and in 1907 removed to Colorado, where he is still living. The mother died in York Township of Steuben County in 1898. There were four children, William E. ; Bell and Emma, both deceased; and Curtis G., of Gary, Indiana. William E. Heckenlively grew up on the home farm in York Township, acquired his education in the district schools and the Angola High School, and graduated in 1890 from Hillsdale College in Michigan. In the meantime for a number of years he had been teaching school, beginning in 1877, when he was only seventeen years old. He taught in the country districts of Steuben County, later went West and was principal of high schools in Wyoming and Utah for several years, and at one time was superintendent of the Pleasant Lake High School in Steuben County. He began the study of law in 1889, in the office of Best & Bratton, at Angola, Indiana, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1895. He practiced alone until 1911, and since then has been a member of the firm of Bratton & Heckenlively. He carries on a very successful business and he also owns a ranch of 480 acres in Colorado. He served three years as prosecuting attorney, is a republican, member of the HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 325 Knights of Pythias, and is affiliated with the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Knight Templar of Masonry and the Scottish Rite Consistory at Fort Wayne. He and his family consisting of his wife, son and daughter, are all members of the Congrega- tional Church. November 27, 1900, he married Mary E. Main, of Wood County, Ohio. Their older child, Joan, born December 2, 1902, is a junior in the Angola High School. Harold M., born March 26, 1905,. finished his first year in high school in 1919. Ira Royal Appleman, who for years has been connected with the agricultural industry of Spring- field Township, LaGrange County, is a member of an old and prominent American family long set- tled in Indiana. Two of Mr. Appleman’s sons were officers in the World war. He was born on the Appleman homestead in Springfield Township June 22, i860, a son of John H. and Sarah J. (Doe) Appleman. John H. Apple- man was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1815, a son of Jacob and Jane (Harris) Appleman. Jacob Appleman was a tailor by trade and was the father of eight sons and five daughters. When John H. was a small boy his father moved to Wayne County, Ohio, where Jacob died soon afterward. About 1827 John H. and his mother went to Richland County, Ohio, 'and he lived with an uncle, William Pool, until he .was twenty-one years of age. On September 20, 1836, John H. Appleman married Miss Mary A. Doe, who was born at Stillwater, New York, May 20, 1818, a daughter of William and Anna (Hilton) Doe, the former a native of Bangor, Maine, and the latter of New York. John H. Appleman by his wife Mary had six children, two of whom reached ma- ture years, Squire H. and John Wesley. Squire married Viola Ryan, a daughter of Robert Ryan, a pioneer of LaGrange County, and he and his wife now live at Angola. John W. married Lottie Gil- bert and now lives at LaGrange. October 11, 1849, Mrs. Mary Appleman died, and on January 7, 1851, John H. Appleman married Sarah J. Doe, a half- sister of his first wife and daughter of William and Elizabeth (Amsbaugh) Doe. John H. Apple- man by his second marriage also had six children : William E., a resident of Michigan ; Albert G., deceased; Ira Royal; Charles M., deceased; Julia E., a resident of LaGrange ; and Elmer S., who lives in Honolulu. John H. Appleman came to Springfield Town- ship, LaGrange County, in 1840. All the money he had, sixty dollars, he paid on a tract of eighty acres of wild land. By persistent energy he made a good farm, and in the height of his prosperity owned seven hundred acres. In 1875 he moved to Clay Township, a mile south of LaGrange, where he had a complete, well improved farm of ninety acres and lived there until his death in 1897. He was a republican, a prominent member of the regu- lators of LaGrange County, and is well remem- bered for his good citizenship as well as his busi- ness enterprise. Ira Royal Appleman grew up on his father’s home- stead and had a public school education. At the age of sixteen he moved to Clay Township, near LaGrange, and while living on his father’s farm there attended high school, taking the full four years’ course. On October 21, 1886, he married Miss Jennie L. Oliver. Mrs. Appleman was born at Paw Paw, Michigan, December 1, 1865, a daughter of Robert and Mary Jane (Cone) Oliver, the former a native of Can- ada and the latter of Fort Oswego, New York, on the banks of Lake Ontario. Mary Jane Cone was born October 23, 1845, a daughter of John and Lovina (Baen) Cone, the former a native of Os- wego County, New York, and the latter of Ver- mont. John Cone after his marriage settled in Oswego and died there in 1864. His widow after- ward removed to Paw Paw, Michigan, and finally came to LaGrange, where she died in September, 1889, at the age of eighty-three. The Cone children were Alpheus, Carlton, Edwin, Chester, Charles Oscar, Edgar, Frances Eugenia, Mary Jane, Lucretta Charlotte, and Sarah. All the sons of the family were soldiers in the Civil war. Robert Oliver, father of Mrs. Appleman, when a young man went to Michigan and was married February 22, 1863. He died in Michigan leaving two children, Jennie Lovina and Charles, who died in infancy. December 23, 1880, his widow, Mrs. Oliver, became the wife of Henry Bowen Dangler, a native of Ohio. His brother was inventor of the gasoline stove, known as the Dangler stove. The Danglers moved to Goshen, Indiana, two years later to LaGrange, where they resided ten years, and then returned to Goshen, where Mr. Dangler died in 1916, at the age of seventy-nine. Mrs. Ap- pleman was educated in the public schools, attended the LaGrange High School, also the Normal School at LaGrange, and was a teacher for several terms before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Appleman with the exception of four years in Clay Township, where he worked his father’s farm, have spent all their married lives on their place of eighty acres in Springfield Town- ship. This is a good farm, and Mr. Appleman has always raised much good stock. He is a repub- lican, and he and his wife are Methodists, though she was reared in the Presbyterian Church. The oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Appleman is Ira Royal, Jr., born December 30, 1887. He was educated in the Springfield Township schools, in- cluding the township high school, is a graduate of the LaGrange High School and the Tri-State Col- lege at Angola, received the degree B. A., and has a prominent record as an educator. He was for- merly principal of the high schools at Colesburg and Bridgewater, Iowa, also at Mount Ayr, In- diana, was principal at Kadoka, South Dakota, and finally superintendent of schools at White, South Dakota. On June 26, 1918, he enlisted and sailed for France, spending about three months in the University of Glasgow, Scotland, for special train- ing. He was a member of Company C of the 309th Engineer Corps, 84th Division. He received his honorable discharge August 19, 1919. He was for three years a member of the State Militia. Oliver Kenneth Appleman, the second son, was born March 24, 1890, attended public schools, the Springfield Township High School, and is a grad- uate of the LaGrange High School. In 1915 he received the degree Bachelor of Pedagogy from the Tri-State College, and is also an educator by training and profession. He was principal at Metz, Indiana, of the Orland High School, and in the meantime had become a member of the Indiana National Guard. From June to December, 1916, he was with the National Guard forces on the Mexi- can border. August 5, 1917, he began training, was sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison, later to Camp Shelby at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and from Camp Mills, New York, was sent overseas in October, 1918. He landed at Liverpool, and soon afterward embarked for France. He returned to the United States in December, 1918. He was commissioned second lieutenant and later promoted to first lieutenant, and after his honorable discharge he re-enlisted in January, 1919, at Fort Benjamin Har- rison and was sent to Camp Taylor, Kentucky, and 326 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA given special training in the School of Fire. He has since been assigned special duty in the army to establish at the Federal prison, Leavenworth, Kansas, a school for men who can neither read nor write. John Harold, the third of Mr. Appleman’s sons, was born April 8, 1894, was a graduate of the Springfield Township High School, and of the Goshen High School in 1914. He died January 25, 1916, just at the entrance to a promising manhood. Henry Keith Appleman was born August 10, 1897, and since completing the work of the eighth grade schools in his native township has pursued farming and is now renting his father’s place. Jennie Irene, the only daughter of the family, was born August 12, 1904, and is now in the first year of the Springfield Township High School. Mr. Appleman has always taken a prominent part in local politics. For about twenty years he has been a member of the Election Board and also served as township committeeman. For nearly fourteen years he has been a director of the Farm- ers Rescue Insurance Company of LaGrange County. Walter Fair. Representing an old and well known family of LaGrange County, Walter Fair spends his busy days as a farmer in Greenfield Township, and for thirty years was known over a large part of the county as the owner and operator of a threshing outfit, which he ran every season.. Mr. Fair was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, January 11, i860, but has lived in LaGrange County since early boyhood. His parents were Noah and Jane Ellen (Group) Fair, the former a native of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. The paternal grandparents were Christopher and Rachel Fair, who moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio in early days. Christopher died in Ohio and his widow afterward came to LaGrange County and lived in Greenfield Township, and died at the home of her son Noah west of Mongo. Noah Fair and family came to Indiana in 1866, buying ninety acres in Bloomfield Township, where he lived until his death in 1914, at the age of eighty-two. His wife passed away in 1876, at the early age of thirty-seven. Their nine children included Walter, Truman, Emma, Catherine, Annie and Lottie and three others that died young, George, Deliah and Sarah. Walter Fair grew up on the home farm in Bloom- field Township and had a public school education. He was in the threshing business for thirty years, up to 1913. In that period he operated all the different types of threshing machines, including the old horse power outfit down to the modern sepa- rator with wind stacker and almost completely automatic. During those years he and his brother Truman also owned in partnership a farm of eighty acres in Bloomfield Township. He still has that property, but for twenty-nine years has lived in Greenfield Township and rented the Allen Green farm of sixty acres. Mr. Fair is a democrat in politics. November 24, 1889, he married Margaret Funk. She was born in LaGrange County, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Funk, who came to Indiana in 1865 from Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and settled in Clay Township. Mrs. Fair’s parents are deceased. To their marriage were born six children, named Carl, Grace, Ross, Hazel, Basil and Lissie. The son Carl was in the draft for the World war and went to Camp Taylor at Louisville March 29, 1918. Later he was taken ill and after six months in the hospital was sent home in November, 1918. David W. Aldrich. A citizen whose influence for good has been proved on numberless occasions, a prosperous and high grade farmer, David W. Al- drich has played a useful and valuable part in the citizenship of Richland Township of Steuben Coun- ty. While he has lived in that county the greater part of his life, Mr. Aldrich represents the pioneer family of Aldrich in DeKalb County. The very first settler in Troy Township of that county was an Aldrich, and David W. Aldrich is descended from one of the family who came very shortly afterward. The Aldrichs were sturdy New Englanders. Simeon Aldrich, grandfather of David W., was a native of Vermont and married in that state Emile McClure, also a native there. Following their marriage they penetrated the western wilderness as far as Medina County, Ohio, and a few years later, in 1836, joined the pioneer Aldrich settlement in Troy Township of DeKalb County. Simeon Aldrich had the real spirit of the pioneer, and after many years of quiet routine in Indiana he joined the Cali- fornia Argonauts of 1849, making the trip overland and afterward going West again, taking in Idaho in his tour. Simeon Aldrich and wife had the follow- ing children: Emily, John Henry, Timothy, Simeon, Jr., Abigail, Lucy Ann, Lucinda and Jonas. John Henry Aldrich was born in Medina County, Ohio, in 1834 and died in 1908. He married Olive Wright, a native of New York State, daughter of Alexander and Orpha (Cook) Wright. John Henry Aldrich was an infant when brought to DeKalb County. He began farming as a youth in Troy Township, and in 1868 traded his farm there for one in Richland Township of Steuben County, in section 30. He owned 327 acres in Richland Township and also had 120 acres in Otsego Township. In 1883 he removed to Butler and engaged in the buying and shipping of livestock for about ten years, after which he returned to his Richland Township farm, and the last two years of his life he lived in Hamil- ton. He was a member of the Methodist Church at Hamilton. His four children were: David W. ; Simeon F., who married Louise Hicks and is now deceased ; Charles E., who married Etta Dirrim ; and Hiram H., who married Bonnie Snook. David W. Aldrich, who was born in Troy Town- ship of- DeKalb County, November 27, 1859, was reared and educated in Steuben County in Otsego and Richland townships, and as a young man en- tered upon the business of farming at the place where he now resides. In 1883 he married Harriet Hanes, daughter of Charles and Mary Hanes. After a year, in 1884, Mr. Aldrich bought forty acres in Otsego Township, and that was his home for fifteen years. During that time he added thirty- five acres to his farm. In 1900 he returned to the old homestead in section 30 of Richland Township. This farm is located in ihe center of the old Jack- man settlement, which was the first permanent set- tlement in Richland Township. Mr. Aldrich owns 1741/2 acres in sections 30 and 31, his home being in the former section. He built a commodious house, in which he and his family reside, and rebuilt the barn. Not all his time has been given to farming. As a young man he taught seven terms of school, has served one term as township assessor, served four years as trustee of Richmond Township, and at the present time is a justice of the peace. He and four of his sons are affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich are : Harry, a physician at Fairmont, Indiana, who married Cora Dally; Fred H., who married Mary Shaefer and has three children, named John Wayne, Robert and HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 327 Harry; Mary, wife of Irvin Kiess and mother of twin daughters, Irene and Ilene; Simeon F., who married Margaret Rose and has a son, Wayne Erwin; Dean D., who served in Battery B of the One Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Field Artillery during the World War; Olive L., a teacher in the Hamilton High School ; Wilmet, a teacher in the home school in Richland Township; and Howard, a student in the Hamilton High School. Clyde Perkins. A great deal of business enter- prise has been supplied by members of the Perkins family in Milford Township. The present genera- tion is represented by four Perkins brothers, own- ers of the Stroh Grain Company at Stroh, and indi- vidually successful farmers. One of them is Clyde Perkins, whose home is in section 23 of Milford Township. On this farm he was born July 24, 1876, a son of Samuel and Emma (Mains) Perkins. His father was born in Pennsylvania August 24, 1838, a son of Jacob and Sarah (Phelps) Perkins. Jacob Per- kins came to LaGrange County about 1830, settling in Milford township, and was the third permanent resident of that locality. He entered land from the Government, and in a clearing in the midst of the woods built his double log house. He was killed in the Wert sawmill. He was a whig and republican. Samuel Perkins grew up on the home farm, and after his marriage located in Wayne Township of Noble County, but six years later traded his property there for the farm now owned by his son Clyde. He was a republican, and his wife was a member of the Methodist Church. They had five sons, Jada D., a well known farmer and business man of La- Grange County; Miles E., who died when two years of age; Samuel M., a farmer a mile west of Stroh; Clyde; and Roy, who is cashier of the Bank of Stroh. Clyde Perkins grew up on his father’s farm and finished his education in the Tri-State Normal Col- lege at Angola. April 5, 1905, he married Grace Skelly. She was born in Steuben County and is a graduate of the common schools. They have four children, Dorothy, Donald, Mildred and Ralph. Mr. Perkins is a republican. For eight and a half terms he taught school in Milford Township, and since then has been applying his efforts successfully to farming and stockraising. He is a breeder of regis- tered Percheron horses, having about seventeen head of horses, with a stallion sired by Carnot. He also handles Shorthorn cattle, his herd being headed by Gloster Lad, a pure Scotch bull. Mr. Perkins is also a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank of Stroh. Charles Frederick Sunthimer. The enthralling story of hardihood and resourcefulness in the finding and maintaining of a home on the American fron- tiers is now largely of the past, but the pioneering spirit lives yet and is exercised in other directions. It requires something of this spirit for a young man of today to push his business bark into the com- mercial sea, and it demands a large amount of fore- sight and good judgment to guide its course. One of the younger business men of Shipshewana, who is successfully dealing with the many problems a large mercantile trade offers, is Charles Frederick Sunthimer, who is sole proprietor of a business. Charles Frederick Sunthimer was born in New- bury Township, LaGrange County, Indiana, April 14, 1896, and is a son of Joseph E. and Ida M. (Stutzman) Sunthimer. Joseph E. Sunthimer was born in Newbury Township, November 8, 1864, a son of Frederick and Rachel (Miller) Sunthimer. Frederick Sunthimer lost his mother when very young and his father, Adam Sunthimer, died in Holmes County, Ohio, supposedly a victim of a murderer. Frederick was adopted by a family that brought him to LaGrange County and reared him. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life in Newbury Township, where he married and where he died April 14, 1900. He was the father of six children, namely: Mary, Joseph E., Rachel, An- drew, Amanda and Edward. Joseph E. Sunthimer grew to manhood in New- bury Township, attended the public schools and later the normal school at LaGrange, after which he taught school for about five years and was very well thought of in that vocation, making friends who later became steady patrons when, in 1891, he established himself in the mercantile business at Shipshewana, after two years in the village of Pashan in Newbury Township. He was a man of sterling integrity and fine business capacity. He suffered twice by fire, losing stock and buildings, after which he put up the present substantial store structure. He owned at the time of death, October 12, 1916, a store at Topeka, Indiana, and one at Milford, and also a farm in the county. He was a republican in his political views, as his father had been late in life, hut neither of them ever were willing to accept any political honors. On July 13, 1884, Joseph E. Sunthimer was mar- ried to Ida M. Stutzman, who was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, December 20, 1866, a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Kauffman) Stutzman, both of whom were born in 1841, he in Elkhart, Indiana, and she in Wayne County, Ohio. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Sunthimer, Michael Stutz- man and wife, moved from Pennsylvania to Elk- hart and died there. The following children were born to Joseph E. Sunthimer and his wife, Elva B., who attended the high school at Shipshewana, is the wife of Dr. Walter Samuel, of Zanesville, Ohio, and they have two children, James and Paul ; Edith M., who is a graduate of the high school, is the wife of Thomas Staley, living in New Mexico, and they have two children, Rachel and Dorothy: Ira, who is a high school graduate, married Mabel Frederick, and they have one child, Barbara Elizabeth ; Clara, who was graduated from the Shipshewana High School, is the wife of Carson Wise ; Maud, who is also a high school graduate, is the wife of Roy Kauffman ; Alta, also a high school graduate, who is the wife of Samuel Hoover, and they have one daughter, Mary Elizabeth ; Marie, who was grad- uated from the Shipshewana High School, is asso- ciated with Charles Frederick, next older than her- self, and their mother in the ownership of the store ; Rachel, who is the wife of Dallas Rogers, is also a high school graduate; and Joseph, Josephine and Leroy, all at home. This is an intellectual family, almost all of them being college or university grad- uates, some of them being teachers, and gifted with social talents as well. Charles Frederick Sunthimer was graduated from the Shipshewana High School in 1914 and taught one term of school. After his father’s death he took charge of the business and continued until he en- tered military service in the World war, March 29, 1918. He was sent to Camp Taylor, Kentucky, for training, was promoted to corporal and later trans- ferred to the regimental band and served as a musi- cian until his honorable discharge December 6, 1918, when he returned home and resumed the duties of civil life. On May 9, 1919, Mr. Sunthimer was united in marriage to Miss Florence Weaver, who was born at Goshen, Indiana, July 6, 1899, and is a daughter of Jesse and Margaret Weaver, highly esteemed resi- dents of Goshen. Mr. Sunthimer was reared in the 328 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Methodist Church, and his paternal grandmother was a daughter of Rev. Joseph Miller, who was a minister in the Amish Church. John L. Minch has for many years been a mem- ber of the business and agricultural community around Howe. For a number of years he was in the windmill business, both selling and installing windmills. He now owns and occupies a farm in Lima Township, and has the management and direc- tion of a large acreage devoted to general farming and live stock. Mr. Minch was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, April 8, 1864, a son of Lewis and Catherine (Rephan) Minch, his father a native of Germany and his mother born either in Pennsylvania or Ohio. The paternal grandparents spent all their lives in Germany. The maternal grandparents lived and died in Ohio. Lewis Minch in addition to serving an apprenticeship at the tanner’s trade in Germany acquired a good education in academic lines and music. In i860 he came to this country and fol- lowed his trade in Ohio, afterwards moved to Wis- consin and owned a tannery at Spring Green in Sauk County, but subsequently returned to Ohio, and both he and his wife died at Lisbon in that state. John L. Minch was the only child of his parents. He attended country schools in Stark County, Ohio, also at White Pigeon, Michigan, and for six years he was in the employ of other men in installing windmills around the Village of Howe. He then engaged in the business for himself at Howe, but in 1910 came to his present farm near that village, where he owns forty acres and operates 300 acres. In 1887 he married Miss Dora Cook, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Milton Cook. They have a family of six children, all of whom are giving good accounts of themselves. Elsie is Mrs. Corwin Dickerson, of Ionia, Michigan; Ethel is a graduate of a business college at South Bend and the wife of Walter Haybarger at Howe; Earl is a teacher at Decatur, Indiana; Eason lives at home ; Emanda is a graduate of the Elkhart Busi- ness College and is connected with the creamery at LaGrange ; Electa is an employe of the post- office at Howe. All of these children are graduates of the Llowe High School. Earl also took a course in the Kalamazoo Business College. The family are Presbyterians, and Mr. Minch is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at Howe. Robert Chard, a well known resident of Steuben County, now living at Angola, was born in Otsego Township March 23, 1851. He is a son of Thomas and Nancy (Robinson) Chard, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were early settlers in Steu- ben County, their first home being on eighty acres in Otsego Township. Thomas Chard died in 1873 and his wife in 1892. He was a democrat, and they were members of the Methodist Church. Their children were Robert, Mary, Nancy, William and Ella. Robert Chard grew up on the home farm in Otsego Township and after the death of his father took charge of its management. Later he bought 120 acres in the same Township, sold that and bought 200 acres in Scott Township, where his son Emmet now lives, and after many years' of productive effort he retired in 1909 and owns one of the beautiful homes of Angola. He is a republican and served in the office of trustee of Scott Township. He and his wife are Methodists. In 1879 he married Dorcas Thompson. She was born in Richland County, Ohio, June 11, 1857, a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Young) Thompson. Her parents settled in Scott Township April 16, 1870, their first home being eighty acres, and later they bought a farm in Otsego Township. They sold that and returned to Scott Township and acquired eighty acres near the first place of their settlement. Mrs. Chard’s father died in 1881. There were five children in the Thompson family, named Margaret, H. Franklin, John, Dorcas and Thomas Benton. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Chard had four children : Leo Clarence, who died at the age of eleven months ; Emmet B., on the homestead farm ; Carl C., who died when two years old ; and Ethel, who is the wife of Lleyman B. Allman and has a daughter, Martha Ellen.' Otto H. Swantusch, M. D., who in a brief time has acquired a large following as a physician and surgeon at Angola, has accepted all the opportunities afforded the progressive young doctor to make the most of his profession and his service to the world. He has had a varied experience in different locali- ties and came to Angola well qualified for mature and skillful work. He was born at Mankato, Minnesota, December 5, 1883, a son of Fred and Augusta (Henning) Swantusch. His father was born in Germany and his mother in Alsace-Lorraine. They were mar- ried in Germany, and on coming to America located in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1872 and in 1880 went to Minnesota. In 1890 the family located at Garrett, Indiana, where Fred Swantusch lived until his death in 1917. His wife died there in 1897. Though many of his years were given to farming, he was a cab- inet maker by trade and for many -years was em- ployed in that capacity in the shops of the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad, and the last two years of his life he was a pensioner of the Railroad Com- pany. He was a republican in politics and a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church. He and his wife had twelve children, Doctor Swantusch being the young- est. The others still living are: Frank, of Butler, Indiana, an electrician ; Henry, a machinist and electrician at Three Rivers, Michigan ; Emma, of Richmond, Indiana; Lena, wife of Rev. Otto Schumm, of Brownstown, Indiana. There is also a half brother, Fred Brandt, living at Cleveland, Ohio. Doctor Swantusch received his early education in rhe public schools of Minnesota, graduated from the high school at Garrett, Indiana, and took his medi- cal course in the Fort Wayne College of Medicine, the medical department of Indiana University. He graduated in 1905, and had an interneship in the St. Joseph Hospital at Fort Wayne, and locum ten- ens at Ravenna, Michigan. He practiced at Metz in Steuben County four years, and then for three months was in partnership with Doctor Shoemaker at Butler, Indiana. Returning to Metz at the end of that time, Doctor Swantusch enlisted June 26, 1917, in the Medical Reserve Corps of the National Army, receiving a commission as first lieutenant. He was on duty at Fort Benjamin Harrison until receiving his honorable discharge May 1, 1918. Doc- tor Swantusch took up his duties as a regular prac- titioner at Angola on November 26, 1917. He is a member of the County, State, and Northern Tri- State societies and the American Medical Associa- tion, is a republican, and is affiliated with the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Masons. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church. August 3, 1905, Doctor Swantusch married Miss Mabel Berry, of Fort Wayne. 9 % $ i ' ( HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 329 Willard C. Dewire, though a native of Kansas, has been identified with the farming interests of Richland Township in Steuben County since a young man, and in association with his son carries on a very extensive and prosperous business in feeding and shipping livestock. Mr. Dewire makes his home at Edon, Ohio, his son living on the farm, and to- gether they co-operate in a business that has grown up year by year under the constant supervision of Mr. Dewire. He was born in Allen County, Kansas, June 5, 1869, son of Monterville D. and Lizzie (Harris) De- wire. His parents were both born in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Monterville was only nine years old when his father died. Lizzie Harris was well educated and was an instructor in a girls’ seminary at California, Pennsylvania. Monterville Dewire before going into the army spelled his name Dwyer. On the army rolls it was written Dewire and the family has continued that orthography ever since. Monterville Dewire was a member of Com- pany A of the One Hundred and Tenth Pennsyl- vania Infantry, and was with every engagement of his regiment and was in the war three years and seven months. Later he moved to Missouri, spent one years in that state, and for sixteen years lived as a farmer in Allen County, Kansas. On returning East he located in Williams County, Ohio, living at Edon four years. In 1886 he bought a 160-acre farm in section 29 of Richland Township, Steuben Coun- ty, added twenty acres to that, but about 1911 re- turned to Edon, where he is still living. His wife died in 1901. They were the parents of five chil- dren : Milton, a physician and a graduate of Rush Medical College of Chicago, now practicing at Sharon, Wisconsin ; Willard C. ; Elgy, a farmer in Williams County, Ohio ; Lula, wife of Harvey Om- stead, of Otsego Township, Steuben County; and Lela, wife of Leo Morley. Willard C. Dewire acquired his early education in the schools of Allen County, Kansas, and was about seventeen years old when his father located in Steu- ben County. Soon afterward he began farming in Richland Township, and in 1895 bought seventy acres included in his present landed possessions. He increased his holdings until he has 180 acres in sec- tions 32 and 33, while he and. his son Montie own another farm of 173 acres. They use this land for general farming purposes, and pasture and feed a large amount of livestock every year. The son took first premium on a carload of fat lambs at the Buf- falo Fat Stock Show, and their long experience and study enable them to make the most out of any given condition affecting the growing and fattening of stock for the market. Their building improve- ments on the farm are of the very best. In 1913 Mr. Dewire moved to Edon, leaving his son on the farm. Mr. Dewire married Myrtie Robi- nett, daughter of Thomas Robinett, and member of a well-known family of Steuben County, elsewhere noted. Their only child is their son Montie, who married Ethel Ingram and has two children, Myra and Marie. Mr. Dewire is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, being a charter member of Edon Lodge No. 644. His son has a technical as well as practical training for his business as a farmer and stock feeder, having taken two short courses in agriculture and stock husbandry at the Wisconsin State University and one short course at Purdue University. Charles E. Hartzler is proprietor of the Pine View Dairy Farm in Eden Township, located a half mile west of Topeka. He is a practical dairyman, thorough and efficient in the management of his herd of choice cattle and an all around good busi- ness man. Mr. Hartzler was born in Eden Township of LaGrange County, July 9, 1870, a son of D. W. and Anna (Greenawalt) Hartzler, the former a na- tive of Pennsylvania and the latter of Fairfield County, Ohio. They were married in Indiana and then located on a farm in Eden Township, where they lived until advanced years and spent their last days in Topeka. They were members of the Menno- nite Church, and D. W. Hartzler was active head of the Sunday school for many years. He died in January, 1918, having survived his wife only a few weeks. She passed away December 26, 1917. They had seven children : Elizabeth, unmarried ; Ephraim E., and William W., both of Clear Spring Township; Celestia B., unmarried; Charles E. ; Alice I., widow of N. M. Lantz ; and E. Blanche, wife of Charles Miller. Charles E. Hartzler lived at home and attended the district schools to the age of twenty-one. The Pine View Dairy Farm, of which he is proprietor, comprises eighty-four acres of good land, and he also has' other business relations. He is LaGrange County agent for the Hinman Milking Machine, is a director of the Farmers State Bank of Topeka and is director for Eden Township of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of LaGrange County. He and his family are members of the Mennonite Church. In 1897 he married Salina Hartzler, a native of Noble County, Indiana, and they are the parents of three children : Lillian, who is a graduate of the Topeka High School and of Goshen College, normal department, and has taught for one year ; Lucile, a graduate of high school and of the Fort Wayne Business College; and Lois. John William Lawrence. An old and honored family of DeKalb County bears the name of Law- rence, and for many years it has belonged to Rich- land Township, in the development of which it has borne a useful part. A representative member of this old family is John William Lawrence, who was born on the old Lawrence homestead in Richland Township, September 13, 1856. The earliest American record of this branch of the Lawrence family leads back to John R. Law- rence, of English extraction, who lived in the vil- lage, now the city, of Germantown, Pennsylvania. Six of his sixteen children, George, David, John, Emily, Hannah and Mary, came to DeKalb County, Indiana. They found bere the Symonds family, who had previously lived in New York and Ohio, and had been the seventh family to locate in Au- burn, a hamlet then so small that Perry Symonds is said to have asked its location when standing in its midst. David Lawrence, of the above family, married Mary C. Symonds, a daughter of James and Mary (Camp) Symonds, November 30, 1848, and two days later they settled on the old homestead farm in Richland Township. Their first round log house has disappeared, but the second and third houses built by David Lawrence are standing today. Mr. Lawrence acquired the wild land by contracting to work one year for it, but the prevailing ague that caused much sickness in malarial districts in those early days attacked him and he was obliged to work six months longer in order to complete his contract. He helped build the first and only water-power saw- mill at Auburn, on Cedar Creek, and helped cut out the road from Auburn to the northwest. He utilized the strength of oxen in farming and hauled his sur- plus farm products to Fort Wayne. Three children were born to David Lawrence and his wife, namely: one who died in infancy; John William; and Emily 330 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA E., who is the wife of J. S. Graham. Mary Edna Graham, married John L. Harding, and they are the tenants on the old homestead farm. The Hard- ing children are : Ralph G., Roy L., Mark E. and Philip W. Ralph G. married Pearl Roland, and they have two children, Edna Eunice and Roland G., these two children being in the fifth generation. Roy L. Harding, who was one of the members of the early medical units to go to France in the World war, has given a good account of himself. Mark Harding married Irene Parker, also of an old DeKalb County family. William L. Graham mar- ried Vesta Texter, and their children are William, Robert, Kenneth and John. They had a son, Rich- ard, who met an accidental death. Maud Graham is the wife of Junius R. Latson, and they have two children: Wilma and Margaret. Mary Charlotte Graham is the wife of Fred Krichbaum, and they have three children : Dorothy, Elizabeth and Mary Fredericka. On December 17, 1885, John William Lawrence was united in marriage to Alfaretta Sheffer, who was born October 28, 1866, in Jackson Township, DeKalb County, one of a family of seven children born to John and Martha (McClellan) Sheffer, the others being: Emma A.; James W., who married Cora Chaney, has two children, Heber W. and Martha Naomi ; Mary Monellie, who is the wife of J. W. Garnette, and they have four children, Allie, Lloyd, Lucile and Kathleen ; Nye C., who married Irma Huff ; and Milton and Curtis, who died in childhood. The Sheffer family is of German descent and had lived in Pennsylvania and Ohio before coming to Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have no children of their own but Miss Bernice Harding stands in that relation to them in affection. They have always lived in the brick veneer frame house built by the father of Mr. Lawrence in 1884. It is equipped with modern conveniences of every kind and is not only a home of comfort but one of beauty also. The mother of Mr. Lawrence was a charter mem- ber of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Auburn and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have their membership there. Mr. Lawrence is not active in politics but formerly his father was elected a trustee of the township on the republican ticket. While they have never desired to change their place of residence, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have recognized the fact that there are many other parts of the country worth seeing and together they have trav- eled quite extensively as sightseers. The family military record is one worth preserving in connec- tion with other family history. The Lawrences were represented in the Revolutionary war as well as the War of 1812, and in the Civil war these uncles of Mr. Lawrence took part: John Lawrence and John, Rudolph, James, Albertus and Charles Sy- monds. The uncles of Mrs. Lawrence who were soldiers in the Civil war were William Sheffer and John, Harvey and Alexander McClellan. In the World war the name of Roy L. Harding appears as one of its heroes. For a peaceful, law-abiding family from generation to generation this is a suffi- cient record of loyalty and patriotism. Price Brothers is the business title of two very enterprising farmers and land owners of LaGrange County, Harry W. and Fred E. Price. They have been associated in farming and related business enterprises for a quarter of a century, and for a number of years have been regarded as the most extensive sheep feeders and raisers in the entire county. Their parents were Arthur M. and Emily (Weir) Price. Arthur M. Price was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1839, son of Francis M. Price. Francis Price came from Ohio about 1844 and entered land north of LaGrange, eventually acquiring about five hundred acres. He and his wife lived in this county until their death. Arthur M. Price was a small child when brought to LaGrange County, grew up and received his education in the common schools and in the LaGrange County Institute at Ontario, and for several years farmed the old homestead. In 1867 he went out to Missouri and bought a sec- tion of prairie land, which he broke and cultivated for nearly ten years. In 1876 he went to Michigan and rented a farm for one year, and then returned to LaGrange County, where he continued as a renter until 1882. In 1892 he bought the farm of John G. Wade, consisting of eighty acres, and be- fore his death two years later had about two hun- dred acres under his ownership. His widow sur- vived him until 1906. He was a republican in poli- tics. Harry W. and Fred E. Price were the only chil- dren of their parents. Harry W. was born in Mor- gan County, Missouri, November 6, 1869, began his education in the public schools in that state and in 1876 went to Michigan with his parents and since 1877 has lived in LaGrange County. He and his brother Fred inherited the old homestead of two hundred acres and their operations have justi- fied increased purchases until they now have in joint ownership eight hundred forty-six acres. Since 1894 they have been sheep feeders, and their operations in that line are conducted on a large scale. Mr. Harry Price is a republican and for two years was a county drainage commissioner. In 1896 he married Miss Grace Case, who was born in Milford Township, a daughter of Billings B. and Eliza (Myers) Case. Mrs. Price died in 1904, the mother of three children, Arthur, Henry M. and Grace, the last two twins. Fred Price, junior member of the firm, was born in Morgan County, Missouri, July 20, 1871, and is a graduate of the LaGrange High School. For two years he taught school and since then has been in business with his brother. He is a repub- lican and is a director of the LaGrange State Bank and a member of the Masonic Lodge at LaGrange. Hamilton Garlets. . The Garlets family has fig- ured conspicuously in the history of several localities in Northeast Indiana. One of the family, Hamilton Garlets, is a successful farmer and land owner in Springfield Township of LaGrange County. He has lived in this county for over forty years. He was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1857, a son of Jacob and Sarah (Miller) Garlets, also natives of Somerset County. Hamilton’s mother died when he was about three years of age. Her parents were Peter D. and Maria (Harding) Miller, and her grandfather was David Miller, all of whom were Somerset County farmers. Jacob Garlets came to LaGrange County about 1868 and located on the farm where Charles Garlets now lives in Greenfield Township. After moving to this county he married for his second wife Miss Lucy Bennett, of Springfield, Ohio. She died in 1905, and while he owned farm lands he spent most of his career as a carpenter. He had three children by his first wife, Jesse, Hamilton and Ananias, and one by his second marriage, Bessie Elizabeth. Hamilton Garlets remained in Pennsylvania until he was about nineteen years of age, receiving his education in Somerset County. He came to LaGrange County in 1876, and has since been busily engaged in farming. He has lived on his present place of forty acres in Springfield Township a num- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 331 ber of years, and also owns forty acres of timber lands in another locality and eight and a half acres near Mongo. Mr. Garlets had two sons and two sons-in-law who were American soldiers during the World war. He married Miss Emma Fair, a daughter of Noah Fair, on April 8, 1881. Six children were born to them. Clayton, at home; Dessie, wife of Frank M. Engle; Clyde; Harry; Herbert A.; and Eva, wife of Alvin Weiss. The son Harry was with the Forty-Seventh Infantry in the Fourth Division, and took part in three major offensives in France, the Enmar, Soisson and Meuse-Argonne drives. He was wounded in the first drive. After the signing of the armistice he became a student in the great American army university at Beaume, France. The son Clyde also saw overseas service with the Seventieth Coast Artillery. Mr. Garlets’ son-in-law, Frank Engle, was with the Field Artillery Replace- ment Band, detached from the Second Division. Charles E. Baker. One of the prosperous farm- ers of Steuben County, Indiana, was born on the farm he now owns and occupies in Otsego Town- ship, May 6, 1865. His parents, John and Catherine (Sanxter) Baker, were early settlers of Steuben County. John Baker was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, January 21, 1831, his wife was born in England, March 3, 1844. In 1850 John Baker came to Steuben County with his parents, Samuel and Sarah (Shriver) Baker, who bought 160 acres of land in section 25, Otsego Township. Later they added to their holdings until they had 640 acres, which they divided among their seven children prior to their death. Samuel Baker passed away April 11, 1884, aged eighty- three years, having been born in Franklin. County, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1801, and his wife died in 1887. John Baker lived in Pennsylvania and Wayne County, Ohio, prior to coming to Steuben County, Indiana, and there he attended school. In early life he was a teacher in Otsego and Richland townships, but later on settled on the eighty acres of land given him by his father, adding to it forty acres of section 23 of that township. He built a house on the north forty acres in 1887, and on December 25th of that year moved into it, and there he died March 4, 1905, his widow surviving him until April 23, 1907. In politics he was a democrat. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was recording steward for many years and also a member of the Official Board of the church, taking an active part in all of its good work. He and his wife had the following children : Charles E., Mary P. and Cora Rebecca. Prior to his mar- riage with Catherine Sanxter, John Baker was mar- ried, March 4, 1855, to Salinda E. Keyes, a sister of William H. Keyes, mentioned elsewhere in this work, and by his first marriage he had the follow- ing children : Samuel E., who died in infancy ; Sarah E., who married G. W. Goudy, and is de- ceased ; and W. H., who died in infancy. The first Mrs. Baker died June 11, 1863. Charles E. Baker grew up in a happy home, and was early taught the dignity of labor and the use- fulness of the life of a farmer. He went to the rural schools and took a three years’ course at the Angola High School, and then for the subsequent four years followed in his father’s footsteps and was an educator. He then assumed charge of the homestead, replacing the old residence in 19x0 with the present modern and convenient one, and is now engaged in general farming and stock raising, hav- ing had a very gratifying success in his work. In politics a democrat, he has been very active in local affairs. When he was twenty-one years old he was made a member of the Odd Fellows at Metz, In- diana, that being in 1886, and later he connected himself with Hamilton Lodge No. 648, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is now the only living charter member, serving it for the past six years as financial secretary. He also belongs to Otsego Lodge No. 701, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Hamilton, and Hamilton Lodge No. 228, Knights of Pythias. On April 11, 1888, Mr. Baker was united in mar- riage with Emma A. Chard, born in Otsego Town- ship, September 8, 1864, a daughter of Charles and Anna (Dotts) Chard, he born in Otsego Township, March 26, 1838, and she in Hancock County, Ohio, March 16, 1842. Charles Chard was a son of Levi and Lydia (Harriman) Chard, farming people of Otsego Township, he born Maj^ 7, 1814, a son of W. and Susan Chard, natives of England. W. Chard died at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1823, and his wife passed away in Steuben County, Indiana, at the residence of Mrs. Betsy Shaeffer, at a later date. Levi Chard was reared in Ohio, where he was married, and in the fall of 1837 came to Jackson Township, Steuben County, Indiana, living on land now occupied by J. Croy, but later bought forty acres of land in Otsego Township. Still later he went to Illinois, but returned to Otsego Township, and he died at the home of his son, Enoch Chard, of Angola, who now lives in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Baker became the parents of two children : Virgil C. and Ora L. Virgil C. Baker was born August 2, 1891, and attended the public schools of Otsego Township. He was married to Artie Beard, a daughter of Henry and Ida (Norigan) Beard, of DeKalb County, Indiana, and they have three chil- dren, Mildred, Keith and Ruth. Ora L. Baker was born October 11, 1897, and attended the public schools of Otsego Township, the Hamilton High School, from which he was graduated, and the Tri-State Normal School of Angola, and is now engaged in farming. He married Aldah Fee, a daughter of Frank and Setta (Gilbert) Fee, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. O. L. Baker have one child, Florabel. Virgil C. and Ora L. Baker are members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Hamilton. John F. Musser, who is now living in comfort- able retirement on his village farm at Metz, has well earned the material position he enjoys and also the homage and respect of his country and com- munity. He was member of a family that con- tributed in a remarkable manner to the Union cause during the Civil war. He and three of his brothers were soldiers and two of them gave up their lives in the struggle. Mr. Musser was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1840, a son of Henry and Mary (Lepord) Musser. His parents moved to Steuben County in 1853, and settled on eighty acres of land in Richland Township. Their first home was a log cabin, and Henry Musser had made some progress with clearing up the land and mak- ing a farm before he died in i860. He lost his wife in 1858. Of their five sons all but the youngest, David, who is still living in York Township, served as Union soldiers. The oldest- was William, who enlisted in Company H of the One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Indiana Infantry in 1863, and was in service until the close. The second in the family is John F. Edwin enlisted in 1861 in Company A of the Forty-Fourth Indiana Infantry, and died at Henderson, Kentucky, in 1862. Samuel enlisted in Company A of the One Hundred and Twenty- 332 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Ninth Indiana in 1863, and died a few weeks later at Chattanooga. The father of these children was a vigorous republican and member of the Lutheran Church. John F. Musser was thirteen years old when his parents came to Steuben County, and he finished his education in the public schools of Richland Township. He was the second of the four brothers to get into active service during the war. Novem- ber 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company B of the One Hundredth Indiana Infantry, and was with the Union armies until after the close of the war. The last important event in the service was the Grand Review at Washington on May 22, 1865. Alto- gether he was in twenty-seven battles, including Vicksburg, Jackson, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, the continuous fighting of 100 days in the advance from Chattanooga to Atlanta constituting the At- lanta campaign, and afterward in Sherman’s march to the sea and through the Carolinas. He was wounded at Missionary Ridge. After his discharge in June, 1865, Mr. Musser returned to Steuben County and took up the trade of mason, which he followed actively for thirty-five years. He has lived on his place at Metz since 1870. He has seven- teen acres adjoining the village, improved with a good home, and there is enough land to afford him a comfortable living. Mr. Musser has always been a stalwart repub- lican and is a liberal in religious views. For twenty- one years he was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is still a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Metz and the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Pythian Sisters. In 1880 he was elected a justice of the peace, and filled that office four years, and for four years was township assessor of York Township. On September 28, 1869, Mr. Musser married Miss Harriet Snyder. She was born in Stark County, Ohio, September 2, 1845, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Snyder) Snyder. Her parents were natives of Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, and came to Steuben County about 1858, settling in Richland Township. In the fall of that year her father broke the ground and put in a crop of wheat, and the family lived in a log house until a better dwelling could be provided. Henry Snyder died in 1867, at the age of fifty-two, and his widow survived until 1899, to the age of eighty-two. In the Snyder family were the following children: Joel, who was a Civil war veteran and is now deceased ; Louisa ; Henry, also a Union soldier; Harriet; Emanuel; Mary; Sarah, deceased; John; George Washington, de- ceased ; and Abraham Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Musser are the parents of three children, Cora Ellen, Lee Henry, mentioned on other pages, and Ray Hubert. The daughter, born Sep- tember 2, 1871, is the wife of John Tyson, a railroad engineer living at Detroit. Ray Hubert, who was born June 17, 1883, married Lola Fireoved, who was born in Williams County, Ohio, September 3, 1885, a daughter of William and Louisa (Rerish) Fire- oved. Ray H. Musser and wife had one child, Carl, who died in infancy. Fred Miller owns and looks after a good farm in Jackson Township of DeKalb County. Farming is an occupation of his later years. He always had a fondness for country life, but during the greater part of his active career followed a mechanical trade. His home is in section 36 of Jackson Town- ship. Mr. Miller was born at Kendallville, Indiana, November 7, 1866, a son of John and Minnie (Keihl) Miller. His parents were natives of Germany, were married in that country, and on coming to the United States made their first destination Chicago. Not long afterward they left that city and walked all the way to Kendallville. They lived there the rest of their days. The father was a drayman for many years. Fred Miller was seven years old when his father died and after that he lived with his mother and had little opportunity to attend school. At the age of sixteen he began learning the boilermaker’s trade, and for many years was in the railroad shops at Garrett, and worked steadily at his trade for thirty years. In 1912 he invested his savings and earnings in his farm in Jackson Township, and has lived there and enjoyed a contented life and con- siderable prosperity since the fall of 1912. He is a democrat in politics and he and his wife are mem- bers of the Reformed Church. May 24, 1888, Mr. Miller married Ella Steffen. She was born in Keyser Township, near Garrett, June 5, 1867, and her parents were also natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have six living chil- dren : Louis, who was in the army with the Ex- peditionary Forces in France; John, a boilermaker living in Garrett; Charles, who also was in the army; Frank; Fred E. and Elzena. Pliny E. Hudson owns one of the fine farms in Lima Township, LaGrange County, and is a citi- zen who has made the interests of his community his own, and his. neighbors and friends all over LaGrange County respect him for his ability, his good judgment and his thorough public spirit. His family connections have proved themselves examples of the very best American traditions, not only in peace but in war. Mr. Hudson was born at East Palmyra, New York, January 31, 1852, a son of Isaac and Sarah Ann (Ailing) Hudson, who were also natives of New York State. His pater- nal great-grandfather was John Hudson. John Hudson and a brother-in-law were Continental sol- diers in the struggle for independence, spent the winter of desolation and hardship at Valley Forge, and were afterward made prisoners by the village. After they were liberated John Hudson died while on his way home. The paternal grandparents of Pliny E. Hudson were Colonel Samuel and Mary (Emmons) Hudson, also natives of New York State. Colonel Samuel Hudson served with that rank and. title as a soldier in the War of 1812. He was also at one time sheriff of Columbia County, New York. His wife’s grandfather was Woodruff Emmons, whose father came to America about 1718. A member of the Emmons family was Caro- las Emmons, who served, in the Revolutionary army with the rank of major general. Isaac Hudson, father of Pliny, was appointed quartermaster lieutenant in the 39th Regiment of New York Militia. His brother Pliny E., for whom the LaGrange County citizen was named, had held the office of quartermaster lieutenant in the same regiment in 1840, his brother Isaac being then quartermaster sergeant. Pliny E. Hudson, the elder, received his commission from William H. Seward, then governor of New York and after- ward secretary of war under Lincoln. Mr. Hud- son of LaGrange County has the original commis- sions granted to his uncle and his father. Another uncle of Mr. Hudson, Samuel Hudson, came to LaGrange County about 1845 and acquired and developed a fine farm of two hundred forty acres in Lima Township. He sold that property in 1876. From 1852 to 1858 he was county commis- sioner and served one term as a member of the State Legislature, being elected in i860. Isaac Hudson arrived in LaGrange County and HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 333 settled on the farm a little east of Howe in Lima Township, where his son Pliny now lives, on May I 5 > 1853. He bought this land from Mr. West, paying twenty dollars an acre, the price including both stock and tools. He bought two hundred acres, but did not long enjoy or use the property, since death overtook him nine months later, on March 4, 1854. His widow survived him over sixty years, passing away November 15, 1915- She was the mother of three children, the youngest, Isaac, dying at the age of seventeen. Pliny E. was the second, and his sister, Sarah J., became the wife of Joseph Scott, who at one time was county treas- urer of LaGrange County. Pliny E. Hudson was only an infant when brought to LaGrange County. He has always lived on ttie old homestead and he finished 'his education «n the Collegiate Institute at Ontario. He now owns two hundred eighty acres, has remodeled the buildings, and in every sense has kept up with the march of improvements in agriculture. He helped organize the Home Elevator Company and has since been a member of its board of directors. He was also one of the founders of the local cemetery association and is a life director. A fact of local history that should be mentioned is that the com- mittee which organized the LaGrange Collegiate Institute at Ontario met on the farm, now owned by Pliny E. Hudson. Mr. Hudson served seven years and seven months as township trustee of Lima, and for six years was a member of the Board of County Commissioners. He was one of the founders and a member of the building com- mittee of the Lima Creamery, and was one of its directors for several years. December 26, 1884, he married Miss Gertrude Walker, who was born in Eden Township of La- Grange County, but she and her husband" were reared on adjoining farms in Lima Township. She is a daughter of William H. Walker. They have two children, Anna A. and William W. Anna is the wife of Frank Rice and has a son, William K. William W. Hudson served with the rank of cap- tain in the 309th Ammunition Train with the 84th Division in France, and is now working for the American Agricultural Chemical Company. William H. Walker, father of Mrs. Hudson, was born at Logan in Hocking County, Ohio, August 2, 1827, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Harman) Walker, both natives of Yorkshire, England. They were married after coming to Ohio, and moved from Ohio to Elkhart County, Indiana, in 1835 and four years later settled in Eden Township of. La- Grange County, where they made their home until moving to Lima Township in 1862. Thomas Walker was a blacksmith before coming to Indiana. William H. Walker was one of a family of nine children. After his father’s death he took charge of the home farm, but in 1862 moved to Lima Town- ship. He married Miss Sarah S. Coldren on June 1, 1851. Sarah Coldren is an historic personage in LaGrange County, being distinguished as the first white girl born there. Her birth occurred in Lima Township May 4, 1832. Her parents were Nehemiah and Sibel (Newton) Coldren. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, grew up in Delaware County, Ohio, and came to LaGrange County as early as 1828, when all that country was’ a wilderness. In 1830, at White Pigeon, Michigan, he was married, and after that he made his home in Lima Township until 1833, when he moved to Eden Township. Nehemiah Coldren is remembered as the first sheriff of LaGrange County, and he held the office of county commissioner six years. William H. Walker owned and developed a farm •of two hundred ten acres. He was a republican in politics. He and his wife had seven children, named Augusta S., Gertrude L., Charles J., William C., Edward, Florence and Willie. Harvey C. Plank. The early practical experience and training of Mr. Plank as a farmer undoubtedly helped his qualifications for dealing in agricultural implements. He is also a general merchant at Brighton in Greenfield Township, LaGrange County, a community in which he has spent practically ali his life. He has helped forward many local enter- prises, and the confidence he enjoys from his fellow citizens is well indicated by the fact that he is the present township trustee. He was born in Greenfield Township May 30, 1874, a son of Christian J. and Fannie (Morrell)’ Plank, both natives of Wayne County, Ohio. His paternal grandparents were Christian and Elizabeth (Kurtz) Plank, who were born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and in 1872 came to Indiana and spent their last days in Greenfield Township. Christian J. Plank was born September 13, 1833, and on Janu- ary 3, 1856, married for his first wife in Adams County, Indiana, Miss Catherine Musser. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, daughter of Abraham and Catherine Musser, natives of Germany, who spent their last days in Adams County, Indiana. Christian J. Plank moved to Greenfield Township in November, 1859, later spent one year in Michigan, and for four years was a farmer and operator of a threshing outfit in Elkhart County, Indiana. He finally returned to Greenfield Township, and owned and developed a farm of 155 acres on Pretty Prairie. He and his first wife had nine children, Amos F., Catherine A., Rebecca E., Susan, Mary A., Daniel, Samuel, Lydia A. and Elizabeth. Christian J. Plank married Fannie Morrell in Noble County, Indiana, February 2, 1873. She was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and her parents, David and Catherine Morrell, were natives of Pennsylvania, and her father died in Noble County, Indiana. Harvey C. Plank was the only child of his father’s second marriage. He had a public school education, attended Normal School at Smithville, Ohio, and in early manhood spent four years operating his father’s farm in Greenfield Township. About 1900 he engaged in the farm implement business at Brighton, and gave his entire attention to this enter- prise until November 1, 1918. At that date he bought out the general store of Grubaugh & Gilham at Brighton, and since then has managed both enterprises with a high degree of profit and genuine service to his patronage. Mr. Plank also helped organize in 1900 the Pretty Prairie Telephone Company, was for a number of years its president and secretary, and is still a director. He served as township assessor four years, and has been in the office of township trustee since January 1, 1919. He has interested himself in political affairs, was identified with the progressive movement in the republican party and is now a regular republican. He is affiliated with the Brethren Church, the Knights of Pythias at Howe and the Gleaners at Brighton. In 1897 Mr. Plank married Miss Clara Hogmire, of Bloomfield in LaGrange County, daughter of Samuel Hogmire. They have one daughter, Fannie Belle. Isaac Luce. One of the best farms in York Township in Steuben County has been continuously under the ownership and management of one family for half a century. Its present proprietor, Isaac Luce, was brought to that environment when a boy, and has achieved his success and dignity in life in that one locality. He was born in Columbiana 334 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA County, Ohio, June 6, 1858, a son of Isaac and Liza Ann (Fasdic) Luce. His father was born in Canada in 1800, lived in Ohio for some years and in 1868 came to sections 12 and 13 of York Township. He took the land largely in a primitive condition, cleared away the timber and brush, and made his home there until his death in 1866. Isaac Luce from the age of ten years attended the public schools of York Township and when a young man went to work under his father. In 1882 he married Aurie Housman, daughter of Jonas Hous- man. He brought his bride to the old homestead and has operated it continuously now for over thirty-five years. The farm comprises 120 acres, devoted to general farming and the raising of good livestock. Mr. Luce’s first wife died in 1900, the mother of one daughter, Blanche, who is a graduate of the Commercial College at Jackson, Michigan. He mar- ried for his second wife, Clara Bratton, daughter of Richard Bratton. She died February 19, 1918, leav- ing one daughter, Mary Bell. Mr. Luce and his two daughters live together on the old farm. Otho D. Easterday. Throughout his career in Green Township of Noble County Otho D. Easter- day has exhibited those qualities which entitle him to the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, and therefore while he has prospered in a material way he has also gained that friendship and regard which are indubitable assets of life. His home is a well improved farm in section 6 of Greene Township. Mr. Easterday was born in Albion Township of Noble County, May 4, 1856. His parents were George W. and Nancy E. (Smith) Easterday. His father was born in Holmes County, Ohio, March 29, 1828, and died in Noble County, Indiana, March 28, 1911, when eighty-three years of age. The mother was born July 25, 1828, in Morrow County, Ohio, and died in Noble County, May 10, 1894, having also reached advanced years. They were married in Morrow County September 28, 1851, and in August of the following year they came to Noble County, Indiana, making the way by pioneer conveyances and an ox team. George Easterday had already bought eighty acres in Albion Township, and he lived there about ten years. In 1862 he moved to Greene Town- ship, and spent his last days on the old farm. He and his wife joined the Lutheran Church soon after coming to Noble County, and for many years he served the church as a deacon. He was a republican in politics. Of the eight children two died young and five sons are still living: Otho D.; William D., of Greene Township; Jeremiah M., of North Man- chester, Indiana; Adair M., of Beech Grove, In- diana; and Drury, of Eaton, Ohio. A daughter, Edna E., was born November 13, i860, and died un- married March 15, 1917. Otho D. Easterday was six years old when his parents moved to Greene Township, and as he grew to manhood he attended the district schools and acquired those habits of industry which have proved invaluable to him in his life career. On August 26, 1877, having attained the age of twenty-one, he married Miss Flora Frank, of Albion Township. She was born in Wayne County, Indiana, April 23, 1857, and was ten years old when her parents came to Noble Township and settled on the same farm where Otho D. Easterday was born. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Easterday lived on the home farm for a year and subsequently moved to their present home, where Mr. Easterday owns forty acres and also thirteen acres in Jefferson Township. He has always been a good business man and his ju 9 g- ment was availed to settle his father’s estate and also the estates of his father-in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Easterday had the following family of children : Luella G., born August 12, 1878, was educated in the high school and is now a resident of Fort Wayne; Clarence P., born January 31, 1881, died in infancy; Orlen G., born February 4, 1883; two children that died unnamed ; Ralph, born Octo- ber 20, 1889, is now the practical manager of his father's farm ; Claude M., born May 23, 1892, is a graduate of the common schools and lives at Fort Wayne; George S., born November 25, 1895; Fannie E., born March 7, 1898, a graduate of high school is a teacher in Greene Township; and Wilma A., born June 20, 1900, a graduate of the common schools. The family are members of the Evangeli- cal Church and Mr. Easterday has been one of the deacons in his church for twenty years, and always active in its affairs. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and is a republican. He is a member of the Township Advisory Board. John Koontz. One of the many energetic and actively progressive men engaged in cultivating the rich and fertile soil of Noble County, John Koontz is one of the older living native sons of the county and has lived here and witnessed the development of the surrounding country for nearly three-quarters of a century. He still lives on his farm three miles west of Avilla in Allen Township. Mr. Koontz was born in Jefferson Township of Noble County, September 17, 1842, a son of Jacob and Mary (Stoudenour) Koontz, both of whom were natives of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, where they grew up and married. They first settled in Mansfield, Ohio, and two years later moved to Noble County and settled in Jefferson Township on September 9, 1842, just a few days before the birth of their son John. Jacob Koontz was a blacksmith by trade, and had a shop which he conducted in con- nection with his farming interests. Their farm consisted of no acres. Both he and his wife were active members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he voted as a democrat. He and his wife had six children, two of whom are still living, Sarah and John. Sarah was born in 1851 and is unmar- ried. John Koontz as a boy attended the local district schools and later learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed for ten years. He married Mar- garet A. Smith, also a native of Jefferson Town- ship. After their marriage they lived on Mrs.' Koontz’ mother’s farm for some years. Later he traded his property for his present place of 160 acres in Allen Township. Mr. Koontz is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Avilla, and is a democrat and has taken an active part in his community. Besides general farming for years he has been a breeder of Short- horn cattle. His only son, Frank R. Koontz, was born August 22, 1880, in Jefferson Township, and at the age of five years came to the present home of his parents. He attended the district schools and worked on his father’s farm until he took its active management. September 4, 1900, he married Mabel Fisher, who' was born in Allen Township and was educated in the district schools. Her parents were Moses D. and Elnore (Moree) Fisher, the former a native of Coshocton County and the latter of Richland County, Ohio. Moses Fisher came to Noble County at the age of seven, and his wife was also a child when her parents located there. They were married in Noble County and Moses Fisher died in 1913. His widow is still living. Of their nine children eight are alive: Eva, wife of Wilmer Walters; William B., of Avilla ; Edith E., wife of Charles Brum- baugh ; Mable and May, twins, the latter the wife HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 335 of Frank Weaver; Maude B., wife of Ervin Brum- baugh; Frank L., of Allen Township; and Bessie, wife of Carl Huffman. Frank Koontz is a democrat in politics. He is a skillful musician, having made a thorough study of music and particularly of the violin, and has won a reputation as a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Koontz have one son, Nor- man J., born November 12, 1902, now in the third year of the high school at Avilla. Steven Thompson Cooper- is one of the oldest business men of Howe. Nearly fifty years ago he bought a stock of merchandise in the old village of Lima; and has ever since busied himself with the management and expansion of his business and the task of affording a completely adequate mer- chandise service to the community. Mr. Cooper has had a varied and interesting career of experience, and before coming to La- Grange County had fought as a soldier in the Civil war and had been a cotton planter in the South. He was born at Chester, Morris County, New Jer- sey, May 2, 1843, a son of David and Sarah R. (Dayton) Cooper, both natives of Morris County. His great-grandfather, Henry Cooper, Sr., was in the commissary department of the Continental army during the Revolutionary war. In the maternal line Mr. Cooper is indirectly descended from Colonel Elias Dayton, who was on General Wash- ington’s staff, and for his services in the Revolu- tion received a grant of land in Ohio where the City of Dayton now stands, named in his honor. David Cooper was born in 1799. In 1856 he came west to Greenfield Township, LaGrange County, but remained there only two months, and then went to Ogle County, Illinois, where he became a farmer. His wife, Sarah Dayton, had died in New Jersey, and when he came west he was ac- companied by his second wife, Sabina Everitt. David Cooper was always interested in politics, first as a whig and later as a stanch republican. While in New Jersey he was twice elected a member of the Legislature. It is recalled that during one severe winter he hauled wood on a bob sled from his farm in New Jersey to New York City, a dis- tance of thirty-five miles, crossing the Hudson River on the ice during the winter of the great fire in New York. He had first come west in 1835, in company with Colonel Aaron Thompson and George Thompson, making the journey as far west as Ann Arbor, Michigan, on horseback and returning to New Jersey in the same way. David Cooper was always a farmer. He and his first wife had seven children, Mary, Elizabeth, who became the wife of Robert Thompson, Henry, Steven, William, Aaron and Sarah. Of these only Mary and Steven are now living. There was one daughter, Martha, by his second marriage. Steven Thompson Cooper was about thirteen years old when he made his first acquaintance with LaGrange County, and while there he worked on the John Van de Venter farm. He then joined his father in Illinois, and received most of his education in the schools of that state. At Rochelle, Illinois, August 10, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, at first with Company H of the 92nd Illinois Infantry, but later the regiment was assigned to the mounted infantry. His service was for a period of three years, until August 11, 1865. During Sherman’s march to the sea, on December 7, 1864, near Waynesboro, Georgia, he was cap- tured, and was held in one of the most notorious prison camps of the South, at Florence, South Carolina. During the severe winter weather he and his comrades had to dig holes in the ground for shelter. On March 5, 1865, he was exchanged at Richmond, and before getting back to the ranks the war was over. Following the war he spent a short time in Mississippi and Arkansas, where he was associated with Col. Joseph R. Webster of LaGrange County and J. Railsback in cotton plant- ing. Colonel Webster, it may be recalled, was a captain in the 88th Indiana Infantry and later be- came lieutenant colonel of the 44th Regiment of colored troops during the Civil war. After the war he became a successful attorney and at one time was attorney general for Nebraska. The years 1868-69 Mr. Cooper spent in Illinois, where his chief employment was breaking virgin prairie sod with four yoke of oxen. On May 1, 1870, he bought out the business at Howe and be- gan his long service as a local merchant. At first his stock of goods comprised drugs and groceries, and he now handles drugs, groceries and seeds. It has always been an individual business and has always been conducted in the same building. Mr. Cooper also helped organize and has since been president of the Northern Indiana Sand & Gravel Company at Wolcottville. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and of the LaGrange G. A. R. In January, 1876, he married Miss Mary C. Wil- liams, now deceased. She was a daughter of S. P. Williams, of Howe. To their marriage were born three children : Isabell, Emily D. and Marion. Emily is deceased. Charles E. Greenawalt has made for himself an influential place in the community of Springfield Township, LaGrange County, is a prosperous farmer, a minister of the Gospel, and otherwise well known and well liked by his friends and neighbors. He was born near Topeka, LaGrange County, January 28, 1880, a son of Samuel and Catherine (Plank) Greenawalt. Several members of this family have been mentioned elsewhere in this pub- lication. Mr. Greenawalt was five years old when his parents moved to Springfield Township, and as a boy there he attended public schools and the Mongo High School. He also was a student in the Tri-State College at Angola and for seven years was a teacher, four years in the common schools and three years as principal of the Springfield Town- ship High School. From teaching he engaged in farming, and for several years rented the land he now owns from his wife’s father. Later he bought forty acres of this place, and as his wife inherited forty acres, and he now has a well proportioned farm of eighty acres, yielding a good living for himself and family. Mr. Greenawalt is a republican and is a member of the Advisory Board of Spring- field Township. He is a stockholder in the Mongo State Bank. Both he and his wife are active members of the Church of God and he is an ordained minister of that denomination. On April 19, 1903, he married Miss Cora Eatinger. She was born in Milford Township January 29, 1879, a daughter of George W. and Sarah (Forst) Eatinger, both natives of Ohio and both born in the year 1849. Her father was a native of Holmes County and was a small child when his parents came to LaGrange County, where he spent his boyhood days in Johnson Town- ship. George Eatinger bought his first land in Milford Township, and out of his enterprise as a farmer accumulated more than 300 acres. He is now living retired at Decatur, Michigan, his wife having died in 1913. He is a republican, and with his wife was an active member of the Church of God. They had four children : Mrs. Cora Greena- walt, Charles, Jacob and Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. Greenawalt have a family of five 336 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA children, named : Cletus Dale, Lawrence J., Agnes Ruth, Roger Norris and Gertrude Lucile. Eugene S. Aldrich. There is no finer character in Steuben County, Indiana, than Eugene S. Aid- rich, who in every walk of life has proven his worth and gained an enviable reputation as a man of in- tegrity and sincerity. He was born at Warsaw, Wyoming County, New York, in 1842, a son of Col. Simeon C. Aldrich, one of the early settlers of Steu- ben County. Colonel Aldrich was born at Rocking- ham, Vermont, October 14, 1816, and came to Steu- ben County, in 1844. A tailor by trade, he opened a shop at Angola, but soon after the discovery of gold in California he crossed the plains to that state and was gone from home for two years. Upon his return to Angola he embarked in a mercantile business and conducted it and served as sheriff of Steuben County for one term. Returning from a second trip to California, Colonel Aldrich found his state in an unheaval of patriotism over the outbreak of the Civil war, and he, with Captain Parks of Auburn, DeKalb County, were instrumental in rais- ing Company K of the Forty-fourth Indiana In- fantry, of which he was elected first lieutenant. Soon afterward he was promoted to the rank of captain, and in November, 1862, he was made lieu- tenant colonel, commanding the regiment at the bat- tle of Chickamauga, where he distinguished him- self for his courage and efficiency. After this en- gagement he was made provost marshal of Chat- tanooga, holding that position until the regiment re- enlisted, \yhen he accompanied the veterans home. He returned with them to Chattanooga and con- tinued in command until August, 1863, when he was granted a leave of absence on account of ill health. A few days after reaching home he was suddenly taken worse and died August 14, 1863. He was commissioned colonel July 27th, but owing to the reduced number of the regiment was not mustered in as such. Colonel Aldrich was twice married, first on De- cember 23, 1838, when he was united to Polly A. Jackson, who was born in Livingston County, New York, September 16, 1816, died January 29, 1852, leaving three children, Eugene S., Helen Y. and Addison Umphrey. A daughter, Emma L., died in infancy. Helen Y. was married to Charles Tyler and died January 10, 1879. Addison died Novem- ber 12, 1863. On June 23, 1852, Colonel Aldrich was married to Melissa Knapp, and their children were as follows: Nellie, who lives at Toledo, Ohio; Lulu, who is the wife of William Feizel, of Hills- dale, Michigan; and Charles C., who is in Mexico. The second Mrs. Aldrich spent her last years at Hillsdale, Michigan, where she died. Eugene S. Aldrich, like his father, was a soldier during the war between the states, enlisting in Com- pany K, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, his father’s regiment, and served for three years. Although he enlisted as a private, upon the organization he was made third deputy sergeant, receiving his promo- tion to the rank of second lieutenant November 27, 1862, and to that of first lieutenant April 17, 1863. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Missionary Ridge and many others of less impor- tance. With the exception of three years spent in Ohio Mr. Aldrich has made Pleasant Lake his home since his return from the war. The first wife of Mr. Aldrich, Lucy Knapp, a daughter of Lansing Knapp, died April 14, 1869, leaving one son, Simeon A., who died October 25, 1871. Subsequently Mr. Aldrich was married to Addie C. Carver, born in Sandusky County, Ohio, in 1841. They had one daughter, Josie, born June 17, 1872, who was married in 1896 to Arthur Miller, a son of Hampton Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one son, Eugene H., who was born May 4, 1903. Mr. Aldrich owns a valuable farm of 100 acres on the south side of Pleasant Lake, which is now op- erated by his son-in-law, Mr. Miller. During his active years Mr. Aldrich was prominent in agricul- tural circles, and devoted himself to improving his farm and educating his daughter. His life has been one of probity and usefulness and his friends have always found his a strong hand and heart on which to lean in times of trouble. Sympathetic and gen- erous, few have ever appealed to him in vain, but he has preferred to assist a man in helping himself than to merely donate money, believing that the former method inculcates self respect, while the latter in many instances only encourages shiftless- ness. Public life has never made a strong appeal to him, but he has given his support to men and principles which in his judgment will work out for the betterment of the majority and aid in the de- velopment of his county and state. Frank K. Fee. The first white family to make permanent settlement in Otsego Township of Steu- ben County was headed by John Fee. His son, the late Frank K. Fee, spent his life on the old home- stead in that township, and was a man of energy corresponding to that of his pioneer father, and left a large and valuable farm to his wife and children. John Fee was born in Southern Ohio, October 13, 1810, a son of William Fee. When he was nineteen years old John Fee went with the rest of the family to Williams County, Ohio. In that county on April 0, 1833, John Fee married Mary Ann Houlton. She was born near Chillicothe, Highland County, Ohio, May 4, 1 8 1 1 , a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Kilgore) Houlton. Samuel Houlton was born May 12, 1764, and his wife on August 22, 1772. Mrs. John Fee’s father was one of the earliest settlers at Chillicothe, Ohio, and her brothers, Samuel and John Houlton, were conspicuous in the pioneer life of Williams County, Ohio, and Northeast Indiana. The Houlton brothers are recorded in history as the first settlers of DeKalb County. John Fee and wife moved to Otsego Township of Steuben County in 1833, and located 120 acres in section 32. John Fee possessed a superabundant energy and vitality, and was completely at home in the frontier district, having room to do all the work that his ambition impelled him to. His homestead farm in Otsego Township comprised 420 acres in one body, but at the time of his death he owned 2,600 acres. He spent his last days in Otsego Town- ship, where he .died April 2, 1873. His widow sur- vived until January 6, 1887. John Fee built as his first home a log cabin, and as his own land was covered with heavy timber he cultivated his first crops on a rented tract on Jackson Prairie. He was a republican in politics. He donated the ground for one of the early Methodist churches, the site now being owned by the United Brethren denomina- tion. He also gave ground for a cemetery. He and his wife had nine children, two of whom died in infancy. Those to grow up were : Calvin ; Clarinda, wife of A. L. Nickols ; Margaret, wife of A. J. Car- penter, of DeKalb County; John; Ann, wife of L. T. Crain ; William ; and Frank. Frank K. Fee was born on the old homestead in Otsego Township, July 6, 1854. He acquired a good education in the public schools and eventually sue- . HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 337 ceeded to the ownership of the old homestead and its 420 acres gave him ample scope in which to carry out his varied projects of farming and stock raising. He was never in politics, contenting himself to vote the republican ticket. July 24, 1877, he married Miss Setta Gilbert. She was born in Otsego Township October 3, 1856, a daughter of Joseph and Martha (Forder) Gilbert. Her father was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1825, a son of John and Mary Gilbert, and grew up in Portage County, Ohio, and in the fall of 1851 came to Steuben County and bought 160 acres in the woods of Otsego Township. He built a small log cabin, which was the first home of the Gilbert family in Steuben County, and later, as his means increased, erected a large residence and many fine buildings. He married in 1850, Martha Ann Forder, who died in 1859. She was the mother of three children: Alonzo, of Otsego Township; Mrs. Setta Fee ; and Flora, who died March 16, 1913, at the age of fifty-five. Joseph Gilbert married for his second wife Emily Case. She died in 1884, and her three children are still living, named Alton, Victor and Verna. Joseph Gilbert died March 4, 1904. Mrs. Fee is the mother of six sons and three daughters, and has a large number of grandchildren about her. Her oldest child, Myrta, was educated in the public schools and the Tri-State Normal, was a teacher and is now the wife of Jay Learned, of Hamilton, Indiana, and has two children, named Oliver and Gertrude. Shirley Dale Fee is a well- known business man of Metz, elsewhere noted in this publication. Flora was educated in the high school at Hamilton and lives at home with her mother. John had a high school education and is a traveling salesman out of Dayton, Ohio. By his marriage to Jennie Dirrim he has two children, Wayne and Cleland. Asa graduated from the Hamilton High School, was a farmer, and died October 28, 1914. By his marriage to Inez Mortorff he had three chil- dren, Emmet, deceased, Paul and Ned. Clarence, "Who attended- the common and high schools, married Blanche Mortorff, a sister of his brother Asa’s wife, and had three sons, Wier, Clifford and Donald. Earl, who also had the advantages of the Hamilton High School, is a farmer, married Hazel Ireland, and has two children, Mary Louise and Margaret Ellen. Lloyd, who completed his education in the high school at Hamilton, is a farmer on the old homestead and breeder of purebred Hereford cattle and Percheron horses. Aldah completed her educa- tion in the high school at*Hamilton and married Ora Baker, and they live on part of the Fee homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one daughter, Florabel. Amos Adams was for many years a successful farmer in York Township of Steuben County, and head of a family which has played a worthy part in the development of Northeast Indiana. Though his own life was comparatively brief, he achieved suc- cess and esteem and left an honored name. . He was born in Delaware County, Ohio, July 12, 1853, a son of Rulif Fisher and Ruth (Piper) Adams. His parents were married in Delaware County and in 1863 moved to Steuben County, set- tling in York Township, on the land where Amos Adams spent most of his life. They owned 150 acres, and much of it was cleared during the life- time of the senior Adams, who died there in Sep- tember, 1879, at the age of forty-nine. His widow survived until 1901, to the age of seventy-one. They had three children, Amos, Sarah Ellen and W. Henry. Amos Adams was ten years old when brought to Steuben County, and he grew up on the farm and Vol, 11—2 2 finished his education in the local schools. In early manhood he acquired sixty-five acres of the old place, and at one time had 108 acres, constituting a farm of many excellent improvements. In the midst of his work and success there he died in 1910, at the age of fifty-seven. In 1878 he married Amanda Vanscoit, who was born near Findlay in Hancock County, Ohio, Feb- ruary 13, 1855, a daughter of Samuel H. and Sarah (Houck) Vanscoit. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of Maryland, and they moved to Steuben County in 1865 and settled on 120 acres in York Township. Later they sold this land and went east to Virginia, but after ten years returned to Indiana and spent their last years in York Township, where her father died in January, 1901, at the age of eighty-seven, and her mother in 1907, aged eighty- two. In the Vanscoit family were the following children: Joanna, deceased, Amanda, Charlotte, John, Kittie C., Ella and Stella. Mr. and Mrs. Adams were the parents of five children : Perry, born April 5, 1879, died at the age of four years and six days ; Ruth, born January 20, 1882, died October 16, 1882; James, who was born February 22, 1884, had a public school education, lived for three years in Ohio, and is now working for his mother the home farm in York Township. He is unmarried and a democrat in politics. Arza, born June 1, 1886, had a public school education and died in York Township, November 9, 1915. He married Hulda Weiss, and she survived him with three chil- dren, Ruth, Russell and Paul. Ralph, born February 5, 1889, married Lisle Richardson, of Scott Town- ship, and has two children, Herman and Loueze. In 1912 Mrs. Adams became the wife of Mr. An- drew S. Campbell. He was born in Pennsylvania, November 19, 1852, and is a carpenter by trade, a business he followed for many years. In 1864 he went to Scioto County, Ohio, and for many years lived in the west, having varied experiences in the Black Hills country in and around Denver and Phoenix, Arizona, and was also at New Orleans. He married for his first wife Phoebe S. Foster and had four children, all now deceased, their names being Albert, Della, Hurley and William. The mother of these died in 1884 and’ Mr. Campbell for his second wife married Matilda Lunsford. Their six children were Walter, Vahn, Harry, Bertha, Stella and Elsie, all of whom are living except Walter. Monte L. Green has been an important figure in the financial life of DeKalb County for a number of years, and is president of the Garrett Savings, Loan & Trust Company, Garrett, Indiana. His early life was spent in a number of different localities. He was born in Missouri, January 26, 1870, son of Jesse H. and Louisa D. (Beach) Green. His parents were natives of Indiana, the father born at Moore’s Hill and the mother in Henry County, near Lewisville. After their marriage they lived in Spencer, Owen County, Indiana, and at various other localities, moving to Kenton County, Ken- tucky, opposite Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1890. Jesse Green was for over thirty years a postal clerk in the United States Rural Mail Service on various lines and finally on the Cincinnati Southern Railroad. When retiring from active service he lived in Bellevue, Campbell County, Kentucky, opposite Cin- cinnati, Ohio, where he is still living past eighty-one years of age. The mother died there April 23, 1903. Of their two children, Glenn Arden and Monte Lee, the latter is the only one now living. Jesse H. Green is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic by virtue of his service in the Civil war. April 15, i86t, he enlisted in the navy at New York City, and after leaving that branch of the 338 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA service he enlisted in the Twenty-Fifth Indiana Battery of Light Artillery, and was with his com- mand until the close of the war. Monte L. Green acquired his education in the public schools, is a graduate of the Indianapolis High School, and had a complete business course in the Cincinnati Business College. For about twenty years he was engaged in the carriage business and other similar lines of activity and in 1907 moved to Auburn, where he was associated with W. H. Mc- Intire. Later he bought stock in the Auburn Sav- ings, Loan & Trust Company, and was its vice president until early in 1913. Mr. Green, with associates, organized the Savings, Loan & Trust Company of Garrett in 1908. This institution, formerly capitalized at $25,000 and now $40,000, has been one of the bulwarks of DeKalb County finance for the past ten years. Mr. Green is an able financier, and his entire business and civic record has been admirable. He served as president of the Commercial Club while at Auburn, has been much interested in the welfare of local schools in various communities, having been president of the School Board in Ludlow, Kentucky, is past master of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, Council and Commandery, also the thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Masons, and the Mystic Shrine at Fort Wayne. He and his wife are both active in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Green has been elder in the church for years and promi- nent in the Fort Wayne Presbytery. Mr. Green married for his first wife Josephine Pohlman, who died January 11, 1906, the mother of two sons, Arden D. and Lyman Dale. For his present wife Mr. Green married Helen Samme Ralston. They have one daughter, Alzein Louise. Mrs. Green was born at Auburn, a daughter of A. J. and Hadessa (George) Ralston. Her mother is still living. A. J. Ralston, who died January 12, 1919, was widely known in DeKalb County, having served as deputy sheriff and deputy treasurer of the county and in various other public offices. Mrs. Green is a graduate of the Auburn High School and has been identified with clubs and civic work for years. During the war she was county chairman of all the loan drives, food conservation and the woman member of the Council of Defense. She was one of the leaders among the women of DeKalb County in auxiliary war activities. Daniel Ely, one of the well circumstanced farm- ers of Bloomfield Township, has always regarded it as his peculiar good fortune that his lot was early cast in LaGrange County. He came here when about eleven years of age and had already been making his own way in the world for a year or so. He accompanied a party of eight other persons, and has a vivid memory of the trip, which began at Ashland, Ohio. The first stage of the journey was Mansfield, a distance of twelve miles. The trav- elers had horses and wagons, but on account of the deep mud they did not arrive at Mansfield until an entire day had been consumed. At Mansfield the wagons, horses and goods were put in a railroad car and all shipped to Fort Wayne. Thence they came to Mongo by way of the old Plank Road, then a toll road. Among the other members of the party recalled by Mr. Ely were Pet Long and George Price. Mr. Ely was born in Crawford Township of Coshocton County, Ohio, March 30, 1851. His par- ents, Frederick and Barbara (Switzer) Ely, were both natives of Germany, and his grandparents on both sides spent all their lives in the Fatherland. Frederick Ely had been married and had lost one wife in Germany: By that union he had a daughter, Margaret. Later he married Barbara Switzer, and in 1835 he and his wife and his first child, Margaret, came to America, landing in Baltimore. With a one-horse wagon he made the journey across the mountains to Coshocton County, Ohio, settling in the midst of the woods. It was necessary to cut a road three miles from the main highway to get into his land. He acquired eighty acres there, cleared some of it and had considerable progress toward improvement when death overtook him when he was still comparatively young. His wife also died in Ohio, and they are buried in a cemetery at New Bedford. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. Their children were Frederick, Lewis, John, Leah, Rachel, Henry, George, Michael, Mary and Daniel. The only ones now living are Leah, Henry and Daniel. Daniel Ely, owing to the fact that he had to get out and work and make his own way from the age of nine, had limited opportunities to gain an educa- tion, though he attended schools some both in Ohio and in Indiana. He came to LaGrange County in 1862, and at first worked for his board, later was paid nominal wages, and he began his independent career as a farm renter. In the fall of 1878 he bought sixty acres in Bloomfield Township, and on that land he has lived now for forty years with the exception of twt> years when he was in the meat business at Lima or Howe. When he acquired the land only about twenty-five acres had been cleared, and he has since cleared twenty-five acres more, and now has a farm of a hundred acres, well adapted for general farming purposes. The improve- ments when he bought the land consisted of only a few poor buildings, and he now has ample buildings and all facilities for his work and for comfortable living. He has also taken an interested part in local affairs and has served as township supervisor. In June, 1876, Mr. Ely married Miss Rebecca McKinzie. She was born in Somerset County, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of Jesse and Leah (Hoffmyer) McKinzie. Her mother was a native of Maryland and her father of Pennsylvania. He'r father died at Springfield, Illinois, while en route to the West. Her mother afterward went to Canada, and in 1865 came to LaGrange County and subsequently became the wife of Levi Dague. They moved to Michigan, but eventually returned to LaGrange County, where Mr. Dague died in 1909, while Mrs. Ely’s mother passed away in 1914, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ely. Mr. and Mrs. Ely have the following children : Charles S., at home on t?he old farm ; Lula, Mrs. Lyle Shank, of Angola, where her husband is now in his second term as county superintendent of schools of Steuben County; William H., at home, and Laura Edna, a teacher, also at home. Mr. Ely and his sons own about 440 acres of land. Joseph T. McElroy for many years has been one of the leading farmers and enterprising citizens of Clear Lake Township in Steuben County. He is the son of an old soldier and the family have lived here for over a half a century. Mr. McElroy was born at New London, Huron County, Ohio, February g, i860, a son of Robert and Alzina (Bro6ks) McElroy. His mother was a native of Huron County and a daughter of Minchell Brooks, who became one of the pioneers of Clear Lake Township, locating on the land where Joseph McElroy lives today. Alzina was one of a family of eleven children. Robert McElroy was born in Canada East March 13, 1833, a son of Robert and Mary Ann (Hamilton) McElroy, natives of Ireland. Robert McElroy at the age of thirteen was left an orphan and had to HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 339 make his own way in the world. In 1859 he married Alzina Brooks in Huron County, Ohio. In 1862 he left his family to go into the army, serving with the Twelfth Ohio Battery. He was in many of the great battles of the war, including Fredericks- burg, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Resaca. His term of service lacked only a few days of being three years. He was twice wounded and injured while in the army. For many years he was a member of the Grand Army Post at Fremont, and a stanch republican in politics. While he was in the army Minchell Brooks came to Clear Lake Township of Steuben County, accorrf- panied by his daughter, Mrs. McElroy, and her children. Robert McElroy rejoined his family here, and spent the rest of his life in section 33, where he owned a large farm of 195 acres. He and his wife had ten children: Joseph, Jane, Flora, Bessie, Catherine, Eliza, Hattie, Minchell, Ulysses and John. Joseph T. McElroy was about three years old when brought to Steuben County, and he acquired his education in the township schools of Clear Lake and York. He remained at home with his parents working on the farm until twenty-four, and at that time was married and then joined farming with work at the masonry trade. Mr. McElroy owns a farm of 120 acres, and during his ownership he has set up all the buildings and most of the fences, and has greatly increased its value and productiveness. Mr. McElroy married Ida Sunday. They have three children : Ralph, Rush and Louisa. Guy E. Miller. One of the prosperous young farmers of Steuben County, whose family is one of the old established ones in Northeastern Indiana, is Guy E. Miller, whose grandfather was numbered among the pioneers of this locality. Guy E. Miller was born on his present farm in Pleasant Township, December 13, 1880, a son of Marquis and Imogene (Yager) Miller, and grandson of Oliver Miller. Oliver Miller was a cabinet maker by trade, and he also owned and operated a water power mill at Gage Lake. During those early days the cabinet makers were depended upon for coffins in which to bury the dead of the settlements, and Oliver made many of them. In those times the coffins were made of hard woods, and some of them were beautifully carved, for it was not until a later date that the present kind of caskets were put into general use. Oliver Miller lived at Gage Lake until his death, having settled there upon his arrival in Steuben County. He married a Miss Kemp, and they had the following children: Ivan, Marquis, Jem and two daughters are deceased. Marquis Miller was born near Gage Lake, Jack- son Township, Steuben County, in 1855. His wife, Imogene Yager, was born in Pleasant Township, Steuben County, and died in 1886. After attending the local schools Marquis Miller became a student of the Angola High School, and he also attended Hillsdale College. For eight terms after completing his education Mr. Miller taught school in Steuben County. After his marriage, however, he com- menced farming on the place now owned by his son, Guy E., and lived here the remainder of his useful life, his death occurring as the result of an accident, when he was run over by a wheat binder, he dying ten minutes later. He and his wife had two chil- dren, namely: Guy E. and Mary E. The daughter, married Henry Voight, an engineer on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. After the death of his first wife Marquis Miller was married to Mrs. Ellen Walter, widow of Calvin Walter. Guy E. Miller grew up on his father’s farm and attended the district schools of his native township and the Tri-State College at Angola. In 1905 he was married to Annetta Wells, a daughter of Edgar Wells, and they have three children, namely: Mar- shall A., Hope E. and Russell E. At the time of his marriage Mr. Miller rented the homestead of 160 acres, and here he has since carried on general farming and stock raising. When his father died in July, 1917, he inherited the farm. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, in which both his parents were very active workers. They were ex- tremely religious people and exerted a strong influ- ence for good in their community. Guy E. Miller has devoted his life to farming, understands the business in all its details and takes a pride in living on the property which has been in his family for so many years. Both he and his wife are very popular in their neighborhood, and their many friends enjoy visiting at their pleasant rural home in Pleasant Township. Andrew Robert Badger has been well satisfied to spend all the years of his life in Steuben County. Prosperity has rewarded his labors and persevering efforts, and for many years he has enjoyed the good will and esteem of his home community. He has reared and provided for a family, and all these things are achievements worthy of a man s best ambition. Mr. Badger was born on the old Badger home- stead in Scott Township, September 26, 1852, a son of John C. and Sarah (Camp) Badger. His parents were both born in Morrow County, Ohio, were mar- ried in that state and came to Steuben County in 1850, settling in Scott Township. Their first home was on forty acres covered with heavy timber, and under the trees John Badger put up a rude log cabin. Later he bought another forty acres and eventually sold both tracts and bought eighty acres in York Town- ship. He also acquired sixteen acres known as the old Headley farm. His last days were spent on the forty acres in Scott Township where he had first settled. He cleared up- a large amount of land in Steuben County that is now cultivated to grain and other crops. He was a republican and a member of the Christian Church. To his marriage were born seven children : Melvin, Charles B., Andrew Robert, Joseph, Ada and John and one that died in childhood. Joseph and Ada are also deceased. Andrew Robert Badger grew up in Scott Town- ship, attended public school there and finished his education with two terms in the Angola High School. Since his school days were ended he has been a busy worker, and for several years as a young man was a carpenter. He now owns eighty acres in York Township, fifty-three acres in Scott Township and has done well with all departments of his farming and has specialized somewhat in pure bred Duroc Jersey hogs and Shropshire sheep. Mr. Badger is a republican and a member of the Christian Church. In 1878 he married Mrs. Alice Henney, of Steuben County. Of the six children born to their union four died in infancy. Their only living son, Roy, born in 1885, was educated in the public schools and is a miller by trade and now proprietor of the Berlin Mills. He married Emma Wilson and has one daughter, Lois. Lura Badger is the wife of Ford Kleckner and has two children, Robert and Alice. Emanuel Ulm is one of the oldest native born residents of Spencer Township, DeKalb County. He was born in that locality more than seventy years ago. He participated in some of the pioneer events in that section of the country and at the age of fourteen was delegated as an employe of Uncle 340 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Sam to carry the mail from Spencerville to Butler three times a week. He began his independent career with only a common school education and with no capital except his own good will and energy, and has made himself one of the prosperous and influ- ential citizens. During the late war Mr. Ulm was a subscriber to Liberty Bonds to the extent of $1,600. Mr. Ulm, whose farm is a mile and a half north of Spencerville, was born in the same locality, Decem- ber 22, 1847. Some of the interesting pioneer inci- dents of old Concord Township, now Spencer Town- ship, revolve around his father, Nelson Ulm, who came to the county in 1834. Nelson Ulm was born in Knox County, Ohio, lost his father when he was six years of age and was then bound out. He came to DeKalb County at the age of sixteen with Daniel Rhodes, another pioneer settler, and lived with and worked for Mr. Rhodes until he was. twenty-one. Nelson Ulm and the Rhodes family arrived in 1834, and Nelson Ulm located on the present site of Spencerville. In the fall of that year he drove from Fort Wayne the first hogs and cows ever brought to Spencerville, and during the following winter he took two bushels of corn on a hand sled to mill at Fort Wayne. Out of one of his experiences in the woods of this section he gave the name Buck Creek to one of the streams of DeKalb County. He mar- ried Elvira Lockwood, a native of Vermont. He was a democrat, and both were members of the Methodist Church. In the Ulm family were ten children, the two now living being Emanuel and Harlow, the latter of St. Joe, Indiana. Emanuel Ulm attended common schools to the age of fourteen and after that worked for his living. He made his first purchase of land when he bought twenty acres, and his present farm comprises ninety- five acres. He is a general farmer, and out of the land he has earned his prosperity. He is a stock- holder in the bank at Spencerville and his good business judgment has caused him to be called upon to settle several estates. He is a democrat in politics. April 15, 1872, Mr. Ulm married Mary A. Gill. She was born in Stark County, Ohio, and was edu- cated in the common schools. The}' had two sons. The older, John E., is a farmer in Spencer Town- ship. Walter E., who died at the age of twenty-six, was a graduate of high school, attended college at Valparaiso and was a teacher. Frank B. Cline is proprietor of a prosperous and well ordered farm in Bloomfield Township of La- Grange County, which has been his home over a quarter of a century. However, he has lived in this township of LaGrange County practically all his life and his people came here in pioneer times. He was born in Bloomfield Township June 27, 1864, a son of William A. and Mary Eliza (Spears) Cline. His mother was a native of Springfield Township, LaGrange County, while his father was born in Ohio, a son of William and Ellen (Gibney) Cline. Ellen Gibney was born either in Ireland or in this country soon after her parents came from Ireland. William Cline, who was probably born in Pennsylvania, came with his wife to LaGrange County at an early day. The maternal grandfather of Frank B. Cline was Thomas Spears, who came from Ohio about 1835 and entered eighty acres of heavily timbered government land just north of Brushy Prairie. He died there in 1850, and his widow subsequently became the wife of Mr. Sears, grandfather of Charles Sears, a well-known La- Grange County farmer. She owned the farm on which the Village of Helmer now stands, and spent her last years there. William A. Cline was reared in Ohio and came to LaGrange County with his parents about the time he reached his majority. After his marriage he moved to a farm in Bloomfield Township and lived there until his death. He and his wife had five children: Milton, who died in infancy; Mary J., wife of Orval Anderson, occupying the old Cline homestead: Frank B. ; Nellie, Mrs. Charles Hill, and Mrs. Rachel L. Smith. Frank B. Cline received his educational advantages in his native county, including one year in the Howe High School. Since then he has been a farmer and about twenty-six years ago removed to his present farm, where he has developed the land and put up all the substantial buildings. For the last four years he has given particular attention to the breeding of Jersey cattle. Mr. Cline is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. February 3, 1887. he married Miss Carrie Hackett. She was born in Wisconsin but her father, Minor Hackett, lived for a number of years in LaGrange County. Mr. and Mrs. Cline have two children : Fred S. and Vera Lucile. Fred, associated with bis father on the farm, married in the fall of 1911, Miss Troy B. Marks, a daughter of Charles B. Marks of LaGrange County. They have two chil- dren: Lloyd M. and Gladys Merle. Vera Lucile is the wife of William Hostettler, in the garage busi- ness at Topeka, Indiana. Albert G. Grubb, M. D. For a quarter of a cen- tury Doctor Grubb practiced medicine and carried on various responsibilities in the business and civic affairs of the community of Mongo. He has the distinction of being the oldest volunteer from LaGrange County in the late World war. He entered the Medical Corps and rose to the rank of captain Sinc.e his discharge he has been located at LaGrange. Doctor Grubb was born in Hancock County, Ohio, January 15, 1862, a son of William B. and Nancy (Warner) Grubb. His father was born in Hancock County, in 1833 and his mother in Wood County, Ohio, in 1835. They were married in Hancock County and in the fall of 1865 came to LaGrange County, Indiana, and settled in the Village of Van Buren. William B. Grubb was also a physician and surgeon, and his services joined with those of his son give a continuous record of the Grubb family in this profession in LaGrange County for more than half a century. He practiced medicine at Van Buren until a few years before his death, and then moved to Montagne, Michigan, where he died August 14, 1901. His wife died near the Village of Van Buren in 1879. He married for his second wife Ada Dalton, daughter of James Dalton, of Van Buren Township. By this marriage there is one son, Earl Grubb, a farmer in Springfield Township. Dr. Albert G. Grubb was the only one of his mother’s children to survive infancy. The elder Doctor Grubb was a democrat in politics. Albert G. Grubb received his education in the schools of Van Buren Township, and by attending the LaGrange County Normal was prepared for his early career as a teacher. He taught in Van Buren Township, in St. Joseph County, Michigan, and also during a residence of four years in Kansas. Doctor Grubb soon after his marriage moved out to Kansas. He engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with T. J. Thurston, a former resident of LaGrange County, a native of Van Buren Town- ship and a soldier of the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry in the Civil war. Mr. Thurston is now seventy-six years of age and resides at Seattle, Washington. Doctor Grubb also published a newspaper at Alton, Kansas, the Western Empire. He sold this paper HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA • 341 and disposed of his other interests in the Sunflower State in 1889 and then entered the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons at Chicago. At his graduation in 1892 he received the gold medal for the highest general average in his classes through the entire course. In later years he did much post-graduate and clinical work, attending the New York Post- Graduate School, the Bellevue Hospital, and doing clinical work at Mayo Brothers in Rochester, Minne- sota, and at Chicago. He is a member of the County, State and American Medical Associations. After graduating Doctor Grubb located at Mongo, and was a busy practitioner there until 1917. Early in the war he joined the Medical Reserve Corps, was commissioned a first lieutenant, and on August 7, 1917, reported for duty at Fort Douglas, Utah. He was assigned to the Forty-Third Regiment, and was with that regiment until the 15th of October, when he was ordered to Garfield, Utah, and made head medical supervisor of ten camps, five in Utah and five in Idaho. January 3, 1918, he was commissioned captain, and was ordered back to Fort Douglas, Utah, where he continued on duty until receiving his honorable discharge on account of disability February 22, 1918. Doctor Grubb on September 9, 1918, located at LaGrange, and here has resumed his private practice. While at Mongo Doctor Grubb was one of the directors and vice president of the Mongo State Bank and was a member of the committee when the new bank building was erected. He donated ground for the Mongo Knights of Pythias hall and also platted an addition to the village, all of the lots in which have been sold. He also built a private hos- pital there, and he still owns the old Henry Rank dwelling, which has been remodeled by him. Doctor Grubb is interested in farm lands in Springfield Township. Politically he is a republican. Some years ago he was appointed trustee to fill an unex- pired term, and was a trustee when the high school building was erected at Mongo. He resigned the office before the close of his term. In 1884 he married Miss Martha E. Meteer, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Meteer, of Van Buren Township. To their marriage were born six children, the oldest, Cecil, dying at the age of three years. Sylvia is a graduate of the Howe High School, attended the State Normal School in Michigan, and is a graduate of the Bush Temple Conservatory of Music in Chicago. She taught music in Springfield Township in the schools of Mongo and Brighton, and is now the wife of Charles Paul. They live in Elkhart, Indiana, and have three children, Elizabeth, Charles and Robert, the last two being twins. Fern Grubb is a graduate of the Mongo High School and of Saint Luke’s Training School for Nurses at Chicago. She took the state examination at Indianapolis and is now a registered nurse in the state. She is the wife of Dr. Dale C. Weir, of Mongo, and the mother of one daughter Mary Jean. Carlie, the fourth in the family, is a graduate of the Mongo High School and the wife of Fred Deal, a son of Louis E. Deal. Mr. and Mrs. Deal live on a farm near Plato in Bloomfield Town- ship, and have two children, Albert Louis and Marion. Mildred Grubb, a graduate of the Mongo High School, is the wife of Louie Londick, formerly of Three Rivers, Michigan, and now a merchant at - Fennville in that state. Doctor Grubb’s youngest child is Millicent, who is a graduate of the Mongo High School and the LaGrange High School and is still at home. C. L. Shatenberger has been a resident in the Fremont community of Steuben County for over twenty years, has been a farmer and still owns a large and well improved farm in that locality, and is concerned with many of the leading business in- terests of the city of Fremont. Mr. Shatenberger was born in Rollersville, Ohio, March 15, 1867. His grandparents were Peter and Margaret Shatenberger. Peter Shatenberger, a na- tive of Alsace-Lorraine, came to America when a young man after his marriage, and at first located in New York City. His two children were named Margaret and Peter. Peter Shatenberger, Jr., was born in New York State, July 15, 1836, and was a farmer and carpenter at Rollersville, Ohio, and spent practically all his life in that state. Much of his time was devoted to the carpenter trade. He died April 1, 1892. He married Susannah Sheesley, born at Rollersville, Ohio, June 8, 1848, daughter of John Sheesley. She and her husband were reared Lutherans and later became affiliated with the Meth- odist Church. Their children were two in number, William Henry and C. L. Shatenberger. C. L. Shatenberger attended the public schools of Ohio in Sandusky County, had experience as a young man with work on a farm, and on December 24, 1889, married Sarah Boor. The first two years after their marriage they spent in Sandusky County, Ohio, on a farm, but in t8q 2 Mr. Shatenberger engaged in the general merchandise business at Rollersville. He was in business there and prospered for four years, but in 1896 sold out and about six months later came to Fremont Township of Steuben County. In the spring of 1897 he moved to Fremont to take charge of a dry goods business, and continued that work two years. He then returned to a farm in the same township and was actively identified with agricultural pursuits for seven years. Since then he has made his home at Fremont, but still owns and gives his supervision to a fine farm of 280 acres. Mr. Shatenberger’s other interests are represented by stock in the First State Bank, the local flour mill, the Cider and Jelly Mill, and he is president of the Hammel Milling Company of Fremont. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church, and he is affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees. Mrs. Shatenberger is a daughter of William C. and Sarah B. (Stockhouse) Boor. Her father was born August 25, 1833, and her mother March 24, 1840. William C. Boor was a native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and moved from there to Sandusky County, Ohio, and in 1893 located at Fre- mont, Indiana, where he was interested in farming and the dry goods business. In Ohio he had owned oil property and operated oil wells. He died at Fre- mont, October 17, 1902, and his wife passed away in Ohio October 21, 1888. Mrs. Shatenberger’s grand- parents were William and Sarah (Cessna) Boor. Peter Snowberger. While for nearly forty years Mr. Snowberger has been quietly engaged in farm- ing and other community activities in Steuben Township, his life on the whole has presented a great variety, beginning with a boyhood service in the Union army, following which he made a number of different ventures in different places. He has always been a man of independent spirit, and willing to work out his problems and destiny with the re- sources and means at hand. He .was born in Ashland County, Ohio, February 12, 1848, a son of David and Evaline (Haughey) Snowberger. His father was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in 1820, and his mother in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1822. They were married in Ohio February 21, 1845, and four years later, in October, 1849, arrived in Steuben County, settling on land in Steuben Township which David had en- tered from the Government the preceding year. On HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 342 his eighty acres he cleared a space and erected a log house, and eventually had much of the land in cul- tivation. His wife died there June 12, 1888, and he spent his last days with his son Peter and passed away March 7, 1900. His children were Robert, Peter, Henry D., Timothy, Alva, besides two that died in infancy and a daughter, Alice, who died at the age of three years. David Snowberger was a democrat until the war and then became a loyal re- publican, and all his sons followed his example in politics. For some time he and his wife were mem- bers of the Church of God and later were Dunkards. Peter Snowberger grew up on the home farm in Steuben Township, attended the public schools and for one term was in school at Angola under Pro- fessor Carlin. He was not yet eighteen years old when he enlisted in March, 1865, in Company D of the 155th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He w.as with his regiment until mustered out and given his hon- orable discharge in August of the same year. Upon his release from military duty he returned to Steuben County, and did some work in contracting and also for his father until he reached his majority. Then near Pleasant Lake he and his brother Robert bought fifty acres, included in the present Willis Dale farm. Later he sold his interest to his brother and then became associated with John Crampton, operating a threshing outfit. They threshed many fields of grain in Steuben County fifty years ago. Next, join- ing with his brother Henry he bought forty acres in DeKalb County, increased the area of their hold- ings by another forty acres, and again sold out to his brother. Mr. Snowberger then left Indiana and went to Kansas, where he bought 160 acres in Sum- ner County. He had all the experiences of a Kansas pioneer and for ten years owned a farm there but sold it in 1880. He began with a small tract of land in Steuben Township which now has become a well proportioned farm of 143M acres. Much of it has been cleared under his ownership and it has been improved with excellent buildings and is a fine place both for crops and for livestock. Mr. Snowberger is a republican, and for some time was affiliated with the progressive wing of that party. For two terms he was township supervisor. He is a member of the Grand Army Post. December 6, 1874, he married Miss Martha Jane Teeters. She was born in Steuben Township, February 1, 1856, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Ann (Kogan) Teeters, who were early day settlers in Steuben County, first locating near Hudson in Salem Township and afterward moving to Steuben Township, where her father died Feb- ruary 18, 1879, at the age of fifty-two. Her mother died at seventy. Mr. and Mrs. Snowberger had four children: Frank, who died at the age of three and a half years ; Edward, who is unmarried and still at home ; Blanche, also at home ; and Bessie, who is the wife of Jesse McClughen, living at Helmer, and they have one child, Maxine. Mrs. Snowberger’s father was a stock buyer and also operated a cheese factory and a chair factory north of Hudson. He was a prosperous business man and at one time owned 420 acres in Steuben County. Mrs. Snowberger’s mother was a member of the United Brethren Church, while she is affiliated with the Christian denomination. Mr. Snowberger is a member of Ashley Lodge No. 614, Free and Accepted Masons, and Ashley Chapter Royal Arch Masons. Elza Shull. The Shull family came to DeKalb County in pioneer times and have been identified with its farming and civic interests for over seventy years. Elza Shull, who owns and directs the opera- tions of a large farm in Jackson Township, was born at Auburn, October 31, 1886. His parents were Henry C. and Rosa A. (Cramer) Shull. His father was born in Keyser Township, DeKalb County, July 28, 1846, and died in Novem- ber, 1908. His wife was born in Ohio, January 13, 1846, and died in August, 1914. They were married September 5, 1869, and lived in Auburn for several years. Henry C. Shull was a teacher and later a prosperous dairy farmer. He was in the dairy business and supplied pure milk for nineteen years. He owned about 200 acres of land and his last years were spent in looking after his property. He was also proprietor of a wagon and buggy works at Auburn. He was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. In their family were seven children, five of whom are still living: Carrie, wife of Isaiah Wert; Alice, wife of George Leyda, of Grand Rapids, Michigan ; Flarry M., who is a farmer in Union Township of DeKalb County and is present trustee of that township, being the second republi- can ever chosen to that office; Elza; and Earl, of Auburn. Elza Shull grew up in Auburn, attended the public schools and the high school, and on September 10, 1910, married Ida Hess. She was born in Kansas but was living in Butler Township at the time of her marriage. They have one daughter, Helen, born May 22, 1915. Mr. Shull is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and is a republican in politics. He farms eighty acres of land and is a member of the Ship- pers Association. Pius Alton Long. One of the complete and ade- quate farms of LaGrange County is the Pleasant Hill Farm in Bloomfield Township, the proprietor of which is Pius Alton Long, member of a family of prominent standing in the county since pioneer times, and a citizen who has kept his business affairs progressing and is now in the high tide of his career as a stockman and farmer. Mr. Long was born in Greenfield Township of LaGrange County June 25, 1873, a son of David J. and Mary Ann (Moshier) Long. The Moshier family came from Berne, Switzerland. The paternal grandparents, David and Sarah (Baer) Long, were natives of Pennsylvania, moved from there to Ohio, where David J. Long was born, as was also his wife, Mary Ann Moshier. The grandparents on coming to LaGrange County settled on a farm near Brighton, where they spent the rest of their days. David J. Long was one of nine children and was a small boy when brought to LaGrange County. He finished his education in the LaGrange Collegiate Institute at Ontario, and then became a farmer in Greenfield Township. Later he moved to Bloomfield Town- ship, and his success enabled him to accumulate 640 acres. He was both a farmer and stock buyer for many years. He died on the farm where his son Pius A. now lives, and his widow survived him about four years and passed away at LaGrange. He was a republican in politics and was honored with several township offices. He and his wife had four children : Pius A., William, Maude and Daniel. The last three were born in Bloomfield Township. Will- iam is a resident of Sturgis, Maude is the wife of George Choler, of LaGrange, and Daniel is also a resident of LaGrange. Pius Alton Long attended the Pleasant Hill School, also the LaGrange High School, and has been on the old farm ever since his parents moved there. He owns 255 acres and has many improve- ments. He keeps good grade stock, and has done much to improve the working power of the com- munity by maintaining a stable headed by a Belgian stallion and a full-blood Jack. He is a republican in politics and served two terms as assessor of HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 343 Bloomfield Township and one year as deputy assessor. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Gleaners. His father was a Dunkard in religion, while the mother was a Lutheran. June 27, 1909, Mr. Long married Miss Io Bernice Adams, a native of Branch County, Michigan, daughter of Giles Adams. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Long are named Madola Maude, Giles David, Mildred Orva, Clarence Amos and Marjorie Ellen. Hon. Cyrus Cline, who ably represented the Twelfth Indiana District in Congress from 1909 to 1917, the Sixty-First to the Sixty-Fourth Congresses, inclusive, has been a member of the Angola bar for over thirty-five years. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, July 12, 1856, a son of Michael and Barbara (Orewiler) Cline. His parents, who were natives of Ohio, moved to Steuben County in 1857 and settled on a farm five miles northeast of Angola. In 1873 the family moved to Angola, where the father died February 28, 1878, at the age of forty-nine. Mr. Cline’s mother passed away August 5, 1918, aged eighty-eight. Michael Cline was a democrat up to i860 and after that a republican. He filled the office of county commissioner in Steuben County and at the time of his death was township trustee of Pleas- ant Township. He and his wife were members of the Christian Church. Their family consisted of Cyrus ; Melissa, wife of O. F. Rakestraw ; Esther, widow of John Zabst; Alvisa, wife of Amos Cory; Elizabeth, wife of Ezra L. Dodge ; Nancy, wife of David Wood; Virgil, an Angola photographer; and Grace, wife of J. L. Machin. Cyrus Cline was educated in Steuben County, taking his" high school work at Angola. After a year or so of teaching he entered Hillsdale College, Michigan, in 1873, and was graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in 1876 and two years later received his Master of Arts degree. Mr. Cline served as county superintendent of schools of Steu- ben County from 1877 to 1883. In the meantime he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1884, and has since been engaged in a general law practice at Angola. He was elected a member of the Sixty- First Congress in November, 1908, and his service of eight years involved a critical and vital period in our national history. Mr. Cline was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Angola in 1903, and served as its president for seven years. He is still one of its directors and is also a director of the First State Bank of Pleasant Lake, which he also helped organ- ize. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and in 1906 was illustrious grand master of the Grand Council. He attends and supports the Congregational Church. October 6, 1880, he married Jennie Gibson, a native of Vermont. She was born in 1858. They have one daughter, Carrie, who is a graduate of the Tri-State College and the University of Chicago, and has been an instructor in the Angola High School. David J. Norris, a resident of LaGrange County since 1876, is a highly respected and widely known old citizen, a prosperous land owner and in the past has figured influentially and prominently in the of- ficial affairs of both Clay Township and the county. Mr. Norris was born in Huntingdon County, Penn- sylvania, February 1, 1847, a son of Thomas and Nancy (Snyder) Norris. He represents some of the old families of Pennsylvania. His mother, a native of Clearfield County, was a daughter of Louis and Susanna Snyder. Louis Snyder was born in Germany, a son of Louis, Sr., who was a member of the German nobility and brought his family to America in colonial times and took part in the war for independence. This Revolutionary veteran lived to be 1 17 years old and was active until the end. His wife attained the age of 107. Louis Snyder was a large land owner in Clearfield County, Penn- sylvania. David Norris’ grandparents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Enyeart) Norris, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Joseph Norris was a slave owner and planter in Maryland, but on moving to Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, took his slaves with him and gave them their freedom. Thomas Norris was a Huntingdon County farmer, a successful business man, and spent all his life on the place where he was born. His children were : Luden, who served in the Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry during the Civil war, David J., Eliza, Samuel, Rachel, Susan, Jane, Louis, Reuben, Joseph, Ella and Martin. David J. Norris grew up in a country and district where his family had so many associations, attended the common schools and began his career as a farmer in his native county. On coming to La- Grange County in 1876 he settled in Clay Township, has lived there more than forty years, and has ac- quired a valuable farming property, comprising 240 acres, with a model group of buildings. Mr. Norris married Mary A. Heffner, a daughter of Jacob and Susanna (Grubb) Heffner. Her father was a Union soldier during the Civil war and was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness. Mr. and Mrs. Norris have five children, named Hiram, Flora, Thomas T., Rollen and Ruth. The last named has been a teacher for the past four years. For nine years Mr. Norris was honored with the responsibilities of the office of trustee of Clay Town- ship. He also served three years as a commissioner of the county. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, . the Royal Arch Chapter at LaGrange and the Knight Templar Commandery at Kendallville. Franklin Wade Crampton, like all the members of the Crampton family in Steuben County, has shown great capability in business affairs, particular- ly as a' farmer. He owns one of the good farms of Steuben Township, near Pleasant Lake, and is also a business man of Angola. The farm which he now owns was his birthplace. He was born April 18, 1891, son of Herbert and Amy (Bartlett) Crampton. His father was born in England in 1847 and his mother was born in i860. The grandfather, William Crampton, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1817, married Mary Ohtfield. He came to America alone in 1849 and afterward sent back for his family. He did not have enough money to pay for forty acres of wild land, but his good management and hard work eventually brought him one of the best farms in the county. Herbert Crampton was three years old when he came to Steuben County, and he grew up in the township of that name, attending public schools. His first land purchase was eighty acres now owned by H. J. Crampton, a son of Ford Crampton. Her- bert and his brother William also owned a farm in DeKalb County. Later he bought 168 acres com- prised in the homestead jointly owned by Franklin W. and his sister. Here he lived and prospered until his death in 1911. His wife died in 1909. Herbert Crampton was a republican and he and his wife were Baptists. They had four children: Ford, deceased; Mabel; Franklin Wade; and Ruth, who died in infancy. Franklin Wade Crampton attended the district 344 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA schools and the Pleasant Lake High School. He is one of the younger farmers and at the same time is one of the most progressive citizens of Steuben Township. He owns seventy-three acres of the old homestead, his sister, Mrs. Mabel Wolf, owning the rest. He also has another place of eighty acres in the same township, and is using the land profitably for general farming purposes. Mr. Crampton in 1914 built a shop at Butler to do vulcanizing work, and has built up a very successful business in that line. He is an independent republican _ in politics and with his family worships in the Baptist faith. April 19, 1909, he married Miss Barbara Brooks. She was born in Steuben County, October 21, 1890, a daughter of Elroy and Ella (Robinett) Brooks, of Angola. Mr. and Mrs. Crampton have three chil- dren : Myrick, born August 9, 1910; Ned, born March 17, 1913; and Amy Maxine, born November 23, I9I4- George T. Parsell. It has been the good fortune of George T. Parsell to have his. home associations centered around one spot from birth until the pres- ent time. The farm he owns today in Jackson Township of Steuben County was where he was born May 22, 1867. Mr. Parsell has the reputation of being one of the leading farmers of Steuben County, and when only seventeen years old he began buying and dealing in livestock, and in that business his name has become well known throughout North- eastern Indiana. He is a son of Thomas B. and Caroline (Klink) Parsell, and some further history regarding these old and well known Steuben County families is found on other pages. Mr. Parsell grew up on the homestead and attended local schools and the Angola High School. He acquired 120 acres of the home farm in 1893, and in 1908 he bought eighty-seven acres adjoining and in 1913 acquired another eighty acres. Thus his management as a farmer and stock man extends to 287 acres, improved with excellent buildings, and is a first class crop and stock farm. During past years he has been an extensive feeder of sheep, cattle and hogs. Mr. Parsell is a republican in politics, but without official record, and for thirty-three years has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He is a member of the Lodge at Salem Center and for twenty years has been affiliated with the encampment. May 24, 1891, he married Miss Estella M. Davis. She was born in Salem Township, October 15, 1868, a daughter of Edwin and Theresa (Dreher) Davis. Her father, who was born in 1828 and died in 1871, was a son of Abram and Nancy (Conklin) Davis, among the earliest settlers of Steuben County. Abram Davis spent his last years in Missouri. Theresa Dreher was a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Roeader) Dreher, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1804 and the latter in New Jersey. The Dreher family moved to Ohio, where Elizabeth Dreher died, and about i860 Daniel came on to Steuben County and lived there until his death in 1895, at the age of ninety-one. He and his wife had a family of thirteen children. Mrs. Parsell’s mother died in 1916, at the age of seventy-eight. Edwin Davis grew up in Salem Township, was married in that county, and had five children, named Melvina, Alfretta, Estella M., William and Edwin. Of these Mrs. Parsell is the only survivor. Mr. and Mrs. Parsell had four children : Ruth E. is the wife of J. LeRoy Boggs, of Pittsburg, and has a daughter, Ruth Elizabeth. Winifred is the wife of Roscoe Warring, a son of Charles W. War- ring, of Steuben County. They have a son, Ralph Augustin, and a daughter, Helen. The third child, Z. A., died at the age of twenty-two months, and the youngest is Georgia Pauline, still at home with her parents. William B. Lawhead is a farmer in Butler Township, DeKalb County, has many well cultivated acres under his ownership and management, and is one of the solid and substantial citizens of that community. His home farm is in section 24 of Butler Township. Mr. Lawhead, whose family has been identified with DeKalb County for eighty years, was born in Jackson Township April 24, 1871, a son of James G. and Wealthy (Nelson) Lawhead. His great- grandparents were James and Martha Lawhead, who came to DeKalb County in 1839 from Wayne County, Ohio. James Lawhead died in 1854 and his wife in 1880. Their son Benjamin Lawhead, grand- father of William B., was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1820, went with his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1834, and was still a young man when he arrived in DeKalb County. In 1843 he married Mary Jane Essig, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1821. Benjamin Lawhead bought a farm in section 17 of Jackson Township in 1851. James G. Lawhead was also a native of Jackson Township, and he married Wealthy Nelson in 1870. She died April 25, 1877, leaving two chil- dren, William B. and Queen Victoria, the latter becoming the wife of Eli Amstutz and dying in 1917. In 1879 James G. Lawhead married Eliza Walter, and they had five children: Gertrude, de- ceased; Walter, who died in infancy; Frank, an attorney in Detroit, Michigan ; Kirby, a farmer of Jackson Township; and Dr. Nixon Lawhead, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Lawhead, the mother of these five children, is living in Auburn, Indiana. William B. Lawhead was six years old when his mother died and he grew up on the home farm in Jackson Township, acquired a common school educa- tion and remained with his father to the age of twenty-one. In April, 1894, he married Sarah McKinley, who was born in DeKalb County. They have three children: James G., who is a graduate of the Garrett High School and was with the American forces in France in 1918-19; Archie R., who is at home; and Orpha D., a graduate of the high school and for one year was a teacher. The operations of Mr. Lawhead as a general farmer are conducted on his home place of 101 acres in Butler Township and forty acres in Jackson Township. Walter B. Tingley is one of the later comers to LaGrange County, where he has acquired a good farm and has shown a great deal of progressive enterprise in improving his own property and identi- fying himself with the welfare of his community in Greenfield Township. Mr. Tingley was born in Mercer County, Ohio, October 15, 1876, a son of John B. and Martha (Baltzell) Tingley. His father died in 1901 and his mother in 1898. He spent his active life as a farmer in Mercer County, Ohio, and was a democrat in politics. Walter B. Tingley, one of nine children, five of whom are still living, grew up on the home farm in Mercer County, and had a public school educa- tion, spending one year in the Rockford High School. Later he bought the old home place, and kept it until he sold to his brother-in-law, and on February 1, 1911, bought a farm of 145 acres in Greenfield Township of LaGrange County. In 1917 he sold forty-five acres of this, but still has a place sufficient ; : HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 345 for his work and enterprise. He has improved the farm in many ways, and is a breeder of pure-bred Shropshire sheep. He is a democrat and member of the Methodist Church. In 1898 Mr. Tingley married Miss Bessie Bevmg- ton, of Van Wert, Ohio. They have six children, named Mildred, Leona, Pauline, Carl, Catherine and Madge. Two of the daughters have become success- ful teachers. Mildred is a graduate of the high school at Howe, attended the Tri-State College at Angola and spent one year in the Indiana State University. She is an instructor in the Howe High School. Leona is also a graduate of the Howe High School, spent one year in the Indiana State Univer- sity, and is a teacher at Ontario. John A. Croxton, prominent and widely known all over Steuben County as a banker, stock dealer and man of varied enterprise, was born at Angola September 11, 1874. The Croxtons are an old and prominent lamily of this part of Indiana. His parents were William G. and Sarah (Carter) Croxton. William G. Croxton, who was born in Ohio in 1834, came to Steuben County in early days, and was a lawyer by profession. At one time he practiced in partnership with Joseph Woodhull. He and Orville Carver organized the Steuben County State Bank in 1889, and Mr. Croxton was its president until his death in 1903. He also acquired a large amount of land in the county. He was an Odd Fellow and liberal in his religious views. He married after coming to Steuben County. He had three sons : Mark, who died at the age of five years ; Paul A., who died in 1905, at the age of thirty-six; and John A. John A. Croxton, who was five years old when his mother died, grew up at Angola, attended the high school and the Tri-State College, and at the age of eighteen began buying livestock. He was in that business continuously for twenty-five years. In the Spanish-American war he went with the Second Illinois Infantry in the capacity of a team- ster to Cuba. He was a farmer and livestock man, and still owns a large place adjoining the Fair Grounds. His father was one of the organizers of the Steuben County Agricultural Association. Mr. Croxton left the farm in 1902 and was engaged in the livestock business until 1918, since which date he has given much of his time to the buying of wool and hay. He is now president of the Steuben County State Bank, having succeded his brother Paul in that office in 1905. “ Mr. Croxton is a Knight Templar Mason and Shriner and a democrat in politics. He married Jennie A. Anderson in 1900. She was born in Steuben County, a daughter of John and Mary Anderson. Mr. Croxton is. the father of five chil- dren, Mark E., Marion C., William Paul, Jack A. and Emily Ruth. Orville Goodale Stevens, a native of Steuben County, has been a partner in the Goodale Abstract Company of Angola since 1914. He was born at Metz, October 29, 1883, son of Abraham and Florence Amelia Stevens. His father was, born in Philadelphia, August 2, 1840, and his mother was born in Metz, Indiana, August 4, 1848. Orville Goodale Stevens finished his education in the Tri-State Normal College and completed his civil engineering course in the College of Engineering there in 1908. The following six years until 1914 he followed his profession, and was engaged in heavy construction and contracting in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Stevens since 1916 has been president of the Board of Children’s Guardians. He is treasurer of the Angola School Board, having filled that position since August, 1917. Fremont Folck. There are many advantages of living in one neighborhood continuously, and those who have centered their interests upon a community are more attached to it than if they had moved from one place to another, severing connections and uprooting ties of friendship and business co-opera- tion. The fertility of the soil of Steuben County, its desirable location with reference to transportation facilities, combined with the character of its people, seem to form a combination difficult of resistance, and the majority of its citizens have lived here the greater portion of their lives, and many of them are native sons of the county. One of these men who is recognized as a useful and competent aid in the development and preservation of the agricultural prominence of this section is Fremont Folck, a pros- perous farmer of Scott Township. Fremont Folck was born on his present farm in section 11, Scott Township, Steuben County, Indiana, February 13, 1863, a son of John K, Folck and grandson of Abram and Hannah Folck. John K. Folck was born in Pennsylvania, April 30, 1823, and when he was four years of age his parents brought him West as far as Knox County, Ohio, from whence removal was made a little later to Morrow County, Ohio, and there John K. Folck was reared. In 1841 he left Morrow County and made an ex- perimental trip to Steuben County, Indiana, travel- ing alone and on foot. Not being satisfied, he re- turned home, but in 1845 went back, and, selecting a tract of land, remained on it long enough to girdle the trees for future clearing. In 1847 he moved to Steuben County with his family and settled on land which is now a portion of section 11, Scott Town- ship. His farm comprised - 160 acres of land, and the brick schoolhouse of District No. 1 is on the southwest corner of the original entry. In 1843 John K. Folck was married first to Mar- garet Valentine in Morrow County, Ohio, who was a native of Seneca County, Ohio, and she died in 1859, aged thirty-six years, leaving five daughters, all of whom married, they being as follows : Mrs. Sarah L. Weiss, Mrs. Hattie E. Myers, Mrs. Ann E. Dygert, Mrs. Mary A. Henry and Mrs. J. C. Fulmer. In i860 John K. Folck was married to Mrs. Martha Rathburn, a daughter of Samuel Nichols, and they had one son, Fremont Folck. The second Mrs. Folck died in 1863, aged thirty-five years. The third marriage of John K. Folck occurred in 1870, when he was united with Mrs. Louise Headley, widow of Daniel Headley, an early settler of Steuben County. Mrs. Folck was always prominent in local affairs, and was very active in promoting the development of Scott Township in every respect. He served as as- sessor of the township for two terms, and was ap- praiser for one term under the old system. Prior to the organization of the republican party he was a strong abolitionist, but with the birth of the new party he accepted its principles and voted its ticket the remainder of his life, he being spared until 1907. When he came to Scott Township his land was covered with timber, and he cleared this off with his own hands and made his farm one of the best in the township. While not a member of any church, as he was very liberal in his religious views, he took part in forwarding all good work, and was a man - of high moral rectitude. It was his boast that he never used either tobacco or intoxicants in any form, and to this in part he attributed his long life and mental and physical activity. He was a man who possessed the broader sense of responsibility which made him feel it incumbent upon him to so order his life as to set an example for those weaker than he, and few men were held in such high respect by all who had the honor of his acquaintance. 346 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Fremont Folck attended the schools of Scott Township and learned farming under his father’s efficient direction. After attaining to his majority he began farming the homestead, and has con- ducted it on his own account for thirty-six years. All of the modern improvements on the farm have been made by him, and it is now an exceedingly valuable property. In 1906 he built a large barn on modern principles, and his other buildings are equally suitable for the purposes for which they are used. He carries on general farming and stock raising, specializing on breeding blooded O. I. S. Chester-White hogs and Shropshire sheep. On April 5, 1887, Mr. Folck was united in mar- riage with Rebecca Huffman, a daughter of John and Mary Huffman, and they have the following- children : Dorsey, who married Mildred Gundrahin, Ford and John K. Mr. Folck is a charter member of Fremont Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Like his father he has rendered efficient service as a public official, having been assessor of Scott Township for four years and commissioner of Steuben County from 1905 to 1911. Mr. Folck has devoted himself to mastering one line of business, and his success proves that it is desirable to have a definite aim in life and press forward toward that goal. Orville Goodale, one of the most prominent and widely known citizens of Steuben lownship, was born m York Township of that county, March 11, 1846, a son of Burdett B. and Mary Ann (Macart- ney) Goodale. His father was born near Wethers- field, Connecticut, in 1817, and his mother in 1821 at New York City. The paternal grandfather was Joseph Goodale, who moved from Connecticut to the Western Reserve of Ohio and in 1843 settled in Steuben County in Richland Township. His chil- dren were Burdett, Dewitt, Gera, Juliette, Emily and John, all now deceased. Burdett Goodale was educated in Ohio and first came to Steuben County about 1837, .but did not make permanent settlement until 1842, when he located on a farm in York Township. He was a carpenter as well as a farmer and also a local min- ister of the Christian Church. In politics he was a whig and free soiler, and his death occurred in June, 1855, before the organization of the republi- can party. He and his wife had the following chil- dren : Albert, who became a Union soldier in 1861 and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga; Charles W., a physician who served in the Civil war and spent his last years in Steuben County ; Orville ; and Florence Amelia, wife of Abraham Stevens. Orville Goodale acquired his early education in the public schools of York Township, attended Hills- dale College of Michigan, and was also a student at Angola," and for about twelve years taught, being connected with the select and public schools at Metz. He completed his education in Hiram College of Ohio. In the intervals of teaching he spent his sum- mers in farming. In 1878, at the age of thirty-two, he was elected clerk of courts of Steuben County and reelected in 1882, filling that office for eight years. During his official term he also looked after his farming interests. In 1893 he bought a half interest in an abstract office which had been established by his uncle, Francis Macartney. It was continued as the Goodale Abstract Office, and Mr. Goodale was associated in partnership with his nephew, Burdett B. Goodale, for four years, this nephew having bought the interests of Francis Macartney. Mr. Goodale later sold his interests to his niece, Miss Callie Brandeberry. Mr. Goodale now owns a farm of sixty acres near Lake James, where he spends his summers, and has a good town home in Angola. He is an independent republican in politics, served as a member of the City Council of Angola six years, and for a long time was secretary of the Steuben County Agricultural Association. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. October 3, 1867, he married Miss Mary Fast, who was born in Steuben County in 1850, a daughter of Christian and Henrietta (Soule) Fast. Her people were pioneer settlers of Steuben County. Mr. and Mrs. Goodale have four children : Winifred, a graduate in literature and music from the Tri-State Normal College at Angola, is the wife of Rev. B. S. Ferrall, a prominent minister of the Christian Church, who has had one pastorate at Buffalo, New York, for eighteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrall have a daughter, Mary, who is married and has a daughter, Ellen. Albert W. Goodale, a physician at Orland, Indiana, married Eva Morse. Mamie is the widow of Byron Allison, deceased, and has a daughter, Byrona. Ralph H., the youngest child, is professor of English at Hiram College, Ohio. He married Hazel Litchfield and has a son, Edmund Elliott. Albert W. Goodale, M. D. A busy and successful physician who has made an enviable reputation pro- fessionally and as a good citizen at Orland, Dr. Goodale is a native of Steuben County, a son of Orville Goodale. Further reference to this well known family is made in preceding sketch. Dr. Goodale was born in Pleasant Township, a half mile north of Crooked Lake, and when about five years old the family moved to Angola, where he acquired his literary education. He was in the, public schools and high school, also the Tri-State Normal College, graduating in 1896, and he took his medical degree from the University of Buffalo in 1907. He spent one year as interne in a hospital at Detroit and did his first professional work in Salem Center. He was there one year and on Jan- uary 1, 1910, began his practice at Orland. He is a member of the County, State and American Medical Associations and in politics is a republican. November 9, 1899, he married Miss Morse, a daughter of Frank and Nellie (Nordly) Morse, of Angola. They have an adopted daughter, Hannah Winifred, now five years old. Dr. Goodale is af- filiated with Orland Lodge No. 225, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Orland Chapter of the Royal Arch. David T. Ober is a member of an old and well known family of DeKalb County, and he owns seventy-five acres in section 17 of Butler Township, most of which has been owned by and under the management of the Ober family for half a century. Mr. Ober was born in Bedford County, Pennsyl- vania, June 10, 1864, a son of Levi S. and Elizabeth (Teeter) Ober. His parents came from Bedford County, Pennsylvania, to Indiana in 1866 and spent the rest of their lives in section 17 of Butler Town- ship. Both parents were members of the Church of the Brethren or Dunkard. The record of this family, including that of the eight children of Levi Ober and wife, is given in more detail on other pages. David T. Ober was about two years old when brought to DeKalb County, and he grew up on the home farm and acquired an education in the district schools. He remained at home with his parents until he was past thirty-three years of age, and in that time he bore a large part of the responsibility in managing the fields and crops of his father. On July 4, 1897, he married Miss Sadie Pepple. She was born in Swan Township, Noble County, In- diana, November 29, 1875. She had a high school HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 347 education and for several years was a successful teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Ober have three children: Manford, born in February, 1900, who is a graduate of the common schools; Jesse E., born July 29, 1903, now in the second year of the Garrett High School; and Mary E., born August 16, 1905, who has com- pleted the grade school work. Mr. Ober and family are members of the Church of the Brethren and he is one of its trustees and deacons. Politically he is a republican. Aside from his interests as a farmer he is a stockholder in the Garrett elevator and the Fort Wayne Tire and Rubber Company. Fleming Barr. One of the oldest families estab- lished in LaGrange County is that of Barr, and one of its present representatives is Mr. Fleming Barr, of Greenfield Township. Mr. Barr, whose activities for many long years have identified him with farming, was born on his father’s homestead in Greenfield Township, near Scripture School House, August 26, 1852. He is a son of John and Matilda (Elya) Barr. His paternal grandparents, Amos and Vereba (Bloxton) Barr, in 1829 came to LaGrange County, Indiana, and after spending the winter at White Pigeon, Michigan, located in Greenfield Township and entered land now contained in the Hopkins farm. Amos Barr acquired a large amount of land and at his death owned 160 acres in Salem Township of Steuben County, besides his homestead property. His chil- dren were Naomi, Jane, Mary, Elizabeth, Nancy, Amos, Rhoda, John and Margaret. John Barr was born in Ohio in 1826, and was three years old when brought to Indiana. He grew up on the old homestead and married Matilda Elya, who was born at Batavia, New York, December 25, 1825, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Green) Elya. The Elya family came to Springfield Township of LaGrange County in 1847. David Elya at that time bought forty acres, later another forty acres, and he spent his last years in Springfield Township. His children were Mary Matilda and Julia, twins; Nancy and Bruce. John Barr received a good education, attending the LaGrange County Collegiate Institute. He inherited a part of the homestead and traded land with his sister, Mrs. Mary Ewing, who later became the wife of Fleming Hopkins. At the time of his death in 1883 John Barr owned 220 acres. He had lived retired for several years, for about one year at Sturgis, Michigan, and then in LaGrange. His death, however, occurred on the old farm. His widow spent her last years with her daughter Libbie Anderson at Sturgis, Michigan, where she died in 1914. The father was a republican in politics and a member of the Masonic Order. His children were three in number: Julia Ann, wife of Charles Miller, of Greenfield Township; Fleming, and Libbie, wife of Milton Anderson. Fleming Barr grew up on the home farm, attended the public schools and the Orland Academy, and for eight winters was a teacher. Since early manhood he has been engaged in farming and in 1879 he bought forty acres and also owned forty acres of the old homestead. His present place comprises 100 acres, and he has remodeled the house and placed many other improvements. He is a repub- lican and served as trustee of Greenfield Township six years and for five years filled the office of assessor. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Mongo. He was also road super- visor nine years. On September 1, 1878, he married Miss Ella Fre- leigh. She was born in Springfield Township, near Mongo, January 5, 1859, a daughter of John Frank- lin and Susan Ann (Shepardson) Freleigh. Her mother was a daughter of Otis and Susan (Gibbs) Shepardson. John Franklin Freleigh was born in Ontario County, New York, in 1829, and in 1836 went with his parents to Sandusky County, Ohio, and in 1845 settled in Scott Township of Steuben County, Indiana. Later he located in LaGrange County, where he married. He died December 5, 1890, and his widow December 8, 1900. They were the parents of five children: Eva Jane, Ida May, Ella, Arthur Pliney and Frank Leander. Mr. and Mrs. Barr were the parents of five chil- dren. Lillie May, the oldest, was born April 1, 1879, and is the wife of Milo H. Weaver. Her daughter, Irma Mildred, is the wife of Jeremiah Allen Wilber. Estella, the second of the family, was born Novem- ber 19, 1880, and died September 8, 1881. Alma Veda was born April 16, 1882, and was first married to Samuel Lint, by whom she had one child, Cleola Margaret, and after the death of her first husband she became the wife of Archie Roberts on Septem- ber 2, 1916, and by that marriage has a daughter, Eileen. John, born July 24, 1883, died June 7, 1884. The youngest of the family is Frank Arthur Barr, who was born April 21, 1885, is a graduate of the LaGrange High School and the Tri-State College, and for two years was principal of the Brighton High School. He began teaching at the age of eighteen and has also been a farmer. He owns a place of forty acres. He married Hulda Wilber. Their children are Ralph Wilber, Leona May, Mil- dred Margaret, who died in infancy, and Harold. Ephraim C. Lantz is at once one of the busiest men and also one of those with the largest number of active business interests in the Topeka com- munity. While he lives on his farm a half mile south of that village in Eden Township, he spends much of his time in Topeka, where he is president of the leading bank and an extensive dealer in live- stock. Mr. Lantz was born in Elkhart Township of Noble County September 17, 1869, a son of Noah and Lydia E. (Yoder) Lantz. His father was born in Fairfield County and his mother in Wayne County, Ohio. The father came with his parents to Noble County* Indiana, when twelve years of age, the family locating in Elkhart Township, where the parents spent their last years. Lydia Yoder came to LaGrange County about 1868 with her husband after she was married in Wayne County, Ohio. They lived in Eden Townshio twelve vears and then moved to Perry Township of Noble County. Noah Lantz died in Elkhart Township of Noble County, and his widow spent her last years in Topeka. They were members of the Mennonite Church. Of their eight children one died in infancy and five are still living: Ephraim C. : Anna, wife of Sherman Reave; Alva, of Topeka; Delta, unmarried and living at Topeka; Edith, wife of Ernest Yoder, a farmer in Eden Township. Ephraim C. Lantz grew up on a farm and had a common school education. When he was twenty- one years of age he rented his father's place for several years. On November 6, 1802, he married Elizabeth Plank. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 3, 1868, and met and married her husband while visiting in Indiana. For twelve years after his marriage Mr. Lantz was a tenant farmer, and has made his enviable prosperity from humble beginnings. He finally bought forty acres, and later eighty acres where he now lives, and is also owner of 100 acres in Elkhart Township. Noble County, and has 400 acres in Oklahoma. Mr. Lantz is pro- prietor of a feed store at Topeka, and buys and feeds hogs, marketing five or six carloads every year. He and his wife have three daughters ; Fern, a 348 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA graduate of the Topeka High School, was well edu- cated in music and drawing and is now teacher of those arts in the Topeka schools; Ruby, a graduate of high school and the wife of Alvin Kempf, of Topeka; and Catherine, who was born in 1909. The family are members of the Mennonite Church in Maple Grove, and Mr. Lantz is a republican. He was one of the active organizers of the Farm- ers State Bank at Topeka in 1917, and has been its first and only president. The other officers are : John W. Priest, vice president; Dane D. Secrist, cashier; and the directors are Mr. Lantz, John W. Priest, Dean Mclntire, Myron F. Walters, Charles Hartzler, Leon Rose, Abe Mier and Isaac Rose, all well known and substantial citizens of LaGrange county. Eugene Kelley has lived for more than three- quarters of a century, has had a life of great variety and altogether one of success in its many relations, was a soldier in many battles during the Civil war and has had the patriotic satisfaction of seeing sev- eral of his sons fighting for their country in recent years. Mr. Kelley, who is now living retired at Steuben- ville, where he has served as postmaster for a num- ber of years, was born in Medina County, Ohio, No- vember 2, 1843. He was eighteen months old when his father, Stephen Kelley, lost his life by drowning. His mother’s maiden name was May Pixley. She died in LaGrange, Indiana, in 1864. Eugene Kelley had an older sister Elizabeth. His mother married for her second husband William Johnson, and by that union had six children: Albert Nelson, Wil- lard, George, Emma, Adeline and Bird. Adeline was accidentally killed at Williamsport, Indiana. Eugene Kelley first came to Steuben County when five years of age, while his mother was visiting. At that time Angola only had one store. He has been a permanent resident of the county since 1859. He lived with his mother to the age of fourteen, then went to work on a farm, and later found some employment at Pleasant Lake. From Pleasant Lake early in 1861 he went to Chicago and enlisted in Company G of the Forty-Second Illinois Infantry. He was with that regiment in all its active service, including twenty-five battles, and he participated in all of them except one. He was wounded at Mari- etta, Georgia, July 4, 1864. Captured, he spent a period of imprisonment in Libby prison and in other southern places of confinement. After the war Mr. Kelley returned to Steuben County and there took up the trade of painter, which he followed for a number of years. Since 1897 his home has been in Steubenville, where he owns a good residence. He has filled the office of post- master for the past eighteen years. He is a stanch republican in his political affiliation and is a member of the Grand Army Post. In 1867 Mr. Kelley married Laura Hough, of Steuben County. They were afterward divorced and she died in 1912. She was the mother of two children, one of whom is Harry Kelley, in the coal business at Angola. In 1888 Mr. Kelley married Nora Swager, of Steuben County. They have four children: Volnev, who for ten years has been a resident of France and is now a captain in the French army; James, of Steubenville; and Eugene and Kathleen, both at home with their father. James and Eugene both have army records, the former having served three years in the Fourteenth Cavalry of the regular army. During that time he was on the Mexican border service and in the Philip- pines, also visited in China and Japan, and received his honorable discharge after his term of service expired. Eugene was in the Coast Artillery for about one year. Oliver Walters, a native of Steuben County, has busied himself since early manhood with farming, and is owner of one of the well improved and val- uable places in Salem Township. He was born in Scott Township, May 29, 1876, son of William and Mary (Smiley) Walters. His mother was born in Steuben County, a daughter of George Smiley, one of the early settlers of Pleasant. Township, where he and his wife both died. George Smiley and wife had a large family of children, including Martha, Phoebe, Lillie, Alonzo, Gilbert, William, George, Jesse and Charles. William Wal- ters was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, where his father died, the mother subsequently spending her days in Scott Township of Steuben County. Wil- liam Walters grew up in Scott Township, and owing to the death of his father had to look after the rest of the family from early years. He began as a renter, bought forty acres .in Steuben Township, later went west, and finally acquired a farm of eighty acres in Michigan. He died while visiting in Steuben County in 1911, at the age of sixtv-four. His widow is still living at the age of sixty-nine. William Walters was one of three sons, Andrew, William and Solomon. He and his wife had nine children, all of whom are living, named Charles, Frank, George, Albert, Nettie, Oliver, Arlie, Roy and Robert. Oliver Walters attended the public schools in Pleasant and Jackson townships. He has been working his way steadily to independence since early manhood. The first land he owned was about thirty-six acres in Jackson Township. He sold that and in 1908 came to Steuben Township, where he bought eighty acres. He has remodeled the build- ings, and takes a just pride in the efficient manage- ment of what is one of the best farms of the town- ship. Mr. Walters is a republican in politics. April 2, 1898, he married Miss Abbie Simmons, She was born in Jackson Township, January 19, 1876, a daughter of Henry and Nancy (Parker) Simmons. Mr. and Mrs. Walters have one son, Henry, born July 14, 1899. He lives on the farm with his parents. Francis M. Merica. No one man has done more for the public schools of DeKalb County and per- forms a more vital service to the people in general than Francis M. Merica, superintendent of thd county schools. Mr. Merica is a veteran educator, has been in school work more than thirty years, and has a high standing among school men over In- diana. He was born at Millerstown in Champaign County, Ohio, February 28, 1862, but has spent the greater part of his life in Northeast Indiana. His parents, William and Catherine (Snyder) Merica, came to Indiana in 1865, locating three miles south of Garrett in DeKalb County. William Merica was born near Millerstown, Ohio, July 15, 1840, while his wife was born September 10, 1842, and both were reared in Champaign County. He was a farmer and the family had limited means. Both parents were members of the Methodist Protestant Church, and William Merica was quite active in democratic politics, serving as a member of the County Council of DeKalb County when the court- house and county infirmary were built. He was also assessor of Butler Township. William Merica died September 8, 1915, and his wife February 13, 1918. They had three children: Thomas, who died at Fort Wayne, May 22, 1911, had been a teacher in early life and later was a traveling salesman for •T EDWARD HUFF HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 349 the International Harvester Company; Francis M. ; and Charles, who was a graduate of DePauw Uni- versity with the degrees B. A., M. A. and Ph. D., was a Methodist minister, at one time was president of Iowa College and later president of the Univer- sity of Wyoming, and died at Kendallville, Indiana, July 24, 1918. Francis M. Merica was educated in Butler Town- ship and graduated from the Methodist College at Fort Wayne with the Bachelor of Science degree in 1887. He also attended Upland University in 1889, and by later post-graduate work in the Uni- versity of Chicago received the degree Ph. B. Be- fore completing his education Mr. Merica taught for two years as principal of a high school, for eight years was superintendent of the same school, and after graduating from the University of Chi- cago was elected superintendent of the schools of LaGrange. He remained at that post three years, for four years was superintendent of schools at Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and then came to Garrett, where for ten years he was superintendent of the public school system. He was elected county super- intendent of schools for DeKalb County in 1917, and has held that office since August of that year. Mr. Merica was a charter member of the board which organized the Carnegie Library at Garrett and is its present secretary. Out of his long service as a teacher he has made some accumulations toward independence and is a property owner at Garrett, having four dwelling houses there. He is one 01 the trustees of the Methodist Church at Garrett, is a past master of Garrett City Lodge No. 537, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons, is affiliated with Garrett Chapter No. 129, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is past high priest, and is a past grand of Lodge No. 602 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and past chief patriarch of Encamp- ment No. 169. His wife is an active member of Harmony Chapter No. 6 7 of the Eastern Star, is a past matron and has served as secretary of the chapter for over fifteen years. Mr. Merica married Arilla Jones, of Garrett. She died November 3, 1908, mother of one daughter, Marion, who is a graduate of the Western College for Women at Oxford, Ohio, and is the wife of Don E. Van Fleet, an electrical contractor at Gar- rett. June 25, 1912, Mr. Merica married Georgia Van Fleet. She was born at Deposit in Broome County, New York, and came to Indiana when thirteen years of age. Mrs. Merica is widely known as a former teacher in DeKalb County, having done twenty-six years of work in the different schools of the county. She finished her education in the Tri- State College at Angola. William A. Cline. Any account of the older families of LaGrange County takes into considera- tion members of the Cline family, now making up a widespread relationship, many of whom are indus- trious and important factors in various communi- ties. but particularly in Bloomfield Township. The late William A. Cline came to LaGrange County when a voung man. He was born in Rich- land County, Ohio, August 8, 1830, and he died at his old home in Bloomfield Township June 7, 1907. His parents were William and Ellen (Gibney) Cline. William Cline was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, in 1794, and was married in Richland County, Ohio, where he bought and improved a farm of 237 acres. On coming to Indiana in 1854 he bought 320 acres in Bloomfield Township, and lived there until his death on October 2, 1871. His wife was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1799, and died August 26, 1881. William A. Cline became a farmer in Bloomfield Township. On January 14, 1856, he married Mary E. Spears, and the same year he bought eighty acres in Bloomfield Township, and in the course of time had one of the best farms in that township, owning more than 300 acres. Mrs. Cline, who died May 31, 1917, was a daughter of Tunis and Mary J. (Scoville) Spears. She was born in Springfield Township, LaGrange County, January 17, 1840. Tunis Spears was born in Pennsylvania in 1810 and his wife in Connecticut in 1820. William A. Cline was identified with the republican party in politics. The oldest of the children of William A. Cline and wife was Milton, who was born June 17, 1859, and died August 21, i860. The second was Mary J., who was born on the old homestead in 1861 and on September 20, 1888, became the wife of Orville Anderson. Mr. Anderson was born in Greenfield Township August 20, 1862, a son of Elijah and Nancy (Martin) Anderson, of the same township. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Anderson lived on the old Cline farm about thirty years, and he died there March 2, 1919. In the Anderson family were three children : Leon W., who was born Sep- tember 7, 1889, was educated in the common schools and the high school, and is running the farm of his mother; Barnice E., who was born February 1, 1892, is the wife of Dr. P. W. Horner and lives at New Paris, Indiana, and has a daughter, Dorothy May, born November 15, 1915; and Troas L. An- derson was born May 8, 1894, and died April 11, 1910. Frank B. Cline, who was born June 27, 1864, attended the Howe High School, and married Carrie Hackett. He is a farmer in Bloomfield Township. They have two children, Fred B. and Vera Lucile. Fred B. married Troy Marks and has two children, Lloyd and Gladys. Nellie E. Cline, born February 16, 1868, was well educated, attending Normal school at LaGrange, and taught for about nine years before her marriage to Charles Hill, of Bloomfield Township. They have a son. Ledger C. Hill, still at home. Rachel L. Cline was born April 27, 1870, and after receiving her education taught music for sev- eral years. On October 29, 1891, she became the wife of Joseph R. Smith. He was a son of James Smith, and was born in Greenfield Township in 1870, and was educated in the public schools of Brighton. Mr. Smith is a farmer. He and his wife had seven children : Drusus, born September 9, 1894, married May Johnson, and they have three young children, Charles, Orville J. and Albert; Orval B., born July 3, 1896; Kenneth E., born June 3, 1899; Gaylord G., born June 26, 1902, died February 15, 1903; Annabelle, born January 23, 1904; Owen W., born October 3, 1906; and Mary Helen, born De- cember 13, 1910. Edward Huff, who for many years was a resident and prominent property owner in Van Buren Town- ship, was prominently connected with families both in LaGrange County and over the line in Southern Michigan. He was born on White Pigeon Prairie in Michigan, July 10, 1851, son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Six- bey) Huff. Alexander Huff was born in Schoharie County, New York, in 1816 and was twelve years old when his father died. When a young man he moved to Southern Michigan, married in that state, and lived at Constantine, later at Adrian, and finally on a farm near Klinger Lake, where he and his wife both died, he in 1892 and his wife in 1887. He was a cooper by trade, but for many years was a farmer. Their children were Charles ; Edward, de- ceased ; Ida : Lemuel ; Christiana, deceased ; Henri- etta ; and Almeda. Alexander Huff was a republi- 350 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA can and a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife was a daughter of Nicholas and Christiana Sixbey, who came from Schoharie County, New York, and were early settlers near Constantine, Mich- igan. The Sixbeys owned much land in Southern Michigan. Nicholas Sixbey died near Vistula, Indi- ana, in 1875, and his wife died in December of the same year. In the Sixbey family were the follow- ing children : Elizabeth, Margaret, John, David, Charlotte, Henrietta, Nicholas, Catherine, Ephraim and Augusta. Edward Huff was educated in public schools, at- tended the Raisin Valley Seminary near Adrian, Michigan, and had to his credit a successful record as a teacher. After his marriage he lived for one year in Indiana and for nineteen years made his home in Michigan. In 1900 he located in Van Buren Township, and was a resident of Scott until his death on March 6, 1917. His widow is still living in the home at Scott. Mr. Huff owned 209 acres in Van Buren Township and also had 200 acres in Michigan. He was a republican and with his wife was active in the Methodist Church. November 24, 1880, Mr. Huff married Lucila Dal- ton. She was born in Van Buren Township of LaGrange County March 29, 1853, a daughter of John and Anna (Hayner) Dalton. Her parents were natives of New York, born July 6, 1810, and August 22, 1812, respectively. On coming West they settled on White Pigeon Prairie, Michigan, but soon afterward came to Van Buren Township in LaGrange County, where Mrs. Huff’s father acquired and owned 650 acres of land, constituting one farm but lying partly in Michigan and partly in LaGrange County. Her father also owned the grist mill at Scott. The Daltons were Methodists. Mrs. Huff was one of the following children : Frances Augusta, born January 27, 1847; Catherine, born July 1, 1849; and Lucila, born March 29, 1853. Mr. Dalton died March 20, 1888, and his wife October 27, 1900. Mrs. Huff is the mother of one son, Harry Dalton Huff, who was born October 10, 1881. He had a good public school education, studied medicine at the University of Michigan, but has followed farm- ing during his active career and is working land owned by his mother. September 7, 1905, Harry D. Huff married Miss Jessie Whistler. They have two children, Lucile' Elizabeth, born December 30, 1907, and Stanley, born March 10, 1913. Durward Duff, a nephew of the late Edward Huff, being a son of George and Henrietta (Huff) Duff, was a soldier in the great war and his record should be briefly noted. For about four years he was in the Home Guard Regiment in Chicago. He went to Houston, Texas, September 8, 1917, and was a private, afterward being promoted to corporal in the One Hundred and Twenty-Second Artillery, Thirty-Third Division. He went overseas to France May 28, 1918, and was in service during the crit- ical summer of that year. He returned to New York City May 27, 1919, and was, honorably discharged June 7, 1919. Hugh M. Widney. The name Widney was spoken in the wilderness of Southern DeKalb County more than eighty years ago, and the family has always been one of the most substantial and influential in Concord and neighboring townships. One of the younger generation is Hugh M. Widney, a widely known authority on fruit growing and horticulture, who is proprietor of the Spring Brook Fruit Farm and the Rivera Farm, comprising 200 acres in Con- cord and Spencer Townships. He was born in Concord Township March 24, 1866, a son of Oliver H. and Emily F. (Maxwell) Widney. His father was also a native of Concord Township, while the mother was born in Ohio. Oliver Widney and wife were married in 1864, and he died at Auburn, while his wife passed away at St. Joe. They had two children, Hugh M. and Lenore. ^ Hugh M. Widney grew up on the old farm in Concord Township and had a common school educa- tion. On December 31, 1885, he married Hattie A. Davis, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Davis, of Newville Township, DeKalb County. Mrs. Widney in former years was a teacher of music. Two chil- dren were born to them, Blanchard V., who is a graduate of the Tri-State College at Angola with the Bachelor of Science degree, has spent three years in Purdue University and is now county agri- cultural agent for Noble County, Indiana. He mar- ried, August 19, 1913, Flossie Copp, daughter of Abner and Alice Copp, of St. Joe. The younger child, Dorris Davis Widney, was born August 16, 1903, in St. Joe, and died in the Johns Hopkins Hospital at Baltimore, Maryland, January 29, 1919, in her sixteenth year. The family are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Widney is affiliated with Concord Lodge No. 556, Free and Accepted Masons, and with St. Joe Lodge No. 400 of the Knights of Pythias, being a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a republican. Mr. Widney has been busily engaged with his horticultural specialty for thirty years, and has a highly developed and valuable fruit farm of thirty acres in Concord Township. His wide experience and expert knowledge has made his services valuable to the state at large. He has been on the staff of lecturers under the auspices of Purdue University for county and township institutes, and has traveled all over the state. John Chester Burch, a progressive farmer in Otsego Township, is in the third generation of the Burch family, which performed some of the land clearing and other pioneer labors in Steuben County. It is a family of long standing and the highest in- tegrity of character. John Chester Burch was born on the old home- stead in Otsego Township, January 5, 1870, a son of Halbert and Mary (Rhinehart) Burch. His grand- father, Chester Burch was born in Vermont in 1810, was reared to manhood and married in Ohio, and in 1837 came to Steuben County, Indiana, settling in section 15 of Otsego Township. Chester Burch died January 26, 1879. His son Halbert was one of seven children and was killed in a runaway accident in November, 1872, when John Chester was only two years old. John Chester Burch grew up on the home farm under the care of his widowed mother, attended public schools, and for a number of years has suc- cessfully pursued farming and stock raising on S 3 J A acres of the old homestead. He is a republican in politics. In 1892 he married Miss Bernice Lybarger. She was born in Starke County, Indiana, September 5, 1874, a daughter of Alonzo D. and Mary (Barnes) Lybarger. Her parents were both natives of Knox County, Ohio, where her father was born April 19, 1842, and her mother August 3, 1847. After their marriage they came to Kosciusko County, Indiana, later went back to Knox County, and in 1880 settled in Steuben County, where her father was a renter for a time but in 1896 bought a farm in Otsego Township. Her parents are still living in Steuben County, in Scott Township. Mr. and Mrs. Burch have five children : Vera, who attended the district schools and the high HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 351 school at Hamilton and is the wife of Glenn Sewell; Wayne, a student in the Metz High School; Gael who has finished the grammar school work; and Ford and Vanita, who are the youngest children. John Benjamin Hayward. There is hardly a locality in Steuben County where the name Hayward is not known and respected. One of the members of the family who did most to make the name gen- erally known in that county is John Benjamin Hay- ward, former sheriff. Mr. Hayward lives in Salem Township, and his grandfather was one of the earliest pioneers of LaGrange County. John Benjamin Hayward was born in Milford Township of Steuben' Cot \nty, November 28, 1861, a son of William and Louisa (Chaffee) Hayward. Grandfather Isaac Hayward came to LaGrange County and settled in Milford Township, south of Stroh, in 1844. He owned the land where the village of Stroh now stands. He acquired 320 acres, and after the death of his wife he sold this farm to his son, William. His death occurred about 1878, when ninety-three years of age. He was a native of England, married in that country, and six of his children were born there. When he came to Amer- ica he was five weeks and five days on the ocean. In this country six other children were born. Wil- liam Hayward was the youngest of this large family, was born in Ohio, June 30, 1840, and was four years old when brought to LaGrange County. He became one of the most successful farmers and stock men in this section of Northeast Indiana. He began with 320 acres and increased this to 520 acres, and later bought another 120 acres, giving him a complete section. He was an extensive cattle dealer and a sheep feeder. He was the man who origi- nated the important improvement known as the Tur- key Creek Ditch, by which hundreds of acres of fertile land were reclaimed for tillage. He also built an elevator at Helmer and one of the main store buildings there. For five years he success- fully operated the elevator. He sold that business, and after the village of Stroh started he built an elevator there and platted twenty acres of his land into village lots, erecting several dwelling houses on them. He was living at Stroh at the time of his death in 1906. His wife was born in 1841 and died in 1872. They had the following children: Walter, John Benjamin, Dora Louise, Estella, who died at the age of twelve years, Cora, Ollie and Ida. Wil- liam Hayward married for his second wife Caroline Drayer. She was the mother of four children, Mary, William C., Arthur and Frank. Frank died when four years old. John Benjamin Hayward from the age of four grew up on the homestead, attended local schools, and in 1885 established a home of his own by his marriage to Clara May Butler. She is a daughter of James and Elnora (Wright) Butler. His grand- father, Jesse Butler, was an early settler of Steuben County. Mrs. Hayward was born on the same farm as her father. After his marriage Mr. Hayward bought forty acres known as the Daniel Rouse farm in Milford Township of LaGrange County. He sold it to James Gettings and bought the eighty acres in Salem Township of Steuben County where he is still living. In 1902 he bought eighty acres adjoin- ing on the north side of the road. His first eighty was acquired in 1891. Mr. Hayward was elected sheriff of Steuben County in 1902. He held that office for four years, and at his second election had the largest majority given any candidate in the county. After retiring from the office of sheriff Mr. Hayward remained in Angola for six years in order to educate his children, and during that time represented the firm of Shaughniss & Companj 1 - at Angola in the sale of buggies. Mr. Hayward is an active republican, as was his father before him. He is affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows in Salem Center, being a charter member, and he joined the Knights of Pythias at Salem but is now a member of Angola Lodge. He and his wife are members of the Pres- byterian Church. To their marriage were born seven children: Lloyd who died at the age of ten months ; Elsie, wife of Paul Crundwell and the mother of one daughter, Mary Jane; Imo, who married Harry Lambert and has two children, Margaret and Ralph; Berdina, James, Edgar and Robert, the four younger children still at home. John J. Troyer. One of the representative fam- ilies of LaGrange County bears the name of Troyer, a name that has been identified with Indiana history since pioneer days. Seventy-five years have passed since the Troyer family left their old home sur- roundings in Holmes County, Ohio, and journeyed westward as homeseekers. They paused in Elkhart County, Indiana, later moved on into Howard County, and still later became firmly established in LaGrange County. A worthy member of this sturdy old family is found in John J. Troyer, who owns one of the best improved farms in Clay Township, and is a man of high standing in township and county. John J. Troyer was born in Howard County, In- diana, in his father’s pioneer log cabin, January 6, 1870. His parents were Jeremiah and Mary (Troyer) Troyer, both of whom were natives of Holmes County, Ohio, where he was born November 28, 1828, and she was born November 28, 1830. Jere- miah Troyer was sixteen years old when he ac- companied his parents, Samuel and Barbara (Hos- tetter) Troyer, to Elkhart County, Indiana. When his mother died his father went back to Holmes County and was married there a second time. He died in Howard County, Indiana. In those early years* Jeremiah Troyer journeyed back and forth to Holmes County on numerous occasions, making five trips on horseback and several bj r wagon, when he had to ford unbridged creeks, penetrate swamps and sleep in the open, and on more than one horse- back journey escaped from thieves and was at- tacked by panthers. He was married in Holmes County, Ohio, and the trip back to Howard County, Indiana, was made by wagon. The first home was a log house in Howard County. From there in 1874 the parents of John J. Troyer moved to LaGrange County and settled in Newbury Township, where the father bought 220 acres in the woods, north of the Pleasant View schoolhouse. He and wife spent the greater part of their lives on that place, but subsequently moved to Elkhart County, where Jere- miah Troyer died in i8g6, having survived his wife three years. They had the following children : Cornelius, who was born in Holmes County, spent the most of his life on the farm in Newbury Town- ship ; Lydia, who was in Howard County, Indiana, married Jerry Yoder; Mary, who lives in Newbury Township, is the widow of Tobias David Yoder; Sarah, who died in Marion County, Kansas, was the wife of Edward Shock; Susan, who is the wife of Samuel S. Esch, of Elkhart, Indiana; Samuel E., who lives at Elkhart, formerly lived in Clay Town- ship, LaGrange County; Barbara, who is the wife of P. S. Schrock, of Marion County, Kansas ; Paulina, who died in early womanhood; Jeremiah, who lives at Chateau, Oklahoma ; Elizabeth, who was the wife of J. D. Troyer, and died in Johnson County, Iowa; Abraham, who died in infancy; John 352 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA J., who resides in Clay Township, LaGrange County; Moses J., who lives in Ford County, Kansas; and David J., who lives at Midland, Michigan. The parents were members of the Mennonite faith and all their children embraced the same. John J. Troyer grew up on his father’s farm and obtained a public school education. He started out for himself without capital, and all he has he earned through his own industry. His business all his life has been along agricultural lines and he has profited through experience. He now owns 170 acres of exceptionally fine land and has increased its value through excellent improvements, his farm buildings all being convenient and substantial. He gives much attention to grain growing and raises standard stock. Mr. Troyer was married on November 13, 1893, to Miss Sophia Hostetter, who is a daughter of Samuel and Katie (Mehl) Hostetter, the latter of whom died in 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Troyer have had chil- dren as follows: Naoma, who is the wife of Mahlon C. Esch, and they have an adopted child, Gerald ; Viola and Orpha, both of whom died in infancy; Minnie, who is a teacher, is a graduate of the high school and Goshen College ; Howard, who is in the senior class of the Shipshewana High School; and Nora May and Bessie, who have made fine records in the public school. Like his father, Mr. Troyer is a republican in his political opinions. He is a highly respected citizen of LaGrange County. Daton H. Long. The family of which Daton H. Long is a representative has been in LaGrange County for over half a century, and Mr. Long’s personal relations here have been chiefly with farm- ing, and for a number of years also with the good and public-spirited citizenship of. Bloomfield Town- ship. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Decem- ber 8, 1857, a son of Daniel and Sarah (Bair) Long, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Ohio and came to LaGrange County in 1861, in the spring, settling on a large tract of prairie and timber in Greenfield Township. Daniel Long became one of the leading farmers and land owners of the county. At the time of his death his possessions aggregated 1,430 acres. He died at the old home in Greenfield Township, September 14. 1889, aged sixty-eight years, and his widow passed away August 29, 1915. He was quite active in republican politics, and he and his wife were members of the Dunkard Church. Their chil- dren were: Mary, wife of Daniel Blasus ; Benjamin; Rebecca, wife of John Stierenagle ; David J. ; Sarah, wife of Adolph Segrist ; Phoebe Jane; Daton H.; and Vesta, wife of Ellis Rowe. Daton H. Long was four years old when the fam- ily came to LaGrange County, and he grew up on the homestead in Greenfield Township. He attended district school, the high school at Mongo and had a business course in Chicago. His first independent efforts as a farmer were made on eighty acres which he bought in Lima Township. Later he bought 97/4 acres in Greenfield Township, and traded that for forty acres, where he now lives in Bloomfield Township. Since coming here his possessions have grown and they now aggregate 146 acres. He has also remodeled the house and the barn and has a fine barn, 40 by 52 feet. For eighteen years he and his brother David were associated in the stock ship- ping business. Mr. Long is a republican, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Church. October 21, 1880, he married Miss Sabra B. Stacy. She was born in Lima Township of LaGrange County, October 25, 1861, a daughter of Nelson and Laurette (Anderson) Stacy, early settlers of La- Grange County. Mr. and Mrs. Long have five chil- dren : Mabel Clare, who is the wife of Albert J. Balkee and has a daughter, Vera Mabel; Harry D., who married Bertha M. Rennert, of Oshkosh, Wis- consin; Hazel, who died in infancy; Mahlon, who married Ruth Myers ; and Morse, who died in infancy. John C. McCoy has a large and well kept farm in Bloomfield Township of LaGrange County, and his family have many interesting connections with past history. Mr. McCoy was born on the old McCoy place, now included in the city limits of LaGrange, July 30, i860, a son of Mathew and Hannah (Ferguson) McCoy. His father was born in Ohio in 1823 and his mother in Pennsylvania in 1821. Mathew McCoy moved to LaGrange County in 1856 with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McCoy, who settled in Bloom- field, just north of LaGrange, on 160 acres of land. Thomas McCoy and wife spent their last years there. Mathew McCoy received his early education in Ohio, and from LaGrange County he went back to that state to claim his bride and brought her to the farm in Bloomfield Township and lived on the old homestead there until his death in 1901. His wife died in 1905. They were among the original mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church in LaGrange and contributed liberally to the erection of the first building. In politics he was a republican and at one time was appointed to fill out an unexpired term as county treasurer. Their children were : Mary, deceased; Walter, John C., William E. ; and Jennie, deceased. John C. McCoy grew up on his father’s farm and was educated at LaGrange. Since early manhood he has owned several tracts of land, and bought his present farm of 174 acres in Bloomfield Township in 1006. One hundred and nine acres of this tract was the old Westbrook Farm. This land is devoted to general farming and stock raising, and in the past twelve or thirteen years many improvements have been added, including a barn 46x72 feet, a silo 12x30 and other equipment in keeping. Mr. McCoy is a republican and has served as trustee of Bloomfield Township one term. He and his wife are active and interested members of the LaGrange County Horticultural Society. October 18, 1883, Mr. McCoy married Miss Rowena Repine. She was born at Wolcottville May 6, 1862, a daughter of John C. and Margaret (Vine) Repine. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy have five children : Hugh, who was educated in the LaGrange public schools, took a commercial course at Janesville, Wisconsin, and for several years has been a railroad man with home in Montana. He married Serena Taft. Hazel, the second in the family, is a graduate of the La- Grange High School and is a graduate nurse from the Presbyterian Hospital of Chicago and since graduation has been identified with that institution, for the past two years being a skilled attendant in the operating room. Margaret is also a high school graduate and taught school for two years before her marriage to Vern Shelly. Mr. Shelly is the active head of the McCoy farm in Bloomfield Town- ship. He and his wife have one daughter, Dorothy. John C. McCoy, Jr., was born in 1901 and graduated from the LaGrange High School in 1919. Arthur, the youngest child, was born in 1903 and is now in the second year of the Bloomfield Township High School. Mrs. McCoy’s father was born in Pennsylvania in 1831 and her mother in Ohio in 1832. Though more than forty years of age at the time, John C. Repine enlisted in Company A of the First Indiana Heavy Artillery in 1864, and was with that command during HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 353 the last year of the Civil war. He was discharged August 8, 1865. He went to Ohio with his parents and later came to Noble County, Indiana, where he and. his wife were married. Soon afterward they moved to South Milford, where he worked at his trade as a machinist, and four years later settled at Wolcottville and still later at Rome City, where he died in 1906. Mrs. McCoy’s mother died in 1910. Both were members of the Baptist Church. Mrs. McCoy was the youngest of four children, the others being Clinton E., Emma, wife of Cassius Markham, and Cora B., wife of Dr. Charles Niman. Arteman A. Stallman, whose busy career as a farmer in York Township has made him well known throughout Steuben County, has spent many years in this county and was also formerly a druggist at South Bend, Indiana. He was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, August 9, 1852, a son of Frederick E. and Elizabeth (Rupp) Stall- man. His father, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, April 2, 1819, came to America in 1841, locating at Bucyrus, Ohio, where he operated a butcher shop for over sixteen years. On October 4, 1844, he married Elizabeth Rupp, who was born at York, Pennsylvania, and died June 16, 1853. About 1857 Frederick E. Stallman moved to York Town- ship in Steuben County, and spent the rest of his life as a farmer. He died June 7, 1871. He and his first wife had the following children : Ann Eliza- beth, born April 23, 1846, and died April 29, 1846; John Henry, born May 3, 1847, died April 3, 1852; Charles William, born April 13, 1850; and Arteman A. On March 4, 1856, Frederick Stallman married Louise Underwood. She died April 22, 1857, the . day after the birth of her only child, Lydia Gertrude. The daughter was born April 21, 1857, and died February 10, 1912. On October 7, 1858, Frederick Stallman married Rachel Handley. She was born November 15, 1828. Her children were four in number, Esther Lillie, born August 19, 1859, and died May 13, 1862; Elmer Edwin, born August 30, 1862; Lettie Jane, born October 24, 1863, and died February 2, 1886; and David Casper, born January 18, 1867. Arteman A. Stallman when ten months old was taken by his uncle, Dr. P. E. Rupp, to rear, and un- til he was two years old he lived with his grand- mother Rupp. Doctor Rupp marrying at that time took the boy into his home. Doctor Rupp was a resident of South Bend, and there Arteman Stall- man acquired his education in the public schools. From the age of fourteen to twenty-two he worked in his uncle’s drug store at South Bend and ac- quired a thorough knowledge of the drug business. On June 1, 1875, Mr. Stallman married Catharine Harriett Wood, a daughter of George A. and Har- riet R. (Ranstead) Wood. Following his marriage he moved to a farm in York Township of Steuben County, but after five years returned to South Bend and was identified with his uncle’s drug store for two years. Since 1883 he has been steadily identified with farming and at his present location. He also erected a building and put in a good stock of general merchandise and for five years he operated a huck- ster wagon during the summer months. In 1887 he ran a store at York and was postmaster there one year. After that he combined the operation of his home farm with his store. In 1894 he moved to section 20 in that township and in the spring of 1901 bought the place where he still lives in that section. He owns 135 acres and does general farming and stock raising. Mr. and • Mrs. Stallman had four children: Mabel L., who died June 29, 1919, was the wife of A. L. Phillips; Aclelia A., who married Fred Tol. 11—23 D. Rowe and has four children, Victor Loomis, Harlon Dolores, Freda Doris and Frederick Arte- man; Edward Rupp, who married Neva Keys; and Muriel Dolores. Mrs. Stallman is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Homer A. Barker. Among the good farms of Noble County one that deserves notice on account of its improvement and superior management, and is also representative of the industry and effective work of a very capable citizen, is that of Homer A. Barker on rural route No. 1 in Wayne Township. Mr. Barker has been identified with this section of Northeast Indiana all his life. He was born in Salem Township of Steuben County, Indiana, December 8, 1867. His parents were John and Han- nah (McMillen) Barker. John Barker was born in England in June, 1828. Seven weeks after his birth his parents were members of a small colony that left England, there being seven families and seven brothers. After a voyage across the ocean they landed at New York, where the parents sojourned a short time and then moved west to Cleveland. John Barker grew up in northern Ohio, and for several years was employed as a boatman on the canal be- tween Cleveland and the southern part of that state. He was married at Newburg, now a suburb of Cleveland. In 1862 he came to Indiana and located in Milford Township of LaGrange County. Three years later he moved to Steuben County, and that was his home the rest of his life. He was a demo- crat in politics. Of the seven children six are still living: P. A. is the one deceased; N. N. Barker lives at Kendallville ; William, of Fort Wayne; Harry, of LaGrange; Josephine, widow of A. T. Balote; Homer A.; and Cora A., wife of Arthur Cook, of Three Rivers, Michigan. ^ Homer A. Barker grew up on the old farm in Steuben * County and _ was educated in the public . schools there. He lived at home to the age of twenty-seven. December 5, 1894, he married Nettie Emerick. She was born in Wayne Township, of Noble County, March 26, 1872, daughter of J. W. and Phemia (Smith) Emerick, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Mrs. Barker grew up on a farm in Wayne Township and was educated in the com- mon schools. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Barker have been successfully engaged in farming in Wayne Township, and his ample farm now comprises 200 acres, well cultivated and well stocked and improved. They have three children : Clifford J. and Mildred R., in high school, and Carl D. Mr. Barker is a member of South Milford Lodge No. 619 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is past noble grand, has sat in the Grand Lodge, and is also a member of the Encampment degrees. Both he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs. Politi- cally he votes as a democrat. Thomas Clark Benson. One of the beautiful homes of DeKalb County is Birdlawn Farm, situated in Richland Township, the property of Thomas Clark Benson.. It is the old family homestead of the Hine. family, and its name, together with that of the adjoining farm, Meadow Lark, which also is a part of the Hine family estate, serves to per- petuate the beautiful memory of a gifted woman, the late Mrs. Jane L. Hine, mother of Mrs. Benson, known in Indiana history as the “Bird Woman.” Thomas Clark Benson was born in Warren County, Indiana. His parents, Jonathan and Eliza (Jones) Benson, died when he was very young, and he was reared in the Ankrum family in Ver- milion . Comfiy, Illinois. He had one brother and four sisters, namely: Asbury, Mary Jane, Eliza- 354 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA beth, Matilda and Lydia. The only survivor is Mrs. Matilda Nichols, whose name is at Weather- ford, Oklahoma. Mr. Benson was afforded educa- tional opportunities and for a number of years taught school very acceptably, then began study for the ministry, pursuing theological courses at Union Christian College, Merom, Indiana, and Oberlin Theological Seminary at Oberlin, Ohio. It was at Oberlin that he met Miss Nellie Cynthia Hine, to whom he was united in marriage on March 26, 1884, at Birdlawn, the present family home. When Mrs. Benson’s grandfather, Sheldon Ho- ratio Hine, first invested in this half section of Richland Township wild land he traded thirty milch cows for it, at the time living in the Western Re- serve across the Indiana-Ohio state line, buying this property as an investment. When he sent his son, Horatio Sheldon Hine, to pay the taxes the young man, then nineteen years old, did not regard it as worth the money, but his father said, “Young man, some day you will be glad to have it.” Since 1863 Birdlawn has been a part of the estate now owned by Mr. Benson. When Horatio S. Hine came to pay the taxes he found conditions that would have justified almost any business man entering a pro- test. He found a swamp instead of a farm and the sink hole in it was so deep that for many years the New York Central Railroad passing through Water- loo, Sedan and Corunna, had to make a detour in order to avoid it. A road bed through the sink hole was finally made by hauling timber from three states, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, laying tier on tier on the ice, subsequent draining making it pos- sible to make a solid permanent roadway. The above is interesting as local as well as family history. While a brother of Horatio Sheldon Hine, Lemon Hine, first came to this DeKalb County farmstead and remained long .enough to build the houSe which still stands there, it was Horatio S. Hine who de- veloped the farm, and it is his grandson, Martin Lee Benson, who at present maintains its standing in agricultural pre-eminence. Horatio S. Hine was twice married, his first union being with Cynthia Brooks, who was the mother of three sons : Sheldon H., Charles L. and Ffank B. After her death Mr. Hine married her sister, Jane L. Brooks, who be- came the mother of three children, namely: Mrs. Nellie Cynthia Benson, Brooks L. and Lemon. The mother of Mrs. Benson was born April 2, 1831, and died February 11, 1916, the centennial year in In- diana history. With a natural love of nature, Mrs. Hine beautified the hill slope in front of the farm- house by setting out wild flowers and it has been Mrs. Benson’s pleasant duty to protect and preserve them. It was not, however, until she had faithfully discharged her duties as wife and mother that Mrs. Hine began her special studies of bird life, and some of her finest essays were written after she had passed three score and ten. She was frequently invited to address audiences on bird lore, wrote voluminously on the subject for different publica- tions and many of her manuscripts are preserved and consulted as being scientifically authentic. She was a member of the National Ornithological Society, and a booklet has been issued as a memorial. For several years after their marriage Mr. Benson continued in the ministry, serving Christian churches in Kansas, Pennsylvania and Ohio. In 1896, coming to Birdlawn with Mrs. Benson to visit her parents and finding them in need of a daughter’s ministra- tions, he decided to remain, and this has been the Benson home ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Benson have the following children : Paul Hine, Martin Lee, Rhoda Bernice, Kathryn Eunice and Frank Earl. As a student in Angola College Paul H. Benson specialized in literature and chemistry. As a soldier in the state military organization sent to the Mexican border, he soon became an interpreter of languages, and his knowledge of chemistry has been very useful to him in a business way at Sagi- naw, Michigan, since he returned from military service. Martin Lee Benson made a special study of agriculture and is the farmer at Birdlawn. Rhoda B. is the wife of J. H. Miser and they live on their fruit ranch in California. They have two sons, Harold and Glenn. Kathryn E. Benson, a graduate of the Auburn High School, had training in the Oklahoma College of Agriculture, and for several years taught school in Wyoming. Frank Earl Ben- son, who was one of the earliest enlisted men to go overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces in the World war, served as orderly to Dr. Richard Derby, son-in-law of the late beloved Theodore Roosevelt, and at Chateau Thierry and other points was between the lines in the hardest of the fighting and ever exhibited the valor that has won laurels for the American soldier. This family in all its branches illustrates the sterling qualities, high ideals and solid worth that make the real American type. V. D. Weaver. In the citizenship of LaGrange County few men have played a more active and varied part in the last twenty-five or thirty years than V. D. Weaver, whose name is associated with a number of important enterprises, and is also well known in public affairs through his long service as county auditor. While he is a man of many inter- ests, he is usually found in business hours in the National Bank at LaGrange, of which he is president. He was born in Newbury Township of LaGrange County July 26, 1869, son of David and Elizabeth (Yoder) Weaver. His father was born near Johns- town, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1832, and his mother in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1842. They were reared in Pennsylvania, were married there on December 5, 1861, and about the close of the Civil war, in 1864 or 1865, came to Newbury Township of LaGrange County. They bought a farm, lived on it a short time, and then bought an- other place in the same township, where they spent the rest of their industrious and useful lives. The mother died July 10, 1886, and the father April 8, 1915. They were lifelong members of the Men- nonite Church. Their family consisted of eleven children, ten of whom are still living. Willis died after his marriage. Those still living are : Cather- ine, wife of Jonathan Farver; Daniel, connected with the LaGrange Hardware Company; Nancy, wife of George Nelson ; V. D. ; Mahlon, a farmer in New- bury Township; Mary, wife of Harry J. Hostetler, of Newbury Township; Silas, a farmer in Bloom- field Township; Susan, wife of Milo Miller, of Michigan ; Elizabeth, wife of William E. Hoffman, of Kent County, Michigan ; and Rose, wife of Lorenzo Blough, of Windber, Pennsylvania. V. D. Weaver grew up on the home farm in LaGrange County, attended the district schools and later graduated in a business course from Valpa- raiso University. On returning to LaGrange he was connected with the Farver Brothers lumber busi- ness for fifteen years, and he is still a director of the Farver Lumber Company. In the meantime he had interested himself in public affairs, and being recognized as a man of capability and good judg- ment was elected at the age of twenty-five trustee of Newbury Township. He served the long term. In December, 1903, he was appointed to fill out an unexpired term of one month in the county auditor’s office, and on January x, 1904, entered that office by formal election, serving four years, and was then re-elected and held the reins of administration until HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 355 January I, 1911, when he retired with a splendid record to his credit. In 1910 he had been elected assistant cashier of the National Bank of LaGrange and on January 1, 1911, he entered upon his duties in that position, serving as cashier until July 1, 1919, when he became president of the bank. Mr. Weaver is also a director of the Weldman State Bank, of the LaGrange Hardware Company, and is connected with a number of local organiza- tions. He is treasurer of the LaGrange Commercial Club, treasurer of the Red Cross, president of the LaGrange School Board, is Sunday school treasurer and a steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is treasurer of the Republican County Central Committee. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. December 22, 1895, Mr. Weaver married Elora Frazier. She was born at Nappanee, Indiana, November 21, 1875, and died January 8, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver had four children : G. Hobert, a graduate of high school and of the Valparaiso Com- mercial College, was cashier of the Weldman State Bank for eighteen months and then left civil life to give his services to the Government, and was con- nected with the mechanical department in the great ship building plant at Newport News. Benjamin M., the second son, is a traveling salesman for Coppes Brothers & Zook, cabinet manufacturers at Nappanee, Indiana. The two younger children are David F. and Ruth Pauline, both public school students. William Fair was long and favorably known in LaGrange County, was an old Union soldier, and for half a century was identified with the agricul- tural community of Springfield Township. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1844, son of Samuel and Mary (Weaver) Fair. His parents were both born in Pennsylvania, were mar- ried in Ohio and in 1866 came to LaGrange County and located in Springfield Township, where they bought eighty acres of land. Later they bought twenty acres more in the same township, and on that place spent the rest of their lives. The father was born March 11, 1818, and died August 28, 1871. The mother was born July 14, 1823, and died De- cember 23, 1908, at the age of eighty-five. The record of their children is as follows : Charles, born April 25, 1842, and died August 18, 1842; Hannah, born July 7, 1843; William, born October 12, 1844, and died August 6, 1916, his older sister Hannah surviving him and passing away September 28, 1917; Elizabeth, born May 17, 1846; Ephraim, born March 26, 1848, and died September 29, 1875; Manasses, born August 24, 1850; Eston, born Sep- tember 1, 1853 1 Nathaniel, born March 9, 1855, and died July 17, 1861 ; Emanuel, born October 10, i860, and died July 3, 1880; and Dora Ellen, born Febru- ary 11, 1867. William Fair was reared in Ohio, attended the public schools there, and at the age of twenty, October 3, 1864, enlisted in Company E of the One Hundred and Eighty-Second Ohio Infantry. He was a private during the latter period of the war and was granted his honorable discharge July 7, 1865. Soon afterward he assisted his father in buying the land in LaGrange County, and he took twenty acres there where his widow still lives. He lived there until his death and the family homestead now consists of forty acres. William Fair was a republican in politics, was public spirited, a kind neighbor and friend, and led a wholesome and un- selfish life. October 24, 1881, he married Sophia Rasler. Mrs. Fair was born in Noble County, Indiana, October 15, 1855, a daughter of George and Margaret (Neff) Rasler, both natives of Pennsylvania. Her father was born in 1808 and her mother in 1814. They were married in Ohio, came to DeKalb County, Indiana, at an early age, and in 1857 moved to LaGrange County and located in Springfield Township. Her father for a time rented the Wash Greenfield Farm and then bought twenty acres in Milford Township, moving to that place in 1862. Her father died there September 10, 1882, and her mother June 3, 1892. In the Rasler family were nine children : Daniel, born July 27, 1835, and died April 30, 1917; David, born November 18, 1837, and died September 8, 1841 ; Philip Noah, born May 13, 1840, and died March 30, 1904; John, born December 2, 1842, and died November 26, 1900; George, born December 22, 1845, and died February 20, 1846; Aaron, born October 22, 1848, and died March 15, i860; Mary Ann, his twin sister, born October 22, 1848, and died July 7, 1894; Gilbert, born June 15, 1851, died July 23, 1862; and Sophia, Mrs. Fair, who is the youngest of the family, born October 15, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Fair had four children : George, the oldest, was born November 6, 1882, was educated in the high school at Mongo, and now works the home farm. Celestia, born April 24, 1886, is a graduate of the eighth grade and the Mongo High School. Ellen, born September 27, 1888, died in in- fancy. Stella, the youngest daughter, was born April 24, 1893, and completed the work of the grade schools and the Mongo High School, attended the LaGrange High School and the Tri-State College at Angola, and was a successful teacher in North Dakota until she married Lewis O. Magnus. Mr. and Mrs. Magnus live near Sterling, North Dakota, and have one child, Chester Irvin. Bart Hanselman. A new flag has been added to those of our country during the past couple of years, and it hung in the windows of homes all over the land while those whom the service stars repre- sented were serving in the different branches of the army and navy during the great war. Although the majority of these flags are now carefully stored away among the precious mementoes of the families to whom they belonged, the boys being happily so many of them back on our own shores, they will never be forgotten or what they represent held in light esteem. Steuben County sent the very flower of its young manhood to France to do battle against a common enemy, and its soldiers of this war rank with those of the old soldiers of the Civil war still answering to roll call in the flesh. One of the patriotic families who is proud of the fact that one went out from their home in response to the call of the Government is that bearing the name of Hansel- man, of whom Bart Hanselman is one of the pros- perous farmers of Otsego Township. Bart Hanselman was born in Pleasant Township, Steuben County, Indiana, in the City of Angola, September 25, 1865, a son of John Q. and Margaret (Kankamp) Hanselman, and grandson of Aaron and Christina (Read) Hanselman, natives of Pennsyl- vania, who became pioneers of Steuben County, lo- cating in Steuben Township at a very early day and developing a valuable farm from the wilderness. Their children were as follows: John Q., George, Lynn, Elizabeth, Eliza, David, Peter, Daniel and Lewis. John Q. Hanselman was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, January 25, 1836 , and he died January 19, 1918, in Otsego Township. His wife was born at Bremen, Germany, April 4, 1841, and died in Otsego Township, June 17, 1907. She was a daugh- ter of John and Lucile Kankamp. In young man- hood John Q. Hanselman was engaged in teaming 356 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA from Waterloo to Angola but later bought 140 acres of land on section 5, Otsego Township. After the death of his wife he lived at the home of his son Clarence Hanselman, but died at the home of his son Bart. Their children were as follows : Flor- ence, who died in childhood ; Bart, whose name heads this review; Lillie, who married Harvey Har- man; Morton; and Clarence. Bart Hanselman attended the local schools of Otsego Township and grew up amid healthy sur- roundings, learning to be useful on his father’s farm. On December 24, 1890, he was united in marriage with Jennie McMillan, born in Scott Township, Steuben County, a daughter of George and Mar- garet Jane (Magers) McMillan, the former born in Livona, Cattaraugus County, New York, March 7, 1831, and the latter born in Marion County, Ohio, March 23, 1832. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Hanselman, John McMillan, came to Steuben Coun- ty, Indiana, about 1836, and was one of the first set- tlers of Scott Township, there entering eighty acres of wild land, on which he spent the remainder of his life. His children were as follows : Jane, Mary, Annania, George and John. George McMillan be- came a farmer of Scott Township, owning forty acres of land, on which he lived practically all of his life. He died in 1904, his widow surviving him until February 24, 1916. Their children were as follows: Elva, Melvin, Olive and Jennie. The mother of Mrs. Hanselman, Margaret Jane (Mag- ers) McMillan, was the daughter of Peter and Eliza- beth (Ramsey) Magers. Peter Magers located in Scott Township in 1836, there entering land, but went back to Ohio for his family, and they spent the remainder of their lives in this township. After his marriage Mr. Hanselman began farming in Scott Township, remaining there for nine years, when he moved to Fremont Township and was en- gaged in farming for three years. In 1903 he bought his present farm of 144)4 acres of land in section 6, Otsego Township and Scott Township. This farm is one of the best improved in his locality, and his buildings are in fine condition. Here he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Hanselman have had the following children born to them. Nola M., is a graduate of the Angola High School, also attended the Tri-State College, of An- gola for two terms, and then taught the school of district No. 5 in Otsego Township for one year. She was then married to Carl Henney, and they have a daughter, Eileen Jeanette. Robert B. attended the Angola High School and the International Business College, of which he was a graduate, and entered the United States navy and saw service in England and France in the paymaster’s department of the yeomen. The Hanselmans and all their connections are among the very early settlers of Steuben County, and to them and theirs is due the credit of develop- ing much wild land and laying the foundations for the present prosperity and improvements which are such marked features of this rich agricultural region. These pioneers endured much in the way of hard- ships and privations, but they labored wisely and well, and their descendants are enjoying the fruits of their industry and foresight. Fillmore Price. Many relationships would serve to identify the citizenship of Fillmore Price with Noble County. He has lived in Perry Township all his life, more than sixty years, represents one of the early families in that section, has been a practical and successful farmer, is a former township trustee, and is almost as well known in the city of Ligonier as in his immediate locality. His farm home is in section 8 of Perry Township, five miles northwest of Ligonier. He was born in Preble County, Ohio, December 7, 1856, and was brought to Noble County, Indiana, when only two years old. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Lock) Price, were also natives of Preble County. Elizabeth Lock was born in the same house as her son Fillmore. In 1858 the family came to Noble County and settled three miles northwest of Ligonier. They sold that property in 1876 and bought where Fillmore Price now lives. His parents spent the rest of their days here, the father dying in 1894 and the mother in 1917. They were members of the Christian Church and Jacob Price always took an active interest in local affairs, was a republican, and served a number of years as road supervisor. He and his wife had four children, one of whom died in infancy, and Melzina is also deceased. The only surviving daughter is Sarah J., wife of A. J. Price, of Missouri. Fillmore Price attended the district schools of Perry Township and lived at home to the age of twenty-two. On January 1, 1880, he married Anna Rachel A. Hoshaw, who was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, November 19, i860, but was reared and educated in Noble County. Ever since their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Price have lived on their present farm, which comprises 100 acres, and is devoted to general farming and stock raising. Mr. Price is also a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Ligonier and the Farmers Elevator there. Politically his actions have all been in line with the republican party, of which he is one of the most influential members in his community. He served as township assessor ten years, and his term as trustee ran from 1915 to 1919. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and he has served as a noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is also a member of the Encampment at Ligonier. He is also affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. and Mrs. Price have two children. Bertha B. is a graduate of the common schools and wife of Harry Haller. Mr. and Mrs. Haller live just across the road from her parents. Willard B. had two years in high school and is a graduate of the Elk- hart Business College and now lives in South Bend. Josiah J. Miller. Of the various Miller families represented in the citizenship of Northeastern In- diana that containing Josiah J. Miller, a well known farmer and leader in the Mennonite Church in New- bury Township of LaGrange County, has been iden- tified with this part of Indiana for many years. Josiah J. Miller was born in Newbury Township, October 19, 1870, a son of John J. S. and Nancy C. (Miller) Miller and a grandson of John Miller. John J. S. Miller was born in Newbury Township, May 23, 1846. His wife, Nancy Miller, was born in Pennsylvania, December 20, 1853, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Yoder) Miller. John J. S. Miller grew up in Newbury Township, married there, and in 1881 took his family to St. Joseph County, Michigan, and lived there until about 1903, when he returned to LaGrange County and is still living in Newbury Township. He and his wife had six children: Josiah J., George Monroe, Elizabeth, James Elmer, Mary Matilda (who died in child- hood) and Laura. Josiah J. Miller attended the district schools of Newbury Township until he was eleven years old, and after that finished his education in Michigan. At the age of twenty-one he began working as a farm hand, and continued earning monthly wages in that way for three years. In 1902 he and his HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 357 father bought a farm in section 22 of Newbury Township and subsequently he bought out his father’s interest and now owns 131)4 acres. He practices general farming and livestock husbandry on a successful scale, and has a group of fine build- ings, nearly all of which have been put on the land during his tenure of ownership. For the past seventeen years Mr. Miller has also officiated as pastor of the Shore Mennonite Church, doing that work, according to the custom of the church, without compensation. In 1895 he married Magdalena Yoder, daughter of Joseph C. Yoder. To their marriage were born Irwin, Percival J., Mabel Elizabeth, Orpha, Rachel and Clara. The mother of these children died in 1907. Mr. Miller married Mrs. Anna Weaver in 1909. She was the widow of Willis D. Weaver. They have one daugh- ter, Alta and by her first marriage Mrs. Miller has a son, Ralph. Burritt S. Walter, the present county treasurer of LaGrange County, has taken an, active part in public affairs for a number of years and at the same time has played a busy role in farming and in various other enterprises. He was born in Clay Township of LaGrange County July 11, 1869, son of Valentine and Lydia (Shipley) Walter. His parents were both born in Ohio, but when children were brought by their re- spective parents to LaGrange County, both families settling in Clay Township. Valentine and Lydia attended district school there and after they were grown they married, and for a number of years were substantial farming people there. They now live retired at LaGrange. The father is a republican and both are members of the Lutheran Church, Valentine having been officially connected with the congregation for a number of years. Burritt S. Walter was the only one of the two children of his parents to survive infancy. He grew up on the home farm in Clay Township, and in addi- tion to the district schools attended a high school at LaGrange. Since early manhood he has found abundant opportunity to test his ability in business affairs. He owns a splendid farm of 420 acres in Clay Township, and is also interested in sixty acres in another township in the county. For a number of years he has done a large business buying and shipping cattle and horses. He is president of the LaGrange Automobile Company, director of the LaGrange Trust Company, is treasurer of the La- Grange Combination Sales Company, and is a stock- holder in the Noble Truck Company. Politically he has long been identified with the republican party and for six years was township assessor in Clay Township. He is now serving his second term as county treasurer, and no more care- ful and efficient custodian of the public funds of the county ever held office at the courthouse in La- Grange. Mr. Walter is a member of the Lutheran Church and one of its trustees, and is affiliated with LaGrange Lodge No. 144, Knights of Pythias. He married Lou S. Latta, who was educated in the common schools of this county and before her marriage was a teacher for several terms. They have four children: Rollo N„ a graduate of high school and for two terms a student in the Angola Tri-State Normal and now cashier of the LaGrange Truck Company; Nina, wife of Forest Aldrich; Russell L„ a graduate of the LaGrange High School and a practical farmer in Clay Township ; and Monroe, who is a graduate of high school and is now a student of dentistry. Casper Bardon is an old and prominent resident of LaGrange County, a prosperous farmer in Van Bu- ren Township, and is especially esteemed because of his service as a Union soldier during the Civil war. He was born in Germany June 12, 1841, and in 1847, at the age of six years, came to America with his parents, Michael and Catherine (Buckner) Bar- don. The family lived in Pennsylvania for eight years and then settled in Van Buren Township of LaGrange County. Michael Bardon acquired a tract of land, cleared some of the woods away and built a log house 12 by 18 feet as the first home of his family. Like so many of his countrymen, he was industrious and thrifty and made a good farm. Dur- ing his lifetime he built a large barn 40 by 60 feet. The comfortable and commodious house still stand- ing on the farm was built by Mr. Casper Bardon, who is a carpenter by trade. Michael Bardon died in 1894, at the age of seventy-seven, and his widow survived until 1904, when she was eighty-five years of age. Their children were Margaret, Elizabeth, Susan, Casper, Catherine, Mary, Louis, Frederick, Henry and Charlotte. Casper Bardon finished his education in the com- mon schools of LaGrange County, and in 1862, at the age of twenty-one, enlisted in Company D, Thirtieth Indiana Regiment. His second enlistment was in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-Second Indi- ana Infantry and was with his command until the close of the war. He participated in many, cam- paigns and many engagements and was in the great battles of Gettysburg and Nashville. When the war was over he returned to Van Buren Township, and had thirteen acres of the old homestead. Later he bought the 138 acres which he now owns and where he lives, near Scott, and he also owns a life lease on forty acres in Van Buren Township. He has worked at his trade as carpenter and has made a competence as a farmer. He cast his first vote for Lincoln and has been a stanch republican ever since. He is a Lutheran in church membership, while his first wife was a Baptist, and the present Mrs. Bar- don is a Methodist. In 1872 he married Miss Lois Berry, a daughter of Conrad Berry, of Van Buren Township. Their only child was stillborn. Mrs. Bardon died in 1903. In 1905 he married for his present wife Minnie M. (Shelby) Johnson. She was the mother of one son by her first husband, Clarence Johnson, who owns his own farm in Colorado and married Viva Smith, a daughter of George P. Smith, of LaGrange. Henry H. Bodie, whose home is in Jamestown Township of Steuben County, is now practically retired, after many years of well spent toil and thrifty husbandry as a farmer. When a boy he had to get out and make his own way in the world, and in all his active career he has sought no help which he could not repay and has thoroughly earned his independence. Mr. Bodie was born in Putnam County, Ohio, March 19, i860, son of Joseph and Rhoda Ann (Martin) Bodie. Joseph Bodie enlisted in the Union army in 1861, and served faithfully until his death at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1864. About the time of his death his widow and her family moved to Allen County, Indiana, and she survived her hus- band nearly half a century, passing away in 1909, at the age of eighty-one. Her children were Hannah, Barbara, Margaret, Isaac, Christene, William, Sarah, Joseph, Henry H. and Emma. Henry H. Bodie when nine years old came to Steuben County to live with his gister Margaret, who married Amos Gleason and lived in Jackson Town- ship. He had little time or opportunity to attend school, and at an early age went to work for neigh- boring farmers by the month. Having accumulated 358 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA some equipment and with his experience he began renting land from Gideon Davis, whose daughter he married. In 1903 he moved to Jamestown Town- ship and bought eighty acres which his son Roy now operates. Mr. and Mrs. Bodie for the past eight years have lived in comfort on a small place. Mr. Bodie is a republican, and he and his wife are members of the Latter Day Saints Church. In 1880 he married Allie V. Davis, who was born in Jackson Township of Steuben County August 27, 1856, a daughter of Gideon and Eleanor (VanCleve) Davis. Her father came from the State of New York to Jackson Township in 1837, settling on the 140-acre farm where he died in 1888, at the age of sixty-three. Her mother was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and passed away in 1912, aged eighty-two. In the Davis family were four children : Americus, Viola, Allie and Elmer. Mr. and Mrs. Davis also reared Edwin Owen Collins, a son of Truman Collins, until he was seventeen years of age. and also Harriett Collins. Mrs. Allie Bodie’s early school days were spent in the No. 6 Schoolhouse in Jackson Township. She finished the work there and entered the high school at Angola, Indiana, under the teaching of R. V. Carlin, L. R. Williams, A. W. Long and others. After completing her studies there she took up teaching, and was a most successful in- structor, and probably as well and as favorably known as any teacher in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Bodie have three children: Inez, Roy G. W. and Zelma. Inez, born June 10, 1882, was educated in the public schools of Jackson Town- ship, the Flint High School, was a successful teacher for several years, and is the wife of Bert Collins. Mr. and Mrs. Collins had four children, Lowell, Loene, Max and Robert Bodie, but the last named died in infancy. Roy G. W. Bodie was born Sep- tember 22, 1886, and completed his education in the Jamestown High School. He is a successful young farmer, working his father’s place of eighty acres in Jackson Township, is a republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1905 he married Ethel DeLancey, a daughter of Charles and Emma DeLancey, of a family well known in Steuben County and referred to on other pages. Roy Bodie and wife have four children, Arnona, Roy Charles, Clyde Henry and Beatrice Lula. The daughter Zelma Bodie, born February 27, 1892, was educated in the public schools and the Jamestown High School, and is the wife of Ray DeLancey, a son of Charles DeLancey, above mentioned. They have four children, named Opal, Oral, Merlyn and Arlene. They live on the De- Lancey farm at Gage, Indiana. Earl Lemmon is a son of Clay Lemmon, who was the youngest son of Maurice and Lucinda Lem- mon, and was born in Otsego Township, August 18, 1844. On October 10, 1861, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in Company K of the Forty-Fourth In- diana Infantry, and saw a long period of interesting and arduous service. He was at the battle of Shiloh and the siege of Corinth, and after a period of con- finement in the hospital was honorably discharged in the fall of 1862. About a year later he enlisted as a veteran in Company H of the Seventy-Fourth In- diana Infantry and joined the regiment in Chatta- nooga in time to participate in the Atlanta campaign. He was with Sherman on the march to the sea and was in the Grand Review at Washington in May, 1865. He received his honorable discharge July 24, 1863, and was not absent a day from his regi- ment during his second enlistment. In 1869 he settled on a farm in section 20 of Otsego Township. He became prominent in local affairs, was elected township trustee in 1876 and again in 1878, and did much to improve school facilities of the township. He was elected justice of the peace in 1880, and in 1884 was elected treasurer of Steuben County, an office he held from 1885 to 1889. As a farmer he had begun in the woods and had cleared up a place of 120 acres, his first home being a log cabin. After 1885 he made his home in Angola. After retiring from the office of county treasurer he studied in a college at South Bend and was trained for the profession of optician, which he followed many years in Angola. He married September 19, 1869, Jane Cameron, who was born in Richland Township of Steuben County January 27, 1846, a daughter of William and Sarah Cameron. They became the parents of four children : Sarah Erdine, wife of John E. Kratz, of Angola; Ernest, who died in infancy; Edith, who died in February, 1918, at the age of forty; and Earl. Earl Lemmon, who was born on the old home- stead in Otsego Township September 17, 1883, lived in Angola from the age of two years until he was twenty-five. He is a graduate of the Angola High School, and in 1902 he began working the home farm and after the death of his father in 1917 acquired this property and has been busily engaged in general farming and stock raising. In politics he is a republican. In November, 1907, Mr. Lemmon married Miss Ethel Dirrim, daughter of Lincoln Dirrim and a granddaughter of Wesley Dirrim, these, constituting some of the oldest and most honored names of Steuben County citizenship. Mr. and Mrs. Lemmon have four children, named Esther, Elsie, Edith and Clay. Harry B. Schlotterback. This is one of the oldest family names in the history of Perry Town- ship in Noble County. The family was established here in the earliest pioneer times, when the county was a wilderness, and long years before the building of the first railroad or other modern improvements. The present representative of the name Harry B. Schlotterback, is not only one of the leading farmers of Perry Township, but has been honored by his fellow citizens with the responsibilities of the im- portant office of township trustee, of which he is the present incumbent. Mr. Schlotterback was born in the same township March 26, 1870, a son of Henry and Sarah E. (Davis) Schlotterback. How early the family was established in this section of Noble County is in- dicated by the fact that Henry Schlotterback was born in Perry Township, October 30, 1834, more than eighty-five years ago. His wife was also born in the same township in 1842. Henry died in October, 1917, and his wife in 1911. He was a re- publican and always followed farming as his occu- pation. There were seven children in the family: Eden H., a mechanic at Ligonier; Anna, wife of William Lacounts ; Harry B. ; Emma, wife of Albert Deardorff ; John M., who lives in Canada; Jesse E., of Wawaka; and Louis E., of Ligonier. Harry B. Schlotterback received his education in the district schools and lived at home until he was twenty-one, at which time he acquired a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Lizzie M. Pollock, a sister of Charles E. Pollock, one of the well known citizens of Washington Township of Noble County. Mr. and Mrs. Schlotterback have two children : Marian L., a graduate of the Ligonier High School and still at home ; and Melvin, who is in the third year of the high school. Mr. Schlotterback is an active republican in poli- tics, and was elected on that ticket to his present HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 359 responsibilities as township trustee. He is making a success at his business as a general farmer and stock raiser, and has a fine and well improved place of 127 acres in section 32. Holly J. Bontrager, the present trustee of New- bury Township, is one of the busy and energetic young men of affairs of Shipshewana. His own career has been a continuation of an honorable family record that has been identified with La- Grange County since early times. Mr. Bontrager was born in Newbury Township September 14, 1881, a son of John A. and Sarah (Hershberger) Bontrager. His mother was born in Starke County, Indiana, June 9, 1862, a daugh- ter of Abraham Hershberger. His father was born in Newbury Township October 5, 1856. Mr. Bon- trager’s great-grandfather, John Bontrager, was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, October 3, 1781. In December, 1802, he married Barbara Johns, who was born November 22, 1782. Their family consisted of the following children : Fannie, born September 22, 1803; John, born March 10, 1805; Maggie, born January 23, 1807; Mary, born Novem- ber 14, 1808; Joseph, born August 4, 1811; Gertie, born January 25, 1814; Christian, born January 16, 1816; Barbara, born July 21, 1819; and Amos, born November 20, 1826. The family record is continued through Amos Bontrager, who married Lydia Miller. She was born two years after her husband, on July 21, 1828, and was a native of Western Pennsylvania. Amos Bontrager was one of an early colony of settlers to come from Pennsylvania to Northeast Indiana. The journey was made along the Ohio River until they started north to LaGrange County. The Bontragers brought along a herd of sheep and a number of cattle. Amos Bontrager located in section 21 of Newbury Township about 1848, and lived there the rest of his life. He died October 24, 1899, and his wife December 21, 1898. Th'e names of their chil- dren and dates of birth are as follows : Rosa, born March 10, 1850; Gertie, June 12, 1851; Isaac, Jan- uary 29, 1853; Barbara, November 21, 1854; John, October 5, 1856; Benjamin, October 30, 1858; Tobias, stillborn, i860; Eli, December 16, 1861; David, De- cember 30, 1864; Lydia, March 15, 1867; Abner, February 19, 1870; 'and one daughter, stillborn, 1873. John A. Bontrager has been a farmer in Newbury Township since early manhood and owns a good farm of 100 acres there. His wife died December 20, 1898. They had three children : Holly J., Todd J., born November 17, 1884; and Sadie, born Sep- tember 14, 1898, and died January 2, 1899. Holly J. Bontrager attended district school in Newbury Township, is a graduate of the high school at Shipshewana, and the first year out of high school he taught in that township. From 1902 to igi5 he lived in Chicago, and on returning to LaGrange County was associated in farming with his father until February, 1919. Since that date he has given his time and energies to his duties as secretary .and treasurer of the Fafver Lumber Company of Ship- shewana. Mr. Bontrager was elected to the office of township trustee in November, 1918, and entered office in the following January. June 16, 1909, he married Ethel Preston, a daugh- ter of Henry and Mary (Raymond) Preston. Mrs. . Bontrager, who died August 26, 1914, was the mother of two children: Maurice, born January 31, 1910; and Frances, born May 16, 1914. On April 22, 1919, Mr. Bontrager married Ida Brasen, a daughter of Olaf and Sophia Brasen. Frank M. Smith, who has been identified with the ownership and operation of a number of farms in Northern Indiana and elseryhere, also was for- merly proprietor of some of the grain elevators in LaGrange County, is a native of that county, and of a family relationship that has received special attention on other pages of this publication. He was born near Cedar Lake in Lima Township January 16, 1854, a son of James and Sarah (Burnell) Smith. His mother, it should be noted, was born in England and was six years of age when, her mother having died, she came to the United States with her father, Thomas Burnell, whose name is prominently identified with the early settlement of LaGrange County, where he located in 1830 and built the first frame house on English Prairie. Frank M. Smith was six years of age when with his parents he came to Greenfield Township, and he grew up on a farm, supplementing his advantages in the local schools at Orland Academy and the LaGrange Collegiate Institute at Ontario. He also had normal school instruction, and on February 22, 1873, graduated from the commercial department of Hillsdale College in Michigan. With this training he taught school six winters, working on the farm in other seasons. He then engaged in farming as his regular vocation, and bought eighty acres in section 16 of Lima Township. Later he added 160 acres and had a complete and well equipped farm of 240 acres. He bought and sold a number of tracts of land, and at the present time his holdings are represented by eighty acres in Clay Township, forty acres in Lima Township, 160 acres in St. Joseph County, Michigan, and 160 acres in Scott County. Kansas. Mr. Smith came to Howe in 1901 and engaged in the grain business, at the same time looking after his farms. For several years be bought grain, and later he bought the elevator at Shipshewana and ptiout six months later the Wolcottville elevator. Half a year later he sold these and bought a half interest in the elevator at Howe, but sold that in 1018. He now devotes his time to looking after his farms and is also owner of some good property at Howe. Mr. Smith is non-partisan in politics. His wife is an Episcopalian. On January 15, 1878. he married Florence Augusta Deal, daughter of Elisha and Catherine (Millis) Deal. To their marriage were born three children, and they now have one grandchild. Catherine Ber- n’Ve. the oldest daughter, is a graduate of the Howe High School, and by her marriage to Willard G. Sweitzer. of Howe, has a daughter, Catherine. Nel- lie Deal Smith comnleted her education in the Howe High School and died in 1909, at the age of twenty- three. Marv Elizabeth is a graduate of the Howe High School, had other educational advantages, and is the wife of Dr. Frank Cummings, of LaGrange. Mrs. Smith was horn in Snringfield Township of LaGrange County Januarv 27, 18^9. Her grandpar- ents were Conrad and Elizabeth (Rawles) Deal, who settled in Springfield Township at an early date, cleared no a farm, and Conrad died in 1870. F.lisha Deal, father of Mrs. Smith, was born in Marion County, Ohio, in 1830, and was five years old when he came .with his parents to Springfield Township. He lived with his father until he was twenty-seven, when he began farming for himself. For many years he also operated a threshing ma- chine, and had one of the pioneer outfits in La- Grange County. He was owner of a farm of 120 acres in Springfield Township. Elisha Deal married, February 14, 1857, Catherine Millis, a daughter of Levin and Ruth (Leonard) Millis, natives of Mary- land, where Catherine was born in 1834. Elisha Deal and wife had two daughters, Augusta and Mary E., the latter born August 27, 1863. 360 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Philip Choler. The Choler family, prominently represented in LaGrange County by the present county clerk and also by Mr. Philip Choler, one of the largest land owners and leading farmers of Bloomfield Township, was established here more than half a century ago. Philip Choler was born in Bloomfield Township October 4, 1866, two years after his parents, Levi and Elizabeth (Groff) Choler, established their home in Bloomfield. The parents were both born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. On coming to LaGrange County Levi Choler worked in a saw mill for two years and then bought land and farmed continuously until his death. He owned 160 acres and he and his family were members of the Lutheran Church. His children were : Kate, wife of A. D. Griffith, of Sturgis, Michigan; Phoebe, deceased wife of John Fellows ; Mary, Mrs. J. N. Smith, of LaGrange ; Philip; Etta, wife of A. J. Gilbert, of California; George, present county clerk of LaGrange County; and Dora, Mrs. Milo Yoder, of Middlebury, Indiana. Philip Choler attended the Pleasant Hill School when a boy, and since his school days has been identified with farming. Through many years of industrious effort he has acquired a large and valu- able farm, comprising 250 acres. He has lived on this farm since 1899, and in twenty years has erected a number of substantial buildings. January 8, 1895, he married Miss Ella Fisher. She was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, a daugh- ter of Adam and Mary Jane (Sherley) Fisher, the former a native of Columbiana County and the latter of Noble County, Indiana. Mrs. Choler’s ma- ternal grandmother, Jane (Frederick) Sherley, is still living at the age of ninety years, making her home among her children. She and her husband came from Columbiana County, Ohio, and were early settlers in Noble County, and afterward lived in Steuben County. Her two brothers, William and Ira, were Union soldiers. Mr. Choler’s maternal uncle, Philip Groff, was also a soldier in the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Choler are members of the Lutheran Church. They have three children: Vern, Dora Marie and Iva Elizabeth. Dora is the wife of Robert Frutig, a farmer of Bloomfield Township. The son Vern is an honored soldier of the recent war. He was in the service twenty months and one day and in all that time was never home on a leave of absence. He sailed overseas June 11, 1918, in Company D of the Three Hundred and Fourteenth Engineers, part of the Eighty-Ninth Division. He returned to America May 26, 1919. When he went into army camp he trained for the infantry but later was transferred to the engineers. While along the battle front he was slightly gassed. He now makes his home with his father. William M. Sanxter. Northeastern Indiana has produced some of the most prosperous farmers and reliable citizens of the country, men who understand their work and love their country, and can be depended upon to continue their agricultural labors as long as there is need of their efforts to produce a sufficient amount of food to supply domestic and foreign demands, now so greatly increased because of the great war. One of the men who belongs to this class is William M. Sanxter of Otsego Town- ship, Steuben County. He was born in Richland Township, Steuben County, September 12, 1861, a son of Christopher and Rebecca (Brown) Sanxter, both natives of England, he born in 1822 and she in 1824. They were married in England, where four of their children were born, and then in 1852 they came to the United States, landing at New York City. With them came Joseph Brown and James Peachey, neighbors, Joseph Brown being the father- in-law of Christopher Sanxter and James Peachey. The trip across the ocean took sixteen weeks, as they were shipwrecked, and they had many adven- tures. They were a little more fortunate than many emigrants of their day, as there was enough money among them to pay the railroad fare of the women and children to their objective point, Medina County, Ohio, but the men had to make the trip on foot. Christopher Sanxter and his family later went to Wayne County, Ohio, and still later came to Steuben County, securing land in Otsego Town- ship, but not being satisfied went to DeKalb County, Indiana. Two years later they returned to Steuben County, and spent two years in Richland Township, but then returned to Otsego Township, where Mr. Sanxter owned 16 7)4 acres, and here he died in 1889, his wife having passed away in 1883. He was a republican and took pride in the fact that he cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Both he and his wife joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in England, and connected themselves with that denomination upon coming to their new home. Their children were as follows : Arthur ; Catherine, who married J. S. Baker; Frederick, who died in England; Margaret; Frederick (II), who is de- ceased; Margaret (II), who is deceased; Mary Delaney, who married Ted Craig; William M., whose name heads this review; and Ella M., who is the wife of George Beard of DeKalb County. The first four children were born in England, and the remaining five in the United States. William M. Sanxter was reared in Steuben Coun- ty, and attended the schools of his neighborhood. Having been brought up amid rural surroundings, he early decided to become a farmer and has de- voted himself to agricultural work, now owning a fine farm of 120 acres in Otsego Township, where he carries on general farming and stock raising. Both by inheritance and inclination he is a re- publican. On January 1, 1884, Mr. Sanxter was, married to Ella M. Erlsten, born at Defiance, Ohio, November 7, 1863, a daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Zyler) Erlsten. Alexander Erlsten was born in Wayne County, Ohio, January 1, 1834, and his wife was born in Richland County, Ohio, November 26, 1842. They were married in Ohio, and April 11, 1878, settled on the farm now occupied by Mr. Sanxter. In 1886 they moved to Hamilton, Indiana, where he now lives, but Mrs. Erlsten died December 27, 1918. They had the following children: Ella; Charles, who is deceased ; Daisy ; and Clara. Mr. Erlsten served during the Civil war as a soldier in the Union army, enlisting in 1861 in the Thirty- Eighth Ohio Infantry, and served for fourteen months, when he was honorably discharged. Mr. and Mrs. Sanxter became the parents of the fol- lowing children : Erlsten Arthur, who married Clara Kepler of Steuben County, has the following children, Estle, Luella and Forrest; Forrest Glenn, who is deceased ; Shirley, who married Eula Tee- gardin, a daughter of Thomas Teegardin of Otsego Township, has the following children, Geraldine, Lawana and Marian ; Leon, who married Mrs. Inez Tee, has one son, William Edward; Olen G., who is mentioned below ; Leta and Lois, both of whom are at home. Olen G. Sanxter was a member of the National Guards and saw service on the Mexican border during 1917, and in the World war, receiv- ing his honorable discharge December 16, 1918, as second lieutenant. He was at Camp Shelby and Camp Taylor. The Sanxter family is one of the best known ones in Steuben County, and it is con- nected by marriage with many other old established ones in this part of the state. The members of HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 361 this family have ever proven themselves worthy citizens and upright men and women, and the several communities fortunate enough to have them as residents can be sure of securing from them a hearty and effective support of public-spirited move- ments and also those tending toward a moral uplift. George Strater. Perhaps at no time in the coun- try’s history has every agricultural interest been of so much importance as at the present time, and it is the capable, industrious farmer who has the op- portunity of not only reaping just returns for his hard work, but of also demonstrating a spirit of generous patriotism that entitles him to the gratitude of the rest of the country. One of the excellent farmers and representative citizens of Noble County is George Strater, whose farm is on the southeast quarter of section 26 in Wayne Township. Mr. Strater is the more entitled to credit since he started life absolutely without capital, and has ac- quired a farm, paid for it, improved it, and won his way into the class of most industrious and capable citizens. He was born in Orange Township of Noble County April 15, 1868, son of John F. and Margaret (Toby) Strater. His parents were both born in Germany, came to the United States with their re- spective parents, located in Richland County, Ohio, where they grew up and married, and then moved to Indiana and established a home in Orange Town- ship, of Noble County. Here they spent the rest of their lives. They began with eighty acres of new land, and kept improving and adding more until they had a complete farm of 260 acres. Besides making this fine farm they had a large family of children grow up around them and for whom they provided liberally. Of their twelve children one died at the age of two years, and one other in 1915. Ten are still living: Catherine, wife of Samuel Linsey, of DeKalb County, Indiana ; Mary, of Wayne Township; Nettie, widow of Nelson Chamberlin; Laura, unmarried; George; J. M. Strater, of Orange Township; Harvey, of Orange Township; Minnie, wife of W. A. Rhea; Emma, wife of John Rhea; and Albert, of Wayne Township. George Strater grew up on the home farm, at- tended the common schools, and was with his parents to the age of twenty-one. For one year he worked in Howard County, but with that exception has since lived in Noble County. On September 15, 1896, he married Miss Jennie Ross. She was born in Orange Township. Mr. and Mrs. Strater began house- keeping with practically nothing excepting a few household goods, and as tenants and renters they kept steadily marching ahead, largely in an era of low prices and little demand for what they produced, but eventually have secured and paid for their pres- ent farm of 160 acres, which is a handsome property and very valuable. Mr. Strater handles all kinds of the best grade of stock. He is a democrat in politics and a member of the Evangelical Church at Ken- dallville. Mr. and Mrs. Strater have two living children: Norman R. and Dorothy, both graduates of the common schools and still at home. Jacob S. Hostetler, who is the father of Josiah J. Hostetler of Shipshewana, has for over thirty years been one of the leading farmers of LaGrange County, and a citizen well known and well liked in his community. He was born in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1863, son af Samuel and Sarah (Miller) Hostetler, both of whom were natives of Cambria County. The maternal grandparents were Jacob and Fannie (Hershberger) Miller. The paternal grandfather Peter Hostetler was born in Pennsyl- vania November 30, 1807, and married Elizabeth Eash. Their children were Polly, Susan, Isaac, Samuel, Henry, Sarah, Lydia. Samuel Hostetler came to Clay Township, LaGrange County, in 1869 and after living on a farm there .fourteen years moved eight miles further west to Newbury Town- ship, where he made his home on a farm until his death in 1890. His widow is still living. They were the parents of nine children, named Amanda, who be- came the wife of Aaron D. Yoder; Jacob S.; Fannie; Daniel S. ; Samuel ; Levi ; Amos ; Henry and Sarah. Jacob S. Hostetler was five or six years of age when brought to LaGrange County and he acquired his education in the district schools of Clay Town- ship. In 1887 he married Matilda Miller, daughter of Moses P. Miller. For sixteen years after his marriage he was a farmer in Clay Township and in 1903 he moved to Newbury Township. For the past nine years his home has been in section 23, where he owns his farm of eighty acres. His first wife died in 1898, the mother of three children, Orva C., Josiah J., and Willis, Josiah alone surviving. In 1899 Mr. Hostetler married Carrie Sunthimer and has one child, Ora Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Hostetler are members of the Amish Mennonite Church. Josiah J. Hostetler. A prominent and substan- tial old pioneer family of LaGrange County is that of Hostetler, one largely agricultural although not entirely so, as is evidenced in a well known repre- sentative, Josiah J. Hostetler, who is postmaster at Shipshewana and has been connected with railroad affairs at this point. Josiah J. Hostetler was born in Clay Township, LaGrange County, Indiana, August 20, 1890, the son of Jacob S. and Matilda (Miller) Hostetler, and a grandson of Samuel and Sarah Hostetler, who came very early to LaGrange County. The grand- father died here but the grandmother survives and is one of the oldest residents of Newbury Town- ship. The mother of Josiah J. Hostetler died when he was a child. His father subsequently married Caroline Sunthimer, and they have one child, Orie, and the family home is in Newbury Township. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Hostetler was Moses P. Miller, a man of prominence in the county at one time, and extended mention of whom will be found in this work. After attending the public schools Mr. Hostetler took a short course in Goshen College, and then accepted the position of ticket agent for the Valley Line Railroad at Shipshewana, in which he con- tinued until May, 1918, when he was appointed post- master. From early manhood Mr. Hostetler has been a democrat and, believing the principles of this organization are best for the public good, has brought his political strength to bear in their sup- port. The office of postmaster at Shipshewana is no sinecure, the rapid development of the place bringing additional duties and responsibilities. Mr. Hostetler is a popular official and personally enjoys the esteem of everyone. John H. Schermerhorn. The annals of the Schermerhorn family cover almost the entire period in which LaGrange County has been the home of civilized men. The family history here goes back over eighty years. Several of the Schermerhorns are well known in the county as practical and pro- gressive farmers, good citizens, and men who have shown a disposition to assume the duties required for the public welfare. One of the family is Mr. John H. Schermerhorn, a farmer living on his father’s old homestead in Clear Spring Township. He was born on that farm 362 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA December 26, 1876, a son of Horace G. Schermer- horn and a grandson of Ernestus Schermerhorn. Ernestus Schermerhorn was born in Onondaga County, New York, March 21, 1802. He married Ann Johnson, who was born in the same county. In 1836 they came West, bringing their four children, and located at Howe, Indiana. Ernestus Schermer- horn was a salt boiler by trade, and owned an interest in salt works in the East and also operated a canal boat. In LaGrange County he entered 200 acres of government land in Clay Township, and in 1837 moved into his log cabin in the midst of the woods. Two years later he sold that and bought 240 acres in Clear Spring Township, in section 4. This is the land now owned by his youngest son, Horace, and operated by his grandson, John H. Ernestus Schermerhorn was a straight out repub- lican in politics. He was a devoted reader of the old New York Tribune and placed special confi- dence in everything Horace Greeley, its editor, said until Greeley went on Jeff Davis’ bond, a procedure that disgusted this reader, as it did many other of the faithful. Ernestus Schermerhorn was the first county assessor of LaGrange County. He was the father of twelve children, seven sons and two daughters reaching maturity. The only two now living are Aaron P. and Horace G. Aaron was born January 2, 1830, and lives at Stroh in LaGrange County. Horace G. Schermerhorn was born on the old homestead in section 4 of Clear Spring Township August 17, 1847, grew up there and had a common school education. April 4, 1874, he married Evaline Wemple. She was born in New York State, but was brought to Indiana when only a girl. They had five children : Alice, wife of Bert Wier, of LaGrange County; John H. ; Myrtie, unmarried and living with her father; Nettie, wife of Earl Fisher, of LaGrange, and Bessie, wife of William Bogert, living on the home farm. Horace Schermerhorn is a republican, served as township assessor, and is now chairman of the County Council of LaGrange County. John H. Schermerhorn has spent his life on the old homestead. He is the only son of his parents. He graduated from the LaGrange High School, and has taken the short course in agriculture at Purdue University. He is one of the progressive and suc- cessful fanners of the county, and pays much atten- tion to livestock. August 15, 1906, he married Bertha Showalter. She was born in LaGrange County and is a gradu- ate of the common schools. They have four chil- dren : Horace A., born August 9, 1907 ; Oneida M., born December 17, 1909; Mary A., born February 9, 1912, and Elmer O., born October 31, 1918. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Schermerhorn is a republican and spent one term of four years' as a member of the County Council. In early life he put in five years as a teacher in the district school. Edwin R. Powers, of Angola, was born in Wil- liams County, Ohio, October 23, 1862, a son of Edwin and Clarissa L. (Jones) Powers, the former a native of New York State. The grandparents were Winn and Betsey Powers, who were identified with the earliest settlement of Steuben County, coming about 1836. Edwin Powers, Sr., was seven years old when brought to Steuben County. He attended a school at home kept and taught by his father. He followed the occupation of farming and for a number of years owned a farm in Williams County, Ohio. He finally moved to Angola to edu- cate his children. His wife died in 1872. He served as township treasurer in Williams County, Ohio, and was a democrat in politics. He and his wife had the following children: Winn, who for two terms was mayor of the City of St. Paul, Minne- sota, and while mayor the commission form of government was established; Edwin R. ; Dora B., of Minneapolis; Frank L., county assessor of Ram- sey County, Minnesota ; Daisy, wife of Mr. Wise- man, of St. Paul. Edwin R. Powers was educated in Williams County, Ohio, grew up on a farm, and for twenty years was a traveling salesman. In 1909 he engaged in the real estate business and is a member of the firm Powers, Powers & Ivan. He is a democrat, a member of the Masons, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. In 1891 he married Miss Jessie D. Gore, of Williams County, Ohio. Their daughter, C. Louise, is the wife of W. O. Goodwin, of Fremont. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin have a daughter, Barbara Mary. Tohn Klink. Few but the oldest residents in Salem Township in Steuben County will recall the late John Klink, who was an early settler there, a good farmer and a good citizen, and the homestead that he developed as a result of so much toil is now occupied bv his daughter, Mrs. Mary Peeper. John Klink was born in Seneca County, Ohio, March 1. 1829, son of Christian and Mary (Failer) Klink. He came to Steuben County in early man- hood, and bought the present farm in section 12 of Salem Township in 1856, more than sixty years ago. He had eighty acres, cleared away the timber and brush, put up the first buildings on the land and lived there with growing prosperity and comfort until his death on Tanuary 13, 1866. After his death his widow and child lived on the homestead for nine years. Mrs. Klink in 1875 was married to William Craig, and they moved to Auburn, where she died May 2a. 1892. The children of John Klink were Mary ; Thomas P., who died at the age of thirteen ; Caroline, who died when fourteen years old; and Lovina, who died at the age of nine. Mary Klink, the only living descendant of John Klink, was married December 0, 1873, to Nathaniel Killinger, a son of Steven and Rebecca Killinger. Nathaniel Killinger was born in Summit County, Ohio. October 2, 1849. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Killinger lived on the farm in section 12, which was under Mr. Killinger’s capable direction until his death August 14, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Kil- linger had three children, noted briefly as follows : Minnie, wife of Clyde Dole, a farmer in Salem Township, and they had three children, named Zema. who married Clarence Rehneil, and have a son, Howard Paul : D. N.. and Ferman P. Morton B. the second child of Mrs. Killinger, was born Tanuary 20. 1877, and was drowned Tune 9, 1805. Llovd C. Killinger, who is a successful farmer in Jackson Township, married Rita Doudt, and has two children, Dewan and Marjorie D. On Tidy 12, 1904, Mrs. Killinger became the wife of William Peeper. During the next two years they lived in Hudson, but since 1907 have resumed their residence on the old Klink homestead, where Mr. Peeper is now directing its management. Alpheus K. Faux. One of the foremost agricul- turists of Allen Township in Noble County, Alpheus K. Faux has lived in that county since boyhood and is a man who has earned his own success in life, and now has a property which is the source not only of profit but of all the pleasurable associations of a home. His farm is two miles south and two miles west of Kendallville. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 363 Mr. Faux was born in Morrow County, Ohio, December 20, 1864, son of Charles and Maria (Stockdale) Faux. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Ohio. They mar- ried in Ohio and settled on a farm near Mount Gilead in Morrow County, but in 1875 left the Buckeye state and located in Noble County, where they spent their last years. Their home was in Orange Township. They were members of the Baptist Church and the father was a democrat in politics. His ready energies and resourcefulness enabled him to make a success, though he began life as a poor man, and he owned 320 acres of Noble County land. Of his fourteen children seven are still living: Burke, a farmer in Orange Township; Sadie, wife of Josiah Ziglar; Lottie, wife of John Spice, of LaGrange County; Alpheus K. ; W. R., a farmer in Orange Township; Estella, wife of John W. Harvey, of Jefferson Township; and Justin, of Orange Township. Alpheus K. Faux began attending school in Ohio and was ten years old when his people located in Noble County. After getting his education he lived at home to the age of twenty-one and pursued farm labor as a means of self support for a number of years. In 1893 he married Frances Wirick. After his marriage he rented a farm, and then bought an interest in the old homestead. That was his home until 1909, when he sold out and bought his 160-acre farm in Allen Township. This is devoted to gen- eral farming and stock raising, and is considered one of the notable farms of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Faux have four children : Bernice, Charles D., George and Paul, all graduates of the common schools and all still at home. Mrs. Faux is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics he votes as a democrat. William Seely, who has long since passed the age of four-score, has spent three-quarters of a century in DeKalb County, and during this long time has been fruitful in many private and public endeavors and influences that have directly promoted the welfare of his community in Newville Town- ship. Mr. Seel}', who still lives on his farm near the village of Newville, was born in New York State October 7, 1833, a son of Amzi and Mercy A. (Ray) Seely, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Massachusetts. The Seely family came to Indiana, arriving in DeKalb County July 3, 1843. The same year they settled on the Richmond farm, and in the fall of 1845 Amzi Seely moved to Orange- ville, where he bought an interest in the flouring mill. He sold his share of this property in 1858 and after that lived at Newville until his death in the spring of 1877. He was a man of prominence in the county and served four years as a county commis- sioner. In politics he was a democrat. Amzi Seely was the father of four children, William; Isaac and Benjamin, both deceased, and Harriet, who is the wife of Samuel Stafford, of Newville. William Seely was ten years old when brought to Indiana. He finished his education in the local schools and at the age of eighteen began appren- ticeship to the cabinet maker’s trade. He followed that work until the spring of 1872, when he built a sawmill, and operated this mill for many years as a matter of commercial convenience and of profit to the Newville community. He later bought his farm of 120 acres, and for many years has had his home on that place. In June, 1863, Mr. Seely married Ellen Stager. She was born in Ohio in 1836 and was reared in DeKalb County. Mrs. Seely died September 19, I 9 J 3 , a few weeks after they had celebrated the fiftieth or golden anniversary of their wedding. She was the mother of five children : Elizabeth, widow of Horace Josling; Bertha, wife of Charles Wilson, of DeKalb County; Lena, wife of John E. Platter; Maude M., wife of E. R. May, of DeKalb County; and John A., who is married and lives in Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Seely has nine great-grandchildren. Mr. Seely is a democrat and has been quite active in politics. He was elected trustee of Newville Township in 1882 and served three terms, eight years altogether. He is the only surviving charter -mem- ber of William Hacker Lodge of Masons, and is also a Royal Arch Mason. Charles A. Junod has had the satisfaction of spending over forty years in agricultural effort in LaGrange County, and from small beginnings has accumulated sufficient prosperity for all his needs, and in the meantime has seen a good family grow up around him and become honored in their re- spective spheres and vocations. Mr. Junod was born at Ligieniere, Switzerland, May 18, 1845, but has been a resident of America since he was twelve years old. His parents were Charles L. and Elizabeth (Kiefer) Junod, both natives of Switzerland. His father was born in 1811 and brought his family to America in 1857. He lived in Erie County, Pennsylvania, until 1862, then came to LaGrange County, Indiana, and after three years in Greenfield Township moved to Van Buren Township, where he spent the rest of his life and where he died June 6, 1889. At the time of his death he owned 160 acres of land. He and his wife had the following children : Ida, Charles A. , Emma, Augustus, Lewis, Alcid (who died on the way to Indiana from the old country), Frank and Amos. Charles A. Junod received his education partly in the old country and partly in America, and as a young man worked out by the day or month. In 1874 he married Eveline Steininger, a daughter of Joseph Steininger. The next three years he farmed rented land, and in 1878 bought the place of eighty acres in Van Buren Township where he lives to- day and where he has gathered most of his pros- perity. In 1896 he bought an adjoining sixty acres, and has the entire farm well arranged and well improved with buildings and other equipment. He and his wife also own 160 acres in St. Joseph County, Michigan. Mr. Junod lost his first wife in 1891. She was the mother of four children : Orla, the oldest, is a state senator living in Montana. He married Mabel Mathew, and had three children, Eveline, Mabel and Amoretta, the first two now deceased. Charles F. has achieved distinction in financial circles, being vice president of the Atlantic City Bank of New York City. He married Augusta Smith and they have two children, Charles F., Jr., and Robert Smith. Joseph S. Junod is a farmer at home, while Ray L., the youngest of the family, lives in Chicago and is connected with the Continental National Bank. He married Catherine Boyden and has two children, Elizabeth and William B. June 7, 1892, Mr. Junod married Martha C. Sex- auer, a daughter of Andrew Sexauer. They have two children, Lottie S. and Carlie E. Mr. Junod served for eight years as a member of the County Council of LaGrange County, and his name is there- fore known in all parts of this county. Samuel B. Nichols. The life activities of Samuel B. Nichols have been widely known in LaGrange County, particularly in Lima Township, where he 364 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA has been a farmer and stockman, merchant and vice president of the State Bank of Lima for about thirty years. He was born in Greenfield Township of the same county November io, 1867, a son of Charles G. and Ella (Burnell) Nichols. Of the older members of his family and their relations with LaGrange County more is said on other pages. Samuel B. Nichols grew up on the homestead farm, had a public school education, and attended the Northern Indiana Nor- mal School at Valparaiso. On locating at Lima, now Howe, he engaged in the hardware business for about ten years, associated with Arthur S. Atwater under the firm name of Atwater & Nichols. In the meantime Mr. Nichols became interested in the State Bank of Lima, and when his brother Charles became its president he accepted the post of cashier, and has been the responsible executive of the bank ever since. He and his brother also own the old home- stead and do an extensive business as stock feeders. Mr. Nichols had has no aspiration for office, though he is now a member of the Township Ad- visory Board. He votes as a republican, is a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was reared in the Episcopal Church, but attends worship at the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a member. He married October 23, 1895, Mary Samson, daughter of Mar- shall Samson, of Homer, New York. Frank J. Smith with his brother Charles Smith constitute the firm of Smith Brothers, hardware merchants at LaGrange! This is an old established business, the firm having been in existence thirty years. They bought a business which had been conducted in LaGrange for a number of years. Frank J. Smith is one of three brothers, all of whom have been successful hardware dealers. The other one is a merchant at Hillsdale, Michigan. Frank J. Smith was born at Hillsdale May 10, 1859, son John and Elizabeth (Openo) Smith. His father was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1832. The mother was born in Oakland County, Michigan, in 1836. Her father, Joseph Openo, came out to Michigan Territory and settled in Oakland County in 1835, and spent the rest of his life as a farmer. In the Openo family were seven children, named Nancy, George, Charlotte, Charles, Joseph, Elizabeth and Mary. John Smith came from Ger- many to the United States when fourteen years of age, having in the meantime acquired a common school education. At Hillsdale, Michigan, he worked as a farm hand and later entered the hardware business in that city, and was a prosperous merchant at the time of his death in 1866. He and his wife had three children, Frank J., Charles H. and George N. The latter is owner of the Hillsdale Hardware Company. The mother of these sons died at Hillsdale May 30, 1917. Frank J. Smith grew up in his native city, at- tended the public schools, was in high school through his junior year, and then followed the period in which he was earning his living, serving five years as deputy postmaster at Hillsdale. Another incident of his early life was going out to South Dakota and taking up a claim of 160 acres. After finish- ing a commercial course at Hillsdale College Mr. Smith removed to Hudson, Michigan, where he was employed in a hardware store for five years. He came to LaGrange County in 1888 and with his brother Charles bought out the hardware store owned by Arad Lampman on the west side of Main Street. They were in that old location for three years and in January, 1892, moved to their present location where they have been in business for over a quarter of a century and which is a landmark in the business district of LaGrange. The Smith, Brothers are well known throughout Northern In- diana, have a large and completely stocked hardware establishment, and their success has been derived from their knowledge of business, honesty and up- right dealings with the public. Mr. Smith is an independent democrat in politics. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church. He married Eva B. Dickerson in 1888. She was born at Hudson, Michigan, a daughter of James B. and Catherine Schuyler (Clover) Dick- erson. Her mother was a descendant of Peter Schuyler, one of the most noted heroes of the American Revolution and first mayor of Albany, New York. Her parents spent many years in Hud- son, Michigan, where they died. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born three children : Arnold D., who is a graduate of the LaGrange High School and was a student at Wooster University, after a year in service overseas has taken up his pre-war occupation as an automobile salesman. Kathryn Schuyler, who graduated from the LaGrange High School, then attended Western College for Women at Oxford, Ohio, and later the Michigan Agricultural College, is now bookkeeper for the Smith Brothers hard- ware business at LaGrange. George Schuyler, the youngest child, is a graduate of the LaGrange High School, and is now junior in the Mechanical En- gineering Department of Purdue University. Charles H. Smith, of the firm of Smith Brothers, hardware merchants at LaGrange, is one of the most enterprising citizens of his community. With his brother Frank he has always been interested in every movement for the welfare of the city and county. He and his two brothers are all veteran hard- ware men, the third brother being a hardware mer- chant at Hillsdale, Michigan. Charles H. Smith was born at Hillsdale March 10, 1861, a son of John and Elizabeth (Openo) Smith. His father was a native of Germany, came to the United States as a boy worked at various occupations in Southern Michigan and afterward became a hardware dealer at Hillsdale, where he died in 1866, when his son Charles was only five years old. The mother sur- vived many years. Her father was one of the pioneer settlers of Oakland County, Michigan. Charles H. Smith as a boy attended public school at Hillsdale, and was in his senior year in high school when he left his studies to earn his own way and improve his opportunity to enter the hard- ware business. For ten years he was clerk in a hardware store at Hillsdale,- and the only inter- ruption to his service was eight months while he was entering and making the initial improvement upon a 160 acre claim in South Dakota. Later he was clerk in a hardware store at Huron, South Dakota, and for two years was traveling salesman represent- ing a hardware house in Minnesota and South Dakota. Mr. Smith and his brother Frank formed their partnership in 1888 and bought out an old estab- lished business at LaGrange. Their trade asso- ciations now cover all the territory around La- Grange, and it is one of the oldest and best known hardware organizations in Northeast Indiana. Mr. C. H. Smith was also one of the organizers of the LaGrange Creamery and Ice Company and has been president of that corporation since it was organized. He was also identified with the organ- ization of the LaGrange State Bank and has since been one of its directors. He is an independent democrat in politics and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at LaGrange. His family attend the Presby- terian Church. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 365 Mr. Smith married Miss Margaret Selby in 1890. She was born at LaGrange and her father was the late Harrison Selby, a prominent old time merchant of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Smith haye one daughter, Lenore D. She is a graduate of the LaGrange High School and finished her education at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and St. Mary’s College at South Bend, Indiana. L. W. Crandall has been in one line of business at Fremont for nearly thirty years, general produce, and is one of the oldest merchants and business men of that town. He came to Steuben County over forty-five years ago, and was a farmer until he entered business at Fremont. Mr. Crandall was born in Courtland County, New York, July 29, 1853, a son of Cordial and Charlotta (Cutler) Crandall, who were natives of Vermont. His father spent his active life as a farmer in Oneida County, New York. The Crandalls are a Presbyterian family. There were seven children : Andrew Z., who served as a^ Union soldier in the Civil war, Aaron S., Stanford* S., Laura L., Jotham N., Frank W. and L. W. L. W. Crandall received a public school education in Oneida County, New York, and at an early age left home and became dependent upon his own energies. After working for several years in the East he came to Angola in 1872, and worked for others until he could get started independently. For twelve years he was a farmer in Jamestown Township, and in 1891 left his farm and engaged in the feed and produce business at Fremont. March 30, 1881, he married Mary J. Nuttle. They had four children: Robert C., Frank L., Lula F. and Bertha M. Bertha died in childhood. Milton Halferty has been one of the fixtures in the agricultural community of Noble County prac- tically all his life. His people settled in Allen Township upwards of seventy years ago, and there the Halfertys have been known for their substantial character, their industry,, ’thrift and intelligence ever since. Milton Halferty was born on the farm where he now resides in Allen Township, August 19, 1865. His farm is two and a half miles west of Avilla. Mr. Halferty is a son of Edward and Henrietta (Carr) Halferty. The Halferty family came from Pennsylvania, where the grandfather served as lieu- tenant in the French and Indian war. Edward Hal- ferty was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, October 14, 1816, and in early life moved to Ohio. November 17, 1846, in Ohio, he married Miss Henrietta Carr. She was born in Morrow County, Ohio, January 17, 1823. Five years after their mar- riage, in 1851, they came to Indiana and secured a tract of raw land in Noble County, redeemed it from the wilderness, and lived there and prospered until the close of their lives. They were the parents of nine children : Mary J., widow of James M: Black; Byron, deceased; Charles M., of Avilla; Wil- liam, of Morrow County, Ohio ; Pierce, of LaGrange County, Indiana; Mina, wife of John D. Kuhn; Dora, who is the widow of Emmett Cox ; Albert, of Noble County; and Milton. Milton Halferty has spent all his life on the old . farm, and as a boy attended the local schools nearby. In 1891 he married Miss Jennie M. Seymour. This good and noble woman died September 4, 1892, leaving one daughter. The daughter is also named Jennie and is a graduate of the common schools and the Avilla High School, and spent three years in the Tri-State Normal College at Angola, Indiana. She taught a number of terms in the district schools and is now at home with her father. Mr. Halferty has ninety acres, all under cultivation, and it is from that Ue has made his living for over thirty years, hte is affiliated with Kendallville Lodge No. 316, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past noble grand and has been a, member of the Grand Lodge. In politics he votes as a democrat. Ira E. Smith is a resident of Spencer Township, DeKalb County, and for over sixty years or more he has been busied with his affairs as a stirring and progressive agriculturist in that community. Mr. Smith is proprietor of a fine farm of 160 acres in sections 34 and 35 in Spencer Township. His home is 2j^ miles southeast of Spencerville. He was born in Portage County, Ohio, February 22, 1852, a son of Levi and Harriet E. (Robb) Smith. Levi Smith was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, February 22, 1828, a son of Peter and Eliza- beth Smith, who came from Pennsylvania. Levi Smith at the age of seventeen began learning the shoemaker’s trade, but in 1849 bought a farm in Portage County, Ohio, and in the spring of 1854 came to DeKalb County, Indiana, and bought eighty acres of sparsely improved land^ He became one of the well to do citizens of DeKalb County, owning over 320 acres, and he and his wife lived there until their death. He married Harriet Robb in 1849. She was born in Ohio, a daughter of Jacob and Eliza- beth Robb. Levi Smith and wife had two children : Ira E. and Isaiah. The parents were members of the Methodist Church and the father was a demo- crat. Ira E. Smith grew up on the home farm in De- Kalb County from the age of three years and was educated in the district schools. September 17, 1876, he was married to Lois D. Moore. She was born in Scipio Township of Allen County, Indiana, April 17, 1857, a daughter of William A. and Dorliska (Bracy) Moore. William A. Moore and wife were natives of New York State and were married in Allen County, Indiana, where they spent their lives as farmers in Scipio Township. William A. Moore died September 19, 1896. and his wife May 17, 1914. Both were members of the Methodist Protestant Church and William A. Moore was a republican. In the Moore family were the following children : Angela S., wife of Zack Bartholomew ; Harriet E., wife of John Omo, ; Lois D. ; William W. ; Charles W. ; Henrietta C., deceased ; Hiram B. ; Cora L., wife of John Rarick, all living but Henrietta. Mrs. Smith was educated in the district schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to the farm where they now reside. They have three children : Harriett D., who is the wife of George Bowman and lives near Leo, Indiana; Wil- liam L., who is married and lives in Allen County; and Elmer E., who is married and lives in Spencer Township. All the children were given good ad- vantages in the local schools. Mr. Smith is a democrat and has wielded considerable influence in local politics. George W. Kepler. The old Kepler home is in Franklin Township of DeKalb County, a mile and a half southeast of Hamilton. This place has been the center of associations for five generations of the Keplers. Land that was taken up and develop- ment begun by the grandfather of George W. Kep- ler, the present owner, has been under this name for over eighty years. Two small girls, living in the same locality, are granddaughters of George W. Kepler, and represent the fifth generation of the family. George W. Kepler was born at Hamilton in Steuben County May 9, 1868. He is a son of John 366 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA and Nancy (.Gunsenhouser) Kepler, the former born in Franklin Township in March, 1839, and the latter in Wilmington Township. John Kepler was a son of Samuel and Mary Kepler, who came to DeKalb County about 1834 and settled in Franklin Township, spending their last days on the farm where George W. Kepler now lives. John and Nancy Kepler had four children, three of whom are now living: Lula, widow of hjenry Miller; George W. ; Della, wife of Charles Mumaw, of Butler, and Cora M., who died in childhood. George W. Kepler grew up in Franklin Township, attended district schools and the Flamilton Fligh School, and on December 6, 1889, at the age of twenty-one, married Della Betz. She was born in Franklin Township March 16, 1870, a daughter of Jefferson Betz, and was educated in the common schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kep- ler lived a mile south of Hamilton, and then for about eight years lived in Hamilton. Mr. Kepler is a carpenter by trade and has done a great deal of contracting and building while in Hamilton and since returning to the old homestead farm. He has sev- enty-eight acres devoted to cultivation and livestock. He is a democrat in politics, is affiliated with Ham- ilton Lodge No. 228, Knights of Pythias, and his wife is a Pythian Sister, and both are members of the Hamilton Grange. Their only son and child is Alva L. Kepler, who was born April 25, 1893, and lives in Franklin Town- ship. He married Ida Dangler, and their two young daughters are Marie L., born September 20, 1916, and June Rose, born June 1, 1919. Carl A. Redding, of Pleasant Township in Steu- ben County, has a very successful record as a dairy- man, and is regarded as an authority on many branches of the dairy industry in this part of In- diana. His own career supplements a meritorious family record, his people having been identified with Northeast Indiana for three generations. Mr. Redding was born in Steuben Township July 26, 1876, a son of Alexander George and Sarah (Zabst) Redding. His grandfather, George Redd- ing, was a native of France, came to America when a boy with an older married sister, and was bound out at Buffalo, New York, to learn the painter’s trade. In 1862 he came to Steuben Township with his family, locating on a farm. He retired in 1875 and lived in Angola until his death in 1892. His wife died in 1890. They have two children: Sophia, who married George Merrill, of Toledo, and Alex- ander George. Alexander George Redding was born in Toledo, Ohio, and died in September, 1876, when his son Carl was only a few weeks old. His wife, Sarah Zabst, was born in Pleasant Township of Steuben County, a daughter of John and Catherine Zabst. John Zabst, a notable figure among the pioneers of Steuben County, was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, and at the age of ten years came to Amer- ica. For several years he worked on a canal boat between Buffalo and Albany, and from New York State settled in Crawford County, Ohio, and in 1846 invaded the wilderness of Steuben County, Indiana. He located on a farm in Pleasant Town- ship two miles southeast of Angola. The woods were heavy and dense all around him, and there was only a cow path between his land and Angola. He made the journey from Ohio with an ox team, his wife and two children coming with him. He paid $500 cash for 160 acres of land, only five acres cleared and all the rest gradually came into cultiva- tion through his individual labors. He was a man of high standing in the community, and was active in the Methodist Church. John Zabst and wife had the following children : George, deceased ; Erm- anda, who married Levi Harmon ; Magdalena, who died in childhood; Margaret, who became the wife of Joseph Crotzer ; Sarah; Catherine, wife of Silas Yeager; John; William; Augustus, who died in childhood ; and Franklin. Carl A. Redding was the only child of his father, whose career was interrupted just as he was getting started. Carl Redding and his mother then lived with her people in Steuben Township, and he grew up there, attending the public schools of Angola, including high school, and graduated from the Tri- State Normal College of Angola. After leaving school Mr. Redding applied himself to the business of farming on his present place, where he now owns 180 acres. He has added to the value of the land by his modern improvements. He began farming there in 1898 and in 1907 began specializing as a dairyman. His herd grew until he had seventy head. He sold a large part of his stock in Decem- ber, 1918, but still has about fourteen blooded Holstein cattle. In 1897 Mr. Redding married Mary K. Gale daughter of Jesse M. and Elizabeth Gale. They have two children, Louis and Ralph R. Mr. Redd- ing is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America and belongs to the Rotary . Club at Angola. Frank M. Owen. It is a pleasure to the men who are now engaged in cultivating the fertile land of Steuben County to reflect that this valuable sec- tion of Indiana was redeemed by men of brawn and muscle who came here imbued with the idea of securing homes for their offspring, and that among them were their own forebears. Frank M. Owen of Angola, who is the owner of considerable land in the county, descends from one of the very early settlers of Steuben County, Elijah Owen, whose arrival dates back to 1836, when that excellent man entered a tract of land at Gage Lake in Millgrove Township, and there he spent the remainder of his life. He was a ship builder by trade, and had worked at Sandusky, Ohio. He was married to Hannah Green, and they had the following children : Ira, Hannah and Henry H. The last named was born in Lake County, Ohio, near the Town of Perry, in 1834, so was only two years old when he was brought by his father to Steuben County. Here he was reared and attended the public schools of Gage Lake, and about 1855 began farming in Mil- grove Township, where he remained until 1879, when he moved to Angola, and there he lived the re- mainder of his life. Henry H. Owen was married to Maria Burroughs, born in Fremont Township, Steuben County, Indiana, a daughter of Truman and Lydia (Dudley) Burroughs, the former a pioneer minister of the Baptist Church in this part of Indiana. He and his wife had the following chil- dren: Adoniram Judson, Rising, William (who is a veteran of the Civil war), Arvilla, Susan, Maria, Ale'tha and Merritt. The children born to Henry H. Owen and his wife were: Frank M., whose name heads this review, and Bell, who died at the age of twenty-five years. Both parents of these chil- dren were consistent members of the Christian Church. Frank M. Owen was reared in his native place and attended the excellent schools of Gage Lake and the Angola High School. Having been brought up to farm work, he realized the desirability of en- tering that calling, and has been a farmer all his mature years. His birth occurred at Gage Lake, Millgrove Township, September 5 > 1861, and he has spent his entire life in Steuben County, now mak- 367 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA ing his residence at Angola, although he owns sev- enty-six acres of land in Millgrove Township and 280 at Gage Lake. The rural residence is near Crooked Lake, a very desirable location, but it is only occupied during the summer months, for since 1897 Mr. and Mrs. Owen have felt that their chil- dren ought to be given the advantages of the An- gola schools. . On October 6, 1886, Mr. Owen was married to Elsie Morse, a daughter of Frank B. and Elsie (Lewis) Morse. Mrs. Owen had the misfortune to lose her mother when she was_ only four days old and she was adopted by David D. and Ellen Scoville, and was known as Elsie M. Scoville prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Owen have two children, namely : Alice B. and Paul H. The family all belong to the Christian Church. Mr. Owen is an Odd Fellow. He is a man of probity who has always done what he believed to be his full duty by his family and community, and is held in high esteem by his associates. Samuel Weimer. Representing an old and hon- ored family name in Noble Township, Samuel Weimer has lived there all his life, and the manner m which he has conducted his private affairs and the stanch character he has exhibited in all his life’s relations make him worthy of all the esteem and honors paid him. His farm home is a mile south and quarter of a mile east of Avilla. He was born in Allen Township, November 29, 1862, son of Solomon and Catherine (Barcus) Weimer. The early history of this family shows that it was among the very earliest settlers in Noble County. Solomon Weimer was born in Avilla, October 15, 1841, more than three-quarters of a century ago. His father was Peter Weimer and his grandfather Samuel Weimer, both natives of Baden, Germany. Samuel Weimer brought his family to the United States, located at Avilla, his location being where the Catholic Church now stands. Peter Weimer after his marriage settled in Avilla, and later owned the farm which is now the site of the Old People’s Home. Later he sold that and moved two miles north of Avilla, where he spent his last years. Solomon Weimer grew up on the farm that has since been sold as a site for the Old People’s Home, and after his marriage located on a farm west of Avilla. That farm he still occupied until his death, and was one of the well-known old timers of the locality. He died December 15, 1918. He and his wife had five children: Samuel; John, of _ Flag Center, Illinois; Elizabeth, wife of Charles Weimer; Sarah, wife of August Polk; and William, still at the home farm. Samuel Weimer grew up on a farm in Allen Township and attended the district schools. He lived at home until he was twenty-one. He married Miss Susanna Simons, and after their marriage they started out as farmers on the 100-acre place where they lived until February, 1919, when he retired and moved to Avilla, his son now conducting the farm. Mr. Weimer besides prospering as a farmer has identified himself with various local affairs. He is a stockholder in the Mutual Telephone Company. For the past twenty years he has been active in local, affairs as a republican. His wife is a member of the Lutheran Church and he is one of the liberal con- tributors to that denomination^ For all his material prosperity and honored posi- tion in the community Mr. Weimer doubtless takes the greatest satisfaction of his life in the fine family of children that has grown up around him. The oldest is Carrie, wife of Charles Smuck, of Jefferson Township. Leroy is a graduate of the Avilla High School, of Wabash College and of Cornell Univer- sity, and is now an expert in plant pathology in the United States Department of Agriculture. He is married. Nora married Joseph Anderson, of Swan Township, Noble County. Ella is the wife of James Kramer, of Greene Township, and is a graduate of the Avilla High School. Clarence served with the colors in the American Expeditionary Forces in France until he returned home April 11, 1919, after one year’s service. He was in Battery F, 135th Light Field Artillery, and was in the October drive at the front. The two youngest are Harold and Gerald, twins. Gerald is married and lives in Jef- ferson Township, and Harold is married and on the home farm. Edward G. Dick, proprietor of one of the good farms of York Township in Steuben County, has family connections that have been identified with this part of Northeast Indiana from pioneer days. The family has been an industrious one and has furnished numerous citizens of high standing to different localities. Mr. Dick was born in Jackson Township of Steu- ben County, March 19, 1870, a son of George W. and Julia A. (Larue) Dick. The Larue family were among the first settlers of York Township. His grandfather, John Larue, was for a number of years engaged in farming in York Township, and later was a shoemaker and shoe merchant at Metz. He and his wife, Josephine, had the following children : Tohn, Edward, Sylvester, Norma, Josephine, Julia A. and Emelia, but the last named died in child- hood. The paternal grandfather of Edward G. Dick was George E. Dick, a native of Germany who brought his family to America in 1851 and located in Wil- liams County, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his life. In 1864 he enlisted in the Civil war, becom- ing a member of Company D, One Hundred and Ninety-Fifth Ohio Regiment. He acquired and de- veloped a good farm of 180 acres. His children were named Peter, Margaret, Cass, George W. and Caro- line. George W. Dick, also a native of Germany, was a small child when brought to America, and during the ’60s he moved to Jackson Township in Steuben County. He has had a varied and active career as a farmer, farm developer and owner, and has tilled the soil in Ohio, Northeast Indiana and in the West. His present home is in Northwest Township, Williams County, Ohio. He and his first wife, Julia A. Larue, had three children, Edward G., Minnie and Myrtie. He married for his second wife Jennie Clark. There are two daughters by the second wife, Luella and Bessie. Edward G. Dick attended the public schools of Williams County, Ohio, and began farming before he reached his majority. His first work in that line was done in Williams County, but in igoq he moved to York Township, and for over fourteen years has been making a living and earning the esteem of the community as a farmer in section 17, where he owns eighty acres. He is affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and with his wife is a member of the Methodist Church. He married Caroline Knapp in September, 1889. She is a daughter of Nelson and Emelia (Castine) Knapp. They have five children : Lawrence, who married Nora Headley and has two children, Alene and Winona; George W., who during the World war served in Company A of the Thirty-Sixth In- fantry; Fern, wife of Perry Duguid and the mother of two children, Lee and Madeline ; Ethel, who is 368 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA married to Floyd Fireoved, and her three children are Deloss, Lena and Max ; and Ralph, youngest of the family, is at home on the farm. Samuel E. Cline. Left an orphan at the age of ten years, Samuel E. Cline had many difficult strug- gles in his early youth, had to work for a living when most boys of his age were in school and at home, and out of it all he has achieved a commend- able prosperity and is one of the successful farmers of LaGrange County and is also the present assessor of Springfield Township. Mr. Cline was born in Barry. County, Michigan, January i, 1862, a son of John and Martha (Mc- Nutt) Cline, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. John Cline was reared in Ohio, and about 1855 brought his family to La- Grange County, Indiana. A few years later he moved to Barry County, Michigan, where he died in July, 1864, when his son Samuel was two years old. The mother returned with her children to LaGrange County in the same year and lived here until her death eight years later. Her six children were: Sarah Jane, who died at the age of three years ; Nancy Ellen, who died when one year old ; Hannah, who died when about eleven years old; John, a resident of Bloomfield Township ; Hulda, who became the wife of Eugene Williams, and died in January, 1917; and Samuel E. Samuel E. Cline received all his education in the graded schools of LaGrange County. The year of his marriage he bought forty acres of his present farm, where he has lived since September, 1886. By his personal labors he has cleared about thirty acres of land. His farm had only a log house when he came to it, and in that structure his children were born. Gradually prosperity has rewarded his labors and he now has 256 acres, all but thirteen acres in one body and with excellent improvements. August 7, 1886, Mr. Cline married Miss Jennie Gage, a native of Bloomfield Township and daughter of Ezra Gage. To their marriage were born three children : Charles E., a farmer of Bloomfield Town- ship; Vern E., a Springfield Township farmer; and Claude E., who lives on the home place with his father. Mr. Cline is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Shipshewana. He married cial capacity he was a member of the Township Advisory Board six years and was elected assessor of Springfield Township in 1914. George Cassel. One of the prosperous farmers of Steuben County who in his everyday operations is proving that American farmers are among the most diligent and thrifty persons in the world, and that their calling is now one of the most im- portant, is George Cassel of Otsego Township. He was born in Williams County, Ohio, December 22, 1863, a son of Curtis Cassel, and grandson of Jacob Cassel. Curtis Cassel was born at Hagerstown, Mary- land, and his wife, Emily (Thrush) Cassel, was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Pfifer) Thrush.^ In 1871 he came to Scott Township, Steuben County, there spending about thirty years, but then moved to York Town- ship, and after six years, having retired, went to Fremont, where he died in August, 1917, his wife having passed away in 1907. Their children were as follows: Joseph; Alice, who married Theo Swick; Helen, who married Morton Brown; Jacob; John; George ; and Catherine, who married Domer Cassel. George Cassel has had quite a varied experience, for after he had completed his courses at the dis- trict schools of Scott Township he began working for neighboring farmers, and then was employed in a cider mill at Quincy, Michigan, for a time. He left there to take charge of a threshing outfit, which he conducted for seventeen years. Since 1893 he has been farming, and for the past six years he has been engaged in selling fire insurance, represent- ing the Fidelity Phoenix Insurance Company. In 1893 Mr. Cassel bought twenty acres of land in Scott Township, adding eighty acres more in 1901. In 1910 he sold this farm in Scott Township and bought 141 acres in Otsego Township, in section 3, which is his present farm. The family residence, a very comfortable modern home, was erected by him, and he has made numerous other important improvements, for he believes in keeping everything thoroughly up-to-date. In addition to doing general farming Mr. Cassel is breeding blooded hogs, and is quite an authority on them. Mr. Cassel was united in marriage with Della Bowman, a daughter of Henry and Lucy (Kiss- inger) Bowman. Mr. and Mrs. Cassel have one son, Floyd B., who was born July 29, 1888. He married Mabel Miller, and they have two children, Charlotte L. and George William. Floyd Cassel is assisting his father in conducting the homestead and is a very energetic young man. The Cassel family is well and favorably known in Steuben County, and its representatives stand well in public confidence. Lewis I. Matson, who has spent his life in North- eastern Indiana, represents one of the pioneer fam- ilies of DeKalb County, and his own active career has been spent chiefly in Steuben County, where for upwards of half a century he has been a prac- tical and progressive farmer, and today owns one of the best farms in the vicinity of Pleasant Lake. He was born in DeKalb County October 10, 1844, a grandson of Elijah Matson and a son of John Matson. John Matson, who was born near Rut- land, Vermont, February 3, 1806, at the age of twenty-one went to Onondaga County, New York, and in 1835 came to Indiana and entered 160 acres of . wild land in DeKalb County. He had a cabin built in section 30 of Franklin Township, and the following year brought his family, arriving at Ham- ilton on September 30, 1836. He was a carpenter by trade and worked long hours after darkness fell on the fields to make doors and windows for the neighbors, taking his pay in work on his own land. In that way he cleared up 100 acres and achieved success as a farmer. At the time of his death he had over 200 acres in DeKalb County. He was as public spirited as he was industrious, and enjoyed the love and respect of his community all his life. He died November 4, 1876. September 10, 1833, John Matson married Margaret Waterman, a daughter of Elijah Waterman. They were the parents of ten children: Cordelia, Alvin, Chloe, James, Lewis, Lydia, George and Ophelia and .two that died in infancy. Cordelia married C. W. Taft. Alvin never married. .Chloe became the wife of Professor Alonzo Collin, a member of the faculty of Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa. James married Frances Taylor. Lydia was the wife of Burley Albrook. George married Matilda Ridge, and Ophelia became the wife of M. A. Goodell. John Matson was a whig and republican in politics. Lewis I. Matson grew up on the old homestead six miles south of Hamilton in DeKalb County, attended public schools and also had a year of in- struction in Cornell College in Iowa. He was a teacher for two terms and in 1867 came to Steuben Township in Steuben County, locating at Pleasant Lake. On March 4, 1867, he married Miss Orcelia R. Clark, who was born in Steuben County March 1, 1845, a daughter of Dr. Alonzo P. and Betsey c HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 369 (Bump) Clark. The Clark family were pioneers of Steuben County February 16, 1852, son of Find- ben Township. Doctor Clark took up land near the Village of Steubenville, north of Pleasant Lake. At that time it was supposed the county seat would be Steubenville. Doctor Clark was both a physician and a lawyer, and was a citizen of great influence in his locality in the early days. He owned about 600 acres of land in Steuben Township. He died in 1867, at the age of fifty-nine, and his widow sur- vived until March 26, 1878, being then seventy years of age. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Matson lo- cated on a part of the Clark homestead, and after a few years he started the first hardware store in the Village of Pleasant Lake and continued the business for twelve years. He then took up gen- eral merchandising with the firm of Chadwick & Ransburg, and was associated with those merchants for twelve years. He then resumed farming, and has a place of 300 acres a mile north of Pleasant Lake and is successfully engaged in general crop raising and livestock. Mr. Matson has for twenty- five years been an active prohibitionist, and in early life was affiliated with the republican party. He was trustee of Steuben Township. Mr. Matson and his wife were Baptists, and he has been affil- iated. with that church for forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Matson had four children. Clark A. P. is an attorney in Chicago. James L. is con- nected with the shipping department of the Over- land Automobile Works at Toledo. Mabel is the wife of Henry G. Brown, of Lebanon, Indiana. The youngest is John O. Matson. The mother of these children died January 29, 1906. On August 12, 1906, Mr. Matson married Ada (Clark) Shack- ford, widow" of Charles A. Shackford. She has three children by her first husband : Edna Grace, wife of William O. Driskell ; Alice M., wife of Dr. J. R. Lacey ; and Mabel F., unmarried. John O. Matson, who for a number of years has been one of the leading business men and merchants of Steuben County, was born in Steuben Township November 4, 1878, and was reared in Pleasant Lake, attending the high school there. He acquired a business training as clerk with the firm of Chad- wick & Ransburg for six years. In May, 1903, he bought the hardware store at Pleasant Lake from H. A. Gish, and for over fifteen years has con- tinued a profitable business as a merchant, grad- ually extending his lines to include furniture and agricultural implements. Mr. Matson is a republi- can, but has never sought office, and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and Knights of the Mac- cabees. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for over twenty years. July 31, 1900, he married Miss Bessie B. Lemmon. She was born in Steuben County, a daughter of Riley and Lorana (Tuttle) Lemmon. Riley Lem- mon was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, November 26, 1839, and his wife was born in Steuben County, Indiana, April 15, 1840. The parents of Riley Lemmon were Maurice and Lucinda (Rathbun) Lemmon, who came to Steuben County in 1843, settling in Otsego Township, where they spent the rest of their days. Riley Lemmon grew up on the old farm in Steuben County and afterward acquired the ownership of the place. For sixteen years he has lived at Pleasant Lake. His wife died in 1899. Riley Lemmon and wife had the following children : Maurice, Cora, Morton, Lora, Chaplin, Vira, Bessie, Ethel and Elsie. Mr. and Mrs. Matson have two children : June Maurine, born March 22, 1904, and John Lewis, born January 31, 1916. Vol. IT— 2 4 John W. Harvey is a native son of Jefferson Township, Noble County, and for the better part of his active life has applied his energies to the business of farming and stock raising and is easily one of the most substantial business men and citizens of that community. He is proprietor of the Maple Grove farm, comprising 160 acres, with fifty-three acres in a farm adjoining. The Harvey home is four and a half miles southwest of Kendallville, in section 2 of Jefferson Township. This farm is the birthplace of John W. Harvey. He was born March 4, 1871, only child of James N. and Isabelle (Johnston) Harvey. James N. Harvey was born in Ashland County, Ohio, in Clear Creek Township, December 10, 1842, son of George and Mary (Bremner) Harvey. George and Mary Harvey were both natives of Scotland, were married there and three of their children were born before they came to the United States in June, 1837. They located in Ashland** County, Ohio, but in the spring of 1853 came to Indiana and located in Jefferson Township. Some years later they moved to the village of Albion, where both the grandparents died. Of their nine children only two are now living, Robert Harvey, who was liberally educated, was formerly connected as a surveyor with the United States Government and is now state surveyor of Nebraska, and C. L. W. Harvey, a farmer in Jeffer- son Township of Noble County. James N. Harvey was educated in the common schools of Noble County, attended Adrian College and also took the commercial course of Oberlin College. On February 7, 1870, he married Isabelle Johnson. She was born in Scotland September 10, 1847, and was brought to the United States in 1854, her parents locating in Richland County, Ohio. She lived there until her marriage, and had a good academic education and was a teacher prior to her marriage. John W. Harvey has spent all his life on the old homestead in Jefferson Township. He attended the district schools and finished his education in the Tri-State Normal at Angola. After his education he worked the home farm, and on January 20, 1897, at the age of twenty-six, he married Miss Cora E. Faux. She was born near Mount Gilead in Morrow County,- Ohio, December 17, 1873, and at the age of two years was brought by her parents to Noble County, where she grew up and received her edu- cation in the local schools. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have three children : Carl E., born November 5, 1897, is a graduate of the common schools and of the high school at Kendallville and is still at home ; Charles N., born September 27, 1903, is a student in the common schools ; and Ivah B., born in Feb- ruary, 1909, is also a schoolgirl. The family are members of the Zion United Brethren Church. Mr. Harvey is a church trustee. He is affiliated with Kendallville Lodge No. 316, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the Encampment No. 156 at Kendallville. He has specialized to some extent in the breeding and raising of cattle, especially the Polled Angus. Mr. Harvey is a republican, and has been quite active in the party. Among other inter- ests he is a stockholder in the Albion National Bank. Edward A. Olney. There is probably no farm in -LaGrange County which has been longer under one continuous ownership than the place where Edward A. Olney lives in Van Buren Township. He was born on that farm September 17, 1862, while his fa- ther, William S. Olney, was born there September 16, 1834. The latter date indicates that the Olney family has been in possession here for at least eighty-five years. The grandfather, John Olney, was 370 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA born in Vermont February 24, 1800. On August 14, 1823, he married Esther Smith, who was born March 13, 1802. John Olney with his family came to Van Buren Township in 1830. They made the journey with an ox team from Morgan County, Ohio. Before leav- ing Ohio John Olney had cut from the native woods a cane to serve as a staff as he walked along and for the purpose of driving his oxen. When he reached his land in Van Buren Township he stuck the cane in the ground in the front yard of his humble log house. In a few weeks he was surprised to find it budding out and within his own lifetime it grew into a shapely tree. That tree is still a remarkable and interesting landmark, is now a great and handsome shade tree, and three feet from the ground it measures sixteen feet, four inches in cir- cumference. John Olney died on the old homestead June 9, 1841. He and his wife had the following children: John Deming, Strumfen, Asa Jackson, Betsey Ann, Henry, William Smith and Martin Van Buren. After his death his widow married Na- thaniel Callahan, on March 23, 1847, and they re- mained on the old farm where she died February 12, 1858, and he on July 20, 1855. The deeds for the old Olney homestead were given to John Olney by the Government and are four in number, signed in 1831, 1832, 1833 and 1837. The first three bear the signature of Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, while the fourth was signed by Martin Van Buren. William S. Olney was only seven years old when his father died, and after the death of his mother he and a brother bought the old homestead and in 1881 he became its sole owner. He had much of the energy and industry of his father and was a suc- cessful farmer and at one time owned 440 acres in Van Buren Township and 200 acres in St. Joseph County, Michigan. He was an honored resident of the county until his death October 21, 1915. He served one term as trustee of Van Buren Township and was one of the organizers and builders of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Van Buren Township. He was a charter member of the church organization and he and his family connections were all prominent in the early days of Methodism in that locality. William S. Olney married Delila J. Sidener. She was born October 2, 1839, a daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Bussard) Sidener. Her parents were both natives of Fairfield County, Ohio, where her father was born December 3, 1811, and her mother June 27, 1817. They were married April 6, 1837. Nicholas Sidener had made his first trip to LaGrange County in 1835, buying 160 acres in Van Buren Town- ship. After his marriage in Ohio he returned and settled on his land in section 30. Nicholas Sidener was a son of Nicholas and Nancy Sidener, the former born in Virginia September 1, 1773, and the latter in Pennsylvania in 1782. In the family of Nicholas and Margaret Sidener were the following children: Delila J., Henry, Samuel L., Willard, John, Mary, James E„ Martha E. and Margaret E. William S. Olney and wife had three children: Charles B., who was born June 30, 1859, and died May 15, 1873; Edward, born September 17, 1862; and one that was born October 27 and died November 28, 1873. Edward A. Olney, the only living child of his fa- ther, acquired his education in the Scott School in Van Buren Township, attended high school at Stur- gis, Michigan, and from early manhood has worked the home farm, which is owned by him and his widowed mother. On June 21, 1893, he married Anna Wisler. She was born January 20, 1874, in Lima Township of LaGrange County, a daughter of Henry and Anna Lucetta (Nye) Wisler. Her father was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, November 19, 1826, and her mother in Ohio May 6, 1834. Henry Wisler when a young man went to Elkhart County, Indiana, and about 1869 settled in Lima Township of LaGrange County, where he spent the rest of his active life. He and his wife lived their last years in Michigan. In the Wisler family were children named W. R., Jesse F., Samuel L., Grace, who be- came the wife of Frank Clugg, Anna, and Sara, who married Sherman Malcolm. Mr. and Mrs. Olney had one daughter, Lucetta Jane, who was born September 28, 1913, and died April 6, 1918, when in her fifth year. As their only child her death was a terrible sorrow to her parents, and as a baby she was widely known because for three consecutive years she had been awarded a bronze medal which was given by Woman’s Home Companion in the LaGrange County baby contest as making the best score for a perfect baby. Mr. and Mrs. Olney have taken two daughters to rear at their home, Ruth Brownlee and Blanche. Mr. and Mrs. Olney are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Scott. He is a director of the Farmers State Bank of Shipshewana and a stock- holder in the National Bank of LaGrange. Cornelius V. Jones, who is now living retired at Angola, has played a conspicuous part in the affairs of Scott Township for many years, both as a farmer and a public official. He is a former trustee of that township, and has long been active in the politics of Steuben County. Mr. Jones was born in Scott Township October 29, 1862, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Van Horn) Jones. His grandfather, Ziba Jones, was born in 1793, became a prominent settler in Licking County, Ohio, and married Flora A. Everett. In 1848 Ziba Jones brought his family to Steuben County and Settled in section 8 of Scott Township. Before com- ing to this county he had experimented in the cul- ture of silk worms in Ohio, losing his money, and was therefore in poor circumstances when he came to Indiana. He cleared up a tract of seventy acres of land, and renewed his prosperity sufficient to live in comfort during his last days. He died Novem- ber 13, 1880. For over seventy years he was a mem- ber of the Methodist Church. His wife died in 1872. Samuel E. Jones, who was one of eight children, all natives of Licking County, Ohio, was a young man when he came to Steuben County, and mar- ried there Sarah Van Horn, who was born in 1827. Ziba Jones started the first nursery in Steuben County. Samuel E. Jones died February 11, 1871, at the age of forty-seven. He was a republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He owned a farm of seventy acres, comprising the old Jones homestead in Scott Township, and lived on it until his death. His wife died in 1892. Their chil- dren were Elva, Sarah, twins that died in infancy; Cornelius V., Albert and Alice. Cornelius V. Jones grew up on his father’s farm. This old homestead is no\y owned by his brother and sister. He attended the public schools, also the Fremont High School, and in 1900 bought eighty acres near the old home place. He has found that sufficient to furnish him with plenty of work and opportunity to render good service as a farmer and citizen. He built a barn and added to the house, and continued general farming and_ stockraising until November, 1918, when he removed to Angola and bought a good home on Martha Street, where he lives retired, leasing the farm. Mr. Jones is a republican. He was elected trustee of Scott Township in 1914, beginning his duties in HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 371 1915 and continuing in office four years. He has also served on the advisory board of Scott Town- ship. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. January 22, 1885, he married Miss Mattie Merritte. She was born in Jamestown Township of Steuben County, January IS, 1861, a daughter of James and Susan (Whistler) Merritte. Her father was born in Morgan County, Ohio, February 22, 1832, and her mother in Pennsylvania February 3, 1832. Her mother came to Fremont, Indiana, in 1842 with her parents, Abraham and Sarah (Faylor) Whistler, who were pioneers in Jamestown Township, where Abraham died, his widow spending her last days with her son Enos in LaGrange County. James and Susan Merritte were married in LaGrange County, and then came to Steuben County and settled _ in Jamestown Township, where he followed, farming until his death on September 13, 1906. His widow is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Jones. In the Merritte family were three sons and one daughter, Adelbert, Joseph, John and Mattie. Mrs. Jones’ brothers all died in infancy or early childhood. The one son of Mr. and Mrs. Jones is Vern Rus- sell, who was born April 8, 1886. He attended public schools, graduated from the Fremont High School, took the scientific course in the Tri-State Normal College, graduating in 1909, and subse- quently received the A. P. B. degree from the same institution. He has had a successful, record as a teacher, having taught in Scott Township three years, at Flint three years, in Angola two years, and at Edgerton, Ohio. During his second year at Edgerton he resigned his school work to enter the railway mail service, where he is still on duty. Vern R. Jones married Alta Denman, of Jackson Town- ship, Steuben County. She is a graduate of the Flint High School. Her parents, Arthur and Olive (Walsh) Denman, are farmers in Jackson Town- ship. Charles J. Masterson, who has an interesting personality, is a resident of Steuben County. He has spent many years in the service of the New York Central Railroad and is widely known as a scientist. For over thirty years he has been a student of astronomy, and he is one of a notable group of men who without the aid or affiliation of any great en- dowed institution has contributed new knowledge and done much to advance general enlightenment on this subject. Mr. Masterson owns the largest tele- scope nearer than Ann Arbor, Michigan, and in addition to his other duties has employed much of his time in his own observatory as special instructor of astronomy to students attending the Tri-State Normal College at Angola. Perhaps an even more important feature of his scientific work has been his regular contribution, covering a period of about twenty-five years, of articles that have appeared in the Steuben Republican, and have done much to pop- ularize this science. Mr. Masterson was born at Orange, New Jersey, November 28, i860, a son of Alfred and Annabella (Johnson) Masterson. His parents were natives of County Norfolk, England, and three of their chil- dren were born there, two sons dying in infancy. Their daughter Anna came with her parents in 1837 to the United States. The family located at Orange, New Jersey. In August, 1861, Alfred Masterson enlisted in the Seventh New Jersey Volunteer In- fantry, and was killed at the battle of Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1862, when only twenty-six years of age. Charles J. Masterson, the only child of his parents born in the United States, came with his mother in i865 to Steuben County, Indiana. In 1869 his mother married John Barrett, of Angola, and she died on January 28, 1914, at the age of seventy-eight. Her son by Mr. Barrett is John Barrett of Hillsdale, Michigan. Charles J. Masterson grew up on a farm in Scott Township of Steuben County and acquired his edu- cation in the grammar and high schools of Angola. He has rounded out a service of twenty-two years with the New York Central Railroad. Mr. Master- son, who is unmarried, is a republican in politics and a member of the Congregational Church. Jerry O. Wiggins, who for the last ten years has lived retired in a comfortable home at LaGrange, was long identified with the farming interests of Johnson Township, and represents two of the oldest and most important families in the early and later history of LaGrange County. He was born in Johnson Township January 12, 1870, a son of Nathan E. and Mary E. (Outcalt) Wiggins. Flis paternal grandparents were John and Lora Wiggins, who were very early settlers in Steuben County, Indiana, where they spent the rest of their lives. They had five children : Eu- nice, Henry, Nathan, Andrew and another son that died when about eighteen years of age. Nathan E. Wiggins was born in Steuben County, grew up there, had a public school education and as a young man enlisted in Company B, of the One Hundredth Indiana Infantry. He went out from Steuben County and served more than three years in the Union army and was one of the faith- ful and courageous soldiers whose record belongs to the military history of Northeast Indiana. He was in Sherman’s army on the march to the sea. After the war he returned to Steuben County and worked for John Seaburn for some time at monthly wages, and later bought a farm in Johnson Town- ship, where he lived until his death in 1875, at the age of thirty-five. He was a republican in politics. Mary E. Outcalt, who became the wife of Nathan E. Wiggins, survived her husband over forty years and died May 8, 1916. She was the mother of two children, Jerry O. and Lois, the latter dying at the age of eight years. Mary E. Outcalt was of remote German ancestry, but the family was established in America three generations prior to the birth of her father. Her father, Jeremiah Outcalt, was born in Portage County, Ohio, in October, 1812, son of Scobey and Clara (Sabins) Outcalt, being one of their ten chil- dren. Scobey Outcalt was a teamster with the American army in the War of 1812. Later he and his wife moved out to Illinois in 1848 and died in that state. Jeremiah Outcalt first came to La- Grange County in 1839, and in 1846 settled at the village of Ontario, where he spent one winter in the cooperage trade. In the spring of 1847 he moved to his farm in Johnson Township, having purchased the land previously. He cleared and improved and erected substantial buildings, and was one of the useful and highly respected members of that com- munity until his death on February 16, 1902. Jere- miah Outcalt married Elizabeth Irwin, who Was born in 1808. They were married September 27, 1840. She died March 16, 1883. Her first husband was a Mr. Ingram, by whom she had two children : Frances Elizabeth, born in 1834; and Sarah Jane, "born' in 1830. The four children of Jeremiah Out- calt and wife were : Adalia and Charles Henry, twins, born in 1842; Mary E., born January 18, 1844; and Hortense, who was born in 1846 and died in infancy. Jerry O. Wiggins was only five years old when his father died and he grew up in the home of his grandfather Outcalt. He acquired a public school education, and all his adult career followed farming. 372 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA He owns the farm of his grandfather Outcalt, and for a number of years had 189 acres in operation for crops and livestock. In March, 1910, he moved to LaGrange and bought a fine home on Hawpatch street, where he lives in comfort, leasing his farm lands. Mr. Wiggins is a republican, is a member of the Town Board of LaGrange, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Miss Agnes Stone October 5, 1892. Lawrence N. Runic. While Mr. Klink has made his name and services known at Angola and over the surrounding territory as one of the leading undertakers, his own career has been only part of the honorable record made by his family in Steu- ben County since early pioneer days. Lie is a grandson of Christian Klink, who was born in one of the German countries, and served five years and three months in the Napoleonic wars of Europe. Then when still unmarried he set out to find a new home in America, landing at Baltimore. According to the custom of the time he was “sold” for his passage money, and worked it out before leaving Baltimore. He then removed to Columbiana County, Ohio, and later to Seneca County in that state, and in 1848 established his home in Steuben County, Indiana. He was one of the early settlers of Salem Township, and ac- quired a tract of land which is now owned and farmed by his grandson, Chester C. Klink. Only three acres of his land had been cleared when he took possession, and he lived to see much of it in cultivation, and was surrounded with all the com- forts of life when he and his wife died there. His first home was a log cabin, replaced later by a frame house, and in 1878 the old homestead was improved by its then owner, the father of Lawrence N. Klink, with a large two-story, fourteen room brick house, one of the best country homes in Steuben County. Eli Klink, father of Lawrence N., was born in Seneca County, Ohio, October 25, 1844* and was a small child when brought to Steuben County. He was educated in the local schools, and became one of the successful farmers in his neighborhood. The last four years of his life he lived retired at Angola, where he died in 1909. He was nominally a democrat but on all important issues cast an in- dependent ballot. Both he and his wife were de- voted members of the United Brethren Church. He married Syrena Deller. She was born in Steu- ben County, Indiana, in 1850 and is still living at Angola. Her father, Nicholas Deller, and her mother, Mary Ann Deller, were among the early settlers of Steuben Township. Their first home was just south of the Mount Zion Church. Nicho- las Deller died there and his widow spent her last days with Mr. and Mrs. Eli Klink. The latter were the parents of six children : Etta, wife of W. J. Huber, of Angola; Olen, who died in in- fancy; Ernest C., of Toledo, Ohio; Chester C., above mentioned as owner of the old homestead farm in Salem Township; Lawrence N. ; and Zella, who died in infancy. Lawrence N. Klink was born on the old farm in Salem Township May 15, 1882. He lived there until nearly grown, and supplemented the advan- tages received in the public schools by attending the Tri-State College. In December, 1902, he grad- uated from the Chicago College of Embalming, and the following two years he was in the furni- ture and undertaking business at Reading, Michi- gan. On September 1, 1904, he began his business and service at Angola, and has capably served this community for fifteen years. Mr. Klink is a dem- ocrat in politics but has been too busy to concern himself with the responsibilities of public office. He is affiliated with the Masonic Order, the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America at Angola, and is also a member of the Rotary Club. He and his family are members of the Congregational Church. May 15, 1905, Mr. Klink married Miss Mabel Ab- bott, of Reading, Michigan. They have two chil- dren : Lurene and Harry. Harvey A. Moore. The leading business man of Avilla in Noble County is Harvey A. Moore, whose success is to be attributed entirely to his own energies and efforts. He started on a very modest scale and has not only acquired his present store and store building, but is also interested in a number of other affairs and is looked upon as a leader in every movement to improve and help forward his community. Mr. Moore was born at Wawaka, Noble County, Indiana, November 17, 1877, son of Thomas and Sarah (Barnhart) Moore. His mother was a native of Williams County, Ohio, and in that county Harvey A. Moore spent most of his boyhood. He attended the public schools of Ohio. He gained his first business experience in that state, but in 1898 returned to Noble County, and with an exceedingly modest capital began selling merchandise at Avilla. He has since built up a large trade in furniture and is proprietor of that store and also a stockholder in a business that has stores both in Avilla and Auburn. Mr. Moore erected the Bank Block in which his own store is located and has considerable other interests in local real estate. In 1897 Mr. Moore married Miss Byrd Repple. She is a college graduate and a very cultured woman. They have one daughter, Lorene, now attending high school at Avilla. Mr. Moore is an active Mason, is past master of Avilla Lodge, and is also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner at Fort Wayne. He is affiliated with the Elks at Kendallville. His name is widely known over Kendall County as a leader in democratic politics. He is now a member and president of the City Council of Avilla, and is also his party’s nominee for membership on the Board of County Commissioners. Besides his hold- ings at Avilla he owns a good farm of ninety-six acres in Allen Township. Edward Noll. A history of the Noll family and that of Salem Township in Steuben County runs side by side for a period of eighty years. The Nolls came here in Indian times, and along with the de- velopment of a large acreage of wild land to cul- tivated fields they have exercised an influence over their community and furnished valuable service as capable mechanics and business men. The founder of the family here was George Noll, who was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, in 1796, married Nancy Hall and lived in Stark County, Ohio, for many years. Nine children were born to them in that county, Nancy, Margaret, Elizabeth, Barbara, Catherine, Jacob, Henry, Samuel and Mar- tin, and the mother died there. In 1839 George Noll, having married again, brought his family to Steuben County and bought land in section 11 of Salem Township. He lived there until his death in 1852. His first home was a log cabin. An Indian Trail ran near the house and the family saw Indians passing over that road nearly every day. It is recalled that salt then retailed at $9 a barrel, though the wheat crop grown after much labor in clearing away the woods brought only 40 cents a bushel, and all grain HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 373 had to be hauled to market at Coldwater, Michigan. Samuel Noll was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1817, and had just passed his majority when he came with his father to Steuben County. His father being quite well advanced in years at the time most of the work of clearing up the land devolved upon him. He spent many long days chopping trees and clearing away the brush. He brought with him to Indiana a knowledge of the carpenter’s trade, was a very skillful workman, and his services were in de- mand for making furniture and more particularly for fashioning coffins. Gradually, though he kept his home on the farm, he engaged in the undertak- ing business, and was in that work for about forty years, until the time of his death, which occurred in May, 1888. In Stark County Samuel Noll mar- ried Christina Flectling, a native of Alsace, Ger- many, where she was born in 1819, coming to Amer- ica at the age of eight years with her parents. Samuel Noll and wife were active members of the Reformed Church, and in 1882 they were instru- mental in building the New Trinity Reformed Church in Salem Township. Samuel Noll and wife had a family of eight children; John, Elizabeth, George Washington, William F., Edward and Caro- line, twins; Samuel, who died in childhood; and Mary. Mr. Edward Noll, who therefore represents the third generation of the family in Northwest Indiana, was born at the old home in Salem Township July 23, 1849. As a boy he attended the neighboring dis- trict schools and besides work on the farm learned the carpenter’s trade and for about two years was a blacksmith. His mechanical genius has found ex- pression not only in the varied work of the farm but as the operator of a threshing outfit, and he has been in that line of business for upwards of forty years and has worn out many outfits and has handled all the improvements in threshing machinery from the time of the old horse power apparatus. Mr. Noll and family are members of the Reformed Church. In September, 1873, he married Chloe Arvilla Ransburg, a daughter of Leander and Harriet Lu- cinda (Spangle) Ransburg. Mr. and Mrs. Noll having no children of their own took into their home Ida May Farres when she was two years of age. This adopted daughter is now the wife of Clyde Allen. Leander Ransburg, father of Mrs. Noll, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, November 6, 1819, a son of Christian and Catherine Ransburg. He settled in Salem Township of Steuben County in 1851 and 'spent the rest of his active life on a farm. His first wife was Rachel Mithour, and they had one daughter, Emeline. Harriet Lucinda Spangle was his second wife, and she was the mother of Chloe Arvilla, Edith Ella, Lewis Walter and Olive E. George Gordon Talmage, M. D. Talmage is the name of an old and prominent family in Springfield Township, LaGrange County, where Dr. George Gordon Talmage was born December 20, 1869. His father, Elisha Talmage, was born at Milton in Saratoga County, New York, in 1813, one of the ten children of Enos and Polly (Barber) Talmage. His parents were also natives of New York and of English descent. Elisha Talmage as a youth learned the carpenter’s trade, and followed it for two years at wages of ten dollars a month. In the summer of 1836 he was working at Auburn, New Ifork, and the following fall came west to Michigan and spent a short time in Lenawee County. He went back east by way of Canada, and in the spring of 1837 came to Indiana, settling in the fall of that year on [20 acres in Springfield Township. He paid $500 for this land. He was a man of skillful industry and much enterprise and developed a good farm of 169 acres, where he lived for many years. One feature of his farm business was the manufacture of cider. He married for his first wife Lucy Williams, a native of New York, who died in April, 1849. Their five children were Joseph, Harriet, Enos, Mary E. and Calista E. In October, 1851, Elisha Talmage married Jane Griff en. She was born at Spaxton, England, and came to this country in 1833 with her parents, Robert H. and Mary (Polman) Griff en. Elisha Talmage by his second wife had ten chil- dren : Lewis E., Isaac G., Charles E., Harvey H., Herbert J., Lucy L., Arthur F., Ernest E., George G., and Eva J. The oldest son of Elisha, Joseph W., served as a Union soldier, enlisting in 1861 in the Twenty-First Indiana Infantry, and soon afterward was transferred to the Twenty-first Heavy Artillery. In later life he donated the land for a church on his farm in Nebraska. Elisha Talmage and wife are both buried in the East Springfield Cemetery. Dr. George G. Talmage attended the public schools of his native township, was a student in the Tri- State Normal at Angola and in June, 1901, gradu- ated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago. He had a busy country practice on Brushy Prairie until the spring of 1904, when he removed to Washta, Cherokee County, Iowa. He is a republican in politics. March 29, 1894, Dr. Tal- mage married Miss Laura E. Brown, of Springfield Township, where she was born April 10, 1875. She is the only daughter of Warren and Falona (Baxter) Brown, and member of a family whose career has been traced in detail on other pages. Dr. Talmage and wife had two children : Russell Brown Talmage, born November 4, 1900, was educated in the Spring- field Township High School and graduated from the Fremont High School in Steuben County in 1918. At present he is engaged in farming on the old homestead, being a member of the fourth genera- tion on this farm, knowq as the Brown Homestead. Ernest Erastus Talmage was born January 6, 1904, and is now a student in the Springfield Township High School. David Aburn is identified with the farming com- munity of Perry Township in Noble County, has had a long and useful career, and has always lived up to the highest obligations and standards of good citizenship. His farm home is in section 32. He was born in Darke County, Ohio, June 13, 1852, son of William and Catherine (Arnett) Aburn. His father was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, June 25, 1825, and his mother in Miami County of the same state, September 13, 1826. They were married in Miami County, then located in Darke County, and on August 9, i860, left that section of Ohio to come to Indiana and settled in Noble Town- ship of Noble County. On March 21, 1882, they transferred their home to the farm where their son David now lives. William Aburn and wife were people of the highest character and lived industrious and honest lives, and were very devout members of the Dunkard Church. In politics the father affiliated as a democrat. His wife died October 22, 1894, and he passed away on the old farm December 2, 1892. There were seven children and four are still liv- ing: David; Tobias, of Whitley County, Indiana; Harriet, wife of T. N. McNear, of Canada; and Margaret, wife of C. D. Betzner, of Perry Town- ship. David Aburn, who has never married, has spent most of his life in Perry Township, and acquired his early education in Noble Township. He owns- 374 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 160 acres of land in section 32, and among other interests is a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Ligonier. Politically he is a democrat, like his father. Chester P. Crain, who was a member of one of the early families of Steuben County and ■achieved successful results in a business way there, was a native son of the county and spent practi- cally all his life within its border. The fine farm which he developed is situated in Pleasant Town- ship, and is now occupied by his widow and his son-in-law, Mr. George Saul. Mr. Crain was born in Steuben County Septem- ber 5, 1845, a son of Ezekiel W. and Rebecca (Demory) Crain. His parents came from Canada, where they were married in 1823, moving to Michi- gan in 1834, and in the spring of 1836 Ezekiel Crain came to Steuben County and bought land and built a log cabin, moving the family to the new home in the following December. Ezekiel Crain was a man of great influence among the early settlers, and died in Steuben County in 1871, his widow passing away in 1880. They had seven children: Abram, Orange, Nicholas, Richard, Eli- zabeth, who became the wife of William Carpenter, Benjamin and Chester Perry. Chester Perry Crain grew up on the old farm where his widow now lives, had a public school education, and with the exception of one year in Kansas spent his life in Steuben County. After the death of his father he bought the homestead and had 120 acres. For about thirty years he made a specialty of the breeding of Red Polled cattle, and that business is still carried on by his son-in-law, George W. Saul. Mr. Crain was a democrat in politics, and he and his wife with their daughter and husband were members of the Christian Church at Angola. January 23, 1873, Mr. Crain married Miss Susie Baker, a daughter of Edward and Susan (Sandall) Baker. Her parents came from England, were early settlers in Steuben County, and more ex- tended mention of the family is made on other pages of this publication. Mr. Crain had one daughter, Elgie Melvina. She was born October 13, 1875, attended the public schools and the Tri- State Normal College, and on June 12, 1901, be- came the wife of George W. Saul. Mrs. Saul died May 12, 1915. Mr. Saul was born in St. Clair County, Michigan, November 12, 1876, son of Leander and Catherine (Hoyer) Saul. His parents were natives of Wil- liams County, Ohio, lived for several years in Michigan and from there came to Steuben County and now live in Salem Township. Mr. Saul’s fa- ther is a republican and his mother is a member of the United Brethren Church. The six Saul children, all living, are Jennie, Nettie, George W., Ivan, Orran and Pearl. George W. Saul finished his education in Pleasant Lake High School. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Angola. He and his wife had one daughter, Troas Olive, born May 28, 1903. Elder Walter Swihart is one of the men of most varied interests in and around the village of Churu- busco in Noble County. He has a fine farm, was vice president of the Farmers State Bank of Churu- busco from the time it was organized until he re- signed in 1919, has for a number of years been an elder in the Church of the Brethren, and some con- siderable part of his life he gave to educational work as a teacher. Mr. Swihart was born in Wabash County, In- diana, July 21, 1864, son of Jacob and Clara (Gidley) Swihart. His father was born in Hancock County, Ohio, November 30, 1837. His mother was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, October 14, 1838. When Jacob Swihart was eight years old his parents moved to Wabash County, Indiana, and settled near Roann. He grew up there and had such limited advantages as the local schools could furnish. His wife was reared in Ohio, had a good education and was a teacher for several years. She and her husband were married near Roann and became farmers there. Later they moved to Whitley County, and in 1870 established a home in Green Township of Noble County, where they spent the rest of their days. Jacob Swihart died while visiting in Arkansas, February 22, 1898. His wife died in Noble County, April 29, 1899. Both were active members of the Church of the Brethren. They were the parents of seven children: John, of Elkhart County; Walter; Elizabeth, wife of Alvin M. Hire; Amy, wife of Arthur Gardner, of Elkhart County; Martha, wife of Amasa Cripe, of Elkhart County; Jesse, of Noble Township, Noble County; and Charles, whose home is in Arkansas. Elder Walter Swihart grew up on a farm in Green Township, and besides the advantages of the district schools he attended the Ohio Northern University at Ada and was graduated with the degree Bachelor of Science. In the meantime he had begun teaching in country districts, and altogether put in nineteen years as an educator. Some of his teaching was done outside the state. In 1895 he went to Phoenix, Arizona, and taught school there and also at Glen- dale, in that territory, for a year and a half. In the fall of 1900 he went to Florida and was a teacher there two years. Another year he spent in New Mexico, and has also seen much of the state of Texas. Elder Swihart married for his first wife Sarah Huber, of Elkhart Township, Noble County. She was born in that county, was well educated in public schools and in the Tri-State Normal at Angola, and also did considerable teaching. She died in August, 1902, the mother of three children: Huber, a high school graduate and a student at North Manchester, and also in a Bible school at Chicago, is now a farmer in Illinois; Lucile studied at North Man- chester and in the Chicago Bible School and is now the wife of Rufus Sipe ; and Calvin is a graduate of the Churubusco High School. In 1903 Mr. Swihart married Minnie Miller. She died December 29, 1917, the mother of six children, named: Fairy, Faith, Ruth, Ernest, Robin and Donald. Both these wives were earnest Christian women and active members of the Church of the Brethren. Mr. Swihart has been an elder in this church since 1904. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Swihart, besides his many other interests, gives an active supervision to the work of his home farm, which comprises 164 acres. William H. Crone has spent most of his life in Northeast Indiana, for many years was a practical farmer, still owns a large amount of land and in recent years has given his time and energies to the promotion of business and manufacturing at Wol- cottville. He is interested in the manufacturing plant of the Centennial Stave Silo and Drain Tile Com- pany at Wolcottville. He was born in Allen Township of Noble County August 11, 1851, a son of John and Catherine (Switzer) Crone. His father was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1818, and his mother in Richland County, Ohio, February 23, HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 375 1820. They were married in Ohio in 1839, and from that state moved in 1849, settling in Allen Township of. Noble County, Indiana. John Crone spent the rest of his life in Noble County as a farmer and was a highly respected citizen. He died in Decem- ber, 1899, and his widow lived at Garrett, Indiana, until her death in February, 1907. Both were mem- bers of the Evangelical Church. John Crone served as a trustee of the church and in politics was a democrat.- Of their twelve children five are now living: Barbara, widow of S. A. Rawson; John S., a farmer in Allen Township of Noble County; Wil- liam H. ; Amy R., wife of B. F. Stultz, of Elkhart, Indiana; and Laura, wife of George B. Tyler, liv- ing near Lisbon in Allen Township of Noble County. William H. Crone grew up on his father’s farm, attended district schools, and lived at home until he was twenty-one years old. On October 27, 18741 he married Laura J. Wilson. She was born March 21, 1853, daughter of Albert and Isabel Wilson. After his marriage Mr. Crone bought a farm in Jefferson Township, and taking it in its native con- dition he cleared it up and had all under cultivation except fifteen acres. He remained there twelve years and then sold and moved to Florence Town- ship of Noble County. Later he moved to the vicinity of Wolcottville, where he lived on a 200- acre farm until 1906. Since then his home has been in Wolcottville, and he had an extensive business there in buying and shipping live stock until recent years. He has been a director in the Silo and Drain Tile Company since its organization, and gives all his time during the summer seasons to selling silos. The last several winters Mr. Crone has spent in the South. Besides his other interests he has a two- third interest in 215 acres of land in Johnson Town- ship. Mr. Crone is the father of two children, Maude and John. The daughter is a graduate of the com- mon schools and is now the wife of W. D. Fisher. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher had two children, and the one now living is Gerald W. John Crone is a graduate of the Avilla High School, attended the Tri-State Normal at Angola three years and is noW a farmer in Johnson Township. He married Dora Whan- settler. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Crone is a democrat. Stephen T. McKee. During the many years he spent in the farming community of Lima Stephen McKee was known for his progressiveness in every- thing he did and also for the energy which he ap- plied to his undertakings and which brought him the abundant prosperity he now enjoys in his comfort- able home at Howe. Mr. McKee was born in Montour County, Penn- sylvania, October 7, 1856, and has lived in LaGrange County since he was eight years of age. His par- ents were William and Nancy (Ellis) McKee, both natives of Columbia County, Pennsylvania, while their respective parents were born in Scotland and spent their last years in Pennsylvania. William and Nancy McKee brought their family from Pennsyl- v vania to LaGrange County in the spring of 1865. They traveled by railroad as far as Sturgis, Michi- gan, and thence a horse drawn vehicle took them to a place a little north of Howe, where they arrived the first of April. William McKee bought a farm in Lima Township, and he and his wife lived there until their death. He had eighty acres, and im- proved it and made a good home. He and his wife were active Presbyterians. Their family consisted of six children: James, who died in Pennsylvania; Ellis ; Oliver P. ; Amandas, now deceased ; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Washington Gilbert, and Stephen T. Stephen T. McKee attended country schools in LaGrange County and also the high school, at Howe. As a young man he learned the trade of carpenter, but has used his skill largely to do his own building and repair work. He took up farming in Lima Township on his father’s old place, later owned it, and increased its area to 120 acres. Mr. McKee equipped this farm for dairy purposes and developed one of the best Jersey herds in the township. His farm was also distinguished by having one of the first silos in that vicinity, and as a carpenter he con- structed the silo himself. Mr. McKee has lived retired at Howe since 1902 He is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Howe, is a Presbyterian, and has been quite active in local politics, serving as a member of the Township Advisory Board. On November 4, 1896, he married Miss Anna- belle Smith, a native of Howe and a daughter of John Smith, one of the best known citizens of La- Grange County. Mr. and Mrs. McKee have one daughter, Mildred E., who finished her education in a college at Marion, Virginia. Samuel F. Musser, cashier of the LaGrange State Bank, has had a long and active career in LaGrange County, has been a farmer, merchant, traveling salesman and is a former county treas- urer, an office he filled with thorough competence for two terms. He was born in Clear Spring Township of La- Grange County, September 15, 1852, son of Daniel and Rebecca (Ritter) Musser. His parents were born, reared and married in Franklin County, Penn- sylvania, and came to LaGrange County about 1845. They brought all they had with them in a one- horse wagon, and thus started with practically nothing in the woods of Clear Spring Township. Industry brought its sure reward, and in course of time he owned a good farm of eighty acres, well improved, and provided liberally for his family. The parents were members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and he was a republican in politics. Of the seven children four are still living, Samuel F. ; Maynard F., a mail carrier at LaGrange; Jen- nie, wife of Myron Nelson ; and Alsie, a widow living at Battle Creek, Michigan. Samuel F. Musser attended the district schools during his boyhood and also had a thorough train- ing in all the duties of the farm. In 1876 he mar- ried Miss Eliza Cowley. For ten years they rented a farm and then moved to LaGrange, where Mr. Musser engaged in the implement business for eight years. Selling out he bought a farm, and after- ward leased his land and traveled for an imple- ment house three years. In 1896 he was honored with election to the office of county treasurer and took up his duties in January, 1898. He was in the courthouse for two successive terms, and in the meantime disposed of his farm and became one of the organizers of the LaGrange State Bank. He was formerly its assistant cashier before his pro- motion to the office of cashier. Mr. Musser has always been an active republican. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Howe, and he and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Musser have two sons. Lee A. is a dentist with a good practice at South Haven, Mich- igan. Fred C. is a physician, and is well estab- lished in his profession in Detroit. Melvin C. McGrew. It is over seventy years since the McGrew family came to Steuben County, and the name has been identified with practically all the history of development of this section of Northeast Indiana from the pioneering and log 376 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA cabin days to the era of modern transportation, improved highways, and unprecedented prosperity for the agricultural district. A representative of this family, Melvin C. McGrew, is one of the leading farmers in Pleasant Township. He was born in Richland Township of Steuben County, February 16, 1852, son of Find- ley and Betsey (Sharrock) McGrew. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1809 and his mother in Morrow County, Ohio, in 1815. lhey were married in the latter state and in 1848 came to Steuben County and paid a dollar and a quarter an acre for land in Richland Township. Ob- viously it was virgin soil and did not have a single tree removed, and it was the task of Findley McGrew to clear it up and make a home. He had eighty acres, eventually well developed and im- proved, and the log house which was the first home of the family gave way to a good frame house. He was a very fine mechanic, a millwright by trade, and it was his practice to build, operate and own mills. He operated mills at Metz, on Fish Creek, one northeast of Butler and also one at West Buffalo, Ohio. He was one of the most useful citizens of the county in his time. He died in 1872 and his wife in 1870. He was a democrat, and thev were members of the United Brethren Church.' They had a large family, named Henry, Joseph, Constance, Sarah, _ Benjamin, Matilda, Tames, Emily, Susan, Melvin C., Ida and Ada, twins, and Findley. Of these numerous children Melvin C. McGrew is the only survivor. He grew up on his father s place in Richland Township and lived there to the age of twenty-one, enjoying such advantages as the local schools afforded. Since then he has been farming. For two years he rented the Northway farm in Millgrove "Township and in 1880 bought the place which he still owns and occupies. He has 1 12 acres, and all its building improvements represent his individual work and investment. He does general farming and stock raising, and the means he has acquired represents what he has put into life by his well directed efforts and judgment. He is a democrat, but has no official aspirations, has been affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for about twenty-one years and is a member of the Christian Church. In 1874 he married Rachel Fast. She was born in Ashland County, Ohio, December 4, 1850, a daughter of Christian and Henrietta (Sowle) Fast. This is a well known family of Steuben County. Christian Fast, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1814, a son of Martin Fast, lived from early in- fancy in Ashland County, Ohio, where the Fast family were among the earliest of the families to settle, and in 1839 he married Henrietta Sowle, who was born in New York State in 1820. In 1852 Christian Fast came to Steuben County and ac- quired' a tract of wild land in Pleasant Township and eventually owned 160 acres, well improved and valuable. He died in 1898. His first wife died in 1859, the mother of eight children : Joseph A., Rosanna, Francis Allen, Eli, Mary, Rachel, John A., Henrietta. Christian Fast married for his second wife Rhoda M. Wells, and they had three children, Ira, Orla and Laura. The old Fast farm in Pleasant Township is now owned and oc- cupied by Mark Pogue. Mr. and Mrs. McGrew have two children: Alida, born October 23, 1877, was educated in the public schools and the Normal School, was a teacher for several terms, and is now the wife of Harley Webb. They have two children, Hilda and Joyce. George A. McGrew was born May 20, 1880, and also had a public and normal school education. He mar- ried Zora Spangle, and their family consists of Harold, Eilene, Marian and Wayne. Bernard Pullman has been a resident of Ken- dallville since he was seven years of age, and his successful position in business affairs is due to a concentration of effort along one line. He has always worked in the stone business, and is now proprietor of the Pullman Granite and Marble Works at Kendallville. Mr. Pullman was born in Germany May 26, 1859, son of John and Elizabeth (Drasser) Pullman. His parents came from Germany in the spring of 1867 and located at Kendallville, where his, father was a stone cutter and followed the trade many years with his son. Bernard Pullman was educated in the common schools to the age of fourteen. Since that time he has been continuously identified with the stone busi- ness, spending four years in learning his trade and working as a journeyman four years. About 1881 he entered business for himself, and for over thirty- nine years has conducted the leading granite and marble works of the city and Northern Indiana. Mr. Pullman married Ida M. Lash, who was born in Kendallville, a daughter of William Lash. She was educated in the public schools of that city. They have two children : Inez, a graduate of the Ken- dallville High School, is the wife of Rodell Ludlow, now residents of Dallas, Texas. Harold L., who attended high school, is now at home. He married Aileen Shamburger. Mr. and Mrs. Pullman have one grandson, Bernard P. Ludlow. Mr. Pullman, besides his close attention to busi- ness, has also been interested in local affairs. He has been a member of the City Council, is a repub- lican and is a prominent Mason, both in the Yofk and Scottish Rite. He has taken thirty-two degrees in the Scottish Rite and is a member of the Lodge, Chapter and Commandery in York Rite, and has served as f eminent commander of the Knights Templar. “He is also a Shriner. He and his family are Presbyterians. John Craig Smiths The name of John Craig Smith is associated with a high degree of prominence in business and civic affairs in LaGrange County. He is a resident of Van Buren Township and his family were among the earliest settlers of the county. Mr. Smith was born in Lima Township December 22, 1857, a son of William and Esther (Craig) Smith. William Smith was born in Clark County, Ohio, January 10, 1822, one of the ten children of David and Elizabeth (Hurd) Smith, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Maryland. David Smith, of Irish descent, was a soldier in the War of 1812, was married in Ohio, and in 1833 brought his family to LaGrange County, Indiana, locating on a farm of 360 acres, where he lived until his death. He was an abolitionist in politics, one of the early temperance workers in the county, and was one of the first members of the Board of County Com- missioners. William Smith acquired a liberal education for his time and for twenty years taught school in winters, while the summers were spent in farming. He taught the first term of school in the new schoolhouse at Lima. He also represented LaGrange County in the State Legislature in 1855 and again in 1867. During his first term he cast the deciding vote for recharter- ing the State Bank of Indiana. During the second term he assisted in electing Oliver P. Morton, In- diana’s war governor, to the United States Senate. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 377 For a number of years he was engaged in the lumber and agricultural implement business. He was a Mason and member ot the Fresbyterian Church, and died at Cogansport, Indiana, May 4, 1901. In 1047 he married Estner Craig, She was born in North- umberland County, Fennsylvania, in 1822 and died in i«66. She was the mother of three children: Senator B., Mary E. A. and John C. William Smith married for his second wife Kate Wood, who was born in LaGrange County in 1844. By that union there were two children, William D. and. lone C. John Craig Smith was about eight years old when his mother died, and he grew up in the home of his maternal grandparents, John and Jane (Derr) Craig, who were early settlers of LaGrange County. He acquired a public school education, attended the graded schools of Lima, and since early youth his chief interests have been identified with farming. He is a republican in politics. November 24, 1880, Mr. Smith married Emma L. Hinkle. She was born in Pennsylvania February 23, i860, a daughter of Aquila and Mary (Boyer) Hinkle. The Hinkle family settled in LaGrange County in October, 1864. In 1872 Aquila Hinkle bought land in section 29 of Van Buren Township, where Mr. and Mrs. Smith now live. He first bought 120 acres and later increased his holdings to 180 acres. He divided this place among his chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have since added seventy acres and now have 249)^2 acres. For several years Mr. Smith was a breeder of Jersey cattle, and is now practically retired from the heavier responsibili- ties of farming. .He is a stockholder in the local elevator and shippers association at Howe. Mrs. Smith’s father died in November, 1914, at the age of eighty-one, and her mother passed away May 5, 1919, at the age of seventy-nine years and one month. Mrs. Smith was their only child. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Smith is Augusta, who was born in September, 1881. She is the wife of Charles F. Junod, member of an old and prom- inent family of LaGrange County. Mr. Junod was born in Van Buren Township, is a graduate of Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, spent ten years or more with the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company at Milwaukee, part of the time being gen- eral agent for Nebraska, and in 1915 became con- nected with Kountze Brothers, bankers of national and international prominence at New York City. Mr. Junod is now vice president of the Atlantic Na- tional Bank of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Junod have two sons, Charles Frederick, Jr., born April 10, 1911, and Robert Smith Junod, born August 25, I9I3- Ross H. Abel is the present trustee of Newville Township in DeKalb County. He is a man emi- nently qualified for the duties of this responsible office, to which is entrusted the management and welfare of the local schools and many other mat- ters of direct concern to every resident of the town- ship. Mr. Abel has been one of the prominent educators in Stark County for many years, has lived in the southern part of DeKalb County all his life, and is also identified with its rural interests as a farmer. This is one of the oldest families of old Concord Township. His grandfather, George H. Abel, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, February 21, 1808, the son of Damon and Sallie (Root) Abel. In 1828 he married Electa Hadsell, who was born in New York State. After his marriage he followed farm- ing in Ohio until September, 1836, when he came to Indiana and entered 160 acres in Concord Town- ship. He cleared up most of this land and lived an active and useful life there until his death on May 10, 1674, being survived by his widow a number of years. They nad a family of ten children, and sev- eral of the sons made honorable records as soldiers in the Lmon army. Walter M. Abel, a son of George H. Abel, was born in Concord Township August 27, 1846, and served two years in the Civil war. Later he was at one time commander of his Grand Army Post, was a loyal republican in politics, and spent his business energies largely as a farmer. He died September 15, 1917. Walter Abel married Anna E. Nelson, who was born in Tuscarawas County-, Ohio, March 30* 1853, came to DeKalb County when a girl, and is still living. She is a member of the Wesley Chapel of the Methodist Church. Walter Abel and wife had two children. The older is Lulu M., wife of Philip Carper of Jackson Town- ship. Ross H. Abel was born in Concord Township January 29, 1880, and lived at home attending dis- trict school at Spencerville and St. Joe, and after- ward took normal and special courses in the Tri- State College at Angola and at Valparaiso. Mr. Abel has been a teacher -in DeKalb County for eighteen years. He and his mother live together, and for a number of years he has had the prac- tical operation of the ninety-five acres in the home farm. Mr. Abel was elected trustee of Newville Township November 5, 1918. He has been quite active as a republican. George Dayton Searing, Jr., in association with his father became a business man at Howe when he was hardly more than a boy in years, and has continued a useful service long furnished by mem- bers of his family in the undertaking and furniture business there. Mr. Searing has the distinction of having introduced the first motor hearse in La- Grange County, buydng it and bringing it to his establishment at Howe June 5, 1916. Mr. Searing was born at Lima, now known as the Town of Howe, October 12, 1879, a son of George D. and Sarah A. (Byram) Searing. His grand- parents were Ichabod W. and Ruth (Upson) Sear- ing, the former a native of New Jersey. From Men- don, New Jersey, the Searings came West and set- tled in Greenfield Township of LaGrange County in 1837. Ichabod Searing and wife had five children : Henrietta V., who is still living and makes her home with Mrs. Sarah Searing at Howe ; Caroline, who was the wife of Joseph Upson; Mrs. Angeline Up- son; Noah; and George D., Sr. George D. Searing, Sr., was born in Greenfield Township March 31, 1847, spent his early life on a farm, and finished his education in the LaGrange County Collegiate Institute under Professor Patch. He was an early business man at the Village of Lima, where he opened a stock of furniture in the year 1870, and then engaged in the undertaking business, until his store was burned out, entailing a total loss. However, he continued in business and also did considerable writing of insurance. From 1880 until his death on August 8, 1914, he served continuously as a justice of the peace. He was a republican in politics, was affiliated with Howe Lodge of Masons and was a member of LaGrange Chapter of the Royal Arch. He was also a charter mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias at Howe. His widow, still living, is a member of the Methodist Church. They had two children, Anna R. and George D. The daughter is living at South Pasadena, Cali- fornia, widow of Henry A. Herman, who was killed at Long Beach, California, in December, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Herman had three children : Dorothy, George and Margaret. 378 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA George D. Searing, Jr., graduated from the Lima High School in 1900. The following year he gradu- ated from Clark’s School of Embalming at Cincin- nati, and had learned the undertaking business while working for his father as a boy. He was his father’s partner from 1900 until 1914, and has since been active head of the business. For nineteen years he has held a position as notary public and he also carries on the insurance agency which his father established. Mr. Searing is a republican, is a charter member of the Lodge of Masons at Howe and also a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias. In November, 1907, he married Miss Marjorie Hoff. She was born in Kansas, a daughter of Enoch and Florence (Bart- lett) Hoff, formerly of LaGrange County. Mr. and Mrs. Searing have two children, Florence B., who was born November 28, 1908, and died in June, 1917, and Caroline A., born February 19, 1912. Eli C. Walker has been a prominent business man of Auburn for a number of years and consist- ent with his position in business is also the city’s chief executive. His popularity in Auburn is very well shown by the result of his election to the position of city mayor. Although the opposing candidate was a prominent attorney and business man of wide experience, Mr. Walker received the largest number of votes ever cast for any candidate in this city. Assisted by a Council of excellent business men. Mayor Walker has given Auburn a splendid administration, of which the people are justly appreciative. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, January 2, 1868, son of George W. and Caroline (Neidig) Walker. His father, who was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, was two years old when his parents moved to Stark County, Ohio. He grew up there and was married to Caroline Neidig, who was born in that county. They lived on a farm in Stark County, Ohio, until 1880, when the Ohio prop- erty was sold and the family came to DeKalb County, Indiana, locating in Richland Township. George W. Walker died there May 2, 1915, and his widow is still living. Both were members of the English Lutheran Church, and he was a veter- an of the Civil war, having answered his country’s call as a volunteer soldier. He was also a Master Mason and a republican in politics. Of a family of six children five are still living: Charles E. M., of Auburn ; Maggie, wife of Frank Boren, of Rich- land Township; Jennie, wife of Bert Mochamer, of Auburn ; Amelia, wife of Ezra Rohm, of Grant Township; and Eli C. Eli C. Walker was twelve years old when brought to DeKalb County. He continued his education in the district school, also the Auburn High School and the Tri-State Normal at Angola. Many resi- dents of this county remember gratefully his serv- ices as a teacher. He taught for fifteen years, eleven in the district schools and four years was head of the Corunna Graded School, which he organized. He was married to Edith Chaney, who was born in Richland Township in this county. His wife possesses a marked religious character, which has been a determining factor in the lives of her hus- band and children, contributing not only to their happiness but also to any accomplishments to which they may have attained. After his marriage he gave up school work and for a time was assistant cashier of the Thomas Exchange Bank at Corunna. In 1903 he moved to Auburn and became associated with the La Due & Carmer Company in the shipping business. While connected with this firm the family moved to Fort Wayne, where they lived for three years. After returning to Auburn he and associates incor- porated the J. M. Carmer Company, July 1, 1915. Soon after this Mr. Walker bought a controlling interest and continued to manage the corporation’s affairs until he sold out May 14, 1919. Mr. Walker has been quite active in politics and was elected mayor of Auburn in November, 1917, beginning his official term January 7, 1918. He is district steward of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Auburn, and has served as superintend- ent of the Sunday school both here and at Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne. He has also served in many other lay capacities. Mr. Walker is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Mizpah Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Fort Wayne. He is also an Odd Fellow, and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star at Auburn. To his marriage were born three children: Vic- tor O., who is a graduate of the Auburn High School and a Purdue University student, is em- ployed as an engineer with the S. F. Bowser Com- pany at Fort Wayne. He is married to Carrie Archer. Clement is a graduate of the Auburn High School and is still at home. He is associated with his father in the shipping business. Marie, the only daughter, died July 11, 1915, while a stu- dent in the Auburn High School. John M. Crain. It has been characteristic of the Crain family throughout their residence of more than three quarters of a century in Steuben County to be farmers, good citizens and people accustomed to assuming their share of all the responsibilities of community life. These characteristics belong to one of the younger generation, John M. Crain, who handles three separate farms and is one of the leading young stockmen and agriculturists of Pleas- ant Township. His grandfather, Lucius Crain, first visited Steu- ben County from New York State in 1836, buying land in section 36 of Steuben Township. In Sep- tember, 1837, he moved his family to this land, but the following year they returned to New York. He made permanent settlement in Steuben County in 1840, and lived here until his death on August 31, 1848. Lucius Crain married Paulina Frink. One of their children was the late John M. Crain, Sr., who was born in New York State in 1834 and was a boy when the family came to Steuben County. He grew up in Otsego Township and later sold his place there and bought the farm where George Webb now lives, and finally _ the Pleasant Township farm where his widow resides. John M. Crain, Sr., died in 1891. He was a dem- ocrat in politics and his wife is a member of the United Brethren Church. John M. Crain married Rose Renner, who was born in Steuben County July 20, 1850, a daughter of John Renner, of an- other prominent family of the county. Mrs. John M. Crain had nine children: Irene, Paulina, de- ceased, Anna, Odesta, lone, Beulah, Frances, John M. and Theodore. John M. Crain, Jr., was born on the farm where his mother now lives in Pleasant Township on De- cember 4, 1889. He grew up there, attended the public schools, and since early manhood has been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1915 he bought eighty acres in Pleasant Town- ship. He also rents eighty acres_ of the Widow Moss of Angola, and has in addition the manage- ment of his mother’s home farm. This gives him a large acreage, but he uses it profitably and effi- ciently and is one of the leading breeders in the HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 379 county of Belgian horses. Shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs. Mr. Crain is a republican. His wife is active in the Christian Church. He married in 1912 Frances Jones, of Steuben County. Their two children are: John, born March 17, 1913, and James, born May 30, 1917. Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell, of Perry Township, widow of the late Michael Campbell, is one of the interesting women of that section of Noble County, and has spent all of her long and useful life in one locality. The associations of her later years are bound up with those of her early childhood, as she has lived from birth on one farm, which incidentally is one of the oldest improved tracts of land in Perry Township. Her late husband, Michael Campbell, was born near Lima, Ohio, January 8, 1849, an d 011 leaving Ohio came to Indiana but soon went to Michigan, and about 1874 settled in Noble County, Ohio. On June 28, 1874, he married Miss Elizabeth Harper. Mrs. Campbell was born March 19, 1850, and the house in which she now lives is truly a landmark of that country locality, since it was standing before she was born. She was a daughter of Solomon and Mary (Shobe) Harper. Her father, who was born in Fayette County, Ohio, November 7, 1809, was a son of Philip Harper. Solomon came to Noble County in November, 1831, when this section of Northern Indiana was a vast wilderness, and with only here and there scattered settlements. He en- tered land including the present homestead of Mrs. Campbell, and was a man of influence, of great business activity, and at one time owned 480 acres. His first home was a small log cabin, constructed in the midst of the woods. He lived in that locality for over forty years, passing away in 1873. His wife survived him until July, 1891. Solomon Harper was a democrat in politics. He and his wife had twelve children, only four of whom are now living: Z. E. Harper, of Perry Township; Harriet, wife of George Snyder, of Ohio ; Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell ; and Gideon, who lives in Ohio. Elizabeth Harper grew up on the home farm and attended the nearby district schools. She is the mother of two children : Fannie, wife of William H. Smith, of Whitley County; and Homer, who is unmarried and lives at home with his mother. Mrs. Campbell owns eighty acres, and this land was part of the tract entered by her father eighty-five years ago, in 1834. Franklin J. Merriman. When the history of the late war and the days immediately following it is written by the future generations a proper amount of credit is going •to be accorded the efforts of the agriculturalists of this country, who through their willingness to work, their knowledge of their calling and their inherent patriotism made possible the re- lieving of the terrible famine conditions of Europe and the proper feeding of the people of their own land. Without the intelligent co-operation of these men the sacrifices of the soldiers might all be nulli- fied, and therefore they will be accorded a very prominent place in the records of this marvelous epoch. Indiana is furnishing a number of such men, and one of them most certainly is Franklin J. Merriman of Steuben Township, Steuben County, a farmer by inheritance and preference. Franklin J. Merriman was born in Scott Town- ship, Steuben County, October 8, 1861, a son of Jerome Merriman and grandson of Rufus Merri- man, one of the pioneers of Steuben County, who came here about 1835. He walked from Lima, Ohio, his sole possessions being an axe, an auger and a gun, to Steuben County, and located on some land 1 miles east of Angola, and clearing a small space on it erected a log shanty, which was in time re- placed by a comfortable residence. On this prop- erty Rufus Merriman remained the rest of his life, and continued to farm. His wife bore the maiden name of Dolly Gale, and they had the following children : Henry, Loren, Jerome, Alvira and an infant daughter. The daughter Alvira married Franklin Cary. Jerome Merriman was born in Pleasant Town- ship, Steuben County, but became a farmer of Scott Township. When gold was discovered in California he was in the prime of life and excellent health, and made plans to take the trip across the plains, but the excitement probably brought about a condition that resulted in the development of tuberculosis, and he died of that malady in 1862. He was a man of many talents and was noted as a violinist. He was married to Laura Wickwire, a daughter of George W. Wickwire, and Franklin J. was their only son. Jerome Merriman was a Mason, and lived up to the highest conception of the ideals of that order. After the death of his father Franklin J. Mer- riman was taken by his maternal grandfather, George W. Wickwire, with whom he lived until the latter’s death in 1883, when Mr. Merriman went to Angola, and until the fall of 1913 carried on farm- ing in its vicinity. He then moved on his present fine farm of no acres of land in Steuben Town- ship, where he is engaged in general farming and stockraising, and has a good property, which he keeps in excellent order. His wife owns 120 acres of land in Oklahoma. On July 3, 1895, Franklin J. Merriman was united in marriage with Ella Rowley, a daughter of James L. Rowley, and they became the parents of the following children: Jerome Rowley, who is one of the brave Steuben County soldiers, a member of the Nineteenth Observation Balloon Company; George Clem ; and June Lois. Mr. Merriman belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Merriman is a granddaughter of Alva Row- ley, who after some years spent in farming in Erie County, Pennsylvania, came west to Western Ohio, where he combined gunsmithing and shoemak- ing with farming. One of his sons, James L. Row- ley, became the father of Mrs. Merriman, and he was born at Charlestown, Otsego County, New York, in 1818. His wife, Sabina (Miller) Rowley, was born in Cumberland County, Ohio, in 1836, a daugh- ter of John and Rebecca (Carl) Miller. James L. Rowley attended the public schools of Erie County, Pennsylvania, and in young manhood came to Steu- ben County, Indiana, arriving here in 1836. After a couple of years spent at Angola he returned to Ohio, but in 1842 came back to Steuben County, and here rounded out his life. After his return he lived for a time at Angola, and then moved on a farm in Jackson Township. In the meanwhile he studied dentistry, and when he had perfected him- self in that profession he went back to Angola, and was there engaged in an active practice for ten years. Owing to the partial failure of his eyesight he was obliged to abandon his practice, and so he went back to his farm of 141 acres, and there he died in 1898, his widow surviving him until 1913. Their children were as follows: Frank M., John J. and Ella, the latter being Mrs. Merriman. Both the Merriman and Rowley families were established in Steuben County at a very early day, and their representatives have borne their part in the development of this region. They have been principally farmers, although a few have entered professional life, and many acres of valuable land 380 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA now being cultivated were cleared through their efforts, it is such families as these that make up the great backbone of Americanism, and during the late war proved their love of their country and the country of their forefathers by their activities in behalf of the Government and soldiers. Ira B. Walb grew up in LaGrange county, spent his first years in railroad contracting work, but is now numbered among the very substantial and active business men of LaGrange, where he is treas- urer and manager of the LaGrange Hardware Company. He was brought to LaGrange County when an infant. His birth occurred at Grafton in Hunting- don County, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1876, son of Reuben B. and Susanna (Norris) Walb. His father was a native of Berks County and his mother of Grafton, Pennsylvania. They were married in that state, where the father followed the teaming business for several years. They moved to La- Grange County, Indiana, in 1878, and located in Clay Township, where Reuben Walb bought the farm where he still lives. He has been a prosperous farmer there for over forty years, and has 160 acres under a perfect state of tillage and cultivation. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a republican. Their five children are all living: Ira B., being the oldest; Clyde A. is a well-known business man of LaGrange ; Bertha P. is a graduate of high school and of a school in Chi- cago, and is now a deaconess at Chicago ; Vera, wife of Irvin Cook, of LaGrange County; and Ray, a graduate of the LaGrange High School, and now managing the home farm. Ira B. Walb was reared on his father’s farm in LaGrange County and from the district school en- tered the LaGrange High School, of which he is a graduate. For a time he was a teacher and then went to work for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Garrett, Indiana, and later as file clerk and assist- ant chief clerk in the general superintendent’s office. He possessed too much initiative and enterprise to remain long under the confining discipline of a rail- road office, and finally embarked his modest capital and experience and engaged in the dredging business in Arkansas and Missouri. He followed contracting work in those states for about five years. In 1914, returning to LaGrange County, he acquired a half interest in the LaGrange Hardware Company, and is now active manager and treasurer of the com- pany. The firm does a large business, reaching out to all the communities of LaGrange County. In 1912 Mr. Walb married Maude Self. They were married in the South, where her father is an extensive land owner, having about 1,500 acres. Mrs. Walb owns an interest in 100 acres in the South. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Walb is affiliated with the Lodge and Chapter of Masonry at LaGrange and in politics is a republican. Harvey Warren Chase Morley, editor of the Angola Herald since 1908, and founder and man- ager of the Farmers and Merchants Insurance Agency, Incorporated, at Angola, has had a much wider range of experience and service than falls to the lot of most men under forty-five. He was born at Marshall, Michigan, February 26, 1876. His father, Jasper Morley, a son of Harvey Morley, before coming to Michigan lived at Wayland in Steuben County, New York, and dur- ing the Civil war was a member of the One Hun- dred and Eighty-Eighth New York Volunteers. The mother, Martha Lucelia Chase, was a daughter of Ira Warren Chase, also of Wayland, Steuben County, New York, and a soldier of the Civil war, in which he saw service as a member of the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth Volunteer Regiment. Through earlier ancestors she was eligible to mem- bership in the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion. Harvey Morley spent his boyhood days in a small village. He had good influences at home, but aside from the privilege of attending a district school in Ashland Township, Newaygo County, now Grant Postoffice, Michigan, the source of higher aspirations and larger benefits had to come from himself and his own efforts. At the age of fourteen years and four months he left home and went to Grand Rapids, Michigan. For a time he worked in the mailing rooms and carried morning papers for the Grand Rapids Herald. The editor of the Herald was William Alden Smith, now United States senator from Michigan. He also ran an elevator during the noon hour and from! seven to eleven in the evening was elevator oper- ator in the Hermitage Hotel. The manager of that hotel, John Moran, loaned him the money to attend the Grand Rapids Business College and obligingly waited for the last installment for several years. Thus young Morley was getting in touch with, life, and particularly his early connection with the Grand Rapids Herald had a permanent influence on all his subsequent plans and endeavors. In 1892 he went to Wayland, New York, the home of his ancestors, and lived with an uncle, working for his board. The winter of 1892-93 found him in San Francisco, working as office boy for his brother. He also spent a short time in the mailing room of the San Francisco Examiner. This was William Randolph Hearst’s original news- paper. He also spent several months on the “Mid- way” at the California Midwinter Exposition, work- ing with William N. Selig, then a magician, now the millionaire motion picture manufacturer. After a few months on the coast he was back at Grant, Michigan, but was soon on the road again, this time going to Fort Worth, Texas, where he sold tailor made clothing. Continuing his explorations of the Southwest, he reached the City of Mexico, and worked for a time on El Financiero Mexicana and the Mexican Herald. Mr. Morley went to Chicago in 1895, made a tour with his brother, demonstrating the then new X-ray machine, and after it burned, with the great Chicago Coliseum, where it was on exhibition, he returned to Mich- igan, worked on a farm at Bailey, and soon after- ward became an employee of the Newaygo County Democrat at Newaygo. In October, 1898, he estab- lished the Independent at Grant, and conducted that and other Michigan newspapers for about ten years. He sold the Grant Independent in Decem- ber, 1908, and then bought the Angola Herald. The Angola Herald, established in January, 1876, has enjoyed a larger circulation, influence and greater prestige both as a newspaper and business proposition, it is generally conceded, during the eleven years under his ownership than at any other time in its history. As a newspaper man Mr. Morley has owned at various times, frequently two- at a time, the Grant Independent, the Grant Herald, (consolidated with the Independent), the White Cloud Eagle and some years later the Star at White Cloud, which he sold for consolidation with the Eagle and the Newaygo County Democrat, these papers all in Michigan, and in Indiana the Albany Chronicle and the Ashley Times. While at Grant, Michigan, Mr. Morley was in the insurance business, and soon after coming to Angola he resumed his relations with general in- surance. In September, 1919, he brought about HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 381 the incorporation of the Farmers & Merchants Insurance Agency, with more than thirty of An- gola’s business men as officers and stockholders. The Agency now has the business of several for- mer agencies consolidated, and is one of the most progressive concerns of its kind in Northeast Indiana. Mr. Morley did some effective work as a civilian during the late war. He was chairman of the Steuben County War Chest, county chairman of the Four-Minute Men, county chairman of the Speakers Bureau in Liberty Loans, member of the executive committee of the Red Cross for Steuben County, member of the County Council of Defense, and in 1919 he succeeded Fred Snyder as county chairman of the War Savings Stamp Committee of Steuben County. Mr. Morley is a sound democrat in his political views and affiliations, and is present democratic county chairman. He recalls with a good deal of satisfaction that the Village of Grant and the Township of Ashland, where he lived in Michigan, though normally republican two to one, gave him, as a democrat, good majorities several times for the offices of clerk and treasurer. In fraternal mat- ters Mr. Morley confesses himself a “good ‘jiner’ but a poor lodge man.” He is a member of the Odd Fellows, Elks, Knights of Pythias, Modern Wood- men of America and Red Men. Since its organiza- tion in 1914 he has been president of the Angola Rotary Club. Mrs. Morley and children are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. December 24, 1900, at Newaygo, Michigan, Mr. Morley married Edna Bonner Cox, daughter of Nichols and Eliza (Hartshorn) Cox, the latter a native of Findlay, Ohio. Her father came to America from England when a mere boy. Mrs. Morley was a teacher in the public schools of Newaygo County prior to her marriage. They have three children, Bayne Alvord, born April 24, TQ03, Fred Warren, born June 14, 1906, and Esther Eliza, born March 20, 1911. The two older children are natives of Grant, Michigan, and the daughter, of Angola. Oscar H. Taylor. His long and active life Os- car H. Taylor has spent altogether in northeastern Indiana, where he has rendered service as a teacher and farmer, and for many years as a pri- vate banker at the Village of Hamilton. Mr. Taylor was born in Franklin Township of DeKalb County, January 20, 1853, a son of John and Sarah A. (McEnterfer) Taylor. His parents were both natives of Stark County, Ohio, his fa- ther born in 1826 and his mother in 1832. John Taylor arrived in DeKalb County, Indiana, in 1846, with his parents, John and Elizabeth Taylor. The Taylor family bought 1,60 acres of wild land in Franklin Township, and in 1847 moved their home to this farm. The grandmother, Elizabeth Taylor, died there in 1863, and two years later John Tavlor, Sr., went to eastern Iowa and later to Carroll County in the same state, where he died at the venerable age of eighty-seven. John .Taylor, Jr., was twenty years old when he came to In- diana, and some years later he acquired eighty acres of the old homestead and also bought the in r terests of the other heirs in the remaining eighty. His individual labors largely contributed to the clearing of the land and he lived there, seeing his efforts prosper, until his death in 1902. His widow passed away in 1908. He was a republican without political aspirations, and his wife was a member of the United Brethren Church. Their children were: Oscar H. ; Ellen, wife of John T. Wilcox, of Edgerton, Ohio; and Ida M., wife of H. K. Leas, of Waterloo, Indiana. Oscar H. Taylor spent his early life on the old homestead in Franklin Township. Partly by his own efforts he secured a good education, attend- ing public and select schools, and later he entered the old Valparaiso Normal in the second year of its existence. He spent nearly three years in the normal, which is now the great Valparaiso Univer- sity. He qualified as a teacher at the age of six- teen, and his first term was taught in the same school where he himself had been a pupil. Alto- gether he taught for eleven years, and in only four districts. He was also interested in farming, and in 1882 bought the Boyer farm in DeKalb County of 236 acres. He still owns that fine place, though for the past fifteen years his energies have been chiefly devoted to banking. Mr. Taylor in 1905 bought the private bank of Oliver P. Learned at Hamilton. It is now known as the Hamilton Bank, but Mr. Taylor is its sole owner, his three sons having also been interested with him in its management. Mr. Taylor is a republican, and during his resi- dence in DeKalb County he filled the office of trustee of Franklin Township four years. He is a member of the Grange and his wife is a Methodist. April 25, 1878, he married Miss Libbie Leas, a native of Steuben County and a daughter of John and Susan Leas. Her parents were early settlers in Steuben County, where her mother died in 1881 and her father in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have three sons. John Leas, the oldest, was educated in the public schools of Franklin Township, De- Kalb County, and at Valparaiso University, taking the full course in the department of business and commerce. He married Blanche Jacobs and has two sons, named Oscar A. and Willis H. Benna B. Taylor, who was educated similarly , and has two children, Margaret and James. Flor- ence is the wife of William Wolfe and has a daugh- ter, Rachel Maxine. The youngest is Cecil Othello, at home with his parents. Willis J. Hall, owner of a fine farm in Salem Township of Steuben County, is a member of a family that has been especially well known in La- Grange County since pioneer days. His father, the late Charles Flail, came to La- Grange County when all the country was wild and new and bought land in Springfield Township. He sold that and moved to Milford Township in the same county, acquiring 120 acres and increasing it by the purchase of an additional 180 acres, where he spent a life of toil and good management and left a splendid farm at the time of his death in 1916, at the age of eighty-seven. He married Sophronia Case, who died in 1876, the mother of eight children, named Ida, Florence, Ella, Emma, Orcy, Frank, Almond and Willis J. Charles Hall married for his second wife Celia Case, first cousin of his first wife, and daughter of Perry Case. To this marriage were born Mabel, Nina, Leona, Harry and Leon. Charles Hall’s first wife was a daughter of Randolph Case, a pioneer of LaGrange County. Willis J. Hall, who was born in Milford Town- ship of LaGrange County February 3, 1876, grew up there and acquired a public school education. In early manhood he went to the territory of Oklahoma and acquired eighty acres, which he developed largely from its primeval state and condition. He sold out and returned to Steuben County in 1901, and since 1908 has owned his present farm of 105 acres in Salem Township. He has remodelled the buildings and the general arrangement of the farm and has given it greatly increased value and pro- ductiveness. Mr. Hall is a republican in politics. In 1902 he married May Courtright, daughter of Jonathan M. Courtright of Salem Township. They have three children, Josephine, Burdette and Roscoe. Yost C. Miller, for many years a prominent farmer of LaGrange County, represents a line of sturdy ancestors of the Mennonite faith for several generations residents in Pennsylvania, and Mr. Miller himself has been a leader among the Menno- nites of Newbury Township for many years, being minister of the Shore Mennonite Church. He was born in Newbury Township, April 28, 1855. His grandfather, Daniel Miller, was born April 10, 1794, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, spent his life there as a farmer and died April 3, 1835. He married Mary Mast, who was born in the same county in March, 1796. After the death of Daniel Miller his widow married Frederick Swartzendruber, and she spent the last two years of her life in La- Grange County. Samuel D. Miller, father of Yost C., was born in Somerset County, November 3, 1820. In the same county on December 21, 1839, he married Veronica Baumgardner. She was born in Somer- set County, July 23, 1813, a daughter of Peter and Esther (Yoder) Baumgardner. Peter Baumgardner was a native of Switzerland, and coming to America when a young man located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and subsequently lived in LaGrange County, Indiana. It was in 1845 that Samuel D. Miller came to Indiana. Two other young men accompanied him, his twin brother, Valentine C., and another brother, John C. Yoder. All of them settled in the same community. Samuel D. Miller had a wife and two children. He set out from Somerset County with a wagon drawn by a horse team, and they were on the noad many weary days before reaching Indiana. Samuel Miller rented a small farm on Elkhart Prairie for eighteen months. In the meantime he bought eighty acres in the midst of the heavy woods of Newbury Township, LaGrange County. He ar- rived in Indiana with only $150 and paid $200 for his land in LaGrange County. Out of his original capi- tal he bought a cow, stove and a few other house- hold utilities. After clearing a spot among the trees he put up a log cabin, and he took his family to that rude shelter in the month of December. The first night they went to sleep with bed quilts over the door and window openings. The horses were tied to the wagon and the cow to a tree. In that typical pioneer fashion the Millers began their resi- dence in LaGrange Cbunty. By hard labor continued through successive months and years Samuel D. Miller cleared up his first tract of land and then bought eighty acres adjoining, and had most of it in cultivation before his death, which occurred March 17, 1900. His wife passed away May 29, 1886. This farm developed by Samuel D. Miller was afterwards purchased by his youngest son, Yost C., for $8,000. A brief record of the children of Samuel D. Mil- ler and wife is as follows : Sarah, born October 6, 1840, died in childhood; Joseph C., born June 12, 1842; Daniel C., born February 6, 1844; Mary, born April 27, 1846, the first born in LaGrange County, the other three being natives of Somerset County, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth, born December 17, 1847; Barbara, born October 13, 1849; Esther, born Oc- tober 16, 1851 ; Samuel C., born March 6, 1853 ; and Ypst C., born April 28, 1855. Yost C. Miller, who is therefore the youngest of the family, acquired his early education in the dis- trict schools and began farming in his native town- ship on the old homestead. He farmed there con- tinuously until 1907, and then moved to his present place of 120 acres in sections 15 and 14 of Newbury Township. For the past two years he has sur- rendered the heavy burdens of operating and man- aging this farm to his son. Mr. Miller married Lydia Mishler in 1873. She was a daughter of Daniel and Leah (Miller) Mish- ler. Mrs. Miller died March 17, 1901, after they had been married twenty-eight years. In that time nine children were born, and most of these are now married and there are a number of grandchildren. Uriah Y., the oldest, was born February 12, 1874, married Barbara Mishler and has three children, Ora, Homer and Ralph. Daniel, born October 5, 1875, married Lizzie Rheinheimer, who died in Feb- ruary, 1903, the mother of Maude May and Howard. Samuel Y., who was born May 13, 1877, married Lovina Mishler, and their family consists of Willis, Charles, Maud, John, Lowell and Edith. Mary Ann, born April 5, 1879, is the wife of Aquila Schrock and has a daughter, Cora. George Y., born July 29, 1885, married for his first wife Lizzie Hostetler, who died in 1916, leaving Amzie and Holly, and for HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 417 his second wife he married Sylvia Miller. Mahlon C. was. born April i, 1887, and married Bessie Nel- son. Frances Ella, born June 5, 1890, is the deceased wife of James Troyer, by whom she had a daughter, Dorothy. Perry Y., born December 9, 1892, married Addie Cripe. Irvin Y., the youngest of the family, was born April 3, 1898, and married Ida Mishler. March 23, 1903, Mr. Miller married Mrs. Elizabeth (Brenneman) Good, a daughter of John L. and Elizabeth (Keller) Brenneman. By her first mar- riage she has three children : David, who married Bessie Berry; Henry, who married Ela Woods; and John, who married Ruth Berry. Mr. Miller has been pastor of the Shore Menno- nite Church since he was ordained to that position December 4, 1892. Albert Anderson, who was born on a farm in Greenfield Township, LaGrange County, October 2, 1857, and is still living in that locality, is a member of one of the first families who settled in this part of Northeast Indiana. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Selby) Anderson. William Anderson was born in Ohio in 1815, and in 1827 his parents, John .and Rebecca Anderson, came W est, lived for two years near White Pigeon. Michigan, and in 1829 located in La- Grange County, where they took up government land on Pretty Prairie. John Anderson became an extensive land owner and was a prominent pioneer of LaGrange County. William Anderson was one of a family of thirteen children and was about four- teen years old when he came to LaGrange County. His enterprise was vigorously displayed as a farm- er, and at one time he owned 700 acres, including the place of eighty acres where his son Albert now lives. He died in 1891 and his wife in 1887. His wife was born in Ohio in 1825. Their children were Mary, Eliza, Amos, James, Amanda, Rebecca, Albert, Alonzo and Clara. Albert Anderson grew up on the home farm and attended country schools and the LaGrange County Collegiate Institute and also the Valparaiso Normal. His career has been spent on the old farm of eighty acres. He is a republican in politics. November 11, 1882, he married Miss Nora Gilbert, who was born in Springfield Township in 1866, a daughter of Austin and Julia Gilbert. To their mar- riage were born two children. Blanche, born August 16, 1884, had a high school education and is the wife of George Bollman, of Sturgis, Michigan. Gail, born December 3, 1887, was educated in high school, for several years was employed by his brother-in-law, George Bollman, at Sturgis, Michigan, and in 1917 bought part of the home farm of eighty acres from his father. June 23, 1909, he married Carrie Alta Miller, and has two children, Clota Blanche and Alberta June. John Almon Hovarter, of Salem Township in Steuben County, has an interesting family record, being a grandson of John Hovarter, and in the maternal line of Leonard Hartman. Both these families were pioneers in DeKalb County, Indiana, and their descendants are now widely scattered over Northeastern Indiana and in many other states. John Hovarter and his wife, Nancy Wyrick, lived for many years in W ayne County, Ohio. About 1849 they moved to DeKalb County, Indiana, buy- ing eighty acres of land, and spending the rest of their days there. They lived in a time of large families, and their own children numbered thirteen, as follows: Henry, Nancy (who died in infancy), John, Christopher, Jacob, William, Lizzie, Samuel, Adam, Caroline, David (who died in childhood), Levi and Benjamin. The maternal grandfather, Leonard Hartman, and his wife, Mary Martz, were both natives of Ger- many. They came to the United States before their marriage, lived in Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1847 moved to DeKalb County, Indiana. Leonard Hart- man was a very successful business man and land owner, began with about 200 acres in DeKalb County and later had 300 acres. His first house was built of logs and was in the midst of the woods, deer, wolves and turkey abounding for several years. Leonard Hartman and wife had the following chil- dren: Catherine, John, Susan, Adam, Sophia, Lydia, Martha Elizabeth and Solomon (both of whom died in childhood), Emma, Levi, Joseph and Martha. Henry Hovarter, father of John A., was born in Wayne County, Ohio, November 24, 1835. He mar- ried Catherine Hartman, who was born in the same county May 22, 1840. Henry Hovarter grew to manhood in DeKalb County, attended the public schools there, and was married in October, 1858. On April 6, 1859, he moved to the farm in Salem Township, where his widow and their son John A. now live. He bought 160 acres and in 1878 improved it with a fine brick house and put up a good barn in 1881. He lived a life of great industry and good purpose and died May 15, 1901. In politics he was a democrat, and was very active in the United Brethren Church, the Pleasant Ridge Church of that denomination standing on his land. He and his wife had five children : Isaiah, who is proprietor of the National Vault Works at Ashley; William, one of the large land owners and farmers in St. Joseph County, Michigan; and John Almon, Jacob Ira and Emanuel, all farmers in Salem Township. John Almon Hovarter was born on the farm where he lives today, February 1, 1865. He grew up there, attended the public schools, and has de- voted his time to general farming and the raising of small fruits. He owns twenty-five acres in Salem township, other land near Brownsville and about' fifty acres in Southern Mississippi. Mr. Hovarter, who is unmarried, is a democrat in politics but independent when casting his vote in local elections. Claud H. Caton is a member of the firm Caton Brothers, furniture dealers and undertakers at La- Grange, a business that they have built up from a modest start twelve or thirteen years ago until they are now the leading firm of the kind in LaGrange County. Mr. Caton was born in the Town of LaGrange, February 28, 1873, son of Capt. John H. and Annetta (Kingsley) Caton. His father was born at Fred- ericksburg, Maryland, and died March 19, 1916, while the mother is still living. Claud H. Caton was one of five children, and only he and his brother are now living. He grew up jn LaGrange County, at- tended public school at LaGrange, and for several years followed different lines of employment and also spent three years in the West. On returning to LaGrange he formed a partnership with his brother, and the history of their establishment be- gins with May 16, 1907. Both brothers are gradu- ates of the Barnes School of Embalming at Chicago. In 1910 Mr. Caton married Celia Steel, a native of Adams County, Indiana. She is well educated and was a successful teacher before her marriage. They have two children, Claudine and Volga. Mr. and Mrs. Caton are members of the Episcopal Church at LaGrange. He is affiliated with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and is a republican in politics. Vol. n— 27 418 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Charles H. Beecher, a veteran business man of Lima Township, LaGrange County, represents a family of old and substantial record in this part of Northeast Indiana. He was born at the Village of Lima, now Howe, January 18, 1857, son of Alexander W. and Adelaide P. (Acheson) Beecher. His mother was a native of Ireland and was six years of age when she came to the United States. Her father, Thomas Acheson, settled in LaGrange County and had a farm near Lima. The paternal grandparents of Charles H. Beecher were Isaac and Mary A. (Shaw) Beecher, very early settlers of Lima Township. Isaac Beecher had been a school teacher in Ohio and was a man of good education and a fluent linguist. Alexander W. Beecher settled in Lima more, than seventy years ago, and for some years was a clerk, conducted a drug store from i860 to 1865, and for a number of years was a general merchant. He married in Lima Township and died in 1902, at the age of seventy- two. He was a republican in politics and his wife was a member of the Episcopal Church. They had four children: Charles IT, Edward, Frances and Catherine. Charles H. Beecher acquired his education in the public schools of Howe and worked as a clerk for his father, and then they were in partnership for several years. In 1878 they built the store at Lima in which Air. Beecher now does business. The father and son sold out their stock of merchandise in 1887, and after that for twelve years Charles H. Beecher lived in Sturgis, Michigan, where he was a merchant for several years and for two years was a traveling man. Lie returned to Howe in 1899, and from 1902 to 1912 was a rural mail carrier. He re- sumed merchandising at the old stand in 1915. He also owns the old homestead. Mr. Beecher is a republican in politics. In 1878 he married Miss Julie Vial, who was born at Ionia, Michigan. They became the parents of three sons, Edward H., city salesman for the Na- tional Biscuit Company at Kalamazoo, Michigan; William A., who died in infancy; and James A., who lives at Shipshewana, Indiana. James married Belva Farver, daughter of John Farver, a prominent citi- zen of Northeast Indiana. James A. Beecher and wife had three children: Francis, who was drowned; Julie Catherine; and James A., who is connected with the Oliver Plow Company. Lee Henry Musser, who is a son of John and Harriet (Snyder) Musser, the former a pioneer of Steuben County and a veteran of the Civil War whose career is told on other pages, has spent his life in this county, and through many years of work at his trade has acquired the prosperity represented by one of the good farms of York Township. He was born in York Township December 17, 1878, and grew up at Metz, where he received his schooling and learned the trade of mason. For twenty years he followed this trade with develop- ing skill and increasing experience and success, and in 1918, largely from the proceeds of his years of labor, he bought his present farm of 120 acres in York Township. He is now giving all his time to farming and stock raising. Mr. Musser is a republican in politics. In 1900 he married Miss Maud Teegardin, mem- ber of an old and well known family of Steuben County. She was born in Otsego Township, July 4, 1883, a daughter of Jacob and Phoebe (Haughey) Teegardin. Mr. and Mrs. Musser have six children : Willis, Wilma, Cora Ellen, Edsel and Eva and Neva, twins. Anthony Edgar Keagy has been one of -the busy and useful men of LaGrange County for many years, and many houses, barns and other structures testify to his skill as a builder and carpenter. He has lived on a farm for many years, and is one of the prosperous and substantial citizens of Greenfield Township. He was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, Septem- ber 18, 1852. Llis paternal grandparents were John and Margaret (Mesee) Keagy. His grandfather was a mill and store owner in Salisbury, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Patrick Keagy was two years old when his father died, and later he was bound out to. Abraham Buechle, his uncle, and lived with him to the age of eighteen. He then went to Berlin, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, learning the chair making trade. In 1847 he moved to Ohio, locating in Coshocton County. Patrick Keagy was born in No- vember, 1822, and was married in Ohio to Magda- lena Long. She was a daughter of George and Rebecca (Keefer) Long, both natives of Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Her grandfather, George Long, came from Hesse-Cassel, Germany, to Amer- ica about the close of the Revolutionary war, landing in Philadelphia and settling at Southampton, Vir- ginia. George Long, Jr., died in Tuscarawus Coun- ty, Ohio. Three of his sons, Reverend Peter, Daniel and John, came to LaGrange County and became heads of families still widely and prominently known here. Three of the daughters also came to La- Grange County, Magdalena, Mrs. Patrick Keagy; Elizabeth, wife of George W. Price; and Ella, Mrs. Levi Hostetler. Another daughter, Mary Crites, wife 'of Cyrus Crites, also lived in LaGrange County for a time but died in Kansas. In 1853 Patrick Keagy with the three Long fam- ilies moved to Marion Township, Owen County, Indiana, and lived on a farm about a mile south of Marion Mills, where his first home was a log cabin in the woods. Patrick Keagy died May 3, 1883, the father of seven sons and three daughters. Anthony Edgar Keagy was a small boy when he went with his parents to Owen County, Indiana, and he worked on his father’s farm. In 1874 he lo- cated in LaGrange County, where for seven years he gave all his time to his trade as carpenter and joiner. He lived at Mongo and other places in Greenfield Township until 1888, when he came to his present farm, comprising 115L2 acres near Greenfield Mills. He has put all the substantial buildings on this land and in his earlier years he did most of the carpenter and building work in and around Mongo. At present he spends most of his time at his trade, while his farm is worked by his son-in-law. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Orland Lodge No. 541, and was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias. September 8, 1877, Mr. Keagy married Miss Nancy E. Swihart. She was born in Allen County, Indiana, daughter of Daniel Swihart, member of a family well known in LaGrange County. Mr. and Mrs. Keagy have four daughters : Orpha, Belle, Mary Adella and Viva Bernice. Orpha is the wife of Frank Schultz, of Mishawaka, Indiana. Belle died January 2, 1913, wife of Harley Anderson. Mary Adella is the wife of A. S. Hess, a contractor and builder at Gary, Indiana. Viva Bernice is the wife of Jonas J. Troyer, and they live on the old farm. Mr. Keagy served nine years as postmaster of Greenfield Mills, and for the past thirty-two years has officiated as a justice of the peace and is one of the oldest public officials in the county. He is a member of the Progressive Christian Church. Guy Harris. The family represented by this well known farmer and citizen of Greenfield Township, HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 419 LaGrange County, was among the first in that coun- ty and first in point of enterprise as well as time of settlement. The farm where he lives today was the birthplace of Guy Harris. He was born there August 13, 1854, a son of Simon and Frances (Rowley) Harris. His mother was born in New York State in 1826 and came with her parents, Ithmar and Frances Rowley, to LaGrange County in 1836. The Rowley family settled in Newbury Township, and later in Lima Township, where her father died. Simon Harris was born in New York State in 1814 and came to LaGrange County in 1834. He was married here and then built a sawmill west of Lima, one of the first in the county, and later operated a sawmill at Ontario. He finally bought the 120 acres con- stituting the farm of his son Guy, and lived there until his death in 1856. His widow survived until 1881. They had four children, Emily, Orley, Julia and Guy. Guy Harris was only two years old when his father died. He grew up on the homestead farm, had a public school education, and as a youth began buying fur. For twenty-five years he was traveling salesman representing the firm S. Bash & Com- pany of Fort Wayne. In the meantime he bought out the heirs in the old home farm and has bought and sold several other farms. He is now giving his time to general farming. He is a republican and formerly was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1891 he married Miss Minnie Swain, of La- Grange County. They have seven children, all liv- ing : Hazel, who is married and has a daughter ; Charles Eugene, Francis, Elmer, Theodore, Rachel, and Mary Ellen. The son Charles went into the army in 1917, was trained at Camp Sherman and in June, 1918, went overseas. He was returned to this country July 26, 1919. The son Elmer was also drafted but never got across. James H. Robinson, a resident of Steuben County over fifty years, grew up here, and the labors he has expended and his good judgment have been productive in building up and acquiring one of the best farms in York Township. He is still busily en- gaged in looking after his business interests. Mr. Robinson was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, April 23, 1854, a son of James and Mary Ann (Dixon) Robinson. His father was also a native of the same county, and was married in Ohio and in 1867 brought his family to Steuben County, ac- quiring 160 acres of the farm where his son James H. now lives. He and his wife spent the rest of their days there. James Robinson, Sr., was a re- publican and a member of the Christian Church. A brief record of his children is as follows : Thomas, who served as a Union soldier and from the hard- ships of early life died about six months after his honorable discharge; Nathan D., who was also in the uniform of a Union soldier for three years and is now deceased ; Lucretia, deceased ; Lydia ; Eliza- beth, who died at the age of thirteen; James H. ; Laura ; and Emeline. James H. Robinson was thirteen years old when he came to Steuben County, and since then has lived almost continuously on the old homestead farm. He acquired his education in Ohio and also in the pub- lic schools of York Township. Taking the original place of his father, he has kept improving and adding until he now owns 298J4 acres, and besides this has seventy acres in Richland Township. He devotes his land to general farming and stock rais- ing. He has never sought office, is a republican voter and a member of the Christian Church. In 1881 he married Miss Jennie Lash, of Williams County, Ohio. Mrs. Robinson died September 20, 1908, when they had been married twenty-seven years. Sbe was the mother of two children. Lottie, born in 1882, is the widow of Leeman McCool and has two children, Thelma and James Irwin. The son Perry, born Jan- uar}^ 27, 1889, is numbered among the progressive young farmers of Steuben County and now has the active management of the 160 acres constituting the old Robinson homestead. He is a republican. He married Hazel Gamber, of York Township, and their two children are George Russell and Gladys Velehr. Joseph G. Scott. The Scott family through three generations have been identified with that old and interesting community of LaGrange County known as Ontario. One of the important industrial institu- tions there for many years was a woolen mill, and it was owned and operated by the Scott family. The late Joseph G. Scott was active in the management of this mill for a number of years, and spent the greater part of his active life in that business. Sev- eral of his children still live in and around Ontario, while others have found their work and homes in other localities and other states. Joseph G. Scott was born near Racine, Wisconsin, February 18, 1848, and died at his old home near Ontario, May 3, 1909. His parents, James and Sarah (Woodhead) Scott, were born and married in England, and on coming to America settled at Racine, Wisconsin. James Scott was a wool manu- facturer and was connected with woolen mills in several states. For a time he lived in Ohio, also at Rome City, Indiana, and in 1854 moved to Ontario and bought the old woolen mill there, equipping it with new machinery. He was its sole owner and proprietor for many years. Later he moved to Vicksburg, Michigan, where he died, and his widow passed away in Kalamazoo. They had a family of eight children. Joseph G. Scott finished his education in the La- Grange Collegiate Institute at Ontario, and then took charge of the woolen mill and continued its manage- ment until he was elected county treasurer. He was a man of high standing in his community and the county at large, and in 1888 was elected county treas- urer, an office he filled for four years. After leav- ing office he returned to Ontario and located on the farm of 180 acres, where he lived until his death. In 1872 he married Miss Sarah Jerusha Hudson. She was born at East Palmyra, New York, daughter of Isaac Hudson and sister of Pliny E. Hudson of LaGrange County. Mrs. Scott, who is still living on the home farm, is the mother of eight children. Two of her sons distinguished themselves in the late World war. Robert, the oldest of the family, resides at Union City, Indiana. Walter Ross, second in age, lives at Ontario, and for more than two years was connected with the army work of the Y. M. C. A., spending one year in American camps and another year in France. The third of the family is Mary E., wife of Carl Willard, of LaGrange. James R., next in age, lives at Grant, Montana, while Alice E. is Mrs. Ledger McKibben, of Valentine, Indiana. Wil- liam Arthur operates the home farm ; Frank Alton is a resident of Sheridan, Montana, while the youngest is Capt. Clair H., whose home is at Ontario. Clair H. Scott was born April 10, 1892. He graduated from the Howe Military School and spent some time in the forest service of the Government in Montana. In 1912 he entered the University of Indiana, and was a student in the Law Department until 1916. In that year he enlisted as a private in the First Indiana Infantry, and saw active service on the Mexican border. He was mustered out as a sergeant. He had resumed his law studies and was 420 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA graduated in law from Indiana University in 1917. In the meantime his former military organization had been demobilized and in its stead Battery F of the First Indiana Artillery had re-enlisted many of his comrades. On April 15, 1917, Clair Scott 'was commissioned a first lieutenant in that organization. He entered training camp the 14th of August, and as part of the 150th Field Artillery he went overseas with the famous Rainbow Division, and before going to. France he was commissioned a captain. He was with the 150th Field Artillery as captain through all the brilliant service in France and returned with his organization and was honorably discharged in the spring of 1919. Charles A. Gilbert is the fortunate and enviable possessor of Sunny Knoll Farm in Springfield Town- ship of LaGrange County. Standing as one of the best examples of a farm with modern improvements and efficient management in the county, Sunny Knoll is the result of many years of hard work and skill- ful handling on the part of Mr. Gilbert. He comes of a race of hard working and thorough agriculturists and was born in the township where he now resides September 9, 1854, a son of Austin and Juliette (Algier) Gilbert. His father was born near Mechanicsburg, Ohio, October 1, 1816. The mother was born January 19, 1832. Austin Gilbert was one of the early arrivals in LaGrange County, coming in 1834. He worked with axe and grubbing hoe and cleared out some of the first trees and stumps for the first crop. He also made several trips to Cincinnati to buy horses at auction, and several times was back in his native state of Ohio. His first land was bought in Bloom- field Township, in the southwestern corner, where he had 160 acres. He traded that for 178 acres and gradually increased his property to 348 acres. He was a tireless worker and cleared a large part of his land and put up good buildings. He lived at the old home until his death in 1903, his wife hav- ing passed away in 1882. He was a republican in politics and was a member of the Regulators. He and his wife had six children: Washington, born November 24, 1849; Charles A., born in 1854: Lydia, born in 1857 and died in 1895 ; Seymour, born in 1858 and died in 1881 ; Nora, born April 4, 1863 ; and Sidney, born October 21, 1872. Charles A. Gilbert was educated in the public schools near his father’s home and is a graduate of the LaGrange Collegiate Institute at Ontario. When sixteen years old he taught a term of school in Milford Township. Later he improved his edu- cation by normal courses and was a teacher alto- gether for nine terms. In the intervals of teach- ing he did farming, and for thirty-one years he rented the old homestead. He then bought eighty acres where he lives today in Springfield Township, and has kept adding to his holdings until he has 347 acres. Mr. Gilbert built a fine home at Sunny Knoll in .1005. His barn is one of the best in the township, being 47 by 100 feet. He keeps a herd of pure bred Holstein cattle and is also a large sheep feeder. Mr. Gilbert is a republican, but has been too busy with his farm to mix in politics. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias at La- Grange. May 17, 1881, he married Miss Lovira Hackett. She was born at Batavia, Michigan, January 10, 1861. a daughter of Minor and Eliza (Sheldon) Hackett. Her father was born at Syracuse, New York, and her mother in Wisconsin, in which state thev were married and during the sixties moved to LaGrange County. Minor Hackett was in the meat business for many years, and while living in Syra- cuse, New York, delivered meat to lake vessels. He died in 1904, at the age of eighty-eight, while Mrs. Gilbert’s mother passed away in 1901, at the age of fifty-four. There were four children : Charles, William, Lovira and Carrie. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert had three children : Gladys, who was born in 1882, graduated from the LaGrange High School, married Edward Stroup, and at her death in 1906 left a son, Gilbert, who was born December 13, 1903, and has always made his home with his grand- parents at Sunny Knoll Farm. Bess, the second daughter, was born in 1883 and is the wife of Dr. James Duff, of LaGrange. They have one daughter, Bettie, born in 1911. Karl, born in 1890, is now managing his father’s homestead. He married Mil- dred Gilhams, daughter of Clarence Gilhams, and they have a son, James, born in February, 1918. Louis E. Deal. There are a number of facts con- cerning this well known LaGrange County citizen which make a brief record of himself, his experience and his family worthy of record. He was born in Sprinfield Township, October 30, i860, a son of Harrison and Ellen (Jones) Deal. He grew up on the old homestead where he was born, attended the common schools, the LaGrange High School and also the LaGrange County Normal and the Indiana State Normal. For four years he taught school, and as a man of liberal education he has passed on the tradition of good mental equip- ment to his own children. His principal business has been farming. In the spring of 1885 he located on the farm where he now resides in Bloomfield Town- ship, four miles east of LaGrange. A generous prosperity has attended his efforts as a farmer. He now owns 320 acres in Bloomfield and ninety acres in Springfield, and for a number of years has handled live stock on a rather extensive scale, feed- ing many bunches of sheep and breeding Percheron horses. He is a republican in politics, and as the present trustee of Bloomfield Township was elected to that office in 1918. He is affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias at LaGrange, and with his wife is an active member of the Methodist Church. For twenty years he has been superintendent of the Sunday school. On September 25, 1884, he married Miss Ella Gage. She was born in Springfield Township, Aug- ust 21, 1863, a daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Gil- bert) Gage. Her maternal grandfather, Elias Gilbert, was a pioneer of LaGrange County. Samuel Gage and wife had only one child to grow to ma- turity, Mrs. Deal. Samuel Gage died about. 1868 and Mrs. Deal’s mother subsequently married Saul Spero, of Springfield Township. The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Deal have an interesting record: Fred, the oldest, born Febru- ary 10, 1889, graduated from the LaGrange High School and is associated with his father on the home farm, known as the Sidmore Farm. He married Carlie Grubb, a daughter of Dr. Albert G. Grubb, of LaGrange, and their two children are Albert Louis and Marion Parthena. Veva, the second child, was born August 18, 1890, graduated from the LaGrange High School, attended the Tri-State Normal and Winona College, and in 1914 graduated from Indiana State University. Before going to University she taught in Springfield Township and afterward for one year was an instructor in the Wolcott High School for two years and then for two years taught Latin in the West Lafayette High School. She is the wife of Henry Phelps, who was born in Webster, Massachusetts, March 15, 1893, is a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and did post-graduate work at Purdue University. For two years he was an instructor in electrical engineer- ' r V. i HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 421 ing at Purdue and is now a telephone equipment engineer in research and development work at New York City. The third of the family is Wava, born October 6, 1895, a graduate of the LaGrange High School and a graduate of the State University in 1918. She taught a year in Bloomfield Township and is now a teacher of mathematics in Hartford City School. The youngest of the family is Helen Lucile, born October 4, 1901, who graduated with the class of 1919 from the LaGrange High School. Girt L. Gnagy, who has been one of the leading business men of Hamilton for a number of years, operating the local mills, also a garage, is a native of DeKalb County, and is a grandson of the pioneer in that county, John Houlton. John Houlton was born in Highland County, Ohio, in 1804, son of Samuel Houlton, and was in every sense a pioneer and frontiersman. In 1827 he went to Williams County, Ohio, where with his brother he was con- nected with the saw milling industry. In September, 1833, he came to DeKalb County, and in the same month built the first house in the county in Franklin Township. When this house was torn down in i860 the DeKalb County Pioneer Society had a number of canes made from the logs, and some of those canes are no doubt carefully preserved. John Houl- ton married shortly before coming to DeKalb County Sarah Vee, who died in July, 1839. Her daughter Margaret, born in 1836, was the first white girl born in DeKalb County. In 1839 John Houlton mar- ried Nancy Lewis, daughter of Samuel Lewis. To this union were born nine children. A daughter, Mary Ann, who died in 1869, was the first wife of Jeremiah Gnagy. Her sister, Rebecca Houlton, later became the wife of Jeremiah Gnagy. Jeremiah Gnagy was born in Tuscarawus County, Ohio, in 1844, and spent most of his life in DeKalb County. In 1884 he moved to Hamilton in Steuben County and conducted a summer resort there, also owning a farm of fifty-four acres adjoining the village, and was interested in village property. He was a democrat and held several township offices. He died in 1895. He was active in the Christian Church and his widow, Rebecca. Houlton Gnagy, was a member of the same church. Rebecca Gnagy is still living at the age of seventy-three. Her five children, all living, are: Guy, George, Girt, Glen and Gladiolus. Girt L. Gnagy, who was born in DeKalb County October 15, 1879, has lived at Hamilton since he was about five years old. He attended public schools, and as a youth became a teaming contractor. Later he secured an interest in the local water power and developed it and has given Hamilton its chief fa- cilities as a milling center. For the past seven years he has also been interested in the garage business and is owner of somq productive farming land. Mr. Gnagy is a republican, a member of the Masons, Knights of Pythias and Grangers, and affiliates with the Christian Church. April 14, 1906, he married Audry L. Sharp, of Steuben County. Her father, Eugene Sharp, is the present trustee of York Township. Mr. and Mrs. Gnagy have one son, Lyle, born December 24, 1912. Joseph A. Connelly is living today in the same community where he was born, Bloomfield Town- ship, and with the exception of a few years spent as a Nebraska homesteader has resided there all his life. Members of the Connelly family have im- proved and cleared a great deal of land in LaGrange County, and the name is well known and respected. Mr. Connelly was born October 14, 1859, son of Joseph W. and Louisa (Gage) Connelly. His paternal grandparents, Thomas and Savilla Con- nelly, came from Maryland, where Joseph W. Con- nelly, was born, and only a year or so after his birth the family located on what is now known as the Charles Marks farm in Bloomfield Township. Thomas Connelly was a Methodist preacher, and besides looking after his farm his services were in great demand for the marriage of many couples and for other occasions. He had 160 acres and had it cleared and improved before his death. The ma- ternal grandparents of Joseph A. Connelly were Jacob and Anna Gage, who came from the East and were early settlers in LaGrange County. They lived on the old Association Farm in Springfield Town- ship and later farmed in different localities. Jacob Gage was also a Methodist minister. Joseph W. Connelly received his education in the common schools in LaGrange County and farmed his father’s place in Broomfield Township many years. With the exception of one year on a farm in Iowa, he spent all his active life in Bloomfield Township, where he had at one time eighty acres, but later sold part of it. He and his wife had ten children: John B., who served two terms as county treasurer of La- Grange County ; Martha ; Mary Roxina, who died in infancy; Joseph A.; Byron and Hiram, twins, the latter deceased; Savilla; Orpha and Orpheus, twins; and Charles Franklin. Joseph A. Connelly grew up on his father’s farm and had a common school education. When he went out to Nebraska, where he spent five years, he took up a 160-acre homestead, proved up and sold out. His location in Nebraska was in Blaine County. At his present home in Bloomfield Township he has eighty acres devoted to general farming, and he is responsible for the building and other improvements possessed by the farm. December 10, 1885, he married Miss Dora Max- well, a native of LaGrange County, and a daughter of William Maxwell. To their marriage were born two children, Grace, who died at the age of sixteen, and Floyd, who is married and lives on a part of his father’s farm. John Franiclin Eshelman, who for many years was a successful farmer in Johnson Township, has more recently 'been identified with the business af- fairs of the City of LaGrange, where he is local manager of the South Bend Creamery. He was born in Johnson Township, June 9, 1856, a son of Joseph and Mary (Erford) Eshelman. He spent his early life on his father’s farm, had a common school education, and forty years ago be- came an independent farmer. He still owns 143 acres in the north portion of Johnson Township, five and a half miles from LaGrange. While on the farm he handled livestock, especially sheep and cat- tle. Mr. Eshelman moved to LaGrange in 1912 and bought a home at 321 Grant Street. Since the fall of 1913 he has been manager of the South Bend Cream- ery Company. This company does an extensive busi- ness handling cream and eggs. Mr. Eshelman is a republican, is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at LaGrange, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. While living in the country they belonged to the Evangelical Church. January 9, 1877, Mr. Eshelman married Miss Amanda E. Teeters. She was born in Johnson Township in 1859, a daughter of David and Maria Teeters, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Eshel- man are parents of five children. Anna is the wife of Claud C. Price, of Fort Wayne, and has two sons, Donald and Do we. Harley is the Wabash Railroad agent at Wolcottville, is married and has two chil- dren, named Hugh and Frank. Orley F. is a farmer in Bloomfield Township and married Ethel Aldrich, a daughter of Frank Aldrich. Vera is the wife of 422 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Erny Albright and has a daughter, Marguerite. Homer, the youngest of the family, made a brilliant record in the war. July 29, 19x7, at Elkhart, In- diana, he enlisted for the aviation corps, started to camp the same day, received his training in Texas, and went overseas to France with the Eighty- Eighth Aviation Squadron. He was a sergeant, and he participated in five raids across the Rhine. June 26, 1919, he returned to the United States and re- joined his home community July 15. Henry C. Wilcox is a native Indianan and has been a resident of Steuben County over half a century. He came here an orphan boy, and had a hard struggle to get well started in the world, but for many years has been quietly prospered and one of the most esteemed residents of Salem Township. He was born in Wabash County, Indiana, October 12, 1854, a son of Clark Lewis and Susan (Cline) Wilcox. His parents were married at Fort Wayne in Allen County. His mother was a native of Germany. Clark Lewis Wilcox at one time owned forty acres near the present site of the Fort Wayne Court House. By trade he was a millwright and engineer. He enlisted in the Civil war in 1861 and served throughout that struggle. He came home from the army practically blind and suffered so many other hardships that he died in 1866. His widow passed away in DeKalb County in 1871. Their chil- dren were named : Indiana, deceased ; Clark ; Les- ter, deceased ; Henry C. ; Charles Sylvester, de- ceased; Caroline; George W., deceased; and An- drew J. After his father’s death and when only twelve years old Henry C. Wilcox came to Steuben County and lived with his uncle, Lester Wilcox. He at- tended a few terms of school at Pleasant Lake and learned the lessons of honest toil when only a boy. When he started out to make his own living he bor- rowed a dollar and worked as a farm hand, later rented land, and made his first purchase of 7)4 acres, which he subsequently increased by eight acres. On October 13, 1877, he married Miss Mary E. Miller, who was born on the farm where she and her husband now reside. She inherited forty acres, and on that place Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox lived for forty years. Mr. Wilcox is a republican, and served a term as constable and for twelve years was township supervisor. Mrs. Wilcox is a daughter of Richard A. and Rachel (Crook) Miller, both natives of Ohio. Her father came when a single man to Steuben County. Her mother came here with her parents, Michael and Catherine (Slife) Crook, who were pioneers and settled on what is known as the Windsor farm and later acquired the land where Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox now live. The Crooks were here at a time when the woods were filled with wild game, such as deer and turkey. Mrs. Wilcox’ parents were married in Steuben Township and later bought forty acres in Salem Township and altogether had about 200 acres there. Richard Miller died in Sep- tember, 1909, at the age of seventy-nine. The mother of Mrs. Wilcox passed away August 7, 1918, at the age of eighty-four. Of their eight children four died in infancy, and those to grow up were Isaiah A., Mary E., Martha and Emma C. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox must be given credit for bringing up a large family of children, most of whom are still living and are now well established and in independent circumstances. Their oldest child, Caroline Elizabeth, married for her first hus- band Charles Mayers, by whom she had three chil- dren, Etta, Letha and Virgil. Her second husband was John Ackley, and by that union she has a son, Ansel Asa. Rozelma Wilcox first married W. More, and had three children, Charles, Reba and Harold, and she is the present wife of W. Stevens, by whom she also has three children, Vern, Naomi and Ray- mond. Edith Wilcox is the wife of Frank Ulmer and has two children, Esther and Gerald. Della is the wife of Charles Huffman, and their family consists of Mildred and June. Myrtie Wilcox died when twent3'-one years of age. Carl, who married Emma Hendersen, has a son, John Henry. Seldon married Elsie Freed, daughter of Peter and Anna Eliza Freed, of Salem Township, and they have four children, named Ruth G., Walter H., Edna M. and Angeline. Leona was married to Ernest Min- ger, and is the mother of three children, Waunetta L., Rollin W. and Wanda M. The ninth child, Vesta, died in infancy. Emma L., the youngest, is the wife of Earl Strawser. ) Simeon L. Hanselman. This is the name of one of the progressive farmers of Greenfield Township, LaGrange County, a citizen who enjoys many warm friends in that community. Mr. Hanselman was born in St. Joseph County, Michigan, October 6, 1874, a son of Peter and Julia Ann (Duke) Hanselman. His father was born in Pennsylvania January 3, 1846, and his mother in Williams County, Ohio, November 9, 1848. The paternal grandparents were Aaron and Christina (Reid) Hanselman, the latter born in 1813. The Hanselmans were pioneers of Steuben County, Indiana, coming from Pennsylvania and traveling with wagons and ox teams. They located in Steuben Township, where Aaron and wife spent the rest of their years. They were laid to rest in Mt. Zion cemetery. A record of their children with their births is as follows: Charles, 1834; John Q., 1836; Frank and Wesley, 1837; George, 1839; Elizabeth, 1841; William, 1843; Peter, 1846; Eliza- beth, 1849; Daniel, 1854; and Aaron L., 1856. Peter Hanselman was reared and educated in Steuben County, and married in Williams County. His wife was a daughter of Wright and Ann (Ber- ridge) Duke, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of England. They spent many years in Wil- liams County, where Wright Duke died. His widow spent her last years with Simeon L. Hanselman and died at his home in 1900, at advanced age. Peter Hanselman moved from Indiana to St. Joseph County, Michigan, and on April 1, 1880, located in Greenfield Township of LaGrange County. His first place there comprised thirty-nine acres, and later he moved to the farm now managed by his son Simeon, known as the Francis Farm. He died there January 8, 1912, and his widow still occupies the old homestead. He was a republican and a member of the United Brethren Church while his wife was a Baptist. There were only two chil- dren : Simeon L. and Clara, wife of William Gay. Simeon L. Hanselman grew up in LaGrange County, and since his school days has given his time steadily t,o farming, part of the time as a farm worker for others but since 1909 he has operated and rented the old homestead. He is a republican in politics. August 16, 1902, Mr. Hanselman married Miss Della Toms. She was born in Springfield Town- ship of LaGrange County, daughter of Cornelius and Jane (Highland) Toms, who came to La- Grange County from Ohio about forty-five years ago. Her father died in Greenfield Township in 1916, at the age of sixty-three, and her mother in 1906, aged fifty-three. Mr. and Mrs. Hanselman have seven children, named Hazel, Marie, John, Edith, Carroll, May and Harlow. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 423 Benjamin S. Dorsey. One of the most highly respected citizens of LaGrange County is Benjamin S. Dorsey, who has lived in Bloomfield Township for many years, where he is owner of a large farm. He was born in Allen County, Indiana, December 15, 1853, a son of Jonathan and Mary Jane (King) Dorsey. Jonathan Dorsey was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1829, and was one year old to the day when his parents, Benjamin Dorsey and wife, set out from England to the United States. The voyage was a long one by sailing vessel, and they were six months on the ocean. They settled at Huron, Ohio, where grandfather Dorsey worked for some -years as a shipbuilder, and his son Jonathan was also em- ployed on the towpath up the river. The family finally moved to Allen County, Indiana, at the same time with Thomas Barnett, and settled on English Prairie. Benjamin Dorsey died in Allen County about 1866. The maternal grandparents of Benjamin S. Dorsey were Simeon and Ann (Oliver) King, who were among the first settlers in LaGrange County, set- tling in Johnson Township, on what is known as the McKiffin farm, and Mrs. King’s brother was buried on that farm. After the Kings sold the land they settled in Bloomfield Township, on what is now the Minnick farm, where Simeon King died. Jonathan Dorsey after the death of his father came to LaGrange County and went to work for Simeon King. After his marriage he returned to Allen County, bought a farm, and in 1876 traded that farm for 250 acres where his son Benjamin S. now lives. He finally retired from farming and moved to Valentine, where his wife died in 1896. She was born in LaGrange County in 1835. Jonathan King spent his last days with his son Benjamin and died in 1903. He was a stalwart republican in politics, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. They had two children, Benjamin S. and Plinna, the latter the wife of Charles Jackson. Benjamin S. Dorsey attended the public schools of Allen County and was about twenty-three years old when his father moved to LaGrange County. He has always lived on the old farm, and since be- coming its owner has increased its area to 330 acres. He is a republican in politics. In 1874 he married in Allen County, Mary Sowers, of that county. Henry B. Jordan. A life of signal purpose and concentrated devotion to his work as a farmer, his duties as a citizen, and the responsibilities of his home, came to a close with the death of Henry B. Jordan on October 28, 1915. Mr. Jordan, who spent most of his life in Steuben County, was born in Newfane Township, at a vil- lage once called Charlotte, now Newfane, in Nia- gara Countv, New York? January 9, 1843. His par- ents were David and Alvira (Ware) Jordan, who moved to New York from Pennsylvania and in 1852 came to Steuben County, Indiana. David Jordan had served in the Mexican war and received a tract of government land for his services. He became a large land owner and in Steuben County lived in Pleasant and Scott townships. He died at Angola April 5, 1873, at the age of seventy-nine. His widow passed away in 1886, aged seventy-three. David Jordan was three times married and had six chil- dren by each wife. Henry B. Jordan acquired his early education chiefly in Steuben County and always followed farm- ing. He began with eighty acres in Fremont Town- ship, and out of his increasing means invested in other land until he had 284 acres and two lots in the city of Angola. For many years he gave par- ticular attention to the breeding of Merino sheep. He was a republican, had no desire to figure as a public official, and was very much interested in the Masonic Order. All his sons are Masons, and his widow and one daughter are members of the East- ern Star. He had attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite at Fort Wayne in April, 1914, only about a year before his death. He was also a charter member of the Angola Lodge of Knights of Pythias. Henry B. Jordan married, February 11, 1872, Miss Ada Freligh. Mrs. Jordan, who represents an old and prominent family of Steuben County, was born in the City of Angola April 20, 1851, a daughter of George and Abigail (Squier) Freligh. Her father came to Steuben County when seventeen years of age, was a shoemaker by trade, and for a number of years was proprietor of a shoe store at Angola. His parents were John and Mary (Latta) Freligh, who followed him to Steuben County and spent their last years on a farm in Pleasant Township. John Freligh died when past eighty years of age and his wife also died in advanced years. Abigail Squier, mother of Mrs. Jordan, was a daughter of Dean and Jane (Wiles) Squier, the latter a native of England and brought to the United States when nine years old. Dean Squier moved from New York to Ohio, where he died, and his widow subse- quently came to Steuben County. George and Abi- gail Freligh had five children, Ada, Ervin, Carrie, one that died in infancy and Clyde. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan had seven children. Cary T., who finished his education in the Tri-State Nor- mal College, is a successful farmer and married Jennie Clark, by whom he has three children, Marie, Alma and Kathleen. Mrs. Jordan has one great- grandchild. Her granddaughter Alma Jordan mar- ried Gerald Vose and has a daughter, Wilma. Fred Jordan also educated in the Tri-State College at Angola, married Blanche Tarr, who died in 1905, leaving three children, Hazel, Harold and Lowell. Leon married Iva Peavy and has a son, Wayne. Bert W. married Lola Hall, and their children con- sist of Howard, Elizabeth, Ronald, Doris, Phyllis and Marada. Jessie, a graduate of the Fremont High School, is the wife of Charles Bailey. Bart, who finished his education in the Tri-State College, married for his first wife Ada O’Keefe and had one child, Weltha; and his second wife is Lila Taylor. Dean, the youngest of the family, since completing his education in the public schools has been managing the home farm. He married Anna Wiggins. Harry A. Martin is head of the firm Martin & Company, with offices in several towns of Northern Indiana, and with a business in general real estate and farm lands that covers Indiana, Ohio, Mich- igan and Illinois. This is one of the most com- plete organizations of its kind in the middle west. Mr. Martin, who as a result of long experience has acquired an almost encyclopedic knowledge of real estate values, was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1868, a son of Frank and Lydia (Baker) Martin. His mother was a sister of the late James Baker, widely and favorably knibwn as a prominent manufacturer of Kendallville, Indiana. Frank Mar- tin was born in Morrow County, Ohio, in 1837, while his wife was born at Galion, Ohio, in 1842. After their marriage at Galion they settled on a farm in Richland County and in 1879 sold their Ohio property and moved out to Washington Coun- ty, Iowa. Frank Martin bought 320 acres of land in the county at $38 an acre. His son Seymour Martin now lives on that old homestead and al- together owns 1,300 acres of land in this very fer- tile section of Iowa. The old homestead bought forty years ago is now estimated to be worth $400 424 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA an acre. Frank Martin in 1881 returned east and settled in DeKalb County, Indiana, buying a farm of 200 acres in Fairfield Township. He was busy with its improvement and development and lived there until his death in 1904. His wife passed away in 1917. He was a democrat in politics and voted with much regularity until Bryan became a can- didate on the free silver issue in 1896, at which time he turned his allegiance to the republican doctrine. He was a member of the Dunkard Church while his wife was a Quaker. Harry A. Martin’s mother is of Sdotch descent, her grandfather having come from Scotland and settled in Virginia when her own father was about two years old. Frank Mar- tin and wife had seven children : Seymour, of Washington County, Iowa; Frank, of Wolcottville ; lone, who married Edward Zimmerman and died February 1, 1918; Harry A.; Homer, of LaGrange; Willard, who owns sixty acres of the old Martin homestead in DeKalb County; and Allen, who has 100 acres of the same homestead. Harry A. Martin owing to the change of resi- dence made by his parents as above indicated re- ceived his early education in three states. He at- tended the common schools of Ohio to the age of eleven, then for twp years in Iowa, and finished his schooling in Fairfield Township of DeKalb County. He also acquired a practical knowledge of farming, and for a time was associated with Welt Brothers selling buggies. He found his con- genial field and best scope for his talents in 1901, when he entered the real estate business at Mongo, Indiana. He also established an office at LaGrange, also one at Howe, and for ten years was in partner- ship with Hubert Smith. Later Edward Zimmer- man, his brother Homer Martin, John L. Hagland and Edward Lacey were associated with him. The firm has always been known as Martin & Company. Another partner was Mr. Albert F. Powell, ex- county assessor. The present personnel of the company is Harry A. Martin, Homer B. Martin and Edward Zimmerman. Mr. Martin is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge. In 1888 he married Sarah I. Kisell, who was born in Whitley County, Indiana, August 21, 1872. They have an interesting family of seven children : Clarence, who married Bernice Wonders; Lydia, who is the wife of Cecil Cook and has a son, Leo; Ruth, wife of Earl Grubaugh, assistant postmaster of LaGrange, and she is the mother of two children, Pauline and Herbert ; Mary, wife of Earl Cattell, a resident of Detroit; Willard J., who was a mem- ber of Company 36 in a replacement division with the American Expeditionary Forces in France ; Harry, a sophomore in the LaGrange High School ; and John, who died in infancy. Roherles Merriman. A citizen of LaGrange County whose life career has brought him in pleas- ant contact with many of his fellow citizens is Roherles Merriman, a native of the county and a resident on one farm for over half a century. Mr. Merriman was born in Clay Township, Oc- tober 3, 1847, a. son of George and Desire (Bur- roughs) Merriman. His father was born in Ohio in 1816 and his mother in New York State in 1825. His grandfather was John Merriman, who was one of the early settlers of LaGrange County, living here among the Indians in Clay Township, where he took up Government land. At one time he owned 400 acres. He was very active in politics and held a number of local offices and was a member of the regular Baptist Church. He died at the age of seventy-seven. He had a large family of about ten children. George Merriman came to Indiana on horseback from Ohio, and as a carpenter helped build the rail- road depot at Sturgis, Michigan. He witnessed the arrival of the first train in that town. In the early days he hauled grain to Fort Wayne and sold wheat at 50 cents a bushel. Later he settled on the eighty acres given him by his father, and acquired a large farm,_ most of which his children inherited. He died^ in 1899 and his wife in 1897. He was a re- publican, and he and his wife were Baptists. They had children named Roherles, William, Eber, Hud- son and George. Roherles Merriman attended school in Clay Town- ship, and is still living on the farm of fifty acres which has been in his possession for half a century. He is a republican in politics. June 10, 1869, Mr. Merriman married Amanda Brindley, a daughter of John Brindley, of La- Grange County. Mrs. Merriman died in 1894, the mother of the following children: Alton, who mar- ried Edith McMannes and has two children, Glenn and Losen ; Grace, who is married and lives in Cali- fornia; Blanche and Burton, both deceased; Zoe, who is married ; and Lena, deceased. In 1913 Mr. Merriman married Jennie Airgood, widow of Albert Airgood, by whom she had six children. Mearl D. Watters. Land in Jamestown Town- ship in Steuben County which was cleared and cul- tivated by his father is now being capably managed and farmed by Mearl D. Watters, one of the best known and most progressive citizens of the county. Mr. Watters was born in Jamestown Township November 18, 1870, and is a son of James and Mary M. Henney Watters. James Watters was born in Lincolnshire, England, May 3, 1844, a son of James and Elizabeth (Cooper) Watters, who came to America about 1852, spent a short time in Buffalo, New York, then went west to White Pigeon, Michi- gan, later went to Ohio, and in 1866 settled in Steuben County, on a farm of forty acres in Fre- mont Township, to which later was added thirty acres. This old farm is now owned by George Wat- ters, a son of James and Elizabeth. James Watters, Sr., died in Fremont about 1887, and his wife about 1884. Their children were Mary, Thomas, Sarah Jane, Elizabeth, James, William, Morris, George, Phillip and Samuel. Mary M. Henney, wife of James Watters, Jr., was a daughter of Daniel and Anna (Housman) Henney, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Penn- sylvania. The Henney family also came to Steuben County in. 1866, settling on a farm of forty acres in York Township. Daniel Henney was a blacksmith by trade. He and his wife, who spent their last years in Steuben County, had the following children : Mary M., Elizabeth, John H., Rachel, Alice, Cath- erine, Irene and Daniel W. Daniel Henney was born in Stark County, Ohio, February 2, 1819, and his wife in Center County, Pennsylvania, in 1818. They were married in Summit County, Ohio, in 1842, and he died August 20, 1892, and his wife Jan- uary 23, 1911. When James and Mary Watters came to Steuben County they lived for a time in Fremont Township and later bought eighty acres in Jamestown Town- ship now owned by their son Mearl D. The father put up good buildings, and managed the farm suc- cessfully for about thirty years. In 1909 he retired to the Village of Fremont, where his death occurred in June, 1918, at the age of seventy-four. His widow is still living at the age of seventy-five. On the old farm October 5, 1916, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, and their marriage companion- ship continued for two years longer. James Watters was a democrat in politics and he and his wife were very prominent in the Methodist Church. They HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 425 had four children : Annie E. ; Charles, who died August 2, 1869, at the age of one year, six months and ten days ; Mearl ; and Cora. Mearl D. Watters grew up on the home farm, at- tended the public schools and spent one year in the Tri-State Normal College, and since completing his education has devoted his time and energies to farm- ing. In June, 1918, he bought the homestead of eighty acres. He is on very familiar ground at this farm, since he helped his father clear away the woods and put up some of the buildings. In politics he is a democrat, is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Knights of Pythias at Fremont, and has always joined heartily in any movement for the general benefit of his Community. He is a stock- holder in the First State Bank of Fremont and is a stockholder in the Fremont Cooperative Store. In 1909 he m'arried Miss Edith Gritman, of Fre- mont, a daughter of Henry and Isabel Gritman. Her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Watters have one son, Leon James, born March 1, 1911. George W. Truby, of Bloomfield Township, La- Grange County, was born in Huntington County, Indiana, October 31, 1856, a son of Rev. David M. and Mary (Smutz) Truby. His parents were both born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, his father in 1825 and his mother in 1826. They were married in Ohio and then settled in Wells County, Indiana, and in 1861 moved to Steuben County and from there in 1864 to Springfield Township, LaGrange County. The father developed and cleared what is known as Pleasant Hill Farm. He was a min- ister of the Dunkard Church, and labored unself- ishly in that cause many years. He preached in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, and for many years served the English Prairie Church near his home in Bloomfield. He was a republican. He and his wife died in 1894, he in August and she in April. Their children were named Jacob, Mary, David, Sarah, Emily, Joseph and George W. George W. Truby was eight years old when he came with his parents to LaGrange County. As a boy he did a man’s work in clearing the land and piling brush. Later he bought a farm in Bloomfield Township, and when he sold that he went to Arkansas. After eleven months in that state he returned t)o Indiana and bought the farm he owns today in Bloomfield Township. He has cleared most of this land for cultivation and has good buildings. His farm consists of eighty acres. He is a republican, and both his wives have been Methodists. October 31, 1880, he married Hannah Slack, who was born in LaGrange County, a daughter of Abram Slack. Mr. and Mrs. Truby had five children: Turah, wife of George L. Schadle ; George Lester, who was an enlisted man at the Great Lakes Train- ing Station and received his honorable discharge in July, 1919; Hazel, wife of Charles Routsong and the mother of four children, named George W.. Ruth, Retha and Lois ; Eva and Neva, who died in infancy. The mother of these children died May 25, 1911. December 18, 1912, Mr. Truby married Mrs. Minnie (Brown) Yergin, widow of Oscar Yergin and a daughter of Peter and Julia (Hill) Brown, early settlers of LaGrange County. Her father died in 1909, at the age of seventy-one, and her mother was born December 12, 1844, and is seventy-five years old. Mrs. Truby by her first husband had the following children: Wilmer, of Elkhart. Indiana; Mary, wife of F. O. Gibson and the mother of two children, Paul and Helen ; Basil, who trained as a soldier at Camp Lewis, Washing- ton, and in August, 1918, went overseas to France and was connected with Unit No. 93 at the Base Hospital in Paris, being still in overseas service ; Ivan, who served as a private in Company G, of the Three Hundred and Eighth Infantry and re- ceived a wound in battle, being now in Seattle, Washington; Velma, wife of J. J. Martin, of Seattle, Washington; Vernon, who was in France eighteen months as a private in Field Remount Company No. 312; Audelra, who died in infancy; and Dana, at home. Harry J. Curtis. While he was born in London, England, Harry J. Curtis has no memories of the great metropolis which surrounded him in infancy, practically all his life having been spent in La- Grange County. He started his independent career with a small fund of experience and less capital, worked as a farm hand, and has since steadily ac- cumulated interests, property and many other assets that make him one of the substantial and influential citizens of the county. He was born in London, December 18, 1869, a son of Henry and Elizabeth Curtis, the former a native of North Hampshire, England, and the latter of South Hampshire, England. In 1871 they brought their family to America and came direct to La- Grange County. Henry Curtis in England was a flower gardener. For a time after coming to La- Grange County he worked for S. P. Williams, of Howe. Later he engaged in farming near that city, and still owns a farm there, but lives in Howe. He and his wife had a family of ten children : One died in infancy and the others, are all living today, their names being Harry J., Thomas, Nellie, George, Jennie, Edward, Earl, Samuel and Leonard. Harry J. Curtis attended the common schools for his education. He went to work as a farm hand and for eighteen years he conducted a draying busi- ness at Howe. Since 1909 he has been engaged in farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. In that year he bought a large acreage, ninety-six in Greenfield and 202 in Bloomfield Township, and uses this farm for cattle and hog feeding. While a resident of Lima Township Mr. Curtis served as road supervisor and member of the county council. He also helped organize the Lima Elevator Com- pany and is now its president. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at Howe. July 4, 1895, Mr. Curtis married Miss Nellie Squires, of Lima Township, a daughter of Miles B. and Mary Squires. They were married nearly twenty years. Mrs. Curtis died February 12, 1915, the mother of three children : Elizabeth, Clarence and Helen. The only son, Clarence Curtis, served with the colors in the World war. He entered Camp Taylor at Louisville, May 23, 1918, in the infantry service. Later he was sent to Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, and became a member of the Thirty-Ninth Division and subsequently was put in a Machine Gun Battal- ion with the Fifth Infantry. He was returned to Camp Taylor, December 7, 1918, and was discharged there March 20, 1919. He did not have the fortune to go overseas with the Thirty-Ninth Division, being kept in America because of defective feet. Lincoln Brouse. By intermarriage with other families the name Brouse frequently appears in the family records of Steuben County. The Brouses have been here for over half a century, and Mr. Lincoln Brouse, who was an infant when the family came to Steuben County, is a prosperous farmer. He was born in Ashland County, Ohio, Decem- ber 16, 1864, a son of Cyrus and Mary (Tuttle) Brouse. His parents came to Steuben County in 1866. The parents of Cyrus came at the same time, Frederick and Mary Ann (Pifer) Brouse. They 426 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA settled in Clear Lake Township, and their old home- stead is now owned by Simon Brouse, a brother of Lincoln. Frederick Brouse and wife had three children, Cyrus, Eliza and Jane. Cyrus Brouse has bought and sold a number of times in this part of Indiana and is now living retired in the Village of Ray, at the age of seventy-nine. His wife passed away in 1908, aged sixty-six. He was a republican, and he and his wife were active in the United Brethren Church. They had four sons, all living, named, William, Simon, Lincoln and Lucius. Lincoln Brouse grew up on the farm in Clear Lake Township, acquired his education in the public schools and Hartsville College, and took a normal course in the Tri-State College at Angola. He was a successful teacher and followed that voca- tion for ten terms in Clear Lake Township, employ- ing his summer vacations at farming. Later he bought a place of fifty acres in Clear Lake Town- ship and traded that with his father for the farm he now owns in Fremont Township. He moved to this place in 1903 and has kept his work mov- ing ahead, and has some excellent improvements, including a fine barn built in 1905 and a home erected in 1907. He is a general farmer, a pro- hibitionist in politics and a member of the United Brethren Church. October 29, 1891, Mr. Brouse married Miss Ada Bratten. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, January 18, 1867, a daughter of George and Jane (McElhenie) Bratten. Her parents came to Steuben County and settled in Clear Lake Township in 1882, and spent the declining years of their lives with Mr. and Mrs. Brouse. Her father died February 6, 1915, and her mother January 13, 1906. In the Bratten family were four children, named Carrie, Clement, Ada and Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. Brouse have two children, Mabel and Walter. Mabel was born December 25, 1892, a graduate of the Fremont High School, and is the wife of Guy Throop, of Clear Lake Township. They have two children, Mildred Lorene and Cleon. The son, Walter, born November 15, 1896, is also a grad- uate of the Fremont High School, and during the world war was for six months a member of Com- pany D of the 214th Infantry. Since his honorable discharge he has gone to work in the furniture de- partment of the Wilhelms factory at Sturgis, Michi- gan. Walter Brouse married Rachel Sowle. Frank A. McManus, whose farm is in Bloom- field Township of LaGrange County, is related to a number of interesting people in Northeast In- diana, and his own life has been one of exceptional effort and enterprise. Mr. McManus was born in Clay Township March 21, 1871, a son of Henry and Mary (Hardesty) McManus. His paternal grandparents were Jacob and Phidelia (Bettis) McManus. The father of Phidelia Bettis was captain of a company in the Revolutionary war. Jacob McManus after coming to LaGrange County followed farming in Lima Township, where he died in 1887 and his wife in 1898. Their children were: Henry, Nelson, Robert, who remained in Ohio ; Orrin, who is the only son now living and is past seventy, a resident of Elk- hart, Silas, who was at one time state senator and also well known as a poet, and Lucy, wife of Daniel Crowel, of Colorado. Henry McManus was born in Ohio in 1830. His wife, Mary Hardesty, was born in the same state in 1840, a daughter of Thompson and Sarah (Bobel) Hardesty. Sarah Gobel was related to the same family as that of the late Governor Gobel, whose death by assassination while governor of Kentucky was one of the most noted cases in criminal his- tory. Thompson Hardesty spent a large part of his life as a forgeman, and came to LaGrange County in 1856 to run the old forge in Lima Town- ship. Henry McManus and wife came with him. Thompson "Hardesty died May 19, 1885, having spent his later life as a farmer. His children were Mary and Silas. After coming to LaGrange County Henry McManus worked in the forge for his father-in-law and later became a farmer, living in Clay Township and finally in Lima Township, but spent his last years on a farm in Bloomfield Township, where he died April 28, 1898, his wife in 1902. They had five children : Charles, of Howe, Indiana ; Hattie, who died at the age of five years; Bracie, who died when seven years old; Frank A. ; and Edith, wife of Alton Merriman, of Clay Township. Frank A. McManus was reared largely in Lima Township, attended the Woodard schools and for three j'ears the Lima schools, and since early man- hood has been a farmer. In 1897 he bought his place in Bloomfield Township, two and a half miles from LaGrange, and in twenty years has done much to improve and increase the value of his land and equipment. He raises much stock, and a silo is a prominent feature of his farm equipment. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at LaGrange, and for twenty-six years has been affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at Howe. July 31, 1897, he married Miss Alma Stoehr, who was born in LaGrange December 18, 1875, a daughter of John and Josephine Goodsell Stoehr, both natives of Milford Township. The mother was a daughter of Mynott Goodsell. Mrs. McManus’ paternal grandparents were John and Mary Eliza- beth (Beng) Stoehr, both natives of Germany, who came to the United States, the latter at the age of thirteen with her parents. John Stoehr, Sr., acquired a tract of government land and lived un- der a tree until he could build a log house. He died on the old farm and his wife died in La- Grange. Their children were: Kate, John N., George, Fred, Frank and Mathias. John N. Stoehr, father of Mrs. McManus, had three children: Edna, wife of Adelbert Mains, of Milford Town- ship; Alma, Mrs. McManus; and Josephine, wife of Leo D. W. Rowe, of Brestow, Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. McManus have two children: Geraldine, born May 8, 1898, has completed her education in LaGrange High School. Paul Good- sell, born July 29, 1904, is a student in the public schools of Bloomfield Township. Benjamin Franklin Swihart has spent practic- ally all of his mature years as a farmer in Greenfield Township, LaGrange County, Indiana, on the land formerly owned by his father. He has directed his affairs with wisdom and good judgment, is progres- sive in all community matters, and is thoroughly well informed on local agricultural conditions. For the past nineteen years he has been reporting crop con- ditions, estimates and yields in his township for the Department of Agriculture. Mr. Swihart was born in Lafayette Township, Allen County, Indiana, January 7, 1851, a son of Daniel and Sarah (Summers) Swihart. His pater- nal grandfather Johnothan Swihart, spent most of his life in Ohio, but died in LaGrange County when eighty-four years of age. After his death his widow returned to Ohio to live. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Summers, was an early settler in Owen County in Southern Indiana. He served as a drummer boy in the War of 1812. After his discharge he walked three hundred miles to his home. His daughter Sarah was born in Pennsylvania in October, 1820. Daniel Swihart was born in Tuscarawas County, HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 427 Ohio, in April, 1820, was reared and educated there, serving in the state militia at the time of the Mexi- can war. In 1840 he was united in marriage to Sarah Summers, and to this union were born eleven children, as follows : Elizabeth, born in 1841 and Johnothan, born in 1843, both dying in childhood in Ohio; Martha Jane, born April 13, 1845, and died February 2, 1881 ; Susan, born March 17, 1847, died January 26, 1914; Joseph L., born March 7, 1849; Benjamin Franklin, who was the sixth child; Nancy E., born November 12, 1852; William H., born Janu- ary 30, 1855; Laura E., born April 3, 1858; Clara B., born May 3, i860; and Samuel A., born March 30, 1862. In the year of 1850 Daniel Swihart purchased a homestead of 160 acres in Allen County, Indiana, and moved onto the same, and here he and his fam- ily lived for the next four years, clearing part of the land. In the spring of 1855 he sold this farm and moved to a farm in LaPorte County, where he lived one year and then moved onto a farm in St. Joseph County, Indiana. In 1859 he purchased 200 acres now owned by his sons in Greenfield Town- ship, LaGrange County, Indiana, and on February 8, i860, he moved his family to this new home. It contained some buildings and the old house and barn are still in use for different purposes on the portion of the land where Benjamin Franklin lives. Daniel Swihart had a great fund of energy and much prac- tical ability as a business man, and accumulated 380 acres. In 1869 he erected a large bank barn and in 1873 built a large modern home, and these buildings still stand and are now owned and occupied by their son Samuel. Daniel Swihart served as road supervisor for several terms. Benjamin Franklin Swihart was nine years of age when his parents moved to LaGrange County. He acquired his education in this county and St. Joseph County and attended the LaGrange Collegiate In- stitute. During the past forty-five years he has been a factor in farming and developing the old place. In 1877 he bought eighty acres of the old homestead and built a modern home. The barn on the farm when bought by his father was moved to this eighty acres before this date and has been added to. This barn was built by Mr. Upson, the original home- steader of the land, where the new buildings were built by Daniel Swihart. The original homesteader of the land where Benjamin Franklin Swihart now lives was Mr. Cary. Mr. Swihart bought eighty-one acres lying just across the road north of his original eighty and now owns 141 acres devoted to general farming. He served as a member of the Township Advisory Board. In 1874 he was united in marriage to Miss Amy E. Kinney, who was born in Lima Township, LaGrange County, April 9, 1852, daugh- ter of J. Calvin Kinney, one of the early settlers there. Mr. and Mrs. Swihart have the following children : Gerald E., a graduate of the Lima Com- missioned High School, a graduate of Parsons Busi- ness College at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is married and lives at Sturgis, Michigan, having acted as ex- press agent at that place for the past nine years, is a public spirited man and is serving his fifth term as city clerk. Sarah T. is a graduate of the Lima Com- missioned High School, also a graduate of the In- diana State Normal at Terre Haute, later graduated from Indiana State University and taught English in the State Normal for five years, and is now living in Chicago, the wife of John N. Bowen. Daniel, a graduate of the common schools, lived in Montana for ten years and now in the garage business in Sturgis, Michigan. John K., a graduate of the Lima Commissioned High School, a graduate from the law department of the University of Michigan in his twenty-second year, has been in active practice, since that time and is now a resident of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Lucy L., a graduate of the Lima Commissioned High School took the teacher’s course in the Tri State Normal of Angola, was a teacher for several years and is now the wife of Charles Anderson, a prosperous farmer of Greenfield Town- ship. W. Ruth, youngest, also a graduate of the Lima Commissioned High School, took the teacher’s course in the Tri State Normal at Angola, and mar- ried Irvin E. King, one of the progressive and in- fluential men of the community and cashier of the Mongo State Bank. Eli Zeno Hawk is one of a family of millers who have been conspicuous in the industrial affairs of LaGrange County for many years. Mr. Hawk was born in DeKalb County, April 24, 1868, and in August of the year of his birth his par- ents moved to Mongo, where he has lived now for over half a century. He had a public school educa- tion at Mongo, and as a boy began working in his father’s mill and also under his brother William, when the latter was manager. In 1904 he and his brother John bought the mill at Mongo, a business that has since been conducted under the firm name of Hawk Brothers. Mr. Hawk was also one of the organizers and is a director of the Mongo State Bank. He is a republican in politics. In June, 1906, he married Miss Lula Sisson, daugh- ter of John and Martha Sisson, of a family noted elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Hawk have one child, Wilbur E., born March 12, 1914. John L. Hawk, the senior member of Hawk Brothers, millers, at Mongo, was born in DeKalb County, December 20, 1864, and was a small child when brought to Mongo. He was one of the first class to complete the work of the eighth grade in the local schools. For a time he was in a mercantile concern at Mongo, and also worked in the grist mill under his brother William. In 1904 he and his brother Eli bought the Mongo mills. He also as- sisted in organizing the Mongo State Bank and is one of the stockholders. He is a republican and is a charter member of the Mongo Lodge, Knights of Pythias, which was instituted February 24, 1891. May 19, 1908, he married Miss Moore, of Marion, Indiana. They have no children of their own, but adopted Charles E. Allen at the age of five months. This boy was born January 2, 1912, a grandson of Charles Allen, who at one time was engaged in the drug business in LaGrange. ' Christopher L. Hawk, father of the Hawk Broth- ers, was born in Wuertemberg, Germany, in March, 1821, a son of Christopher J. and Ellen (Crawford) Hawk. The mother died in 1823 and in 1825 Chris- topher Hawk, Sr., married Lena Bopp. In 1831 the family came to America, and after three years in Holmes County moved to Hancock County, Ohio, and in 1858 settled in DeKalb County, Indiana. In 1868 they established their home at Mongo, where the family have been prominent residents for over half a century. Christopher Hawk, Sr., died at Mongo. March 10, 1882, at the age of ninety-two years, four months and five days. His wife died November 27, 1888, aged eighty-four. Christopher L. Hawk married Miss Sarah Wycoff on June 3, 1847. She was a daughter of Casper B. and Catherine (Johnson) Wycoff, natives of New Jersey. Christopher L. Hawk and wife were active members of the Baptist Church. He began the mill- ing business at the age of eighteen, and worked at wages of $6 a month. Until he was twenty-four years of age he gave all his earnings to his parents. At his marriage he had a capital of only $60. About 1850 he bought eighty acres of land, and sold this farm in Ohio in 1858 for $2,300. On coming to 428 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Indiana he bought a flouring mill in DeKalb County on the St. Joseph River, and some ten years later the saw and grist mill property at the Village of Mongo, where he conducted a very successful busi- ness for a number of years. Christopher L. Hawk died in 1907 and his wife on November 25, 1915, at the age of ninety-two. They were the parents of nine children : George W., born April 23, 1848, and died November 3, 1854; William C., born March 9, 1850; Charles Franklin, born January 18, 1852; Han- nah Catherine, born June 23, 1855, and died Novem- ber 5, 1855; John L., born December 20, 1864; Eli Zeno, born April 24, 1868; Mary E., born July 24, 1856, wife of O. G. Long, of Sturgis, Michigan; Anna S., born November 12, 1858, widow of Charles E. Dickinson, of White Pigeon, Michigan ; and Sarah E., born March 26, 1862, wife of Alfred A. Wade, of Howe, Indiana. Christopher Hawk, Sr., by his second marriage had the following children : Hannah, Fredericka, George, Samuel, Pauline, William, Amelia, Mary and Susan. Lynn E. Collins is a grandson of that splendid pioneer of Jamestown Township, Barton Collins, whose record figures prominently in every history of that portion of Steuben County, and the out- standing facts of which are contained in other pages of this work. Barton Collins came to Steuben County in 1835, and died in January, 1849. His widow became prominent among the pioneer women and lived until July 15, 1882. She was the mother of a large family of children, and her descendants are now widely scattered. One of her sons was Charles H. Collins, who was born in Jamestown Township, April 10, 1839. He grew up on the home farm, received his education in the district schools and the Northeast Indiana Institute at Orland. His mature years were devoted to farming. He bought seventy-two of the acres now contained in the farm of his son Lynn. In early life he was a merchant for several years at Jamestown, and after turning his attention to the farm was successful in that line. He was one of the early breeders of Merino sheep in Steuben County. He was a democrat without any desire to hold office. He died in 1896, and his widow survived him until 1916. They were married at the village of Jamestown. Her maiden name was Lucy Carroll, and she was of the same ancestry as the famous Carroll of Carrollton, -the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence. Lucy Carroll was born in New Hampshire in 1842. She was the mother of six children, named Lynn, Florence, Alice, Alfred, Walter and Benjamin Franklin. Lynn E. Collins was born in the village of James- town, April 2, 1872, and from the age of six years lived on the farm which he owns today. He attended the public schools and after the death of his father remained at home with his mother. In the mean- time the farm had been increased by other pur- chases to 225 acres. Upon the division of the estate Lynn Collins' secured his present farm, and has im- proved it with good house and barn and other build- ings, and does much in the line of livestock. Mr. Collins is a democrat and for six years was trustee of his township. He is a member of the Methodist Church. March 11, 1896, he married Mary B. Tubbs, daugh- ter of Ira and Lucinda Tubbs. Her parents lived for a number of years in Steuben County, and later went to Branch County, Michigan, where her father died in 1909. Her mother died in Steuben County in 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have four children : Dorothy Fay, born March 8, 1907 ; Pauline May, born November 10, 1909; June Esther, born June 21, 1910; and Paul, born March 14, 1915. Charles E. Sears. The Sears family came to LaGrange County more than three-quarters of a century ago. At that time the great Isaac Sears was about thirteen years old. As a family they exemplified many of the pioneer virtues of thrift, good citizenship and industry, and Isaac Sears had these virtues to an unusually high degree, and in the course of a long lifetime became the largest land owner and one of the most widely known stock raisers and feeders in Northeastern Indiana. Many of the abilities of his honored father are possessed by Charles E. Sears, whose home is in Bloomfield Township, and who has been especially prominent for many years as a sheep feeder. Charles E. Sears was born in Springfield Town- ship, August 24, 1855. His father, Isaac Sears, was born in Onondaga County, New York, November 7, 1828, a son of Eleazer and Sarah Sears, the former a native of Saratoga County and the latter of Onon- daga County, New York. In 1841 the Sears family came to LaGrange County, locating on Brushy Prairie in Springfield Township, where Eleazer and his wife spent their last years. Both are now at rest in the Brushy Prairie Cemetery. Isaac Sears had a common school education and lived at home until his marriage on February 13, 1853, to Miss Laurinda Tuttle. Her parents, Lemon and Diadamie Tuttle, were natives of Ohio and spent their last days in LaGrange County. Isaac Sears after his marriage moved to a farm of 236 acres in Springfield Town- ship, land that he had previously bought. Eventually this farm under his ownership was increased to 436 acres. On May 10, 1874, his first wife died and on February 1 1 , 1875, he was married in Onondago County, New York, to Sarah Vanalstine, daughter of James and Sarah Vanalstine, natives of that state, where both of them died. In October, 1880, Isaac Sears moved from his farm in Springfield Township to a place in Bloomfield near the city of LaGrange. The farm he owned there, improved with a fine brick building, is the present home of his son Charles. Isaac Sears died December 24, 1902. He left an estate of about 2,000 acres, the largest amount of land owned by any individual at that time in La- Grange County. All of this property except 100 acres and $400 in money had been accumulated by his own efforts and industry. For years he fed live stock on a large scale and was one of the prin- cipal shippers to outside markets. Isaac Sears and his first wife had two sons, Charles E. and David A., the later now deceased. Charles E. Sears acquired a public school educa- tion, supplemented by a period in the Orland Acad- emy. As a young man he bought eighty acres in Bloomfield Township and began farming there. He has enlarged his possessions until today he owns 1, 1 10 acres, including the old homestead in Spring- field Township where he spent the years of his youth. Mr. Sears has been one of the men whose enterprise has made LaGrange County a great feed- ing ground for sheep. He was one of the organ- izers of the LaGrange State Bank and has been a director since the bank opened for business. He is also a director and president of the Home Grain Company of LaGrange. Besides sheep feeding he has handled a large amount of beef cattle on his lands for several years. Politically, Mr. Sears is a republican, and for sev- eral years was a member of the county council. He and his wife are active in the Methodist Church at LaGrange. December 22, 1875, Mr. Sears married Miss Mar- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 429 garet Adalina Vesey. She was born at Butler in DeKalb County, May 3, 1858. She was formerly a teacher in LaGrange County and has always taken a deep interest in educational and other local affairs. She is a member of the Womans Club at LaGrange, and is an active worker in the Ladies’ Aid of the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Sears have five children. Rena, who was born in Bloomfield Township, November 1, 1877, is a graduate of the LaGrange High School, was a student of the Tri-State College at Angola, and was a teacher before her marriage to Charles A. Yotter, a well known citizen of Angola mentioned elsewhere. Helen V., born August 11, 1879, in Bloomfield Township, is also a graduate of the La- Grange High School and is the wife of Lewis Price, a Bloomfield Township farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Price have five children, named Sears, Irene, Lois, Cather- ine and Margaret. Homer I. Sears was born July 10, 1886, and died December 30, 1888. Audra Mar- garet was born April 23, 1895, is a graduate of the LaGrange High School, has attended Northwestern University and is the wife of Frank J. Bollman and the mother of a daughter, Dorothy Jean. Olive L., the youngest of the family, was born May 16, 1896, and was educated in the LaGrange High School and Northwestern University and is now at home. Mr. and Mrs. Sears also took into their home when in his first year of high school Harold P. Arends, who was born December 15, 1892. He graduated from the LaGrange High School in the same class with Audra and Olive Sears in June, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Sears were preparing to enter him at Purdue University, but while assisting in the grain threshing he was accidentally killed September 5, 1913. Mrs. Sears is a daughter of Horace J. Vesey. Mr. Vesey was born in Vermont, October 19, 1834, and is still living at LaGrange, probably being the most ac- tive man for his years in the entire county. He is a son of William and Adeline (Copland) Vesey, both natives of Vermont. In 1834 William Vesey and wife moved to Geauga County. Ohio, and in 1835 he bought a tract of land in Elkhart County, Indiana. In 1836 his five children, accompanied by an uncle, went out to occupy the Elkhart County land, but he was detained in Ohio by the illness of his wife, who died there. He then joined his chil- dren in Elkhart County and lived there until his death in 1873. Horace J. Vesey when eighteen years of age paid $150 to his father for his time until he reached his majority. In 1853, at the age of nine- teen, he began attending school at Ontario, and worked at various occupations to pay his expenses. He took up a trade and for nearly forty years trav- eled extensively through Canada and seventeen of the states. In 1858 he traded land in Filmore Coun- ty, Minnesota, which he had bought in 1851, for 120 acres in Milford Township of LaGrange County. He increased this property to 302 acres and im- proved it with excellent buildings. In his time he was one of the successful sheep feeders of La- Grange County. On August 6, 1857, Mr. Vesey married Helen Smith. She was born December 14, 1839, daughter of Joseph H. and Margaret (Robin- son) Smith, both natives of New York State, whence they removed to Michigan at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Vesey had four children, Mrs. Sears being the oldest. The next in age, Lottie E., is the deceased wife of George McKibben, who is still living at LaGrange. Mrs. Lydia C. Love is a resi- dent of Kansas City, and Sylvester T. is a well known farmer and sheep feeder of LaGrange County, Milford Township. Horace J. Vesey has had membership in the Masonic Order many years. His wife died February 22, 1909. He is the owner of property at LaGrange and also has some holdings in Florida, where for several years he has spent his winters. Mr. Vesey is a republican in politics. Grove H. Dudley. The farm where Grove H. Dudley was born September 10, 1838, is the place where he looks out today over well cultivated fields, improved buildings, and along fine highways. It is a rare and interesting experience for a man to have a recollection of one locality for three-quarters of a century. Mr. Dudley has practically always lived there, and his name is associated with the earliest pioneer things in Steuben County as well as with the recent dramatic events of the twentieth century. His homestead farm is in Millgrove Township. His parents were Stephen M. and Lucy S. (Dudley) Dudley, who at one time lived in Vermont, later in New York State and from there came to Steuben County in the pioneer year 1836 and settled in Mill- grove Township. They entered 160 acres of land, and of that quarter section Grove H. Dudley still owns 120 acres. Stephen Dudley built a good double log house, and that was his home when he died in 1841, at the age of thirty-eight. He had hardly begun the work of improvement on his land when death overtook him in his labors. His widow survived until 1863, when she was fifty-four years of age. They had five children : Myrad, who died in Cali- fornia; Jonathan W., who went over the plains to California in 1852 and spent the rest of his life in that state; George S., who is now eighty-five years of age and a resident of Seattle, Washington; Lucinda, who died in California ; and Grove H., the youngest of the family. Mr. Dudley as a boy attended some of the pioneer schools of his neighborhood. He was also educated at Orland and in the Northeast Indiana Institute, and was a teacher both before and after the war. Among many other things he is honored for his service as a Union soldier. He enlisted in 1862 in Company B of the 100th Indiana Infantry, and was in active service until the close of hostilities. He was in all the battles of the Atlanta campaign, was with Sherman on the march to the sea, went north through the Carolinas, was at Columbia when that city was burned, and was near Raleigh when John- ston’s armies surrendered. He took part in the Grand Review at Washington after the war. After returning to Steuben County and marrying he taught school for two years, and in the meantime had bought the old homestead of 160 acres. He sub- sequently sold forty acres of this and later bought an adjoining forty acres, so that his present farm is the same area as the original homestead. He has improved this with good buildings and for half a century has devoted it to general farming and stock raising. Mr. Dudley also served as township as- sessor, is a stanch republican and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife is a member of the Congregational Church and the family attend worship with her. April 10, 1866, more than half a century ago, Mr. Dudley married Miss Mary A. Closson. She was born in Delaware County, Ohio, February 19, 1842, a daughter of George W. and Bertha (Thornton) Closson. Her father was born in the same county January 8, 1816, and her mother jn 1819. George W. Closson brought his family to Steuben County in 1852, settling in a log cabin home which he had prepared on land in Steuben Township. He sub- sequently acquired a large amount of land in the county and was one of its most successful farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley became the parents of eight children : George, the oldest, died in 1882, at the age of sixteen, and Schuyler M., the second, died in 1868, when four and a half months old. Bertha L. is the wife of W. S. Barber and has one child. 430 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA Emma M. was married to C. B. Ora of Steuben County. S. Maynard, who lives at Pontiac, Michi- gan, by his marriage to Nellie Wilder had one son, Harold, and his present wife is Esther Roy, and they have a son, named Roy. Addie L. is the wife of William Barrows and has a son, Maxon Dudley. Cleo, who died in 1910, was the wife of William Gay and left two children, Frances and Georgia. Hazel Bernice, who died in 1910, was the wife of Roscoe White. Mrs. Dudley was carefully educated, attending the Northeast Indiana Institute and private school at Angola, finishing in Hillsdale College, and was one of the successful teachers of half a century ago. She began teaching when only fifteen years old, and continued the work for nine years. James Sherlock Larimer. The Larimer family settled in LaGrange County more than half a century ago, and James Sherlock Larimer grew up here and has long been a factor in the farming community of Greenfield Township. He was born in Perry County, Ohio, October 29, 1859. His parents were James Tobias and Nancy (Sherlock) Larimer and his grandfather was James Tobias Larimer, Sr., who spent his last years in Fairfield County, Ohio. His wife was Diana Larimer, and she lived to the age of ninety-three. James T. Larimer, Jr., was born in Fairfield County in 1828, was married in Perry County, Ohio, and in 1866 came to LaGrange Coun- ty with his wife and three children, Flora, James and John. Nancy Sherlock was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1825, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Sherlock, spent their last years there. On coming to LaGrange County the Larimer family settled on what was known as the Amos Davis farm near Greenfield Mills, and they bought this place in 1867. The father died there in 1877 and his wife in December, 1886. James Sherlock Larimer grew up on the home farm and was educated in the public schools and the Orland Academy. He bought out the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead and has in- creased its possessions to 378 acres from which in the spring of 1919 he sold to his son Charles about eighty-five acres. Mr. Larimer has been an exten- sive hog and cattle feeder. He is independent in politics and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, Chapter and Knights Templar Commandery. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. January 20, 1887, he married Miss Anna R. Fen- nell, of LaGrange County, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Fennell. They had seven children. Lola is the wife of Alvin - Woods and has two children, Doris and Myron. Flora died in December, 1915, the wife of Oscar Hathaway. Charles Fremont is a farmer and has one child, Hilda. Weldon J., who rents his father’s farm, responded to the draft on August 5, 1918, went in training and served for more than six months, coming out as a first class private. He married Marie Hackett. Cyril, the fifth child, is also a farmer and is married and has a daughter, Millicent Maxine. The two younger children are Elsie and Russell. Howard L. Parker. For a great many years the name Parker has been identified with the mercantile enterprise of Orland. The present Parker business is owned by Howard L. Parker, son of a former proprietor, and his own active connection therewith covers a period of a quarter of a century. Mr. Parker was born in Orland, August 17, 1874, a son of John G. and Elmira J. (Luce) Parker. His father was born in New Hampshire in Decem- ber, 1838. Elmira J. Luce was born in Branch County, Michigan, in 1850, and is a daughter of Cyrus Luce, one of the most widely known citizens of Michigan, and at one time governor of that state. John G. Parker came to Steuben County with his parents, was well educated, was a teacher in early life, and at one time worked on a farm for Chas. L. Luce. Soon after the war he engaged in business at Orland with his brother, James B. Parker, and later bought out his partner and continued the busi- ness alone until his son became associated with him. This veteran merchant was active almost to the very end and passed away March 10, 1907. Besides his store he owned at- one time 240 acres known as the John Roberts farm, and used it for feeding cattle on a large scale. In early life he was a democrat and later a republican, and though active in politics was never an aspirant for office. He was a member of the Congregational Church. John G. Parker and wife had four children: Howard L. ; Grace, wife of Frederick J. Werner, of Orland; Bernice, wife of Harry E. Craddock, of Missoula, Montana; and Florence, wife of Robert Sanderson, Jr., of Port- land, Oregon. Howard L. Parker acquired his education in the public schools of Orland, including high school, and also attended the Hillsdale College in Michigan. In 1894, at the age of twenty, he took his place in his father’s store as a clerk and soon became a partner. When his father died he and his mother continued the store under their joint ownership, and at her death on June 1, 1917, Mr. Parker became sole pro- prietor. He carried a generous stock of goods and his long experience enables him to satisfy all the most exacting demands of his local patronage. The stock is handled in a solid two-story brick and cement building 50x80 feet, and Mr. Parker is half owner of the building. He is a republican in politics and is affiliated with Star Lodge No. 225, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Orland Chapter No. 100, Royal Arch Masons. He and his wife are Congregationalists. He married, December 26, 1901, Mrs. Grace Peet, of Vicksburg, Michigan. They have a son, Harry H„ born February 23, 1905, now a sophomore in the Orland High School. Albert Geist. When Albert Geist, a well known merchant of Mongo, came to this country he could not speak a word of English, and his experience and achievements are a striking illustration of the op- portunities open in America and the industry and enterprise of his character. He was born in Ger- many December 24, 1862, and was seventeen years of age when he came to this country. At Fort Wayne he learned the baker’s trade and for fifteen years he was in the. bakery, restaurant and hotel business at Payne, Ohio. He had some business reverses there early in his career through a fire, and he made re- covery of lost ground through developing several farms. He first bought sixty acres, cleared away the woods and brush and put up buildings and tiled the land. He sold that and bought another place and followed the same process several times until when he sold his last Ohio property he received $12,000 for it. In 1906 he came to Mongo and bought a farm of 120 acres west of that village and engaged in the poultry business. In 1913 he built a two-story brick building, 28x70 feet with basement. He has since carried a large stock of general merchandise. He is also an extensive land owner in Northeastern Indiana. In politics he is a republican and is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church. Air. Geist married Minnie Bullan on August 16, 1886. She was born in Germany in 1866. They have had six children : George, who is now postmaster at Mongo and married Florence Meek and has a HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 431 son Albert; Louise, who died in 1915, wife of Otto Taylor; John, formerly a merchant at Mongo, now a resident of Mishawaka, Indiana, who married Avis Reel and has a daughter Juanita ; William, who is employed in the rubber works at Mishawaka, mar- ried Margaret Castel; Helen and Alfred Leroy, the two younger children, both at home. William F. Alvison, of Jamestown Township in Steuben County, is a prosperous citizen who has raised himself into the class of independent farm owners though he began life with practically, no capital and has shown a degree of enterprise, initia- tive and judgment that are sure to reward any man who keeps working steadily along one line. Mr. Alvison was born in Jamestown Township, March 10, 1875, son of Theodore and Minnie (Arm- strong) Alvison. He was their only child. Soon after his birth his parents separated. He lived with his mother until her death, when he was about ten years old. Such, briefly, were the circumstances that put him on his own resources at a time when most boys are under the shelter of their own home and in school. At the age of fourteen he started work by the month. He had several employers, George Collins first for two years, then Charles Collins, a brother of George, and later Bert Collins. Still later he was with Horace Davis, Jr., and he also worked for J. C. McNett, whose daughter he mar- ried. He was on the McNett farm for sixteen years. He bought the first land of his own in Millgrove Township, comprising eighty acres, and still owns that property. Later he bought sixty acres where he is living in Jamestown Township, and has since acquired forty-five acres additional, giving him 185 acres. All of this spells success and shows that he has made earnest and determined use of his op- portunities in life. . Mr. Alvison is a republican and attends the Methodist Episcopal Church at Nevada Mills. Nov- ember 24, 1896, he married Miss May McNett. She was born in 1876, a daughter of Jacob C. and Louise (Arnold) McNett, of a pioneer Steuben County family. Her father was born on the west side of Lake Gage in that county in 1848, a son of Jacob and Mary McNett, who came from Ohio in pioneer times. Jacob McNett did much of the clearing of the land which is now owned by J. C. McNett. He became a large land owner, owning about 200 acres, and died in 1879, while his wife passed away in 1907. Mrs. Alvison’s mother was eight years old when she came to Steuben County. Mrs. Alvison was one of two children, her brother dying in infancy. She acquired her education in the public schools of Jamestown Township, in the Tri-State Normal Col- lege, and for three terms taught school, until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Alvison have two daugh- ters : Ruth, born February 6, 1905; and Joyce, born February 21, 1908. Capt. John H. Caton. As a veteran soldier and officer of the Civil war, and by reason of his exten- sive relations with the people and affairs of La- Grange County, Capt. John H. Caton is a figure whose record deserves a long memory. He was born in Frederick County, Maryland, De- cember 16, 1839, one of the ten children of James A. and Catharine (Ludwick) Caton. In 1849 when he was ten years old the family moved to Preble Coun- ty, Ohio, and in 1850 to Elkhart County, Indiana, where the parents died. John H. Caton at the age of seventeen began learning the blacksmith’s trade. He worked at this steadily until 1861. Then at the age of twenty-two he enlisted and went to Indianapolis to join the Ninth Indiana Infantry. The quota of that regiment had been filled, and no immediate op- portunity presenting itself to get into the army he took employment as a mechanic for the Government at Mishawaka. In December, 1861, he went to Mis- souri and in the spring of 1862 came to LaGrange, Indiana. In the fall of 1864 he was commissioned a second lieutenant and ordered to recruit a com- pany. With his recruits he reported to the provost marshal at Kendallville, and he and his men were mustered in as Company G of the One Hundred and Fifty-Second Indiana Infantry. They were sent to camp at Indianapolis, and Mr. Caton was in the meantime commissioned captain and was formally enrolled in the army as captain of Company F of the One Hundred and Fifty-Second Indiana. With this command he was on duty until the close of the war. He then returned to LaGrange and resumed his former trade. On October 3, 1869, Captain Caton married An- nette Kingsley. They became the parents of five children : James L., who was born September 1, 1870, and died six weeks later on October 13. Claud H., a well known LaGrange County citizen else- where referred to. Grace, born August 11, 1874, and died December 2, 1875. John P„ whose record also appears on other pages, and Kittie B., born February 11, 1879, and died May 21, 1891. Captain Caton was baptized in the Episcopal Church and both he and his wife were long affiliated with that denomination. He was an ardent repub- lican. Several times he served as town marshal of LaGrange. He was a Mason, belonging to the Royal Arch and Knights Templar Commandery at Ken- dallville. He held all the official positions in the Blue Lodge except that of secretary. In 1882 he and his wife removed from LaGrange to. Milford Township and bought a farm near Mount Pisgah. He improved his farm with a commodious brick house in the following year. Later he returned to LaGrange where he died honored and respected by all who knew him March 18, 1915. Captain Caton is remembered as the chief organizer of the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Picnic Association, which was started in 1892 and continued through a quarter of a cen- tury has been a means of bringing together hundreds of the old soldiers in annual reunion at the grove at Mount Pisgah. Captain Caton was president of the association until his death and he was succeeded by William Ross, while the association president now is John P. Caton, a son of Captain Caton. Captain Caton for many years also acted as pension agent and in this capacity he became well known through- out Northern Indiana. Mrs. Caton, who is still living at LaGrange, is a daughter of Loren and Hannah (Cronkite) King- sley. Her father was born at Pittsford, Monroe County, New York, May 20, 1814, and died at Ken- dallville, Indiana, in 1879. Her mother was born at Mendon in Monroe County, New York, in 1826, and died while at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Caton, at Mount Pisgah, in 1822. Loren Kingsley and wife were married at Rochester, New York, May 20, 1845, and he was a New York State farmer. About 1853 he settled in Springfield Township, La- Grange County, and bought a part of the old Asso- ciation Farm. He and his family for a time lived in the house on that farm, a building about 200 feet long. He later moved to Kendallville where he died. . Mrs. Caton’s mother was a daughter of Hustis and Eliza Cronkite, of New York, who spent their last days in Michigan. Loren Kingsley and wife had seven children : Levi, who was born Feb- ruary 28, 1847, and died December 22, 1865 ; Annette, born April 12; 1848, in Orleans County, New York; Elizabeth, who was born in Orleans County, De- cember 2, 1850, and is the widow of George L. Stohr living at Cincinnati; Carrie, born February 2, 1852, 432 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA in Orleans County, wife of Warren K. Rosenberry, of Kendallville ; Eya, born at the old Association Farm in Springfield Township, February 13, 1857, widow of Robert P. Barr, of Kendallville; Kate P., born May 17, 1862, wife of Henry C. Nicholson, of Perry, Oklahoma; and Charles E., born January 13, 1866, now living at Kalamazoo, Michigan. Lafayette G. Rathbun. While the Rathbuns have been honored and useful citizens of Steuben County for over sixty years, their earliest place of settlement in the west was in Sandusky County, Ohio. They located there before Ohio was set off as a state and when all the country was still the Northwest Territory, inhabited chiefly by Indians. The Rathbun ancestry runs back to the very early years of the seventeenth century, when Richard Rathbun came from England. In the Revolutionary war there were thirty Rathbun soldiers, while in the Civil war from Ohio alone there were thirty-three of the name in the service. The grandfather of Lafayette G. Rathbun of Mill- grove Township was Lucius Rathbun, who was born April 17, 1900, in Sandusky County, Ohio. He married Rhoda Gillett, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, August 15, 1803. She died in Sandusky County, while he passed away in Cass County, Michigan. Lafayette G. Rathbun was born in Sandusky County, June 4, 1849, a son of Wilkes and Naomi (Clark) Rathbun. His father was born in Green Creek Township of Sandusky County, February 20, 1829, while his mother was born in Lorain County, Ohio, in 1824. Wilkes Rathbun brought his family to Steuben County in 1855 and settled on the banks of Lake Gage in Millgrove Township. He put up a small frame house and began the work of clearing up his eighty acres, making it into a good farm. After a number of years he moved from the farm and died at Clyde, Ohio, in 1904. His wife died in 1884. They had four children, Lafayette G. and Sumner being the first and fourth, while the two intervening died in infancy. Lafayette G. Rathbun has lived from the age of six years in Steuben County. He grew up on the home farm, and in addition to the public schools attended the Northwest Indiana Institute at Orland. His first farm was forty acres in Millgrove Town- ship, which he sold and then farmed for several years in Jamestown. He traded for nine acres near Lake Gage, and later lived at Nevada Mills. He came to his present place in 1901, when he bought 100 acres and has it highly improved as a general farm, though making a specialty of small • fruits. He rents much of the cultivated land to his son. Mr. Rathbun is a democrat in politics. In 1874 he married Celia Flagler, who died in March, 1876. In the fall of 1876 he married Mrs. Laura Abramson. She was born in Wood County, Ohio, February 21, 1857, a daughter of Dr. Brad- bury and Julia (Harkness) Hutchins. The Hutchins family moved to Steuben County in 1864, settling in Fremont Township, where Dr. Hutchins practiced medicine many years. He died February 3, 1866. He was born July 7 - 1815. His wife, who was born September 18, 1821, died in 1901, at the age of eighty. Mr. and Mrs. Rathbun had six children, Bertha the oldest dying when two and a half years old. Stella, who was born December 1, 1878, is the wife of A. D. Stewart, and they have five children, named Ina, Alfred, Russell, Georgia and Clyde. Bruce, born January 9, 1881, married Myrtle Hyatt, and their family consists of Harley, Arlene, Glen, Raymond and Nelson. Clyde, born May 8, 1883, died in July, 1901. Kenneth was born March 5, 1889, and by his marriage to Zena Fisher has three children, named Versel, Harold and Vere. Leon, the youngest child, was born August 30, 1891, and married Emma Edinger. John W. Holcomb began selling pumps and wind- mills at LaGrange and over the surrounding terri- tory thirty years ago, and has remained in that one line of business steadily ever since. He is one of the successful business men, a man of much public spirit, and has thoroughly identified himself with the best interests of that community. Mr. Holcomb was born in Gallia County in South- ern Ohio, October 17, i860, a son of Riley and Mary Jane (Geah) Holcomb. His parents were also na- tives of Gallia County, his father born in 1833 and his mother in 1832. His paternal grandparents were John and Polly Ann (Rowland) Holcomb. John Holcomb died in Gallia County, while his widow moved to LaGrange County, Indiana, before the Civil war and lived in the northern part of Noble County for several years and died there in 1887 at the age of eighty-four. The maternal grandfather of John W. Holcomb was John Whitmer Geah, who died in Gallia County. Riley Holcomb and wife on coming to LaGrange County settled in Milford Township, but subsequently lived in Noble County where he died in 1882 and his wife in 1869. Their children were John W., Martin N., Ulysses Grant, Edward and Rebecca, both deceased, and Seth. John W. Holcomb attended public school in Mil- ford Township and when a young man began work- ing for Isaac Sears, the well known stock farmer of LaGrange County. He spent several years work- ing by the month, and in 1887 entered the employ of John L. Hagland in the pump business. He was with him two years and in 1889 took the local agency at LaGrange for the Star Windmill manufactured at Kendallville. # He has been selling windmills and similar machinery ever since, and has the oldest established business of its kind in LaGrange County. In politics Mr. Holcomb is a republican. For thirty years he has been a member of the Odd Fel- lows and belongs to the Encampment and for twenty- five years has been affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the Modern Wood- men of America and the Knights of the Maccabees. October 12, 1884, he married Miss Oramanda Wert. She was born in DeKalb County, December 1, 1863, a daughter of William and Lovina (His- song) Wert. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, April 5, 1833, a brother of Daniel Wert, and her mother was born in the same state, January 25, 1839. The Wert family was established in DeKalb County at an early day. Mrs. Holcomb’s father en- listed in 1863 in the Union army and served until the close of the war. He was a millwright by trade and for several years operated the Dorsey mill in LaGrange County. He was engaged in overhauling the mill of Isaac Werts in Milford Township when he died, March 20, 1893. Mrs. Holcomb’s mother passed away April 19, 1898. In the Wert family were twelve children, Jacob Henry, Elizabeth Ann, Alice Celestia, deceased; Mary Oramanda, William Sherman, Marion Elsworth, better known as Els- worth, Enola May, Emma Nettie, Nancy Jane, Lot- tie L., deceased ; Bert Ray and Minnie T. Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb had four children, the old- est being Flora Gay, who was born February 2, 1886. She was educated in the LaGrange High School, and is the wife of Forrest H. Ritter, a lawyer at Fort Wayne. Mr. and Mrs. Ritter have two children, Harold Holcomb, born May 14, 1909 ; and Mary Virginia, born September 28, 1915. Carrie May Hol- comb was born September 23, 1888, and died April 16, 1889. Lulu M. and Laura M., twin daughters, born July 1, 1890. Both were educated in the La- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 433 Grange High School. Lulu is the wife of William C. Reno, of LaGrange, and has a daughter, Violet Elnore, born April 2, 1917. They now reside at Wayland, Michigan, where Mr. Reno is connected with the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railway. The daughter Laura is the wife of Charles B. Hern, of LaGrange, and her five children are : Amanda May, born January 7, 1909; Ruth Irene, born June 20, 1910; Willis Whitner, born May 1, 1914; John Har- low, born June 14, 1918, and Charles Benedict, born July 14, 1919. Mr. Hern is clerk in a hardware store in LaGrange. Frank L. Mallory has manv relatives in North- east Indiana, due to the fact that his grandfather settled here in pioneer times, and it has been to the credit of the community that the family in its dif- ferent branches has remained, grown and flourished and is represented by many of the best farmers in Steuben County today. On the old Mallory homestead in Jamestown Township Frank L. Mallory saw the light of day for the first time November 1, 1868. He is a son of Asa and Sytheria (Wright) Mallory. Asa Mallory was born in Rutland County, Vermont, October 17, 1824, a son of David and Cynthia (Collins) Mal- lory. David Mallory entered land in Steuben County in 1835, and settled there the following year. He had a forty acre homestead and continued to be busied with its cultivation and improvement until his death on October 14, 1864, at the age of seventy- six. His wife died October 26, 1868, aged seventy- seven. Their children were Cordelia, Minerva, Clay- ton, Elias, Lucy, Asa, Amanda and Emeline. David Mallory was a democrat in political faith. Asa Mallory was about twelve years old when his parents moved to Steuben County. In the spring of 1850 he went overland to California. While work- ing in the mines he contracted typhoid fever and under the orders of his physician returned to the States by ship, reaching New York after a voyage of fifty-five days. After recovering his health he took charge of the homestead farm, and to the origi- nal forty acres he added 125 acres and made many improvements in the shape of good buildings and other facilities. He died October 19, 1903. In i860 he married Sytheria Wright, a daughter of Sherman and Anna (Failing) Wright. She is still living on the old homestead. Her parents were both natives of New York. Sherman Wright also made a trip to California in 1853, and died while in the West the same year. His widow then lived with her par- ents, Thomas and Catherine (Flock) Failing, in Steuben County, where they had located in pioneer times. Sherman Wright and wife had the follow- ing children: Sytheria, Elizabeth L. and Jerome. Anna Wright, after the death of her husband in California, married Charles E. Benedict, and she lived to the age of seventy-four, passing away in 1898. By her second marriage she had three chil- dren : Edwin, Arthur and Orrie. The following is a brief record of the family of Asa Mallory and wife : Florence E., who died July 13, 1912, wife of Granville McClue and the mother of Carl C., Howard L. and Emmett. Cynthia B. be- came the wife of Bruce Green and was the mother of Ruth C. and Owen. The third of the family is Frank L. Herbert C. married Dell Herald. Clarence A. is farming a portion of the old homestead and is specially mentioned elsewhere. Clyde L., the young- est, married Lenora Christian. Frank L. Mallory grew up on the home farm and had a public school education. He now owns fifty acres of his father’s place and has improved it with good buildings. The first buildings on the Mallory farm were built of logs. Mr. Mallory is a general farmer and he is a democrat in political faith. April 12, 1892, he married Miss Erva L. Shutts. She was born in Jamestown February 12, 1874, daughter of Herman and Mary (Collins) Shutts. Something more is said of the Shutts family on other pages. Mr. and Mrs. Mallory have one daugh- ter, Pearl E. She was born August 14, 1893, is a graduate of the Fremont High School, taught for five years in Jamestown Township, and on October 10, 1918, went to work for the Government in Wash- ington, D. C. Frederick G. Smeltzly. While his home for a number of years has been on a farm in Greenfield Township, the services by which Mr. Smeltzley is most widely known in LaGrange County have been rendered as an educator. He has been in school work continuously for thirty years, and is a former county superintendent of schools. He was born in Lima Township, LaGrange Coun- ty, October 8, 1867, son of Christian and Mary (Lehmer) Smeltzly. His parents were both born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. His maternal grand- parents were Henry and Nancy (Neff) Leh- mer, of old Pennsylvania Dutch families. They lived in Ohio a number of years, where Henry Lehmer died, and his widow, after marrying again, came to Greenfield Township, LaGrange County. Two of the Lehmer sons, Isaac and Jacob, were soldiers in the Civil war. The paternal grandfather of Frederick Smeltzly was born in Germany, and when a boy of sixteen years served with the German army against Russia. He and his people later sought refuge in America to avoid the incessant warfare and enforced military duty of Europe. Christian Smeltzly was educated in the public schools of Ohio, was a farmer in that state, and during the fifties came to LaGrange County and later moved to Nebraska in 1871, returning to LaGrange County in 1876. His widow is still living at Ontario. They were active members of the Lutheran Church. Christian and Mary Smeltzly had a large family of children, all of whom are living except the fifth, Andrew, who died at the age of twelve years, and the sixth, Simon. The others in order of birth are Celista, Emeline, John, Nancy, Frederick G., Harriet, Ida, Alice, Anson, Daisy and Elizabeth. Frederick G. Smeltzly attended the common schools of La- Grange County, and immediately after completing his work in the schools he became a farmer in Green- field Township and afterward in Lima Township, teaching his first school in 1887. Later he attended the Howe High School, and after graduating was principal of the Howe school eight years, and after- ward principal of the Brighton High School. He has also attended the LaGrange County Normal and the University of Indiana and Winona Lake Normal. Mr. Smeltzly while principal at Brighton was elected county superintendent of schools, and held that office for six years. Then for one year he served as superintendent of the Howe city schools, and that brings his record down to date as a teacher. Mr. Smeltzly built his home on his farm in Greenfield Township in 1910. May 9, 1893, he married Miss Susan Keim. They have two children, Katharine and Harold K. The family are Presbyterians, and Mr. Smeltzly is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Alexander S. Keim, father of Mrs. Smeltzly, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1828. a son of Solomon and Elizabeth Keim, natives of Somerset County of that state, who removed to Ohio in October, 1832, and spent the rest of their Vol. II— 28 434 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA lives there. Alexander Iveim on reaching the age of twenty-one became a drover during the summer months, while every winter he taught school. In the early days he drove many heads of stock from Holmes County, Ohio, to Eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland, and continued that business until i860. On February 20, 1853, he married Elizabeth Som- mers, of Holmes County. Eight years later they moved to Owen County, Indiana, where her parents, Jacob and Martha Sommers, had located in 1853. Alexander S. Keim bought a farm of 260 acres in Owen County, and lived there until 1863, when he came to Greenfield Township and located on a farm of 160 acres. While living in Ohio he filled for six years the offices of justice of the peace and township clerk. In April, 1880, he was elected trustee of Greenfield Township, and filled that office two years. He and his family were members of the Dunkard Church. In the Keim family were thirteen children, named Barbara E., Alice J., John C., Mary E., Martha A., Eliza, Alexander H., Clara, Olive B., Charles E., Joseph W., Susan L. and Sarah. David B. Teeters has many of the characteristics of the patriarchs of old. He has lived over three- quarters of a century, has had his home in Steuben County the greater part of his life, has seen his efforts prosper whether as a farmer or public official, and for more than half a century he and his good wife have lived together and in that time have seen their own children come to manhood and woman- hood and many others come into the family, grand- children and great-grandchildren. Mr. Teeters was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, February 24, 1842, son of Wilson and Sophia (Smith) Teeters. His father was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in 1803, and his mother in 1806. Sophia Smith was a daughter of David and Mary (Blank) Smith, who lived for many years in Columbiana County, Ohio, where David Smith made himself useful to the pioneer settlers as a gunsmith. The Teeters family became settlers in Columbiana County about the time of the War of 1812 and later Wilson Teeters moved to Sandusky County and had his home there about twenty years. In the spring of 1854 h e came to Steuben County, settling in Clear Lake Township. He has been described as a man of unlimited energy, and taking a tract of about 265 acres of uncleared land, he developed it into a fine farm and before his death owned 385 acres, eighty acres of which were in Michigan. He served in several township offices and was well known among his neighbors for his many admirable qual- ities. When he went on a journey he seldom rode a horse, going on foot, and was a celebrated walker in those days. He died in April, 1864. He had a large family of ten children, named Andrew J., Elisha, John, David B., Wilson, Priscilla, Harriet, Lavina, Catherine (who died in childhood) and Mary W. David B. Teeters was twelve years of age when brought to Steuben County. In the meantime he had acquired some education in the district schools of Sandusky County, and also attended school in Steuben County for a few terms. He early learned the work of the home farm, and after his father’s death he farmed the homestead on his own account. He has always lived there and owns the homestead of 1 12 acres, having adorned it with substantial buildings and made many improvements that add to the comfort and value of the farm. In addition to farming for four years he sold farm implements throughout this neighborhood. It was only natural that his fellow citizens should select him for public responsibilty. For four terms he held the office of township trustee and was also assessor of Clear Lake Township four terms. He and his wife are members of the Latter Day Saints Church. Mr. Teeters married Susan McElhenie on Feb- ruary 23, 1864. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Brouse) McElhenie, who came to Steuben County in 1854 from Wayne County, Ohio. She was one of a family of children as follows : Thomas, Susanna, William J., Margaret J., Walter C., Sa- bina S., John D., Maria, Ephraim, Arklow, Clara and Ella. Eight children were born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Teeters: Annette, wife of Willard W. Houseman ; Rosetta, who was married to William H. Ackerman ; Orpheus, who married Ada Osburn ; Addie, wife of A. L. Seely; Edith, who married George Foster ; Harriet, wife of E. C. Whitlock ; Pearl, wife of C. E. Chapin ; and Damon. Mr. and Mrs. Teeters have twenty-four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Including those who have married into the family they are head of a family clan of sixty-one, all well and strong, and with only one death record through all the years. Stratton Leonard Appleman. The publishers deem it a privilege and a duty to make special ref- erence in this work to the career of one of their vet- eran representatives and salesmen. Moreover, the Appleman family, as the following record will dis- close, was one of the first in Northeast Indiana, and its long residence and numerous relationships with other well known families justifies all that is said here quite apart fronrthe personal interest be- tween Stratton Leonard Appleman and the pub- lishers. The Applemans were, as the name indicates, prob- ably German or Dutch ancestry, though before com- ing to this state the family had received such an infusion of Scotch and English blood as to make it typically American. The name is not a common one, yet there are Applemans in New York, Pennsyl- vania, Maryland, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri and Texas, as well as in Indiana. Generally these widespread families trace their descent to a common ancestor, which fact, added to certain physical feat- ures possessed in common by many bearing the name, indicates that all had at some time a common ancestor. The name has been in -Northeast Indiana for over eighty years, and judging from the number of males of the latest generation it is not likely to disappear in the near future. A lake in Springfield Township, LaGrange County, takes its name from a pioneer of the family and a hamlet in the same township was for years known as Applemanburg, though Brushy Prairie, the name of a former post- office in the village, has recently supplanted in com- mon usage the earlier name. The older generation of the family is now rep- resented in LaGrange County by such men as Ira R., J. Wesley, William E. and Stratton L. Appleman. Stratton L. Appleman was born in Springfield Township October 10, 1857, son of John W. and Mary (Poppino) Appleman. His parents were first cousins. His paternal grandparents were Leonard and Mary (Rawles) Appleman, while his maternal grandparents were David L. and Jane (Appleman) Poppino. Leonard Appleman was a son of Jacob and Jane (Harris) Appleman. David L. Poppino, a son of William Poppino, married Jane Appleman, a daughter also of Jacob and Jane (Harris) Apple- man. So far as known no one has ever traced the family history beyond Jacob Appleman. One enterprising member of the family has compiled a book entitled “The Harris Family,” which contains a complete history of the Harrises and a history of the Apple- mans from Jacob Appleman down to about 1885. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 435 In this record it is found that James Harris, a native of Bristol, England, immigrated to America about 1725 and settled in Essex County, New Jer- sey, where he followed the tailor’s trade until his death some few years before the Revolution. He married a girl named Boleyn, who bore him six sons and a daughter. One of the younger sons was John Harris, born in 1750. He grew up in New Jersey, learned the mason’s trade, but later in life became a farmer. He was one of the well known “minute men’’ of New Jersey, ready at a minute’s notice to give battle to the British. He is said to have taken part in the Battle of Monmouth, where his brother- in-law, John Hamilton, was shot down by his side. About 1787 John Harris moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania, and lived there until his death in 1816. A monument in the Amity village church- yard marks his grave. A military man must have been attractive to the fair sex during the Revolution as well as in our own day. John Harris was twice married during the midst of that war. His first wife was Sarah Burris, who died shortly after the marriage. For his second wife he won an excep- tional girl, Mary Hamilton. In accordance with the custom of the time they had a large family, eleven children, the oldest, Jane, being born May 8, 1778. This Jane Harris became the wife of Jacob Apple- man. She had been taken to Washington County when a girl of nine years and grew up and mar- ried there. The only reference made to the ante- cedents of Jacob Appleman in the Harris family his- tory is that he was “of German descent.’’ About 1818 or 1820 Jacob and Jane following the westward trend of migration moved to Richland County, Ohio, where both resided until death. Jacob now lies buried at Frederickburg. He does not ap- pear to have been a very enterprising man, but suc- ceeded in making a living in a small way at farm- ing. His wife, Jane, was much the stronger char- acter of the two and imparted much of her person- ality to her children. Her eleven sons and daugh- ters were James, Mary, William, Permenas, Betsey, Leonard, Jacob, Jane, John Harris, Samuel and Mar- garet Ann. Of these Mary, William, Betsey and Jacob died in infancy. The other seven grew to maturity, married, and “replenished the earth’’ with their kind. James and Permenas lived and died in Ohio, where they left many descendants. These descendants, now numbering hundreds, have for many years gathered annually at a reunion held late in August, an occasion for renewing family ties and welcoming visiting members' from other states. The five youngest children of Jacob and Jane (Harris) Appleman removed at various times be- tween 1840 and 1855 to LaGrange County, Indiana. Leonard Appleman came about the year 1832. John Harris, commonly known as “Jack,” Apple- man settled on the farm now owned by Fred Schultz in Springfield Township, and lived there for many years. Late in life he removed to the Village of LaGrange, the county seat, where he died in 1897. His remains lie buried in the Springfield Cemetery. He was the father of twelve sons and daughters, several of whom reside in the county. Samuel Appleman made his home for years on a farm near Wolcottville, living first in LaGrange County and later in Noble County, where he died. He had nine children, of whom three were triplets and two twins. The triplets died in infancy but the twins, William E. and Willis, grew to maturity. Margaret Ann, the youngest of the eleven chil- dren of Jacob and Jane Appleman, married Hugh W. Mains of Richland County, Ohio, and with him and their children removed to LaGrange County. She lived to be nearly eighty-five years of age. The family home was for many years in Milford Town- ship, where both she and her husband died. They have many descendants living in the township and county. Going back to Leonard Appleman and his direct and immediate family. Leonard was born May 12, 1808, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and re- moved as a boy of nine or ten years to Richland County, Ohio. Jane, his sister, was also born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, the date of her birth being May 9, 1813. The brother and sister grew to maturity on a small farm in Richland County, Ohio, and both were married in that state. Leonard married in Ohio Mary Rawles, while Jane became the wife of David L. Poppino, a tailor. David Poppino was born in Orange County, New York, the son of William and Deborah Poppino, of French descent, and had come to Ohio to ply his trade. At the time of his marriage he was a wid- ower with three children. As noted above, Leonard Appleman was the first of his family to remove to LaGrange County. On arriving here he bought a tract of land con- sisting of about 600 acres, a part of which is now occupied by the little hamlet which later bore his name. He built a country store in this pioneer set- tlement and for many years managed the farm and store. He built the first frame house in the town- ship, and this house, in a somewhat changed con- dition, is occupied today by one of his descendants, S. L. Appleman. His second wife was Margaret Millis. By his marriage to Mary Rawles he had three sons, John W., Charles and Samuel. By his second marriage he had a daughter, Sarah. Con- cerning his son John W. more is said in following paragraphs. Samuel lived and died on a farm east of Mongo in LaGrange County. Charles was a farmer and died in that county. Sarah became the wife of Jewisen Smith, son of James Smith. David L. Poppino had come to Indiana about 1849, presumably on foot. His wife, Jane, followed him in 1850, bringing the children and all the family belongings in a wagon. They occupied a house near the corner in the village, where David Poppino followed his trade for some thirty-five years. About 1885 they retired to a farm near Stryker, Ohio, where both died, Mr. Poppino in 1887. Their re- mains were brought to East Springfield Cemetery for interment. As already noted, David L. Poppino was a widower at the time of his marriage to Jane Appleman. His three children by his first wife were John, Elizabeth and William. Both sons were soldiers in the Civil war, William being killed at Gettysburg, while John suffered almost complete blindness^ following his service. David Poppino by his marriage to Jane Appleman had ten children: Letitia, who died in Kansas, the wife of John Lyon; Deborah, who died in LaGrange County, the widow of William Jefferds; Margaret, who became the wife of Frank Kniffin, a resident of Stryker, Ohio, and now deceased; Mary A., who was twice wid- owed, an old resident of x\pplemanburg ; Harriet, who was Mrs. Carver, living in New Mexico; Arminda, who died in Ohio, the wife of Albert Healy, and her first husband was Charles Kniffin ; Amsi ; Mrs. Alice Bliss, living in California ; Albert and Frank, who died very young. This record now comes to John Appleman, eldest son of Leonard Appleman, and Mary Poppino, daughter of Jane (Appleman) Poppino. Both were born in Ohio, John on June 20, 1836, and Mary on March 30, 1837. They were brought as children to LaGrange County, grew up in the neighborhood of Applemanburg, and as a youth John helped his father in the store and on the farm. After his mar- riage he gave most of his attention to the store and was a prosperous country merchant until his 436 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA death in 1865. At the outbreak of the Civil war he offered his services as a volunteer to the Union Army, but was refused on account of physical dis- ability. At his death Mary (Poppino) Appleman was left a widow with three children, Stratton L., Taylor E. and Lulie G. She married for her second husband Griffith F. Hall, a widower -with two sons. Mr. Hall had bought a farm including land much of which was formerly a part of Leonard Apple- man’s tract. On this farm in 1872 he erected the first brick house in Springfield Township. He lived there until his death on October 5, 1906. Mrs. Mary Hall was left a widow for a second time, and as such she still remains. She is now eighty-three years of age, and one of the oldest women in the community. She resides in the old brick house at Applemanburg, in the neighborhood where she has been a witness of past events for nearly seventy years. By her marriage to Mr. Hall she had two daughters, Florence and Grace, the latter dying in infancy. Her other four children are all living : Stratton L. ; Taylor, who is a farmer and fruit raiser at Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, married and has a large family; Lulie G., widow of Augustus Sears, living with her mother, her only daughter, Grace, dying in 1911 ; and Florence, wife of Bruce Stead, a resident of Applemanburg, their son Frank hav- ing married Dona Parr and having a son, Basil. Stratton Leonard Appleman grew to manhood in the neighborhood of his birthplace. He was edu- cated in the local schools, in Normal School at Orland, Kendallville and LaGrange, and subsequently entered the State Normal at Terre Haute. After completing his education there he engaged in teach- ing for some years and was principal of the Amboy Academy in Miami County, Indiana, for a time. In 1890 he entered the county history business as a salesman and has been engaged in that line ever since. He is now one of the veterans of the busi- ness and has probably helped to compile more local histories than any other man in the United States. His work has at various times carried him into about half the states of the Union. He was one of the compilers of this publication. Through all these years Mr. Appleman has main- tained a home at or near the place of his birth. He owns lands in Springfield and Milford townships and has been especially interested in the breeding of Duroc-Jersey hogs, being one of the first to estab- lish that fine strain in the county. Mr. Apnleman first married Ella Goodsell, daugh- ter of Minot and Nancy (Johnson) Goodsell, pio- neers of Milford Township and elsewhere referred to. Ella Goodsell was a graduate of the State Nor- mal School at Terre Haute and for some years a teacher. She died December 2, 1895, leaving two sons, Earl and Cecil G. Mr. Appleman married for his second wife Mrs. Alice F. (Hayley) Thomp- son. She was a widow with three children living at Columbiana, Alabama. Her three children were William, Eva Juanita, now deceased, and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Appleman have one son, Stratton Leonard, Jr. Of Mr. Appleman’s five sons none are married. The four oldest were in military service during the recent war with Germany. Earl was a flyer at various American fields. Cecil was _ a motor mechanic, saw service in aviation fields in France and was at the second battle of the Marne. Wil- liam was in the infantry in a southern camp. Harry was in the Engineer Corps of the First Division in Company Bj and spent more than two years in France. He was at the front at Sommerville _ sec- tor, Ansanville sector, Montdidier sector, Cantigny, Soissons, in the first and second battles of the Marne, and at Argonne and Meuse, Sedan, Coblenz and Bridge Head and after the armistice was with the Army of Occupation at Coblenz, Germany. Benjamin Franklin Greenawalt. It was by the exercise of a tremendous amount of thrift, in- dustry and good management that the Greenawalt family became established in LaGrange County in the early days. They exemplified all the best stand- ards of thrifty industry and self-sufficiency in former times. In later generations they have been known as progressive farmers and land owners and business men, and Benjamin Franklin Greenawalt runs true to these traditions and reputation. He was born on Bullfrog Prairie, Eden Township, LaGrange County, March 18, 1883. He is a son of the late Samuel Y. Greenawalt, and a grandson of Adam and Catherine (Yoder) Greenawalt. The grandparents came from Ohio in 1854 and after a long journey with wagon and team arrived in the Hawpath community of LaGrange County. Adam Greenawalt depended upon day labor at 50 cents a day for nine years, and in the meantime had the energetic cooperation of his wife and children, who made good use of the spinning wheel and distaff to supplement his meager wage. Later Adam Green- awalt acquired a farm of eighty acres, and was living there in considerable comfort and prosperity at the time of his death in 1885. He and his wife had thir- teen children, John, Joel, Christian, Daniel, Adam, Joseph, Emanuel, Samuel, Jonathan, Mary, Elizabeth, Ann and Catherine. Samuel Y. Greenawalt was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, June 5, 1851, and was three years old when brought to LaGrange County. On December 24, 1876, he married Catherine Ann Plank. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, April 20, 1858, a daughter of Christian J. and Mary (Mosier) Plank. More information concerning the Plank family is found on other pages. Samuel Y. Greenawalt and wife had twelve children : Nora Alice, Charles E., Daniel Earl, Benjamin Franklin, Walter, Arthur W., Elva Roy, Lester, who was drowned in 1911 at the age of twenty ; Herman Guy, Edna Myrle, Iva Ruth, who died in infancy, and Dennis Christopher. In 1885 Samuel Y. Greenawalt moved to Spring- field Township and located on the place known as the Mallow farm, now owned by his son Benjamin Franklin. His entire life was a synonym of indus- try and good management. In 1896 he bought 190 acres adjoining the Mallow farm on the south, known as the Joseph Foos farm. In 1916 he bought the Charles Wade property in Applemanburg and lived there Until his death on May 5, 1918. While he had acquired his means by slow and thrifty proc- ess he was liberal in support of public enterprises, and was especially prominent in the Church of God, serving as deacon for many years, and contributed largely to the building of the Valley Bethel Church. At the time of his death besides his own children he was survived bv fourteen grandchildren, also by three brothers, Emanuel K. of Goshen, Jonathan of Charlotte, Michigan, and Christian of Topeka, and two sisters, Elizabeth Plank and Catherine Hooley on the old homestead. Mrs. Samuel Y. Greenawalt is still living at Applemanburg. Benjamin Franklin Greenawalt was two years old when taken to Springfield Township, and as he grew up on the farm he attended the local schools of Brushy Prairie and in 1905 graduated from the La- Grange High School. During the past fifteen years he has been actively engaged in farming and also in the grain business. In 1907 he and his brother Daniel Earl bought a part of the Mallow homestead, 250 acres, and in 1917 by purchasing his brother’s interest he became sole owner of this splendid prop- erty. He has improved this land with one of the HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 437 best barns in that community, the main part being 36x80 feet, with a wing 36x40 feet. He raises a great deal of good stock. Mr. Greenawalt during the winter of 1905-06 and also in 1906-07 was em- ployed by the Bern Grain and Hay Company at La- Grange. In 1908 he took part in reorganizing this company as the Home Grain Company, and has been one of the directors of the company since it was organized. Mr. Greenawalt is a republican in poli- tics. April 15, 1908, he married Sophrona Nickell. She was born in Kentucky in January, 1889, and was about eleven years of age when her parents, James Oliver and Virginia Nickell, came to LaGrange County. Mr. and Mrs. Greenawalt have one daugh- ter, Oma, born September 23, 1909. H. Lyle Shank. The head of the public school system in Steuben County for eight years has been H. Lyle Shank, a teacher of wide and varied expe- rience, who began his work in district schools and who represents one of the old and prominent families of the county. He was born in Jackson Township September 13, 1880, a son of Norman C. and Emma (Davis) Shank. His grandparents were Cornelius and Re- becca (Ransburg) Shank, both natives of Maryland, who moved to Seneca County, Ohio, where Rebecca died. Cornelius Shank came to Steuben County about 1848, buying land in Jackson Township, where he was a farmer until his death in 1884. Politically he was a democrat until after the Civil war when he became a republican. Norman C. Shank was born in Seneca County, Ohio, January 29, 1845. He grew up on his father’s farm in Jackson Township, attended the public schools, and in 1861, when sixteen years old, enlisted in the Forty-Fourth Indiana Infantry. This was one of the hardest fighting Indiana regiments in the war, and probably none suffered heavier losses or more casualties. The regiment, including Norman Shank, was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. Finally, as a result of losses at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, the regiment was so reduced as to exist in name only, the surviving veterans being as- signed to guard duty. Norman Shank received two wounds at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, but con- tinued in the service until the end of the war. Afterward he was a farmer, owning a place of 362 acres in Jackson Township. He died in 1917. He was a republican and a member of the Grand Army Post. He was three times married. His first wife was Caroline Bowerman, and their three chil- dren were Nellie, Melvin and Norman. For his second wife he married Emma Davis, daughter of Horace E. Davis. She was born in Steuben County in 1859 and died in 1906. Her children were Ray, H. Lyle, Floy, wife of Lloyd Van Wagner, Cecil, Grant and Earl. Norman Shank married for his third wife Ella Northrup, and by that union there was one child, Aden. H. Lyle Shank grew up on his father’s farm in Jackson Township, attended the district schools there, and in 1902 graduated from the Tri-State College at Angola. In 1909-10 he did post-graduate work in the Indiana State University. His first work as a teacher was done in 1899 i n Jackson Town- ship. He had charge of district schools for five years, taught in the high school at Oak Grove in "Bloomfield Township, in the Flint High School and one year in the Pleasant Lake High School. He was elected county superintendent of Steuben County in 1911, and has served continuously in that office to the eminent satisfaction of all who are in- terested in the welfare of the county schools. In I9i8 - he was honored by election as president of the County Superintendents Association of Indiana. Mr. Shank is a republican, a member of the Masonic Lodge at Angola, also of the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. In 1906 he married Miss Lulu Ely, daughter of Daniel Ely of LaGrange County. They have three children, Lawton, Ledgar and Lorrayne. Mr. Shank also has a brief military record, having enlisted in 1898, when a boy of seventeen, in the Spanish-American war. He was in the army for seven months. Frank Spaulding, the proprietor of the Peach Blow Farm, has played a useful and worthy part in the affairs of Milford Township, and continues the traditions of one of the best families in that part of LaGrange County. He was born at Brushy Prairie, September 1, 1857. The Spaulding family is of English origin and at one time had its seat at the town of Spalding in Lincolnshire. One of the first ancestors to come to this country was Edward Spaulding, who arrived about 1630 or 1633 and was made a freeman in Massachusetts, May 13, 1640. At that time no one could be made a freeman or be entitled to any share in the Government who was not a member of some one of the churches established in Massachusetts Colony. The Spauldings are a long lived people. One of the ancestors attained the remarkable age of 120 years. Frank Spaulding’s grandfather, Miles Spaulding, died at the age of eighty-six while his sister, Julia Baily, was 101 at her death, and though blind for several years, enjoyed good health other- wise. Dr. A. More Spaulding, a son of Miles Spaulding and father of Frank Spaulding, was born at Crown Point, New York, January 6, 1827. He was one of the most progressive citizens who ever lived in Springfield Township, LaGrange County. October 10, 1850, he married Lovina Holtom, who was born at Belleville in Richland County, Ohio, February 7, 1830. In the spring of 1854 they moved to Brushy Prairie and lived in that community the rest of their lives. Doctor Spaulding was a practicing physician whose services were in demand by the locality for nearly forty years. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. E. Newnam, in Milford Township, June 7, 1892. He was a graduate of the Medical College of Columbus, Ohio. He was an active re- publican, was an active member of the Regulators Society and was chiefly instrumental in causing to be organized a Lodge of Good Templars. He was in- fluential in establishing a permanent mail route in his community. His wife died November 19, 1901. Their three children were Frank, Fred and Dora, Fred dying at the age of two and a half years. Frank Spaulding began farming in Milford Town- ship in the spring of 1877. During 1893-94 he was proprietor of a general store at Brushy Prairie and also postmaster of that village at the same time. In November, 1899, he returned to South Milford, and has since been engaged in agriculture. He has been correspondent for agricultural papers for a number of years and for the local press, and is a student and keeps in close touch with all matters affecting the welfare of his country district. He is liberal in religious views and a republican voter. He was formerly a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Gleaners, but now has a demit from all except the Odd Fellows. June 15, 1893, at Goshen, Indiana, he married Ida M. Bartlett, daughter of John A. Bartlett. Her fa- ther was one of the pioneers of Milford Township. He was born in Oneida County, New York, Jan- 438 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA uary 21 , 1815, and was a carpenter and farmer. In 1838 he came to Milford Township, engaged in farming, and in the fall of 1840 married Salina L. Andrews. He enjoyed the complete confidence and trust of his fellow citizens, served as township trustee, and was a stanch democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Van Buren. He and his wife had four children, two of whom are living, Addie Crofoot of Goshen, and Mrs. Ida M. Spaulding of Milford. Burton Young has been a farmer of Steuben County for thirty years, and is widely known as a sheep raiser. His farm is in Fremont Township. He was born in Greencreek Township of Sandusky County, Ohio, October 2, 1857. His parents were Noah and Orlintha (Brown) Young, both natives of Ohio. His father, who was born in Pickaway County, spent his active life as a farmer in San- dusky County. His children were: Norman, who died in childhood, Emaline, Norton, Sidney, Chaun- cey, Olive, Burton, Edwin, Nancy Viola and Mary Villa. Mr. Burton Young acquired a very good education, first in the district schools of his native county and later in high schools and academies at Fremont, Ada and Fostoria, Ohio. He had an early introduction to the vocation of teacher, and followed that work off and on until he was past thirty-one years of age. In 1889 Mr. Young married Miss Emma Harden- brook, a daughter of Ferdinand Hardenbrook. Im- mediately after their marriage they came to Fremont Township of Steuben County and for thirty years have farmed in section 14. They own 139 acres, de- voted to general farming and stock raising, with a specialty of sheep. Mr. Young has been a breeder of the Polled Delaine sheep, and at one time all his sheep were thoroughbred. With the exception of seven years spent in Ray he and his wife have lived on their farm ever since their marriage. Frank R. Waterhouse has spent his active ca- reer as a general agriculturist and stock farmer in Noble County. He lives in Kendallville, owns part of the extensive Waterhouse estate, and for nearly thirty years has given his time and abilities to farm- ing on a large scale. He was born in Milford Township of LaGrange County, Indiana, November 25, 1866, son of Chaun- cey G. R. and Harriet (Vine) Waterhouse. His father was born in Fulton, New York, March 28, 1827, while Harriet Vine was born in Pennsylvania in 1835. In 1834 the Waterhouse family came west, by pioneer transportation facilities, crossing the country in a wagon, and made settlement in the wilderness of LaGrange County north of South Milford six miles. Later they bought another farm m Milford Township, and in that locality Chaun- cey Waterhouse grew to manhood and married. In 1868 he moved to Kendallville, lived in the city four years, and then bought a farm northeast of town, which was his home for eight years. During that time he built the large brick house where his son Homer now resides. Both parents died in Kendall- ville, the father on June 29, 1917, and the mother November 24, 1913. Chauncey Waterhouse was widely known as one of the most successful farm- ers of Noble County. He accumulated about 2,000 acres of land and made most of his prosperity through his work as a stockman. He was a noted authority on the good points of livestock, was a suc- cessful trader and traded and dealt in land as well as livestock. He was a liberal supporter and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church and as a repub- lican worked for the benefit of his friends, but not to forward his own aspirations for office. He had four children : A. B. Waterhouse, who lives on North Main Street in Kendallville; Frank R. ; John, who was born in 1874 and died at the age of nine years; and Homer, of Wayne Township. Frank R. Waterhouse grew up on the home farm, attended the district schools to the age of fourteen and after that the Kendallville High School. Farm- ing has been his regular vocation since he attained his majority. October 12, 1893, he married Miss Catherine Fo- ley, a native of New York State who was brought to Noble County when a girl. She is a graduate of the. Kendallville High School. They have one son, Chauncey F., born June 22, 1902, and a graduate of the Kendallville public schools. Mr. Waterhouse is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Elks and in politics is a republican. George W. Blauser, who has spent most of his life in the northeastern counties of Indiana, is a comparative newcomer in Steuben County, but occu- pies a ' place of special usefulness and honor in Jamestown Township, being founder of the local mill at Jamestown and present trustee of the town- ship. Mr. Blauser was born in Lafayette Township of Allen County, Indiana, July 11, 1861, a son of Noah and Eliza (Seamen) Blauser, the former a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and the latter of Trumbull County in that state. Noah Blauser, who died at the venerable age of eighty-six, spent his active life as a farmer in Lafayette Township of Allen County. His memory is still cherished in that locality. He was a good man, public spirited as a citizen, and took great pride in managing his farm and other business affairs with a thoroughness and method which did him credit. He acquired a tract of land in a wild condition, put the first buildings on the land, and eventually owned a fine farm of 160 acres, known far and wide as a model farm. It was characteristic of his general farming and business practice that he several times offered a prize to anyone who could find a ragweed on his land. He and his wife had six children, named George, Or- leva L., Addie, Joseph, Mary and Noah Webster. George W. Blauser acquired a district school edu- cation in Allen County, and when a young man learned the trade of carpenter. When about twenty- five he started farming independently and followed that vocation for eleven years in Allen County and afterwards in Wells County. Selling his property in Wells County he came to Jamestown, Steuben County, in 1911, and has since been busied with the management of the milling business. The respon- sibility and honor of the office of township trustee was conferred upon him by election in the fall of 1918, and he has been capably looking after the office since January, 1919. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Fremont and also the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Blauser married, January 21, 1886, Mary E. Keller, a daughter of John and Mary Ann Keller. She was one of their nine children, named in order of birth Rebecca, Fred, Mary E., John, Elizabeth, William, Andrew, Alice and Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Blauser have five children, named Vernie, John, Bessie, Evelyn and Esther. Vernie is the wife of Charles Smyers and has one child, Cleo. Bessie is the widow of Clarence Semington. John H. Stallman. A capable farmer owning a good farm and identified with all the progressive citizenship and life of his community, John H. Stall- man was born in York Township of Steuben County, on the place where he now lives, December HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 439 7, 1862. His life has been a comparatively quiet and uneventful one, though every year has been marked by well directed labor and steadily increasing re- sources. His parents, Louis Frederick and Cather- ine (Spanger) Stallman, were both natives of Ger- many, his father born near Berlin. They came to Pennsylvania at the respective ages of twenty and eighteen, were married in that state, and in i860 moved to Steuben County and settled on a small place of twenty-two acres in the midst of the heavy woods. Louis Frederick Stallman proceeded vig- orously to the task allotted to him as an early set- tler, cleared up some of the land, cut with his own hands the logs with which he built his cabin home, but his industry was interrupted when he was just beginning to see light ahead. He died in 1863, at the age of thirty-one. His widow survived him over half a century and passed away in 1915, at the age of seventy-eight. They had only two children, Emma, wife of Wright Tyrrell, and John H. John H. Stallman was an infant when his father died. He grew up with his mother on the home farm, afterward succeeded to the ownership, and by the purchase of an additional forty acres now has a good place of sixty-two acres, and for many years has made a good living and put away some- thing for the future. He has had good building and follows the diversified plan of farming. Mr. Stallman is a democrat in politics, and he and his family attend the Christian church. In 1889 he married Miss Julia Sowle, who was born in Steuben County August 6, 1861, a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (McMahan) Sowle. Julia Sowle was a teacher in Steuben and DeKalb coun- ties for sixteen years, continuing the profession for three years after her marriage. The Sowle family is one of the oldest and most prominent in Steuben County. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Stall- man is Carl Frederick, who was born March 27, 1893. He graduated fyom the eighth grade of the public schools of York Township and from the An- gola High School, and received the degrees Bach- elor of Science and Bachelor of Pedagogy from the Tri-State College at Angola, and for two years was a successful teacher in York Township. July 22, 1918, he joined the colors and was in training at Camp Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky, until receiv- ing his honorable discharge on December 29, 1918. He married, May 15, 1918, Miss Lucille Myres, of York Township, a daughter of Arthur and Emma Myres, of York Township. They have a son, Carl F., born March 22, 1919.- While in training at Camp Taylor Carl Stallman rose first to corporal, then to sergeant, and when discharged was morale ser- geant of Battery B, Fourth Battalion, F. A. R. D. Mrs. Carl Stallman was a teacher before her mar- riage. Mr. and Mrs. John Stallman also made a home for two nieces, Margaret and Luana Blackman. Margaret, born January 5, 1895, was nine years of age, when she came to their home, and she is now Mrs. Warren Whaley, of Hillsdale, Michigan. Her baby sister, Luana, born April 2, 1904, was an in- fant of three weeks when taken by Mr. and Mrs. Stallman, and she is still a member of their family. Samuel P. Casebeer. Counting Mr. Casebeer as head, there are four generations of his family rep- resented in the citizenship of Steuben County. He was a youthful soldier in the Civil war, and during the half century since the war has been identified with farming in Steuben County. In that time he has seen his own children grow up, leave home for homes of their own, and two of his grandchildren are married and there are two great-grandchildren. Mr. Casebeer was born in Defiance County, Ohio, August 21, 1845, a son of Adam and Susan (Porter) Casebeer, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Medina County, Ohio. After their marriage they settled in Defiance County, and later moved to Williams County, Ohio, where Susan Case- beer died about 1857. The father afterward married a Miss Mack and had one daughter, Alice. His first marriage resulted in ten children: John, Cal- vin, Nathan (who died in infancy), Martha, Eliza- beth, Samuel P., James E., Susan, Lee and Theodore. Adam Casebeer spent his last days among his chil- dren and died at the home of his daughter Martha in 1888. Samuel P. Casebeer grew up in Williams County. When he was sixteen years old he enlisted in Com- pany A of the One Hundred and Forty-Second In- diana Volunteer Infantry, and served eleven months. In September, 1864, he enlisted for a second term, and was in service until June 28, 1865. Three of his brothers were also in the war. All of them came through without wounds except Calvin, who was shot in the leg. John and Calvin were both in the Forty-Fourth Indiana Infantry, John enlisting in 1861, and being with that noted regiment which suffered more severely than almost any other regi- ment from Indiana. After the war Samuel P. Casebeer came to Steu- ben County. For four or five years he lived at Gilead, Michigan, but with that exception has been a resident of Steuben County ever since. He first owned forty acres east of Nevada Mills, later had another forty acres in the same vicinity, and sold that land to purchase fifty-five acres north of Nevada Mills. He built a home there and lived on that farm until the death of his first wife. In 1891 he moved to the farm of forty-four acres where he is still living. When he settled there the land was a wheat field, but he has developed it with all its modern equipment, including buildings, and also the setting out of a large number of trees. It is a part of the old Robert Lucas farm. Mr. Casebeer is now practically retired and his son Robert handles the farm. In politics he is a republican, and is a member of the Methodist Church. In 1866 Mr. Casebeer married Miss Mary Weich- man. She died in 1870, leaving no children. On December 26, 1871, he married Jelania Lucas. She was born in Delaware County, Ohio, April 27, 1856, a daughter of Robert and Amy (Cravens) Lucas. Her mother was born in Greene County, Pennsyl- vania, January 3, 1833, and they were married June 6, 1852. When Mrs. Casebeer was two years old her parents moved to Kinderhook, Michigan, and when she was nine years old came to Nevada Mills, In- diana. Robert Lucas owned the Nevada Mills, being associated in that enterprise with his father, Israel Lucas. Israel Lucas’ wife was named Betsey Eliza- beth Lucas, and both died near Fremont. Mrs. Case- beer’s father finally bought 166 acres, on part of which Mr. and Mrs. Casebeer now live. The farm buildings stood south of the present Casebeer im- provements. Robert Lucas died here in 1888, at the age of fifty-six, and his widow survived until June 18, 1911, when she was seventy-eight years, five months and fifteen days old. Their children were Jelania, Thomas, who died at the age of two years, Israel, Joseph, who died at the age of twenty-seven, Jefferson, who died at the age of four years, and Frank, Bell and Jay, the last also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Casebeer had five children. Jennie May, the oldest, is the wife of Oscar Spade, and their eight children are named Carl, Harvey, Mabel, Ethel, Blanche, Duly, Nellie and Florence. Lee, the second child, married Jennie Nutt, and their family consists of Nola, Edgar, Mildred, Walter, Margaret, and one son, Elmer, who died at the age of four 440 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA years. Allie is the wife of Roy Van Fossen, and was the mother of two children, Arlene, who grad- uated from the Orland High School in 1919, and Wayne, who died in July, 1918, at the age of twelve years. Amy, the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Case- beer, is the wife of William Kellum and has two children, Coine and Cecil. The youngest of the family is Robert, on the home farm. He married Lucy Havens and has a daughter, Lucile. The two married grandchildren of Mr. Casebeer are Edgar Casebeer and Mildred. Edgar married Emma Tyler and has a son, Warren. Mildred is the wife of Clarence Beck, and her daughter is named Elnora. Frank W. Willis, whose honorable career as soldier, journalist, business man, and public official, is familiar to the people of DeKalb County, and especially to those of Waterloo, of which town he was one of the foremost citizens, was born in Syra- cuse, New York, June 13, 1842, and died at his home in Waterloo, Indiana, May 19, 1913, at the age of seventy years, eleven months and six days. He was a son of Henry and Emerline (Hewitt) Willis, and came to this county in 1844 when his parents located on a tract of land in Richland Township, where they resided until 1864, at which time they removed to Waterloo, when the senior Mr. Willis was elected sheriff of DeKalb County. Frank W. Willis was reared on the farm belonging to his father and attended the common schools. In addition to this he attended the schools at Au- burn and Waterloo, and also spent some time at the Orland Seminary. At the age of eighteen years he offered his services to the United States at the time of the Civil war outbreak and enlisted as a member of Company K, Forty-fourth Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, serving his country for over three years. During these years of service he spent the best part of his life for his country and engaged in the battles of Shiloh, Chickamauga, Stone’s River and other important engagements, and was wounded three different times, but was always ready to do his duty as a soldier. After his discharge Mr. Willis was appointed assistant assessor and deputy collector of the tenth congressional district, by William Pitt Fessender, secretary of the treasury under President Johnson. For four years he discharged his duties in this ca- pacity with the full satisfaction of his superiors. Soon after the war he commenced to practice be- fore the Department of the Interior, and as a claim agent secured many pensions for old soldiers and their widows. He was well known among the sol- diers of the county and elsewhere, and had many comrades who thought of him during his illness and were kind to him. After his return from the army he was stricken with violent illness and at times suffered greatly, due to his exposure in the service for his country. At times regaining his health, he thought that he would become stronger, and for a number of years was much improved, but after the fire of 1896 he again lost his health, and from that date gradually failed, although he held on to life always with a tenacious grip, and his sturdy constitution gave him courage to live as long as he could, until he had passed the three score years and ten. Many a time he seemed cheerful when he was suffering from severe pain. He en- joyed his home and reared a large family. On Jan- uary 1, 1884, Mr. Willis formed a partnership with E. P. Dickinson, and the new firm bought out the Waterloo Press, then owned by C. K. Baxter. For a number of years Mr. Willis had editorial charge of the paper and later bought out the interests of his partner and continued The Press, being in edi- torial charge until the time of his death. In 1867 he purchased the book store of H. K. Davis and with C. K. Baxter, purchasing that of T. Y. Dick- inson, the two then consolidated their business un- der the firm name of Baxter and Willis. In De- cember, 1868, Henry Willis, father of the late de- ceased, purchased the interest in the book store of Mr. Baxter, and the firm was then known as Wil- lis & Company, and remained so until 1896, when in February of that year their business was de- stroyed by fire, including that of the Waterloo Press. It was at this time that Frank W. Willis and his son, Herbert C., formed a partnership and continued the publication of the Waterloo Press, and also succeeded the firm of Willis & Company in the book and stationery business, Henry Willis then retiring from active business on account of his age. From the time of his entering the news- paper business Mr. Willis was actively identified with the general interests of the county and com- munity, and always conducted an editorial column in the paper up to the time of his last illness. In the fall of 1894 he was elected to the state leg- islature as representative from this county, being elected by the largest majority ever accorded a re- publican in this county to that office. After serving for two years, during which time he was foremost in the passage of good legislation, he retired from active politics, but was always active in the inter- ests of his party until his health failed to such an extent that he could no longer take active part in the work. However, he was very forceful in his editorial writings, and was ardently enthusiastic in advocating his party principles as long as he be- lieved them right. When a young man Mr. Willis joined the Pres- byterian Church of Waterloo, and remained an ac- tive member up to the time of his death. He was an elder in the church for nearly forty years and never missed attending services when he was at home and not detained by illness. As a worker in the Sunday school, he was a teacher fifty years. He also served as superintendent for many years, and took part in Sunday school conventions in the county, and, in earlier years, in the state conven- tions. Among the many beautiful tributes to the life, work and character of Mr. Willis was the follow- ing from John B. Stoll, the veteran journalist of South Bend and life-long friend of the deceased: “He was what I considered the ideal country news- paper man — discreet, vigilant, intelligent, consid- erate, conscientious, patriotic. His death is a dis- tinctive loss to the newspaper fraternity, as well as to the community, which for many years enjoyed the benefit of his inspiring example and his well directed efforts for civic righteousness and the moral uplift. Though now numbered among the dead, his splendid record as a man, citizen and pa- triot will live long in the memory of those who prize nobility of purpose as cardinal virtues of man.” It is eminently fitting that there should be incor- porated in this memoir the splendid tribute paid the deceased by his son and business associate. “In the passing away of the senior editor of this paper the community loses one of its oldest citizens, and a man who has been identified with public interests to a very large extent. As a man he lived a life that stood for itself. No comment is necessary as to his character. He was possessed with Christian character that stood foremost in his life. Since a young man he was interested in Sunday school and church work and was active up to the time of his last illness. As a soldier, his active service stands as a tribute to his loyalty to his country. As a man for right he was always found unflinching for all HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 441 that was good and honorable. As a business part- ner the writer has been actively associated with him for the past seventeen years, and during all that time has been in such close relationship that he knew him better than anyone else outside the immediate family circle. As a parent for over two score years, the writer knows that he has always been kind and loving and had a desire that his children should be trained in honorable paths, and that they should live such lives that they would be as ready to be called to their eternal homes as he was. During the twenty-nine years that he has been at the editorial head of this paper he has been honest in his editorial opinions, and while there have been many incidents that perhaps have been left uncovered in his editorial writings, his scope has been so general that it was made plain where he stood on all the important subjects of the day. His writings have been widely copied, and no doubt he will be missed from among the journalists of the state. All the years that he has been broken in health he has done his part in making life cheer- ful, not only to himself, but others as well. The close association in business causes a grief on the part of the writer that but few can understand. It is hard to fight life’s battles, and it is hard to give them up. He has fought for his life and was ready to give up at the call of the Master. He was a good man and no one can dispute that he has been con- sistent in his life’s habits, and that he had the con- fidence of his friends, and those with whom he had done business. The end came like a shock, and while it has been known for some time that he could not get well, yet while there was life there was hope, and at last that hope vanished. There might be no more fitting tribute to be paid a father by a son than to say he has been a good father and one who has done all he could in rearing a family of nine children, all of whom today survive.” On September 27, 1868, Mr. Willis was united in marriage with Josephine Dickinson, who was born in Auburn, Indiana, on May 17, 1850, the daughter of Timothy R. and Mary (Youngman) Dickinson, her father having been at one time one of the most prominent attorneys in DeKalb County. During the Civil war he was drafting officers for this coun- ty, and thus filled a very difficult position, which inevitably aroused animosity and enmity among many, especially those southern sympathizers who then infested this locality and who assaulted him with stones, eggs and other missiles, so that at times it was necessary for him to be guarded by his friends. He was even asked by a committee from his church to resign his membership because of his strong anti-slavery views, but he was fearless and upright, stood staunchly for freedom and the per- petuity of the national union. Soon after the war he bought a tract of land north of Waterloo, and laid it out, naming it Waterloo cemetery and in- corporating an association to own and control it. There have been several additions to this cemetery, the last one being laid out by Frank W. Willis. Probably twice as many people have been buried there as comprise the present population of Wa- terloo. For awhile Mr. Dickinson practiced law in Auburn, but eventually moved to Waterloo, where he lived during the remainder of his life. Mrs. Willis, who lived at home until her marriage to Air. Willis, had attended Oberlin College, and also had received some academic instruction. To Air. and Mrs. Willis were born nine children, six sons and three daughters, namely : Herbert Clyde, who was his father’s business partner and associate for a number of years, and who is now editor and own- er of the Waterloo Press; Mary Gertrude, wife of James P. Hornaday, newspaper correspondent at Washington, D. C. ; Fred L, who is connected with the Central Rubber and Supply Company at Indian- apolis ; Raymond E., of Angola, Indiana, and part owner of the Steuben Republican ; Edward D., also interested in the Steuben Republican ; Dora E., wife of R. G. Dilts, of Angola; Frank B., engaged in the automobile business in Denver, Colorado; Jo- sephine, who lives in Washington, D. C., employed in the War Risk Insurance Bureau; and William H., a resident of Indianapolis. These children all received good educations and have been reared to honorable manhood and womanhood, a credit alike to their community and an honor to their parents. Herbert Clyde Willis, printer and stationer, editor and owner of the Waterloo Press, is in point of continuous service the oldest newspaper man in DeKalb County. He is also the present representa- tive from DeKalb County in the Indiana Legisla- ture. Mr. Willis was born at Waterloo December 15, 1871, son of Frank W. and Josephine (Dickinson) Willis. His maternal grandfather the late Timothy R. Dickinson was a member of the Indiana Senate during the Civil war, and besides his legislative duties he was also drafting officer for DeKalb County. The Frank W. Willis was a Union soldier during the Civil war, and also sat as a member of the House of Representatives in the General As- sembly in 1895. Thus the public record of the fam- ily is well established. The Waterloo Press is one of the oldest repub- lican papers in the state, having been established in 1859 by an uncle of Herbert C. Willis its present editor and owner. For many years the late Frank W. Willis was editor and owner of the Press which for sixty years has been in the nature of a family institution in the Willis family. Herbert C. Willis grew up at Waterloo, secured a practical education in the grammar and high schools, and in the summer of 1884 at the age of thirteen began learning the printing trade. A year before graduating from the Waterloo High School Mr. Willis and one other person did all the job work and all the mechanical work of publishing the Press. _ He learned the printing trade under old time conditions, and early became a valuable assistant to his father. In 1891 after finishing his high school course he made a tour of the southwest. He then resumed employment with his father. In February, 1896, the plant was totally destroyed by fire. Her- bert C. Willis then joined his modest savings and capital with his father and became a partner in the ownership of the Press. Father and son continued the publication until the death of Frank W. Willis in 1913. Then Herbert C. Willis bought and be- came sole owner of the plant, and for many years has conducted his own editorial page of the Press. He also operates a high class printing establish- ment for catalog and general stationery printing and has developed a business covering many coun- ties besides DeKalb. Mr. Willis as a boy became interested in military affairs and at the age of eighteen was a charter member of Company I, Third Regiment, Indiana Legion, subsequently a part of the Indiana National Guard. He served six years. After being out a year he enlisted in the Indiana National Guard and became sergeant major on Col. S. A. Bowman’s battalion staff. He was on duty at the Hammond riot in 1894. He enlisted his paper and all his per- sonal influence in behalf of the late war, and in August, 1917, was appointed government appeal agent in DeKalb County. He served in that ca- pacity throughout the conscription of the army for the war with Germany. 442 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA During the campaigns of 1914 and 1916 Mr. Wil- lis was chairman of the Republican Central Com- mittee for DeKalb County. In 1916 he spent seven weeks at Indianapolis as chairman of the public- ity bureau under the direction of State Chairman Will H. Hays. He was nominated for representa- tive in the 1918 primaries after a contest, and in November was elected by a majority of 348 over his opponent, who in 1916 had been elected to the legislature by a majority of 480. Mr. Willis was one of the organizers of the Wa- terloo High School Alumni Association. He is now serving his second term as school trustee at Waterloo. Since boyhood Mr. Willis has been a member of the Presbyterian Church and has served it as elder and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is affdiated with Lodge No. 221 of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and Lodge No. 307 of the Masons. June 24, 1896, he married Miss Martha L. Gon- ser. She Was born April 6, 1872, on a farm near Auburn, daughter of Moses and Louisa (Wright) Gonser. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, came to DeKalb County in pioneer times, and not long after the birth of Mrs. Willis he sold his farm west of Auburn to the county and located along the county line in the southern part of Steuben County. He was county commissioner of Steuben. Louisa Wright was a native of New York State and was brought to DeKalb County when a girl. Her father had a general store in Fairfield Town- ship in the early days, did much business with the Indians, and conducted an “ashery” for the man- ufacture of potash from wood ashes. Mrs. Willis is a graduate of thfe Tri-State Normal at Angola, was teacher in the district schools, graduated in 1893 from Earlham College at Richmond, and for two years was principal of the high school at Wa- terloo. During that time she began her acquain- tance with Mr. Willis, though their families had been close friends in an earlier generation. Mrs. Willis served as secretary of the Waterloo Public Library Board for the three years during the or- ganization and building of that institution. She carried the county contest work in the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union for several years and is at present county chairman of the Franchise League. Her sympathies have ever been thrown deeply in the home and public work for progress and loyalty. Mr. and Mrs. Willis have two chil- dren : Louise, born September 7, 1897, and Herbert G., born November 21, 1904. The daughter is a graduate of the same school as her father, during 1918-19 was assistant principal of the high school at St. Joe, Indiana, and is now in her fourth year at Earlham College. The son Herbert is a junior in the high school. John H. Rubley owns and occupies a farm in Jamestown Township that has been in the Rubley family for over half a century. His personal man- agement reflects the sturdy characteristics of his first ancestors, who were among the pioneer home- makers in Steuben County. Mr. Rubley was born in Jamestown Township March 10, 1869, a son of John and Mary Ann (Frick) Rubley. His mother was born in Canton, Ohio, in 1841, a daughter of Henry and Christina (Smith) Frick. She died December 2, 1917. John Rubley was a son of John J. and Margaret (Snyder) Rubley, both natives of Switzerland. Several of their children were born in that country, and they then came to America, first locating in Richland County, Ohio, and in 1848 moving into the woods and prairies of Jamestown Township. They located at Nevada Mills, and after a few years moved to the east bank of Lake Pleasant, where John J. Rubley spent the rest of his life. His children were: Susan, who married Benjamin Nettleman; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Frank Nettleman; and John, David and J. J. John Rubley acquired a district school education in Jamestown Township, and when a young man began farming the place now owned by his son. He had eighty acres, and during his lifetime cleared up and put in cultivation about sixty acres and erected all the substantial buildings. He and his wife had two children, John H. and Elizabeth. John H. Rubley supplemented the advantages of the district schools of his native township by a course in the Tri-State Normal College at Angola. He began farming with his father when a young man, and after the death of his mother he bought the homestead and has been quietly and efficiently increasing and developing his enterprise, particu- larly as a stock raiser. He is a breeder of Short- horn cattle. June 17, 1916, he married Edith Sultz, a daughter of Jacob and Estella (Pothoof) Sultz. They have one daughter, Mary Elizabeth. William A. Barrows in recent years has become a prominent factor in the Orland community, own- ing and operating a splendid farm near that vil- lage and acting as manager for two of the leading organizations of producing farmers in that locality. Mr. Barrows was born in Greenfield Township of LaGrange County, Indiana, November 11, 1871, son of John and Marinda (Gillmore) Barrows. Some of the history of his parents and other mem- bers of the family is found on other pages of this work. William A. Barrows grew up on the homestead in LaGrange County, and lived there until he was thirty-three years of age. He acquired most of his education in the grammar and high schools of Or- land. It was in 1905 that he bought thirty-six and two-thirds acres in Millgrove Township, and he subsequently bought a quarter section, all of which constitutes a model farm with model improvements, lying just north of the village of Orland. He does a big business handling live stock, especially hogs. He is manager of the Orland Shippers Associa- tion and the Farmers Supply Company, and is also a member of the Farm Loan Association. In poli- tics he is a democrat, and Mrs. Barrows is a mem- ber of the Congregational Church. In 1894 he married Miss Addie L. Dudley, a daughter of Grove H. and Mary (Closson) Dudley. A sketch of her father appears on other pages. Mr. and Mrs. Barrows had two children, Rex, who was born September 24, 1910, and died September 16, 1911, and Maxon Dudley, born March 19, 1916. Orley ; Cleveland. During the thirty odd years of his mature life spent in Jamestown Township Orley Cleveland has been successfully engaged in farming, is a veteran thresherman, and in addition to his constructive part in the agricultural welfare of the community has always maintained a reputation as a man of integrity, public spirit and prompt to respond to movements affecting the life and welfare of the community at large. Mr. Cleveland was born in Jamestown Township, May 7, 1867, a son of William and Mary C. (Hunter) Cleveland. His mother was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, a daughter of John A. and Eliza (Rathbun) Hunter. John A. Hunter was a native of Indiana, and when a small child his parents, Robert and Abigail (England) Hunter, moved to Ohio. He married Eliza Rathbun in 1847 and in 1863 came to Steuben County, Indiana, where he HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 443 developed a farm and gave particular attention to stock raising, having some of the finest horses in the county. William Cleveland was born in San- dusky County, Ohio, March 3, 1842, a son of Clark and Eliza (Grover) Cleveland. His parents were farmers of Sandusky County. Their children were Moses, Sally, William, Thomas, Jemima, Mary and Elizabeth. William Cleveland was married October 2, 1863, and the same year moved from Ohio to Jamestown Township in Steuben County. He bought eighty acres of land in section 18, put up all the buildings and made other improvements, and lived there until his death in 1910. He and his wife had four chil- dren : Ward C., Orley, Bell (who became the wife of Orson Dickinson) and Clifford. Orley Cleveland attended the Collins School in Jamestown Township, and from early manhood has busied himself with farming and the operation of threshing outfits. He has used practically all the threshing machinery in vogue during the last thirty or forty years. He is a good business man, has a thorough knowledge of machinery, and has fur- nished a valuable service to the grain growers in Steuben County. About 1900 he and his brother, Ward, bought the place where he now lives in sec- tion 20. Mr. Cleveland has put up all the buildings there and has a well improved farm. When he bought it only ten acres had been cleared, but the entire tract is now under cultivation. He keeps a number of good livestock. Mr. Cleveland is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Orland. December 23, 1907, he married Imo Alta Shipe, a daughter of Isaiah and Anna (Lock) Shipe. They have three children : William L., born December 30, 1910; Orley M., born May 6, 1913; and Marcelia, born December 30, 1914. George Tim mis, one of the county commission- ers of LaGrange County, is a veteran retail meat dealer of LaGrange, having been in business con- tinuously for over thirty years. Many boys and girls who used to come to his shop to buy meat for their parents are now sending their own chil- dren to his market. Mr. Timmis, who throughout his business career has been one of the diligently public spirited citi- zens of the community, was born in Van Buren Township of LaGrange County, July 3, 1864, a son of William and Harriet (Timmis) Timmis. His father was a native of England. His parents were married at Buffalo, New York, and on coming to LaGrange County settled in Van Buren Township and lived on a farm for nearly half a century. His father died at White Pigeon, Michigan, and his mother died in Van Buren Township in 1872. Their children were Henry, now deceased, William, Rich- ard, Frank, John, George, Hannah and Harriet. George Timmis grew up on a farm, attended local public schools and was in the high school at White Pigeon. Beginning in 1880 he lived for four years in Texas. He returned to LaGrange in 1885 and on May 19, 1886, engaged in the meat business with William Mininger. After a brief time he and his brother William established a shop under the name Timmis Brothers, and that was the title under which they did business until 1916, at which time the part- nership was dissolved and Mr. George Timmis has since been alone. Mr. Timmis has always vigorously supported the policies of the republican party. He served as a member of the town council eleven years and while in that body he and Mr. Platt were the men chiefly instrumental in promoting the movement for paved streets and a sewer system. Mr. Timmis was elected county commissioner in 1916 and re-elected in 1918. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of the Maccabees at LaGrange, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Church, the family attending that church with her. January 13, 1891, Mr. Timmis married Miss Amelia C. Haberstroh of LaGrange. They have two children : Hilda, the daughter, was born De- cember 4, 1892, is a graduate of the LaGrange High School and attended the Tri-State College at An- gola and the Western College for Women at Oxford, Ohio. She is now engaged in mission work in New York City. Vernon V., the son, was born February 27, 1895, is also a graduate of the LaGrange High School, and for several years has been in business with his father. Vernon Timmis was the first young man to enlist from LaGrange in the World war. He volunteered April 4, 1917, and became a private in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Field Artillery with the Forty-Second or Rainbow Division. With that famous organization he went overseas in November, 1917, and came into the zone of action on Februarj' 28, 1918. He was on almost constant duty at the front until the signing of the armistice more than eight months later. With the Rainbow Division he reached the Rhine on December 15, 1918, at Bad Neuenahr, and left Germany April 10, 1919. He landed in the United States April 27, 1919, and was honorably discharged on the 10th of May. At his discharge he held the rank of stable sergeant. June 27, 1917, Vernon Timmis married Iva Sunday of Rome City, Indiana. Dane D. Secrist, who has an honorable discharge from the army after serving during a part of 1918, is cashier of the Farmers’ State Bank at Topeka and member of an old and well known family of Northeast Indiana. He was born in Sparta Township of Noble County February 9, 1884, a son of Lewis and Esther (Hooper) Secrist. His father was born in 1850 near North Webster, Indiana, and his mother in Adams County, this state, in i860. Lewis Secrist was one of the first business men at Cromwell, In- diana, but later became a farmer and died in 1910. The mother is still living, a member of the United Brethren Church at Indian Village, in Noble County. Lewis Secrist was a republican. There were three children in the family: Dane D., Keith K., who is a graduate of the Cromwell High School, and is an American soldier with the Army of Occupation in Germany; and Paul H., who is a graduate of the Cromwell High School. Dane D. Secrist grew up at Cromwell, graduated from the high school there, and before he went into the army was assistant cashier of the Cromwell Bank. Upon his enlistment in the service he was assigned to the Quartermaster’s Corps but later was transferred to the . artillery. He served with the rank of second lieutenant, and received his honorable discharge December 13, 1918. Soon after his return home he was elected cashier of the Farmers’ State Bank of Topeka. Mr. Secrist, who is umarried, is affiliated with Cromwell Lodge No. 70S, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. Politically he is a republican. Samuel Weir, former county treasurer and a prominent banker of LaGrange, is member of a family that did its part as pioneers and in all sub- sequent stages and epochs of progress and develop- ment in this section of Northeast Indiana. 444 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA He was born on the old Weir homestead April 16, 1859. He spent his early life in the country, having a common school education, and was a suc- cessful practical farmer before he became identi- fied with the county treasurer’s office. He acquired 105 acres of the old homestead and has increased this to 185 acres. This fine farm lies in Springfield and Bloomfield townships and is now occupied by his son Lester. Samuel Weir since January 1, 1919, has been assistant secretary of the LaGrange County Trust Company. He was elected county treasurer in 1908 and filled that office to the satisfaction of all con- cerned for two terms. He is a republican, has been a member of the township advisory board of Bloomfield Township, and is affiliated with the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. In 1881 Mr. Weir married Miss Louise B. Brown, a daughter of Ira W. and Julia P. Brown. Her fa- ther was one of the Brown brothers who were long prominent as constructive factors and business men in the upbuilding of LaGrange. Mr. and Mrs. Weir have two children. The son, Lester, mentioned above married Cleopatra Price and has two chil- dren, Robert Norman and Lester Samuel. The daughter Hazel L. lives at home with her parents and assists in The LaGrange County Trust Com- pany. Samuel Weir is a son of Norman Weir who was born in New York State November 17, 1818, son of Samuel Weir, a native of Scoharie County, New York. Samuel Weir the elder died in New York State, and his widow Sarah Weir came to LaGrange County in 1837. Norman Weir was at that time nineteen years of age, the other children of his widowed mother being Elijah, Nancy and Hepsie. The mother of Norman Weir bought the land where Lewis Weir now lives, comprising 120-acres. Nor- man. Weir died on that farm in August, 1896, hav- ing in the meantime increased his holdings to nearly 400 acres. He was accounted one of the leading farmers of LaGrange County. His widow is now living at LaGrange, with her daughter Mrs. Ger- trude Gage. Norman Weir was a republican in politics and his brother Elijah was at one time a member of the legislature. May .4, 1851, Norman Weir married Miss Ange- line Scidmore. She was born in Steuben County, New York, May 15, 1827, a daughter of Solomon and Ruhamah (Bowels) Scidmore. Her father was a native of Saratoga County, New York, and her mother of Hagerstown, Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Scidmore were married in New York and in 1835 they were among the pioneer settlers of Bloom- field Township, LaGrange County, their home be- ing at the present site of Plato, where they took up a homestead of 160 acres. This land was after- wards acquired by their son, a former sheriff of LaGrange County. Solomon Scidmore died in 1859 and his wife in 1863. Norman Weir and wife had six children: Charles who died in 1880 at the age of twenty-eight; Mary who died in 1885 aged thirty; Samuel; Tremont, a farmer at Plato, Indiana ; Lewis, who occupies the old Weir homestead; and Gertrude, wife of George Gage, present county recorder of LaGrange County. Frank Ashley. The birthplace of Frank Ashley is Springfield Township, LaGrange County, on the farm he occupies today. He was born May 18, 1853. The increasing strength and skill of his boy- hood days were directed to cultivating some of these fields, and for sixty-six years or more he has remained there and has become a man of substance as a farmer and a citizen whose public spirit is widely known and appreciated. When he was six months old his mother, Helen Elizabeth (Jefferds) Ashley, died. She was a native of Connecticut. His father, Robert Ashley, was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, June 19, 1809. His parents were married in the east in 1840, and located on the farm in Springfield Township. Robert Ashley, how- ever, had been in the West several times before that. He first came to LaGrange County in 1833, when all Northern Indiana was virtually a wilderness. He had traveled west by river and lake as far as Detroit, and came across the country to LaGrange County on foot. It was in 1837 that he bought from the Government the land which his son Frank now owns. This was a tract of eighty acres, cov- ered with timber, and when he brought his wife there he, settled in the midst of the woods and put up a log house as their first home. Later he built most of the buildings which are standing today. He was a tinner by trade and also had a practical knowl- edge of the gunsmith’s trade. In early days he planted an acre and a half to grapes, and was one of the pioneer vineyardists and wine makers of La- Grange County. He died on the old homestead. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Douglas Long, formerly of Ohio. Frank Ashley was the youngest of five children, and he remembers only two of them, Charles and Ralph. Charles, the third in age, died in 1868. The two oldest were Eugene and Ralph. Ralph was born in 1843, and died in 1905. A daughter, Senitt, died in 1854, and Asenith died when young. Frank Ash- ley was educated in the local schools, and as a farm- er he has diversified his industry by breeding spotted Poland hogs. In 1880 he married Miss Adelia A. Clark. She was born in Canada, her family name being Brown, but she was reared as the adopted daughter of Wil- liam Clark. Mrs. Ashley was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After thirty-seven years of married life and after her children were grown to maturity she died August 14, 1917. Nettie, their oldest child, is the wife of Claud Preston, of Brushy Prairie ; Charles lives in Akron, Ohio ; Rob- ert has been away from home and his movements have not been known to the family for the past few years ; Richard lives on the home farm, is a farmer, and for a number of years has been a thresherman ; and the youngest, Helen, is the wife of J. L. Lovel, of LaGrange County. As a treasured family heirloom Mr. Ashley pos- sesses a set of knives and forks that have been handed down from generation to generation from the original Ashley ancestor who came from Eng- land to America several hundred years ago. Herman Haskins is prosecuting attorney for the circuit composed of Elkhart and LaGrange coun- ties, and his reputation as a lawyer and public offi- cial is well known over all the northern counties of the state. Mr. Haskins has distinguished himself as a young man of force, courage, and. thorough ability both as a lawyer and man of affairs. He was born at Mongo December 26, 1880. Con- cerning his family and his parents Albert and Amy (Huss) Haskins, more is said on other pages of this publication. Herman Haskins was educated in the grammar and high schools of LaGrange, grad- uating from high school in 1901. He took his law course in the State University, completing it in 1905. The following two years he practiced with Otis L. Ballou and since 1907 has handled an in- dividual practice. He was appointed deputy prose- cuting attorney in 1911 and has also served several years as county attorney. He was elected prose- cuting attorney for the district of Elkhart and La- Grange counties in 1916. Lie began his official du- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 445 ties in 1918 and was reelected for a second term in 1918. During the period of the war Mr. Haskins was chairman of the four-minute men of LaGrange County, and was also a member of the legal ad- visory board and chief clerk of the local exemption board. These duties imposed many burdens upon him in addition to the regular routine of his pro- fession and his office as prosecutor. Mr. Haskins is a member of the LaGrange County Bar Association, is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Masons and Elks, and in politics is a re- publican, having been secretary of the republican county central committee in 1914. October 21, 1913, Mr. Haskins married Miss Bessie C. McKinley, daughter of Thomas Franklin and Flora (Custer) McKinley of Mongo. They have one son Gerald, born August 13, 1915. Walter Frank Gravitt is one of the young and hustling farmers of Springfield Township, and has the enterprise and all the varied qualifications that make the successful agriculturist. His life has been almost entirely spent on the old Millis home- stead where he was born December 29, 1887. That is one of the fine farms of LaGrange County, and for several years it has been operated by Mr. Gra- vitt. He is a son of Charles Henry and Marian (Mil- lis) Gravitt. His mother who is still living was born on the Millis homestead September 14, 1863, a daughter of Edward and Eleanor M. (Griffin) Millis. Concerning this well known old family of the county more information will be found on other pages. Charles Gravitt was born in Cayuga County, New York, in October, 1857, and came to LaGrange County about 1879. He worked a couple of years, spending one year with Samuel Newnam. On De- cember 25. 1882, he married and then rented the farm of Edward Millis. Later he bought eighty- seven acres, forty acres in Springfield Township and forty-seven acres in Steuben County. He lived there three years and sold out and returned to the Millis farm, which he occupied and managed until his death on April 23, 1909. Mrs. Charles Gravitt is now living at LaGrange. They were the parents of four children: Jessie, wife of the present county surveyor of LaGrange County and the mother of Wayland, Gaylord, Paul and Emily Spears; Walter Frank; Ralph who married Blanche Stayner ; and Roscoe, unmarried. Walter Frank Gravitt as a boy attended the com- mon schools and the Springfield Township High School, and steadily since early manhood has been a farmer. The Millis place which he rents contains 210 acres, and under his management is devoted to general crops and livestock. Mr. Gravitt is a republican, is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and with his wife is a regular attendant at the East Springfield Methodist Church. March 11, 1908, Mr. Gravitt married Mary Ann Coney. She was born in Springfield Township April 25, 1885, a daughter of Robert and Mary Ann (Rasler) Coney. Her mother was born in Noble County, Indiana, March 13, 1848, a daughter of George and Margaret (Neff) Rasler. Robert Coney was born in Lincolnshire, England, November 13, 1841, and was seventeen years of age when he and his parents left England on April 9, 18=8, and six weeks- later arrived in St. Joseph County, Michigan. Robert Coney was a son of John and Susanna (Pant) Coney. In the spring of 1868 Robert came to La- Grange County and in the fall of the same year his parents joined him and settled on eighty acres bought from Valentine Fry. The father of Robert Coney died there in 1874 at the age of sixty and the mother in December, 1885, aged sixty-nine. Of their large family of thirteen children five died in England. The six to come to the United States were Robert, Ann, William, Fannie, Rebecca and John. Two others were born in this country, Henry at Constantine, Michigan, and Mary at Men- don, Michigan. All are living except Rebecca who became the wife of Henry Neff and died in 1913. Robert Coney after coming to LaGrange County lived in Milford Township until 1877 when he moved to Springfield Township and bought forty acres. After eight years he went back to Milford, buying thirty acres in that township. The last eleven years of his life he spent in Springfield among his children. He and his wife were married January 10, 1868. by Squire Hoff. Mrs. Coney died July 9, 1804. Their children were George, John, Aaron and Susanna, twins, both deceased, William, Margaret, Mary Ann, and Melissa, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gravitt have three children : Flor- ence, born June 29, 1910; Charles, born June 25, 1912; and Frank, born February 22, 1915. Tobias C. Esch, who still lives on his fine farm on the northwest quarter of section 9 in Eden Township, has had a career notable not because he has held conspicuous offices in the government, but for the self-denial, sacrificing efforts, toil and stead- fast fidelity with which he has pursued his private affairs and as a result of which he has provided well for his family. He was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, August 11, 1847, and has passed the age of three score and ten. He is a son of Christian and Su- sanna (Sees) Esch. His father was born in Somer- set County January 8. 1820, a son of Jacob and Martha (Layman) Esch. Jacob Esch was born in Germany in 1797 and came to the United States earlv in the ninteenth century, locating in Pennsyl- vania, where he snent the rest of his life. His chil- dren were named Rachel, Christian, Isaac and Mary. Christian Esch lived out his life in Pennsylvania, where he died March 16, 1854, his widow surviving until 1863. They had five children : Daniel, who died February 10, 1906; Martha, widow of David Dishong; William C. of Middlebury, Indiana; Mary, widow of Christ Bandley; Tobias C. Tobias C. Esch was only five years old when his father died. The family were in uoor circumstances and for ten years he lived in the home of John Petersheime. working at tasks suited to his strength and age and attending district schools in winter. In 1864 he went out to Iowa with Mr. Petersheime and remained there on a farm for four summers. Returning East he located in Elkhart County where he married Saloma Garher. She was born in Holmes Countv, Ohio, October 5, 1848. Mr. Esch has been a man of great enterprise, and has handled successfully nearly every undertak- ing with which he has been connected. One of his early ventures in Northeast Indiana was the pur- chase of a saw mill, the purchase price being $2,800. After a year of operation the plant was burned, leaving him $2,400 in debt. He started in again, and for twenty years cut into merchantable lumber much of the hard wood products of the forests of Northeast Indiana. He also bought a farm of ninety acres and lived there until he came to his present place in 1898. Mr. Esch has 160 acres in his home farm and has improved it in many ways. At one time he owned 540 acres and sold this fine property for $46,000. Mr. Esch is the father of fifteen children, eleven of whom are still living: Daniel, Jonathan, Mary, Fannie, Elizabeth, John H., Noah, Tobias, William, Samuel and Gertrude. The son John married Ida Beachey and has eight children. Mr. Esch and 446 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA family are members of the Amish Mennonite Church and he was a leader in the church singing for fifty years. John Smith, who passed from earth’s shining circle, July 24, 1919, at the advanced age of ninety- five years, was born near Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, October 24, 1823. He was a son of David and Elizabeth (Hurd) Smith, being the third son in a family of two daughters and eight sons. In the spring of 1825 the parents moved to Marion, Ohio, where the family lived until the fall of 1833, when they came to LaGrange County, Indiana, be- ing one of the pioneer families of this community. Mr. Smith was reared on the home farm, receiv- ing only such an education as the common schools of his time afforded. He made good, as the modern saying is, as a farmer and after his father’s death purchased the homestead and made it one of the substantial farms of the county. He was as early as the seventies and eighties, noted more especially hereabouts because of his success as a stock grow- er and breeder. Politically, Mr. Smith was at first a whig, and later supported the republican party the remainder of his days. In his religious faith he was a member of the Baptist Church, and for many years one of its staunch supporters. Concerning his domestic relations let it be said that he was united in marriage in 1854, to Romilda Parker, and to them was born a daughter Annabelle, now Mrs. Stephen McKee. Mrs. Smith died in i860, and on January 23, 1862, Mr. Smith married Miss Serena Craig, who was born November 19, 1827, in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. She died in 1909. Of this union two children were born, Mary Jane and Charles C., the daughter dying in early childhood. Besides his son and daughter Mr. Smith left surviving him, four grandchildren, J. Russell Smith, Margaret and Katharine Smith and Mildred McKee, and two great-grandchildren. After a long and well spent life as an agricul- turist, he of whom the brief memoir is written, just as the autumn leaves were turning to amber and gold, and when he had almost reached the ninety- sixth milestone, passed on to other scenes in a land in which he had so long believed as a true and obedient Christian. Roscoe L. Coggeshall is well known in the busi- ness community of LaGrange County as salesman for the Mt. Pisgah P. of I. Mercantile Association at Stroh. Mr. Coggeshall was born in Randolph County, Indiana, July 6, 1889, son of A. T. and Emma (Hoover) Coggeshall. His parents reside at Carlos, Indiana. Roscoe grew up on a farm in his native county and graduated from the district schools in 1904. Since then he has had a busy career, being employed in a grain elevator at Carlos three years, for two years in the elevator at Modoc, Indiana, and then for three years was associated with Roy B. Ford in the general mercantile business at Stroh. On January 1, 1919, Mr. Coggeshall was placed in charge of the store of the Mt. Pisgah Mercantile Association, one of the oldest organizations of its kind in the Middle West. Mr. Coggeshall married Lola Hutchens in 1911. She was born in Randolph County, Indiana, in 1890. They have three children, Marvin, Rhuie and Venus. Mr. Coggeshall is affiliated with Philo Lodge No. 672, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is Past Master, and in politics is a republican. Eugene Goodsell, now enjoying the comforts of a good home in Ashley, has achieved the dignity of three score and ten years, and most of those years have been spent in LaGrange County. He is a native son of this county and his people were among the very earliest pioneers and homemakers in Milford Township. Mr. Goodsell was born in that township August 19, 1849. He is a son of Mynott and Ellen (Dyer) Goodsell. Mynott Goodsell, who was born at Litch- field, Connecticut, was the only son of Stiles and Lucinda (Bostwick) Goodsell. Soon after his birth his parents moved to Pennsylvania, and in 1832 they started for the West, arriving in Lima, Indiana, October 26th. Stiles Goodsell was the second per- manent settler in Milford Township, and he and his family lived in a rude log house for several years. Wild game supplied the meat for the table, and for groceries and other supplies he went to Toledo, a trip with ox teams requiring twenty-one days. After the canal was completed supplies were obtained from Fort Wayne. Stiles Goodsell died February 22, 1850. Mynott Goodsell as a youth had taken charge of the home farm, and was noted for his ability as an axman and in other frontier virtues. When only a boy he cleared off ten acres of timber-land in twenty- six days He was also fond of hunting and fishing. As a hunter the feat is credited to him of killing three deer at one shot. On March 3, 1840 he married Ellen Dyer, who came to LaGrange County in 1833. They had seven children: Marshall, Josephine, Mills, Eugene, Ida, Augusta and Frederick. Of these only Marshall and Eugene are now living. Their mother died August 24, 1856. On November 22, 1857, Mynott Goodsell married Nancy Johnson. She was born in Ohio February 15, 1840, a daughter of John and Eliza Johnson. To the second marriage were born five children : Jennie, Ella, George, Imogene and Theodore M. Mynott Goodsell acquired 450 acres of land and was a prosperous stock farmer. He was a man of great influence in his community, always worked for temperance, was a democrat in politics and for six- teen years held the offices of trustee and justice of the peace. He died in 1882. Eugene Goodsell grew up on the home farm and supplemented his advantages in the country schools by attending the LaGrange County Collegiate Insti- tute and the Orland Academy, also the Kendallville High School. As a young man he took up farming as his definite vocation and -in 1876 bought ninety- seven acres in Springfield Township. He added to this until he had 120 acres, and he still owns his farm in Springfield Township. For two years he was also engaged in the mercantile business at Mount Pisgah during the ’80s, and for five years was man- ager of the Mount Pisgah Mercantile Association. He also spent some time in the South in the states of Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma. He then resumed his place on the farm and in 1917 turned over its management to his son Clifford and moved to Ashley. Mr. Goodsell was one of the organizers of the Farmers State Bank of Stroh and has been a director since the bank opened for business. He is a democrat, but makes no pretensions to public of- fice. He is affiliated with Lodge No. 672 of the Masons and also with the Knights of Pythias at Mongo. July t, 1873, Mr. Goodsell married Miss Emma Hall. She was born in Springfield Township October 2, 1834. a daughter of Rufus and Clarissa (Bell- knap) Hall. Her parents were both natives of New York State, her father born in 1808 and her mother in 1810. They came west by canal and lake, and on Lake Erie their boat was overtaken by a storm and they were two weeks in crossing. It was the last trip that boat made. On coming to LaGrange County the Flails bought eighty acres and later forty acres, and HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 447 at the time of his death Rufus Hall had his 120 acres in the condition of a highly improved and efficient farm. He was a democrat in early life and later a republican, and for twenty years held the office of justice of the peace. In the Hall family were four children: Lucius, deceased; Harvey, who served with the rank of captain in the Civil war and died from the effects of wounds ; Lydia, deceased ; and Emma, Mrs. Goodsell. Mr. and Mrs. Goodsell have two sons. Fred, the older, was educated in the public schools, in St. Mary’s Institute at Dayton, Ohio, and also the Tri- State College at Angola. His first experience was farming and later he spent about two years at Kala- mazoo employed by the Electric Light Company, and then became manager of the Indiana & Southern Michigan Telephone Company at Ashley. After six years he moved to Fort Wayne and engaged in the garage business four years, and on returning to Ash- ley established a garage which is now the most pop- ular enterprise of its kind in that locality. Another experience of his younger life was two years in dredge work employed by the Harding Brothers. In 1897 Fred Goodsell married Anna Joyce of Vin- cennes, Indiana. They have a daughter, Alleen E., who completed her education in the Ashley High School. Clifford H. Goodsell, the second son, had a public school education and for seventeen years was en- gaged in dredge work, beginning as a common laborer but finally promoted to dredge manager. In 1917 he returned to LaGrange County and is now renting his father’s farm. February 28, 1915, Clifford Goodsell married Miss Clara Forst, a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Fry) Forst, of Milford Town- ship. They have a son, Andrew Eugene. Tasso K. Smith, though now a resident of the State of Washington, is a member of one of the old and prominent families of LaGrange County where he resided until 1919. His father was James Smith. James Smith was born in Clark County, Ohio, June 16, 1820, son of David and Elizabeth (Hurd) Smith, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Maryland. The Hurd and Smith families settled in Clark County, Ohio, during the War of 1812. The Smiths are of Irish and the Hurds of German ancestry. David Smith was a soldier in the War of 1812 under Gen- eral Harrison. In 1833 David Smith brought his family to Indiana and bought 360 acres of land in Lima Township of LaGrange County. He lived there until his death and was not only a successful farmer but a very progressive minded citizen. He worked heart and soul for the abolition movement before the Civil war. He was one of the first county com- missioners and he was an advocate and practitioner of temperance and frugality. James Smith was thirteen years old when brought to LaGrange County. He finished his education in Lima Township and bought eighty acres of land there, subsequently buying another eighty. On April 4, 1849, he married Miss Sarah Burnell. She was born in England, where her mother Eleanor Burnell died. Her father came to Indiana in 1830 and died at Lex- ington, now Brighton, in Greenfield Township. James Smith and wife in 1863 moved to Greenfield Township and bought 134J2 acres. He served as county commissioner for eighteen years and for one term was assessor, and also filled the office of repre- sentative in the Legislature. He and his wife had ten children: Jewison, David T., Frank M., Burnell S., deceased; James C., Tasso K., Clyde H., deceased; Nellie B„ Maggie E., and Joseph. Several of these children are mentioned on other pages of this pub- lication. Tasso K. Smith was born in Greenfield Township May 5, i860, and grew up on the old homestead, acquiring a common school education. In early man- hood he moved to Kansas, lived in that state four years, following the business of livery and farming and later went to Seattle, Washington, where he spent some time as a contractor. In 1891 he returned to LaGrange County and in 1895 bought 120 acres in Springfield Township. He increased this farm by sixty-five acres more and lived there in prosperous circumstances until 1919 when he removed to Wash- ington, where he now resides. For a number of years he was a breeder of Percheron horses, and some of his stock won prizes at fairs and exhibitions. Mr. Smith is a republican and served as assessor of Springfield Township. He was also a member of the local Grange, the Gleaners and the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Mongo. In 1884 he married Miss Carrie C. Keyes. She was born at Orland in Steuben County in 1865, a daughter of Hiram, a Civil war veteran and Mary (Newton) Keyes, early settlers of Steuben County, who subsequently lived at Mongo, where her father died about 191L at the age of eighty-two and where her widowed mother is still living at the age of seventy-eight. In the Keyes family were seven children: Jessie, deceased, New- ton, Carrie C., Matie, Susan, Harvey and a son that died in infancy. Tasso K. Smith and wife had three sons. Lloyd, the oldest, born August 20, 1885, in Greenfield Town- ship, had a public school education, finishing in the Springfield Township high school and also attended the Tri-State College. Though a farmer he has also been interested in the county history business for a short time. For two years he rented land in Spring- field Township, then bought sixty-five acres which he improved with good buildings and sold this in 1915, and in 1917 bought the old homestead of 120 acres. He sold this farm in 1919. Don Smith, the youngest of the three sons, was born at Seattle, Washington, November 3, 1891. but grew up in Springfield Township and is a graduate of the Springfield Township High School and the LaGrange High School. He was a teacher in North Dakota, worked in a grain elevator in that state, and for about three years was a farmer in LaGrange County. In 1916 he married Miss Edna Greenawalt, daughter of Samuel Greenawalt. They have one daughter Mona Jean. Carl T. Smith was born in Kansas November 26, 1886, and was five years of age when his parents returned to LaGrange County. He gained a liberal education, graduating from the eighth grade in the common schools, the Springfield Township High School, the LaGrange High School, and in 1915 com- pleted his course in DePauw University at Green- castle. He was a successful teacher in the public schools of Springfield Township. He had been fol- lowing the business of solicitor for county histories for several years when America entered the war with Germany. May 12, 1917, he enlisted, joined the training camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison, and was commissioned second lieutenant of Field Artillery, August 15, 1917. Shortly after being commissioned he was sent to Camp Shelby at Hattiesburg, Mis- sissippi. There he was assigned to Battery F, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Field Artillery of the Thirty-eighth Division. He served continuously with that regiment until it was mustered out in January, 1919. On December 22, 1917, he was promoted to first lieutenant. In the fall of 1918 he was sent over- seas to France, was returned to America receiving his honorable discharge early in 1919. He then re- sumed his former work and is now a salesman for the Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago. March 9, 1918, Mr. Smith married Miss Mae Parker of HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 448 Mississippi and they have one son Carl, Jr. Mr. Smith is a republican and a member of the Masonic Order. Abraham M. Jacobs is one of the successful men of Noble County. With a wide range of culture and education acquired both in this country and abroad, he was well fitted for the duties and responsibilities of mature years and has acquired positions in busi- ness affairs which are not only a reflection of his personal ability, but also the judgment of people in his integrity and high character. Mr. Jacobs is president of the Noble County Bank, an institution with thirty years of successful history to its credit. He is also president of the Kendall- ville Trust & Savings Company and president of the Merchants and Farmers Bank at Avilla and of the Farmers Bank at South Milford and he is a director in the Auburn State Bank of Auburn, Indiana. These are all well known financial institutions in this section of Northeast Indiana and all of them were promoted through his initiative and co-operation. He is also a member of the firm of J. Keller & Company, founded by his father, Moses Jacobs, owners of a large department store in Kendallville. He is also the president of the Specialty Display Case Company of Kendallville, manufacturers of show cases and is one of the founders and treasurer of the Kendall- ville Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of cot- ton gloves and mittens with branches at South Bend and LaGrange, Indiana. Mr. Jacobs was born at Kendallville February 8, 1864, son of Moses Jacobs, one of the pioneers of Noble County. At the age of eight years A. M. Jacobs, who had up to that time lived in Kendallville, went with his parents to Europe and he remained there to the age of eighteen, acquiring a thoroughly liberal education at the Gymnasium in Darmstadt, Germany, and benefiting by travel and residence abroad. He specialized in music while in Germany and returned a pianist of brilliant attainments, pos- sessing the natural and rare gift of improvisation which has frequently been designated by the master pianists as a lost art. On returning to the United States he took a course in the Bryant and Stratton Business College at Chicago from which he gradu- ated, and immediately afterwards began his active career at Kendallville, with the firm J. Keller & Company. He was later cashier in the Keller & Kann Bank, was promoted to larger responsibilities, and when the Noble County Bank was organized in 1889, he became its first .cashier. For about twenty- five years he held that position, and since then has been its president. October 23, 1889, he married Miss Nannette Keller, daughter of Jacob Keller, one of the founders of J. Keller & Company and first presi- dent of the Noble County Bank. She was born in Kendallville July 11, 1867. They have two children. Rosalie M. is a graduate of Milwaukee Downer Col- lege and is the wife of L. S. Levy, vice president of the Specialty Display Case Company of Kendallville. The only son Milton Keller is a graduate of the Kendallville High School and the University of Michigan, and is now with the Radio Intelligence Corps in the United States Army. Mr. Jacobs is affiliated with Lodge No. 276 F. & A. M., and has been its treasurer for over thirty years and is a member of the Kendallville Rotary and Golf clubs. He is a democrat in politics. He has served as a member of the city council of Ken- dallville for several terms' and has at all times taken the keenest and most active interest in the civic affairs of his home city. He is president of the board of governors of the Lakeside Hospital and vice president of the Kendallville Public Library. His AVorld war activities were characterized by untiring devotion to the interests of our nation. He served as county chairman for Noble County during the First, Second and Fifth Liberty Loan campaigns in each of which his county went brilliantly “over the top.” He was also a director of sales for Noble County for the United States Certificates of Indebt- edness campaign. He was also chairman of the Ken- dallville War Chest Fund, an organization of citizens from every walk of life who contributed nearly $30,000 to a fund out of which every demand upon Kendallville for war relief purposes of every nature was promptly met. A. M. Jacobs is constantly endeavoring to demon- strate the principle that a good and loyal citizen must unselfishly give many hours of his valuable time to the solution of all problems that make for the uplift and development of the community in which he lives and that a man can not be called successful unless he is willing to do this. Hon. John B. Howe. He whose name heads this article was among the foremost men of Northern Indiana — a pioneer of pioneers — a man of intellect and heart, of whom the world has none too many. The village name was changed in memory of his life and career here, it formerly being called Lima. Mr. Howe was born of English parents in the City of Boston, March 3, 1813, was destined by force of character, and by natural ability, to achieve a great place in the annals of Indiana. His father, the Rev. James B. Howe, an eloquent minister of the Epis- copal Church and his beloved mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Badlam, were Puritans, who gave fair education to their children. The father was a graduate of Harvard College, and an earnest advo- cate of education and morals. Stephen Badlam was brigadier general of militia, who joined the Colonial Army in 1775, and the following year, as major of artillery, took possession July 4, of the point which, from the circumstances, was named Mount Inde- pendence. After the war he located at Dorchester, where he became magistrate, and a deacon of the church. At the age of sixteen, John B. Howe en- tered Trinity College, from which institution he graduated at the age of nineteen. This was in 1832 and in the autumn of that year he went to Detroit, thence to Marshall, Michigan, and in 1833 he moved to Lima. He had read law in Michigan, and was subsequently admitted to the bar, and for a number of years practiced with success. In later years he took up banking for an occupation. He was the author of numerous books — several volumes on Political Economy and Finance. He was a member of the Indiana State Legislature in 1840, represent- ing the counties of Steuben, DeKalb, Noble and La- Grange ; and in 1850, was a member of the Indiana State Constitutional Convention, at which time he, as a whig, advocated measures regarding the slave, identical with those afterward adhered to by the majority of justices in the Dred Scott Decision. In 1846 Mr. Howe was married to Miss Frances Gidden of New Hampshire, who was born in 1823. They lived a beautiful and happy life till overtaken by old age. It was Mr. Howe who accomplished much toward the many educational institutions of Lima, including the private and public high schools. The present Howe Military School, of Howe, was founded largely by a bequest of his in 1884 and added to by his wife later. (See history of this school in Educational chapter.) Mr. Howe died January 22, 1883, and his remains, with those of his wife are deposited beneath the Chapel of the Episcopal Church at Howe. Charles Edwin Brant, who while his duties keep him on the road traveling, spends little of his time HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 449 in Northeast Indiana, is member of an old and prom- inent family of LaGrange County and was born in the City of LaGrange December 18, 1879. He was educated in local public schools, attended the Univer- sity of Wisconsin, and was in the drug business, the line which his father followed for so many years until 1907. He then joined his half-brother, S. A. Brant, a well known publisher at Madison, Wiscon- sin. For a time he was also with the S. J. Clark Publishing Company of Chicago. From 1913 to 1916 he lived at Cherokee, Iowa, and was director of the Cherokee Concert Band. Since then he has been connected with the Brant Publishing business. He is independent in politics and is a member of the Delta Gamma Chapter of the Delta Tau Delta Fra- ternity in the University of Wisconsin. December 26, 1907, he married Miss Enid E. Duff, daughter of W. H. and Harriet (Keith) Duff of LaGrange. She was born at Lima, now Howe, In- diana, December 26, 1885, and was educated in the schools of LaGrange, the Terre Haute Normal. The late Charles A. Brant, father of Charles E. Brant, died December 23, 1911. He was born in Ashland County, Ohio, January 31, 1829, a son of Jabez and Arminda (Kirby) Brant. His youth was spent in various occupations, mostly farming, and he had a good common school education. In 1855 he married Armina Ensign and in March of the follow- ing year moved to Decatur County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. In 1862 he returned east to Michigan and in 1863 settled at LaGrange, where for eleven years he made his headquarters while in business as a traveling salesman. In 1875 he estab- lished himself in the drug business at LaGrange, and followed that until within a few years of his death. He was succeeded by his son Charles E. Brant. His first wife died September 4, 1866, the mother of four children, only two of whom reached mature years, Selwyn A., the Wisconsin publisher, and Ad- die M., deceased (wife of Dr. C. A. Seymoure), of Wawaka, Indiana. On July 1, 1873, Charles A. Brant married Louisa V. Chase, who is still living and Charles E. Brant is their only child. The late Charles A. Brant was always a democrat in politics, was member of the Town Council and affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Charles A. Brant is a Presbyterian, and is now living in San Jose, Cali- fornia. She was born in Illinois x\pril 3, 1846, a daughter of Rufus B. Chase. Robert M. Waddell was born in Wabash County, Indiana, the son of Dr. Charles and Alice (Hosmer) Waddell. His father was a soldier in the war for the Union. Both of his parents are dead. He came to LaGrange in 1884, attended the public schools and while in school was employed in the newspaper of- fices of the town. His newspaper activities include a year with the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Herald, a morning daily, and several years as the managing editor of the Evening News, a daily, and the News and Express, a weekly, at Cadillac, Michigan, Hon. Perry F. Powers, the owner, prominent in Michigan politics, being absent from home much of the time. Mr. Waddell returned to LaGrange in 1906 and has since been connected with the Standard. He is a republican in politics, a member of the LaGrange board of education, secretary of the repub- lican county committee and president of the Corn School Week. He belongs to the Masonic lodge. Mr. Waddell is married and the father of three children. Mrs. Waddell is a daughter of Captain and Mrs. Samuel P. Bradford, the former a soldier in the war for the Union and for eight years clerk of the LaGrange Circuit Court. Mrs. Waddell was educated in the LaGrange public schools and in St. Mary’s Academy at Notre Dame, Indiana. The chil- Vol. 11—29 dren are Ruth Marian, Rose Marjorie and Robert M. Waddell, Jr., all students in the LaGrange public schools. Mr. Waddell was publicity chairman in connection with all of the World war drives in LaGrange County, was chairman of the first war organization, and in connection with this work has spoken in nearly every voting precinct in LaGrange County at public meetings. William Kline has spent his life in Huntington and LaGrange counties, was reared and trained to farming, and though identified with other pursuits for a number of years he finally answered a call back to the land and recently moved to one of the good farms in Springfield Township of LaGrange County. He was born in Huntington County September 13, 1858, a son of Peter M. and Lucetta (Seller.s) Kline. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, his father born in 1822 and his mother in 1828 near Har- risburg. After their marriage in Pennsylvania they moved to Perry County, Ohio, and from there to Huntington County, Indiana. They arrived in Huntington County when the present City of Hunt- ington contained only a few houses. They were farmers in that section of Indiana the rest of their lives. Peter Kline died in 1892 and his wife in 1914. He was a republican and very active in the party and he and his wife were members of the Christian Church, formerly identified with the New Light branch of that church. In their family were eleven children, Rebecca, James, Samuel, Sarah Ann, Peter, Lucetta, John, Levi, Mary Jane, William and Amos. William Kline attended the public schools of Hunt- ington County, was reared on a farm, had his first trials in agriculture in that county, and in 1896 moved to LaGrange, Here he followed different occupa- tions for several years and for eight years was town marshal. In the spring of 1919 he bought a farm of 78% acres in Springfield Township. This is a part of the Prentiss farm and is land once owned by I. eslie Appleman. Mr. Kline does general farming and stock raising and during his first year showed the quality of his experience and ability as a farmer in the fine crops he raised. He has good buildings, rich soil, and is in a position to enjoy independence and comfort. Politically he is a republican. In 1896 he married Mrs. Margaret C. Mygrants of LaGrange. They have one son Lea A., born May 13, 1904, and now being educated in the public schools of LaGrange. Frederick Jacob Brown. For a great many years the Brown family have been one of splendid initi- ative, business energy and progressive character in the citizenship of LaGrange. There were several Brown brothers who did important things in the up- building of the city. One of the present generation is Frederick Jacob Brown, for many years a promi- nent druggist in the city. Frederick J. Brown was born at LaGrange August II, 1871, is a graduate of the LaGrange High School and took the pharmacy course at Northwestern University in Chicago. He entered the drug busi- ness in June, 1896, and has continued it without in- terruption for twenty-three years. He is a repub- lican, is interested in local affairs, is a member of the LaGrange School Board, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family attend the Presbyterian Church of which his wife is a member. June 29, 1899, he married Miss Mary Catherine Roy. She was born in Clear Spring Township, La- Grange County, October 3, 1873, a daughter of William and Mary Catherine (Musser) Roy. Her father was born in LaGrange County in 1848, a son 450 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA of Charles and Jane Gray (Oliver) Roy. The Roys were among the early settlers of Springfield Town- ship, where Charles Roy bought a farm of 240 acres and cleared up most of the land and made it produc- tive and valuable. He and his wife both died there. William Roy also acquired a farm in Clear Spring Township. As a youth he did his part as a soldier in the Civil war and for many years was affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a republican, served as trustee of Clear Spring Town- ship, and many other facts are remembered to his credit. He and his wife were married November 7, 1867, and he died October 8, 1902, while Mrs. Brown’s mother passed away March 17, 1917. She was a member of the Methodist Church. In the Roy family were six children : Irva, deceased wife of R. L. Thompson; Jennie, unmarried; Jessie, wife of H. S. Zimmerman ; Mary Catherine, Mrs. Brown ; Harry E. ; and Edith, wife of A. W. Davidson. Mr. and Mrs. Brown had four children t Sarah Margaret, born September 29, 1902, now a senior in the LaGrange High School; Jacob S., born Decem- ber 18, 1905, who is in the first year of his high school work; William Roy, born August 5, 1911; and Barbara, born April 13, 1914. The father of the LaGrange druggist was the late Jacob S. Brown. His father, Abijah Brown, was born at Adams, Vermont, May 30, 1799. When a boy his parents moved to Herkimer County, New York, where the father and mother of Abijah died. Abijah at the age of twenty-one married Maria Shoff. In 1826 he settled in Allegany County, New York, and in 1838 moved to Huron County, Ohio. He had bought land in LaGrange County as early as 1845. However, it was not until 1865 that he dis- posed of his property in Ohio and joined his family in LaGrange County. On December 30, 1867, his wife died in this county and he survived her less than five years, passing away January 8, 1872, both are buried in the LaGrange Cemetery. Abijah Brown and wife had seven children:' Electa, Ira W., Charlotte L., Jacob S., Julia M., Adrian D. and one that died in infancy. Jacob S. Brown was born in New York State May 22, 1829, and grew up in Huron County, Ohio. In the fall of 1854 at the age of twenty-five he came to Indiana and located near the south line of Bloom- field Township. Here he established the first steam sawmill in Johnson Township. The following spring his brother Ira W. came out from Ohio, and they shared the responsibility of operating the mill for two years. Jacob then sold out his share in the property and went back to Ohio, where for three years he followed farming. His younger brother Adrian who was born in Huron County, Ohio, De- cember 17, 1840, came to LaGrange County in 1865, and in the summer of the same year as noted above Abijah Brown and his son Ira bought the Boyd property. In the spring of 1867 Adrian and his father engaged in the drug business. Thus Frederick Jacob Brown as a druggist is in a measure continu- ing a business that has been in the family for half a century or more. Adrian and his father continued as druggists until the winter of 1871, when Jacob S. succeeded to his father’s place. About that time Jacob, Ira and Adrian Brown began the erection of the Brown Hotel Building, which was completed in the spring of 1872. A four-story brick block 48 by 100 feet with basement, it stood as the largest and most conspicuous improvement in the business dis- trict of LaGrange for several years. The building was leased, the lower rooms being occupied by bus- iness firms. In one of them Jacob S. and Adrian Brown continued their drug business, while the bank occupied another part of the building. This struc- ture was destroyed by fire January 7, 1877, entailing a loss of over $18,000. In 1878 the ground was divided and Jacob S. and Adrian D. began the im- provement of their holdings, constructing what has ever since been known as the Brown Block. Adrian D. took the north lot 22 by xoo feet, while Jacob acquired the three lower lots, 22 by 80 feet. The second story of the Jacob S. Brown building con- tains Brown Hall, the best hall in town, with a seat- ing capacity of 800. This was one of many evidences of the progressiveness of the Brown brothers as business men and property improvers in LaGrange. After Jacob S. Brown left the drug business he was a grocery merchant, and finally sold out all his mer- cantile holdings and lived retired. He was very successful though his prosperity had come to him largely after he was fifty years of age. He died October 27, 1906. On May u, 1856, he married for his first wife Elizabeth Ingraham. Of their five children only two grew up : Ellen M., who was educated in the LaGrange High School and the County Normal School, was a successful teacher, later for some years was employed with the George P. Bent Piano Com- pany in Chicago, and is now living at Highland Park, Illinois, unmarried; and Catherine E., who is the wife of Ira White, for many years a druggist in South Bend, and they have a daughter Jane, wife of William Duff, Jr., of LaGrange. Jacob S. Brown and his second wife, who died January 5, 1917, aged seventy-two, had two children: Frederick J. and Caroline G., the latter the wife of Dr. H. B. Roberts and lives at Highland Park, Illinois. Adrian D. Brown married Helena C. Chamberlain, a sister of his brother’s wife. They had five chil- dren, Guy C., Harold, Mabel, Thaddeus and Char- lotta, who is now deceased. Robert Bruce Stead, who is one of the leading automobile salesmen in Northern Indiana, with home at LaGrange, was born in Greenfield Township of LaGrange County March 11, 1863, son of Jacob Pickett and Nancy Elizabeth (Elya) Stead, the for- mer a native of England and the latter of New York State. The paternal grandparents were William T. and Hannah (Pickett) Stead, both born about seven miles from Leeds, Yorkshire, England. During the ’30s they came to America and from White Pigeon, Michigan, settled in Greenfield Township, where William T. Stead died in 1867, when about seventy- three years of age, his wife having passed away in 1863. Their children were William, John, Thomas, George, Hannah, Joseph, Robert and Pickett. Jacob Pickett Stead grew up in LaGrange County, had a public school education, and owned a farm of eighty acres in Greenfield Township, now known as the Garletts farm. In 1873 he sold that place and moved to Mongo, and his wife died there in 1877. After that he lived in Greenfield Township until his death on February 19, 1905. He was for about fifteen years an extensive stock dealer. Politically he was a democrat, member of Orland Lodge of Masons, and one of the well known citizens of the. county. His wife Nancy Elizabeth Elya was a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Green) Elya, who came from New York to LaGrange County in 1847 and settled in Springfield Township. David Elya was a carpenter by trade, and he and his two brothers-in-law, Francis Smith and Nathan Green, also carpenters, worked together and erected many of the old houses, barns and other buildings in Springfield and Springfield Township and also in Steuben County. Jacob Pickett Stead and wife had three children, Willis, the oldest, born in 1861 and dying in 1867; Robert Bruce was the second in age ; Matilda was born December 6, 1870, became the wife of Harley Anderson. Her HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 451 two children were Charles, a farmer in Greenfield Township, who married a daughter of B. F. Swihart; arid Lulu, wife of C. E. Truby. Mrs. Matilda An- derson died in 1896. Robert Bruce Stead lived in Greenfield Township until he was ten years of age, and then lived at Mongo. He attended the public schools there. Since October, 1884, his home has been in Springfield Township. In 1887 he engaged in the mercantile business at Brushy Prairie and in 1891 rented the farm of Griffith F. Hall, his father-in-law, and con- tinued farming until 1904. In the spring of that year he left the farm and became a salesman for the Belleville Foundry Company of Belleville, Illinois, and was on the road for that company for eleven years. In 1915 he began selling automobiles for the LaGrange Auto Company. Mr. Stead is a republican in politics. October 30, 1886, he married Miss Florence Mabel Hall, who was born in Springfield Township October 10, 1870. Her father Griffith Foos Hall was born in Clark County, Ohio, April 2, 1832, a son of Will- iam and Lucinda (Hall) Hall. Griffith Hall was brought to Springfield Township by his parents in 1835 and grew up in the Brushy Prairie community. As a young man with a capital of $1,000 he moved to Cass County, Michigan, and contracted for a $10,000 farm. Through misfortune he was com- pelled to lose his investment and returned to Springfield Township with only $600. In i860 he bought 256 acres north of Brushy Prairie, adjoining the village, built a fine, brick house, the first of its kind in the township, and was always known as one of the substantial men of that community. His first wife was Lucinda Bradford, daughter of Elder Bradford. They were married in 1857 and had three children, Charles, Franklin and Lucinda, all of whom are now deaceased. On December 31, 1865, Mr. Hall married Mrs. Mary A. Appleman, a daughter of David L. Poppino and widow of John W. Appleman. To their second marriage were born two children, the second dying in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Stead had two children. Frank C., born August 27, 1887, was educated in the Spring- field Township High School, is a farmer by occupa- tion but is now a salesman for the LaGrange Auto Company. December 25, 1905, he married Miss Dona Parr, who was born in Steuben County May 30, 1887, a daughter of John and Sylvia Parr of Kendallville. They have one child, Basil, born November 7, 1906. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Stead was Bessie born December 1, 1898, and died February 8, 1900. Claude L. Carpenter. Many of the government officials, especially those in charge of the postoffices of the country, have been appointed to these re- sponsible positions as an honorable reward for party service rendered, but in no instance are they thus chosen unless fitted for the work in question and having the endorsement of the responsible men of their community. Claude L. Carpenter, postmaster of Pleasant Lake, Indiana, is one of the most effi- cient young men of Steuben County, and his selec- tion for this office met with almost universal ap- proval not only from the men of his own party but those of the opposing forces, who recognized his capabilities and sterling integrity. The original appointment was secured hy civil service examina- tion in competition. Claude L. Carpenter was born at Pleasant Lake, Steuben County, Indiana, June 26, 1883, a son of Joseph J. Carpenter, grandson of John Carpenter, great-grandson of Thomas Carpenter, and great- great-grandson of John Carpenter. The last named gentleman was born in Virginia, and had the mis- fortune to be captured by the Indians about 1750. As was the custom in those days, he had turned his horses loose in the woods, and went out to get them, when he was surprised by a band of hostile redskins and taken prisoner. They bound his hands with a leather strap, still preserved as a trophy by the Carpenter family, and led him away with his two horses. After they had journeyed about 150 miles, during which time John Carpenter learned that they proposed to take him to their village still -several days’ journey away, where he would be put to the torturous Indian death, and, watching his opportunity, he effected his own escape while the vigilance of his captors was relaxed, and also of his horses. Although the territory was entirely strange to him and he was without compass, his knowledge of woodcraft was such that he made his way back over the 150 miles, through dense forests a portion of the way, and crossed the Ohio River just one-half mile away from the point over which the Indians had taken him. His son, Thomas Carpenter, was born in a rail pen, near Marietta, Ohio, and is supposed to have been the first white child of the male sex born on this side of the Ohio River. John Carpenter, son of Thomas Carpenter and grandson of John Carpenter of Virginia, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Casey, was born in Jef- ferson County, Ohio. After his marriage John Car- penter became a farmer of Defiance County, Ohio, and there he died in 1894, and his widow in 1904. Their children were as follows : William, Hannah, Poe, Ellen, John, Donia, Joseph J., and Susan. Of the above named children, Joseph J. Carpen- ter is the father of Claude L. Carpenter, postmaster of Pleasant Lake, and his birth occurred in De- fiance County, Ohio, December 3, 1854, while his wife, whom he married in 1882, was born in the same county, she having been Nellie J. Barr prior to her marriage, a daughter of James and Lucy (Close) Barr. Their children were as follows: Claude L., Nina M., Clair J., William B., and John W. In 1882 Joseph J. Carpenter came to Steuben County, Indiana, and, locating at Pleasant Lake, conducted a livery business here for about nine years, but in 1891 sold it and went back to Ohio. In the, early part of 1897 he returned to Steuben County and bought a farm in Salem Township, which he conducted until February, 1908, when he sold this property and moved to Michigan, leaving it in De- cember, 1909, to go to Virginia for two years. Once more he returned to Steuben Township, and is now engaged in operating his farm of forty acres in section 22, Steuben Township. Claude L. Carpenter was reared at Pleasant Lake, where he received his intellectual training for a period, supplementing it with attendance upon the schools of Ohio and those of Salem Township, and completing his studies in the high school of Hudson. When he attained his majority he began farming in Salem Township, from which he moved after two years to Steuben Township and spent two years more. In October, 1909, Mr. Carpenter went to a farm in the vicinity of Newport News, Virginia, and was there engaged in business for four years, but left in January, 1913, to locate permanently at Pleas- ant Lake. While he was in Virginia he was a gen- eral salesman for the Auto Tread Company, his territory embracing Maryland, Virginia and North and South Carolina. For the first two years after his return to Pleasant Lake he was connected with the Lake Shore Railroad, leaving it to accept ap- pointment as postmaster of Pleasant Lake on Oc- tober 16, 1914. At that time the office belonged in the fourth class, but through his efforts the business 452 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA was so increased that it was put in the third class. He received the presidential appointment from President Wilson December 20, 1916, and has since continued in office. On July 3, 1904, Mr. Carpenter was united in mar- riage with Leona Odessie Ransburg, a daughter of George W. Ransburg. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have the following children : Ruth V., who was born May ii, 1906; Frances O., who was born August 19, 1913; and Robert L., who was born July 18, 1916. Mr. Carpenter is a Mason. He has lived up to the best conceptions of manhood, and has rendered his government efficient and valuable service in his present position, as well as in a private capacity during the late war. He and his family, from which three brothers went into the army to fight against Germany, are recognized as being 100 per cent loyal Americans. Edmund Barnes, a well remembered citizen of LaGrange County, was born in Bloomfield Township February 28, 1853, a son of Edmund and Susan (Beardsley) Barnes. His parents came from Ohio to LaGrange County at a very early day, and ac- quired the land where their son Edmund was born, and in the midst of a clearing in the woods built their log cabin home. They lived there the rest of their days. Their family consisted of ten children : Matilda Maria, Jehile, Harriet, John, Elizabeth, Jane, Ephraim, William, Alice and Edmund. Of these Jehile was killed while a Union soldier. Only two are now living, Matilda and Harriet. Edmund Barnes after his father’s death remained on the homestead with his widowed mother, and when she died he went out to Kansas and spent two years. In 1881 he bought forty acres one mile north and one-quarter east of Plato, and his family have lived there since 1882. Later he added thirty-five acres and improved the land with good buildings be- fore his death, which occurred in 1896. On March 1, 1882, he married Charlotte Campbell. She was born in Ingham County, Michigan, a daughter of Marshall and Maria (Boyer) Campbell, who came from Pennsylvania and were early settlers in the woods of Ingham County. They had twelve children, Boyer, Catherine, Sarah, Daniel, Mathew, William, Homer H„ Angeline, Mrs._ Charlotte Barnes, Joseph, Marshall, Jr., and Maria. OL the twelve children Boyer, Daniel, William, Charlotte and Marshall are still living. Mrs. Barnes, who with her son Walter and family live on the old homestead, had two children, Jennie M., born May 1, 1884, and Walter E., born December 24, 1885. Jennie is the wife of Claud C. Smith, a Mongo merchant and business man. Walter E. was born on the old home farm, and owing to the death of his father he has had the practical responsibilities of running the farm since he was fifteen years old. On May 6, 1908, he married Miss Cordelia Horner, a daughter of Elias M. Horner. They have two children: Ralph D„ born September 20, 1910, and Mildred Arlene, born July 23, 1914. Claud C. Smith. A great deal of the business history of the old Village of Mongo centers around members of the Smith family. Claud C. Smith has been a business man there for fifteen years or more, formerly a hardware merchant, and now a partner in the grain elevator. His lather, the late well remembered and stanch old character of Mongo, George Smith, helped make business and community history in this part of La- Grange County. George Smith was born in Spring- field Township, on his father’s farm, in 1843, a son of George W. and Jane (Gray) Smith, the former a native of New York State and the latter of Con- necticut. George W. Smith came at a very early date to Indiana and located at Mongo, where he con- ducted what was probably the first real hotel in the village. That hotel stood on the site now occupied by the Dan Garlets residence. This was in stage coach days, and the stage between Fort Wayne and Sturgis made regular stops at the Smith Inn or hotel. George W. Smith was in the hotel business only about a year and then moved to the farm where his son George lived so long. George W. Smith acquired 500 acres of land in Indiana and cleared up much of it and made the first improvements. Later he and his wife retired from the farm and spent their last days in Mongo. Their children were three, George, Sophia, wife of Emory Rodgers, and Charles. George Smith received his education in the old Ontario Seminary and attended school there one year after his marriage. As a young man he was a farmer and teacher, but later went back to his father’s old farm and had 200 acres which received his particular attention. He put up good buildings, but in 1906 he built a home in Mongo and lived re- tired there until his death December 12, 1912. He was a township trustee many years and active in all local matters. He was also affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows as a charter member of the Lodge at LaGrange, and as a Knight of Pythias helped build the Knights of Pythias Hall at Mongo. He married, March 12, 1871, Miss Mary Adaline Colwell. She was born at Mongo, a daughter of John and Margaret (Wilson) Colwell, both na- tives of Ohio. The Colwell family also had a part in the early activities of Mongo. John Colwell on coming to Indiana established a blacksmith shop on the site now occupied by the home of Alice Garlets. He was the village blacksmith for many years. He and his wife lived in the home now occupied by Doctor Grubb, and died there. In the Colwell family were five children: Wesley, Catherine, Charles, Mary Adaline and Hugh, Mrs. George Smith being the only survivor. She became the mother of three children : Harriett, Claud C. and Opal, and of these Claud C. alone remains. Claud C. Smith was born at Mongo November 19, 1879, attended the Mongo High School and the Tri-State Normal at Angola, where he graduated in 1899 with the Bachelor of Science degree. While a student at Angola he enlisted June 21, 1898, in Company H of the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Volunteer Infantry. Like most of the volunteers of the Spanish-American war, he spent his time in a training camp, being sent to Fort Tampa and also to Ferninda. On the first of October he was returned to Indianapolis, where he was mustered out. Mr. Smith taught one year in Steuben County and for five years was principal of the high school at Mongo. Another two years he farmed his father’s place and then engaged in the' hardware business, establishing the first exclusive hardware stock in the village. His stock was first housed in an old frame building on the west side of Main Street. When this building burned it was replaced by Mr. Smith by a sub- stantial brick block which still stands as a monument to his enterprise. He individually built and owned the black, but for five years his business partner as a merchant was L. Haskins. He sold out his mer- cantile interests in 1915. Besides handling hardware the firm also did an extensive business in the buying and selling of live stock. For the past four years Mr. Smith has been a partner with Mr. Wingard in the grain elevator at Mongo, which they bought from William Hawk. Mr. Smith is affiliated with the LaGrange Lodge of Masons, with the Knights of Pythias at Mongo, and with the Elks Lodge at Kendallville. Lie mar- HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 453 ried April 19, 1905, Jennie M. Barnes, of LaGrange County, daughter of Edmund Barnes. They have one son, Hubert B., born September 25, 1906. Dr. C. A. Gardner. Among the professional men of Kendallville, Indiana, is Dr. Cyrus Alvin Gard- ner, who has been in the practice of medicine and surgery in that place for the past fifteen years. Doctor Gardner was born in Fairfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, January 10, 1875, a son of Henry and Sarah (Miller) Gardner. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Ohio. His father, at the age of six years, moved with his parents to Holmes County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In 1845 he located on a farm in DeKalb County, Indiana, being one of the early pioneers of the county. He remained on the same farm until 1899, when he moved to Kendallville, where he lived until his death. Doctor Gardner was born and reared on a farm. He received his preliminary education in the dis- trict school, graduating from the grades in 1893. In September of the same year he entered the academic department of Wittenberg College at Springfield, Ohio, graduating from that department in the spring of 1895. In the fall of the same year he entered Wittenberg College, completing the course in the spring of 1899 with the degree of A. B. He was prominent in student affairs in college. He was president of his senior class and was also espe- cially active in athletics. He was a member of the college track team and of the varsity football team, being captain of the college team when Wittenberg gained the Ohio championship. He is a member of the Greek letter fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta. In the fall of 1899 Doctor Gardner entered Rush Medical College at Chicago and completed his course there June 18, 1902, receiving the degree of M. D. The same year he received from Wittenberg College the degree of A. M. Immediately after graduating from Rush Medical College Doctor Gardner located in Kendallville, Indiana, where he has gained a high reputation in medical circles. He is secretary of the Board of Health and Charities of Kendallville, is surgeon for the Ft. Wayne and Northwestern Railroad, and was acting surgeon for the New York Central Lines in 1918. He is an active member of the Noble County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and of the American Medical Association. Doctor Gardner was married in Chicago Novem- ber 12, 1901, to Etta Mae Barringer of Springfield, Ohio. They are members of the Presbyterian Church and he is a Knight Templar Mason. William H. Duff, who has been a resident of LaGrange County for half a century, and has been prominent as a farmer, teacher and public official, was born at Rochester, New York, December 26, 1852, son of William and Eliza (Burns) Duff. William Duff was born at Ballina, County Mayo. Ireland, and was married in that country and about 1849 crossed the ocean to Montreal, Canada, and the following year came to the United States. He and his family located in Indiana in 1869. The parents of Eliza Burns were Edward and Mary (Wilson) Burns, natives of Ireland, who came to- the United States about 1859. William H. Duff was seventeen years old when he came to Indiana. He had attended common schools and finished his education in the Collegiate Insti- tute at Ontario. For fourteen years in the town of Lima he farmed and taught school. He has also served as justice of the peace, was clerk of the circuit court from 1893 to 1901, was prosecuting attorney two years, and served as juvenile judge in vacation. A prominent republican, he served as county chairman of his party in 1894-96. Mr. Duff is a charter member of Lima Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and a member of the Methodist Church. March 30, 1876, at Ontario, Indiana, he married Harriet M. Keith, daughter of James M. and Catherine A. (Brown) Keith. She was born at Lima, Indiana, in 1853. Her father, James M. Keith, was born at Nelson in Madison County, New York, February 25, 1811, son of Simeon and Hannah (Taft) Keith. Catherine Abigail Brown was born in Columbia County, New York, Decem- ber 8, 1817. She and James M. Keith were married at Lima in LaGrange County, December 17, 1837, and they and their family constituted pioneers in Northeast Indiana. Judge Duff and wife have four children: William Burns Duff, a native of Lima, who married Jane E. White of LaGrange; James K. Duff, who mar- ried Bess L. Gilbert; Enid E. Duff, who is the wife of Edwin C. Brant of LaGrange; and Mildred C. Dickinson. G. A. Brillhart. For over thirty years G. A. Brillhart was identified with the business affairs and civic life of Kendallville. He was a very able merchant, but is also remembered because of his substantial qualities as a citizen, the liberal efforts he expended in behalf of church and other local in- stitutions, and he well earned the esteem which followed his memory. Mr. Brillhart, who died at his home in Kendall- ville, February 8, 1899, was born in Summit County, Ohio, November 28, 1835. He acquired a common school education and for a number of years was a successful teacher. While teaching he also worked as a bookkeeper for the merchants, doing this to pay his board. He finally left off teaching and be- came a bookkeeper for a firm at Liberty, Ohio. In that town in 1855, he married Miss Amanda Spangler. A year after his marriage he again resumed teaching, and lived for several years at Edgerton, Ohio. In 1866 he came to Kendallville and here for thirty years was a leading implement and hard- ware merchant. He built up a large business and he also profited by his keen foresight, and his ex- tensive knowledge of business and affairs. He was always kind and sympathetic, and gave liberally of his means for charitable work, especially under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was an active member. He was also a member and past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics was a re- publican. He was survived by Mrs. Brillhart, who died July 12, 1918. She was one of the noble women of Ken- dallville, a sincere worker in the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and beloved by all who knew her, especially by the children, who had what amounted to a veneration for this good and kindly woman. Mr. and Mrs. Brillhart had three children, but the only one now living is Ida L. Brillhart. Ida was reared and educated at Kendallville, and had a high school course. She married Jehu Miller, who was born and educated in Ohio. Mrs. Miller has one daughter, Gertrude, who was educated in the Indianapolis High School and attended college at Washington. For the past nineteen years Mrs. Ida L. Miller has been a very successful business woman and has an office through which many important transac- tions in real estate and loans have been made. She is a member and liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 454 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA George M. White. One of the prominent mer- chants of LaGrange, George M. White is a son of that old time and honored physician of the county, the late Dr. Edward G. White. George M. White was born at LaGrange; Sep- tember 28, 1865. His birthplace was the house he lives in today. He was educated in grammar and high schools and on April 1, 1887, engaged in the grocery business with his brother, Ira. They were associated for ten years, at the end of which period George bought out his brother and has conducted an individual business now for over twenty years. In politics he is a republican and is serving as a mem- ber of the Town Board. In 1901 he married Mary Horning, a native of Lima Township. Dr. Edward G. White, father of George M. White, was born in Wayne County, New York, March 22, 1830, son of Ira and Jane G. (Bennie) White, the former a native of Vermont and ihe latter of New York City. Doctor White was an infant when his mother died and in 1836 accom- panied his father to Maumee City, Ohio. His father died there when Doctor White was twelve years of age and about a year later he returned to the State of New York. In 1845 he again made his home at Maumee City, and began learning the tiade of printer. In 1847 he went to Columbus, Ohio, and for about four years worked in the offices of the State Journal and the Ohio Statesman. In the sum- mer of 1850 he again visited his native state and the following winter took up the study of medicine in the Sterling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, and had some of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the time among his instructors. He graduated in February, 1854, practiced a few years in Licking County, Ohio, and in July, 1857, came to LaGrange, Indiana. Except for the period of the Civil War he was steadily engaged in practice and his services were appreciated over a wide ex- tent of territory in and around LaGrange for more than forty years until his death in October, 1901. Immediately after the battle of Stone River in 1863, Doctor White received a telegram from Gov- ernor Morton to gather as many surgeons as pos- sible and report for special duty at Nashville and Murfreesboro. Having carried out this instruction with his characteristic promptness, Doctor White contracted as an acting assistant surgeon in the Union Army and remained engaged in those duties until the close of the war. In l%ter years he was examining surgeon for applicants for pensions and was also examiner for the Knights of Honor and a number of other insurance companies. He also at one time held the office of trustee of Bloomfield Township. In 1856 Doctor White married Agnes R. Murch, of Licking County, Ohio. She died in 1909. Their two sons to reach manhood are Ira R. and George M. Ira R. White was born at LaGrange, in June, 1861, graduating from the LaGrange High School in 1878, with the first class that had a formal com- mencement. He was in the drug business with Charles Allen, later with Seth McDonald, and finally sold out his interest in that partnership and bought a local grocery business and for ten years he and his brother George were partners. About 1897 Ira White moved to South Bend, Indiana, where for over twenty years he has been in the drug business. He married Kittie Brown and has a daughter, Jean, now the wife of William B. Duff, Jr., of LaGrange. Robert William McClaskey was born at La- Grange, Indiana, on July 4, 1886. He is the son of John Edgar and Alta lone (Crampton) McClaskey, The McClaskey family originated in Scotland. The traditional ancestor married one of the daughters of the famous Robert Bruce, King of Scotland. The McClaskey clan were loyal supporters 'of the House of Stewart, which for years was the ruling- dynasty of Scotland. A large majority of the male members of the family lost their lives at the battle of Flodden Field, where they vainly died in the cause of “Bonnie Prince Charlie’' Stewart. The family were strict Presbyterians, and to gain greater freedom, most of the McClaskey family name moved to counties Antrim and Down, in Ire- land. In the eighteenth century several of this family immigrated from Ireland to America and settled in New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, and records show that those of this name participated on the side of the colonists in the American Revolution. Jacob McClaskey, paternal great-grandfather of Robert William, was born on the Juniata River, in Perry County, Pennsylvania. He was the only child of his parents. His father died, the mother re- marrying a Mr. Dean and having two children, Samuel and a girl who married John Straus. Jacob McClaskey grew up along the Juniata River in Pennsylvania and moved to Beaver County, Penn- sylvania, where he married Margaret Lowry. Mar- garet (Lowry) McClaskey was the daughter of Robert Lowry, who had nine children: John, Frank, Robert (father of the late Judge Robert Lowry of Fort Wayne, Indiana), James, Alexander, one other son, Jane, who married a Beatty; Mary, who died unmarried; and Margaret, who married great- grandfather Jacob McClaskey. In 1819 Jacob McClaskey moved to near Mans- field, Ohio, and then moved to Leesville, Crawford County, Ohio, where he was elder in the Presby- terian Church and a strict abolitionist. He here conducted a station on the “Underground Rail- road,” freeing runaway slaves. In his old age he lived with children in Steuben County, Indiana. He died January 6, 1871, aged eighty years, two months, ten days. His wife, Margaret (Lowry) McClaskey, died January 2, 1861, aged sixty-nine years, five months, twenty-five days. Jacob McClaskey’s children were: Jane, who married John Clements; Robert (paternal grand- father); Rebecca, who married Dr. John McKean; Lydia, who married Peter West; Mary Ann, who married Abram Hemery; Nancy, who married Thomas Parsons; and Julia Ann, who married Joseph Thomas. The paternal grandfather, Robert McClaskey, was born January 15, 1815, in a log house which stood on what was then the spot where three counties in Pennsylvania joined, namely: Beaver, Butler and Mercer counties. When he was four years old his parents moved to near Mansfield, Ohio, and later to Leesburg, in Crawford County. There, in 1836, he married Hannah Dwinnell. In 1844 he traded his farm in Ohio for 100 acres adjoining LaGrange, in LaGrange County, Indiana. He and his family, with their goods, came with teams and wagons to La- Grange, Indiana, in October, 1844, passing through the Black Swamp, near Van Wert, Ohio. The first court to be assembled in LaGrange was in session in the frame courthouse when they arrived. Robert McClaskey’s house was located where Hotel Ruick now stands. He had a shoe shop where the Platts Marble Works is now located. There he employed several men and made most of the boots and shoes for the town. He gradually added to his farm until he had 200 acres adjoining the town on the east. He bought and laid out several subdivisions in the town. He was not forward in disposition but was a leader, very erect in bearing, being 6 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 455 feet i inch tall. He with Doctor Butler, Joe Wade, Zoph Scidmore and a few others started the first organization of the republican party in LaGrange County in 1856. In later life he built a large house on his farm on the hill to the east of LaGrange and resided there until his death, October 18, 1900. Robert McClaskey’s first wife died at LaGrange and he was married in 1851 to Hannah (Humiston) Durand, the widow of Amasi Durand, a farmer who owned land adjoining LaGrange. The widow had two sons, George and Ira Durand, who lived with the McClaskey’s after their mother’s second marriage. Robert McClaskev’s second wife died in 1885. Robert McClaskey's children by his first wife were : Rachel, deceased, aged sixteen, in 1854 ; Julia, unmarried, now living in LaGrange; Margaret, who married Charles R. Moon and is living in St. Joseph, Michigan, a widow; Rebecca, who mar- ried Norman Sessions, both living at Hawks Park, Florida ; Nancy Adeline, who married E. G. Machan, both living in Elkhart, Indiana. Bv his second wife Robert McClaskev had two sons : Miles Robert, who died in 1898, aged forty-six; he was a lawyer in LaGrange, Indiana; John Edgar, the youngest of the family and father of our subject. John Edgar McClaskey was born at LaGrange October 23, 1854, and died there April 25, 1905. He grew up at LaGrange. taught school at Shipshe- wana one year, then attended Indiana University at Bloomington, and was graduated there in 1879. He belonged to the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After graduation he returned to LaGrange and studied law in the office of Glascoe, was admitted to the bar and in 1884 opened a law office for him- self ; 1886-1888 he served as prosecuting attorney of LaGrange and Elkhart counties. He was elected a member of the LaGrange school board and served eight years. He always took an active part in re- publican politics, starting when he was a boy as captain of the “Grant Sprouts,’’ a local campaign organization of note. For several years he served as republican county chairman, and was a factor in district and state politics. As a young man he sang in a local campaign organization called the “Hungry Six.” He was a lawyer of unusual ability, a ready speaker before a jury, and an exacting and pro- found reasoner. In 1900 he formed a law partner- ship with Frank J. Dunten under the firm name of McClaskey and Dunten. Mr. McClaskey was married March 24, 1885, to Alta lone Crampton. She still resides in LaGrange, Indiana. She was born on the home farm of her parents, in Van Buren Township, LaGrange County, ter of William and Emily (Cook) Crampton. The former served as county commissioner of LaGrange County and was a leading farmer. Extended men- tion of the Crampton family is given elsewhere in this history under heading of G. E. Crampton. The children of John Edgar and Alta I. (Crampton) McClaskey were : Robert William, Lura Emily, who resides with her mother in LaGrange ; and Charles Edgar, who is engaged in the life insur- ance business at LaGrange, Indiana. Robert William McClaskey grew up in LaGrange and was graduated from LaGrange High School in 1904. While in high school he took an active part- in debating and public speaking and was editor of the high school magazine. He taught school sev- eral years in the county, at Mongo, Plato, Wood- ruff, and as an instructor in LaGrange High School. In the summers he worked for different concerns engaged in the publication of county histories and at one time is very proud to say that he worked for the Lewis Publishing Company, who are publishing this edition. Thus he saved enough money to put himself through college. He was graduated from Indiana University Law School in June, 1913, one of the honor men of his class. While in college he belonged to the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and also to the honorary law fraternity, Phi Delta Phi. On January 18, 1911, he was admitted to the bar at Bloomington, Indiana, and practiced law one year there as a partner of Elmer Williams under the firm name of Williams and McClaskey. Subsequently he was admitted to practice in the Indiana Supreme Court and the United States District Court. Robert William McClaskey naturally developed an interest in republican politics. In 1914 he was elected as representative from the LaGrange- Steuben district to the 1915 session, of the Indiana State Legislature, and served on the Judiciary Com- mittee which drafted the Indiana Workmen’s Com- pensation Law. In 1916 he was re-elected to the 1917 session of the Legislature, where he served as chairman of the Insurance Committee and the “Plunder” Committee and acted as republican “whip” on the majority side of the house. He then engaged in the investment security business in In- dianapolis and promoted, among other concerns, the Indiana Motor Company, of which he is president. This concern is one of the largest state distributors of automobiles and trucks in Indiana. In 1919 he became a member of the legal staff of the Indian- apolis branch of the Travelers’ Insurance Company. Mr. McClaskey was married on June 1, 1914, to Louise Hite Ferrell. She is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and a daughter of Louis H. and Dorsey (Weatherford) Ferrell, both from old Kentucky families. Robert William and Louise (Ferrell) Mc- Claskey have one son, Robert Bruce McClaskey, born at Hutchinson, Kansas, on September 30, 1915 The McClaskeys live at 3510 North Meridan Street, Indianapolis. John A. Spero was born at Applemanburg, in La- Grange County, September 28, 1854. In the course of a busy lifetime he has spent many' y'ears away from the scenes of his childhood, and there is prob- ably not a resident of LaGrange Countv who is more widely traveled and has seen more of the many sided culture and activities of this country than Mr. Spero. Again and again, however, he has re- turned to what he regards as the garden spot of Indiana, and to-day he is enjoying a quiet routine of activities on the land where he was born. Mr. Spero prefers the simplified spelling of his family name, though many of them spell it Spearow. His father, John Spearow, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1821, son of James and Susanna (Stauffer) Spearow. He came to Springfield Township, LaGrange County', with his parents in 1846, and in 1854 rented land from Ben- jamin Jones, and two years later went out to Polk County, Iowa, where he lived for many years. Then after a brief visit to LaGrange County' he and his brother James set out over the western trail for Pike’s Peak. He was gone less than a year. John Spearow in the fall of 1861 enlisted in Company H, Forty-Fourth Indiana Infantry. He was in service until honorably' discharged at Nashville on account of disability on January 20, 1863. In the meantime he did a soldier’s part in the battles of Fort Don- elson, Shiloh and Perrysville. On returning home he worked four years for Peter McKinley and then bought a farm in Springfield Township. For a num- ber of years he carried mail from Brushy Prairie to Kendallville and from Brushy' Prairie to Lima, Indiana. On October 24, 1853, John Spearow married Louisa J. Curtiss. She was born in Monroe County, New York, a daughter of Alanson and Paulina 456 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA (Hall) Curtiss, formerly of New York. She died March I, 1879, the mother of three children, John A. and James H., residents of Springfield Town- ship; and Schuyler C., of California. On June 13, 1880, John Spearow married Anna G. Maybee, a daughter of Cornelius Maybee, of New Jersey. John Spearow after leaving his farm in Springfield Town- ship lived for some time at Applemanburg, also at Wright’s Corners, now Woodruff, and also had his home in Springfield Township, near the present site of Valley Bethel Church. For a number of years he was a resident of Kendallville, and while there was employed by Kriwvitz Brothers, mil- lers. He died very suddenly while on a visit to the old Rogers homestead in Springfield Township. Alanson Curtiss was a brilliant subject, his father being a prominent lawyer in Ireland. Alanson was an old-time school teacher, attorney at law, justice of the peace, postmaster, and took an active part in public debates. He was an ardent believer in the pure democratic principles. His wife, Paulina (Hill) Curtiss, wa&. born in Vermont. Their son John was killed in the battle of Shiloh by the side of John Spearow, father of John A. John A. Spero grew up in LaGrange County, and during his boyhood days worked at farming. He attended the old Red Eagle schoolhouse in Springfield Town- ship, later the Mongo schools, and his last term of instruction was under the late Samuel Brad- ford, one of the best teachers LaGrange County ever had. Mr. Spero was endowed with the gift of music, and that gift he improved by long study under some of the best masters, and for years he exercised his talents to cheer and entertain. As a boy he attended the old-time singing schools. During 1874-5 he was a student in the Fort Wayne Conservatory of Music. Later he took private lessons under Dr. Luther Orland Emerson of Boston, a cousin of Ralph Waldo Emerson, under Dr. H. R. Palmer of New York City, and still later was a student of D. C. McAlister, who prepared him to sing at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893. At in- tervals through all these years he was a teacher of music in Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska and Kansas. For two years he was associated with Mason Long- in touring the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illi- nois, Indiana and Iowa. Mr. Spero organized the male quartet known as the “Hoosier Hummers,” which sang at the Michigan State Prohibition Con- vention. Mr. Spero has composed the music for a number of song books in general use. He was a member of the Orpheus Club of Oakland, Cali- fornia, composed of 100 selected voices, the greatest male chorus on the Pacific Coast. Mr. Spero left San Francisco just ninety days before the earthquake of 1906. He then went to Montana and participated in drawing for the Flat Head Reservation. His ticket bore the number 992 and entitled him to 160 acres, but he never filed on the homestead. He came back by way of Pike’s Peak, climbing the old mountain over the same trail that his father and Uncle James had gone in the early ’60s. Mr. Spero has spent much time in New Mexico, and in Florida looking after lands of his brother Schuyler. In early life he learned the trade of painter, and followed it as a means of livelihood for forty- four years. He has done work on the finest resi- dences and public buildings in LaGrange County. In his happy environment in the country in Spring- field Township he has applied his energies suc- cessfully to the specialty of breeding fancy poultry, and his stock has won many prizes at the midwinter poultry shows. In politics Mr. Spero was for many years an active prohibitionist, but is now affiliated as a republican. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows at LaGrange. On January T, 1878, he married Miss Alice Eliza- beth Deal, who was born in Springfield Township November 29, 1857. Mr. Spero built the house now owned by Howard Perkins at Applemanburg. He traded that to Doctor Sherrow for a drug busi- ness at Helmer, and after being in the drug busi- ness for a time traded for the Levi Deal farm in Springfield Township. Seven years later he traded that property for eighty acres, including the south half of the old Greenfield farm, and then traded with Dr. A. K. Hammond for property in Fort Wayne. On selling his Fort Wayne interests he bought the Brushy Prairie property, where he now resides, and which was his birthplace. Mr. Spero and wife have two daughters : B. Inez, who was born February 2, 1881, at Appleman- burg, was educated in the public schools of that vil- lage and Helmer, and is the wife of Clyde E. Ham- mond, who is in the automobile business at Howe. Daisy Nevada, the second daughter, was born De- cember 8, 1886, was educated at Applemanburg and Helmer, and is the wife of Roy Vail, proprietor of the Omaha Tapestry Paint Company, a thriving local industry of LaGrange. Mr. and Mrs. Vail have a son, Ralph Spero Vail, born January 10, 1911. Mrs. Spero was educated in the public schools and the Orland Seminary, taught several terms of district schools and has shared her husband’s tastes in music. She was of much assistance to him in his musical career and accompanied him on concert tours. She is a daughter of Henry and Helen (Wade) Deal. Her mother was a daughter of Robert Wade. Henry Deal was born in Marion County, Ohio, February 22, 1832, while his wife was born in LaGrange County May 1, 1838. They were married January 1, 1855. Their two children were Alice E. and Willis H., the latter a prominent real estate man of Paulding County, Ohio. Henry Deal came to LaGrange County in 1854 with his parents, Conrad and Elizabeth Deal. At the age of twenty-one he began learning the car- penter’s trade and followed it until 1857, when he bought a farm of 120 acres in Springfield Town- ship. He improved this land, and he later moved to Applemanburg and built a fine residence and subsequently sold his farm. He and his son Willis attended the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876. He held the office of township assessor for several years and was a trustee of Springfield Township. Henry Deal died at the Village of Applemanburg December 28, 1913, and his widow is still living in that village. Benjamin J. Norris. There are several branches of the Norris family in Northeast Indiana, including the well-known Clay Township farmer and land owner, Benjamin J. Norris, and these different fam- ilies trace their origin to Huntingdon County, Penn- sylvania, where the Norrises have been prominent as land owners and farmers since prior to the Revo- lutionary war. Benjamin J. Norris was born in Penn Township, Huntingdon County, July 10 , 1854. His great- grandfather was Joseph Norris, who married Eliza- beth Enyert. Their son, Joseph Norris, Jr., born in Huntingdon County, married Rachel Mason, a native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Joseph. Jr., also spent his life as a Huntingdon County farmer, and his children were Allison, Mary Ann, Jackson and Washington. Allison Norris, who was born in Penn Town- ship, married Elizabeth Hoover, a native of the same township and county, daughter of Ludwig d-<-l HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 457 and Catherine (Grove) Hoover. Ludwig Hoover was a life-long farmer in Huntingdon County. By his marriage to Catherine Grove he had children named Elizabeth, Benjamin, Jacob, and Catherine, and for his second wife he married Mary Nicke- demus, and had three children, David, John and Sophia. From Pennsylvania Allison Norris came to Clay Township of LaGrange County during the spring of 1876, locating on a farm in section 28. He lived there until his death on August 22, 1902, and his wife passed away December 11, 1902. Their family were Susanna, Benjamin J., Joseph, Martha, Horatius, deceased, and Harry and Anna, twins, the latter deceased. Allison Norris was a member of the Lutheran Church, while his wife belonged to the German Reformed denomination. Benjamin J. Norris acquired his education in his native township and county and was about twenty- one years of age when in November, 1875, he came to LaGrange County. In the following spring he went on the farm with his father in section 28, and he lived there continuously and operated the land as a practical farmer until the spring of 1918, when he rented his land and moved to section 25 of Clay Township, just outside the corporation limits of LaGrange. He has a pleasant home for his de- clining years, and his prosperity is well deserved. He still owns a 160-acre farm in section 28. Mr. Norris has been honored with official position, hav- ing served nine years in the board of supervisors in Clay Township. He married Anna Fink, daughter of Jacob and Antha (Hall) Fink. Mrs. Norris died February 21, 1918, the mother of three children: Jacob Earl, who married Alta Mehl ; David Clem, who mar- ried Della Johnson; while the youngest is Belva May, still at home with her father. Charles Eugene Talmage lived a life of quiet and effective purpose and for many years was one of the prosperous farmers of Springfield Township, LaGrange County. He was born on the homestead of his father. Elisha Talmage, April 18, 1856, and died on the same farm June 24, 1910. Other pages contain reference to his kindred and ancestry. All his life he was a farmer, owned the old homestead in Springfield Township, and found his chief interest in his home and farm. He was a republican voter. March 30, 1876, he married Emma Jane Joyce. She was born at Burr Oak, Michigan, a daughter of Dr. James William and Abbie Jane (Sherwood) Joyce. Her maternal grandfather was Isaac Sher- wood, a pioneer of LaGrange County. Mrs. Tal- mage had a brother, Charles Elliott, who is now liv- ing in Cass County, Nebraska. Charles E. Joyce married Grace Clizbee, by whom he had one son, James W., and for his second wife married Viola Calkins and their four children are Charles, James, Charlotte and Marjorie. The old Talmage hometsead is now owned by Mrs. Talmage and her daughter Lura, who is their only child. Lura was born January 27, 1877, and is the wife of Dr. Robert Wade of Fremont. Mrs. Talmage makes her home in Fremont. She was educated in public schools and the Orland Academy. Millard F. Owen became the first freight and ticket agent at Rome City, and for forty years held that position, and during that time his personal energies and influence have had as much to do with the upbuilding and broadening of Rome City as could be credited to any other one man. Mr. Owen spent his early life in Michigan and is a native of Canada. He has an interesting ancestry. On his own account he has done much to add in- terest to the early history of the family. A Cana- dian kinsman of Mr. Owen in a published work has had this to say: “This branch of the Owen family are noted for originality in devising methods, for love of variety in industrial pursuits, and a tendency to roam.” Many of them have been in- clined to mechanical pursuits and there were a number of millers among the Owens. A few of them have taken kindly to the soil, a rural environ- ment not being in harmony with their tastes. The original stock was an old and influential Welsh clan. Some of the more famous of the descendants were Dr. John Owen, the Non-con- formist divine ; Richard Owen, the great naturalist ; Robert Owen, the distinguished organizer and social theorist; his sons Robert Dale Owen and Richard Dale Owen. About 1400 occurred the Owen Glen- ower’s Rebellion, practically the last rebellion of the Welsh in the British Isles. This involved sev- eral members of the Owen family. Two and a half centuries later some of the Owens proved doughty Royalists, and held out to the last against Cromwell and his army. It was as a result of the English revolution of that period that Ludlow Owen and his two sons Richard and George, came to America. Later gen- erations were divided in allegiance, some of them being staunch Tories while others were identified with the Colonies in their struggle for independence. There were two brothers of the family, Jesse and Abner Owen, who were on opposite sides at the battle of Lundy’s Lane in the War of 1812. The younger of these brothers was Rev. Jesse Owen, whose father Epenetus moved from New York to Canada about 1825, and was connected with a firm which erected mills near Simcoe, Canada. Epenetus was soon afterwards killed in an acci- dent in the mill. Rev. Jesse Owen was born at Chemung, New York, September 29, 1787. In 1807 he married Anna Winter. He moved to Canada in 1830. He was ordained a minister and was active in work until superannuated in 1852. He died in 1878 at the age of ninety-one. He and his wife had a large family of children, including Joel Winter Owen. Joel Winter Owen was born at the foot of Genesee Lake in New York state March 28, 1817, and died at Otsego in Allegan County, Michigan, March 3, 1902. He married Cynthia Kitchen of Province of Ontario, April 5, 1843, and she died in August, 1844. Their only son, Egbert A., who was born July 12, 1844, and died May 1, 1908, became a prominent business man and always remained a subject of the Queen. August 14, 1850, Joel Owen married Mary Wood- beck. She was born in New York state, "daughter of John and Jane Woodbeck, and died at her home at Otsego, Michigan, May 2, 1914. Joel W. Owen was first a cloth dresser by trade, but after his second marriage owned and operated a combina- tion of milling interests including saw mill, grist mill, carding mill, fulling mill, and spinning looms. For many years he lived and was in business at Nanticoke Falls, Townsend, Norfolk County, On- tario. He was appointed a crown official, but later became involved in some way in the Canadian rebel- lion. and in 1857 he sought a new home at Plain- well, Michigan, where he established the first mill. He was both in the lumber and flour mill business in Allegan County. In later years he was a member of the Congregational Church, in politics was a republican, served as a member of the Town Council on the prohibition ticket and was elected a justice of the peace. Joel and Mary Owen had the following children : Millard F. ; Cynthia J., now living at Otsego, Michigan, wife of Eber W. Sher- wood ; Jesse, born in 1858 and never married, has 458 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA had a varied and successful business career as a flour manufacturing expert and in the course of his business and for pleasure has visited almost every section- of the globe; Cora, wife of William Jones, living at Otsego, Michigan. Mr. Millard F. Owen of Rome City was the first son of Joel and Mary Woodbeck Owen. He was born at Nanticoke Falls, Townsend, Norfolk County, Ontario, July 4, 1851, and was six vears old when his parents moved to Allegan County, Mich- igan. He lived in that county, in Kalamazoo County and Barry County during his youth, and received a common school education. At the age of twenty-one he had a responsible place in the flour mills and warehouse business of his father. He learned telegraphy at Otsego in the office of the old Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway, and began his practical career with the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad, then known as the Conti- nental Improvement Company. He worked up and down the road while it was in process of construc- tion as an extra operator and agent until Septem- ber 26, 1874. He was an operator and ticket clerk at Sturgis, Michigan, until December 16, 1874, at which date he. was appointed the first freight and ticket agent at Rome City, Indiana. During the long period of his service at this work Mr. Owen has given his best energies to building up and conducting the Sylvan Lake Resort. For years his official title during the summer months was superintendent of grounds. For many years he has been secretary-manager of the Rome City Row Boat Company. He was president and manager of the Rome City Steam Packet Company during its life, and also auditor of the old J. H. House Boat Manufacturing Company. He was auditor of the first telephone company at Rome City. He was first assistant secretary, then auditor, and then auditor and president of the Island Park Assembly Association. He has also been financially interested in the Rome City Ice Company and the Owen & Cobbs Ice Cream factory, and operated the Island Hotel and Restaurant from 1896 to 1916. He was interested in opening up and conducting the Spring Beach Hotel during its first years and was owner of the Sylvan Lake Hotel from 1901 to 1904. He was associated in the ownership of South Bluffs and Pleasant Point Cottage Plats, and for the last four years owned the Lakeside House. While an active democrat, Mr. Owen has not been a seeker for official honors. However, he was honored with a place on the County Council four years and for one term was on the Orange Town- ship Advisory Board. Apart from his material achievements and ex- perience Mr. Owen is a no, table man for the diversity of lfis interests and avocations. He has accumulated a library of 400 volumes, mostly his- tory, travels and scientific works. Of especial in- terest in his home locality is his compilation of forty volumes of “Rome City Scraps,” including much valuable information concerning all this part of Indiana. In fact he probably has more infor- mation, the result of years of collecting, on that vicinity than can be found in any other connec- tion in existence. For a number of years he has been compiling in manuscript form a continuous narrative gathered from these volumes covering a period of forty-four years. Mr. Owen possesses some very old publications, and books issued xoo years ago, and some nearly 300 years ago. He has also collected many implements and curios of the past, including wool and flax spinners, bronze lard lamps, tin lanterns, candle molds, forceps, pis- tols and other “painful instruments.” June 26, 1876, Mr-. Owen married Mrs. Mary Houghton, daughter of William R. and Amanda Truesdale. She was born in December, 1850, at Norfolk, Ohio, and died at Rome City July 4, 1898. There are three living children of this marriage. Lura De, born April 11, 1877, at Rome City, mar- ried October 2, 1895, to Clement G. Routsong. Mr. and Mrs. Routsong were railway agents and tele- graph operators for the Baltimore & Ohio until four years ago, and are now merchants at Wolcott- ville, Indiana. They have two daughters, Pauline De, born September 30, 1896, at Rome City, Indiana, and Maxine, born December 6, 1901, at Albion, Indiana. Jessie M., the second child of Mr. Owen, was born April 19, 1880, and is the wife of James W. Isley, manager of Isley lumber busi- ness at Dodge City, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Isley have one daughter and two sons, Philip Henry, Mary B., and Gene Walter. Vera T. Owen, third child of Mr. Owen, is a graduate trained nurse of Sioux City, Iowa, was assistant matron in a hos- pital at Seattle, Washington, until her health failed, and is now a bookkeeper with the Isley Company at Dodge City, Kansas. May 24, 1903, Mr. Owen married Mrs. Roma J. Coates at Rome City. By her first marriage to Lintsford B. Coates, of Frederick, South Dakota, November 30, 1886, she has two sons, Glenn N., born in South Dakota, September 20, 1887, now train dispatcher at Fort Wayne for the Grand Rapids and Indiana and Boyd C. Coates, born August 31, 1899, at Frederick, South Dakota. Their father, Lintsford B. Coates, is buried at Otsego, Michigan. Glenn Coates was married April 6, 1910, to Bertha Gilbert and they have three daughters, Roma, born February 16, 1912, Helen M., born October 15, 1914, and Mildred Janet, born April 20, 1917. Boyd Coates married at Rome City May 19, 1909, Dell Sunday, and is now one of the firm of Burke, Coates & Burke, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The only son and child born to Mr. and Mrs. Owen was Meredith F., who died October 3, 1905. Mrs. Owen is the oldest daughter of Hon. Samuel and Sarah (Coates) Johnston. Her father, a vet- eran of the Civil war, was born in Scotland, was a former representative on the South Dakota Legis- lature. Her mother was of a Kentucky family. Her father died at Houghton, South Dakota, August 12, 1908, and her mother at the same place October 20, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Owen are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He is a past master of Rome City Lodge No. 451 of Masons, of Kendall- ville Chapter No. 64, Royal Arch Masons, and he and his wife are active in the Eastern Star, and Mrs. Owen is a member of the Pythian Sisters. Through her ancestor Asa Branch of Revolu- tionary fame,, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, she has established a valid claim to the society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and is a member of Mary Penrose Wayne Chapter, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Her national number is 148,086. Mr. Owen is also working on his side of the house which will result in his daughters receiving these high honors as well, through Lieutenant Epe- netus Owen, his Revolutionary ancestor. As Mr. Owen looks back upon his own history and that of his family he is reminded .that the “great whirligig of human events brings about a wonder- ful variety of combinations and conditions in the affairs of families and men.” Thus while he is descended from a family that has had a recorded history for centuries, there is now not a single male descendant of the name of Owen in his particular branch of the family. HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 459 Frank P. Sanders, in association with his father and other members of the family has played a varied, a long and prominent part in the business affairs of Wolcotville. He is president of the State Bank of Wolcottville, having been one of its organizers, and was elected president by the first board of directors. The Sanders family was well known in DeKalb County before they moved to LaGrange County. Frank P. Sanders was born at Auburn, in DeKalb County, September 5, 1854, son of Samuel P. and Susan (Parnell) Sanders. His parents were both natives of England. His mother came to the United States with her parents, who settled in DeKalb County, where she grew' up. Samuel P. Sanders came to the United States when a boy of thirteen, also lived in DeKalb County, was educated in pri- ' vate schools, and after his marriage settled on a farm near Corunna. A few years later he left the farm and engaged in the general merchandise busi- ness at Auburn, and the greater part of his life was spent in merchandising. From Auburn he moved to Wolcottville in 1870, and was the leading hardware merchant of that village until his death in 1885. He and his wife were very active mem- bers of the Baptist Church, and he was a repub- lican voter without aspirations to hold office. Samuel Sanders and wife had twelve children, only three of whom are still living: George W., a business man of Wolcottville; Mary, wife of George Tem- ple of Stroh, Indiana ; and Frank P. Frank P. Sanders w r as reared in Auburn, attended common schools there and at Wolcottville, and as a boy became associated with his father in business. He was made a partner under the name S. P. San- ders & Son, and after his father’s death in 1885 he took over the personal management of the busi- ness. About that time he became associated with his father-in-law, Hon. John J. Gillette, though the business was still continued under the Sanders name. The hardware implement and automobile busi- ness is still carried on under the firm name of F. P. Sanders & Sons, Harry and Russell being the active members. Mr. Sanders married for his first wife Ida Ben- der of Akron, Ohio. She died in 1880, the mother of one son, Harry A. In 1884 Mr. Sanders mar- ried Grace L. Gillette. They have a son, Russell G., a graduate of Wabash College. Air. Sanders also has two grandchildren. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church and he is affiliated with the Blue Lodge, Chapter. Council and Commandery of Masonry, and is Past Master of Ionic Lodge No. 380, Free and Accepted Masons. Politically he acts as a republican. Eugene O. Fisher. It would be appropriate to refer to Eugene O. Fisher as a champion farmer of LaGrange County. His products have served to make LaGrange County known all over the country and even abroad. His field crops have been ex- hibited in county fairs, in exhibitions at large cities and in some of the world’s fairs, and scores of premiums and other awards have spoken convinc- ingly of the quality of LaGrange County agricul- tural production and of his individual ability and ' success in co-operating with nature’s forces. Mr. Fisher, whose farming interests are in Clay Township, was born in Eden Township of LaGrange County, June 27, i860, a son of William T. and Catherine (Nelson) Fisher. His father was born in Brown Countv, Ohio, in 1834. His mother was born in Eden Township of LaGrange County in 1839. daughter of Anthony Nelson, one of the first settlers in this part of Northeast Indiana. Anthony Nelson, when all this country was an unkempt land- scape of forest and prairie, blazed a trail from Elkhart Prairie to Emma Lake, which he named North Lake. Anthony Nelson married Sophia Sum- mev. who came to LaGrange County in 1828 Anthony Nelson and wife lived for many years on the line between Eden and Clear Spring townships in LaGrange County, and both of them died in that locality. William T. Fisher came to LaGrange County as a child with his father, Thomas Fisher, who located in Eden Township. The wife of Thomas Fisher died there in 1844 and he afterwards went to Arkansas and spent his last years. The children of Thomas and his first wife were : William, James, Van, John, Moses and Isaac. By a second mar- riage he had children named Joseph, George, Frances, Kansas, Evaline and Adaline. William T. Fisher grew up in Eden Township and had a public school education and spent his active life as a farmer. He owned the farm north of Walnut Cor- ners in Clear Spring Township, but for about three years lived retired in LaGrange, where he died in August, 1910. His widow is still living at La- Grange at the age of eighty. William T. Fisher was very active in republican politics and he and his wife members of the United Brethren Church. Their children were three in number : Eugene, Bertha, deceased, and Orpha, wife of Allen Lepiard, a son of the LaGrange County pioneer, Robert Lepiard. Eugene O. Fisher grew up on his father’s farm in Clear Spring Township, and was educated in the schools of Sycamore and Walnut Corners. One of his teachers was Ira Ford. He also attended the LaGrange High School. For over thirty years he has been successfully identified with farming, and the scene of his operations is in Clay Town- ship. For five different years Mr. Fisher’s agri- cultural display was awarded premiums at the Indiana State Fair. He sent an exhibit of wheat, oats, timothy seed and tobacco, and maple syrup to the San Francisco Exposition in 1914. Alto- gether he had nineteen entries in that great fair, and was awarded twenty-one prizes. An exhibit of grains made by him at the International Stock Show in Chicago was awarded a .premium for the best display. Many prizes have come to him on his farm products in LaGrange County fairs and corn school shows. Mr. Fisher is a republican in politics but has been too busy with his farming to take an interest in politics as an office seeker. On March 4, 1885, he married Miss Clara Ford. She was born in Bloom- field Township of LaGrange Countj', a daughter of John R. and Louise (Price) Ford. Her parents settled in Clay Township in 1856 and later moved across the road to Bloomfield Township, where her father lived until his death on July 16, 1893, and her mother passed away March 28, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are the parents of four children and have a number of grandchildren. Their chil- dren in order of birth are : Percy, Lyle, Dale and Roy Fern. Percy is the wife of Chauncey Hughes of Chicago and has two children, Evelyn and Cath- erine. Lyle, who lives at Eagle Grove, Iowa, mar- ried Gertrude Larson and their family consists of Jeanette, Dorothy and Robert. Dale is a resident of Steele, North Dakota, unmarried, and was drafted and served as a soldier in Camp Custer five months. The military hero of the family is the youngest son Roy Fern. In December, 1917. he enlisted at South Bend as a private, and received his training in this country at Camp Benjamin Harrison, . Jefferson Barracks, Camp Custer and at Fort Worth, Texas. From Long Island he was 460 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA sent overseas to France in June, 1918, and remained abroad until his return to this country on June 27, >919. He was a private in the 141st Infantry, with the famous Thirty-Sixth Division. The record of that division is one of the most brilliant of all the units composing the American Expeditionary Forces. He was ready for practically every duty call with the 141st Infantry, was in several phases of the battle of the Meuse, was at Belleau Wood, Chateau Thierry and the Argonne Forest. He was over the top three times in one day, and several prisoners were captured by him, and he was an expert at picking off snipers. Though never wounded he was gassed. Frank G. Gilbert, banker and one of the most widely known citizens of Pleasant Lake, was born in that town March 15, 1871, son of David S. and Millie (Grant) Gilbert. His father was born in Lorain County, Ohio, in 1827, and his mother was a native of Urbana, Ohio. David S. Gilbert came to Steuben County with his parents and in 1849 at the age of twenty-two went overland to California. On returning to Steuben County he settled on Pleasant Lake, having a farm adjoining that body of water. He had much to do with the development of the town, laying out two additions, while his son Frank has also made an- other addition to the town. David S. Gilbert served as township trustee several times, also held the of- fice of Justice of the Peace, and was an active re- publican, a member of the Masonic order and a Baptist. He died in 1891 and his widow in 1913. Their two children were Frank G- and Grace, the latter the wife of Clyde Jackson. Frank G. Gilbert attended public schools in Pleas- ant Lake, also the Tri-State College, and mixed in with his commercial pursuits has had considerable experience in farming. At Angola he spent one year as bookkeeper with the Steuben County Bank now the Steuben County State Bank. He was in the railway mail service four years, also did cler- ical work for the Lake Shore and Michigan South- ern at Pleasant Lake and for eight years was assis- tant cashier of the First National Bank of Angola. In 1914 he became one of the organizers of the First State Bank of Pleasant Lake and since that day has held the office of cashier. He also owns a farm in Steuben Township. Mr. Gilbert is a republican, a member of the Royal Arch Chapter of Masons at Angola, and is active in the Baptist Church, being superintendent of the Sunday School at Pleasant Lake. In 1899 h e married Miss Iva Diller, daughter of John and Lucy D.iller of Steuben County. They have one daughter Ruth, born in September, 1900, graduated from the Pleasant Lake High School in 1918, and is now a student in the Tri-State College. William H. Short, M. D. in addition to his pro- fessional prominence is president of the LaGrange State Bank. He was born in Eden Township of LaGrange County. His father Thomas Short was born in Pennsyl- vania, April 8, 1820, son of James and Frances (Gil- bert) Short, natives of Ireland. The family moved to Ohio when Thomas Short was a boy and the father died there. In 1841 Thomas Short came 'on foot to Indiana and bought eighty acres of wild land in Eden Township. He made a permanent settlement there the same year and on January 13, 1842, married Margaret Larimer. She died Sep- tember 28, 1877, the mother of eleven children. In 1880 Thomas Short married Mrs. Mary Murray. He was a democrat in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Doctor Short grew up on his father’s farm, at- tended the Collegiate Institute at Ontario two years, spent one year in college at Adrian, Michigan, and read medicine with Doctor Larimer, his uncle. He attended his first course of lectures at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the winter of 1866-67, and finished his course in 1869. For half a century he has been a member of his profession in LaGrange and for a number of years practiced with his brother Dr. John L. Short. Doctor Short was one of the organizers of the LaGrange State Bank in 1903, and has been presi- dent of the institution from the beginning. William Watters, who made an honorable rec- ord as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, has been a resident of LaGrange County for over half a century, and is one of the prominent farmers and a former county treasurer. His home is in Clear Spring Township. He was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, No- vember 20, 1839, and paid his first visit to Indiana in 1859. He returned to Pennsylvania, and from that state enlisted for service in the Union army. He was all through the war and yet never had a sick day all the time. During 1866 he was engaged in railroading, and then came to LaGrange County. On February 18, 1886, he married Miss Catherine Yoder. They settled in Clear Spring Township, and since 1881 Mr. Watters has lived on his present farm, comprising 223 acres. Beginning with small means, successive years brought him abundant pros- perity and also a high place of achievement in his community. He was elected and served five years as assessor of Clear Spring Township, and as county treasurer he served from 1902 to December 31, 1906. While county treasurer he lived at the county seat, but with that exception has lived on his farm. He is a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank at To- peka. Mr. and Mrs. Watters have four living children : Samuel, trustee of Clear Spring Township; Myron F., a graduate of the common schools and a farmer ; Albert, now a farmer, is a graduate of high school and the Tri-State College at Angola; and Nora, un- married. Mr. Watters is a charter member of the Lodge of Odd Fellows at Topeka, a member of the Grand Army Post, and a republican. John R. Doll has spent his career chiefly as an agriculturist, has had experience as a farmer in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, and for a number of years has had a pleasant home and fine farm of 128 acres in Spencer Township of DeKalb County. Mr. Doll was born at East Greenville in Stark County, Ohio, June 18, 1864, a son of Ignatius and Catherine (Rudy) Doll. His father was born in Stark County and his mother in Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Joseph Doll, was for many years a justice of the peace in Stark County. Joseph Doll married Polly Kitt, who has the distinction of being the first white child born in Stark County, Ohio. Her father, Jacob Kitt, settled in that part of Eastern Ohio in 1805. Mr. Doll’s mother, Catherine Rudy, was reared from early girlhood in Stark County, and after she and her husband married they settled on a farm and in 1867 moved to Canton, the county seat, where she is still living. Ignatius Doll died at Canton. Both parents were active members of the Lutheran Church, and Ignatius was a republican. There were five children, four still living: George W., of Massillon, Ohio ; Charles W., of Gibson, Colorado; John R. ; and Jennie M., wife of Charles Hammer, of Canton, Ohio. John R. Doll from the age of three years lived_ at Canton, Ohio, until 1882, and acquired his education WILLIAM WATTERS HI STORY. OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 461 in the public schools there. On leaving Ohio he fol- lowed farming in Kent County, Michigan, until 1894, and in that year located at Spencerville, In- diana. December 24, 1895, Mr. Doll married Vienna Shil- ling, daughter of Solomon and Esther (Bliler) Shilling. This is one of the old and prominent names of DeKalb County. Mrs. Doll was born on the old Shilling homestead in Spencer Township and educated in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Doll have three children : Esther K., George R. and Alice J. These children have received good school advantages, Alice being still a student in high school. The family are members of the Luth- eran Church and Mr. Doll has been a liberal sup- porter of the church and its allied causes. He is a democrat in politics and is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Spencerville. Charles F. Holsinger of Wolcottville has been one of the busiest farmers in that section of North- east Indiana for many years, and yet has found time to cultivate and exercise many interests outside of his money earning business. He has given due time to the best interests of his community, is active socially, is proud of his home and family and thoroughly believes that he lives in the garden spot of America. He is a great lover of the lakes of Northern Indiana, and has a summer cottage at Rome City, convenient to the sporting haunts of the region. Mr. Holsinger is widely known as a trap shooter and fisherman. He was born in Noble County, February 17, 1853, son of John and Mary A. (Stroman) Holsinger. His father was born in Stark County, Ohio, Jan- uary 9, 1817, and died July 21, 1885, after a very suc- cessful career in Northeast Indiana, though he came here a poor man. Charles F. Holsinger received his education in the common schools, attended the Wol- cottville High School, and lived at home to the age of twenty-one. During the years 1871-72-73 he taught school in Noble County. He then rented his father’s farm in Orange Township for two years, having his brother as a partner. In 1876 he bought a farm in Johnson Township of LaGrange County and lived on it until 1883. In that year he returned to the old homestead and in 1885 upon his father’s death acquired 230 acres of the old farm. For over thirty years that was the scefie of his activ- ities as a farmer he made the place pay by his progressive management. Mr. Holsinger for many years was a breeder of Holstein cattle and his stock won many premiums at the fairs of Northern Indiana and Ohio. On December 12, 1918, he moved to his town home in Wolcottville and has sold his farm to his sons. November 20, 1873, Mr. Holsinger married Eliz- abeth A. Garmire. To this union four children were born: Jesse G., Ray C., Grace Barbara, and Fred W. The mother of these children died May 29, 1889. September 28, 1890, Mr. Holsinger married Mary Lenora Myers, who was born September 1, 1865, a daughter of Benjamin F., and Savilla (Myers) Myers. Her father was born in Noble County, Indiana, September 19, 1843, and her mother in Ohio. Mrs. Holsinger was educated in the common schools and in the Methodist College at Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is the mother of three children, Rhua May, Niel F., and Waldo F., the last named being deceased, Mrs. Holsinger is an active member of the Evan- gelical Church and its Sunday School. Mr. Hol- singer is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs. He is also affiliated with Rome City Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and his wife is active in the Pythian Sisters, of which she is past chief , and member of the Grand Lodge. In politics Mr. Holsinger has been a stalwart republican and has served as delegate to both the county and state convention and as a member of the County Central Committee. Jesse G. Holsinger, son of Charles F. Holsinger and Elizabeth A. Garmire, was born November 8, 1876. He attended the public schools of Orange Township, completed the course in the Southwest- ern School of Telegraphy at St. Louis, Missouri, and was afterward employed as train dispatcher for the Wabash Railroad at Montpelier, Ohio, for twelve years. He married Orra M. Marshall, of Rome City, Indiana, November 25, 1897. Orra M. Marshall was born September 6, 1877. One son was born of this union in August, 1898, hut died in infancy. A daugh- ter, Elizabeth J., was born March 23, 1902. Ray C. Holsinger was born July 28, 1881. He was educated in the Orange Township public schools, completed the commercial course at Angola, Indiana, and attended college at Marion, Indiana. He has been employed on the Wabash Railway since March, 1902, as agent at various stations, last five years having been located at Aetna, Indiana, where muni- tions for the allied countries were manufactured. He married Elsie Henning, of Hudson, Indiana, on November 9, 1903. To this union one daughter was born, Frances Lenore, on April 29, 1908. She died in infancy. There are also two sons, Richard, born March 20, 1912, and Carl, November 12, 1913. Elsie Henning Holsinger was born at Hudson, Indiana, January 5, 1882, and educated in public schools in Hudson, Indiana, and also attended college at An- gola, Indiana. She is a member of the United Breth- ren Church and has also been taking an active part in Red Cross work and various charitable institu- tions w'hile at Aetna, Indiana. Grace Barbara Holsinger, third child of Charles F. Holsinger, was born at Rome City, Indiana, No- vember 4, 1884. After graduating from the Rome City High School she took a special cburse in the To- ledo (Ohio) Manual Training High School, and later graduated from the Thomas Normal Training School of Detroit, Michigan, and then took additional work in domestic science and home economics in the Uni- versity of Chicago. She taught at the Clarkston (Mississippi) Academy and at the Asheville (North Carolina) Normal and Collegiate School for Girls. On November 9, 1909, she married Harry G. Hedden, then of Chicago, Illinois, son of the late Stephen Douglas Hedden, of Kendallville and Fort Wayne, Indiana. The husband was born in Delaware County, Ohio, November 23, 1882. Left motherless in in- fancy, he lived with the late Mr. and Mrs. John Finch until about twelve years old. Then he w r ent to live with his father, who had married again and located in Kendallville, Indiana. He attended the Kendallville High School and also the Drake Uni- versity Academy and College of Liberal Arts, Des Moines, Iowa. He is now an advertising writer (with Conner Advertising Agency) in Denver, Colo- rado. Virginia Lenore Hedden, first child of this couple, was born in Denver, Colorado, August 8, 1913. She died in infancy. Barbara Eudora Hedden was born February 15, 1917, also in Denver, Colo- rado. Robert Ray Hedden was born at Denver, Colorado, July 19, 1919. Fred W. Holsinger, son of Charles F. Holsinger, was born at Rome City, Indiana, May 28, 1889. He attended the Orange Township public schools. After completing the high school course at Rome City he attended college at the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio. He has been employed for the last nine 462 HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA years in the railway mail service on the New York Central Lines. He married on February 19, 1911, Eva Grace Ressler. She was born at Brimfield, In- diana, July 18, 1885, and educated in Orange Town- ship public schools and attended college at the Val- paraiso University at Valparaiso, Indiana. She taught school in the Rome City public school for eight years. To this couple one son was born, Max Frederic Holsinger, born March 21, 1915. They re- side at Kendallville, Indiana. Rhua May Holsinger was born November 1, 1892. She was educated in the Orange Township public schools and graduated from the Rome City, Indiana, High School. On September 25, 1913, she mar- ried Ernest Dale Osborn, of Brimfield, Indiana. They were married by Rev. John W. Miller at Al- bion, Indiana. Ernest Dale Osborn was born at Wawaka, Indiana, May 16, 1892, graduated from the Rome City High School and is now employed at Detroit, Michigan, in the manufacture of automo- biles. To this couple one son and one daughter were born. Ernest Holsinger Osborn was born April 21, 1914. Their daughter, Roberta Lenore Osborn, was born March 10, 1916. Neil F. Holsinger was born at Rome City, In- diana, May 27, 1894. He was educated in the Orange Township public schools and graduated from the Rome City Commissioned High School. He was married to Georgia E. Brown, of Fort Wayne, In- diana, January 13, 1916, by Rev. J. H. Reese. Georgia E. Brown was born at Payne, Ohio, Jan- uary 10, 1898. She was also educated in the public schools. To this union one daughter and one son were born. Mary Frances Holsinger, their daughter, was born December 23, 1917, and Donald Harry Holsinger, their son, was born June 23, 1919. They reside at Rome City, Indiana, but for the last five years have been actively engaged in farming. Schuyler Colfax Spero. Loyalty to home land is taken pretty much for granted, and a more dis- criminating test as to the claims a certain district has upon the affections of men is a continued in- terest on their part after they have cast their lot with other communities. A former resident of La- Grange County whose experience has made him al- most a cosmopolitan, and who retains a sincere and loving interest in Northeast Indiana is Schuyler Colfax Spero, for many years an active newspaper man and for a quarter of a century a resident of the Pacific Coast. Mr. Spero was born in Springfield Township, La- Grange County, September 28, 1870, son of John and Louisa J. (Curtis) Spero, the former a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Monroe County, New York. Both families are widely known in Northeast Indiana. In the paternal line Mr. Spero represents old Pennsylvania stock, possibly of Holland origin, while through his mother he is of New England ancestry. The first schools he attended were the White Eagle and Appleman- burg district schools. Later he was a student in the grammar and high schools of Kendallville, and also for two terms benefited by attendance at the Teachers’ Normal and by a course in a business col- lege. He was a teacher in both LaGrange and Noble counties. For several years he was a clerk with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Company at Kendallville and at Byron, Ohio. He then took up agency work, and traveled through several portions of Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Through the in- fluence of a friend he accepted an offer to take up newspaper work in San Jose, California, and thus in the fall of 1893 severed his associations with Northeast Indiana. In 1897 he joined the forces of the Morning Call at San Francisco and was with that paper for thirteen years. Beginning with 1911 he spent more than two years with the Los Angeles Times, then for five years was on the Oakland Tribune, and at present is connected with the San Francisco Daily Bulletin. His duties as a news- paper man have given him a broad knowledge of personal contact with California, New Mexico,. Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. He made an excursion to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado in Arizona and an article concerning same appeared in the Santa Fe Railway Employees’ Magazine. He is gifted with a ready pen, and fre- quently has pleased his old friends back home by the contribution of a poerrl or article for Indiana papers. His memory of and interest in the good old country of Northeast Indiana improves with age. He is an untiring worker in whatever he does, and his boyhood industry enabled him to acquire a good education and has stood by him in all the successive tests of his progress. Mr. Spero is a republican without radical partisan- ship, and is more particularly interested in all the sound principles of Americanism. He joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1891, is still in good standing in that order, and before leaving Ken- dallville reached the position of high priest of the Encampment. In religion his essential faith is com- prehended in the Golden Rule and the gospel of Good Cheer. At Salinas, California, September 16, 1896, Mr. Spero married Anna F. Kalfus, daughter of Dr. Henry and Elizabeth (Birkhead) Kalfus of Louis- ville, Kentucky. Her ancestry includes some of the old time and prominent families of Virginia. Her parental grandfather was Henry F. Kalfus, Sr., who married Matilda Harrison, sister of Dr. Burr Harri- son and daughter of Cuthbert Harrison of Bards- town. The Harrisons and Henry Kalfus, Sr., served many terms in the Kentucky Legislature. Mrs. Spero’s mother was an only daughter of Dr. Joseph F. Birkhead. Mrs. Spero graduated from some of the best schools of her native state and soon after her father’s death she, her mother and brother, went to California. She was one of the first suffragists south of the Mason and Dixon line. She was a member of the faculty of the Louisville Girls’ High School and one of the organizers of its Alumnae Association, also one of the founders of the Cas- talian Literary Club of Frankfort, which still exists under another name. She has done much club work as member and president and was a delegate to the Biennial Federation of Clubs at a Denver meeting. She published and edited Report, a society and lit- erary journal in San Jose, California, for five years She has always been a student. She graduated from the ' University of California in 1912 with her two children, majoring in law. The children were both admitted to the bar, but the son died soon after- ward. The daughter, Italia de Jarnette, is the wife of Dr. W. W. Hollingsworth, professor of political science in Washington University, at St. Louis. Mrs. Spero devotes much time to study and writing and has published stories and poems. Hon. Edward R. May graduated at Yale College in 1838, and although one of the youngest of his class, he had acquired a reputation which gave promise of future distinction. After leaving col- lege, he was for two years engaged in teaching school in the East. Having at the same time, en- tered upon the study of law, he was in due time admitted to the New London County bar, in Con- necticut. Influenced by the hope of benefit to his health, he removed to Angola, Steuben County, In- diana, and was admitted to the bar in 1843. By HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA 463 skill in his profession, and by heartily identifying himself with the public interests, sustaining and promoting the cause of education, of temperance, and the institutions of religion, he rapidly acquired position and influence. He was a member of our State Legislature. He was also a member of the State Constitutional Convention. He went from Angola to California in the year 1852, and returned the same year, when his forecasting mind fixed upon St. Paul, Minnesota, as a point of command- ing importance in the future Northwest. He had hardly located there when, August 2, 1852, after only a few hours illness he died of cholera. Littleton M. Sniff, college president. Born in Hocking County, Ohio, November 30, 1849. Son of Isaiah and Elizabeth Moore. A. B. Ohio Northern University,- Ada, Ohio. A. M. 1881. Married to El- vira M. Vandervort of Waldron, Michigan, August 25, 1872. President Tri-State College, Angola, Indiana, 1885, until present time. Prohibitionist in politics. Member Christian (Disciples) Church. Odd Fellow. Home, Angola, Indiana. (Copied from “Who’s Who,” 1918-1919.) Will H. McEwen, editor and proprietor of the Albion Democrat, is a native of Noble County, In- diana, born on a farm in the Township of Jeffer- son, December 26, 1865. His parents, Hannibal F. and Minerva (Bowman) McEwen, were brought to Noble County in their childhood, the former dying when Will H. was a lad ten years of age. Deprived of a father’s counsel and care, young McEwen was reared by his mother, who instilled into his youth- ful mind many valuable lessons, which have had a decided influence in moulding and directing the subsequent course of his life. After completing the common school course, he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, from the penmanship department of which he was graduated in 1884, and the following winter was employed as instructor in all kinds of writing and fine pen work. Animated by a desire to increase his scholastic knowledge with the object in view of preparing himself for the teacher’s profession, he spent the next year in the above mentioned institution, and the following autumn began his pedagogical labors in Noble County. Mr. McEwen alternated teaching with attending the Valparaiso School and the State Normal School at Terre Haute, and while a student made rapid and substantial progress, becoming one of the most thorough and competent teachers in the County of Noble. Not caring to devote his life to educational work, he discontinued teaching in 1888 and turned his attention to merchandising, purchas- ing a stock of groceries in Albion and continuing in that line of trade for a limited period only. Dis- posing of his business, he next opened an insurance office at the county seat, and to this he devoted his time and attention until 1894, when he was appointed postmaster at Albion by President Cleveland. Mr. McEwen entered upon the discharge of his duties in the spring of that year and served until May 1, 1898, proving a most faithful, efficient and popular official. In January, 1897, he entered into partner- ship with Henry C. Pressler, and purchased of O. H. Downey the Noble County Democrat, of which he assumed editorial management, his associate looking after the business interests of the plant. Under the joint control of Pressler and McEwen, the Democrat continued to make periodical visits until May i, 1898, at which time the latter purchased his partner’s interest and became sole proprietor. He soon changed the name to the Albion Democrat, and supplying the office with new material, greatly improved the paper in its mechanical make-up and the quality of its literary matter, making it not only the recognized official organ of the local democracy, but also one of the brightest and most newsy sheets published in the northern part of the state. Since taking charge of the Democrat, Mr. McEwen has demonstrated decided ability as a newspaper man, both as a clear, keen, incisive writer and business manager. The circulation has continually increased, liberal advertising patronage has been secured, and with many new and approved appliances, the paper visits its numerous patrons, a model of typographic art and an exponent of orthodox democracy of the Jefferson school. Editorially it lost nothing when compared with the majority of local papers pub- lished in the state, and in the hands of the present proprietor it certainly will continue what it has been in the past — a clean, dignified model family news- paper, filled with the latest general news and all the interesting local happenings of Noble County. Mr. McEwen has a laudable ambition to make the Democrat worthy of popular favor, and to this end he spares no reasonable efforts to procure for its columns the best reading matter obtainable. While democratic in its political aspect, it is also designed to vibrate with the public pulse and to be a reflex of the current thought of the age. With a large and increasing circulation and a lucrative advertising- patronage, the Democrat, under the editorship of Mr. McEwen, is destined to play an important part in the political affairs of Noble County. Mr. McEwen was married December 23, 1889, to Florence B. Franks, for some years one of Noble County’s most popular and efficient teachers, and daughter of Abram and Maria Franks, the marriage ceremony taking place at her parents’ home in Elk- hart Township. For two years Mr. McEwen served as town clerk of Albion, and discharged the duties of the position in an able and praiseworthy manner. He is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias Lodge in Albion, and of the United Brethren Church. With the exception of a few months in Chicago, he has spent his life within the geographic limits of Noble County, and for the past thirty-two years has been an honored citizen of Albion. To the best of his ability he has aided the progress and advancement of the city, faithfully performing his duties of citizenship, and discharging with commendable fidelity every trust reposed in him by his fellowmen. His position in the esteem and friendship of the community has been long assured, and he does honor to the county, which is proud to claim him as a native son, and in which his life work thus far has been accomplished. Duke University Libraries D01 27981 6Y