^ii^iw : ^^fl-^fe'' - J,v •'t 'X: ' ""j> \\^ ;■ ..^•^. \«- "t-. 'V- K ^^; N^^ .>:^^ "^^^^ HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY INDIANA With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Old Families ILLUSTRATED 1914 B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc. Indianapolis Fo^. DRDICATION. This work is respectfully dedicated to THE PIONEERS, long since departed. May the memory of those ^vho laid down their burdens by the wayside ever be fragrant as the breath of summer flowers, for their toils and sacrifices have made DeKalb County a garden of sun- shine and delights. ^1>2J. J7 PREFACE All life and achievement is evolution; present wisdom comes from past experience, and present commercial prosperity has come only from past exer- tion and suffering. The deeds and motives of the men that have gone before have been instrumental in shaping the destinies of later communities and states. The development of a new country was at once a task and a privi- lege. It required great courage, sacrifice and privation. Compare the pres- ent conditions of the people of DeKalb County, Indiana, with what they were one hundred years ago. From a trackless wilderness and virgin land, it has come to be a center of prosperity and civilization, with millions of wealth, systems of railways, grand educational institutions, splendid indus- tries and immense agricultural and mineral productions. Can any think- ing person be insensible to the fascination of the study which discloses the aspirations and efforts of the early pioneers who so strongly laid the founda- tion upon which has been reared the magnificent prosperity of later days ? To perpetuate the story of these people and to trace and record the social, polit- ical and industrial progress of the community from its first inception is the function of the local historian. .V sincere purpose to preserve facts and per- sonal memoirs that are deserving of perpetuation, and which unite the pres- ent to the past, is the motive for the present publication. A specially valuable and interesting department is that one devoted to the sketches of representa- tive citizens of these counties whose records deserve preservation because of their worth, effort and accomplishment. The publishers desire to extend their thanks to the gentlemen who have so faithfully labored to this end. Thanks are also due to the citizens of DeKalb county for the uniform kind- ness with which they have regarded this undertaking, and for their man\- services rendered in the gaining of necessary information. In placing the "History of DeKalb County, Indiana," before the citizens, the publishers can conscientiously claim that they have carried out the plan as outlined in the prospectus. Every biographical .sketch in the work has been submitted to the party interested, for correction, and therefore any error of fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch was prepared. Confident that our effort to please will fully meet the approbation of the public, we are. Respectfully, THE PUBLISHERS. CONTENTS CHAPTER I— RELATED STATE HISTORY 25 First Explorers — National Policies — George Rogers Clark Expedition — Xortliwest Government — St. Clair and Wayne Expeditions — Origin of Fort Wayne — Organization of Indiana Territory — State Organization, 1816 — The Last of the Indians — Internal Improvements. CHAPTER II— GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY AND ZOOLOGY 38 Location — Geology — Peat Deposits — Definition of Peat — Economic Value of Peat — The Fauna: Past and Present — Game Preserve. CHAPTER III— EARLY SETTLEMENT OF COUNTY 50 First Settlers — Early Life — The Log Home — Early Labor — First Events — Other Pioneers — A Pioneer Honeymoon — Family Mills — Extracts on Early History — John Houlton's Tale — A Dangerous Predicament — John Fee's ■ Track — Incidents of Humor — A Searching Party — Bear Hunt Resumed — Pioneer Society — Mills and Mill Trips — Public Lands — Land Hunting — ^Cy- clone — Hydrophobia — Pioneer Fare — Mound Builders — Indians — Fox Hunts — The Last Bear. CHAPTER IV— ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT OF COUNTY 17 Organization — -Location of County Seat — First Election — First Commission- ers' Meeting — County Jail — Court House History — First Court House — Sec- ond Court House — The New Court House — DeKalb County Asylum — As- sessment for DeKalb County. 1913 — Present County Officers^ — Finances of County, 1913. CHAPTER V— MILITARY HISTORY 90 • Causes of the Civil War — Lincoln's Nomination — The First Call — DeKalb County Guards — Newspaper Editorials — Mass Meetings — Enlistments — Drafting — Big Celebration — Official Report — Bounty and Relief — Com- mands in Which Men from DeKalb County Enlisted — Spanish-.^merican War— DeKalb County Militia. CHAPTER VI— REMINISCENCES 118 Wesley Park's Tale — Arrival at the Site of Auburn — Trying Times — Indian Customs — Sketch by S. W. Widney — Flood Waters — From Manuscript of W. H. Dills— A Costly Trip— A Night of Suffering — \bram Fair's Narra- tive — A Coon Story — John N. Miller's Narrative — A Long Trail for Flour — .-\ Hard Journey — More .'Adversities — A Mill Trip with Ague — The Last Deer — From the Manuscript of J. R. Skilling — Swamps and Animals — Indians — Prehistoric Evidences — Lumber and Asherie.s — Imports and Exports — Mills — First Public Utilities. CONTENTS. CHAPTER VII— TOWNSHIP HISTORIES 143 Wilmington Township — Topography — Organization — Early Settlement — A Hard Winter — First Officers — Notes — Butler — Incorporations — Public Utili- ties — Concord Township — Topography — Organization — First Settlements — First Officers — St. Joe — Keyser Township — Topography — Organization — Garrett — Early Pioneers — Incorporation — Garrett in 1913 — Municipal Im- provements — City Hall — Library — Sacred Heart Hospital — Butler Township — Topography — Organization — Early Settlement -i- First Officers — Fairfield Township — Topography — Organization — Early Settlement — First Officers — • Franklin Township — Organization — Topography — Early Settlement — First Officers — Jackson Township — Topography — Organization — Early Settlement — Hurricane of 1841 — First Officers — Newville Township — Topography — Early Settlement — First Officers — Newville — Richland Township — Topogra- . phy — Organization — Early Settlement — First Officers — Corunna — Sedan — ■ Smithfield Township — Topography — Organization — Early Settlement — First Officers — Ashley — Stafford Township — Topography — Early Settlement — First Officers — Troy Township — Topography — Early Settlement — Mills — First Officers — Artie — Spencer Township — Spencerville — Grant Township- Waterloo — Library — Union Township — Topography — Organization — Early Settlement — Auburn — Wesley Park — Early Settlers — Taverns — Incorporation as a Town and as a City — Public L^tilities — Library — Eckhart's Gift — Clubs and Societies — Postoffice — Auburn Y. M. C. A. — Automobile Factories and Other Industries — Storm of September 29. 1R72 — Fall of Sn}'der Block — Dar- ing Burglary. CHAPTER VIII— RELIGIOUS HISTORY 196 First Preacher — First Meetings — Methodist Episcopal Churches — German Methodist Churches — Presbyterian Churches — Christian Churches — United Brethren Churches — Baptist Churches — St. Mark's Lutheran Evangelical Church — German Lutheran and German Reform Churches — Church of God — St. Matthew's Reformed Church — Protestant Episcopal Church — Evangelical Association — Catholic Churches. CHAPTER IX— HISTORY OF JOURNALISM 222 Early Newspaper Making — First Paper in County — Other Early Papers — Waterloo Press, the Oldest Paper in the County — More Auburn Ventures — First Paper in Butler — First Newspaper in Garrett — The Butler Record — ■ The DeKalb County Herald — Papers of Short Existence — The Ashley Times —The St. Joe News— The Corunna Star— The Auburn Weekly Bee. CHAPTER X— THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 234 Early Doctors — An Interloper — The Medical Society — Present Physicians. CHAPTER XI— THE BENCH AND THE BAR 243 Probate Court — Common Pleas Court — Justices of the Peace — Circuit Court — Circuit Court Judges — Early Lawyers — The Present Bar. CHAPTER XII— POLITICAL HISTORY 249 First Elections — Election of 1860 — Later Elections — Presidential Vote in DeKalb County— State Senators — State Representatives — Sheriffs — County Clerks — County Auditors — County Recorders — County Treasurers — County Surveyors — Coroners — Prosecutors — Common Pleas Prosecutors. CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIII— HISTORY OF EDUCATION 259 The Early School — Early Text Books — Education in the Townships — School History of Auburn — Establishment of Uniform Schools — Auburn Academy — Spelling Matches — Destruction of Academy — First High School — Progress of Education— Education in Garrett — School Statistics — Teachers and Officers. CHAPTER XIV— AGRICULTURE 278 Farm Lands — Value of Lands — Domestic Animals — Principal Crops — Pro- prietorship of Farms — County Fairs — The DeKalb County Free Fall Fair — Granges — Horticulture in DeKalb County. CHAPTER XV— RAILROADS AND TRANSPORT.A.TION 286 Early Roads and Road Cutting — Railroad History — Surveys — Railroad Be- ginnings — Interurban Railway — -Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw Railroad — The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad — Trestles and Troubles — Land Buying — First Trains — Railroad Boarding Houses — Building of the Shops — Early Garrett. CHAPTER XVI— BANKS AND BANKING 302 Early Banking Systems — ^First Bank in DeKalb County — Beginnings in Au- burn — Present Day Banks — Auburn State Bank — City National Bank — Sav- ings, Loan and Trust Company — Garrett State Bank — Garrett Savings, Loan and Trust Company — First National Bank — Knisely Brothers & Company State Bank — Citizens Bank — Thomas Exchange Bank — .St. Joe Valley Bank — The Commercial Bank. CHAPTER XVII— LODGES AND SOCIETIES 309 Free and Accepted Masons — Knights of Pythias — Independent Order of Odd Fellows — Grand Army of the Republic. CHAPTER XVIII— MISCELLANEOUS Patent Medicines— Market Prices in the Fifties— Market Prices of 1913— Pioneers' Association of DeKalb County — First Meeting — Other Meetings — Wolf Bounty — First Circus — Log Values of 1854 — Population of County by Decades. HISTORICAL INDEX A Adversities, Early 135 Agriculture 278 Ague 136 Artie 180 Asheries 140 Ashley 177 Ashley Newspapers 232 Assessment, County 87 Auburn ISS'^ Auburn Academy 265 Auburn Baptist Church 212 Auburn Catholic Church 218 Auburn Christian Church 207 Auburn Clubs and Societies 191 Auburn, Incorporation of 187 Auburn Lutheran Church 213 Auburn M. E. Church 198 Auburn Newspapers 226 Auburn Postoffice 192 Auburn Presbyterian Church 205 Auburn Public Library 190 Auburn Public Utilities 189 Auburn School History 263 Auburn Y. M. C. A 193 Auditors. County 255 Automobile Industry 193 B Banks and Banking 302 Baptist Churches 211 Beaver Dam 139 Bench and Bar 243 Big Run U. B. Church 210 Birds 46 Butler 147 Butler M. E. Church 201 Butler Newspapers 227 Butler Township 160 Butler U. B. Church 211 C Cabins. Pioneer 54 Catholic Churches- 218 Christian Churches 207 Church of Christ at Butler 208 Church of God 217 Circuit Court 245 Circuit Court Judges 245 Clark Expedition 27 Clerks, County 255 Colonial Policies 26 Commissioners, County 78 Common Pleas Court 244 Common Pleas Prosecutors 257 Concord Township 149 Constitutional Convention 36 Coon Hunt 75 Coroners 257 Corunna - 173 Counterfeiters, Early 302 County Asylum 87 County Auditors 255 County Clerks 255 County Fairs 281 County Finances 89 County Jail 81 County Officers 88 County Recorders 256 County Seat Location 77 County Surveyors 256 County Treasurers 256 Court House History 83 Courts. Early 243 Crops 280 Cyclone 74 D DeKalb County Guards 93 DeKalb County. Location 38 DeKalb County Militia 116 HISTORICAL INDEX. DeKalb County, Organization of 71 Dills, W. H., Reminiscences 124 Doctors, Early 236 Doctors, Present 241 Domestic Animals -- ^ 280 Drafting 1 '— -PS- Drainage 38 E Early Courts 243 Early Dead 126 Early Doctors 236 Early History 58 Early Indian Inhabitants 26 Early Labor 55 Early Lawyers 247 Early Life 52 Early Market Prices 316 Early Medical Treatment 234 Early Mills and Markets 53 Early Newspaper Making 222 Early Preachers 197 Early Roads 286 Early Schools 259 Early Settlement 50 Early Text Books 260 Education 259 Education in the Townships 261 Eighty-eighth Indiana Regiment 108 Election, First 27, 249 Election of 1860 250 English Reformed Church 217 Enlistments 98, 99, 114 Episcopal Churcli 218 Evangelical Association 218 Explorations 25 Extradition. Old Time 137. F Fair, Abraham, Narrative 130 Fairiield Township 162 Fairs 281 Family Mills 58 Farm Lands 278 Fauna, Past and Present 44 Fee, John 65 Finances of County 89 First Bank in DeKalb County 303 First Commissioners Meetings 78 First Court House 83 First Election 78, 249 First Events 55 First Explorers 25 First High School 267 First Newspaper 223 First Preacher 196 First Public Utilities 142 First Religious Meeting 196 First Settlers 50, 144 150, 161, 163. 165, 167, 170, 172, 174 178, 179, 185. 186 First Threshing Machine 127 Fish 45 Five Nations 26 Flood Waters 123 Fort Wayne 33 Forty-fourth Indiana Regiment 105 Fox Hunts 76 Franklin Township 164 Fraternal Orders 309 Free and Accepted Masons ^ 309 Free Fall Fair 282 French Explorers 25 G Game Preserve 49 Game. Wild 44 Garrett 154 Garrett Baptist Church 212 Garrett Catholic Church 221 Garrett Christian Church 207 Garrett M. E. Church 199 Garrett Newspapers 228 Garrett Presbyterian Church 205 Garrett Schools 274 Geology 38 German Churches 215 German Methodist Church 203 Governor St. Clair 30 Granges 283 Grand Army of the Republic 314 Grant Township 181 H Hard Winter 145 Ilarmar's Expedition 31 Horticulture — 284 HISTORICAL INDEX. Houlton, John 50, 60 Humorous Incidents 66 Hurricane of, 1841 168 Hydrophobia 74 I Improvements. Internal i7 Incidents of Humor 66 Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 313 Indian Customs 122 Indian Inhabitants 26 Indiana Territory 34 Indians Last to Move 36 Internal Improvements 37 Interurban Lines 290 J Jackson Township 166 Jail, County 81 Journalism 222 Justice of the Peace 244 K Keyser Township 153 Knight? of Pythias 311 L Land Hunting 73 Last Bear 76 Last Deer 138 Last of the Indians 36 Lawyers, Early 247 Lawyers, Present 247 Lincoln's Nomination 91 Location of County Seat 77 Location of DeKalb County 38 Lodges 309 Log Homes , 54 Lumber in Early Days 140 Lutheran Churches 213 Lutheran Evangelical Churches 214 M Market Prices in the Fifties.-. 316 Markets, Early 53 Masonic Order 309 Mass Meetings. Wartime 97 Medical History 234- Medical Society 240 Memorable Campaigns 250 Methodist Episcopal Church 198 Methodist Protestant Churches 202 Miami Tribe 26, 36 Military History 90 Miller, John N., Narrative 131 Mills, Early 53, 73, 141, 180 Miscellaneous 316 Mound Builders 75 Mt. Pleasant U. B. Church 211 N Newspaper Editorials. 1861 94 Newspapers of the County 222 Newville 171 Newville Christian Church 209 Newville Township 169 Newville U. B. Church 209 Nineteenth Indiana Regiment 101 Northwest Government 29 Odd Fellows 313 Official Roster 88 One Hundred Eighteenth Regiment- 111 One Hundred F'ifty-second Regiment 114 One Hundred Fifty-seventh Regi- ment 117 113 One Hundred Forty-second Re uicnt ^ One Hundred Twenty-ninth Regi- ment 112 One Hundredth Indiana Regiment— 110 Ordinance of 1787 30 Organization of DeKalb County 77 Organization of Indiana Territory.. 34 P Patent Medicines in Early Days 316 Patrons of Husbandry 283 Peat. Analysis of 44 Peat, Value of 44 Peat Beds 40 Physicians, Present 241 Pioneer Fare 74 Pioneer Honeymoon 57 HISTORICAL INDEX. Pioneer Society 7- Pioneers ^^ Pioneers' Association 317 Political History 249 Population by Decades 320 Post Vincennes 28 Pottawatomies, Tlie 36. 75 Preaching, First 196 Prehistoric Evidences 140 I'resbytcrian Churches 205 Present Banks 304 Present Court House 84 Present Lawyers 247 Present Market Prices. — 316 Present Physicians 241 Presidential Vote 252 Probate Court 243 Progress of Education 267 Prosecutors 257 Protestant Episcopal Church 218 Public Lands 73 Public Utilities. First 142 R Railroads 285 Recorders 255 Rehoboth M. P. Church 202 Related State History 25 Religious History 196 Religious Meeting. First 196 Reminiscences 58, 118 Representatives 254 Reptiles --— 45 Richland Township 171 Roads in Early Days 286 S Sacred Heart Hospital . 160 St. Clair, Gen. Arthur 30 St. Clair's Expedition 32 St. Joe 153 St, Joe Christian Church 208 St. Joe M. P. Church 202 St. Matthew Reform Church 217 St. Michael's Catholic Church 220 School Officers 275 School Statistics 275 Schools 259 .Schools in .\uburn 263 Second Court House 83 Senators, State 254 Settlement, Early 50 Sherififs 255 Slavery Question 30 Smithfield Township 173 Soil of DeKalb County 278 Spanish-American War 115 Spelling Matches 265 Spencer Township 180 Spencerville 181 Spencerville M. E. Church 202 Stafford Township 178 State History 25 State Organization 36 State Representatives 254 State Senators 254 Sufferings, Early 128 Surveyors, County ■ 256 Swamps 138 T Taverns 186 Teachers in DeKalb County 275 Thirtieth Indiana Regiment 102 Thirty-eighth Indiana Regiment 104 Tliirty-fifth Indiana Regiment 104 Threshing Machine, First 127 Township Histories 143 Transportation 286 Treasurers, County 256 Troy Township 179 Twentieth Indiana Regiment 101 Twenty-first Indiana Regiment 101 Twentv-ninth Indiana Regiment 101 U I'niform School System 263 Union Township 184 United Brethren Churches 209 Unwelcome Visitors 63 Utilities, First Public 142 V Value of harm Lands 279 HISTORICAL INDEX. W Wabash & Erie Canal 37 War Mass Meetings 97 Wartime Celebration 99 Wartime Editorials 94 Waterloo 181 Waterloo M. E. Church 201 Waterloo Library 183 Waterloo Presbyterian Church 207 Waterloo Press 224 Waterloo U. B. Church 210 Wesley Park's Tale 118 Widney. S. W., Reminiscences 122 Wild Animals 44 Wild-cat Currency 302 Wilmington Township 143 Wolf Bounty 319 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX A Abbey, Giles T. 629 Albright, Frank 937 Altenburg, Eugene C. 378 Altenburg, Henry E. 373 Arford, Charles S. 848 Atkinson. Edgar W. 491 B Bachtel, William H. 830 Barker, Isaac E. 874 Barney, Solomon 539 Baxter, John W. 440 Baxter, Miles 488 Beams, Jack M. 965 Betz, Washington 898 Blair, W. L. 563 Bolinger, Jerry A. 438 Boozer, Herman D. 606 Bowman, Archie S. 64! Bowman, Clarence A. 911 Bowman, James 430 Bowman, Col. Stephen A. 357 Brandaberry, Levi 400 Brandon, Orin 379 Brecbill, Christian 918 Brechbill. John 767 Broughton, Frank, M. D. 638 Brown, Harry 645 Brown. Herman L. 507 Brumback, Edward M. 673 Brunson, Aden D. 901 Buchanan, John Edgar 321 Buchanan, Verne E. 888 Bunge, Fred 665 Burtzner, George W. 773 Buss, Christian C. 967 C Cami). Aaron W. 954 Campbell, Albertus 877 Campbell, Charles A. 941 Campbell, Clark 923 Campbell, Edward 857 Campbell, Frank S. 417 Campbell, George 415 Campbell, Romain C. S41 Campbell, Samuel L. 416 Campbell, William E 418 Capp, Charles 628 Carper, Philip S. 997 Caruth, Davis E. 484 Casebeer, Jacob B., M. D. 405 Casebere, Solomon S. 670 Chaney, Nelson 945 Chapman, James 4S8 Chapman, Lemuel N. 882 Childs, Jason B. 683 Childs, Phineas D. _— 693 Close, Benjamin 582 Cochran, Eli T. 525 Coe, Henry E. 623 Corbin, Worth 647 Crooks, Robert W. 536 Crooks, Sheldon 544 Culbertson, Hugh R. 456 Curie. Christian 904 D Daniels, Arthur G. 806 Daniels, Harrison M. 818 Daniels, Reuben G. 822 Dannells, Willis A. 712 Dapp, Henry 878 Darby, A. Byron, M. D. 402 Davidson, Henry R. 731 Davis, John L. 472 Day, James C. 460 Deems, George 692 DeLong, H. F. 780 DeLong, Marion S. 759 Denison, George B. 594 Denison, George O. 412 BIOBRAPHICAL INDEX. Depew, Perry D. 828 Deihl, John 787 Diehl, Harry 730 Diehm, William C. 763 Dietzen, Nicholas 906 Dilgard. Jonas E. 558 Dilgard, Ray C. 760 Dilgard, Simon A. 578 Downend, Samuel H. 784 Duesler, John W. 632 Dunn, William 595 E Eakright, Ellsworth A. 714 Eakright, John J. 586 Eckhart, Charles 323 Eldridge, Oliver P. 986 Elliott, Orlando 803 Endicott, William P. 672 Erick, William G, 979 Erwin, Edwin 847 F Fanning. Frank D., M. D 616 Feagler. John C. 509 Feick. Fred L. 688 Fisher, Solomon 518 Forest, W. H. 716 Forney. William S. 834 Forrest, Earl W. 873 Fosdick, Edwin L. 366 Frantz, John 609 Frazer. Jacob I. 821 Frederick, Charles E. 524 Freeburn, C. W. 949 Fulton, Wesley 614 G Geddes, George W. 648 Gerner, Karl 776 Gfeller, Frank W. 886 Gfeller. Frederick, Jr. 880 Ginder, Frederick 752 Goodwin, Elmer 870 Goodwin. Leander S. 454 Goodwin, Samuel L. 505 Goodwin, William 793 Graham, John E. 382 Gray, John H. 721 Gray, Truman W. 720 Green, Monte L. 947 Griffin, N. O. 687 Grogg, Abraham 601 Grogg, Alva F. 762 Grogg, Daniel 612 Grogg, Isaac 468 Grogg, John 570 Grogg, Oliver P. 757 Grube, William H. 666 Gruhlke, Augustus C. 534 Gunsenhouser, Isaac 774 H Hamilton. Clarence B. 680 Hamilton, James M. 1001 Hamilton, W. E. 1001 Hamman, Daniel F. 924 Hamman, David A. 910 Hamman, Herman M. 943 Hamman. John 935 Hamman, Thomas 850 Hanes, G. W. 727 Harding, L. C. 964 Harding, Verne E. 825 Harmes, George E. 637 Hartman, Ezra D. 837 Ilartman, Joel E. 844 Harwood, Thomas W. 664 Haverstock, Samuel G. 533 Hawver, Benjamin F. 974 Hcbel. John 542 Heitz, Joseph P. 772 Hempstreet, Jeremiah 521 Henderson, John W. — 653 High, Samuel M. 719 Higley, Luther H. 770 Hine, Sheldon H. 991 Hines, Francis M., M. D. 392 Hinman, William H. 618 Hixson, Forest A. 754 Hoff, Frank A. 471 Hoff, John P. 446 Hoffelder, Frank C. 839 Hoffelder, John 859 Hodge, Chester P. 796 Hogue. Francis A. 756 Hogue. Frank 556 BIOBRAPHICAL INDEX. Hohl. Joseph 868 Hollister, Wellington H. 652 Hose, Walter R. 707 Houghton, C. A. 703 Hull, Joseph A. 952 Hull, Russell L. 520 Husselman, Adam W. 604 Husselman, Henry 657 J Jackman, Isaac M. 678 Jackman, Jefferson W. 768 Jackman, John 710 Jackman, Norman T. 528 Jones, John W. 590 Jones, Milton C. 896 Judson, Harvey T. 453 K Kegerreis, Joseph 884 Kelley, Alfred 342 Kelley, Douglas 903 Kelly, Eugene 580 Kettering, William C. 977 Kimsey, John M. 635 Kiplinger, Michael, Jr. 335 Knauer, J. Harvey 695 Koch, John C. 940 Kosht, David R. 827 Kosht, Simon P. 785 Kramer, Albert A., M. D. 696 Kraus, John 573 Krontz, John H. W. 551 Kuhlman, Col. Aubrey L. 336 Kuhlman, George W. 592 Kutzner, Myron -S. 598 L Lawhead, James G. 346 Leas, Byron 575 Leas, Daniel L. 704 Leas, John 390 Leas, Obediah 597 Leas, William H. 552 Leasure, John H. 565 Leasure, Dr. Lida 384 Lehmback, Charles 791 Leighty, Fred B. 951 Leighty, Jacob D. 352 Leins, Adam 805 Little, Edward O. 486 Lochner, John C. 496 Lockhart, Robert W. 854 Lockhart, William M. 931 Lockwood, Reuben 546 Long, J. Perry 420 Long, Jackson A. 699 Lower, Jacob, Jr. 819 Lung, Noah A 790 Lutz, Jacob 566 Lutz. John 611 Mc McCaguc. James P. 560 McClellan, James Y. W. 432 McClure, Timothy 734 McCord, Howard B. 568 McNabb, Warren 422 M Madden, Alpheus W. i7t, May, George 810 Milks, David 788 Miller, Conrad 589 Miller, Forest 782 Miller, Lafayette J. 475 Miller, William C. 671 Mondhank, Walter J. 656 Montavon, Colonel E. 462 Mott, Egbert B. 364 Mountz, Walter W. 576 Mumaw, Samuel A. 999 Musser, Jesse J. 363 Myers, Franklin P. 915 N Xebelung, J'red J. 522 Xewcoiner, Christian, Jr. 480 X'ewcomer, George W. 450 X'immons, Frank W. 685 Nisbet, James R. 644 Nodine, Silas 748 Xodine. William J. 961 Noirot, George 584 Nugen, S. H. 668 BIOBRAPHICAL INDEX. O Oberlin, John J. 418 dinger, Frank W. 624 dinger, Jacob N. 681 Oswalt, Dr. A. M. 429 (1tto, Capt. John F. 395 P Park, George VV. 920 Pepple, Joseph 755 Peters, Albert H. 872 Place, Reed F. 973 Pomeroy, James E. 424 Potts, John S. 799 Powers, A. S. 944 Provines, Alexander 840 Provines, James 717 R Ralston, Andrew J. 370 Reed, Charles R. 447 Rempis, Theodore 889 Reynolds, Melvin E. 765 Rhoads, Willis 443 Ritter, F. H. 608 Rock, George, M. D. 361 Rohm, Ezra 1003 Rohm, Simon, Jr. 907 Roland, Levi 724 Rose, James E. 514 S Saylor, E. W. 994 Schiffli, Andrew 808 Schiffli, Anthony 887 Schopf, Elias 778 Schulthess, George 554 Seiler, Franklin P. 976 Shaffer, George 728 Shaffer, Oliver E. 894 Sheets, Martin C. 832 Sherwood, John V. 926 Shoemaker, Emanuel R. 736 Shoemaker, Henry D. 983 Shoner, George 499 Shoudel, John M. 862 Shoudel, Michael L. 865 Showalter, Henry M. 864 Showalter, J. W. ■ 654 Showalter, Joseph E., M. D. 434 Shultz, Albert L. 660 Shurts, P. A. 970 SkilHng, J. R. 531 Snyder. Jacob F. 981 Sprott, Thomas H. 571 Stafford, Thomas C. 677 .Stone, Samuel G. 549 Stroh, Adam 512 Swarts, David J., M. D. 386 Swartz. Melvin 650 T Tarney. Dr. Simeon U. 436 Teeters, Franklin M. 968 Tess, H. L. 640 Thomas, Daniel 675 Thomas, Isaac M. 800 Thomas, Milo J. 333 Thomas, Ralph L. 492 Thomas, William A. 501 Thrush, Albert N. 995 Triplett, E. A. 852 Trostle, George W. 959 W Walker, Eli 814 Walker, Frank 812 Ward, Rev. Stephen B. 482 Warner, Jesse H. 998 Webster, Charles W. 698 Weller, Miles J. 751 West, Price D. 408 Widney, Byron E. 990 Widney, Hugh M. 987 Widney, John P. 397 Widney, Oliver H. 464 Widney, Samuel L. 984 Wigent, Ervin W. 702 Williams, Harvey O. 427 Williams, Samuel 708 Williamson, Eli Y. 478 Willis, Frank W. 348 Willis, Herbert C. 912 Willis, Moses B. 928 Wimer, John 503 Wolf, Allen 971 BIOBRAPHICAL INDEX. Wolfe, Arthur C. 621 Wolfe, Samuel 662 Wolfe, William 816 Wyatt, Edmond J. 746 Y Yarde, David 726 Yarde, Frank 842 Yarde, Henry 722 Z Zent, Isaac M. 368 Zimmerman, Elias 956 Zimmerman, John 330 Court House, AUBURN A) DKKALU CUl-.XTY COURT HOUSK NEW DEKALB COUNTY COURT HOUSE HISTORICAL RELATED STATE HISTORY. FIRST EXPLORERS. After the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, or, to be exact, when Cokimbus touched off the coast of Florida, more than one hundred and fifty years were to pass before the white explorers were to touch foot to the soil later embraced within the bounds of Indiana. Colonies were established in Florida. Virginia and Nova Scotia by the rival governments of Europe, but not until 1 670-2 did the first white travelers venture so far into the North- west as Indiana or Lake Michigan. These explorers were Frenchmen by the names of Claude Allouez and Claude Dablon, who then visited what is now the eastern part of Wisconsin, the northeastern portion of Illinois and proba- bly that portion of this state north of the Kankakee river. In the year fol- lowing M. Joliet, an agent of the French colonial government, and James Marquette, a missionary stationed at Mackinaw, explored the country around Green bay, and along Fox and Wisconsin rivers as far westward as the Mississippi, the banks of which they reached on Jime 17, 1673. They de- scended this river a short distance and returned by way of tiie Illinois river. .\t a village among the Illinois Indians, Marquette and his followers were re- ceived with friendly hospitality, and made guests at a great feast of hominy, tish. dog meal and roast buffalo. In 1682 LaSalle explored the West, but it is not known for sure whether or not he entered the territory now embraced in Indiana. He took jjossession, however, of the whole Mississippi region, in the name of France, and he named it in honor of the king, Louisiana. .Spain at the same time claimed the region around the Gulf of Mexico. Con- sequently, the two nations clashed. 26 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. EARLY INDIAN INHABITANTS. At this time the country of Indiana was held by the Miami confederacy of Indians, the Miamis proper, originally the Twightwees, being the eastern and most powerful tribe. Their villages were few and scattering. These In- dian settlements were occasionally visited by Christian missionaries, fur trad- ers and adventurers, but no permanent settlement was risked by the white men. The "Five Nations," farther to the east, comprised the Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas, Onondagas, and Senecas. In 1677 *^he number of war- riors in this confederation was two thousand one hundred and fifty. About 1711 the Tuscaroras retired from Carolina and joined the Iroquois, and the organization then became known as the "Six Nations." In 1689 hostilities broke out between the Indian tribes and the French colonists of Canada, and the following series of wars served the purpose of checking the grasping policy of Louis XIV, and to retard the planting of French colonies in the Mississippi valley. Missionary efforts, however, continued with more failure than success, the Jesuits allying themselves with the Indians in habits and customs, even encouraging inter-marriage between them and their white fol- lowers. NATIONAL POLICIES. The English, who were envious of the French, resorted to every method to e-xtend their territory westward. Both nations secured aid from various Indian tribes, and a bloody and merciless warfare continued for many years. France continued in her effort to connect the Canadian country with the Gulf of Mexico by a chain of trading posts and colonies, which further in- creased the jealousy of England and really laid the foundation for the French and Indian war, which terminated in the treaty of 1763, at Paris, and by which France ceded to Great Britain all of North America east of the Mississippi river, except New Orleans and the island on which it is situated. The British policy, after getting control of the Indian territory, was still unfavorable to its growth in population. In 1765 the number of French fam- ilies within the limits of the Northwestern territory did not exceed six hundred. These were in settlements around Detroit, along the Wabash river, and in the neighborhood of Fort Chartres on the Mississippi river. Of these families eighty-five resided at Post Vincennes, fourteen at Fort Ouiatenon on the Wabash, and in the neighborhood of the confluence of the St. Mary and St. Joseph rivers. The colonial policy of the British government opposed any measures which might strengthen the settlements in the interior of this DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 2/ country, lest they became self-supporting and independent of the mother- country. Thomas Jefferson, the wise statesman and governor of Virginia, saw from the first that actual occupation of western lands was the only way to keep them out of the hands of foreigners and Indians. Accordingly he engaged a corps of scientific men and sent them to the Mississippi river, to ascertain the point on that stream intersected by latitude 36 degrees thirty minutes, to the southern line of the state, and to measure its distance to the Ohio. He intrusted the military operations in that quarter to General Clark, with instructions to select a strong position near the named point, and erect a fort and garrison the same for protecting the settlers, and to extend his conquest toward the great lakes on the north. Conforming to his instructions. General Clark erected Fort Jefferson on the Mississippi, a few miles above the southern limit. The result of these operations was the addition to Virginia of the vast Northwest territory. The fact that a chain of forts was established by the Americans in this vast region convinced the British commissioners that we had entitled ourselves to the land. During this time the minor events were transpiring outside the territory in question which later promoted the settlement in what is now known as Indiana. GEORGE ROGERS CL.VRK EXPEDITION. George Rogers Clark, some time in the spring of 1776, a resident of Kentucky, but a native of Virginia, formulated a scheme of more rapid set- tlement in the great Northwest territory. That part of Kentucky was occu- pied by Henderson and Company, who pretended to own the land and set a high .price on the same. Clark doubted the validity of their claim, and wished to make a test of it, and adjust the control of the country so that settlements might be fostered. He called a meeting of the citizens at Harrodstown, to assemble June 6, 1776, and consider the claims of the company, and consult with reference to the interests of the country. This meeting was held on the day appointed and delegates elected to confer with the state of Virginia as to the propriety of attaching the new country as a county to that state. Many causes prevented a consummatiov of this object until the year 1778. Virginia was favorable to the enterprise, but would not take action as a state. Governor Henry and a few others, how- ever, assisted Colonel Clark all they could. Clark organized an expedition and took in stores at Pittsburg and Wheeling, and proceeded down the Ohio to the falls, where he built some light fortifications. At this time Post Vincennes comprised about four hundred militia. It 26 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. was a daring task for Colonel Clark with his small force of men to go up against it at Kaskaskia as he had planned. Some of his men, becoming alarmed at the critical situation, deserted him. He conducted himself so as to gain the sympathy of the French, and through them, the Indians to some extent, as both were very bitter against the English who had possession of the lake region He took Kaskaskia first, and succeeded by kindness in win- ning them to his side. It was difficult, however, for him to induce the French to accept his paper, continental money, in ]iayment for provisions. Colonel Vigo, a Frenchman, who had a trading establishment there, came to the rescue, and prevailed upon the people to accept this paper. Colonel Vigo sold cofifee at one dollar per pound and other goods in proportion. The next post was Vincennes. defended by Fort Sackville, an important possession to gain. Father Gibault, of Kaskaskia, who also had charge of the church at Vincennes, being friendly to the Americans, used his influence with the people of the garrison, and won them to Clark's standard. They took the oath of allegiance to Virginia and became citizens of the United States. Clark had concluded treaties with several Indian tribes, and placed Captain Leonard Helm, an American, in command of Vincennes. On learn- ing the successful termination of Clark's expedition, the general assembly of Virginia declared all of the settlers west of the Ohio organized into a county of that state, to be known as Illinois county ; but before the provisions of the law could be made efifective, Henry Hamilton, the British lieutenant governor of Detroit, collected an army of thirty regulars, fifty French volunteers, and four hundred Indians and mo\ed ujjon and took Post Vincennes in Decem- lier. 1778. Captain Helm and a man named Henry were the only Americans at the fort, the onlv members of the garrison. Helm was taken prisoner and the French disarmed. Upon hearing of the taking of Post Vinceimes, Clark, who was still at Kaskaskia. determined to retake the place. He gathered together about one hundred and seventy men. and on February 5th started from Kaskaskia, crossing the stream of the same name. The weather was wet and the low- lands covered with water. He had to subsist on such game as he could kill en route. The men underwent great privations, wading through acres of water to their hips, and suffering intensely with the cold. However. Colonel Clark shared all of the hardships of the men and asked nothing of them which he would not undergo himself. They reached the little Wabash on the thirteenth, and two days were occupied in crossing the swollen stream. They found the roads no better, but marched down and reached the Big Wabash on the seventeenth of the month. The next two days were consumed DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 29 in attempting to cross the angry stream. Finally canoes were constructed and the entire force crossed the main stream, and then found the lowlands en- tirely under water and ice which had formed recently. His men refused to proceed. All of Clark's persuasions had no effect upon the half starved men. In one company was a small drummer-boy and also a sergeant who stood six feet and two inches high. Clark ordered him, the sergeant, to mount the boy on his shoulders and plunge into the water. He did so, and the small drummer beat the charge from his position, while Clark, sword in hand, followed. This maneuver was electrical, and the men, with a cheer, followed their leader. On arriving within two miles of the fort Clark halted his men and sent in a letter demanding surrender, to which he received no reply. He next ordered Lieutenant Bayley, with fourteen men, to advance and fire on the fort, while the main body of men moved in another direction and took pos- session of the strongest portion of the town. Clark then demanded Hamil- ton's immediate surrender, on penalty of being treated as a murderer. Hamil- ton refused indignantly. Fighting began and continued for over an hour, when Hamilton proposed a three days' truce. Clark, characteristically, sent word that notliing but unconditional surrender was satisfactory. In less than an hour the surrender was dictated by General Clark. This was on February 24, 1779. Of this expedition, of its results, of its importance, as well as of the skill and bravery of those engaged, a volume could well be written. The expedition has never been surpassed in modern warfare, when we consider that by it the whole territory now included in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan was added to the Union, and so admitted by the British commissioners in the treaty of peace in 1783. But for the result of this expedition our western boundary would have l^en the Ohio instead of the Mississippi. Clark rein- stated Captain Helm in command at Vincennes, with instructions to subdue the marauding Indians, which he did, and soon comparative quiet prevailed on Indiana soil. The whole credit of this conquest belongs to Colonel Clark and Francis Vigo. NORTHWEST GOVERNMENT. By the conquest of Colonel Clark, Indiana came within the territory be- longing to Virginia. In January, 178.3, the General Assembly of the Old Dominion resolved to cede this territory to the general government of the United States. The proposition made by Virginia was accepted by the gov- ernment and the transfer made early in 1784. The terms were that Virginia was to be reimbursed for all expenses incurred in exploring and protecting 30 DEKAI.B COUNTY. INDIANA. settlers in the territory: also that one hundred and fifty thousand acres of land should be granted to the soldiers who, with Colonel Clark, had made the famous expedition. After all these matters had been attended to, in the spring of 1784, the matter of governing this section of the west was referred to a committee of Messrs. Jefferson, of Virginia, Chase, of Maryland, and Howell, of Rhode Island, which committee, among other things, reported an ordinance prohibiting slavery in the territory after 1800, but this article of the ordinance was rejected. The Ordinance of 1787 has an interesting his- tory. Much controversy has been indulged in as to who is really entitled to the credit of framing it. This undoubtedly belongs to Nathan Dane; and to Rufus King and Timothy Pickering belongs the credit of having inserted the anti-slavery clause which it contained. Mr. Jefferson had vainly tried to secure a system of government for the Northwest territory excluding slav- ery therefrom. The South, however, invariably voted him down. In July 1787, an organizing act without the slavery clause was pending, which was supposed to secure its passage. Congress went into session in New York City. July 3th, Rev. Manasseh Cutler, of Massachusetts, came to New York in the interests of some land or speculators in the Northwest territory. He was a courtly gentleman of the old school type and had gotten into the confidence of the Southern leaders. He wished to purchase five million, five hundred thousand acres of land in the new territory. Jefferson and his administration desired to make a record on the reduction of the public debt, and this was a rare opportunity. Massachusetts' representatives could not vote against Cutler's scheme, as many of their constituents were inter- ested in the measure personally: Southern meml>ers were almost committed. Thus. Cutler held the key to the situation, and dictated temis, which were as follows : 1. The exclusion of slavery from the territory forever. 2. Providing 'one-thirty-sixth of all lands for public schools. 3. Be it forever remembered that this compact declares that religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happi- ness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall always be en- couraged. Dr. Cutler planted himself on this platfrom and would not yield, stating that unless thev could procure these lands under desirable conditions and surroundings, that they did not care to purchase. July 13, 1787, the bill be- came a law. Thus the great states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin were consecrated to freedom, intelligence and morality. October 5, 1787. Congress elected General Arthur St. Clair governor of the North- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 3! west territory. He assumed his official duties at Marietta and at once pro- ceeded to treat with the Indians and organize a territorial government. He first organized a court at Marietta, consisting of three judges, himself being president of the court. The governor, with his judges, then visited Kaskaskia for the purpose of organizing a civil government, having previously instructed Major Ham- tramck at Vincennes to present the policy of the new administration to the several Indian tril>es and learn their feelings. They received the messenger with a cool indifference, which, when reported to the governor, convinced him that nothing short of military force would command compliance with the civil government. He at once proceeded to Fort Washington to consult with General Harmer as to future action. In the meantime he intrusted to the secretary of the territory, Winthrop Sargent, the settlement of the dis- puted land claims, who found it a hard task, and in his reports states that he found the records so falsified, vouchers destroyed, and other crookedness as to make it impossible to get at a just settlement, which but again proves that the "graft" of the twentieth century existed decades l^efore tliis word had been coined. The general court in 1790 passed stringent laws against the sale of intoxicating liquors to Indians and also to soldiers within ten miles of any military post ; also prohibiting any games of chance within the territory. The consultation between St. Clair and General Harmar ended by a de- cision to raise a large military force and thoroughly chastise the Indians about the head of the Wabash river. Accordingly. Virginia and Pennsyl- vania were called upon to muster eighteen hundred men at Fort Steuben, and, with the garrison of that fort, join the forces at Vincennes under Major Hamtramck, who proceeded up the Wabash as far as the Vermillion river, destroying villages, but without finding an enemy to oppose him. General Harmar, with one thousand four hundred and fifty men, marched from Fort Washington to the Maumee, and began punishing the Indians, but witii little success. The expedition left Fort Washington September 30th, and returned to that place November 4th, having lost during that period one hundred and eighty-three men killed and thirty-one wounded. General Harmar's defeat alarmed as well as aroused the citizens in the frontier counties of Virginia, thinking the Indians might invade that state. The governor of Virginia called out the militia along the upper borders of that state ; at the same time Charles Scott was appointed brigadier-general of the Kentucky militia now preparing to defend the frontiers of that state. This excited Congress and a war board was appointed, consisting of five 32 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. members. March 9, 1791, General Knox, secretary of war, wrote to General Scott recommending an expedition against the Indians on the Wabash. March 3, 1 79 1, congress invested Governor St. Clair with the command of three thousand troops, and he was instructed by the secretary of war to march to the Miami village and establish a strong and permanent military post. After that was accomplished he was to seek the enemy with all his available forces and make them feel the effect of the superiority of the whites. ST. CLAIR AND WAYNE EXPEDITIONS. Although seriously damaged, the Indians were far from subdued. The Canadians and English along the border gave them much encouragement. In September, 1791, St. Clair moved from Fort Washington with a force of two thousand men and a number of pieces of artillery. November 3d, he reached the headwaters of the Wabash, where Fort Recovery was later built, and here the army camped, consisting of one thousand four hundred effective men. The following morning the army advanced and engaged a force of tweh e hundred Indians. Here the American army was disastrously defeated, having thirty-nine officers and five hundred and thirty-nine men killed and missing, twenty-two officers and two hundred and thirty-two men wOUnded. Several pieces of artillery and all their provisions were taken from them. The property loss was estimated at thirty-two thousand dollars. There has always been some disposition to blame General St. Clair for this awful de- feat, but his recent biographer, John Newton Boucher, of Greensburg. Penn- sylvania, proves conclusively that he was not to blame. Be that as it may, he resigned his commission after that battle and the work was taken up by General Anthony Wayne, of Revolutionary fame, who organized his forces at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and in October, 1793. moved westward at the head of an army of three thousand six hundred men. He proposed an of- fensive campaign. The Indians still held that the Ohio river should be the boundarv line between the United States and their lands. Major-General Scott, with about sixteen hundred A-olunteers from Ken- tuckv, joined the regular troops under General Wayne on July 26, 1794, and on the 28th the united force began their march for the Indian towns on the Maumee river. Arriving at the mouth of the .\uglaize, they erected Fort Defiance and on August 15th the army advanced toward the British fort at the foot of the rapids of the Maumee, where on the 20th, almost within reach of the British, the American army gained a decisive victory over the combined forces of the hostile Indians and a considerable number of Detroit DEKALB COUNTV, INDIANA. 33 militia. The number of the enemy was estimated at two thousand, against about nine hundred American troops actually engaged. As soon as the action began this horde of savages abandoned themselves to flight and dispersed with terror and dismay, leaving Wayne's victorious army in full possession of the field. The Americans lost thirty-three killed and one hundred wound- ed ; the loss of the enemy more than doubled this number. The army remained three days and nights on the banks of the Maumee, in front of the field of battle, during which time all the houses and com fields were consumed and destroyed for a considerable distance both above and below Fort Miami, as well as within pistol shot of the British garrison, who were compelled to remain idle spectators to this general devastation and con- flagration, among which were the houses, stores and property of Colonel McKee, the British Indian agent, and general stimulator of the war then existing between the United States and the savages. On the return march to Fort Defiance the villages and corn fields for about fifty miles on each side of the Maumee were destroyed as well as those for a considerable distance around that post. ORIGIN OF FORT WAYNE. September 14, 1794, the army under General Wayne commenced its march toward the deserted Miami villages at the confluence of St. Joseph and St. Mary's rivers, arriving October 17th, and on the following day the site of Fort Wayne was selected. The fort was completed November 22d and garrisoned by a strong detachment of infantry and artillery under the com- mand of Colonel John F. Hamtramck, who gave to the new fort the name of "Fort Wayne." In 1814 a new fort was built on the site of this structure. The Kentucky volunteers returned to Fort Washington, and were mustered out of service. General Wayne, with the federal troops, marched to Green- ville and took up his headquarters during the winter. Here, in August, 1795, after several months of active negotiation, this gallant officer succeeded in concluding a general treaty of peace with all the hostile tribes of the Northwestern territory. This treaty opened the way for the flood of immi- gration for many years, and ultimately made the states and territories now constituting the mighty Northwest. Up to the organization of the Indiana territory there is but little history to record aside from those events connected with military affairs. In July, 1796, after a treaty was concluded between the United States and Spain, the British garrison, with their arms, artillery and stores, were withdrawn from (3) 34 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. the posts within the boundaries of the United States northwest of the Ohio river, and the detachment of American troops consisting of sixty-five men under the command of Captain Moses Porter took possession of the evac- uated post of Detroit in the same month. In the latter part of 1796 Winthrop Sargent went to Detroit and or- ganized the county of Wayne, forming a part of the Indian territory until its division in 1805, when the territor}' of Michigan was organized. ORGANIZATION OF INDIANA TERRITORY. On the final victory of the American amiy in 1796 the principal town within what is now the state of Indiana was Vincemies, which comprised only fifty houses, but presented a thrifty appearance. There was also a small settlement where now stands Lawrenceburg, and several smaller settlements around trading posts, and the total number of civilized inhabitants in the territory was estimated at four thousand eight hundred seventy-five. Indiana territory was organized by act of Congress May 7, 1800, the material features of the ordinance of 1787 remaining in force and the people were invested with all the rights and advantages granted and secured by that ordinance. The seat of government was fixed at Vincennes. May 13, 1800, William Henry Harrison, a native of Virginia, was appointed governor. John Gib- son, of Pennsylvania, was made secretary of the territory. General Harrison called together the first territorial legislature or council March 3, 1801. From this time to 1810 the chief questions under discussion were land speculators, African slavery and the hostile views of the Shawnee chief, Tecumseh, and his brother, the wily Prophet, Up to this time the sixth article of the Ordinance of 1787, prohibiting slavery, had been somewhat neglected and many French settlers held slaves ; many slaves had been removed to slave-holding states. A session of dele- gates elected by popular vote in the new territory, petitioned Congress to revoke the sixth article of the old ordinance. Congress failed to grant this as well as many other similar petitions. When it appeared from a popular vote in the territory that a majority of one hundred and thirty-eight were in favor of organizing a General Assembly, Governor Harrison, on September II, 1804, issued a proclamation, and called for an election to be held in the several counties of the territon,' January 3, 1805, to choose members of the House of Representatives, who should meet at Vincennes. February ist. The delegates were duly elected and assembled as ordered, and they perfected DEKALB COUNTY, 35 plans for territorial organization and selected five men who should constitute the legislative council of the territory. The first General Assembly or Legisla- ture of the territory met at Vincennes July 29, 1805. July 30th the governor delivered his first message to the council and House of Representatives. Benjamin Park, who came from New Jersey in 1801, was the first delegate elected to Congress. The first newspaper published within the territory of Indiana was the Western Sun, first issued at Vincennes in 1803, by Elihu Stout, of Kentucky, and first named the Indiana Gazette, but changed to the Sun July 4, 1804. In 1810 the total population of Indiana was 24,520. There were then reported 33 grist mills, 14 saw mills, 3 horse mills, 18 tanneries, 28 distilleries, 3 powder mills, 1,256 looms, 1,300 spinning wheels; value of woolen, cotton, hemp and flax cloth, $150,059: of nails, 30,000 pounds: of wine from grapes, 96 barrels, and 50,000 pounds of maple sugar. The territory of Indiana was divided in 1809, when the territory of Illi- nois was erected to comprise all that part of Indiana territory west of the Wabash river and a direct line drawn from that river and Vincennes due north to the territorial line between the United States and Canada. For the first half century after the settlement Vincennes grew slowly. The commandants and priests governed with almost absolute power ; the whites lived in peace with the Indians. The necessaries of life were easily procured ; there was nothing to stimulate energy or progress. In such a state of society there was no demand for learning and science. Few could read and fewer still could write their own names; they were void of public spirit, enterprise or ingenuity. Not until the close of the war of 1812 and 1814 did Indiana take on her vigorous growth, and since then she has kept pace with her sister states. In 181 5 the total white population was sixty-three thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven. February 13, 1813* the Legisla- ture in session at Vincennes changed the seat of government to Corydon. The same year Governor Posev was appointed to take Governor Harrison's place, for he was engaged in subduing the enemies of this country. Up to 181 1 a man must own at least fifty acres of land before he was entitled to cast his vote. To become a member of the council he must pos- sess five hundred acres of land, and each member of the Legislature must needs own two hundred acres. In 1814 the territory was divided into three judicial districts. The governor appointed the judges and the compensation was fixed at seven hundred dollars per annum. The same year two banks were authorized : the 36 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Mechanics Bank of Madison, with seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and the Bank of Vincennes; with a capital of five hundred thousand dollars. STATE ORGANIZATION 1816. The last territorial Legislature convened at Corydon in December, 1815, and petitioned Congress for authority to adopt a state constitution and main- tain a state government. The President approved the bill, and Indiana was made a state. The following May an election was held for the selection of delegates to a constitutional convention. That body met at Corydon, June 15th to 29th, John Jennings presiding, and William Hendricks acting as secretary. The representatives in the constitutional convention were able men. The constitution they there formed for Indiana in 1816 was in no wise in- ferior to that of any other commonwealth in the Union to that date. The first state election was held the first Monday in August, 1816, and Jonathan Jennings was elected governor, Christopher Harrison, lieutenant governor, and William Hendricks, representative to Congress. The close of the war of 1812 and 1S14 was followed by a great rush of immigrants to the new state, and in 1820 the state had more than doubled its population, having at this time one hundred forty-seven thousand one hun- dred and seventy-eight. From 1825 to 1830 was one of prosperity in In- diana. Immigration continued to come in rapidly, the crops were excellent, and the hopes of the people raised higher than ever before. THE LAST OF THE INDIANS. In 1830 there still remained on Indiana soil two tribes of Indians, the Miamis and Pottawatomies. These were much opposed to moving to territory farther west. This condition of unrest was used by the celebrated warrior, Black Hawk, who, hoping to receive aid from the discontented tribes, in- vaded the frontier and slaughtered the settlers. Others fled from their homes and a vast amount of property was destroyed. This was in 1832 and was known as the Black Hawk war. The invaders were driven away with severe punishment and when those who had abandoned their homes were assured that the Miamis and Pottawatomies did not contemplate joining the invaders, they returned and again took up their peaceful vocations. In 1837-8 the Indians were all removed to a country west of the Mississippi, and very soon land speculations assumed large proportions. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 37 INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. The matter of making public improvements in Indiana began to be freely talked of as early as 1818, and continued in favor until 1830, when the people became much excited over the question of railroads. In 1832 work on public roads and canals was really commenced, the Wabash and Erie canal being the greatest of such undertakings. Thirty-two miles of this canal were completed during that year. During 1836 many other projected works were started, and in 1837, when the governor took the executive chair, he found a reaction among the people in regard to the gigantic plans for public improvements. The fear that a state debt was being settled on their shoulders took hold of the people from which they could never free themselves. The state had borrowed $3,820,000 for internal works, of which $1,300,000 was for the construction of the Wabash and Erie canal, the state to pay annually $200,000 interest on her public debt, and the revenue derived which could be thus be applied amounted to only $45,000 in 1838. In 1839 all work ceased on these improvements with one or two excep- tions, and the contract surrendered to the state in consequence of the act of the Legislature providing for the compensation of contractors by the issue of treasury notes. In 1840 the system of improvements embraced ten different works, the most important of which was the Wabash and Erie canal. The aggregate length of this system was one thousand two hundred and eighty-nine miles. Of this only one hundred and forty were completed. In 1840 the state debt amounted to eighteen and one-half million dollars. In 1850 the state, having abandoned public improvement, private capital and enterprise pushed forward public work, and although the canal served its day and age, it was finally superseded by the railroads, which now form a network over the state. When water transportation was in vogue Indiana had one of the most extensive and complete systems in the Union. CHAPTER II. GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY AND ZOOLOGY. The county of DeKalb is situated directly south of Steuben county, the northeastern corner county of the state of Indiana. DeKalb county is bounded on the east by Defiance county, Ohio; on the south by Allen county, Indiana ; on the west by Noble county, Indiana ; and on the north, as mentioned before, by Steuben county. The county is located in the basin drained by the tributaries of Lake Erie and the Mississippi river and is also drained bv the St. Joseph river, of the Maumee, including Cedar. Wells to twenty-five feet, reach a second stratum of clear, cold, and in some cases, chalybeate water. Tube wells forty-five feet deep, strike a thin stratum of clear and highly chalybeate water. Near Auburn the water of this stratum rises nearly to the surface and in cases becomes artesian. Typical of the section of the country, the surface of the county is rolling and undulating. The land was originally covered with the hard woods of northern Indiana, but has been cleared, and now is of great value for various agricultural pursuits. THE GEOLOGY. The history of DeKalb county, as read in the rock formation underlying the soil, proves conclusively that the county, or the land on which the county now rests, was raised out of the sea by the earth shrinkage some time imme- diately after the Devonian period. The carboniferous, the reptilian, and the tertiary rocks are not present in the underlying strata; the Devonian is the last, and it is in the short description of this strata that the geological history of DeKalb county may be related. The English scientists, Murchison and Sedgwick, named the rock forma- tion known as the Devonian. In this formation are found fossils of the first known fishes. The largest outcropping of this rock is in the region of Devonshire, England, but in Indiana, in DeKalb county, the rock is com- DEKALB COUNTV, INDIANA. 39 pletely hidden from view, covered with drift, or disintegrated rocks. This soil was transported to this locaHty from other fields by the great glacier which swept down from the north ages ago. The soil is a mixture of clay, sand, gravel, pebbles, and all sorts and species of stones and boulders. These rocks have no sharp edges, but round ones, due to the wearing process of the glacial action. The scratches on their surfaces are from the same source. Rocks of foreign species are scattered over the county, from widely different localities, having been brought here by the glacier. The gently rolling mounds here and there over the surface of the county are deposits of glacial drift, formed the same as if one were rubbing a damp powdery substance over a surface. On the top of this drift there is a thin vegetable mould, which composes the rich soil of the county. PEAT DEPOSITS. DeKalb county ranks as one of the medium peat counties of Indiana in its amount of material, and among the first in its quality. The deposits are largely of the moss variety. Township 33 north, ranges 12, 13, 14 and part of 15 east, have little or no place left for the development of peat beds, due to the draining of the glacial lakes by the St. Joseph river and its tributaries. Jackson and Concord townships have a ten-acre peat deposit in the southwest quarter of section 3 and the same of 4; the bed is comparatively shallow and of fair quality. On the place of S. Franks, in the southeast quarter of section i (^t, north, 13 east), and the southwest of section 6 (33 north, 14 east), is a ten-acre bed of peat, which is shallow, but of good quality. Deposits of this extent are too small for a peat plant, being suitable for fuel only, where it is spaded out, stacked up to dry and used in the crude condition. In Jackson township, in the northwest quarters of section 22, the south- east of 15, and the northeast of 21, is located a peat bed one mile long and one-sixth of a mile wide. Five different soundings showed an excellent thickness and a stripping of about one and one-half feet. It is a dark choco- late brown in color, and the substratum is composed largely of clay. More or less high ground is scattered through this district and deposit. In an old glacial lake basin in the northeast quarter of section 4 and the northwest of 3, is a fair bed of peat of twenty or twenty-five acres. It has a stripping of about one foot, and is a dark brown in color. In the northwest and north- east quarters of section 4 are seventy acres of peat, on the Weimer and Barnhart farms. This is of fair quality, brown color, one foot stripping, and 40 DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. a sub-soil of clay. A deposit, similar in quality to this one, is in the south central part of section 4. This is a bed of forty acres, with a thickness varying between six and twenty feet. This is an excellent location for a peat plant, as there are three deposits in this section, totaling about one hundred and forty acres, with the Baltimore & Ohio railroad bisecting it. On the Buchanan and Weaver places, in the northeast and northwest quarters of section 8, is a thirty-five-acre peat deposit, of good quality, being derived from the Sphagnum mosses. The bed is from five to twenty-five feet in depth, and the stripping is very light. Almost all of the material is below the ground-water level, and consequently has not been oxidized in the presence of the air. The surface is largely covered from one-half to two feet with green mosses, which would be very valuable to nurserymen. Immediately beneath these mosses are several feet of a good quality of peat moss litter, of a light and dark brown color. Under this is medium brown peat. In Jackson and Butler townships peat beds, varying greatly in thick- ness and extent, are found in pockets in the muck area, which extends east and west, with a length of about two and three-quarter miles and a width of one-fifth of a mile. They are located in the northeast and northwest quarters of section 29, the northeast and northwest of 30, and the northeast and north- west of 23. The area covered by these beds will probably be more than one hundred and twenty-five acres. In the eastern portion of this area, just north of the center of section 29, is a fifteen-acre bed, which contains a good quality of peat, being derived from the sphagnum mosses. The stripping is about one-half foot, and the underlying formation is clay. The thickness of this deposit is from ten to twenty-five feet, with about one-sixth of its mate- rial above the le^'el of the ground-water. Advancing westward from this bed, in the muck area, there are numerous patches of two or four acres, where the peat is five or more feet in depth and of good quality. Around Duncan lake, in the southeast quarter of section 31 and the southwest of 32, are about twenty acres of peat, derived from the sphagnum mosses, and of good quality. The peat bed forms a belt about one hundred yards wide around the lake, occurring between it and the higher ground. It is almost all beneath the water level, and thus is in a very loose condition, and would shrink greatly if drained. The sub-soil is clay, and the stripping al- most nothing. On the land owned by J. Paulin and M. A. Carnahan, in the southeast quarter of section 36, is a peat bed ranging in thickness from six to twenty- five feet. Twenty acres of clayey peat occur in the north central part of section 14. The thickness of the bed is low and the stripping heavy. It is DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 4 1 suitable for use only in the crude condition. A deposit similar in size, quality and thickness is located in the south central part of section lo and the north central part of 15. In the southwest quarter of section 10 are fifteen acres of peat, of vary- ing quality, derived from sphagnum mosses. A little more than one mile south of Garrett, in the northeast quarter of section g, is a peat bed of about seventy acres, where peat moss litter is taken out on a commercial scale. Ten or more acres of this deposit have been carefully sounded and are judged to have an average thickness of about forty-five feet. Several sound- ings in the remainder of the deposit show a thickness of two to twenty feet. This moss is spaded out for the market; after being dried and baled it is shipped to different points in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois, where it is used as a litter for stables, fowl-houses, kennels, etc. It will absorb eight to twelve times its own weight of water, while ordinary straw cannot absorb more than three times its own weight. The state geologist in his report for 1906 on the peat deposits says : "In determining the value of peat as a ferti- lizer it is doubtful whether any of the analyses are of value, as the benefit derived from peat depends not so much on the chemical composition as on the mechanical effect of the peat on the soil, its effect in promoting disin- tegration and solution of mineral matters, and its property of absorbing ammonia. The value of peat as a direct fertilizer depends on the nitrogenous organic matter present and particularly upon the ammonia, potash, phosphoric acid and lime. As these direct fertilizing ingredients rarely form two per cent, of the mass free from water, it can not be a significant source of min- eral fertilizer. The quantity of potash (K'O) in the ash of the peats examined varies from 0.96 to 1.56% : the quantity of phosporic acid (P^O') from 1.17 to 1.90%." Further description of peat as a product will be given later. Beginning at the west side of Garrett and extending west and north- west for one and one-half miles, is a peat bed of one hundred acres. The thickness ranges from four to twenty-five feet, and the stripping will average about one foot. Probably twenty acres of peat can be found around the small lakes in the southeast quarter of section 7. The topographical position is that of an old glacial lake basin. A peat bed extends east and west through or near the centers of sections 13, 14, 15 and 18, and has a length of three miles and a width of from one-ninth to one-third of a mile. This deposit is below the ground-water level, consequently has not been affected by oxidation in the air. The thickness varies greatly. In Union township there is an old glacial lake basin, which contains several acres of peat of varying quality. It occurs in the southeast quarter of 42 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. section 33 and the southwest of 34. From about two and one-half miles northeast of Auburn to a point near Mooresville is a chain of peat beds, which will comprise several hundred acres of fair to good peat, found in the northeast quarter of section 27, the southwest and southeast of 23, and the southwest and southeast of 24. Individual deposits are from two to thirty- five acres in extent, with the thickness ranging from ten to twenty-five feet. In Wilmington township a bed of muck, one mile long and one-third of a mile wide, containing numerous pockets of peat, appears in the southeast quarter of section 20, the southwest and southeast of 21 and the northwest of 28. The peat beds, from two to twenty acres in area, will likely aggregate two hundred acres, and have a thickness varying between four and twenty- five feet. The quality of the material is from fair to good, being partly from the sphagnum mosses and partly from the grasses and sedges. The stripping is from one-half to two feet. On the Gender farms, in an old glacial lake basin, in the southwest quarter of section 22 and the southeast of 21, are forty acres of peat, underlain by a clay sub-soil. The thickness of the bed will average five feet, and the stripping about one and one-half feet. In a twenty-five-acre muck bed in the northeast quarter of section 8 and the north- west of 7, are about forty acres of peat, more or less scattered in pockets of ten acres or less. It has clay underneath, and is derived from the sphagnum mosses. The stripping is one and one-half feet. Ten or fifteen acres of a fair quality of peat are found in the muck bed in the northwest quarter of section 7, and the northeast quarter of section 12. Another small deposit of ten acres occurs just west of the central part of section 2. An area similar in size and quality is found in the southwest quarter of section 4. In Troy township there is a peat deposit in the northeast and southeast quarters of section 8 and in parts of each of the quarters of section 9, which has a length of one-half of a mile and a width of one-quarter of a mile. It is of good quality. Near the top it is very fibrous and bladed, while deeper it becomes less fibrous and more compact. The very fibrous portion is a good quality of peat moss litter and occurs here in large quantities. An old glacial lake once occupied the same place that this peat bed now covers. About twenty-five acres of peat occur in the west central part of section 30, of poor quality and fair, and shallow thickness. A deposit of fifteen acres similar in quality and thickness, is found in the east central part of section 26, and the west central of 25. Another shallow bed of a rather poor quality is located in the northwest quarter of section 10. In Franklin and Smithfield townships, in an old lake basin in the north- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 43 east, soutliwest and southeast quarters of section 12, Smithfield, and the southwest, northwest and northeast quarters of 7, Franklin, are about two hundred and fifty acres of peat, in several large beds, separated by the higher ground and muck. The quality ranges between poor and fair, the derivation being, to a considerable extent, from the sphagnum mosses. About one-third of the material is above the ground-water level. Fair crops of onions and corn are raised on the more decomposed portions. Forty acres of a shallow deposit of peat are found along the Lake Shore railroad in the northeast and southeast quarters of section 3, Smithfield township. Another shallow deposit of fifteen acres is in the west central part of section 8 and the east central of 7. About four acres of fairly good peat is found around Cedar lake ; another around Indian lake. Other smaller deposits are found in divers places in the county, but are of little importance. DEFINITON OF PF.AT. Arthur E. Taylor, in the State Geological Report, describes peat thusly : "Peat is a moist, spongy and partially carbonized vegetable matter, ranging in color from a light chocolate brown to a black. When it has remained, for some time, in a state of imperfect decomposition in the presence of water, it forms a soft, slimy mass, which is sufficiently tenacious to be molded into almost any form. When dried this mass becomes hard and somewhat dark- ened on the surface, from oxidation. It shows an earthy fracture, and re- minds one of a black, carbonaceous clay. Where the peat has only been in this state of partial decay for a brief period it is very fibrous, incompact and often contains the roots of the plants which afford the material from which it is derived. It is lighter in color and has a lower specific gravity than the first variety. In any marsh where the process of peat formation is going on, we find these two varieties, the former comprising the lower and medium portions of the bed, while the latter lies near the surface. Between these two varieties the peat is found in various intermediate stages of incomplete pre- servation. Peat in many localities is commonly known by the terms 'muck,' 'turf,' and 'bog.' " Peat is formed by the decaying of vegetable matter in the presence of water. Owing to the numerous lakes in the northern part of Indiana, the many peat beds are there found. Gradually, through the ages of time, lakes have been gradually filled up by vegetation. The mosses form around the edges of the lake, then spread out upon the surface. It slowly thickens, and the decaved matter falls from the sides and accumulates on the bottom of the 44 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. lake. First this covering is very thin, but later becomes of sufficient srength for a man to place his weight thereon. Then it is called by the familiar term of "quaking bog." If the accumtilation continues for a long period the lake becomes filled completely, and if sufficient decomposition beneath the ground- water level had ensued, would become a "peat bed." The water, however, for the forming of peat beds does not have to lie in the form of a lake. In Indiana there are examples of peat having lieen formed above the ground-water level. In an ordinary dn- forest the vegetation soon becomes blackened and decomposed, the carbon passing off as carbon-dioxide and the inorganic matter being left as a residue. Xear water the vegetation decays more slowly and the accumulation gains on the decomposition. This is the result of the fact that where water is present the air cannot come into free contact with the carbon, and this element is largely retained, while much of the inflanmiable substance is given off. thus improving the fuel qualitv of the vegetation. ECONOMIC VALUE OF PE.\T. As a fuel, peat has served its purpose since a time prior to the Christian era. Pliny, in his natural history, speaks of it. In .America the exhaustion of coal fields and other causes has caused peat to be used very largely as fuel. Briquettes are oblong blocks of compressed peat, and are excellent sources of heat. The value of peat as a fertilizer is discussed fully elsewhere in this work. Peat charcoal is a \raluable filtering agent. Peat coke is also widely used, and the by-products from the coke are worth as much or more than the coke. As a source of producer gas, peat is of great economic worth. Peat gas is valued above coal gas in the steel industry on account of its greater freedom from sulphur and phosphorus. The chemical analysis of DeKalb county peat is as follows: Moisture, I05°C, 17.16; volatile, air dried. 73.31: fixed carbon, air dried, 22.53: coke, air dried. 26.67: ash, air dried, 4.14: nitrogen, air dried, 2.^6: sulphur, oven dried, 0.74: per cent, of P^O' in ash, i.go: per cent, of K'^O in ash. 1.56. THE FAUNA : PAST AND PRESENT. If one were in doubt of the existence at one time of many different species of wild animals in DeKalb county one has but to read of the days of the pioneer and Indian, when the streams were filled with fish, eager for the bait, and animals of all descriptions roamed the forest aisles, only waiting for the trapper's bullet. The pioneers' t.nblcs were well filled witli wild meats in DEKAI.Il COUNTY, INDIANA. 45 those days, but ixnv tlic many beasts iiaLivi' u> tliis locality have disappeared, or at least are too feu to he of value. The IjiilTalo, elk and deer were the first to fall before the white man. Twenty years ago the last deer was shot. The panther and two species of the wildcat once snarled from the trees of DcKalb county and made traveling dangerous to the settler, but it has been fifty years since one of these felines has been seen. The porcupine, beaver and black bear have forsaken their haunts for even a longer period, and the minks, weasels, skunks, for whom a diligent search was once made on account of the value of their fur, have largely disappeared. The different squirrels remain so long as there are spots of forest land in the county, but with the diminishing trees they, too, go. Moles, rabbits and bats arc still e.xistent, also muskrats. Gray wolves are extinct, and also the fox family. Groundhogs, or wood- chucks, are occasionally discovered, but very rarely. Wild hogs are an ani- mal of the past, most of this valuable species being domesticated. The absence of large lakes and streams in DeKalb county has been a force to restrict the variety of fishes. There arc, however, some interesting families for the ichthyologist. The stickleback family are great game fish. There are many species in this family, and each has a popular name, such as black bass, green or Osage bass, big black sun-fish or rock bass, goggle-eye, and the common sun-fish. These fish have diminished greatly. There are no perch in the county, al- though at one time very common. Another fish that has largely disappeared is the pike, also the pickerel and gar pikes. The suckers, buffalo, red horse, and white are fish of the past. Fish of the cat-fish family are still common, but have deteriorated, the best one weighing not over a pound and a half. Among them are the channel, blue and yellow, bull-head. There are several varieties of chubs, silver sides, and minnows in the smaller streams. Reptiles have at one time been common to DeKalb county, some twenty- three species existing. The larger ones have been exterminated. Two species, the copperhead and massanger, are venomous. The smaller species, like toads, are useful to the country, for they prey on destroying animals like mice and moles. The lizard family is represented here by such animals as the salamander, which is a useful one, having as their prey flies and other pests. There have been eighteen species of these animals here. The largest attains a length of about eight inches, and is of a black color, with large, irregular black spots. Another species is wholly of a yellow color; and yet another is a bril- liant red and haunts cold springs. The second in size is the mud alligator, or water dog; and another has external gills for breathing in water. There are five species of frogs and five of toads. Four are tree toads. One species of 46 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. frog is subterranean, digging backwards into the earth with its hind feet, which are shaped like a shovel. It appears on the surface of the ground in breeding time, after the thunder showers of April, and in the evening, and is recognized by the loud, discordant croak it emits. In DeKalb county are found over two hundred and fifty diiiferent species of the bird family. The singers outnumber the others, although the really good .singers are in the minority. The thrushes are the best singing birds of the county, namely, the wood-thrush. The song of the thrush has been the inspiration of the greatest poets of the world; the thrush's song is varied and tuneful, and is unequaled by that of any other bird. The olive-backed thrush, the brown thrush, and the robin are all migratory birds, and have songs second to the wood-thrush. The hermit and olive-backed thrushes are common to the spring of the year; the robins and cat-birds haunt the gardens and orchards, preferring civiliza- tion to the wildness of the woods, perhaps feeling more secure there from the preying birds. The brown thrush is ofttimes found in the thickets of the hazel-brush, and briers, which follow old fences and brush heaps ; in the latter place the nest is generally built. The food of this family consists of grass- hoppers, beetles, snails, spiders, caterpillars and small fruits and berries. The bluebird is the only species of that family in the county, and it stays from spring to fall, nesting in bird-houses, fence-posts, decayed trees and feeds on winged insects, worms, grasshoppers, spiders, and a few berries. It is a natural enemy to the song-birds, but is defeated bv the English sparrow, which attack in droves. The golden-crowned and ruby-crowned kinglets and the blue-gray gnat- snatcher are common during the spring and fall. The latter is often found in the winter, and the gnat-snatcher is here during the summer. The kinglets nest most often in the region of the lakes, but the gnat-snatcher nests here, usually building his nest high up in the oaks. The white-bellied and red-bellied nuthatch are very common to this locality, being found in woodlands and orchards, their nests built in holes in the trees. Their food consists of ants, eggs of insects, and seeds. The black-capped chickadee, or titmouse, the sole member of this fam- ily here, feeds upon insects, berries, seeds, crumbs and meat, and nests in the woods the whole year ; during the winter is found close to the house searching for sweepings. The Carolina wren is a rare bird, which occasionally gets this far north. Ho\\ever, the house wren is common. The winter wren, the long-billed DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 47 marsh wren and the short-billed marsh wren are comn:on residents of this locality. They feed on insects alone. The horned lark is a winter resident, sometimes breeding here. Barren and gravelly fields are the abiding place of this bird, and it lives on insects and seeds. When the ground is hidden in snow these birds may be found feed- ing on the droppings of stock about the farm. The titlark is also a bird with similar habits to the above. The warblers are very numerous in this county. The black and white creeper resides here in the summer, nesting on the ground, preferably beside a fallen log. The blue yellow-backed warbler, a rare migratory bird, is some- times found in the tree-tops of the forest. The blue-winged yellow warbler is very uncommon, also the orange-crowned warbler. The blue golden- winged warbler is common, and the Nashville and Tennessee variety. The yellow, the black-throated green, the black-throated blue, the blue, the yellow- rumped, the blackburnian, the black-poll, the yellow red-poll, and the chest- nut-sided warblers are all common — some of them abundant; and all of them are migratory birds. The bay-breasted, the Cape May, the prairie, the yellow- throated and Kirtland's warblers are rare. The golden-crowned thrush is rare, but uses this locality as a breeding ground. The Connecticut warbler, a good singer, is rare here. The Maryland yellow-throat is occasionally seen, and the black-capped fly-catching warbler is common during the spring and fall. The Canada fly-catching warbler and the red start are very common. The scarlet tanager is common, but the summer red-bird is not so fre- quently seen. This is a large family, but little represented in this part of the country. The swallow is a very common bird in the county. There are several species, namely: the barn, clifif or cave, white-bellied, and the bank or sand swallow. The purple martin, a member of this family, has been driven out by the sparrow. The swallows feed exclusively on winged insects. The shrikes or butcher-birds are represented here. The great Northern shrike is rare, bvtt the logger-head shrike is common. They are a very quarrelsome bird, particularly among themselves. Their food consists of large insects, mice and small birds and snakes. One habit of theirs is to impale their prey on thorns or twigs and leave it there for future visits. The finch and sparrow family are very numerous. Among the species are pine grosbeak, purple finch, white-winged and red cross-bills, red-poll linnet, pine linnet, goldfinch, or yellow bird, snow-liunting, Laplong long- spur, Savannah sparrow, bay-winged bunting, yellow-winged, Henslow's and Lincoln's sparrows, swamp and song sparrows, snow-bird, mountain sparrow. 48 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. chipping and field sparrows, white-throated and white-crowned sparrows, English sparrow, fox sparrow, black-throated bunting, rose-breasted grosbeak, indigo bird, towhee bunting or chewink. Except during the breeding season, birds of this family feed upon seeds, and those which are residents during the entire year eat very little during the breeding season, and feed their young almost entirely on insects. The rose-breasted grosbeak is the only bird known to feed on the potato bug and the white-crowned sparrow feeds on the grape-vine flea-beetle. The common yellow bird prefers the seeds of the thistle and lettuce. The chewee, or chewink, and the fox sparrow scratch for the hibernating insects and snails. The cross-bills feed on the seeds in the pine cones, and the English sparrow extracts the seeds contained in the droppings of animals. The blackbird family is represented by the following species : the bobo- link, a songster; the cow-bird, or cow black-bird, which frequents old pas- ture lands and wood edges in summer; this cow-bird builds no nest of its own, but invades the nests of smaller birds and there deposits its eggs. There is the red-winged blackbird, common in summer ; meadow lark ; or- chard and Baltimore orioles ; rusty blackbird, or grackle, is common for a few weeks in the spring; and the crow blackbird. Insects and grains constitute the food of these birds. The cow birds destroy the eggs and young of other birds, and the orioles feed on hairy caterpillars and some of the small fruits. The common crow is a migratory bird, flying to the southward at the first approach of winter. The birds of this family are omnivorous. Of the fly-catcher family, the king-bird is frequently seen in the sum- mer in orchards and in the edges of the woods. The great-crested fly-catcher is abundant in the forest, and uses snake-skins in the construction of its nest. The pewee, the wood pewee, the least fly-catcher, yellow-bellied fly catcher, are others of this family common to DeKalb county. They subsist on the winged insects. Other birds common to this locality, and of different families, are : The whippoorwill and night hawk, nocturnal birds ; chimney swallow ; humming- birds ; king-fishers ; black-billed cuckoos, or rain-crows ; hairy, downy, yellow- bellied, red-bellied, red-headed and golden-winged wood-peckers; great horned, mottled, screetch, long-eared, short-eared, barn, owls; hawks, in- cluding the marsh, sharp shinned. Cooper's sparrow, red-tailed, red shoulder- ed, broad-winged, rough-legged or black and fish. The white-tailed kite, the goshawk, the pigeon hawk, Swainson's hawk and the bald eagle are more rare. The turkey buzzard, pigeon family, wild turkey, grouse, plovers, sandpipers, herons, cranes, rails, gulls, loons, grebes are seen in this county. Ducks are DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 49 represented here by the mallard type, the black, big black head, little black head, ring-necked, red-head, golden-eye, butter-ball, ruddy and fish ducks, brant and Canada geese, widgeon, golden-winged and blue-winged teal and the hooded merganser. The pintail, gadwall, shoveler, wood duck, canvas- back, long-tailed and red-breasted merganser are very rare. GAME PRESERVE. The game preserve in DeKalb county contains five thousand seven hun- dred and ninety-four acres of rolling and level land, lying in the southwestern part of Sniithfield township and extending into Grant township. One-tenth of the preserve is woodland and there is much copse and young wood through- out the remainder. The water supply consists of Cedar Lake and Cedar creek, with its tributaries. U) CHAPTER III. EARLY SETTLEMENT OF COUNTY. Pioneer history, at its best, is an elusi\'e subject. Records in the days when our fathers hewed their homes from the wilderness were not preserved, and consequently the few sources of information in regard to the faraway days are treasures which must be guarded zealously by the future men and women of the county, lest the tales and deeds of the sturdy settlers be lost from view. Pioneer history grows with the telling; there is glamour and interest centering around the hardships and hard-fought battles of the early day which will bear the retelling numberless times. What if bits of imagina- tion are introduced in the retelling? .\ny life is prosaic in the stern reality, and narrative beauty is added by the coloration of the pure facts: nf course, adherence to the facts is a prime requisite. Settlements were miles apart in the early nineteenth century, and social intercourse was difficult. Log rollings, husking bees, barbecues, cabin build- ings, and other pioneer entertainments afforded the only opportunities for the people to congregate together, and these periods were generally months apart. So the pioneer lived alone with his family, in the silent and mighty forest, sallying out before dawn to shoot the game for the day's food sup- ply or to cast a line in the stream nearby. The clothes were manufactured by the woman who sat for days before the loom: linsey-woolse}- and home- spun, adorned with skins of small animals, were the popular weaves. A hardiness of soul and bodv was the result of this life, and men were steel- cast. Today's civilization is deteriorating, but the effects of money and luxuries are too near to us to merit discussion in a work such as this volume. It is to the first men of the county and their influence upon the building up of the county, that this chapter must serve. FIRST SETTLERS. The first settler known to have entered the bounds of DeKall) county to make a permanent settlement was John Houlton. He was born in Highland countv. Ohio, on September 21, 1804. He built the first house in the county here on section i. Franklin township, where he resided until his death. June DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 5 1 2, 1875. Having married JNliss Sarali Fee on February 5. 1833, Houlton, in September of the same year, took three hired men, a yoke of oxen, a cross- cut saw and a fro, came on to forty acres which he had entered and in four days had cut the logs for, and raised and covered a house. Settlers prior to 1840 were presented with canes made from the timbers of this first cabin. Houlton hauled out and buried twenty bushels of potatoes, and left them until he moved on a month later, and the Indians, then numerous, left the vegetables undisturbed. Here, then, in 1833, we find the log cabin of John Houlton alone in the wilderness, its occupants ten miles from Denmark, the nearest settlement. Grain was brought from the prairies, ground at White Pidgeon, and then with many struggles in mire-holes, creeks and sloughs, this heroic i)ioneer journeyed homeward. Night after night passed at the little cabin, where devoted wife and sister and daughter awaited his return, the howling of the wolves and the half-human scream of the panther awak- ing their solicitude for the dear one absent. In 1834, John Fee entered land to the amount of over five hundred acres, partly in DeKalb and partly in Steuben. He was followed by Charles Boyer and later by Luther Keep, Charles Crain, and Peter Boyer. During the year 1834, eight pioneers moved into the county by way of Fort Wayne. Their names are : Peter Fair, and his sons Al^ram and Charles : Charles F. Crouse, George Delong, and Andrus, Jacob and John Surface. On October ist, they entered Butler township, with a four-horse team and a wagon. They cut their road from Squire Caswell's in Allen county, beyond Huntertowti, five miles to the place where they settled, and also a good share of the way from Fort Wayne, as the track was too narrow and crooked for a four-horse team. Our plan, said Abram Fair, was to come out, build cabins, make a beginning, and then return to winter in our old homes in Montgomery county, Ohio, and bring on the families in the spring. Provisions for the trip were brought along, excepting meat which was expected to be obtained by killing deer, but deer were found quite scarce that season, and there was a consequent disappointment. One day Andrew Surface found a hollow tree on Black Creek ; a bear had gnawed a hole and helped himself to the store of honey, but upon chopping into the tree six gallons of honey were obtained. Bee trees were soon found afterwards, and a supply obtained to last the entire party twenty days, and on their return to Ohio, they took along twenty-one gallons of strained honey. The honey-bee is seen to have preceded the settlement of the county, and bee hunters were successful. Then the bee-moth threat- ened to exterminate the insect, but later S. Rogers and I. Dichl had large apiaries, and made bee culture a success. During the following year, settlers 52 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. entered land in different parts of the county, and soon the work of brush burning, log rolling, rail splitting, and cabin raising was under headway- Clearings were met with at wide intervals, and the dense forest of the county re-echoed to the stroke of the ax, as trees came crashing and thundering down. In the early part of the year 1836 comparatively few settlers were located within the bounds of what is now DeKalb county. Homer Blake, below Spencerville ; David Butler; Samuel Wasson; John Mathews; Mr. Yates, near Spencerville ; Mr. Rhodes and sons; Jeremiah Rhodes; Mr. Brandt and Cran- nel Rood, also near Spencerville; William Mathews; George and David Mathews ; Mr. Lytle and Jared Ball, near Orangeville ; Washington Robinson, on the present site of Newville ; and William Rodgers and Jacob Platter, near Newville; were those who resided here before the year 1836, most of them in the southern part of the present area known as DeKalb county. This was before the formal organization of the county of DeKalb. A portion of the territory was attached to Lagrange and a portion to Allen county. Early in the year 1836, John Blair settled on a farm, on which place he lived his entire life. Charles Wilber, near Orangeville; William Burley, in the same locality; Joseph Lndwig; Judge Walden and Ariel Rood, farther up the river. Toward the end of the year Judge Samuel Widney located on the farm where he spent the rest of his days, and John P. Widney on the farm owned now by A. I. Richmond; Benjamin Alton on the farm which was later the Dr. Herrington place; Dr. Babcock on another farm; and Asher Coburn and relatives, in the Coburn settlement. During the same season Wesley Park settled on the site of .A.uburn, and laid out the town. EARLY LIFE. The pioneer, in his journey to the count)-, met with many reverses, in one form or another. He traveled through untrodden forests, poled and rowed his boat along swollen streams, and often was delayed for days by accidents. Roads had to be cut through the forest and improvised bridges constructed over the larger streams. A good illustration of the method of pioneer travel is the experience of Judge Widney, from central Pennsylvania. From his home in the last mentioned state, Judge Widney came by canal to the Allegheny mountains, over the mountains by steam road, then again by canal to Dayton, Ohio, thence by wagons through the black swamp to Fort Wayne, Indiana. On horseback he and his wife came up the Indian trail along the St. Joseph river, while his family, in care of John P. Widney and wife, came in the pirogue of Judge Walden and Thomas Gorrell. who had DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 53 come down for provisions. The pirogue was "poled" along the river, and everything went well until they reached a ripple near David Butler's home, when the boat, having turned broadside against the current, was capsized, precipitating the occupants in the stream. The goods floated down stream and the people floundered around in the water which was, at that point, three or four feet deep. Some of the larger children succeeded in getting ashore, while the wife of John P. Widney grasped a five-year-old child (afterward Mr. Widney's second wife) and helped her to the bank. The men scattered down the river to retain the luggage which had floated down. One trunk containing a considerable sum of money, was recovered fullv a mile from the scene of the accident. Joseph Miller, the first surveyor of DeKalb county, and his father trans- ported their goods by way of Fort Wayne to Shryock's mill, and from thence to the farm about a mile below Auburn. They were forced to cut their path through the dense forest. They left the most of their goods and their families on the ]\Iaumee, and penetrated the woods, going east, by means of a small pocket compass, to the St. Joseph, circling the worst and impassable swamps. They cut a road back, a distance of twelve miles, in order that their wagons might pass, and also had to bridge a tamarack swamp on the route. This road was afterward known as "Miller's trace," and served as a highway for many emigrants. It was located where the road now runs westward from the St. Joseph river, at the place of Judge Widney's. The closest mill and market to the DeKalb county settlement was at Fort Wayne, about twenty-six miles from the center of the river colony by land, and nearlv as far by the meandering river. There were no wagon-roads then, consequently the river was mostly utilized as a highway. Pirogues — large canoes hollowed from a tree trunk, preferably the poplar — were used as vehicles of navigation. They were generally three or four feet wide, and seventy to eighty feet long, thus would carry quite an amount of merchandise and provisions. Poles and paddles furnished the motive power. The task of poling these cumbersome boats up the river, especially when the water was too high for the poles to touch bottom, can easily be imagined. Mr. Rhodes, of Newville, and Samuel Wasson, of Spencerville, were at one time compelled to pole, or pull, a loaded pirogue all the way from Fort Wayne to Spencerville by holding to the willows and other bushes along the river bank. Jt took them a full week to make the journey. Late in Novem- ber, 1836, John P. Widney and a party came up with a load of provisions. The river was swollen from the fall rains, and the "slush ice" was running. Whenever the men drew their poles from the water the water turned to ice 54 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. on the poles, and these had to be handled with bare hands, as gloves or mittens could not be used. This journey also required a full week. Provisions at Fort Wayne at this time were not very plentiful. Flour sold for fourteen dollars per barrel, and was of an inferior grade at that. Corn in the ear was one dollar and fifty cents per bu.shel, and salt was two dollars and twenty-fi\e cents per bushel. Other necessities were correspond- ingly high in value. Thus, the early settlers of DeKalb county were frequently in a predica- ment in regard to their necessary provisions. The distance was great and the prices almost prohibitive. In fact, many families went hungry, with no means to supply themselves with adequate provisions. Potatoes \vere used for everything at times, even for bread, and then, some families considered themselves fortunate to get a few potatoes. Other families lived on wild vegetables gathered from the surrounding forest, and cooked as greens, with milk and beech bark. Fever and ague often visited one of these homes, and the utmost energy and strategy was required to prevent a complete loss of the home. THE LOG HOME. The log cabin of the early settler has practically disappeared from the state. It is interesting to note how these primitive homes were built, and the material used in their construction. The average cabin was about sixteen by eighteen feet in size, and just high enough for the joists below the first rib. The logs are cut one day and hauled to the site of the proposed cabin, where they are laid out. The next day the neighbors from miles around come in and assist in the work of throwing up the logs. Puncheons are split for the floors, one side being dressed off even with the axe, altogether about two inches thick. The heavy ribs are fastened to the logs, and clapboards put on the top, overlapping a third over each other. Heavy weight poles are laid along these clapboards to keep them in place. Butting poles are placed on the eave-bearer, projecting some two feet from the wall line of the cabin. A back wall is built of clay in the end of the cabin in which the owner intends to have his fireplace. The chimney, supported by sapling uprights, is built of alternate layers of mud and sticks. The windows are cut from the logs, and greased paper fastened over the aperture to permit light to enter. This con- stitutes the structure of the cabin itself, but there still remains the problem of furnishing the interior. Puncheons are used to make the tables, rough chairs, benches and beds. DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. 55 EARLY LABOR. Horses were very scarce in the early days, and consequently a great deal of the labor incident to farming had to be done by hand. Heavy timber was chopped, brush burned, logs rolled, rails split, and fields cleared without the aid of a team. The wife would often "pitch in" and help the husband, she clearing off the brush. The corn was planted, of course, by hand. William Mathews planted a fairly good crop of corn with a handspike, and tended it with a hoe. He inserted the sharp handspike diagonally into the soil, then dropped the seed into the aperture formed, and then pressed down the soil by stepping on it as he passed to the next hill. Often the crop planting season came before the settler had cleared the brush from his land, and then he planted between the log heaps, frequently arranging the logs in windrows and leaving them to be burned when the crop was gathered. FIRST EVENTS. The first wedding to occur among the residents of the DeKalb county settlement was that of Jared Ball and Melinda Slater. The wedding did not occur in the county, but in Williams county. Ohio, near Edgerton, the home of the bride's father. Ball paid the minister his fee in pumpkins. The first marriage to actually occur in DeKalb county, was that of Nelson Ulm and Elvira Lockwood, in the summer of 1837. The bride had to be assisted to the altar, and when there was too weak to stand up. The first marriage licenses taken out in the county were those of Francis Smith and Maria Gun- senhouser, and of John Platter and Ann Emmeline Walden. Both licenses were issued on September 5, 1837, and both marriages were performed by Washington Robinson, of Concord township, the first justice of the peace in the county. The first funeral in the county was that of a Mrs. Barker, who lived just above the present site of Newville. Judge Widney was sent to deliver the funeral oration, there being no minister close enough. The Judge sang some hymns, prayed and talked in general about the subject of death. The little village of Orangeville was the scene of the opening of the first store in DeKalb county, in the spring of 1837. John Platter, William Rogers, and a Mr. Savage and another man contributed two hundred dollars each, and put in a stock of merchandise, consisting of the articles most needed by the settlers at that time. John P. Widney was employed to cut logs for the store house, receiving the sum of two dollars for his services, performing the job 56 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. in half a day. The house was sixteen by eighteen feet in size, and was built of round logs. The first grist mill, or corn cracker, in the county was built and owned by William Mathews, on Bear creek, in the east part of the school section of Concord township. The mill was a very small affair, the stones were about two feet in diameter, and were turned by means of a flutter-wheeel on an up- right post, set in a tub, through one side of which the water passed. The whole machinery was installed in a bare frame, without a semblance of weather-boarding or other protection. The corn dropped one grain at a time from the small hopper, and the best yield, when conditions were good, was eight bushels in twenty-four hours. Mr. \\^idney carried a half bushel of corn a distance of four miles to get it ground, and had to wait a half day. OTHER PIONEERS. Other prominent settlers along the St. Joseph river were : Solomon Delong, Daniel Strong, H. Fusselman, Christian and Samuel Wanemaker, Lott Herrick, who was the first probate judge of DeKalb county, Joseph E. Sawtell w^as the second merchant of the county. Rev. N. L. Thomas w-as the first to open a store in Newville, George Barney was one of the first justices of Concord, James Hadsell, Cornelius Woodcox, and Judge R. J. Dawson, who later filled many important positions in the county. Colin Robinson and his brother, Henry, came to the Maumee, near Brunersburg. in 1833, and soon after their arrival, journeyed up the Maumee to where William Rogers then lived, a little below the future site of the vil- lage of Antwerp. From there they struck across the woods, guided by a pocket-compass, some fifteen or twenty miles, through the forest, to the St. Joseph river. When in the midst of the wilderness they w'ere so unfortunate as to lose the needle from their small compass, and were forced to search for quite a time in the leaves before they found it. About dark they struck the bluff of the St. Joseph, and from there made their way, in the light of dusk, down the river for a mile. Mr. Lytle then lived in a cabin over the river, and the object of the Robinsons was to reach it and procure foor, for they had had nothing since early morning. The time was on the 24th of December, and upon reaching the river, they discovered that ice had formed about a quarter of the way across, making it necessary to camp immediately, and thus spend the night. By the side of a fallen walnut tree they "struck up" their fire and rested. The night was a very uncomfortable one to the travelers. On the next DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 57 morning, which was Christmas day, 1833, they cut down a dry stump of a tree, which broke in twain when it fell. The men lashed the two pieces to- gether with basswood bark, and launched it, after breaking the ice at the margin of the river. On this crude buoy they crossed the river, expecting to find a warm fire at the cabin. No one was at home at the Lytle cabin but the children, and nothing to eat but a single rabbit, which the men devoured, after losing half of it to the family cat. The Rol>insons were there with the purpose of entering land, but finding provisions so scarce, returned to their starting point. In the summer of 1834 or 1835 Solomon Belong and John Platter crossed this same wilderness, and losing their way in the midst, without water, were forced to camp for the night. They dug a hole in the swamp with their axes and discovered water, but it had such a disagreeable taste that they could scarcely drink it. The mosquitoes descended upon them in droves, and made sleep an impossibility. Belong and Platter cut bushes and covered them with green leaves. The men then crawled under these, and were comfortable for the rest of the night. A PIONEER HONEYMOON. In the winter of 1836-7, in the month of January, Colin Robinson, re- cently married, started on a bridal tour from the Maumee to the cabin built on his land along the St. Joseph, the bride on horseback and Colin on foot. Arriving at the "Mer-del-arm," a large creek between the rivers, running through Cottonwood swamps, he found it swollen by rains and melted snow, until it had overflown the swamps for a mile on each side. He waded through the water, his wife following on horseback, until they came to the main channel of the creek which he found covered with thick ice, and raised up sev- eral feet by the high waters. Mr. Robinson persuaded his wife to dismount and stand upon a stump, while he made the horse mount the ice and cross to the other side. He then, by means of a pole placed from the stump to the ice, got Mrs. Robinson on the ice, and from the ice on the other side to her saddle again, he wading out as he had entered. The following summer Robinson and his brother went down the St. Joseph to Fort Wayne, and then down the Maumee to where Befiance now is, for the purpose of getting seed wheat, and corn to get ground. They traveled in a large pirogue; loaded it with sixty bushels of grain and started back, but, being green hands at piroguing, they had considerable difficulty. Reaching Bull Rapids, near the state line, about eight miles below Fort Wayne, they ran on the rocks and stuck fast. The wind had ruffled the water so that they could not see bottom, consequently 58 DEKALB COrXTV, INDIANA. had impaled themselves on the rock shelf. They were forced to crawl out of the pirogue and push the boat from the rocks. Once more they started in the normal fashion, and succeeded very well until they reached Cole's dam, one mile below Fort Wayne. Here they had to unload the boat, and carry the grain on their shoulders up a steep bank about thirty feet high, go more than a half mile after a rope, and tying it to the boat, pulled it over the dam, very nearly losing it in the execution of the job. They reloaded, and again were on their way, but were halted again by the coming of night, at the mouth of the St. Joseph. From there to John's mill they had much trouble from the darkness and shallow water. They finally reached the mill, and unloaded their grain. Their lodging that night was made upon the bare ground, with no covering but the canopy of stars. On the final leg of the journey, to their home, they had to stop at every ripple and unload the boat, so that it would cross, then reload. Colin Robinson was seized with a violent sickness as the result of this hazardous trip. This was the pleasure of pioneering. FAMILY MILLS. An interesting feature of pioneer life, showing the versatility of the early settler, was the family mills. The regular grist mills were very far and with long distance between, so it behooved the settler to provide some way to grind his own corn. Every settler, in time, came to own a small family mill, which was built along the following lines : A log of beech or cedar, some twenty inches in diameter, was first secured. This log was sawed ofif to about three feet in length. The log was placed on end. and an inch augur bored diagonally from the circumference toward the center. This operation was continued around the circumference, with all the holes meeting in the center. With a chisel, the block bored under is pried out : it was shaped like a cone. The funnel-shaped hole was trimmed out with the chisel, and a fire of coals built therein to harden the wood. A thick stick, with an iron wedge inserted in the end, was used as a pestle. The corn was beaten until as fine as possible, and then was sifted, leaving corn-meal. The bran was blown out of tho balance, and then it was used as hominy. EXTRACTS ON EARLY HISTORY. J. E. Rose, one of the pioneers of DeKalb county, writes the following: "The pioneer merchants (store-keepers as we called them) were N. L. Thomas, of Newville, whom we familiarly called 'Uncle Ladd,' and Thomas DEKALB COUNTV, INDIANA. 59 J. Freeman, of Auburn; liotli men, of some consequence in their time, liave long since gone to that country from which no traveler returns. * * * The pioneer store in the eastern part of the county, the one kept by Ladd Thomas, occupied a room about fifteen feet square, and two hundred dollars would have purchased every article he had to sell. He made his regular trips to Fort Wayne at stated periods, riding an old black horse, familiarly known as 'Old Jack' by all the early settlers, and carrv'ing with him his pur- chases of produce, consisting of deer and coon skins, beeswax and ginseng roots. These he exchanged for such articles as he kept for sale, and freighted Old Jack with his purchases on his return trip. "I said Old Jack was familiarly known to the settlers. Uncle Ladd, as he was called, was a Methodist preacher, and, in addition to his business as a merchant and his services in the pulpit, he preached funerals and solem- nized marriages for all the settlers in the east part of the county, and when he went from home to attend to these duties Old Jack was his only mode of conveyance. The old horse seemed to have the ability to determine the difference between a funeral and a wedding, and it is not strange that he had, when we consider the fact that when Uncle Ladd attended a funeral he went alone ; but when called to officiate at a wedding the whole family went with him, and Old Jack's burden, like Job's, was grievous to be borne, and like one of olden times, he might have exclaimed : 'It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting.' I have often seen Old Jack, on Sunday mornings, passing my father's cabin home, on his way to a wedding, with the whole family, consisting of Uncle Ladd, his w-ife, two .sons (David, who died at early manhood, and Newton, afterward a prominent lawyer in a western city), all perched upon his back. Pardon my digression, but as the old horse will be remembered by so many persons, he deserves a passing notice. "The store-keepers in the pioneer days were required to procure a license from the county commissioners before commencing business, and in their applications for their license they w-ere required to enumerate the articles they proposed to sell, and state the amount of capital invested in the business. And in compliance with the law, Thomas J. Freeman, the first merchant of Auburn, on March 7, 1838, applied for a license to sell foreign merchandise and domestic groceries, with a capital of $175; and was required to pay for that privilege the sum of $5 ; and his traffic in time-pieces was restricted to one dozen for the year. The opinions of the people have changed greatly since then, for at that time Mr. Freeman was permitted to sell intoxicating liquor without a license, but was not allowed to sell tea, coffee and sugar with- 60 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. out a permit. Now the dealer may sell the latter without a license, but must pay for the privilege of engaging in the liquor traffic. "Then the shoemaker, following the example of the itinerant preacher, went from house to house with his kit of tools and made the shoes for the several families comprising his list of patrons. The ladies had not then ac- quired the habit of crowding a number four foot into a number three French kid shoe; but the shoes were manufactured to fit the foot and not the eye, and were made of substantial material, impervious to wet and cold. And equipped with a pair of these shoes, the pioneer's wife could walk a mile through the snow without being placed under the doctor's care for weeks following. But these pioneer customs together with the log cabin homes and log school houses have passed away and now live only in the fond recollections of the few old settlers who survive. The wilderness we then loved for its native grandeur has disappeared, and in its stead the cultivated fields with their waving grain, the beautiful homes and pleasant little towns have sprung up. "The winding wagon road, meandering around the swamps and creeks, through the woods, can no longer be traced by the oldest inhabitant. The old Indian trail can be no longer found, but the commodious highways permeating every part of the county furnish a comfortable route for every man to travel u]jon. Th mail carrier, with his horn and saddle-bags, bringing us the news of important events, at the rate of three miles per hour, has been supplanted by the elegantly equipped mail coach, carrying the news of the world at the rate of sixty miles per hour. And not contented with even that rate of speed, science now supplies us with the telegraph; and later with the telephone, by which we may converse with our friends at a distance of what was in pioneer days, a four days' journey." JOHN HOULTON's tale. John Houlton was the first settler of Franklin township, and accredited with being the first in the county. He penned a series of reminiscences in 1859, for Mr. Widney. Houlton was a fine type of the hardy pioneer, and naturally was not a literateur, but his significant and poignant manner of stating the facts lends unusual interest to the reading of them. The following is a portion of his memoir: "Mr. Widney: Since you are writing sketches concerning the early settlers of the various townships of this county, for the benefit of posterity, I feel it a duty to add my mite ; so please have patience as I must go out of the bounds of the county, and also note some things that happened before any DEKALB COrNTY. INDIANA. 61 settlement of DeKalb, though they are inseparably connectetl with its settle- ment. "Samuel Houlton, my oldest brother, and Isaach Hughes, went into co- partnership to build a saw mill in the wilderness of Fish creek in February, 1827'. The firm hired David Williamson, John Kilgore, Francis A. Blair and myself to w-ork for them. They gave us axes, a little provision, and fire- works, and started us where Brunersburg later stood, to cut a road through northwest to the Indian village on the St. Joseph (the present site of Den- mark). We started and the firm was to follow with the team the next day. We cut on till dark ; and when we stopped to build a fire, behold the flint which I had put in my pocket to strike a fire was not to be found. We were all wet to our knees, and it being very cold, we all expected to perish without fire. A DANGEROUS PREDICAMENT. "The boys threatened to whip me, as they said it was my d — — d care- lessness for losing the flint. Said I, "The night will be dark as Egypt; we must make our fire or perish. Let us all hunt and if possible find a stone to strike fire with.' They said I w'as a fool to think of finding flint in those swamps. We had worked hard all day and were tired and hungry, but I well knew that there was not a moment to be lost ; so I started to hunt for a stone while they went to eating. It was growing dark rapidly. "I struck a small ravine, followed it and at last found a little stone near the ground, with no sharp edge. Feeling along awhile and finding no other, I went back, got the spunk, and knife, and after a few strokes, had the satis- faction to see it take fire; and soon we had a good blazing fire. The boys who cursed me and were almost ready to kill me for losing the flint, now with tears rolling down their cheeks, asked my pardon. Such is the instability of poor feeble man. LACK OF PROVISIONS. "We cut the road to the mouth of Fish creek and the team came on. We then went to work and made a pirogue of about two tons' burden, and, crossing the river, built a cabin of about twenty feet square. When our pro- visions began to fail, Samuel Floulton took Blair and went down the river in the pirogue. They started to go east of the state line on the Maumee. Hughes, Williamson, Kilgore and myself stayed. The boat was to be back in eight days. Twelve days passed and no boat appeared. It had rained heavily; the river rose high, the weather turned quite cold, and our provisions entirely failed, except a half bushel of dried peaches. 62 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. "Williamson and Kilgore concluded to leave for the settlement. We all made a raft of logs for the boys to cross the river, and the next morning they started with empty stomachs. Hughes and I went to see them cross. They went aboard the raft and started across the river, the water being high and the slush ice running. At first the raft bore them up; but before they got across, they were three feet deep in the freezing water. They had flint and spunk, but the latter getting wet in their pockets, was of course useless. They scrambled up the other bank, and there they were, their clothes freezing in two minutes, twenty-seven miles from the settlement, without food in their stomachs, without any means to strike fire, and the snow four inches deep. I shuddered for their fate, and told them to start at a good "turkey trot," so as not to freeze, and not too fast, lest they should tire out before getting through ; and on the peril of their lives not to sit down. They got through, but so exhausted that Judge Perkins had to help them into his door. "Hughes and I stayed fourteen days after the boys left, during which time wc had nothing under the heaxens to eat but a few dried peaches. We had a gun and went out often with it, to try to kill something; but there was neither animal mir liird to be seen: im. not e\en so much as an Indian. On the morning of the fourteenth day, I told Hughes that I would make a raft of logs that day and leave the next morning. 1 did so. Next morning Hughes accompanied me to the river to see me start. We both felt sure that Houlton and Blair were coming up the ri\-er with the pirogue, and I was in great hopes to meet them in two or three hours. The river was yet high, and the slush ice running very thickly. "T got some fire and wood on the raft. Hughes loosed the cable and was in the act of handing it to me when lo! my brother, Samuel Houlton, called to us from about a hundred yards up the ri\-cr. He knew we must be starv- ing and came across from the Maumee with a yoke of oxen and sled. He tried hard to reach us the day before, but lacked five miles when darkness over- took him. He drove on until he could follow the road no longer and then struck fire and camped for the night. It was fortunate for me, indeed, that he came just when he did, for if I had got one hour's start, I should as surely have lost mv life as I now live. For there was no human habitation till within four miles of Fort Wavne. The slush ice would have so adhered to the raft as soon to render it unmanageable: so that it must have stove, and I would have l)een compelled to swim or drown. Had I swam out 1 must have frozen to death veiy soon. "Now, kind reader, you would think it pretlv hard fare to lia\e nothing DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 63 to eat for fourteen days hut dried jjeaches. I tell ynu it kept body and soul together and that was all it did. "Hughes, Samuel Houlton and myself stayed about two weeks, then Samuel took an Indian canoe and went down the river to get his pirogue load of pork, flour, potatoes, corn and whiskey (for Hughes must have his dram). At Fort Wayne, Samuel hired a man by the name of Avery and went a little below where Antwerp now is, where they loaded the pirogue and returned without anything happening worthy of note. We four worked on some time. and in May got the mill ready to raise. Without any further help we went to putting it up, without ropes or tackle. The size was eighteen bv fort\-five feet. There were five swamp-oak sills, forty-five feet long. ;ind thirteen inches square, and two plates ten inches square: but the middle btni with the fender beam, fourteen inches square, was the heaviest. UNWELCOME visrroRS. "At that time there was a large In(Han \illage where Denmark now is, and some traders came among them with whiskey, and matle then drunk, so they came to rob us. We had worked hard all daw until nearly sundown, when we went to the house to eat supper. The Indians came yelling and soon filled the house. They then drew their kni\-es. bows and arrows, and tomahawks, stuck their hands into our supper pot, and our sujiper was gone in a trice. Samuel Houlton drew a large poker, and was about to strike when Avery exclaimed, 'Don't strike, Sam, or they will kill us all!" Hughes also told him not strike, but let them take what the)- wanted, and he would go to the Indian agent at Fort W'ayne and make tlicm pay for it. They then acted as true lords of the soil. 'They poured out their whiskey into their camj) kettles, knocked in the head of a flour barrel, and also of a pork liarrel, and in fifteen minutes flour, pork and whiskey were gone. They crossed the creek about twelve rods off, and camped for the night. While they were making their fires and drinking the whiskey, we rolled out our last barrel of flour and hid it in a brush heap. We had also about thirty pounds of pork up in the chamber, they did not get, and that was all that saved us from starvation. The tw o lumdred Indians fought and screamed all night. A better .sam])le of the infernal regions never could be gotten up in this world. "As soon as we had secured our barrel of flour, we next resolved that when they had generally got drunk, wc would alight on them with' a vengeance, and kill the last one of them. So we loaded our four giiu"- w ith slugs and then 64 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. got two tomahawks and two hand-axes, and waited until they would become more drunk. In this, however, we were disappointed. They did not seem to get more intoxicated. After drinking twenty gallons of whiskey, eating two hundred and thirty pounds of pork, and using up two hundred and fifty pounds of flour, with several bushels of potatoes, they started off about eight in the morning, well satisfied with what they had done. "We made application to the Indian agent at Fort Wayne, but never got any compensation for the articles taken. Every time I think of Indian tragedy, I feel thankful that we were pre\-ented from imbruing our hands in their life blood. It was the traders, with their whiskey, that made all this trouble. "Whiskey, whiskey, bane of life, — Spring of tumult, — source of strife; — Could I but half thy curses tell. The wise would wish thee safe in hell. TRIP TO THE PRAIRIES. "I will now give you the narrative of a danger that I and three others passed through. The escape was almost miraculous ; and do not forget that all this has something to do with the settlement of DeKalb county. "In the summer of 1831, Samuel Holton sent me and the widow Fee sent her son, John Fee, with me, out to the prairies with two yoke of oxen and a large Pennsylvania wagon, to buy a load of provisions. They let Aloses Fee, a boy seven or eight years old, go with us. Before this Sarah and Cynthia Fee were working on the prairies to help support the family, and the old lady sent word for the girls to come home. So we went out and got our load ready to return, when John Fee got a good chance to work awhile, and ac- cordingly stayed, leaving me and the girls and the little boy to get home through the woods and swamps with the team and wagon as best we could. "We were three days and a half getting home, miring down several times on the way. The road being narrow and very crooked, I got fast frequently against the trees, and finally told the girls that one of them would have to drive the forward cattle, so Sarah came and dro\e the team. As we were thus driving along, we came to a dead cherry tree, that had partly fallen and lodged on another tree. The wagon ran over one of the large roots of this dead tree, and it broke suddenly about fifty feet from the root. The top part fell back on the wagon within about six inches of the heads of Cynthia and the bov. smashing the boy's hand severely. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 65 "The body of the tree fell along the road in the direction in which we were driving. By suddenly throwing myself back, I got barely out of its way, and having screamed to Sarah when I first saw it coming, to run for life, she ran with all her speed, the top of the broken tree just brushing her head and clothes. Cynthia Fee later married William Bender. I married Sarah, the girl that drove the oxen and outran the falling tree, on the 5th of February, 1833- "In September of the same year, I took three hired men, a yoke of oxen, a cross cut saw and fro, and came on to forty acres I had entered, and in four days, we four cut the logs for, and raised and covered the house where I yet live in Franklin township, DeKalb county. I also hauled out and buried twenty bushels of potatoes on my land, and left them until we moved on, about a month later, and though the Indians were thick around, my potatoes were not disturbed — proving that they were more honest than some of their white brethren. "And now I want to show how the Hughes and Houlton mill, though in Williams county, Ohio, had a bearing on the settlement of DeKalb county. When the mill had been in operation some years, the people had begun to settle on the St. Joseph, and would come and get lumber, often on credit, to build with, and thus the mill aided greatly the settlement of this county, though a few miles over the county and state line. JOHN fee's track. "In 1834 John Fee entered the large and excellent farm of 500 or 600 acres on which he later lived, and which lies on each side of the line between Steuben and DeKalb counties. Indulge me in telling an anecdote of him. He had been out to the prairies for grain, and froze his feet badly, so that for a long time he could not wear boots or shoes. So he got the Indians to make him a very large pair of moccasins which he wore. One day, after his feet got better, he went out hunting, and after sauntering through the woods awhile, he crossed the largest moccasin track he ever saw. He looked with astonishment at the monster track, and said to himself : 'What an almighty big Indian has been along here ! It's the d dest big Indian that has ever been in these woods.' About the time that his astonishment and curiosity got to its highest, he chanced to look behind him, and lo! it zvas his own track! (n) <56 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. INCIDENTS OF HUMOR. "We had a large fireplace in one end of our cabin and the main thing for us in the winter was to get in a big, back log every evening to last all night and the next day, and then make a big fire. After the rest of the folks had gone to bed I would stay up and parch about a peck of corn in the big skillet for the next day. I could live on it, honey and jerked venison, and call it 'high life' in America. A hunter can live longer on parched corn without water than anything else. Sometimes when parching corn or baking Johnny- cakes, on a smooth clapboard, I would play Daniel Boone and imagine myself camped out in the woods by a l)ig fire, and living on roasted corn. We moved to this country in a covered wagon, and camped out, and then is when I first fell in love with camping out and running wild ; and it is hard for me now to go back on my first love and keep from following off every covered wagon that comes along. "We had a newcomer who had moved so often that he declared that whenever a covered wagon drove up or passed his cabin his chickens would fall in line, march over the fence, lay down and cross their legs ready to be tied, thinking that they were going to move again. "At night, after we had gone to bed, the ground squirrels would come up through the puncheon floor, and it was fun to see them play hide and go-seek, blindman's buff, or whatever their innocent games are in their language. They were so plentiful that we had to watch our corn patch when it was first planted, or they would dig it all up and eat it. "One night I woke up and saw something lying on the floor by the fire that looked very bright and glistening. I thought perhaps I was dream- ing about Aladdin and the wonderful lamp, or Cinderella and the glass slipper, but come to look closer it was a huge rattlesnake that had come up through the floor to warm himself. The gun stood within reach and was al- ways loaded, and I drew a bead on him, fired, and shot his head off. A gun shot off in a room makes an awful noise, and it scared the rest of the folks almost to death. Father wanted to know what in the world was the matter, and I told him that I had killed a boa constrictor, or an anaconda, and that I had saved the whole family. The snake was very fat, and we saved the oil for rheumatism and weak back, and always found it a sure cure. "One day Tom and George Hollenback, father and myself were out hunting, and the dogs made a big fuss in the thicket, and we rushed in to see what was the matter, and found that they had come across the den of young DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. 67 wolves and the old one was not at home. There were si.x of tlieni, about a quarter grown, but very active and ferocious : and we had hard work to catch them, as they had such a careless way of feeling around for a fellow's fingers and would snap at you like a steel trap. At last we got a forked stick and held their necks down while we tied them. One of the boys had a big pocket in his coat, and concluded to carry one in it. We got ready and started home with our menagerie, when all at once the wolf in the pocket grabbed the boy by the hind part of his leg and held on like grim death. The poor fellow ran around and howled. We tried to break the animal's hold, but it would not let go. We could not beat or choke it ofif, and we had to cut its head off. "That made the boys so mad that they killed all the wolves but one, which I took home and tied by a chain to a stake in the yard. In five min- utes he could dig a hole in the sand big enough to hide himself, and then he would lay with his nose sticking out and let on that he was asleep; and the chickens would come around to investigate the subject, and woe unto the chickens that came within the length of his chain. He could figure on it to an inch ; and then when they got within reach he went for them like lightning, and would gobble them up, pick them and eat them before >'ou could say, 'Jack Robinson.' "One morning he came up missing. He was out and gone, chain and all. I did not care anything about him, as he had eaten most all of our chickens, except an old setting hen that he did not relish ; but I did not like to lose my chain. In the fall, while out hunting in the woods, and the wind was blowing very hard, I heard a rattling noise like a horse-fiddle and went to see what it was ; and lo and behold, there was my chain hanging to the limb of a tree with a bunch of bones to it and the wind was making music on them. It was the remains of my wolf; but I could ne\er tell if it was a case of intentional suicide or he had got fast and hung himself accidentally. As he was already dead, I cut him down, took my chain, and left him for the wild winds to mourn his requiem. A SEARCHING PARTY. "It was in the spring, the time to plow for corn, and in the dark of the moon, when you could not see your nose before you. One evening some of the neighbor boys saw a big black bear going north. They came down with dogs to stay all night with me. and get an early start in the morning after the bear. We had camped out on the floor, and in the night we heard a rattle at our clapboard door, and I asked, 'Who goes there?' An answer, in a musical voice, said, 'Mingo.' On opening the door in stepped an Indian boy well 68 DEKAI.B COUNTY. INDIANA. known to us. He said that a little girl seven or eight years old, who belonged to Mr. Tobby, living about eight miles north of us, had gotten lost in the morning, and that they had hunted for her all day and had not found her; and that they wanted us to go over and help hunt for her. "I told the boys that was our best hold and that vv'e would let the bear go until we had found the little girl. We got up long before day and made our breakfast off of a wild goose and a sand-hill crane, that we had killed the day before, and barbecued them by the fire. We were off earlv on a trail, and arrived at Tobby's about nine o'clock in the morning; and oh, such a sight. There was the mother crying and weeping, nearly heart-broken, and calling for Mary, the lost child. "There were two or three women with her, trying to console her. The men were all out looking for Mary, and nothing had been heard from the child up to this time, one day and one night out. They had an old-fashioned dinner horn four or five feet long and as big as a saucer at the lower end, and it could be heard for miles. It was understood that when anyone brought in any news or found the child the horn should be sounded. It appears that on the morning that little Mary was lost her father was plowing a piece of ground for corn, and she started to go to him, but never reached him ; and that Obbenobbe, an old Indian from the Tippecanoe, and Mingo, his grand- son, had come over to Mr. Tobby's, and while he went out to hunt for the child sent Mingo over after us. "Just then Obbenobbe came in with a little piece of yellow calico that he said he had found on a bush about three miles east of there. Mrs. Tobby said at once that it was a piece of the dress that Mary had worn, and it had been torn off by the bush. That gave her some hopes; but the terrible thought was whether she was alive or not. The country was then full of wolves and the chances were against her, but we hoped and hoped ever. We then made the woods and prairies ring with the old horn, and then we agreed that not a gun should be fired until Mary was found, dead or alive, and broke for the place where Obbenobbe had found the piece of her dress. We made good time and soon reached the spot, and began to look for more signs. After looking around for a long time we found her little footprints in the sand and also in the mud, going from home. She was barefooted and from that day to this I have never forgotten those little tracks in the sand and mud. We hunted all day and found no other trace and our hearts began to sink. We were tired and hungry, having had nothing to eat all day. We could have killed deer, but had resolved not to fire our guns off. ^^'e had a large grey- hound that could catch a deer any time and two coon dogs. As night was DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 69 coming on we prepared to camp, ^^'hile we were fixing our camp two dogs barked up a hollow tree and we supposed there was a coon in it. We made an Indian ladder and Obbenobbe climbed up and put some fire in the tree and came down. As the tree was dry it soon began to burn, and made a bright light from the top. "At last two coons rolled out, pretty well singed. We killed and skinned them and were getting ready to roast them. It was not dark yet and we heard a noise, and looking up we found that something had scared two deer, and they came running right to camp. We put the dogs after them and a short distance from us was the creek. In jumping in, one of the deer fell back in the creek ; in a minute the dogs were on him, and we ran in and pulled him out and killed him, and in fifteen minutes from the time we first drew blood everyone of us had a piece of the meat on a stick and roasting it, and such a feast we did have. The body wanted more food than the soul did. and for the time being we forgot our troubles. "Night came on and a dark one it was and the wolves were howling around us. The worst of all, it began to rain, and our only thought was, 'Where was Mary Tobby?' We had listened all day for the big horn or the report of a gun, but all in vain. Remember, my dear friends, that this is a true story. Remember, too, that this was the second day and second night that she was lost, and how could the heroine live so long among the wolves with nothing to eat and nothing to protect her from the weather but a little calico dress. We did not sleep much that night, and were up early and started on our search. We hunted all day up and down, backward and forward, as the grasses and bushes were very thick, calling and listening, but all in vain. "At last, about three o'clock, we gave it up and hope died within us, and we turned out faces homeward with heavy hearts. There is something in man called the dormant or latent powers or energies. For instance, I had been hunting all day and was returning tired and weary, hardly able to lift one foot before the other, and game would start up before me, and I could run for hours and forget that I was tired. Now hold your breath. We had given up and started for home, and away off north of us we heard a gun's discharge. So then our dormant powers and hope went up. and we all broke and ran, and reaching the edge of a prairie we saw a man on horseback in his shirt sleeves with something wrapped up in his coat Ijefore him. It was Bridge Ward, and he had found Marv- Tobby in this way: He, too had given up and started home in despair. As he was riding along he saw a grove nortli of him, in the bend of the creek, and somthing told him or influenced him to take a last look there. He turned his hnrse to tlie riglit and through the grove, and /O DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. then on the edge of the creek, and there he found Mary Tobbv, who had lain down for her last sleep ; but thank God, she was still alive. "Her little feet, limbs and hands were all torn and bleeding from the briars and grass, and her golden hair was all matted together. He picked her up gently and wrapped her in his coat and started for home. But how had she lived and escaped so long- from wild animals ? Although Obbenobbe was the oldest, he was still the best runner, and we started him on the wings of wind to carry the glorious news to Mary's home, that she was found and still alive. It was not long before we heard the guns firing and the horn blowing, as the rest of them had all given up and retired to the house. As Mary was weak we had to go slow, and as we neared the house they all came out to meet us, and the mother was frantic with joy. I thought she would kill the child by hugging and kissing it. Mary was very weak, but after careful nursing soon got strong again, grew to womanhood, married and raised a family. BEAR HUNT RESUMED. "Now for the bear. After going north, we turned east, and killed a couple of hogs in the neighborhood of Brunks and then turned northwest and killed a calf near Stephen Jons's, the bee hunter. We sounded the tocsin, called in our forces, and with the Forrence and Hollenback boys, started on the warpath, resolved to do or die for the rising generation. We were pro- vided with guns and five dogs, including the big greyhound given to my father by Samuel Matlock, of Lancaster, Ohio, which money could not buy. •We soon got on the bear's track, crossing the sand ridges and soft places in the prairie. He was a smasher, and made a track more like the human family than any animal we had ever seen. We were almost led to believe in Darwin, who teaches that man came up from the lower orders of animals, and this bear's track did look as if he might be a connecting link between man and the monkey. The bear had a kind of elephant trot and traveletl fast. The dogs would run way ahead of him for miles and then come back pretty well 'chawed up.' They at last became frightened and would not follow him. The greyhound was game and wanted to pitch in, but we kept him back, as we did not want him to get hurt. Several times we got sight of the old fellow cross- ing the prairie, from one side ridge to another. He made good time and we had hard work to keep anywhere near him. DEKALB COUNTY, A DIVERSION. "While crossing a ridge we saw a deer coming right toward us, with tongue out and very tired. One of the boys was going to shoot, but I told him to hold on as there was something the matter with it. We kept the dogs in and it came right up to us. Just then five or six big grey wolves, and a big black one, the only one we ever saw, came running after it. We opened fire on them and killed the black and one grey one, and wounded another, which got away with the rest. As we had heard that a black wolf skin was very valuable, we skinned them. While doing so we heard a noise, and looking around, saw an old she-wolf and four young ones coming in on the home stretch, to be at the death and feast of the deer. We fired at them, but without efifect, and they ran one way and the deer another without saying good-bye. "We hung up the wolf skins in a safe place and followed up bruin, who had gotten the start of us and had come across bees in an old hollow tree and tore the honey out ; he had made a mess of it, but had left enough for us. Bears are great for honey or anything sweet, and do not mind the sting of bees more than we would a mosquito bite. Along toward night his tracks became most too fresh, and we were afraid; so we concluded to camp on his track. While preparing to camp a couple of the boys went out to get some game for supper, and in about an hour came in with a fine, fat buck, from which we had a feast. W'e sat by the camp fire and ate roasted ribs and broiled venison, and thought how the old fellows who dressed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day, but had lost their appetite and digestive powers and got the gout and dyspepsia, would give a million if they could eat just such a meal as we did. There are some who live only to eat, but in those days we ate to live and keep soul and body together and were happy. I long for those days again. The night was dark and we made two big fires, one on each side of us, as we had heard that wild animals would not go through fire for a meal of victuals. Several times we were badly fright- ened in the night and even our dogs were afraid. We kept out a picket guard, but it was hard to get anyone to leave the fire \ery far, as we were afraid that the bear would make a raid and gobble us up before we could say our jirayers. "The morning came and found us with our scalps all right, and we were soon off on the trail. He had turned east and gone north of Fletcher's Lake, and by Mud Lake, and then west near the Indian camp, where Obbe- nobbe and Mingo were. Through the day we found where he had made a "^2 DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. meal off a dead or wounded deer, as bear cannot catch a sound deer. As it was nearly night we concluded to stay with the Indians, and they agreed to go with us in the morning. After a good night's sleep w-e were off early, with Indians, guns, and a new supply of dogs, and with their aid soon found the trail. After following him until almost noon we saw him go into a sw'amp filled with thick elbow brush. The Indians said he would make his last fight there. We prepared to give battle, surrounded the swamp, and then sent the dogs in. "One of the Indians who had a rifle that carried an ounce ball got sight of him, fired, and broke one of his fore legs and that brought him to bay. He stood up on his hind legs and looked like a big gorilla, and I almost thought that Darwin was right. We all closed in on him, but could not fire for fear of killing the dogs, they were so close around him. After he had killed or wounded four or five dogs the greyhound broke loose and went in. The bear grabbed him w ith his well fore leg and was about to crush and kill him when Obbenobbe rushed in with a big knife and struck the bear ander the shoulder, and that settled his case. He let the dog go and gave up the ghost. "The Indians said he was the largest they had seen fur many years. They supposed that he was a wanderer from the far north on an exploring expedition. We skinned him and gave the hide to Obbenobbe, as it was he who struck the fatal blow, and saved my father's dog. He was not very fat, and tasted like a mixture of coon, pork, shad and codfish. \\^e took a scout around and got our wolf skins and returned home well satisfied with our bear hunt, which was the last and only one in my life." PIONEER SOCIETY. In those pioneer days when settlements were far apart and neighbors distant, acquaintance was widespread and neighborly offices cheerfully Iiestow- ed. The latch-string was always hung out and the rough cabin could always accommodate the stray traveler and the family of a settler moving to his entry. The pioneer was prompt to help in peril or need, and none so heartily enjoyed a good joke as he. While the settlers, like Isaac B. Smith and We.sley Park, kept emigrants' hotel, and the right hand of fellowship was extended to all, vet the regulators were not slow to punish the thief and blackleg who found their wav into the communit\-. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 73 MILLS AND MILL TRIPS. Prominent in the history of early settlement appears the erection of mills and the trials of their patrons. Mill builders were recognized as men of prominence, and first roads were cut to the mills which were scarce and dis- tant. Primarily, the pioneers were compelled to use the family hand mill. In brief, this was a three foot piece of log from a beech or a maple, hollowed from one end by chisel and augur, in form of a cone. This hollow made smooth and hard by a fire of coals kindled therein, is scraped clean and the mortar prepared. A stick, wrist thick, split at one end, holding an iron wedge, with edge to the slit, and kept in place by an iron ring, is the pestle. Corn is placed in the mortar and beaten by the pestle. The finest sifted is corn meal ; the balance, minus the bran, is hominy. Amos Stearns, a settler in Troy township, went thirty miles to the Union mills in Lagrange county, and there are those whose experience exceeded this distance. On Fish creek, a stream second to Cedar in the county, were built several grist mills, one by A. S. Casebeer; another higher up by Samuel Kep- ler. In time water mills at Orangeville and Spencerville, and later steam mills at Auburn, Butler and Waterloo and other points have so improved upon the olden times that a single instance of many, of hard times, in going to mill. will show a truth stranger than fiction. PUBLIC LANDS. The lands of which DeKalb county was formed w^ere regularly surveyed at national expense into townships six miles square. The office for the sale of lands was located at Fort Wayne, and purchasers obtained their title direct from the general government. Much of the land was taken up by speculators, and this, for some years, operated to delay actual settlement. As a measure of justice a system of taxation was adopted by the early settlers which com- pelled a sale of land to actual settlers and a clearing o-f the dense forest and a utilization of the fertile soil. LAND HUNTINO. Isaac B. Smith ranged the woods of Smithfield township to find vacant land for a home. Three times he had made a selection and gone afoot to Fort Wayne, about thirty-two miles distant, and there found his pieces en- tered. A fourth time he reached the land ofiice only to be disappointed. 74 DEKAI.B COUNTY. INDIANA. \\'eary and nearly despairing, he made another fruitless journev to an entry which he found to be in a swamp, boot-deep in water. Returning to Fort Wayne, he secured as a witness to the unfitness of the entry for settlement, Wilber Powell, with whom he traced the lines of the quarter section. A sixth time at the land office he secured a new plat of the township, and with two others had just found a good tract, when they met three other men on the same quest. A race ensued between the parties. Thirty miles were traveled on a trot, and reaching the office. Smith's party found their pieces entered, but enjoyed the satisfaction of knowing that their competitors, who arrived an hour later, had raced in vain. Assisted by Wesley Park, Smith at last found vacant land, and hastened to Fort Wayne finally, after eight journeys, and secured his future home. In the summer or fall of 1841 a dark, swift-moving, wildly-confused mass of clouds sped over the country. The wind accompanying demolished houses, scattered fences like feathers, and le\eled the forests, rushing forward with demoniac fury, laying devastation in its course. Limbs of trees dark- ened the air; the timber fell with a continual roar, and lied clothing from Henry Brown's house was carried two miles. The pathway of this tornado was a half mile wide and three miles long, and passed mostly along the road from Auburn to Spencerville. HYDROPHOBIA. During 1838 hydrophobia alarmingly prevailed, and cattle, hogs and even wild foxes "went mad." In this connection it is related that Daniel Coats, of Wilmington, was attacked by a rabid fox while passing through the woods and succeeded, after a well-contested race, in securing a club and slay- ing his pursuer. A drop of blood from the head of the fox alighting on Coats' cheek burned like fire. Such is the power of imagination, and the in- terest of the old tales that enlivened the pioneer firesides. PT0NEi:i< FARK. Food in the early day was neither abundant nor of high (piality. Appe- tite controlled and made edible a fare which, in these days would seem im- possible. The families of Daniel Altenburg and W'alsworth, while en route to Auburn, regaled themselves for a breakfast in the new count>- upon the DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 75 flesh of a raccoon whicli they liad cau.t^ht on the previous day. Wesley Park and Joseph ]\Iiller, passing a rainy night in the woods of Butler township, made a meal upon "new milk fresh from the cow," and the pioneers of that locality in 1834 ate heartily of "coon steak" prepared by their cook, Charley Crouse. not even John Surface being excepted since he, ini])elled by hunger, finished what the others had left over after breakfast. MOUND BUILDERS. The presence, in the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, of numerous earthen tumuli — the memorials of an age long past — indicates the existence of a pre-historic race. There are claimed to i^e several moimds in this county, but the facts have not been learned, yet the presence of stont axes, flint arrow- heads, spear-points and other mementoes of this singular people, prove that at least they were accustomed to traverse this section. The lands of which DeKalb county forms a part originally belonged to the Pottawatomies, whose title was procured by treaties made with them from time to time by officers of the United States government. The energetic Jesuit came among them towards the commencement of the eighteenth cen- tury, and found plastic material. The Pottawatomies of Northern Indiana numbered about four thousand. The Catholic priest who first came among them paid the price for his temerity with his life, but when finally converted, these Indians became firm Christians. In compliance with an order from the general government, the tribe was removed to the Indian territory beyond the Mississippi. With a grief akin to despair they took their melancholy journey and many deaths along the route pr()\ed their Io\e of the home of their fathers. By 1840 most had departed, and sa\e a few who lingered, their lands were left to the incoming whites. AN EXPENSIVE 'cOON. In an early day 'coon hunts were numerous, but later, after the lands of the county were all under priwUe ownership, it was sometimes a hazardous pastime. /\ crowd of young fellows near New\'ille in 1876 engaged in one of these 'coon hunts. They "treed" an animal in a dry oak tree on the premises of Dr. Emanuel, and, in customarv fashion, cut down the tree. The doctor yt DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. immediately entered suit in the circuit court for satisfaction and damages. The defendants compromised during the trial by the payment of seventy-five dollars in the way of costs, lawyers' fees and damages. FOX HUNTS. In the early part of 1875 for hunts became the vogue, and many were organized among the citizens of the county. Marshals and other field ofiicers were chosen, hunters were detailed on the dififerent lines prescribed, no fire arms were allowed, and all dogs were loosed at the appointed time. One of the first hunts was held at Corunna on Saturday, January 23. 1875, and six foxes were caught. An immense crowd was present. February 6th, follow- ing, another hunt was held in Richland and Fairfield townships. Only three foxes were caught, but a number escaped from the lines. The trophies were sold at auction, and the proceeds given to the poor. THE LAST BEAR. As late as October, 1874, a bear was killed in Richland township. The following account is from the Waterloo Press of October 29, 1874: "On Sunday last a black bear was seen coming out of the Baughman marshes, southeast of town. It was fired upon by several parties, but none of them seem to have injured it. Monday morning early large parties of men, with dogs and guns, turned out to hunt the game. The animal was followed to the swamps south of Sedan, where the dogs brought it to bay, and it was shot to death by Messrs. Charles Rempis, James Booth and others." CHAPTER IV. ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT OF COUNTY. ORGANIZATION. In the winter of 1836-7 the act was passed by the Legislature organizing DeKalb county and immediately a strenuous competition began for the loca- tion of the county seat. The legislative act named the boundaries of the county as follows : "Beginning at the southwest corner of township 33 north of range 12 east, thence east to the east line of the state, thence north with the state line dividing townships 35 and 36, hence west to the line dividing ranges 11 and 12, thence south to the place of beginning." The county was named DeKalb in honor of Baron DeKalb, a German noble, who espoused the cause of colonial independence, joined the American army, and was commis- sioned a general. He fell at the battle of Camden, fought near Sanders creek. South Carolina, on August 6, 1780. DeKalb county is a part of the thirteenth congressional district. In the state Legislature DeKalb and Steuben counties constitute the tenth judicial district. The length of DeKalb county from east to west is twenty and one- half miles, comprising an area of three thousand six hundred and ninety acres. The length from north to south is eighteen miles. When organized the county had a population of nearly one thousand. LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT. As mentioned before, the competition for the location of a county seat grew very strong. Messrs. Rogers and Hamilton, on one side, and Park and Howe, on the other, were the contending forces. The former bought up land, laid out a town plat, staked off lots and named the site Centerville. The site laid out by Park and Howe was on the west bank of Cedar creek, two miles south and three miles west of the center of the new county. This location seemed to carry the most favor, and when Littlefield, of Lagrange, Gilmore, of Steuben, and Robert Work, of Allen, were appointed commissioners to 70 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. select the site of the new county seat. Auburn was promptly chosen. Center- \ille passed to her death after the defeat. FIRST ELECTION. The first election in DeKalb county was held in July, 1837'. The river settlers voted at the home of Washington Robinson, at Vienna, or later called Newville. Three county commissioners, two associate judges, and a clerk and a recorder were to be elected. A bit of humor came to the surface when the ballots were being counted out. One \oter, evidently of poetic propensi- ties, had cast his ballot thusly : "For Commissioners I'll tell you,sirs; The old Major— Or Johnny Blair ; William Roger And Peter Fair. For Clerk and Recorder, too, John F. Coburn, sure, will do ; Arial Waldon for a judge. And James Bowman for a drudge." FIRST commissioners' MEETINGS. On July 25, 1837, the first meeting of the board of commissioners of DeKalb county, consisting of Peter Fair and Samuel Widney, was held at the house of Wesley Park at Auburn. The meetings were held at this place for several years afterward. The first oflficial step of the board was to ap- point Wesley Park clerk pro tern, also county treasurer for a year. Byron Bunnel was selected as county agent; John Blair was made assessor: and Lanslot Ingman was named collector of taxes. The first legislative act was then executed, naming the boundaries of Franklin township, as follows: "Commencing at the northeast comer of said county (DeKalb) ; thence west to the corners of ranges 13 and 14 east, townships 35 and 36 north; then south six miles to township 34 north, ranges 13 and 14 east; thence east on the town line to the east line of the said county; thence north to the place of beginning: the above shall constitute the first township in DeKalb county." Provision was made for organizing the township by an election to be held the DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 79 first Monday in August following, and Peter Boyer was appointed inspector of elections, Isaac T. Aldrich, constable, and John Holton, supervisor. The office of judge was a singular one. Some of the judges of the day could not carry on court unless they had, at stated intervals, a little dram of whiskey. The drudge acted as an accommodation : he kept the judge sup- plied with the spirits. Samuel Widney, Peter Fair and Isaac F. Beecher were elected county commissioners ; Arial Waldon and Thomas L. Yates, judges of the court; and John F. Coburn, clerk and recorder. John P. Widney carried the returns of the election to Auburn, as the cabins of Wes- ley Park and others were called. The journey was made on foot, following an old Indian trail, as there was no road. En route all the swamps were waded. Thomas L. Yates, one of the judges elected, was a very peculiar character. He wore a coarse huntin'-shirt and fox-skin cap when he took his seat on the bench, but for all his eccentricities, made an excellent judge. The "second session but first regular" was held at the same place, Sep- tember 4, 1837. A full board was present, including Peter Fair, Samuel Widney and Isaac F. Beecher. John F. Coburn was clerk and Wesley Park sherifif. "Being detained by unavoidable circumstances from transacting business," they adjourned until the next day. On reassembling Samuel Eak- right was chosen road commissioner for the county: after which an order was passed "that the congressional township 34 north, range 13 east, be or- ganized as a township for judicial purposes, to be known as the name of Union township, and that townships 34 and 35 north, range 12 east, and townships 33 and 35 north, range 13 east, be attached thereto." It was also "ordered that Wesley Park be appointed supervisor for the road district No. I, comprising the whole of Union township, and all the lands lying within said township are allotted to said district." Further, it was "ordered that the congressional township 34 north, range 14 east, be, and it is hereby organized as a civil township, to be known by the name of Wilmington township." Byron Bunnel was appointed super- visor. And again it was "ordered that the congressional township 33 north, range 12 east, be, and it is hereby organized as a civil township, to be known by the name of Butler township." Andrew Surface was appointed supen^isor. It was at this meeting that money was first appropriated for current ex- penses of the county. The first order drawn was for $50.84, in favor of Wesley Park, and was to pay for these items: $8.00 for services as sheriff previous to the first session of the board, and as clerk during that session; $16.69 for services as commissioner in laying out the Fort Wayne and Cold- 80 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. water state road, and $26.15 for services as commissioner in laying out the Goshen and Deliance state road. Wesley McCan was allowed $2.96 for services as axman in laying out the road : Martin Van Fleet, $2.96 for acting as chairman at the same time; Lanslot Ingman, 31^4 cents for similar work; William Park, t,i]4 cents as chainm.an, and $4.75 for laying out the Goshen and Defiance state road; Seth W. Murray, $7.23 for service as commissioner in laying out the Fort Wa3'ne and Coldwater state road; and Joseph Miller, $26.2 1 J/2 for surveying both the above mentioned roads. Joseph Miller was appointed the first county surveyor. The only other business transacted at this first regular meeting was the allowance of the commissioners per diem, an item which comes up as regu- larly as the board meetings, several times each year. While the present sys- tem seems to cost quite a sum in the course of a year, it nevertheless is much less expensive than that in practice in Michigan, Illinois and other states, where, instead of three commissioners, there are from fifteen to twenty-five supervisors to draw mileage and pay. The second regular session of the board was held in November, and. the governmental machinery of the county being now fairly set in motion, was pretty much like the sessions that have since been held at the appointed times for the transactions of routine business. At this second meeting Wesley Park was appointed school commissioner for the county. At the January session, 1838, Jackson township was erected out of township T,;^ north, range 13 east, and John Watson was named as inspector of elections. An unique scale of licenses was adopted, fixing a tavern license at $20.00; each license to vend wooden clocks, $60; each license to exhibit a caravan, menagerie or other collection of animals, or show of wax figures or circus for each day, $40. The license of $60 for selling wooden clocks seems strangely large to us, who can go to any jewelry store and buy a clock for a dollar and a half, as far superior in value as inferior in price to the sort dis- tributed by the shrewd Yankee peddler of three-quarters of a century ago. During the latter part of 1837 DeKalb county was organized, including the present township of Concord, and the fractional townships of Stafford and Newville. In March, 1838, the fractional township 34 north, range 15 east (now Stafford), was detached from DeKalb and annexed to Wilming- ton for civil purposes, and the name of DeKalb was changed to Concord. In those days nearly all business men were obliged to pay licenses of various amounts, in addition to their ordinary taxes. Grocers, even, were laid under contribution, for March 7, 1838, in the commissioners' record an order was entered that the tax assessed to Thomas J. Freeman, for a license DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. SI to vend foreign merchandise and foreign and domestic groceries for the cur- rent year be 85 cents, it appearing that the amount of his capital employed therein is $170. Wesley Park, resigning the office of school commissioner, Robert Work was appointed his successor. At the May session, 1838, the amount of bond for each constable in the county was fixed at five hundred dollars. The sum of two thousand dollars was also appropriated from the three per cent, fund for roads, as follows : Eight hundred dollars for the Goshen and Defiance state road ; eight hundred dollars for the Fort Wayne and Coldwater state road; and four hundred dollars for the state road on the northwest side of the St. Joseph river. Several bridges were also ordered built. At the same session the commis- sioners fixed the poll tax for 1838 at seventy-five cents, and the property tax at a dollar thirty-five on each one hundred dollar valuation. Of this one dollar and thirty-five cents, eighty-five cents was for county revenue, and fifty cents for road purposes. COUNTY JAIL. Byron Bunnel, county agent, on May 9, 1838, was authorized by the commissioners to contract for the building of a jail at Auburn, if he could sell enough of the county lots, which had been deeded to the county by Wesley Park, to pay for the work. The following is the plan of the pro- posed jail : "Said jail to consist of one ground room, sixteen feet square in- side of the walls. The upper soil where the jail stands shall be removed and three sticks of timber one foot square and twenty feet long shall be bedded ten inches into the ground, twenty feet apart from the outside of the two extremes, upon which a floor shall be laid of timber, a foot thick and eight to sixteen inches wide, making a floor twenty feet square, upon which said jail shall be built of double walls on each side two feet thick. The inside wall shall be eight feet high between floors." The jail was to have a shingle roof and be lighted by one four-light window of eight by ten glass. It was to be secured by iron grates of inch-square bars running at right angles, three inches apart. Bunnel proceeded to erect a jail, but he did not please the board by his methods. He was accused of selling the town lots at too low prices, and contracting debts before having the money to settle them. So, in March. 1839, he was summarilv dismissed, and Thomas J. Freeman appointed in his (6) 82 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. place. All orders for selling town lots and for building a jail were rescinded, although Bunnel was paid for what he had done. Freeman, Wesley Park and Nelson Payne were appointed as a building committee for the jail. This jail was completed on time, and was used by the county authorities for about twelve years. On December 5, 1851, Jefferson Wallace contracted to build a county jail, gave bond, and was authorized to draw on the county funds to the extent of one thousand dollars. B. G. Cosgrove was the architect, and was allowed thirty dollars for his plan. In December, 1852, the board of com- missioners examined the completed building and accepted it. W. K. Streight, then sheriff, was instructed to bank the jail. Joshua R. Steves, later a resi- dent of Auburn, acting for Wallace, did the painting required and the county had a fairlv secure place. Many notorious criminals were confined in this building, such as Mrs. Knapp, who murdered her husband, and while in jail attempted to kill herself by the "hara kari" method: "Michigan Bill." who made good his escape from the jail. When the next jail was contracted for in 1S75, the old building was moved east to the northeast corner of Cedar and Ninth streets, and was fitted np for fire quarters, and a meeting place for the town board. The next jail was contracted for on January 16, 1875, by William Crane, James R. Duncan and Harmon Lydecker. T. J. Tolan & Son, of Toledo, were the architects. The structure was completed at a total cost of S28,- 647.78, and was equipped with triple grates, and the most modern Scandi- navian locks. Twenty-nine thousand dollars worth of ten per cent, short time bonds were issued by the county, to cover the expense of building. The first man imprisoned in this jail was George Hobnich. then serving a term of ninety days for larceny. Lewis Abbott, who murdered Francis Houlton on March 18, 1878. was incarcerated here prior to his trial, and conviction, and sentence for life in prison. Levi Kessler. who murdered Alexius T. Harner on December 14. 1885 was also kept here. Upon the erection of the new DeKalb county court house, arrangements are being made to remove the old jail from the court yard, and on the lot just north of the new city hall to construct a new and modern jail. Ap- propriations have not yet been made, but plans have been asked for, and active work will soon begin. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 83 COURT HOUSE HISTORY. The first court of DeKalb county has already been described as being held in the cabin owned by Wesley Park, the pioneer of the town of Auburn. A schoolhouse was afterward erected, and for a time court was held in this building. A dilapidated stove in this place supplied the heat, and a rough platform of boards was built at one end, and given the name of the "bar."' FIRST COURT HOUSE. At the May session, 1840, of the commissioners court, the county officials having detennined to build a court house on the public square, Thomas J. Freeman, Wesley Park and Nelson Payne were appointed super- intendents for the construction of such a building. Its dimensions were to be "thirty feet north and south, and forty feet east and west, six feet of which shall be a portico, four feet to stairs and wood rooms, leaving court house thirty feet long. Two front doors and an alley from each to circle fronting the judge's bench which was to be elevated a few feet above the floor. The clerk's seat and table to be in front of the bench. The criminal's box also to be in front of the bench. The rooms to be lighted by eleven twenty-four-light windows above and below. The front of the portico to be supported by four turned pillars fifteen inches in diameter." The cost of this building was to be defrayed by the sale of lots belonging to the county, excepting those required to pay for the jail or set aside for other reasons. In the commissioners session, 1841, the plan of the court house was received, entered into detail of structure, and date of July i, 1842, selected as the time to begin work on the structure. Bids were called for, and James Hite, a carpenter, living southeast of Auburn, took the contract for eight hundred dollars. He was assisted by Lyman Chidsey to put up the frame. The work seems to have dragged, as Judge Mott said that when he came here, in the summer of 1843, the public square around the court house was partially logged, but burned off, and the frame of the court house was up, but not inclosed. In the fall of this year the frame was completed, and on .A.pril 29, 1844, the court held their first session in the new structure. SECOND COURT HOUSE. On June 4, 1863, the contract for the second court house was awarded to A. Wheelock, William ^^alleau and Tohn A. McKay. The consideration 84 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. was $23,372, half in cash and the balance in county orders, and it was to be completed December i, 1864. Nothing much was done until the spring of 1864, at which time work on the building was resumed, and was pushed forward rapidly. On July 1st, the bell, weighing six hundred pounds, was brought by rail to Waterloo, thence by team to Auburn. It was manufactured by B. W. Coffin & Com- pany, at the Buckeye Bell Foundry, Cincinnati, Ohio. By the last of July, the dome of the court house neared completion, and on contract time the work was finished and accepted by the county commissioners. The building completed, contained six hundred thousand brick, three thousand perch of field stone, or boulders, one thousand superficial feet of cut stone, thirty- three thousand six hundred pounds of iron joists. The foundation was laid to the top of the ground with common field stone, and faced with Sandusky limestone. The building was divided on the first floor into four offices, twenty-one by twenty-four feet, each with fireproof vaults. The court- room was in the second story. The tower was eighty feet high, and sur- mounted by a flagstaff, supporting a metallic eagle at one hundred and fifteen feet above the sidewalk. THE NEW COURT HOUSE. Now in the process of erection, and to be finished during the early months of 19 14, the county of DeKalb has a truly magnificent court house. The building, architecturally, is worthy of the ancient Greek and Roman art. The beauty of design, richness of ornament, and quality of material, is un- surpassed in the state of Indiana. The old court house had been for many years deemed unfit for use, and the floor space inadequate for the increasing need. In 1910, the subject of a new court house, one that might stand for decade after decade, combining the most modern and efficient features, was talked of by the county officials and inhabitants. The first appropriation for the new structure was made on September 9, 1910, when two hundred dollars was set aside for use in inspecting build- ings in other counties of the state, with the view that a court house best suited to the needs of DeKalb county might be secured. The county commission- ers duly set forth on a tour of inspection through Indiana. Several of the leading cities were visited on the trip. On February 13th, the board met with several architects, and after thoroughly going over with them the proposed plans, Mahurin & Mahurin, of Fort Wayne, were decided on for DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 85 the drafting of the plan. On February 15, 1910, the plans were formally accepted, and filed with the county auditor. At the August meeting, 1910, a requisition for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars was made for the con- struction of the new court house. Bids were asked for on May 4, 191 1, and there were ten different bidders for the work. J. B. Goodall, of Peru, was successful, having bid one hundred and eighty-five thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven dollars, with an allowance of three hundred dollars for the old court house. On May 8th, the workmen began to raze the old court house, using dynamite in places. This work of destruction was completed in two weeks. The corner-stone was laid with fitting ceremonies on July 27, 191 1. Thomas R. Marshall, then governor of the state, delivered a pleasing address. The court house dimensions are: North and south, one hundred and forty-six feet ; east and west, one hundred and thirty-two feet ; height, eighty feet. The stone used in the construction of the building is Bedford oolitic limestone, quarried near the city of Bloomington, Indiana. The handsome marble used in the interior of the structure is Vermont marble of number one quality, not a slab of number two being in use. Grenito floors, composed of cement and marble chips, are laid and in the lobbies and rotundas there is a well designed tile floor. The court room, commissioners' room, and libraries, are laid with a cork floor, to heighten the accoustic properties, and at the same time insure silence. The dome is capped with art glass, illum- inated by sixty electric lights in a surrounding trough at the base. The woodwork in the building is all of quarter-sawed oak; this includes the paneling in the courtroom. The court room is decorated with pure leaf gold, and is constructed with the aid of the most modern accoustic arrange- ments with a minimum of silence. Electric light, gas. water, and the latest vacuum cleaning apparatus are installed. Lavatories are on each floor, and washstands in every room of the building. There are forty-six rooms in the court house, exclusive of lobbies, cor- ridors, and rotunda. On the third floor are: two waiting-rooms for wit- nesses: attorney's consultation room, large court room, jury room, court stenographer's room, judge's private room, law libran--, attorneys' second consultation room, grand jury room, ladies' witness room, gentlemens' wit- ness room. Grand Army of the Republic and relic room, small court room, judges' consultation room, county superintendent's examination room, also his office; on the second floor are the officers' toilet, recorder's record room, office, and workroom, clerk's record room, office, and workroom, commission- ers' room, also a private room, auditor's two rooms, auditor's and treasurer's 80 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. room with metal grill between, treasurer's office, ladies' toilet; the basement or first floor has ladies' and gentlemen's toilet, mothers' room, ladies' rest room, surveyor's office, also workroom, sheriff's office, prisoner's cage, stale record room, county assessor's office, assembly room, and two annexes. Two beautiful mural paintings form a part of the decoration, placed on the walls adjoining the stairway at the third floor. One represents "The Spirit of Industry" and inscribed in gold letters below the painting are the words : "The center group, a sitting female figure, allegorical of the state of Indiana, her right hand resting upon the constitution and her left hand holding the great seal of the state, giving protection to the agricultural and industrial endeavors of the county, assisted and counselled by a male figure, allegorical of the finest spiritual qualities of the human mind. At the base of the center group a figure symbolic of education, a woman teacher instruct- ing a future citizen, on the left different manufactures are portrayed and on the right agriculture is represented by a great field of golden wheat, with harvesters in the distance, and in the foreground, cows and sheep, implying domestic industries of the county." The painting on the opposite wall represents "The Spirit of Progress," with the following inscription below : "The center group represents a monumental figure of Baron DeKalb, being crowned by the Goddess of "V^ictory as one of the bravest heroes of the Revolution. His horse being killed under him, he has regained his feet and although badly wounded, is setting a fine example to his soldiers in attacking the enemy again and again, until mortally wounded. To the left in the back- ground scenes from the wars with the Indians, which were unavoidable before a final peaceful settlement of the country was possible. At the right, Columbia is proclaiming Peace and Liberty to the country. In the fore- ground, starting on the trail, is one of the earliest pathfinders, and in the distance, a settler with his family, tilling the soil of the county." These paintings were executed by Arthur Thomas, an artist of New York City, and were submitted by the William F. Behreng Company, of Cincinnati, and were approved by the commissioners on May 30, 1913. The superior system of natural lighting in the DeKalb county court house is unsurpassed in the state, and is a model of twentieth century prog- ress in designing. The total cost of the structure will fall close to the sum of three hun- dred thousand dollars. A bond issue of one hundred and sixt}' thousand dollars has been made. Plans are made to beautify the extensive lawn surrounding the structure, which occupies the space of a city block, and the many shade trees are being DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. 8/ carefully preserved. Cement walks and arc lights will decorate the court yard, and at each of four entrances has been placed a sanitary drinking- fountain. The citizens' committee for the erection of the court house is composed of Rev. Augustus Young of Garrett, Sam G. Stone of Butler, and Albert W. Howalter of Helmer, THE DEKALB COUNTY ASYLUM. The DeKalb County Asylum is one of the best in the state, in equip- ment, space, methods, and as a comfortable home for the unfortunate people who are compelled to seek refuge there. The establishment of a home such as this one is charity and humanity of the highest. A man has a right to be protected by his fellows, and he has the right to demand it, but pride and dread of dependence together prevent him from doing so in almost every instance. In the case of the county asylum, the individual does not have to seek help, the county seeks him who needs it, and gives it with open hand. Such is the beneficence of this institution. The present asylum is a magnificent structure of brick and stone, con- taining in the main building sixty-four rooms for the inmates. The former asylum was a two-story frame building, and, although adequate to the im- mediate needs, was supplanted by the present building. The farm belonging to the institution contains three hundred and twenty acres, and active farm- ing is conducted thereon by the inmates who are able and qualified to work. Steam heat from a private plant is supplied to all of the buildings, and the place is wired for electricity, although at this date the current has not been sent out from Auburn. There are commodious barns, out houses, store houses, bakery, and shops connected, and a diversity of labor may be given to the inmate. Three girls and two men are employed on the farm besides the proprietor, Alva Grogg, and his wife. Good, substantial food is ob- tained, and comfortable living quarters are furnished. The building was constructed in 1908. At this date there are forty-one inmates, eleven of whom are women. The county supports the institution, although the farm itself brings in some revenue. ASSESSMENT FOR DEKALB COUNTY, I9I3. The following list shows the value of the lands, lots and improvements; the value of personal and corporation property; and total net value of tax- 88 DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. ables in the townships, and larger towns; for the year 1913, prepared from the county auditor's tax duplicates : The town of Butler: value of lands, lots and improvements, $4,565.30; value personal and corporation property, $3,788.50; total net value of tax- ables, $8,133.90. Using this same system of listing, the town of Waterloo presents the following figures: $1,702.80; $2,753.10; $4,382.70. Richland township, $5,201.20; $6,224.80; $11,063.10. The town of Corunna: $538-50; $1,173.60; $1,694.50. Fairfield township: $7,211.80; $2,617.10; $9,410.00. Smithfield township: $6,988.90; $3,278.50; $9,947.60. Ashley township: $964.50; $42470; $1,328.20. Franklin township, $7,382.30; $2,208.50; $9,193.70. Troy township: $3,053.70; $2,056.90; $4,850.30. Grant township: $3,759.70; $5,576.90; $9,161.50. Butler township, $5,005.60; $2,401.50; $7,061.30. Jackson township: $7,311.80; $5,149.30; $12,002.70. Concord township: $3,630.50; $4,178.80; $7,566.50. The town of St. Joe: $694.30; $1,366.60; $2,047.90. Spencer township: $3,- 728.80; $2,651.70; $6,218.00. Newville township: $2,949.08; $1,848.20; $4.57570. Stafford township: $3,017.40; $868.90; $3,761.10. Wilming- ton township: $7,432.40; $8,136.10; $15,140.90. Union township: $4,788.60; $2,385.80; $6,891.70. The city of Auburn: $12,452.00; $9,875.30; $21,- 240.70. Keyser township: $3,016.40; $3,192.00; $6,084.20. City of Gar- rett: $9,337.90; $4,710.50; $12,488.90. COUNTY OFFICERS. The officers of the county of DeKalb for the year of 1913 are as follows : Glen Van Auken, joint senator ; E. M. McKennan, representative ; Frank A. Powers, judge circuit court; Hubert Hartman, prosecuting attorney; John Hebel, clerk circuit court; A. W. Madden, auditor; Warren McNabb (de- ceased), Harvey O. Williams, recorder; J. J. Oberlin, treasurer; John Hoff, sheriff ; Alva L. Link, surveyor ; Lida Leasure, county school superintendent ; Alva Grogg, superintendent of county asylum; Ed. Kelham, E. A. Bordner, W. A. Dannels, commissioners; Leonard Shipe, ditch commissioner. The county council is composed of Luther Knisely, Charles Arford, Wesley D. Miller, Charles Eckhart, John S. Potts, William Mercia and Gustave D. Beeber. The trustees are: George W. Burtzner, Butler; S. H. Nugen, Jackson; Samuel Mumaw, Concord; John Whitehurst, Newville; C. W. Webster, Stafford; F. W. Nimmons, Wilmington; Frank Pyle, Union; George Shaffer, Richland; Clark Hemstreet, Fairfield; Jerry Mortorff, Smithfield; Oliver Oberlin, Franklin: Daniel Burkhart, Troy; S. H. Down- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 89 end, Keyser; J. H. Reed, Grant; William Erick, Spencer. The assessors are as follows: David Heitz, Butler; A. E. Culbertson, Jackson; John Smith, Concord ; Neff Cullers, Newville ; Henry Shaffer, Stafford ; Henry A. Wins- low, Union ; A. D. Brunson, Wilmington ; Frank Devinney, Richland ; Henry Deetz, Fairfield; Brown Albright, Smithfield; Benjamin Lowe, Franklin; Frank Gunsenhouser, Troy; D. S. Haag, Keyser; D. E. Newcomer, Grant; George W. Wade, Spencer; George Scattergood, county assessor. County attorneys are : Daniel M. Link and Edgar W. Atkinson. FINANCES OF COUNTY, I913. The last financial exhibit by the county auditor, showing receipts and disbursements to county fund is : Receipts, $282,720.65 ; disbursements, $177,979.85; balance in county fund, $104,740.80; balance in county bond fund, $22,789.37, making a total balance of $127,530.17. The statement of the county including receipts and disbursements of several funds is: receipts, $643,990.63; disbursements, $495,062.92; balance, $148,927.71. The latter figure is the balance in the county treasury. CHAPTER V MILITARY HISTORY. The county of DeKalb, like all other counties, is justly proud of the heroic part played by her sons in the great drama of the sixties. Enshrined in the hearts of the people, these men who resolutely faced the terrors of the South, risking life, home, health, and everything that was dear to them, in order that a Union might be preserved, truly desei-\'e more than a few scattering words to their memory. It is true that monuments may be erected, the deeds of the brave sung in immortal verse and ennobled in the national literature, but yet the true memorial, the sanctity of the heart will enfold, and by word of mouth from generation to generation will the courage, fortitude, and sublime self-sacrifice of the "boys in blue" be transmitted in enduring form. History has a purpose : it is to preserve, fairly and justly, the records of the past, so that a guide may be supplied to the thoughts and conceptions of future men and women who live when these white pages have grown sear and yellow with age. Simple statement of fact is far better than fulsome encomium in the narration of the big story of fifty years' ago; it is by these direct, forceful means, that history will serve its true purpose. DeKalb county people at the beginning, when the first dark mutterings of war were heard, held dififerent opinions, and so did other parts of the North. There were many who believed that war was needless, and conse- quently refused to take one side or the other. Others were frankly of the "butter-nut" tinge, but they were in the minority. The big mass of the citizens favored a suppression of the iniquitous South and her dreaded insti- tution of slavery. The twentieth century reader does not know the scope of that word "slavery," that is, the general reader. The true meaning has merciful!)- been expurgated from the pages of modern literature. We have the term "white slavery" today, and the meaning of the expression brings to us a feeling of loathing and indignation, that a country should have indi- viduals who veritably fight the growth of civilization. The slavery of the South was little better. In the main, different in character, it yet embodied deeds and motives similar to the modern slavery. Rome and the Latin countries had their slavery, and their ideas of that institution are not written DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 91 in disguised form. So, in America during the later fifties, there was a need, a pressing one, that coercive measures be taken to exterminate the "terror of the South." Notwithstanding the various causes that have been attributed to the outbreak of the Civil war, the sole cause was slavery. In reading this deduc- tion, many will disagree, for even at this late day there is incontrovertible argument on each sicje of the question. Slavery was distinctly out of tune with the times; the attitude of the Southern people was falsely artistocratic ; and the North, with saner customs, resolved itself into a unit. The stirring times that followed the Mexican territory acquisition, the fugitive slave law, the Missouri Compromise, the struggle in congress, the Lincoln-Douglas de- bates, and Lincoln's election to the presidency, cannot be detailed in a work of this scope, but a discussion is worthy as a preface to the part DeKalb county played later. A greater appreciation of Abraham Lincoln's worth is gained when we comprehend the arena into which he was forced to step in i860. The utter confusion, the threatening war clouds, and the attitude of the people, who spoke silently, "Let's see what you can do," supplied a stern test for the "backwoods lawyer." The opportunity was provided for him, and his ac- complishments are history. War might have been avoided had the North recognized the slaves upon the same basis as cattle or any other common property, or, on the other hand, had the South reverted to the sentiment of the North, and pronounced slavery an evil. It is evident, however, when the tenor of the day is con- sidered, that these two theories were impossible. The mass of people, of both sides, were eager for the actual conflict; mob spirit prevailed; but the greater minds, the leaders, entered the struggle with heavy hearts. Lincoln, Grant, Lee, Jackson, Meade and Longstreet, and other of the great minds of the conflict, were sad with the weight of unjust and useless carnage. The four years' strife, the early success of the Confederate host, the high tide at Gettysburg, and then the slow, merciless pounding of Grant's machine on the depleted Army of Northern Virginia, and the final chapter at Appomattox, cannot be more than mentioned, but this is appropriate and adequate. Lincoln's nomination. The news of Lincoln's nomination by the Republican party for the presidency of the United States was received with great rejoicing in DeKalb, and particularly in Auburn, the county seat. Processions, music and meet- 92 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. ings were the order of the day, and the people were very enthusiastic and — noisy. Samuel W. Widney and S. B. Ward were the chief orators of the day, and their stirring- sentences served to increase the loyalty and patriotism of those assembled. THE FIRST CALL. When Abraham Lincoln first sent forth his call for seventy-five thousand men, many volunteers from DeKalb county offered their ser\nces. How- ever, they were not organized into companies, but those who were accepted for the service were assigned to other commands, and many were thus credited to other counties of the state. The number of men at this period was sufficient for two full companies. The first company to receive a large number of DeKalb men was G, of the Nineteenth Indiana Volunteer In- fantry. People in various parts of the county held celebrations in honor of the men who were leaving to join this company and others. At Waterloo, on July TO, 1861, a very sad incident occurred, which dimmed the ardor of the people. THE WATERLOO TRAGEDY. A cannon belonging to the citizens of Waterloo was being fired in honor of the volunteers belonging to Captain Clark's company who were leaving on the express train at 3:55. Two rounds had been fired, and the third and fatal one was reserved until the departure of the troop train. The gun had been heavily charged, and was wadded with green leather shavings from the tannery, to within a few inches of the muzzle, and as the train pulled out, the gun was discharged. The result was a terrific explosion, bursting the gtin to atoms and scattering the fragments of iron in all directions, over houses and tree tops, carrying some pieces a distance of eighty rods. J. H. Shoemaker, who had assisted in loading the gun and who applied the match, was struck by a piece of iron, and a frightful gash cut in his side, near the lower ribs, and completely severing the spinal column. He died instantly. About to fire the piece, he was heard to remark that "those boys over there," pointing to the crowd at the depot, "said they would not touch it off for five hundred dollars" ; another instant and he was dead. Singularly, not another person in the crowd was injured, although the narrow escapes were many. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 93 DEKALB COUNTY GUARDS. The first company to be raised in this county entirely, and officered by DeKalb men, was Captain Hawley's, which company entered the Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Some of the best citizens of the county joined this regiment. After the organization, the ladies of Auburn met together and evolved plans for showing their admiration of the men, and decided upon a banner. Accordingly, one was made of silk, and presented it to the company. The men were overjoyed by the tribute, and wrote a letter to the editor of the New Era, to be published. The letter was as follows : "Camp Allen, Fort Wayne, Ind., Sept. 9, 1861. "Editor- Era — At a meeting of the DeKalb County Guards, while on duty in company drill, in Camp Allen, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted: "Whereas, The citizens of DeKalb County have, by their energetic efforts, been instrumental in effecting the organization of the DeKalb County Guards, and in contributing to their aid and comfort, in both physical and social wants, therefore be it resolved, "i. That we tender to the citizens of said county, one and all, who have so contributed to our wants, our heartfelt thanks, as a testimonial on our part for their kind aid and sympathy. "2. That words fail to give expression to the feelings we experienced on receiving the warm and kind pressure of the hand, in seeing the eyes of our friends dimmed with the tear of regret, and in hearing the fervent 'God bless you,' at our departure from our homes, to join in sustaining the Govern- ment from foes without and traitors within. "3. That the ladies of Auburn are particularly entitled to our thanks for the bountiful collation prepared by them for us on the day of our de- parture from that place; and we also owe our grateful thanks to those who accompanied to this camp. "4. That as it would be impossible to specify all the acts of indi- vidual kindness which have helped to contribute to our relief, we will only say, with true feeling, that they are all duly appreciated, and will never be forgotten. "5. That the flag we have received will not be disgraced by any act of ours, but that in its defense we will imperil our lives, and never bring re- proach upon the name of DeKalb. "6. That the foregoing preamble and resolutions be signed by the com- 94 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. missioned officers of our company, a copy be forwarded to the Era at Auburn and the Press at Waterloo, for publication. "Capt. Cyrus Hawley, "First Lieut. W. W. Griswold, "Second Lieut. J- C. Smith." NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS OF 1 86 1. The general preparedness of the country is evidenced by the following editorial from the Waterloo Press of September 20, 1861 : "Two special trains, laden with cannon, powder, balls, shells, etc., have passed here this week. The cannon were of large size, and destined for fortifying the Mississippi Valley. The following is the 'bill of goods': Ten 64-pounders; twenty 32-pounders; 2,467 32-pound balls; 147 64-pound balls; and sixty- four 96-pound balls; and aggregate of 91,840 pounds of shot, shell and ball." The Waterloo Press, one of the loyal Union papers in the county, in the issue of October 4, 1861, publishes the following: "The instrinsic value of virtue is measured by the effort made to acquire and maintain it. Probably there is no county in the north half of the state where so much opposition of various characters has been met as in this goodly county of ours. From the first many manly and brave hearts have been ready to respond to the call to defend our government. Our citizens have gone forth in twos, fives, tens, twenties and forties to fill up vacant places in other counties and states ; then came one full company. Captain Hawley's, and it is so written on the pages of histoiy and tablets of many observers. "Now two more companies are being formed, already in camp. Captain Merrill's and Captain Park's. The latter is too favorably known in this county to add to his character by further notice here; it commends itself; but the former is not so well known. But he has recommendations from those who are acquainted and qualified to judge, which command a favorable con- sideration. He has been a military man for a number of years, and was once elected captain of Company A, Toledo Guards, which post he resigned when he came among us. "Patriots, will vou at once heed the call, and within four days fill up these companies? You may still be further called upon to place more men in the field. Tlie prompt response to the calls already made upon you is a sure gfiiarantee tliat your patriotism is equal to the demand. These com- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 95 panics cannot fail of being filled by the brave boys of Delvalb. Do I over- estimate your patriotism? Time will tell. "Newville is thus the banner tov^^nship. The voters of that town num- ber one hundred and seventy, arid forty of them are volunteers in the govern- ment service. What township speaks for the banner next? "Everything for the cause." The New Era of March, 1861, just before the breaking out of hostilities, prints the following, which shows plainly the position of the peace advocates : "Coercion stands boldly out in the inaugural, and coercion carried into effect will no doubt lead to war. The Southern Confederacy has thirty thousand troops encamped in the field ready to resist coercion. Virginia and Kentucky declare that if the President sends an army South to take the forts, and compel submission to the laws, that they will join the seceded states and resist such coercion; and the remainder of the border slave states would in all probability do the same, and tiien we will have war, but Mr. Lincoln would not be to blame; he is bound by his official oath to sustain the Consti- tution and execute the laws, and we would not give a straw for a President who does not regard the sacred obligations of his oath, and who will not do his duty. If we get into trouble, simply by the chief magistrate discharging his duty, the fault will not attach to him, but to those Republican and seces- sion members of Congress who, in defiance of the will of the people, refuse to vote for compromises that would have given peace to the country." This same paper, in August, 1861, said: "What we most wish is the present and future sacred observance of the Constitution. We are strong enough to maintain the Union and the Consti- tution, too. What is past cannot be remedied, and we need not stop at pres- ent to discuss. We are in the midst of war — a war begun by reckless rebels at Charleston. The President had lawful power to call out troops to serve until thirty days after the meeting of Congress. He did so, and we urged the enlistment of troops. The capital was in danger, and its capture by the Confederates would ha\e curtailed on us everlasting di.sgrace and incalculable evils. "Since then other acts have been done 1>y the Executive, which we could not approve. But let them pass, and let us look at matters as they now stand. Congress has authorized the raising of troops, and the capital is probably at this moment in greater danger than ever before. What is to be done? Why, troops must be raised at once for its defense and for the preservation of the Union. We hold it to be the duty of every loyal citizen to do all in his power to aid the s])cecly enlistment of troops, and accordingly we have 90 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. exerted all our influence to this end, although bitterly denounced therefor by some misguided friend. But at the same time that we would do all in our power to increase our power to meet the present exigency — and while we invoke all patriotic young men who can possibly leave home to enlist at once in some of the regiments now recruiting, and to rush to the rescue of our country's flag, we also would extend the olive branch with one hand, while keeping the sword firmly grasped in the other." Thus, the newspaper seemed to have an indefinite opinion of affairs in general. From the tone of their editorials printed above, one is lead to believe that they were against war, but afraid to say so. When the struggle was on in full force it thus spoke : "Our nation is now passing its fiery ordeal. It will come from the con- test a power among the nations, or it will sink to a disunited conglommera- tion of petty states. Nothing so vital to every citizen can be conceived as the decision of the question. Have we a government? Shall we maintain it despite domestic dissension and foreign intervention? To fail would be to sink millions of property as well as to co\er the face of each patriot with chagrin, and to ruin the hope of a government like ours ever becoming permanent. "But we know no such word as fail. Sooner than this, the loyal states would see twice five hundred thousand more brave men spring to the aid of the gallant army who are now winning laurels upon the field, and who are fast regaining our soil from the grasp of the traitors." In August, 1862, came the following in the same paper: "It is truly gratifying to know that this county can show so proud a record — prouder than any other county of its size and population in the state — in the cause of the government. Her page in the history of this revo- lution will shine bright among the brighest, her name live forever. When the present companies forming under the late calls go into camp, which they will have done before this item reaches our readers, DeKalb county will have sent out six full companies, and enough men have gone out of the county and enlisted to number at least two more, making in all eight companies, or eight hundred and eight men. The fact is, the people of little DeKalb are a union, a loyal people. They desire to see the rebellion put down, the Constitution preserved and the glorious old Union restored. For this purpose they are sacrificing their lives and their means, and for this o])ject they will toil, if necessary, to the bitter end." DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 97 MASS MEETINGS. For the first few years of the war, enthusiasm did not abate in DeKalb county, and frequent meetings were held, resulting in added enlistments and more interest in the success of the Union. Even in the fateful year of 1863, when the gray host seemed to have the upper hand and the cause of the Union lost, the people of the county maintained their hearty spirit, and the meetings increased in number, every village and town in the county pro- claiming their loyalty, holding assemblies in school houses, churches and resi- dences, anywhere that the people might congregate and conduct a celebra- tion. On February 20, 1863, at the Methodist church in .Vuburn, a meeting was held. The meeting was called to order by Rev. S. W. Widney, and Capt. L. J. Blair, of the Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was chosen president ; Capt. F. F. Smith, of the United States Navy, was selected as secretary, and the following were named as vice-presidents : Capt. Cyrus Hawley, Corp. J. McMillen, and Lieut. James McKay, of the Thirtieth Indi- ana : Solomon Belong, R. Lockwood, L. Hoodlemire, I. Ditmars, J. Hofifman, and J. Link of the Forty-fourth Indiana; C. Carr, of the Forty-eighth Indi- ana; A. McClellan, of the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry; and William Fisher, of the Seventeenth Michigan. Dr. J. N. Chamberlain, Rev. Widney, and John McCune were appointed as a committee on resolu- tions, and while they were forming a report, W. S. Smith, of Fort Wayne, addressed the audience in stirring words. The committee brought in a series of resolutions commending the action of the government in using every available means of suppressing the seceding states, and expressed them- selves as willing to make every sacrifice to maintain the armies in the field, praising the boys of the state of Indiana, mourning the ones whose lives had been sacrificed on the field of battle, and thanking those at home who gave up their loved ones for the cause. These resolutions were published in the Chicago Tribune, Indiana State Journal, and the Waterloo Press. They were also adopted verbatim by subsequent meetings in the county. Demo- crats joined with Republicans in supporting the party of the North, and there was but one party, the Union. The citizens of Concord township held a meeting at Spencerville, to take into consideration the state of the country and to express their opinions. George Barney was in the chair, and John F. Coburn was chosen secretary. (7) 98 DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. John P. Widney, Newton Thomas and Newton Arkew were named as a committee to draw up a set of resolutions, which they did, while Robert Johnson addressed the crowd. The resolutions drawn up, favored each state and neighborhood as well should define their exact position, that the Union should be maintained at any cost, that if necessary every citizen would offer his life in battle, and repudiating the right of seccession. After the pro- ceedings, a roll of minute-men was presented, and the people called upon to enlist in their country's cause. ENLISTMENTS. At Auburn. Marquis L. Rhodes, using his little red brick store on the southeast corner of ■Main and Ninth streets, opened a recruiting office. He succeeded in raising a full company and was chosen captain himself. They were mustered in as Company A, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, and on September 10, 1862, left Fort Waj^ne for Memphis, Tennessee. With this regiment went Rev. Charles A. Munn, as chaplain, and David J. S warts as assistant surgeon. The former resigned on August 10, 1863, and the latter served until his command was mustered from the service. During its service, Company A had five captains, namely : Captain Rhodes. Ezra D. Hartman, Lucius Barney, John H. Moore, and Eli J. Sherlock. Moore died of wounds received in the Atlanta, campaign. DRAFTING. Not until the last two vears of the war was the draft resorted to in this county. Enlistments had fallen short of the quotas demanded at that time, and the draft was necessary, but taken in good spirit by the people, despite the hardship wrought in many families. The following quotation from the Nezv Era of August. 1863, portrays one of the drafting scenes, and shows the humorous side : "Late Tuesday was the day appointed by the militia enrolling com- missioner for this county 'to hear and determine the excuses of persons claim- ing to be exempt from military duty.' The morning opened out brightly, and at an early hour in the day the debilitated came pouring into town in wagons, on horse-back, and by every conceivable mode of conveyance, until the streets were literally packed with the lame, the halt and the blind. To the eye of the stranger, it would seem that the government had located a militarv hospital at this point, and that the battle-scarred veterans of the DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 99 present crisis had come here to receive the care and attention due the brave soldier of the bloody field. The sight was painful to behold, and the most hardened wretch could not do otherwise than blow his nose and weep. We passed more than one philanthropic 'cuss' on the street that day, with eyes swollen from excessive weeping, and out from beneath whose coat there plainly protuded the neck of a bottle. It would not have taken long to have recruited men enough for the Crutch Brigade out of the crowd, and officered the same b_\- Old Age and General Debility. The 'menagerie' will be con- tinued on next Monday." Wilmington, Stafford and New\ille townships were never brought under the draft, as they always furnished their full quotas when demanded. Troy township had eight men drafted; Franklin, twenty-two; Richland, forty-one; Union, two; Jackson, twelve; Butler, eight; Concord, one; Smithfield, hventy-five; and Fairfield, thirty, making a total for DeKalb county, of one hundred and forty-nine. BIG CELEBRATION. In June of the year 1865, most of the veterans of the regiments and batteries, who were from DeKalb comity, returned home, and a big celebra- tion was held in the town of Auburn. Feasting, a monster parade, and speech-making occupied the day. This was a gala day for people and soldiers alike, and precluded the joyful and successful reunions held after- ward in the county. OFFICI.AL REPORT. On October 6, 1862 the number of volunteers credited to DeKalb county was seven hundred and fifty-eight. Under the call of October 17, 1863, the quota of the county was one hundred and fifty-five, which was filled by re- cruiting. Under the calls of 1864, there were sixty veterans and six hun- dred new recruits credited to the county, and fifty-four men were drafted, making a total of seven hundred and fourteen, a greater number of whom were three years' men. The last call of December 19, 1864 supplied sixty- three enlistments and one hundred and seventy-two conscripts, or two hun- dred and thirty-five men, for periods of one and two years. A summary of the preceding, making no allowance for reenlistments, credits this county with a total of eighteen hundred and sixty-two men. DEKALB COUNTV, INDIANA. BOUNTY AND RELIEF. The county of DeKalb not only sent her sons to the field in the war for the Union, but those who remained at home did not forget their share in the struggle. Necessities and little luxuries were sent to the men of the army, in order that the hardships might be mitigated slightly. Women met in clubs and formed plans for procuring foods, hospital supplies, clothing, shoes, and every article necessary. Many a housewife's needle was busy during the four years, that a son or husband might be eased and comforted. Meetings were held in public, fairs and festivals were held, entertainments, and private donations, all the profits going into a common fund for the relief of the soldiers. The families at home who were dependent upon some brave fellow in the field were also supplied with necessities, and not a one was allowed to sufYer during those trying times. The total amount subscribed for bounty in DeKalb was $139,250; the amount for relief was $24,481.63: making a total of $163,731.63. NINTH INDIANA \'OLUNTEEK INFANTRY. Company A and Company E of this regiment were represented in DeKalb county by James Brownlee and David Culver in the fomier company and John W. Butcher, David H. Renner and Orin Stansbro. These men served until the later years of the war, with the exception of Brownlee, who died; and Culver, who deserted. ELEVENTH INDIANA VOLUNTEER INF.ANTRY. Three men from DeKalb, John B. Knight, Elijah Rhodes, and Hiram Zimmerman, were in Company E of this regiment. Robert Lock was a member of Company A of the Twelfth Indiana Infantry. THIRTEENTH IND'IANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Company A of this regiment had the following men from DeKalb: Benjamin Alton, Alvin D. Beggs, Frederick D. Carr, Edward Casebeer, Daniel M. Faunce, Benjamin Hamilton, Harvey D. Hathaway, Benjamin Hoyt, George H. Huffman, Nathan Johnson, Thomas Johnson, died May 27, 1865, from wounds received at Fort Fisher; Isaac N. Snively, and James Stafford. Company B had Henry Hull, William Noles. Isaiah Overhalzer, DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. lOI Daniel Reisner, Gilbert Rodensbaugh, Israel Shearer and James L. Stewart. Company C had Oscar Smith. Charles Tousley and Nathan Wyatt. Com- pany D liad Frederick Horney: George C. Ferguson was killed by an ex- plosion at Fort Fisher. Others in this regiment were Luther St. Clair, Frederick Craw. George Inghuni. This regiment saw much hard service in the war, and the ranks were thinned many times by Confederate bullets. The regiment campaigned mostly in the South. NINETEENTH INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. The following men served in Compan\- G of this regiment: Charles K. Baxter; Johnston D. Curd, Elias Fisk. \\'arren Fisk, .\lvin Serry, Michael Shirts and Moses Smith. Baxter A\as mustered in as first sergeant, commis- sioned second lieutenant, and afterward lieutenant. The last five men named were afterward transferred to the Twentieth Indiana. TWENTIETH INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Ithamar Hague, William L. Balsch. John A. Burn was captured at the Wilderness, Benjamin Turner, and tho.se mentioned as being transferred from the Nineteenth. This regiment took part in all of the engagements on the left of the Army of the Potomac, from Hatcher's Run to the fall of Richmond, and took part in all the battles up to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. Its last engagement with the enemy was at Clover Hill on April 9, 1865. TWENTY-FIRST INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Company .\ had ui)on its roll the following men from DeKalb county : David Smith, Caspar Altenburg, Isaiah Baughman, Lewis Brown, James K. Culbertson, James Draggoo, Owen Dixon, George Hay, John Jones, John W. Jones, Osborn Knight, John C. Reed and Burton Smith. Company M had Daniel \V. and Isaac L. Altenburg. John T. Rush was unassigned. This regiment was with Buell in the South, took pari in tlie siege of Corinth, and otherwise campaigned in the southern territor}-. TWENTY-NINTH INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Company A of the Twenty-ninth enrolled Robert H. Garrett. Stephen E. Healy, Frederick High. James McXalib, X'oah Martorff. Lewis Y. New- I02 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. house, Henry Snook, William C. Sweeney. David Smith belonged to Com- pany H. Nathan Watson and Jeremiah Walker joined Company I. Ed. A. Stone was a member of Company K. The Twenty-ninth was organized at Laporte, Indiana, for the three years' service. As a member of General Rousseau's brigade the regiment was assigned McCook's division, in Buell's army, and marched to the Ten- nessee river. At Shiloh the regiment suffered heavily. The men were in the siege of Corinth, pursued Bragg through Kentucky into Tennessee, partici- pated in the battle of Stone's River, Tullahoma. At Chickamauga the regi- nient was a part of the Second brigade, under Col. Joseph B. Dodge. At Chickamauga the regiment took an active part and bore her share of the tremendous losses. After tliis battle the regiment was sent to Alaljama, where it remained until 1864, when it veteranized and returned to Indiana on furlough. After the return to service, Decatur, Alabama, was the first battle, next Dalton, Georgia, and on Decemlier 2. 1865, was mustered from the service at Marietta, Georgia. THIRTIETH INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Company H of this regiment was composed almost wholly of DeKalb county men, and was captained by Cyrus Hawley. W. W. Griswold was commissioned first lieutenant, then captain, transferred to Company C, Resi- duary Battalion, commissioned major on December 3, 1864. colonel One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry on March 9, 1865. Joshua Eberly was mustered in as first sergeant and reached the rank of first lieutenant, and was killed at Chickamauga. Leander F. W'elden was mustered in as sergeant and reached the rank of major. Job C. Smith, Joseph ^TcKav, Jeremiah D. Likens were second lieutenants during the service. Perrv Hodges was sergeant and discharged for disability. Cyrus C. Hodges, William H. Phelps, Lorenzo D. Conner, Philip Noel, William Miller, Henry M. Stoner, John C. \Miysong, Martin V. Snyder were cor- porals. Other members of the company follow : William Feagler was cap- tured at Chickamauga: James F. Johnson, Joseph S. Murry, David S. Ar- thur, Caspar Altenburg, Isaiah Baughman, Peter Barnhart died from wounds at Stone River, William H. H. Beard, Adna Brown, Florence Buch- anan, Henry Bolinger, George Baltsley, Israel Church, George Cole, Alvin Collar, Zephania B. Culbertson, William Connaway, William Crusan, Abel Crusan, William H. Cox, Mathew Crooks. Ebenezer Delong, Charles De- long, Lester Dilno. Colvert J. Drury, John N. Eberly. Robert Feagler, Leslie DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. lOJ Fisher, Lewis Fisher. John Furney, Samuel Ford, William C. Ford, Nathan Frederick-son. William Freeman, William Franks, William Fike, Jesse Gin- gerick. Samuel George, George W. Hamilton, Marquis L. Hoose, John High, Henry Healey, Peleg Hull, Amos Htill, Isaac Hornberger, James S. Hughey, David Highes, Benton Hoover, Robert H. Johnson, David Knowderer, Philip Kennedy, St. George Lightner, John Lawrence, Asbury J. Long, Joseph Lockmire, John P. McMillen, Perry Mullen, John Marcum, James C. Myers. Dexter Munger, Reason McCush, Samuel L. Musser, Nathaniel Osburn, Henry J. Park, Hezekiah Plummer, John A. Provines, David Rigby. Eli Rigby, Riley Rickles, Albert Reed, Levi Rutan, Benjamin F. Sponhower, Alfred G. Showers, Nathan M. Showers, Ephraini Shull, Ephraim Shaff- stall, Alexander Skinner, James Skinner, Samuel Ulem, John W. Watson, Jesse ^^'allace, John C. Weeks, Henry Wagner, James Weir and Jonas Zim- merman, Joseph Teegarden, Jacob Kyle, Abraham Weaver, Charles Roberts, Robert H. Johnston were members of Companies D, E, F and G. Charles W. Campbell was a member of Company D, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The Thirtieth Indiana \'olunteer Infantry was organized at Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the three years' service. With McCook's division in Buell's army, the regiment fought bravely at Shiloh, where it lost its colonel. Bass; siege of Corinth, the pursuit of Bragg into Tennessee, was with Rosecran's army in the movement from Nashville to Murfreesboro. battle of Tullahoma, and as a part of the Second brigade, participated in the sanguinary conflict at Chickamauga. In the battle of Chickamauga this regiment came on to the field about noon of September 19, 1863, and went into action first at the Brock field east of the Brotherton house, and was engaged all afternoon in assisting in driving the enemy the distance of about a mile east of where they first went into action, and was there on the afternoon and again in the night fight with Dodge's brigade, on the Alexander and Reed's Bridge road imme- diately south of the Winfrey field line. After the battle of Chickamauga and the return of the army to Chattanooga, the regiment remainecl at dif- ferent stations in Tennessee, and a portion of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans at Blue Springs, that state, in January, 1864. The non-veterans remained at Blue Springs until April, 1864, the veterans having returned to the field, the entire regiment rejoining the Army of the Cumberland under command of ISIajor-General George H. Thomas, and took part in the fol- lowing battles: Catoosa Springs, Tunnel Hill. Buzzard Roost, Oostenaula River, Kingston, Pumpkin Vine Creek, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Moun- tain. Marietta. Peach Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Lovejoy's I04 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Station. After the fall of Atlanta the non-veterans were sent home to In- diana and mustered out, while the veterans and recruits were attached to the Fourth Army Corps and engaged in the battles of Columbia, Spring Hill and Franklin. The regiment fought Hood at Nashville, joined in the pursuit of him, and after the surrender at .\ppomattox was a patt of the armv of occu- pation which was sent to Texas. THIRTY-FIFTH INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. James Abel, Uriah Blue, John Bloomfield, Isaac Farver. Israel Horn, Henry M. Horner, Joseph Koch, Richard Kester, Daniel S. Kimes, Henry J. Kline, John Leighty, William Monroe, David A. Miller, Judson S. Miller, Byron Woodcock, and Jacob Yarnell were members of Company C of this regiment. This regiment campaigned through the South about the same as the Thirtieth. The regiment was in the battle of Chickamauga, and sustained unusually heavy losses. At Kenesaw Mountain later, the regiment again imderwent a baptism of fire, and a hand-to-hand conflict \\ith the enemy. Many others gave up their lives here, including Major John P. DuiTicy. THIRTY-EIGHTH INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. In Company D of this regiment were the following men from DeKalb county: George H. Burns, Jacob Brown, John Bruner, William Bryan, James C. Carrell, James C. Delong. Alex. Fountain, Noah Miller and Alex- ander Shanks. In Company E were Robert Cochran, George Delano, Daniel F. Hammond, Joseph Hose. Solomon Hose, Elijah Imhoff, Thomas J. Jones, Adolphus G. Jones, Stephen Larkens, Joseph Pennick. Frank B. Sandy, Henry J. Sandy, Silas W. Sinclair. In Company F were Henrj' Crooks, Alonzo Concklin, Erastus Finney. Henry Milleman, Francis M. Stout. John Freeman, John W. Wood. The Thirty-eighth was mustered into the three >-ears' service at New Albany, Indiana, on September iS, 1861. with Benjamin F. Scribner, of New All-)any, as colonel. The regiment was assigned with Buell's division, and campaigned through Kentucky and Tennessee in pursuit of Bragg and his Confederates. In the battle of Perryville the regiment took a conspicu- ous part, and lost twenty-se\-en men, besides those wounded and made prison- ers. The regiment was \vith Rosecrans in the Murfreesboro campaign and participated in the engagement at Stone's River, losing one hundred men in DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. IO5 killed and wounded. The regiment was at Hoover's Gap and also at Chicka- mauga, where it took part in the engagement at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. In December, 1863, many of the men veteranized, and returned to Indiana on veteran furloughs. At the opening of the Atlanta campaign, May 7, 1864, this regiment marched with Sherman's army, and was engaged in all of the skirmishes and battles of the campaign, namelv : Buzzard Roost, Snake Creek Gap, New Hope Church or Pickett's Mills, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Charrahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station, and entered Atlanta with Sherman's troops. The regiment was mustered out in Tulv. 1865. FORTY-FOURTH INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. In Company P> of this regiment were the following from this county: William Gobal, Ralph Goodrich, Isaac Harrison, Peter Huffman, Clinton Scobey, John H. Barnes, James W. Briggs, Joshua Ballinger, Samuel Cum- mins, Joseph H. Corder, Francis M. Cox, Isaac R. Gary, Isaac C. Havens, John L. Walters. In Company D were Joshua Lounsberry, Francis Bartlett, Frederick Bruner, Henry I. Collier, Jacob H. McClellan. David McCord, Norman Luce and Henry Luce. In Company F were Captain George W. Merrill. Captain Thomas C. Kinmont, Captain John Gunsenhouser. Captain Irvin N. Thomas, Captain George H. Casper, Lieutenant James Colgrove, Lieutenant .Alexander Kinmont, Lieutenant James AI. Thomas, Captain Solo- mon Delong, Lieutenant .Vlfred Rose, James H. Obeli, Wilson Nichols, Nathan P. Fuller were sergeants ; James G. Dirrim, Willis Andrews, Francis S. Chandler, Andrew J. Stole, Marshall Hadsell, James M. Williman were corporals ; Simeon .\ldrick and Trusterman B. Tottcn were musicians : Nathan Mathews was wagoner: Henry J. Aliell, David .Andrews, Hollis B. Aikens, Michael Brubaker, Otis Blood, Lewis Baird, Wilson S. Barden, Isaac Brubaker, William Collier, Joseph Craig, Edward R. Coburn, Daniel W. Cole, Calvin Caseber, John G. Casebeer, Oscar 1. CraiiL Peter Country- man, Ludwig Countryman, George H. Casper, William Cochran, ^^'illiam Diehil, Ezra Dickinson. Richard Dirrim, Isaac Ditmar, Charles O. Danks, James Flora, William Friend, Daniel Greenwalt, Hiram Gaff, Frederick Ginter, Henrv Gunsenhouser, Chester D. Greemyer, Alexander Hart, John H. Hart, David N. Hart, Jacob Hoffman, Allen S. Headley, John Hunbarger. Samuel Jacques, Leonard Kirby. Jacob Myers, Heniy Milliman, Warren Milliman, Henry L. Monroe, Robert Matthews, Harvey Nichols, .Alexander L. Nichols, Orlando Oherlin. George W. Palmer, Henry C. Pryor, Bennett lOD ni:K.\I.B COUNTY, INDIANA. S. Robe, James Revett. George E. Revett, Samuel R. Rickell. ^^'illiam M. Smith, Robert S. Schamp, Thomas O. Sloan, John M. Scott, Nathan Stock- well. Lewis R. Tiffany, Albert P. Totten, Henry L. Wallace. John H. Wel> ster. Hiram B. ^^'illiams, George W. \\'allace. George W. Weeks, David N. Yarrell, Samuel Anderson, INIumford Ashley, James S. Ashley, John Brown, James Brubaker, Usury Bowlan, John C. Baum, Henry A. Bailey, Hiram Bright, Abraham T. Banta, Andrew J. Banta. George W'. Brown, Seth C. Burris, James Carnahan. AA'illiam J. Carr, Amos Camfeld, Nelson Cobell, \\'illiam H. Carr, ^^'illiam A. Deihl, Robert W. Ewbanks, Rawlin E. Ford, ^^'illiam Fisher, John ^^^ Forbes. Samuel Goodman, David and Alonzo E. Goff, George W. Groves, George W. Goff, William R. Goff, Benjamin Gilley, Robert Gilley, John W. Goldsmith, John W. Gibson, William F. Green, Michael Gibbons, Wilson Hyatt, Asoph Harwood, John Harris, Ros- well Hunter, Thomas Hendrickson, Anthony Hamm, Alexander C. Huffman. George G. Hopkins, Jacob Hicks. James \\'. Hyatt. Jerritt W. Hall, William A. Hood. John Hall. William H. H. Joy. Julius Johann. David Jacques, Charles Kooster, \\'illiam B. Knowles. Wesley W. Lowry, John Livingstone. Covert Lucas. Joseph E. Lough, Basil Lamb, Stephen McCurdy, Resin ^Maples, William W. McClintock, A\'illiam Moixis, George Mayers, Ezekiel Marquis, \\"illiam E. McFarlan, John Xoatestine, Samuel Oberlin, Adam Oberlin, Thomas Overton. \\'i]liam H. Potts. David G. Robinson, Franklin J. Ritsell, Isaac Rumble. Henry S. Reid. William P. Robb. Jacob Sleutz, Henr\- Sleutz Frederick Shock. George T. Shick, John H. Smith, Taylor Stewart, Charles Stanke, Alexander Sloan. John C. Smith. John L. Smith. John Smith, William C. Spaulding, George P. Sharp, \\'illiam F. Stewart, Lorenzo Syphert. William H. Stoy, Simon H. Stewart. George W. Stallings, \\'illiam Straine, John Shroder. Jason H. Thruston. William H. Thomas, Isom Tull. George W. Townsend. Leander ^"ale. Sidney N. Welch. Henry C. \\"hite. David Weather ford. Thomas \\'akeman, Caswell York. In Com- pany K were Captain \\'esley Park, Captain John H. Wilson, Captain Moses B. A\'illis, Lieutenant Nicholas Ensley, Corporals Hiram Smith, W. H. H. Cornell, Cabb Clark. Musicians John M. Kimsey and William T. Kimsey, Privates Benjamin F. Cornell. John M. Chilcoat. James M. Chilcoat. Jacob Casebeer, Samuel Ensley, John J. Frampton. ^^"illiam Greenamyer, Jerad F. Housel. Robert Hall. John H. C. Hoffman. Leonard Hudlemyer. Reuben Lockwood. Charles Lockwood. Elijah Lock. Jacob Link. \\'illiam :Middleton. Samuel E. Mease. George W. McDorman, Philip Parnell. James E. Pearse. Lemuel Rickey. Daniel W. Squier. David Smith. John L. Shatto, Colfenous DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. IO7 Surface, Joseph Thompson, George F. Wilson, O. A. Whipple, Isaac M. Wood, James G. Wiseman, Franklin W. Willis, Levi Wallack, James Ar- nold, Fearless Arnold, Samuel E. Anderson, James C. Benson, Shurban Bullard, Henry I. Barekman, William H. Boran, John Barnes, John Chilcoat, Daniel G. Cook, Joseph Connell, Archibald Curn,-. John ^^'. Chance, Francis M. Chamberlin, William H. Clark, Jeremiah Cullison, William Cannon, William Qark, Fielding Catt, John Diersch, Andrew F. Dull, Isaac Dun- widdie, John D. Elliott, John Englebright. Andrew Ernst. Isaac Ebert, James A. Fair, David Frazer, James Foster, Richard Foster, Hiram L. Fanning, Levi Guthrie, Alexander D. Green. James Glass, Simon Gerard, Martin L. Holcomb, James H. Harkrader. John Hay, \\'illiam A. Harris, Irwin C. Harroll. Leonard Hoodlemeyer, Albert Hensler. Charles Hickson, Victor D. Hodshire, Abraham W. Hooker, Henrys J. Imboden. James Jones, William M. Jordan, Milton Jackson, William H. Javins. Jediah Killum. George W. H. Keith, William H. Kynett, August Koehler. L}Tnan Lockwood. ^^'illiam Lynch, David C. Lorch, Jerome ilorse. John A. J. Michael. James Montgom- ery, Joab Moflfatt. Silas Morehouse. William H. Malott. Samuel Moore, Thomas J. Moore, Joseph Muckenstrom, Jacob Xewman. George F. O'Byrne, Albert Pepple. DeForrest Parker, Isaac F. Purcell. William A. Ross. Reuben E. Re}Tiolds. Matt. Rustan, Francis M. Rust. John M. Ryan, Zachariah Rosell, Emmanuel Rex, Joel Smith, Benjamin Sodder. Ambrose Smith, Isaiah Smith. Christopher C. Simon, Isaac Snyder, John L. Stacy, George Segur. William F. Smart, Adam Stutsman, David R. Thompson. Samuel Thomas, Dillard White, Robert White, Charles Westfall. Andrew Welton, John Witman, Martin Whittig. David Williams, James E. Washington. Isaac Washington, Rufus Webb, Moses B. \\'illis. The Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry was organized at Fort Wayne and was mustered in on October 24. 1861, with Hugh B. Reed as colonel. In December it was sent to Henderson, Kentucky, and reported to Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden, and by him assigned to Cruft's brigade. The regiment participated in the siege of Fort Donelson. where it suffered heavy loss. It was engaged both days at Shiloh, losing thirty-three killed and one hundred and seventy-seven wounded. The Confederate general. Albert Sid- ney Johnson, was killed in front of this regiment at Shiloh. The regiment next marched to Corinth, participated in Buell's pursuit of Bragg, engaging in the conflict at Perr>ville. Returning with the army through Kentuck->-. it again marched into Tennessee and was in the battle of Silver Spring. When the Armv of the Cumberland entered upon the Murfreesboro campaign, un- I08 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. der Rosecrans, this regiment participated in the battle of Stone's River, losing heavily. This was on December 31, 1862, and January i, 2 and 3, 1863. The regiment was actively engaged in the battle at Chickamauga. On the afternoon of the first day in this battle, the regiment supported Wilder's brigade ; on the second day, after having assisted in meeting one of the sever- est charges of Stewart's divisions, the regiment retired and held off the enemy until four o'clock, when a flanking movement compelled their further retirement. On the third and last day the regiment fought in line with its division until the break in the center of the Union lines, when it repaired to Thomas' line and fought against Harker's brigade until ordered from the field at five o'clock. Later it engaged at Missionary Ridge. In October, 1863, the regiment was assigned to provost duty, re-enlisting as veterans. On September 14, 1865, the regiment was mustered out. During the war the regiment lost by death, wounds and disease, four hundred and eight men. EIGHTY-EIGHTH IXr)I.\X.\ \"OLl'NTEER INF.\NTRY. With the Eighty-eighth were \\'illiam D. ATyers as surgeon and Henry W. Willard, hospital steward. Captains Jensen P. Beers, James H. Steele and Elam B. Cutter, Lieutenants Samuel L. Stough, Walter E. Boley, Royal H. Edgerly andWilliam A. Fisher. Sergeants George Sharp, David Woods, Jo- siah C. Smith, Corporals Calvin W. McQueen, George Jones, Matthew E. Rathbum, George W. Sanders, Josiah Baughman, Musicians George W. Edinger and Franklin N. Beidler, Wagoner Thomas H. Rogers. Recruits as follows: Charles Bowman, Ira S. Bailey, Lewis Brown, Thomas Brown, George W. Baughman, John Bromley, George E. Blaker, Harvey D. Bigelow, John Bruner, Emanuel Beck, John L. Cotrill, Ezra Grain, John V. Collins, Charles H. Chittenden, Abram L. Canon, George Daniels, Archibald Dan- iels, William Duck, Kinsey Daniels, Samuel Day, George W. Everett, John Ferriman, Henry Frick, Lawrence Fetters, John H. Franks, \\''illiam H. Gonser, George Gundrum, David Goodrich, William Hornberger, Franklin B. Hendricks, Jacob Humbarger, Jesse Hively, Daniel F. Hamon, Simeon F. Hammon, John P. Hale, Allen Johnson Levi Ingle, Daniel B. Keller, Alonzo A. Kester, William Krontz, John P. Kester, George J. Link, Amos Lower, Isaiah Lykins, Daniel Lidy, Robert A. Matthews, Sheridan E. Mott, Elijah Mudge, James G. Morrow. John T. McAdanis. Francis Mills, Joseph T. Mar- tin, Jacob North, Christopher Nugen, Seneca Nodine. Truman J. Needham, John Packer, Thomas J. Reynolds, Frank W. Railing. Jonathan Steward, Tohn M. Steward. Uriah Smith. Park Seberts, George R. Smith, Jacob She- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. lOQ waiter, William Shoup, John K. Sinn, Thomas Tomlinson, George Teutsch, Lemonsky R. Willard. Henry L. Williams, James D. Woods, Henry W. Willard, Israel Yoh, John A. Zimmerman, Jacob Brown, John Bruner, George W. Burns, William A. Bryan, Oscar P. Carver, Charles C. Corill. James C. Belong, Joseph C. Dickson, Alexander Fountain, Daniel F. Ham- mond, Marcus L. Hoose, Benjamin F. Leasure, Noah Miller, John H. Reese, Emile Sholtze, Albert B. Shirts, Andrew E. Shanks, Silas K. Sinclair, John H. Smith, David Woods. In Company C was Philip W. Silver. In Com- pany D there were Milton Horn, William Johnson. George Keith, John C. Stafford. In Company E was John R. Lyon ; in Company G, William A. Goodrich. In Company H were Captain Lewis J. Blair, afterward major, lieuten- ant-colonel and brigadier-general ; Captain Dexter L. Thomas ; Lieutenants Philander Smith, Joseph Rainer, William Dillworth, Andrew Yeagley, George F. Delong; Sergeants Hiram W. Hatch, Samuel Headley, William A. Rex ; Corporals Alexander Bailey, Washington Testison, Harvey C. Plat- ter, Joseph A. Coats. William Robertson, Alanzo Conklin, John Hull, Thomas F. Benjamin; Musicians Edwin M. Smurr, Jacob Danor; Wagoner Henry May. Recruits were : James Armstrong, Stillman Akins, William A. Boyer, Alvin D. Beggs, William Brownlee, Leroy Blood, Elias Blood, Austin Conk- lin, Wesley V. Cosper, Andrew Cole, William Crooks, William Deemes, Daniel D. Diehl, Samuel Duck, Abraham Emminger, William Evey, Michael Fusselman, David Franks. Robert Goodwin, Lawrence Gibson, John Hamil- ton, Joseph M. Hart, Isaac Hart, z\lbert Henry, George Henry, Michael Johnson, Thomas Krise, Daniel Krise, David Lee, Heni-y K. Lawrence, Isaac Meese, Albin Melton, Dyer R. Mathews, William Meek, John Melton, Sam- uel C. Osborn, John Packer, William O. Packer, Charles S. Piyor, Ira W. Pryor, Jacob Pressler, Simeon Rose, Samuel R. Stanfer, Jacob S. Stout, Benjamin Suly, William Sawyer, Henry Saylor, Francis Shrull, John Swan- good, Levi Stoy, Jonathan Snively, Isaac Seely, Levi Smith, Franklin Stout, Chockly W. Thomas, Henry S. Vestal. Walter T. Watkins, Oliver H. Wid- ney, Jacob Wineland, Joseph Widney, Edwin D. White, Eli M. Welch, Elmore Wyatt, Philip Yarnell, Christopher Yader, John H. Yohe, William Yeagley, John Yocum, Benjamin F. Zigler, John Bills, Alonzo Conklin, Robert Cochran, Henry Crooks, George Delano. Isaac G. Dohner, Joseph Hose, Solomon Hose, Dewitt C. Headley, Elijah Imhoff, Thomas I. Jones. Stephen Likens, Henry Milliman, Daniel S. McNabb, Henry M. Rockwell, Joseph Penicks, Frank B. Sandy, Henry J. Sandy. Francis M. Stout, Luther Smith, Thomas Stafford, John Treman, John W. Woods. no DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. The Eighty-eightli Indiana Volunteer Infantry was rendez\-oused at Fort Wayne, Indiana, mustered in on August 29. 1862, with George Humph- rey as colonel. Immediately the regiment was ordered to Louisville to de- fend that city against the supposed advance of General Kirhy Smith. The regiment next was assigned to the Seventeenth brigade, Rousseau's division, and marched in pursuit of Bragg. At Perryville the regiment won their colors by meritorious conduct and underwent heavv losses. The regiment moved with Rosecrans' army in the campaign against Murfreesboro, cul- minating in the battle of Stone's River. Fifty-six men were lost in this fatter engagement. The regiment next, as a part of the Army of the Cumberland, went through middle Tennessee, participating in the battles of Hoover's Gap, TuHahoma, Hillsboro and Elk River. On September 19 and 20, 1863, the regiment took part in the bloody engagement at Chickamauga, being on the first day in the vicinity of Glass Mill, where, with its brigade, it supported Bridge's and a part of Shultz's batteries in an engagement with tlie enemy. In the evening it moved to the Brotherton place and bivouacked. On Sunday morning, September 20, it moved to position on the west side of the La- fayette and Chattanooga road, south of the McDonald house, where its brigade, being assailed by the brigades of Adams and Stovall, was broken, and the regiment forced southwestward toward Snodgrass Hill. It there took position in support of General Negley's artillery, and afterward accom- panied this officer to Rossville. With Hooker, on the night of November 24, this regiment took part in the scaling of Lookout Mountain and the "Bat- tle Among the Clouds." On the 25th it was in the charge on Missionary Ridge. Later tlie men fought at Graysville and Ringgold. Georgia. When Sherman started his campaign against Atlanta this regiment was a part of the troops and was notably engaged at Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Dallas, Kene- saw. Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Utoy Creek. The regiment continued with Sherman's long campaign, performing well the various duties imposed; it fought at the bloody conflict of Bentonville on March ig. 1865. After the surrender of the Confederate armies the regiment was transported to Wash- ington, D. C, and marched in the grand review at that place. The regiment was mustered out on Jnne 7. 1865. ONE HUNDREDTH INDI.\NA VOLUNTEER INF.\NTRY. Charles A. ]\lunn was a chaplain, and David J. Swartz an assistant .sur- geon in this regiment. In Company A were: Captains r^Iarquis L. Rhodes, Ezra D. Hartman, Lucius Barnev, John H. Moore and Eli J. Sherlock; DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Ill Lieutenants David J. Swartz and Albeit A. Waters; Sergeants John S. Kindell, William C. Lockhart; Corporals Cleveland A. Klien, Daniel DeWitt, John M. Hall, Albert Robbins, Allen Devilbiss, James P. Walker; Musicians David C. Bodine, George Shuman, Joseph C. Durbin. Recruits were; Ab- raham Anthony, Martin Arthur, George Beams, John W. Boren, Irving Butler, Artemus Boyles, Reason Buchanan, George Buchanan, John A. Bu- chanan, Harrison Culver, Jonathan Critchet, William H. Dimmitt, James Davis, John Da\is, William H. Fair, Samuel Frees, Hammond Frees, John Fiant. Henry Friedt, Lemuel Farver, William H. Graham, Simeon Guthrie, Abel R. Goodenough, John Grubb, Napoleon A. Haines, Jonathan Houser, Gideon Houser, Jolin Flursh, Benjamin Hursh, James Hammond, Samuel Holden, Wesley J. Jones, Harrison Long, William Likens, John McNabb, William B. Maxwell, George W. Melvin, Wallace J. Melvin, John R. Mohler. Benjamin P. McGoon, John McConnell, Silas C. Miller, George Noel, Enos Osburn, John S. dinger, Daniel Olinger, Lewis F. Penry, Daniel Piffer, Joseph Piffer, Levi B. Powell, Hiram Palmer, Joseph C. Prosser, Charles T. Rogers, John B. Raub, John C. Symonds, John Sevander, Asher Squires, Nathan Squires, Ansel M. Shaw, Isaac Smith, Orlander Skinner, Jeremiah Ulm. John D. Vanlier, Benjamin S. Wiltrout, Calvin J. Wearley, Henry Wolf, Richard Wyatt, Walter Cordery, Alden Nickerson, Moses Whit- comb was in Company E. In Company K were Louis B. Burdick, George J. Haswell, Andrew Haynes, Frank Haynes, Jacob D. Jackson, Benjamin Phil- lips, John T. Stouffer, William A. Vanwormer, George Barntrager, Lewis R. Haswell, George Simons. The One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer Infantr)- was recruited from the eighth and tenth congressional districts, under Col. Sandford J. Stough- ton, and mustered into the service on the loth of September, 1862, left for the front on the nth of November and became attached to the Army of the Tennessee on the 26th. The regiment participated in as many as twenty- five battles, together with skirmishes during fully one-third of its term of service, and claimed a list of casualties mounting up to four hundred and sixty-four. It was mustered out of ser\n"ce at Washington on the 9th of Tune and reported at Indianapolis for discharge on the 14th of June, 1865. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEENTH INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY SIX MONTHS. In Company F of this regiment were : Captain Manius Buchanan ; Lieu- tenants Cyms F. Mosier and George L. Farnum ; Sergeants Chalon D. Cogs- 112 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. well, Oliver H. Widney, George N. Cornell, Henry S. Hartley, Amos R. Walters, Erastus Pyle; Corporals John T. Fickas, Samuel Tanner, George Beckley, Alvin Campbell, Howard S. McNabb, Albert M. Alton, Erastus Finney; Musician Leander J. Diehl; Wagoner Ethan Anderson. Recruits in this company were: Squire Admire, Jesse F. Atcheson, Elzy Andrews, William B. Brown, Benjamin C. Bohn, Charles Bohn, Thomas W. Baker, Jasper Barmour, Martin Castleman, Robert E. Cherry, Loudon Cronk, Will- iam Crain, Thomas Campbell, William Campbell, Humphrey E. Chilcoat, Henry Crooks, John E. Chasey, Robert Cochran, Oscar P. Carver, James Belong, Philip E. Emery, Joseph W. Franklin, James Fike, Abraham Fike, William F"isher, Augustus C. Fisher, Franklin C. Finch, David Fry, Jere- miah Goodwell, William Guirer, Anthony Grite, David E. Hardin, John Hillis, Ami Higby, Jacob Huffman, Thomas Hefflinger, Stephen Hughey, Solomon Hartman, Francis Hart, Lewis Imhoff, David Jacques, James John- son, Alexander Jarvis, George Kreger, John Kreger, Augustus C. Kane, John W. Kane, James Louthan, James McCool, William IMcClure, Thomas Moore, Josephus Oliver, Cyrus OHnger, Thomas Rawson, Henry Rich, F"rancis M. Remington, Wallace Robbins, William H. Richardson, Elias Shull, Leonard Shull, Isaiah Smith, William Stafford, James H. Sandy, David A. Stone, Rufus Taylor, Jonathan J. Totten, Amos R. Walters, David K. Williams, Emanuel Wright, James Woods, Sidney Welch, Alson Woodward. Irvin Waters, John Wallace, Almond Wilkinson, John T. Young. The One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, whose organization was completed on the 3d of September, 1863, under Col. George W. Jackson, joined the One Hundred and Sixteenth at Nicholasville, and sharing in its fortunes, being in the movement on Cumberland Gap, returning to the state capital on the fourteenth of February, 1864. The casualties were comprised of a list of fifteen killed and wounded. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINTH INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY SIX MONTHS. Solomon Delong was a major, afterward lieutenant-colonel, in this regi- ment. In Company A were: Lewis Dunn, Thaddeus S. Bonney, John A. Mason, William Brown, George Casebeer, Ephraim Enzer, William Fisher, Alonzo Lower, James Myers, Ira Nelson, Charles Nelson, Daniel Nelson, John C. Steeley, William H. Taylor, Josiah B. Veley. In Company C were : Hiram Baer, John W. Cordry, Noah Hively, Cyrus Martin, Jacob Swartz, Amos Swartz. In Company F were: Solomon DeLong, Obadiah Baer, DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. II3 Philander Sniitli, Henry C. Beckley, John O. McNabb, Gideon Cogsdill, Samuel WilHams, Alva Brown, Thomas O. Sloan, John Clark, Uriah J. Shirts, Alexander B. Dowell, Newton M. Adams, Edward Rupert, Milo F. Calkins, Leslie Knaff, Walter Abel, David W. Adams, John M. Amrine, George A. Bishop, Cyrus Beard, John Brubaker, John Crouse, Madison I. Chilson, Chalon D. Cogsdill, George Cole, Daniel Chilcoat, David Delong, Henry Delong, Alfred Delong, Samuel Depew, Manlius E. Dyke, Abraham Erl, William N. Faurot, Nelson Fusselman, Samuel A. Fowler, Gustin Flint, Clark W. Griffith, Lorenzo Haynes, David J. Hively, Henry Herman, John B. Hawkins, Wilson S. Headley, Joseph Hosier, Daniel, John and Samuel Hosier. Lewis D. Hosier. Henry W. Hobnic, Alexander Hart. J. H. Houser. Paul A. Joray, Andrew L Kimes. David Kroh. Drayton Loomis, ]\Iartin Luttman, Henry P. McConnell, Judson S. Moody, Jacob S. Morrow, Joel A. Milliman, Edward Mathews, Volney F. Mathews, Charles Proctor, Edward Rawson, Isaac Reed, Henry Revert, Jacob Revert, George Smith, David A. Sloan, Abraham Staley, John W. Squires, Samuel G. Shook, Horace Shoe- maker, Peter Shirey, David Williams, James Weir, John C. Wilson, Abra- ham H. Whirley, David A. Wiley, John R. Wendell. William Wert, William R. Wiltrout, Newman Whiffle, Moses Yater, Frederick Zubrook. In Company H were Jacob North. John H. Freeby. John K. Sleutz. In Company I were Delos Lockwood, Francis B. Shaver, Harrison ^^^ellington. The One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry was mustered in at Michigan City in March, 1864, under Col. Charles Case. The regiment moved to the front on April 7', 1864. and was assigned to Schofield's division. The battles of Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain. Kenesaw, Atlanta, Jonesboro. Dalton, Brentwood Hills, Nashville, and the six days' skirmish of Columbia were all participated in by this regiment. On August 29. 1865. the men were disbanded at Charlotte. North Carolina. ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SECOND INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY HUNDRED D.\YS. In Company A of this short term regiment were : Henry Frick. James C. Mills, Emmett Baxter. George Baxter, William Campbell, Abraham Gin- dlesparger, William Gindlesparger, George Kreger, John Kreger, Aaron Rigby. David Rigby, Eli Rigby, Elzie Speer, Robinson E. Speer, Isaac Treesh, Levi. Treesh, Jacob Vail and Albertus Widener. In Company D (8) 114 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. were : John W. Bowman, James Balenline. John Debelbus, Benjamin Funk, Anthony Palmer, John Pifer, John Worden. In Company F was Samuel Oberholtzer. In Company G were : John Hettinger and George H. Points. This regiment was recruited at Fort Wayne under Col. I. M. Comparet, and was mustered into service at Indianapolis in November, 1864. After a steadv and effective service it returned to Indianapolis on the i6th of July, 1865. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SECOND INDIAN \ VOLUNTEER INFANTRY HUNDRED DAYS. In this regiment Whedon W. Griswold was commissioned a colonel. James N. Chamberlain was a surgeon and \\'illiam M. Mercer assistant sur- geon with the troops. In Company B were : J. O. Casebeer, Jacob W. Case- beer, Albert M. Casebeer, Andrew C. Fuller, William M. Fuller, John G. McClellan. In Company C were : William Lemasters, Humphrey E. Chil- coat, Loami C. Bair, William H. Coats, Edward C. Drowley, David Jen- nings, David McGrady, Henry H. Rheineohl, Uriah Swager, James W. Wycoff. William Wycoff. George Wanemaker. In Company H were : Hol- land K. Moss. Riley Rickets, Newton Boyles, James Bryan, Albert Crooks, Abraham Fike, Jacob Furney, Calvin P. Houser, Edward Jones, Uriah E. Johnson, James Knight, George Michaels, Philip Nussdorfer, Owen W. Rum- mell, Hiram Summerlot. John W. Shore. In Company K Orville Squires was enrolled. This regiment was recruited at Indianapolis under Col. W. W. Gris- wold, and left for Harper's Ferry on the i8th of March, 1865. It was at- tached to the provisional divisions of the Shenandoah army, and engaged until the first of September, when it was discharged at Indianapolis. OTHER ENLISTMENTS. Robert Lock was enrolled in the Twelfth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Orville Stout was in the Seventeenth. Henrx- Bungard and Samuel Hart were in Company C of the Forty-second. Joseph Hacker was in the Forty- eighth. John R. Hamacher, Isaac Ball, Henry Mills, .^sa Carter, Pleasant R. Cravens, Pleasant A. Cravens, John A. Cravens, William ,\. Whitson. "William H. Cravens, George F. McClough, William U. Fitch were in the Forty-ninth. Hamacher was a major. Thomas Lypselt, Joseph G. Chacey. William Seberts, Edward Boren, Philip Cobler, lolin Link, Preston Raw- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. II5 son, Samuel J. Tarney, Curtis Lochemeyer were in the Seventy- fourth. William Wernce, Marcus M. Baird, Benjamin Ensign and John Presler were in the Eighty-seventh. Zyra H. Conley was in the Ninety-first. In the One Hundred and Nineteenth, Seventli Cavalry, were: Eli Dahuff, Moses Fost- naucht, John Fitch, Richard Guthrie, Samuel D. Hoffman, George Hamlin and Robert E. Cherry. In the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh, Twelfth Cavalry, were: George Austin, Alexander Bailey, John H. Boley, Israel Church, John Deetz, John W. Griffith, Sidney P. Jones, Franklin T. Johnson, Milton C. Jones, George Kirkendall, Joseph Myers, David Nounnem, Joseph Roberts, John Shaw, Joseph Werrich, Samuel Cramer, Isaac C. Dirrim, Sam- uel Duck, Henry W. Gondy, Albert J. Gondy, Clement Gillespie, William Wilkins, Alfred J. Britton, Alva N. Carpenter, Jacob Finch, Charles H. Hay- wood, Hugh McClelian, Joseph Pulver, Charles Swan, Willard G. Story. Isaac Wright was in the One Hundred and Fortieth. SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR. At the beginning of the fiscal year. r-SgS, the National Guard of Indiana consisted of forty-one companies of infantry and three batteries of artillery, with an aggregate of twenty-eight hundred and twenty-two men. On or about April i, 1898. war between the United States and Spain being immi- nent, company commanders were instructed to recruit their companies up to the maximum number of eighty-four. Meanwhile the clouds of war were growing darker and darker, until April 19th, when Congress passed resolu- tions of intervention, which were approved on the 22d, and on the 23d the President issued his proclamation, calling for one hundred and twenty-five thousand volunteers to serve in the army of the United States for two years. On April 25, 1898, the declaration of war was passed by Congress and the President empowered tn use the full land and na\-al forces of the United States to carrv the declaration into effect. At 6:15 p. m. on April 25, the following telegram was recei\ed from the secretary of war to the governor of Indiana, James A. Mount: "Washington, D. C, April 25, 1898. "The Governor of Indiana, Indianapolis, Ind. "The number of troops from your state under the call of the President dated April 23, 1898. will be four (4) regiments of infantry and two (2) light batteries of artillery. It is the wish of the President that the regiments of the National Guard or state militia shall be used as far as their numbers will permit, for the reason that they are armed, equipped and drilled. Please Il6 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. wire as early as possible what equipments, ammunition, arms, blankets, tents, etc., you will require. "Please also state what troops will be ready for muster into United States service. Details to follow by mail. "R. A. Alger, "Secretary of War." Immediately Governor Mount issued his call for the required quota. In numbering the regiments after being mustered into the United States service it was determined to begin the numbers where the war of the rebellion left ofif. The Third Regiment, being the first ready to be mustered, was desig- nated as the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh. The Second was next, and was made the One Hundred and Fifth-eighth. The First came third, and the Fourth, fourth. This system has again reverted to the primal numbers at present. DEKALB COUNTY MILITIA. Company K, of the Third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was raised in Auburn, DeKalb county, on January 12, 1892, and on the outbreak of war was assigned as K, of the Third Infantry. James F. Lahnum was captain; Othello B. Rufner, first lieutenant; John J. Wolf, second lieutenant; Morton Hilkey, first sergeant; John W. Brown, quartermaster-sergeant; Irwin E. Rader, Benjamin F. Jolliff, Worthy E. Keller, Charles A. Picker, sergeants ; Phillip Holman, Charles T. Elson, Alexander McDonald, James Williamson, George W. Wolf, Charles Martin, corporals; Dick McNany and John R. McDowell, musicians; Wilson Feagler, artificer, and William O. Leighty, wagoner. There were eighty-four privates in this company from this county. Company I was organized at Waterloo, DeKalb county, on September 15, 1879, and was assigned as Company A, Third Infantry, afterward as Company I. Third Infantry, Indiana National Guard. Levi L. Denison was captain; Charles V. Barr, first lieutenant; Wilson H. Denison, second lieuten- ant; Daniel W. Rohrbough, first sergeant: Freeman Moore, quartermaster- sergeant; Charles A. McCague, Pearl J. Greeting, sergeants: Maynard F. Hine, Harry W. Beidler, Frederick G. Beidler, corporals; also Edward D. Willis and George W. Getts : Dell B. Ackley and William A. Beecher, musi- cians; Harley Thomas, artificer; Peter F. Ankney. wagoner. There were fifty recniits from this county and many from outside territory. A. L. Kuhlman was a major of the Third, or One Hundred and Fifty- seventh, and Clvde L. Hine was a sergeant-major. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 117 PERIOD OF SERVICE. The One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, arrived at Camp Mount, Indianapolis, on April 26, 1898, under orders from the governor, for the purpose of being mustered into the service of the United States. Companies of this regiment came from Knox, Fort Wayne, Goshen, North Manchester, Elkhart, South Bend, Angola, Waterloo, Auburn, Ligonier, and Plymouth. The work of preparing for muster was necessarily slow, as all officers and men had to pass a physical examination, and be accepted by tlie surgeons, before they would be accepted by the United States officers. The regiment was mustered into the volunteer service on May 10, 1898, and left for Camp Thomas, Chickamauga Park, Georgia, on Sunday, May 15th, and on arriving there on May 17th went into camp; left Camp Thomas June I St, for Port Tampa City, Florida, and arrived there on June 3d ; left Port Tampa City, July 29th, for Femandina, Florida, arriving there on July 30th; remained at Fernandina until August 30th, when it was ordered to Indianapolis, for muster out of service, where it arrived on September 2d, was furloughed for thirty days on September loth, and was finally mustered out and discharged November i, 1898. CHAPTEr< VI. REMINISCENCES. WESLEY PARK S TALE. For the readers of this history there is preserved the personal narrative of Wesley Park, the first settler and founder of the city of Auburn, the present county seat. His account runs as follows : "In the fall of 1835 George Stone, Hiram Johnston and myself left Licking county, Ohio, in a two-horse buggy to seek a home in what was then called the West. We went by way of Columbus, Sandusky, Maumee. De- fiance, Fish Creek and Lima, to South Bend. We then returned to Lima, where Johnston and Stone settled and started a tannery. I returned to Fish Creek and entered land adjoining John Houlton's. I then returned to Ohio and stayed until February, 1836. Started to Indiana then with a drove of cattle and load of dried fruits, got to Lima, sold out and started, in company with John D. Howe, Esq., to the center of the new county, afterward called DeKalb, to locate a site for a county seat. "We got to Pigeon river, and the same canoe upsetting, I swam over the stream. Howe came over in the canoe, swimming his horse alongside. Stayed all night at Glover's. Started in the morning on our journey and that night reached section 13, township 34 north, range 13 east (Union town- ship- now), and lay out in the woods. The snow was four inches deep. We kindled a fire and I peeled bark to lie down on, but Howe, being tired or lazy, or both, laid down on the snow. In the morning he had melted his whole length in the snow and was wet, but I was diy. I lay all night with my rifle by my side to be prepared for the wolves that howled around continually. After hunting a day for the best site, decided on the piece of land where Auburn now is. Entered the land, and laid out the town. I then put up a shanty, ten by twelve feet and cut a road through to Pleasant Lake ; brought through a cart load of goods with a yoke of oxen and a milk cow. After- ward Joseph Miller and I started from William Miller's, I with my cart and DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. I I9 oxen and he with me to help cut the road, being nothing but a trace with the logs still in and too narrow for a cart, as will be hereafter noticed. "My object was to get through by the way of Blair's mill to Fort Wayne for a load of provisions. It was afternoon before we started, and night over- took us near the little creek that crosses the Fort Wayne road near Mr. John Grube's. We had no provisions along, as we expected to get through to Blair's. The cow, however, that I brought through from Pleasant Lake, being used to following the team, was fortunately with us, and I milked her and told Miller that milk was good enough for me. Miller did not like to drink the new milk, but there was no alternative, so he took a good draught. It did not lie well on his stomach, and he soon threw it up. The next morn- ing, after lying out through the night, we ctit through to the mill and I went on to Fort Wayne and Miller returned to get his breakfast, no doubt with a good appetite. "Getting back with my provisions, I set up tavern in my shanty. I did my own cooking, and was crowded with travelers and land hunters, who came to have me show them land to enter. One night I kept fifteen men who very nearly filled my hotel. Some lay on a shelf, and the rest on the ground under it, so that there was plenty of bed room. After eating up the first load of provisions. T went to Fort Wayne for another. On my return, the Little Cedar was so high that I had to swim my oxen and carry the load and cart by pieces over the creek on a log, as I had adopted as my motto : 'Go ahead.' Got back again finally to the hotel. ARRIVED AT THE SITE OF AUBURN. "I kept travelers, showed land, and erected a cabin eighteen by twenty feet, one and a half stories high, with a roof of rafters and clapboards. It stood on the lot close to the old water saw-mill. I then returned to Ohio and brought out my wife, Sophia, and my son, Amos, then a child. Launcelot Jugman and family also came with me. We all arrived at Auburn on the sixth day of August, 1836. We laid down a few puncheons, and went to housekeeping. A few days' work completed our cabin. "In the winter of 1836 the act passed the Legislature to organize DeKalb county. Littlefield, of Lagrange, Gilmore, of Steuben, and Robert Work, of Allen, were appointed commissioners to locate the county seat. I was ap- pointed by the governor, sheriff of the new county, with authority to appoint the place for the elections in the few precincts in the county, and to receive and forward the returns. The result of the election is stated elsewhere. I20 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. "After the organization of the county my house served as court house, jail, hotel, church, cooking room, sleeping apartment, etc. "As sheriff appointed, and afterward elected. I had no jail but the upper chamber of my cabin. I used to put prisoners up and then take away the ladder and tell them to stay there, and they always did so. "The lower chamber was the court house. During the sitting of court it had to suspend until dinner was cooked. This gave the judge time for a nap, which was very desirable, as he was generally fatigued and sometimes rather boozy. Charles Ewing was the president judge. He was a brother to the celebrated fur traders, W. G. and G. W. Ewing. Judge Yates has been spoken of as an odd genus of a backwoodsman. One day he got 'tight,' and sentenced Jo. Bashford to receive a whipping and swore that as he was the court and had passed sentence, he would inflict the penalty. As the judge was making toward the criminal with this avowed intention, I seized him and gave him a whirl, told him plainly that if the court persisted in inflicting the penalty threatened, the sheriff would put the court 'up the ladder.' Upon this, the court acknowledged the authority of the sheriff, and adjourned peace- fully. TRYING TIMES. "Will you allow me now to go back to the winter of 1836 and 1837 and relate some instances of that hard winter? There were now about thirty families in the county and many of them suffered severely, having to bring all of their provisions from Fort Wayne or the northern prairies, with scarce- ly anything that could be called roads. At one time our corn cost us three ■dollars per bushel. I saw teams that had to travel seventy-five miles for pro- visions. I never drove more than sixty miles for com, beyond Fort Wayne up the St. Mary's river. It was a trying time for me and my wife, but she -was always cheerful. I took the rheumaitsm and lay several weeks. In De- cember the snow fell two feet deep. "Emigrants were still coming in. A man, woman and child left Pleasant Lake with a wagon and a yoke of cattle to go ten miles south of Auburn. One of their oxen mired down in Smithfield township, eight miles north of Auburn. There was then no house between Steubenville and Auburn. The mired ox died, and they turned the other loose and started for Auburn afoot, carrying the child. The waters were then high, and they had to wade the small streams. About nine o'clock at night they reached our cabin, with clothes frozen above the waist. We gave them dry clothes and a warm supper and kept them until the roads were broken. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 121 "A few moments after the arrival of these sufferers, a traveler came in and told us that a man and a boy were out in the trail about six miles in a suffering condition, not being able to strike a fire, and the man so frozen as to be unable to travel. On receiving this information, Wesley White and William Palmer got up the pony and started for the sufferers. They found the man on section 9, township 34, range 13. (We always counted by sec- tions as the trail was very crooked). They got him on the pony and brought him in about midnight, frozen to the knees ; yet he contended that he was not cold. We got his legs into a tub of spring water, and thus drew out the frost. But the boy must be saved. The old man offered us fifty cents to bring him in, which led me to administer him a severe rebuke. "I told him if the boy was not worth more than fifty cents, he was not worth bringing in. He was then ten miles out, in snow two feet deep, among swamps filled with water and swollen streams. "No money, however, was needed to induce us to go to his rescue. He had kept traveling and was thus saved from freezing. "They proved to be Mr. Graden and son. of Noble county. They left home in pursuit of cattle. The snow commenced falling, and they traveled on through Fairfield township and until they struck the trace and knew not which way to turn. They were well provided for at the cabin and in a few weeks were able to return home. "Wesley White, who was so active in the above rescue, was a good man. He had come down from Lima to stake out some lots. "He afterward went to Sparta, Noble county. He was deputy clerk for Isaac Spencer, and afterward clerk of Noble county. "After thus saving the life of others, he was drowned in Elkhart river, west of Albion. William Palmer was a rather mischievous old bachelor, and loved to play pranks on the Indians, who used to annoy us considerably, although they furnished us with venison, bear meat, turkeys, cranberries, etc., for money or such things as we had to exchange. "They were honest, and some of them religious, before the whites gave them fire water and stole their ponies and blankets. "Thv used frequently to apply to me to take away 'bad Indian' when- ever any of their number misbehaved. After the whites had created in them the unnatural appetite, they were vei-y fond of whiskey. One day a poor squaw came to my house and begged hard for whiskey. Palmer took the pepper-sauce bottle and handed it to her: she took a very hearty drink, but as soon as she had removed the bottle from her lips, she began to spit, sputter, salaver and holler 'pizen ! pizen !' while Bill Palmer, the perpetrator 122 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. of the joke, rolled and laughed to his hearts content. After her sufferings were over, I and my good Sophia took a good laugh at her, and she never troubled us again. INDIAN CUSTOMS. "The Pottawatomies and Miamis were the principal tribes in DeKalb county. Their manner of burying the dead was to dig a grave eighteen inches deep, put in the dead, cover with leaves, and then build a tight pen of poles over the grave. Sometimes they cut down a tree, split off a piece from the top of the log, dug out a trough, put in the body, and then covered it up closely with poles. They burnt the leaves around these burying places every fall, to keep the fire in the woods from getting to them. They dis- liked very much to have their dead interfered with, yet it was done by un- principled whites. It was not uncommon to see their graves opened, the bones scattered around, and the skull of an Indian set out in the log in full sight. "The spring of 1837 was very gladly hailed by the settlers, after stem- ming the storms and suffering the privations of a hard winter. During this season emigrants began to come in more plentifully and several cabins went up in Auburn. I had given one-third of the lots to the county, receiving no compensation but the assurance that it would be permanently the county seat. In most cases, too, I gave a lot to every settler building thereon. This year, 1837, I and Mr. Ogden built the saw mill. The town continued steadily to improve, and has been blessed with good inhabitants with few exceptions. Much of the lan-d in the county was taken up by speculators. This hindered its settlement to a considerable degree for some years. The crash of banks in 1837-8 was severely felt and many suffered for want of food and raiment. The years 1836-7 were healthy seasons; 1838 was more sickly; 1839 still more so, and from that time until 1850, there was more or less of bilious complaints every season. Since 1850 both town and country have been gen- erally healthy." FROM MANUSCRIPT OF S. W. WIDNEY. From a pamphlet published about sixty years ago by Rev. S. W. Wid- ney, entitled "Pioneer Sketches," the following is quoted: "Many of the settlers had never seen an Indian before coming here; but they had heard and read much of their savage barbarity. During the years 1835-6-7-8, many of these red men still lingered in their native forests, generally in large companies or camps. They were an object of terror to many of the settlers. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 1 23 especially to the women and children, as singly or in caravans, they passed from one camp to another. To add to the terror at first, the screams of a great owl unknown in the east, but abounding in the western woods, were taken for the whoops of savages. "Well do I remember a night in the fall of 1837, spent in terror of Indians. I had been in the county six months, but as yet had seen very few of them. My widowed mother, with six children younger than myself, (and 1 not yet seventeen years of age), bought and settled on a farm. Here an Indian trail crossed the river, and on the other side was a house where liquor was sold. Soon after nightfall, the real whoops were heard away in the south woods. The sound grew continually nearer, and increased in volume, till fears pictured a whole army of savages coming to murder us. We put out the lights, fastened the doors, and concealed ourseh^es in different parts of the house. Soon the Indians were tramping around the house, and their torches gleaming through the windows. We almost held our breath with fear. Soon, however, they passed by, down to the river, and taking our canoes crossed over, and their whoops died away, drowned in the Indian's favorite beverage, good old rye. But our rest was spoiled for the night, as we continually dreaded their return. "Afterward, however, we became better acquainted with the poor Indian, as a camp of some forty men, squaws and papooses spent four or five weeks in their tents within twenty rods of the house, visiting us, or we them, daily. The men spent their time hunting, dressing their game, gambling, or lying around the fire like dogs. The women chopped the wood, made the fires, and waited on their lords and masters while the children shot birds with their bows and arrows. Joe Richardville. son of the celebrated chief, was in the camp, dressed partly like an Indian and partly in the European costume. His college education failed to make anything out of him but an Indian." FLOOD WATERS. Again quoting from Rev. Widney: "I remember far back beyond the flood. Many of the first settlers along the river built their cabins on the bottoms on account of the rich, deep soil, so inviting for corn and potatoes. Now it happened that St. Joe, notwithstanding his saintship, had a mighty trick of 'getting high' occasionally, and on such occasions, took a regular spree, transcending all bounds of propriety, and scattering and destroying things in general. It was in the winter of 1838, about the first of January, when we were dwelling securely in the neighborhood of this mild looking 124 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. saint, that he unexpectedly 'imbibed' too larg-ely, and advanced upon us, raging and foaming terribly, without any provocation whatever. The river rose until it overflowed its banks and surrounded the house. This alarmed us some, but it seemed to be nearly at a stand, and we hoped that it would soon retreat. But instead of falling, it continued to rise until the loose floor began to float. We then raised the floor about six inches, being sure that the water would rise no more. We were doomed, however, to be again disappointed. The water still rose. Being midwinter, we had all of our fire wood to 'boat' in with our canoe, which we kept cabled at the cabin, and we managed still to keep a fire above the water. "The night after raising the floor we retired to rest, and the next morn- ing found the floor all afloat again, so we concluded to embark for safe quarters. Running the canoe into the water, we took the passengers from the bed, and, packing everything which the water could injure, above its reach, we crossed the raging river to sojourn with friends until after the flood. The water rose until it was two and a half feet deep in the cabin, and then began to subside. Just then a severe freeze set in, leaving the entire bottoms covered with a sheet of thin ice. When the river got within its banks again, we returned throughout the ice, and took up our residence in the cabin. Other settlers besides us suffered from this saintly freak, but we have not the particulars." FROM THE MANUSCRIPT OF W. H. DILLS. "We can very well remember seeing these early settlers and their families with their white-covered wagons, the wife or daughter driving, the father and boys following and driving, with the aid of a dog, a cow or two, some- times a few sheep, all wending their way toward the setting sun, or plunging into the forest, and hauling up or stopping upon a tract of land, upon which not a tree had been cut, and where for ages the rays of the orb of day had not penetrated, amidst the chorus of the feathered songsters of the grove and the silence of the night, disturbed only by the hootings of the owl, or the indescribable bowlings of hungry wolves. There you, or the fathers of you, who came in early times, halted their wagons, which contained all they had on earth ; and there today you will find comfort, luxury and ease. "Before reaching that final resting place weeks and months had passed in reaching the goal, following Indian trails scarcely wide enough to admit of the passage of a wagon, no bridges, dangers to be encompassed on every side, the early settler was of necessity his own sentinel, and upon himself DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 12^ relied for protection and safety. The trails would sometimes seem to nni out — come to an end. Sometimes they would divide and create doubt as to the course that should be pursued. He had no compass and could not tell the cardinal points, but by an examination of trees he could tell the north side of them by the heaviest growth of moss or bark, and thereby determine his course. When night came ere he reached his destination, by the side of the trail, where water and grass were sufficient, he would build a fire, wnthout the aid of matches, by the side of some huge log, and there prepare their meal, his wife and little ones retiring to sleep in the wagon, and he, wrapped in a blanket, on the leaves under it. with his faithful dog on one side and his trusty rifle on the other, there seek repose and rest, with as much confidence of safety and exemption from injury as you upon your downy couches, wathin bolted doors. "After reaching his land, purchased of the government at .$1.25 per acre, or from some speculator for $2.00, $3.00 or $4.00 per acre, the pioneer finds for a time that his neighbors are few and far between. With difficulty he at last succeeds in building his rude little cabin and in clearing off a few acres, by cutting down all the trees eighteen inches or less in diameter, and girdling all the others, which will give him a short supply of corn and vege- tables. "The privations of the early settler were great, but often their perils were still greater. Diseases, indigenous to a new country, of which he had previously no knowledge or experience, and generally malarial in their char- acter, were certain to overtake him and his family. The massive foliage of the giant trees through which the sun scarcely penetrated, and the black soil vegetation, and the decayed vegetable matter everywhere abounding, generated vast columns of miasma. No physician or drug store was prob- ably within twenty miles, and himself and family were racked almost to death with the shakes, or scorched with raging fevers. Until acclimated by a resi- dence of from two to five years, and sometimes longer, the early settler was yearly visited with attacks of fever and ague, and felt thankful, indeed, if in the fall seasons he did not have an attack of bilious or intemiittent fever. Snake bites, broken or cut limbs, and rheumatism from his frequent ex- posure were of frequent occurrence, and no medical aid at hand. "Even in health their privations seem almost incredible to us. Lumber was not to be had at any price : mills were distant, and what roads there were, were almost impassable. A journey of weeks, sometimes, leaving the wife and children, was necessary to obtain the necessities of life. Families were almost driven to the verge of stan^^ation, living for weeks on potatoes, wheat 126 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. bran, and I have heard, on beach-bark and milk. The private history of the sufferings, privations and heroic endurance of many families in early times in this county has not been, nor will it ever be, written. "In early days we asked not whether the new comer was a Whig or a Democrat, Jew or Gentile, Methodist or Baptist, rich or poor ; all we wanted to know was that he was a neighbor and a man. Was he a good fellow, truthful, honest and charitable? If he had not these qualities, he did not stay long enough in our midst to become an old settler. * * * "At the risk of wearying you, I will name a few of those veterans who were the foremost men of the county in 1845, but who have gone to their long homes. Let us speak reverently of them. Their faults were human, but their good qualities and many virtues will commend them to our considera- tion. I will give them by townships in the usual order, leaving out Keyser, which was not then formed : "Butler — The Brooks, Henry Clark and sons, George Belong, the Embrys, Abraham and Charles Fair, Nathaniel Fitch, the Greggs, the Bells, the Hoffmans, Hogues, Holbrooks, Jacksons, Lungs, Millers, Rodenbanghs, Reeves, Shulls, Simons, Surfaces, Natts and Wellers. "Jackson — The Bishops, Cools, Cobblers, Komeskys, Daves, Draggoos, Essigs, Georges, Hurshes, Hendersons, Hartles. Johnsons, Lawheads, Means, Moores, Mowries, Osburns, .Sugars, Staffords. Squiers, Stewards, Tarneys, Watsons, Wyatts, Williams and Zimmermans. "Concord — The Aliens, Altons, Burleys, Blairs, Balls, Carrs, Culbert- sons, Coburns, Catlins, Draggoos, Dawsons, Fales, Headleys, Johnsons, Knights, McNabbs, Nichols, Owens, Robinsons. Rhodes. Sechlers. \\'id- neys, Woodcoxes, Williams and Whites. ■ "Nezii'ille — The Bartletts, Dodges, Delongs. Ellises, Lewises. Law- rences, Murphys, Rogers, Platters, Strongs, Steeles, Thomases, and Waldons. "Stafford— Tht Barbers. Coats, Christoffels. De Forrests, Deihls, Head- leys, McDaniels, Roses, Strohls, Shoubs, Schofields, Websters and Wane- makers. "Wiliuington — The Armstrongs, Babcocks, Coes, Crooks, Eakrights, Egnews, Fosdicks, Finneys, Hehvigs, Hackleys, Handys, Imhofs, Jackmans, Kreutzes, Maxwells, Mullenixes, Meeses, Morrises, Nelsons, Nodines, Pack- ers, Rutledges, Roberts, Robes, Sawyers, Tremans, Tomlinsons, Tottens. Veeleys, Widneys, Woods and Weeks. "Union — The Ashelmans, Altenburgs. Abbotts, Bidlers, Baughmans, Browns, Cospers. Clays. Fishers, Fulks. Gingriches, Husselmans, Krums, DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 12/ Lutzes, Latsons, McEndefers, Misers, Summers, Strolls, Weavers, Weeks, Walworths, Whetsels, Parks and Ingmans. "Richland — The Bangs, Cowleys, Clays, Calkins. Daileys, Dewitts, Feaglers, Greens, Hardys, Moodys, McMillens, Pennells, Rogers, Shulls, Showers, Treshes and Weirocks. "FavHeld — The Chaffees, McNahbs, Powells, Storvs, Gushwas and Wells. "Siiiithficld — The Baxters, Boyers, Blakers, Corwins, Banks, Daniels, Hemstreets, Holmes, Krums, Kelleys, McCoshes, Smiths and Walkers. "Franklin — The Aldriches, Balls, Bowmans, Bucks,' Beards, Grains, Dirrims, Ducks, Firestones, Houltons, Holmes, Hammonds, Jones, Jackmans, Jeffords, Keeps, Lewes, Manns, JMcOueens, McCurdys, McAllisters, Myers, Nidigs, Nelsons, Olds, Porters, Packers, Rudes, Stambaughs, Shulls, Snooks, Thurstons, Watermans and Wilsons. "Troy — The Burdicks, Gathers, Casebeers, Colls, Emersons, Eddys, Hel- wigs, Jennings, Kniselys. Larneds, McClures, McGlellans, McDaniels, Stearns. Willards, Waydleichs and Zimmermans. "The men whom I have named, who came here prior to January i, 1846, came before the period of railroads, before canals were dug, and many of them before the roads were cut and bridges built. Just think of it, that thirty-five years ago the residents of our county had never seen a railroad car, and we have over a hundred miles of railroad track in the county today, and two hundred trains daily through it. There was not then in the county a steam engine ; there was not one cook stove in a dozen families. "I recollect very distinctly the first threshing machine. It indeed was a beauty. It did not even separate the grain from the chaff and straw. It was brought into the count}' by John Zimmerman, who then resided on the Houk farm, in Jackson township. In fact, it would now be a novelty, and, as it did then, would now draw crowds when set to work; and, to use a homely expression, it was the 'biggest thing out.' Instead of being several weeks in flailing, tramping and winnowing out a hundred bushels of wheat, the farmer, with that threshing machine, could thresh out that quantity in a day, and then take his time to run it through the fanning mill. And when he had the wheat ready for market, then he would have to take about three days to carry a load of twenty-five or thirty bushels to Fort Wayne and sell it for fifty or sixty cents a bushel. Corn had a value then proportioned to wheat, the same as now. Pork then ranged at one dollar and a half to two dollars per hundred pounds. 128 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. "Even in early days, when the pioneers were undergoing the privations I have spoken of, they had a very large amount of the real pleasures of life; and when an opportunity afforded, it was enjoyed with a relish equally as well as now. It certainly was true enjoyment to help a neighbor raise a house or a barn, do his logging, have quilting and sewing bees, dance on the puncheons in the cabins, take your girl up behind you on horseback and carry her through the woods, six, eight or ten miles to some gathering ; and she would have to hold on awfully tight or she would be brushed off the horse by the limbs or trunks of the trees. Think of the making of sugar, hunting bee trees, gathering cranberries, wild plums, cherries, grapes, crab-apples, all kinds of nuts and ginseng. Think of the excellent hunting and fishing there was here then ; all kinds and in large quantities were the fish, wild fowls and wild animals." A COSTLY TRIP. Cyrus Smith, the hero of travels, in search of unentered land, although ill at the time, set out in December, 1837, with a yoke of oxen, for Gilead, Michigan. Rains had swollen the streams and he was obliged to lay over every other day from sickness, yet he reached his goal, got eight bushels of corn, and started for the Vermont mills or Orland. A cold spell set in, snow fell fast, the winds rose, and a tree falling before him, he narrowly escaped its limbs, turned aside to go around it, became bewildered, and for hours drove on through the openings. The clouds cleared to the west, and he saw the sun setting, and struck out in that direction. He found the road he had left in the morning three miles in advance of his unfortunate diversion, and passed the night and the next day at Deacon Stocker's. Leaving his corn at the mill, he went to Tull's mill, near White Pigeon prairie and returned with fifteen bushels of smutty wheat. He remained here three days sick, a third waiting for the grist. Finally, starting home, he had to leave his wagon when half a mile from home, turn the oxen loose and foot it in. The eleventh day since leaving home he got back his wagon. His grist, not pricing the corn, cost him in cash, forty-fi\'e dollars. A NIGHT OF SUFFERING. In the winter of 1837-8, a Mr. Osburn started from where Hicksville, Ohio, had just been laid out, with an ox team, to go to mill at Fort Wayne. Returning to the east side of the St. Joseph river he was overtaken by night above where Leo later stood. Having had to wade into the creeks, and break DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 1 29 ice before his oxen, his clothes were wet, and it was freezing severel}'. On- ward, however, he made his way, through the snow and darkness, on a stomiy winter night, until he began to feel that he was freezing. Leaving his slow team in the road, he then started, hoping to reach Mr. Brant's across the river from where Spencerville now is, but soon found his legs becoming so stiff that he could no longer walk. Knowing that his life was at stake, he then crawled on his hands and knees about a mile, and until he found that his strength was too far gone to proceed in this way. He now commenced crying for help, and Mr. Brant's dog hearing his voice, com- menced barking; and some of the people going out to see what was the trouble, were led by the dog to the poor sufferer, about a mile off, and he was borne into the house. Both of his legs had to be amputated just below the knees. He re- mained several days at Mr. Brant's, and was drawn home on his sled. A NEW Yorker's parody. This is from the pen of Mr. Widney: '"I taught several schools in an early day, and experienced the truth of Thompson's couplet : " 'Delightful task ! to rear the tender thought, And teach the young ideas how to shoot.' "Well, a New York dandy, better acquainted with books and pavements than with the 'backwoods' life or character, concluded to visit the West and see 'the natives.' As he was riding along on a cold day in the winter, when sleighing was good, in his fine sleigh, wrapped up in his 'buffalo,' with his greatcoat on, his fur cap tied down over his ears, and his fur gloves up to his elbows, he passed one of these frontier school houses. It was 'recess', and the teacher and some of the bigger boys were out at the side of the house knocking some squirrels off a tall hickory tree with a rifle. The dandy reined up his horse a few minutes and as he saw the squirrels drop one after an- other, 'perpetrated the following parody on the above oft quoted couplet of Thompson : " 'Delightful task! to rear the tender thought, And teach the youthful Indian how to shoot!' "The rascal ! It was well for him I was not there to hear him." ' ■ (9) i 130 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. ABRAM fair's NARRATIVE. Abram Fair, one of the eight first settlers of Butler township, writes as follows : "Our plan was to come out — build cabins — make a little beginning, and then return to our old homes, in Montgomery county, Ohio, to winter and bring on the families in the spring. We brought provisions enough with us to last till our return, excepting meat — calculating to kill deer enough to sup- ply that. In this, however, we were mistaken. We found deed quite scarce in those woods that fall. One day, Andrew Surface found a hollow tree (on Black creek where Peter Simon's ashery later stood) filled with honey, into which a bear had gnawed a hole and helped himself to as much as he wanted. On cutting the tree we found what was left of Bruin's dinner, six gallons of honey. The first fair day after this, we found two bee trees, cut them, and took the honey. We, eight, ate all the honey we wanted for twenty days (and we had little to eat except the honey and bread) and on returning to Montgomerv county, we had twenty-one gallons of strained honey left. A COON STORY. "After finding the bee trees, Andrew Surface found a hollow tree with two 'coons' in it, and cutting them out, he brought them to our shanty. We took the hides off, and hung the meat out in the frost over night, and in the morning, Charley Grouse, who was our cook, prepared them for our break- fast. Being rather meat-hungry, we all ate heartily of them, except John Surface, who declared he would starve first — though he ate some of the gravy. After breakfast, we all went at cutting and hewing logs and making clapboards for William Surface's cabin. John and I went to sawing a large oak for clapboards. John didn't pull the saw very strongly. 'Ah,' said I to him 'You didn't eat coon or you could have sawed better.' Presently he thought the saw went too hard and that he must have the iron wedge from the shanty to drive in the kerf. My father, Peter Fair, was lying in the shanty and John supposed he was asleep. So he went to the skillet where there was a quarter of a 'coon' left from breakfast, and taking off the lid, he took up the meat, and after smelling it awhile, applied his teeth and stripped the bone in short meter. All this time my father lay pretending to be asleep, but struggling to keep from laughing. When John returned and took hold of the saw again, I remarked to him, that he must have either been eating coon or smelling of it, he pulled so much stronger. When Grouse DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. I3I went in to cook dinner, my father told the joke, and it was some time before John heard the last of the coon story." PIONEER DIMENSIONS. Abram Fair, the author of the above, was a splendid type of pioneer. We read how many of the brave settlers perished under the hardships incident to opening up the country, but listen to Fair's own words of his experiences and the result: "I was twenty-two years of age when I moved into the town- ship (Butler), twenty- four years ago. I then weighed one hundred and sixty pounds, and my wife one hundred and forty. Now I weigh two hun- dred and ten, and my wife two hundred. We have had eleven children born in the township, and nine are still living. In the twenty-four years I have not lost as many hours by sickness. I am now six feet four and one half inches high, and there never has been cleared land enough in DeKalb county to throw me down on." These words were written about the year 1859. JOHN N. miller's narrative. John N. Miller was one of the first settlers in Wilmington township. His pioneer experiences are very interesting. Near the year i860, he wrote the following concerning them : "In the winter of 1836-7, I took a job of chopping for Mr. Lytle, who had sold out where he first settled, and had entered the tract of land since owned by the late William Pryor, in Stafford township. The job was on the river bottoms, where the timber was very heavy — huge oaks and elms, with enormous tops, being rather plenty to get along fast, as I had to take down all the timber, and cut it up ready for logging. I only got four or five dollars (I do not now remember distinctly the wages), and was to take my pay in potatoes, pork, beans, etc. For potatoes, I paid $1 per bushel; for pork, 16 cents per pound; and other things in proportion. The price of chopping was low, and that of the articles of pay high ; yet I could not do better, as pro- vision must be had. While I kept busy on my job, I could just about get provisions enough to keep in the bare necessaries of life, so far as eating was concerned; but I had no time to be sick, and no rest but the Sabbath. One cold March evening, after chopping hard all day, I took a bushel of pota- toes and 17 or 18 pounds of pork on my shoulder, and started for home, about dusk. The distance I had to travel along a blind trail, through the 132 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. darkness and brush, was about six miles. Coming to Buck creek, over which a small limber log was placed, I undertook to walk it with my load, but fell off in the water, which was high. Then I waded through the bal- ance of the creek, getting very wet. Cold, wet and tired, I pursued my journey with my heavy load, until the long miles were passed, and I set down my pork and potatoes in my cabin. "The worst part of the tale is, that Lytle was not satisfied with my doing the job so cheap, and taking the pay in high priced trade; but he actually moved the stakes first set; so that the lines might take in several large elms that Avere just outside of the job ; and, besides, wanted me to chop up to a curving brush fence, which ran from stake to stake, on one side of my square job. including about a quarter of an acre more than the straight line agreed upon. My job being finished, as agreed upon, including, too, to the elms fraudulently brought in, I went to Lytle in his house, to demand a settlement, and the balance of my pay ; but he refused to pay unless I chopped up to the brush fence. This, under the circumstances, with my hands cov- ered with blisters from hard and incessant chopping (a kind of labor I was not accustomed to) ; this I say, provoked me almost beyond endurance, and I told him I should take it out of his hide, right then and there. I was mak- ing towards him. His wife screamed, and Lytle turned it off with a laugh, and said he would pay me and thus the matter ended." This Lytle was known among the settlers as a hard customer. Very profane and with little conscience, he ever failed to recognize the rights of others. Miller tells another story of the man: "I used to go down to Lytle's sometimes on Sunday afternoon, to be there on Monday morning, to commence my job. Well, one afternoon, Lytle, being an excellent boatman, asked me to take a little ride on the river in his canoe. I consented, and tried to help him navigate the craft, but was very awkward at the business. This provoked him, and he let out such a volley of oaths at me, as I had not been accustomed to listen to tamely. In the midst of his imprecations, he set down his pole, with more than usual energy, and smack it went into two pieces, while he was leaning on it with all his weight — plunge went Lytle head foremost into the deep, cold river. I laughed, of course, and he turned in the water, and threatened to upset the canoe. I seized a paddle, and told him if he undertook it, I would split his head. Being in a cold element, he soon cooled down and came out peaceably. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. I.33 A LONG TRAIL FOR FLOUR. "In the spring of 1837, I had lent William Rogers half a barrel of flour, for, though six miles apart, we were neighbors, as was usual at that time. I expected that it would be returned before needed; but the bottom of the flour sack stared me in the face before it arrived. Getting up one morning, I found only flour enough for one small cake. I told my folks to bake it and eat it. while I went for the lent flour. It was six miles to Rogers, and but a 'trace' for a road. I set out early, afoot, and barefoot at that, and made good speed, thoughts of breakfast spurring me on, until I came to a swamp, round which the trace wound. Thinking to gain time, I struck across, ex- pecting to find the place where the trace came round ; but, the morning being cloudy, I missed the course, and the trail. I traveled on rapidly, however, in what I supposed to be the right direction, until the sun broke out, and I found that it was about noon, and I was only a mile from home ! I quickly sought the trace again, and passed down it at a rapid rate, until I reached Rogers, where I got something to eat. Rogers proposed that if I left the flour, he would bring it on a horse the next day, but I knew this would not answer our wants. So I told him I could carry it, and taking the hundred weight of flour on my shoulder, I trudged back, the whole six miles, without once laying it down. On one occasion the Coatses. Roses and myself, being out of breadstufif, held a consultation as to where we should go to get corn. I was for going to Fort Wayne, but they thought best to go to the North Western prairies. They started to the prairies and I sent $10 along. They were gone ten days, and my money brought me ten bushels of corn, the mill- ing and hauling of which cost me ten more. So my meal cost me $2 per bushel, and much of it rotten, as there had been a frost on the 29th of the preceding August, killing the corn on these prairies, leaving it too green to keep without rotting. A H.-VRD JOURNEY. "Mr. Altenburg and Walsworth were among the early settlers in the vicinity of Auburn. They moved in together and left Steubenville. in Steuben county, on the morning of the fourth of November. 1838. in the midst of a very heavy fall of snow, which continued all day. Having a nar- row, blind, crooked track to follow, without a house for nine miles, the snow flakes falling so fast as to bewilder the traveler, and, at some times, weighing down the bushes across the track, it became necessary for one of the men to walk before the teams, to find the wav. and remove the bushes 134 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. overhanging it. They also had some stock to drive, and their help being rather scarce, the women were under the necessity of walking, and assisting to drive them. The snow being soft, and hanging on the bushes, those on foot became completely wet. On, on the slow ox teams passed, through snow and mud, along the crooked, narrow path, until night came on, and .still all around was a bleak, snow-clad forest. They began to think of lying in their wagons for the night, but having no way of making fire, and nothing for their teams or stock, and the women and children being frightened by the howling of the wolves around them, they drove on in the darkness, occasionally stalling against the trees on the side of the track. At length, one of the teams and the wagon got entirely out of the way, and so entangled among the trees and logs that the latter had to be left. Hitching Iwth teams to one wagon, they drove on until they began to think they must be near to the only dwelling between Steubenville and Auburn, Isaac B. Smith's. Stop- ping the teams, Mr. Altenburg proposed that all should unite in one desperate yell in order to find whether any human being was near. Loud and shrill arose that cry on the midnight air, but the loud howl of a pack of wolves, whose name appeared to be legion, was the only reply. After holding their breath in silence for awhile, Mr. Altenburg proposed that they tune their throats anew, and pitch their voices a note or two higher, and ez'en pinch the baby (later Mr. Henry Altenburg), that he might join his voice with theirs. This effort was successful, and Mr. Smith came to their rescue with a light, and welcomed them to the hospitality of his little cabin, for, although about full already, he still had room for two families. "The next morning, bringing up the wagon left in the rear, they started on, and succeeded in driving all of three miles through mud and snow before dark, reaching a little board shanty put up by Wesley Park for two men to lodge in, who were building a bridge over Cedar creek, where Uniontown now is. During the day they caught a coon, and on it they feasted the follow- ing morning, the two families and the two bridge builders having some- how contrived to stow themselves away for the night in the little shanty. In the morning the question was how to get down the high steep bank of the creek with the loaded wagons. This feat was accomplished by running poles under the body of the wagon and between the spokes of each wheel, so as to lock them all, and then hitching a yoke of oxen to the tongue to hold back, and another yoke to the hind part of the wagon to pull back, the oxen hitched behind, making, of course, a desperate effort to prevent being dragged down. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA, 1 35 MORE ADVERSITIES. "On Friday, IMay 27, 1837, in the afternoon, Isaac B. Smith, Cyrus Smitli and Joseph Delong, with their families, arrived on the hill where Mr. Smith's cabin later stood. This was in Smithfield township. There was not even a shanty or wigwam then. To keep ofif the night dews, they cut forks and driving four of them in the ground, and laying poles on them. covered them with brush. Under these they lay on the ground, on Friday night, and on Saturday put up a cabin such as three men could raise, to the joists — and again lay under the brush that night. The next morning they discovered an unwelcome bedfellow, in the fomi of a "massasogga," or black rattlesnake, and, not being very much disposed to share their bed with these natives, they went at it on Sunday morning, and "cobbed" up the cabin, and covered one side with black ash bark peeled from the adjacent trees, and, fixing poles in the crevices between the logs, laid their beds some feet above the ground, so that Mr. Massasogga might have the ground to himself. On Monday they covered the other side of the cabin and the joists with bark, and carrying in some pole "sleepers," laid a puncheon floor. By the time the floor was laid, the joists were found to be so low that even a woman could not walk straight under them. Whate\er may be thought of cabin raising on Sunday, it must be remembered that 'necessity knows no law.' It seemed fortunate that the caliin was finished as soon as it was, for no sooner was the bark roof laid than it began to rain, and for twenty days there was scarcely one that was not more or less rainy. In this cabin, sixteen by eighteen feet, the three families lodged together for two months, and then Mr. Delong moved back to Pleasant lake and Cyrus Smith put up a cabin for himself. "On leaving Ohio, Mr. Smith had boxed up five busliels of potatoes, and among them had packed his pots and kettles not wanted on the road, and sent the box with other goods by public conveyance to Adrian, Michigan. He did not get them to his cabin until about the first of July, and on opening the box, found them awfully smashed up by the iron ware. He thought it was now too late to plant them, but Mr. Park advised him by all means to do so. He planted them on the 8th and 9th of July, and in the fall dug eighty-six bushels from the five bushels of mangled seed. 136 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. A MILL TRIP WITH AGUE. "In July following his settlement, Mr. Smith took the ague, and had it with but little intermission until the June following. In December. 1837, he had it so se\ercly each alternate day that he was unable to be about. On his well day, he could be around, but was very weak. Getting out of bread- stuff, it became necessary that, sick as he was, he should go in quest of some. So, yoking up his oxen, he started for the town of Gilead, Michigan, six miles beyond Orland, or 'the Vermont settlement,' as it was then called. It had rained much and the streams were swollen. He made his way along, however, lying by, sick every other day, until finally he reached Gilead, where he got eight bushels of corn, and started back to the Vennont mills, in the settlement of this same name. It had now turned 'cold as Greenland.' and was blowing fiercely while the air was filled with the descending snow. It was yet early in the morning, and he had gone but three-fourths of a mile on the road to the mill, when the wind blew a tree down across the road, almost brushing the oxen's heads. To get around the trees, he turned out of the road, expecting to come right in again, but failed to do so, and, getting bewildered amid the falling snow, he drove on through the openings, as near as he could in the direction of the mills — on — on — on — for hour after hour, and still no road nor mill was found. "Mr. Smith had on his head a palm leaf hat, that had been a fine one, but was now the worse for wear. While traveling, bewildered, through the openings, a whirling blast whisked it from his head, and he last saw it careening on the wings of the wind — rising higher and higher until it was lost to sight in a cloud of snow. Having a 'comforter' on his neck, he ' commenced to use the old log schoolhouse on section 19. This organization held many successful revials. A chapel was erected at Mount Pleasant in 1870. The Lilly United Brethren church at Moore Station was organized by Rev. Aaron Lilly in December, 1882, with twenty-seven members. Services were held in the Mooresville schoolhouse until the next summer, when they built a fine large frame clnirch. costing fourteen hundred dollars. Services were held e\ery alternate Sunday. THE B.\PTIST CHURCH. The history of the Baptist church dates almost co-equal with the first settlement of DeKalb county. Here and there in the townships, log meet- ing houses were raised, and long ser\ed their purpose. The first regular Baptist church organized in this county was known as the "Cedar Creek church." The house of worship was a log building. It was located about one mile south of the present village of Corunna. The date of organization was in 1841 or 1842. Deacon McConly, who afterward became a minister. 21,2 DEKALB COLXTW INDIANA,. was very prominent among the early members of this denomination. Calvin Calkin, T. D. Daily and families, were other strong memljers of the society, The pastors of the church at various times were Elders P. H. E\ans, William N. Welker, A. Town and others. Tiiis church is now defunct. The next church organized was within the bounds of Wilmington town- ship, and had its origin in 1844. Its formation was largely owing to the energetic efforts of A. Town and R. Speer. James R. Cosper donated land for a church site so long as it would be used for religious purposes. A log meeting house was accordingly raised upon this ground. S. B. Meade was the lirst pastor of the church, and S. B. Ward followed shortly afterward. Elders Baker and Whitehead held a series of meetings in Auburn and the result was the organization of a church. Upon this the Wilmington church was practically dissolved, because the members persisted in joining the church at Auburn. The Wilmington church was abandoned in 1861. On August 13. 1852, the brethren met at the old courthouse to take into- consideration the organization of a Baptist church in Auburn. Everybody agreed on the plan, and an organization was efifected on September 15, 1852. Elder Ward became the first pastor, and then Elder A. Town. Having no regular meeting house of their own, the Baptists at this time held their services at the courthouse or in the Methodist or Presbyterian churches. The new brick building of the Baptist church was completed in the fall of 1873. Elder Ward, R. P. Jones, W. Langton Sanders, J. P. Ward, H. J. Finch, T. C. Smith and O. E. Eagy were ministers until the year 1892. From 1892 until 1913 the ministers have been: Reverends F, W, Hart, W. P. Pearce. Edwin P. Hoyt, W. A. Pavy, J, H, Martin, H, J, Finch, C, B, Janes and F, M. Reece There are now seventy-three members of the church and the Sunday school has an enrollment of seventy-one. The Baptist church was organized on December 15, 1885, by seven ladies uf Garrett, namely: Mesdames C. N. Bell, G. W. Mudd, Frank Hartsock, Effie Stewart, Sarah Cobler, Lydia Osborn, and Miss Addie Ford. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Davies, and following him have been, in part: Reverends Pavey, Chansler, Stevens, Whitney, and John Walton, who is the present minister in charge of the work. The present brick church building was erected in 1888 and 1889, and it is to the credit of the present pastor and the loyal members of the church to say that the debt incurred in the first building has just been lifted. The Baptist church has a membership of two hundred and twenty-five, and the Sunday school ha? one hundred and thirty-five. Among the societies identified with this thriving little church are the Baptist DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 2I3 -Young People's Union, the Ladies' Aid Society, the Home Mission Society, and the Pansy Ciuh, a\ hich is devoted to charitable work. It might be said that the delit of the church was paid almost entirely by subscriptions. ST. M.\RK's LUTHERAN CHURCH. Several fruitless attempts to organize and establish the English Lutheran church in Auburn were made at different times by Re\s. \V. Waltman, J. Sise and C. C. Link. I'he need of a house of worship was great. Rev. Levi Rice made a visit to .Auburn in ^hiy, il^J-t. and completed arrangements to preach occasionally in the Baptist clnuch, and this continued until' October 26, 1875, when, notice ha\-ing lieen duly gi\eii, all members of the society met at the home of Jacob \\'allx)rn. where a permanent organization was made with nine- teen members. The church so formed was given the name of "The St. Marks English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Auburn.'" At this meeting, Levi Rice presiding, an election was held and a council chosen, namely : John Treesh, J. Walborn, Enos H. White and D. A. Sebring. Rev. Rice was engaged for one year, with semi-monthly meetings. The names of the original members are as follows : J. J. and Caroline E. Huffman, Jacob .Stamets, David A. and Minerva Sebring, Jacob, Lucetta and Mary Walborn, Mary ^^'iles. Htirace .\. Hoffman, Margaret Sibert, John Treesh, William Mc- Clellan, Andrew and Elizabeth Bolander. William L. and Angeline Smith and Enos H. and Clara M. \Miite Of these, nine were former members, three were transferred and the rest were recei\ed liy letter. ' The Lutherans at once purchased of the Presbyterian society their old frame church, occupying the southeast corner of lot twenty, west .Auburn, and paid the sum of six hundred and fifty dollars for the property. Rew Rice remained with this church for six years. Rev. Samuel Kelso, of Spencerville. succeeded Rev. Rice, and stayed one year. Rev. William Waltman came next. He was a resident minister of Kendallville, but supplied this church a brief period in the early part of 1883. A permanent pastor was next secured in the person of Rev. W. D. Trover, whose engagement covered the space of four years, terminating in October, 1887. Rev. Jessup, from Leipsic. Ohio, follow^ed, the Rev. \. J. ATyers, of Noble county, in March, 1888. During the year 1889 the society negotiated for and purchased of Mrs. Fannie Smith lot sixty-two. West .A.uburn, paying five hundred dollars for the property. A building committee w-as appointed and contracts made for a new church. Before the end of October the edifice was finished. The build- 214 DKKALB COUNTY. INUIANA. ing was (lolliic in st\'Ie. lia\in<( brick walls ami slated j^ables, and the dimen- sions were forU-l'iuir hy sixty-three feel. The tower rose to a height of eighty-five feel, supporting a i)ell weigliing eight Inindred pounds. Tlie inter- ior of the ehurch was linished in natural wood. The lloor was howl-shaped, descending toward the pulpit and the seats circular and concentrically ar- ranged. Stained glass wiiulow^ were installed, respectively nieniorials of the Sabbath school. Synod of Xortheni Indiana. Lewis Bowers. Jacob Walborn, Burton Brown. Samuel t oruell and the Xelsons. Tud hot-air furnaces sup- plied the lu'.it. The total cost of the building was about .seven thousand dollars. The building was consecrated for religious jiurposes in a sermon preached on November ;,. iSS.). by Dr. I,. \. (iodwall. .if Springlield. Ohio. In Febru- ary. i8()(), Rev. D. I'". l\;iin, of Albion, Indiana, w.is engaged as minister, and stayed until the sjiring of iS()i. ;uid was succeeded by Re\-. J. D. Brosy, from Pleasant Lake. The Sabbath school was orgatu/ed in the year 1S7-; a Ladies" Aid so- cietv in 1SS5. and. on X.weniber ;. iSi)i. a Christian Endeavor society. In iS()_' a parson;ige was erected on tlie lot ea-t of the cluuTh at a cost of fifteen hnndretl dollars. Rev. Brosy reni.ained at \uburu until 1.105. when he was succeeded by Rev. S. I', Slater. \\ P., wb.. .Maved until i.;o.). Uev. J. II. Xeuh.mscr l"ol- lowcd. an.l be in turii w;is succeeded, .m September 1. i<)ii. by the present past.M-. Re\. A. 1'.. < larmar. The church at pn-ent has iw,. bun.lre.l and thirty- three cMuninicant members, tbive bun. bed .and cle\en onlirmed members, and three hun.lied .and I'lftv six b;i]iti/e.l. Tlie Sun. lav school numbers three hundred ;m.l I'lftv members, with thirty- f.>ur ortlccrs and teachers. The Ladies' .\i.l S.iciety was .irganixed in 18S3: the ^'.lung I'eoples' Society Christian l\n.lea\.M was organized on November 7. iS()t ; the Luther League in i8c)4; W.iman's ILmie and Foreign ^Missionary Society in 1S96. and the Lutheran Brotherho.Hl in bVbru.ary. i()io. The Missi.m Baud of seventy- live members takes charge of l.u\al relief and charit}" w.>rk. St. Mark's l.utber.an l'',\ angelical church at Butler was organized in 1804 by Rev. j. W . llenders.Hi. The church was built ab.nit 1867, imder the pastorate of Rev. 1 leu.lers.m. It was .if brick .and cost originally about five thousand dollars, but has later been remodeled twice, at an additional cost of three thousand dollars, ."^ince Rew Henderson, the pastors have been: Revs. J. X, Morris. .\. W. B.urns. S. B. Snyder. William (,'. Baruett. Jabez Shaffer, 0. F. Kain, W. nieffenbach. S. P. l->yberger. K. V.. Xeibel. W. S. Oberholter, M. L. Imrst. I. 11. l'r..use. and John B. (Gardner, the iiresent elVicient and DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. ^15 popular pastor, who came on M;i\ i, kjij. At present there are eighty-one members of the church, with ninety in tlic Sunday school. The Porcag So- ciety, a charitahU' orfjanizatinn. and llir Lutlu-r l.catiuc, for ynung people, are existent. The Wittenberg Lutlieian l'.\an<;clical church is one of the oldest in this territory of the synod, or in the county. It was organized by Rev. J. Gather, in 1843. The church building is valued at lifteen hundred dollars. There are twenty-three menibcrs, with ,'i Sundax' sclion] of fort\'-li\e. There are the Dorcas .Society and Luther League in this cluu-eh also. Rev. John 1'.. Gardner attends this church on alternate Sundays from Butler. Richland Center Lutheran Evangelical church was organized l)y Rev. W. VVallman in 1855, with twenty-five charter members. Fairfield Center church was org.-uii/ed in i\e\. J. (atlier in 1X5^1. with fourteen charter members. Sedan church was organized in i860 b\- Re\. J. W'ah eight members. Fairfield Center Lutheran ehureii was orgain/ed l)y 1856, with fourteen charter nienil.ers. Sedan rhurcli wa> by Rev. VV. Waltman with twenty-eight members. i\ev. the first Luthenui ehiurli in Concord township in Oclnber, of William Doums, with twel\'e charter nu'inlit-rs. johii man. C. C. Caskey, in 1859. were pa.stors when the ii.isto that of Spencerville, St. John's, .Salem and Richl.-md. !!. !•' A. Leathers, E. W. Erick and S. Kel.so followed. During service he organized the St. Joe church and built tin- st three llionsaiul dollars. Iv K. I'.aker came next, and i: fctnnded the church at Spencerville. The h'.vaugclieal Lutheran church at Speucer\ille hundred and seventeen conlinned members. Re\. 1). I' of the congregation, having come to the pastorate on (Jctober i, 1912. The Sunday school has a membership of one himdred and five, with twenty officers and teachers. There is a Ladies' Aid Society and a Woman's Home and For- eign Missionary Society. The church building was erected in i8Sj, also the parsonage, and the cost was si.x thousand dollars at the time. m;ni. with tueuty- Rev. j. t ather in organ ized in i8fK) J. Cather founded 1849, at the home 1 Side 1. W. Walt- rale w ,as split into . Hills .. C. C. Sink, the latter pastor's let lire at a cost of n S. 1 '. bTybcrger 1 pre. ent has one Ilelt/c 1 has charge <;1':km.\n \.vt] IKRAN AND ( :.Ki A society, to l)e kn own as the ( '. le successful in organizati on. iMjr a 1 tin RM.W RKFi Reformed Lutheran church, was o German societies united their 2l6 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Strength and resources, under tlie above title, and taking advantage of a donation of land for churcli |'ur])()ses, the combined societies appHed for and were granted lot number one hundred and fifty-four, which had been held for the first religions society that might niake claim to and actually improve it in accord with the wishes of the gi\'er, John Spencer. The site having been cheaply and legally acquired, the society contracted for the erection of a small frame meeting house, to cost but a few hundred dollars. The work was acti\-ely carried forward, so that by February, 1865, the building had been completed and dedicated a home of worship. At the dedication the attendance was nnich beyond the limited capacity of the Iniild- ing, the music was good and the exercises, conducted in German, were of an interesting character. Later the German Reformetl church of St. Johns bought out the interest of the other society and on January i. 1866, a meeting was called and a con- sistory was chosen. Peter Durmer and Jacob Kandel were elected elders and John Otto and Ernest Myers, deacons, to serve two years. The Rev. Isaac Motzinger was the first minister. He served the church acceptably until 1872, living in a small framed cabin during the jieriod of his service. Rev. William B. Sandoe was his successor. Other ])rcacliers in order were : Philip Ruhl. 1872; John Rettig, 1879: John Winter. 1882: W. Grether, 1884: B. Ruf, 1888. Shortly after the church had Iveen built the Evangelical Lutheran so- ciety sold their interest and for se\eral years were without a home of wor- ship. Rev. Reichard. of Avilla, and Re\-. Steinback, of Fairfield, alternated ever}- fortnight in preaching to the society, and it was not till February i. 187,^, that the members resolved upon erecting a meeting house. To this end a meeting was held at the residence of Charles Bartles, of Richland town- ship, and application was then made for a lot which had been set aside by Air. Spencer solely for church i)ur])iises, and on obtaining possession they pro- ceeded to build upon the lot a small church, in which their services were held. Rev. Searing preached for them at inter\als of several weeks and Rev. Lewis Pullman was the only resident ]:)reacher. Rev. C. IV Preu'^s came next. The (ierman Evangelical Lutheran church in Garrett, of the Missouri synod, was organized in the year 1888, with thirteen voting members. C. B. Preuss was the first visiting pastor, and he continued until 1890. His home was in .\\illa. Re\-. F. J. Keller was the second pastor and the first resident pastor. ( )tto Schumm came next: then H. B. Kohlmeier; then C. W. Giese. The present incumbent is Rev. G. Rloedel, who took charge of the work on July 29, i9i,>. coming liere from the slate of Nebraska. The church numbers one hundred and fifty communicants. fort\- \oting members, an.d three bun- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. ^I^ dred and seventy-five souls. The Sunday school has a membership of fifty. The Ladies' Aid Society conducts charitable work in Garrett, and is very well organized. Rev. Bloedel teaches a pai^ochial school adjoining the church building' on the east ; he has thirty-nine scholars. The church building is of wood, and was dedicated on October 27. 1889. The cost was eighteen hundred dollars. The English Reformed church at \\'aterloo has a fine brick structure on the corner of Center and Union streets. It was built in 1872, at a cost of fifty-five hundred dollars. Rev. Henry Baer was the first pastor, followed by Rev. Fenniman, and Rev. F. F. Christine in 1880. The Lutheran church in Troy township was organized by Re\'. James Cather in 1843, in the liouse of John A. Zimmerman, on section thirty. The house of worship was later on section twenty-eight. CHURCH OF GOD. The Church of God was organized at a very early date in the cit\- of Auburn. The pastors since 1887 have been Revs, Markle}-, Neill. Fuller. Harendeen, Bloyd, L M. Thoma'-, H. H. Spicher, A. (X Musgrove and J. G. Wise, the present incumbent. The church has a memljershij) of ninet\-two, with eight\- in the Sunday school. Societies are: The Woman's Missionary Society and the Christian Endeavor. ST.' MATTHEW REFORM CHURCH. The St. Matthew Reform church in Garrett was organized in the year of 1888, and the first pastor called was Rev. B. Ruff. After him, in 1893, came Rev. George Englemann. Li 1899 G. M. Ifersch took charge of the work, also Rev. Vollbach during a short period following. In 1906 Edward Kiels- meier was chosen for the pulpit, and for two years he benefited the church greatly. In 1908. and until iQii, Henry Clausing had charge. In 1912 Rev. Otto H. Scherry, the present able pastor, came to Garrett, and under his control the church has taken rapid strides toward a fuller and more complete organization. The brick church building was erected in the year 1904. and cost, when completed, fifty-five hundred dollars. The church is situated at the corner of Keyser and Franklin streets and the parsonage is adjoining. At present there are eighty-eight members of the society in Garrett. The Sunday school has seventy members. Two societies, the Christian Endeavor and the Ladies' Aid Societv, exist at this time, and both are of very high standard. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Protestant Episcopal church at Garrett was built in 1876 and dedi- cated in Jul}-, 1877. The land was purchased, building erected, furniture put in and everything provided for use by John King, Jr., and William Keyser, first and second vice-presidents, respectively, of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, and presented as a free gift to Bishop Talbot of the Indiana dio- cese. The first pastor was Rev. B. L. Trimble. Rev. Weatherby and R. H. Dennis succeeded him, and for a period the church was closed. In the winter of 1883-4 the church was reopened, and Rev. S. M. C. Orpen came from Lima, Indiana, and preached every two weeks. Rev. Benjamin R. Phelps succeeded him. Rev. C. E. Bilger now tends the Garrett membership, which is very small. EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION. The Evangelical .Association at Waterloo was organized before the out- break of the Civil war, and in 1886 a church was built at a cost of three thousand dollars. Another authority claims this church to have been built in 1877. Rev. Geist was the pastor in charge when the church was constructed. In 1880 he left and returned again in April, 1913, and is still the incumbent. There are eighty members of the church and one hundred in the Sunday school. A Ladies' Aid Societx-, N'oung Peoples' Alliance and a Missionary Au.xiliary are societies within the congregation. Some of the pastors who have served at Waterloo are : Revs. W. H. Mygrant, W. H. Freshley, D. O. Wise, C. H. Burgener, B. F. Walmer, D. E. Zechiel. G. F. Zuber and P. L. Browns. Rev. Geist visits the County Line society also, a small organization with a church-house near the county line of DeKalb and Steuben, three miles west of Ashley. There are forty members here. A mile south of Fairfield Center there is a society, but active work had been abandoned. CATHOLIC CHURCHES. In August of the year 1872 a Catholic priest for the first time visited the city of .Auburn, blather August Young was commissioned in this capacity. He found nine Catholic families here at the time, who were: Engelbert Ashley, Joseph .\shley, William H. Mclntyre, Jules Beuret, Justin Girardot, Charles Beugnot, Benjamin Goodman, Jacob Hollinger, Stephen Girardot and Patrick Murphy. For two years he had services in the home of Engelbert DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 2ig Ashley, on West Seventh street. In the meantime the jjresent lots were secured, facing on w hat was then .the corner of Fourtli and Railroad streets. The committee in charge consisted of Engelbert .Ashley, Jules Beuret and Jacob Hollinger. The foundation for the new^ church was laid on June i, 1874. A little frame structure, thirty by fifty feet, was erected and served as a place of worship until August, 1912. The church was dedicated by Bishop Joseph Dwenger, of Fort Wayne, on October 18 of the same year. The building sat close to the sidewalk, facing Fourth street and was erected at a cost of three thousand dollars, the total amount of which was paid on the day after the dedication. The present priest's residence, adjoining the church projjerty, was bought for one thousand, nine hundred dollars, on .\pril 15, 1S74. The congregation from the beginning increased rapidly and at this time it numbered three thou- sand souls and had no debt on the church property. At the suggestion of the bishop. Father Young changed his place of residence from Auburn to Garrett, on No\-ember 10, iS8(), InU continued to \isit Auburn from Garrett until November i, 1891. The resident pastors succeeding Father Young at Auburn were the fol- lowing: Rev. Rudolph Denk, eight months: Re\ . hrancis P. Faust, from June, 1892, to November, 1895; Rev. Edward J. Boccard, from November, 1895, to September, 1898: Re\-. Frederick J. Dandurand, from September, 1898, to July, 1900; Rev. John M. Schmitz, from July, 1900, to July, 1910, when the present pastor. Father Angermaier. took charge. Since his presence in our midst. Father Angermaier has been doing splendid work for the material, as well as spiritual, upbuilding of the parish. A public-spirited, energetic young man, he set about at once to make the re- quired improvements on the parochial residence and church property in gen- eral. Of course, this took time and money, but with foresight and the spirit of perseverance required, he began planning the work he had in view, and the present beautiful church is the fruit of his labor. The congregation approved of his plans and supported him liberally in his undertaking. The work of excavating for the new building started the first week in August, 19 1 2. A concrete foundation was put in and a roomy basement sup- plied for the whole church. Rising above this are five tiers of cement blocks which raise the superstructure of the church about five feet above the level of the ground. The old frame structure was utilized because of its splendid ma- terial. The exterior of the present building measures ninety-four feet. It has a transept of forty-eight feet, giving it a seating capacity of about three bun- 220 D'EKALB COUNTY, INDIAKA. dred. A large' sanctuary with vestries on either side takes up the fore part of the church. \Miile the shell is a frame structure, the outside, finished in stucco, is an inncnation in church building. Not only in the city of Auburn, but, so far as can be learned, it is the only church building of its kind in the State. It is this that attracts the attention of so many and elicits admiration and comment. PSeautiful concrete steps lead to the entrance of the church, which at present sets back from the sidewalk about fifteen feet. A steeple sixty-five feet high surmounted by a gilded cross of four and a half feet adds much to the beauty of the exterior and attracts the attention of the stranger at a distance: The interior artistic decoration is the work of Signor Giovanni Gioscio, an Italian artist of Indianapolis. Two beautiful oil paintings adorn the ceiling of the church. One represents the mother of the Savior crushing the head of the serpent, according to the saying in Genesis: "She shall crush thy head; and thou shalt lie in wait of her heel." The other is a painting of Saint Cecelia, patroness of music. Two adoring angels adorn the arch of the sanctuary. The chtnxh has been com])letely refurnished. Oak l>e\\s finished in mission st\le that are very roomy and comfortable have replaced the old ones. .\ new Packard organ, with pipe organ efifect, has been secured for the choir. A massive and beautiful altar, worth no less than two thousand dollars, was the gift of the pastor from a personal friend in Fort Wayne In liarmony with the side alters, it is finished in white and gold. To the Catholic the altar is ever most intimately associated with priests and .sacrifice, as is beautifully illustrated by the carvings on the panels of the altar tal)le, the one to the left representing Abel offering a lamb as a sacrifice; the other to the right the High Priest Melchisedech. king of Salem, oiYering bread and wine which prefigured the true sacrifice of the New Law, represented by the carving in the center panel, Christ with His Apostles at the last supper changing bread and wine into His sacred Body and Blood. .\ beautiful red velvet carpet covering the floor of the sanctuary and heavy cork matting coxering the floor of the auditorium are the .gifts of Schaab & Brother Company to the congregation. .Ml this with a splendid electric illumination from walls and ceiling gi\es the church a most beautiful and pleasing interior. The St. Michael's church is located at Summit, in Sniithfield township. The church was built in 1880 by Rev. Augustus Young, and was dedicated on August 28, 1881, by Bishop Dwenger. Rev. Young was relieved of the pas- torate by Rev. Peter Franzes from June 20, 1882, till May 11, 1883. After this Father Young again attended the church. This pastorate was taken on July 4, 1884, by Rev. ATaxinulian Benzinger.Wno stayed until October 17, DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 22 1 1897. Two acres of land and one acre as a cemetery were donated by John M. Schaudel. In 1885 Benzinger bnilt the pastoral residence at a cost of fourteen hundred dollars. The next pastor was Rev. Herman Jurascheck. until May 18, 1894. In 1895 the church was enlarged to its present size. Revs. Peter Schmitt and John N. Schmitz were other pastors. Since July 13, 1900, the church at Summit has been a mission, attended by the priests of Auburn. Father George Angermaier has charge of the church at present. Sixty families comprise the congregation, and the church is without debt. The Catholic church in Garrett had its beginnings when Father A. Young was caring for his flock in Auburn. In May and June; 1876, he built the first church in Garrett, a frame building twenty-four by forty feet, at a cost of two thousand dollars. To this he added a sacristy which cost three hundred dollars. As soon as the church was enclosed he opened a select school in it with Josephine Bisset as teacher. This was the first school in Garrett and continued until the public school was opened. In 1886 he moved the sacristy back from the church building thirty-four feet, added four feet to the length of the church, built a cross section on the rear end of the church, thirty by forty-eight feet, and also constructd a new belfry and steeple on the church. all of which cost thirty-five hundred dollars. At the same time he built a par- sonage for himself costing two thousand dollars. On the tenth day of No- vember, 1886, he moved from Auburn to Garrett. In 1888 a beautiful and commodious parochial school building was erect- ed, with four schoolrooms sufficient to accommodate two hundred pupils. This building cost six thousand dollars. Again in 1893 the church was remodeled at a cost of thirty-three hundred dollars. Calvary cemetery was purchased and laid out in 1897. The improvements and all cost three thou- sand dollars. The Sacred Heart Hospital was built in 1902, and is described in the history of Garrett. In 190^) Father Young built an addition to the brick parochial school building which he had constructed in 1888. As it is, there are eight schoolrooms, capable of accommodating four hundred pupils. The Catholic church at present in Garrett is in a very prosperous condi- tion, and has a very large membership. Father A. 'S'oung continues as the pastor. The first Catholic church in the county was built at Waterloo in 1867, and was attended by Catholics from Auburn and other places. The priests in charge up to 1874 were Revs. R. J. Echlering, R. A. Dimig. R. J. Zini- bilde and R. A. Yung. CHAPTER IX. HISTORY OF JOURNALISM. By Herbert C. Willis. The making of a newspaper has given the projectors of the various en- terprises more real worry and hardships than perhaps any other line of busi- ness investments. It has made men poor from a financial standpoint, some have lost friends, and all of the promoters have lost sleep trying to make their newspapers pay and at the same time liave a standing in their communities as molders of pul^lic opinion. There ha\e been as many newspapers in the county since the publication of the first paper as there have been establishments in any one line of business. Still today tliere are ijut ten newspapers published in the county. All of the papers now published ha\e their fields in which to circulate and most of tliem have a ])olitical party whose principles they advocate. E.\RLY NE\VSP.A.PER M.\KING. The earlier newspapers of the county never thought of contesting with each other to get a "scoop" on a news story. It was too slow a process and all that was thought of was to get a subscriber now and then, take a load of wood on subscription, or a gallon and a half of apple butter. The editors generally boarded their printers and the wages paid were small compared with that of the present time. One printer on a paper, with an apprentice and a "devil," who worked for a chance to learn the trade, composed the force that set up the type, with the assistance of the editor himself, and started the paper off' to press, sometimes on time, sometimes late from one hour to two days. It seemed to make no difference when the subscribers received their papers, and in some instances it mattered not whether they received them at all. About three times a year, .Saturday afternoon w'as made a half holiday, when a pile of kindling would be gathered in the back yard and the process of roller-making was carried out. A portion of glue and molasses was cooked until it was of the proper texture, when the "'dope'" would be poured DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 223 into the molds of cylinder shape and a roller cast, with which the "devil" had to stand on a box and by hand roll the forms on the hand press in order that the ink would be properly spread over the type. It is perhaps safe to say that there is not more than one printer or publisher in the county at the pres- ent time who ever helped to cast a roller in the old-fashioned way. Today the newspaper plants of this county are modern country offices, well equipped for newspaper work, and with up-to-date job printing depart- ments, able to handle much of the work that larger printing offices do. The newspapers of today are no longer considered a subject of charity, supported in order to help out the publisher that he may secure food and clothing for himself and family. It is now a business proposition with the publisher. He sells liis advertising space, and ofifers it as his stock in trade, the same as any merchant. The press of DeKalb county has proved to be one of the greatest factors in modern civilization. It has aided the progress of the county from the time that the newspaper was first known to its people to the present time in a manner that cannot be told. Before tliis county had a newspaper it was necessary that all legal notices that were required by law to be ])ublished had to be sent outside the county for publication. This ga^•c but little notice to the public or parties who were directly interested in such publications. FIRST PAPER IN COUNTY. The first newspaper talk for DeKalb county was in 1852. when S. E. Alvord, then publisher of the Obscrrer at Albion, in Noble county, contem- plated starting a paper at Auburn, the county seat. Not receiving sufficient encouragement in the venture proi)osed, he soon afterward sold his outfit to Messrs. Berry and Milton J. Pierce, who launched the first paper in DeKalb county, by the publication of the Democratic Messenger at Auburn. This did not prove to be a successful venture and after the paper had been pub- lished less than a week Mr. Berry retired from the newspaper and shortly after this, in December, 1855, the office was destroyed by fire. Mr. Pierce was elected auditor of DeKalb county in 1856. and DeKalb county was without a newspaper. OTHER EARLY PAPERS. However, in 1856, two papers started up at Auburn, but neither one proved to be a success and they were soon moved away. W. C. McGonigal became the editor and publisher of the DeKalb Democrat, and J. M. Broma- 224 DEKALB COUNTYj INDIANA. gem of the Auhiini Republican. During the same year and at the close of one of the most exciting presidential campaigns ever waged in the history of the county, the Republicmi was moved to Angola, where the Steuben Repub- iican was issued, and since that time has been Steuben county's leading news- paper. The Democrat was moved to Wabash in 1859, where Mr. McGonigal began the publication of the I! 'abash Plaiiidealer. THE WATERLOO I'RE.SS ESTABLLSHED IX 1859. The lack of support that these papers received at the county seat did not discourage others from starting similar ventures, and it was in August, 1858, that William T. and John I\I. Kimsey began the publication of the DeKalb County Times at Auburn. It only took the new publishers a few months to find out that there was not room for the Times at the county seat, Auburn then being a much smaller town than Waterloo, and they sold out their print- ing outfit to Timothy Y. Dickinson, a son of the late Hon. T. R. Dickinson, then a practicing attorney at Aulnun, to whom an appeal had been made to have a paper printed in Waterloo. The Times plant was moved to Waterloo and on February 4, 1859, the first issue of the Waterloo Press came off the press, and since that time it has been continuously published. The plant that was taken to Auburn by the Kimsey brothers was one that had been used at Angola, in Steuben county, with which was published a paper called the Truth Seeker, espousing the tenets of a religious sect, but it proved a financial failure. When the Waterloo Press was started William T. Kimsey was employed to work on the paper and he continued in this jMsition until the breaking out of the Civil war, when, in 186 1, he entered into the service of the Union army. Mr. Kimsey is living today and is the only survivor of the former publishers or printers who worked on the first newspapers established in DeKalb county. C. K. Baxter, another printer then employed on the paper, left the office at the same time and also entered into the army service. Mr. Baxter passed away at his late home in Ellsworth, Kansas, in June 19 13. Soon after the Civil war broke out, T. Y. Dickinson was appointed assessor and internal revenue collector for this county, and he leased the Press to J. F. Radcliffe, a printer in his employ, who appears as the editor of the paper in February, 1862, although the ownership of the paper remained in Mr. Dickinson until after Mr. Baxter came out of the army in the fall of 1864. when he bought the paper from Mr. Dickinson. The Press continued under the ownership of the new proprietor until the spring of 1865, when he sold it to J. F. Radcliffe DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. and Henry J. Long. Tliis partnership existed but a short time and Mr. Long sold his interests to Benjamin F. Kennedy, and the paper continued under the editorial head of RadclifYe & Kennedy until in September, 1868, when Mr. Baxter again became connected with the paper, having bought the half inter- est held by Mr. Radcliffe. Baxter & Kennedy then published the paper until 1873, when Mr. Kennedy was forced to retire on account of failing health, holding his interest in the paper until 1875. On January i, 1884, Mr. Baxter sold out the Press to his brother-in- law, tiie late Frank W. Willis, and his nephew, Edward P. Dickinson, the only surviving son of the founder of the Press, T. Y. Dickinson. This part- nership existed a short time and then Mr. Willis became the sole owner, con- tinuing the publication of the Press until the great fire that visited Waterloo on February 12, 1896. While the presses were hot and the embers were still burning, Mr. \\'illis formed a partnership with his son, Herbert C. Willis, and the paper was continued without missing an issue, altTiough the fire occurred on the morning that the paper was to go to press. Phoenix-like, the Press arose from its ashes, and was but a few hours late in going to press, as a full sized paper, being seven columns, eight pages. This partnership continued until the death of the senior Mr. Willis, which occurred on May 19, 19 1 3, when the paper was continued by his son and partner, and today stands foremost for the best principles of good citizenship, enjoying a wide circulation. It supports the Republican party. During the time that the paper was published by Baxter & Kennedy in 1868 the office was destroyed by fire, but publication was resumed with but slight interruption. On the morning that the Press office was burned in 1896, at three o'clock, when the junior editor of the paper was circulating about the streets to find business men who had not suffered loss, soliciting them to take advertising space in the paper, and at the same time making the rounds to get items for the paper, the editor was accosted by J\Ir. D. L. Leas, one of the business men who had burned out, who remarked, "Well, we won't have a paper this week, will we?" The editor replied, "Yes, but we may be a few hours late." Mr. Leas thought that the answer was made in a jesting way, and said, "Oh, what a liar you are getting to be." On publication day Mr. Leas was sur- prised to see the Press issued in full size, seven columns, eight pages, the work having been accomplished in Fort Wayne. He looked up the editor and apologized, saving that he had no idea the editor meant what he said. (15) 226 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. THE OLDEST PAPER IX THE COUNTY is the Waterloo Press, which lias been printed continuously for over half a century. The first copy that was e\-er printed is now framed and occupies a place in the office of the present publislier of the paper, who has a complete set of hound files of the paper for the last forty-four years. The editor of the Press set his first type in 1884 and has followed that trade ever since, working at the case during school vacations until he took up active work on the paper in 1891. MORE AUBURN VENTURES. In the fall of 1859 George KuJilman started another paper at Auburn, known as the New Era. This paper \\'as later continued by Joseph C. Love- land until in 1865, being called the Obserz'er and Reporter. Mr. Loveland moved his paper to Clyde, Ohio. The second paper to be called the DcKalb Deiiiocrat at Auburn was started by William H. Dills in 1864, who was later succeeded by Howard Coe as editor. Another paper known as the Democrat was published at .Auburn by H. 1). Carroll, luit it lived nnly a year and suspended publication in 1868. In l)eceml)er. 18OS, j. F. Radclifl'e started an opposition ])aper at Water- loo called the Air Line, but it met with many hard knocks, and in 1870 sus- pended for lack of patronage, then being published by James A. Barnes. The plant was sold to Tom Mays and removed to Auburn, where, on January I, 1 87 1, the Auburn Courier was launched. Before coming to Auburn. Mr. Mays had been connected with the Fort Wayne Sentinel, and was an ex- perienced newspaper man of that time. He continued the paper until July 1, 1878, then selling the Courier to Theodore Reed, who came to .\uburn from Columbia City, Indiana. Shortly after his purchase he sold an interest to Robert J. Lowry, of Fort Wayne, who purchased Mr. Reed's interest in 1880, and continued the paper until he died in 1880, after which time the paper fell into the hands of James A. Barnes and Daniel Y. Husselman, who li\-ed al Waterloo. They continued as partners until January i. 1S82, when l""rank 1'. EJlair bought Mr. Husselman's interest in the Courier, and in March, of the same year, he disposed of his interest to ]\Ir. Barnes, who continued the publication until about 1899, when his health began to fail and he formed a partnership with Mr. Coxey Miner, of Garrett, and later the Courier Company. Mr. Barnes still being connected wnth the paper until he died. During tlie time that Mr. Barnes was connected with the Courier he DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 22/ established the first daily paper in DeKalb county, and the publication of the Daily Courier continued until February 7, 1913, when the office was de- stroyed by fire. At the time of the fire W. H. Mclntyre, the automobile manufacturer of Auburn, was the owner, and then it was that a merger was formed with the Auburn Dispatch, daily and weekly, and the two daily papers suspended and by a comljined force of the former publishers of the two papers, the .luhuru Evcuiuy Star was launched, both the Courier and Dis- patch continuing their weekly pa])ers, being issued semi-weekly. THE FIRST PAPER IN BUTLER. W. T. Kinny started the first paper in Butler, known as the Herahi. This was in 1866, but it had a brief existence of one year. In 1868 another paper was started in Butler, called the Banner of Liberty, published by Emory Higly, the father of the present editor of the Butler Record. Mr. Higly, desiring to advance with the progress of the county seat, soon moved his paper to Aul)urn, styling it the Auburn Times, but it was short lived. In 1874 R. Harry W'eamer began the publication of the Butler Xews, but in a short time had a vision of a Republican paper at the county seat and moved the plant to Auburn, where he launched the DeKalb Coionty Republican. Soon after going to Auburn he became associated with his nephew, and the firm name was Weanier & Weamer. In March, 1878, R. H. Weamer sold out his interest in the Republican to Calvin P. Houser. In May, the same year, Mr. Houser sold out his interest to George Weamer. who was then the sole owner, continuing the Republican until March, 1881. when Mr. Houser and Joseph Rainier bought the paper, but in Xoveniber of the same year Mr. Houser bought out Mr. Rainier's interest. In June, 1884, Myron li. Hois- ington bought an interest in the paper with Mr. Houser. From the publication of the Auburn Republican evohed the Auburn Dispatch, which paper is published at this time. After M. E. Smith sold out the Butler Record he secured the Republican at Auburn and continued the paper a short time until Wallace E. Campbell, now of Anderson, Indiana, came to Auburn, and with a printer partner, by the name of Stevens, who came from Faxon, Illinois, the Republican was changed to the Auburn Dispatch. 1liey continued the puljlication of the paper until in the early nineties, when Mr. Campbell, who had became the sole owner, sold the Dispatch to George W. Gordon, the veteran postmaster. For a while Mr. Gordon continued the paper alone, and later took in as a partner Charles Spake, his foreman i)rinter. This partnership existed until there 228 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. were some differences and Mr. Spake started a job printing office and the Dispatch was again under tlie control of Mr. Gordon, who, at his age, was unable to carry on the hard work incident to the pubHshing of a paper, having in the meantime estabHshed a daily paper, known as the Evening Dispatch. The project finally failed and the paper was sold to James E. Buchanan, who was editing the Albion Nczv Era. This change was made about ten years ago, and Mr. Buchanan continued at the head of the Dispatch until his death, which occurred during the summer of 1913. Since that time his son, Vern, lias become editor and manager of the paper, and with the assistance of his mother, they are carrying on the publication along the plans of the late editor. The Evening Dispatch was discontinued early in the year, as stated in another part of this chapter, which covers the merger story with the Auburn Courier. FIRST NEWSPAPER IN GARRETT. Soon after the town of Garrett was started it was considered necessary to have a newspaper in order that the new town might be made an important factor, not only in the railroad circles, but in the business world as well. The Garrett Nezus was launched in October, 1875, by C. W. Wing & Company, as publishers, and Thomas Malony, as editor. It was but a short time when the publishers found the venture losing money and the\' decided to discontinue the paper. However, in 1877, Otho J. Powell tried another venture in Garrett, establishing the Garrett Herald^ and conducted it as a Republican paper. This paper also contained many religious stories, and the editor being of a religious turn of mind, gave religious subjects more space in his paper than he did news or politics, and there was a sentiment growing in favor of another paper of the opposite views on religion as well as politics. This led up to the establishment of the Garrett Clipper in 1884 by Henry E. and A. J. Little, brothers. This partnership existed until 1897 when they sold out to Solomon Ellis, who lived in Chicago, and desired to conduct a country newspaper. After conducting the paper for one year he sold the paper to Henry E. Little, and his son, Tracy C, now deceased. The father and son conducted the paper as a live wire until 1905, when the senior Mr. Little died, and the son conducted the paper until the year 1908, during which time he made consider- able money out of the newspaper business. He sold the Clipper to C. B. Hamilton, the present owner. The paper is a stanch Democrat newspaper, DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 229 fearless and newsy. After Tracy C. Little sold out the Clipper he formed a partnership with his uncle, and former partner of his father, A. J. Little, in the Little Hardware Company, remaining there until his death in the spring of 1913. The Garrett Herald was continued and later bought by C. W. Miner, who with his son conducted the paper for a number of years, but finally closed out the paper about 1900. Other papers were started since that time, but all had a short duration. The Garrett Nezvs was the title of the paper which was conducted by Alfred Kist, who was also connected with the circulation department of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Mr. Kist absconded and left his paper heavily in- volved and it was closed up by a mortgage foreclosure proceeding. THE BUTLER RECORD came into existence in March, 1877, with W. M. Kist as the editor and pub- lisher, who continued at the helm of the paper until 1880, when he leased the plant to R. Harry Weamer, now deceased, for a term of one year. Mr. Kist died during the year and at the end of the time for which the plant was leased his estate sold the paper to W. F. Garrison, a brother of Mrs. Kist. Mr. Garrison conducted the paper for a number of years and then the Record passed through several hands, becoming the property of Mr. Maxwell, who sold the paper to M. E. Smith, and later to Luther H. Higley, the present editor and publisher, who has built up a good printing business in connection with his paper. THE DEKALB COUNTY HERALD is the name of the Democrat paper published in Butler at the present time. It is the offspring of the Butler Reviezv. After Mr. R. H. Weamer had leased the Butler Record, before the death of Mr. Kist there seemed to be some misunderstanding as to the time which he was to continue the paper. By the death of the proprietor of the Record, a termination of the lease was made at the end of the year. This aroused Mr. Weamer to start a paper in opposition to the Record. To do this and make it pay, he believed it prudent to make it a Democratic paper. Mr. Weamer was a very stanch Republican, and so close did he draw the party lines, he could not write a Democratic editorial, so he conducted the paper as the publisher and proprietor and secured the services of John Baxter, then a Butler resident, to write the edi- 230 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. torials. This arrangement continued until 1884, when, on the first day of October, he sold the plant to Edmund Calkins, who edited the paper until in March, 1885. It then was edited by George Lautzenheiser for three months and was sold to John J. Higgins who published the Reziew for several years, when he sold the plant to O. H. Downey, now editor of the Churubusco Truth. Mr. Downey conducted the paper a short time and then sold it to M. E. Gardner, now publisher of the Democrat, at Lansing, Michigan. In a short time Mr. Downey again became editor of the paper and in order to make some changes in appearance of the paper, and for the purpose of placing it more before the people as a democratic organ of the county, he changed llie name to the DeKalb County Herald. Later Mr. Downey disposed of the Herald to W. li. Keenan who had charge of the paper until five years ago \\hen it was sold to A. S. Powers who today is publishing a good paper. PAPERS OF SHORT EXISTENCE. These papers have been numerous, and some of them have been organs of spite and malice, while some have tried hard to maintain a circulation and gain a prestige. In the latter part of the eighties a paper was started at Corunna, known as the Corunna Hcadliglit. This was in small pamphlet form, and was an experiment along the line of the Ram's Horn. Joseph Loveland, an eccen- tric character, was the publisher of the paper, but it died after a short exist- ence, struggling to the last. During the time that he was editor of this paper, his sister, Miss Mary Loveland, a maiden lady, and his son, Joseph Loveland, Jr., learned to set type, and after the death of the senior Mr. Loveland, Mr. Loveland, Jr., and his "old aunt Mary" came to Waterloo and started a paper called the DeKalb County Democrat. This was in 1890, and the paper had a struggling life for nearly two years when O. S. Davison, then a photographer of Waterloo, made a venture and purchased the hand outfit of the Democrat and launched the Advocate. This paper was run during the campaign of 1892 as an organ for the Patrons of Industry, but was found without sup- port enough to keep it going in less than a year and the paper was discon- tinued. The outfit was then bought by Charles Spake, an Auburn printer, who moved the plant to Auburn and started an opposition paper to the Auburn Dispatch. The new Auburn paper was- known as the Auburn Times, DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 23 T but had a short existence, when it was consoHdated with the Dispatch, and Mr. Spake became a partner of George W. Gordon, then the publisher of the Dispatch. Shortly after this, others saw what they thought to be an opening for a third newspaper in Auburn, and the Times was again launched with Frank Fluke and Frank Cline, brothers-in-law, as the editors and publishers. A new outfit was purchased and the two printers used what means they had to experiment on a money-making newspaper scheme, but they were compelled to retire. At this time R. H. Weamer again entered the field and took up the Times, but in only a short time he was convinced that a third paper m Auburn had no place and he moved the plant to Hudson where he published the Hudson Banner. This paper was conducted a number of years and was finally suspended when Mv. Weamer became too feeble to continue its publica- tion and unable to find anyone to take up the work. Mr. W'eamer's death followed the suspension of the paper. A brewers' paper. Just at the time William Jennings Bryan was coming into prominence by his free siher ideas, the Silver Daivn was conceived in Waterloo. Karl Gerner, hailing from Madison, South Dakota, struck this county after having; been in Owensboro, Kentucky, seeking a location for a silver paper. He launched the Silver Dawn in July, 1896, and sought subscriptions for the sum of a silver dollar. The silver dollars never increased the circulation to any extent and the publisher became restless, desired to make a disposition of the paper. He finally succeeded in leasing the paper to Lewis Barnett Fretz and Saxby Mcintosh, two printers, who conducted the paper for four months, when Mr. Gerner was forced to take the paper back. During this change in management the name of the paper was changed to the Dawn. During the local option campaign of 1909 Mr. Gerner sold the Dawn- to the Indiana Brewing Association, through the agency of Hon. S. B. Flem- ing, of Fort Wayne, with Alfred Kelley as local proprietor and publisher. Then it was that Enoch Moffett came to Waterloo to take charge of the paper and, while posing as a temperance man himself as to habits, a detective em- ployed by the temperance people came to the town and incidentally "birds of a feather flock together," and the detective became so "dry" that Mr. Moffett kindly offered to take his money and go to a drug store where he could get a bottle of whisky for him. The detective consented, and after being con- .232 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. vinced that the contents of the bottle were whisky, he labeled the bottle and dated it. with the name of the purchaser and seller. Later the bottle appeared in the grand jury room and the court did the rest. Tliis incident is mentioned to show the drift of the influence that the Dawn had and to explain that it was no wonder that it died in April. 1910, by "drowning," after fighting for a wet campaign. THE ASHLEY TIMES was started with the inception of the town of Ashley, located on the county line adjoining Steuben county, by George W. Strayer, who came along with the town boomers to make Ashley a railroad division point. Mr. Strayer conducted the paper for a number of years when his ofifice was completely wiped out by fire in the middle of an afternoon. Without loss of time, Mr. Strayer organized the Ashley Printing Company, and resumed the publication of the Times. He continued this paper until his death which occurred in 1903, when the business was continued by his widow, who secured the services of Charles F. Kettering, who eventually leased the plant. It was running down hill and the new editor not being able to pay his rent, refused to re- linquished his lease on the paper. .A.n action was begun in the circuit court praying for a receivership. Judge J- H. Rose appointed Herbert C. Willis, the junior editor of the Waterloo Press, to take charge of the paper as editor and receiver, continue the business, close up affairs, collect accounts, and run the paper at the same time in order that it might be put in shape to be sold at receiver's sale. This was during the summer of 1904, and in November the plant was sold, Mrs. Strayer, the widow of the late George Strayer, and one of the stock holders, bidding in the plant. The business had been worked up and the paper placed on a basis that made it self-supporting. Mrs. Strayer in turn sold the paper to J.F. Coss, who conducted the paper for some time. Later Mr. Coss sold out his paper to the Angola Herald, which tried to print an Ashley paper in Angola, and have it circulated in the DeKalb-Steuben county town. This venture was not a success, and after some litigation the sale was annulled. In the meantime, and five years ago, John L. Gillispie bought the old Hudson Banner outfit and started up another paper in Ashley under the name of the Ashley Ne^rs. This he had a hard time to make pay, as two papers in Ashley (J. F. Coss going back in the newspaper business) were more than the town could support. Finally, Mr. Gillispie sold out the Ashley Ne7vs to A. C. Wolf, who has since conducted the paper, and Mr. Coss van- ished from this section of the country almost simultaneously. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 233 THE ST. JOE NEWS was started at St. Joe, in the southeast part of the county, several years ago by Mort E. Olds. The paper was continued under his management several years and had a very successful career for a paper in a small town. Later the paper became the property of Lloyd Yeiser, who finally disposed of the paper to the present publisher, Fred J. Leighty, who has continually improved the paper, as an independent sheet. THE CORUNNA STAR was one of the late projects that faded away, and after a struggling existence of about two years. Rex B. Wood, the preacher and checker player who came from Wolf Lake to this county, discontinued the paper and his subscription list was taken up by the Waterloo Press, which paper is now filling the unexpired subscriptions. The Star was independent. THE AUBURN WEEKLY BEE. John C. Lochner, who has conducted a job printing office in Auburn for a number of years, and at one time was connected with the Auburn Courier, thought out a plan by which a weekly newspaper could be published for fifty cents a year. He launched his paper January i, 191 1, and since that time the paper has prospered and all subscriptions are received at the nominal sum of fifty cents per annum. Politically, it is independent. Mr. Lochner has in- stalled a new Intertype machine and issues a four page paper, all home print. It is worth the price charged. One of the features of his paper is to print a list of new subscribers each week, also the names of those who pay their sub- scriptions. CHAPTER X. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. (By A. Byron Darby. M. D. ) Some years ago the writer attended the famil)- reunion, to which the pub- lic was invited, in honor of John Houlton, the first settler of DeKalb county. To an old lady who was among the earlier settlers, I asked the following question : "What were the greatest and most serious difficulties you had to contend with in your new home in DeKalb cnunty in those early days?" Tliis old lady very promptly replied : "The difficulties were most prominent in the order I mention them : The malarial fever, the doctors, the mosquitoes and the bears. But," she continued, "the bears are long since gone; our in- dustrious and progressive men have ditched and drained our low and swamp lands, so the malaria is also gone, and the mosquitoes are so scarce that they appear lonesome. The doctor we still have with us, but in such an improved type that he is no longer a dread, but, on the other hand, we feel that he is a new being, and we need him for his usefulness and skill, in both preserving our health b)' his advice, and restoring our health. But those first doctors — Oh my!" We do not marvel that the doctor was, in those days, placed in the list of unwelcome pests, when we know that the principal remedies were : First, the lancet, to take from the patient all the blood he could spare and still live, hop- ing thereby to destroy the tenement of the demon disease, and force him to seek some other abode, thinking that, perhaps like of old, by some miracle, he would be submerged in the sea. Then, second, the doctor had another indispensable remedy, "The Spanish-Fly Blister," which was applied upon the same theory, indiscriminately upon adult and child. Calomel and blue-pill were the universal internal remedies for all diseases determined by the doc- tor's diagnosis, and as a placebo when the doctors were uncertain in their minds. On these three remedies the doctors anchored their hopes of success. To work out of the system the calomel and blue-pills, after they had done their savage work, gamboge, castor-oil and senna, one or all of them, were DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 235 freely administered. If the patient .survi\ed the first course, it was soon repeated until the patient, in the opinion of the doctor, was only suffering from the remedies, which he usually did. The surgeon in those earl_\- days of frontier life, ranked with the skilled carpenter and blacksmith. In fact the former made the doctor's splints and other appliances of wood, and the latter made his operative cutlery, forceps and other implements of steel. The writer has some of these relics in his possession. Is it any wonder that the old lady at the Houlton reunion referred to above associated the doctor with the afflictions of the early days, as practice has proved the doctors of that day in the frontier section were following traditions rather than scientific investi- gation, with independent thought, both in theory and practice. If the phy- sician in those early days, with his multiplied trials to contend with, could be enthusiastic in his efforts and carry conviction with what seemed to him to be the overwhelming weight of truth, what might be his exulting joy now, since the light of intervening years of scientific progress and investigation has so changed the theory of disease and remedies since the opening of the last century ? Both medicine and surgery have made greater progress in har- monv with scientific truth in the last half century than during all previous historv. Medicine, however, with its component sciences and surgery are not alone in this rapid and wonderful progress, which is world wide, but there has been a general awakening in the world of thought during this recent period, discovering and inventing the most wonderful aids to modern life. We can but marvel when we endeavor to tabulate the innumerable lists. This revolution has placed medicine, as a profession, a long way on the road of science. As nature, with its most intricate vital forces, is the superior physi- cian and first in charge of every case of human disability, the present doctor — "this new type, this new being" — is now on such friendly terms with nature that he lends rational assistance to his superior, and thereby gives most wel- come aid to the afflicted. The following vear after John Houlton had settled in Franklin township in DeKalb county, on Fish creek, September 4th, 1833, several families im- mediately followed and settled in that township. This fact from a distant view made a rosy field for the first doctor, who was William Sheldon, who settled on section two and remained about one year without much history, and was soon followed by Dr. William Pink, a native of England. He had form- erly, for a time, resided in the state of New York. He was unmarried, hav- ing had a wife and two children deceased. Doctor Pink made his home with John Fee, a I)rother-in-law of John Houlton. The doctor was a man of 236 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. good manners and cultured intelligence, positive and tyrannical in his opinions. He was addicted to the use of intoxicating drinks, which too often rendered him incapable of serving his patients; but it is said that, during these periods of drinking, he had the discretion to positively refuse to give any attention to the sick. He frequently treated families with whom he would live until he had boarded out the professional claim. If the board suited him the claim was large, but if the family was not congenial, the claim was small. He died at the home of Adam Boyer, in Franklin township in 1846. Dr. Peter LaDue, of French descent, soon followed the arrival of Doctor William Pink and settled a little northeast of the center of Franklin township. He was a man of ill temper and impressed the people that he lacked sympathy. He was exacting and pedantic. In the early forties he moved to Enterprise, now Hamilton, just across the line of Franklin township, in Steuben county, and soon died from an accidental injury received when his horse fell through a bridge. In 1842 Dr. William Joice, a native of Pennsylvania, located near John Houlton on Fish creek. Doctor Joice was a man of culture, good habits and of sympathetic nature. He was conscientious in his professional duties and the pioneers all respected and even loved him. In 1848 he moved to Orland, in Steuben county, where there were additional advantages. The people of Franklin township and surrounding country regretted his departure. Doctor Joice resided in Orland until his decease. Previous to 1840 there were no roads cut out, only in a primitive manner, simply cutting away the brush and saplings sufficiently to permit the passage of ox team and' wagon. These roads were meandering on the highest ground, avoiding swamps as. much as possible, crossing swashy beaver dams. These beaver dams were all named, like buoys for the sailor. These trails took a course in the direction of some distant fort or settlement, where could be secured food and other necessities, to sustain life. Fort Wayne, Fort De- fiance and Jackson Prairie were the nearest. The St. Joseph river passing through the southeast part of the county, and emptying its waters into the Maumee at Fort Wayne, was an early channel which the settler could use for exporting and importing, by the use of pirogue or raft. From this fact, as early as 1834. settlement began along this river in DeKalb county. Dr. John Tatman located at Vienna, now Newville, in 1834 or 1835, and made his home, a portion of the time, at Orangeville, a competing embryonic city, one mile by trail, down the river from Vienna. The doctor continued in practice a number of years. Doctor Tatman was noted for haste and bluster. He always rode a white horse and was invariably on the gallop where the conditions of the trail would permit. This hustle and haste and DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 237 the white horse made the doctor quite noted. During these years Doctor Herrick engaged in practice at Orangeville. The writer can learn but little of him ; however, we learned that he met with a fatal accident. Attempting to cross the river in a boat, he lost control of it and was carried over the dam at Orangeville and was drowned. For the benefit of the lovers of the mysterious, I will say that, one of his patrons, a devoted Christian lady, had a vision two weeks previously, and had stated that the doctor would lose his life in the manner he did. From 1833 to 1842 was reall}- the prinie\al age of the medical profession in DeKalb county. The doctors labored under the most trying circumstances, it being difticult to obtain their own supplies or those for the comfort of the sick. There were no roads and they were often scantily clothed and fed. One thing, however, they always had a bountiful supply of fresh air. From 1837 to 1842 the emigration into the county was large, and home- seekers had located in all parts of the county. The county was organized, state roads laid out, and the leading ones partly opened. The first of these roads in the main followed the early trails. The settlers were rapidly cutting away the timber, letting the sun-rays directly upon the undrained soil, and its numerous sags holding water which disappeared only by evaporation. This increased the mosquitoes and malarial fevers, which made additional demands for doctors in various parts of the county. The following named doctors found a field for busy work over the entire county : Dr. Solomon Stough, a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, who located on Fish creek, in Troy township, in 1845. where he continued his extensive practice, ac- cumulating means to secure two hundred acres of excellent land, which he highly improved until it was considered the best farm in Troy township. In the early sixties he moved to Waterloo. He enjoyed an extensive practice for nearly sixty years. His death was accidental, he having been struck Iiy a Lake Shore train at a street crossing in the niglit. Dr. Jonas Emanuel, a native of Ohio, located at Spencerville in 1843. The doctor had an extensive practice and for many years was the only physi- cian in that section of the county. He was a man of energ\-, and was atten- tive to business, and financially was a success. Dr. William H. Madden, a native of Oliio, located at Xorristown, in Wilmington township; the name was changed from Xorristown to Jarvis and finally to Butler, its present name. The doctor enjo}'ed an extensi\e practice and had the confidence of all wlio knew him. 1 le was kind and indulgent and never oppressed his patrons Ijy hi> i)rofcs>ionaI charges. He once said to the 238 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. writer, "I have had much more joy out of my efforts, and their results, in reheving the sufferings of humanity than I ever have had from the money my profession has made for me." Age and infirmities compelled, him to retire from practice, but he never lost his interest in the profession. He was especiallv unsellish and kind to his competitors, and his long and faithful friends mourn tlie decease of a good man. Dr. James r^lilligan, a native of Pennsylvania, located at Butler in 1853, where he followed his profession for five years. The doctor was firm in his convictions and energetic, but lacked devotion to his profession. He bought a fine farm in Troy township, to which he retired, where he enjoyed a happy life to a good old age. The doctor had frequent periods of disgust with the practice ; and at one time said to the writer while living on his farm : "When I plant and sow for a crop of grain, I expect to reap a bountiful har- vest, but in medicine a doctor is always sowing to the wind, and he is for- tunate if he does not reap a whirlwind." 1 replied: "Doctor, }ou no doubt love agriculture, and you study nature, and the laws governing it. ""^'ou per- fectly prepare the soil, you carefull}- select the seed, you sow and plant in the season, vou skilfullv till and cultivate the crops, and you are blessed with a bountiful harvest. Would not a like study of nature in dealing with the human body, becoming familiar with the normal and abnormal conditions, and the functions of the organs, making yourself equally as familiar with the chemistry and specific action of remedies, and administered with like care you exercise in planting and sowing your seeds, would you not obtain fully as satisfactory results?" He replied : "That is all bosh." The doctor had an extensive practice through the country of that region, notwithstanding his dislike for his profession. He was ne\er known to ride his horses off a walk. He would say to any one, asking him to hurr\- : "If the patient is going to die, tliey will die anyway: and there is no use of killing a horse." Dr. Noyce Coats, a native of Pennsylvania, matured his boyhood davs in Wilmington township, near Butler. He took a course of lectures in Michigan University, and was appointed surgeon in the Federal army during the war of the Rebellion. He was a man of fine culture, companionable and sympatlietic. He died in 1S77, mourned by all who knew him. Dr. Hiram Jones located in Uniontown. now the first ward of Waterloo, in 1850. He was noted for his tall and angular physique, the colonial cut of his clothing, and he always wore a high silk hat. He was social and congenial and was fond of society: was fond of anecdotes and stories, and his were made rich by his nasal voice. He was an old bachelor DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 239 and especially fond of the company of young ladies. He frequently boasted that no tricks could be successfully perpetrated on him. One winter's evening, after a drifting snow, he invited two jolly and very popular young ladies to accompany him to a spelling school at a distant school house. The roads were badly drifted with snow. \Vhile at the spelling contest the boys re- moved the bolts which held the box of his sleigh to the running gear, and when he started for home, w ith the young ladies, the first drift they reached the sleigh was dumped into the snow, and old "John," the horse, went home with the sleigh. The doctor never heard the last of this trip, and he deeply felt the humiliation, but said: "It was the most chilling and perplexing case in all my professional career." He retired from practice during the early sixties, married a Miss Johnson, of Steuben county, Indiana, who had in- herited her father's estate, and they migrated to Missouri, where snow drifts were seldom known. Dr. Isaac John Hornberger, a contemporary with Dr. Hiram Jones at Waterloo, was retiring in his manner, l)ut had the confidence of the people. He was conservatively liberal in his views and sympathetic. In the early sixties his health failed, and he retired from practice, dying about the time of the close of the war of the Rebellion. Dr. William Benier, a native of Ohio, located as a young phwsician in Salem Center, Steuben county, in 1848. Having had a very large patronage from the northern half of DeKalb county, in 1862 he located in Waterloo, DeKalb county. He made the treatment of chronic diseases a specialty. The doctor had a wide and deserving reputation : he had a superior knowledge of therapeutics, had an analytical mind, was quick of perception, and .seldom was in error in any detail of his diagnosis. He had the gift of memory to the extent that he could relate in detail every remedy he had used and its effect in every case in his fiftv years' practice. He died in ^^'aterloo at the age of eighty years. The physicians at Auburn during the primitive period of DeKalb county were Doctors Ross, Haynes, Cooper, Prichard, Oliver and Roe; in addition to these, prior to 1856, were Doctors J. H. Ford, W. B. Dancer, Hendricks and J. N. Chamberlain; all of these four men had more than ordinary ability; they were energetic, quick of perception and exercised superior judgment in their profession. Their everyday lives were convincing proof of their un- selfish interest in humanity. Each one of them was always ready to lend un- selfish counsel and aid to the younger members of the profession. They ha\e passed to their reward, but they still live in history as deserving noblemen. 240 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. From 1842 to 1856 closes what might be termed the middle age of the settling of DeKalb county and its development. In 1856 the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Air Line railroad was completed through the center of the county, causing the building of the thriving towns of Butler, Waterloo and Corunna. The Fort Wayne branch of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, through the center north and south, which passes through Summit, Waterloo, Auburn, Auburn Junction, St. Johns and New Era, quickly fol- lowed these railroads. The Eel River, now Vandalia railroad, was built from Butler to Logansport, passing through the city of Auburn, running from northeast to southwest through the county. The Baltimore & Ohio, built through the southern tier of townships, which caused the building of the town of St. Joe on the east in Concord township, and the village of Concord, Auburn Junction, and the city of Garrett, where are located the division and shops of the Baltimore & Ohio. The Wabash enters the county in Troy township, near the village of Artie, passing through the cities of Butler, St. Joe and Spencerville. The construction of these railroads caused the building of new towns and rapidly increased the growth of the older ones. From this wonderful development and increase of population, we can readily see that from 1856 to the present constitutes the modern age of DeKalb county in every respect. In this period the doctors have located in every inviting field. They have been mostly young men fre.^h from colleges and universities, ener- getic and intelligent. THE MEDICAL SOCIETY. The question of a medical society had for a long time lieen suggested and urged during personal interviews and prdfessional councils of the doctors as they chanced to meet throughout the county. In 1882 the doctors most interested in the advancement of the profession met in Auburn to organize 'a medical society. There was but one question which arose touching upon the laws and rules that should govern the society whicli called out discussion. This was whether a woman who had the accom- plishment of M. D. should be received into the society. During the discussion one grave and influential doctor arose somewhat agitated and said: "Mr. President : I think no one of us would be injured b\' the civilizing influence of women; unless you have lost all love for your mother and your wife, if you have one, I can see no earthly reason why women should not be allowed to become medical men in this society." This created an outburst of laughter, and there were no further objections. By unanimous consent women who were medical doctors were admitted. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 24I Upon the completion of the organization of the Medical Society of De- Kalb County, as an auxiliary of the Indiana State Medical Society, fifteen doctors were present and signed the constitution and by-laws. This meeting convened at the office of Dr. W. P. Carpenter in the city of Butler on July 27, 1882, following a meeting at the office of Dr. J. A. Cowen in the city of Auburn a few days before for making temporary arrangements for the organization. Out of the fifteen who signed the by-laws at that meeting, there are only two living at this date. There have been, since the organization of this society, in 1882, many doctors located in DeKalb county, who for some reason, best known to themselves, have not affiliated with the medical society. As a rule these doctors not affiliating have been transient or have failed to recognize the educational features of the society for the advancement of professional knowledge. The following named doctors have affiliated with the organization of the medical society since its beginning, and the society keenly feels the loss by death of many of these benefactors and their wise counsel : J. S. Barnett, J. J. Littlefield, J. B. Bennett, W. H. Madden, B. S. Sheffer, A. A. Ward, J. S. Kenestrick, C. E. Nusbaum, J. S. Yount,, D. M. Hines, S. M. Sherman, J. V. Lewis, V. Anderson, L. A. Hines, U. G. Souger, M. E. Clingler, A. A. Kramer, W. P. Carpenter, W. K. Mitchell, J. B. Casebeer, S. H. Snyder, T. C. Sargent, James N. Chamberlain, Mrs. L. A. P. Leasure, W. F. Shumaker, P. S. Kaadt, Frank Bevier, J. H. Ford, G. E. Emanuel, F. M. Hines, J. C. Baxter, W. W. Swartz, Frank Brown, W. K. Schlusser, J. A. Cowan, D. J. Swartz, F. W. Fanning, Mrs. Vesta M. Swartz, V. A. Humphrey, U. J. Ward, M. M. Bowen, N. J. Shook, J. O. Buchtel, J. A. Stough, A. Byron Darby, Frank Broughton, N. L. Hines, J. A. Clevenger, A. V. Hines, J. C. Emma, E. L. Fosdick, D. A. Sebring, A. S. Farrington, J. J. Wilkinson, R. Elson, H. W. Bowman, Charles S. Stewart, Z. H. Stamets, L. U. Geisinger, G. T. Mathena, J. T. Dunn, J. B. Adams, J. E. Showalter, W. H. Nusbaum, F. A. King, J. W. Thomson. The number of physicians now in practice in DeKalb county totals thirty-nine and are located as follows : In the city of Butler, five ; Newville, one; St. Joe, three; Spencerville, two; Waterloo, five; Auburn, twelve; Gar- rett, seven ; Corunna, two ; Ashley, two. These men now engaged in practice have the confidence of the com- munities in which they live, are intelligent and aspiring, keeping in the front rank with the most skillful in the state. (16) 242 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. In conclusion, I am sure it will gladden the heart of every reader, whether doctor or layman, when I tell you that a more glorious epoch is at hand. Its dawning light will guide the medical profession into the unerring paths of scientific sanitation; and the doctor will be employed to prevent disease instead of being employed to cure disease ; which, at best, with all the profoundest skill that is, or will be, leaves the sufferer with physical loss which cannot be regained. When the doctor succeeds in preventing disease the millennium for the medical profession has come. It is in sight. The light will soon disperse all doubt. Then the doctor's regrets and sorrows from sympathies for the afflicted, blasted hopes through failures, and tears of sympathy shed when alone in his sanctum for the bereaved, will all disappear; and, instead, he will realize the pleasure of triumph, joy instead of sadness, hopes realized instead of failure, and smiles in place of tears. I know I voice the hopes of the profession, here and elsewhere, that unfailing science may direct us, and lead us into the light of truth, that we may more bountifully bless mankind, and restore man from his dwarfed and weakened condition, to the strong and beautiful creature that God created as the crowning glory of His omnipotent power. CHAPTER XL THE BENCH AND BAR. (By John ■«'. Baxter.) PROBATE COURT. When DeKalb county was organized, the law provided for a probate court, to be known as the Probate Court of DeKalb County. Such court had "original and exclusive jurisdiction in all matters relating to the probate of wills and testaments, granting of letters testamentary, and letters of adminis- tration, and of guardianship — the settlement and distribution of decedents' estates, the examination and allowance of the accounts of executors, adminis- trators and guardians," and also "concurrent jurisdiction in all suits at law, or in equity upon all demands or causes of action in favor of or against heirs, executors, administrators, or guardians, and their securities, and representa- tives when the amount in controversy shall exceed fifty dollars, and in parti- tion of real estate; and the assignment of the widow's dower; and the appoint- ment of a commissioner to make deed on title bond given by deceased obligor; and to authorize the guardian to sell and convey the real estate of his ward in certain cases." The judge of the probate court was elected by the voters of the county and commissioned by the governor of the state to serve for a term of seven years, and until his successor may be chosen and qualified, if the same shall so long behave well. The clerk of the circuit court and the sheriff of the county served the probate court as clerk and sheriff respectively, and the judge was authorized to call to his aid a jury for the trial of proper cases. The law provided that "no person shall be either elected, commissioned or appointed such judge of the probate court until he shall first have obtained a certificate from some one of the judges of the supreme court, or some one of the president judges of the circuit courts, that he is qualified to discharge the duties appertaining to said office of probate judge — provided, that such judge of the supreme or circuit court in the examination hereby authorized, 244 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. shall have due regard for the legal qualifications of such person; and pro- vided also, that nothing in this section contained shall be construed so as to require any judge of said probate court to be a professional cliaracter." COMMON PLEAS COURT. The court was abolished by the Legislature in 1852, and its jurisdiction transferred to the court of common pleas, then established. Lott B. Herrick and John C. Wood at different times were elected and presided as judges of the common pleas court of DeKalb county. The court of common pleas was established by the Legislature of 1852, and our district was composed of the counties of Lagrange, Steuben, DeKalb, Noble and Whitley. At the Octo- ber election of that year John Morris was chosen judge of the common pleas court for the district, for the term of four years, when Egbert B. Mott was elected as his successor, and served for one term. These judges were both pioneer lawyers of DeKalb county, and brought to the bench rich learning in the law, and high ideals of honor and the business of the court and of the bar. Afterward, William M. Clapp, of Albion, Noble county, was elected judge of this court, and so continued until the court was abolished by the Legislature of i87'3. Its business and jurisdiction were transferred to the cir- cuit court. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. The justices of the peace have had limited jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases since the organization of the state and county. Their juris' diction in civil cases is confined to the township of their residence, but in criminal cases it is coextensive with the county. The justices of the peace generally have not been versed in the law, and often their educational qualities have been very limited, although DeKalb county has had many of these justices who have been endowed with fine qualities of judgment, and who rarely departed far from right conclusions upon cases brought before them. Of these the writer is reminded of George Beard, an early justice of Frank- lin township; George Barney, a pioneer justice of Concord township; George W. Maxwell, who served as a justice first in Wilmington township and after- ward in Richland. Also Cyrus C. Walter, who acceptably served for many years as justice of the peace in Auburn. These worthy squires, by their wise counsel, assisted in settling many annoying disputes to the advantage of both parties without suit, and when a cause could not be adjusted except by a suit, DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 245 they fearlessly gave decision as justice and law required, and their judgments were rarely overturned by appeal. CIRCUIT COURT. The circuit court has been court of general, civil and crinn'nal jurisdic- tion since the organization of this state, and since the common pleas court was abolished in 1873. The circuit court has also had exclusive jurisdiction in guardianships and the settlement of the estates of deceased persons. In the early days of Indiana, when the settlements were small and scat- tered, there were many counties grouped together in one judicial circuit, and the judge of the circuit rode from one county to another in the judicial cir- cuit, accompanied by the lawyers, and held court in each county seat, until the business was disposed of, and as the inhabitants and wealth of the counties increased, bringing an increase in the business of the courts, the number of circuits was increased, so that fewer counties were included in each circuit, until at this time each of the larger counties of the state comprises a judicial district. DeKalb county has never attained to this distinction, but has al- ways been included with another county or counties in the formation of the judicial circuit. By the act of 1873 the thirty-fifth judicial circuit was made to consist of Noble, DeKalb and Steuben counties, and in 1889 the circuit was again changed, and since has been composed of DeKalb and Steuben counties. DeKalb county has not always been especially fortunate in the judges of its circuit court, but generally the bench of the court has been occupied by able and honest lawyers, and some of the most distinguished jurists of our state have presided as the regular judges of this court. Until the adoption of the state constitution of 1852 the circuit court consisted of a president judge of the circuit, who went from county to county with two associate judges elected in the county. The president judge could alone hold the court in the absence of the associate judges, or with either of them, if the other was absent, and in the absence of the president judge the two associate judges could hold the court, except in capital cases and cases in chancer}'. CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES. The following named president judges occupied the bench of the DeKalb circuit court : Charles Ewing, E. A. McMahon and J- W. Wright. The asso- ciate judges were : Ariel Walden, Thomas L. Yates, Samuel Widney, Nelson 246 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Payne, Robert Work, David Martin, Abraham Cope and G. C. Mudgett. Since 1852 the following named men have presided as judge of this court: E. R. Wilson, then living at Bluffton; James Borden, then living at Fort Wayne ; Reuben J. Dawson, then living at Spencerville ; Robert Lowery, then of Goshen, but afterward removed to Fort Wayne, where for many years he presided as judge of the Allen superior court with marked ability, from which he retired to represent this district in the congress of the United States. Hiram S. Tousley, a lawyer of Albion, a kind and able judge, occupied the bench of this court both before and after his service as a soldier in the war of 1861. Others were: James I. Best, then living at Waterloo, who made an excellent judge, but he resigned to return to the bar, where he always en- joyed an extensive practice, and where he was justly rated as one of the best of trial lawyers and an honorable antagonist; Joseph A. Woodhull, of An- gola, was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by Judge Best's resignation, and presided acceptably until the next election, when Hiram S. Tousley was elected for the second time, but his health failed and he died in office, and Charles A. McClellan, of Waterloo, was appointed and presided for about one year, until the next election, when R. Wes McBride, then of Waterloo, was elected and made an excellent judge for the term of six years. He afterward removed to Elkhart, where he practiced law for a short time before he be- came a judge of the supreme court of the state. He is now located at In- dianapolis, where he enjoys a large practice, largely in the supreme and ap- pellate courts. Stephen A. Powers, of Angola, was the next judge for a full term. AVilliam L. Penfield, of Auburn, was then elected, but resigned during his term, to accept a position as solicitor in the department of state at Wash- ington, D. C. Frank S. Roby, then of Auburn, was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Penfield, and made a good judge until the next election, when Ezra D. Hartman, a good lawyer and a good man, was chosen, but diseases resulting from his army services had broken his health, and he died while in ofiice, and James H. Rose, a capable young lawyer of Auburn, was appointed and made an excellent judge until the next election. Emmet A. Bratton, of Angola, was then chosen, and served for a full term of six years as a most painstaking and conscientious judge. Frank M. Powers, of Angola, was elected to this office in November, 1910, and is still the judge of this court, and is engaging in the discharge of his duties with the same quiet business habits and thorough knowledge of the law which made him a successful lawyer. The business of the court has been badly interfered with by the loss of most of its records in a fire, which on Feb- ruary 8, 19 1 3, destroyed the building in which the court was held. DEKALR COUNTY, INDIANA. 247 EARLY LAWYERS. The list of the lawyers of DeKalb county contains the names of many men who have ranked high at the bar and on the bench of this state. With- out presuming to give an altogether complete list, the following are re- membered by the writer, as the men who have practiced law while living in this county: Egbert B. Mott, of Auburn, also judge of common pleas court; Timothy R. Dickinson, of Auburn, afterward of Waterloo; John Morris, of Auburn, afterward of Fort Wayne, judge of common pleas court, and after- ward supreme court commissioner, a fine lawyer, a great scholar and always a gentleman; Reuben J. Dawson, of Spencerville, judge of circuit court; Abner F. Pinchin, of Hamilton, then at Butler, was district attorney in early days. All of the above named are deceased. William H. Dills, of Auburn, deceased; James B. Morrison, of Auburn, removed west; Guy Plum, of Auburn, de- ceased; James I. Best, of Waterloo, also judge of circuit court, and supreme court commissioner; Charles A. O. McClellan, of Waterloo and Auburn, judge of circuit court, and representative in congress, deceased; Lewis J. Blair, of Waterloo, deceased; James E. Rose, of Auburn, deceased; Edward W. Fosdick, of Butler, deceased; Joseph L. Morelan, of Waterloo, deceased; R. Wes McBride, of Waterloo, judge of circuit court and of supreme court, now at Indianapolis; Ezra D. Hartman, of Auburn, also judge of circuit court, deceased; Charles E. Emanuel, of Auburn, deceased; Price D. West, of Auburn, deceased; William L. Penfield, deceased; James M. Sommers, of Waterloo, deceased; Frank S. Roby, of Waterloo and Auburn, now of In- dianapolis; William T. Bope, of Butler, now at Bad Axe, Michigan; Andrew J. Baxter, of Butler, deceased; Frank C. Baxter, of Auburn, deceased; Ed- ward B. Dunton, of Butler, now in Mississippi; Daniel Y. Husselman, of Waterloo and Auburn, deceased; Hubert E. Hartman, of Auburn, now in Detroit; James H. Rose, of Auburn, now at Fort Wayne; Walter Penfield, now in Washington, D. C. THE PRESENT EAR. The active members of the DeKalb county bar at this time are as fol- lows : Daniel D. Moody, 1869; Publius V. Hoffman, i8y2; John W. Baxter, 1875; James H. Rose, 1889; Willis Rhoads, 1894; James E. Pomeroy, 1895; Daniel M. Link, 1894; C. M. Brown, 1892; Charles S. Smith, 1899; Charles O. Borst, 1895; E. W. Atkinson, 1913; L. B. Gatten, 191 1 : J. Glenn Miller, iqoy: Winthrop W. Ketcham, 1913; Frederick O. Shearer, 1913. 248 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. These attorneys are in Auburn. In Waterloo are: William H. Leas, 1847; Cyrus M. Phillips, 1875; George W. Crooks, 1897; Henry J. Spackey, 1904. In Garrett are: Lewis J. Gengler, 1890; Edward M. McKennan, 1895; Willard W. Sharpless, 1891 ; Howard W. Mountz,, 1895 ; J. D. Brinkerhoff, 1902. In Butler are: Cassius J. Coats, 1877; Frank A. Brink, 1878; William P. Endicott, 1910; Forest H. Ritter, 1910. CHAPTER XII. POLITICAI, HISTORY. The political history of DeKalb county is, in many respects, similar to that of the other counties in the state of Indiana. In fact, politics is a sub- ject that permits of various and equally truthful viewpoints. Graft, injustice and favoritism are, of course, present wherever men are chosen by popular vote to fill official positions; but, on the other hand, there are more clean elections and proper campaign tactics in force than a public is allowed to believe. The newspaper is the means of communication to the people, but upon reading two different papers, two theories, apparently each tenable, are learned. However, this is not the purpose of history, and in the discussion of DeKalb county politics, no recourse will be made to the party issues and the attitude of the voters and newspapers; an effort will simply be made to tell the facts, results and the general character of the county during the campaign times; also a complete list of the officers chosen in the county from the date of organization until the present year. FIRST ELECTIONS. The first election after the organization of the county of De- Kalb was held on August 6, 1838, and resulted in the ciioice of Luther Keep for commissioner, Wesley Park for sheriff, Lott Herrick for school commis- sioner, and Robert Work for coroner. These men had very little opposition. In addition, a representati\e was voted for, and David B. Herriman was chosen with a majority of fourteen. Peter Fair, A. F. Beecher and Samuel Widney were chosen commissioners in 1837, Ijut the county could hardly be said to have been organized at that date. The first presidential election in whicii the county participated was the one of 1840, when Harrison and \'an Buren were the candidates for President. Glowing descriptions have been given of the "hard cider^' campaign of that year, and the glorious and enthusiastic rallies where the slogan of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" was sung by marching crowds. Harri- 250 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. son was successful in the county, for of the three hundred and thirty-four votes cast, he received a majority of ten; thus the Whigs were strongest in DeKalb. Four years later, during the memorable campagin of 1844, the Wliigs had as their candidate Henry Clay, of Kentucky, and his chances were re- garded as very favorable. However, a compromising letter penned by this son of the "dark and bloody ground country" just before election caused his chances to decrease, and when election came the Free-Soilers, with James K. Polk at the helm, were victorious. Polk's plurality in the state of New York was but five thousand. It is interesting to note the "ifs" of this result — thus, had one-third of the votes given to James G. Birney in that state been given to Clay, the whole course of history would have been changed; New York would have given a majority to the Whig party, Clay would have been named President, and the annexation of Texas defeated, and the Mexican war of 1849 would, in all probability, never have occurred. The total vote of this election was over twice that cast during the campaign of 1844. In 184S the Democrats nominated Cass and Butler, the \Miigs Taylor and Fillmore, and the Free-Soil men. Van Buren and Adams. DeKalb county tavored Cass in this election. The election of 1852 came just after the famous compromises of 1830, and before the renewal of the agitation over slavery, caused by Kansas- Nebraska troubles. Both Whigs and Democrats adopted platforms in favor of the 1850 compromises, but Genera! Scott, the \Ahig candidate, was not trusted by either the friends or enemies of slavery restriction. The result was that he carried only the states of Massachusetts, Vermont, Kentucky and Ten- nessee, while Gen. Franklin Pierce, of the Democrats, carried twenty- seven states. DeKalb county gave Pierce a majority of her votes. In 1852 a new state constitution was adopted, fixing the general annual election in the month of October. Previously, it had been held in August. The Whig party expired with the disastrous defeat of 1852, and the Republi- can party rose and nominated John C. Fremont for President. James Bu- chanan was the Democratic choice, and Millard Fillmore headed the Ameri- can party. Buchanan was elected. He received the largest number of votes in DeKalb, with Fremont second. ELECTION OF 186O. The presidential election of the year iSfio was easily the most import- ant of the government until that time, and afterward until the present. A DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. big issue was existent, and the country was divided as it ne\er was nor probably ever will be. The Repubhcan party, representing tlie North and Uiiion, nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency; the Democratic party, for the South and slavery, chose John C. Breckenridge. The regular Democratic party, other than the Democratic party of the South, nominated Stephen A. Douglas, who advocated popular sovereignty, a middle ground. A fourth party, designated the Union party, named John Bell as candidate, but the party was of little importance in the campaign, as it had very indefi- nite views. By running Breckenridge, the South threw the presidency to Lincoln, when it nn'ght have supported Douglas as a whole, and won. DeKalb county gave Lincoln a plurality of one hundred and one, and a majority of seventy-five. Breckenridge received but two votes. The town- ships in favor of Lincoln were: Butler, Concord, Newville, Stafford, Wil- mington, Union, Franklin and Troy. Jackson, Richland, Fairfield and Smith- field gave Douglas the majority. The one-sided vote in DeKalb county does not represent tlie general spirit that prevailed here during those stirring times. The county was a hotbed, and political enthusiasm reached a high point. Meetings where in- flamed oratory abounded were numerous, and rallies, processions, and barrel- head speakers proclaimed the excitement of the people. There were many "butternuts" in DeKalb county, but upon becoming too oljstreperous they were promptly, sometimes with coercive measures, man-handling, forced into silence. LATER ELECTIONS. The Republicans drew a great deal of strength from the election of i860, and afterw-ard bore out this prosperity with repeated successes. In 1868 U. S. Grant received a majority of twenty-four in DeKalb county, out of a total vote of three thousand four hundred and seventy-six. In 1872 Grant was again nominated by the Republican party, and the new division, the Liberal Republicans, nominated Horace Greeley. Grant was again victorious. The following paragraph, written in the Auburn Courier after the election, is interesting : "From a careful glance over the late battlefield, the probabilities are that we have met the enemy and they have somewhat gobbled us in. That's noth- ing. Twelve years' experience has taught us that Salt River is a navigable stream. The air at its headwaters is pure, but not so very 'healthy.' The countrv is inhabited l)v white men exclusively, and although manv of these 252 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. are barefooted they submit with Christian fortitude. There is not a postoffice in the neighborhood. National banks are as scarce as hen teeth, and there is not a very large number of brigadier-generals in the country. A few army contractors are there, but they are as poor today as they were ten years ago. Our boat on this occasion started from the Ohio river and was propelled by Kentucky darkies. When we shall leave the country is not yet determined. It is only a question of time. We shall return to plague our enemies who have contributed so freely to send us 'up the river.' " And again: "We have a mournful pleasure, or a pleasing mournfulness, we don't know which, to perform. Greeley, you know Greeley. He was for Presi- dent. Now he ain't. Well, Greeley, he wore a-running for an orfice. and Grant, being on horseback, beat him. You see there was a hole, or a chasm, as H. G. called it, in the way, and he thought it was nothing, that he could reach across it just as easy as falling off a log. But he reckoned without a host (of voters). When U. S. came to it, he jumped it with his horse, but Uncle Horace, in attempting to shake with a fellow on the side, fell in, and that was the end on him. The main reason why H. G. was not elected was that he could not get enough states. If Grant hadn't been round, Greeley would have been ahead, as he beat O'Conor in every state. There was another reason, the hor(ac)se disease was bad in New York, and it kept spreading until it was everywhere. Whenever a thing spreads, then you may know it gets thin, and thus you may account for H. G.'s vote. We'll be opposed hereafter to having elections, when such things are around." PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN DEKALB COUNTY. in 1840 Harrison and Tyler received one hundred and seventy-seven votes, and Martin Van Buren one hundred and sixty-seven. In 1844 Polk and Dallas received three hundred and twenty-seven votes; Clay and Frelinghuysen, two hundred and sixty-nine ; and James G. Birney, six. In 1848 Cass and Butler received nine hundred and si\t)--eight votes in the county, Tavlor and Fillmore, five hundred and seventy-seven; and Van Buren and Adams, three hundred and forty-seven. In 1852 Pierce and King received seven hundred and eighty votes: Scott and Graham, three hundred and ninety-one : Hale and Julian, one Inindred and sixty-four. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 253 In 1856 James Buchanan received one thousand two hundred and forty- seven votes ; John C. Fremont, one thousand ninety-seven ; Millard Fillmore, seventy-five. In i860 Abraham Lincoln receixed fifteen hundred votes: Stephen A. Douglas, thirteen hundred ninety-nine; John Bell, twenty- four ; and John C. Breckenridge, two. In 1864 Lincoln received fourteen hundred and eighty-four; George B. McCIellan, fourteen hundred seventy-two. In 1868 U. S. Grant received seventeen hundred and fifty votes; and Horatio Seymour, seventeen hundred twenty-six. In 1872 U. S. Grant received eighteen hundred and sixty-one votes; Horace Greeley, fifteen hundred forty- four; and Charles O' Conor, ninety- four. In 1876 Samuel J. Tilden received twenty-five hundred and fifty-three votes; Rutherford B. Hayes, twenty-three hundred and eighty-one; Peter Cooper, thirty-eight. In 1880 Winfield S. Hancock received twenty-five hundred and eighty- two votes; James A. Garfield, twenty- four hundred and forty-one; James C. Weaver, one hundred and ten. In 1884 Grover Cleveland received twenty-seven hundred and ninety- nine votes; James G. Blaine, twenty-four hundred fifty-one; Benjamin F. Butler, ninety-five ; John P. St. John, fifty-nine. In 1888 Grover Cleveland received thirty-one hundred and sixty votes; and Benjamin Harrison, twenty-eight hundred seventy-nine. In 1892 Grover Cleveland, Democrat, received twenty-eight hundred and one votes in DeKalb county; Benjamin Harrison, Republican, twenty- four hundred and ninety-nine; Bidwell, Prohibitionist, one hundred ninety- eight ; and Weaver, Peoples, seven hundred and forty-six. In 1896 William J. Bryan, Democrat, received thirty-six hundred and seventy-eight votes; William McKinley, Republican, thirty-one hundred and thirty-seven; Levering, Prohibitionist, thirty-three; Palmer, Gold Democrat, twenty-five ; National ticket, fourteen. In 1900 Bryan received thirty-four hundred and eighty-eight votes; McKinley, thirty-two hundred and eighteen; Woolley, Prohibitionist, two hundred and fifty-nine ; the Social Democrats, Union Reform, and Peoples tickets received two, one and seven votes, respectively. In 1904 Alton B. Parker, Democrat, received two thousand eight hun- dred and twenty-seven votes ; Theodore Roosevelt, Republican, three thousand 254 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. four hundred and sixteen : Prohibitionist ticket, three hundred and forty- three; Peoples, sixty-seven; Socialist, one hundred fifty-four; Socialist Labor, twenty-nine. In 1908 William J. Bryan, Democrat, received three thousand six hun- dred and twenty- four votes; William H. Taft, Republican, two thousand nine hundred and ninety-one; Prohibition, two hundred eighty-seven; Socialist, sixty-three; Peoples, five; Socialist Labor, two; Independent, eighteen. In 1912 Woodrow Wilson, Democrat, received two thousand seven hun- dred and sixty-six votes in DeKalb county ; William H. Taft, Republican, one thousand one hundred twenty-five; Theodore Roosevelt, exponent of the new Progressive party, one thousand six hundred twenty-three; Prohibition, two hundred forty-four; Socialist, four hundred thirty-seven. ST.\TE SENATORS. Following is the list of senators who have served in the state Legislature from DeKalb county: Elias Baker, 1839-41; David B. Herriman, 1841-3; David B. Herriman, 1843-6; Madison Marsh, 1846-9; Reuben J. Dawson, 1849-50; Robert Work, 1850-2; George W. McConnell, 1852-6; Miles Water- man, 1856-1860; Timothy R. Dickinson, 1860-2; William H. Dills, 1862-4; Enos B. Noyes, 1864-8; George A. Milnes, 1868-1872; William G. Croxton, 1872-76; Samuel S. Shutt, 1876- 1880; Jesse H. Carpenter, 1880- 1884; La- fayette J. Miller, 1884-1888; Jackson, 1888-1892; James E. Mc- Donald, 1892-96; W. H. Nusbaum. 1896-1900; Charles H. Bruce, 1900-4; Cyrus E. Gallatin. 1904-8; Stephen A. Powers, 1908-1912; Glenn Van Auken. 1912-1916. STATE REPRESENTATIVES. The following list comprises the representatives who have served in the state Legislature from DeKalb county, or such territory as the county has been identified with: Asa Brown, 1839-41; Madison Marsh, 1841-3; Jacob Hel- wig, 1843-4; Jacob Helwig, 1844-6; David B. Wheeler, 1846-8; Reuben J. Dawson, 1848-9; Edward R. May, 1849-50; Edward R. May, 1850-1 ; Gil- man C. Mudget, 1851-2; E. F. Hammond, 1852-3; Robert Work, 1852-3; A. P. Clark and James Hadsell, 1853-6; Bushrod Catlin and W. I. Howard, 1856-8; Miles Waterman, 1858-60; Henry Feagler, 1860-2; Miles Waterman, 1862-4; Robert M. Lockhart, 1S64-6: Ezra D. Hartman, 1866-8; Lewis D. Britten, 1868-70; Lewis D. Britton, 1870-2; Samuel S. Shutt, 1872-4; Miles DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 255 Waterman, 1874-6; William H. Madden, 1876-8; Samuel S. Shutt, 1878- 1880; Samuel S. Shutt, (joint) and Daniel D. Moody, 1880-2; Eli B. Garber (joint) and Daniel D. Moody, 1882-4; William Barney (joint) and Daniel D. Moody, 1884-6; J. D. Leighty and William M. Barney, 1886-88; Jackson (joint) and Freeman Kelley, 1888-1890; Norman Teal (joint) and Freeman Kelley, 1890-92; Marion F. Franks, 1892-4; Frank A. Willis, 1894- 6; Norman Teal (joint) and C. M. Brown, 1896-8; Charles M. Brown, 1898- 1900; Jefferson W. Jackman, 1900-2; Russell S. Hull, 1902-4; Howard W. Mount, 1904-6; Luther W. Knisely, 1906-8; Edward M. McKennan, 1908- 10; Edward M. McKennan, 1910-12; Edward M. McKennan, 1912-14. COUNTY SHERIFFS. From the year 1837 to 1850 Wesley Park, Thomas J. Freeman, Jonathan Puffenbarger and S. W. Ralston successively held the office of sheriff. Since 1850 the following have held the office in DeKalb county: W. K. Straight, 1850-4; Isaac Brandt, 1854-6; S. W. Ralston, 1856-1860; J. N. Chamberlain, 1860-2; J. N. Miller, 1862-4; H. Willis, 1864-8;' J. Plum,"i868-i872 ; W. L. Meese, 1872-6; John St. Clair, 1876-8; A. S. Leas, 1878-1882; John W. Boyle, 1882-6; K. Garrison, 1886-88; J. Plum, 1888-90; Philip Plum, 1890- 2; George C. Ralston, 1892-4; Henry P. Stroh, 1894-6-8; John Hathaway, 1898-1902; George W. Bleeks, 1902-4: James W. Reed, 1904-6-8; R. L. Thomas. 1908-10-12; John P. Hoff, 1912-14. COUNTY CLERKS. John F. Coburn, 1837-1841 ; S. W. Sprott, 1841-1851 ; J. P. Widney, 1851-5: S. W. Sprott, 1855-9: John Ralston, 1859-1867; J. R. Lanning, 1867-1875; G. H. K. Moss, 1875-1880: John W. Baxter, 1880-4; D. Y. Hus- selman, 1884-6; George A. Bishop, 1886-98: George O. Denison, 1898-1904; Charles A. Jenkins, 1904-1908: Warren A. Austin, 1908-1912; John Hebel, 1912-14. COUNTY AUDITORS. S. W. Sprott, 1841-2; Aaron Hague, 1842-9; Miles Waterman, 1849-55; M. F. Pierce, 1855-60; A. J. Hunt, 1860-2; George Kuhlman, 1862-6; W. W. Griswold, 1866-70; W. Mclntyre, 1870-4; Isaac Hague, 1874-8; Albert Rob- bins, 1878-82; Thomas H. Tomlinson, 1882-6; Cyrus C. Walter, 1886-90; 256 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Herman N. Coffinberry, 1890-4; Frank A. Borst, 1894-8; Frank P. Seiler, 1898-1902; Herman D. Boozer, 1902-6; Emery A. Shook, 1906-10; A. W. Madden, 1910-1914. COUNTY RECORDERS. The office of recorder was combined with that of clerk for the first four- teen years of the county's existence. The incumbents of the office since it was created have been: John McCune, 1851-5; W. W. Griswold, 1855-9; S. W. Widney, 1859-64; G. R. Hoffman, 1864-8; D. Z. Hoffman, 1868-76; M. Boland, 1876-84; John Butt, 1884-6; George M. Crane, 1886-90; Samuel Williams, 1890-4; Milton C. Jones, 1894-8; Daniel Herrick, 1898-1904; Juhn W. Henderson, 1904-8; Samuel G. Haverstock, 1908-12; William Mc- Nabb, I9i2-(deceased) ; Harvey O. Williams appointed to fill out unexpired term. COUNTY TREASURERS. Wesley Park, 1837-51; S. W. Ralston, 1851-3; J. E. Hendricks, 1853-5; E. W. Fosdick, 1855-7; Jacob Helwig, 1857-9; R- B. Catlin, 1859-61; George Barney, 1861-5 ; L. J. Blair, 1865-7; F- D. Ryan, 1867-72; Nicholas Ensley, 1872-6; Daniel Gonser, 1876-80; L. J. Miller, 1880-4; Brandon, 1884-6; John L. Davis, 1886-8; George W. Probst, 1888-90; Reu- ben Sawvel, 1890-2-4; David W. Fair, 1894-6; Henry Hines, 1896-8; Francis M. Hines, 1898-1900-2; George W. Probst, 1902-4-6; H. H. Slaybaugh, 1906-8-10; John J. Oberlin, 1910-12. COUNTY SURVEYORS. Joseph Nodine, 1852-4; Joseph Nodine, 1854-6; Daniel W. Altenburg, 1856-8; Daniel W. Altenburg, 1858-60; Marius Buchanan, 1860-2; Daniel W. Altenburg, 1862-4; Henry M. Stoner, 1864-5; George W. Weeks, 1865-7; Joseph W. McCasslin, 1867-70; Isaac K. Shaffer, 1870-2; Chauncey C. Clark, 1872-4; Winfield S. Bangs, 1874-6; Jay J. Van Auken, 1876-8; J. J. Van Auken, 1878-1880; Azam P. Foltz, 1880-2; J. J. Van Auken, 1882-4; J. J. Van Auken, 1884-6; I. F. McDowell, 1886-8; Jacob M. Hook, 1888-90-2; Calvin E. Van Auken, 1892-4-6; J. H. W. Krontz, 1896-8-1900; Commodore P. Hamman, 1900-2-4; John Eakright, 1904-6-8; Charles L. Wagoner, 1908- 10-12; A. L. Link, 1912-14. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 257 COUNTY CORONERS. Robert Work, 1838-9; Byron Bunnell, 1839-40; Wesley Park, 1 840-1; John O. P. Sherlock, 1841-2; James Goetschius, 1842-3; O. A. Parsons, 1843-5: David Weaver, 1845-6; Oaxid Weaver, 1846-7; Joseph Nodine, 1847-8; John McCIellan, 1848-9; Charles C. Knapp, 1849-51; Lyman Chid- sey, 185 1-2-4; Lyman H. Coe, 1854-6; Jeremiah Plum, 1856-8-60; Henry Willis, 1860-2: Jeremiah Plum, 1862-4; George W. A. Smith, 1864-6; Henry Feagler, 1866-8; George IMetcalf, 1868-70-2; James J. Latson, 1872-4-6- 8-80-82-84; Francis Picker, 1884-6; J. B. Casebeer, 1886-8; Wood, 1888-90; Lafayette D. Miser, 1890-2-4; Vincent C. Bronson, 1894-6; J. W. Hughes, 1896-8; Emlin G. Campbell, 1898-1900; Charles Comesky, 1900-2; William H. Ettinger, 1902-4; John C. Baxter, 1904-6: Frank Broughton and Fred Briggs, 1906-8; Fred Briggs, 1908-10-12; E. Treesh, 1912-14. PROSECUTORS. Reuben J. Davidson, 1843-5; John W. Dawson, 1845-7; Reuben J. Daw- son, 1847-9; Timothy R. Dickinson, 1849-50; Egbert B. Mott, 1850-2; J. M. McConnell, 1852-4; John W. Dawson, 1854-6; Sanford J. Stoughton, 1856-8; James M. Schell, 1858-9; George D. Copeland, 1859-60; Augustus A. Chapin, 1860-2; James H. Schell, 1862-4; Joseph W. Cunningham, 1864-6; Thomas Wilson, 1866-7; Thomas J. Smith, 1867-70; Thomas Wilson, 1870-2; Leigh H. Playmond, 1872-4; William B. McConnell, 1874-6; Daniel H. Moody, 1876-8; George B. Adams, 1878-80; George B. Adams, 1880-2; Harry Rey- nolds, 1882-4; Francis M. Powers, 1884-6; E. A. Bratton, 1886-8; H. Leas, 1888-92; Joseph Butler, 1892-6-8: Cyrus B. Jackson, 1898-1900; Joseph Butler, 1900-2; Alphonso Wood, 1902-4; Charles S. Smith, 1904-6; J. Delano Brinkerhoff, 1906-8; Joseph Butler. 1908-10: \\"i!Iiani II. Leas, 1910-12; James R. Nyce, 1912-1914. COMMON PLEAS PROSECUTORS. W. W. Griswold, 1852-4; Asa M. Tinker, 1854-6; Leland H. Stocker, 1856-8; Abner Pinchin, 1858-60; Joseph W. Cummings, 1860-2; Alexan- der B. Kennedy, 1862-4; Asa M. Tinker, 1864.-6; Joseph D. Ferrall, 1866-8; William G. Croxton, 1868-70-2; Daniel Y. Husselman, 1872-4. The office was then abolished and the business turned o\-er to the circuit court. (17) 258 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. JUDGES. In the chapter, "Bench and Bar." is given a full list of the judges (com- mon pleas, associate, and circuit) who have served DeKalb county or terri- tories comprising the county. CHAPTER XIII. HISTORY OF EDUCATION. THE EARLY .SCHOOI.. The following is from the maniuscript of J- E. Rcse, being part of an address delivered before the Old Settlers' Association on June 15, 1882: "The first schoolhouse built in the county ^vas, I think, in the Handy- settlement, three miles south of tlie place where the town of Butler now is. It would be a curiosity now. Permit me to describe it today as it stood more than forty years ago. It was built of round logs, that is of unhewn logs, and sixteen feet wide and twenty-four long, with a puncheon floor and a sled- runner chimney; a fireplace extending across one end of the building, and a door near the corner in the side. The chimney was made of mud and sticks. and was so large at the top that much of the light that illuminated the literary path of the students during the weeks, or the spiritual path of the churchgoers on Sunday, came down the chimney through the smoke. At the end of the room opposite the fireplace, was the window which consisted of a row of 'seven by nine' glass, occupying the place of a log that had Ijeen left out when the building was raised. The window was nine inches high and sixteen feet long, and when a snowball passing through the air without the aid of human agency (for no boy ever threw a snowball that hit a window"), and a pane of glass was broken, its place was sujiplied by a piece of oiled paper. "These were usually sup])lanteeen employed for school purposes. Mr. Hendricks once used a room in the court house. Here and there in 264 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. DeKalb county, the people had erected houses. On June 14, 1853, there was formed in Butler township, at the farm house of Orrin C. Clark, an organization known as the Union School House Educational Societ}'. Three trustees were elected, namely : Henry Clark, Harris and Jacob Dahman. In some townships and counties in the state in 1853, there was not a single school house of any kind to be found. In other localities, the log houses, dilapidated and poorly equipped, were worse than nothing. It was thought that fully thirty-five hundred schools should be built in the state. By provisions of the new constitution, each township was made a munici- pal corporation of which every voter was a member. The state had provided a system of public instruction and now intrusted its execution to its cities, towns and townships. No authority had been given to levy a special school tax without the consent of the voters, to be given at a general or special meet- ing. This restricted the development, for, in some places, no meetings were held, and, in others, the vote was adverse. Auburn citizens ordered the clerk to post notices of an election for school tru.'-tees and for a vote on tax or no tax for school purposes in Auburn. On May 14, 1853, the polls were opened, but only twenty-five men voted, twenty- two of whom were for the tax. There were in 1853, thirty-one schools in DeKalb county; nine of the.se. mostly built of logs, were in Concord township. As late as 1876, but few of the old log houses were standing and none was in use. Prof. Barnes, in a centennial article on education, published in the Waterloo Press, illustrates progress in school architecture as follows : "In one district in Butler town- ship, may be seen within a few rods of one another, the three representative school houses of the county. On the east side of the Fort Wayne wagon road, is the old log school house, on the west side of the road is the old frame house that succeeded it, and a few feet west of the latter stands the new brick school house erected in 1875." In Auburn, the log cabin of O. C. Houghton was rented for three months for two dollars, and was fitted up for school use. At a special meeting held November 29, 1853, it was decided to have two free schools in Auburn. Teachers were very scarce, as the wages were too small. The average was eighteen dollars per month to male, and ten dollars to female. The organiza- tion of every town and township into school districts greatly increased the demand for teachers. Few applicants for license could pass any examina- tion. W. C. Larrabee, state superintendent of public instruction, found here a difficulty. The law required him to appoint deputies in each countv to SS5SS=:|_'-'" — OLD ACADEMY AT AUBURN Burned October 16, 1875 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 265 examine applicants for license, but no standard of qualification was made. The legislature of 1853, amended this law and transferred the authority to appoint examiners to the county commissioners and at the same time made a standard of qualification. The board of examiners for DeKalb county for 1853 was composed of E. W. Fosdick, S. W. Dickinson, and L. D. Britton. The number of persons licensed to teach in 1853 was sixty-nine. There were no normal schools. However, teachers' institutes had been organized in some counties. In 1867. an institute was held in what was the Presbyterian church at Auburn, with an attendance of fifty, and Prof. Patch as the principal instructor. John Dancer and Abigail Wolsey were employed to teach in the two schools of Auburn, the former to receive sixty dollars for three months, and the latter forty-eight, and to pay own expenses. Schools were ordered to open on Wednesday, December 7, 1853. The books then used in the schools were: McGuffy's readers, Ray's arithmetic, Bullion's grammar, Mitchell's geography, Davis' geometry and algebra. Olnistead's philosophy and Webster's elementary spelling book. AUBURN ACADEMY. In March, 1859, Andrew Larimore made application to teach in the old academy, and was successful, and on August 8th, was employed as principal in what was known as Auburn Union School. In i860, school began to be more patronized. Students were in high school departments, and a new era seemed to be forthcoming. In 1858 the academy was built, and opened August 22, 1858^ inaugurat- ing the graded free school system in Auburn. The academy was of three stories. One outer door gave access to all of the rooms. Winding stairs led to the upper floors. The furniture on the interior was old-fashioned, very cumbersome and unsuited for use. On the first floor were the primary and intermediate rooms, on the second floor the grammar and high school de- partments, and on the third floor was the rhetorical room, with a platform at one end, on which students might try their lung capacity in recitation and declamation. By the year 1869 the academy was crowded with students. In this year education was progressing very rapidly all over the county. Butler had erected good schools, as also had many other places in the county. SPELLING MATCHES. Matters in the educational line were not confined to the schools, for in the >-pring of 1875 a spelling epidemic broke out and became the rage through- 266 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. out the county. Auburn citizens took a lively interest in the spontaneous, but short-lived, revi\a! of the old-fashioned spelling school. Matches were held in which prominent citizens and their families participated. However, inter- est soon declined and the custom gradually fell into disuse. On July 5, 1875, the school board bought of J. H. Ford for six hundred and scnciUv-iiNi' dollars, lots number seventy-nine and eighty in west Auburn, upon which to build a ward school house some time during the summer. Bonds to the amount of three thousand dollars were authorized by the town trustees to provide the means. The contract for the proposed building was awarded during July to Messrs. Lewis Griffith and George S. .McCord, of Fort Wayne, for two thousand one hundred and fifty-seven dollars and fifty- six cents. The work was to be finished by August 20. The house was built of brick, and two stories. School was taught therein for a time, when the building stood vacant, the outlay seemed ill placed and premature, and the unattractive structure, surrounded by rank vegetation in the summer, sug- gested the unfinished university on a Kansas prairie. The necessities of cramped accommodations finally brought about the use of the building for a primary school. Meanwhile the school board added very much to the appearance of the new school grounds in the central western part of the town, by planting shrubbery, making walks, and surrounding them with a fence. S. B. Duncan furnished one hundred and fift)' evergreens at a cost of one hundred and twelve dollars and fifty cents, and eight chestnuts for six dollars, and Albert Wells received thirty-five and a half dollars for one hundred and fifty young forest trees. DESTRUCTION OF ACADEMY. The schools opened auspiciously, and the usual routine was being con- ducted on the line of study and discipline, when the schools were dismissed for the day, and, as it proved, to assemble no more in the old academy. In the early evening of October 16, 1875, an alarm of fire was given and soon the tidings spread that the school house was burning. Men were promptly on the spot, but they had no ladders nor other appliances to reach and attack the fire, which originated in the west end of the building. The population of the town crowded to the scene and looked on helplessly while the building in a short time enveloped in flames, slowly burned. Prudent forethought had placed three thousand dollars insurance on the building and five hundred on the furniture. This was a great help in the subsequent building. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 267 The demand for a new school house was imperative, and in this emerg- ency the school board issued ten thousand dollars' worth of eight per cent. bonds, the last payable nineteen years from date. These bonds were taken by New York parties and the proceeds of sale were turned over to the school board to be applied in erecting a school house. FIRST HIGH SCHOOL. Work was begun upon the first Auburn high school building in the spring of 1876, under the general management of the school board. The site was well chosen, the structure was of brick two stories high, in dimensions sixty- one by seventy-five feet, and the highest point was sixty feet above ground. The foundation walls were of free stone, and supplied a roomy basement. The contract was let to James W. Case, who it will be remembered, was one of the builders of the academy. The job was awarded to him at nine thousand, six hundred and seventy dollars ; he was one of thirteen bidders. The building was erected in accordance with plans and specifications pre- pared by Messrs. Moser & Gibbs, of Toledo, Ohio. This school house was substantially built at a personal loss to the contractor, who erred in making his bid too low. The furniture consisted of modern and comfortable seats and desks, and was furnished by C. P. Houser for eight hundred dollars. Heat was effected by means of two Boynton patent hot air furnaces, which cost four hundred dollars. The entire cost of the first building was twelve thousand three hundred and thirty-two dollars. Michael Seller of Fairfield township was the first superintendent in this school at a salary of one thousand fifty dollars a year. This building was destroyed by fire on the evening of Tuesday, Novem- ber 30, 1880. The first was first seen near the heating apparatus in the base- ment, where it undoubtedly originated. It was of very small proportions when first seen, and with proper facilities could have been extinguished. However, the building was a total loss. Undaunted, the citizens and authorities at once took measures for the con- struction of a new building. PROGRESS OF EDUCATION. The Auburn Courier of January 22, 1891, published a very compre- hensive and entertaining article on the progress of education in DeKalb 268 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. county between tlie years 1866 and 1891, written by William H. Mcintosh, one of the pioneer teachers of the county. The article in full is as follows : "That progress has been made and is still making in the system and appliances for common school education, not alone, though conspicuous, in our county, but in general throughout the state, is plain to the most casual experienced observer. "Not until thoughtful attention has been directed to this all-important subject, however, do the striking changes for the better and along the lines of genuine and permanent advancement in all that pertains to schools and school teaching, become evident. "It becomes an unexpected pleasure to have found ample grounds for encouragement for trustees, parents and teachers in a partial presentation of testimony that the great cause of popular education is being advanced in grand movement towards approximate perfection. There is no need to unjustly dis- parage the past to honor the present. Indiana's complete school system is the combined and adequate effect of long and tireless effort. Good schools in village and district, there were a quarter century ago. Earnest, efficient and successful educators unexcelled since in all the essentials of pedagogy were not wanting, and they were recompensed measurably according to deserts by intelligent patrons whose wise forethought secured their services. "In the face of difficulties now unknown, those intrepid, enthusiastic leaders in teaching inspired pupils with love of learning, pride in their schools and noble ambition to excel ; they enlisted the ready sympathy and co-opera- tion of parents, and filled the community at large with confidence and desire to increase school facilities and to augment the number of such educators. "Inscribed upon the roll as the first to avail themselves of the State Normal school at Terre Haute, and to pioneer the way to better things and educative methods in DeKalb county, stand the honored names of C. P. Houser, and the brothers Cyrus and Michael Seller. Since their day even our state institutions have been pleased to secure as teachers in advanced branches the services of young men from this county whose ambition was in- cited and fostered by those and such like progressive instructors. "But while these few in the van upheld and aroused school interest, the general mass of teachers were woefully deficient in theory and practice of teaching, the people in contentment of ignorance of the character of their school never or rarely inspected them and the standard of education remained apparently stationary at the close of term after term. "But agencies were at work, destined to revolutionize these conditions, and the normal schools conducted by school examiners, the powerful influence DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 269 of the county institute, the selection for township trustee of live men and leading local schoolmasters, awakened a sentiment whose fruition is mani f est in various progressive measures to which attention is briefly directed in a retrospection commencing with the school site and closing with the teacher at work. ''We have, then, first, better school sites as to area and location. The time is recent when trustees with good sense and no small degree of courage, im- periled their popularity by geographical locations of school sites, and when the apology for a school house built upon the very field corner had but the ground it occupied, itself the focus whence fences diverged as from an angle. The public highway was the only playground, and there was absolutely no provisions for privacy. "There were no wells for water, no sheds for wood, no trees for shade, and children were given less consideration than stock upon the farms. "Gradually, these injurious and shameful conditions have been changed till the worst features have been eliminated, but gross evils easily remedied yet exist. "The proper area for a school site — an acre of ground — has in many districts been purchased, arrangement has been made for separate play- grounds, conveniences in the interest of health and morality have been sup- plied, and permanence reached in central, healthful and ample sites. "In all communities there exist those progressive and those obstinately opposed to progress, and the traveler sees in the size and location of school grounds indisputable indications of the predominant district influence. "Secondly, the number of districts has been reduced. Instead of twelve illy located schools, there are but nine in the full congressional township, and each district theoretically complete comprises four sections. This hard-won improvement has reduced the cost to the towmship o f its schools, increased the number attending each and enabled trustees to pay higher salaries and to ex- tend the terms. "No live teacher but feels encouraged when the consolidation of two weak schools has given him the stimulus of full classes, in one strong one. A notable illustration of this fact appeared in the union of numbers five and six, Wilmington township, under the able management of J. J. Eakright, vet- eran district teacher of the school at Moores Station, successfully contesting the honors of leadership in interest, atcndance and scholarship, not only in the district but in the town schools. "Third, there has been great improvement in the style and material of school buildings. Twenty-five years ago, the age of log houses had been 2/0 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. succeeded by that of frame structures, and in these later years they in their turn have been superseded by spacious, convenient, and attractive brick edifices of handsome exterior and interior. Most have been fully supplied with slated blackboards, modern seats and desks, boxes for firewood, some appa- ratus and heating stoves, designed with falling window sashes to secure even temperature and proper ventilation. "What caricatures of houses those old, weather-Iseaten. dilapidated frame buildings were! Outside rough, heavy shutters, swayed by winter winds, swung creaking back and forth, slamming against sash and clapboard. Within, a red-hot stove was encircled by a favored few, while others at their seats, sufifered with the cold. "The air was unwholesome and heated in some, and the recess or noon- ing-time brought in pure atmosphere like a breath from Paradise. "What seats! Inconvenient, immovable, ink-splashed, knife-notched. What lack of blackboard and seats for recitation ! "That good work was done under great disadvantages heightens claim to honorable recognition of the faithful labors of the teachers of that time, and emphasizes a silent, but conscious, demand tiiat present progi-ess shall be proportionate to the ratio of modern advantages. "Popular interest has been awakened and interested in school archi- tecture and the election to the office of trustee of competent progressive men. Often leading teachers in their townships ha\e made the schoolroom pleasant and healthful as the home. "Fourth, progress and change mark the method of raising the money wherein to recompense teachers. "In 1854, the income derived from school fund was but $159,501.17', from loans at seven per cent, interest. Two and a half per cent, of this was paid the county auditor and the treasurer for their services, leaving but $143,- 551.06 for distribution. This gave thirty-five cents per child enumerated, between the ages of five and twenty-one years. The state levy was ten cents on each one hundred dollars valuation, and fifty cents on each poll. "In 1866, the rate school was obsolete, and salary was a compound of board and wages. Teacher boarded in families such times as the number of children in the family bore to the number of days in the term. Local tuition taxes were unknown, and from the state was derived the common school fund based upon the annual enumeration of children of school age. "After successive changes, always in the line of economv, school taxa- tion has varied until it falls hea\ily and directly upon the land owners in DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 2/1 respective townships of the county, and declares plainly the cost of free schools. Last year the state sold upward of four million dollars' worth of three per cent, bonds to eastern capitalists, and applied the proceeds to pay- ment of its indebtedness to the school fund. Till then the state and other borrowers had paid interest at eight, then seven i)cr cent. ; later, when these vast sums had been distributed to the counties, the rate was still further re- duced to six per cent., always payable in advance. "Present sources of revenue are school fund interest, state tax, township tuition tax, surplus dog fund, and moneys for liquor licenses. The people are content when satisfied that for each dollar paid a dollar's worth is re- ceived. The state school fund disbursed in DeKalb in 1889 was eighteen thousand dollars. The tuition home levy was twelve thousand dollars and the special, sixteen thousand dollars. "Fifth, there has been progress in the increased number of branches re- quired taught, the uniformity of text books, cheapened in cost, the gradation of instruction and the system of honorable graduation. "Physiology and history, formerly exceptional, are now regular studies. Where it was common to find in one school, among those of the same ability, classes in Kidd's or Putnam's elocution and fifth and sixth readers, Pinneo's and Clark's grammar, McNally's and Mitchell's geography. White's, Ray's and Robinson's arithmetics, now is seen one strong class in each branch of study, resulting in time saved, more time to recitation, and the greater in- terest in greater numbers. "Formerly there was no sequence to instruction of a previous term. Teachers, by trial, found where to commence pupils, or left it to them to begin in what and wherein they pleased. Winter schools absorbed most interest and money and the cheap summer school was a parody on teaching. Now the terms are equalized and connected by hiring one person for both, records are kept and successive teachers continue each grade where their predecessors left off, and the course of studies, systematically arranged, provides for grad- uation on its completion. This again simplifies the teacher's labors, and stimulates the school to better attendance and effort to reach the goal of their aspiration. "Sixth, there is improvement in the supervision and payment of teach- ers. Formerly no provision was made for inspection of schools and it is on record that Spencer Dills and myself, while serving as county school exam- iners, and in the performance of that all important duty, at a compensation of three dollars a day, were officially notified by county commissioners who 272 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. were then acting within the law, to cease from such school visitation, as no allowance would be made therefor. Their act voiced popular opinion that school supervision was an unnecessary expense. The young teacher had no experienced superintendent to set him right, the disheartened had no one to cheer him, and the incompetent time server met with no one to show his unfit- ness. "Teachers met only on occasion of the county institute, at which the best efifort possible was put forth in their aid. They rarely, if at all, held meetings among themselves, and later it was difficult to get them out to township institutes. Now superintendent and trustee are required by law to visit schools, to encourage, to suggest beneficial changes, to create and foster feelings of responsibility, local ambition and professional pride, to make so far as practicable the poor schools equal to the best. "Formerly teachers at county institute were entertained by the people gratis and enjoyed a very good diet in boarding around, now they are salar- ied, pay their board, are paid janitor's fees, allowed for day's attendance at township institutes, and these changes contribute to self-respect, independence and personal health, comfort and time for improvement. "Seventh, all these foregoing evidences of progress are subsidiary to the one great and all important condition that teachers of good moral char- acter and fairly qualified be obtained in sufficient numbers to conduct the schools. "It has ever been the intent of school legislation to eliminate from the profession all that class who owed their employment to misdirected sym- pathy, and to lax examination of qualifications. Ignorant pretenders and failures elsewhere no longer caricature keeping school, and gradually the standard of proficiency and ability has been elevated in favor of higher grades of teachers. To whatever extent this object has been realized, pro- portionate progress in education has been made, for it is not to be questioned that the character of schools for morality, discipline and study is based upon the possession and practice of those virtues by those who influence, govern and teach in them. "In the primitive condition of pioneer settlement, each locality neces- sarily hinlt its own house and provided and paid its own schoolmaster. Young men and women attended in winter, and such scenes were witnessed and enjoyed as have been recently enacted in Huntington county, where the county superintendent, on his visitation, after finding several teachers locked out for a Christmas treat, at length entered the school house to find the DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 273 schoolmaster bound fast to his desk and his insurrectionary pupils perform- ing, to the clatter of ash bucket and dinner pail, a parody of the Sioux ghost dance. From 1855 to 1875 it was legal and customary for householders of any school district, at their annual meeting, to designate by vote their choice of a teacher, and the trustee was obligated to hire such person, providing he obtained a license to teach. "It not infrequently happened that persons so chosen proved utterly un- qualified, and knowing this the people petitioned the examiner to exempt them from examination in more or less of the branches, notably physiology and history, on the ground that theirs were backward schools, and these studies would not be taught in them. "The climax was reached in my own experience, when a girl whose average of seventeen was the lowest of all, brought me a paper signed by every householder in the district, petitioning for the issue of a license, ac- companied by a statement that she was good enough for them. "Abrogation of this popular privilege and the placing of this duty solely with the trustee has enabled that officer to locate his teachers to ad- vantage, and rendered them less dependent upon their patrons. Enforce- ment of legal requirement in granting license created a scarcity of teachers and enabled those qualified to demand an advance in wages, and forced those desirous of teaching to measures for self-improvement. "The examination fee of one dollar has been abolished, and the exam- ination made free, while the widely varying estimates of examiners has been made uniform by state supply of questions to superintendents. A great change has transpired in teachers past and present. It was the rule to employ men in winter, women in summer, and such as reversed this condition were regarded as out of their proper place. "The winter teachers were energetic and capable young men, residents of the township preferably, and these living at their homes secured higher wages than are now saved. Those teachers were experienced, ambitious and of excellent character and cannot be surpassed, present or future, whatever changes otherwise occur. "They are remembered with pride and affectionate regard and recog- nized as having been strong and hearty co-workers with patrons and officials in the noble work of promoting the great cause of education. The change caused by hiring one teacher for the school year threw out these teachers and caused an irreparable loss, viewed from the standpoint of a winter term, (18) 274 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. but the gain to summer schools, and the encouragement offered to become pro- fessional teachers doubtless largely compensated, by continuous and intelli- gent work for the year, for the apparent loss. Hiring for the year did away with discrimination in wages, left the field largely to young women and equalized the importance and compensation of the two periods of the year. "I have faith and \'igilance in the courage of Indiana teachers. As her volunteer soldiers reckoned not of limb or life in the fight for national in- tegrity, so her great army of teachers will not prove recreant to the cause of education, and the schools of DeKalb will continue under her teachers to improve and progress in the line with the foremost and the best." EDUCATION IN GARRETT. (By J. R. SkiUing.) In the spring of 1876 the town board appointed the first school trustees for the town of Garrett as follows : Dr. S. M. Sherman, Dr. A. S. Parker and N. W. Lancaster. As soon as these gentlemen were qualified and or- ganized they at once commenced preparing for the construction of a school house. Two architects at Toledo, Ohio, were employed to draw plans and specifications for the proposed building. These were promptly executed and furnished for a building to cost sixteen thousand dollars. Objections were raised by the town trustees and many of the citizens, who protested against involving the young town with such an enormous and unnecessary bonded debt, claiming that a six thousand dollar school house would be sufficient. Public meetings were called, and many objections ex- pressed against this move, as this was in the time of the panic of i87'3, ^nd the tidal wave of the boom of the new town was about to recede to low ebb, as many of the citizens were in debt for their homes. So, after much parley- ing and contention, the school trustees let the contract to build the school as per plans and specifications to J. W. Harvey, a Chicago contractor who had just finished the Baltimore & Ohio shops. The construction of the school house was commenced in the latter part of 1876. and, it being in a heavy wood, the first work was to cut down the large oak trees. During the time of the construction of the new building there were two schools opened. The first was a select school, which was opened about the first of September, 1876, in the new Catholic church, with Josephine Bisset as teacher. Mr. Frank Moody was trustee of Butler township and he had furnished new seats and desks for a district school, so he turned the old seats and desks over to Garrett school trustees. They put them in the News DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 275 printing office building on the corner north of the Baptist church. About the time that the district schools were opening in the fall of 1876 for the winter term, there was a school opened in this building with Mrs. A. S. Parker as teacher. Work was rushed on the new building so that the first public school was opened in Januar}^, 1877, to fill out the unexpired term of that year. There were one hundred and twenty pupils enrolled in September, 1876. In September, 1880, there were two hundred and twenty-eight pupils enrolled, and in 1882 two hundred and fifty-four. The first graduating class of the (iarrett public school was composed of Charles Sembovver, William Ward, Lulu Milbourne and Maud Tarney. The graduating exercises were held at the Methodist Episcopal church on Friday evening, May 27, 1885. Since 1885 Garrett has taken the lead in this county in the progress and development of education. There was a new school house built on the north side in 1900 at a cost of five thousand dollars, and in 1906 our promoters of education and public improvements liad a magnificent and modern high school building constructed at a cost of twentv thousand dollars. SCHOOL STATISTICS. At present there is a total enrollment of two thousand and twenty- seven pupils in the schools of DeKalb county. There are one hundred and three school houses in the county. The average daily attendance for the last year has been one thousand two hundred and seventeen. There has been a total of one hundred and forty-three thousand three hundred eighty-nine dollars and sixty-four cents spent in the last year for the support of the schools. TEACHERS AND OFFICERS. The following list comprises all of the teachers and officers of DeKalb county in 1912 and 1913 : County superintendent, Dr. Lida Leasure, of Auburn; township trustees, Butler, G. W. Burtzner; Concord, Samuel Mu- maw; Fairfield, Clark Hemstreet; Franklin, Oliver Oberlin; Grant, Harry Reed ; Jackson, S. H. Nugen ; Keyser, S. H. Downend ; Newville, John White- hurst; Richland, George Shafifer; Smithfield, J. W. Mortorfif; Stafford, C. W. Webster; Spencer, W. G. Erick; Troy, Daniel Burkhart; Union, Frank Pyles; Wilmington, F. W. Nimmons; truant officer, Ed. Van Fleit, of Garrett. The city and town school boards are as follows : Auburn, M. Boland, 276 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. president; J. A. Mclntyre, secretary; Fred Knott, treasurer. Butler, Sam G. Stone, president ; George W. Geddes, L. C. Bewhrer. Garrett, J. F. Thomp- son, D. B. Van Fleit, Warren McNabb; Altona, F. L. Rodenbaugh, G. W. Fretz, Theo. Houser; Ashley, I. N. Cox, Daniel Rhinesmith, A. W. Gonser; Corunna, O. C. Smith, Eugene Treesh, W. A. Kennedy; Waterloo, D. L. Leas, J. E. Showalter, Harry Beidler. The city and town teachers are as follows: Auburn, J. A. Langston, superintendent; high school, P. W. Kiser, C. E. York, Mary E. Mulvey, Maud S. Armstrong, Lulu M. Bateman, Blanche E. O'Brien, Agnes U. Jeffrey; Harrison building, Clarence Wyant, principal, Myrtle Clark, Roy C. Nugen, Pearl Mason, Myrtle Hornberger, Belle Cooper, Nellie Wilderson, Bonnie Seiler, Bertha Maegerlein ; DeSota building, I. M. Cosper, principal, Martha Rupley, Grace Hines, Gertrude Renner; Riley building, Lydia Teet- ers, principal, Delia Maginnis, Sadie Houston, Josephine Bryant. In Gar- rett F. M. Merica is superintendent; James H. Green is principal of the high school, and the teachers are Geraldine Sembower, Maude Camp, Vera Van Auken, Bessie Berry ; South Side building, Will Franks, O. V. Franks, Gladys Halter, Benjamin Miller, Lottie Miles, Marie Warren, Martha Dick, Pauline McFann, Georgia Sembower, Jessie Brown, Beatrice Bowers, Pauline Kings- bury and Ada Chew; North Side building, John Reinoehl and Maybelle Sny- der. In Butler H. E. Coe is superintendent; Geneva Kimmel is principal of the high school, and the teachers are Carrie B. Lipe, B. L. Baily, Hazel Har- rison and Ethel Weick ; other teachers in grades are Nellie Gary, Coral Scho- ville, Muriel Baker, Myra Scott, Grace Maginnis, P. D. Hamman, B. L. Bailey. A. L. Moudy is superintendent at Waterloo, G. E. Roop is principal. Teachers are Edith Masters, Mary Chapman, Blanch Betz, Etta Wittmer, Cora Stanley, Scott H. Rhoads, Bess Showalter, Anna Snader. Ashley has A. N. Faulkerson as superintendent, and Marie Thrush as principal. The teachers are as follows: Alma Husselman, Dora Baird, Charles Parsell, Clara DeCamp. In Spencerville, J. F. Slaybaugh is superintendent, Sylvia Yager is principal. Teachers are Zona Horn, Melvin Howey and Jennie Steward. St. Joe is represented by L. A. Thatcher, superintendent, Frank Baltz, Roy Maxwell and Ethel Leighty. M. T. Markley and Cordice Hal- lett are teachers at Corunna. Robert Ulm and Myrtle Griffin serve at Altona. The following are the district teachers, preceded by the number of their school: Butler, one, Anna Bevier; two. Lulu Heitz; three, Lovina Pfaff; five, Carl Shull; six, Claude Miller. Concord, two. Glen Freeborn; four, Ida Widney; five, Ralph Sechler ; seven, Mary Scholes. Fairfield, three, Grace DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 277 Widdicombe ; four Louise Kuckuck; six, Lena Stomm; seven, William Mc- Intyre ; nine, Isaiah Wert ; ten, Grace Seery. Franklin, one, L. C. Wyncoop ; two, Letha Enzor; three, Orla Fee; four, Elva Albright; five, Grace Water- man ; six, Lena Cameron ; seven, Blanche Smith ; eight, Grace Whetsel ; nine, Blanche Whetsel. Grant, one, Mae Mcintosh; four, Ethelyn Rowe; five, J. A. Husselman; six, Ethel Hallett. Jackson, one, Florence Berry; two, Ida Reed; three, A. C. Maurer; four, John Nugen; five. Elsie Farver; six, Jesse Provines; eight, Mabel Lochner; nine, Nellie Berry. Keyser, one, Naomi Brady; two, Jennie Lasch; three, Jay Olinger; four, Grace Zerkle; five, Cora Miller ; six. Ruth Smurr ; seven, Bess Kinsey ; eight, Lulu Kinsey. Newville, five, Ray Davis; seven, Clyde Hart, Merritt Maxwell, Gr^ce Kain. Rich- land, F. M. Wiltrout; three, Alma Leins; five, Carl Becker; seven, Alida Walter; eight, Perry Foote; nine, Mabel Brecbill. Smithville, Ward Par- sell; one, Clyde Betz; four, Ada Bair; five, Austin Benjamin; six, Helen Shull ; seven, Harriett Seery ; eight, Gladys Kain ; nine, Edna Bickel ; ten, Perth Grays. Spencer, Clara Shull. Stafford, one, Hilda Whitman ; two, Clara Apt : five, Ross Abel. Troy, one, Bernice Clark ; two. Hazel Gunsen- houser; three, Leeta Eddy; five. Garnet Brink. Union, five, Zora Martin; six, George Wilson; seven, Lida Pfaff. Wilmington, two, Pearl Brink; three, Sura Shumaker; four, Grace Murch; five, George Beams; six, Maude Kennedy; seven, Walter Carper; eight. Winnie Snuirr; nine, C. O. Krise. CHAPTER XIV. AGRICULTURE. Upon the agriculture of a county are based the prosperity and welfare of the people. Other sources of revenue, such as railroads, manufactures, public institutions or mines, are valuable, but not so greatly as the yield of the native soil. It was the search for productive soil that brought the first settlers to DeKalb county, and led them to banish the native Indian to the westward. History does not grow fluent with the description of the early crops; methods were primitive and implements crude, and the sowing and harvesting had not reached the scientific point that they now occupy. The hoe, hand rake, scythe and small sickle were the tools, and sheer force of labor was responsible for a good crop, if such were had. The task of clear- ing the land precluded any attempt at systematic farming during the early days, but the stanchness and courage of the first tillers made possible the versatile farmer of today, who understands crop rotation and farm science as an engineer knows his machine. On the average, the soil of DeKalb county is the equal of any of the Northwest, being very fertile and tillable. John Houlton is remembered as the first pioneer, and as he planted potatoes in 1834, he might be said to have been the first farmer. The early forests dropped their leaves in the autumn, and these, decaying, left a heavy loam upon the ground that has provided this excellent soil for the farmer of today. The pioneer found this extreme fertility when he was enabled, from a small bit of land, to raise sufficient grain to keep his home well stocked. It is related in another portion of this book how an early settler planted five bushels of potatoes, and in the fall of the year dug eighty-six bushels from the earth. The grain which the pioneer could not use was transported by wagon and ox-team to Fort Wayne, Toledo and Hillsdale, and we already have a few accounts of the hardships under- gone upon a journey of that kind. FARM LANDS. It is interesting to note the statistics in relation to the present DeKalb county. First, it might be well to say that the population of the county is DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 279 twenty-five thousand and fifty-four people, according to the last census. The number of farms in the county is two thousand five hundred and eighteen, sixty less than there were ten years ago. Of native white farmers there are twenty-four hundred and twenty-nine, and of foreign born white, eighty-nine. There are four farms in the county of an area under three acres ; from three to nine acres, there are one hundred and ten; of ten to nineteen, eighty-eight; of twenty to forty-nine, four hundred and twelve; of fifty to ninety-nine, one thousand and twenty-eight ; of one hunched to one hundred seventy-four acres, seven hundred and thirty-live; of one hundred seventy- five to two hundred fifty-nine, there are ninety-nine; of two liundred and sixty to four ninety-nine, there are forty-two farms. The approximate land area of DeKalb county is two hundred and thirty- six thousand eight hundred acres. Of this amount, there are two hundred and twenty-one thousand nine hundred and three acres in farm lands. The improved land in farms amounts to one hundred and seventy-eight thousand six hundred and forty-nine acres, an increase of over ten thousand acres in the last ten years. Woodland in farms totals thirty-five thousand five hun- dred and eighty-four acres ; and all unimproved land in farms is seven thou- sand six hundred and seventy acres in farms. Thus the per cent, of land area in farms is ninety-three and seven-tenths; of farm land improved, eighty and five-tenths; average acres per farm, eighty-eight and one-tenth; average improved acres per farm, seventy and nine-tenths. VALUE OF FARM LANDS. The value of all farm proptTty in DeKalh county, irrespective of kind and quality, is nineteen million seven hnmlred twenty-two thousand five hun- dred and eighty-five dollars, being an increase of over eight million during the last ten years, a per cent, of increase of seventy-six and nine-tenths. The value of the lands is twelve million six hundred and thirty thousand four hundred and sixty-eight dollars: of buildings, four million three hundred and forty-nine thousand seven hundred and twenty-one; implements and ma- chinery, seven hundred and four thousand five hundred and sixty-one dol- lars; domestic animals, poultry and bees, two million thirty-seven thousand eight hundred and eighty dollars. The per cent, of value of all property is ; In land, sixty-four per cent. ; in buildings, twenty-one and one-tenth; in implements and machinery, three and six-tenths; in domestic animals, etc., ten and three-tenths. 28o DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. The average value of the land per farm is seven thousand eight hundred and thirty-tliree dollars; the average \alue of the land per acre is fifty-six dollars and ninety-two cents. DOMESTIC ANIMALS. There are twenty-four hundred and seventy-nine farms reporting do- mestic animals. In DeKalb county there are sixteen thousand two hundred and fifty-six head of cattle, the value being four hundred and sixty-seven thousand seven hundred and forty-nine dollars. There are eighty-five hun- dred and ten horses, representing a value of one million ten thousand three hundred and ninety-eight. There are one hundred and fourteen raules, value fifteen thousand nine hundred and twenty-five dollars. There are thirty-six thousand three hundred and thirty-five head of swine, with a value of two hundred and fifty thousand six hundred and sixt\-five dollars. There are forty-two thousand sixty-three sheep, valued at one Inmdred and eighty-six thousand eight hundred twenty-three dollars. Of goats, there are thirt\-one, \alued at sixty-three dollars. There are one hundred and eighty-nine thou- sand nine hundred and ten pieces of poultry, worth one hundred and four thousand one hundred and four dollars. There are eight hundred and nine- teen bees in the county, valued at two thousand one hundred and fifty-three dollars. PRINCIPAL CROPS. The principal crop in DeKalb county is corn. There are thirty-three thousand four hundred and ninety-six acres devoted to this grain, and the yield is one million two hundred and forty-five thousand five hundred and ninety-two bushels. Twenty-five thousand five hundred and one acres are devoted to oats, which area yields nine hundred and sixty-six thousand one hundred and thirteen bushels. Twenty-one thousand four hundred and ninety- eight acres are sown in wheat, producing three hundred and ninety-one thou- sand and eighty-four bushels. There are eight hundred and forty-six acres of barley, producing twenty-one thousand four hundred and thirty-two bushels. There are fourteen hundred and eighteen acres of rye, producing twenty- three thousand eight hundred and fifteen bushels. Twelve hundred and fifty- one bushels of clover seed comprises this crop. Potatoes cover ground to the extent of two thousand one hundred and ninety-one acres, and make two hundred and twenty-four thousand two hundred and five bushels. Hay and forage is gathered from thirty-six thousand six hundred and thirty-four acres, weighing forty-eight thousand and thirt\--nine tons. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 281 PROPRIETORSHIP OF FARMS. There are one thousand seven hundred and twenty-two farms in DeKalb county operated by owners, and representing a value of eleven million one hundred and ninety-five thousand two hundred and sixty-four dollars. There are seven hundred and eighty-two farms operated by tenants, value, five million five hundred sixty-seven thousand four hundred and twenty-five dol- lars. Farms operated by managers number fourteen, valued at two hundred and seventeen thousand five hundred dollars. It is said that the first attempt to hold a fair was a small exhibit made on the old Baker farm, then owned by Thomas Ford. Leonard Hoodlemire built the fence enclosing, and during the fair the main attraction was a foot race. In the fall of 1855 a fair was held on the court house grounds, at which a horse race was a sensation. Tlie next fair was held in the same jilacc in the fall of 1858. Realizing the advantages to farmers nf association and the benefits naturally to be enjoyed at Auburn of a fair ground and an annual fair at which competitive exhibits could he held and impro\ement in stock, ma- chinery and handiwork encouraged, Wesley Park, on April 2, 1859. leased to the directors of the DeKalb County .\gricultural Society about seven acres of ground lying north of Park's addition to the town plat, or just west of the public road running from Auburn to Waterloo. The lease was for a term of eight years, and was made in consideration that the society should within sixty days build a substantial board fence se\'en feet high along the north and east sides of the groimds and the remainder within one year. Shade trees were to have been planted and a track laid out. At the expiration of the lease the ground and fence were lo l?e gi\en up. the society reserving lum- ber, sheds and such fixtures. At tliis time |. X. L'liamberlain was ])resi(lent of the society, and M. F. Pierce, secretary. The president before Chamberlain was S. W. Sprott. and succeeding the former was W. \\'. Griswold. The open- ing of the Civil war in t86t obviated rin\ attempt to hold a fair and conse- quently for a time it was abandoned. In 1871 leading citizens of Waterloo and elsewhere, prominent among them being J. N. Chamberlain, John and A. S. Leas, R. J. Lent, S. J. Locke, C. A. O. McClellan, R. :\I. Lockhart. B. B. Long and R. W. McBride, 282 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. organized the Northeastern Indiana Agricultural Association on the stock plan. A tract of land comprising thirty-one and one-quarter acres, adjoining Waterloo, was bought and fitted up for holding fairs. The fair was held annually in October, and the stock of the association was fixed at ten thou- sand dollars. The first fair here was held on October 15, 16, 17 and 18, 1872, and was a big success. Prizes were given for exhibits, racing was held, and large attendance was had. The county fairs continued during the years until the early nineties, when they were abandoned for various reasons. The DeKalb County Free Fall Fair has taken the place of these exhibitions, and is quite as successful, if not more so. THE DEKALB COUNTY FREE FALL FAIR. The DeKalb County Free Fall I'air is promoted by Auburn business men, merchants and manufacturers, and maintained and supported by the Commercial Club. It is held each autumn in Auburn, and is similar to the county fairs in other counties, but is. held about the coiut house square and in the main streets of Auburn. It is absolutely free. A large list of premiums is annually donated by the merchants and business men. The farmers, manufacturers and others exhibit their best products, and it is claimed that the fair by its exhibitions has brought about a raise of ten to fifteen per cent, in farm values in this county. It is not merely a street carnival, but is a real county fair. It has been held in Auburn each year except 191 1, when it was held at Garrett. ]\Iany amusements are provided in the way of shows, brass bands, etc., and on the closing day a Mardi Gras parade is held. The fair is attended usually by a crowd of fifteen to twenty-five thousand people daily. The Purdue Agricul- tural Experiment Station and School of Agriculture sends an exhibit, and Prof. G. I. Christie, or another from the faculty, assists in judging the ex- hibits. The premiums range in value up to one hundred dollars. Every year some noted man of the state attends and delivers a lecture. The officers of the fair are: H. G. Judson, chairman; Miles Baxter, secretary; U. S. Rant, treasurer; H. R. Culbertson, C. M. Brown, George Bishop, Pres. Wilcox, H. H. Strole. J. R. McDowell, board of directors. Culbertson and M. Boland are members of the committee on judges. DEKALB COUNTYj INDIANA. ' 283 In the early part of 1874 the farmers began to organize what has since been known as tiie Grange movement. The growth was wonderful and en- thusiasm unbounded. The mo^-ement spread like wildfire. Granges were formed in every township, councils in each county, and were given direction and force by state and national Granges. Interest \vas increased by gather- ings, where oratory and food abounded ; and entire families gave the day to enjoyment with the object of consolidating their power. Middlemen were deemed superfluous, and steps were taken by appointing of purchasing agents and stcoking of Grange stores, to bu_\' supplies at a])proximatelv wholesale prices. Along in February, 1874, the impulse made itself known in DeKalb county. On the 17th a Grange was constitiited at the llusselman school house with R. N. Crooks, master; S. Kutzner, secretary; W. Lessing, overseer; C. W, Scattergood, lecturer; J. C. St. Clair, treasurer; R. S. Reed, steward, and Mrs. Reed as his assistant. Smithfield farmers organized on the loth, electing F. Kelley. E. R. •Shoemaker, S. B. Mottinger, J. Hemstreet and Henry Hood as officers. Four days later Jackson Grange was formed with John Cool,' James McClellan, J. G. Lawhead and M. Owens as officers. In rapid succession others followed, until the territory was fully occupied. A county council of Patrons of Husbandry was organized on May 8, 1874. in Grangers' hall, Waterloo, by delegates from subordinate Granges. At this council R. N. Crooks was chosen president; Ephraim Boyle, vice- president ; M. Waterman, secretary ; F. Kelley, treasurer ; and J. G. Law- head, doorkeeper. The board of trustees was composed of A. D. Moore, John Lowe and Hugh Nelson. A committee was appointed to elect a purchasing agent, and the objects of the order were stated to be the welfare of the far- mer and to "bring producer and consumer together to the exclusion of the middleman." However, the Granges in this county .soon stranded, went out of exist- ence after a brief but brilliant and suggestive career. It taught farmers their strength and encouraged them to persevere, and trust in co-operation, and believe that "in union there is strength." 284 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. HORTICULTURE IN DEKALB COUNTY. (By H. M. Widney.) In the early history of our county apples, pears, peaches and all other tree fruits adapted to temperate climes grew when planted and produced abundant crops of the finest fruits. Little care was observed by the planter. Little did our pioneers know about the coddling moth, San Jose scale, or any of the many fungus diseases at that time ; the only purpose in those days when planting a tree was to produce a home supply of the much needed fruits for the betterment of health conditions in the home, and the giving to the youth the food demanded by nature. So, all of the earliest orchards of our county were planted from the home-supply standpoint, and those who thought of the commercial side of the question were but few. However, these orchards grew beyond the expectation of those who planted, and it has not been many years since the apple-buyer was expected each year to gather tlie surplus and pack the same in liarrels. then ship to some distant city market. The peach was never so fortunate in those days, and many who are yet with us can tell stories of wagon loads of big. luscious, yellow peaches lying on the ground, rotting for want of a near market, a market close enough to warrant the owner caring for them and marketing them. Pears and plums grew well, but were never planted in such quantities as the peach and the apple. A more natural climate for the production of tree fruits than our county in pioneer days would be hard to find. But for the fact that cities were but villages, towns but country cross-roads and the present villages unknown, the demand would have been vastly beyond the resources of the time. Horticul- ture remained to a great degree undeveloped. If demand at that time had been as it now. Hood River would ha\e l:ilushcd with cn\ y at the jiroduct of old DeKalb. Thus, in the early history of fruit growing, no worms, no fungus and no scale plant attacked the tree. The ricli virgin soil and protected conditions made by -the forests gave the fruit-bearing trees an ideal home, and the result was a luscious, perfect crop, with but little effort. But as the county became better settled and orchards more plentiful, the natural enemies came also. Near the seventies came the coddling moth, who, by his habits, gave us the wormy apple, the curculo, who robbed us of our plums and ruined our peaches ; then the fungus enemies to scab over our apples, pears and peaches ; then, seemingly bent on utter destruction, the San Jose scale, to kill outright the trees. But it lias been said that "neces«itv is the mother of in\-ention." Our DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 2»5 county has developed, our towns are now cities, and so man studies the con- ditions. He replaces the humus and fertility that our forefathers unconsciously robbed from our soil ; he plants trees now because he can see great financial returns in the future for so doing; he has learned how to meet the enemies which seemed sure to destroy the fruit-bearing trees, the coddling moth, the curculo, the fungus diseases and the San Jose scale. These marauders must submit to the science of man. Thus, while for a time the fruit product of DeKalb county was a disgrace to her name, we now can truthfully boast of her wonderful progress in developing this department of her agricultural life, and her sons should always see to it that her l)anner floats near the top, and then their recompense will be plenty. CHAPTER XV, RAILROADS AND TRANSPORTATION. EARLY ROADS AND ROAD CUTTING. Few of the present generation realize the diificiilty of travehng in the woods of the early country. In these days one may cross the country in a few hours over a steel road, or by excellent wagon roads he may travel with facility and ease. The hardy immigrant with his small wagon load of neces- sary furniture followed a trail made by the Indians, when possible, and for the last two or three miles cut his own road through the brush and woods with axe in hand. The road thus made was of the rudest character when dry, and in the spring of the year was nearly impassable. At times one right fore wheel and one right hind wheel would be high in air on stumps or logs; then the fore wheels would plimge into a mud hole, while the rear of the wagon mounted high in air. Again he would slide along in a slough with the mud over the hubs, and suddenly run over a stump. To travel with safety in a wagon he must brace himself with both feet in the corners of the box, with every muscle tense, and use both hands to drive, leaving his face, neck and hands entirely at the mercy of the hungry mosquitoes swarming around. The miring of a horse or the breaking of a wheel was the worst fate that could befall the traveler. The extreme slowness of travel over a newly cut road through the forest in the wet springtime is told without exaggeration by a pioneer. He had been to a mill with a wagon and a yoke of oxen, and arrived within one mile of home at seven o'clock in the evening, but the re- maining one mile took four hours to cover. On reaching home at eleven o'clock his wife told him that she had heard him calling to his oxen ever since seven o'clock. The Indians, possessing no wheeled vehicles, carrying on little trade, using no machinery, found the trace or trail sufficient for their needs. Be- tween the villages of the Pottawatomies and trading posts were well beaten trails. Two main trails traversed the land of DeKalb county. One from White Pigeon forked near Lima, one branch terminating near Fort Wayne. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 287 the Other leading southeast and at the St. Joseph river intersecting a trail from the east. The other trail, from the direction of Toledo, followed a southwesterly course, crossed the Fort Wayne trail near the Lake of the Woods, south of the Tamarack House, a pioneer tavern of Lagrange. The trail was a path worn in places to a depth of six inches by moccasin and pony hoof, and making wide detours for marsh and lake. Pioneer roads followed the trails as far as practicable. Joseph Miller (first county surveyor) cut a narrow track from the river through to Cedar creek, below Auburn, and also from Auburn to Blair's mill. Miller stated that the logs were left in the track, and that articles were hauled by oxen attached to a sled constructed as follows : A sapling was cut, having a fork at the top, consisting of stout limbs several feet long; the limbs were used as runners, and the body of the stick formed the tongue: a box was then fixed on the runners. Wesley Park and Mr. Miller afterward widened this road to admit the passage of a cart. The trail was known then as "Miller's trace." In July, 1837, Wesley Park, Cornelius Gilmore and Seth W. Murray were appointed commissioners to lay out the Coldwater and Fort Wayne state road, running nearly north and south through the county. They did so, making their report on September ist. Wesley Park and one Hostetter were to lay out the Goshen and Defiance state road, east and west through the county. The work was performed by Park alone, and the legislature after- ward legalized this. Joseph Miller was tlic surveyor, and Henry Feagler and John Miller carried the chain. Other first roads were located as follows : The state road from Auburn to Fort Wayne via Vandoler's mill, by T. L. Yates and Benjamin Miller; the state road from Angola to Fort Wayne, west of Auburn, by Daniel Moody, Solomon Showers and Henry Miller; a road on the southwest side of Fish creek, by Simon Aldrich, Peter Boyer and Roger Aldrich ; a road on the northwest side of the St. Joseph river was sur- veyed by R. J. Dawson, and afterward corrected by John Blair, John Web- ster and Hector Blake, and a road from Enterprise to Uniontown by Daniel Kepler, Michael Boyer and John Farlee. At the May session of 1838 the commissioners appropriated two thou- sand dollars from the three per cent, fund, as follows : Eight hundred dol- lars on the Goshen and Defiance road; eight hundred dollars on the Fort Wayne and Coldwater road, and four hundred dollars on the state road on the northwest side of the St. Joseph river. The commissioner of the three per cent, fund was also directed to have constructed a bridge over the Big Cedar creek north of the village of Auburn, where it was crossed by the Fort 288 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Wayne and Coldwater state road ; another over the Little Cedar creek, near the house of Joseph Stroup, where it crossed the state road; another over the Big Cedar creek, at the crossing of the Goshen and Defiance state road near Auburn; a bridge over each of the three principal branches of the west branch of Cedar creek, where it was crossed by the same road, and a bridge over the Twenty-six Mile creek, where it was crossed by the state road near the house of Byron Bunnel. These first bridges were poor affairs, and though built at little expense, were more costly in the end than the bridges which have since taken their places all over the county, particularly the fine bridges at Newville, Waterloo and Auburn. In 1842 Isaac Swarthotit and J. R. Corper, while journeying to visit at Kendallville, crossed with a yoke of oxen and a two-horse wagon a bridge over Cedar creek, which Joseph Miller had constructed for three hun- dred dollars. This wagon was the first to cross the structure, and its weight broke a stringer. Hiram Iddings had previously crossed it in a one-horse buggy. But with increasing experience and growing wealth, the quality of bridge and highway building progressed, until it has reached the splendid standard of today. GENERAL SUMMARY. Before giving any detailed history of the five railroads now crossing the county of DeKalb, it is well to present a short sketch of each of the roads in order to facilitate the understanding of future discussion. The first road to be built was the Air Line division of the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana, now known as the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern. Surveys were made as early as 1852-3, and along the proposed route the villages of Corunna and Lawrence and the towns of Butler and Waterloo became existent in 1855. On May 27, 1856, the forty-one inhabi- tants of Butler learned with joy of the completion of the road to their town. This heralded the growth of Butler, and today it is one of the foremost cities in the county, being third in population. The road enters the eastern side of the county, passes through the northern parts of Stafford, Wilmington, Grant and Richland townships, altogether traversing a distance of twenty miles in the county. The Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw railroad was opened to traffic on October 5, 1870, but after a few years of operation went into the hands of a receiver, and was absorbed by the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Com- pany. It enters the county from the south, and passes through the townships DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 2»9 of Butler, Keyser, Union, Grant and Sniithlield, crossing the Vandalia and Baltimore & Ohio at Auburn Jnnction and the main branch of the Lake Shore at Waterloo. There are o\er nineteen miles of road in the county. The Detroit, Eel River & Illinois, later the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific, and now the Vandalia of the Pennsylvania system, was the first railroad be- gun in the county, but the fourth to be completed. It was projected early in the fifties, but lacked sufficient support for completion. In the closing months of 1872 the line was completed from Logansport to Auburn. Here it again rested. By efforts of stockholders in DeKalb county an effort at consolida- tion with the Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw railroad was defeated. After this defeat the road pushed eastward and reached Butler on October 18, 1873. The road has a little over eighteen miles of track in the county. The Chicago division of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad was projected soon after the war. After many controversies, related fully on the following pages, the first train run througli the county in November, 1875. The line passes through Garrett, Auburn Junction and St. Joe, running east and west. Crossing the extreme southwestern corner of DeKalli county is the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad, with no station within the county's liounds. About two miles of track are in the county. The Wabash railroad, the Detroit division, was built in 1901 and 1902, from Butler to New Haven, six miles east of Fort Wayne, where it connected with the main line. It was put into service in 1902. Division point was first established at Ashley, on the DeKalb and Steuben county line. After a few years, however, this point was transferred to Montpelier, Ohio. RAILROAD HISTORY. The first sur\-ey made througli the count_\- for a railroad was run in June, 1853, by the Southern Michigan Railroad Company. This survey started from Toledo, Ohio, passed through northern Indiana and intersected the Southern Michigan road at Elkhart, Indiana. This was for the Air Line, or Northern Indiana, road. The survey for the Eel River railroad was made at the same time. This started at Logansport, Indiana, and ex- tended northeast, passing on the south side of Auburn and intersected the Air Line at a point in DeKalb county then called Norris. later Jarvis, and now Butler. The work of clearing oft' the right-of-way for these two roads was (19) 290 DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. begun in tlie autumn of 1853, but on account of some embarrassment the work of construction on the Eel River road was suspended indefinitely in 1854. So this proposed road lay dormant until 1875. when it was revived and completed. The work of constructing the Air Line road continued during the years 1854-5-6-7, and as this was prior to the steam shovel period, the grading was done with picks, shovels, hand-barrows and horse-carts. In the early days there was an Indian trading point established on the north side of Cedar creek, about six miles northeast of Auburn, and named Cedar- ville, but the name was changed to Uniontown on account of being included in Union township. As the Air Line railroad was located on the south side of the creek, about half a mile from the village, there was a station established there and named Waterloo. This new town soon became one of the chief trading posts in the county. Four miles west of Waterloo another station was located and named Hudson, and later changed to Sedan. The Sedan post- office was "Iba." Every effort was put forth to build up a town at Sedan. Parties who owned the land donated town lots free of charge to anyone who would agree to build a house on the lot, this being the only consideration re- quired. An elevator was erected, and during the first ten years it was a popu- lar grain market. The late William Mclntyre, of Auburn, was agent for the railroad company for about ten years prior to 1872. During this time Sedan flourished, Iiut on his retirement the town lost its prestige. RAILROAD BEGINNINGS. The Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw railroad and the Eel River rail- road were built in 1870 and put into operation in 187 1. The Baltimore & Ohio railroad was constructed in 1872 and 1873, and in 1874, in November, it was put into active service. The Detroit division of the Wabash railroad was built in 1901 and 1902. from Butler to New Haven, six miles east of Fort \\'ayne. where it connected with the main line. It was put into service in 1902. INTERURBAN RAILWAY. The Toledo & Chicago interurljan railway was put into service in 1906, from Fort Wayne to Garrett, where it branched off to Kendallville by way of Avilla, and to Waterloo by way of Auburn. In 19 13 this road was absorbed by the Fort Wayne & Northwestern Railway Company. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 29I I'^ORT VVAVXE, JACKSON & SAGINAW RAILROAD. In 1870 the Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw railroad was constructed under the pretext of being a farmers' railroad. An extensive canvas was made among the farmers and townspeople along the proposed route for the sale of stock in the enterprise. The shares were fifty dollars each, and every one was induced to take at least one share. Farmers through whose prop- erty the road was built were solicited to donate the right-of-way, and many of the transfers were made without other consideration. Other farmers fur- nished their teams and labor to grade the road, for which they were paid in railroad stock. Citizens of Waterloo, prominent among whom were the Hale brothers, general merchants, contributed liberally to the building of the road, for, situated on the only railroad between Fort Wayne and Southern Michigan, the town was the center of an extensive territory. The wheat and corn, the live stock, and wood, the butter and eggs, poultry, and the products of the orchards from southern DeKalb to northern Steuben, found a market there. During the marketing of the grain Market street was thronged with loaded wagons from near and far, awaiting their turn to dri\e up the incline and unload at the elevator. With the completion of the new railroad, elevators were built at the various stations along the line, and it became the market place for what had formerly been taken to Waterloo, thus depriving that town of much of its prestige. Six miles north of Waterloo was Mottinger's and Gramlin's Cross- ing, the point of greatest elevation on the road, and consequently the station was called Summit. The station was hard to reach by north-bound trains on account of the grade, and many of the indifferent engines of that day were compelled to take the train up in two sections, after vainly puffing to a stand- still. For years Summit was the leading wood station on the line, as they fired the engines with wood in those days. A thriving town sprung up at Summit, with stores, saw mill, l)Iack,smith shop, brick mill and saloons. A few dilapidated buildings now mark the site of Summit and Sedan. After the Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw railroad was operated a few years it went into the hands of a receiver and was sold to and absorbed by the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company. The original stockholders were permitted to retain their certificates of stock as reminders that they were once stockholders in a railroad. 292 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. THE BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD. The survey of the Baltimore & Ohio & Chicago railroad, known as the Chicago division, was made in 1871, under the supervision of Chief Engineer James L. Randolph, assisted by Charles Archanhiel, T. G. Baylor, W. A. Pratt and a Mr. Manning. The survey was started ofif the old Sandusky City, Mansfield & Newark railroad at a point two miles south of Centerton. This starting point was called Chicago Junction. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company had previously leased the Sandusky City, Mansfield & Newark railroad. The survey was made through Ohio and Indiana and into Illinois, where it intersected the Illinois Central railroad eight miles south of Chicago and t-wo hundred and sixty-two miles west of Chicago Junction. The point was named Baltimore Junction. Baltimore Junction is now called Brookdale. "water, WATER, EVERYWHERE, BUT NOT A DROP TO DRINK." There were many laughable incidents related by the engineers in making this survey, one of which I shall mention. The country, or, in other words, the wild forest, where Deshler, Hamler, Holgate and Standly were estab- lished, was known as the Black Swamp and was submerged in water, so the surveyors were compelled to wear hip gum-boots. Somewhere in this terri- tory they came to a log cabin and they were surprised to see a backwoodsman standing in a log canoe with a long pole in his hands and a tin cup attached to one end of the pole. He was propelling his canoe around in front of his cabin, and occasionally searching around in the water with his pole. Being surprised at his maneuvers, they inquired, "What are you hunting?" The backwoods- man replied that "he was hunting his well to get a drink." AN UNFORTUNATE IMBECILE. There was an unfortunate imbecile by the name of Christ Long, who owned forty acres of land where Garrett is located, who was more deserving of pity than censure. He lived in a one-story log cabin which was located between the present Baltimore & Ohio saw shop and the car shops. These buildings and the coal chutes were erected on the land owned by Long. There was no floor in his cal)in except the ground, and here Long lived and slept with his hogs. .Another man had taken Long's wife, oxen and wagon and eloped DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 293 with the outfit to Michigan a few years previous. When the engineer corps would approach Long's land they were met at the boundary line by Long, armed with a pitchfork, and notified not to enter, which would lead to consid- erable parleying. On one occasion Charles Cochran, the front chainman, pointed the transit rod at Long, and he, thinking it was a gun, took to his heels and kept out of sight during the day. There was considerable trouble obtain- ing a clear title to Long's land on account of his wife's untimely elopement. TRESTLES AND TROUBLES. As the Baltimore & Ohio was located through a heavily timbered and undeveloped country, timber at that time was very plentiful. Therefore it was considered advantageous and more expedient to construct trestles of timber over the swamps and ravines than to fill by grading. Therefore, there were three hundred and ninety-six trestles and bridges constructed in build- ing the Chicago division. Number one was in the Chicago Junction yard, and number three hundred and ninety-six was between South Chicago and Baltimore Junction (Brookdale), making over nine miles of continuous trestle work if they had been connected. Trestle number two hundred was at the bottom of the incline of the Gar- rett coal chutes, which was filled in 1881. There were over three miles of tres- tles between Chicago Junction and Garrett, and over six miles west of Garrett, the largest trestle being west of Garrett. Number two hundred and ninety, about four miles west of Bremen, was known as the Big Marsh trestle. This trestle was three thousand eight hundred and thirty-two feet long, and con- tained three hundred and nineteen pile trestles. Four piles were driven for each trestle. This trestle was filled in 1882 with sand out of the pit on the south side of the Walgerton coal chutes. The highest trestle was four miles west of Defiance, which was thirty-five feet high. There was a saw mill at the east end of it and a spur track. This was known as White's mills, and all local trains stopped there. I think this trestle was number one hundred and forty-nine. It was filled in 1883, after a twelve-foot arch culvert had been constructed. Trestle number two hundred and one was west of the Garrett coal chutes, over the tamarack swamp. This trestle was one thousand one hundred and forty-two feet long. The early pioneers will remember this swamp was covered with brush and tamarack trees, so dense that the lake in the center of it was not visible from the railroad. The tamarack trees were converted into cross ties and tele- 294 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. graph poles. There was about three hundred feet in the middle of this swamp covered with a crust of peat about eight feet thick. Under this there was an open lake. It broke in in 1873, when the road was being graded. Then it was piled for trestles. The contractors claimed they drove some of the piles six hundred and twenty feet, which led to a case of litigation between the company and the contractors. The general opinion was that the piles angled off into the lake underneath, as Engineer Manning, who made the survey, testified that he took the soundings when he made the survey, and the deepest sounding was eighty-two feet. This trestle was filled in 1886 and 1887. The filling was commenced with clay, which soon crushed down through the peat, forming an open lake, and the water in the lake north of the trestle soon be- came the color of the clay that was being dumped in at the trestle. The piles commenced to give away, which let the frame trestles turn over on their side. The filling in with clay was discontinued at once and cribbing up with old timbers was adopted, and filling with cinders which were not so heavy as clay. The track was supported on a pontoon of old car sills and bridge stringers. Every morning the track would be down, as the pontoons would settle during the night, some nights as much as two feet. I had charge of this work, and to my personal knowledge, there was sixty feet of pontooning of this descrip- tion crushed down in this sink. The construction work was commenced at the various railroad crossings, where engines, cars and tools were delivered, and the work was rushed for- ward each day. One of the construction engines was shipped from Toledo to Defiance on the canal, where it was placed on the Baltimore & Ohio track. It is presumed that it was not as large as the present Baltimore & Ohio engines. There was some trouble encountered in crossing the Michigan Central tracks, which place is now known as Willow^ creek, of which I will give a brief sketch. The Michigan Central people objected to the Baltimore & Ohio people crossing their track on a grade crossing, requesting the latter to construct an elevated crossing. The Baltimore & Ohio refused to comply with this request. The case was carried into court, and the decision was re- turned in favor of the Baltimore & Ohio. The Michigan Central ignored this decision by placing all kinds of obstructions at this point. About three hundred men, from appearance supposed to be "Chicago roughs," were established here, evidently preparing for a "pick and shovel" fight in case the Baltimore & Ohio attempted to put in the crossing. The Baltimore & Ohio, being overpowered, called on the sheriff of Porter county for protection. The sheriff responded W'ith a corps of deputies and their DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 295 entreaty and authority were impertinently ignored. The sheriff at once re- ported the situation to Thomas A. Hendricks, governor of Indiana. Two companies of soldiers, in charge of Captain Whiteman, were dispatched to the scene at once. At early sunrise, on the morning in November, 1874, the pick and shovel brigade located at this barricade was amazed at the transparent luster which was reflected from two brass cannons mounted on a flat car, which slowly approached in front of a train from the east, followed by cars with the boys in lilue. who were at once lined up in battle array. Captain Whiteman then took a stand and addressed the opposing faction, advising them that he had not come there hunting trouble, but had been sent there by legal authority to prevent trouble, stating that they had the decision of the court to put in the crossing and they were going to put it in. The men were lying around, some on the ties which were piled up as an obstruction, and they would not move when ordered, as the order did not come from the parties by whom they were employed. There were quite a number of Michi- gan Central and Baltimore & Ohio officials present. The former officials maintained silence, and gave no orders, therefore the men would not move. The sheriff was present with a corps of deputies. After parleying and maneuvering all forenoon, the sheriff commenced arresting the Michigan Cen- tral ofncials until there were thirteen under arrest and imprisoned in a caboose, which was run to Michigan City. The order was given to put in the crossing. Flagmen were sent out on the Michigan Central track each way. A force of the Baltimore & Ohio track men, in charge of supervisor John Marion, soon cleared the way, and the Michigan Central track was cut, the crossing frogs put in place, and every- thing coupled up in good condition in two hours' time. This being accom- plished, gave the Baltimore & Ohio the right-of-way into Chicago. LAND BUYING. When the construction of the road was about finished, in 1874, six of the Baltimore & Ohio officials organized a company in Baltimore and it was in- corporated as the Baltimore Land and Improvement Company. John King, first vice-president, and William Keyser, second vice-president of the railway, were the principal members. Washington Cowen, father of John J. Cowen, who was chief attorney for the railroad, was a retired farmer of Holmes county, Ohio. He was selected as agent for the Baltimore Land and Im- provement Company, to locate the division point on the Chicago division. 296 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. In September, 1874, the road was not yet opened up for travel. Cowen went to Kendallville on the Lake Shore road and drove through the country to a point on the Chicago division of the new railroad, four miles east of Albion, known as Wash Easter's crossing. Mr. Cowen selected this place for the division point. Every movement of the Baltimore & Ohio officials at this period was being critically observed by enthusiastic speculators ready to buy up the land where the division shops were to be located. Mr. Cow-en, being aware of this state of affairs, was compelled to use the greatest caution in all of his movements so as not to create the impression that there would be a town located here, and that the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company would make this point a division of the road and erect shops. Cowen, on arrival at this place, immediately commenced contracting with the farmers for their farms, saying that he had two sons and two sons-in-law back East, whom he desired to locate together as near as possible, and that he had a little daughter twelve years old, and he wanted about thirty acres as a home for this young daughter and himself. After he had contracted with two or three farmers, and had advanced some money on the contracts, the other farmers with whom he had not contracted, raised the price of their land so high that Mr. Cowen was compelled to abandon the enterprise at this place. So he settled up with those with w^hom he had contracts, which cost him about four hundred dollars. I obtained part of this information from Mr. Cowen and part from the farmers who were interested. Mr. Cowen then went to Kendallville, from there to Waterloo and then to Auburn Junction. Here the section men took him on a hand-car to the present site of Garrett. Mr. Cowen very quietly commenced negotiating with the farmers, using the same tactics that he had used at Easter's crossing in Noble county, and on the 8th and loth of October, in 1874, he closed the deal with the owners of the land where Garrett is situated, and the deeds were executed October 22 and 24, 1874, to Washington Cowen, in trust as agent for the Baltimore Land and Improvement Company, as follows : John Kitchen, forty acres; C. Hoick, fifty-five acres; Mrs. W. J. Anthrop, forty-four and a half acres; J. L. Smith, one hundred acres; Holmes Link, eighty acres; Samuel and S. Link, thirty acres ; Jacob and Catherine Link, ten acres ; Christ Long, forty acres; F. C. and M. Bartles, forty-five acres; Joseph Leason, forty acres ; G. E. Matthews, forty acres ; G. Rodenbaugh, eighty acres. The total was six hundred and four and a half acres. Each of these twelve farms had log cabins for dwelling houses. Mr. Cowen had considerable trouble with Christ Long, as I stated in a former DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 297 article. Long being mentally unbalanced. Cowen purchased his forty acres for one thousand six hundred dollars, and Long would not accept anything but gold as pay. Cowen finally paid him in gold. Long lived in a deplorable condition, all alone in his log hut, and he refused to move out, claiming that he had lost five hundred dollars of the money. He did not vacate until crowded out by the improvements. Long's wife had eloped with another man a few years previous, taking with them Long's ox team and wagon. Mr. Cowen could not locate her for about two years. After tracing her by writing to the postmasters in Michigan, Illinois, Kansas and other states, he finally located her in Nebraska, and then had to pay her fifteen dollars to get her to sign the deed. While the Chicago division was tmder construction there were several enthusiastic speculators on the alert, ready to buy up the land where the shops would be located. Riggs D. Thomas and a Mr. Toland arrived here from London, Ohio, about the same time that Cowen did, and were quietly watching Mr. Cowan's movements. Thomas was sent as agent for the London Bank- ing Company. Cowen, being aware of the situation, very quietly secured the twelve farms at forty dollars per acre, while these two gentlemen were at their hotel in Auburn. Then came the excitement — the division point was estab- lished. Up went the price of land, from forty to eighty-five and one hundred dollars per acre. These two gentlemen then bought several farms adjoining those purchased by Cowen. hence the names of Thomas' south and east addi- tions and Toland's addition. Thomas'. south addition was laid out by Engineer T. G. Baylor, under the supervision of Engineer W. A. Pratt, and agent R. D. Thomas, in the fall of 1875, ^"^ the plat was filed at Auburn November 19, 1875. The plat of Toland's east addition was entered for record at Auburn November 30, 1875, and the sale of lots began. Engineer W. A. Pratt at this time was engineering the construction of the Baltimore & Ohio shops. Of the twelve parcels of land purchased by Mr. Cowen, eight were in Butler township and four in Richland township. Therefore the town was located in two townships, and the shops were built on the line. About two- thirds of the round house, machine and blacksmith shops were in Richland township, and about one-third in Butler township, and also on the center line extending north and south, through the two townships, public roads having been established on these lands. The township line was about where the Baltimore & Ohio freight house is located. Randolph street is on the original section line from the north to where it intersected the township line at the freight house. Here there are one hundred and thirty feet of an offset to 298 DEKALB COUNTYj INDIANA. the west, where the section line extended south through the center of Butler township. The alley on the west of the postoffice is about on the line of the old wagon road. There was a log house owned by one of the Links where Dr. Thompson's brick stable now stands. When the county commissioners ac- cepted and approved the town plat in the spring of 1885 this vacated these public roads. FIRST TRAINS. As soon as the division point was located in Garrett in 1874, the railroad at once erected a frame engine house forty by two hundred feet, on the north side of the main track directly north of the present round house, with two tracks running lengthwise through it, provided with engine pits. A "Y" was constructed at each end of the engine house for machine and blacksmith shops. These two buildings were destroyed by fire in November, 1875. Commencing with the running of trains in November, 1874, freight trains were run from Chicago Junction to Defiance, from Defiance to Bremen and from Bremen to South Chicago. Passenger trains were run through from Chicago Junction to Chicago by running eight miles on the Illinois Central tracks from Balti- more Junction, which is now known as Brookdale. F. H. Sembower and R. Lantz were the first two engineers to pull passenger trains into Chicago. Sembower had run a construction engine con- structing the Chicago division and on the 7th day of November, 1874, with William Lane as conductor, he pulled the first Baltimore & Ohio passenger train into Chicago. Train dispatcher G. W. Fordyce gave the order. R. Lantz, who had been running a passenger train on the Lake Erie division be- tween Sandusky and Newark from 1870 until this time, was transferred to the new division, and on November 8. 1874, he pulled the second passenger train into Chicago, arriving there at eight o'clock p. m. He had engine No. five hundred and nine, which had the name "David Lee" lettered on the side of the cab, as it was customary in those days to name the engines in honor of the officials of the road. F. H. Sembower is still a passenger engineer here. R. Lantz retired from actual service in 1908, after forty years of continual service as passenger engineer with the Baltimore & Ohio. In reflecting back to January, 1875, we see the new engine house, the machine and blacksmith shops, the "Y" all ready for operation, a small shanty with boards up and down ready for a telegraph office, two passenger coaches and a baggage coach set out on the north side of the main track north of the present blacksmith shop, to be used as a dining and lunch car, and the baggage DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 299 coach for a kitchen. A Mr. Tubbs was put in charge of the cuHnary depart- ment. George M. Hoffman was the first supervisor of trains, or trainmaster, in Garrett. He was the first to come and the last to go of the officials here, so he remained until the first of March, 1876, when he was superseded by H. S. Morse. The first master mechanic was Mr. Hibbard, and the first dispatchers were George W. Fordyce, W. T. Backus and W. F. Perdue. The town was not yet platted or the new shops selected in January, 1875, when this temporary arrangement was made for the accommodation of trains. The trainmen were all notified that Garrett was the only division point on the Chicago division and to make arrangements to lay over here in place of at Defiance and Bremen, but some of them were so blinded with invincible prejudice that they resigned from the service rather than obey the order. RAILROAD BOARDING HOUSES. In 1875 there were no accommodations for the men required for the construction of the roundhouse, machine shop and blacksmith shops. There were a few log cabins which the land owners had occupied, and a few rude shanties and tents hastily established, but these were all packed brimful, in some four men occupying one bed. So arrangements had to be made for the accommodation of the men, and for that purpose a large boarding house was built on the southeast corner of Cowen and Keyser streets, which still stands as one of the old landmarks, east of the Baptist church. Tins was called the "Chicago House." Later a second house was built on the south side of it. In September, 1875, there were eighty-five men boarding and lodging in these two houses and they were a lively, jolly set of fellows. They did not appear to have any grievance with the situation and cheerfully co-operated with each other. The dining room was on the first floor of the comer build- ing, but there were not beds enough to accommodate half of the boarders. THE "grand march." In the evenings the first in would take possession of the beds and those who came in later were forced to take lodging on the floor, bunks or any place they could find to stretch their wearied bodies out to rest, with a block of tamarack wood for a pillow and their coats for a covering. They had a mutual agreement that at twelve o'clock each night, they were to have the 300 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. "Grand March,"' in which al! agreed to participate. So every night at twelve o'clock, the signal trumpet was sounded. Each and every one was compelled to report for duty, and if anybody failed to vacate his bed at the call, he was quickly pulled out. At the close of the "Grand March," would come the grand rush for the beds. The agreement was that the first man was to take possession on a pre-emption right, and the other fellow was to look out for himself. People who lived in the neighborhood, complained that it was not only the boarders in the Chicago House who were awakened by the "Grand March." BUILDING OF THE SHOPS. The brick laying of the shops was not commenced until in September, 1875, commencing with the round house, which was formally put into service on Christmas day, but not completed until about the first of March, 1876, when the new machine and blacksmith shops were all opened. The weather was very favorable for outside work that winter, as it was the most open winter ever known in northern Indiana. There were four or five days of cold weather, with a light fall of snow in November. After that the frogs were out and croaking all winter till in March, 1876, when there was another fall of snow on the mud. There was no ice put up that winter, and the snakes and frogs were out on the first day of 1876. A SINK HOLE. When the Air Line road was first built through this county, a portion of the track, three miles west of Waterloo, and some forty rods in length, sunk through into a subterranean lake. It was then for some time known as the sink hole. Immediately after the track fell through, a new track was constructed around the edge of the marsh under which the lake lay. and efforts were made to fill in the sunken tract by carting earth from the surrounding bluff. After laboring several months, however, the project was given up, as the water was found to be from forty to sixty feet in depth. Various plans were proposed for overcoming this ugly crook in the Air Line, until the latter part of 1865, when it was proposed to place all the old ties that could be gathered along the line into the sunken space, and the work was commenced early in the sum- mer of 1866. The ties were put down in layers, cobbled at right angles, and interlaced with long timbers, so knit together as to form a continuous bridge, or network. The result was highly satisfactory, and in a few months a track DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 3OI was laid across the old break, and the work, though slow in accomplishment, was not so very extensive as feared at one time. WHAT THEY DID. The Air Line created Corunna, Waterloo and Bvitler, but killed Sedan, already arrested by the growth of Auburn and Newville, and made Union- town an isolated suburb of Waterloo. The Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw boomed Auburn. The Detroit & Eel River helped Auburn and Butler. The Baltimore & Ohio helped Auburn and Auburn Junction, and created St. Joe and Garrett. The Wabash created Ashley. EARLY GARRETT. Trains stopped at Garrett City for refreshments, but the city was yet to be, and the view to the visitor was wild and discouraging. Several cars had been placed alongside the track and served for a dining hall. During the latter part of November, 1874, a freight train drawn by engine number fi\e hundred and nineteen, left Defiance, Ohio, bound for South Chicago. The crew had no pilot, but had heard that the division headquarters were to be at Garrett. It was night when they approached the place, through which they passed at the rate of forty miles per hour. On their return, by daylight, they saw a large, barn-like structure and a "Y" track. On the right was a spur track, upon which stood a construction train. They slackened speed, learned that it was Garrett, and in disgust, put on steam and sped away at a lively rate. Another trip, and there were two long sidetracks, a track from the shed, a coal track, a temporary frame boarding-house, several log cabins and two hundred people there. CHAPTER XVI. BANKS AND BANKING. Although DeKalb county has not been entirely free from banking troubles during her seventy-five years or more of life, no lasting weakness has been imposed upon the county by poor banking, such as will be found in some terri- tories. What misfortunes there were may be traced to the fact that the old- time banking system allowed anyone, irrespective of nationality or occupa- tion, to start a bank, in consideration that he won the confidence of the peo- ple and could persuade them to trust him with their funds. No strict quali- fications were necessary, such as exist today, and no examinations of the ap- plicant for banking privileges were necessary. Under such a state of affairs, it is not singular that trouble arose, and it did arise, in some sources. This was aptly called the free-for-all banking system. The issue of paper currency for circulation as money was free and open. Any banker had the privilege of issuing such currency, which would be as valuable as his bank was well known. Bills of practically all banks would be current somewhere, at some price, but largely they were taken only at a discount, the discount depending, as men- tioned before, upon the general reputation of the bank. Thus, many unde- serving institutions would issue a quantity of currency, which would float at a fluctuating valuation, and then die in the hands of the holders, to the loss of everybody except the original issuers, who obtained face value when they issued the same. Again, strong institutions would issue currency in their own locality, which would be accepted readily by the people at face value, but in adjacent communities would be subjected to a slight discount, this discount increasing the farther away from home the currency traveled. The incon- venience of this is obvious. Counterfeiters were also plentiful in the early day. It was an easy matter to counterfeit, apparently, and a much harder matter to distinguish between good and bad money. A man one thousand miles from home would stand small chance of being able to pass a bill upon his home bank, no matter how stanch and reliable he knew the institution to be. The paper money was redeemable only over the counter of the issuing bank. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 3O3 The first steps taken to remedy this palpable evil was the establishment of the "state banks," in the early thirties. This was a material improvement over the "wild cat" system formerly in vogue. Of course, the system of state control and supervision was in a crude and primitive state, but it had the merit of securing reputable people as the responsible heads of these banks and branches. FIRST BANK IN DEK.\LB COUNTY. In the matter of banking, tlie town of Waterloo became the pioneer in DeKalb county. In May, 1873, W. C. Langan, of Lima, Ohio, became formally associated with O. T. Clark, J. I. Best, and C. A. O. McClellan, of Waterloo, for the purpose of doing a general banking business in that place, under the name of the DeKalb County Bank. On July 24th, their safe, weighing fourteen thou- sand pounds, arrived from the manufactory of Diebold, Kiengle & Company, of Canton, Ohio, and was placed in the office, located in the south side of what was known as the Clark building, north of the Lake Shore railroad crossing. The capital of this early bank was placed at fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Langan became the cashier and business manager of the bank, and the enter- prise gave much satisfaction to the general public. BEGINNINGS IN AUBURN. In the beginning of the year 1874 there was no bank in Auburn, but the tirr;e had arrived when such an institution v^'as a necessity. There were citi- zens who were willing and had enough capital to engage in banking, but they had no experience and, distrusting their own ability, they invited the coming of someone to take the initiative. On March 2nd, two men named Riley and Mots, from \\"abash: visited Auburn, to look over the ground preparatory to establishing a bank. The need was evident for a medium to facilitate business transactions and by secured deposits to find employment for otherwise idle currency. These men met several citizens at the Swineford House, to whom they expressed them- selves well pleased with the location and their proposals met unqualified encouragement. All seemed favoralile and the front part of the Cool building was en- gaged for an office. It was intended to commence business within a month, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, of which sum the people of Auburn 304 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. were to have supplied two-fifths. Nothing was done and, save several futile assurances, the subject lapsed until near the close of the year, when George Hazzard, a stranger from Newcastle, this state, made his appearance, and re- newing the subject of a bank, won the confidence of the people. He pro- posed to open a bank in Auburn with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, to which sum he asked the citizens to subscribe fifteen thousand dollars. This offer was taken, and arrangements made for a speedy organization. There was a question in the minds of the people as to whether a state or a national bank would be the best. The national bank was supposed to be the most profitable to the stockholders, but the general trend was in favor of the state institution. However, the decision was in favor of a national bank, and on December 19, 1874, the First National of Auburn, Indiana, was organized, by electing a board of directors, consisting of Nicholas Ensley, William Mclntyre and Orrin C. Clark, of Auburn, and George and James Hazzard, of Newcastle. A small frame building on Seventh street, just west of the later Farmers" Bank building, was occupied, a strong safe was procured and put in place, and James V. Hazzard, the youngest of the brothers, was made cashier. Deposits were at once received; United States bonds were purchased and deposited in the national treasuiy. Sheets of crisp, new national bank notes in denominations of fives, were received from Washington, and being signed, their issue commenced, and business opened auspiciously, the date being April I, 1875- This bank was afterward involved in many difficulties, and was threat- ened with insolvency. Faulty investments and misuse of moneys caused no end of trouble for the institution. In 1878 it was discovered that George Hazard, heaviest stockholder, had hypothecated his stock with other banks; drawn heavily from the bank on worthless notes, accepted by his brother, the cashier; sold the bonds of that bank and replaced them with ones drawing a lower rate of interest, and, to cap the climax, replaced the worthless notes with others of leading citizens. Seventeen out of twenty-one thousand dollars was recovered. PRESENT DAY BANKS. In Auburn there are three banks : The Auburn State bank, the City National bank, and the Savings, Loan and Trust Company. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 3O5 AUBURN STATE BANK. The Auburn State bank was organized in the year of 1904, with a iirst capital of $50,000. The present capital of the bank is $75,000. The surplus is $12,000, and the amount of mone}' on deposit is $450,000. In the report of the condition of the bank, published on October 21, 1913, the following re- .sources are shown: Loans and discounts, $372,653.50; overdrafts, $610.10; other bonds and securities, $526.26; banking house, $20,000; furniture and fixtures, $3,384.90; due from banks and trust companies, $54,398.12; cash on hand, $20,760; cash items, $20; all making a total of $472,352.88. Lia- bilities, besides capital stock and surplus already mentioned, were: Undi- vided profits. 663.37; exchange, discounts and interest, $2,053.97; demand deposits, $169,464.24; demand certificates, $213,671.30; making a total of lia- bilities, same as the resources. The present oflkers of the Auburn State bank are : President, J. Schloss; vice-president, I. D. .Straus; cashier. C. B. Weaver. CITY NATIONAL BANK. The City National Bank of Auburn w as organized in 1902. F. M. Hines is president; Charles M. Brown, vice-president; Willis Rhoads, cashier; F. W. Knott, assistant cashier. The capital stock is $50,000 ; the surplus, $20,000, and the deposits total $325,000. SA\aNGS, LOAN AND TRUST COMPANY. The Savings, Loan and Trust Company of Auburn was organized in the vear 1903. The present capital is $50,000; the surplus is $10,000; and the am.-iunt if deposits is $260,000. P. D. West is president; W. M. Swaysgood, vii-f- president ; VV. C. Henderson, cashier. GARRETT STATE BANK. The Garrett State bank is located at Garrett, Keyser township, DeKalb county. Indiana. This bank was originally named the Garrett Banking Com- pany This first bank was organized on January 3, 1893, with a capital of $25,000. In 1907 the capital stock was increased $35,000 and a surplus of (20) 306 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. $15,000 was created. The late H. N. Coffinberry and the Kniselys, of Butler, this county, started the bank and Coffinberry was the first president. Thomas Mitchell was the first cashier. He was succeeded in a couple of years by Charle.< W. Camp, and the latter has been actively connected with the institu- tion ever smce. I he new charter of the bank, wherein the name was changed to the Gar- rett State bank, was issued on November 25, 1912. This reorganization was necessary on account of a provision of the constitution of the state of Indiana that the charters of banking corporations shall expire in twenty years from the date they are issued. The present capital is $50,000; the surplus, $8,750; and there is on de- posit in the bank, $265,000. The present officers are as follows : President, H. W. Mountz; vice-president, J. Singler, cashier; H. M. Brown; assistant cashier, H. W. Wert. GARRETT SAVINGS, LOAN AND TRUST COMPANY. This bank is located at Garrett, this county, and was organized in No- vember of the year 1908. Monte L. Green and J. N. Ritter were the men responsible for the establishment of the institution, and their first capital consisted of $25,000. The charter is dated November 8, 1908. The present capital totals $40,000; the surplus, $3,000; and the ainount of deposits, $60,000. Monte L. Gren is president ; J. N. Ritter is first vice-president ; J. A. Clevengcr is second vice-president; and Laura A. Shutt is secretary. The resources and liabilities each, according to the sworn statement issued October 31, 1913, equals $101,842.58. The bank is a four per cent, bank, and is a depository for the United States postal savings, Garrett schools, city of Gar- rett, town of Altona, Altona schools, Keyser township, and DeKalb county treasurer. The bank writes insurance of all kinds, rents and sells property, makes loans on collateral and mortgage, issues money drafts on New York and Chicago, sells high grade bonds, acts as executor, administrator, guardian, etc., and rents safety deposit boxes in steel burglar proof vaults. FIRST NATIONAL BANK. This bank is located in Butler, DeKalb county, Indiana. The bank was organized in the ye^:- 1908. The present capital stock of the bank is $25,000, and the amount of deposits is $75,000. The record of the bank shows that DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 3O7 the deposits have been more than doubled in the past two years. A beautiful bank building is at present under course of construction. The bank is now without a president, and no clianges will be made until the annual meeting. E. A. Farnham is cashier and manager, and E. A. Farnham, Jr., is assistant cashier. KNISELY BROTHERS & COMPANY STATE RANK. This banking institution is located at Butler. It was organized in the year 1882. The date of the present charter is April i, 1907. The present corporation succeeded Knisely Brothers & Company private bank in the year of the charter date. The present capital is $60,000; the surplus, $16,000; and the amount of deposits, $263,000. T. J. Knisely is president; W. A. Mason is vice-president ; O. T. Knisely is casliier. and C. R. Decker is assistant cash- ier. The bank erected an excellent bank building in 1903, costing when com- pleted, $20,000. This includes a private heating plant. CITIZENS BANK. The I)ank known as the Citizens liank i< iDcated in Waterloo, DeKalb county. This bank was organized in the early seventies, with a first capital stock of $25,000. This early date or organization marks the bank as one of the oldest, if not the oldest, in the county. The present capital amounts to $10,000. H. K. Leas is president and cashier, and Grace Wilcox is assistant cashier. The bank is not chartered. The present bank building was erected in the year 1876, at a cost of $4,500; $190,339.74 is the amount each of re- sources and liabilities. THOMAS EXCHANGE BANK. This bank is located in the town of Corunna, DeKalb county, and was organized in the year 1897 by Milo J. Thomas, with a first capital of $5,000. The present capital is $10,000; the surplus is $11,000; and the amount of deposits is $63,000. Milo J. Thomas is president of the institution and cashier; M. C. Guthrie and Bertha M. Thomas are assistant cashiers. A handsome bank building was erected in 1909, which cost, complete, $1,200. The sworn statement issued October 21, 19 13, places the liabilities and re- sources each as $94,149.39. This was divided as follows: Resources, loans, $70,480.90; cash in other banks, $18,338.63; cash on hand, $2,329.86: furni- ture and fixtures, $1,800: building, $1,200. T.iabilities, capital, $10,000; im- divided profits, $11,089.15; deposits, $73,060.24. 308 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. ST. JOE VALLEY BANK. The St. Joe Valley bank is located at St. Joe, DeKalb county, and was organized in 1888, by J. D. Leighty, E. Case and W. C. Patterson. The in- stitution was incorporated in the year 1913. It is a state bank. The first capital entered was for the amount of $6,000, but today the capital stock totals $25,000. There are $70,000 on deposit at this bank. The date of the charter is August i, 1913. The present bank succeeded the St. Joe Valley private bank on the date of the above mentioned charter. E. Case is the president and W. C. Patterson, vice-president and cashier. THE COMMERCIAL BANK. The Commercial bank at Ashley was reorganized in 1910 with a capital of $25,000, the same as at present. E. F. Mortorff is president; E. F. Smith, vice-president: A. W. Gonser, cashier; G. W. Clark, assistant cashier. CHAPTER XVII. LODGES AND SOCIETIES. FREE AND ACCEPTED M.\SONS. On May 28, 1857, DeKalb Lodge No. 214, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered, and on June 5th was instituted. The first officers were : Mil- ton F. Pierce, worshipful master; John Butt, senior warden; Alva O. Espy, junior warden; Aaron Wolf, treasurer; Eli Weaver, secretary: Joseph H. Ford, senior deacon ; James Barclay, junior deacon ; William E. Rush, t\ler, and John Butt, James Barclay and A. O. Espy, trustees. In 1 91 3 the lodge has one hundred and sixty-two members, and the fol- lowing officers: Joseph N. Grover, worshipful master; Philip Holman, senior warden; Donald P. Sprott, junior warden: Fred W. Knott, treasurer; Thomas H. Sprott, .secretar}-; Ira A. Thrush, •senior deacdu; John E. (iraham. junior deacon; Thomas C. Ford, senior steward: W. Gage Zigler, junior steward; George W. Rudolph, tyler; James L. Lewis. James Y. W. McClellan, John E. Graham, trustees. William Hacker Chapter No. 63, Royal Arch Masons, was organized under dispensation on September 3, 1866, and chartered May 23, 1867. John Butt was high priest until 1878. The chapter now has sixty-two members, and is officered by the following: William H. Leas, high priest; Joseph N. Grover, king; Charles H. Kjiapp, scribe; James L. Lewis, treasurer; Thomas H. Sprott, secretary; William C. Howard, captain of host; Harr\- M. Rich- wine, principal sojourner; Daniel J. ^^'lli])ple, royal arch captain; James Y. W. McClellan. master third veil : Noah A. Bash, master second veil : George A. Bishop, master first veil ; George W. Rudolph, guard. DeKalb Council No. 57, Royal and Select Masters, was chartered on July 13. 1885. The council has a present membership of forty-five, and has the following officers: Harry M. Richwine, thrice illustrious master; Willis Baughman, deputy illustrious master: Sam F. Davenport, illustrious principal conductor of work; Price D. West, treasurer; Thomas H. Sprott, recorder; William C. Howard, captain of guard: Howard A. Marvin, conductor of council: F. L, Rodehaugh, steward, and George \\'. Rudolph, sentinel. 3IO DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Auburn Chapter No. 103, Order of Eastern Star, has a good membership. Waterloo City Lodge No. 307, Free and Accepted Masons, was or- ganized in Waterloo in 1861. The charter is dated May 26, 1864. At present there are sixty members, and the officers are: Clark Campbell, worshipful master; Frank Fisk, senior warden; J. Harris Reed, junior warden; C. Ells- worth Montavon, treasurer; William H. Leas, secretary; W. R. Newcomer, senior deacon ; W. E. Montavon, junior deacon ; John J. Rohm and A. H. Erwin, stewards; John J. Lightner, tyler; N. T. Jackman, J. J. Lightner, John W. Frick, trustees. The Masons own their own hall, and part of the Abbey block, which they use as an annex. Waterloo Chapter No. 142, Order of Eastern Star, has about ninety-six members at Waterloo. Garrett City Lodge No. 537, Free and Accepted Masons, was united under dispensation on July 17; 1876, and the charter is dated May 15, 1877. The present lodge has about two hundred and thirty-five members. The offi- cers are: Harry E. Wert, worshipful master; Howard A. Marion, senior warden; Harry B. Hill, junior warden; Harry M. Brown, treasurer; Job C. Smith, secretary. Garrett Chapter No. 129, Royal Arch Masons, was united under dis- pensation on May 23, 1903, and tlie charter is dated October 22, 1903. The chapter has a menilx>rship of aliout one hundred and twenty-five, and is offi- cered by the following: Franklin Rodebaugh, high priest; Thomas A. Smith, king; Edwin Van Fleit. scribe; Harry M. Brown, treasurer; Job C. Smith, secretary. Harmony Chapter No. 67', Order of Eastern Star, has aliout one hun- dred members in Garrett. Ashley Lodge No. 614, Free and Accepted Masons, has about fifty members. A. N. Ellis is worshipful master; C. H. Bruce, past master; W. N. Folkerson, senior warden; Jess McClugen. junior warden; L. C. Hunt, sec- retary; C. A. Lakins, treasurer. Ashley Chapter No. 229, Order of Eastern Star, has a good membership. Forest Lodge No. 239, Free and Accepted Masons, at Butler, was or- ganized in 1858. with the following as first officers: H. S. Madden, wor- shipful master; W. W. Straight, senior warden; W. R. Chilson, junior war- den ; Jason Hubbell, secretary ; J. H. Boon, treasurer ; W. H. Madden, senior deacon ; A. Lampson, junior deacon, and Z. Handy, tyler. The charter is dated May 25, 1859. The present membership is one hundred and twelve, and the following are the present officers: Marion M. Knepper, worshipful DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 3 II master: Charles H. Miller, senior warden; Clifford R. Decker, junior war- den; Samuel G. Stone, treasurer; Charles T. Apt, secretary- ; C. H. Grube, senior deacon; George A. Powers, junior deactm ; Hugh T. Berkey and Harry M. Hatch, stewards ; Peter Whitman, tyler. Butler Chapter No. io6. Royal Arch Masons, at Butler, was chartered on October 22, 1891. At present there are seventy-three members. The officers are: Clyde J. Shaffer, high priest; M. M. Knepper, king; Henry Grube, scribe; Frank P. Stump, treasurer; Charles T. Apt, secretary; C. H. Grube, captain of host; John A. Daniels, principal sojourner; J. Bruce Pes- sel, royal arch captain ; O. C. Waterman, guard master third veil ; Frank P. Stump, guard master second veil; Ed. A. Karle, guard master first veil; Peter Whitman, guard. Butler Council No. 83, Royal and Select Masters, at Butler, was char- tered October 20, 1909. The present membership totals thirty-eight. The following are the officers : Walter J. Mondhank, thrice illustrious master ; Clyde J. Shafer, right illustrious deputy master; Oris C. Waterman, illus- trious principal conductor of work ; Morrison Brunstetter, treasurer ; Charles T. Apt, recorder; M. M. Knepper, captain of guard; Henry M. Showalter, conductor of council ; F. P. Stump, steward : Peter Whitman, sentinel. Forest Chapter No. 44, Order of Eastern Star, was chartered at Butler on April 15, 1880. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. Auburn Lodge No. 191, Knights of Pythias, was chartered on May 4, 1888, and now has a membership of three hundred and thirty members. T. L. Boodelmier is chancellor connnander; Guy Clement, vice commander; L. F. Moore, prelate; Arthur Grube, master of work; D. C. Norris. keeper of rec- ords and seal; W. C. Kettering, master of exchequer; E. E. Shilling, master of finance; F. H. Fury, master at arms; R. A. Gramling, inner guard; Charles E. Kingsbury, outer guard; F. D. Smith, Charles E. Renier, Dr. D. N. Fitch, trustees. The hall is in the third story of the building at Seventh and Cedar streets. The property is valued at six thousand dollars. Butler Lodge No. 158, Knights of Pythias, was organized on Decem- ber II, 1886, and at present has a membership of two hundred and sixty-five, being the largest lodge in Butler. The lodge owns the second storj^ of the Oberlin block, and the property, including fixtures, is valued at six thousand dollars. The officers are : A. A. Kramer, chancellor commanck-r ; W. P. Endicott, vice commander; George W. Geddus, master of finance; T. J. 312 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Knisely, master of exchequer: C. W. Campbell, secretary; Roy Johnson, master of work: W. R. Lennon, inner guard: J. O. Gee, outer guard; trustee, R. C. Campbell. Butler Temple No. 126, Pythian Sisters, is also active in Butler. Garrett City Lodge No. 130, Knights of Pythias, was organized on June 2, 1886, with fifteen charter members. The present membership totals seventy-nine, and the lodge is officered by the following : Carl Moyer, chan- cellor commander; C. PI. Hamilton, vice commander; L. Stoner, prelate; J. Hill, master of work ; D. C. Beehler. keeper of records and seal, also master of finance ; J. A. Moore, master of exchecjuer ; L. J. Gengler. master at arms ; S. E. Boogher, inner guard : Louis Eberle. outer guard. Ruth Temple No. 56. Pythian Sisters, was organized at Garrett on June 17, 1892. St. Joe Lodge No. 400, Knights of Pythias, was organized on February 28, 1894, and chartered on June 6. 1894, with the following charter mem- bers : Sol Barney. H. M. Widney. S. Openlauder. J. C. Hull. J. A. Culbert- son, Daniel Hamm, W. C. Patterson, Frank Barney, Leo Bleeks, J. P. Bon- nell, John Williams, Ed. Leighty, C. H. Brown, B. F. Walter, John Deets, Jo.seph Harrods. Logan Fuller, B. S. Sheffer, John Alten. F. J. White, F. H. Abel, D. J. Baker, L. Gee, J. L. Stewart, William Curie, J. C. F. Abel, C. A. Patterson, O. M. Savior and Ballard Bowen. F. W. Ahel was the first chan- cellor commander. C. H. Brown, H. M. \\'idney. C. A. Patterson. J. C. F. Abel. Frank W'alters, D. J. Baker. John Allen and Ed. Leighty were other first officers. At present writing there are se\enty-six members in the St. Joe lodge, and the officers are Edwin Cox. chancellor commander; William Curie, vice chancellor: Wilson Kock. prelate: Clarence Hart, master of work; J. C. Hull, master of exchecjuer ; Abner Copp, master of finance ; B. S. Shef- fer, keeper of records and seal ; Charles Collins, inner guard ; Ira Bowen, outer guard; H. M. Widney, Joseph Haifley and Ed. Leighty, trustees. Azalea Temple No. 152, Pythian Sisters, is active in St. Joe. Leonidas Lodge No. 205, Knights of Pythias, was organized about fif- teen years ago in Waterloo. At present there are one hundred and seventy- two members, and the officers are : Frank Walker, chancellor commander ; Isaac Johnson, vice commander: Charles Barton, prelate: Henry Link, keeper records and seal; J. J. Beck, master of exchequer; W. H. Leas, master of finance ; John Mann, master at arms : Dan Rumm. inner guard ; Roy Shuman. outer guard. Ashlev Lodge No. 394. Knights of Pythias, was instituted on July 12. 1893. and at present has forty-one active members. The officers are as fol- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 3I3 lows : Frank Baughman. chancellor commander ; Jesse Camp, vice com- mander; George Parks, prelate; S. C. Hunt, secretaiy; Dave Forney, master of exchequer; F. P. Hoover, master of Finance; Frank Jennings, inner guard; Jacob Hood, outer guard. Ashley Temple No. 98, Pythian Sisters, has a membership of thirty-nine. Corunna Lodge No. 248, Knights of Pythias, has a small membership. INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS. The IndeiJendent Order of Odd Fellows was first introduced in Auburn at a very early date, but the records have been destroyed, A charter was granted to Bradford C. Cosgrove and others on July 21, 1852, and on July 21, 1853, Auburn Lodge No. 116 was instituted. The first officers were: Wesley Park, noble grand ; W. H. Straight, vice grand ; W. W. Griswold, secretary, and S. W. Ralston, treasurer. The fire of January, 1856, destroyed the hall, and the lodge reorganized on June 25th, with A. O. Espy, noble grand ; S. W. Ralston, vice grand; W. W. Griswold, secretary, and Wesley Park, treasurer. In the fall of 1872 a brick building was begun on the north side of Seventh street opposite the court yard. In October a storm ruined the structure and bankrupted the lodge. The charter was returned and the members disbanded. A new charter was granted January 17, 1882, as Mentor Lodge No. 591, and on January 30th of the same year the lodge was instituted. The first officers were: F. T. Zimmerman, noble grand; P. Noel, vice grand; W. H. Rakestraw. secretary, and G. W. Gordon, treasurer. The lodge at this date has one hundred and fifteen memliers, and is officered by the following : Kent Provines, noble grand; Lester Cobler. vice grand; E. C. Altenburg, recording secretary ; J. F. Baughman, financial secretary ; F. E. Draggoo, treasurer; A. A. Rowland, trustee. The lodge owns its hall and equipment. St. Joe Lodge No. 671, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was char- tered on March 18, 1891, with the following as charter members: William Curie, John Y. Davis. James K. Stafford, J. R. Culbertson, Sol Barney and L. L. Stanton. At present there are one hundred and three members. The officers are: Jay Rickets, noble grand; Ray Herrick. .secretary; W. A. G. Smith, treasurer ; Fred Reeder, vice grand ; Frank Kinsey, financial secretary. Sol Barney, of this lodge, is district deputy grand master for DeKalb county, having held the office for fifteen years. St. Joe Valley Lodge No. 505, Re- bekahs, was chartered on January 16, 1896. Garrett Lodge No. 602, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was in- stituted August 29. 1883, with T. C. Sargent as nnT)le grand: H. M. Rick- 314 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. nell, as vice grand; Charles \Y. Camp, as secretary, and B. D. Thomas, as treasurer. The present enrolhnent numbers two hundred and thirty-five men. The hall was remodeled in 1901, and now has a valuation of twelve thousand dollars. The charter members of the order were : Charles W. Camp, T. C. Sargent. A. H. Philips, Thomas H. Stewart, Charles S. Stewart, H. M. Bick- nell, B. D. Thomas, H. F. Sembower, Lyman Lockwood and Heniy Schelter. The present officers are : Howard Ross, noble grand : J. L. Ghrum, vice grand I ^\'illiam Watson, secretary; S. D. Johnston, treasurer: G. W. Rowe, trustee. Butler Lodge No. 282, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was insti- tuted May 22, 1867, and the five charter members were: Leonard P. Water- house, Jacob Apple, John T. Champion, William Macartney and Warren Closson. There are now one hundred and twenty-four members. The elec- tive officers are : Jacob Farner, noble grand ; William Tefft, vice grand ; C. A. Engles, recording secretary; S. G. Stone, treasurer; Charles IMumaw, finan- cial secretary. There is also a lodge of the Rebekahs in Butler. Butler Encampment No. 160, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was established on March 17, 1S84, with seven charter members. Waterloo Lodge No. 221, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was or- ganized in Waterloo, DeKalb county, in i860. There are now about ninety- five members, and the elective officers are: O. B. Arthur, noble grand; Henry Shultz, vice grand; D. E. Newcomer, recording secretary; R. W. McBride, financial secretary, and C. J. Myer, trustee. Ashley Lodge No. 829, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has twenty- five members, and w-as organized by Sol Barney, of St. Joe. The present offi- cers are: Arthur C. Wolfe, noble grand; Ira Moortorfi^, secretary; C. S. Thomson, treasurer, and Thomas Robinett,' vice grand. GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. DeLong Post No. 67, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized and chartered at Auburn on Mav 8, 1882. The charter memloers were: Henry C. Peterson. P. W. Silber, George W. Gordon, Michael Ensley, Henry Wolf, John Otto. Ezra D. Hartman, J. J. Littlefield, John A. Cowan, H. E. Alten- burg, Adolph Pairan, C. P. Houser, Fred Abel and William Schneider. The post was named in honor of Colonel Solomon DeLong, of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth and Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The past commanders have been : Nicholas G. Ensley, Phillip Noel, John Otto, A. P. Green, Joseph Ranier, J. O. Davidson, D. C. IMarvin, Robert Simpson, Joseph DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 3I5 Davidson at present, and on Januan^ i, 19 14, O. H. Widnc}' assumes the office of commander. In December, 19 13, there are forty-three living mem- bers of the DeLong Post. A special room has been provided for the veterans in tlie new DeKalb county court house, a room in which will also be kept the records and relics of the post. John C. Carnes Post No. 144. at St. Joe, was organized in March, 1883, and named after the first man killed from Concord township in the Civil war. Carnes was killed at Paducah, Kentucky, while mounting a cannon. There were about thirty-six charter members, and the post was organized in the hall over Jacob D. Leighty's store. Leighty was the first commander of the post. They remained in the hall until about 1889, when they occupied the hall over the St. Joe Valley bank. In 191 o a monument was erected in the cemetery, commemorating the heroes of "61. This monument is twenty-two feet six inches in height, cost twenty-two hundred and sixteen dollars, and was dedicated on May 30, 1912. Charles Ca.se Post No. 233 existed at Garrett, but has been disbanded. The post was organized in 1883. Waterloo Post No. 52 was mustered in March, [882, and is still existent, with a good membership. Meade Post No. 44, at Butler, was mustered in February. 1882, w ith C. S. Stov as commander. CHAPTER XVIII. MISCELLANEOUS. PATENT MEDICINES. The reign of the patent medicine king was high during the fifties and sixties. Newspapers were filled with florid and startling advertisements advo- cating the various "sure cures." Townsend's Sarsaparilla. Helmbold's Ex- tract of Buchu, Warner's Safe Kidney Cure, Black Draught. Wine of Cardui. Wistar's Balsam of Wild Cherry, Dr. Guysott's Improved Extract of Yellow Dock and Sarsaparilla. were among those most extensively advertised. MARKET PRICES IN THE FIFTIES. Sixty years ago sugar sold sixteen pounds for one dollar. Cofifee was fourteen cents a pound. Molasses was thirty-seven cents a gallon. Tobacco was from ten to seventy-five cents a pound. The Auburn market in Septem- ber, 1856, quoted the following: Flour, per barrel, six dollars and a half; wheat, per bushel, one dollar : corn, per bushel, thirty-one cents ; rye, per bushel, fifty cents; oats, i>er bushel, twenty-five cents; flaxseed, per bushel, one dollar; potatoes, per bushel, sixty-two and a half cents; butter, per pound, twelve and a half cents; eggs, per dozen, eight cents; timothy seed, per bushel, one dollar and a half; clmer seed, per bushel, six dollars. MARKET PRICES OF I913. Of interest to the reader of a score of years hence w ill be the prevailing prices of the DeKalb county markets in 19 13. Prices at this period fluctuate considerably, due to the restricting action of corporations and trusts. \Vheat sells for ninety- four cents per hundredweight; corn, eighty cents, and oats, thirty-seven cents. Timothy seed sells for two dollars per bushel ; potatoes, fifty to sixty cents per bushel ; onions, ninety cents to one dollar a bushel ; eggs, thirty cents a dozen ; butter, twenty-five to twenty-eight cents ; apples, eighty cents to one dollar per bushel: fowls of all kinds, around twelve cents per pound. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 7,1 J pioneers' association of DEKALB COUNTY. Not until the year 1878 were steps taken by the old settlers of DeKalb county to organize into a band to perpetuate the memories of the early days. The first meeting was appointed for July 4, 1878, at Auburn, at the celebra- tion there of Independence day. The committee of arrangements for this day comprised G. W. Gordon, R. H. W'eamer, Henry Bashelier, John Leas- ure, L. J. Hopkins and T. ]\lills. Dr. Ford was chosen president; T. C. Mays, officer of the day The following committee of old settlers was ap- pointed to arouse interest in their respective localities : Butler township, Peter Simmons; Jackson, Alexander Provines and Henry Feagler; Concord, J. F. Coburn; Newville, B. E. Blair; Stafford, Henry Dickerhoff; Wilming- ton, Samuel Headley; Union, John Butt, S. Bassett, S. W. Ralston, Major S. W. Sprott, D. Altenburg, J. O. P. Sherlock and George Ensley; Richland, James Goetschius; Fairfield, George Emerick: Smithfield, E. R. Shoemaker; Franklin, George P. Firestone ; Troy, Samuel Learned ; Keyser, O. C. Clark. T. D. Gross was named as superintendent. A good representation of the pioneers was present on the day appointed, and after the Fourth of July exercises they met to organize. T. D. Gross called the meeting to order. James R. Cosper was chosen president and T. D. Gross, secretary. The following resolution was immediately adopted by those present : "Resolved, That when this meeting adjourns, it will adjourn to meet at Auburn, September 12, 1878, and that all who were citizens of the county prior to January i, 1846, are cordially invited to attend and participate in the meeting." On motion, a committee of two from each township was appointed to ascertain the number of old settlers in their respective townships and notify and induce them to attend the next meeting and perform such other duties as in their judgment would be for the best interests of the meeting. The following were appointed : Butler, Peter Simmons and J. A. Miller ; Jack- son, A. D. Goetchius and Henry Brown; Newville, B. F. Blair and John Plattner; Concord, Samuel Wasson and J. Rhodes; Stafford, C. B. Wane- maker and C. L. Thomas ; Wilmington, George Egnew and Nathan Mathews ; Union, T. D. Gross and Miles Waterman; Keyser, O. C. Clark and William Embra ; Richland, G. Showers and Thomas Dailey ; Fairfield, W. Childs and P. Gushwa; Smithfield, R. J. Daniels and Jerry Hemstreet; Franklin, John N. Clark and John Hammond ; Troy, William Emerson and John Stearns. 3l8 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. FIRST MEETING. On the I2th of September the meeting was held at Auburn. Major S. W. Sprott was appointed chairman, and T. C. Mays, secretary. Nelson Pren- tiss, of Noble county, was present, and was called upon to suggest a way to proceed to organize an old settlers' association, which he did after the man- ner followed in Noble county. He read a synopsis of the by-laws of the Noble County Old Settlers' Association, which were amended and adopted. The following officers were elected for the year: Elder S. B. Ward, president; P. B. Nimmons, vice-president; W. H. Dills, secretary; Cyrus Bowman, treasurer; J. E. Rose, biographer and librarian. Articles of asso- ciation were drawn up, in which it was stated that the association was to be called the Pioneers' Association of DeKalb County, Indiana. Persons who had been residents of the county before January i, 1846, were eligible to membership. Those in attendance at this first meeting, and the date of their settle- ment is given in the following: William Smith, May, 1836; Samuel Wasson, December, 1833; S. D. Long, March, 1845; J. E. Rose, October, 1836; Sam- uel Headly, September, 1836; Philip Gushwa, March, 1845; S. B. Ward, January, 1842; William Carr, February, 1839; J. D. McAnnally, September, 1840; N. H. Matthews, October, 1839; C. P. Coleman, December, 1842; R. Culbertson, October, 1843; P- G. Daniels, January, 1837'; P. B. Nimmons, August, 1844; N. Griffith, April, 1839; James Draggoo, October, 1841 ; A. D. Goetschius, June, 1836; Paul Long, February, 1841 ; John Hogue, June, 1842; D. McDaniel, June, 1843; Isaac Diehl, June, 1843; A. J. Ralston, December, 1842; James Johnson, August, 1844; N. Ensley, October, 1841 ; J. E. Shilling, April, 1845 ; G. W. Gordon, October, 1841 ; Henry Clark, Octo- ber, 1842; O. C. Clark, October, 1842; J. C. Wells, June, 1844; D. Alten- burg, November, 1837; R. B. Showers, February, 1839; W. Jacques, October, 1845; Thomas D. Daily, March, 1841; Levi J. Walsworth, November, 1837; C. Bowman, October, 1839; Henry Feagler, September, 1836; M. Whetsel, May, 1837; John McClellan, October, 1844; J. H. Ford, November, 1844; A. Blodgett, August, 1842; Peter Treesh, October, 1842; Henry A. Shull, Sep- tember, 1844; David Weaver, August, 1838; A. S. Casebeer, September, 1837; G. W. Husselman, May, 1845; Abraham Eakwright, September, 1836; D. Z. Hoffman, May, 1845; J. C. Somer, August, 1841 ; S. W. Sprott, July, 1840; T. D. Gross, March, 1841 ; Guy Plum, June, 1843; Henry Willis, Octo- ber, 1843; Charles Gillett, October, 1843; Cornelia P. Cole, June, 1842; Sarah Bowman, March, 1841 ; Eliza Wason, September, 1837; Caroline DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 3I9 Whetsel, September, 1841 ; M. J. Husselman, October, 1845; Anna McDaniel, May, 1843; Mary Siebert, August, 1836; Maria Ingman, August, 1836; Almira Martin, May, 1836; S. A. Griffith, November, 1839; Anna Kline, August, 1841 ; Mary McClellan, August, 1841 ; Rachel Treesh, October, 1842. OTHER MEETINGS. Interest continued unabated through the years, and today the ranks of the old settlers are still in formation. Thinning rapidly, it is true, but those who stand, remain stanch and sturdy for the record of the old time. Meet- ings are held every year at different points in the county, and interest never wanes. Orators and music enliven these gatherings, and a stimulus is pro- vided, productive of happiness to the aged man who meets there his brother. In time these first pioneers will all be departed from this earth, but their deeds and lives are perpetuated, not alone by the workings of the pioneers' association, but by the children who survive them and treasure carefully the records. The last meeting of this association was held at Waterloo, DeKalb county, on June 19, 1913. WOLF BOUNTY. Two dollars a scalp once was paid for wolf scalps, providing the animal was over six months of age, and one dollar was paid for the scalp if the ani- mal was under that age. Wolves had become so numerous that this pro- vision was necessary. Farm stock was continually in danger from the nightly marauders, and consequently a concerted effort was made by the farmers of the county to exterminate the annoying animal Wolf hunting was a great sport of the pioneer days, and parties of men, with their dogs, would hunt from sunrise to sundown, and come in to warm by the merry tavern fire and relate the day's experiences to the stay-at-homes. The sport was a lucrative one, also, as the bounty was high. FIRST CIRCUS. The first record of a circus in DeKalb county was in June, 1852, at Auburn, when Orney & Company were granted permission to exhibit within the limits of the corporation without payment of a license tax. The wagons were driven overland, and people lined the highway into town to see the circus caravan appear. Much excitement prevailed, and practically all of Auburn and most of the county population crowded under the one canvas to witness the performance. 320 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. LOG VALUES IN 1 854. A log twelve feet four inches long, two feet through at the top end, of black walnut, sold for one dollar and thirty cents; of poplar, one dollar and a quarter, and of oak, one dollar. The black walnut commanded a cash pay- ment, but the others were for half cash and half goods. POPULATION OF COUNTY BY DECADES. In 1840 DeKalb county had a population of approximately 3,000; in 1850, 8,000; in i860, 13,880; in 1870, 17,167; in 1880, 20,225; in 1890, 24,307; in 1900, 25,711; in 1910, 25,054. <^^0(^^n-- / v2^(>o ' ,^0 u BIOGRAPHICAL JOHN EDGAR BUCHANAN. Among the iiK-n of eanie-^l purpose and succt-ssful lite who have hon- ored DeKalb county by their citizenship none is more ileserving of specific mention in the annals of the county than J. Edgar Buchanan, whose death re- moved from this locaHty one of its most enterprising and progressive citizens and whose loss was widel\- niournt-d throughout tliis section of the state. J. Edgar Buchanan, well known as the edilDr and manager of the Auburn Dispatch and the Auburn Evening Star and general manager of the Auburn Printing Company, was born on March 25, 1868, in Fairfield town- ship, DeKalb county, Indiana, and his death occurred at Evanston, Illinois, on July 27, 19 1 3. He was the youngest son of Albert and Hannah E. (Potts) Buchanan and came of a family that had been prominent in DeKalb county from an early day. The subject's parents had come to this count)- from Holmes county, Ohio, in 1854, and had taken a i)rominent and active part in the early development of this localil\-. Tin subject's boyhood days were spent on the pioneer fami in Fairfield township, and as soon as old enough he helped in the arduous laljors of the farm, liis education being re- ceived in the common schools of that locality. After completing the common school course he entered Hillsdale College, at Hillsdale, Michigan, to which city his parents had moved in order to give him this educational advantage. However, after studying in that institution for two years, he was afflicted with a severe illness which undermined his iiealth to such an extent that he never fully recovered from the effects. The family then returned to the home farm, where Mr. Buchanan in a measure recovered his health so that he engaged in teaching school for a number of years, serving rme year as principal of the Waterloo high school. In llie fall >>( 1800 Mr. Buchanan took up his residence in Auburn and entered the law firm of J. K. Rose & Son, with whom he pursued the study of law until ins .ulmission to the bar on December 2, 1892. He was intenselv ambitious and gave promise of a (21) 322 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. splendid career in the legal profession, but again his hopes and ambitions were disappointed because of his already undermined health,, and for two years he again followed the vocation of school teaching at Altona and Gar- rett, filling the position of superintendent of the Garrett city schools for awhile. However, the pedagogical profession did not appeal to him as a life work and he turned his attention to the field of journalism, in which he began a series of investigations which eventually resulted in the purchase of the Albion New Era from j. P. Prickett, taking possession of the plant in September, 1895. Though without previous experience in this specific line of efiforts, his natural ability and progressive ideas enabled him to so direct and control the business that it grew and flourished and Mr. Buchanan estab- lished his home at Albion, thinkint^- at that time that be wrmld make .\lliion his permanent residence. Ho\\e\er, when the plant of the Aiihuni Dispatch and the Evening Dispatch wa'^ iilaceil upon the market at receiver's sale, a de- sire to be near his people and liis old friends bore u]ion him so strongly that on Januarv i, 1903, he became owner of the liusiness. which, under his guid- ance and direction, grew to be one of the best newspaper plants in DeKalb county and now stands as a monument to his memory. When he first came to .\uljurn to take charge of tlic Ini^ines^, tlie family remained in Mhiini in charge of the business there until it could be disjiosed of, they removing to Auburn on April i.st following. iMr. l^uchanan organized the Auburn Print- ing Companv, a company formed b\- the consolidation of the Aiihiiru Evening Dispatch and /iiiburn Daily Courier, now being ])ublished as the Evening Star, of which he was chief owner, secretary and treasurer and general manager, and be remained at the head of the newspaper business in this city until his death, directing his affairs with ability and discretion and showing that he had a natural aptitude for the profession to which he had turned. Since coming here his whole life and soul were given to the upbuilding of the institution which he felt was to provide for himself and family a modest heritage. He really loved his work and one of his greatest pleasures was to watch the growth of the business and the daily rewards of work well done. Personallv. Mr, Buchanan was a man of uncompromising honesty and in- tegritv of cbaracter, his sterling qualities of manhood and genial disposition giving him an enviable standing among his fellow citizens of DeKalb county. A graceful and at the same time a forceful writer, his editorial utterances were influential and alwavs on the right side of every moral or civic question affecting the welfare of the people generally. He was a man of honest con- victions on the- great public questions nf the day, and when once convinced UEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. 323 that he was right, nothing could swerve him from tlie course he had decided upon. On June 21, i8<)i, Mr. i'uchaiian was married to Nellie 1). Brecbili. who was born and reared in Smithtield township, and to them was born a son. Verne E. Buchanan. J. Edgar Buchanan was not only esteemed iiecause of the large business success to which he had attained in Auburn, but was also considered a man of unusual moral fiber, standing for all that was good in the community, no movement for the advancement of his fellow citizens along material, moral, religious or educational development appealing to him for assistance in vain. He was unselfish in his attitude toward local affairs and gave his material assistance to man\- enterprises. Thu'- at the time of liis death he was not only general manager of the .\nl)nrn Printing Company, publishing the Auburn Ifispalcb.. the .hilvini Courier and the nz'ciiiiic/ Star, but was a member of the board of directors of the Zimmerman Manuf.actnring Com- pany, the Auburn Post Card Company and president of the .Xuliurn Build- ing and Loan Association, as well as an active and influential member of the Auburn Commercial Club, while his social relations were with the lotlge of Knights of Pythias at Cnrunna, this count)-. No Cdiiimunitx- can .-ifford to lose such men as Mr. Buchanan, for he had i;irnestly and faithfully endeavored to do his part as a man among men and. without boasting or ostentation, he steadily pursued his course, doing well whatexer he turned his hand to, gaining not onlv materi.al prosperity, but that which was more to be desired, the commendation and .-ipprov;d of his fellow citizens. CHARLES ECKHART. The following sketch tells of a boyhood whose strengtli was developed by overcoming obstacles; of young nianhnod, when the path to future success was only dimly to be seen; of middle life, when the earlier da\s of diligent and sustained effort, tenacity of purpose, rugged honesty and thrift began to bear fruit; of the full manhood, when the rewards have come, and are ix-ing used for the furtherance of noble causes. A simple recital of Mr. Eckhart's career, without attempt at eulogy. ma\- well encourage and inspire others to follow by the same road of hard work and honest purpose to the success that may be won. Charles Eckhart was born Eebruary 24, 1841. at tlermantown. I'ennsyl- 324 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. vania, and is a son of John and Charlotte (Fraley) Eckhart. His boyhood was spent at Fisher's Hollow, now a part of Germantow n. There, at the age of eight years, he began helping his father spool yarn, his father being a weaver. Of schooling he had only a year and a half, and tlnat in schools that were far short of the present standard. When he was fifteen years old the family moved into Philadelphia, and there he found employment in a woolen mill where they made fancy goods, his father being also employed in the same mill. In the fall of 1857 a panic spread over the business world, causing the woolen mill to shut down and the lad started out to seek his fortune else- where. He had only three dollars in his pocket, and he did not spend that on auto, carriage nor railway. He walked. The first day he covered fifteen miles. He got supper, bed and breakfast at a taxern, and it cost him se\enty- five cents, one-fourth of his cash capital. :\nother day of fifteen miles and he came to Hilltown, Bucks county, Pennsyh-ania, where he found a chance at learning his chosen trade, carriage making, it was a hunihle little shop, and he was engaged two weeks on trial. After two weeks he made a bargain with his employer to serve two and one-half years for board and washing, with three weeks off in harvest time so he' could earn monev for clothes. The next summer he laid off at harvest time, but went into Philadelphia and got a job at four dollars per week, while he boarded at home. .At the end of four weeks he had sixteen dollars, for he had saved everv cent. Returning to his employer at Hilltown, he asked for a new agreement, for he saw he could not clothe himself and meet his obligations at that rate. The employer would not consent to a better arrangement, so the young man left him, first paying all his small debts: he ne\-er left a place without settling e\er\- cent he owed. After a thirteen-mile walk he took the train to Xew York city, where he spent a week vainly looking for work. hVom there he went to Albany, where he had relatives, but he failed to find them. Returning to New York city he then went on foot to Trenton, New Jersey, seeking work on the way. From there he went by boat to Philadelphia, where his parents were residing", and finally found work in a dye house at two dollars per week, working seven days a week. He remained there all winter and the following spring secured a posi- tion with D. R. Mover, \\hi) had liought the carriage shojj at Hilltown. Mr. Eckhart was to work for Moyer one year under Mo}-er's instructions, .\fter six months he bought release from the original agreement and worked by the piece. He worked often from four in the nionnng. putting in as many as sixteen hours a daw Six months later Mr. Moyer failed in business. Mr. Eckhart, who was then a boy of only eighteen \ears, had saved a few dollars. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 325 and also had some wages due him. Boy, though he was, he bought the stock in trade, giving his personal note for the balance. Being a comparative stranger and without financial backing did not destroy his credit, for all knew his industry and he had shown that he was honest. This is evidenced by the fact that he had a credit enabling him to go into debt in the amoimt of eight hundred dollars. At the breaking out of the Civil war business became dull in his line, ' and, like thousands of others. Mr. Kckharl enlisted to fight for the Union. On September 6, 1861, he joined Company A. One Hundred Fourth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. E. L. Rogers and Col. W. H. H. Davis. He was made fourth sergeant at once. The time until November was spent at Doylestown and then till March, 1862, at Washington, D. C, drilling every day but Sunday. In March they went as part of Mc- Clellan's army to Alexandria and then by transports to Newport News, Vir- ginia, arriving the day after the historic battle between the "Monitor" and the "Merrimac."' They helped in the siege of Yorktown and when the rebels evacuated that place they took part in the battle of Williamsburg. Following the rebels to their final stand at IvTir Oaks, or Seven Pines, the battle of Fair Oaks was fought May 31 and June i, rSr>2. In that l)loody battle the One Hundred Fourth Regiment and tiieir brigade lost more men than any other regiment or brigade in the battle. 'J'hey were in the Seven Days re- treat, when, late in June, they were driven out of their position near Richmond and fell back, fighting all the way for seven days, .\fter reaching Harrison's Landing they remained about a month. .-Vbandoning that position, the army went on toward Fortress IMonroe and to the battle of Antietam, but the One Hundred Fourth Regiment and their brigade was ordered to Gloucester Point and there did guard duty till January, 1863. From there they went on an expedition down through the Carolinas. May 20. 1863. Mr. Eckhart was discharged on account of physical disability, at Hilton Head. South Carolina. At the time of his discharge he ranked as first sergeant. In the fall of 1863, Mr. Eckhart went to Morris Island, South Carolina. and hired out as a sutler's clerk, and for a time was in business for himself as a. sutler. After eleven months he returned to Philadelphia, in September, 1864, visited a relative near Waterloo, Indiana, and it was then that he made the acquaintance of the one who later became his wife and the mother of his children. In February, 1865, he enlisted as first sergeant in the Two Hundred Thirteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and did guard dut\ near Washington, in Maryland and Virginia, until November 24. 1865, re- 326 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. maining in service about six months after the war. He next entered the Bryant & Stratton Business College, at Philadelphia, but, not having enough money to carry him through, he left before completing his course, and in the spring of 1866 went to work at his trade at Norristown, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1866 he came to Indiana to visit his uncle at Waterloo. We may also infer that he made other interesting visits in that neighborhood, for he secured a position at his trade in Kendallville and on October 31, 1866, was united in marriage with Barbara Ellen Ashelman, who resided near Water- loo. She was a daughter of John U. Ashelman, an early pioneer of this county, who is spoken of elsewhere in this work. In the spring of 1867, Mr. Eckhart mo^-etl to Auburn, anrl aliout the first of July was promised a good situation at his trade in Chester county, Pennsylvania, to which place he moved at once. There his first son, Frank E., was born on October 9, 1867. Two weeks after the birth of their first child the family moved to a place in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Eckhart engaged in partnership with D. R. Moyer, his old em- ployer. After one }Tar Mr. Moyer withdrew and Mr. Eckhart continued in business for himself at that place until October, 1874. LXn-ing their residence there, three other children were born, Annie, born January 22, 1869; Morris, born March 25, 1871, and William, born January 18, 1873. In the fall of 1874, business was at a very low ebb all over the country. Mr. Eckhart sold out and moved Ijack to Auburn, at which place he has made his home ever since. For a time he could not find regular employment and took any kind of honest work he could find. He was virtually obliged to go into business to provide employment. He began in a small way, at first in the parlor of his home on East Seventh street, making a few carriages. That house is now the office of the Eckhart Carriage Company. He Iniilt a small shop nearby, a stnicture eighteen by twenty-four feet, two stories high, and in tliat building, in March, 1875, started what is tiie Eckhart Carriage Company of today. Fortunately for Mr. Eckhart, he had already •acquired a thorough and practical knowledge of every branch of carriage making except blacksmithing, and he was his own master mechanic. From the time his little boys were eight years old, he required them to help as they could when not at school. From the start he always insisted on the best of workmanship and strict honesty in his business. Perhaps a customer had a vehicle in which a defect of workmanship would develop, all un- noticed by the customer: Mv. Eckhart would not wait until the customer would see it, if his practiced eye had detected the fault. He would call DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 327 the customer in and tix the defect free of charge. His goods soon estal)Hshed a reputation for being built and sold on honor. The business grew, and on an average of once in two years since then it has been necessary to enlarge the plant. Continued inipnixcnieuts lia\e l)eeu made in the constructive appliances of the plant, and the buildings are arranged with the purpose of handling the work through different stages of construction in a systematic and economical manner. The plant is located along the Vandalia railway and has its own private track. Their business has grown from the limited start in a private residence to one that employes a large number of skilled workmen, with a force of traveling salesmen, and has built nearly five thou- sand vehicles in a year. About 1902 the carriage company began, in an experimental way, to make automobiles, having already at hand most of the needed m.achinery, appliances and the organization to successfully launch such a business. After about three years they erected a building near the carriage factory, two stories high, sixty feet wide and one hundred feet long, using the lower floor for auto making. By 1906 their automobile business was well able to stand alone and required larger quarters. They bought a factoiy building and grounds along the Vandalia tracks in Aulnirn. and installed their machinery. They assembled an organization of skilled workmen and liegan ojDeration at the present location October i, 1906. They have not ad\ertised extensively, but have depended upon the same methods that made their carriage factory a suc- cess, striving for economic efficiency of system in carrying on the various operations, but. above all, insisting on honest quality in everything. Now their business has reached about two million dollars a year, and Auburn auto- mobiles are sold in about one-half the states of the Union, every car being a good advertisement for the factory. About 1893 Mr. Eckhart retired from the active management, leaving his son, Frank Eckhart. in charge of the carriage factory. The sons having had practical experience from early childhood, and each one master of at least two trades, they are better fitted for their responsibilities than many an older man, whose experience was not so thorough and ])ractical in the forma- tive period of life. They understand the practical details of their line of business from top to bottom, and have both been of great assistance in build- ing up the Eckhart plants at Auburn. It is a source of great satisfaction to Mr. Eckhart that his sons, trained by him for their careers, have developed their talents so well, and are so com])etent, for he knows he need not fear for the business wath them in charge. They have managed in a way to merit the 328 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. hearty approval which he gladly accords them. Since retiring from business Mr. Eckhart has traveled in every state in the Union except one, and spends his winters usually in California, but occasionally in Florida. Although he is comparatively free from business cares and has ample means, he is not an idler, but uses his energy, time and money in any cause that is for the general good of his fellow men. He has been active in politics, but not with hope of pecuniary reward. He lias for full thirt}' years supported the Prohibition party, for the good he can do in promoting the cause of temperance. He has campaigned for the party with his name on the ticket as a candidate for any office, having run for the lowest office on the ticket up to the highest in the state, for he was the party cantlidate for governor in lyoo. He has cam- paigned actively, speaking ail over Indiana, never at the expense of the partv, but freely paying all his expenses and contrihutini;- of his money to help the cause. In religious belief he is a member of the .\dvent Christian churcli (not Seventh-Day .\dventist) and has been a tower of strength in the dcnonn'na- tion. He has gi\-en lil)erally for denominational and educational work, especially for the benefit of the Ad\-ent Christian College of .\urora, Illinois. In recognition of his help so freely given, the main Iniikling of the institution is named Eckhart Hall. Considering that he has succeeded so well with such meager schooling as he had, one might expect him to esteem schools but lightly, but he does not do so. He beliexes e\ery child is better off with schooling, at least u]) to high school, and higher uhere a professional life is contemplated. In Auburn Mr. Eckhart has been ahvays ready to help in whatever he considers for the general welfare of the community. He is a member of the DeKalb county board of charities and corrections, and is also a member of the county council. He contributes lil)erall}- to the churches of Auliurn. and one of his benefactions that .Auburn will ahvays remember with .gratitude is the Eckhart Public Libraiy. He was a member of the Auburn pul^lic library board when the library was in an upstairs room south of the court house. Recognizing that it was inadequate, the board decided to seek subscriptions and ask Mr. Carnegie to contribute liberally. Mr. Carnegie agreed to con- tribute twelve thousand fi\e hundred dollars, but later Mr. Eckhart agreed to purchase the ground where the library is now, present it to the city and build the library. Dr. Lida Leasure wrote Mr. Carnegie to the effect, and received from Mr. Carnegie a reply saying in part: "Let me congratulate Auburn upon having such a citizen as Mr. Eckhart. I should like to shake him by the DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 329 hand as a fellow worker in a good cause. Happy man, who can console him- self through life with the thought that because he lived one little spot on earth has been made better than it was before. I wish him long life and happiness." A more extended description of the library and grounds will be found elsewhere in this work. It is said by competent authorities that there is probably nowhere to be fnunci a finer nor Ijetter equipped library for its size than the Eckhart Library of .Auljurn. Flis aim in every stage of construction was to have the best of material, design and workmanship, and he spared no expense to make it so. In 1912, Mr. Eckhart and his son Frank contriljutcd twenty thousand dollars each with which to purchase llie ground and erect the ^'oung Men's Christian Association building at Auburn. Since then they have each con- tributed twenty-fi\e iumdred dollars additional, and will proljably ha\'e to give as much more, making in all fifty tb.ou^and dullars for the grounds, buildings and furnishings complete. An orgaiiizalinn of .\uburn business men was formed to carry forward the work, and the liuikling erected at its present location at the southeast curner of V'lixh and Main streets. .\ more extended descri]ition of the building will be found un lives at Auburn. and who is represented elsewhere in this work; Orpha Estella, wife of a Mr. Ladd, and after his death she became the wife of Rev. Browne, a minister of the Evangelical church; Bertha Belle, the wife of Dr. J. E. Graham, a dentist at Auburn ; Delia Matilda, the wife of Dr. C. L. Hine, a dentist at Tuscola, Illinois; Cora Delilah, the wife of Albert Bogart, who lives at Albion, Mich- igan. The mother of these children was born in Richland county, Ohio, on October 29, 1851, and when a year old was taken by her parents to Wood county, Ohio, where they lived until 1868, when they moved to Waterloo, this county. She died on August 31, 1886, shortly liefore her thirty-fifth birthday and when her oldest child was a girl of but fifteen years and the youngest only three years old. Tiie father kept the children together, assisted by his sister, for a year, or until the older children were able to keep house and care for the younger ones. Mr. Kiplinger still resides at Waterloo, being now sixty-seven years old, but is still actively engaged at his work. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and because of his con- sistent life and high personal character, he enjoys to a marked degree the confidence and regard of all who know him. COLONEL AUBREY L. KUHLMAN. A due measure of success invariably results from clearly defined pur- pose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life, but in following out the career of one who has gained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which makes such accomplishment possible. Such attributes are evidently possessed by the subject of this sketch, who, during all his manhood years, has been pronfinent in commercial and indus- trial life, and who has impressed his personality upon the lives of all with whom he has come in contact. He has always stood readv to identify him- ' -^^^. <^4(^/Z^.-C-^ DEKALB COUNTV. INDIANA. 337 self with his fellow citizens in any good work and extend a co-operative hand to advance any measure calculated to better the condition of things in his community, that will give better government, elevate mankind, insure higher standards of morality and the highest ideals of a refined, ennol^ling culture, being a man of public spirit and correct conduct, aand eenjoying the confidence and esteem of all who know him, by reason of these commendable character- istics, coupled with a genial, gentlemanly address and a heart of charitable and hospitable impulses. Indeed, no family in DeKalb county has been better or more favorably known than that represented by the subject of this sketch, the name Kuhlman standing for progress, ujM-ight manhood and loval pat- riotism. Aubrey Linden Kuhlman was born in Auburn, DeKalb count}-, Indiana, on December 25, 1869, and is the .son of Enos and Amanda (Rhodefer) Kuhlman. Enos Kuhlman was born at Canton, Stark county, Ohio, the son of William and Mary (Hoover) Kuhlman, whose ancestors originally came to this country from Germany. Enos Kuhlman was reared and educated at Canton, and in young manhood came to Auburn, Indiana. At the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, Enos Kuhlman enlisted as a private in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which command one of his company comrades was VVinfield T. Durbin, ex- governor of Indiana. Mr. Kuhlman rendered gallant and faithful service to his country and at the conclusion of the war he returned to Auburn. Here he became a salesman, travelin,£r th.e greater part of the time until 1890, when he went to Mulhall, Oklahoma, where he has since been successfully engaged in the general mercantile business. Soon after his return from the army, Enos Kuhlman married Amanda Lorena Rhodefer, who was born and reared near Auburn, the daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Feagler) Rhodefer. Elizabeth Feagler was a granddaughter of Henry Feagler, who was a captain in the war of 181 2, and Colonel Kuhlman has now in his possession a military order addressed to Captain Feagler at Frederickstown. Maryland, during that second war with England. Abraham and Elizabeth Rhodefer came to DeKalb county from Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1845, locating first about three miles northwest of Auburn, but eventually moving to a farm two miles south of that city, where they spent the remainder of tlieir lives. To Enos and Amanda Kuhlman were born five children, the eldest, Clyde, being killed at school at the age of seven vcars. and a daughter. Geneva Nevada, the young- (22) 338 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. est, dying at the age of three years. The three hving at the time this volume is printed are Col. Aubrey L. Kuhlman, William O. and (ieorge \\'., all of Auburn, Indiana. Aubrey L. Kuhlman was reared under the parental roof in Auburn and secured his education in the public schools here, graduating from the high school with the class of 1887. Upon completing his studies he took em- ployment with Kuhlman Brothers, a lumber company at Auburn, with whom he spent a little over three years, transferring thence to the lumber firm of A. Lewis & Company, with whom he remained two years. He then joined the Auburn Manufacturing Company in the capacity of lumber inspector, anil in January, 1894, became office manager for that concern. Soon after- wards he was elected secretary of the company, and a year or two later he was also made treasurer of the company, holding both offices, and for several years carried the additional responsibilities of general manager. Several years later he was made a director of the company and, excepting six months, when he was in active military service during the Spanish-American war, he was continuously identified with this concern until February 10, 1906. On that (late (_"(il()iK'l Kuhlman recei\eil his commission as postmaster of Auburn, and served four vears in that capacity, or until May i, loio. His adminis- tration of the postoffice was characterized l)y the same careful attention to details and to the wants of the patrons of the office that has characterized him in all his business affairs and his relations with his fellows, and his official record was such as to win for him the approval of the department and the commendation of the community. After the expiration of his term as post- master, Colonel Kuhlman accepted a position in the office of the Zimmerman Manufacturing Company, having less than a day's vacation between engage- ments, and he remained with the Zimmerman Company until the spring of 19 1 2. He then enjoyed a vacation of several months, after which he took a position as manager of the Angola factory of the Auburn Automobile Com- pany, and served in that capacity until August i, 191 3, when he was trans- ferred to the main office in Auburn, where he holds a responsible position, being one of the most valued and appreciated members of the splendid force which is making this concern one of the most successful manufacturing enter- prises of the state. Possessing executive and administrative ability of a high order, Colonel Kuhlman is also a man of tact and sound judgment and his relations both with his employers and the men under him have been mutually pleasant and agreeable. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 339 For many years the subject of this sketch has been deeply interested in military affairs and more than a score of years ago he organized at Auburn a company of the National Guard, of which he was elected captain on the date of its muster into service, January 12, 1892. On March 25, 1897, he was commissioned a major, and on the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he reported at Indianapolis for duty with his regiment on April 26th and was, on May 10, 1898, commissioned as major and had command of a battalion of four hundred and thirty -fnc iifficers and men. his command being a part of the One Hundred l"ifty-sc\ (.-nth Indiana N'ulunteer Infantry, for the United States volunteer service, -serving as such until mustered out of that service on November i, i8g8. His regiment \vri< moliili/A-d at Cbickamauga, .Georgia, leaving Indianapolis on May 15th and arriving at Cbickamauga on the 17th, under the command of General Brooks, moving on June ist to Tampa, Florida, and on July 29th were transferred to Fernandina, on the Atlantic coast of Florida. The regiment left Fernandina on August 30th, arriving at Indianapolis September 2nd, remaining there until mustered out, excepting a furlough period for the entire regiment from September loth until October loth. The battalion under Major Kuhlman's command com- prised the companies from Angola. Waterloo, Auburn and Ligonier. After the war the Indiana National Guard was re-organized and, on April 27, 1900. the subject of this sketch was again commissioned as major. He was pro- moted to lieutenant-colonel on December 11, 1909, and on I'ebruary i, 1913, was commissioned colonel of the I'hird Regiment, made up of the twelve companies whose home stations are at Ft. Wayne, Auburn, Angola, Columbia City, Monticello, South Bend, Plymouth, Rensselaer, Albion, Warsaw. Goshen and Elkhart and the band at Peru. His entire military service has been characterized by duty promptly and intelligently performed and he is held in high esteem among his ]>rot!ier officers of the Guard. As a company commander, he took part in Cio\ernor Matthews' campaign against prize fighting at the Roby arena in September, 1893, when a lot of toughs and sporting men from Chicago threatened to override the laws of Indiana. In 1894, during the great strike of the American Railway Union, he had com- mand of the detached military post at Whiting, Indiana, which was gar- risoned bv the two companies from Auburn and Fort Wayne. On January 4, 1908, the National Guard was called to Muncie to assist in suppressing the rioting during a strike on the street and internrban lines, twelve companies of infantry and one battery of artillery being called into service, and during 34° DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. the latter half of the service Cokjiiel Kuhhnan had command of the entire force. On November 6, 1913, the entire National Guard of Indiana was called to Indianapolis to protect life and property in connection with the strike of the street railway employees, and during this period of duty Colonel Kuhlman had command of a force consisting of fifteen companies, eleven companies of his own regiment, three companies of the Second Regiment and one company of the First Regiment. Colonel Kuhlman's war horse, "Harry," a product of DeKalb county, who carried him through the Spanish-American war and in army maneuvers during fifteen )-ears following the war, died January 5, 1914, at the age of twenty years. On December 25, 1895, Aubrey L. Kuhlman was married to Josie B. Shull, who was born and reared in this county, nortliwest of Auburn, the daughter of Eli W. and Adaline (Olinger) Shull, who now reside on a farm about a mile from the place where Mrs. Kuhlman was born. Immediately after the completion of her education, Mrs. Kuhlman became a teacher in the schools, but at the time of her marriage was engaged in tiie millinery busi- ness in Auburn. Mrs. Kuhlman is prominent in church, club and social circles. Mr. Shull is a prosperous farmer and public-spirited citizen, owning more than three hundred acres of good land. He has iaeen a life-long resi- dent of this locality and was a veteran of the Civil war. To Colonel and Mrs. Kuhlman has been born a daughter, Helen, a beautiful, talented and affectionate girl, beloved by all who know her. Fraternally, Colonel Kuhlman is an appreciative member of the Knights of Pythias, while he is also a member of the Spanish-American War Vet- erans, his comrades insisting upon naming the Auburn camp of Spanish War Veterans Kuhlman Camp, in his honor. In local civic affairs he has long been a prominent figure and has been an active member of the Auburn Com- mercial Club, which he served as president two years and for three years as a member of the board of directors. When the Agricultural Exhibit at Auburn was originated, Colonel Kuhlman proposed the idea, drew up the plans of organization and had a leading part in the development and consum- mation of the affair, a plan for the exhibition of agricultural products so different from the time-honored county fair, and so successful in its results that it has been copied in many states of the Union and the very first year of its operation it produced such a splendid display of agricultural products from DeKalb countv alone that at least a half dozen state fairs in the Central DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 34I states were outclassed by the ([uantity and (|ualit\- of tlie products displayed by DeKalb count_v, this statement heint; the- volunlarv testimony of visitors who had seen the state fairs and it is generally couceiK-d that the Aoricultural Exhibit which Colonel Kuhlman orig-inallv proposed and planned has, by means of the attention which it has attracted to this county, increased the value of every acre of land in DeKalb county at least fifty per cent. In 1902 Colonel Kuhlman published a book which brought to its author the very highest encomiums from some of the most distinguished men in .America, statesmen. ai;tliors. evangelists, generals, clergymen and puldishers, and almost from the day of his graduation his versatile pen has been called upon from every direction. In this connection we are tempte'd to include in this sketch several of the comments, taken at random from the many similar ones: "Unusually beautiful — I have read it with pleasure." — (ien. Lew Wallace, "I am delighted with it. It will do great good to all who read it and is worthy of a place in every American home." — Ira D. Sankey. "An invaluable help to young people. It contains 'nuggets' of \fry great value." — Governor W. T. Durbin. "Major Kuhlman's booklet, 'Nuggets of tiold.' will be wonderfully heli)- ful to any life. There is no question as to its value " — Chaplain Medbury. "The volume is beautifully gotten up and the e.xterior does homage to the nobility of sentiment between the covers." — Col. (ieorge M. Studebaker. "The selection of paragraphs has been exceptionally happy and it is certainly such a volume as might be presented to anyone and through :my medium, with pride and satisfaction." — Youth's Companion. Roosevelt. Taft, Hitchcock, Marshall. Hanly and many other dis- tinguished men ha\e commended the !iook, but, although Colonel Kuhlman's book received such commendation as very few books ever receive, it has never been placed upon the market or offered for sale. A man of many sterling characteristics of head and heart, among his contemporaries it would be difficult to find a record as replete with toilsome duty faithfully performed in all the walks of life as Colonel Kuhlman's, while his career in the humble sphere of private citizenship has been such as to com- mend him to the favorable consideration of the city and count}' where lie has long maintained his residence. 342 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. ALFRED KELLEY. It is with a great degree of ^atisfactinn to us when we advert Ui the lite of one who has made the rougii p;ith nf life sninoth hv untiring perseverance, attaining success in any vocation requiring deflniteness of purpose and deter- mined action. Such a life, whether it he one of calm, consecutive endeavor, or of sudden meteoric accomplishments, must ahound hoth in lesson and incen- tive and prove a guide to the young men whose fortunes are still matters for the future to determine. For a numher of years the late Alfred Kelley di- rected his efforts towards the goal of success in Waterloo, Indiana, and by- patient continuance won pronounced prestige. But it is by no means an easy task to descril;e within the limits of this review a man who led an active and eminently useful life and b\- his own exertions reached a position of honor in the lines of business with which he was interested. But biography and memorial history lind justification, ne\ertheless, in tracing and recording such a life history, as the pulilic claims a certain property interest in the career of every individual and the time invariably arrives when it becomes acUisable thua and bouglit a farm near Hamilton. Joshua had also bouglit otlier land, becoming the owner of about seven hundred acres of land in DeKalb county and other lands in Ohio. He was survived many years by his widow, who passed away in March, 1898. Alfred Kelley accompanied his parents on their removal to Sniithfield township, this county, in 1855, being at that time but three years old, and he was but eleven years of age when his father died. He remained on the. home farm until about 1873, when, reaching his majority and inheriting one hundred and sixty acres of land and some ready money from his father's estate, he moved to Waterloo and for several years carried on a brokerage business, though at tiie >anie time lie ga\c attention to the clearing and im- provement of his land, .\bout 1895 Mr. Kelley bought the Locke Hotel, at Waterloo, from iiis father-in-law. Simon J. Locke, and continued its operation with marked success and financial profit until 1910, when, on account of failing health and the heavy demands of his other business interests, he re- tired from the hotel business. During his management the well-established reputation of the house was ably maintained and it continued to be a favorite stopping place for the traveling public for many years. About 1899 Mr. Kelley established the Waterloo telephone exchange, under the Bell system, installing the first switch-board in his hotel, with thirty subscribers. How- ever, giving to the telephone business the same careful attention and sound business management that characterized him in everything to which he ad- dressed himself, the new business became popular and soon grew to such an extent that it was necessary to secure more room for it than could be secured in the hotel. Li K)io Mr. Kelley erected the present exchange building, where 344 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. there is ample room for switchboards and other necessary appliances. This modern brick building, completed early in 191 1, stands as a monument to his progressive spirit and faith in the community where he lived. Politically, Mr. Kelley was an active supporter of the Democratic party, in whose councils he was a frequent figure, being chairman of the county central committee for a time. As a partial reward for his fidelity to his party and his earnest labors in its behalf he was appointed postmaster of Waterloo under President Cleveland, discharging the duties of the position with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the department and the patrons of the office. He also served in an oifical capacity in the municipality for several terms. Fraternally, Mr. Kelley was an appreciative member of the Knights of Pythias, and in his religious views he was always in accord « ith the creed of the Presb_\-terian church, of which he became a member before his death. On January i. 1877, Alfred Kelley was united in marriage with .\da Locke, who was born in Toledo, Ohio, the eldest daughter of Simon 1. and Wattie (McCormick) Locke. In May, 1866, her family removed to Water- loo, where her father engaged in the restaurant business, which he continued here for nearly twenty years, and during that period he enjoyed a large pat- ronage, especially during the earlier years, when all the trains on the Lake Shore railroad stopped at Waterloo, many of Mr. Locke's patrons being rail- road men. When the restaurant was first opened, Mrs. Kelley, then a girl of fourteen years, waited on the tables and her uniform courtesy, cheerful dispo- sition and constant efforts to please the patrons of the restaurant made a last- ing impression on the railroad men. who gave substantial evidence of their regard for her and their appreciation of her courtesies by presenting her with a beautiful gold watch and chain, valued at one hundred and seventy-five dol- lars. Inside the case were engraved the words, "Presented to Miss Ada Locke l)y the Employes of the Air-Line Division of L. S. & M. S. R. R. June 20, 1872." After Mr. Locke had run this restaurant for about twenty years, he bought the Lent Hotel, renamed it the Locke Hotel, and ran it until 1895. when he sold it to Alfred Kelley. He moved to Br)an, Ohio, where he en- gaged in the hotel business, but about six months later, while back in Water- loo on a visit to Mrs. Kelley, he was taken suddenly ill and died. His wife retained her residence at Bryan until her death, which occurred in December, 1906, and the hotel business there is now continued by her daughter. Miss Cora B. Locke. Besides Mrs. Kelley and Cora B., there were five other chil- dren, as follows: Adelbert, familiarlv known as "Del," runs the Bliss Hotel DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 345 at Bluffton, Indiana; Hattie is the wife of W. P. Nolton, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; Rev. Richard Earl Locke is pastor of the Presbyterian church at Rutherford, New Jersey; Effie is the wife of O. E. Siegfried, of Toledo; Gracie died about 1874, at the age of two years. To Alfred and Ada Kelley were born three children, namely: Blanche E., the wife of Andrew Maselle, who is engaged in the automobile business in San Francisco; Eugene, who is represented by a personal sketch elsewhere in this work ; Bessie is the wife of R. J. Nisbet, manager of a surgical instrument house in Chicago, and they ha\e two children, Richard Kelley Ni.sJjet and Ada Blanche Nisbet. Mrs. Kelley still resides in the old home in Waterloo. She is an earnest member of the Presbyterian church, taking a deep interest in its various activities, and is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and tlie Pytliian Sisters. She is a lady of many gracious qualities of head and iieart, moves in the Iiest social circles of the community, and is well liked by all who know her. Personally, Mr. Kelley was a man of more than ordinary caliber and during the period of his residence in Waterloo he was a prominent factor in the growth and development of the community, fie was a progressive man in the broadest sense of the term; realizing the \\ants of the people, he tried to supply the demands of the vicinity honored by his citizenship. He was a consistent man in all he ever undertook, and his career in all the relations of life was utterly without pretense. In business matters he was alert and sagacious and during his later years his real estate transactions reached large proportions. Of strong domestic tastes, he was very generous in his treat- ment of his familv. to the members of which he made many substantial gifts, one gift being the Telephone Exchange building to his wife as a Christmas present, while at Christmas time his usual gift to each of his children was one hundred dollars or something equally substantial. When Mr. Kelley realized that his end was approaching he made a verbal statement as to tlie manner in which he desired his property to be distributed among his wife and children. He was a good husband and father, faithful and loving; a good citizen and friend, constant and reliable ; a man in the fullest sense of the word. Genial and companionable, he was fond of a joke, and in his home he was imiformly kind and cheerful, the brightness of his own life driving away all clouds from the home. Physicallv. a large man, with strong and pleasing features, he possessed to a notable degree those qualities which beget friendships, and there was probably not another man in the community who was held in higher esteem by all, regardless of politics or professions. 34^ DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. JAMES GEORGE LAWHEAD. Among the men of high personal attainment and exalted character who have reflected honor on DeKalb county, and at the same time attained to a commendable position among their fellow men, was the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this review, a man who in every walk in life performed his full part and gave his unreserved support to every movement for the public welfare and who in his daily life so lived as to earn the con- fidence and good will of his fellow citizens. James G. Lawhead was born in Jackson township, DeKalb county, In- diana, on October i, 1844, and was a son of Benjamin and Mary Jane (Essig) Lawhead. Of the subject's ancestral history it may be stated that his paternal grandparents, James and Martha Lawhead. came to DeKalb county, Indiana, from Wayne county, Ohio, in 1839, and here the father died in 1854, and the mother in March, 1880. They were the parents of nine children. Of these, Benjamin, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on April i, 1820, accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio in 1834 and to DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1839. The family were among the earliest settlers in the southern part of DeKalb county, and were numbered among the progressive and influential citizens of that locality. In 1843 Benjamin Lawhead married Mary Jane Essig, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1821. and in 1851 Mr. Law- head bought the homestead in section 17. They were the parents of two children, James G., the immediate subject of tliis sketch, and Caroline, who become the wife of Charles L. Cool, of Auburn. James G. Lawhead was reared on the paternal farmstead near the center of Jackson township, where he resided until his marriage, on April 17, 1870, to Wealthy B. Nelson, whose death occurred on April 27, 1877, leav- ing two children, \^'illiam B. and Queen Victoria, the latter subsecjuently becoming the wife of Eli Amstutz, of Allen county, this state, and she is the mother of four children, two sons and two daughters. William Benjamin Lawhead married Sarali McKinley and is tlie father of three children, and lives in the east end of Butler township, this county. After Mr. Lawhead's first wife died he resided with his parents until September i, 1879, when he was united in marriage with Eliza Walter, who was born one mile north of Jackson Center in Jackson township. November 27, 1851, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Nixon) Walter. Her father was a native of Wayne county, Ohio, near Orville, the son of Christian and Margaret (Keester) z>?^ ix i-l JAMES G - LAWHEAD DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 347 Walter, while her iiinther was a native of Weslniorelaiid eduntv, Pennsyl- vania. Joseph Walter, alter his marriage in Wayne count v. Ohio, came to DeKalb county, Indiana, about 1836, l)eiuii- nuniliered aniony- the first settlers here and entered a .section of uovernment land, the joinne\ from Ohio to this state being made in the tyjiical pioneer waijon. Here he and his wife es- tablished their frontier home and lived here durin','- the remainder of their lives. Mr. Walter gave his attention to farming, in which he was eminently successful, owning at the time of his death four InuKhed acres of land. They became the parents of fourteen children, of whom thirteen grew to maturity. After Mr. Lawhead's second marriage he and his wife lived a year with his parents, at the end of which time he bought eighty acres of land, the nucleus of the farm on which .Mrs. T.awhead now lives. Thev lived near that place for two years and then moved back to his father's farm in order to care for his parents until his mother's death. In the spring of 1887 they moved to the present homestead, where they ha\e lived until the present time. Mr. Lawhead's father lived with them, remaining there until his death, nine years later. In 1888 Mr. Lawhead. the subject of this sketch, built the present residence and made many other substantial and permanent improvements on the farm, which made it one of the best in the locality. He owned at the time of his death three hundred and five acres of land and was counted among the substantial and representative agriculturists of the county. In his younger days Mr. Law^head had been engaged to scjme extent in teach- ing school, but farming was his main vocation throughout his life, and in this vocation he attained an enviable success. Politically, he gave his support to the Republican party, but was too busy a man to indul.ge much in political affairs. To James G. and Eliza Lawhead were born five children, namely: Walter, who died at the age of three years; Gertrude, the wife of Jesse Het- rick, who lives on the home farm and is the mother of two sons. Buster and Schuyler; Frank, who lives in Detroit, studied law at the State University at Bloomington and has traveled extensively: Kirln- married Cecil Townley. and lives one mile south of the old home farm: he is the father of two chil- dren, Virginia and Violet; Nixon is a student at the State University at Bloomington, Indiana. Mr. Lawhead died on March 27, ic)i3, and bis death was universally mourned throughout the locality where he was :ic(|uainted. for there were combined in his make-up those elements which commended him to the .good will and esteem of all who knew him. He was not only a loving and faith- ful father, a kind and indulgent husband, but to all those with whom be came 348 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. in contact he bore kindly relations and at all times endeavored to spread the gospel of good cheer, being generous in his attitude toward others, regard- less of their faults or foibles. A man of good judgment and ripe experience he was often sought for advice by those starting out in life's battles and he cheerfully and wisely advised those who sought him. The best that can be said of any man may be truthfully said of Mr. Lawhead, namelv, that the world was better for his having lived, and though he has passed to the better world his influence still pervades the lives of those who came within the range of his life and character. FRANK W. WILLIS. Not to(_) often can be repeated the life stor_\- of one «ho li\-ed so honorable and useful a life and attained to such notable distinction as he whose name appears at the head of this sketch, wlio was one of the most successful and dis- tinguished newspaper men of northeastern Indiana. His character was one of signal exaltation and purity of purpose. \\"ell disciplined in mind, maintain- ing a vantage point from which life presented itself in correct proportions, guided and guarded by the most inviolable principles of integrity and honor, simple and unostentatious in his self-respecting, tolerant individuality, such a man could not prove other than a force for good in whatever relation of life he may have been placed. His character was the positive expression of a strong nature and his strength was as the number of his days. In studying his career interpretation follows fact in a straight line of derivation and there is no need for indirection or puzzling. As the day, with its morning of ho])e and promise, its noontide of activity and accompli.shment and its evening of completed and successful efforts, so was the life of this good and honored man. His career was a long, busy and useful one, and his name is revered by all who had occasion to come into contact .with him on life's pathway. His life was one of consecration to his calling, and well does he merit a place of honor in every history touching upon the lives and deeds of those who have given the best of their powers anrl talents for the aiding and betterment of their kind. Frank ^V. AVillis was born in Syracuse, New York. June 13, 1842. and died at his liome in Waterloo, Indiana, ]\Iay [q. 1913, at the age of seventy years, ele\en months and six days. He was a son of Henry and Fmerline (Hewitt) ^^'illis. and came to this countv in 1844 when liis jiarents located FRANK \V. WILLIS DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. _^ |(> on a tract of land in Richland township, where they resided until 1864, at which time they moved to Waterloo when the senior Mr. Willis was elected sheriff of DeKalb county. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm belonging to his father and attended the common schools. In addition to this he attended the schools at Auburn and Waterloo, and also spent some time at the Orland Seminary. At Ihc age of eighteen years he offered his services to the United States at the time of the Civil war outbreak and en- listed as a member of Company K. Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer 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 dis- charged his duties in this capacity with the full satisfaction of his superiors Soon after the war he commenced to practice before the department of in- terior, and as a claim agent secured many pensions for old soldiers and their widows. He was well known among the soldiers of the county and elsewhere and had many tender 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 eventually 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 pain that cannot be described. He enjoyed his home and reared a large family. On January i, 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 con- tinued the Press, being in editorial 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. Dickinson, the two then consolidated their business under the firm name of Baxter & Willis. In December, 1868, Henry Willis, father of the late deceased, purchased the interest in the book store of Mr. 350 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Baxter, and the firm was then known as WilHs & Company, and remained so until 1896, when in February of that year their business was destroyed 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 P^css. 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 newspaper business Mr. Willis was actively identified with the general inter- ests of the county and community, 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 Legislature as representa- tive from this county, being elected by the largest majority ever accorded a Republican in this county to that office, which spoke for the high esteem in which he was held by the voters of the county. After serving for two years, during which time lie was foremost in the passage of good legislation, he re- tired from acti\'e politics, hut was always active in the interests of his part}' until his health failed to such an extent that he could not longer take active part in the work. However, he was very forceful in his editorial writings, and w^as ardently enthusiastic in advocating his party principles so long as he believed them right. \Mien a }-oung man Mr. Willis joined the First Presbyterian church of Waterloo, and remained an active member to the time of his death. He was an elder in the Presbyterian 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, being active in that work at the time of his death. He served as superintendent of the Sunday school for many years, and also was an enthusiastic worker in Sunday school conventions, both in county and, in earlier years, in the state conventions. Among the many beautiful tributes to the life, work and character of Mr. Willis was the following from John B. Stoll, the veteran journalist of South Bend and life-long friend of the deceased: "He was what I consid- ered the ideal country newspaper man — discreet, vigilant, intelligent, consid- erate, conscientious, patriotic. His death is a distinctive loss to the newspa- per 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 patriot 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 incorporated in this memoir DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 35 1 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 a Christian character that stood foremost in liis life. Since a young man he was inter- ested 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 foimd unflinching for all that was good and honorable. As a business partner the writer has l)een actively associated with him for the past seventeen years, and during all tliat 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 unco\ered in his editorial writings, his scope has been so general that it was made ])lain where he stood on ajl important subjects of the day. His writings have been widely copied and no doubt he will be missed among the journalists of the state. All the years that he has been broken in health he has done his part in making life cheerful, 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 he had the confidence 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 352 DEKALB COUNTY^ INDIANA. county. During the Civil war he was drafting officer for this county and thus filled a very difficult position, which inevitably aroused animosity and enmity among many, especially those Southern sympathizers who then in- fested 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 be- cause of his strong anti-slavery views, but he was fearless and upright, stood staunchly for freedom and the perpetuity 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 incorporating 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 Waterloo. 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 Mr. Willis, had attended Oberlin College and also had received some academic work. To Mr. 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 owner of the Waterloo Press, being represented elsewhere in this work, by a specific sketch; Mary Gertrude is the wife of James P. Hornaday, news- paper correspondent at Washington, D. C. ; Fred I. is connected with the Hearsey-Willis Company, automobile dealers and bicycle manufacturers at Indianapolis ; Raymond E. is postmaster at Angola, Indiana, and part owner of the Steuben Republican; Edward D. is also interested in the Steuben Re- publican; Dora E. is the wife of R. G. Dilts, of Waterloo; Frank B. is en- gaged in the automobile business in Indianapolis ; Josephine lives at Waterloo and William H. is engaged in employment at 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. JACOB D. LEIGHTY. A publication of this nature exercises its most important functmn when it takes cognizance, through proper memorial tribute, of the life and labors of so good a citizen as was Jacob D. Leighty, who was for many years one of the best known business men and most representative citizens of DeKalb ^ {KA^^Lyty^ lypuJC^ DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 353 county, Indiana, hav'int;; been an iniiuenlial factor in the general development of the community. He ever stood as an exponent of the most loyal citizen- ship and was a noble personality whose memory will be long cherished and venerated in the community to whose civic and material progress he con- tributed in a most generous measure. A man of great business capacity and of the highest principles of integrity and honor, he made his influence felt along diverse lines and he was long a leader in the promotion of legitimate enterprises which conserved the general welfare of the city and county of his adoption. He matured his plans carefully and patiently and was a man of splendid initiative power and constructive ability, so that he was well fitted to become one of the upbuilders of a thriving community. He gave gener- ously of his superb powers in furthering the industrial, commercial and civic upbuilding of the locality so long honored by his citizenship, and his name is one that merits a conspicuous place on the roll of those who have worthily conserved such progress. His integrity was of the most insistent and un- swerving type and no shadow rests upon any portion of his career as an active business man and sterling citizen. He had his limitations, as do all. but he gave of the best of his talents to the world and to aiding his fellow men. Mr. Leighty was a man of impressive personality, was broad of mental ken and had the characteristics which ever beget esteem, confidence and friendship. Viewing his life in its perspective, none can fail to have an ap- preciation of his great accomplishments at a time \\lu'n such powers as his were at a premium, and he should ever be renienil)ered as (jne of tlie noble, kindly and public-spirited men of affairs who played a conspicuous role in the development and progress which characterized this section of the state. Jacob D. Leighty was born in Westmoreland coiuity, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of October, 1839, the son of John and Elizabeth (Sowash) Leighty, and his death occurred in St. Joseph's hospital, P^ort Wayne, Indiana, on October 17, 1912, in the seventy-third year of his age. He was the third in order of birth of the ten children born to his parents, and he was but four years of age when the family came to DeKalb county, Indiana. Here he was reared and secured a good, practical education in the common schools, in which he became a teacher at the early age of sixteen years. He con- tinued his pedagogical labor'; several \ears, and then became a student in Wittenberg College, at Springfield. (Miio, where he was a memlier of the sophomore class at the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion. His patriotic spirit was quicklv aroused at the attack on the national flag and on Jnlv 8, (23) 354 DlCKAl.P. COUNTY, INDIANA. 1861, he gave practical evidence of his loyaUy and courage by enlisting as a member of Company E, Eleventh Regiment Indiana A'olunteer Infantrv, in which he was appointed a sergeant. His military record was a mo.st creditable one, characterized by courage of a high order, and he took part in a number of the most notable struggles of that great contest. His first engagement of importance was that of Fort Henry, in the spring of 1862, after which fol- lowed the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Grand Gulf. Port Gibson, Ray- mond, Champion's Hill, and others of scarcely less importance. In the en- gagement at Champion's Hill Mr. Leighty was severely wounded in the left hip and was disabled from active service for sixty days. Upon partially re- covering from his wound, be rejoined his regiment at Baton Rouge, Louis- iana, and from there went down the Mississippi river to New Orleans. He served with an expedition into western Louisiana, extending to Opelousas and engaging the enemy several times on the way. After his return to New Orleans and because of the effects of his wound, from which he still suffered, he resigned in March, 1864, and returned home. That Mr. Leighty was a good soldier was indicated by his successive promotions, to second lieutenant on January 24, 1862, and first lieutenant on December ist of the same year. [']ion bis return to peaceful pursuits, Air. Lei.gbty engaged in mer- cantile business at Spencerville, Indiana, acquiring an interest in the firm of Miller & Myers. Shortly afterwards he and Mr. Miller purchased Mr. Myers' interest and the firm of Miller & Company w as continued a year, when the subject's father, John I.eigbtv, bought Miller's share, the firm name being changed to John Leighty & Son. The business was thus conducted, with eminent success, until 1872, when Jacob Leighty purchased his father's in- terests and ran the business alone until 1874, when he sold his mercantile stock to P. Bishop. In 1875, when the Baltimore & Ohio railroad was pro- jected through this section to Chicago. Mr. Leighty. with the foresightedness and sagacity characteristic of him. saw the possibility of a thriving town between Hick.sville and Auburn, and. with this in view, he and his father bou.ght what was then known as the Blair farm, on which they platted and laid out what is now the town of .St. Joe. Three years later Mr. Leighty engaged in the mercantile business in the new town, having associated him- self in business with M. T. Bishop. About seven years later Mr. Leighty bought his partner's interest in the business, which he tliereafter conducted alone until about iH()4, when he disposed of his Im^iness to \\'. C. and C. A.Pat- terson, J, K. Stafford and M. E. Olds. In many otlier ways he was a ])roniiiient figure in the upbuilding and development of the town, having assisted in the DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 355 organization of a bank, of which he was elected president, owning an interest in the grist mill and other enterprises which contributed in a definite way to the welfare of the town, especially in its earlier days, when men of strong character and positive action were needed. He was active in the erection nf the grain elevator and he built the- substantial brick store building now occu- pied by C. A. Patterson. After moving to St. Joe Mr. Leighty and his wife first lived in the residence which was standing on the Blair farm, but later he built a comfortable residence in the town, just east of the present commod- ious and attractive brick residence, which he built in 1889. No enterprise which promised to benefit the community ever appealed for his assistance in vain, for he was public spirited to a notable degree. In all that constituted true manhood and good citizenship he was an e.\ani|ile, liis career liaving been characterized by duty faithfully perfurmod, and by industry, thrift and wisely directed effort. l.'nder a full page-wide heading of "Our l.eadiug Citizen (jone," the St. Joe Nczvs made the following editorial comment on the life and character of Mr. Leighty, the same having special value because of the writer's long personal acquaintance witli the deceased and knowledge of his life and works: "St. Joe has lost by death its foremost citizen, Hon. J. D. Leighty, and by his taking away the town suffers an almost irreparable loss. \Miat he did for the place and liis interest i'.i its welfare lias been recognized and appreciated. but the full measure of his worth will be better known and more fully under- stood as time reveals the extent of our loss. He took what may well be termed a fatherly interest in the little town that he and iiis fatlier. John Leighty, had platted, for, as he had Ijeen instrumental in bringing it into ex- istence, he took just ])ride in its advancement and felt keenly any failure. Hence, with his pocketbook, his counsel and his hands, he stood ever ready to help forward all movements for the betterment of St. Joe. In every emer- gency he could be depended upon, and in every move for civic or moral re- form, he never was classed among the doubt ftd ones. St. Joe feels its loss deeplv and our citizens are in mourning. But the loss is not confined to St. Joe alone. In a relatively decreasing degree, as they arc farther removed from the scenes of his activities and influence, the county and the state suffers loss bv the death of Mr. Leigiity. He was a well known figure in councils outside the sphere wherein he chiefly moved, always on the side of what he believed to be right.* * * An honest man has been styled 'the noblest work of God.' J. T). Leighty was an honest man — honest in his dealings with his fellow men: lione-i in liis outspoken advf>cac\- of the right, as he saw it: 35^' DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. honest in his abhorrence of hypocrisy and sham ; honest to himself in shaping his course through hfe to the dictates of a conscience governed by a high sense of right and wrong. Men differed from Iiim in opinion and in judg- ment, but they ne\"er questioned his honesty n(.)r impugned his motives, for he stood out in the open, never resorting to questionable means, and his op- ponents respected him. His veracity was unquestioned, for his word was known to be his bond of honor. His acts of kindness — and they were many — were not performed in public places nor accompanied by display. He was a true scion of the 'Pennsylvania Dutch' stock, which has left an impress for good upon many parts of the country. Politically, Jacob D. Leighty was a stanch supi)orter of the Republican party and took a deep interest in piil)lic affairs. He was called upon a number of times to serve his fellow citizens in a public capacity, always acquitting himself with credit and to their entire satisfaction. Tn 1875 he was ap- pointed postmaster at St. Joe, holding the office until his election to the office of township trustee, when he resigned. In 1897 he received at the hands of President McKinley the appointment as state pension agent, a position he ably filled for four years. In 1894 he was elected to Congress as a Republi- can from the twelfth district by a plurality of about two thousand seven hundred, his election being especially notable from the fact that the district was normally Democratic by from fifteen hundred to two thousand five hun- dred votes — certainly a marked testimonial to his popularity and ability. Two years kucr he \\:is :iL:ain the noiiiinee of lii-; ])rii-iv for Congress. Init was de- feated, though he ran far ahead of the balance of the ticket. Fraternally, Mr. Leightv was an a])preciati\ e member of the Masonic order, in which he had received distinctive preferment, having received the thirt}'-tliird and last de- gree of the order in 1889. In March, 1866, Jacob D. Leighty was married to Kate A. Metzger, who was born in Circleville, Ohio, the daughter of Judge Andrew and Elizalieth (Driesbach) Metzger, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Judge Metzger was a native of Ohio, his family having come originally from Pennsylvania. He followed farming until his removal to Fort Wayne, in 1853, he being numbered among the earlv and prominent settlers of that locality. He was interested there for a number of vears in journalism and also served for a time as deputy county clerk. To him and his wife were born six children, namely: Kate A. (Mrs. Leighty), George, Mary, Jennie, Harry and Frank, of whom George, Harry and Frank are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Leighty were born three children, two of whom died in infancy, the only survivor being John R., of Kansas DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 357 City. Mrs. Leiglitv, wlio still resides in the old family hunie in St. Joe, is a lady of many graciovis qualities, which have commended her to the love and esteem of her many friends. She was to her husband a helpmate in the truest sense of the word, much of his success in lite being due to her wise counsel and the encouragement which she gave him in his affairs. She takes a kindly interest in all charitable and benevolent work in her community and her heart responds to every appeal for help in all good work. COL. STEPHEN' A. P.OWMAN. Great achievements always excite admiration. Men of deeds are the men whom the world delights to honor. Ours is an age representing the most electrical progress in all lines of material activity, and the man of initiative is one who forges to the front in the industrial world. Among the distinctive captains of industry in northeastern Indiana, a place of pri- ority must be accorded to Col. Stephen .\. Pxiwnian, of Waterloo, Indiana, for to him is due the upbuilding of an industr\- which is not only one of the most important in his countw but also one of the most extensive of its kind in this section of the country, while the comparatively short time within which these great results ha\e been obtained further testify to his exceptional administrative power and executive ability. He is, in the fullest sense of the term, a progressive, virile, self-made American, thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the advanced age in which he lives, conducting all his business matters carefully and systematically, and in all his acts displaying an aptitude for successful management. He has not permitted the accumu- lation of fortune to affect in any way his actions toward those less fortunate than he, being a most .sympathetic and broad-minded man. and has a host of warm and admiring friends. Stephen A. Bowman was born in Keyser township, DeKalb county, In- diana, one-half jnile west of where the county farm is now located, on No- vember I, 1865, and is the son of Joseph and Ida (Brand) Bowman. Joseph Bowman, who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, was the grandson of Jacob Bowman, who came from Germany in 1772, settling near Gratz, Penn- sylvania. The.latter's son, Samuel, came to Stark county, Ohio, in 181 7. settling in Osnaburg township, where he became the father of a large family of children, one of whom was Joseph, the father of the subject of this sketch. Joseph Bowman was born January 31, 18 14, in Pennsylvania, and came with 358 DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. his parents to Stark county. Ohio. In 1839 he came to DeKalb county, In- diana, entering eighty acres of go\ernment land at the place where the sub- ject was Ijorn. He also bought other land and sold some, so that at the time of his death he was the owner of one liundred and twenty acres. He was twice married, first to Kve Bortz. to which union ten children were born, of whom only one is now li\'ing, Airs. George O. Dcnison, of Auburn, this county. Some time after the death of his first wife. Mr. Bowman married Airs. Ida (Brand) Tongue, the widow of William Tongue. She was a na- tive of Ohio and a daughter of English parents. When slie was but an in- fant her mother died and she was reared by a German family, who talked the language of the fatherland, so that she. thoroughly learned the German lan- guage. Years afterward she and her brothers were brought together, and as they talked only English she could not understand each other. She was born in 1829, and died in 1S7S, at the age of forty-nine years, and lies buried in the first cemetery at Auburn beside her husband. By her second union she became the mother of ten children, of whom four sons are living, namely: William, who lives on a farm five miles west of Waterloo, married Ella Chaney, and they have five children; Lydia, deceased, was the wife of George King, and the mother of four children; Eva, deceased, was the wife of John Palmer, and left one child; Stephen A., the immediate subject of this sketch, is the next in order of birth; Frank Hves on a farm two miles south of Water- loo and married Verna Kinney, to which union were born six children ; George lives at Danville, Illinois, and has Iieen twice married. The otlier four children died in childhood or infancy. Stephen A. Bowman lived on the paternal farmstead until about four- teen years of age, and then for three years he resided with his brother-in- lavf, George O. Denison. In the fall of 1883 he came to Waterloo and here completed his education in the high school. In 1884 he entered the employ of J. S. Slaybaugh in tlie handle factory, and on August i, 1885, he started handle making on his own account. At that time his cash capital amounted to five dollars, and much hard work and rigid economy were required in order to make both ends meet in the Ijeginning of iiis business experience. At that time all the work of making handles was by hand and Mr. liowman's first year's output was about one hundred and fifty dozen handles, the major portion of these handles being made for edged tools. Since that time the growth of the business has been nothing short of phenomenal, machinery having taken the place of handwork in every respect possible, and now the business lias grown to a production of ten thousand dozen a year. Mr. Bow- man started his business career in a room twelve by sixteen feet in size, in DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 359 an old sawmill, but in November. 1886, he was enabled to buy a little buildin,^' northwest of the l.ake Shore crossing. He has added to this from time to time and now lias a substantial biuilding about forty by one hundred feet in size, \\(jnderfully well equipped in every respect for the work to which it is devoted, and an inspection of the plant by those not acquainted with its workings would surprise and gratify the sightseer. Many machines are found here which are almost human in their apparent intelligent action, some of them being very intricate, and one of which took a year to plan. Many of the machines have been invented by Colonel Bowman and his son, and many others improved by them, so that practically all of the manu- facturing done here is the product of machinery. It is wo'rthy of note that so simple a thing as an ax handle is handled twenty-eight times from the time it conies into the shof) with the bark on until it leaves the factory, a finished handle ready for shipment. The shop is equipped with its own electric light plant, there is above every machine an electric fan for the com- fort of the workmen, and the plant is steam heated in winter by e.xhaust steam from the engine. Colonel Bowman has made it a point to use nothing but the best stock in his plant, and therefore his product has earned in the market of the world the highest reputation for its superior quality and work- manship. The industry has been one of the principal enterprises of Water- loo, and to Colonel Bowman is due a large meed of credit for the stimulus he has given to local business life. .■\side from his business interests. Colonel Bowman has been deeply interested in the development and progress of his community, and for eleven years he served as clerk of Waterloo and is now an efficient and active mem- mer of the library board. In May, 1882, Colonel Bowman entered the Indiana National Guard as a private in Company I of the Third Regiment and served in the ranks until 1887, when he was appointed second lieutenant of Company 1. In 1889 he received his commission as captain, in 1892 was promoted to major and in 1896 to lieutenant-colonel, and in 1900, anil in 1908 again, he was appointed colonel by Governor Marshall. In December, 1908, he w'as in command of the First Regiment, Indiana National Guard, and on February i, 1913, he retired from the service, having completed a continuous service of nearly thirty-two years, at the time of his retirement being the oldest in point of continuous service in the National Guard, with the exception of Adjutant- General McKee. Colonel Bowman was called out to jjrevent prize fighting at Roby in 1893, and in 1894, because of railroad strikes, he was located twenty-two davs at Hammond, and was shot at by strikers. He served a 360 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. number of times as president of courts martial and on courts of inquiry, and was president of the examining board sixteen years. At the joint maneu- vers held at West Point, Kentucky, by the National Guard of several states, Colonel Bowman was highly complimented by Colonel Wagner, of the United States army, a high military authority, and in reference to the incident the following quotation is made from the JVateiioo Press of that date: "During the joint maneuvers of the United States army and the organ- ized militias of the various states held at West Point, Kentucky, in Sep- tember, 1903, Col. Arthur L. Wagner, of the United States army, chief umpire, maneuvering division, in his report of maneuvers of the Third Infantry, says: 'The Third Regiment, commanded in the absence of Colonel Studebaker by Col. S. A. Bowman, for quickness of movement, intelligence in executing orders, rapidity in comprehending wholly unexpected difficulties, good training in taking advantage of cover, the regiment was especially commended." The tribute is especially pleasing to Colonel Bowman and his friends because of the somewhat difficult position of commanding the regi- ment in the absence of the senior officer. Had censure been his portion, no matter how mild, it would have been felt keenly. Since praise is his share, his pleasure is all tlie more heightened.'" On September 16, 1887, Colonel Bowman \\as united in marriage with Cora Fisher, daughter of Solomon and Harriett ( Rhodabaughj Fisher, the former a retired merchant of Waterloo. Mrs. Bowman was born at Waterloo on January 3, 1863. To the Colonel and his wife have been bom eight children, six sons and two daughters, namely: Harry Fisher, born April 9, 1889, is an electrical engineer for the Hunt Helm Ferris Company, of Har- vard, Illinois, with whom he has been employed continuously since 1907. He married Leora Thompson, of Harvard, Illinois, and they have a daugh- ter. Lelah: Paul A., liorn }ilay 23, i&^i. and wiio is unmarried, is assisting his father in the handle business; Fred Rhodabaugh, born November 13. 1893, is a commercial traveler for the hat and cap house of G. H. Gates Company, of Detroit, Michigan, and, though not yet twenty years old, is a very successful salesman. These three sons have been especially educated in their particular lines; Joseph Solomon, born March 20, 1886, is attending high school and at the same time taking a special course in electrical engi- neering; Wilbur E. and \\'alter M., twins, born January 15, 1900, are now in their first year in high school, and are enthusiastic boy scouts; Harriet Ida, born March 19, 1906, is attending school, and the youngest in the family is Daisy May, born April 4, 191 1. Colonel Bowman is an ardent lover of outdoor sports, being an enthusi- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 361 astic hunter and frequently going to the woods of Maine and Wisconsin in pursuit of wild game. He has been very successful, being a splendid rifle shot, and possesses many interesting relics of his trips, and is able to recite many entertaining reminiscences. Personally he is a man of genial and kindly impulses, a splendid conversationalist and entertaining companion and enjoys a wide circle of warm and loyal friends. He and the members of his family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church at Waterloo, and Mrs. Bowman is a devoted member and actixe worker in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Colonel Bowman tleserves a large measure of credit for the success which he has attained, for in earl\- Ixjyhoiid he was compelled to work hard and liad \ery little oppurtunit)' for a school edu- cation. In view of his own experiences he vowed he would give his children better chances for education and for a right start in life tha-n he enjoyed, and he is, to the extent of his ability, fulfilling his vow. Tall, well built, and with a distinct military carriage, he is a man of pleasing address and is a welcome member of all the circles in which he mores. He has been an important factor in the commercial and industrial prosperity of Waterloo and holds an enviable position m the esteem of the community wliich is honored by his citizenship. GEORGE ROCK, M. D. Actively connected with the profession of medicine, Dr. George Rock has won that favorable regard that conies only as the result of superior ability and personal worth. Having carefully prepared for the practice of his pro- fession, he is now devoted to his work and his strict regard for the ethics of the profession has gained for him the confidence of his brethren of the fraternity as well as of the general public. George Rock was born in Crawford county, Ohio, on January ii, 1854, and is a son of William and Sarah (Greiner) Rock, the former a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and the latter of New York state. The home of the subject's parents was in Crawford county, Ohio, for a number of years prior to i860, when they moved to Delaware township, Defiance county, that state, where the remainder of their lives was spent. The subject accompanied his parents on their removal to Defiance county when a lad of but six years and there received his elementary education, subsequently attending the high school at Defiance. Early in his manhood he became identified with the mer- cantile and subsequentlv the insurance business at Shenvood, but having 362 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. resolved to make the practice of medicine his Hfe work he abandoned these pursuits and, in 1887, entered the Miami Aledical College at Cincinnati, where he prosecuted his studies for two years. He then spent two terms at Rush Medical College, of Chicago, after which he matriculated in the Toledo Med- ical College, where he was graduated with the class of 1891, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Immediately after his graduation he located at Sherwood, Ohio, and entered upon the active practice of his profession. In some respects one might have criticised him for making the change from ordinary business pursuits, for while a resident of Defiance he had attained to a high standing in business circles, being known as an enterprising and in- fluential citizen and his fellow townsmen had manifested their esteem for him by honoring him with various offices of trust. However, his career since entering upon a professional life has proven the wisdom of his choice, for he has continuously enjoyed a large and remunerative practice and has been successful in the line of effort to which he has devoted himself. In 1900 Dr. Rock came to Auburn, Indiana, and has been continuously engaged in the practice of medicine and has enjoyed from the beginning his full share of business in his line. He has successfully handled a number of very difficult cases and has earned not only the regard of his professional brethren, but the esteem and good will of the entire community. Dr. Rock has been twice married, first at Sherwood, Ohio, to Amanda Tavlor. who died soon after marriage. Two years later he married Margaret Sausaman, also a resident of Sherwood, and a native of Defiance county, and to them has been born a daughter, Emma. Margaret Sausamon is the daughter of Samuel and Jane I SchwalO Sausaman. Her father came from Pennsylvania to Crawford county, Ohio, moving from there to Defiance county, that state, where he died at the age of eighty-seven years. Mrs. Rock's mother. Jane (Schwab) Sausaman. wa'^ a native of Cermany, who upon coming to America located first in Crawford county, thence moved to Defiance county. Fraternally, Dr. Rock is an active memljer of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the subordinate lodge at Auburn, in which he has passed through all the chairs and is now a member ul)se(piently United States minister to Portugal and Spain, froiu which latter country he brought the lirst Merino sheep to America. .\t an early age Mrs. Mott was 366 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. placed in school at Derby, near Humphreysville, where her associations and training were of the \ery best. Owing to the condition of her health, she made a protracted visit with an uncle, Abram Wrigley, of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where she rapidly improved, and not long afterwards began teacliing school, and at Providence, a few miles from her uncle's residence, slic first became accjuainted w ith her future husband, to whom she was mar- ried on December 30. 1838. EDWIX L. FOSDICK Fealty to facts in the analysis of the character of a citizen of the t)-[)e of Edwin L. Fosdick is all that is re(piired to make a biographical sketch interesting to those wlio ha\e at heart the good name of the community, because it is the honorable rejnUation of the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stabilitv to the bodv politic and makes the true glory of a city or state revered at home rmd respected abroad. In the broad light which things of good repute ever in- vite, the name and character of Mr. l-'osdick stand revealed and secure, and though of modest demeanor, with no ambition to distinguish himself in pul:lic |i isition or as a leader of men, his career has been signally honorable and it may be studied \vilb ])rotit liy the youtli entering u])on his life work. lulwin F. l-'osdick, who for a number of years has occujjied a respon- sible position with the b'.ckliart C'arriage C'ompan\' of .\ul)urn, is a natix'e of this city, wliere he was 1;orn on Ma\' 1, 1856. He is the son of lulward A\\ and Helen (J. ( Totten I l-osdick. Edwin \\'. h'osdick was born on July 12, 1822. in Kno.x county. Ohio, and was the son of Thomas Updike and Rachel (Armstrong) Fosdick. 'Die history of the Fosdick family has been traced back to Welsh ancestry, members of the family having emigrated to America near the middle of the seventeenth century. They intermarried here with the Ha\ens family, some of whom provided one of the first churches on Long Island. The first of the family to come to DeKalb county. Indiana, was Orville l-"osdick. oldest brother of Edward \\'.. who entered govern- ment land in Wilmington township in an earl}- day. Sliortly afterwards, in 1844, the other members of the family came here and located two miles south of Butler, and that remained the permanent famil\- home as long as the old folks lixed. Edward ^^^ Fosdick was a young man when he came to this locality and li\-ed on the hon-ie place in Wilmington townsliiii until DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 367 after his marriage, which occurred about 1850, when he was united to Helen G. Totten, daughter of Joseph P. and Betsy (Barnes) Totten. She and her parents had hved on a farm adjoining the Fosdick farm. Slie died on ^[ay 21. 1856, and Mr. Fosdick afterwards married Ruanna iirandon. a daughter of Peter Brandon. She Hved only about a year after her marriage, dying in April, i860, and in 1878 Mr. Fosdick married Eiizalieth H. Fetk-rhoff, who now reesides on the old farm in Butler township. lulward W. I'os- dick studied kiw at the University of Michigan, and practiced his profession at lUitler. In US54 he was elected treasurer of DeKalb county and in i833 moved lu Auburn in order to he close to his office and during his term of two years the count r\- was Hooded with wild-cat currency. After the completion of his term as treasurer Mr. Fosdick returned to Butler and during the rest of his active years he devoted himself to the practice of law. In 1869 he was elected state senator and ser\-ed one term. He died on ^larch (). i8(,(j. at the age of se\enty-seven years. The subject of this sketch, whose birth occurred Init three weeks before the death of jiis mother, was reared in the home al 1 Sutler and after com])let- ing his public school education, he i)ecame a student in the Oliio Weslevan University at Delaware, Ohio, after which he matriculated in the medical department of the University of Michigan, frotn which he was graduated in 1879. He then located in Kewanna, P\ilton cnuntx-. Indiana, where for two years he engaged in the drug liusiness under ilie linn name of Fosdick &• Ralston. He then returned to Butler and from 1SS2 to 1895 was en- gaged in the drug business there, in which he met with \ery good success. For a time thereafter he was on the road as a traveling salesman and also for a period had charge of the I'nited States and I'acilic E.xpress Com- panies' oftrces at Butler. He also ga^e some attention to the practice of law, or rather to the business left I)y his father, liut eventually he sold the law library and came to Auburn, with which city he has since l)een identi- fied. He is now head bookkee])er in the office of the Fckhart Carriage Company and is i)erfonning his duties to tlie entire satisfaction of his em- ployers, whose interests he makes his own. In i88i Mr. I'osdick was married to Josephine ^icCarter, then a resi- dent of Kewamia, Indiana, and the daughter of Alexander and Mary L. (Richey) McCarter. Fraternally, Mr. Fosdick is a memljer of the Free and .Vccepted Masons, in which he has attained to the degree of the Royal Arch lie and liis wife are both members nt the Methodist Episcopal church, in the prosperity of which they are deeply interested. Mr. Fos- 368 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. dick enjuys an extensive acquaintance in his localit}- and none can boast of more devoted friends than he, for in him are combined those characteri^tics which gain and foster friendships that endure through all times and all vicis- situdes of fortune. ISAAC MYERS ZENT. Tiie biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are in- structive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life; apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate renown. The gentleman whose life history is herewith outlined is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a splendid sixccess. By a straightforward and commendable course he has made his way to a respectable position in the busi- ness world, winning the hearty admiration of the people of his county and earning a reputation as an enterprising, progressive man of affairs which the public has not been .slow to recognize and appreciate. Isaac Myers Zent was born near Massillon, Stark county, Ohio, on No- vember 19, 1 850, and is the son of Jeremiah and Mary C. (Armstrong) Zent. Jeremiah Zent was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Hage) Zent. Samuel Zent was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, December 7, 1790, and died March 2, 1855; the latter's wife, Elizabeth Hage, was born July 25, 1792, in the same county, and died August 31. 1874. Samuel Zent was the son of Jacob and Susanna Zent, the former having been born January 30, 1763, and died October 25, 1845, his wife's birth occurring April 30, 1765, and her death on March 13, 1841. Jeremiah Zent, who was a farmer, moved, in 1850, id X'andalia, Illinois, where he bought a large tract of land and there carried on agricultural opera- tions during the rest of his active life. He was public spirited and took an influential and imselfisb interest in the upbuilding and welfare of his com- niunitv. He was a man of definite convictions on the great questions of the day and, though living in a hotbed of secession, he openly espoused the cause of the Union and during the Civil war he proved such a friend to soldiers and soldiers' families that the Grand Army of the Republic afterwards made liiiii ;in hi.norarv member of that society, though he had seen no military service. He died in iqoi and his widow still resides in \^andalia. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 3(')9 Isaac M. Zent lived at Vandalia until lie was seventeen years old and received a good practical education in the public sclmuls. He then left home and started out in life on his own account, his first ettort being to learn the trade of a telegrapher. Entering the employ of the Wabash railroad, he was assigned to different stations on that system and in June, 1882, was ap- pointed agent at the Auburn station. His services were here so faithfully performed that he was retained in the position for twentv-eight vears, through several changes of administration and after the Wabash company sold the road to the Vandalia Railroad Company — in fact, up to the time he was appointed postmaster of Auburn, his commission to the office being April 15, 1910. In the latter position he exhibited the same careful attention to the performance of his duties as characterized him when in the employ of a cor- poration, and his relations with his superiors and the patrons of the office have been mutually satisfactory and pleasant. In the business and commercial life of the community Mr. Zent has long been an active and prominent figure. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens National Bank, of Auburn, and is now the largest individual stockholder of this institution, of which he has been a director ever since its organization. He also assisted in the organization of the Savings Loan and Trust Company and was one of its first directors, but he later sold his hold- ings in that company to Rlonte L. Green. He is the only local stockholder, and is a member of the board of directors of the Indiana Fuel and Light Company, the company that furnishes gas to Auburn. Of the Auburn Com- mercial Club Mr. Zent has been a member since its organization and a direc- tor for many years, while in many other ways he has exerted a wholesome and appreciated interest in the advancement of the business interests of Au- burn and DeKalb county. Physically, l)uilt on the Abe Lincoln or Joe Can- non style, Mr. Zent is, like them, a man of strong convictions and earnest pur- pose, optimistic in his views of life, and affable and agreeable in his rela- tions with his fellow men. These qnalities have combined to gain for him a marked degree of popularity in the community in which so many of his active years have been spent. Politically, Mr. Zent has, for many years, been an active and influenlial member of the Reiniblican party and in local political circles he is a promi- nent figure, having for a number of years served as treasurer of the county committee. Fraternally, Mr. Zent is a Mason, having attained to the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine, and the Auburn lodge. Knights of Pythias, having been a charter member (24) 370 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. of the last-named organizatidti. heins a popular member of these several fraternities. On July 25, 1885. Mr. Zent married Laura E. Ensley, who was born and spent her entire life at .\ubuin. Her parents, George and Lydia (Noel) Ensley, were among the pioneer residents of Auburn, the family being for many years prominent and influential in the affairs of the community. Mrs. Zent was called to the higher life on October 5, igio. All in all, Mr. Zent is a worthy representative of the sturdy, intelligent and progressive class that gives stability to the body politic and character to the community, being broad- minded, with wide views of men and affairs, and a true type of the enterpris- ing American of today. ANDREW JACKSON RALSTON. The family of which the subject of this review is a creditable repre- sentative has been known in DeKalb county since the pioneer epoch and, -without invidious comparison, it can with propriety be said that no other name is better known or more highly esteemed in this locality. Honored and respected bv all, there is today no man in the county who occupies a more enviable position in the regard of his fellows than Andrew J. Ralston, not alone because of the splendid material success which he has achieved, but also by reason of the splendid life which he has lived in this community. He was bom at Plymouth, Richland county, Ohio, on September 9, 1841, and is the son of Samuel W. and Eliza J. (Brink) Ralston. The subject's paternal grandparents were Robert and Jane (Woodburn) Ralston, of whom and their ten children the remarkable fact is recorded that their average age was eighty-four years, the youngest having been over seventy-two years old at the time of his death. These children were named Robert, Jr., James, Mrs. Jane Hall, Mrs. Margaret Hall, Mrs. Mary Gribben, Alexander, Samuel W., Mrs. Maria Dixon, David and Mrs. Julia Bodley. In 1814 Robert and Tane Ralston moved, with their family, from \\'ashington county. Pennsyl- vania, to Richland county, Ohio (now Ashland county). There Samuel W. Ralston, who had been born in Washington county. Pennsylvania, on De- cember 12. 1807, began to learn the trade of a carpenter, which he followed with considerable success for a quarter of a century. In December, 1842, he brought his family to Auburn, Indiana, arriving here on the 12th of De- cember and being the eighth family to locate in this city. He here fol- lowed his trade of carpenter, in which he became quite prominent. In 1843 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 37 I he took the contract for the completion of the first courthonse, a two-story frame building, thirty-five by fifty feet in size, and the frame work of which had been put up by the first contractor, Joseph Heit, who then relinquished his contract. Mr. Ralston completed the contract in 1843. In 1846 he was elected sheriff of DeKalb county, serving two years, and was then elected county treasurer for a like period. In 1856 he was again elected to the office of .sheriff and was re-elected in 1S38. In iSru he engaged in the mer- cantile business, in which he was successful and which commanded his at- tention until about five years prior to his death, when he retired from busi- ness and spent the remainder of his days quietly at his home, a large and substantial brick building, which he had erected at the corner of Tenth and Main streets and which is still standing in good condition. There his death occurred on March 6, 1891, and his widow died there in August. 1893. Mrs. Ralston, whose maiden name was Eliza J- Brink, and whom he married in 1834, was a native of Plymouth, Ohio. She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, of wliich her husliand was a regular attendant. They were the parents of four children, namely: Helen M. died in November, 1855, at the age of about twenty years: Emily A., who died on January 20, 1903, was the wife of W. H. Dills, of Auburn: Andrew J.: George C. is engaged in the hotel business at Sulphur Springs, Arkansas. Andrew J. Ralston was reared in Auburn, securing a fair education in the public schools, and in young manhood was variously employed, usually in drygoods stores and other mercantile houses. He served as deputy sheriff under his father and in a like capacity under Sheriff J. N. Miller. From 1869 to 1873 he served as deputy county treasurer under Treasurer F. D. Ryan, and then for about seven years he was successfully engaged in buy- ing and shipping grain. In 1882 Mr. Ralston went into the grocery business, to which he devoted his attention until 1896, when he disposed of that busi- ness and has since mainly occupied himself in looking after his farming interests. He owns one farm of one hundred and seven acres east of Auburn and an undivided half interest in one hundred and sixty acres nine miles south of Auburn. For many years Mr. Ralston took an active part in public affairs and was a prominent and influential figure in the councils and conventions of the Democratic party, but of late years he has somewhat retired from active par- ticipation in these things, though his interest in current affairs has not in the least abated. For six years Mr. Ralston has rendered appreciated ser- vice as historian for the Old Settlers' .Association, in the proceedings of which he has long been deeply interested, .^s a storehouse of facts and 372 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. traditions regarding the early history of DeKalb county he is an authority, and his utterances on these things are entitled to credence, for to him belongs the distinction of being the oldest citizen of Auburn in point of vears of continuous residence, and he lias taken considerable pride in collating much interesting and valuable local history which otherwise might have been lost to future generations. On February 25, 1864, Mr. Ralston was married to Hadessa J. George, who was born in what is now Ashland county, Ohio, the daughter of James Currie George and Priscilla (Reynolds) George. Mr. George was Ijorn in Ashland county, and his parents, who were natives of Pennsylvania, were of Scotch-Irish ancestrj'. Priscilla Reynolds was born in Delaware and in her childhood she was brought to Ohio by her parents, James and Mary (Mc- Clellan") Reynolds. Mrs. Ralston was but a 1iabe in arms when, in Novem- ber, 1842, the family came to Auburn, her father having bought a half sec- tion of land a mile east of that city some time previously. When they moved here he brought the price of the land in silver in his wagon. He had a brother Iiere, with whom he stayed a short time, and the money was put and safely kept under a puncheon floor, there being no banks here at that time. On the tract of land referred to the George family made their permanent home, Mr. George carrying on farming operations there during the rest of his active life. He became prominent in the early life of that locality and served in several township offices, always to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. His death occurred in 1849, at tlie early age of thirty-six years, leaving a wife and two daughters, Mary Ann and Hadessa. The widow lived to be eighty-seven years old, her death occurring in August, 1903. To Mr. and Mrs. Ralston have been born three children, as follows: George M., liorn in October, iS^;, is connected with the Commercial Bank at Ft. Wayne and is secretary for the well known real estate and banking firm of Strauss Brothers, which does an annual business of more than two million dollars. ;\.t Ft. \\"ayne, he married Nettie Ernest, a resident of Auburn, and they have two children, Roger Jackson and Hubert Russell; Alzein Aileen, whose death occurred on March 30, 1903, was the wife of Harry K, Scott, of Angola. Indiana; Helen S. is the wife of Monte L. Green, a lianker at Garrett, this county, and they liave a daughter. Alzien Louise. Mrs. Ral- ston is a member of the Presbyterian church and is also well known in club and. literary circles of Auburn. She is one of the three active members of the Ladies' Literary Club of this city who were charter members when the club was organized in April, 1882. it being the oldest woman's club in northern DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 3-3 Indiana and next to the oldest in the state. She is a woman of kindly man- ner and is deservedly popular in the circles in \\ inch she moves. Mr. Ralston has through the years performed his full dut>- as a citizen, standing as a man among men, and today he enjoys to an eminent degree the confidence and good will of all who know him. HENRY E. ALTENBURG. The life history of him whose name heads this biographical memoir is closely identified with the history of DeKalb county, Indiana, which was long his home. He began his career in this locality in the pioneer epoch and throughout the years which later came and went he was closely allied with its interests and upbuilding. He was of a high type of progressive citizen and his life was one of untiring activity. The cause of humanity never had a truer friend than Mr. Altenburg, who long since passed to the higher life. In all the relations of life — ^family, church, society and business — he dis- played that consistent Christian spirit, that natural worth, that endeared him alike to all classes. His integrity and fidelity were manifested in every re- lation of life, and the example of such a life is always an inspiration to others. In dealing with mankind, his word was his bond: deceit ne\'er entered into any transactions lie liad with his fellow men. His plain, rug- ged honesty, his open-hearted manner, unilisguised and unaffected, is to his descendants a sweet and lasting memory. Henry E. Altenburg, who was an honored early pioneer of DeKalb county, was born near Sandusky, Ohio, on April 23, 1838, and died at his home in Auburn in February, 1889. He was a son of Daniel and Sarah (Latson) Altenburg. Daniel Altenburg was a native of the IMohawk valley, near Buffalo, New York, and eventually moved from that locality to San- dnskv. Ohio, where they lived two years. \Mien Henry E. was a baby of ajjout two months, the family came to DeKali) county. Indiana, following blazed trails through the interminable forests which then covered the country, no roads or bridges having been Iniilt as yet. The first bridge over Cedar Creek, between Waterloo and Uniontown, was then being erected, and they were compelled to ford that stream, which was so deep that the cows, which were tied beside the wagon, were compelled to swim. Before reaching Auburn they became lost in the deej) snow one night and called loudly for help. 374 DEKAl.B COUNTY, INDIANA. They were lieard by Isaac B. Smith, a farmer, who came to their rescue with a lantern and guided them to his home. They were then between Waterloo and Uniontown and it took them all the following day to get to Auburn. Upon reaching this locality Daniel Altenburg entered a quarter section of government land two and a half miles east of Auburn, the tract being located in the midst of a dense forest, from which the only road to the little settlement at Auburn was a narrow and winding trail. Here they estab- lished their permanent home and. amid the pioneer conditions of that day. they started In clear the land, build a home and plant the soil. Here Daniel and Sarah Altenburg reared their family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, namely: Daniel L., Mary Jane, Henry E., Harriet E., David Cosper, Isaac L.. Sylvia A.. William J, and Frank F. Politically, Daniel Altenburg was a stanch Republican and was a strong supporter of the Union cause during" the war of the Rebellion, and, though too old himself to enlist, he sent four sons to the front to fight for the preservation of the nation. He was an honored and resi^ected citizen of his community and for many years served as justice of the peace. in ynung mnnhiKKl he lost an arm from the eiifects of a tree falling on it and (mm this \\(jund he >uti'ered during all the remainder of his life, the pain frequently being intense, luit he bore his suffer- ings with patience and Christian fortitude. He was public spirited to a notable degree and it is related of him that, having bought the old court house, which had been moved from its original site to make way for the new brick building, he gave the nid building to lie burned in celebration of a Union victorv during the war. Haniel .Mtenburg's first wife, the mother of the children before mentirmetl. tlied in 1863, and he afterwards married Susanna Seibert. whose first Juisband had l-een killed in the war. She now resides northwest of Auburn, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. About 1870 J\Ir. Altenburg moved into Auburn, where he spent his remaining days, dying in January, 1887. Henry E. Altenburg was reared on the paternal farmstead, east of Auburn, living there until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in Company G, Nineteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was in constant and active service for eighteen months, taking part in the first battle of Bull Run and the other great battles in which the Army of the Potomac participated tip to the time he received his honorable discharge. In the fall of 1864 Mr. Altenburg again enlisted, this time in the First Indiana Batter)' of Heavy Artillery, with which he saw service along the Mississippi river and at the battle of Mobile Bav- He recei\ed his final discharge from the DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 375 service in November, 1865. His two brothers, Daniel and Isaac, were in the service with him during his second enlistment. On January 27, 1864, while at home between his two enlistments, Mr. Altenburg was married to Sarah C. Bodine. She was born near Plymouth, Ohio, and came to DeKalb county in 1861 with her mother, Elizabeth E. (Chamberlain) Bodine, her father, John Bodine, having died in August, i860. Elizabeth Chamberlain was born in Cayuga county, Xew York, and was there married, her husband also being a native of that county. They moved to Plymouth. Ohio, where he engaged in farming, and later ran a shoe store. After his death, his widow and her six children came to Auburn, where she resided until all of her children were married. After the war Henry E. Altenburg made his home in Auburn, w here he took up the vocation of a caipenter, becoming a contractor and erecting a number of houses, some of which are still standing. In 1876 Mr. Altenburg became a railway postal clerk, which employment he followed for nearly twelve years, when he resigned and moved to Kendall, Hamilton county, Kansas, where he engaged in the feed business. He remained there a little over two years, when the extreme and long-continued drought caused a wide- spread failure of crops, entailing upon him a loss of all his capital. He then brought his family back to Auburn, and during the following winter he was taken sick, his death occurring in February, 1889. To Plenry E. and Sarah C. Altenburg were Ijorn four children, as fol- lows: Harry O., who lixes in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is connected with the Burroughs Adding Machine Company: Clara E. is the wife of John Zimmer- man, of Auburn, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Eugene C. is advertising manager for the Zimmerman Manufacturing Company: John D. is a successful dentist at Findlay, Ohio. Religiously, Mr. Altenbm'g was an earnest, faithful and consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the prosperity "of which he was deeply interested. Fraternally, he was for many years an appreciative mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his domestic relations, Henry Altenburg was a faithful husband and a kind father, affectionate in his home relations, while in the coniniuuity he was a ccmscientious man and a good citizen in the broadest sense of the term. (_)uiet and unostentatious and seeking the sequestered ways of life rather than its tumult and .strife, he ever attended strictly to bis own affairs and made better all who came w ithin range of his influence. 2)y(i DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. ALPHEUS W. MADDEN. Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often attained hy simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The every-day life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunities for acquiring ex- perience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and self improvement. Alpheus W. Madden, the present efficient and ])opular auditor of De- Kalb county, and successful business man at .\u])in-n, is a nati\e of the old Hoosier state, having been born in Eel Ri\er townsliip. .Mien countv, on February 19. 1856, and is a son of William and Rachel (Taylor) Madden. The father, who was bfirn in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, came to Indiana in the early forties, and settled in Allen countv. where he formed the acquaint- ance of and married Rachel Taylor, tlie daughter of Aljraham and Ro.xey Taylor. They spent all their lives and died in that townshi]>, wliere he had followed the vocation of farming during ;dl hi> .ictixe years. Alpheus W. Madden remained on the home farm in .\llen comity until twenty-two years of age and recei\ed a fair practical education in the com- mon schools. .\t the age mentioned be started in life for himself, working as a farm hand for fifteen dolhirs per month, and during this period while employed in si)litting rails, be was disaliled 1)\ an accident. Tims finding himself disqualified for heavy manual labor, be felt the necessity for further education, and to this end went to h'ort Wayne anil took a course in the com- mercial college at that place. lie then engaged in the insurance Imsiness for about a year and a half and then ])ecame a salesman of marble and granite work, which be followed for about three years. In 1882 Mr. Mad- den moved to .\ubum ;md engaged in the marble and granite business in partnership with Walton 1\. Smith. His business was [)rosperous from the start and in 1886 he brmght the place at the corner ot Jackson and Seventh streets now occupied by the Jenkins grocery store, hut which at that time was occupied by a frame building which he used for their work. In 1892 Mr. .Smith died and he was succeeded in the jiartnership b\- Mr. Madden's two brothers. Jose])b R. and Charles E.. who continued together about four- teen years when the subject of this sketch bought his brothers' interests and took in as a partner his son. Frank. Tbev bax'e continued tlie business ALPHEUS W. MADDEX DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. }^JJ together and have been eiuinenlly successful in (heir \\rnier [);irtner, hniU the [ireseut Mock in wiiich the Jenkins grocery store is located antl continued their liusiness there until about 1893. Soon after the erection of thi> huildiu!;, Mr. Ahidden hou^ht a farm of eighty acres adjoining the city of .Xuhurn on the northeast and about three years later he erected here a handsome residence fronting on East Seventh street, where he now resides, combining with the advantages of city life the profit and pleasure of a country home. In h»<)3 Mr. Madden bought ground and built another business block on Mast Seventh street be- tween his home and the postoffice, and here the monument business is car- ried on today. In i(p6 he bought land at the corner of Ninth and East streets, where he erected a large l)arn, now occupieil by (ireen's livery busi- ness. On one corner of Mr. Madden's home farm is located the .Vuburn base ball park. \Miile in i)artnership with .Mr. Smith, they also bought the old farm in Allen county, where Mr. Madden was reared, but he has since disposed of it. He has also Iniilt other residence ]>roperties in Auburn, one north of his monument works which is occupied by bis son, Frank, and a house across Seventh street from bi> home, which is now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Nelson. Possessing marked business ;iliil!ty. energetic and hustling, Mr. Madden has long enjoyed the major part (pf the business in his line in this county ami community, and because of his success and his personal worth he is numbered among the leading men of the county. Mr. Madden has ftir many \ears been an active supporter (jf the Demo- cratic partv, and in i8()3 was elected trustee of his township, holding the office four years. In November, kiio, he w;is elected auditor of DeKalb coimty, and is the present incumbent of that office. His nomination was secured after an unusually hard fight, but his course in office has proved the wisdom of the choice. He is distinctly a selfmade man in the fullest sense of the term and is entitled to the fullest meed of credit for his accomplish- ments. He is always to be found in the auditor's office at six-thirty o'clock in the morning and keeps hard at his official duties until closing time in the evening. His courteous treatmeiU of all who ha\ e dealings with him h.ave won for him a deserving popularity with the people. On December 25, 1884. Mr. M.idden was married to Katie Fox, daugh- ter of Charles and Margaret ((hiillen) I'ox. She was bom in Marshall, Texas, came to DeKalb count\- w ith her parents in 1866. Her father was a native of Germany and her mother of (ieorgia, ;ind after locating in •Vuburn her father was engaged in the butcher Inisiness up to the time of his 378 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. death, which occurreil e necessary to de\-ote further space to them at this i)oint. Eugene G. Altenburg was reared in the parental home at Aulnirn and secured his education in th.e excellent public schools of this cit\-. -\t the ;ige of eighteen _\-ears he took up life's duties on his own account, obtaining employment in the office of the Zimmerman Manu- facturing Gomijany. wilh whom he remained about fi\e years. In 1899 '^I'"- Altenburg went s(juth, being located in three different ])laces and engaging in the drug business at his last location. In April, 1():h). he returned to Auburn and again became a member of the office force of the Zimmerman Gompany, being given charge of the advertising for that company, in which position he is still acting. Po.ssessing originality and artistic sense. .Mr. .Mtenburg has demonstrated his \alue to the business and has been one of the important fac- tors in the splendid success which has characterized this well-known concern. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. },yi^ Mr. .\ltenhuro- was married, on October 24, 1894, to Hattie E. Casebeer, the (lau.yhter of Dr. Jacob B. and Sarah E. ( Xycuni ) Casel)eer, who also are mentioned on other pages in this work. I'o Mr. and Mrs. .Mtenbnrg ha\e Ijeen born two sons, Harry, l:orn al Indianapolis, Indiana, on December 23, 1896, and Robert E.. born at Tnllahoma, Tennessee, on October 8, 1900. Of marked domestic tastes, Mr. Altenlnirg is a home lover and finds his greatest and truest enjoyment in the pleasant and attractive home in which he lives. Fraternally, Mr. Altenburg is an appreciative member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while, religiously, he and his wife are earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Quiet in disposition, yet genial in his intercourse with his fellows. Mr. Altenburg has won a host of warm personal friends in this community, where practically his entire life has been passed. He is keenly alive to his responsibilities as a citizen and gives his support to e\'ery mo\ement which i)r(]niises to benefit the community. materially, educationally, niora'ly or socially. De is fully deserving of the large measure of public confidence and esteem \vliich is accorded to him. ORIN BRANDOX. .Among the citizens of DeKalb county who are \\idel\ and favorably known is Orin Brandon, one of .\nbuni'> useful .nid highly esteemed men. His life has become a part of the history of the conniiunity in which he has made his home for many years, and his long and honora]:)le business career has brought him before the public in such a wa\- as to gain the esteem and confidence of his fellow-men and a well deserved reputation among his con- temporaries. Keen perception, tireless energy and honesty of purpose, com- bined with mature judgment and every-day common sense, have ever been among his most prominent characteristics, and while laboring for individual success and for the material interests of the community, he has also been instrumental in promoting the moral welfare of those with whom he has mingled. Orin Brandon was born about two miles west of .\ul>urn. Indiana, on Januarv 11. i86(), and is the son of Isaac and B.arbara ( Kutziier ) Brandon. Both parents were natives of Stark county, Ohio, having been born a short distance west of Canton. Isaac Brandon, who was bom on May 12, 1836, was reared on a farm and in the city of Canton. His parents were John and Mary 380 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. (Beard) Brandon, tlu- father having been a successful farmer n{ that com- munit_v and also ha\ ing served efificiently as sheriff of Stark county. He was a native of Ir'ennsyh-ania. In June, 1849, John Brandon brought his family to DeKalb county, Indiana, and settled on what is now known as the Brandon farm, adjoining Auburn on the west. With the exception of about six months, during which Isaac Brandon was clerking in .Auburn, the latter lived with his parents until 1862, assisting his father with the farm work. .\fter his marriage in the year mentioned, he moved to a farm which he had ])urchased in Richland townshi]) and lived there until 1873. when he mo\-ed back to the o'd homestead. In the fall of 1874 he and his brother. Silas J., went to Nebraska with the intention of buying land and locating there, but in their absence their father was taken seriously sick and upon Isaac's return home, he settled permanently at the old farm. Mr. Brandon showed himself a good manager, a practical farmer and a successful business man. .\lthough he never aspired to official honors, he always took a deep and active interest in public affairs, giving his support to the right men for the office sought. While a resident of Richland township he was elected justice of the ])eace, but did not qualify for the office. On March 20, 1832, he was married to Barbara .A. Kutzner. tlie daughter of I.saac Kutzner, a native of Canton. Ohio. To this union were born the following children : .Alva, Ira. Orin. .\sa, I'lla. Myron and Artie. Isaac Brandon was the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of land lo which he ga\-e his attention, and though adx.uiced in years. he was niuuliered among the enterprising and progressi\e men of his locality. His death occurred ou Monday. May j':,. 1013. at his old home near Auburn. Orin Brandon was reared to maturity on the home farm, and at the age of seventeen years he started out in life for himself, .going to Texas and Indian Territory, where he found eni])lnyment on a railroad. -\ year later he went to Jackson. Michigan, where he entered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroail, but cpiit that employment because he did not find it sufficiently remunerative. Retiu-ning then to Auburn he took up the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until 1893. when he and Perry J. Long began taking building contracts. They were engaged together in this line of work about eight years and built some of the best buildings in .\uburn, in- cluding some of the larger store buildings in the business section of the city. In March. 1903, Mr. Brandon ga\e u]) the contracting business, when he and O. G. Huff, of South Bend, Indiana, bought the lumber yard formerly owned by the A. Lewis Lumber Company. Mr. Huff' continued his residence in South Bend, and traveled a great deal, leaving the actual management of the DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. 381 business to Mr. Brandon, \v!io ga\u to it his personal altentitjn. and to whuse effective efforts was due the large trade which they enjoyed in this line. In .March, kjij;, the Huff intere>t> were inu-cliased by iMank W. Olinger, of Auliurn, who continues to he the business associate ot' Mr. iirandon. The latter gives practically his entire time to the lumber business, although he is also connected with the Auburn lluilding and Loan A.ssociation. He carries a large and complete line of both building and dimension stock, and side lines required in the building trade, so that he is able to accommodate any calls upon him in his line. In the local life of the ctjmmunity Mr. Brandon has taken a dee]) and abiding interest and for about eight years was an elffcient me^nber of the city council. While he was in ofifice the contract was let for the first paved streets in Auburn, and the sewer system was contracted for just before he entered office. Fraternally Mr. Brandon is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he takes a deep interest, and he and liis family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, he being a trustee of the local organization. On April 9, 1891, Mr. Brandon married Winnie Rant, daughter of Frederick and Mary ( .-Vshelman ) Rant. She was born and reared in Auburn, and in her veins runs stanch old (ierman blood, her father having Ixeen a native of the Fatherland, and her mother, though of Swiss parentage, was born about a half-mile east of Au.burn. Frederick' Rant came here when a young man and married Mary Ashelman. He followed the vocations of har- ness making and shoe making in the early days, and was also a successful and popular preacher in the German Methodist church. Mary Ashelman was the daughter of John J- .Ashelman, an old settler, who followed farming east of Auburn, where Mrs. Brandon's mother was reared. Her father died here about 1880, and the mother still lives in Auburn. John U. Ashelman, paternal grandfather of Mrs. I^randon, was born at Basle. Switzerland, in 1792, was reared in that city and there engaged in the milk business. He married Mary Everhart in Basle, and within a year afterward he came to -America, arriving here in 1832 and locating in Wayne county, Ohio, where they lived for about ten years. He bought a farm of eightv acres there and gave his attention to its culti\ation. In 1836 he came to Auburn, DeKalb county, Indiana, there being then Inii three houses in Auburn. He entered land upon his arrival here, and while building his first home, he lodged with some friendly Indians. His entire possessions of real estate here amounted to about six hundred and forty acres of land located at ihe east edge of .Xuburn, part of which being now comprised within the 382 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. city limits. He also entered a tract of land near the city of Fort Wayne, this state. He contracted to ha\e some of the land cleared, and returned to his home in Ohio, where he lived until 1842, then came here and spent the balance of his life on his own place. His death occurred in 1856. His widow sur- vived him several years, dying in 1864. At the time of his death, Mr. Ashel- man owned nine hundred and twenty acres of land and was considered quite well-to-do for that day. They were the parents of three sons and six daugh- ters, namely : Mrs. Elizabeth Carmer, Moses, Mrs. Barbara Eckhart and William are deceased. Those living are Mrs. Mary Raut, Mrs. Regina Weaver, Mrs. Annie Walker, Christopher, and Mrs. Rosa Saxton. John U. Ashelman was in many respects one of the remarkable men of his day and generation. He was not only a pioneer, but took a prominent leading part in the development and upbuilding of the early community, and none of the men who made the early history of this locality is entitled to greater credit for its development than he. Energ\-. hospitalitx- and absolute integrity were his leading characteristics and his long life was a blessing to the community. To Mr. and Mrs. Brandon have been Iiorn four children, three of whom are living: Russell, wiio died at the age of eleven years: Charles A., .\nnie L. and Mary Elizabeth. By a straightforward and commendable course, Mr. Brandon has made his way to a respectable position in the business world, winning the hearty admiration of the people of his city and earning a reputa- tion as a very careful and progressive man of afifairs. and a broad-minded, upright and charitaljle citizen, whom tlie ]niblic has not been slow to recognize and appreciate. DR. TOHN E. GRAHAM. The true western spirit of progress and enterprise is strikingly exempli- fied in the lives of such men as Dr. Graham, men whose energetic nature and laudable ambition have enabled them to conquer many adverse circum- stances and advance steadily to leading positions in professional and business life. The Doctor is a worthy representative of this class and is now a prominent figure in the professional circles of DeKalb county, having been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in the town of Auburn since 1899. Jolin E. Graham, a successful dentist and popular citizen of Auburn, DeKalb countv. Indiana, was born at Trenton, Ontario, Canada, on October DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 383 2, 1875, and is the son of Major John E. Cirahani and Jennie E. (Meyers) Graham. Major Graham was a graduate of Fort William Military Academy, at Kingston, Ontario, an institution similar to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was commissioned a major in the English army, but subsequently resigned and became engaged in business at Trenton. His wife was a granddaughter of old Captain John Meyers, who. during the French and Indian war north of Lake Erie, was a courier between Quebec and Detroit. A brother of Major Meyers is now mayor of Kingston, an office that receives much more honor in Canada than in this country. Major Gra- ham died shortly before the birth of his son, the subject of this sketch. When the latter was about twelve years old. his mother brought liim to the United States, and subsequently she became the wife of Samuel Moody, of Waterloo, DeKalb county, Indiana, her present residence being at Auburn. John E. Graham, who is of the third generation of the family to bear that name, attended the common and high schools at Waterloo and graduated in 1893. Then, because of ill health, he spent a year in the highlands of Ontario. In the fall of 1894 he entered the dental department of the University of Michi- gan at Ann .\rbor, completing the course and receiving his degree in 1897. He immediately entered upon the active practice of his profession at Water- loo, but two years later moved to Auburn, where he has remained and where he has built up a large and representative patronage. He possesses a thor- ough knowledge of his profession and keeps closely in touch with the latest advances made in the science of dentistry, being now numbered among the ablest and most successful in his line in this section of the state. On December 31, igoo, Dr. Graham married Bertha Kiplinger, of Waterloo, daughter of Michael Kiplinger and wife, who are represented else- where in this volume. To this union have been linrn three children, namely: Gladwyn, DuVern and Erthenia. In the civic life of the community in which he lives. Dr. Graham has long taken an active and prominent part and from 1906 to 1910 he served as president of the city board of health. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has attained to the fourteenth degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank, and has served as chancellor commander of the lodge at Waterloo. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of .\merica and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. Religiously, Dr. Graham and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, of which the Doctor is an elder, and in 1910 he was honored by being made a commissioner to the general assembly of the 384 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. church wliich met at Atlantic City. He is a straightforward, conscientious man, in whom his fellow citizens have marked confidence because of his public spirit and splendid personal qualities. Personally he is genial and companionable, and is popular in the social circles in which he moves. DR. LID.V (POWERS) LEASURE. The life of the scholarly or professional man or woman seldom exhibits any of those striking incidents that seize upon public feeling and attract at- tention. Their characters are generally made up of the aggregate qualities and cjualifications they may possess, as these may be elicited by the exercise of the duties of their vocations or the particular professions to which they belong. But when such persons have so impressed their individualities upon their fellows as to gain their confidence and through that confidence rise to important public trust, they become conspicuous figures in the body politic of the communitv. The suliject of this sketch is one of the scholarly women of her count}-, who, not content to hide her talents amid life's sequestered ways, has. l)y the force of will and a laudable ambition, forged to the front in an exacting and responsible calling and earned an honorable reputation as the head of one of the most important branches of public service. She is a well- educated, symmetrically developed ^^■oman and, her work as an educator hav- ing brought her prominenth^ to the notice of the public, the result has been a demand for her services where a high standard of professional excellence is required. She is fullv abreast the times in ad\anced educational methods and her general knowledge is broad and comprehensive. Because of her earnest life, high attainments, well rounded character and large influence, she is emi- nently entitled to representation in a work of the character of the one in hand. Dr. Lida Leasure is a daughter of the old Hoosier state, having been born at Spring Hill, near Greensburg, Indiana, and is a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Hood) l^)wers. She was reared on a farm and her elementary education was received in the common schools of ht-r neighborhood, which was supplemented by attendance at a local academy. .Vt the age of about twenty vears she became a student in the Terre Haute Normal School, where she was graduated, after which she engaged in teaching school. Her first pedagogical work was as a teaclier in the high school at JNIarshall, Illinois, after which she taught in the Model School at Terre Haute and in the In- dianapolis high school. In 1878 she came to .Aubin-n, where for several years DR. LIDA LEASURE tht' ( :ily sell.. nls. il an ll L •xecutive Imli: ana , ami cm uie, of Aulni irn, DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. she taught in the hit^li school, and seiNcd as suiiL-rint.-n(U where she earned a S]ilendienton\ilk- and manv others of scarcely less importance. In his professional practice Doctor Swarts was numbered among the most successful in his section of the state, and was held in the highest regard among his professional colleagues. In 1862, prior to his enlistment, he had been employed as one of the county physicians, and in 1880 he was again ap]5ointed .to that jiosition. while he also rendered effective ser\ice as secre- tary of the county huard of healtli. He was nut (iiil\- an able ])hysician. but he was characterized liy a ])rof(innd human -yni|)alltv. which ii\erlea])ed mere .sentiment to Ijecome his actuating motue. Tiiose who knew him well were unstinted in their jiraise of his kindly dispn-ition and his superior aJiility. He was a member of the DeKall) County Medical .'society, the Indiana State Medical Society, the Tri-State Medical Society ar.d the American Medical .Association. In the summer of iqoo Doctor Swarts took a irij) to Europe, his itinerary embracing England, German}-, Switzerland and b" ranee, \isiting the Paris Exposition, while, professionally, he \isited a number of the leading hospitals of Europe. Dr. David J. Swarts died on ]\larch 3. 1903, in Peaver county, Okla- homa, where he had entered a government claim on which he was staying to prove it up, but chiefly for the benefit of his failing health. His remains were brought back to Auburn for interment. His loss was deeply felt in this com- munity, where so many of his acti\e years had been passed, his death coming to manv as a personal bereavement, for he had endeared himself to all who were numbered among his friends. On August 28, 1862, Dr. David Swarts was married to Vesta M. Ward, the daughter of Rev. Stephen Brown and Laura Ward, of Auburn, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. She was born in Lorain county. Ohio, on April 26. 1S41. and came to IVKalb C(iunty. Indiana, with her jiar- 3oO DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. ents in 184J. She received lier early educatimi in the Auburn public schools, completing her studies at the Xortheastern Indiana Academy, at Orland, Steuljen county, in 1858. She then began teaching and from that time u]) to her marriage to Doctor Swarts she was identified with the educational interests of DeKalh county, eventually becoming superintendent of the Auburn schools. For a \ear during the early part of the Civil war she taught school in Hicksville, Ohio, and in the great issue between the Xorth and the South her loyalty inspired her to active efforts in behalf of the Union. She gave frequent talks and readings at meetings called for the enlistment of volun- teers, and later while teaching at Auburn she had a class of thirty students who sang war campaign songs on sucli occasions. She still has in her posses- sion several copies of these songs. In July, 1864, Mrs. Swarts, i)ossessed with a deep consciousness of a call to duty, resigned her position in the Auburn schools and started for the Southland, her intention being to join her husband and assist liim in his care for the sick and wounded soldiers. He was then located at .-\ltoona Pass, Georgia. She called un Governor .Morton and asked for a pass, which he readily gave her. but told her that cummunication was cut off by Hood's army, which was in Kentuck}-, and that she prijlialil}- would not be able to get through for some time, blowever. he ga\e her an order to report for service to Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer, of the Christian Cduimissi'in. at Louisville, and there, on July 15th, she began her work as nurse in the Brown U. S. General Hospital. In October of the same year she was transferred to the Crittenden U. S. General Hosjjital, at Louisville, where she remained until March ij. 18^15, when, being unfit for further duty on account of poor health, she was hoiior- ably discharged and returned to her home. Her experiences in this work were necessarily far from pleasant, but she devoted herself, heart and soul, to the work for which she had oft'ered herself and her record during that try- ing period was one of faithful and self- forgetting ser\'ice for others. Only those who have had actual experience on the battlefield or in hospitals can fully realize how cheap human life is ofttimes held in time of war or of the awful carnage of battle. In the Crimean war b'lorence Nightingale led her devoted band o'f nurses along a new route in the mitigation of the horrors of war, and her American sisters followed along the same merciful and loving way. The nurses of the Civil war were recruited from e\ery-day life and Mrs. Swarts was justly proud of the commission which she held from the government, for such commissions were not to be had for the mere asking. Referring to her exiieriences in those days. Mrs. Swarts. in one of her letters. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 389 wrote as follows: "A circular sent mil 1>\- the suijcrintendent of nurses of the Sanitary Commission stated emphatically that all nurses are re(|uired to be very plain looking women, their dresses must l)e hrown or hlack, with no bows, no curls or jewelry, and no hoop skirls. 1 could have tilled that bill of particulars perfectly, but was spared the inquisition, for Mrs. Wittenmyer. of the Christian Commission, to whom I reported for duty, was less exacting and my papers were duly signed by order of Secretary Stanton and the sur- geon-general of the army."' Again she wrote : "The army nurses know no North, no South, in their care for the sick and suffering." In 1878 Mrs. Swarts decided lo (le\ote her-elf U> the practice of medicine and, after studying for awhile with her husband, she took special courses m medicine and surgery, and was admitted to the junior class of ihe department of medicine of the University of Michigan, at .\nn .\rbor. And on March i. 1882, she graduated at the Ft. Wa^ne College of Medicine and received her degree. She immediately entered upon the active ])ractice of her profession at Auburn and later took a post-graduate course at New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Vesta M. Swarts is a woman of high intellectual attainments, thor- oughly demonstrated professional ability, and exalted personal character, so that she has at all times enjoyed the fullest niea-^ure of confidence and regard throughout the community where practically her entire life has been spent. To David J. and \'esta Swarts were born two children, namely : Harris J., on August 24, 1866, and \\'i!Iard Ward, on July 14. 1872. Harris J. secured his educational training in the Auburn public schools and then com- pleted a thorough course in practical telegraphy, in which he became an ex- pert. From 1884 he was employed in active railroad service as an operator and in 1893 he became a train dispatcher for the Illinois Central Railroad Company, being now located as a chief dispatcher at Freeport, Illinois. He has been a prudent manager of his private affairs and is the owner of valu- able real estate at Auburn. He was one of the original incorporators of the Auburn Hardware Company, in which company he was a stockholder. On November i, 1888, he married Chloe S. Shoemaker, the daughter of A. Shoe- maker, of Decatur, Illinois. To them were born two children. Mabel \'esta. born June 27, 1890, and Harold \\'ard. born May 4. 1894. the latter dying on October 28, 1896, and the former less than a week later, on November 2d, both deaths being caused by malignant diphtheria. Dr. Willard Ward Swarts received his elementary education in the Auburn public schools, and during both his junior and senior years in high school was president of his class. He began the study of medicine under the direction of his parents. 39° DEKALB COUNTYj INDIANA. " and then took the full course in the Ft. Wayne College of Medicine, after which he attended the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, where he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine. Soon afterwards he took two terms at the Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital at Chicago, after which he located at Poe, Allen county, Indiana, where he devoted himself to the general practice of medicine and surgery. Five and a half years later he removed to Auburn, where he has continued in the practice, with excellent results. He is an honorary member of tlie Ft. Wayne College of Medicine Alumni Asso- ciation, and while in Allen county he was a member of the Allen County Medical Society and was a charter meml^er of the Ft. Wayne Academy of Medicine. He is now a member of the DeKalb County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He was appointed in January, 19 14, as secretary of the Auburn city board of health, for a term of four years. On February 3, 1897, Dr. Willard S warts married Nell Garside, the daughter of James W. Garside, of Edon, Williams county, Ohio, assistant cashier of the Edon Banking Companv. To Dr. Swarts and wife have been born two children, Irene, born March 7, 1898, and Ward Garside, born September 28, 1906. lOHN LEAS. It is a well attested maxim that the greatness of a community or a county or a state lies not in the machinery of government nor e\en in its institutions, but rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen, in his capacity for high and unselfish effort and his devotion to the public welfare. In these particulars, he whose name appears at the head of this memoir conferred honor and dignity upon the locality of his residence, and as an elemental part of history it is consonant that there should be recorded a resume of his career, with the object in \iew of noting his connection with the advancement of one of the most flourishing and progressive sections of the comnionu ealth, as welt as his relations with the commercial and financial affairs of the community honored by his citizenship. John Leas was born in Atlams county, Pennsylvania, near the historic city of Gettysburg, on July 12, 1815, and was a son of Col. John, Jr., and Sophia (Spangler) Leas, both of whom also were natives of the old Key- stone state. He came of good old American stock, his paternal grandfather DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 39I liaving- been a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Colonel Leas was a farmer and in tSiS he emigrated tu Stark connty. Ohio, where he began operations on a tract of virgin soil. In 1838 he went to (Guernsey county, that state, and there again created a good farm out of what was formerly a wilderness. In the fall of 1852 the Colonel came to DeKalb county, Indi- ana, and located on section 5, Smithfield township, where he again made a farm, and there he remained until 1866, when he moved to Waterloo, where his death occurred in 1875. While a resident of Stark county, Ohio, he was commissioned colonel of a regiment of militia. In politics he was a Jack- sonian Democrat and he acceptably filled a number of local ofiices. His wife died in 1882. They were members of the Reformed church. Colonel Leas, who was a man of more than ordinary ability, became a prominent figure and an important factor in the atfairs i>f the various connnunities where he lived and enjoyed universal respect. John Leas was reared ujjou the paternal farmstead in Stark county. Ohio, whither the family had mo\'ed when he was but three years old. Owing to the modest circumstances of the family, he was not given large oppor- tunities for an education, the log-cabin school of that locality being his only chance. While still a resident of that county, he was married to Susan SchimpfT, a native of Germany, who had emigrated to this country when thirteen years of age. To that union were born twelve children, namely : Peter, Susan ami a daughter unnamed died in infancy: Martin \"an Buren, W'ho was born at Osnaburg. .Stark county. Ohio. <]u Aneu^it _'5. 1 S40, died at his home in Salem township, Steuben comitv. Indiana, on March 31. 1899; Jacob H., who lives north of Hudson, is the oldest of the family now' living; John S.. who lived in Salem township. Steuben county, died, leaving six chil- dren by his first marriage and two by the second; his widow now lives at Ashley; Elizabeth L. is the wife of Oscar Taylor, a banker at Hamilton; Adeline is the wife of Miles Jefiferson Waterman, of F"ranklin township, this county: the other four children. Hezekiah H.. Obediah. VMlliam Henrs- and Daniel Louis, all live at Waterloo, this county, and are represented in indi- vidual sketches elsewhere in this work. In 1842 John Leas came to Indiana, purchasing one hundred and f(5rt\-threK acres of land, and the following year he moved his familv to this state. In 1867 be came to DeKalb county and bought a fine farm in Smithfield townshij) and one year later moved on it. and made it his permanent home, owning two hundred and fift}' acres of land at the time of his death and being numbered among the successful and enter- prising farmers of the county. In 1871 Mr. Leas was one of the leaders in 392 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. the organization of the Citizens Bank at Waterloo, which had a most suc- cessful career. In the course of time he bought out the other partners and in 1881 became the sole owner of the bank, which he retained until 1896. when he sold it to his son, Hezekiah, and retired from active business life, his death occurring on June 25. 1897. The record of Mr. Leas was a remarkable one in se\"eral res])ects and the example of his life is one worthy of emulation. When he first came to Indiana his material possessions consisted of eighty-five dollars in monev and a yoke of oxen, but he was endowed with a large ambition and a great capacity for work, elements which will insure success in almost any under- takings Indefatigaljle in his efforts, keeping e\-er before him the highest of ideals, he gradually forged ahead and eventually gained not only a compe- tency, but also the universal confidence and good will of his fellow citizens. Mrs. Susan Leas died on June 15, r88i, and subsequendy Mr. Leas mar- ried Mrs. Amanda Mallory Patterson, widow of Robert Patterson, to wlnich union were born five children. Politically. Mr. Leas always sujiported the Democratic party and in several offices of local importance he rendered valualjle services to his com- munity. Religiously, he was a member of the Reformed church, while, fra- ternally, he was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Ijelonging to Waterloo Lodge No. 307. In Mr. Leas' business career, as well as his private life, he was actuated by the highest motives, his actions being always the result of careful and conscientious thought. His death removed from DeKalb county one of her most substantial and highly esteemed citizens and the many beautiful tributes to his high standing in the world of aft'airs and as a man and citizen attested to the abiding place he had in the hearts and affections of his friends. FRANCIS MARK HINES, M. D. Success in what are popularly termed the learned professions is the legitimate result of merit and painstaking endeavor. In cominercial life one may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or gift, but professional advancement is gained only by critical study and research long continued. Proper intellectual discipline, thorough professional knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and attributes essential to success have made the subject of this review eminent in his chosen calling and he stands today among the scholarly and enterprising Z^^) DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 393 physicians and surgeons in a community lon-i; distinguished for the high order of its medical talent. In the civic and political circles of DeKalb county the Doctor has also long been a prominent figure, having served faith- fully and efficiently in positions of public trust and responsibility, having added prestige to a name already honored and dignified by his father. Francis M. Hines was born on January 26, 1861, in Jack.son township, DeKalb county, Indiana, and is the son of Henry and Sarah Abigail (Smith) Hines. Henry Hines was born in .\shland count}-, Ohio, on April i, 1839, a son of Francis and Lovina (Culler) Hines. In 1844 his parents moved to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where the father died in 1877. Henry Hines lived with his parents until his marriage to Sarah .\l5igail Smith, February 6, 1858. She was born on .\pril 8, 1838. in Medina county, Ohio. The year following their marriage they came to DeKall) county, settling in Jackson township, where he entered upon the task of creating a f:inn out of the wilderness. He there I^ecamc the owner of one iumdred and sixty acres of land in sections 10 and 11, which eventually became one of tlie choice farms of that locality. He continued the operation of that farm until tlie fall of 1896, when he was elected treasurer of DeKalb county and moved to Auburn, where his death occurred about six months later, on July 6, 1897. Henry Hines was a remarkable man in many respects and during the entire period of his residence in tliis county he enjoyed to a notable degree the confidence and high regard of all who knew him. Me was elected justice of the peace, and. by successi\-e re-elections, served continuously for eighteen years, or until his election to the office of county treasurer. He did not desire the office, but his fellow citizens insisted on re-electing him. Even tempered, level headed and with a keen sense of the fairness of things, he conducted his justice court in such a manner as to satisfy all litigants, and it was frequently the case that disputants would refer their troubles to him for settlement without law proceedings. His sense of justice, fairness and honesty made him a man of influence, though he was firm for what he be- lieved to be right and was absolutely fearless. His word was as good as a bond, and any statement from his lips was accejited without question. Henry Hines was a successful man in his material affairs and at the time of his death owned, besides the home farm, two saw-mills, one in Jackson township and one in Union township. To Henry and Sarah Hines were born the following children : Lillie Louisa, now deceased, was the wife of James H. Farver, of Jackson town- ship, this county: Francis M. is the immediate subject of this sketch: \\'esley 394 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. L. is a practicing physician at Warsaw, Indiana; Leonard Arthur, now deceased, was a successful physician at Warsaw at the time of his death; Lovina Ann is the wife of Alfred J. Geisinger, of Auburn; Effie A. is the wife of Lewis M. Geisinger, of Auburn. The mother of these children survives and is living in Auburn. Francis M. Hines was reared to manhood on the home farm in Jackson township, securing his education in the public schools, also attending the normal school at Auburn several terms. At the age of nineteen years he began teaching school in his home township, continuing to follow that vocation until 1889. In the fall of that year, having determined to take up the practice of medicine, he matriculated in the medical department of the Methodist Episcopal University at Fort Wayne, where he was graduated in March, 1892, with the degree of Doctor of jMedicine. He then returned to Auburn and in May following he began the active practice of his profession. Successful from the start, Doctor Hines was soon in command of a lucra- tive practice in both medicine and surgery, and during the subsequent years he has stood high among his professional colleagues in this community. In November, 1898, Doctor Hines was elected treasurer of DeKalb county, assuming the duties of his office on January i, 1899, and so satisfactory were his services that in 1900 he was elected to succeed himself, thus serving four years as treasurer and retiring from the office with the commendation of all the people. Prior to his election as treasurer. Doctor Hines had ser\ed as a mem- ber of the Auburn city council from the third ward. During his term it was decided to install a municipal light and water plant, and, largely through the efforts of Doctor Hines, this was accomplished at a much more reason- able figure than was at first deemed possible. He was urged to again run for councilman, but declined, owing to his nomination for the county treasurership. He also gave to his city six gears' \alua1)le ser\icc as a member of the school board. Politically, Doctor Hines has always been aligned with the Democratic party and has taken an active interest in political and public affairs. In the fall of 1902 he was elected chairman of the Democratic county central com- mittee and two years later was a delegate to the national convention of his party at St. Louis, when Alton B. Parker was nominated for the presi- dency. During the Doctor's official life he did not abandon the practice of his profession, giving his personal attention to his practice as far as was possible and employing an ofifice assistant to take his place when his official duties prevented him from doing professional work. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 395 On March 29, 1885, Doctor Hines was married to Lillie Ann Carper, who was born and reared in Jackson township, this county, the chuighter of John and Sarah (Friedt) Carper. Her parents, who were natives of Ohio, came with their respective famihes to DeKalb county and were pioneer settlers in Jackson township. To Doctor and Mrs. Hines have been born the following children: Dorsey Mark, born May 5, 1886, attended the Indi- ana University School of Medicine at Indianapolis, graduating in 1909, and is engaged in the practice with his father; Ralph died in infancy; Vera Grace received a splendid education, attending the Western College for Women at Oxford, Ohio; the State Normal School at Terre Haute, Indiana; the Tri-State Normal School at Angola, Indiana, and the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, Michigan. Since the fall of 1909 she has been teaching in the Auburn public schools, being in the DeSoto school building that was erected while her father was a member of the school board ; Nellie Faith, who graduated from the Auburn high school, and attended college at Jack- sonville, Illinois, is teaching sewing in the Auburn public schools; A. V., born April 16, 1892, graduated from the Auburn high school in 1908 and from the medical department of Indiana University in 1912. He served a year as house physician at St. Vincent's Hospital, Indianapolis, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Auburn ; Victor Glenn, born September 4, 1895, died at the age of six years; Lillian died in infancy. Religiously, Doctor Hines is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the prosperity of which he is deeply interested and to the support of which he contributes liberally. Personally, he is genial and unassuming, possessing to an eminent degree those qualities of character which commend him to the friendship of all with whom he comes in contact, and he not onlv enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout the county which has been honored by his citizenship, but he is deservedly popular among all classes. CAPTAIN JOHN F. OTTO. Among the representative citizens and honored ex-soldiers of DeKalb- county, Indiana, is the subject of this review, who. after a quarter of a cen- tury of untiring efifort in business pursuits, is now retired and living quietly in his home at Auburn. To such men as Captain Otto we turn with particular satisfaction as offering in their life stories justification for works of this 396 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. character, owing to the life of honesty and sobriety he has led and his ener- getic nature and patriotic spirit. Captain John F. Otto was born in Erfurt, Prussia, on December lo, 1826, and at the age of fourteen years was apprenticed by his parents to learn the trade of a glove maker, serving as such until he was eighteen years old. He then enlisted in the Prussian artillery service and assisted in crushing tlie rebellion in the South German states, participating in two battles and in the siege of the fortified city of Rastadt in 1848 and 1849. I" 1851 Captain Otto was discharged from military service as a non-commissioned officer, and im- mediately emigrated to the United States, landing in Xew "S'ork City in May of that year. He soon found employment as a farm hand near Albany. Xe\\ York, but was defrauded of his wages, and the following winter was one of privatifin and suffering, for, being a stranger in a strange land, without money or friends, he knew not which way to turn. In the summer of 1851 his par- ents came to this country and settled at Ruffaln. Xew York, liut he did not find them until the spring of the following year. He remained with them until the fall of 1853 when they all moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and he obtained employment in the shops of the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne railroad. He was thus employed at the outbreak of the Civil war and in October, 1861, loyal to his adopted country, he enlisted in the Eleventh Indiana Battery, being mustered into the ser\ice on December 17th of that year and serving with courage and \alor until January 7, 1863, when he was honorably discharged. At the organization of the battery he was commissioned junior first lieutenant, and on August 12, 1863, at Bridgeport. Tennessee, he was promoted to first lieutenant because of valiant service on the field of battle. On November 17, 1863, he was placed in command of the Twentieth Ohio Battery, but was relieved by a general order from headcjuarters to return to Indiana on recruit- ing service. In the spring of 1864 he rejoined his battery. wMth which he served until the end of the war. He took part in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Nashville, Murfreesboro, Manchester, Chickamauga, Chattanooga. Mission Ridge, Buzzard Roost, Dalton, Resaca. Kingston, New Hope Church, Burnt Hickor^^ Kenesaw Mountain (where he was wounded), Chattahoochee River and Atlanta. After his return from the army Captain Otto located in .\ul)urn. and in company with Ernest M.yers he engaged in the boot and shoe business. In this enterprise he was successful and in 1867 he bought his partner's interest and continued alone. Three years later he added a stock of groceries and continued his business with gratifying results until 1890, w^hen, having amassed sufficient in a material way to insure his future years against DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 3<^7 want or eml)arrassnieiil, hi- retired from acli\c business and is now living quietly in his pleasant home in Auburn. On January 26, 1865, Captain Otto married .\lariah C. Keehling. (jf Fort Wayne, and to them have been born six children, namely : Kate is the wife of Isaac Grogg, of Auburn, who is mentioned at length elsewhere in this work; Francis and her brother, .Vlpha Blaine, are at Berkeley, California, where the latter is a successful pharmacist; Lucy is the wife of Herbert I. Scott, of Indianapolis; Clara is the wife of John M. Samuels, of Los Angeles, California, and Lizzie is living with her parents in Auburn. JOHN P. WIDNEY. The importance that attaches to the lives, character and work of the earlv settlers of DeKalb county antl the influence they e.xerted ujion the cause of humanity and civilization is one of the most absorbing themes that can pos- sibly attract the attention of the local historian. If great and beneficent re- sults — results that endure and bless mankind — are the proper measure of the good men do, then who is there in the world's history that may take their places above the hardy pioneer. To point out the way, to make possible our present advancing civilization, its happy homes, its arts and sciences, its dis- coveries and inventions, its education, literature, culture, refinement and soL-ial life and joy, is to he the truly great benefactors of mankind foi- all time. This was the great work accomplished l;y the early settlers and it is granted 1)\- all that they builded wiser than they knew, i'rominent among the worthy rej^re- sentatives of the pioneer element in the county of DeKalb was the well-known gentleman to a review of whose life the following lines are devoted. For many years he was a forceful factor in the growth and de\-elopment of this locality and because of his life and accomplishments he is eminently entitled to representation in the annals of his county, for the record would not be complete were there failure to give him his due meed of credit for the im- portant part he played in the early drama enacted here. John P. \\idney was horn of Irish parentage in JManklin county, i'enn- sylvania, on Xo\ember 28, 1816, his ])arents having been John and Jo;ui!ia (Patterson) Widney. In 1835, at the age of nineteen years, he married and in May of the following year the young couple came to DeKall) comity, Indi- ana, locating on the banks of the St. Joe ri\-er, in Concord township, where he 398 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. entered a tract of go\ernment land. To the clearing and impro\ement of this land he immediately applied his energies and in the course of time suc- ceeded in establishing a comfortable home. In those years of toil and hard- ship inseparable from the life of a pioneer, John P. Widnev evaded no share of labor and during those early years he knew no idle moments. From want of facilities he had received but a meager school education ; but the necessities of pioneer conditions, and responsibilities as the head of a family so early in life, caused him to depend wholly on personal effort, guided by e.xceptional natural mental acumen. He developed such qualities of mind as won for him the respect and confidence of the early settlers, which was shown in an un- mistakable manner when the first election in DeKalb county was held, he being chosen with one other to constitute at the county seat the first canvassing board, whose duty was to verify the vote of the county to the • governor. Subsequently he was elected a member of the Legislature, serving in 1 847 and 1848. In this public capacity he proved himself worthy of the trust of his constituents and the regard of his co-legislators. In 1850 he was elected county clerk, serving one term of four years. His official duties required his residence in Auburn, and he shared with that village its early struggles and its ultimate success. In 1852 he was cho.sen one of the town's board of trustees. He was later elected justice of the peace and in that capacity showed himself sound of judgment and prompt in decisidu. He was also deputv internal revenue collector and held other positions of trust. During the Civil war Mr. Widnev was active in his support of the Union cause, but did not enlist for active military serx'ice himself for the reason that, while putting in the first bridge across Twenty-six-mile creek, near Xewville. he had been severely injured, not fully recovering until late in life. In matters ])olitical. he was not a blind partisan, but gave careful consideration to men and mea- sures, casting his vote at all times for what he considered the best interests of the community, state and nation. He was a man of strong and positive convictions, and wrote much for the press, giving his views on questions of the da)- and on matters that pertained to the county. In religious faith, he was a Universalist. In character, he was prudent in his investments, wise in the management of his affairs, and frugal in his tastes, qualities which en- abled him to accumulate a goodly amount of material substance, which was largely shared by his children. In reputation, social, business or official, John P. Widney was regarded as an upright, honorable man. of the strictest integrity of thought and action. He "stood four square to every wind that blew" and never violated the confidence which his fellow citizens reposed in DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 399 him. His last years were spent with his children, his death occurring on October ii. 1905, at the age of eighty-nine years — a long life, in which he gave the best that was in him for his family and the community. He always stood by the right as he knew the right, having the courage of his convictions, though sometimes in the minority. In evidence of this is the fact that he was renominated for election to the Legislature, but was defeated because he advo- cated the free-school system and a bill to regulate the sale of intoxicating liquors. It is a matter of fact that, though he was \ery successful in the accumulation of money, much of which he loaned, he ne\er charged more than the legal rate of interest, and ne\er distressed an\- one in the repayment of borrowed money, while, on the other hand, he ga\e material assistance to many a poor man in the securing of a home. His reputation for honorable dealing and just treatment of his fellows was firmly established and is emi)ha- sized by those who best knew him. Quiet and unassuming, he was never a seeker for public preferment, and it is said that he was never ])resent at a meeting where he was nominated for office, though, as a lo\al citizen, he gladly and efficiently performed his full dutv when called b\' bis fellow citizens to perform official functions. In 1835 John P. Widney was marrietl to fane L.inn. the daughter of John and Jane (Scyoc) Linn, and to them were born five children, of whom but two survive. Oliver H.. who is referred to specifically elsewhere in this work, and Samuel L. Mrs. Jane \\'idney died on October it. 1S51. and on May 30. 1852. he married Mary H. Widney. a daughter of Judge Widney. To this union were also born fi\e childreTi. of whom three are living. Mrs. Mai7 Alice Lewis, John Morris Widney and Mrs. Cora Lodewick. .Ml of the surviving children reside in j\ul)urn. with the exce])tion of Samuel L.. who lives at St. Joe. this county, and Mrs. Lodewick. of Ashland. Ohio. Mrs. Mary W'idne)' passed away at Auburn on Xovember 14. 1903, after which Mr. Widney made his home \\ itb his children, who ga\e to him the most loving and solicitous attention. The Linn and W'idney families had been for a number of centuries closely connected. The Widneys are descended from Colonel Widnej', w-ho was an officer in the army of William of Orange, of Holland. He accom- panied that prince from Holland to England in 1688 and was in the war against King James II. For his valuable services he received a large estate in county Tyrone, Ireland, which was handed down to his descendants. Colonel Widney's great-grandson, James W^idne\-. who inherited the estate, was a squire. In I7'84. when thirty-one years old. be sold the ancestral acres and 400 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. came to America, buying six hundred acres of land in Path Valley. Franklin (then Cumberland) county, Pennsylvania. The Linn family is descended fmni the ancient Celts '.vho migrated from Scotland to Ireland after the conquest by William of Orange. They settled not far from the Widney estate and the two families became very close in their relationships. When James \\idney came to .\merica, he sent word back to Hugh Linn, his sister's husband, and in 1788 Hugh Lind and his family came to Pennsylvania and located near the Widney estate, in Path Valley. There they became successful in their material ]:)ursuits and promi- nent in the social. ci\ic and business life of the communitw LEVI BRANDABERRY. It is signally consistent that in this compilation be entered a memoir of so worthy and honored a citizen as was Levi Brandaberr\-, who was for many years a resident of the county and who here attained independence through his honest and well directed efforts in connection with the great basic art of agriculture, while he stood forth as one of the representative citizens of his township. Levi Brandaberry, whose untimely death on October 20, 1899, caused universal expressions of regret and sorrow throughout Smithfield township, was born in Stark county, Ohio, on June 2, 1844, and was the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Frick) Brandaberry. He \\as one of si.\- children, the others being Isabell, Cyrus, Caroline, .Sarah and Hannah. When the subject was but a boy the family moved to DeKalb county. Intliana, locating in Smith- field township, where the father bought a farm in the southern part of that locality, where the parents made their permanent home and died. On that farm Levi Brandaln/rry was reared to manhood and after his marriage in 1870 he lived for two years on the paternal farmstead, at the end of which time he bought a farm in the southwest part of Smithfield t()wnship, compris- ing one hundred and one acres of land, and to this lie gave his undivided at- tentirm during the remainder of his life. T^ractical and progressive in his ideas, energetic and persistent in his methods, it was not strange that suc- cess crowned his efforts, for in him were combined those qualities of char- acter which insure success in an\' undertaking. He made many splendid permanent improvements on his farm, including a large brick house, a com- modious and well arranged barn and manv other features which gave the 7ft LEVI BP.AND^BER.R-Y DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. 4O 1 place a splendid reputation as one of the up-to-date and modern farms of Smithfield township. Mr. llrandaljerry «(ave his personal attention to e\ erv detail of his work, and knew no sueh word as idleness. Hi^ death was caused hy being caught in a corn sluvdder, from which he received injuries that resulted in his death four days later. A careful and prudent business man, he had his affairs in good sha])e so that, although his death was un- timely, his widow found his affairs in good condition and has been enabled to carry on the farm work through tenants w-ith good success. She is now- making her home in Waterloo. Mr. Brandaberry was an earnest member of the Knights of Pythias, in the woHnngs of which he took an interested part. Because of his higii character. l)nsiness success and his genial nature, he had won and retained a host of warm friends throughout the conimunitx' where he lived, and his deatii was considered a distinct loss to the coiumunitx which had been honored by liis citizenshi]i for so many years. On October o, 1870. Levi Brandaberry was united in marria.ge with Margaret Haniman. w'ho was born in DeKalb county. Indiana, but went with her parents to Kosciusko covmty, this state. Her father died when she was but five years old, and her mother, upon whom was thrown the burden of rearing five small children, felt tmable to properly care for them and conse- quently Margaret was placed with a family by the name of Chambers, by whom she was taken to Illinois, where they made a home. They died there and she was taken into the liome of James .\dams at the age of ei.ght years, with whom she remained until seventeen years old. By these people she was not given proper consideration, being treated badly in many respects, being compelled to work hard and being clothed scantily and denied the oppor- tunities of a proper education. Tn the meantime her brother, who was desirous of ascertaining her whereabouts, had written postal cards to every postmaster in Ohio, Indiana and Illinoi.s, asking for information as to her whereabouts. The postmaster wliere she was then li\ing recognized the de- scription of her and gave her the card, to which she wrote a reply, and she was then informed that her relatives had about concluded that she was dead and wislied to see her again. This she told to the people with whom she lived, who grudi:ingl\- ga\e hei' -^ome clothes to travel in. W'lien slie ar- rived in the localitv where her relatives were, she was waiting at the railroad station and saw two women, evidently a mother and daughter, eyeing her closelv and whisjtering to each other. Finally one of them apijroached her and asked her name, which on learning, they told her they were her cousin (26) 402 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. and aunt. However, she did not know them and even her mother seemed to her like a stranger. She felt strangely alone in the world, for fate had cheated her of a child's natural heritage, a mother's love, during the forma- tive period of her life. She did not remain long at home, but secured a place and worked out in the neighborhood until her marriage to Mr. Brandaberry, wlio was prosperous and provided well for her. eventually leaving her a good farm and a comfortable home. She was in the truest sense of the word a helpmate to her husband, contributing by her encouraging words and sound advice to his business prosperity and in the comnumity where so many of her years have been spent, she is held in the highest esteem by all who know her. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brandaberry, but they adopted a girl, Jennie Fee. the daughter of John and Sarah (Johns) Fee, she now being the wife of \V. B. Williams, of King county, Washington. During the thirteen years which have elapsed since Mr. Brandaberry's death, Mrs. Brandaberry has had only two tenants on her farm, and has had very satisfactory busi- ness relations with them. She is a shrewd, keen and sagacious business woman, handling her affairs witii prudence and sound judgment, and be- cause of her kindly qualities of head and heart she has a large circle of warm and loval friends. A. BYRON D.^RBY. M. D. Devoted during a long period of years to the noble work which his pro- fession implies, the gentleman whose career we essay to briefly outline in the following paragraphs has been faithful and indefatigalile in his endeavors and has not only earned the due rewards of his efforts in a temporal way Ijut has also proved himself eminently worthy to exercise the important functions of his calling, by reason of his ability, his abiding sympathy and his earnest zeal in behalf of his fellow men. His understanding of the science of medicine is regarded by those who know him as being broad and comprehensive, and the profession and the public long ago accorded to him a distinguished place among the men of this class in Indiana. His has been a long life of earnest and jjersistent endeavor, .such as always brings a true appreciation of the real \-alue I, if human existence — a condition that must lie prolific of good results in all the relations of life. .A. Byron Darby was born in Fulton county, Ohio, on November i8. 1839, and is a son of Samuel Byrant and Sepharna (Guilford) Darby, the former a nati\e of \'ermont an.d the latter of Massachusetts. These parents DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 4O3 were married in Allegany county, Xew NOrk. in iee and Vccepled .Masons, and of the Knights of Honor. Personally, Dr. Darby is genial and api)roacliable, ])ossessing those qualities which win friends, and be has been scrupnloush conscientious in all that he has said and dime. lie wav al\v;iy^ deeplv imbued with the courage of his couNiclions and bis relatii'n>^ with bis fellow uien ba\e e\'er been such as to win and retain their cnnlidence and esteem. r\ . either ot a past of mind. character :lesceiidair ts and of ii])le are 1 IK It more b cnuiity. Indiana. . have not only led 1 these wl 10 follow been nf c iiiiimend- JACOB B. CASEBEER, M. I). The biographies of the representatixe men of a co or present generation, bring to light many bidden ircasi and courage, well calculated to arouse the ])iide nl" tlic the communitw and it is a source of regret tliat the familiar with the ])ersonal history of such men. DeKalb has been the home and scene of labor of maii\ men whc h\es which should ser\e as a lesson and an ins])iration t< them on to the stage of life's activities, but wlm ba\e also able service in important a\enues of usefulness. The well remembered ]ib\- sician whose name forms the caption of ibis brief memoir was one of the useful workers in the world's work, a man <<\ well rounded character, sincere, devoted and loyal, so that there are many salient points which render con- sonant a tribute to his memory in this compilation. Standing as he did for many years at the head of one of the most important and exacting of pro- fessions, his labors were long directed for the physical amelioration of the people of his community with such gratifying results. Personall\ . Doctor Casebeer was affable and iK)]uilar with all classes and stood ready at all times to encourage and aid all laudable measures and enterprises for the general good. By a life CMiisistent m motixe and because of bis mam- hue qualities of head and heart he earned the sincere regard of .a \a>t accjuaint- ance, and his success in his chosen field of endeavor bespoke for him the pos- session of superior attributes. 'S'et he was a plain, unassuming gentleman and straightforward in all bis relations with his fellow men. Jacob B. Casebeer was born in Holmes county. Ohio, on .\pril 1 1. 183Q. 406 DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. and was llie seventh in order of l)irth of thirteen children horn to David and Rehecca (Kenstrick) Casebeer. who were natives. res])ecti\ely. of Pennsyl- vania and Virginia, and farmers hy occn|)ati(in. ( )n the i)aternal side the family is of German descent. The parents of David, J. 1826. their union resulting in the birth of thirteen children, namely: Susanna, Enos L., David W., Re- becca J\I., Elizabeth N.. Margaret C, Eliza E., Howard M., Jacob B., Sarah A., Martha J., John and Joshua. David Casebeer was a member of the Methodist Episcojial church and a man of exemplary character. His wife was the daughter of John and Sarah ( Hivner) Kenstrick and she, too, was an earnest member of the Methodist church. The death of this u-orthy couple occurred res|5ectively nn February 25. 1885, and July 18, 1873. Jacob B. CaseJK'er was indebted to the C( minion schools for the limited education which he received, his scholastic training being practically com- pleted wdien, the suniiuer after he was fourteen years of age, he was granted the privilege of attending a select .school two months before harvest and two months after, and to do this he was obliged to walk two and a half miles each way. In the winter of 1833-4 he engaged to teach a school which for some years had l;een noted for the unruly conduct of the larger scholars, but, by his firmness and tact, lie succeeded in mastering the situation and w-as retained in the school for four years, after which he taught in other localities three years longer. I )uring this jieriod he had pursued private studies and had received some op]Kirtunities for studying in advanced classes, thus be- coming a well educated man, largely through his own efforts. In i860 he went to Hardin count)', Kentucky, and. after working as a traxeling sales- man for a time, was emjiloyed as ])riiicipal of a graded school, and at the close of the regular term he took charge of a select school. Before the term of school was completed he was, on account of his well-known Union senti- ments, threatened with personal violence and requested to lea\-e the country, but he courageously completed bis c(iiitract. when he returned to Northern territory. The following .season he taught school at Middletown, Ohio, and the following year was principal of the schools at Fredericksburg, Wayne county, that state. During this latter period he en.gaged in reading medicine in the office of Dr. James ^Martin, of Fredericksburg, and in the fall of r863 he entered the medical department of the l^ni\ersity of Michigan, where he remained until the following March. The next June, liaving passed a ri.gid ;^iniii(." he V \as eoiiiniis- n the Dt ■nnis nil Hospilal. ■ .liMs nf llie hospital. (llVIM, .11 nf I 'nil ed Stales .5. wl len 1r- \ vas coiniiiis- <1 Th inl Rc^iiiK'iU ( )hio ret^iiiK-nl . tlu-ii 111 Xnrtll (1 ..lit (if >cr\i ice. June 27, ■tin, w lu-i -c lie res •umed his ciitcrt- (1 1 IclkM iiie Hospital DEKALB COUNTY, INDI.\NA. .+07 e.xaniination l)efore the Ohio l)oarcl of niechcal e> sioned a surgeon in the Union army antl assigned near Cincinnati, where lie was given charge of one Soon after he was promoted to tiie charge of that arm_v hospitals, remaining there until I'^jruars . i Si sioned assistant surgeon of tiie One lluii(h-ed ai Volunteer rnfantry. Me inimeihatel) joined his Carolina, and remained with it until ii was uiiistcre 1865. He then returned to the oflice of 1 )octor .Ma' studies and assisted the Doctor until fall, w luu !h- Medical College, New ^'ork, where he was graduated, with the degree of Doctor of "Medicine, on March i. 1866. He immediately came to Auhurn. Indiana, and entered upon the practice of his profession, which continued practically without interruption up to the time of hi^ death, which occurred on July 10, 1909. In the winter of 1S73-4 he went t'l .\cw N'ork City and took post-graduate courses in the College of T'hysicians and .Surgeons, the New York jNIedical College and the Pjellexiie Hos])ital .Medical College. He was, at different times, associated in the practice with Doctors Kesslar, Spooner, Littlefield and Matheny, and on July 14, 1879, he and Dr. Matheny purchased a drug store, which they continued to conduct successfully for a number of years. Doctor Casebeer gained a high reputation as an able phy- sician and skilled surgeon, lieing called frequently to distant points, while he acted as surgeon for the Detroit, Eel River & Illinois Railroad, and was medi- cal examiner for a number of life insurance societies. He was earnestly de- voted to his profession and enthusiastic in its [iracticc. He was a close student, and kept abreast of the constant advances being made in the sciences of medicine and surgery, owning a large and up-to-date library and taking the leading medical periodicals. He was a forceful writer on professional subjects and se\eral of his papers, read before the .\mcrican .Medical Asso- ciation, were widel\- copied b\' the leading journals in tliis coiintr\- and favorably commented upon. He was a member of the DeKalli Countv Medi- cal Society and the Northeastern Indiana Medical .Societw having served as president of the last-named bodw Politically, Doctor Casebeer wa> ;in .ardent sup|)orler of the Republican party, being a man of strong and |)osiii\c com iction-^ on all (pieslions of work of temperance reform. Rebgiouslv. he was for many years an active public policy. On the tem])erance tpiestion he was es])ecially positive in his opposition to the traflic and was active and inlluential for nianv vear^ in the 408 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. and earnest member of the IMetliodist Episcopal church and long served as a member of the official board. In local afifairs he was interested in everything that affected tlie welfare of the people and at the time of his death was serving as conntx- health officer. l\e had also, for many years. ser\-ed as pension examiner. Doctor Casebeer was twice married, first on I'eJjruary 5. 1863, to Har- riet G. Smith, of Fredericksburg. Ohio, the daughter of Eli B. and Fannie Smith. She died on January 28, 1869, leaving a daughter, Fannie B., who was born on November 27, 1865. The latter became the wife of Bernard Gunn, and her death occurred at Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the spring of 1902. On June 4. 1872, the Doctor married Sarah E. Nycum, of Ft. Wayne, the daughter of \\'illiam and Margaret (Carr) Xycum. She was born in Bedford county. Pennsylvania, and at the age of two years was taken to Iowa by her parents, coming to Vt. \\'a_\-ne when she was four years old, li\-ing there until her marriage to Doctor Casebeer. To them was born a daughter, Hattie K.. bom .\i)ril i 1. 1873, who is now the wife of E. C. Alten- burg. of .\uburn. Although Doctor Casebeer's life was a busy one. his |)rofessional duties making heavy demands upon his time, he nexer shrank fr(jni his duties as a citizen and his obligations to his church, his neighbors and his friends. Al- ways calm and dignified, never demonstrative, his life was, ne\ertheless, a persistent plea, more by precept and example than by written or spoken word, for the purity and grandeur of right principles and the beautv and elevation of wholesome character. To him home life was a sacred trust. friendship was inx-iolablc and nothing coidd. swer\e him from the i)ath of rectitude and honor. PRICE DONNER WEST. .\mong the well known citizens of northern Indiana who have finished their labors and gone to their reward, the name of Price Donner West, who was one of the jirominent business men and highly esteemed citizens of Auburn, is deserving of special notice. He was one of those sterling citizens whose labors and self-sacrifice made possible the advanced state of civiliza- tion and enlightenment for which this section of the Hoosier state has long been noted. He was a benefactor in the truest sense of the term. His career was fraught with inestimable blessings to the world, for he was a man who did not believe in living to himself alone, but desired to hel]) those whom 3^ '^ ■y^r^-f^ -yj. 7f/^-^J-/ rf Jir/ /rf //If / 1/ DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 4O9 fortune favored less on the highway of hfe, conse(|uentIy his nieniur) will long be revered jjy a wide eircle of friends and acquaintances in DeKalb county or where\er he was known. Price Donner West, son of I-'isher Curtis West, was born in Perry township, Allen county. Indiana. December 27. i8(ii. When about eight years old he went with his parents to Port Mitchell. Xoble county, Indiana, where the family lived for three years. At the end of that time the family returned to the old home in Allen county. Price, when a boy, attended the district schools. Thirsting for knowledge and assisted in his ambition by his mother, who was an educated woman, young West entered the Methodist Episcopal College, then located in Fort Wayne. He was graduated from this, his mother's alma mater, in 1880. He entered DePauw University, and, largely through his own labor during summer vacations, paid his own way through that institution, fnmi which he took his diploma in 1885. At tliis time his mim! turned to the law and he entered the I'niversity of Michigan at .Ann Arbor to prepare himself for the practice of his chosen profession. He was graduated from that institution, and, in 1889, he was admitted as a member to the bar of DeKalb county, Indiana. In 1892 he formed a partnership with Judge Hartman. .\fter the dissolution of this partnership Mr. West was alone for awhile practicing law and lending money. From this grew his desire to go into a banking business, and early in 1900 he formed a partnership with Charles M. Brown, and the law firm of Brown & West continued to lend money, and in 1903 organized the Savings, Loan and Tru.st Comijanw On the 1st ni Janua?-y. 1908, Mr. \\'est bought the interests of Mr. Brown and the partuershi]) was dissoh-ed. Mr. West was president of the Saxings, Loan and Trust L'ompany from its organization imtil his death. At all times Mr. West's business transactions, both in his law practice and in his trust company, were marked by the strictest integrity. In 1901 Mr. West's health failed and he was obliged to seek a change of climate to recuperate. He spent several months in Florida at St. Petersburg. He returned home much impro\ed. As a boy at home he worked beyond his .strength, and during bis \acation months in his college vears he was u]) from early dawn until late at night running a threshing machine and doing such other farm work as would enable him 'to pay his wav through college the following school year. His amliition always exceeded his bodily strength. .Although Mr. West was the son of a rich farmer he lived and worked as a poor boy. always. His mother died in 1889. and, although a large part of the farm was her own. Price derived 4IO DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. no benefit from it, allowing his father to retain and use it as he had in the mother's lifetime. The elder Mr. West was a man of sound business ability and his advice and judgment were eagerly sought and accei^tetl by the son, who always gave his father his entire confidence. The father, being a stockholder and directcjr (if the Savings, l.oan and Trust Comjiany. was in a position to give his son the benefit of his many }ears of experience, which he did. At the time of his death, I'rice 1 J. West was knuwn far and wide, and his trust company was one of the most popular and flourishing institutions of the kind in this section of the country. He was known as the "poor man's friend." Those struggling for a foothold in the world never asked him in \'ain for help, and those in trouble seeking his advice were received by him with the utmost sincei'ity and went away satisfie(4 that his adxice was right. Mr. West as a lawyer stood high. He was admitted as a member of the l>ar of the su])reme court ni Imliana Aiiril 2. njoi). ( )n the same date he was admitted to practice in the circuit cnurt of the I'nited States. In October of iqoS he organized the Ciarrett Sax'ings, Loan and Trust Com- pany in the neighboring town of Garrett. He was president of that institu- tion until within a few months of his passing away, when he sold all of his interests therein. He was president also of the Auburn Creamery Company and of the County Association of Insurance Agents. His father being old and blind, I'rice took the management (.)f his father's large farm in Allen county ui>oi] his own shoulders. He seldom took any recreation except to go to the farm for a few days' tramp through the fields and woods, every foot of which was dear to him. He was married December 27, 1895. to .Mrs. Mary C. Barnes. Two .sons came of this marriage, Fisher C. We,st. Jr., and I'rice Donner West. Jr. The mother of these children died March 10, IQ05. On June 19, 1906, Mr. West was married to Nanne Peterson, daughter of Henry C. Peterson, of Albion, Indiana. She and the two sons, Fisher, aged ten years, and Donner, almost nine years of age, are living at tlie home in .\uliurn. Although of a retiring disposition, this man was kind and obliging to all whom he met in a business or a social way, and no favor was too much trouble for him to grant. Being a man of many sorrows, be had sympathy for the sorrowing, and aided them in many ways. His life was not an easy one, but one filled with trials that usually beset the man who makes his own way. He loved his work and found great happiness in it. During the jiast DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 4II seven years he had seemed to be growing steadily stronger, so that his pass- ing was a shock to every one, as well as a great grief. He was a valued member of the Scottish Rite at i''ort W a\ne, and of all the Masonic orders at Auburn. A year before bis death he was worthy patron of the Order of the I-'astern Star, and also a member of the Knights of Pythias. He was also prominent as a member of the Commercial Club of Aul)urn. He was pulilic-spirited, Ix'ing intensely interested in the wel- fare of the community in which be Ii\ed. His Christian faith was e.xempli- fied b}' the many good deeds of his daily life. Being a most profound Bible scholar, he implanted a love for Bible stories in his two sons. The prepara- tion that Christ made for his ministry was the last lesson he taught his sons. He said: "Get an education to enalile you to do something in life. Get ready to do, then do it." In bis home life he was ideal. His every thought was for his wife and Iwn children. It was bis most earnest wish that he might li\'e to see Fisher and 1 )onner started in life for themselves. He was summoned by the death angel while sitting at bis desk on the evening of July 5, 1 91 3- His passing was the same as that of two of his mother's family. In the passing of this great and good man went the last of a family of eight children. He died as the Wheelers die, of apnplexy. Sincerity was the keynote of the character of this true friend, loyal citizen and superior business man. In every instance he was true to himself and his God, leaving nothing undone to gratify e\ery wish of those nearest and dearest to JTini. making his home a paradise tilled with the flowers of hue. Henry Clay Peterson, father of Mrs. Price D. West, was ln)rn in St. Mary's township. Adams county, Indiana. October 10, 1842. In Sejjtember of 1856 Mr. Peterson, with bis father's family. mo\ed to Iowa. l)ut in October of the following year the family returned to .\dams county. Mr. Peterson was educated in the common schools of Adams county and in the high school of Warsaw. Indiana. He was a classmate of Vice-President Marshall. In the Civil war he was a corporal of Henry Banta's Company I. Eighty-ninth Regiment of Indiana \'olunteer Infantry. He was mus- tered into service August 14. 1862. He was taken i)ri-;on.er at Mumfordville, Kentucky, in the fall of 1862. and was paroled and came home with bis company for a short time. He was exchanged at the time his regiment was returned, the regiment then being on post duty in Tennessee the greater part of the winter. He with his regiment was then in the Missouri canijiaign. the expedition up the Red river with General Banks, and Thomas's campaign at the battle of Nashville. He with his regiment i^articipated in the capture 412 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. of Spanish I'ort and l^'urt Blakely at Mobile. In short, he was with the regiment from the time it was mnstered into the service imtil it was mus- tered out. Toward the latter ])art of the campaign he was chief clerk at .Majcjr-lieneral A. j. Snnth's head(|uarters in the field. .After his return from the arm_\- he taught school and read law with Judge Boho of the Adams circuit court. He was admitted to practice law at the bar in the Adams circuit court at the September term of 1876. At the October election of 1866, he was elected county surveyor of Adams county and served in that office one term, he being the only man of his party ever elected to an office in Adams county. Mr. I'eterson moved to Auburn in 1870 and resided here until 1889, ulien he mo\ed to Kansas, and later in the same year mo\ed to A.lbion, wiiere he has resided since. While li\ing in this city he served three terms, or si.\ years, as pro.secuting attorney. He was a man who was decided in his opinions and free to express them, but you knew where he stood. He was courageous, fearless and honest; of the strictest integrit}- and a friend in whom yon could confide. He never plaved false, as do so many would-he friends. He always took an active interest in the affairs of life, had a wide accjuaintance and was one of the most influential men of his county. He was sixty-three years of age. Mr. Peterson was first married to Sarah E. Blossom, of l")ccatur, Indi- ana, I*'ebruary 7, 1S67. Her death occurred at Auburn, Ma\ _'_', 1874. He Avas again joined in marriage to Amy E. McConnehe}' at -\ul)urn. May 23, 1876. Mr. Peterson practiced law for a short time in Decatur, after his office as sur\-eyor expired. He was the father of four children: Jessie A. Peterson: Blanche, wife of J. D. Hoffman, deceased: Jamie, deceased, and Mrs. West, the oldest. GEORGE O. DEXISON. It is not an eas}- task to describe adecjuately a man who has led an emi- nently active and bnsv life and who has attained a position of relative dis- tinction in the conimunily with which his interests are allied. But biography finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that is demanded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer es.says the task of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of the honored subject whose life now comes under review. DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. 4I3 George O. Dcnisun is a native of Richland enunt\ . ()lii(i. where he was bom on August 17, 1S43, the son <>f ( ieort;e 1'. and Salome \'.. (henner) Denison. He is of the ninth generation of the family in this country, the emigrant ancestor, William Denison, having come from England some time during the early colonial period, settling at Roxbury, Massachusetts. The family originated in Scotland where the name was spelled Danielstown. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm to the age of seven years, when the family moved to \\'ood county, Ohio, where they resided about eighteen years, the home being located south of Toledo. In addition to his farm there the father also owned a tract of land southeast of Waterloo, Indi- ana, in (irant township, DeKalli county, and in t866 he came there with the intention of improving and selling it, George and his brother Felix being left to run the farm in Ohio. However, after living here for a time the parents found their Indiana home more to their liking than the Ohio place, conse- quently they sold the latter and their sons came to their Hoosier home, where they made their permanent residence. The subject of this sketch had always given his attention to agricultural pursuits, but in 1880 he engaged in the ice business, having constructed an artificial lake on his farm for that purpose, and he soon had an extensive business, furnishing all the ice to the town of W'aterloo, .Auburn and Garrett. H'.s brother. Levi, was associated with him in this business until about 1898, when they s])!it the business, Levi taking the trade at Garrett, and George continuing at Waterloo. Tie has carried on this business until the present time, and in this as well as in farming has achieved definite success. Li public afifairs Mr. Denison has been prominent for a number of years. In 1890 he was elected trustee of Grant township, holding the office for five years, and in i8g8 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, assuming the duties of his office in October, 19,00. In addition to the regular four years' term for which he was elected, by legislative action his term was extended to the end of the year 1904, after which he served as deputy clerk for a time, or until his election as mayor of Auburn. He discharged the duties of this ottice for four years and then resumed his previous j)osition as deputy clerk, in which cai)acitv he has served most of the time since, his continuous service in this position being due to his intimate knowledge of the official records and the business connected with the office of county clerk. This is also noteworthy owing to (he fact that as a Repul;lican he served under Democratic clerks. In March, 1913, after the destruction Iw fire (if many of the county's books of record. Mr. Denison was appointed and commissioned in conjunction with Mr 414 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Austin to restore the destroyed records, and is now engaged in this responsi- ble work, fur whicli lie is jirobably better (|naHtied than any man in the count}'. In 1873 Mr. Denison wa^ married tn Joanna Bowman, who was born and reared near Auburn, the daughter of Joseph and Ida ( Borst) Bowman. Her parents were early settlers of DeKalb county, having come here from Canton, Ohio, at a period prior to the advent of railroads here, making their permanent location about two miles west of .\uburn, where Mrs. Denison li\'ed until her marriage. Tt) Mr. and Mrs. Denison ha\e been born the following children: Nettie is the wife of Willis J. Eberly, of Waterloo, and they have three children. Fred. Helen and David: Daisy is the wife of Clyde Fee and lives on a farm east of Waterloo, and they have fi\e children. Hubert, (Georgia, Kenneth, and twins, Alene and Irene: Vay is the wife of V'erne (Jrosscop. and lix-es in .\ul:urn. and the}' ha\e two children. Catherine and Dorothy: George Bradford, the only son', is now running the farm and ice business for his father. He married .\gnes Brown, and thev ha\'e two children. Politically. Mr. Denison is, as before stated, a Republican and has been a stanch supporter of his party during the campaigns, and in this connection it is notewortb}' that the official positions held b}' biiu ha\'e all been attained without any solicitation on his part — certainly a marked testimonal to his personal standing and efficiency. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in the latter order he has passed the chairs in the local lodge and serxed as a delegate to the grand lodge. Mr. Denison has clear recollections of DeKalb count}- at a time prior to many of the public impro\-ements which now characterize this countx'. having, in early childhond, c^iue here on a tri]) with his parents, who were looking for land. He recalls the rough and unsightly appearance of the country, which was characterized by the entire absence of good roads and bridges, necessitating many detours in order to avoid streams and swamps. In the Denison family the military spirit has been prominent for iuan\ generations, the trait having been marked even in the first ancestor in .\merica, who had been a valiant officer of high rank in the English armv and pos- sessed a coat-of-amis. .\lthough Mr. Denison was legally too young for military service in the Civil war, he enlisted, but was too late to see any active service in the field. He has since been a member of the Waterloo Rifles, a well known local military company. His brother, Levi L.. was a cap- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 415 tain during the Spanish-. \imTicaii war. in which thi' sul)ject's nephew. Wilson H. Denison, was a hentenant. and the snbieet's sun. ilradtord. is now a heuten- ant in the National Guard, and i.s considered one of the best marksmen in the state, having been one of the eighteen sharpshooters chosen by contest at the state encampment to go to Sea Girt. Xew Jersey, where they took part in the great contest of National Guardsmen from the different states. He has been twice selected for this contest. GEORCiE C.\A[PB1-:LL. The 1 est history of a community or stale is the one that deals most with the lives and activities of its people, especially (jf those who. Iiy their own endeavors and indomitable energy, ha\e forged to the front and jdaced themselves where they deserve the title of progressive men. in this brief review will be found the record of one who has ontstrip|jed the less active plodders on the highway of life and among bis contem])oraries has achieved marked success in the business world, the name of George Cami)bell being honored by all owing to his ujjright life and habits of thrift and industry. George Campbell, a well known citizen of .\uburn and one of the most active members of the well kno\\n carriage manufacturing firm of Campbell & Sons, was born in Aul)urn. Indiana, on September 3. 1873. the son of Samuel L. and Mary (Palmer) Campbell. George Campbell was reared in Auburn, securing his education in the public schools and then at the age of seventeen years he commenced working in a trim shop. Not satisfied with this line of work, a few months later he beg.in to learn the carpenter trade, at which he remained about eight months and then turned his attention to blacksmithing. Here he found eni]ilo\-menl to his liking and energetically applied himself to learning this trade. In 1892 he opened a blacksmith shop of his own in Auburn, where Ijesides the regular custom work he also did the blacksmithing for his father's carriage shop. Soon afterwards he ac- quired an interest in his father's business and has continued with him ever since, being now^ the active manager of the business, which is one of the important industrial concerns of Auburn. In the management of this enter- prise he has shown a business ability and a soundness of judgment that has not only gained for him financial success, but has also connnended him to the confidence and good will of all who had dealings wn'th him. On April 26, 1894, George Cami)l>ell married Ada Miers. the daughter 4l6 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. of Eli and Julia (Daley) Miers. her birth having occurred in Fairview town- ship, this count}'. When eight or nine years of age her parents moved two miles west of Auburn, where she li\ed until her marriage. Her father was one of the early settlers of DeKalb county, having come here with his mother when only eight years old, their former home having been in Stark county, Ohio. Eli Miers was thrown . 1913. he resigned and came in with his father and brothers in the linn of Campbell & Sons, in which place he is now engaged. He is a man of good business ability and {27) 4l8 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. has contributed largely to the splendid success which the firm is now en- joying. On September ii, 1894, Mr. Campbell married Jennie Husselman. daughter of Henry and Ellen Husselman, she having been born and reared north of Auburn, and being the representative of one of the old pioneer families of this county. To this union has been born a son, Charles J., who first saw the light of day on November 11, 1895. Religiously, Mr. and ^Irs. Campbell belong to the Lutheran church, in which he has been an active mem- ber and where he conducts an orchestra in the Sunday school. During the past twelve years Mr. Campbell and his orchestra have missed but one Sun- day in each _\ear and their music is appreciated highly by the attendants of the school. He gives instructions to the orchestra members free, having a rehearsal e\'ery Wednesday night and the organization is one of which he is deservedly proud. William E. Cam])bell. son of Samuel L. and Mary ( Palmer) Campbell, was born on April 3, 1875, and was reared in this cit_\', receiving his educa- tion in the public schools here. In his early youth he entered the employ of Kibblinger & Company, where he learned carriage trimming and was after- ward employetl in sexeral other cities, including aljout three and one-half years at Butler, two }ears at Ligonier. two years at Albion, two years at Logansport and two years at Linden, Michigan. Later he was employed ror two years by the Modern Bugg}' Company at .\uburn. That he was a com- petent workman is evidenced b}- the fact that in e\ery shop in which he was employed he was foreman. In January, 1911. Mr. Campbell started the Auburn Auto Top Company and did a thri\'ing business for two years. He is now connected \\ ith the Campbell & Sons Company, referred to elsewhere in this sketch. In 1890, at Fostoria, Ohio, Mr. Campbell married Rosa Spruck and they have three children. Ruth, Eugene and Mary Louise. Fraternally, he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a man of fine qualities of char- acter and enio}'s a marked popularity in the circles in which he mingles. JOHN J. OBERLLN. .\n enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and public recognition for themselves and at the same time have hon- ored the locality to which thcv belong would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of the one whose name forms the caption of this sketch. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 419 During a period ot many \ears he sustained a \erv en\ial)le reputation in •educational circles, and today is giving tlmnglitful and intelligent direction lu the financial affairs of DeKalh county, being the present county treasurer. John J. Oberlin is a native of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Summit county, Ohio, on .May 4. 1847, and is the son of Abraham. Jr.. and Alary (Stewart) Oberlin, both of whom were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The subject's paternal grandfather also bore the name of Abraham. John J. Oberlin was reared on the paternal farmstead in Ohio, and received his educational training in the common schools of the nei.gh- borhood, his vacation periods l)eing spent in assisting his father on the home farm. He finished his education in the high school at Manchester, Ohio, and at the age of eighteen years began teaching school. He was eminently suc- cessful in this calling, which he followed for twenty-two terms. In 1872 Mr. Oberlin came to DeKall) county. Indiana, locating near Butler, and during the foll.)wing four years taught school there, lie then moved to Marshall county, this state, where he resided for .seven years, teach- ing school during si.x years of that time. While carrying on his educational work he had also engaged in farming, at which calling he was erpially success- ful. Returning to DeKalh county Mr. Oberlin located on a farm south of But- ler, to the operation of which he devoted his attention until i^i)},. when he was appointed postmaster of Ihitler, holding this ])osition four years to the entire satisfaction of the goxernnient and the ])atrons of the olfice : then for a \ear he was on the road as a traveling salesman, after which he engaged in the general mercantile business at lUitler. In kjo^ he was nounnated for county commissioner by the Democratic ])arty and was elected, holding the office three years. His services were entirely satisfactory and he was renominated for the position, but owing to the Repulilican landslide of that year he went down to defeat with the rest of the ticket. llowe\er. as evidence of his popularity it may be noted that while Roosevelt carried the county by si.K hundred and twentv-five ])lniality, .Mr. ( )berlin was defeated by onlv ninety- seven votes. Many Republican friends of his a,ssured him afterwards that had they thought there was any chance for his defeat, they would have voted for him. In the fall of 1910 Mr. Oberlin was the successful candidate of his party for countv treasurer, and in kuj was re-elected by the largest majoritv of any candidate on the ticket, being the present incumbent of that office. His sterling integrity, sound business judgment and wise discrimination in the administration of the county's finances have commended him to the con- fidence and resi)ect of all the citizens regardless of political lines. 420 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Political!}-, Mr. Oberlin is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. and has for a number of years taken an active part in the campaigns, his counsel and sound judgment l)eing considered in\aluable by his party col- leagues. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, to which they are liberal contrilnitors. In y8f)Q John J. Oberlin was married to Catherine Beerer, a nati\e of Summit county. Ohio, and a daughter of George and Julia N. Beerer. To Mr. and Mrs. Oberlin ha\e been horn eight children, all living, namely : Minnie, wife of C. W. Beard, of Butler; Lemuel, who is a billiard ball turner at Cincinnati, Ohio, married Blanche Jewell, and they have two children, Clark and Gale : Charles, a farmer living at Butler ; Jesse, who is in his father's store at Butler, married Belle Xewton, and they have two daughters, Lucile and Catherine; Cl\'de B.. also in tlie store at Butler, married Luella Farley, and the\- ha\e one daughter. Mildred; Lloyd, who is employed as a molder in the ])lant of the Butler Company at Butler, married Goldie Hart- man, and the\- have two sons. Lindley and Burton; Grace \'iola is at home with her ])arents; Karl Lero\- is bis father's assistant in the county treasurer's office. In Mr, Oberlin's record there has been much that is commendalile and his character forcibly illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish when plans are wisely laid and actions are governed I))- right principles and high ideals. In his business career as well as his ])ri\ate life no word of sus- jiicion has e\er been breathed against him. Successful in business, faithful in the performance of public duty. res]:ccted in social life, and as a neighbor discharging bis duties as becomes ,-i liberal minded, intelligent citizen, he has won and retains the sincere rc'ard of all wIim know him. T. PERRY LONG. A man who boldly faces the res])onsi])i]ity ot life and by determined and untiring energy carves out for himself an honorable success exerts a power- ful influence upon the lives of all who follow him. Such men constitute the foundation of our rei)ublican institutions and are the pride of our civilization. To them life is so real that they llnd no time to plot either mischief or vice. Their lives are hound up in their duties, they feel the weight of their citizen- ship, and take jaleasure in sow'ing the seeds of uprightness. Such has been the career oi the stibject of thi- brief notice. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 421 J. Perry Long, who enjoys a faxcirahlc reputation as a successful car- penter and builder at Auburn, was born al.Dut one mile north of (larrett, DeKalb county, Indiana, January 2^, 1807, and is a son of Samuel Harrison and Marietta (Wyant) Long. Samuel H. Long was a native of Ohio, and in an early day came to DeKalb county with his parents, Christian Long and wife, who were lifelong farmers and settled in thi> county when l)Ut little of the land had been cleared, hideed, where Garrett now stands was practically an untouched wilderness in which deer and other wild animals roamed un- disturbed. The land which Christian Long owned was located where now stands the Baltimore & Ohio railroad shops, this land being sought by the railway company when the subject of this sketch was a lad of nine years. Perry Long was reared on the home farm, where he remained until at- taining his majority, having ])erformed his [)art of the wijrk of lilling the soil and har\esting the crops antl in the meantime secured a good practical education in the ])ul)lic schools. At the age of t\\ent}'-one )-ears he came to Auburn and learned the carpenter's trade, which he has made his life work. For about eight years he was employed as a journeyman and then he formed a partnership with Ora J. Brandon, building contractor. Two years later Mr. Brandon retired from the i>arlnersliip to go into the lumber business, since which time Mr. Lung has cuntinuetl the lousiness alone. b'or maiiy years he has been numbered among the leading contractors of DeKalb county, and many of the best residences and business blocks in this section have been constructed bv him. His work has always been characterized liy thorough- ness in every detail and his absolute reliabilit\- in the performance of his con- tracts has gained for him the confidence cjf the public. l'er>onally, he is a man of splendid qualities and genial address and has well merited the high standing which he enjoys among his accjuaintances. Politically. Mr. Long is a stanch supporter of the DeinocraHc parly. and in 1904 was elected a member of the city council, the duties of which position he discharged to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. His fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. Long has been twice married, first on May 13, 1888. to Florence Dirrini, daughter of William Dirrini. to which union were born three chil- dren: Ruth and \'esta. who live with their father, and Ethel, the wife of Orange Wasson, a farmer near .Auburn, to which union ha\e been born two children, Walter and Ruth. Mrs. IHorence Long died in 1900. and in June, 1902, Mr. Long married Rosa l\U])ert, of Xew\ille. Her parents were 422 DEKALB COUXTV, INDIANA. • Manassa Rupert and .Mary (Burden) Rupert, the father a native of Ma- honing county. Ohio, and the niuther of Allen C(ninty, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Long have been born five children, namely: Perry Waldo. Rupert D., Mozelle Rosamond, Marietta Evangeline, and a Ijab}- not yet named. WARREN McNABB. The gentleman to a brief re\ie\v of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith directed was among the foremost business men of DeKalb county, and by his enterprise and progressive methods con- tributed in a material way to the industrial and commercial advancement of the city and county. He was in the course of an honorable career most suc- cessful in the business enterprises of which he was the head, and is well deserving of mention in the biographical memoirs of DeKalb county. Among, the prominent citizens of DeKalb county who have been well known because of the part they have taken in public affairs was he whose name appears at the head of this memoir, and who until recently was recorder of DeKalb county. Warren McXabb is a native of DeKalb county, in which he spent his entire life, his birth having occurred there on July 2(k 1857. His parents, David and Sophia (Dunfee) McNabb, were among the early settlers of the count}-. Da\ id was a nati\e of Center county, Pennsylvania, born December 9, 1819, and was a son of John and Mary (''I'oung) McNabb, also a native of that state, the father being of Scotch descent and the mother of Swiss and English ancestry. \\'hen David McNabb was but thirteen years of age the family mo\ed to Ashland county. Ohio, where they remained until 1843, when tliey came to DeKalb county, Indiana, and entered eighty acres of wild land in section ^^, Fairfield tov.nship. There he Imilt a cabin home in which he resided for twenty years and then sold tliat |)lace and bought one hundred and twenty acres in section 32. When he first came to Fairfield township there were but five other families tliere, and in the early afifairs of the county he took a prominent and leading part. The land was covered with a dense forest, not a stick of timber having been cut on the land which he secured and the family lived with a neighbor. Air. Powell, about a mile distant, until their log house could be raised, which was done with the assistance of the- neighbors. On October 18, 1842, Da\'id McXalib married Sojihia Dunfee, the daugh- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 423- ler of janics and Sophia (lla/lclii DunlVc, who removed from Adams county, I'ennsyhania, to Ohio in 1833. To David and Sophia AlcXahb were born eight children, namely: James, George, John, Francelia (Mrs. Harris). Warren, Ella (died at the age of live yeans), Martha (Airs. F. M. Dellen- bach), and Frank. Warren McNaljh was reared on the home farm and his education was recei\ed in the public schools of the neigh'.iorhood. .\t the age of twenty years he learned the trade of house painter and shortly afterwards secured a position in the BaltiuKire & Ohio railroad shops at Garrett as foreman of the painters, holding the position from March, 188 1, until 191^. In the fall of the latter year he was elected to the i)osition of county recorder after an acti\e Init clean campaign, and discharged the duties of this office until April 18, 1913, when he died after a brief illness, being succeeded in the office by his son-in-law', Harvey O. Williams. He had retained his residence in (jar- rett until about ten days before his death, when he moved to Auburn. He stood high in the general esteem of all who knew him and his death was con- sidered a distinct loss to the comniunit\-, for he had always stood for the best things of life and had ever gi\en his support to all movements ha\ing for their object the advancement of the best interests of the community. Fraternally, Mr. McXabb was an enthusiastic member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, having been the first person initiated in the Gar- rett lodge of that order after its institution, the e\ent taking place August 29, 1883. Politically, he had been for many }ears a prominent supporter of and worker in the Democratic party, and had served efficiently as a member of the school board at Garrett. Shortly after accepting his emplovment at (iarrctt. Mr. Mc.Xabb was married to Laura McCague, of Elkhart, Indiana, who was born east of Corunna, this county, the daughter of George and Jane (Harper) McCague. Both parents were natives of Ohio, the mother having been born in Wood county, and they were married in that state, coming to DeKalh county in an early day and settling near Corunna. They had been preceded there many years by George McCague's parents, who settled in the same locality. Mrs. McNabb's parents moved to South Rend when she was a small child, and there she was reared until her marriage, first meeting Mr. McXabb while on a visit to Corunna. To .Mr. and Mrs. .Mc.Xabb were Ixirn four children. namelv : Harr\-, deceased; Frank, who resides in the west; Maude, the wife of Lee Hunt, of Kendallville : and Edith, the wife of Harvey O. Williams, who succeeded his father-in-law as county recorder. 424 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Of Mr. McXaljl) it may be said that hi? was a positive character, and he possessed the quahties that command attention and assure success in any calHng. He was the scion of steding ancestry wlio played well their parts in the early settlement of northeast Indiana, and he ])roved to he a worthy de- scendant of his foreliears. Throughout an active and interesting career, duty was ever liis motive for action and lielpfulness to lu's fellow men not 1)\- anv means a secondary consideration. Thu'> liecause of his high standing and genuine worth he is eminently entitled to re])resentation in a historv of his countv. TAMES E. POMEROV In no profession is there a career more open to talent than is that of the law, and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful prejiara- tion, a more thorough appreciation of the al)Solute ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the l)a!^is of all human rights and privileges. Unflagging application and intuitive wisdom and determination fidl\- to utilize the means at hand, are the concomitants which insure personal suc- cess and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the stern conserva- tor of justice; and it is one into which none should enter without a recogni- tion of the oljstacles to he encountered antl overcome and the Ijattles to be won, for success does not perch on the banner of every one who enters the competitive frav, luit comes only as the legitimate result of capabilit}'. Pos- sessing all the requisite (|ualities of the able lawyer, James E. Pomeroy stands today among the eminent jjractitioners of DeKalb county, Indiana. James E. Pomeroy was born on December 14, 1867, at Canal Fulton, Stark county, Ohio, and he is the son of Francis M. and Mary (Duley) Pomeroy. The Pomeroy family, though originally of Norman blood, was, during a thousand years in the British Isles, so mixed with Scotch and Irish blood, that the subject may legitimately claim Scotch-Irish ancestry. The branches of the family in England, Ireland and America are descended from Sir Ralph de Pomeroy, who was an aide-de-cam]) under \^'illiam the Con- queror in his conquest in England. In 1730 a descendant of his, Thomas Pomeroy, came from Liverpool to .\merica and located near Chanibersburg, Pennsylvania, he being one of the first two white families to locate west of the Susquehanna river. His second son, John, was a noted foe of the Indians. About the close of the French and Indian war Thomas Pomerov's family and JAMES E. POMEROY DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. 425 about twenty other settlers at Chanihersburf^ were massacred by Indians. Colonial troops were raised, of whicli Jdhn Pomerdv was made Cdhmel, and under his leadership they pursued and punishetl the Indians so effectively that he was ever afterwards called Colonel John Pomeroy, the Indian Killer. Subsequently he moved to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where, in 1782, he became lieutenant-colonel of the First Battalion of Westmoreland County Militia and was in actual service on the frontier of that county. Three of his sons moved, in 1816, to near Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, of whom the youngest, Francis, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, settled in what is now a part of Stark county, Ohio, and there his descendants have continued to reside to the present time. James E. Pomeroy received his elenientar\' education in the ]>ui)lic schools of his home town, graduating from the high school in 1884. Im- mediately afterwards, through the influence of James Sterling, one of the leading attorneys of that county, he was pre\ailed upon to enter the hitter's office and take up the study of law. .\bcjut that time, how ever, he was thrown upon his own resources and, by force of circumstances, he engaged in teach- ing school until he was about twenty-seven years old. In the meantime he had continued his le.gal studies in the Northern Indiana University, at Val- paraiso, Indiana, and in March, 1895, he realized in a measure his ambition by being admitted to the bar of DeKalb county at .\uburn. On October 4, 1904, he w-as admitted to practice in the suiireme court and to the United States district court at Indianapolis in 1Q03. Since his admission to the bar Mr. Pomeroy has remained in the practice of his profession at Auburn, and ■ has built up a large and remunerative clientele. It is scarce less than su- pererogation in outlining the leading facts in his life to refer to him as a lawyer in the ordinary phraseology which meets requirements when dealing with the average member of the legal profession. He has been indeed much more than eminently successful in his legal career, for he has become a master in his profession and a leader among men distinguished for the high order of their legal ability. As a member of the bar Mr. Pomeroy has faithfully and honestly discharged his duty. He has always counseled and maintained such actions and defenses only as have appeared to him to be just, and he has never been known to reject from any consideration personal to himself the cause of the defenseless or depressed. He has never sought to employ means other than such as have been entirely consistent with truth, and has never sought to mislead the court or jury by any artifice or false statement of fact or law, but has adhered so closelv to the established code of ethics that he has 426 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. merited the confidence which is placed in him by his fellow members of the bar. Mr. Pomeroy has been connected with most of the really important cases which have been tried in the DeKalb court since entering practice and has been notably successful in his efforts. One of the most noted of these cases was that of Grover Enslcy, who was accused of murdering his wife's paramour and who was defended by Mr. Pomeroy. The evidence at the coroner's inquest showed that the defendant had taken both a revolver and a shotgun into a next-door neighbor's iiouse and there watched for his wife and her illicit visitor, and that w'.ien he saw them leaving the house to go to Fort Wayne he rushed out and shot the man. The wife sided against her husband. It took a week to try the case, the defense being handled with masterly skill by Mr. Pomeroy. The defense claimed that the shooting was an accident caused by Ensley stepping into a hole ; that he had the gun to scare the decedent and hold him until he could bring about his arrest. It was a dramatic scene when the defendant, who was proved to be a diligent, law- abiding citizen, and a kind and faithful hu.sband, took the stand in his own behalf. His looks and demenanor showed that lie was not a bad man. He had been advised by Mr. Pomeroy to say no unkind word of his wife, and he did not. The defendant had stammered badly all his life, and did so on the stand. For eighteen hours he was on the witness stand and tlie story de- veloped many touching details of sincere devotion and heart yearning, and the final tragedy, that moved to tears the jury and most of the spectators, some of them weeping aloud. Mr. Pomeroy's handling of the case was mas- terly in every way and showed that he had given to the defense much thought and study. He seemed to have every section of the law bearing on the case at his finger's ends. During his argument to the jury he won the admiration of all by the able manner in which he presented his side of the case, and the result enrolled him among tlie foremost criminal lawyers of the country. Within ten minutes after the jury retired they were practically ready for a verdict of accjuittal, and when their verdict was announced a great cheer swept over the court room and was taken up by the waiting crowd outside. No such scene was ever before enacted in DeKalb county and when the jury was excused, the tlirong, incUiding the jurymen, crowded around the de- fendant and Mr. Pomeroy, showering them with congratulations for the gal- lant fight they had made in a case that at first looked hopeless, but now looked as if it was settled in the only just and right way. On September i, 1895, ^'f''- Pomeroy was married to Ella Bunge, who was born and reared in Wilmington township, near Butler, the daughter of DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. 427 Fred Biinge and wile. i'Ved lUinj;^ came from (jc-rniany to the United States in 1834 and located near .\ul)ni-ii. where he and iiis family lived for many years. For the pas! thirty years the}- have lived on a farm one and a half miles west of Butler. Mrs. Pomeroy's mother, whose maiden name was Shoup. was born at Canton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Tomenjy have no children of their own, but have adopted a boy, Blaine Lamar, now two years old. He is a son of Jesse O. and Lula (Balliet) Hilkey, a highly respected family. The lad's mother died when he was only ten days old, and he was adopted by his foster parents when he was nineteen days old. Mr. Pomeroy has a beautiful and attractive home at Van Buren and Fourth streets, .\uburn. He finds recreation and pleasure in the cultivation of flt)wers and plants and he has beautified his home by his artistic arrangement of the plants and shrub- bery. Personally, Mr. Pomeroy is a man of genial and kindly impulses and gives his sympathy and support to all worthy causes. In the civic life of his community he is an important f.actor and is numbered among the men of progress and enterprise. Because of his eminent ability, professional success and high personal qualities, he enjoys a wide popularity in the county which is honored by his citizenship. HARVEY O. WILLIAMS. The office of biography is not to gi\-e \oice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extra- vagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life — a life charac- terized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well. Harvey O. Williams was born on May 12, 1890, on his father's farm one mile west of .\uburn, and is the son of John and Mary (Rinehold) Williams. The father was born at Millersburg, Ohio, and when about eigh- teen years of age came to DeKalb county, Indiana, with his parents, Cyrus and Amanda Williams. The family first located near Corunna, but subse- 428 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. quently the parents located near Huntertown, Allen county, Indiana, where tliey spent the remainder of their days. John Williams was reared to the Hfe of a farmer, which \ocation he followed as a day laborer up to the time of his marriage in 1879, when he went to farming for himself just east of .\uburn on the Ashelman tann. .\bout seven years later he was enabled to I>u\ a farm uf his own a mile west of Auburn, where he li\'ed until 1897, when he dispnseil of that ])lace and bought another farm of one hundred and twenty-h\e acres located about eight miles south of Auburn, where he still resides. He has all his life been an active su])porter of the Democratic part}' and served as a member of the count}- council about six }'ears. In i()02 he made a close race for the ol'hcc of sheriff. 1 le ha-, long liecu numbered among the leading men c^f his communit}-. Harvey O. Williams was reared on th.e |xirental farmstead and attended the Autiurn public schools, graduating from the high school in 10 10. His first emplo}nicnt after leaving school was in tlie olticc of the master me- chanic of the Haltimore & Ohio Railroad shops at (iarrett, Indiana, where he remained until A])ril, 1913. when his father-in-law, Warren McNabb, county recorder, died, when !)}■ the hitter's re(|uest, Air. Williams was ap- pointed to succeed him in this official ])osition. and he has since served as recorder, the appointment being made on the iSth of Ai>ril. At the time of his appointment he was but twent}'-two }-ears of age, and is believed to be the youngest county official in Indiana. Though young in years, he is dis- charging the duties of his office in as efficient a manner as could be desired, and has earned the sincere regard of all who ha\e dealings with him and with the office. On June 18, 1912, Harvey O. Williams was married to Edith J. AlcNabb, of Garrett, Indiana, the daughter of W^arren McNabb, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Politically, Air. Williams is a supporter of the Democratic jiart}-, and fraternally is a member of the Independent Ortler of Odd Fellows, antl with his wife, belongs to the Daughters of Reliekah. They are also memliers of the Alethodist Episcopal church, in which thev take an active interest and to the support of which they contribute liberally of their means. Socially, Mr. Williams is a member of the Phi Delta Kap])a (ireek letter fraternity. Mr. Williams has realized early that there is a purpose in life and that there is no honor not founded on worth, and no respect not based on accom- plishment. He has started right and his man\- friends predict for him a verv successful career. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. . 429 DR. A. M. OSWALT. Each calling or business, if honorable, has its i)lace in human existence, constituting a part of tlie plan wliereby life's methiKls are pursued and man reaches bis ultimate destiny, l-'.merscn saiil that "" Ml are needed by each one." And that is a> true in i>ne axenue of \\U-\ actixities as in amitbtr. However, the importance of a business or profession is in a xery lar,ye measure deter- mined by its beneficence or usefulness. So dependent is man upon his fellow men that the xx'orth of each individual is largely reckoned Ijy what he has done for humanity. There is no class to whom greater gratitude is due from the world at large than to tho.se .self-sacrificing, sympatlietic, noble-minded- men whose life work has been the allexiatinn of sufi^ering that rests on humanity, thus lengthening the span of human existence. There is no known standard l)y which their beneficent inlUience can lie measured: their helpfulness is as broad as the unixerse and tiieir ])o\xer goes hand in hand with the xxonderful laxxs nf nature that come from the xery source of life itself. ,\dam M. Oswalt was i)orn June 30, 1870. at Three Rixers. .Michigan, and is the son of Adam and Anna ( Detwiler ) Oswalt. .\t the age of five years the subject was deprixed by death of a nioilier's loxe and care, and he then went to live in the home of Charles Shelhart. xvhu reared him to man- hood. Soon after becoming a member of this household the family moved to a farm at Sherwood, Michigan, \xhere Mr. Oswalt sjient his boyhood days, securing his education in the common -cbooj-, there. su])plemenling this bx' attendance at the Tri-State College at Angola. Indiana, xxhere be receixed his diploma. The txxo folloxving \-ears were spent in farm lal)or at the liome of his foster father. In iSijj .Mr. ( )s\xalt engaged in general mercbandising at Ra\-, Indiana, which he cari'ied on successfully for fixe years, relinquishing that line of effort at the end of that period, boxxcxer, in order to take up the study of osteopathy which he had deteiinined to make his life work. To this end he entered the .\merican ScIk/oI of ( )steoi)alhx- ,at Kirksx ille, .Mis- souri. He graduated on January -'5, itjo^. lie immediatelx- engaged in the practice of the profession at South Kend, Indiana, hut one \ear later came to Auburn, where he has since been located, and in the practice of his profession here he has licen markedl}- successful. The science of osleo])atby is com])ara- tively new, but because of tlie notable success xxhich has accom])anied its practice, it has gained manx adherents, and it> i)rariitioners baxe gained an enviable standing in the jirofession. Dr. O'^xxalt has a|)|)lied himself closely 43° . DEKAI.B COUNTY. INDIANA. to his profession and has gained the confidence and regard of all with whom Tie has come in contact because of his professional ability and personal worth. In 1897 Dr. Oswalt was married to Jessie Marie McNaughton, of Ray, Indiana, the daughter of Archibald and Fidelia (Lewis) McNaughton. Dr. and Mrs. Oswalt are members of the Presbyterian church at .Auburn, which they attend regularly, and to which they contribute liberally of their means. They move in the best social circles of the community antl enjoy the loyal friendship of all who know them. TAMES BO\\MAN. In the person of this \eiierable pioneer farmer, now deceased, we have a sample of a worthy race of people to whom the country is largely indebted for its development and progress. He was not a showy man, simply a plain, industrious tiller of the soil, who worked hard to get a start in the w^orld. provided well for his family, did his duty to his fellow men and made a good neighbor and citizen. To such as he Indiana owes much. Here and there, scattered over the .state in e\ery countw on well-tilled acres, they toiled and worked, cleared, grubbed and ditched, fduglu the forces of nature in the way of swamps and dense forests, gradually making heatlway until in time we see the beautiful and highly cultivated farms as the result of their arduous labors. Such were the pioneer farmers. The\- did not figure in public life. Their names were seldom mentioned in the jiapers, they lived cjuiet and un- pretentious li\es. but it w^as their work and their self-sacrifice that was grad- ually building up the state, adding to its wealth and beautw until it became one of the finest agricultural regions in the world. Mr. Bowman was a public-spirited man in all that term implied, was ever interested in enterprises tending to promote the general welfare and withheld his support from no movement for the good of the locality so long honored by his residence. His personal relations with his fellow men were e\er mutually ])leasant and agreeable, and he was highly regarded by all, having been easily ajiproached, obliging and straightforward in all the relations of life. James Bowman, who during bis life was one of the best known citizens of Waterloo and \icinit}- and an honored pioneer of Franklin township, DeKalb county. Indiana, was born in Onondaga county, New York, on March II, 1815, and his death occurred at his home in Waterloo on July 7, igoo, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. He came of a long line of sterling DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 43 1 ancestors, the first nicnibcrs .if the r.ownian family having come lo this coun- try from Holland. Their remains now lie buried near Allsany, .\'e\\ ^^lrk-. To them was born a son, Peter, whose wife's Christian name was .Mary, and they lie buried in Belle Isle cemetery at Van Buren, New York. Peter and Mary Bowman had four children, three daughters and a son, the latter named John, having been born at Trenton, New Jersey, on A])ril 15. 1789. \\"hen he was hut five years old his parents moved lo New York slate and there he married Matilda Minner. who was liorn on September y, 1787, in Connecticut. They became the parents of tweKe children, ail of whom grew to maturity. The mother of these children died in 1834 and the father subse- quently married his first wife's sister, Sallie. Mis death nccurred in 1869. The fourth of the children in order of birth was James, the immediate sub- ject of this sketch. James Bowman was reared to maturity on the home farm in New York and received his education in the common schools. Shortly after his mar- riage, which occurred in 1839. he and his wife started west via the Lake Erie Canal and Lake Erie to Toledo, frnm whence the\- drove overland with ox team to Eranklin township, DeKalb county. Indiana, where he entered a section of gmernmenl land and erected a In^- cabin. Here he began the strug- gle common to the pioneer settlers of the frontier west, and in the creation of a home and the clearing and improxement of the farm he received the able co- o])eration and assistance of his wife. The farm w hich was thus located and im- pro\ ed has been since owned and occupied by his grandson. James Hodges, and mother, Mrs. A. J. Sinclair. In the spring of 185 1 Mr. Bowman moved to what is now the northeast edge of A\'aterloo, where he built a home and also erected a saw mill. At that time heavy timber covered the greater part of the land now the site of Waterloo and much of this timber was worked up in the mill owned by Mr. Bowman. He was a successful man in everything to which he addressed himself and as he ])rospered financially he contributed to the growth and development of the community in exery way possible, giving liberally of his means to the erection of churches, school houses, and in other ways con- tributing to the welfare of the citizens. For nearly twenty-nine years during his later life he was disabled liy paralysis to such an extent as to be confined to a chair. However, during t!iese nearly three decades he was always patient and cheerful and to the last maintained a dee]) interest in everything about him. His mind was as bright in his last years as at any period in his life, and he always managed his own business aflfairs. He was made of .those sterling qualities out of which the frontier settlers of the nn'dflle West 432 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. were made and to him is due the gratitude of present generations for what he did in the way of opening up and clearing the way for the later splendid civilization which has characterized this section of the state. On September 26, 1839, in Onondaga county. New York, James Bow- man married Rebecca Jane Bort, who was born probably in Onondaga county, the daughter of Christian and Susan ( Ouackenbush ) Bort. To their union were born eight children, of whom five are now living, namely: Mrs. .\. J. Sinclair, Mrs. James P. McC'aguc, Mrs. C. E. Montaxon. Charles and b'rank, all of whom are li\ing in Waterloo. JAMES Y. W. McCLELLAN. Among the citizens of Auburn, DeKalb county, who, through their own persistent and well directed efforts, have achieved a gratifying measure of success in their vocation, is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. With little outside assistance, he has steadily forged to the front, o\'ercoming obstacles and unfaxorable circumstances, imtil today he is numbered among the successful men of bis community. James ^". \Y McClellan, a well known citizen of Auburn, was born two and one-half miles south of this city on Xoxeniher 1 _', 1833. and is the son of James McClellan, Jr., and Mary Jane 1 Summers) McClellan. James -McClellan, Jr., wa^^ born on ()ctol>er jt,. iSjO, in Wayne county, Ohio, and was a son of James, Sr., and I-'.lizalielb. ( l\na])p ) .Mcllcllan, the former having been born on November 10, 1793. at .McKeesport, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He was a son of John McClellan., who, it is believed, came from Ireland. Tt is said the McClellan family was of Scotch ancestry and is descended from a Scotch chieftain named Clell, who reigned over highland territory in Sditland. l^radition has it that Clell lived there many centuries ago and his domain was called Clell's land, sliortened to Clelland. "Mc" means "son of." The families in the United States liearing the names of MacLellan, .Md.cllon, McClellan and McClelland doubtless ^iirang from this original stock from the south western part ot Scotland. During the religious wars of 1(140 many families of the name moved from Scotland to Ireland, later coming fr.im Ireland to .\merica shortly liciore the .\merican Revolutionary war, settling in Nova Scotia. Canada and the New England states. New York, Pennsylvania and North and South Carolina. They were usually Presbyterians in their religious belief. James McClellan, Sr.. had JAMES Y. \V. McCLELLAN DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. 433 two sisters and four brothers, of whom Robert was a captain in the war of 1812, anotlier brother, Joseph, being a private in the same war. The other brothers were William and John. These brothers were all Presbyterians in their religious belief. About 1812 James McClellan, Sr., settled in Wayne county, Ohio, where he remained until i860, wlien he came west, settling in Huntington county, Indiana, and in 1866 came to DeKalb county. On June I, 1815, he married Elizabeth Knapp, who was born June 28, 1797, and died on November 28, 1846, being buried in \\'a}ne county, Ohio. James McClellan, Sr., died May 17, 1875, and is buried m Auburn. James ]\lc- Clellan, Jr., was reared on the paternal homestead in Ohio, and on May 1 1, 1854, married Mary J. Summers, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Summers, who came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to DeKalb county in 1847 ^"<^ settled one mile east of Auburn, where they entered land and cleared a farm and remained all their lives. James Y. W. McClellan was reared on the home farm and received his educational training first in the public schools of Auburn, graduating from the high school in 1879. He then entered the literary department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, but, after two years' study there, his health failed and he was compelled to return home. The next twenty years of his life were spent in the operation of the home farm, in which he was eminently successful, both financially and in the complete restoration of his health. In 1898 Mr. McClellan moved to Fort Wayne, where for a year he ran a feed store, but then moved back to Auburn and has resided here since, most of the time being engaged as a real estate broker and dealer in fertilizer. He has been very successful in everything to which he has turned his hand and enjoys a wide reputation through this section of the state as a man of good business ability, sound judgment and wise discretion in all of his affairs. Because of his courtesy and absolute integrity he has commanded the confidence of all with whom he has dealt and no more popular man is numbered among Auburn's business men. Politically Mr. McClellan is an ardent advocate of the Democratic party and for a number of years has been active in its councils, having been a member of the county central committee for a number of years. He has been recognized in the way of public prefer- ment a number of times, having been a member of the county council and several times appointed drainage commissioner. In 1903 he was elected mayor of Auburn and his administration was one of the most successful this city has ever had. During his term of office a gas plant was built, an (28) 434 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. interurljaii line was constructed through Auljurn and great progress was made in the paving of streets and in making other pubHc improvements. Fra- ternally, Mr. McClellan is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Free and .\ccepted Masons and he and jiis wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. On Xovember 4. [913, Mr. McClellan was elected mayor of Auburn for fcnir years by one of the biggest majorities .-\uburn ever gave a candidate. In 1885 Mr. McClellan married Jennie Barton, of .Ashland, Ohio, the daughter of Elisha and Sevilla (Weirman) Barton. Mr. and Mrs. McClel- lan move in the best social circles of .\ulnirn and are popular among their acquaintances. JOSEPH E. SHOWALTER, M. D. To be anything but mediocre in any profession requires not only a happy combination of natural faculties, hut also a strong personality, a blending of courtesy and affabilitx', and certain business qualifications that no discourage- ment- can overcome. The well known physician whose name forms the cap- tion to thi,- article and whose name has long been a household word in this county seems to possess these traits, for he has climbed, step by step, from a modest Ijeginning to a position of prominence in his community, being now numbered among the leading re])resentati\ es of the medical ])rofession in De- Joseph K. Sbowalter, of Waterloo, was born near Huntington, Indiana, on the i8th da\ of January. 18^13, and is a son of Levi and Clarinda A. (Shilling) Sbowalter. The Showalters in America are descended from good old German stock, the emigrant ancestor having come to America about two hundred years ago, settling in Xew Jersey, and from his eight sons have come the many representati\es of this family now scattered over the United States. The subject's paternal grandfather was Joseph Sbowalter. who was a prosperous citizen of Wayne county, Ohio, where he owned two hundred acres of land, besides which he gave eighty acres in Indiana to each of his children. His son, Le\i, was born in Wayne county in 1838, living there until he was twenty-two years of age. The eighty acres which he recei\-ed from bis father were located in Huntington county, Indiana, and thither he proceeded in i860. On the way he stopped in Concord township, DeKalb county. Indiana, where he formed the acquaintance of Clarinda Shilling. Their acquaintance ripened into love and some time after he had established himself in his new home, he returned to Concord townshiii and married her. DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. 435 She was born in Stark county. Ohio, in 1841, and was the daughter of Joseph E. and Catherine (Hornberger) ShilHng. They came to Inchana in 1846, driving through and locating in tlie woods in Concord township, where the parents lived until late in life, when they moved to Auburn. In 1876 Levi Showalter bought the old Shilling farm, in Concord township, and there made his home for about twenty years, when he moved to Waterloo, where his remaining years were spent, his death occurring in i(>o8: his widow still lives in Waterloo. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom four died in infancy. Tho.se living are as follows: J(jsepli \\.. the immediate subject of this sketch: Mary, the wife of l-'rank I'arker. of Angola, Indiana; Cora, the wife of John .\. Friedeuhergei-. of i'ontiac. .Michigan: Jennie, who li\es in Waterloo, is the widow oi the late Daniel Koralaugh: llortense is the wife of William E. Ingalls, of Salem, Oregon; Myrtle, w iio i^ unnKirried. lives in Waterloo; William .-\., of Salem, Oregon; Hessie. of Waterloo, nnmarrieil. Joseph E. Showalter was reared on the paternal farm in Com-ord town- ship, receiving his elementary education in the common schools, and after- wards attending the Tri-State Normal School at Angola. He then engaged in teaching school for three years, when. ha\ing decided to take u]) the prac- tice of medicine, he matriculated in the medical (le]>artment of W'ooster Uni- versity, at Cleveland, where he was graduated in iN<)3, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. .K few months later lie came to Waterloo, and entered upon the active practice of his profession, in which he has been engaged prac- tically ever since. Natural aptitude, thorough professional training and an ardent love for his work have combined to render him signally successful and among his professional brethren in this county he is held in high regard. He has been successful financially and is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and forty-three acres, two miles south of Waterloo, which is well improved and on which the Doctor has recently erected a line large barn, up-to-date in every particular. In 1893 Doctor Showalter w^as married to 01i\e Moor, of Concord town- ship, DeKalb county, the daughter of Noah and Josephine (Nelson) Moor. Her paternal grandfather, William Moor, came from Ashland county, Ohio, in a very early day, the Nelsons also coming from the same locality. To Doctor and Mrs. Showalter have been born four sons, three of whom are living, namel}- : Edward Bruce, John Paul and Eugene D. Politically, Doctor Showalter believes in the principles of the Socialist party, but in local elections he supports the men and measures which seem to him best for the public welfare. Eraternally, he is an active member of the 436 DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. Independent Order of Odd Fellows and other fraternal orders. Quiet and unassuming in disposition, Doctor Showalter is, nevertheless, a man of force- ful personality and positive character and among his fellow citizens he is held in the highest regard. DR. SIMEON UNDERWOOD TARNEY. Each calling or business, if honorable, has its place in human existence, constituting a i^art of the plan v,-hcrehy life's methods are pursued and man reaches his ultimate destiny. Emerson said that "All are needed by each one." And that is as true in one a\'enue of life's actix'ities as in another. However, the importance of a Ixtsiness or profession is in a \ery large mea- sure determined by its beneficence or usefulness. So dependent is man upon his fellow men that the worth of each individual is largely reckoned b}' what he has done for humanity. There is no class to whom greater gratitude is due from the world at large than to those sympathetic, noble-minded men who have applied their efforts to the alleviation of human sufifering. There is no known standard by which their beneficent influence can be measured; their helpfulness is as broad as the universe and their power goes hand in hand with the wonderful laws of nature. Among this honored class in DeKalb county, Indiana, must be numbered him whose name appears as the caption of this article, who through a long course of years has enjoyed the respect and esteem of his fellow citi;;ens, and today is numbererl among the representative people of his county. Simeon Underwood Tarney is a nati\e son of DeKalb county, Indiana, having been born in Jackson county on October 16, 183S. His parents. Samuel and Elizabeth (Wyatt) Tarney, came -in 1837 from Ohio, and entered government land in Jackson township, which they improved and developed into a good farm, and there they spent the remainder of their days. Samuel Tarney was a typical pioneer, strong and stalwart of body, and equally rugged in character, being numbered among that sterling class who laid here the foundations for the splendid prosperity which has been inherited by the pres- ent generation. He w-as a practical millwright and successful farmer and was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land. Politically, Samuel Tarney was an active supporter of the Democratic party and satis- factorily filled several local offices. To him and his wife were born seven children, of whom one died in infancy. The subject of this sketch was reared en tlie paternal farmstead, to the DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 437 cultivation of which lie i^ax-e a hainl as soon as hirjje enougli. His ethicatiunal training was received in the common schools and at the age of twenty-one years he engaged in teaching school, carrying on this vocation dnring the winters for about five years, working on the farm in the summer vacation periods. In the fall of 1865 ^^^- Tarney engaged in the butcher business at Corunna, where he remained five years and then moved to -\uburn, where he opened a shop on Alain street, opposite the court house. He conducted a good business and remained thus engaged there for eighteen years, becoming well known as a man of good business methods and fair dealing with his patrons. As early as 1SS4 Dr. Tarney began work as a specialist in the treatment of rectal diseases, and in 1888 laid aside all other interests in order to devote his entire time and attention to this practice. His attention was first turned particularly to this form of ailment because of bis own sufferings from rectal trouble, for which he could secure no relief from methods or remedies then in use. He then devoted himself to a serious, study of the subject and finally, after a series of experiments, succeeded in formulating a remedy that efifected a complete cure in bis own case. Believing that he had discovered a valuable cure for one of the most annoying physical ailments, he then gave the remedy a thorough test on others until absolutely satisfied that he w-as right, and then he began placing the remedy before the public. The remedy is known as the Positive Painless Pile Cure and has had a wonderful sale, its beneficent effects being testified to b\' hundreds of testimonials which have voluntarily been given to the Doctor by those w bom be has treated successfully and who have been helped by this wonderful remed}-. The Doctor has been successful materially, as the result of the successful record of bis remedy, but more to him than material success has been the satisfaction of knowing that he has been instrumental in relieving human suffering and thus per- formed a real service for humawity. On June 17, i860. Doctor Tarney was united in marriage with Caroline O. Castner, who was bom and reared in .Seneca county. Ohio. To this union have been torn three children, namely: T.anra I'Tta is the wife of Joseph Guy, of Chicago; Madison Melvin. who died at the age of thirty-four years, was married, but left no children: Romeo Elliott spent most of his life in Auburn, Indiana, but is now- a resident of San Jo.sc, California. He has been twice married, first to Ada McNabb, by whom there were two children, Ralph and Ruth; his second wife, who was a resident of San Jose, was Edna Geach. 438 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Fraternally. Doctor Tarney is an acti\e nienil;er of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the local ludge at Aulnn-n, which he instituted, being at that time district deputy grand master. He has been an Odd Fellow for forty years and still keeps closely in touch with the workings of the society, in which he retains a live interest. Though now in his seventy- fifth year, he retain>^ his physical powers to a remarkable degree, being as active as most men view of life, he is a genial companion at all times and is well liked by all who know him. He owns some valuable residence and lousiness properties in Anliurn, including his own comfortable and attractive home, and is proud of a line cottonwood tree standing in the yard of his home, it ha\ing. since 1876, attained a height of ninety feet and a circumference of over nine feet. Doctor Tarney has been an e\e-witness of and active ])articipant in the wonderful development which has characterized this secticin of Indiana, his memory going back to the jiioneer days when wolves liowled around their log cabin home at night and wlieii deer were more ])lentiful than sheep are now. The pioneer home was primitively and scantily furnished, and lacked many things now considered actual necessities. i)Ut life in those days was less exacting and in many res]iects more carefree, so that the pioneers raised their children to habits of industry, jiersistence and economy which today are not emphasized as they should be. In the community where he has spent three- quarters of a century. Doctor Tarney has so li\-ed as to win and retain the sincere respect and confidence of the people and he is deservedly ])o])ulav in the comnnmit}- which has lieen honored by his citizenshi]>. lERRY A. BOLINCIEK Bv a life of persistent and well ajjplied inilustry, led along the most honorable lines, the gentleman whose name appears above has justly earned the right to be represented in a wcrk of the character of the one at hand, along with other men of DeKalb connty who have made their influence felt in their respective communities. Terry A. Bolinger, foreman of the trimming department of the Zim- merman Manufacturing Company at Auburn, was born in the city in which he now resides on December 29, 1872, and is a son of Andrew and Eliza- beth (W'alborn) Bolinger. These parents, who were both natives of the DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 439 State of Pennsylvania, came in their childhood to Dayton, Ohio, where they were reared and where their marriage occurred. Durins; the latter sixties they came to DeKalb county, locating three miles west of Aulmrn, wlu-re the father followed farniin.i;- pursuits and also couducled a dairy, and there he lived until his death, whicli was llu' result of injuries received by being struck by a railroad train at ( larrett on August (), 18S7, while on his way home from deli\ering milk. lie lingered uutd Seiitember -;d, that year, when he passed awa} . He \\a> one of the leading members of the Lutheran church at Auburn, living a life entirely consistent with his profession and was an official of the church for many years, his wife also belonging to that society. They were the parents of four children, two sons and two daugh- ters, namely: Benjamin l*^-anklin. familiarly called l-'rank ; Ivmma. the wife of Emanuel JMiser ; Lettie. the wife of Levi \\dlf, and jerry A., the sub- ject of this sketch, who was fourteen years old at the time of his father's death. In 1888 the family moved to Auburn and here the mother still resides. The subject of this sketch resided on the home farm, in the work of which he took a, part until his father's death anil his mother's removal to Auburn, when he accompanied her to this city and here finished his educa- tion, which had been begun in the district schools. His iirst active employ- ment was in the ,\uburn woolen mills, where he rrm;iineil two years and then he entered the employ of the Kibblinger (/cmp.iny, m;inuf;icturers of carriages, where he learned carriage trimming. When .Mr. Alclnlire suc- ceeded Mr. Kibblinger, Mr. P)olinger remained witli him seven years and then accepted a position as a carriage trimmer with the Zimmerman Carriage Manufacturing Company at Auburn, with whom he remained five years, then going back to the Mclntire Company for five years longer. In Octo- ber, 1908, Mr. Bolinger went to Butler and took charge of the carriage trimming department for the Butler Manufacturing Compan\-, in which position he was retained three years, and then going to Elkhart. Indiana, took charge of the trimming department for the Crow Motor Car Com[)any. After remaining there one season Mr. Bolinger retiuned to .\uburn ;uk1 on August 3, 1912, took charge of the trimming rocjin for the Zinunerman Manufacturing Company, having sixteen men under him. By natural adapt- abilitv and training Mr. Ivilinger is well (lualified t^ supervise this inipc.ri- ant department of the business and his services with the different firms with which he has been connected have been eminently satisfactory in every re- spect. He has at all times enjoyed the fullest meastu'e of confidence on the 440 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. part of both his employers and the men iinder him and is considered an in- vakiable man in the position wliich lie occupies. In 1892 Mr. Bolinger was married to Lottie Shall, who was Iwrn two and one-half miles west of Auburn, the daughter of Eli W. and Adeline (dinger) Shull. Her father, who was born and reared here, is the son of Henry Shull, one of the early pioneers of this county. The dingers are also one of DeKalb county's prominent old families, the early generation of the family having located here at a time when corduroy roads were in vogue and bridges more conspicuous by their absence than otherwise. To Mr. and Mrs. Bolinger has been born a daughter, Jessie, who is now stenographer for the De Soto Motor Car Ccmpany. She was for a time employed in the city treasurer's office at Elkhart. Fraternally, Mr. Bolinger is a member of tlie Knights of Pythias and for a number of years was prominently identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Religiously, the family are all members of the Lutheran church. In every phase of life's activities in which he has been engaged, Mr. Bolinger has performed his full part as a man among men and, standing four stjuare to e\-ery wind that blows, he merits the iiigli position which he now enjoys among his fellow citizens. Genial and un- assuming, he has a host of acquaintances throughout the county, among whom he is popular. JOHN W. BAXTER. It cannot be other than interesting to note in the series of personal sketches appearing in this work the varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are outlined, and the effort has been made in each case to tlirow well focused light on to the individuality and to bring into proper perspecti\e tlie scheme of each resjiective career. Each man who stri\^es to fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is de- serving of recognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor, and it is the function of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an autlientic record concerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such publications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, showing forth the individual accomplishments of which generic history is ever engen- dered. The bar of DeKalb county lias ever maintained a high standing, and among the alile members of the same is lie whose name introduces this para- graph. \\'ith a natural predilection for the law, and endowed with an )HX \V. HAXTKR DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 44I analytical mind and ready powers of assimilation, Mr. Ba.xter lias for a number of years been firmly established in his profession here, retaining a representative clientage and holding the esteem of his professional confreres, at the same time leading such a life as to gain the confidence and respect of all classes. John W. Ba.xter was born in I'Vanklin tow^nship, DeKalb county, Indi- ana, on November 19, 1849, and he is the son of Andrew and Nancy (Brown) Baxter. Andrew Baxter was born in Washington county, Penn- sylvania, the son of William and Sarah ( Rogers ) Baxter. He spent his childhood in Pennsylvania, moving with his mother lo \\'ayne county. Ohio, where his marriage to Nancy Brown occurretl. The latter was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of Andrew and Ellen (Richey) Brown, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Ireland. William and Sarah Baxter were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, from the north of Ireland. In the fall of 1840 Andrew Baxter came to DeKalb county, Indiana, and entered a tract of government land in section 5, Franklin township. He built a cabin and then returned to Ohio, and then, as early as possible in the spring of 1841, he brought his family to their new home. The land had not then been cleared antl Mr. Baxter's first crop of corn was planted by striking his axe into the ground, dropping corn into the hole and then tamping by stepping on it. In that priniiti\e way he succeeded in raising sufficient grain for feeding purposes. He si>ent i)ractically the rest of his life on that farm, moving to the city of Auburn when eighty-nine years old and dying two years later. Pie had lieen prominent in the civic and public life of his community for many years, having served several terms each as trustee and assessor of the township. He was twice married. His first wife, who died in January, 1856, left eight children, Elvina, Ellen, William, Andrew, Mary Jane. John W., Nancy Emeline and James B. About two years after the death of his fiist wife, Mt. Baxter married her sister Elizabeth. To the second union were liorn six sons, five of whom grew to maturity and surxivcd their mother, namely: Charles O.. Miles, Chauncey, Cory and George. Mrs. Elizabeth Baxter died on January 3, 1877, and Andrew Baxter passed away on December 18, IQ03. Religiously, Mr. Baxter never identified himself with any church, though his leaning was toward the Presbyterian church, for which he had the greatest respect and veneration, as he did for all religious societies. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat, never voting any other ticket. Between him and his children there existed the warmest afifection, though on neither side was there 442 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. much demonstration. Judged by present-day standards, Mr. Baxter did not receive much school education, but he had been a close student and was well informed in the fundamental sciences, being especially good in mathematics and a splendid penman. He took the keenest pleasure in assisting his chil- dren in their studies, and all but two or three of them afterward became teachers. John W. Baxter was reared on the home farm, attending school at Auburn, Angola and Butler, He then entered the law department of Alichi- gan State University at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in 1876. He then borrowed one hundred and fifty dollars from a sister and one hundred and fifty dollars from a man, paying fifteen per cent interest to the latter, and with these funds lie bought a law library and began the practice of law at Butler. He formed a partnership with William T. Bope, who had been a fellow student in the office of McBride & Morlan, at Waterloo, when the two young men read law together, and later they had been classmates at Ann Arbor. They remained together two and a half or three years, when they dissolved partnership, Mr. Bope going to Bad Axe, Michigan, where he has prospered and still lives. In 1880 the clerk of the DeKaib circuit court died and Air. Baxter was appointed to fill out the unexpired term, and in the fall of that year he was elected to a full term (.)f fnur years. After the expiration of his term as clerk, Mr. Baxter resumed the practice of law at -Vuburn, where he has since remained. Though quiet and unostentatious in his manner, Mr. Baxter has impressed himself on the citizens of his county and he has been connected with much of the most important litigation tried in the local courts, while he has a heavy office practice and has done a vast amount of work that has not brought him prominently to the notice of the ])ul;lic. Per.sonally, he is a genial and companionable man, an interesting conversationalist and one who impres-^es himself favorably on all who come in contact with him. Politicallv. Mr. Baxter is a Democrat, though not a very active partisan, while religioush' lie and his faniilv are identified with the Methodist Episco- pal church. (In No\enil)er jij, 1877, Air. liaxter was united in marriage to F.lla Chamlierlain, the daughter of Dr. James X. Cliamlierlain. To this union have been born six children, one of whom died in early infancy, and one, Laura, died of dijihtheria at tlie age of four years; Mary, who is a graduate of DePauw University, is teacher of languages in the .\uburn high school; Frank, who graduated from the Indiana Law School in 1905, was for three DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 443 years engaged in the practice with his father at Aulxnn ; going to h'ort Wayne on a linsiness trip, he lost iiis Hfe in tlie l)urning of the Xew .\veline hotel in that city; George graduated from Purdue University in the depart- ment of mechanical engineering, and, after teaching two years in that insti- tution, he went to Indianapolis, where he is now emplcjyed as a mechanical expert with the Rockwood Manufacturing Company; Ruth is a student in the high school at Auburn WILLIS RHOADS. Fealty to facts in the analysis of the character of a citizen of the type of the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch is all that is required to make a biographical review interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the community honored by his residence, because it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stability to the body politic. In the broad light which things of good report ever invite the name and character of Mr.Rhoads stand revealed and secure and, though of modest demeanor, his career has been signally honoraljle and useful and may be studied with l)rofit by the _\-outh entering upon his life work. Willis Rhoads. the efficient and popular cashier of the City National liank of Auburn, Indiana, was born on October 2. 1867, in Steuben county, In- diana, and is the son of Richard F. and Nancy I Gates ) Rhoads. Both of these parents were natives of New ^'ork state, being brought by their re- spective parents to Indiana in their childhood. Richard F. Rhoads was the son of Lorenzo D. and Abbie Rhoads, who came to this locality in 1850 and entered a tract of government land in Steuben connty. where they spent the remainder of their lives. Nancy Gates was born in P.roonie county. .New York, -and in 1840 was brought to Steuben count}-, where her parents also entered go\'ernment land and were numbered among the early pioneers. Lorenzo Rhoads had a brother who was a colonel in the w^ar of 1812 and the land which the family acquired here was obtained through government script. They still hold scri])t entitling them to forty acres of government land in certain states. Ricluird 1". Rhoads :uul .\ancv ( iates were married in Steuben county, were life-long farmers, mv\ livetl there to good old ages, the father dying in 1910 and the mother in 1011. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and under their careful direction their son Willis was reared with correct habits .and insiilled with cirrrect principles 444 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. of living. He was reared on the home farm and attended the pubhc school at Orland, graduating from the high school there in 1886; then he became a student in the Tri-State Normal School at .Angola, where he was graduated in 1 89 1, with the degree of Bachelor of Science; He then applied himself to the reading of law in the office of Judge Roby, at Angola, and in 1894 he was admitted to the bar, when Judge Stephen A. Powers was on the local bench. Mr. Rhoads continued his law studies and took a course at the Indiana Law School, where he graduated in 1895, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Returning then to Angola, Mr. Rhoads formed a partnership with Judge Roby and entered actively upon the practice of his [jrofession. In 1896 he was elected prosecuting attorney for the tiiirty-fifth judicial circuit, com- prising DeKalb and Steuben counties, and was re-elected in 180S, thus serving two terms in this responsible position, in which he earned nian\- warm encomiums because of his faithful and able performance of duty. In 1900 Mr. Rhoads moved to Auburn and again formed a partnership with Judge Roby, who in the meantime had moved to that place. Five months after the partnership w.is formed Judge Roby was appointed to tlu- licncli of the .state appellate court, and Mr. Rhoads thereafter practiced alone until 1907. Well grounded in the basic ])rinciples of law, a close student (if late decisions, careful and painstaking; in tiie preparation of his cases, and a forceful and effective pleader in court, Mr. Rhoads achieved a splendid suc- cess in his practice and earned the high regard of his professional colleagues. On May i, 1007, Mr. Rhoads was elected cashier of the City National Bank, of which he had been a stockholder since 1902, his selection being prompted largely by the notable success with which he had managed and closed up the affairs of the DeKalb Bank, at Waterloo, and the McClellan Bank, at Auburn, both being owned by the same stockholders and failing at the same time, and of which Mr. Rhoads had been appointed trustee in l>ankruptcy. As cashier of the City National Bank, Mr. Rhoads has demonstrated busi- ness and financial ability of high order and the splendid record which this strong institution is making is due in a large measure to his energetic eftorts, personal influence and sound judgment in the handling of its affairs. The City National Bank of Auburn was organized in 1902 with an authorized capital of $50,000, the principal promoters of the enterprise being W. H. Mclntire (who became president). Dr. F. M. Hines. F. E. Davenport, cashier, and 1. M. Zent, of .\ulnirn, and Timotliy J. Kniselv and David Knisely, of Butler. In 1007 Mr. Mclntire sold his stock in the bank, the new officiary being as follows: President, Dr. F. M. Hines: vice-pre.si- m^KAr.I! flHNTV, INDIANA. 445 dent, C. M. Brown; cashier. Willis Rhoads, and assistant casliicr, l-'rcd \V. Knott; directors, F. M. Ilines, C. M. Brown, I. M. Zeni. Willis Rhoads, Rev. August Young, H. Garrett, Philip Carper and Emory A. Shook. The financial statement of the City National Bank, at the close of business on June 4, 1913, was as follows: Resources — Loans and discounts, $255,- 706.63; overdrafts, $4,002.13; U. S. bonds to secure circulation, $25,000; other bonds to secure U. S. postal savings deposits, $7,000.00 ; bonds, securi- ties, etc., $4,000.00; banking house, furniture and fixtures, $18,330.64; due from national banks not reserve agents, $25,505.49; due from approved reserve agents, $60,647.37; checks and other items, $1,041.03; notes of other national banks, $880.00; cash on hand, $19,360.19; redemption fund with C S. treasurer, $1,250.00; total, $422,723.48. Liabilities — Capital stock, $50,000.00; surplus fund, $14,000.00; undivided profits, less ex- penses and taxes paid, $4,319,58; national bank notes outstanding, $25,000.00: deposits subject to check, $205,266.93; demand certificates of deposit, $93,877.82; saving deposits, $25,382.63; postal savings deposits. $4,876.52; total, $422,723.48. A Republican in his political affiliations, Mr. Rhoads has taken an active and effective interest in public affairs, and in 1908 he was the nominee of his party for state senator, but went down to defeat together with the rest of the ticket. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has attained the first fourteen degrees in the Scottish Rite, and he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. Religiously, he is, with his wife, connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is one of the stewards. In the civic life of the com- munity, Mr. Rhoads has been a prominent figure and an influential factor, having been for a number of years a member of tlie Auburn library board and for a number of years chairman of the board of children's guardians. Sociallv, he and his wife move in the best circles and are deservedly popular among their acquaintances. In 1897 Willis Rhoads was married to Clara Morgan, a daughter of VVinfield S. and Elizabeth (McCurdy) Morgan. She was born four miles northeast of Butler, this county, where her parents had been early .settlers. Her maternal grandfather, John McCurdy, was one of the pioneer Metho- dist preachers in this county and was a well-known character and a man of great influence for good. To Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads have been horn three children, one son and two daughters, namely : Frank Morgan, born October 18, 1898; Margaret Lucile, born October 27, 1902, and Joanna Elizabeth, born July 6, 1910. 446 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. JOHN PETER HOFF. Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the afifairs of life will inevitably result in the attaining of a due measure of success, but in follow- ing out the career of one who has attained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality wliich made such accomplish- ments possible, and thus there is granted an objective incentive and inspira- tion, wliile at the same time tliere is t.-nkindled a feeling of respect and admira- tion. The qualities wiiich have made Mr. Huff one of the prominent and successful men of Auburn have also lirought him tiie esteem oi his fellow townsmen, for his career has been oni.- uf well-directed energy, strong de- termination and honorable methods. John 1'. Hdfi", wliii is rendt-ring efficient ser\'ice as sheriff of DeKalb county, Indiana, is a nati\e of this county, iia\ing been born at Auburn on October 2, 1885, and \k- is the son of Frank A. and Mary J. Hoff, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. Hoff was reared in this city and recei\ed his (.-(Uication in the pul.ilic school>, attending tlie high scliool up to tile senior \-ear. He was then engaged for a tiuR- in his father's grocery store, but later I>ecame an employe in the .Vulnirn Steam Laundry, of which he acquiretl a one-third interest when nineteen years old. Shortly after attaining his majority, he became half owner of the business, but about a year later, sold out and going to Rockfprd, Illinois, went to work for the White Swan Laundry, a large concern, with which he was associated about six months. He then returned to Auburn and was again in his father's store until January, 1909, when he was appointed a deputy under Sheriff Thomas, serving in this capacity for four years. So efficient was his discharge of his official duties that in the fall of IQ12 he was elected sheriff of DeKalb county and is the ])resent incumbent of the office. It was believed that at the time he tocik the office he was the youngest sheriff in Indiana, and the youngest but one in the Lhiited States. Physically, Mr. Hoff is well quali- fied for his position, being a man of large build and determined character and fearless in the discharge of his duties. He is genial in his relations with his associates, a good mixer and popular in all circles in which he moves. On November 24, 1909, John P. Hoff was married to Lottie Wolford, a daughter of Frank W. and Clara M. (Royer) Wolford. Her father was a native of Williams county, Ohio, and in his young manhood came to Garrett, Indiana, to take employment with the Baltimore & Ohio railway in the yards there, first as switchman and later as conductor. To Mr. and DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 447 Mrs. Hofif has been horn a dauf^htcr, Mary Josephine, whose birth occurred on October 19, 191 1. Politically, Mr. Hoff is a Democrat and, fraternally, is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. Religiously, he is a member of the Catliolic church, while ?vlrs, Hoff belongs to the Methodist Episcopal cliurch. Ixith hciiii^- earnest supporters of their respective churches. In view of the energy, determination and integrity wliich liaxe ciiar- acterized Mr. Hoft's life, and of his standing in the community where he has spent his life, lie is eminently entitled to representation in a work (jf the character of the one at hand. CHARLES R. REED. A career marked by earnest and indefatigal)le application has been that of this substantial ami honored citizen of Waterloo, wliere lie lias maintained a residence for many years, during all of which time his life has been an open book, known and read by his fellowmen. He was a \aliant soldier of the Civil war, where his fidelity was of the type which has characterized his actions in all their relations and gained for him the confidence and esteem of the public and unt)ounded respect of all witli whom he has been brought into contact. Charles R. Reed, who, after a life of strenuous activity, is now retired and residing in his pleasant home in Waterloo. Indiana, was Irorn in Butler township, DeKalb county, on October 13, 1842. tiie son of Russell and Marilla (Holbrook) Reed. Russell Reed was born probably in Vermont, and in New York state married Marilla Holbrook, who was born in Massa- chusetts, the daughter of Lyman Holbrook. Lyman Holbrook brought his family to DeKalb county from Jefferson count\ . New York, whither they had come from Massachu.setts, and in 1834 they settled in the southwestern part of Butler township, DeKall) county. In 1836 Russell Reed came to DeKalb county and settled on a farm adjoining the Holbrook farm in Butler township, and here he spent his later life with the exception of five years, when he lived in Iowa. His death occurred in 1864 and his wife sur- vived him many years, her death occurring in 1893, l)otli l)eing buried in the Huntertown cemetery. Charles R. Reed was rearetl to maturity in lUitk-r townslup. and in 448 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. August, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Eighty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Vokinteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Reed enlisted as a private but was soon promoted to the rank of cor- poral. On September 20, 1863, he was wounded at the l)attle of Chicka- mauga and was confined in the hospital for five months. The day after he was wounded he was captured by the enemy, but ten days later was paroled. In the winter of 1864-5 1^^ ^"^'^s detailed to go to Chattanooga and thence to Charleston, Tennessee, to take charge of a company of men made up from different regiments. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Murfrees- boro, Chickamauga, and the battles, skirmishes and marches incident to the campaign leading up to Atlanta, and nearly all the other engagements of his regiment until the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge on June 7, 1865, at Washington, D. C. A brother of his, Oliver Reed, died in the service at Jeffersonville, Indiana, in 1864. Before the war Mr. Reed had received his education in the district schools and had also attended the seminary at Huntertown, and after the war he attended the free school at Fort Wayne, completing here the education which had been interrupted by the war. He engaged in teaching school with considerable success in Allen, Noble and DeKalb counties, and also taught vocal music for twenty years, both in ordinary classes and in normal classes in Ohio, Illinois and Indiana, and in the public schools of Waterloo, resigning his position in the latter schools in 1911, although he was requested by the board to continue his labors there. During the same time that he was teaching school Mr. Reed also supervised the operation of his farm, in which he met with good suc- cess. He is now retired from active pursuits and is living quietly in his pleasant and attractive home in Waterloo. In 1868 Mr. Reed was married in Swan township. Noble county, In- diana, to Mary P. Perry, who was born and reared there, a daughter of Oliver and Mary (Francis) Perry. To this union was born one child, Clyde v., who is telegraph operator at Waterloo for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad, his wife being ticket agent. He married Ella Goodwin, the daughter of Leander Goodwin, and they have one son, Lynn Goodwin Reed. In the year that Mr. Reed moved from Noble county to Waterloo, 1871, his first wife died, she passing away on September 17th, and on March 16, 1876, he married Ella S. Smith, who was born in Franklin township, this county, tlie daughter of Henry and Mary Jane (Shaneholt) Smith. Her father, who was born in Ohio, was a son of Archibald and Mary (Thompson) Smith, the former a native of Teregles, Scotland, born DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 449 on December 27, 1788, the latter born in Cumberland county, England, on October 29, 1794. These parents were married in Liverpool, England, on October it, i8i8, and immediately started for America, being ten weeks on the ocean. They lived in New York a short time, then moved to Stark and Medina counties, Ohio, where they followed farming pursuits until 1841, when they came to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating near Hamilton in Franklin township, where Archiljakl Smith bought five hundred acres of land. Here his death occurred in 1861 and his wife died in 1876. riicir snn. Henry, married Mary Jane Shaneholt, in Stark county, Ohio, and came here in 1841. His wife died when their daughter, Ella S., was a cliild only three months old. and Henry Smitli's sister, Margaret, became the foster mother to the little one and reared her to womanhood. After Ella was grown to maturit\- and married to Mr. Reed she always thought of Aunt Margaret as a child would of a mother. Miss Margaret Smith lived wuth her parents until after their death, and then she and her brother, Archil)ald, lived in Waterloo for some years. In 1888 she became the wife of Jacob I. Frazer, who died in 1898. .uid now she resides in Waterloo. She was born near Massillon. Stark county, Ohio, on September 24, 1831, and is now eighty-two years old. Mr. Reed now makes liis Ikjuh- with her. Her life has been one of cjuiet self-sacrifice, performing m;iin- kind deeds for others, many of whom remember her with gratitude. Her training, example and instruction so imjjressed itself on Mrs. Reed that tlu- latter became a devoted wife and mother, rearing her children to honored and respected womanhood. To Mr. and Mrs, Reed were born the following children: Daisy A., the wife of Edmund Brown, of Uri)ana, Ohio; Mary Blanch is the wife of Frank Spiker, of Massillon, Ohio, and they have one son, Harold R. ; Mabel Margaret is the wife of Lawrence Eugene Pontius, a photograi)her at Columbia City, Indiana. The mother of these children died on January 19, 1894. She w^as a devoted and faithful memlier of the Presbyterian church and was beloved by all who knew her. Charles R. Reed has led an active and strenuous life in some respects and has at all times enjoyed the absolute confidence of ;il] who knew him. Aside from the interests alread}- mentioned hv was ;it one time ;i ]);irtner in a flour and feed exchange and also served as I'nited States Express Company's .agent at Waterloo. He was twice elected justice of the peace, serving eight years altogether and the discharge of his duties was characterized by a sense of justice and discriniin;ition that e.irued the conmu-nd.-ition of all familiar (29) 450 DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. with the proceedings of his court. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, in whicli lie is an elder, and also a devoted member of the Grand Army of the Republic, which he served as commander three full terms, filled out another term by appointment and is now commander of the post. His integrity of principle and purity of motive are unquestioned and being a man of splendid disposition he is consequently popular in all the circles in which he moves, and is eminently deserving of representation among the enterprising and progressive citizens of his cnmmunity. GEORtiE \V. NEWCOMER. Among the successful citizens of DeKalb county must l)e nuniljcred him whose name appears at the head of this sketcii. After a period of vears, during which he indefatigably labored along agricultural lines, he was pros- pered to a gratifying degree and is now enabled to enjoy that rest which he so richly earned. He is a man of stanch and reliable make-up and has won and retains the highest regard of those who know him. George W. Newcomer, one of the well known and pojiular citizens of Waterloo, was born in Columbiana county. Ohio, on the 15th dav of .\pril. 1845, and -is a son of Christian and Mary (Wolfe) Newcomer. Christian Newcomer, who was loom in Pennsylvani.i, came to Columbiana county. Ohio, among its very early settlers. In iX_|;r the subject'^; parents moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, settling on section 2(), Franklin townshi]), wiiere the father entered eighty acres of government land at the regulation price of one dollar and a quarter an acre. At the time of their settlement not a stick of timber had been cut on the land and it was necessarv ti> clear a spot before a cabin could be erected. A tree located on the site of the cabin was utilized for shingles, the stump of the same being conx erted into a table for family use. There they established their jiermanent home and reared tiieir children, the father devoting his energies to the clearing of the kuul and the cultivation of the soil. Christian and Mary Newcomer were the ])arents of eleven children, of whom (jue died in infancy, ten grew to maturity, and five are still living. Of those who reached adult years the following mention may be made: Mrs. Nancy King lived in Waterloo until her death: Andrew died at the age of about twenty years; Peggy died in young womanhood, as did Kate; Barbara, who was the wife of Gabriel Miller, lived in different places in DeKalb county and is now deceased ; Mrs. Marv Camp lives at DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 45 1 Fairfield Center; Maria is the widciw of Danie! Ciingericli. and lives at Butler, this county; Joseph lives in Waterloo; (ieor-jje W. and Christian also live in Waterloo. George \V. Newcomer hat! hut little opportunitv for receivinjj a school education in his youth, but he did learn the practical diUies of the farm and also imbibed those habits of industry and perse\erance which were such im- portant contributing elements to his subsequent success. He remained at home until his marriage in 1872, when he and his wife moved on to a tract of land which he owned. This land represented years of the most rigid economy and strenuous efifort on his part. He first secured five acres in Franklin township from his earnings and frf which is one of his sons. He is selling the land tn these sons and one lias already paid for his tract. In .\pril, 1001. Mr. .Xewconier bnuglit a comfortable and attractive home on the south edge of I'niontown on an eminence over- looking the \alley of Cedar Creek across from Waterloo and there he now resides. On April 4, 1872, Mr. Newcomer married I>arbara \'an Horn, who was born in Noble county, Indiana, the daughter of Joiin and Annie (Rosen- berger) Van Horn. Mr. and Mrs. \'an Horn came from Chambersburg, Columbiana county, Ohio, to DeKalb county in the fall of 1853, driving through with teams to Noble county, this state. There they entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, none of which h.id been cleareti, and erected a cabin, constructing the doors, bedstead- and uiensils in the ])rimi- tive manner customary in those da\s. the cooking being done by the fire- place and the illimn'n;ition of tlie cabin l)einn provided li\- tlie old-fasiiioned grease lamp. Mrs. Newcomer's mother died about 1885 in l\ice countw Kansas, and her father died al>out eleven months later at Aetna, Newaygo county, Michigan. In Ohio John Van Horn had been employed in the coal mines at Chambersburg, but after coming to Indiana he devoted bis entire attention to farming. He and his wife belonged to tlie .Metliodist church. 452 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. In Ohio he had been a member of tlie Free and Accepted Masons and was a member of the Grand Army of the Repulihc, the membership being con- sistent from the fact that he was a soldier in the war of the Rebelhon. Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn's respective mothers bore the maiden names of EHza- beth Hanselman and EHzabeth Hunsaker. Mrs. Newcomer was reared in Nol)le county, IncHana, until fourteen years of age, when she came to DeKalb county and lived with her uncle, George Van ITorn, about three miles east of Waterloo, in Wilmington townshi]). until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer have been born six children, namely: Charles E., born May 12, 1873, married Effie Mann, of Franklin township, the daughter of Jehu and I'^Iizalieth Mann. To them ha\e lieen born fi\e children. Marion, Harold, Howard, Grace and Gladys. Charles E. Newcomer has bought eighty acres of land from his father; Lona L. is at home with her parents; Mary M. first married Ed. McKague, by whom one child was born, Blanche Irene. After Mr. McKague's death she became the wife of John W. Brown, and they now live in Franklin township, this county: Arna O., born February 7, 1879, married Ora Hodges, and lives on eighty acres of his father's farm, half of which he has paid for. Me is the father of two daughters, Gertrude ;uid Mildred. Ora Hodges w:is the (hmghter of James and Lois (Holcomb) Hodges: Elmer G. Newcomer, l)orn October 22, 1882, married Junia Schultz, of Fr;iiiklin townshi]), the daughter of Allen and Aniatula (Mann) Schultz, and to Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer ha\e been born three children, Esther, Arthur and Ralph. Elmer G. Newcomer is operating eighty acres of his father's farm with the \ie\\ of purchasing the same; William L. New- comer, born May 29, 1893, "'i" married Mae Krum, daughter of Eugene and Delia (Shultz) Krum, of Ashley, DeKalb cnunty, on December 18, 1913, is assisting his brothers on the farm: \'irgil anil \'ernon, twins, born July 29, 1885, are both deceased, one dying at birth, and the other at the age of five months. Fraternally, Mr. Newcomer is a men]l)er of the Free and ;\ccepted Masons, and he and his wife and daughter, Lona, are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. .V well lialanceil mind, sound and practical in- telligence and mature judgment are among Mr Newcomer's prominent char- acteristics, to which may also be added a geniality and amiability of dis- ])osition which has won for him a large and loyal following among his acquaintances. Though now retired from active business pursuits, he still retains an intelligent interest in the welfare of the conmiunity and unre- servedly gives his support to every movement for the educational, moral or material advancement of his fellow citizens. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 453 HARVEY T. JUDSON. Concentration of purpose and persistently applied energy rarely fail of success in the accomplishment of any task and when we examine the life record of Harvey T. Judson in order to find how he has won his position among the substantial residents of DeKalb county, we find that these have been strong elements in his business career. Mr. Judson was born at Eutler, DeKalb county, Indiana, un Ocldber 20, 1882, and is a son of Charles and Lillie Helle (Holcumbj Judson. The Judson family has a long and honorable lineage, being traced back to the Judson who came to this country on the historic "Mayflower" in 1O20, and back of him throu.^h many centuries in England. The subject's father, Charles Judson, came to DeKalb county in 1878 from Bethel, Connecticut, locating at Butler, where he was employed as an engineer on the Wabash railroad. His wife, Lillie llelle Holcomb, was a nati\e of Danbury, Con- necticut. To Mr. and Mrs. Judson were born two sons, Harvey T., the immediate subject of this sketch, and George B.. who was born on June 2, 1886, and who is now manager of the Highland Park State Bank at Detroit. Michigan. The family lived at Butler until about 1887, when they moved to Chicago, and from there to Detroit in i8c)(). and fin.ally to Ashley, DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1893. Harvey T. Judson received his educatii;n in the common school>. and for two years attended the high ■school al .Vshley. When seventeen years of age he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where be became a machinist's apprentice in the shops of the Wabash railroad. Here he learned his trade thoroughly and for a few months was employed at it, but in 1902 he became a traveling salesman for the Walter M. Lowney Chocolate Company, his territory covering Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. In this line he was eminently successful so that in January, 1909, he liecame manager of the Minneapolis branch for the Lowney people. In the meantime Mr. Judson had been on the watch for an available opportunity to engage in business for himself, and in May, 1910, he came to Auburn and established himself here. He has a splendid store well fitted up and stoeked with a well selected line of goods, and having a thorough knowledge of the Inisincss he has been able to cater to the wants of the public in a way that has attracted to him a large patron- age. He is eminently public-'^pirited in his attitude toward local affairs and is an active member of the .Vuburn Commercial Club. Though not long a resident of Auburn, he has already earned and commands the unreserved con- 454 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. fidence and good will of tlie Inisine-ss men of tht- city and others who have had dealings with him. Politically, Mr. Judson gives his support to the Democratic party, though too busy a man to take a very active part in political affairs. Socially he and his wife move in the best circles of the city and are deservedly popular among their friends and acquaintances. On January i6, 1904, Mr. Judson married Mabel Camp, daughter of Aaron W. and Amanda Ellen ( Husselman ) Camp, who was born September 10, 1884, in Smithfield township, a .sketch of whose parents appears else- where in this work. Mrs. Judson was reared in Smithfield township and received a good education, being a graduate of the Ashley high school. She is a lady of charming personality and is the center of the social circle in which she mo\es. Persona!l_\ . Mr. Judson. liy his straightforward life, correct business methods and strict integrity, has earned the commendation of his fellows and is rightfully numbered among the representative men of his community. LEANDER S. GOODWIN. The most elaborate history is necessarily an abridgment, the historiam being compelled to select his facts and materials from a multitude of details. So in every life of honor and usefulness the biographer finds no dearth of incident, and yet in summing up the career of any man the writer needs touch only the most salient points, giving one the keynote of his character, but eliminating much that is superfluous. Consequently in calling the reader's attention to the life record of the late Leander S. Goodwin no attempt shall be made to recount all the important acts in his useful life, nor recite every interesting incident in his somewhat remarkable career, for it is deemed that only a few of them will suffice to show him to I>e entirely worthy of a place in this volume along with his fellows of high standing and recognized worth, men whose names have figured pr<>minently in the affairs of DcFvalb county in the generations that are passed. Leander S. Goodwin was born on August 23. 1846, in .\shland county, Ohio, and was a son of Samuel and Elizalieth (Good) Goodwin. Samuel' Goodwin, who was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, on October 16, 181 5, was the second son in a family of seven children, born to David and Catherine (Zimmerman) Goodwin, also natives of the Keystone state. In 1822 David and Catherine Goodwin moved to \\'avne countv, Ohio, and: DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 455 later to Ashland county, this state, where Samuel grew to manhood. In 1843 'i"-' was married to Elizabeth Cjuod. and settled in Ashland county, where they lived until 1844, when the)- moved to Dekalb county, Indiana, settling on a farm in Union township, where they made their permanent home. At that time their farm was densely covered with timber and the task of clearing the land aiui putting it in shape for cultivation was one of large proportions, but, not discouraged by the outlook, Mr. Goodwin, by strenuous and persistent labor, cleared the land and in the course of time had one of the best farms in this locality, the improvement consisting of a large, comfortable residence and other sul)stantial farm buildings. He accumu- lated a valuable property and was alile to spend his later years in compara- tive ease. His wife died in 1865, leaving five children: Mrs. Mary E. Keck, Leander S., Joseph W., Mrs. Lucy George and Mrs. Alice Atwood Cummings. Leander S. Goodwin was reared to manhood on the farm in Union township, and in the fall of 1867 he married Rebecca Hively, who was reared a short distance west of Waterloo, being a daughter of David and Leah (Dayhuff) Hively, who came from Pennsylvania and probably lived in Columbiana county, Ohio, until their removal to DeKalb county. They located about one and one-half miles west of Waterloo some time before the Civil war and became known as substaiUial and progressi\e citizens of the community. After Leander Goodwin was married he followed farming a number of years, then engaged in the meat Inisiness in Waterloo, though also handling agricultural implements. In all the enterprises to which he addressed himself he met with gratifying success and was for a number of years counted a representative citizen of his community because of the active part he took in its progress and improvement and the substantial quali- ties of character which he possessed. Politically, he was active in the sup- port of the Republican party and at one time served as doorkeeper of the House of Representatives at Indianapolis. To his union with Rebecca Hively were born the following children: h'.lta, the wife of Daniel Blicker. of Waterloo; Ella, wife of Clyde \'. Reed, of Waterloo; .\lvin, ni Pleasant Lake, and Samuel, of W^aterloo. The mother of these children died in 1884, and in 1890 Mr. Goodwin married Jennie Lawhead, to whom were born three children, Martha, Jay and Willie. Mr. Goodwin died in 1898. and his death was considered a distinct loss lo the community. Religiously, he was a member of the United Brethren church until the division in that society. He was a man of sterling qualities of character and impressed his personality on the community to a marked degree. His widow and her 456 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. three children now live on the old home place at the western edge of the town of Waterloo. Mr. Goodwin's life was replete with duty well and con- scientiously performed in all relations. He was not a man to shrink from dut\ , howe\er irksome or dangerous, and possessed the traits that win in life's affairs. He is eminently deserving oi representation in a work of this char- acter. HUGH R. CULBERT,SON. The gentleman tn a review oi wliose life the reader's attention is here- with directed is recognized as one of the energetic, well known business men of Auburn, who b\- his enterprise and progressive methods has contributed in a material way to the commercial advancement of the city, besides filling worthily the responsitjie position of mavor of the citv. In the course of an honorable career he has been successful in the lines to which his efforts have been directed and enjo\s distinctive ])restige among the representati\e men of his city and county. Hugh R. Culbertson was born on his father's farm in Concord town- ship. DeKalb county, Indiana, on April 9, 1853, and is a son of Robert and Margaret (Robinson) Culbertson. Robert Culbertson was a native of the state of Ohio, but was numbered among the pioneers of DeKalb county, owning a good farm in Concord township. After the death of his first wife, the subject's mother, he married Mrs. Sidney Brown, widow of Samuel Brown. He remained on the farm until advancing years compelled him to relinquish active labor, and he went to live with a daughter, Mrs. Welch, in Jackson township, where liis death occurred. His widow was stricken with paralysis in her old age and was thereafter cared for by her son, Herman L. Brown, until her death, which occurred in 10 10. Hugh R. Culbertson is one of seven children born to his parents, two of whom died in infancy. Zephan- iah was a soldier in the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Shiloh ; Mary Jane, who is deceased, was the wife of John Owens, of Jackson township, this county; James, who died in the later eighties, was a veteran of the Civil war, and afterwards lived in Auburn, where he owned a good brick resi- dence at the corner of Main and Tenth streets; Emily became the wife of Daniel Welch and they lived in Jackson township, this county, until Mr. Welch's health failed, when they moved to Auburn, where he died. She later married Charles Jenkins, ex-county clerk and successful grocer at Au- burn. HUGH U. CULBKRTSON DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 457 Hugh R. Ciill)(.rts()n spent his hoyhoixl ;ukI young manhood on the home farm in Concord township, reccivini; ins education in the district schools of that neighborhood. After his marriage, in 1875, he engaged in farming on his own account and was so engaged until 1881, when he went to Columbia City, this state, and was employed in the implement and buggy business. In August of the same year he came to Auburn and bought an interest in a hardware store in partnership with D. D. Snyder, and handled a regular line of hardware as well as farm machinery. In the fall of 1884 the hardware stock was sold to \\'. H. Kibblinger. Messrs. Culbertson and Sny- der continuing the implement business together until Mr. Snyder sold his interest in the business to \¥. R. Brown. Cidbertson & Brown continued together until i8c)i, when they added a iianhvare deparlnicnt and U>nk in M. Boland as a partner. .\ few years later Culhertsnn and I^DJand Ixiught Brown's interest and ran tiie business until September 4. i<)()4. when the Culbertson Hardware Comj)any was incorporated, with I lu.s^li R. Culbertson as the principal stockholder, the remaining stock being held b\- R. 1), \\'elch and F. E. Dragoo. In ic;o8 Mr. Welch sold his stock to Mr. Dragoo. The company has a paid-up capital stock of seven thousand dollars, and carries a large and complete line of all kinds of shelf and heavy hardware, as well as agricultural implements and farm machinery. The retail store is located on the north side of the public sc|uare and a large wareroom is maintained at the corner of Seventh and East streets. In i8()i Mr. Culbertson erected a large and attractive home at the corner of Second and Main streets, which is considered one of the handsomest homes in AuInuMi. The splendid success which attended Mr. Culbertson's business efforts came as the result only of the most persistent energv' and indefatigable efforts, and all tliat he has today has Ijeen honestly earned. His Inisiness record here has been characterized by the strictest integritv of word and deed and no man enjoys to a greater extent the confidence and good will of the people. A Republican in his political affiliations, Mr. Culbertsherlin, that state. Upon completing his collegiate studies, he spent ahont a year on the paternal farm- stead, and then, in the spring of 1881, he came to Waterloo, Indiana, and in partnership with his brother, Frank P. Day, started in the hardware business. Two years later the brothers went to Kansas, where h'rank engaged in business at Kingman and remained there the rest of his life, Jame.^ C. engaged in the real estate business at (i.-irden City, but about four years later returned to DeKalb county, Indiana, and for a year was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Fairfield township. In the spring of 1889 he came to Waterloo and i)ought the hardware business owned by the W'. H. Kibblinger estate, and has continued to conduct this business ever since, a iieriod of nearly a quarter of a century. During this time he has not onlv built up a large and profitable business, but has .dsn l)y h\> persistent industry, good business methods and upright life won the resi)ect and high regard of the entire community. He carries a I'lrge and well >elected line of shelf and heavy hardware, such as is demanded by the local trade, and the keynote of his success here has been that he endeavors to please every customer who enters his door. In 1887, soon after Mr. Day's return from Kansas, he was united in marriage with Jennie Lockhart. who was bom in Smithfield township, De- Kalb county, Indiana, a daughter of William C. and Mary (Spencer) Lock- hart. The latter died when Mrs, Da\- was 1)ut i baby of two years of age. and the latter was reared by Mr, Lockhart's second wife, William C, Lockhart was one of the best known and influential citizens in his section of the cotmty, and is mentioned in a personal sketch elsewhere in this work, Mrs. Day is a lady of culture and refinement, possessing many excellent qualities of head and heart which have commended her to the good opinion of those with whom she comes in contact. To Mr. and Mis. Day has been born one son, William C, born December ig. 1804. who is now completing the last year of his high school work in the Waterloo [niblic .schools. James C. Day has taken an intelligent and commendable interest in the public afifairs of his community and though not a seeker of public office, he was persuaded to accept the jjosition of treasurer of Waterloo fiir a two- year term, and so satisfactory was his administration that he w;is re-elected for a second term, discharging his official duties to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knight-^ of Pythias at Waterloo, taking a keen intere-^t in the working of that order. 462 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. while religiously, he and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Presbyterian church. Genial and companionable, they enjoy the friendship •of a large circle of friends in the community and are numbered among Waterloo's best citizens. COLONEL E. MONTAVON. In every life of honor and usefulness there is no dearth of incident, yet in summing up the career of any man the writer needs touch only those salient points which give the keynote to his character. Thus in giving the life record of Colonel E. Montavon sufficient will be said to show, what all who know him will freely acquiesce in, that lie is one of tlie enterjjrising and progressive citizens of DeKalb county. Colonel E. Montavon, who for a number of years has been recognized as one of the leading citizens of Waterloo, Indiana, was l)orn on Deceml)er 21, 1861. at Fremont, this state, and is the son of Peter and Catherine (Christ ) Montavon. Peter Montavcm was born at Alsace, France, and was a man •of splendid intellectual attainments, being alile to speak seven different languages. He was a shoemaker by trade and coming to .America he was employed in a number of cities of this country. On August 3, 1856, when twenty-six years old, he married Mrs. Catherine (Christ) Fluery, who was then but eighteen years old. She was born in Paris, France, and in voung girlhood married Joseph Pinery, wlm was employed later at a lime kiln in Detroit, where he fell into the kiln and was burned to death. To Mr. and Mrs. Montavon were born two children: Frank and C. E., the former dying in 1876 and the latter being the immediate subject of this sketch. Peter Montavon moved around c|uite a good deal, following his trade, having lived at Ouincy, Coldwater and Hillsdale, Michigan, and at Fremont and Angola, Indiana, as well as other places, and in 1869 was at Toledo. In that year Daniel Till, of Waterloo, was running a hardware store and shoe shop and employed six men in his line of work. He hired Mr. Montavon to come here as foreman of his shop and to serve as expert cutter of leather. Here he remained and later started a shop of his own at a time when shoes were all made by hand and he employed six men in their manufacture. At one time about thirty shoemakers were employed in the various shops in Waterloo. Peter Montavon continued in the business luitil his deatli, which occurred on November 23, 1903. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 463 Colonel E. Montavon learned his trade under his fatiier's (hrectiim and was afterwards for awhile employed in a harness shoj). In June, 1883, at a time when the harness business was dull, an old friend of his, James Bow- man, who was running a dairy and needed help, prevailed on Mr. Montavon to go to the dairy and help him for a few days, which the latter consented to do, but at the end of that period Mr. Bowman insisted on the young man remaining with him. Montavon was unused to outdoor work, but he did his best and soon became accustomed to the new conditions. Owing to Mr. Bowman's paralysis, the women had been doing the milking, but when Mr. Montavon learned how to do it, he told them milking was no occupation for a woman and he would do it all. In October, 1883, Mr. Montavon married his employer's daughter, Sarah I. Bowman, and soon afterwards Mr. Bow- man offered to sell him a half interest in the dairy and let him work and pay for his interest out of the profits of the Inisiness. After that contract was carried out, Mr. Bowman sold the remaining half to him in a wav in which he could pay for it and later lie sold him a half interest in the home place and finally Mr. and Mrs. Montavon became the owners of the entire place, com- prising about thirty acres, located at the edge of Waterloo. The place is very elegantly located overlooking the valley of Cedar creek, and is con- sidered one of the coziest and most attractive little places in this locality. In the spring of 1906 Mr. Montavon sold liis dairy and continued the shoe shop formerly owned by his father, which he still operates and in which he has achieved a definite success. To Mr. and Mrs. Montavon have been born two daughters and a son, namely: Hazel is the wife of John C. Duncan. Jr.. lives in Waterloo and they have one daughter, Cyril; Mabel and Waklo are botli at home. Politically, Mr. Montavon is an ardent advocate of the Republican party, and in 1902 and 1903 he was elected a member of the Waterloo town council, being president of the board in 1903. In the fall of 1910 he was elected justice of the peace and is now discharging the duties of that office to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 221, and has been through all the chairs, being now a member of the grand lodge of Indiana. He is also a member of Lodge No. 307, Free and Accepted Masons, at Waterloo, and is a member of the grand lodge in tliat order. He has been chief of the Waterloo fire department for seven years. He is regarded by all as upright and honest in all his business relations and he has the confidence and respect of a wide circle of aciiuainlaiices and friends tliroughout tlie count\-. 464 nEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. OLIVER H. WIDNEY. The respect which should always be accorded the brave sons of the North who left homes and the peaceful pursuits of civil life to give their services, and their lives if need be, to preserve the integrity of the American Union is certainly due the gentleman to a brief review of whose life the following lines are devoted. He proved his love and loyalty to the gov- ernment on the long and tiresome marches in all kinds of situations, exposed to summer's withering heat and winter's freezing cold, on the lonely picket line, a target for the missile of the unseen foe, on the tented field and amid the flame and smoke of battle, where the rattle of the musketry, mingled with the terrible concussion of the bursting shell and the deep diapason of the cannon's roar, made up the sublime but awful chorus of death. To the heroes of 1861-5 the country is under a debt of gratitude which it can never repay, and future generations will commemorate their achievements in fitting eulogy and tell of their heroic deeds in story and in song. Among the hon- ored veterans of the Civil war and respected citizens of DeKalb county, Indi- ana, none occupies a higher place in popular esteem than the gentleman whose name appears above, and who, now retired from active business affairs, is living quietly at Auburn, secure in the confidence and respect of all who know him. Oliver H. Widney was born near Newville. HeKall) county, Indiana, on the 1 2th of November. 1841, and is a son of John P. \^'idney, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. When the suliject was about two years old the familv mo\ed to what is now known as the H. M. Widney fruit farm, near St. loe, this count}', and in 1851 they moved to Auburn, the sub- ject's father having been elected county clerk. In the fall of 1856 the family returned to the farm, where :\Ir. \\i(lne\ grew to manhood. He had re- ceived his preliminary education in the public schools, supplementing this bv four terms' attendance at the Newville Academy, with the intention of taking up the study of law. However, the outbreak of the war of the Re- bellion interrupted his plans, and on August 7. 1862. he enlisted as a private in Companv H, Eighty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which command was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. The regiment first went to Camp Allen, at Fort Wayne, thence to Camp Morton, at Indianap- olis. When the Confederate General P.ragg made his advance on Louisville, the Eighty-eighth Regiment was sent to that city to assist in its defense. The command took part in the Buell-Bragg campaign, and, in October, 1862, OLIVKU H. WIDXKY DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 465 was in the battle of Perrysville. After that battle, Mr. Widney was taken with chronic diarrhoea and was confined in a hospital at Danville, Kentncky. When partially recovered he and a number of other convalescent soldiers paid all their cash in order to get to Lebanon, where they rejoined their regiment. Going with the command to Tyree Springs, they crossed the river from Nashville just before the battle of Murphreesboro. There Mr. Widney became so ill from his sickness that he became unconscious and was left by his comrades, who were then maneuvering against the enemy. After awhile the warm sun revived him in a measure and for hours he wandered aim- lessly about, unconscious of his actions. Eventually he was found and taken into the city of Nashville, where he lay on the sidewalk until evening, when he was taken into the court house. After the battle a comrade. Dyer Mat- thews, and others returned to where they had left Mr. Widney for the pur- pose of burying him. expecting to find him dead. Afterwards they joked him as being unreliable, because he ran away from his own funeral. .\t Nashville, Mr. Widney was discharged on account of physical disability. However, he was too ill and weak to make the trip home alone and his father went to Nashville after him, it requiring five days to get him home, his condition was so precarious. After recuperating his health, Mr. Widney returned to his studies at the Xewville Academy, but he could not remain at home while his country needed his services, and. on July i8, 1863, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which rendezvoused at Indianapolis. On September i6th they started for Cumberland Gap, which lies at the intersection of the states of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. There, after a short time, the govern- ment ceased issuing rations and the soldiers had to forage for their sub- sistence, only one ration being issued to them up to the following February. The country had been foraged by both Northern and Southern armies until the residents of the locality were subsisting on parched corn, and it was under such conditions that the army was expected to feed itself. During that period they took Bull's Gap and fought the battle of Walker's Ford. After Bull's Gap, they were compelled to retreat to Cumberland Gap, and when the siege of Knoxville was raised they were at Tazewell, thirteen miles from Cumberland. The Confederates sought to escape and tlie One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment fought them at Walker's Ford to prevent their escape and were successful in holding the ford. The regiment then returned to Tazewell and there Mr. Widney was taken sick and went to a church, where a hospital had been established, and he was made hospital steward. (30) 466 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. His term of enlistment having expired, he then returned to Indianapolis, where he was discharged, and he then returned home. At the time of his discharge he held the rank of second sergeant, to which he was appointed on December i6, 1863. After his return home he and two other men tried to recruit a new company, in which efl'ort they were not successful, but the war was then about over. Mr. Widney, now that the grim specter of war had fled, settled down to peaceful pursuits, giving his attention to agricultural labors. He cleared up and improved a good farm, about two and a half miles north of St. Joe, and lived there until 1S77, when he traded that tract for the old homestead on which his father had settled in 1843 ^"d a part of which he himself had helped to clear. He lived on and operated this farm until about 1885, when he moved to St. Joe, being compelled to give up active labor on account of the effects of his army hardships and illness. In 1882 Mr. Whitney was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, and in 1884 he was re-elected, serving until 18S7. During his term of office some of the most important public improvements were inaugurated and carried to successful completion, including about four hundred drainage ditches, which were estab- lished or re-established. These ditches not only brought a lot of the best land of the county into cultivation, but also contributed to the banishment of malaria from this section. In March, 1890, Mr. Widney and his son, H. Aler\in, moved to All)ion and engaged in the lumber business, but in the following fall Mr. Widney sold his interests to his son and returned to St. Joe. where he lived until 1895. In that year he moved to .\uburn in order to care for his father, who died at the subject's home about a year later, .\fter the death of his father. Mr. Widney returned to St. Joe, and there, in 1900, he built the opera hou.se, a splendid building and a much-needed enterpri.se. Here also he and his son and son-in-law, C. F. Kagey, and H. Al. Widney established a lumber yard and a hardware store. Mr. \\'idney was admitted to the practice of pension law in all the de- partments at Washington concerning pensions, back pay, etc., during the early nineties, and he was highly successful in this line of efifort, as can be attested to bv thotisands of pensioners, and e.xpert examiners giving him a record as good as any in the United States. While engaged in that line of work, Mr. Widney traveled extensively. .\mong his old comrades Mr. \\'i(lney is held in the iiighest regard, and five different times he was elected colonel of the DeKalb Countv Veterans' DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 467 Association. He was also twice elected colonel of the Eighty-eighth Regi- ment Association, being the present commander of that organization, and served it one term as adjutant. He was also president of the Old Settlers' Association two terms. On November 3. 1864, Mr. Widiiey married b'.mily b'. Maxwell, who was born in Wayne county, (^hio. the daughter of John and Mary (Thomas) Ma.xwell, who came to tlu\ county in 1S34, when she was but a little girl, locating in Concord towushi]). Her father was a carpenter and contractor on the Wabash canal, and it was while she was a student in the Newville Acad- emy that Mr. Widney formed her acquaintance. Her death occurred on April 29, 1909, and on January i, 1910, Mr. Widney married Mrs. lAicy A. Griswold, a native of Steuben county, Indiana, and a daughter of Myron and Lovisa (Dirlam) Tuttle, of Pleasant Lake. Mr. Widnev is the father of two children, a son, H. Mervin Widney, and a daughter. Mrs. Lenorr \V. Kagey. Mervin A\'idney. who was born ori ?\larch 24, 18^3. married Hattie Davis, of Newville, the daughter of Samuel S. Davis and wife, and they have two children, B. Von Dale and Doris. Mervin Widney was a partner with his father in the lumber business, but is best known as an apple grower, being a widely-recognized authority on horticulture. In 1895 he set out his first orchard, comprising about a thousand trees, to which he is constantly adding, so that now he is the owner of about two thousand five hundred trees. That he has been eminently successful in this line of efYort is evi- denced by the fact that at the State Apple Show, held at Indianapolis in the fall of igi2, he won twent\"-si.\ prizes out of a possible forty-one. also taking seven second prizes and fi\e thirds, taking more prizes altogether than any other exhibitor. He raises Grinies's Golden, .Starke, Banana, Bald- win, Rambo, Wolfe River, Wealthy, Fall \Vater and York Imperial varieties, and in the handling of the fruit, which is carefully graded, every attention is paid to the protection of the fruit, much of which is wrapped individually. Mr. Widney also raises large quantities of strawberries and canteloupes. He received the basis of his horticultural knowledge at the Purdue Agricul- tural Experiment Station, though years of experience have taught him many of the most valuable secrets in the planting, growing and care of fruit. For the past five years he has been connected with the Purdue lecture course and has lectured in nearly every section of the state, being very successful in awakening an interest in horticultural matters and talking in an interesting and instructive manner on the subject. 468 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. ISAAC GROGG. There are individuals in nearly every coniniuniiy who, by reason of pronounced ability and force of character, rise above the heads of the masses and command the unbounded esteem of tlieir fellow men. Characterized by perseverance and a directing spirit, two \-irtues that never fail, such men always make their presence felt and the vigor of their strong personalities serves as a stimulus and incentive to the young and rising generation. To the energetic and enterprising class the subject of this review very properly belongs. Having never been seized with the roaming desires that have led many of DeKalb county's young men to other fields of endeavor and other states, where they have sought their fortunes, Mr. Grogg has devoted his life to industries at home and has succeeded remarkably well, as may be seen by a study of his life history. Isaac Grogg, who has an enviable standing as a progressive business man and public-spirited citizen, and who as proprietor of the Auburn Novelty Company, has been a potential factor in advancing the industrial interests of Auburn, was born on July 4, i860, in Keyser township, two miles west of Auburn, the son of Adam and Emily L. (King) Grogg. Adam Grogg, who was Ijurn in Stark county, Ohio, in 1840, was a son of Jacob and Sarah (Becker) Grogg. Jacob Grogg was born on February 14, 1814, at Canton, Stark county, Ohio, the son of Solomon and Mary (Snyder) Grogg. About the time he attained his majority he learned the miller's trade and in 1840 he took charge of a mill at Pekin, Ohio, and later took charge of the Hos- tetter and Roof Mills, with whicli he remained connected until 1851. In the latter year he bought the farm west of Auburn and in the following year moved his family to the wilds of DeKalb county. He had married in 1837 Sarah Becker, of Canton, Ohio, and she bravely bore with him the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Though Jacob Grogg never aspired to public office he was elected by his fellow citizens to several positions of trust and responsibility, in all of w-hich he acquitted himself with credit. On this De- Kalb county farm Adam Grogg was reared to maturity and married Emily L. King, who was born in Maryland and was a daughter of John and Catherine King. She came to this county in an early day with her parents, who settled a mile and one-half west of Auburn in Union township. Adam Grogg died on December 24, 1866, at the age of twenty-six years, at wiiich time the subject of this sketch was a boy of but six years of age. The latter was taken into the home of his grandfather, and his mother afterwards, im DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 469 1871, became the wife u{ Daniel Lcwer, livin.u in Nidljle county al)out thirty years, or until Mr, Lower's death, and she afterwards became the wife of Daniel Thomas, spending her last years at Cornnna. Isaac Grogg remained with his grandparents until he was nineteen years old, and then went to Dayton, Ohio, where he learned the car finisher's trade. In 1885 he re- turned to Auburn and for a number of years was emijjoyed with the Zimmer- man Manufacturing Company plant, being foreman of their mechanical de- partment for C[uite a while. While with the Zimmerman Company Mr. Grogg drifted into the windmill and tank business, and from 1885 until 1900 devoted his attention to that work, heiii^f part of the lime connected with the Zimmerman Company and about two years with the Monitor Manufacturing Company. After the latter com])any (|uit business Mr. Grogg established a small plant for himself, calling it the .Auburn Novelty Works and here did cabinet work and manufactured souvenirs and no\'elties of wood. In this enterprise he was successful beyond his expectations and established more than a local reputation. He was also interested in the manufacture of pat- terns, and while so employed made patterns for a concrete block machine for Messrs. Brost and (irosscup. His business grew so rapidly and he soon required larger quarters and decided to build a concrete block building for his shop. There being no block manufacturer in this localit}- he de- cided to make his own blocks, and his sons, delighted with the idea, urged him to buy a secoud-hand block machine that was then machine they commenced to make their own blocks them out at a rate of one hundred and lift\- a day. terial and care in the making, these blocks tm'ned out by them were of such a high quality that a demand was soon created for the blocks among their neighbors, to whom they sold them. The demand grew so rapidly that in a short time the new enterprise entirely superseded in e.xtent tlie wood and pattern work. By the next fall they needed more help and more ma- chinery, which tbc\- installed, .\lways striving for a better way to do things. Mr. (ir(jgg exercised hi- inventive genius and devised a continuous mi.xer for mixing the concrete by machinei-\-. which was economicall\" pro- pelled by a gas engine, and this improved machinery is now being manu- factured bv a company at Kendalh illc, Indiana. Mr. Grogg also designed an automatic scraper and finisher for a block making machine, which he sold to the Ideal Concrete Machinery Company, of South Bend. Another invention of his was a reinforcing device for placing and stretching the rein- forcing irons in concrete fence ])osts. and also a vaporizing system of steam- 'or sal e. Buying this nd we re >oon turning I'sini; ;■ first class ma- 470 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. ing and curing concrete products. Mr. Gregg also designed an automa- tic brick tamper tiiat is to be manufactured by the Ideal Compan_v on a large scale. Mr. '^jrogg has manufactured many (jroducts besides the concrete blocks, including concrete moldings, column.^, [)edestals. etc.. and has dis- covered a method of making them almost white and much smoother in grain than ordinary blocks, being much more like marble and presenting a very pleasing and attractive appearance. (}uality has been the watchwonl in the building up of this business, and on this basis does Mr. (irogg base all repre- sentations as to his work. Indeetl, s(} well estalalished i.s the reputation of the Grogg factory that wiien one local concern projected the building of a four-story factory building, and Mr. Grogg was too busy at that time to supply the blocks needed for the buikling, the companv refused to get them else- where, but suspended their Iniilding operations until the next >^j)ring. This in itself is certainly a remarkalile tribute to the quality of the Grogg product. The business grew to such jjroportion that the first plant established near the center of Auburn l)ecame entirel\- inade(|uate for the purpose and now Mr. Grogg has a plant at the north end of Auburn, wliere he has plentv of r lie enterprises and utilities which conser\ed such development and progress. His life was one of fullness and completeness, one of vigor and inflexible integ- rity. He accomplished great things for the general good and was not denied a due individual rew ard in the matter of temporal affluence. .\ man of rugged strength of character, of finest moral fiber, and one wdio realized a magnificent measure of useful accomplishment, his name is deeply engraved on the pages of the history of his county, so that such a publication as the one at hand must needs enter a tribute of honor and appreciation to his memory if any measure of consistency and symmetry is to be claimed for the same. He was universally recognized as a splendid citizen, of lofty character, sturdy integrity and unswerving honesty. During the period of his early years here he shared fvdly the trials and difficulties of those trying times. He was one of the sturdy figures upon which the burdens of the community fell, and he struggled devotedly with others in bringing about the resultant evolution of development. Hand and heart and purse were always open to the necessities of his neighbors, and the record of those years is one of tireless and unselfish devotion. To write the history of Mr. Davis would be to write a hook and in the limited s\rAce of a biographical memoir one can but touch upon the more .salient facts in the long, useftd and somewhat remarkable career of this JOHN LEONARD DAVIS DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 473 honored man, and briefly sum up his life by saying t'.ial he was a good man — such a man that the world was better for his having lived in it. He was a good husband and father, faithful and loving ; a good citizen and friend, con- stant and reliable ; a man in the fullest sense of the word, wide, comprehensive and far-reaching- in life's affairs. John Leonard Davis was born on No\eml)er _^, 1834, at Black Rock, now a part of the city of Ijutfalo, New ^'ork, and was a son of William and Deborah W. (Dutcher) Davis. He was reared at i'.lack Rock, and in the spring of 1853 he went to Wabash, Indiana, where his brothers, William Kirby and Lewis 11. Da\is, were engaged in llu- b.inlware business, and in their establishment he learned the trade of a tinner. In the fall of 1854 he returned to his old home in New York, and there, on December i, 1856, he was married to Louisa Hauenstein, of Buffalo, New- York, where she had been born and reared. After his marriage, Mr. Davis followed farming at Aurora, New York, where he remained for six years. He then came to Auburn, Indiana, arriving here on Octo])er 16, 1862. His brother. Joseph D. Davis, w-as then in business here as owner of the Pioneer Hardware Store and, being in failing health, he had rc(|uested the subject to come and take charge of the business for him. On the death of biseph D. Davis, which occurred in April. 1865, the subject of this sketch became his successor in the hardware business and for thirty-five years his aliility and his genial and affable manner ever increased the popularity of his store. After he bad been in business two or three years, his store was burned down and in 1868 he built on the same location, at the corner of Main and Eighth streets, what has since been known as the Da\is Iniilding. a substantial building that has been in continuous use for forty-fi\e years, and is still in splendid condition. Its fire-resisting qualities were put to a severe test in February, 1913. when the large buildings extending from the Davis building to Jackson street were de- stroyed in a fire. Although separated from the fire only by an alley, this building escaped with less damage than some of the buildings on the opposite side of the street. By careful attention to the wants of his patrons, carrying a carefully selected stock and exercising sound judgment and good business methods in the conduct of his affairs, Mr. Davis enjoyed a large and profitable business here through the _\'ears and became known as one of tlie most sub- stantial business men of his community. In 1873 or 1874 ^f*"- Davis took an acti\e part in the efforts to advance the city's interests, giving freely of his time and money in the construction of the Detroit, Eel River X: Illinois and tlie Baltimore \- Ohio railroads. The 474 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. transformation of the former stage-coach town of six hundred souls into a thriving citv with excellent transportation facilities was due in a large part to his initiati\e and personal efforts, and in many other ways he showed his public spirit. He assisted in the bringing of natural gas to Auburn and, although it lasted only about two years, it was a matter of public spirit that justified the investment of his capital even when the outcome could not be fore- seen. Another enterprise to which he contributed liberally of his time and money was the attempt, about 1890, to establish a county fair at Auburn. He also contributed liberally to the starting of several factories and other enter- prises looking to the upbuilding of his home city, and he ever stood ready with willing hands and open purse, to do what he could for the general wel- fare. During the decade that followed 1875 Mr. Davis became interested in Garrett, buying real estate there and building two commodious business rooms, one of which he occupied with a hardware store antl a liank, at the same time conducting a hardware store and bank at Auburn. In 1886 Mr. Davis was elected to the office of county treasurer, tilling the position with rare ability for three and a half years. After leaving public office, Mr. Davis again gave his undi\i(le(l attention to his lousiness interests, in hanks and stores, until the panic of 1893 101896, when he, in common with many other business men, suffered reverses in business. He was not discouraged, however, and courageously applying himself to his affairs with greater energy than ever, he re-established his hardware business and put it on a firm financial basis, in December. 1899, Mr. Davis became ill and from that time until his death, which occurred on August 14, 1900, he was not alile to give his attention to business affairs. Thus passed a man whom his fellows de- lighted to honor, for through the long years of his residence in the community he was ever true to the trusts reposed in him, whether of a public or a private nature, and his reputation in a business way was unassailable. His actions were ever the result of careful and conscientious thought, and when once con- \'inced that he was right, no suggestion of polic\' or ])ersonal profit could swerve Jiini from the course he had decided upon. His career was complete and rounded in its beautiful simplicity: he did his full dut\- in all the relations of life, and he died beloved by those iK-ar to him, and respected and esteemed 1)}- all his fellow citizens. rolitically, .Mr. Davis was a life-long Reiniblican, liis first presidental vote having been cast in 1856 for John C. Fremont, "The Pathfinder," while his last vote was for him whom he considered "The Prosperity Finder," Will- iam McKinley. Fraternally, he belonged to the Masonic order, in which he had DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 475 attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and he also was a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He was kind and sympathetic, ever ready to help those whose discouragements weighed them down. A trait of character that en- deared him to his large circle of friends was his congenial nature. .\ge did not diminish it, for its glow was as ardent at sixt)' as at twenty. Another trait which bound him with links of !o\e o a large circle of friends was his un- swerving fealty to friendship. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis were horn four children, n.uiiely : Lewis Alliert. who died on October 20, 1875, in his nineteenth year; l'"red, who was born July 19, 1859, and died October 18, 1892, aged thirt} -three years, ser\ed as deputy county treasurer under his father's administration, and at the time of his death was book-keeper in his father's store at Garrett ; Claudia died in 1866, in her third year; Edna Alene, the only living child, resides at Auburn with her mother, and is prominent in the social life of the community, being a member of the Ladies' Literary Club, president of the \\' memory will long be cherished here, for his name is deeply engraved on the pages of L^eKalb county's history, for through many years he was an important factor in the material and civic history of the same. The spleixlid success w'hich came to him was the direct result of the salient points in his character. With a mind capable of laving 476 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. judicious plans and a will strong enough to bring them into execution at the proper moment, his great energy, keen foresight and indomitable persever- ance resulted in the accumulation of a comfortable competency. He carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook, and his business methods were ever in strict conformity with the standard ethics of com- mercial life. His is the record of a well balanced mental and moral constitu- tion, strongly influenced by those traits of character which are ever of especial value in a progressive state of society. Lafayette J. Miller was born in Seneca county, Ohio, on August 25, 1835, and his death occurred at his home in Auburn. Indiana, on August 17, 1902, at the age of sixty-six years and ele\en months. He was a son of Jolm Wesley and Hulda (Jones) Miller, the former probably of German descent and the latter it is thought of Welsh ancestry. John W. Miller was a Lutheran minister, although he had been reared in the Methodist faith. When the subject of this sketch was about ten years of age his parents located first in Allen county, where the subject was reared to manhood. About the time he was reaching the age of maturity the family moved to DeKalb county, their residence being for a mnnber of vears unsettled owing to the father's work in tlie ministry. Lafayette j. Miller received his eilucalinn in the schools of the various places where the f;iniily lived, and at the ;ige nf alKait nineteen vear^-. he be- gan teaching school, whicli soeation he follovetl in different places a number of years with splendid .success. He finally gave u]) teaching and honght a small farm near Corunna, becoming agent of the Lake Shore railroad ;it that place. He maintained his residence on the farm a greater i)art of the time, but devoted his entire attention to liis railroad work, having been the representative of the railroad company at Corunna when it was an important grain shipping point, sometimes having a number of men under his direction. He served as agent of the Lake Shore railroad eighteen or more years, and in 1882 was elected treasurer of DeKalb county, serving two terms with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Upon the expiration of his term of office Mr. Miller engaged in the grain business at Auburn near the Lake Shore depot and followed this business with con- siderable success up to the time of his death. Of sound business ability and strict integrity, he not only was able to accumulate a fair amount of this world's goods, but he gained what is of far greater value, the confidence and good will of all with whom he had dealings. He possessed an optimistic spirit, carrying the gospel of good cheer wherever he went, and possessed DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 4/7 to a marked degree tliose characteristics wliich win and retain friendship. He performed many acts of kindness known only to himself and tiie re- cipient. He was a faithfnl hnshand, a kind and loving father and a puhlic- spirited citizen. In November, 1858, .Mr. Miller was imited in marriage to I-^lizabeth Ellen McNabb, the daughter of Robert and Prndence ( Pearson j McNabb, her father having been Ijorn in Ireland and coming to the United States with his parents when but ten years old, while his w'ife was of Yankee parentage, having been born in the state of New Jersey. Mrs. Miller, who was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, on February 25, 1841. was a child of but eight years when her parents moved to Illinois, where she lived until young womanhood, when the family moved to Haysville, Ohio, and when she w-as fifteen or sixteen years old, the family located in Allen county, this state, where she was residing at the time of her marriage, her parents remaining in Allen county to an advanced age. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born two children, Orlan, who died on October 16, i8g8, and Ida, wlio became the wife of Frank A. Borst, now a resident of Auburn, Indiana. Mr. Borst was born at Wadsworth, Ohio, in 1854, a son of Joseph A. and Mary Etta (Beach") Borst. Joseph Borst was a native of Schoharie county. New York, and became the owner of the Western View fruit farm near Wadsworth, Ohio, one of the best known fruit farms in that section of the state. He also owned at one time the largest celery farm in the world under one manage- ment, and in the business life of his section he was a prominent and influential figure, having, assisted in the promotion of a railroad in that locality. Frank A. Borst came to Corunna, Indiana, in the early seventies, being in the employ of the Lake Shore railroad there, and was afterwards elected auditor of DeKalb county, performing his duties in an efficient manner, and upon the death of Mr. Miller, he succeeded to the latter's grain business at Auburn, in which he is still engaged, and in which he has continued the splendid success so auspiciously inaugurated by Mr. Miller. He has also been very successful in the manufacture of concrete-making machinery. To Mr. and Mrs. Borst were born four children, namely: Charles O.. born September 10, 1880, is a graduate of Oberlin College and the law department of the University of Michigan, and is engaged in the practice of law and the abstracting of titles in Auburn, where he enjoys a splendid business and is numbered among the city's successful business men. He married Georgia E. Zimmerman, tlie daughter of Franklin T. Zimmerman, deceased, and is the father of four children, Marion, Josephine, Richard and Mary Elizabeth; Ruth Borst be- 478 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. came the wife of Earl Cline, and they have a daughter, Genevieve; George remains at home with his father, and Lafayette J. died in infancy. Mrs. Ida Miller Borst died at South Bend, Indiana, on January 13, 1908, and is buried at Auburn. She was a lady of many splendid qualities of head and heart, who had endeared herself to all who know her and in her death the com- munity sustained a distinct loss. Mrs. Miller, the widow of the immediate subject of this sketch, now makes her home with her son-in-law, Mr. Borst, in Auburn, and though quiet and unassuming in her disposition she has l)y her kindly manner and worthy life endeared herself to all who are acquainted witli her. Lafayette J. Miller was a man who. in every respect, merited the liigh esteem in which he was universally held, for he was a man of public spirit, intellectual attainment and exemplary character. In dealing with mankind, his word was his bond ; deceit never entered into any transaction he had with his fellow men. One glance of his frank eye, one word spoken with sincerity, carried conviction. His plain, rugged honesty, his open-hearted manner, undisguised and unaffected, impressed itself upon those with whom lie had dealings, and the example of his life was an inspiration to others. ELI YARXELL WILLIAMSON. From the pioneer period through many decrule^ the late Eli ^'arneIl Williamson was conspicuou'^ly identified with tlie hu-^iness and material in- terests of Waterloo and DeKalh county, Indiana, ;ind he won for iiimself an honorable position in the circles in wliich he mo\ed and was a distinct type of the successful, self-made m.an. Not a pretentious or exalted life was his, but one that was true to itself and to which the biographer may revert with feelings of respect and admiration. He was identified in a prominent way with the various activities of the county and. having attained prestige by successive steps from a modest beginning, it is eminently fitting that a sketch of his life work, together with an enumeration of his leading characteristics, be gi\ en in this connection. He was recognized as a man of strong and alert mentality, deeplx- interested in everything pertaining to the advancement of the community along material, civic and moral lines, and for years he was recognized as one of the progressive and repre.sentative men of his city and county. Having started in a lowly capacity he gradually forced his way to the front and. by faithful service and prompt discharge of every duty de- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 479 volving upon him, finally accjuired a comfortable competency and at tlie same time won and retained the good will and high regard of all who knew iiini. Eli Y. Williamson was bom in Chester count}, Pennsylvania, on May 23, 1828, and died in Waterloo, Indiana, on March 25. 191 1. He was a son of William and Matilda (Yarnell) Williamson, which family moved from Pennsylvania to Stark county, Ohio, when the subject was but eight years of age, and from that time onward he practically took care of himself, start- ing out in life on his own account at a period when most boys are just be- ginning their education. In 1854 Eli Williamson left Canton, Ohio, as a passenger on the first passenger train from Canton to Fort Wayne on what is now known as the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad. He came to Fort Wayne. Indiana, thence made hU way on foot through the then un- broken forests to the Brandeberry farm north of Waterloo, DeKalb county. In 1859 he engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills, which he continued for thirty years with splendid success, the mill which went h\- the trade name of the Taylor & Williamson Fanning Mill acquiring a wide reputation and large sale throughout this section of the country. Mr. Williamson was one of the founders of ^^'aterloo, and was one of the three men who met in council and named the town. From that time forward he was closely allied with its progress and development and was identified with its building inter- ests, having erected a number of the earlier buildings, some of them still remaining as landmarks of the i)ioneer period, in 1856 he hewed tiie timber and built the first house in Waterloo, now known as the Klotz property on Maple street, and in the spring of the following year he built the dwelling now known as the D. L. Leas property, in which, on November 2}, 1857. he established his home, having just married Susan Rohrbaugh. She was a daughter of Daniel, Jr., and Elizabeth (Beck) Rohrl)augh. Her parents, who were natives of Union county, Pennsylvania, had moved from their na- tive state to Stark county, Ohio, and thence in 1850 to DeKalb county, buying one hundred and five acres of land in the northern part of what is now Waterloo at a time when there were only two houses in that town. The family name had been originally Rohback, but in one community where the family had lived the people had confused their name with that of some former residents by the name of Rorebaugh and eventually tiiis family changed its name to accord with public usage. Daniel Rohrbaugh was a cabinet maker and coffin maker, and was a well known pioneer of Waterloo, being a prominent figure in its early affairs. Mrs. Williamson died in Janu- arv, 1893, leaving the following children: Elmore Williamson and Mrs. 480 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. William S. Sewell. of Waterloo, Mrs. Howard B. McCord, of Auburn, and Ernest B., of South Bend, Indiana. Mr. \\'iIliamson was not only keenly alive to the adwuicement of his own interests, in which he was eminently suc- cessful, but he took an active and effectual interest in the civic life of the community in the early days, serving at different times on the board of trus- tees for the town of Waterloo and being often consulted on public affairs in which the town had an interest. In private he assisted many of his neighbors who were less fortunate than he, his liberality being sometimes taken ad- vantage of to his financial loss and his sympathy not always being rewarded with the gratitude which it deserved. His protracted residence in this section of the state made his name widely and familiarly known and his life and the history of this locality for a period of over a half centuiy was pretty much one and the same thing. He lived to see and take a prominent part in the growth of the community and was one of its wisest counsellors and hardest workers. His was a long life of honor and trust and no higher eulogy can be passed upon him than to state the simple truth that his name was never coupled with anything disreputable and that there never was a shadow of a stain upon his reputation for integrity and unwavering honesty. CHRLSTIAN NEWCOMER, JR. The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this biographical re- view has long enjoyed distinctive precedence as one of DeKalb county's most enterprising and successful agriculturists and business men, and besides en- joying the reputation of one of the county's representative men of affairs, he has at the same time won a reputation for honesty and square dealing in all the relations of life. Christian Newcomer, Jr., was born on June 8, 1847, in Columbiana county, Ohio, and is the son of Christian, St., and Mary (Wolfe) Newcomer, the father having been a native of Pennsylvania. To these parents were born nine children, four sons and five daughters, of which the subject of this sketch was the last born. In the spring of 1849 the family came to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating on a tract of land in Franklin township, on which not a stick had been cut, and where it was necessary to clear a spot on which to build a small cabin. Here Christian Newcomer, Sr., acquired eighty acres of land and on this tract the family made a permanent home, the parents re- siding there until their death, which occurred, the father in 1870, when DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 481 seventy-seven years old, and the mother on August 6, 1892, in her eighty- fifth year. The suhject of this si- take their places above tiiose sturdy, self-sacrilicing, ( .od- fearing and consecrated men who, withinU tliought of personal comfort or the iironiotion of their own interests, have devoted their li\es to the u|.lifling of their fellow men and the building nji of then" .Master's kingdom 011 earth. In the history of DeKalb county of a past generation no figure stands out with more prominence, because of faithful ser\ice and beneficent results, than that of Stephen B. Ward, who gave the best years of his life to the service of God and his fellow men and who. though long since pa.ssed to the higher life, is still remembered with grateful api^reciation by many who knew him and sat under his bles.sed ministrations. .Stephen B. Ward was born in Randol])h, Portage county, Ohio, on July 22. 1816. His parents, josiali and .Mindwel! (Harris) Ward, both successful merchant at Kendallville, In- diana. He married Florence Iddinys July 8. i86f). and their onl\- son, Lewis Ward, is with his father in the ^tore. He was married to Marv Mallorv November to, 1897, and is the father of a daughter, Morence.Miorn Decem- ber 31, i8c)(). Vesta AL. born April 26, 1841, who is the widow of the late Dr. David J. Swarts, resides at .Vuburn, where she is practicing medicine. -She and hei' late husband are mentioned at length elsewhere in this work. DAVIS E. CARUTH. The memory of the worthy subject of this memorial biography is re- vered by a host of friends and acquaintances, he having spent his energies through a long life of strenuous endeavor to make the most of his opportuni- ties as well as to assi.st as best he could his neighbors to improve their condi- tion, for he did not believe in living to himself alone, manifesting an altruistic sijiril and kind heart, liis s\nipalhies going out to those who needed assist- ance or encouragement, .and in all the relations of life he proved signally true to every trust. He possessed a social nature and l>y his gem'.al and kindl}- at- titude to those with whom he came in contact, he won the confidence and respect of everyone. Davis E. Caruth was born in Chester countv. Penns\l\ania. Mav 16. 1852. .\fter securing his education in the ]ni!)]ic schoo's he entered the emplo\- of railroads and at the ;ige ipf twenty-one \'e;irs. when the Baltimore & Ohio road w;is being built through IVKalb county, he came here as a line- man, working the line construction at the time when the town of (iarrett was just being started. He remained with the Baltimore & Ohio company for six or seven vears. .'\fter his m-irriage, which occurred in 1876, Mr. Carutb DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 48; -iniANA. > and then rem KiVcd ';nilic Tclo.t^rap h Coi lived at Walkerton, Indiana, ahmit four yi.-ai> and then rcmdvcd leing a sister (jf Reu- ben Lockwood, deceased, whose sketch appears elsewhere ni this work. Mrs. Caruth was born and reared on her father's farm about fivL- miles south of Auburn, and when aiiout seven vears of age she accompanied her [)arents on their remo\al to .\uburn, where she li\ed until her marriage to Mr. Caruth. To this umon were born two daughters. KLir j., the wife of Ashton Staman. a druggist at .\nburn, and (iertrude C. the wife of I'^dward O. ;Little, jeweler and' city clerk of .Vulmrn. who^e --ketch appears elsewhere in this work. Fraternally, Mr. Caruth was a Mason of high degree. lia\ ing lieen a member of the Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree, for oxer twenty : years. Religiously, he was a member of the Presbyterian clun-cli, and during his entire life he always stood for the right regardless of public sentiment. Be- cause of his positive stand on all questions and his high personal character he won a host of friends who esteemed hiiu for his genuine worth. He was deeply interested in everything that wa^ for the i)etterment of the town in which he lived and lent a helping hand whenever he could for the public wel- fare. He loved Ins fellow men irrespective of rank or circumstances and was in turn beloved by them. He remembered the sick in their distress and was their friend in their hours of isolation and lroui)le and fre(|uently gave material assistance where it \\a> neetled. During bis ,icti\e life he ga\e strict attention to his business affairs and for luauy years he never lost a day while in railroad employ. His superior officers held him in the highest regard, for he was not only well qualified to discharge important official duties, hut was a man who without effort made friends and alwavs retained tliem. 486 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. EDWARD O. LITTLE. Edward O. Little was born in Auburn, Indiana, on March i, 1879, and is the son of Henry E. and Sylvia (Orr) Little. Henry E. Little was born in VVilliamsport, Pennsylvania, and was a son <>i .Vndrew Jackson and Amanda (McDowell) Little. Amanda McDowell, who was born at Lan- caster City, Pennsylvania, was a daughter of Robert and Mary (Roth) Mc- Dowell, and accompanied her parents on their removal to Columbia and thence to Williamsport, where her marriage occurred. .\ndrew Jackson Little was a native of Columbia, Connecticut. After liis marriage lie re- mained at Williamsport for some years, iDeing engaged in his young man- hood as a teacher in the college at that place. During the same period he devoted all his leisure time to the study of law, acquiring a fine legal educa- tion. He was admitted to the bar and developed into a most successful lawyer, practicing extensively in the Pennsylvania supreme coun. He was a man of force and strong personality and was especially strong as a pleader before court and jury. He practiced for many years in l^ennsvlvania. bin about i860 he was induced to go U> Coidwater, Michigan, where he met with great financial rever.ses. Soon afterward lie moved U> I'^nl Wavne, Indiana, where he remained until the beginning of the Civil war, when he moved to Auburn, continuing in his law practice there, .\bout 1880 Mr. Little sufifered an attack of typhoid fe\er, from tlie effects of whicli hi>^ health was per- manently injured and thereafter he relin(|uished his law practice, living re- tired until his death, which occurred in 1884. He left a widow and four children: Andrew Jackson, William, Henry and John (/onger. Henry E. Little, after completing his common school education, learned the printing trade at .\uburn and accepted a position in the office of the Auburn Courier. of which he Iiecame foreman at the time when the office was owned by James Barnes. Later Mr. Little bought a paper at Hicksville, but soon after- wards sold out and he and liis brother, Andrew Jackson Little, started the Garrett Clipper. He was a strong and forcible writer and a courageous newspaper man and was not afraid to s])eak the truth regardless of fear or favor. He and his I)rother developed the paper into mie of the best news- ])apers of the community, with a large circulation, but tliey eventually .sold the paper, though later Henry and his son, Tracy Little, bought it back and ran it until Henry Little's death, which occurred on July 27, 1905. Sylvia (Orr) Little, wife of Henry E., was the daughter of Edward and Rachel (LIpdike) Orr. Rachel Updike Orr was born in 1X33 and traced iier ances- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 487 try back to Louis Janscn op Dyck, a Hollanck-r w lio canic to America l)ffore 1653, and located at Albany, New York. He was descended from the nobility in Holland and through them from the ancient races that warred with the Romans, his ancestry being traced to Henric, who was born in 1261 of a knightly family. Rachel Updike Orr's father was John Updike, who was the son of George Updike, a son of Esquire Luther L^pdike, the latter a justice of the peace in Kingwood, Alexandria and Hunterdon counties. New York, anil for fifty years was an associate judge of llie cummon pleas coiu-l, and was an ensign in the war of Revolution, having served through the greater part of that struggle. He was a man of ability, prominently con- nected with public affairs, well to do in his finances and a successful and popular preacher in the Baptist church. .\n uncle of Rachel Orr, George Updike, was a prominent man in New York city, and was active in pro- curing Lincoln's nomination, he himself being elected mayor of New ^'ork city. Sylvia (Orr) Little died at xAuburn, Indiana, May 14, 19 10. Edward O. Little was reared in Auburn and graduated from the high school in 1897. During the following five years he served an apprenticeshif) to the jeweler's trade under the direction of D. A. Hodge, at that time, a jew- eler in Auburn. Mr. Little then engaged in business on his own account in a small way at (jarrett, where he remained nine monllis, ;uhI in 1903 removed to Auburn, opening a store in a small frame building on .Main street between Seventh and Eighth streets. He prospered in his \ enture and in the follow- ing March he moved his store to his present place of business on the north side of Seventh street, just west of Main, where he has been in business ever since. He carries a large and well selected stock of jewelry and altogether has a store that is a credit to the city. He is a good workman and has always evinced a desire to thoroughly please his jKitrons. Mr. Little is a Democrat in politics and to him l)el the distiiHliou of having served in an elective public office longer than any other jjerson served in Auburn up tf) this writing. He was elected cit\ clerk of .Vuhurn in the spring of 1904, and has teen twice elected to succeed himself. The dis- charge of his important duties has been characterized by the utmost faith- fulness and ability and he has been rejjeatedly urged to stani-o\\n. She was l)orn in .\lleglien\- county. Pennsyhania. the daughter of .Andrew and Ellen (Ritchie) Brown, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Ireland. William and Sarah Baxter were Scotcli-Irish Presl)yter- iaiis from the north of Ireland. .Andrew Baxter came to DeKalb county, Iiuliana. in the fall of 1840 and entereil a tract of government land in section 5, Franklin township. He built a cabin, after which he returned to Ohio and as early as possible the next spring he brought his family to their new home. The land not being cleared, he first planted corn by striking his axe into the ground, dropping corn into the hole and then stej^ping on it, closing the hole. In that way he raised enough of a crop for feeding purposes. He spent prac- MILES BAXTER S8(), wlu-n Ik- iiK.ved to lie served sex eral times wice married. His first Klvina. Ellen . William. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 489 tically the rest df his life on that plaee, or until Auburn, where he died when ninety-one \ears old. as trustee and as as.sessor ol" his township. He wa^ wife died in January, 185O, leavini;- ei.<;ht ehildrei Andrew, Alary jane. John W., Xancy l-.nieline and James R. .\l>out two years later he married his first wife's sister, I'dizahelh Ilrown. who lu-canie the mother (jf six son^, fixe of whom s^rew to maturity .and snrxived her. ntunely: Charles ().. Miles, fhauneey, Cory and ( ieor^'e. The mother of these chil- dren died on January 3, 1877. and Andrew P.a.xter died on December 18, t()()3. He was a Presbyterian at heart and had gretit respect and veneration for the church, but never joined formally. He was deeply interested in pub- lic affairs and always voted the straiti'ht Democratic ticket. His rehitions with his family were of the hi,irhest order, a warm affection existinj;- between them, though there was hut little demoiistraliou of thi^ fceliuLi. .Xccordin.u' to present-day .standards, he did not possess much of an education, hut in the fundamentals he w;is well informed and. heiii,i;' a man of strong common sense and sound iiidqnient, his ad\ice was considered \;dual>le l)y those who sought it. He understood arithmetic well and was an excellent penman, and did much in the \\a\- of instructini;- hi-~ children in their studies and stimulat- ing them in their educational efforts. That his influence was effectual is noted in the fact that, with hut two or three exrep'ion>. all (if the children became school teachers. Mile.s Baxter was reared on the home farm mnil he was about seven- teen years old, when. h;i\ ing a desire t<' fake up leaching, he began attend- ing teachers' normal schoom iyo6 to IQIO he was county chair- man and has twice been a delegate to state conxentions of bis party, having been chairman of the DeKalb county delegation to tiie convention which nominated Thomas R. ^'larshall for governor. He lias fre(|uently iieen active in congressional district politics. While in the restaurant and grocery Inisiness Mr. Baxter served two years as treasurer of Auburn, giving a satis- factorv administration of the office, and from looo to 1904 he served as trustee of Uniou townsliip. In i()i_^ lie was recommended by Congressman ('line for tiie postmasterslii]) at .\uburn. In i88q Miles Baxter was married to Mollie McDowell, who was liorn and reared on the McDowell farm, .1 short distance we.^t of .\uburn, being the daughter of Elijah j. and Mary .\. ( C.eorge ) McDowell. Two children were born of this union, one dying in infancy and tlie other at the age of si.x- teen months. Mrs. Baxter died in June, i8c)j, and on January 12, 1897. Mr. Baxter married Minnie M. McDowell, a sister of hi> first wife. They have two children, Helen and Stanley Miles. Mr. Baxter and family are identified with the IVesbyterian church, of which he is a trustee and otherwise active in advancing its interests. Frater- nally, he is a member of Auburn Lodge No. igi. Knights of Pythias, of which he has been a member for eighteen years. He has passed through all the chairs of tiie subordinate lodge an- case on the docket. He was of a disposition that enabled him to avoid an- tagonism and he made warm friends of practically every fellow member of the bar. His removal to Garrett was with a definite idea in view and he returned to .Auburn with the same definite plan before him. Farsighted, keen and sagacious, he always aims to be sure that he is right and then, when so assured, he boldly goes ahead in the performance of his duty, regardless of outside opinion or criticism. Messrs. Atkinson & Link have been engaged in much of the important litigation which has been tried in tlie local courts, including many cases venurd td this court fmm other counties, and they have been uniformly successful in their practice. Mr. Atkinson is careful and thorough in the preparation of his cases and prompt in the handling of them, and because of the careful observance of professional ethics and his cour- tesy to the other members of the bar he is held in high esteem by his- colleagues-. In the public life of the community Mr. Atkinson has shown a commenda- ble interest, giving his earnest support to every movement calculated to ad- vance the best interests of his fellows, and because of his genial disposition and unassuming manner he has endeared himself to all who know him. On June 23, 1908, Mr. .Atkinson married Mary E. Rose, the daughter of Judge James E. and Mary F. Rose, and to tlii- union have been born a daugh- ter, N'irginia Rose, and a son, Joseph Edward. RALPH L. THOMAS. The career of the well known and highly respected gentleman whose name heads this review illustrates forcibly the possibilities that are open in this fair land of ours to men of earnest puri)ose. integrity and sterling busi- ness qualifications. .\ well spent life and an honcirable career constitute his record, and he is esteemed liy a host of friends in the city of Auburn, where he maintains his home, and throughout DeKalb county. Ralph L. Thomas, of .Auburn, Indiana, ex-sheriff of DeKalb county and now deputy sheriff, was born in this city on the 6th day of .April, 1874, and is the son of David F. and Jemima ( Link ) Thomas, the former being the son of David and Anna (Batchie) Thomas, his liirth having occurred near Canton, Stark countv, Ohio, in 1841. David Thomas was born in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, in 1805, and was the son of John and Mary Thomas, who settled in Ohio in 1810, being nimibered among the early pio- DEKALB c:OUNTY, INDIANA. 495 neers of that state. Jnlm Tlionias was a scldier in lla- war of 1812. Anna Batchie, who was a native of Switzerland, was twenty-one years of ai^e when their family came to America. Here her fatiier li\ ed to an advanced age, his death occurring at the age of one hundred )'ears and nine months. David Thomas and Anna Ratchie were married in Stark county. Ohio, where the\- resided until iH^h. when they mo\ ed to I.ouisxille, that state, and eventually came to Richland township, DeKalh county, Indiana, where David Thomas died on March 3, 1862. being survived a number of years by his widow, who died on April 26, 1883. David F. Thomas, who accompanied his parents to DeKalh county in iSso, was reared on the home farm in Rich- land township and lived there until his marriage to Jemima Link in 1866, re- siding there also for a short time afterward. In 1870 he moved to the Link farm, on which the city of (iarrett is now located, where he resided two years, moving then to .Auburn, where, with the e\ce[)tion of two years, i8q! and 1802, spent in Chicago, he spent the remaintler of his life, his death occurring in igoq. He was an expert all-aroun:l mechanic, ran a threshing machine and could construct an engine ()r build a house from foundation to roof. He was a Democrat in his political views, hut was not an active parti- san. Flis wife, whose maiden name was Jemima E. Link, was born in Ash- land county, Ohio, in 1844. and was the dausrhter of Samuel and Susannah (Lantz) Link. Samuel Link was the son of .\dam Link, who was the son of Jacob Link, and it is belie\-ed that both Samuel ami .Adam were born in Penn- sylvania. Jacob Link was a gunsmith .and also niaiuifactured gun powder. He owned four Inmdred and twent\- acres of land where the city of Wheel- ing. West X'irginia, now stands, his land now In-ing the site ot a large semi- narv. .\bout the beginning of the Revolutionary w.ar he and all his family, exce])ting his son, Adam, were massacred by Indians. .\dam, who was away from home at the time of the disaster, was warned on his return and fled for his life. He ne\er returned to claim the estate, nor would he permit his chil- dren to do so. He became a soldier in the war of the Revolution. ])articipat- ing in nianv of ihe hardest fought battles of that struggle, and was an aid-de- cani]) to a general in that war. He died in Crawford county, Ohio, at the age of one hundred and .seven years, being the last survivor but one of the war for Independence. Samuel Link, father of Mrs. Jeniini;i Thoni.as, was married in Ohio to Susan Lantz, and thev reared eight children. While liv- ing at Ashland he was employed as a pump maker. In the spring of 1853 two of his sons came to Auburn and in the fall of the following year he and his entire familv c;inie to DeKalh countv, locating in Jackson townsjiip. Here 494 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Samuel Link contiiua-il to make pumps aiul put cknvn nearly all the \vell> in his part of the county, in which he was very successful financially. About 1863 he bought eig^hty acres of land on which the town of Garrett now stands, though .-it the time he purchased the land it was covered with a dense .i^riAvth (if timlier. He built there a Inj^- cabin which was the first house in (iarrett. This bouse remained imtil al)out t\vent\- years ago and was a well known lantlniark. There the Link family li\ed until tbe\- sold the land to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad ("om])any, and then bought aiiotber farm, a smaller place located near their son, Holmes Link, where they spent ibeir old age. Ralph L. Thomas was reared in Auburn and received his early educa- tion in the public schools. When about fourteen years of age he began learn- ing the baker's trade and a year later went to Lima, where he established a small bakery for another man. In i8()() he and his brother, William .\.. en- gaged in the bakery business in .\uburi\ but tb.e following year the\- were so unfortunate as to lose their entire property b}- fire. For a short time the\- enga,ged in the wJKile^ale and retail candy business, but later again entered the liakerv Inisiness, Inning a place in the north part of .Vuburn, where there bad been a creamery establi>bed. This they overhauled and 'established macbiner\- for a steam bakery when they a,gain suffered the loss of their plant bv fire. Immediately afterwards they put in a temporary plant on Ninth street and continued their business until they could rebuild. Their new bak- er\- wa-- located on the south side of Seventh street, at the corner of l-'.ast street, and here the twf brothers continued the business together until K)05. wlien the subject of this sketch was appointed city marshal, an appointment wbicli came to him without anv solicitation on bis part, but wbicli be was urged to accept by the city authorities. He held the position two years .-ind rendered efficient service to the city, maintaining good order without any trouble worth mentioning and giving excellent satisfaction during tbe period of bis ser\ice. In 1907 Mr. Thomas opened the Interurban restaurant, hav- ing a partner, C. F'".. Frick. A year later he sold out and then entered into a partnership with his brother in the bakery business, in which he was engaged until January, 1Q09. In the fall of iqoS Mr. Thomas was elected sheriff of DeKalb county bv a majority of nearly a thousand, the largest majoritv ever cast for a candidate in DeKalb county up to that time. In igio he was re- elected bv a maiority of twelve hundred thirty-nine, figures that have never been eipialled in this county. During tbe four years' tenure of his office he has bad more than five hundred prisoners in charge, including law breakers DEKALB COUNTY, Ii\' DIANA. 4y5 and insane persons, and also was busily engaged in the discharge of other offi- cial business, but never lost a prisoner and had no difficulty in the perform- ance of his duty. In 191 1 Mr. Thomas organized the DeKalb Detective As- sociation and since then every horse stolen in tliis county has been recov- ered. The society has seventy-two members distributed over the county, covering all the main roads in each lownship. On the commission of a crime a notice is sent out to each memljcr to be on the lookout and he warns all his neighbors, so that many are on tlie alert all over tlie countv when a crime is committed, and il i> thus comparati\el\- eas\ to apprehend a horse thief and other criminals. Mr. Thomas has thus had a varied career, having been a baker, a manufacturer of candies, and a pulilic oflicial. and m every phase of life's endeavors to which he has tle\-oted liimself, he has performed his part as a man among men, e\er recei\ in,i; the confidence and regard of all who have known him. While engaged in the candy business, he and Iiis brother manufactured what was known as Thomas Brothers Cough Drops which attained a marked degree of popularity and reached a wide sale. Politically, Mr. Thomas lias lieen a life-loui; supporter of tlie Demo- cratic party, ha\'ing l)een active in the state and county organizations and doing effectual work during campaigns. b'raternally, he is a memlier of the Knights of Pvtiuas, the Knights of the Maccabees, the I'enevoient and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and also helped institute the local lodge of the Modern Samaritans. Personally, Mr. Thomas is a man of splendid physicpie, a good mi.xer, makes friends easily and was a brave and fearless officer in the dischar,ge of his official duties, though witli malice toward none and charity to all. In his relations with his fellow men he is courteous and genial and posses,sing marked domestic taste, he finds his ciiief (.njoyment in his home where, laying aside the cares of Jnisiness life, he enjovs the companionship of his wife and children. When but seventeen years old Ralph L. Thomas married Olive Kiplin- ger, of Waterloo, the daughter of .Michael and Mora (Dennison) Kiplinger, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. To this union were born five children, namelv: \"ictor. who is engaged with the Home Telephone Com- pany at Auburn, married Edna Baumgartncr, of War.saw ; Bernard died at the age of four years; Ruth died at the age of three years, their deaths oc- curring but four days apart, fom diphtheria ; LaX'one died at the age of two and one-half years of scarlet fever; Dale is now eight years old, and is the idolized member of the family. 496 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. JOHN C. LOCHNER. Few citizens of DeKalb county, Indiana, are as widely and favorably known as Jdlin C Ldiimer. (me nf the cimnty's most useful and highly es- teemed men, and editor and publisher of the Auburn Weekly Bee. His life has been closely identified with the comnumity and his honorable business career has brought him before the public in such a way as to win the esteem and confidence of his fellow men and give him an en\ iable reputation among his. contemporaries. Keen perception, tireless energy and honesty of purpose, combined with mature judgment and every-day conunon sense have been among his most prominent characteristics and, while laboring for individual success, he has also been instrumenlal in promoting tlie ad\-ancement and prosperity of the community with winich lie is identified. John C. Loclmer was born in Jackson township, DeKalb county, hidiana, on August I, 1871, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Wyatt) Lochner. Jacob Lochner was born in Germany, coming to America in his boyhood witii three IjroUiers antl a sisler. For a time he was employed in driving mules along llie towpalh of ibe oki Waixish & Erie ("anal, but was wi>ely economical of his earnings, so that at length he was enabled to buy eighty acres of land in Jackson township, this county. It was raw and unim- proved land, but he clearea it and developed it into one of the best farms m this locality, the place being now owned by his son, P. P. Lochner. The father lived on this farm until late in life, when he went to live with a daughter. Airs. Beaty, in Auburn. He bad followed farming continuously from the time he first obtained possession of his laral. and added to his origi- nal tract until his farm comprised one hundred and twenty acres. His hobby was in kecfjing iiis place up tn the highest possible .standard of perfection, and in this lie was successful, for he would not rest while a weed grew in the fields, nor allow a needed nail to remain missing. He erected a good, sub- stantial l)rick residence, commodious l;ank barn, and e\er\- thing about the place was strictly up-to-date according to the ideas of his day. Jacob Lochner was twice married, first to Mary Wyatt. the daughter of Thomas Wyatt, and they became the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, namely: Henry, of San Diego, California: P. P.. who is engaged in the operation of the home place; Etta, deceased, who was the wife of -S. S. Potter, grocer at .\ul)urn; :\nna E., the wife of J. E. Beaty, of .Auburn: Sarali, wife of C W. I'arlles. of Jackson townsliip, tliis county: John C. the immediate subiect of this sketch. The mother of these children JOHN C. LOCHNER DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 497 (lied in 1S74 and a few years later .Mr. l.oehnef nianied Anna ( ierri.y. who died sunie years ai;e. withditt issue. jdlin C. l.ncliner was reared on the iionu- farm untd tlie a.i^e of tifteen years. He liad iKi ,L;real Hkint; fur farm wurk. hut after leavin.iL,' Imme was employed at farm work for tw.i years by a neighbor. lie was iIkii employ- ed for i\\(. vears in a saw-mill al .Xnlmrn, when he suddenly resohed to try his hand at the ])rintint;- trade. .Xmon;; his aeqiia.'nlanres was W. !'.. Canip- i)ell. owner of ihe Jiihiini lUshuU!'. and widi him he obtained a place. He was a lari^e, stroni;' boy. and he be.i;an his \'i>rk a- a "printer's devil" at the weekly wa.s^e of one dollar and fifty -cents, llis Ixjard eosi hirn two and a half ilollars. hut he ,eot credit t",or a part of that and was thus able to "el by. In the printing- office Mr. l.ochner was in his pro])er sphere and from that time to the ])|-esent he has ncer rei^retted the sU]) whicli started him in the business. In the nixpntch office lu' made rapid pro^•re-s and inside of a year, he was made foreman of the -ho]), hi!rii (o/'r/Vr, which was then owned bv Janu's .\. I'.arnes, one of the veteran newsp.aper men of DeKalb coim'w On .March 4, i8(j(), Mr. Barnes started the Paily Cnuricr and i)laced Mr. Lochn-r in full diarize of it. 1'he paper espoused the Deniocratic cau.se and. as party feeling; ran hi.s^h that year, some e.xcitin.s,' experiences were ]iasscd throu<;h. After remaining with the Courier a few years, he went to Ar^us, Indiana, and bou.s,dit the Reflector, in M;irch, iK<)8, which he sold at the end of six months and returned to .\uburn. He now erected se\era! houses and for a time was en,i;ay;e(l in the real est.ate business. (.oIul;- then to Keitbsbur.ii-, Illinois. .Mr. l.ochner l>ont,dit the Tiines. which he ran .about six months and then sold it at a .^dod profit, which he at once inve-ted in more hoiis,-v in Auburn. He ihen went to Colon, .Michit,Mii, bought the Express and for nil.- months ])ul)hshed it, huildin.e; it \\\^ to a poiiU where he sold it at a haniNome i)rofit. Kc'.urnins; then to Auburn a,i,rain, he started a job printin.ti: office, which he m.ana.ijed with continuous success until 1007 when he was induced b\ a h;uidsome salary to join the sales force of the .\ubuin Automobile ("ompany and for two years was on the road for that concern. In the fall of kjio Mr. l.ochner a.i^^ain found himself eng'a.s^ed in news])a]ier work, havinsi' been eiuployed by W. H. .Mclntvre, then the position of sales manager of his antonioliile factory. The pi-imint^ husiness had not lo>l any of its charms for .Mr. Lochner and in the fall of igt i he re-imrchased the joh ]iriiitin,i;- office, ami on January 3, lijiJ. he >tarled the .Utlmni W'rcllx Ha', an indei)endent \veekd\- pajier. and probably the only paper in its cla-.s ^old at a snl)scription price of fifty cents a year. His natnral talent ami e\pri-Rnce enabled iiim to conduct this ])aper alon^ >iich lines as secured him a lari.;e circnlatiou, which ha^ steadily increased since the first issue, until toda\ it is con>idere(l one ni [\k- hesl newspapers and advertising;- medium^ in 1 )eKalb count\. the eijuipment of his office iieiii.i; the licst to he found 111 the countv. iiicludin.u an Iniertype t\pesellin,u machine. .Mr. Lochiu-i |iosm.-sscs the genuine instinct for news -o essi'iuial to the successful newspaper man ami. wieldin.i; ;i forceful and trenchant pen, his columns are never dull or iuoik .b .uous. bm always spiey also iiUeresLed sduiewbat m niamifaclunm; concerns. lie has for a numher of years been an ,icti\ e member of the Commercial fiub. has served twd years as its secrelarx", and is now a member of the hoard of directors. On .\Ia\ w. 1SC14. .Mr. Lochner w.is united m marria-e with K. 1 )arley (lark, of \uhurii, the dau-lUer ol William and .Mary (Scott) (lark, and thev have luo children, 1 )o,i .M., horn Jum- 13, iScjC, and Clellab l'.. horn .\l)ril Js, ic)()(i. lM-ateniall\. Mr. LoeluK-r is an entbusiastK- member of the Kni,<;hls of rvtluas. Ill which he has passed thron-h ,dl the chairs ,.t the subordinale lod.'^e, and is now servin- his second term as depute .yrand chancelloi- of the firsl district of Indi.ana. In miliiar} affairs Mr. I .ochner has loni; 1 en deeplv inleresled. and he has been identified with the Indiana National ( iuard for eighteen vears. bLuhsting ;is ;i pru.ite at the same time Co'onel Kuhlman became identified with the guard. Mr. Lochner has gradually risen in the r.anks and was on the staft" of Colonel Knhlman when the latter was maior. He is now on the staff of Major (.roll, ;is l)atlalion adjutant, with the rank of first lieuteuanl, and hut very few officers in the slate are bis senior in the hneal list. I'eisonallv. .Mr. Lochner is .iffalile ;md. popular with his fellows and stands ready at all times to encom-age and aid. b\ mouth and pen, all laud- able measures for the general good. P.y a life consistent in motive and lie- ciuse of his man\ fine fpialities he has earned the sincere regard of all who know him and his success in his chosen field of endeavor has been honestly earned. (il'-OKC,!'. SH()Xi:i<. Amoni,^ tlif suci.-(,-s>rul, sclt-madc men ..| |)fK.Lll) rnuiit\, w Iiom- t-ftorls and inrtuence havt- cciilriljutt-d \<> lla- niaicrial uphiiildiii- and -fiKTal l)usiiies> acti\ily of tlieir re^peclix e cdinnimiitics. tlif ofiulcnian of whom ilie biug- i-a].)lier writes iii thi^ coniR-ciioii ornipics a ronspicuons plaia'. Ilcing ambi- tious from the tirsi, Imi ^.urroundt'd l)y iioiu- too favorable environment, his early youth was not especially promising, but he accepted the discouraging situation without a murmur, and, re^oluteh facing the future, gradually surmounted the diniculties m lii^ \\a\- and m due time r knocked about from pillar to po-i .and m.anv time- e\ en -uffeied hunger. When he for this man. .inuving oulv what nionev he actuallv had to have and with the fear of what initiht haiipen lo him in case of sick- ness he saved ever\ cent po-sible. leaving the remainder of hi- -alary with his employer, for which he always took a note. At the end of the nine years' employment he found himself in the po-e--ion of the -uin ..f one tliousand dollars which had been made enlirelv through hi- own elforl-. .Mr. Sliouer then went to Striker. ( )hio. .about 1X63, and engaged in the tanning business for himself for twc \ear-. In iSbs he married and immediately afterwards -old his tannerx- and went into the i-eneral store business ;it Watervillc. Oliio. 500 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Two years later, in 1868, he disposed of that business and, coming to W'ater- loo, Indiana, bought a tannery, in whicii hv continued Idr twenty years or until the spring of 1888, when, at the age of fifty years, he retired from active business. By dint of the most assiduous labor, persistent energy and sound business methods he has been prospered in everything he has under- taken and besides the tanning I)usiness acr|uirt'(l other \a]ual)le properties which enabled him to retire without worry as to the future. He owns a splendid residence property in Waterloo .-md several business houses and also owns six or eight valuable rental properties in Toledo, besides two farms, ag- gregating fully three hundred acres. Since retirin;.;- n-oni luisiness Mr. Shoner has traveled a great deal, having been to Europe, v> heie he visited the scenes of his childhood and other interesting places. He found the older members of his family all gone, but a few of hi> ^ehoolniates were left, with whom he had a pleasant visit. He has a brother and sister still living there who are engaged in business. He has ;dso been to California several times and has spent two or three winters in the South. Mr. Shoner has b?en active in local business affairs and was for a time director of the Sa\ ing.>. Loan ttnd Trust Company at (iarrett, and a director of the Saxiiii^^. L.i.an and Trust t ouipany at -Vuburn. being still a stockholder in the latter institution. Politically, Mr. Shoner has always been a Republican and earlier in his life he was active in political altair>. He wa> once noininaed by his party for county commissioner, bitt it was an oti' ye.ar for his party and he was de- feated with the balance of the ticket. He servetl several terms as town trustee of Waterloo, rendering efficient service in that capacity, l-'raternally, he is an appreciative member of the Free and Accepted Masons. In 1865 Mr. Shoner married Adeline Homer, who was born and reared on a farm near Delta, Ohio, the daughter of John and Emmeline (Ross) Harris. Her parents came from New ^'ork state and spent most of their lives in Ohio, their death occurring near W'auseon. To this union have l)een horn five children, namely: Delia, who died in Septeml)er, iSq^, at the age of nineteen vears ; Marv is the wife of I. Peter Kunz, of Toledo, (~)hio, who travels for a wholesale grocery house, and they have one child, joim Homer; Lillian M., who is the widow of Charles Covert, now lives with her parents, though she has formerly resided at Los .Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington; Charles, born January 30, 1869. lives in (iarrett and is a rail- road engineer. He married Maude McBride and they have five boys, Fred- erick, Robert, \^'illiam, George and Donald ; Emma, a twin si.ster of Charles, is the wife of George Bell, of Coate's Grove, Michigan, where he is a suc- cessful farmer, and thev have two children. Charles and Ruby. DEKAl.l! (.OINTV. IXDIAXA. 5OI Mr. Shoner has shown what an honest, earnest, liard-workin^y man tan accuniphsh, ahhough he had U> hew his (jwn f continued alone nnder the name of the Thomas Baking Company. T\venty-fi\e years' e.Kix'iience has given him a thorough understanding of e\ery detail of h'\s liusiness and he now has a plant up to date in every respect and the largest in the eastern part of Indiana north of Fort Wayne. He not only supplies the local trade, hut also ships large quantities of bread to other towns in this section, his products being in large demand wherever a discriminating taste is consulted. In the fall of i()i2 l\Jr. Thomas and liairv ( '. Henrv bought an i-land ot fifteen acres at Hamilton lake, and there they have established a strictly modern summer re.sort which in an admirable location has already attracted the at- tention of those seeking a pleasant place in which to s])end the summer months. Messrs. Thomas and Henr-\- ha\e erected a tbirtv-rooni liotel known as tin- Island Inn and elegantly located at the most con>-picuous and favorable loca- tion on the island, furnished with furniture eipial to tlie most desirable lionie, has electric lights, running \\;iter, a large \ enmda. out-ot-doors sleejiing rooms, a spacious dining room, ice cream parlor, pavilion, experienced cooks, tennis grounds, boats, swing-, tables, .sanitary drinking fcnmtains and lava- tories and all other fealm-es which .are cbaracteristi'- of the most up-to-date resorts of this kind. Cottage- arc aKo being erected nvarb\ and l)road roads and a two-bundred-foot bridge ba- been ni.adc to connvcl willi the mainland, other features being added which h;i\e enhanced the natmal advantages sup- plied by nature. The bathing lieacli i- one of the fine-t in Indi.ana .and alto- gether Island I'.ark is destined to become one of ibt- notable pleasure resorts of northern Indiana. These gentlemen deserve great credit for the enter- ])rise which tbev have exhibited in the vst,a1)bshnient ;ind completion of this ideal haven of rest. Mr. Thomas is a Democrat in his political \ lews and has for manv xe.irs been active in the local organ i /..a I ion of hi- part\. being an influential factor in its campaigns, b'raternally. he is a member of the lndei)endent Order oi Odd l-cllous, ilu' Knigbls ,,t i'vtbias. tbv Knights of the .Maccabees, the llenevolcnt .and I'n.tectne Order oi I'.lks and ..tlier organizations, m ,dl of which be b.as l.aken an intelligent interest. In March. 1SS7. Mr. Thomas w;is united in mairiage whb breiuhie .Stonebraker. a .Laughter of ( ieorge and .\larv (.\lvers) Stonebr.aker. lier birth having occurred at .\lcObna-. Ohio, where slu- was reared and where slu- lived until a ve.ar or two beforv her m.arriage. when -be came to .\uburn. .Shf lost her mother bv death e.arlx in life .and her fatlier married two years later Ros.aline ( ialmore. He ino\ ed to \nbnrn and tliere became a forem.an DKKAl.l! CorXTV. INDIANA. 5O3 in the Church furniturt.- factory. Imi i> iiciw farming four miles east of Au- burn, where he owns a si)len(Hd tract of land. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas has been born a son, Winfred, who first >aw the light of dav on September iz, 1894. Mr. Thomas is a man of sterling (|ualities ;uid has made his success in business liy being honest, ^tricth s(|uare m all hi- dealings, his upright prin- ciples and genial disposition not oiil\ winning and retaining numerous cus- tomers, hut hosts of friends as well. JOHN VVIMER. To write the personal record of men who ha\e raisetl themselves from humble circumstances to positions of comparative affluence and responsibil- ity in a community is no ordinary pleasure. Self-made men. men who have achieved success by reason of their personal (|ualities and left the impress of their individualit v upon the Imsines-, and gr(JWtli of the locality of their residence and affect fur goi h1 -nch in-titulii m- ;i- are embraced wuiiin the s])here of their usefulness, unwittingly, ]ierli.ip-, build nionvnnents more en- tioned right to say l)elongs the gentk-m.in who-e name .appears .above .ind who is well known throughout DeKall) countx. [ohn Wimer was Ixirn Ai^ril 14. iS^S. six miles east of .\ulnn-n, In- diana, and is the son ^A j.icoli .and Ivliz.abeth (Holder) Wimer. l-dizabeth Dolder was a native of Switzerland, where she became the wife of Jacob Saltsman, with whom she came to the I'nited St.ati-s. locating in Tuscar.aw.as county, Ohio, then coming to DeK.alb CMmity. Indiana. The land there wa- densely covered with the primeval (crest growth and thew like manv line be ba^ achieved a -^pk'udid success, l)eing now in good linanrial circumstances and numbered among the substantial. enter]>rising and progressi\e l>usines^ men of bis town. In Inly, I (JO,:;. .Mr. (ioodwin was married to .Margie C. Gampbell. who was born in Waterloo. Indiana, the daughter of j. D. and Ellen (Bachelor) Campbell, bdleii r.aclielor was liorn about nine miles northwest of Angola, ;ind is tile daughter of .\iiiov .and Susanna H.acbelor. who came from Ohio to Steuben county and in i8h() mo\ed to Waterloo. .\fter living there six \ears thev moved back to .'^teiilieii coiintA'. j. D. Campbell was born three miles northwest of Waterloo, and is ,a ^,,11 ,.f .M.el and lane ( Tavlor ) (.'anip- bell, who came from Stark count \. Ohio, in 1841. and settled where Mr. Campbell was born. They there bought land for one dollar and a cpiarter per acre. Here were Indians freiiuentlv to be seen and in other wavs the land was in its xnrgin state of w-ildness. When J . D. Campl ,ell wri IS sixteen years )ld he came to Water loo and a ye ar later 1 legan work in a drug store and was emploved in the 1 :lrug business in Watc •rloo until about i()03, a period r)f thirty-eight years. He wa^ in business for binisel f fron 11 1876 on .and maintained his home a t Walerlo.,. He was.i I member f Ihe t own board two 1)EKA1,B CDUNTY, INDIANA. 5O7 terms ami was town trcasurL-r fciur mi- live ternis. '\'u Mr. ami Mrs. (IckhIwiii have been hum three children: Wayne, now nine years old; Marjorie June, two years old, and a son, Carroll, who died in iQio, aged alxnit two years, in 1910 Mr. and Mrs. (ioodwin adojjted a hoy named Reginald, who was horn northwest of Milw.uikee and was found hy Mr. (i.ii.dwin thmugh an adver- tisement in the Prliiicatur, and they are giving to this Ixiy the same carefnl attention and loving kindness that they bestow upon their own children. Personally, Mr. Goodwin is a man whom everybody likes, genial, optimistic, honorable in all his dealings with his fellow men, and is always ready to do his part in the support of the interests of his locality. He has not had things entirely his own way since entering life's battle on his own account, but he has overcome all obstacles and is now on the highway to success. Because of his earnest character and honest effort he has earned and retains the con- fidence and good will of all who know him. HKRiM.XN L. Pd^(^\VN. The life history of him whose name heads this sketch is closely identi- fied with the history of DeKalh coiintw Indiana. Mis life has been one of imtiring acti\ it\-. and has been erowneil with a degree of success attained by those only who devote tlieiiisehes indefatigabl\ lo ilic work before them. He is a high tyjJC of business ni,-ui and none more th;m be deser\ es a fitting recognition among the men whose genius and abilities ba\i' aeliiex ed results that are most enviable and commendable. Herman I. ['.rown, one of the sucressfvil biisiiu-ss nun aii.l |iublic-spinled citizens of .\uburn, DeKalb roiiiit\. was born in ( onrord township, thi.s eouniw on lime \J. \Hj(\ .iiid is .i ,,,11 of Samuel, Jr.. and Sidney Jane 'SerMs,,ii) I'.n.wu. Samuel. Jr.. was ;, s, ,u n\ Samuel ( . ,uid l-.xperienee i'.rown. wbil- bis wife was ,K-sreiided on llie malernal si.K- •,-,,ni the Jackson faniilx-. s,, po.mineiil in .Vnierieau bistorv, of w.bieli I 'r.'si,k-iil Andrew Jack- son was a member. 'I'he subject's parents were nati\es i<\ .Morrow coiint\, ( )hio. where the famil\ was \ rr\ iiuiiUTous. ;md the v.aricus nienibers of which st,,o,l bii;b ill the civic. s,,eial .and business 1,|\. ,,f ihe communitv. In that county Samuel lirowu w.is re.ire.iness in partnership with his father-in-law, John \\ imer, at Auburn, in which they met with s[)lendi(l success and a year later they bought the \'andalia elevator, running the two concerns. They are eminently successful in these lines, their largest .success being attained in the sliipping of onions and potatoes, of which they have handled enormous f|uantities. Their field covers aljout eight coimties and their operations are constantly increasing in scojie and im- portance. Mr. Brown is a man of impressive personality, broad intelligence, and has the ciiaracterislics which lieget esteem, coniidence and friendship. Mis integrity is of the most insistent and uns\\er\ ing type ami no shadow rests uiion his career as an active business man and sterling citizen. In 1800 Herman L. Brown was married to Marguerite W'imer, daughter of b'hn W'imer and wife, who are represented elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born three children: Bernard W., Donald B,, and Kathryne Lucile. Fraternally, Mr. Brown belongs to the Knights of Pythias and, with his wife, to the Pythian Sisters. They are also members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they take an earnest interest and to the support of which they contribute liberally. They move in the best social circles of the citv and are deservedly popular among their acquaintances. ill, can Ik.: isl of so many nT her ire native sons. for it indicates ■^ iKi\--sar> ,- to i nsuie success in VC Xlll--, 1 uihkL ■ sn nianv from ;ai;e to rer iiain a: liome.' They ffercd the luisl), andmaii unusual DEKALB COl'NTY, INDIAN JOHN C. FEAGl'.HR. It is a good sign when a couiitx- lil enterprising farmers and Ijusiness mei that here are to he foiuid all ihe o[>])o the material affairs of life and that 1 various sections, have found it tn tlu-ii have l)een wise in doing thi^. for n;itui advantages here and seldom fai's lo rex results, and when the tillers of the s( flourish. John C. Feagler was horn in k on the i6th of February, iS4(). and Feagler. Joshua Feagler w.i^ lo Maryland, and was the son of Joh parents, wlien their sou Joshua wa> Ohio, about twehe miles west of manhood. In 1834 jo.-lnia h'eagle in N'irginia in 181 _', being the da and his brother-in-law, Jacob W'yr pectiug to enter land in Wabash Wabash and Erie canal to b't. W; were induced by W^esley Parke to entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, .about three miles northwest of Auburn, and then returned to their ( )hio liomes. In the following ruitumn they moved their families liere, arriving here on the las! day of September. Mr. Wyrick had built a cabin, in which both families lived until Mr. I'eagler had built his home. Here Mr. Feagler resohitdv applied liimself to the im- provement of his financial condition, and luider the circumstances then exist- ing it ma\ lie certain that be found but little time for rela.xatiou or recreation. For a time he was compelled to work for others. Their nearest neighbor was two and a half miles south and the only roads were Indian trails, the dusky red men being frecpiently seen here for five or six years after the new settlers had established their homes here. There Joshua Feagler spent the rest of his days, dying at the age of sixty years. He was survived a number of years by his widow, who died on March 4. 1897, in the eighty-bftli year of her age. Until 1856 Mr. Feagler voted the Deniocnitic ticket, but from tiiat time on he was an ardent supjiorter of the Republican party. :icbl; :ni(l to wnshii .. DeKalb county. ludian.a. 1 is; I son ( :.f Josl lua and V ranees (Clemer) ■ in 1 :>n March - '■?,■ 1814. at Hagerstown, in and Elizabeth (Cullers ) Feagle. These s bui t four year> ,.ld. settle d in the wilds of 1 )aN ton. a :n.l th ere the la d was rcaretl to .■r ni arried l-rani ,-es Cleme r. who was born ughter of John (/lemer. j<,shua l-eagler ■ick. came west I in the spring of 1836. ex- COU nly. 1 ndian; ,. Thev came down the .a\ni ■. whei re the; V Mopped over night. ;uh1 com e to I )eKall 1 count V. Here they each 5IO DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. John C. Feaj^k-r remained on the home tarni until he was Iwenty-tvvo years of age, having received a good practical education in the puhlic schools of his home neighhorhood. He then learned the carpenter's trade and after his marriage, in 1869, he located at Feagler's Corners, where for two years he worketl at hi- trade. He then engaged in farming for a year .south of Auburn. l)ul auain returned i" the carpenter trade at Feagler's Corners. On Ma} (), 1S74. he iii()\e in.aking him posesxir of one hundred and ^ixtv acres, to which he later added tlurtv-iUe acres. .\pplvnig himself persisicnllN and inde- fatigahly to the operation of this farm, he met with well deserved success and as he was prospered from time to time he added other Land to his original tract, being at this time the owner of ti\e hundred and sixty-eight and a half acres of as good land as can lie found in this localitx. Mr. F'eagler is de- si'rvedly proud of the fact that, aside from what cime to him h\- inheritance, lie h;is gained all this hv his ,,wii elforts and sound man.ageiiient. When .isked how he accounted for Ilis success, he replied, "The wh,.:e f.amilv pulls together; uw ^\ite is a good heljier. and the two hoys, too." .Mr. Fe;i-gler follows general tanning, and. hy properl\ rotating his crops and the judicious use of (-ommercial fertilizer, he has s, , maintained the fertilitx of the s,,il as His land is well tiled and in the handliiig of u .Mr. heagler shows thai lie thoroughly understands his wnrk. k'or instance, lie refuses to plow the s,,il when it is wet. and 111 maii\ other wavs he sIl.ws that he has given ihonght- ful .and intelligent ailentioii to the del:iils of f.irming which often escape the attention of otherwise iiUelligeiU agriculturists. On Jaiinar\ J^v i8''x). lohn ('. I'eagler was married to .Mar\ .\mi Shull, who was 1,01-11 ill what was then Ihitler townshi].. now a ].art ..f Kevser townsliip. about four miles ,outli of Auburn She is the daughter ot lacoh ,aiid Susanna (( o,.per) Sliull. nati\es of S'ark couniv. Ohio, lacoh Shull was a son id" lleiirv Shull. who was bom in i ;S_' in Schuvlkill countv, Penn- sylvania. The Latter w ,is the son of lohn I'eter Shull. who was born in the r.lack I'orest. 1 .erma.nv. on .\pril 7. 1 73S. lie came to .\nierica aliont 1750. settling in Schiulkill count\. where he followed the trade of ;i millwright Henrv Shull nn'sed lo Stark county. Ohio, in 1806 and there entered a sec- tion of land, and ,dso established and operated a saw mill. His family name was originally and up to that time spelled Scholl. but when he entered his land OEKALU COUNTY. INDIANA. :; 1 I the ckrk spelled tlu- iiaiiK' .Sluill, in wliicli tcirni it lias lu-fii used ever since. Mr, .Shull als(i ran a tavern there for many \ears. Hi> farm. Incated ei,s,dit miles east of Canton, is -^till in the family. Susanna ( n(,|)er. who ])ecanic the wife of Jacoh Shnll. was horn in Slark eounty. Ohio, on .Xpril lo. icSj^, her marriage to jaeol) Shull oeeurrin.-; in 1841. Immediately afterwards they came to DeKalh counts, Indiana, where .Mr. Shull had heeii in 1835 and enteied eight eighties of land for his father. The f. allowing vear he had heeii hen .and cleared some land near lliuler, the hnlk of the land entered heing southwest of .\ul)urn on the old I't. Wayne r.jad. When, in 1841, he hnniglit his wife here they located on ,i poriioii •>! this land, where .Mrs. I'eagler was liorn ;md reared. To .Mr. and Mr>. l-\'a,gler have heen horn li\e children, of wIkuii two are deceased, namel\-: An inf.ant son, who died on January 23. 1 8; 1 . when hut tw,. davs old. Wilson, horn July 13. 1872. panv K, Third Kegimcnt Indiana X.itional ( ,uard, .ind m i8(j8, during the Spanish-American war, he heloiiged to ( 'omp.inv K, One Hundred and Fiftv- seventh Regiment liuli.m.i \dlunteer Infaiiiry, under the command of Colonel Stiidehaker. In i<,n,, he and his hr,,ther l.esler iiia fully developed as the present imperfect con- (lilinii of mankind will permit, we exp.'Ct as its les^ilimate result tlv triumph of individual worth and eneruv ovu" all the competition that wealth and class may array against them. Here the avenues of wealth and distinction are fullv opened to all, \\hich fact enhances rather than detracts from the merits- of those whose energy and integrity have triumphed over all obstacles in- tervening between an humble position and the attainment of these laudable ends. Obscurity and labor, at no time dishonorable, never assume more at- tractive features than when the former apjjcars as the nurse of those virtues which the latter, by years of honest and persevering effort, transplants to a higher and richer soil; hence, the biography of those men of sterling worth whose acti\e enterprise has won for tliem distinction, [jre-eminence and com- manding influence in the societ\' in which they mo\e must be replete with facts which should encourage and instruct the young. Such was the subject of this sketch, who held marked prestige an.iong the successful self-made men of his county and who b}- the e-xercise of those talents and (fiialities which were cultivated from his youth, reached an honorable position and earned the respect and high esteem of his fellow citizens. The Stroh family, of which the subject of this sketch was an honorable representati\e, originated in France near the border line between that coun- try and Germany. Tradition has it that there were three brothers who.se family name was spelled Strow . Of these, .\dam came to .Vmerica with the French army during the war of the Revolution. Henry went to Germany and later, after the clo.se of the war of (he Revolution, came to America and .settled in Pennsylvania. Henry, owing to his German associations, changed the spelling of the family name to its present form, Stroh. He married Catherine Ulricb, and the third son born to this union was William, who was born at :\lillcrsburg, Dauphin comity, Pennsylvania, on Januarv 22. 1N15, and died on June 28, 1890. When he was but a child his parents mo\ed to Wayne county, Ohio, of which they were among the early settlers, and there he was reared and educated. In 1843 he came to DeKalb county, Indiana, and bought one hundred and si.xty acres of timlier land, but little of which had been cleared. In 1844 he brought his wife and two children, lo- cating- on the land which he had Iiought and where he resided during the re- mainder of his life. At that time the entire country was new and i)ractically ADAM STROH DEKAI.l! COUNTY. INDIANA. 5I3 undeveloped, there l)cing' iki towns or urban facilities and the imlx transpor- tation heinsj ox teams whicli wended llien- \\a\ oxer erookcd and almost im pa.'^saJjle Indian trails. His f.-itlu'r died in 1X41) ,-ind In- mother in January. 1874, aged eig-hty-six years. TIumv familx consisted of eight cliil'h-en. Wilh iam Stroll came to DeKalli rouni \ ;i ]io.ir mm, hut hy ])erseveranee and in- dustrx he heeame \er\ well lo-do. At oni tnnc he had Init three cents in mone>-. hut soon afterwards collected one hundieil dollars from a man in Ohio who owed hinr. and that was the hcginning of in^ pros|)frit\ . He was a snccessfr.l farmer and stock raiser and became a man of |irominence in his comnninity. hoUling [jositions of trust and rcsponsil;ility such as sn]KM'\isor and school irr.stee. In Ohio William .-. Sir.ih died m iSOo. and in iSf.S .\lr. .Stroh married .Mary A. Raber. widow of Daniel Raber. and to this union were iiorii four children. William Slroh wa> a member of the bAan- gelieal Lutheran church for o\er lifty-lwo years, and for many years was su- i:erintendenl of the .Sunday -chool ami an ofiicer in the chnrch. He was a good neighbor and honest man and an boiioi- to his commnnit). .\.dam Stroh, the immuliale vnbju 1 of this sketch, who was born lo his father's first union, with Saiah llusselm.an, first saw the liglit of day in Su.gar Creek lowiiship. Wa\ ne cminlv. ( )liio, 011 b'ebruarx' 1. 1S12. and Ins death occurred at liis home in WAlerIn,,. Indiana. < .n .Vjiril u. kji.^. at the age of seventy-one \ear-. I le w;is rerired amid pioneer surroundings and was early inured to hard w(n-k and ])ri\ation and from his \'oulh was an indus- trious, hard-working man. His education was such as could be obtained in the .schools of that early period, anrl was lil)erally sni)]5leinented during his later years by much reading and close obser\ation. In vfinng manhood he bought a tract of land in Michigan, which he afterwards -old and bought eighty acres of land in j;ickson lownshii). DeKalli connly. ( )ii ibis be erected a log house and then rented the l;uid. After his marri.ige In- went to house- kee|)ing on Ins father's farm of one bundled and si\l\ acres in the soutiiern part of (irant townsliip. ibis county, but about leu \ears Later he liMnghl ject taking the largest share of work off his father's bands during later years, and they under-drained the land and made of it ;in excelleiil farm in everv resiiect. .\fter his fatlier's deatii Mr. Sirob boughl the interests of the other heirs and thus became sole owner of the homestead. There be followed farming until about ujno. when, feeling the weight of adxaucing xcais and ba\ing accumuhited a competency, he moved to Waterloo, leaving his son. Marvin Stroh. in charge of the farm. After mo\in.^ to Waterloo. Mv Stroh 514 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. l)ei.-aine quite active in Incal affairs and was elected councilman from the third ward, in which capacity he served four years, durint;" which time he showed a progressive spirit in everything pertaining to the advancement of Waterloo, being found on the right side of ever_\- ciuestion iuN'olving business, social, educational or moral advancement. Politically, he was a Republican, while in his religious belief he was affiliated with the Evangelical church, standing stanchly for the Christian verities. He was liberal in his support of the church, l;eing a class leader and Sunday ^thonl superintendent for a nuni- lier of years, and in every phase of life in which he appeared he stood fore- most among his fellows. He enjoyed a large acquaintance throughout this p.irt of the county, and among those who knew him best he was considered a man of unusual character, one who impressed his personality upon the lo- cality which he had honored with his citizenship. On Xovember 25. 1874, .\dam Stroh was united in marriage witli l'"l- len W. llempstreet, who was born in Smithfield townshi]). I^eKal!) county, Indiana, the daugh.ter of Jeremiah and Marion (Smith) Hempstreet. who are referred to s|iecificall\- elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Stroh was born a son. Marvin, wh.osc l>irth occurred rm Xovember 13. 1875. The latter married Leona .Mbright on neceml;er 23, 1900, and since his marriage he has operated his fatlier's farm exce|)t two years when he rented the Rarth farm in Smithfield township. He has one son. Russell J. Stroh. Thus in this brief outline it niav be seen that the Stroh family record in DeKalb countx' has jjecn an honorable one and one that has not only been crcdit.able to the famih', but of direct ach'antage to the community, for the\' ha\e 1 ecu instrumental in the development and impro\ement of the county ant! in the upbuilding of the best interests of the people in e\ery respect. Mrs. Stroh is a woman of many fine qualities of head and heart, and in the circle of friends in which ^he moves she enjovs unlinnted confidence and iuii\ersal lect. JAMES E. ROSE. The car eer 1 if the well remen ihei-ed gen'len lan whose n amc forms t he ption of th is bi( :,grapl lical memoir w;is ; I s'rcnuo us ;uid \arie ■d 01 le. entitlii Hi;" m to bono: ralilc ' ment ion among t he rv |)rcsentat i\'e citizens of 1 lis day :ii ml on in the countx' with which his life was so closely identified. \\- his life record has been brought to a close by the inevitable fate th;it ill mankmd. his influence still pervades the lives of a wide circle of DEKALH COUNTY, INDIANA. 515 friends and acquaintances who revere his memory. As a lawyer, jurist or private citizen, he was .always true to himself ;ind his fellow men, and the tongue of calumny never touched him. Judge James l-".. Rose, now deceased, who was not only a pioneer m DeKalh coiint\, Imliana, hut who hecame one of the well known jurists of the stale, was hoiu ,,i, I )ecemher _'J, iX^j. m Mecca, Trumlndl cc.nnly, Ohio, and ilietl at his home on South .Main street, Anlmrn, Indiana, on .Vpril 20, icjocj, at the age of si.\ ent\ -si.\ years. He w.as a s(rii of }u\\n and Sarah (Coats) Rose, the fo'-uier ;i native of Maryland .and the latter of .New York. The snhject was descended from sterling old h'nglish ancestry on his mother's side and Scotch on his father's side. On Septemher _', 1836, the finialy left their coniforl.able home in Ohio and braving the hardships and priva- tions incident to frontier life. the\- emharked ou their wear\- journey to the new home in the west, arriving at what is now Stafford lownshi]), DeKalh county, Indiana, on October t,{\, having spent thirlv-one da\s on a journey that now requires onl\- six hours b\- railroad. That they were here in the actual pioneer period of the county is evidenced by the fact that at that time there were not twenty .acres of improved l.-nul in the county. .\mid such conditious James 1'",. Rose spent his boyhood days, his p'ay,t;rounds being a labvrin.h of s.atelv trees and tanyltd vines, llis first edncalionai training" was received before the fireplace in his father's cabin, his de\oted mother being his teacher. Il w.as several years before the coiintrv was sufficiently settled to establish a school, bm by the ,a-v of si.xleen vears .Mr. K'osc had acquired sufficient kuowled.ge to enable him to teach a conunon school. He was thus engaged during the winter months, spending the summer vacations in working on his father's farm until he reached his twentieth year, when de- siring a better education he entered (he i)reparatorv department of the Mich- igan Weslevan I'niversity at i.eoiii, Michigan, where by great diligence he I)repared himself within a year for the regular university course. He took the scientifiiC course and, excepting a few terms ^\wn[ in teaching in order to raise funds for his collegiate expenses, he coutinued in the university tmtil Mav, 1858, the close of his junior year. Tpon leaving th.at institution he married Marv 1. .Moss, of Leoni, Michig.an, then returning to the old home in DeKalh countv. he resumed work on the home f.arm until Octol)er. 1862. when he moved to Aubuin atid became principal of the city schools. .\t the close of the first wintt'r term he entered the law office of James l'>. Morris, in as a student and rem.ained there until Oecemher, 1863. He b.id .1 natural aptitude for law and m.ade rapid progress in his studies, so that about fourteen 5l6 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. luijiillis attcr fiUeiint,'- tlu- (itfice A!r- Kdsc forniwl a ]mrtnorshi|i with Hon. !•;. W. i'dMlick, and they oneiu'd an office at T-ntler for the practice of law. Durin.L', the tirst \ear ' , l)ul tliis lime wa'- well occupied in assidnon^ ^•tudy. thereliy de\ elopin.i;- his legal knowled.i^e and hettei- pi-eparin^; hini-elf fur the hiisiness that was to come to him hater on. It was not many year.s before Mr. Rose became a husy man in his |)rofession. his partnership with Mr. l-'oMlick continuing until after tion was dissolved. .Mr. Kose c<.nlinned in the active praciice at lUnler until Octoher, \Hjj. when he moved to .\nhnrn and remained alone in the practice until julv. 1S73, when he formed a ]Kirinership with Tlon. Iv H. llartman. This lirm. under the name of Rose i.K: llartman. continued until July. dSSi, when the partnership was disso!vi-d and .\lr. Rose continueul)lican ,and was .active in the r.nik-. not for person.al reward 1ml fr.iin a sense of pu!)lic dutv. He w.as present ,it the lustonc g.athering under the r>aks at Jackson. Michigan. earnest advocates. In 1 Njti he was noinin.ated for iudge >.f the circuit conn of neK.ill). Xohle and .^teuhen counties. \hout three \-ears nri.ir \n his DF.KAI.li lOl'NTI'. INDIANA. 3I7 fn liy the H;iUiniore .S: ( )liiu Railn.ad ( niiipanx- as a rt'prfsciualive- frmn Imliana on llicir hoard dt' ilircctni-s. Idlin,i^ this |iiisi- tion uiilil his dcalii. Ol an iutciisrly ( .ptiniisltr dispi >siti( m, \w\iiv Knsc rcsdlutclv l....lsed on ihr hri-hi sidr ..t hiv. casiin- -l,».ni aside and hrcanse of his -niial and ha|.|n chs|,os,i,on \w uas a uclo-nu- visitor in anv .^atiirnn.u. and was h..noia-d and la-spcctol for his nohlc traits of character, his ujin-ht- ness. Ins conra.^e and his sicrlin- (|uahtii,-s. lie was tfiiipcrati.- in all affairs of life, a lover of home and li\ed an aeti\a' and eiu'igetic life of nsefulness. Judge Rose was married llna^e limes, his (irsi \.ife , lying on I'ehruarx 5, 187J. leaving two sons. I'lank E. and James M.. and a daughter, hdla J. P""rank H. is now a railwa\ superintendent at Triniilad. ( olorado. while James M. IS engaged m .a hieraln e law practice at I'ort ^\'aylK■. hdhi J. died on Xoxemlier i !,. igio. In the fall of 1872 Judge Rose married hdleii D. Aldrich. ^'i lintler. who .at her death left one child, wh,. die'ork. Her father w.as h,,rii at I "henan-o I'orks. Xew >ork. and was of .^cotcli- Irish ancestr\-. while her mother, who was horn at AeM.pu^. .\e\v \<resent;itive of his sphere ol activity and has contributed in no small measure to the pr(is])erit\ of the city which is his home ami fitld of o])eration. at the same time establishing ;i last- ing reputation for honor and integrity. Russell L. Hull was born on Se]iU-mber _'. iSyj, at .Sechlerville. \\"i,s- consin, and is a son of (ieorge .M . ;md llann.ah I',. Hull. (George M. Hull his country in her hour of need, and now lixes in W'.-isliuigton, j ). C ,, where for sixteen years be iias been in the government civil service, (hie of his daughters, I'.fhe, is also in the government s.-rvicr. being em|iloved m the postal departmenl at W asliinglon. .\ -on. .\!erlm, is prominent in tlv.- public and political life of Wisconsin, ;md during the sessions of m,ij-i;, be wa-^ speaker ol the lower house in the state Legislature. When Kussfll L. Hull- was but a child the family moved t(i 1 Slack River I'alls. Wisconsin, where he received bis education, graduating from the high school; then for a year be faithfully sU'died law with the inlunion of making that his life work, and at the age of twenty years started east, bis intention being to enter judge Skillett's office at P.ryan, Ohio, and llieie ]ierlect liis legal studies. How- ever, he was ]iersuaded liv a relalive to st,,|, at Waterloo and take charge temporaiilv of the butter, eg.i; and poultry liiisiness owned here bv ikwer I'.rolbers ( ompanv . \l that time il w:is a small affair, having just been started and em]iloying 1 ut two wagons in the buying ui) of produce in and alout Waterloo. Meyer I'.rotbers ],ad other well established houses tbrougb the time Mr. Hull took hold .,f it was phenomenal. He showed a remarkable aptitude for tlie business, being (|uick and decisive and energetic, and so emi- nently salisfactorv liave bis sltv ices been to the I'.ever I'.rotbers Compau}' that be has been retained at the head of the Waterloo business ever since. The business has grown to sucli an extent that n rc(|uired the election of a large brick building, and both teams and automobiles are used in the gather- ing of prc.duce, eggs and poultry for the market. The stuff is shi])ped to X'ew York. I'rovidence, .Mbany and other eastern jxinits, the annual shipments DKKAI.Ii COUNTY. INDIANA. ;_' I Mniimiitiiii;- ti) about seven luiiulrcil and fifty tlxmsaiid ])i)iin(ls of ponlin , and from liftecn ti> twoiity tlDiisand cases of es^-s, thirty do/ni i,, a case. .Mr Hull has full char<;fe of the busines.s m everv detail and to his watchful at- tention of the market is largely due the success which has attended his efforts, for there is h.-u'dly a line of niarketalile produce which is more liable to ductua- tious than that of ihe poiiltrx and e.i(g market. l'._\ liis strict attent'ou to busi- iiess. his _L;enial disposiii, ,11 and liis slerliiio- inte.tiritx Mr. Hull has .learned a t'avorable reputation tlirouL;boin |)td\alb conntv, ;uul .aniini.c; bis lariL;e cirHe of acquaintances lie numbers many warm ])ersonal friends. 11;. j-J, was a meml)er of the st.nte Le.i^islature as representatne from Dekalb county. He was a member of the Waterloo town board i)rior to this. In everything affecting the welfare of Wa.terloo .and \icinit\- .Mi. Hull lias taken a commendable interest. gi\'ing his support to tin- moral, material and edii- lional upb.nlding of the to\', n. On June _|, i,S<,(i. .Mr. Hull married Nettie I-:. ( 'li;imberlain, the daugbler of Dr. J. W. fbanil:erlani. who is represented elsrwhere in ihis work. .Mr. Hull is a member of the Indepen.len- ( )rder of Odd b\llo- s and, ,,: the I-ree .and \ccepted Masons, and in bi^ daily life be end.avor. to exemiilifv the sublime precej.ts of these honored orders. Ilecau.se of Ins -ph-ndid record since locatin.i: in Waterloo, and bis -eniiine o.'orth. be is eiiiineiuh entitl.d to represenlatinii in this wdrk. ib:i a mcmlier of tlie same cliurch and lhe\' were liljL-ral con- tributors to the building and support of the cliurch at .Vubiun. .Mrs. Heni])- s'reet was an affectionate mother, a kind and ciieerful ncii^libor and made friends wherever she became acquainted. This worthy couple long occupied a respected jiosuion in the communitv where they li\ed. their deaths were considered distinct lusses to the communit\-. Ik'Cause of their upright lives, business success and the slerlin.t; worth of character which they evidenced, thev are eminentlv entitled to representation among the honored citizens of DeKalb count\-. FRED I. XEBELUNG. In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way to sv.ccess through unfavoral)le environment we find ;m unconscious recog- nition of the intrinsic worth of a character which not only can endure so rough a test, l)ut gain new strength through the discipline. The gentleman to whom tlie biographer now calls the reader's attention was not favored liv inherited wealth, or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 523 by perseverance, industry and a wise- (.•con.miy. he has attained a oinit(.rtal)le station in life. Fred J. Nebehing. a successful merchant and rei)resentative citizen of Auburn, Indiana, was born at Bryan, Williams county, Ohio, on the 1 jtli of September, 1867, and is the son of Charles and Frances ( Peffer) Xelielung. both of whom were natives of Germany, tlie father comins;- from Saxon\- and the mother from Alsace. They came to tliis country se])arateiy and were married in Tnied... Olii,,. frnm uIk-ucc they removed to I'.rxan. where Mr. Xeheluns,^ followed the vocation of a harl,er. He >]K-n\ tl'e rest ol his davs there, dvin" in iSSc;, and is sur\i\ed l.y his wid.iw. who still resides in that city. Fred Xebelung was reared under the paternal roof and secured his edu- cation in the common and high schools at Bryan. From the age of sixteen years until about twenty-two years of age, he was employed as clerk in a clothing store, after which tor two years he was a traveling salesman for Taylor's trimmings and furnishings, with head(|uarter.s at Cleveland. Ohio. Subsequently he went to Lima. Ohio, where I'or about tliree \ ear> he was employed in a clothing; store, and. in \^<-)j,. rel'jrued to ilrxan and entered into business on his own account as a merchant tailor and dealer in gents" furnishings. In March. i8g8. he disposed of his business at 15ryan. and. coming to .Auburn, bought the Racket store on Main street, three doors south of Eighth street, where he remained about a month, then moving to his pres- ent location at the northwest corner of Eighth and Main streets. His l.usiness constantly increased from the time that he took hokl of it and gradually he changed his stock to dry goods, shoes and ladies' read\-to-\\ ear clothing, in addition to which he also carried a line of groceries. The growth of the business was gratifying and continued to such an extent that in igi^ Mr. Xebelung was compelled to enlarge his space and took possession of the store room adjoining him on the north. He now devotes the old store room to the shoe business, and has dry goods and ready-to-wear clothing in the new store room, while a carpet and rug dejiartment is maintained on the second floor. Strict attention to business, courtesy to customers and a large and comjilete line of gdods in all departments are the elements that ha\e con- tributed to the success of Mr. .Xebehmg, who is now coir-idered one of the leading merchants of Auburn. Fraternally Mr. Xebelung is affiliated with a numi)er of local lodges, and is also a member and director of the Commercial t'lub. His religious membership is with the Catholic church, to which he is ;i liberal contributor. He gives a heartv support to eveiy movement which is calculated to advance ,-i2a DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. the best interests n li-ihul ed their i|noi:i lo the ad MKi-^ l''RI<"|)KK!( K. d reliaMe traits of character who nent of the uphmlding of DeKalh county, mention may niovi i, .usistently l)e made of him whose name appears .ujove. \vho ranks auK^iL; the lc:i(hug pulilic-^niriled litizuis of .\uhurn. where Charles I-', I'red.erick ua^ horn on I'el.ruary 25. t^jo. al Hudson. In- diana, and IS a .on of jo.cph A. and .\ddie 1 Chilson 1 I'rcdcric!.. Joseph .\. i-'rederick wasaK-.a n;iti\e of Hudson. Stenhen counfc. Indiana, and was a son of David and Mary (!''isher ) Frederick. They came from Chio ni the early day- and settled in the unrhartcd W(,ods. Addie ChiN.m, wiio was also horn on .a t.arm near lIudH.n, i- :, d;,nghter -f I'.eujamiu and Nlargaret t Hagerman ) ( hilsoii. w ho came from i V'nn-\1\ .ania to Indiana. riKirles !■;. I'redenck was reared on the home farm near Hudson, at- tending the inihhc schools and the high schools ,it Hudson .and .\shlev. When al>oUL inneteen \e.ars old Mr. k rederick went int.. a har.lw.are store at Hud- -..n. where he was eni])l.i\ed as a clerk for foiu' \ears. Then during the foil.. wing eight \ears he was a traveling salesman for the \an lamp H.ar.h ware and Iron Company, ..f Indiana]).. lis. and p.iion -exeriui; his cnnection ing the last three years. Of g. .. .d husiness ahilitv. atfahle dis]>..sili..n and sterling integrity. Mr. k'rederick ha-- w..u friends w iierex er he has g..ne .and has been eminentlx' successful a- a salesm.in f. .r the companies he has repre- senteik He has g.ained friends wherexer he has gone and is n..\\ one of the m..st ])..pular lasidents ..f this communilw (An Hecemljer J.S. i.,i)4, Mr. k'redenck married I'.ertha Ketcham. ..f Hudv.n. In.li.iua. the .kaughter ..f Joseph ,anil lAauces ((irieves) Ketcham. She was l)..ri. at lluds..n and received her Mlucali.m there, residiny; with her DKKAI.B COLNTV, INDIANA. 325 ]i;ircnls until her iiiarria,i;v. In SciitrnilK'r, Kioj. Mr. I'rt'dt-ric-k nrnvcd 1m -Auhurn. wlu-rc Ik- now resi.k-. Mr an.l lii-- wife arc nK-nihcrs ..f the .Metlm- dist Episcopal I'lnn-ch at .Xnhurn, and Mr. iMTck-rirk has hecn >upi.-rinlt'n(K-nt of the Siindav school there tor the last tliree year>,. To Mr. and .Mrs. I'red- erick have been born two children, namely: C ortland K., born .May (>. igoj. and F"rances Louise, ])orn h\'brnar\- j6. kiij. Frances ((".riexe-i Keicliani \\a- born in Huron connt\. Ohio, in 184S, the dau.y^hter of Thomas and Jane ( Insco ) ( .rieves. When >lie was four years old the family came to Indiana, locating aboiu loui' .md (jnedialf mik> north of HudsoTi in 1^52. and there she was reared and remained niuil her marriage to Mr. Ketcham. The latter eni^as^vd in teachin.L; -chod both before and after marria.ue, thoufih he wa> a ^h(K-niaker by \r,eation at .a time when shoes were all made to order, he ha\ ini; conducted a -ucco^fnl shoe store and was also postmaster of Hudson durint; President Clexeland's administration. His death occurred in 188(1, his wife dvim; in .XusiU-^t, !(ki(). SIk- \\;is a mem her of the Methodi-t chmch. ,and. he was secrelarv of the Simdav -chool con- nectetl with th.it ^ocielN. lo'-eph Ketch.am w;is the -^on of Andrew Im^crsol Ketcluun and .Mar\ .\1. ( ( iuernsex' » Ketcluim. Mr-, bredirick i- one of four children b(irn to her parents, of whom two brother-, \lbert and one not named, died in infancx. Her -i-ter, .\(la C. is now the wife of I'rank Strock. of Hnd-on. Slenbm coimtv, this -ta.te. Mr. and Mrs. I'rederick move in the be-t soci.al circle- of their conimnnitv ;ind enjov well de-erved popu- worth and have at .all times stood for the best interests of the community in e\'ery w;iy possible. KM I". ("OCIIR.W. It is with marked s.ali-faction that the biot;rapher adverts to the life of one who h;i> attained -ucce— in anv voeation reonirin.L;- debnitene-- of |)ur- pose and determined action. Such life, whether it he one of calm, consec- ;\e endeavor or of sudden meteoric accomijlishments, must abound in both lesson .and, incentive .and prove a L;an(le to youn^ men whose fortunes and desMuies .are -till m.itter- for the future to determine. The -nbject of this sketch is distincti\ el\ one of the representative men of .Auburn. I'or a mun- ber of vears he dnx-ctcd his efforts tow.ard the .ucal of -ucces- and b\ na'ieul conlinu.ance in well dointi' succeeded at last in overc(.minii; the many obstacles b\ which his patbw.ax- was beset. 520 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Eli T. Cochran, one of the best known business men and enterprising citizens of Auburn, Indiana, was born May 13, 1H59, on his father's farm two miles west nf this city. He is the ninth in order of birth of thirteen chil- (hen Imrn tn Thoiiui.s and .Nnianda (Saine) Cochran. Thomas Cochran was a son (if j(ilin and .^hlry auhisnn) Codn-an. the former of whom came from the nortli of Irelimd, l)ein,t;- of Scotch desceni. Thomas Cochran was horn in iVrry count}, ( )liio, Au.uust 24. 1S13, his father l)eing an early settler of that community. Thom.is was reared in his nati\e county, and made llic okl hi;meste;id his residence for (j\er forty years. After attaining' his majority he bought the interests of the other heirs of his father's estate, and look care of his parents until their death. In September, 1858, he moved to Indiana, purchasing land in what was then known as Richland, now Kevser town- ship, this county, two miles west of -\uhurn, where he made his permanent home. He was an industrious man and successful financially as well as otherwise. He married Amanda Saine on March 17, 1844. she having been born januar\" 18, 1826, a daughter of Henry and Catherine Saine. nati\es of Maryland. To 'Idionia- f'ochran and wife thirteen chi'dren were born as follows: Hannah, wlio became the wile of 1). K. Houghton, of Lewistown. Illinois: Edward, born July 0, 184(1. died Julv 17. [H.so; Mary .\.. wife of Ohio: k:mily iM.. wife of .Mien Wysong. of of l)eKali) county: Joseph P).. who li\es on a ;est of .\uburn; David S., of Tucs.m. .\rizona: if (iarrett. Indiana: Fdi T.. of Aubm-n : ik-nja- b.irn December 25, 1802, iU.-d Mav X, 1 N04 ; Ilia: and Cli:irles K., of .Auburn Junction, iliis IS characterized b\ ,s.,reat ph\ sical energ\-, and even in old age was a rapid walker, ter li\ ing to the :ige of ninet\- ye.ars. which occurred in the fall of |8()2, a l"ebniar\- 26. i8c)i). Roth weie niei cbaiacter, whose lives were a benefit bdi T. Cochran spent his bn at wliici 1 all till' inal. • nienil)rr.s \\i) ycar-i 1, atrr he hej^ai 1 cniit Tact- ictiir until i()i)6, whet) ile b.ni-ln DEKALB COUNTY, dence in Auburn, \^•llerc■ he resumed carpel already had some experience, and a vocation of his family showed an aptitude. .Mxait two \i ing and building, and continued as a out the Goodwin coal yard in Auburn, and has since operated thai busines.s. Marked enterprise and progress have characterized him in his efforts and he has attained to a success fully commensurate with the efforts put forth by him. Mr. Cochran takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, and in poli- tics has l)eeu acti\ e in the ranks of the Democratic partv. lie served two terms in the city council of Auburn and was an influential member of that body when Auburn instituted her sysleiu of line paved streets. Mis home is in a substantial and attractive brick residence at No. 421 \\'est Seventh street, Auburn, anil is finished handsomely in hard wood, pcrsonallv selected b\- Mr. Cochran. The home is modern in e\er\- rcsjx-cl, and has all the conven- iences re(|uire(l in modern, up-to-date homes. In March, 1886, Mr. Cochran was united in marriage with Nora P>elle Shook, daughter of Jesse and Virilla (Fleming) Shook. Mrs. Cochran, who is a lady of many social graces and estimable (|ualities of head and heart, was born on her father's farm in k'airfield township, this countw ribout two miles southwest of I'airfield Center. Her f.ather. Jesse Shook, was the fourth of ten children horn to John Shook- and wife. Mrs. Cochran's grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, from which place he moved to Ohio, living suc- cessively in Columbiana, Trumbull and Seneca counties, before coming to DeKalb county, Indiana. In 18;] 4 he located in k^airfield townshij). this county, w^hen Jesse Shook was a boy of .ibout fifteen years of age. John M. Shook', a brother of Jesse, and who now ni,-ike- his home with Mr. and Mrs. Cochran, was in the cav.-ilarv branch of the ainiv duriu;^ the Civil vv,-u-. .\f er the w.-ir he entered the emplovnient >'i the M is'-< .nri. Kansas & Texas railway at I 'arsons. Kansas, and was in the em|)loy of that ro;ul for forty years. He is a thirtv-second degree .Mason and a member of the Mystic .Shrine. To John Shook and wife- were horn the following children: Jonath.-m. Elias, Rebecca. Jesse, Henrv, John M., Elizabeth, Samuel, William and Rose Ami. lesse Shook married N'irilla I'leining, daughter of .\aron k'leming and Nancv (Irwin) Fleming, a lady of Scotch parentage. He followed the voca- tion 'f fanning for some years after his marriage, and when Mrs. Cochran was a little girl the familv moved to Corunna. .\bout i8<)3 Mr. and Mrs. Shook moved into Auburn, where he died in 180Q. his wife surviving until 1906. 52« DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. To Mr. and Mrs. Eli Cochran has been born one daughter, La Vaun, who is now attending the pubhc schools in Auburn. iVIr. Cochran is an active menilier of the Knights of Pythias, the American Yoenian and the Auburn Commercial Club, in all of which he takes an active part and intelli- gent interest. Religiously, he and his wife are active members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, of whicli they are regular attendants and to which they contribute lii)er:dly of their means. Mr. Cochran has by his indomitable enterprise and i)rogressi\e methods contributed in a material way to the ad- vancement of his locality, and during the course of an honorable career he has met witli a fair measure of success, having been governed by honesty and sinceritv of ))urpose so that he now enjoys to an eminent degree the confi- ilence and regard of the entire communitv. .XOUM.W T]-:.\L J.\CK.M.\\. The history of a coiuily or state, as well a- thai of a n;ilion, i^ cliietlv liie chronicle of t!ie li\es;uid deed> of tJiose who li:i\e conferred iionor and dignity ui>on -ocietv. The world jnd'.;e- tb.e character or a commniiit\- hv tho^e of its represeinarixe citizen^; and yields its irilnite of .-ulminilic ;n and respect to those whose works ;ind ;ictioiis const inue the record of a st;ite's prosperity and pride, .\mong the prominent citizens of lleKidb countv. who are well known because of their success in pri\;ite l)usiness affairs .and the ])art lhe\- ha\e taken in public life, is he whose name appears ;il the head of this article, the present postmaster of Waterloo. Xorman T. Jackman was born in I"ranHin lounship, DeKalb county, Indian.i, on the i)tli day of -\pril, 1S55. and is a son of Isaac and Maria (.•^liineri |;icknian. Isaac |;ickm,an was born in ("arroll covmty, Ohio, on October JO. 1S1-. an tluMr re-iiiains were buried on tlie lionie farm. !)iit e\entually were removed to the eenietery at Hamilton. They were the |)arent-^ of ten chilchx-n. of whom the eldest mar- ried in Ohio and later in the tall came here. Uaac wa^ the next oldest and was abont twenty-three \ears old when the familx joeated here. His father was about sixlv vears old. so Isaac was vu-tuallv resiHiUsible for the welfare and comfort of the family. lo.i- ei^ht \ears he remained at home, or until the other children were old euou.t^b to take his place. In Sei)tember. i(S48, he married Maria Stoner, who was born in \\a\ne conntv. ( )hio. the daughter of John and Agnes (Critesi St<.ner. wlio had removed from l'enns\h ania to the Buckeye state. She came to DeKalb county. Indiana, m June. :S4(). with her parents, who located templanche -Vl. and Mad.ge S. Tdanche married J..hn 1-. Sbnnian and resides in Florida, while .Madge is a teacher, havnu; lans^bt in the sebo,,N ,,f Si. Paul until the winter of 1012-13. She and her mother now reside in California. The third child of Isaic .and .M.ana Jackman ^^ ,as X.aanan Teak the innre la'e subject of this review. Is.iac Jackman died in 1872 and bis wife in iS()4. She was an earnest member of the .Metho.lisi l^piscpal church. Isaac Jack- man was a nemocnit in iiolilics and to(.k ,an ,acti\ e ]);irl in local public .affairs. especially during .and immeiliatetv after the Civil w.ar. In iSCo he voted for Abraham Lincoln and the Cuion and thereafter remainol aligned with the Republican partv. He was inteiiselv public spirited, but never .aspired to public office. Norman T. Jackm.an spent his boyhood d.avs on the home f.arni in l-'rank- lin township, and secured .a practical education in the common schools, sup- plementing this bv attendance for ;i sliort time ;it the \',al])araiso .X'ormal I'ni- (34) 53*^ DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. versity. He then returned to the home farm and remained with his muther until his marriage, in 1882, though he still continued the operation of the home farm for a number of years, or until i8qo, when he bought a farm in Smithfield township, wiiere he lived until 1902. In tlie latter year he muved to Auburn, where he hail an interest in the excelsior faclorv. In the fall of 1906 he disposeti of that interest and bought [iroperty in Waterloo, where he has since resided. He is tb.e owner of one hundred and forty acres of good land, lying in two tracts in Smithheld township, one bordering on the old home farm and the other, an eighty-acre tract, lying a short distance north of Waterloo. i-"or about live years, while still engaged in farming, Mr. lack- man dealt in agricultural inlpk•llK•^t^ at Waterloo. ( )n b'ebruarv K). igii, Mr. Jackman was appointed poj-lmaster of Waterloo and i.s .still the incumbent of that position. He has given to the discharge of his official duties the same careful attention to tletails that he gave to his own business affairs and has therefore earned the commendation and ap]iro\al of both the department and the patrons of the ofrice. lie ba> all through his mature life taken a deep interest in all local atfairs .and lias held the confidence of the popple to a notaljle degree. Whib- he was ;i resident of .\uburn he was appointeil re- ceiver to wind up the affairs of the I'armers P.ank, which had failed, and he settled the affairs in sucli a nianiuT as to satisfy all concerned, as far as was possible for any one to ha\ e ^\atern;dly. he is a member of Waterloo Lodge Xo. 307. Free and Accepted Masons, and Waterloo Ltxlge No. 22], Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been active in these bodies, having passed all the chairs in both lodges, and being twice a repre- sentative to the Masonic grand lodge. He and his wife also belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Jackman's domestic life began in 1882. when he was married to Laura .A. Kennedy, who was born in Smithfield township, this county, the daughter of William and Olixe (Holmes) Kennedy. Her father was a native of Wayne count}-, Ohio, and came to this county in an early day, while her mother came here in 1842 with her parents, Ik-njamin and Nancy DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 53 1 (Knapp) Holmes, who became early settlers in Smithfield township. Here William Kennedy and Olive Holmes were married in 1856 and made their home there until late in life. Mrs. Kennedy died in 1898 and he now lives in Michigan. Mrs. Jackman attended the schools of her home community and was also a student in the normal school at X'alparaiso, this state. From 1875 to the time of her marriage she was a successful and popular teacher in the schools of DeKalb county. She is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and while a resident of Auburn belonged to the Ladies Literary Society. She is especially active in the cause of temperance and is president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union at Waterloo. She has represented this body, as well as the Taine Club of Waterloo, at district and state meet- ings at Indianapolis, Elkhart, Terre Haute, Muncie and Ft. Wayne. She has also been a representati\e to the grand chapter of the Order of the l^last- ern Star. Mr. and Mrs. Jackman move in the best social circles at Waterloo and, because of their genuine worth and splendid personal (|ualities, they are universally held in liigh esteem. Mrs. Jackman lia> a brother. W. A. Kennedy, who is telegraph operator and station agent at Corunna for the Lake Shore railroad. He married Philena Kratzer, a native of Steuben count\', this state, and tliey iiave three daughters, Oliva, Bessie and Lulu. ()li\a became the wife of Sherman Kimmel, foreman of the l^lshilch printing olTice at .\uburn. I'>essie is the wife of Roy Stephenson, operator for the Lake Shore Railroad at W auseon, Ohio. Lulu li\es at luMiie with her parents. I. k. SKILLIX(: Among the citizens of DeKall) count\, Indiana, who today enjoy the imlimited respect and confidence of their fellow citi/ens. none has ri.sen to a higher degree in the esteem of those wlio know him tiian j. K. Skilling, of Garrett. Mr. Skilling was born on .\ugust k), 1840. in Richland county, Ohio, and in November, 1846, when but a little past six years old, he was brought bv his parents to DeKalb county, locating in Richland town- ship. At that earlv day but few settlers had located in tliat section of the county, and but little of the land had been cleared. In the winter of 1847 .Mr. Skilling attended school in the first --chool bouse erected in Richland town- ship at Green's Corners, lialf a mile south of tlie present town of Sedan. This was a log building, heated by a big fireplace, which was constructed of 532 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. log ore, a (k-pn-it nt irdii. wliicli \va~ iMcatc! in tlic >\vam|)> dt this localily, it being prior to tiie introduction of stoves in HcKall) county. \t that time the quah'fic.ation re(|uire(l of a schocj] teacher w.as to lie -.up])Ue(l witli two pocket knives, a l.ar^e jack knife, with wlncli to en", whips in thi- wonds to i-nforce discipHne among the hirger hoys, .md a |>en knife, v. ith which to make goose quill pens for those who were learin'ng penniausiii]!. Mr. Skilling'.s family resided in DeKalb county from 1S4O until .Marcli. 1834, when they moved to .\(.hk- comitw where the\- resi(k-d until March. 18(14. ^^''i"" they returned to DeKalh count v. locating in. Snuthlield lowu-hip. In 1862 the suhject of this sketch went t" I'hiladelpliia. r..-nnvyl\ ania. and entered upon government work in the W illiain Cramp tV Son's diiii yard-, the largest concern in that line in the coiuUrw In June. 1864., he returned to DeKalh count\-, hut two years later he again Avent to l'lnladel]>liia. where he resided until September, 1875. He then came to DeKalli count)", locating in the new town of (Barrett, which had just been f..undcd on the Halliniore vK- Obi- railnad line, and in Januar\-, 1876, Mr. Skilling was appoiuted marshal of the new towu. In November of the same year he entered the service .if the l^.altiniore & Ohio railroad compan_\-. with which he >er\ed in \arious positions, cbietly in the bridge and building deparlnunt until Aiav 0, i()ij. when he received a serious injury, from the effects of which he has been conlined to his home continu- ously since. Though surtenug an.l compar.atn elv helpless. Mr. Skilling re- mains cheerful and takes a deep iuteresl in e\ er\lhing about him. He has for many years been a close student of local historv and is well informed (.n cur- rent events relating to DeK.alb county, being .an authority in this line. P>e~ cause of his splendid career, which was during his years of gooil health char- acterized by steady and persistent industr\', he earned the regard of all with whom he associ;>.ted, .as well a- (lie confidence of the com])any by which he was eniplo\ed, anil today no citizen of his coniniunit\- stands higher in the ]iuMic esteem. October 10, 1873. the suhjeci was marrii-d to Marx .\. Kane, daughter of Bernard and .\nn 1 rani]il)ein Kane I'.ernard Kane lived m Phikideli>hia and was employed as an engineer on the (.'hicago. Wilmington iK; Delaw.are railroad. He died while his wife was yet \-oung. To the subject and wife have been born eight children: John K. is an inspector of accounts for the Baltimore \- Ohio railroad system; J.aines f lives in joplin, Missouri, and is eni])loyed b\' the Missouri Pacific railroad: Rose is deceased; Alice lives in Chicago; Joseph is an employe of the clerical department of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad; .\nn is at home; Mary lives in Fort Wavne ; I'.ernadette is also at home. DEKALB COUNTY, SAMTKL C. II WI'.RS-I-OCK. -^33 The life liisiMiy .,f him uhn sketch i> closely identihed with the histnry of DeKalh coiiniy, Indiana. Ills life ha, heen one ..f untir- iiii^- activity and has heen crowned with a de.L;Tee of success attained by those only who devnte themselves indefatigal)ly to the work before them. He is of a hioh tyjic of luisiness man and none more than he deserves a fitting recotj- nition among the men whose genius and abilitv have achieved results that are most envialJe and commendable. Samuel (;. I laver^tock was liorn near I'.utler, Indiana, on l'"el)ruavy 15, r858. and is a son of Jonathan and Anna ((iardner) I laxerstock. Jonathan Haverstock was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on Aj/ril 17. 1843, and when about fourteen years old was brought to DeKalb county. Indiana, by his parents, Samuel and PhoeJje Haverstock. Samuel Haverstock liouglit a farm north of Butler and there estaldislied the family home and spent the lemainder of his life. He started here in a \ery moderate wa\-. ha\ing bought farm land for which he went into debt. but. 1;\- persistent effort and rigirl economy he was prospered, and at length was enabled to liny more land from time to time luilil at one time he owned twelve or thirteen hundred acres of land, and to each of his se\ en children he g;i\e two lumdred acres to start them in life. He lu)ught and sold a great deal of land and was numbered among the substantial and enterprising citizens of the community. Polit- ically, he was a staunch i^epuhlican. Init not an office seeker, while religiously he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Jonathan Haverstock was reared near I'utler and followed agricultural |)iusuits throughout his active life. He married Anna (iardner. wiin died two days after the birth of their first child, Samuel (I., the immediate suliject of this sketch. .Anna (Iardner was a native of Williams county, Ohio, and her mar- riage to -Mr. Haverstock occurred on December 6, 1866. Some time after her death Mr. Haverstock married Eleanor Cole, of DeKalb county, and to this nnion were born six children, of whom four are living — Leone, fharles H.. Burl and Belle. Mr. Haverstock continued farming near I'.utler during the remainder of his life and was successful in his efforts. He was a Republican in his ])olitical views, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Methodist Episcoiwl church. He was a good neighbor, always ready to lend a helping hand to tho.sc in need of assistance, and look an especially active part in Sunday school work. His death occurred on July lO. k^ii. When Mrs. .Anna Haverstock died, she gave her two days' old baby to the subject's grandparents, Samuel and Phoebe Haverstock. by whom he wa< reared, he 534 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. being about nineteen years old when they died. The boy grew up on the farm and attended college at Angola, .-uul. w Ikii he was twenty-one years old, he took charge of his grandfather's farm, continuing its operation until about 1905. .About that time Mr. llaver.-^tock left the farm and moved to I'utler. where for alxiut four years he was em[)loyetl in the live stock liusi- ness, in which he was \ery successful. He was then elected to the office of county recorder, assuming the duties of that office on January i, 1909, and in the following month he moved to .\uburn, where he now resides, having recently sold his farm, ffe performed his official duties to the entire satis- faction of his fellow citizens and retired from the office with the commenda- tion of all who had been familiar with his work tliere. In 1890 .Mr. Haverstock was united in marriage with .Maude Walter, who was born in Defiance county, Ohio, the daughter ui James R. and Eliza (Stiffler) Walter. Mrs. Haverstock's parents had come from Tuscarawas county, Ohio, to Defiance county, that state, and subsequently moved to DeKalb county, locating near llutler. where .Mr. Walter followed farming and where b.is death occurred in 1904. His widow now lix'LS with a daughter at Defiance, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Haverstock ha\e been born two chil- dren, Hazel .\. and J. Harold. Fraternall}-, Mr. Haverstock belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is highly esteemed among his fraternal hrelhreu. He is a man of splendid cjualities of character, honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellow men, and, because of his earnest efforts and successful career, he has earned and retains the warm regard of all who know him. AUGrsTUs c. (;ri-hlke. The life of .\ugu^tu> C. (iruhlke. a highly respected citizen of Waterloo, Indiana, has been one of consecutive endeaxor along lines that seldom fail to bring satisfactory results, and now, in the evening of his life, he finds himself very comfortably situated as a result of his former years of acti\ity. Augustus C. Gruhlke, of Waterloo, was born in Prussia, Germany, on March 6, 1850, and is the son of Daniel and Wilhelmina (Tietz) Gruhlke. \\ hen he was about nine years old his parents came to America, locating in Pulaski county, Indiana, on a farm. When he was about seventeen years old, Augustus Gruhlke started out in life on Ids own account, working at various employments, such as farming, and then railroading. In 187.2 he came to DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 535 Waterloo, Indiana, in the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, having charge of the tower at the railroad crossing. Ahout three years later, when the Lake Shore '' invented the first jjractical electric cigar lighter and went into ].arl!ierslii]) with .Mr. William Kcssler, of Auhiirn. to manufacture them. \ 1 ler the business was well started Mr. ( iruhlke >oid out his interest to Mr. Kes^ler. in 1899 he began giving his entire time and attention to manufacturing and inventing, and made improvements on tlie old cigar ligiuer, and at the same time organized the Star Electric Company to manufacture cigar lighters. He also organized the Waterloo Cigar Com- pany. The lighter business was continued about six years, when Mr. Gruhlke sold his interest in it. and in 1908 he sold the cigar business. He has been very successful in original patents and has taken out fi\e different patents on electric cigar lighters, each one an entirely different one from the other. He lias also ])atenled otiier in\entions, including a formaldehyde generator for disinfecting jnirposes; a comhinatitm handle and castor, intended primarilv to be used on rough boxes, so they could be either rolled Mr carried, but the holder can be used on any kind of a box. He also has applications filed for a patent on a cigar l)unch making machine. Mr. (Iruhlke has ])robal)ly the largest collection of old firearms in the state of Indiana, and is an inveterate collector of curios, having at one time a collection of about twenty thousand pieces of Indian relics, but these he dis|5oscd of. He has a large and valuable collection of .Vmerican and foreign coins, probabi\ rom])rising two thousand specimens, fie also has many minerals, fossils, shells and other natural curi- osities, all of which would make an interestin.g nniseum collection. He lias generously offered to loan these collections to a public museum at Waterloo if the citizens will pro\ide a safe place for their care and protection. Mr. Gruhlke has a shop where he carries on his work as an inventor and designer and is an interesting man to talk to. for he has an intelligent com]>rehension of mechanics in all the details and is well posted on the current events of the day. In 1879 Mr. Gruhlke married .Mmira Wheeler, who was liorn and reared in New York, a daughter of Seth and Mary Wlieeler, and she was lixing at Xorwood, New York, when she and Mr. Gruhlke were married. Mr. Gruhlke has taken a deep interest in local public affairs and ser\ ed three years as a member of the Waterloo school board, being treasurer of the 53^ DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. board the first year and president during the last year. Fraternally he belongs to the P>ee and Accepted Masons and he and his wife are memb'^rs uf the Order of the Eastern Star. In [803 Mr. Gruhlke .started the publi.ation of a monthly magazine called the .Inicricaii Archcologist, which attained a wide circulation among the scientists and ai cheologists. However, after he went into tile manufacturing business bis interests demanded his time to such an extent that be was comiielletl to gi\e up the publication of the magazine, which be sold to Professor Warren K. Moorbead. uf .Andover College, the man who bad cliarge of the go\ernment exhibit at the Columbian World's b'air at Chicago, and one of the best posted men in his line in the country. The magazine was afterwards merged with Popular Science, published in Xew York city. Mr. Gruhlke possesses business ability of a high order, as is em])basized by his business enterprises, and among his associates his advice and judgment are valued highly. Personally he is a man of fine (|ualities of character, genial and unassuming, ami he has won a host of warm personal friends in this communitw wliere he lias spent so man\' of bis acti\e vtars. In 19 1 3 be reorganized the Waterloo Cigar Com])an\-. taking in his former f(5rcman. hrank A. Stevens, as a jjartner, and they are now engaged in the manufacture of cigars and cigar bunch making machines. ROBKRT \\\ CROOKS. The recwrd of Mr. Crooks i- that of a man who liy bi> own unaided, ef- forts worked bis wav from a modest beginning to a iiosition of com])ara.i\e afHuence and influence in the business world. Hi> life has l)een one of un- ceasing industrv and. perseverance and. the iKiUorablc methods which hi- fol- lowed while actively engaged in bu.siness won for him the unbounded confi- dence of bis fellow citizens of Waterloo. Robert W. Crooks wa^ born on Dec-mber (i, 1X30. in Trumbull county, Ohio, and is the .son of William and jane ( Xorris ) Crooks. William CVooks was born iirobablv in Scotland and bis parents lived in Glasgow. He came to this countrv in cbildboud and was reared to manhood probably in CumbL-rland county, Pennsvlvaiiia, where bmitv. Ohio, al:out 1833, where Mary A. Burdick lived imtil her marriage. Her mother died at Waterloo and was taken back by Mr. Crooks and buried at her former Ohio home. Thirteen children were horn to Mr. and .Mrs. Crooks, namely: Martha, the wife of Christian Newcomer, of Waterloo; .Mamie, the wile of h^ranklin 15. I-'velz. well known citizen of .\.ul)urn. but iinally moved to Rochester, where she (bed; Hattie is the wife of (ieorge Crowell. of Wilmington townshi]), this county; Mary Rebecca is the wife of Philip Seiherts, of .\itbum: Lucy is the wife of John Carper, who lives a half mile east of Waterloo; luidora is the wife of Isaac McDaniel and lives in Wilmington township, this comity ; l.;mra P.elle is the wife of Henry C.ingericlv, of Waterloo: Robert \\ilson, who is engaged ^^8 DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. in the restaurant business at Akron, Ohio, married Annie Houshalter; Fred- erick, who lives on a farm about three miles south of Garrett, this county, married Dora Stafford, and they have three children, two boys and a girl; Victor, who lives on a part of his father's farm and owns forty acres on the south edge of Grant township, married Henrietta Haynes and they have four children, two boys and two girls: Delbcrt. who is on a part of his father's farm south of \\'aterlo(), married Mamie Soules and thev liave two sons; James Burdick is a railroad man and lives in Waterloo ; lie married Blanche Morgan and they have two sons; Clyde tlied at the age of thirteen years. The mother of these children died in 1S64, and in 1866 Mr. Crooks married Mrs. Queen C. (Atkinson) Crooks, the widow of the subject's deceased brother, William Crooks. She died in September, 1900, and on June 8, 1902, Mr. Crooks married Mrs. Ellen (Hammond) Denison, who was born in Ohio, and came here in infancy with her parents, Daniel and Sophia (Wolfe) Hammond. The\- came from Columbiana county. Ohio, settling in Franklin township, this county. Init later moved to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where they lived until tiie father's death, and the mother spent her last years with her daughter, Mrs. Crooks. .Mrs. Crooks was but a cliild of six vears when her father died and the mother being left with a large family of small children, she was rearetl by strangers in Kosciusko count}-. In 1867 she became the wife of George Washington Frick. of Grant township, this county, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, on April 25. 1837, the son of George and Elizabeth (Harold) Frick. When he was about eight years old the family settled about two miles east of Waterloo, this county, where the father had entered a tract of government land and there they made their permanent home. George Washington Frick was one of seven children and lived on the home place until his marriage in [8*^7. At that time he owned forty acres of land, which he traded in on an eighty-acre tract. gi\ing h\e hundred dollars cash to balance the trade and later bought t^ve^ty-two and one-half acres more. Mr. and Mrs. Frick were the parents of five children, namely: Rosa Jane, born on .April iq, 1868. is the wife of Riley Moore and li\-es on a farm in Franklin township, this county; Charles Herbert, born September 24. i86q, lives on the home place two miles southeast of Waterloo; Lucy Bell be- came the wife of Joseph Morr, of Garrett, this county; .Adella May. born Julv 6, 1875, '^ the wife of William Powell, and lives in Wilmington town- ship, near Butler; Earl W. li\es nn the home place, tieorge Washington Frick died on .\pril 12. i8()i. in the fiftv-fourth year of his age. He was an industrious man of regular and steady habits and enioyed to a notable de- DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 539= gree the respect of all wiio knew him. He and his wife lioth belon.ijcd tr. tlie Methodist Episcopal church. .Xftt-r her husband's death Mrs. h>ick lived on the farm until her marriat^^e td Mr. Crooks, whose farm was separated from hers by a roadway and they had hmv: been ac<(uainted prii.r to tiieir marriat,'e. Mr. Crooks has for many years been actively interested in the success of the community in which he lives and has been a potential factor in its advance- ment and improvement. He was township trustee of Union township for fourteen years and as ditch viewer he and the surveyor laid out over two thousand miles of ditch, mostly in DeKalb countv, which contributed ^reatlv to the improvement of the county, not onlv materiallv. but in the advance- ment of health conditions and the ;ibolisbment of malaria. Fralernallv. Mr. Crooks is a member of the Free and Accepted IMasons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being the only surviving- charter nienil)er of the subor- dinate lodge of the latter order at ^^'aterloo. He was also an active member of the Grange when it was in existence here. Mr. Crooks' high personal qualities have gained for him a wide ac(|uaintance throughout the county, among which are many and loyal friends. Quiet and unassuming in his dis- position, he is at the same time genial and companionable and is a welcome member of anv circle which he chooses to enter. S(^L().\i()X l^\R^■K^■ One of the influential citizens of St. joe. DeKalb county, Indiana, iv tbe gentleman to whose career the attention of the reader is now directed, who is ranked with the city's leading merchants and citizens. .\ man ot' exce'lent endowments and upright character, he has been a \alued factor in local affairs and lias e\er commanded une(|ui\-ocal contidence and esteem, 1 eing lov.al to tlie upbuilding nf his eoninirnity and ever vigilant in his efforts to furtlier the interests .if hi- city along material, moral and ei\ic lines. Solomon r.ai'ne\ was Ixirn at Spencerville, Concord township, DeKalb countv, Indiana, on September 22, 1844, and is the son of George \\". and Jane (Bratton) Barney, natives respectively of New N'ork and Pennsylvania. George W. Barney was born October i.^ 1813. at W'ellsboro. h:sseN comity, Xew ^'ork, and later accomjianied his father on his removal to .Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he built and operated an iron foundry. When George Barnev was a lad of fifteen years his father died and he soon afterward went j4t^ DEKALB COl.'NTV, INDIANA. tu Canada, where he made h\> liunie with an alder brother until 1838. in tlie latter year he came t justice of the peace for twenty years, to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. On May 28, 1840, he married jane Bratton, and to them were born seven children, namely: Lucius, John. Solomon, Benjamin I'ranklin, Alary, Marquis and George, all deceased excepting the subject of this sketch :md Benjamin I-'ranklin. The subject of this sketch recei\ed his educatii m .in the common schools of his native township, completing his studies in the Auburn high school, and then took a course of training in the Eastman Business College at Pough- keepsie, New N'ork. In i8fi() he engaged in the mercantile business in S]jencerville, wliere he remained until 1878. and in 1882 he located in St. Joe, where he lias since engaged in the mercantile business, in which he has met witii niii.-,t pronounced succe;>s. He owns the ])roperty in which his store is located and alsn a \er\ desira])Ie residence jiroijerty in St. Joe, and in everything with vvliich he has been connected he has met with well deserxed success. Beginning in a small wa\-, his business graduallv grew until todav he is one of the most enterprising anil ])r('minent business men of his section of the county, his success being in a large ])art due to his close attention to busi- ness, his courteous H'eatment of hi^ customer.-^ .and his high |)ersonal character. ( )n March 13, 1870. Air Bainey wa.^ united in m;irriage with Cordelia (iibl'crd. whose (kath occurred on December _;, 1 . i()';i. To them were born two cliildien: fleorge Al.. b.orn January ly. 1871, who was married on Octo- ber 11, i8ij7. to Dell Turrittin, and the\- ha\e <>ue child, Pauline; X'iolet .\1.. born Februar_\- _>8, 1877, married a Mr. Johnson, of Tiffin, ( )hio, and to them have been born three children: Josephine, Ethel Lielle and Rob.ert N'. Politically, Air. Parney has been a lifelong Democrat and h;is taken an active and intelligent part in political affairs es])ecial!y pertaining to local election-. Religiously, he is a member of the Aletliodist Protestant church, while fraternally he belongs to the Knight- nf Pythias aiul Independent Order of Odd {'"ellows. In the last named order he has been especially prominent and for lifteen years has rendered efficient service as district deputy grand master. The subject's career has been an honorable one. his DEKAI.K COrXTV, INDIAN. 54 > relations willi Ins lVll,,u men hm in- ever l:een above reprnaeli anil Ins s„o(l name beyond critieiMir As alreadv imliealed. he wears the prond American title of self-made man and, being in the moM liberal -en-e d" the term the architect of his own fi.rtiinev. he may well feel a ^env;- ,,f pride m hi> achieve- ments and tile honnrable posilii.n In w !n'ch he has attained amon.L; the enter- prising- and snccosfnl citi/ens n\ ilu' county in winch his entire life has been passed. ROM A I. \ C. r.\.\ll'l'.b;i.l. The record i<\ the subject n( tin- sketch is that of a man who. by his own unaided efforts, has worked his way from a modest l)es.;ininnii to a position of influence and standint; in his .■omiiuinit v. His life has been one of unceasinc( industi\ and ])erse\ eraiu e. and the -\siematic and honorable methods he has followed ha\e won him the unbounded contidence of his fellow citizens of UeKalb count\ . wlio-c interest^ he ha^ ever had at heart and which he has always labored to promote. Romain C. Campbell was born in DeKalb countv. Indiana, on October 12. 1872. and is a son of John A. and Adelaide 1 J.idwin 1 C amiibell. both of whom were nati\'es of the state of ( lliio. The) were the ])arcnts of six chil- dren, namely: Irene M., Mervale 1".. OHa 1.. Romain t'.. lunlin W and Charles W. \ fter the death of the mother of these children the father mar- ried again, and by the second union there was one child 1 .nn. Morence 1".. John A. Camiil ell was an instn-ance man during practically all of his active life and came to DeKalb county in 1840. settling first at X'orrist. .w n. later called Jar\ is and finally named I'.utler. The subject of this sketch received his education in the iniblic schools at Butler, after which he attended the Tri-.Stale .Vormal .School at Angola. Indiana. During the foil.. wing ten . .r twelve years he was associated with his father in the insurance business, and after the hitter's death he was for two years in this line of business on his own account. lie then became assistant cashier ..f the 1-irst .Xalion.al I'.aiik. where he remained for sixty days, after which for two and one-half \ears he was eiiii.loyed in a like capacity in Knisely I'.rothcrs cSi Company State I'.ank. lie then resigned tins position and took uj) the real estate and insurance business under the linn name of Campbell \- Creager. This firm was very successful in the handling of real estate deals, being interested in farm lands and city i)roperty. and some of the largest transactions of the kind in this localitv were handled 542 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. through their agency. This firm i.s now dissolved and Mr. Campbell is handling real estate and insurance. In 1898 Mr. Campbell married Mattie Hamilton, the daughter 0+ W'ill- iam and Emma (Clark) Hamilton, and to this union was born one child. Vera G. In 1909 Mr. Campbell married Maude Craum, the daughter of James and Jane (Casbeer) Craum, and to this union was born a son, John .A. Politically Mr. Campbell was formerly a Republican, but is now aligned with the Progressive party. He served several years as city treasurer and also as city clerk, giving entire satisfaction in these positions and increasing his prestige among his fellow citizens. Fraternally he is a member and trus- tee of Lodge No. 158, Knights of Pythias, while religiousl\ he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. A public-spirited citizen, his influence is always felt in local elections and he is looked upon as a man thoroughly in sympathy with any movement looking to the betterment or advancement in any way of his community, where he has always ben regarded a^ a man uf sterling honesty and worth and worthy of the utmost confidence and respect, which his fellow citizens are free to accord, owing to his upriglit and indus- trious life. JOHN HEBEL. In the laborious struggle for an honcjrable competence and a solid career on the part of a business or professional man there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational cha])ter: but to a mind thoroughly awake to the realitv and meaning of human existence there are nol)le ;in jia-ed the rlian-. In February, 1886, John Hebel was married to W imfrede ( ). Richmond, a native of StafTord township, this count\ . and tlie daugluer of William ano Maria D. (Allen) Richmond. Mr. Kichmon.i \v;is for m.inv vears prominent in the civil life of DeKalb e.mntv. .uid at one time -erve.l on the luiard of county commissioners. Through her mother ^lr'-. Heliel i- descended from the Allen family, of which Fthan .\lleii was :; noted nieniher. To Mr. and Mrs. Hebel have been born two children, j. William, horn in .\pril. 1891, and Irene Elizabeth. J. William graduated from the State I'niversitv at Bloom- ington, Indiana, in iqii, to which institution he later returned for post- graduate work, taking the Master's degree, majoring in English. He is now a student at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, and received the fellow- ship in 1913, a much coveted honor. He is pursuing the course witii the ex- pectation of following the profession of teaching in college. In i()i 1 he went to Europe with Professor Fred Smith, of PdrKimington, tiavelint; extensively 544 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. over Scotland, Germany, France and Italy, and attending C(ille,t(e at lena, in Germany. Irene Elizabeth is a studtnl in the puljiic schools at Auburn, lie- sides these children, Mr. and .Mrs. Hebel have lost a little (lau.^luer, Hi]igiit ;md wlio believes in pressing for- ward, keeping the wlieels of the car of civilization ever nio\ ing up the steeps. He enjoys the respect and esteem of those who kno\\ him for his friendlv manner, business ability, his interest in public affairs ancl upright living, and is regarded b}- all a- one of the substantial and worthv citizens of DeKalb county. SHELDON CROOKS. .Among the citizens of (jrant township. l)eKalb county, Indiana, wlio ha\e built u]) comfortalile homes and surrounded thenisehes with a fair amount of landed and personal property, few ha\'e attained a higher degree of >uccess than the subject of this rexiew. With few op|)orlunities except what his own etforts were cai)al)le of mastering and with some obstacles to oxercome, he has m;ide a success of life, ami in his declining years has the gratification of knowing that the communit\^ in which he has resided has lieen benehted by his residence therein. Sheldon Crooks, ;i highly esteemed citizen of Waterloo. Indiana, was ])orn one ami one-halt miles southeast of W ;Uerloo , .11 June 7, 1^4^. and is a son of .M.atihew .and .\ancy ( i'.r\an ) (rooks, the former of wIkuu was born April 10, iH\(i, and died ( Vtober 31, i(>)o, at the age of nearly eighty-five years, and the latter born in l-'airbel(i, 1SS4. Mattliew Crooks, with a brother, came to neisalb countv in 1833 at the age of sexenteen years ,and was here seized with ague so that he was compelled to return home for a period. In 1836 he again came here, this time being favored with good health and he grew to be a strong, heartv man. Their first work here was clearing the land of the dense timber which covered it, and ,at that time wolves and other wild .anim.als as well as the no less savage wikl men were numerous. k'or a part of the time dur- ing these first years Mr. Crooks was employed in railroad work. His mar- riage to Nancy Bryan occurred in 1844. she being a daughter of William Bryan and had come here with her parents, who located between the present towns of Waterlo,, and l>utler on the Morningstar farm. Mr. (/rooks farmed SHELDON CROOKS DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 545 for some time, being compelled u> do wilhoul many ot ihc [jrcsciu cuii- veniences, using ox teams and rudt- iiiipicmcnis ni t.-arly limes, all oi which entailed an immense amount ol hard labor. In 1847 he bought eighty acres of land of Wesley Park, of .Vuburn, iIk- farm being located a half mile west of the place where he was then wtirking in what is now (irant township. There he built a cabin and a doulilc log barn in the wilderness and persisted in his farming operations until at length success crowned his efforts. He became the father of twelve cliildnn, three of whom died in infancy: Lucinda died in 1865, aged nine years; Harriett died in 1871 at the age of eleven years; Mrs. Amanda Reed died October 19, 1893, being the widow of Stephen Reed, who died March 14, 1893, and she left a soUrCarl Reed, then about three years old; Alice died in 1904, and was the wife of Thomas Cool, of South Eend ; Marinda is the wife of Theodore McCush, of Litchfield, .Xebraska; Sheiilou. the suljject of this .sketiii, is next in order of birtli ; Rob- ert A. lives in Auburn and is a retired farmer; Harliara is the wife of John Hefty, who lives south of Butler in Wilmington township; George W. is an atttorney at Waterloo, this county. Sheldon Crooks lived on his father's farm until he was about twenty- two years old and then worked a year for his uncle, Robert N. Crooks. In 1872 he obtained railroad employment, in which he was engaged for eight years. In 1877 he bought forty acres of land in section 14, ( ir;mt township, to which he gave his attention when, three years later, he (pht railroad work. This land was only partly cleared, but was of good quality and he bought it for only twenty-five dollars per acre, making of it a fine farm on which he raised excellent crops. In November, 1904, he bought forty acres adjoining, also paying twenty-five dollars per acre for this, and he transformed an unsightly cranberry marsh into another fine tract of land. To the cultivation of this farm he devoted his attention with splendid success, so that in 19 10 he was enalfled to retire from acti\ i- labor and now resides in a pleasant and attractive home at Waterloo. In May, 1874, Mr. Crooks married Samantha Baughman, who was born in section 23, Union township, this county, the daughter of John and Nancy (Slentz) Baughman. These parents came from Pennsylvania in 1844 and located on the farm where Mrs. Crooks was l)orn. and here reared the follow- ing children: Addison, of .\uburn; Eliza, the wife of David Miser, is de- ceased; Nancy, who also is deceased, was the wife of Charles Oiler; Isaiah, deceased; Washington, deceased; Samantha. the wife of Mr. Crooks; Ermina, (35) 546 DEKAI^B COUNTV, INDIANA. deceased, who was the wife of Henry Smith; Matilda, the widow of James Sibert, now deceased, hves in Auburn. The mother of these children died while Mrs. Crooks was a little 5,nrl, and the father afterwards married Eliza- beth Weeks, by which union there were Ijurn four children, namely: John Franklin, of .Auburn; Idola is the wife of John Fleming, who lives in the north part of L'nion township; Ida, the wife of Judson Miller, of .\ul)urn. and Carrie, the wife of Delbert McBride, of Wilmington township, this county. The father of these children died on October 3, 1884. To Mr. and Mrs. Crooks were born six children, namely: Cora is the wife of John Oiler, of Wilmington township. They adopted Agatha Luce, the daughter of Mrs. Oiler's deceased sister, Mrs. Alta May (Crooks) Luce; Alta was the wife of Edward Luce, and her death occurred on February 10, 1912, leaving four children, Howard, Xida .Mlene, .\gatha Lucile and Lester Slieldon ; Howard lives with his father in Waterloo ; \"ida lives with the grandfather, Mr. Crooks ; Agatha was adopted by Mrs. Cora Oiler and Sheldon was adop- ted by Charles Platter and wife, of Auburn; Minnie Crooks became the wife of Jay Raub, of Auburn; Olive is the wife of Elmer Pontius, a railway mail clerk who lives in Waterloo, and they have two children, Mabel and Clayton ; Ora A. lives on the father's farm in Grant township, and married Dora Leaky, by whom he has two children, Margaret and Patrick ; \'era Irene, who gradu- ated from the Waterloo high school in 1913, married J. Lautzenheiser, and lives in Union township. Mr. Crooks is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has passed through all the chairs of the subordinate lodge, while in 1903 he was a member of the grand lodge of the state. He takes a deep interest in the workings of the order and is held in high esteem among his fellow mem- bers. He is a man of ability, sturdy integrity and usefulness and as a citizen representative of the utmost loyalty, he merits the respect of his fellow men and his life record is deserving of a place in this publication. REUBEN LOCKWOOD. I'ew men of UeKalli county were as widely and favora1ii\ known as the late Reuben Lockwt)od, of Auburn, Indiana. He was one of the strong and influential citizens whose lives have become an essential part of the his- tory of this section of the state, and for years his name was synonymous with all that constituted honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy. DEKAI.l! COUNTY. INDIANA. 547 (,•(1 with c \ery(la\- cnniniDU while adv ancin.s^ individual (1 materia 1 welfare .if his a> an b.i i.ired resident of liis county , (in January JO. V). K)"-'- He was a son of keen perceiition and honesty of iiuri)o>e. conihii sense, were anioni^ hi> chief characteristics and. success, he also largely jironioted the moral ai community. Reuben Lockwood. who for nian\- \ear^ v DeKalb county, was born in Jackson township. 1841, and died at liis home at Auburn on March Alonzo and Rosamond (Phelps) Lockwood, who were numlx^red among the sturdy pioneers of this section of the countrw Alonzo Lockwood. who was a pioneer in the southern part of UeKalb count)-, was born in 1814 in Ver- mont, the son of Levi Lockwood and wife. In young manhood he left his native state and located in Licking count). Ohio, where he married Rosa- mond Phelps, a nati\e of Gramille. thai count)-. In iH_^4 he removed to Allen county, Indiana, and two years later came to DeKalh county, where Mr. Lockwood entered one lumdred and si.xty acres of land four miles south- west of Auburn, and there established their permanent home. He was a poor man when he came to this county, the trip being made up the St. Joe river and Cedar creek in a canoe which bore all their worldly effects. How- ever, he was a hard wdrker. and was determined and ambitious to succeed in his new home. 11) dint of the most insistent labor and ri,gid economy, and by the exclusion of every expensive habit, he was enabled to Imy out other settlers who were discouraged and desired to move elsewhere, in this way lie was enabled to accumulate thirty-six hundred acres of land in different places, twelve hundred acres being in one tract adjoining his first farm. About twelve hundred acres were located near Paulding. Defiance county. Ohio, and some in Michigan, but the greater i)art of his holdings were in DeKalb county. He engaged very extensively in the buying and selling of live stock, much of which he also raised on his own farms, which he sold at considerable profit, most of his transactions being in horses and cattle. He was eminently successful in every transaction in which he engaged, his deals being characterized by shrew-dness and sagacit) of a high order, and in 1866 he was enabled to retire from business pursuits and removed to .\uburn. where he spent the remainder of his days. His death occurred on July 4. 1886. at the age of seventy-two years, while in Defiance county. Ohio, his death being immediately due to a fall from a cart. He was survived a number of years by his widow, who died in .\uhurn in i8c>8. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Cyrus, who died in 1854. at the age ■of nineteen years; Reuben: Celia. who died about iSjfi. at New I'^lm. Min- nesota, w-as the wife of C.eorge Coleman; lr\in. who snent his entire life 548 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. in Richland township, this county, died in 1891 ; Lyman was a farmer and resided at Auburn, this county: Philo J., now deceased, Hved in Washing- ton, D. C. He was a noted pension attorney; Eunice is the widow of Ben- jamin Zigler and hves in Auburn ; CorneHa, the widow of Davis E. Caruth, also lives in Auburn. Reul>en Lockwood was reared on his father's farm, in the oi>eration of v\hich he took an active part, and in the meantime secured his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. On Novemlaer 22, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Forty-fourth Regiment, Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, with which he went to the front, but the ensuing winter was an unfortunate one for the entire command, as all but three (jr four of the regiment were either very ill or in poor health, especially at the time of the i)attle of Shiloh, but in which nearly all took an active part despite their pocjr condition. Air. Lockwood's health became so precarious that he was mustered out soon afterwards because of physical disability. Upon his return to peaceable pursuits, Mr. Lockwood became a salesman, which vocation he followed in various lines for many years, traveling over a large portion of the country. In 1887 he helped to organize the Monitor Manufacturing Com- pany, of which he was chosen \ice-president. They erected a factory north- east of .Auburn Junction, this county, where they engaged extensively in the manufacture of wind mills, potato crates, Fargo harrows, and also ran a planing mill. The business was continued until 1897, when it was discon- tinued. Besides the business interests mentioned, Mr. Lockwood owned about six hundred acres of farm land, located in Ohio, Michigan and this county, to which he gave his attention and in the operation of which he was very successful. In the business affairs !>f the cumnnmity he was a prominent figure and contributed much to the pro^iierity and upbuilding of the commun- ity in which he lived. He was a man of broad sympathies and good-hearted in his attitude toward others, being well liked personally by all who came in contact with him. On December 22, 1892, Mr. Lockwood was married to Mrs. Sarah Clarke Carr, of Detroit, whom he met in that city while exhibiting the prod- ucts of his factory. Mrs. Carr was born four miles south of Dexter, in Washtenaw county, Michigan, and is a daughter of Dr. Henry and Mary ( Pritchard) Clarke, both of whom were natives of London, England. Dr. Henry Clarke was a man of splendid education, possessing several diplomas, and spoke fluently seven dififerent languages. He and his wife were mar- ried in London, and they afterwards came to W^ashtenaw county, Michigan, where the Doctor was engaged in the practice of his ]>rofession until seventy- DEKALB COUNTY. INIHANA. 549 eight years old. He had very early in hfe taken an interest in the science of anatomy, having begun dissecting at the early age ot fifteen years. He be- came a surgeon of note and had a large practice all over Washtenaw county, where he was commonly kinnvn as the "old English doctor." Aristocratic in his manner of life, he was nevertheless very kind to the poor and never charged for his medical services when tlie recipient was not able to pay. Their daughter, Sarah A., was married in 1878 to George Washington Carr, of Bellville, Wayne county, Michigan, and two or three years later they moved to Detroit, where Mr. Carr was employed as a railroad fireman. Mr. Carr, who was horn February 18. 1853. at I'incknev, Michigan, was a son of Malcolm and Xancy ( Richmond) Carr, and his death occurred on March 17. 1888. To Mr. and Mrs. Carr were born two children: Lizzie G., who died in infancy, and George Freeman, who was born September 20, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood moved to Auburn in September, 1893, and Mr. Lockwood formally adopted hi> wife's son, George, who dropped his middle name of Freeman, being known now as George Carr Lockwood. On April 23, lyio. he married Hulda Gessner, of Monroe, Michigan, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Weisbeck) Gessner. To them was born a son, Reuben G.. on January 21, i(;ii. ("ieorge C. Lockwood is a tester at the Anliurn automo- bile factory. Reuben Lockwuod was for man\- years an honored and ai)i)reciative member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, taking an active interest in the workings of the order. He was a member of that pioneer band which accomplished so much in the early development of this section of the state, and as a defender oi his country in the hour of her trial he proved himself a jiatriot. and because of these clu'racteristics he is entitled to s])ecilic mention in tiie annals of DeKalb countv. SAMUEL G. STONE. The well known dru.ggist whose name forms the caption of this brief review is too well known to the reatlers of this hi.story to need extensive com- ment, since his has long been one of the leading business houses in Butler. It numbers its patrons by the hundreds throughout this locality, the store being a gathering place for visitors from the rural districts, but from whatever quar- ter customers come they are accorded uniform courtesy and the kindest con- sideration, ahvavs finding here a well-kept, neat, attractive and well-managed DEKALB COUNTY. Store, Stocked with a complete and carefully selected line of goods, second to none, the prices of which arc reijarded by its many patrons of long standing as being remarkably low considering the excellent quality of goods offered. Samuel (i. Stone, a leading business man of Butler, was born at I"'ort Henry, New cork, on July 12, 1854, the son of Grandville and Lucy (Butler) Stone, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Connecticut. Grand- ville Stone was a wagon maker by trade, which pursuit he followed many years, hut later in life took u\t farming, in which he was successful. The subject of this sketch recei\ed his education in the common schools of New York and Ohio, having moved to the latter state and upon attaining mature years engaged in the drug business at Striker, Ohio, in which he con- tinued with gratifying success until 1876. He then came to Butler, Indiana, and in 1877 engaged in the drug business here, in which he has continued ever since, and in which he has met with well de.serxed patronage. He has a large and well selected line of druggists' sundries, while in the filling of pre- scriptions he handles none but pure and fresh drugs. He is well qualified by training and experience for the business to which he devotes himself and be- cause of the high quality of his goods, his prompt and courteous treatment of his customers and his own high character he has long enjoyed an enviable standing in his community. In September, 1876, Mr. Stone married Elva C. Stoner, the daughter of A. B. and J. .\. Stoner, of U'est Unity, Ohio. There Mrs, Sterne's father followed the dual occupations of grocer and druggist for many years and was successful in his affairs, flventually he located at Metz, Indiana, and finally came to Butler, wliere he remained for se^•eral years and then located at Garrett, this county, where his death occurred. To Mr. and Mrs. Stone have been born four children, Gertrude Elnora. Gladys Elmira, Bessie Emily and Milliard Samuel. The Democratic partv has always claimed Mr. Stone's support, anil he has been active in the ranks of that p.irty during political campaigns. He has been honored bv his fellow citizens by election to a number ni public offices, in all of which he discharged his iluties to the entire satisfaction of ;ill concerned. He was trustee of the town of Butler under the old law for two years, and in 1902 was elected a member of the board of school trustees, in which he has served four terms and is still an honored member of that body. He was elected the first mayor of Butler when it was incorporated as a city in 1903, .serving a short term, his admini.stration, which expired in 1905, being characterized by marked ability and effort to advance the interests of DEKAI.B COUNTY. INDIANA. 35 I the community. He alsd sir\ cd a> citv trfasunr lUr thrci' \ears with emi- nent sati.sfaction. Reliji^iousK . .\ir. Slnne is an canusi nu-iiihcr (if Uk- .Mcllm- dist church, while fraternally he is a member (if tlu' i'ree and Accepted .Ma- sons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Personally, Mr. Stone is a man whom it is a pleasure to know, being gen- erou.s-hearted, kind, hospitable, Imnest in all his dealings with his fellow men, and eminently worthy of the trust and respect they repose in him and have for him, and he is today regarded as (ine (if DeKalli lounty's re])resenta- tive and most valued citizens. |()H\ 11. W. KROX'i'Z. Examples that impress force of character nn all whd study them are worthy of record. P>v a few general ()hser\-ati(iu> nia\' he C(iii\eyL-d xmie idea of the high standing of John H. W. Krontz in tlie comniiniity where so many of iiis active years have been spent. L'nited in his composition are so many elements of a solid and practical nature which during a series of vears have brought him into prominent notice and earned for him a conspicu- ous place among the enterprising men of DeKall) county, that it is but just recognition of his worth to .speak at some length of his life and achievements. lohn H. W. Krontz was born in \\'ilmington townshi]). DeKalh conntw Indiana, on April 7. iSro. and is the son of Michael !•.. and Mary .\nn Krontz. lioth of whom were natives of the ^tate of Ohio, the father horn in ilolnies county. They came to Indiana and the father was one of the early settlers of this localitv, having arrived October S, 1X4;,. He was a t'armer by voca- tion, which pursuit he followed all his life and altanied to a gratifying degree of success. They are both now deceased. The> were the parents of three chilflren— Laura K.. William and John 11. W.. the last named being the only survivor. lohn H. W. Kront/ attended the common m-IiooK ,,1 IK-Kalh conntv. comiileting bis elementary stiulies in the high school at lUitler and m the I'ori Wayne College. He then took up pedagogical work and f-.r scNcral years followed teaching in this county, meeting witii marked success in tins exacting vocation. Mr. Krontz had pursuetl his technical studies along the line of civil engineering, in which his ability was widely recognized, and in i,S()0 lie was elected surveyor of DeKalb county, serving efliciently and satis- factorily in this position until 1000. Upon retiring from the office of sur- 552 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. veyor he took ii]i the work of ci\il engineering, in which he is still engaged. Thoroughly competent by training and experience for this important line of work, Mr. Krontz is widely recognized as one of the leading surveyors of this section of the state and is constantly employed in this line. Politically Mr. Krontz is an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious mem- bership is with the Christian church. Mr. Krontz's career presents a series of successes, while his unswerving rectitude has made his life count for good in all its relations, as is attested by the unreserved esteem of the ])eopIe of the communit\- in which he has lived so many years, and in which he has Jiad due regard for the hi.i^her \erities of life, giving his support to that which tends to the betterment of the people. WILLIAM HENRY LEAS. DeKall) cnuntv, Indian.i, has l)een especially iionored in the ch;iracier and career of her public and professional men. Here, as in every ccjuuuunity, there are foimd, rising above their fellows, individuals born to leadership in the various professions, men who have dominated not alone by superior in- telligence and natural endowment, but by natural force of character. It is alwavs profital)le to studv the lives of such lueii, weigh their luotives and hold up their achievements as incentives to greater activity and higher excel- lence on the ])art of others. .\ lawyer of widely recognized ability and a man of undoubted integrity and hon(}r, W'illi.im H. Leas has made a definite im- pression on the history of his locality. DcKalb county has been dignified by his noble life and splendid achievements, and he stands as a wortln and con- spicuous member of a striking group of public men whose influence in the political and civic life, as well as in i)rofessional circles, has been of a most beneficent order, and it is but a matter of justice to here enter a l)rief trilnite to his career. William Henrv Leas was born in ."^alem township, Steuben county. Indi- ana, on the i6th day of September, 1S4C), and is the son of John and Susan (Schimpff) Leas. More specific reference is made to his ancestral history in the sketch of his father, which appears el.sewhere in this work. He came with his parents to Smithfield township, this county, in 1868, and from that time on has been continuously and closely identified with the history of this localitv. He secured his elementarv education in the common schools, after MRS. EMMA LEAS DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 553 which he engaged in pedagogical work, teaching fiist in the district schools and afterwards in the graded schools of Waterloo. Later he assisted Willard, Kingman and McConahey in surveying and the making of county maps in Ohio and Indiana, in which work he gained much valuable experience and knowledge. Having long entertained an ambition to enter the legal pro- fession, in 1873 Mr. Leas began the study of law at Angola and in the fall of that year he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in March, 1875, with the degree of Bachelor of Law. He iiad been admitted to the bar in .Angola in 1S74. and on June i. 1875, he located at Waterloo and opened a law office. He was first in partnership with C. M. Phillips until October, 1875, from which time he was alone until November, 1876, during which period he succeeded in building up a good practice. In the month last mentioned he became a mem- ber of the law firm of McBride, Morlan & Leas, his partners being Judge R. W. McBride and Joseph L. Morlan. In August, 1878-, Mr. Morlan died and the firm was dissolved, since which time Mr. L In point of length of continuous jiractice Mr. L fession in DeKalb county. Mr. Leas' success in his profession lia-^ l)een careful in the preparation of his cases and a dee] faculty of statin.g a case clearly and succinctly, w honor have made him i)reciale(l work in (lie inter- est of educational affairs in the community. IVom i()()2 to kjij Mr. Leas served as attorney for the town of Waterloo, .and is at the iiresent time at- torney for the town of Corunna. On August 20, 1878, Mr. Leas was united in marriage to h^lninia J. Danks, the youngest daughter of Oris and Stella CRooge) Danks. She was born and reared in Waterloo, and suffered the loss of her mother when but an infant, in 1863. Afterwards her father married Sarah A. Jones. Orris Danks was born in Onondaga county. New York, on July 16. 1813, a son of .s has mostl\ • practiced alone. is tile 1 (lean 1 if his pro- 1 mos t pron. iunce( 1. .\lways ■p stu (lent 0I ■ law. he has the hile 1 lis cam dor, f; lirness and ng hi s colle agues and liiose a CO niprehensivi- knowledge 354 DKKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. Benoni and Phoebe (Earlej Danks, who also were natives of the Empire state. His grandfather, Robert Earle, was a soldier in the war of the Revo- lution. In 1836 Orris Danks came to DeKalb county and bought land in Smithfield township, returning to iiis native state two years later and tiiere. in 1840, he married Euseba Brown. In the following year they returned to DeKalb county and made their home on his land, to tlie improvement and cultivation of which he devoted himself until i8b2 wlie.n tlie family re- moved to Waterloo, where Mr. Danks engaged in the hardware business, afterwards engaging successively in the grocery and boot and shoe business. His first wife died in 1851 and in 1852 he married Estella Booge. To Mr. and Mrs. Leas have been born two children, namely: Stella B., born July 4, 1880, is the wife of R. Earl Peters, whose permanent home is in Ft. WaxTie, Indiana, but who is now in Washington, D. C, as secretary to Congressman Cyrus Cline of the twelfth district. Mr. and Mrs. Peters have a daughter, Leah Velletta, born March 20. 1907. Earl D. Leas, liorn February 15, 1882, lives in Waterloo, where he enjoys a large business as a buyer and shipper of corn, baled hay and straw. On January 20, 1Q04, he married Emma Gfeller, of Waterloo, the daughter of Samuel (Ifeller. GEORGE SCHULTHESS. Tliere could be no more com[)rehensi\e histor)- written of a city or a community, or e\en of a state ami its [leople. than that which deals with the life work of those, who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed themselves where the\ well deserve tiie title of "prominent and pro- gressive," and in this sketch will Ije found the record of one wdio has out- stripped the less active and less able plodders on the highway of life and who has attained to an enviable position in the business, jjolitical and social life of the community where he has resided for many years. George Schulthess. lousiness man. citizen and pul)lic official, who is lujn- oring the city of ( .arrett. Indiana. l)y his residence. w,a> horn on May 5. 1873, at Millersburg, Ohio, and is the son of Matthias and Elizabeth (Schaffii') Schulthess. 'I'liese parents, who were natives of Switzerland, trace their ancestry back through tlie centuries to about tiie year 1400. T!ie suliject [)os- sesses a genealogical work in the German language which traces the paternal anc.estral Hne in unl)roken ascent to the founder oi the family in 1400 in the DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. ::;:^^ State of Zurich, Switzeiiaiul. Tlirt-L- iiumths hcinrc iW- Milijert cf tlii^ skilch was bom his mother hec;inie a widow ihroush tiu' deatli of ht-r IiusIkukI and she herself died when the sul)j\-ci was hut twelvi' years old. Hiese parents had been married in their nali\c land and .Matthias .Scliultlie>s was a cooper by trade and an energ:etic and industrious workman. M the time of the mother's death she left a family of three sons and two daughters, of whom two sons and a daughter are still living: Fred, a resident of Garrett. .Mrs. Emma Geib, living on a farm near Garrett, and the subject of this sketch. The latter came to Garrett at the time of his mother's death and made his home with his brother, Fred. He received his education in the public schools of that city, and his leisure hours, instead of being spent in ))lay and recrea- tion, were etnployed in assisting in fartu work. Later he and his brother lo- cated in Garrett and engaged in the furniture antl undertaking business in partnership with Professor Moore, wdiich they conducted a few years, and then engaged in the milling and grain business. Thex were successful in these enterprises, but after a few years they sold out and engaged in the coal business for three years, at the end of which period they disposed of those interests and since that time the subject has been engaged in supervising his farm of one hundred acres located one-half mile from ( iarrett in Keyser township. Though starting life under discouraging conditions Mr. Schul- thess, by most indomitable perseverance, sturd\- industry and wise manage- ment, has prospered and is now numbered among the -uccessfrl and up-to- date citizens of his community. \\'itli modern and i)rogressive ideas regard- ing business affairs he has maintained his farm at the highest standard of excellence and has found it a profitable enterprise. Fliough his business af- fairs have made heavy demands uixm his time Mr. Schulthess has neverthe- less found it possible to take an active part in local jniblic affairs, in which he has been deei)ly interested. In icjon he was elected trustee of his township and served four years to the credit of himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens and also served a year as city councilman bx appointment In the fall of 1908 he w^as elected to the council. -er\ in,- uiHil October of the following year, when, owing to a vacancy, he was api)ointe(l mayor ol Gar- rett and has now been serving four years in thi> p lift\ .Stead) ])ersistence. >tern integrity ;in(l excel- Unt judgment lia\e been the elements which ha\e ei mtriluUed to his success, and 1 ecause nf this success and his high ])ersonal character he is deserving -if the high jxisition which he hulds in the esteem of all who know him. I'rank Ilogne. who for a number of years has been the efhcieiU lumber buver for Hoffman P.rothers Company, of h'ort Wayne, is a native son of DeKalb county, having first seen the light of day in Butler tcnvnship on June II, 1852. He is the son of Henry and Effie (King) Hogue, the former of whom died on .August 5, 1872. Henry Hogue was the son of (ieorge DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 337 and Lydia (Wilder) Wn-^w. and wa> horn in Canandais,nia. Xew >"(,rk. on March 3, 1818. When al.oul twenty years old he came to DeKalb county. Indiana, his mother ha\ ins died a short time before that, and here he was employed in sawmills, work to which he had been accustomed in his native state. He bought a farm in I'.utler township ;ind there made his permanent home, his father also spendin.<,- his last years there. Carryin-,^ on the dual occupation.s of farming and lumljering, Henry Hogue was a very busy man. and he enjoyed the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He was a Republican in politics, though with no aspirations for public office. He married Effie King, who was born in Pennsylvania on November 26. 1828. and who is still, at the advanced age of eightv-eight years, a well-preserved woman, retaining her mental and physical faculties to a remarkable degree. She is the daughter of (leorge and Mary jane (Phillips) King, and she was brought to DeKalb county on October 4. 1833. Her father was killed when she was but three days old. and she was reared by her mother until seven years old, after which time slie was reared in the family of George DeLong, with whom slie came to Indiana, the family locating in Butler township, DeKalb county. Their long and tiresome journey was made in a wagon, drawn by two voke of oxen, who pulled them from Da\ton, Ohio. The\ liatl come from Pennsylvania down the (~)hio river to Cincimiati, and thence by canal to Dayton. It took them six weeks to make the trip from Dayton, camping out at night and letting the oxen graze. They came by way of Fort Wayne, thence through Huntertown, which then consisted of but three or four houses. But few roads had l>eeii constructed, and those few very poorly made, while most of the streams had to be forded. On ai)])roaching their land in I'utler township, none of which had been cleared, they were compelled to rut the dense undergrowth and many trees in order to get their wagon through to the site of their future home. The |)ros])ect was not a very invit- ing one. but. with a \ i>ion of the future. Mr. DeLong went energetically to work to clear a spot for a home. The\- first lived in a tent made of carpet, but soon a log cabin was erected, in which the t'amily were comfortably boused. Here Mr. DeLong accpiired ownership of three hundred and fifty acres of land. .\ few years later he sold cnit and moved to .\llen county. Mr. and Mrs. Hogue had been married just prior to that event and they remained on the farm, Mr. Hogue being employed to run the saw-mill for the new owner. They then moved to the farm adjoining on the north, which Mr. Hogue had bought, and there he -;pent the remainder of his life. To him and his wife were born ten children, namely: George Henry. Lydia .\.. Frank. I'TVie, Theron. bVederick. Perry. James. Florence and Mary, the 558 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. latter dying at the age of three months. Of these cliiUhen, only three are now Hving. namely: Frank, the immediate suliject uf this sketch; Lydia, ^)i .\uhurn ; Florence, the wife of William Hoff, of Selma, California. The mother of these ciiildren now makes her home with her son l-'rank. Frank Hogue was reared on the home farm in Bntler township and secured his education in the common schools. In 1873 he went \\'est. where he remained three years, and then, in 1876, he returned to the home farm, to the operation of which he gave his attention for a tune. He then accepted a position with Hofifman Brothers, of Fort Wayne, extensive lumher dealers and saw-mill men, and he has heen connected with tiiat comi)any e\er since, h'or thirty-five years he has i)een the timher i>uyer for this well-known firm, his duties rec|uiring him to tra\el over practical!}' the entire country. He has earned the reputation as one of the hest judges of timher in the country and his services are held in high value by the firm with wliich he is connected. Mr. Hogue has continued to reside in Auburn, and has a beautiful home at the corner of Fifth and Main streets, which he built in 1909. In 1884 Mr. Hogue married Allie Rainsburg, of Pleasant Lake, Indiana, the daughter of l-'rederick Rainsburg, of Hudson, Indiana. Mrs. Hogue died in 1891, and in 1898 Mr. Hogue married ("arrie Caswell, of I*"reniont. this state, to which union was born a daughter, h'rances. They are well known throughout this community, antl their friends are in number as their accjuaintances. JONAS E. DILGARD. Among the honored and influential citizens of Waterloo, Indiana, is Jonas E. Dilgard, who has shown what an earnest and energetic hard-work- ing man can accomplish, although forced to hew his own fortune from ob- stacles that beset his way. He started life without financial aid from any- body; has been industrious, and has adhered to those principles and ideals that always insure success, so that his later years are being passed in the midst of plenty and serenity. Jonas E. Dilgard, who is now retired from active labor and is residing in the attractive little town of Waterloo, is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, where he was born on bebruary 14, 1853. He is a son of John and Mary (Hoy) Dilgard. John Dilgard was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, and in early childhood was brought to Wayne county, Ohio, by his parents, Jacob and h'li/.ahcth Dilgard. Marv Hov, who was a native of DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 559 Waynt- county, Oliin, utuI tin- clau,i,'hter oi Jonas Hoy, was reared in her native county and li\ed there until her marriage. In 1865 John Dilgard and his wife moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating four miles west of Water- loo, where they had acc|uired eighty acres of good farming land and there they made their permanent iKmie. Julin Dilgard was an acti\e .and imlustrious man, being both a farmer and a carpenter, whicli dual dccupations he fol- lowed during all his ;icti\e years. His death occurred in i8c)() ant! his wife died in 1880. They were the parents of six cliildren: Jonas, iVlina, lunilv. Daniel, Martha and John. Jonas E. Dilgard was reared on the [)aternai farm and in the schools of Waterloo he secured his education. In 1870, at the age of seventeen years, he began a successful pedagogical career, and during the following ten years was numbered among the leading teachers of DeKalb county, having taught successfully at various places where a high standard of education was in de- mand. During this period his summer seasons were spent in agricultural employment. In 1876 Mr. Dilgard was married to Marv (ioodwin. the daughter of David and Sarah ( Wiltrout ) (ioodwin. she being a native of Waterloo. David Goodwin was born in Ashland county, Ohio, on November 5, 1826, and his death occurred at Waterloo, Indiana, on March o, i8<;q, in the seventy-third year of his age. '.About 1854 he moved from Ashland county and purchased a tract of land at the edge of Waterloo, which he cleared and developed, making of it eventually one of the best farms in this vicinity. He was survived a number of years by his widow, who died in October, 1912. After Mr. Dilgard married he rented a farm for about a year and then bought a farm located between .\ubnrn and Waterkio in Grant township, where he now owns one himdred acres. In 1880 he gave up teaching school and moving on to the farm south of Waterloo, he lived there until iqo6. when he retired from actixe farm l;d)or and moved to Waterloo, where he now resides. He still owns the farm and in a general way supervises its management. In 1885. while still residing on his farm, Mr. Dilgard engaged in the agricultural implement business at Waterloo, but a year or two later he sold that business and during the following two years he was a traveling salesman for tlie .Mtman-Taylor Company and about a year for the Piano Binder Company; also for about two years after leaving the farm he was engaged in the restaurant business at Auburn, having bought the same from his son, Carl. He was successfid in this enterprise, but e\ entually sold it and returned to his home in Waterloo. He is a man of good business ability and sound judgment, and because of his excellent rjualifications he has succeeded in everything to which he has turned his hand. 560 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Fraternally. Mr. Dilgard belongs to the Knights of Pythias and takes a deep interest in the workings of the order. He has taken an intelligent in- terest in public afifairs and served four years as trustee of Grant township, and is nuw president of the bdard of trustees of the town of Waterloo, dis- charging his oflkial duties to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. To Mr. and Mrs. Dilgard have been born seven children, namely: Claude, Roy, Carl, Gladys, Glen, Ralph and Howard, all deceased except Carl and Howard. Carl was born September 16, 1884, married Dora Dan- iels, the daughter of Harrison Daniels, and they have a daughter, Bernadine. He lives in Waterloo and follows the trade of a carpenter. Howard Dilgard. born July 10, 1898, is a student in the public schools of Waterloo. Mr. Dilgard is an able, educated, well read and progressive gentleman, a fine type of a self-made man who has confidence in the people and is ready at all times to do his full part in the advancement of the public welfare. He is not lacking in the (|u;dities of sf)ciability and those traits of character which win friends for a man, and in the community where he has spent so many of his active years, he enjoys a notable measure of |)opularitv. JAMES PURVIS McCAGUE. Fealty to facts in the analyzation of a citizen of the type of James Purvis McCague is all that that is required to make a good biographical sketch inter- esting to those who have at heart the good name of the community, because it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing, more than any other consideration, that gives character anil stability to the body politic and makes the true worth of a county or state revered and respected. In the broad light which things of good report ever invite, the name and character of the gen- tleman whose name introduces this sketch stand revealed and secure, though with modest demeanor, with no amliition to distinguish himself in public position or as a leader of men, his career has been signally honorable and it may be studied with profit by the youth entering upon life's work, for it shows that the man who persists along right lines of endeavor will eventually accomplish what he sets out to do despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. James P. McCague was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on July 12, 1846, and is a son of Samuel Cochran McCague and Eliza Jane (Barfoot) Mc- Cague. Samuel C. McCague was a son of James and Elizabeth McCague, the former of whom was a native of the north of Ireland, thougli of Scotch- MR. AND MRS. J. P. McCAGUE DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. 5OI Irish descent, his ancestors having locatwl in the KniL-rakl Isle on accmuit oi the rehgious hberty which they enjoyed there and whicli \va^ denied them in their native land. His w ife. Iiliza jane liarfoot, was a dangluer of .\ndre\\ Barfoot, who with his wile came troni Scothuul, lier eldest brother having been born on the ocean en route to .America. In 1(848 Samuel I. McCague brought his wife and child to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating on the I. N. Cox farm one and one-half miles south and a little west of .\siiley. .After living there two years he sold this place and bought eight) acres of land one mile west of Sedan, where his death occurred in 1S52, at which time the sub- ject of this sketch was but six years old, anil the onl\- cliild. The subject's mother than engaged in teaching school, whicii she followed untd 1S35. when she became the wife of Aaron B. Smith, to which union was born a son, Sanford S., who died May 24, ic)i_^. The mother's married life continueil until 1868 when, at the death of her husb.md, she came to Waterloo and made that her home for some time. The subject of this sketch secured his education in the district schools, but in 1861, at the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, his pati iotic fer\-or was aroused and though but fifteen years old he tried to enlist to tight for the Union, but was rejected on account of his youth. He then went lo b>\\a and obtained employment on farms in Winnesheik coimtv. While m that state he attended school at Decorah, and there became ac(|uainted witii two daughters of John Brown, the famous ;mti-sla\ery agitator of ( )sa\v;aomie. .\t the time of the New I'lm massacre by the Indians in iSfu, be joined an indepen- dent military company and went to the assistance of the settlers and was present at the capture of six lumdred Sioux Indians, who were sent to Daven- port. While on a skirmish Mr. McCaguc was cajUuied and was carried to a gorge, but while the guard was sleeping he loosened himself. In so doing he disturbed a dog which he killed with the guard's knife and be tiien made hi-s escape. In 1863 Mr. McCague tried to enlist as a recruit in tin- Twelfth Iowa Regiment \"olunteer Infatury. l)ut was attain rejected because of his boyish appearance. He then returned to Winneslu-jk county and attended school until the spring of 1804 wiien lie enlisted in Com|)any V. Forty-sixth Regiment Iowa X'oluiiteer Infantry. ,1 one-liiindreibd.ay regiment, with which he served his term. ])articipating in the battles of Tupella and (iuntowii and being mustered out in August, i8f)4. After recei\ing his discharge from the army Mr. McCague returned to his old home near Ashley, DeKalb county, Indiana, and during the first winter here be attended school and then ^36) 50*i DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. again applied himself to farm work, later coming to Waterloo and here be- ginning his association with machinery, which has characterized the greater part of his life since. In the spring of 1865 he went to Kendallville and attempted to enlist in the army, but having gone first to tell his mother of his intentions he was a day too late, the orders having been issued to enlist no more men. At W^aterloo Mr. McCague obtained employment in a planing mill where he finally became engineer and afterwards ran engines at various mills. He was married in 1871 and immediately afterwards bought a saw mill and stave factory where he manufactured staves for oil barrels. When timber got scarce he sold his stave machinery, but continued to operate the saw mill, which, however, was burned in 1890. He then became a practical machrnist, bought tools and started a machine shop in Waterloo, north of where the town hall is now located, conducting this shop until 1901. In igoo he was so unfortunate as to lose an eye by its being pierced with a piece of steel, while he was working on a bf)iler. In 190 1 Mr. McCague invested eight hundred dollars in stock in a new concern which was organized to manufacture corn buskers and he then turned his shop and machinery over to the new concern and became machine shop foreman for two years. In 1903. his abilit}' as a machinist and engineer having become widclx- known, Mr. McCague was called upon to take charge nf the machinery in the electric light and water plant of Waterlo(j, and in 1004 he was given full cliarge of the plant as superintendent and lias lield llial ixi^ition until the present time. Fully qualified by training and exi)erience for this important position Mr. McCague has discharged his duties witli promjjtness and with painstaking care and eniovs the confidence and regard of all who are familiar with his work. In 1881 he was gone for a short time to Des Moines. Iowa, as foreman of a band saw mill, and also for a short time ran a steamboat on the Des Moines river. He afterward spent a vear at Fvansville. keeping saws in a saw mill in good shape, as he was an expert in that jiarticular line of work and received a good salary for his labors. In 1871 Mr. McCague married Nancy .\. Pxiwnian, tlie dangliter of James ruid Jane (P>ort) Bowman, who are represented elsewhere in this work, and to this union have been horn seven children, namely: Charles A., an engineer on the Lake Shore railroad, and who lives at Elkhart, married Lillian Phillips, and they have one son. James P. : Nellie A. died at the age of sixteen years; Edward Purvis married Rilla Newcomer, to which union was born a daughter, Irene, and he died at the age of twenty-five years: Blanche C. is tlie wife of Enimett ¥.. Cox. of \\'aterloo; F.ston B.. who lives two miles DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 563 ■west of Butler on a farm, is a machinist by trade, and he married Clara Hanes; Eugene J., wiio married Dessie Greenwood, died in 1907 at the age of twenty-seven years; Minnie 1. died at the asje oi twelve vears. Fraternally, Mr. McCague is a member (if the Free and Accepted Masons, having passed through all the chairs and serving as worshipful master of his lodge. He also lielongs to tlie (Irand .\rmy of the l\epul)hc and here enjoys the association with other veterans of the late war. He has taken a deep interest in local affairs and has served four terms as a meml)er ■of the town board. In 1872 Mr. McCague built a fine home in the northeast part of Waterloo, where, on a large lot. which has been beautified in every respect with large beds of flowers and fancy shrubbery, he has erected a beau- tiful home heated liy furnace, lighted by electricity and with water through- out the house, his home as regards beauty and convenience comparing favor- ably with any liome in Waterloo. Mrs. McCague is passionately fond of flowers and spends nuicli of her time in the care of them, in which she has met with much success. Mr. McCague is probably as versatile in his mechan- ical ability as any man in this locality, being not only an expert electrician, but a good all-around machinist, an e.Kpert plumber and an experienced saw man, besides which lie learned tlie trade of steam engineer. He is a close student of practical mechanics and is a dee]) reader on a wide variety of sub- jects, being able to converse intelligently on man}- themes which ordinarily do not interest the a\erage man. He has passed through a varied and strenuous career in many respects, being able to recite some very interesting experiences and narrow escapes, but is entirely modest and unassuming, caring nothing for praise or jniblic applause, and he possesses to an eminent degree those qualities of character wiiich beget friendship, and in this locality where he has resided for many years lie has earned the high regard of all who know him. W. !.. HL.\IR. It is with ;i great degree of satisfaction that we advert to the life of one who has made a success in any vocation recpiiring definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a life, whether it l)e one of prosaic endeavor or radical accomplishment, abounds in valual^le lesson and incentive to those who ha\e become discouraged in the fight for recognition or to the youth whose future is undetermined. During a long, strenuous and honorable career W. f.. P.lair. one of t!ie substantial and representative citizens of 564 DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. DeKalb county, has directed his energies and talents toward the goal of success in this localit}- and In- patient continuance lias won. anfl is now num- bered among the worthy and substantial farmers of Wilmington township. The subject 1 ears the distinction of being the oldest resident of DeKalb county, he having resided here continuously for se\enty-eight years, and being the only survivor among a family of thirty-five relatives. W. L. Blair was born in Portage county, Ohio, on Xo\eniber 2-], 1831, a son of John and Margaret (Douglas) Blair, who moved to DeKalb county in 1835, settling in Concord township, at which time there were but nine fam- ilies in the count}\ se\-cn of whom were located in Concord township. The Indians were frequent visitors at their home and at one time the subject's sister turned an em])ty barrel cn^er him while she ran to the field to tell the men of the approach of the Indians. .\lr. ISlair was reared to the life of a pioneer and early Iiegan assisting in the arduous labors of clearing the land, his educational privileges being very limited. The first school he attended was taught bv Rev. Benjamin Alton in a log house on land now occupied by Christian Curie. Mr. Blair is descended from a sturdy line of ancestors, his parents having been natives respectively of Massachusetts and Pennsyl- vania. The\- were the parents of nine children, namely : Mrs. Jane Xotestine, deceased; Douglas, deceased; Mrs. Samantha Dragoo. deceased; Hiram, de- ceased; Lucius J., deceased; William L.. the subject of this sketch, and Ben- jamin. John and Carlin, who are deceased. The land which the subject's father entered in DeKalb county is that now occupied by the present site of .St. Joe, and there the subject of this sketch spent his early years. He has always devoted his activities to agricultural pursuits, and, owing to his per- sistent industry, sound business methods and careful attention to the con- servation of the soil and other practical features of successful agriculture, he has for many years cnjov'ed a s])lendid re])utation among his fellow farmers, ffe owns thirty acres of land near the town of Butler, on to which he moved in 1XO3, and during the long period of his residence here he has continuously enjoyed the confidence and good will of the community. Mr. Blair has been twice married, first in 1859 to Amy Aldrich, to which union were born two children. Corwin B., of Gary, Indiana, and Mrs. Lena Corcoran, of Michigan. Mr. Blair's second union was to ^lary L. Hall, the daughter of J. C. and Abigail (Norris) Hall, natives of Xew Hampshire. Mr. Blair has reached an advanced age. heaven having lengthened out his life until he has been permitted to witness the vici>situdes of the most remark- able epoch in the world's business and inventive history, in all of which he has been an interested spectator. There is no doulit Init that his long life has DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 565 been due to his sterling character, his conservative lial)its and liis pure- thinking. He is even temi>ered, patient, scrupulously honest in all the relations of life, hospitable and charitable, his many kindly deeds being actuated .solelv from his largeness of heart rather than from any desire to gain the approval of plaudits of his fellow men. In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship he has been a worthy example and none stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he moves. JOHN H. LE.ASUKE. Specific mention is made in the following paragraphs of one of the worthy citizens of DeKalb county, Indiana — one who has figured and is still an active participant in the splendid commercial prosperity which characterizes this community, and who is contributing in a definite measure in his particular sphere of action to the growth of the locality and to the advancement of its best interests. Earnest purpose and tireless energy, combined with mature judgment and everyday common sense. lia\e l)een among his most prominent characteristics and he has merited the respect and esteem which are accorded him by all who know him. John H. Leasure was txirn in Savannah. .Vshland county. Ohio, on July 26. 1849, the son of Lovengar and Eleanor (Hayes) Leasure. In 1852 the family moved to Auburn, Indiana, where he secured a limited education in the public schools, which, however, has been liberally supplemented through the years by much reading and habits of close observation. At an early age, the suliject was ap])renticed to learn the trade of shoeniaking. that being a period when most boots and shoes were made l)y Iiand to order. He worked at that trade for eight years, tiien accei)leil employment as a clerk in a hard- ware store at Auburn. About 1893 Mr. Leasure moved to ,\ngola, where he remained most of the time up to 1900. in which year he returned to .Auburn and engaged in the hardware business on his own account. Subsecpiently he, with W. H. McOuiston and Harry Swarts, organized the Auburn Hardware Company, with the intention of ojiening a new store. .\t tiiat time the John L. Davis estate was being closed up and his old estalJished store was offered for sale. The subject and his associates l>ought the store and ran it for two years, when Mr. Leasure and his wife and son bought the interests of Messrs. McQuiston and Swarts and thus became sole owners. This business has prospered under the wise management of Mr. Leasure and is now one of SoO' deKai:b county, Indiana." the principal mercantile establishmentsOf Auburn, comifianding a lai-ge afi'rf' cohSta-ntly increasing trade through this section of the country. A large' and well selected stock is carried, consisting of shelf and heavy hardware^ paints, stoves and other lines usually carried in an up^to-date store of the kind.' 'On December 30, 1880, John H. Leasure was married to Lida Powers, Vvho was liorn ntar Greensburg, Indiana, the daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Hood) Powers, and \vlio is nientif/ned more fully elsew'here in. this, work.? To this union have been born two children, namely : Flossie is the wife of Harry M. Richwine, of .\ul)urn, and they have one child, Helen Marguerite : J. Kent is a medical student in the Indiana State Uni\ersity, at Bloomington. Politicalh', Mr. Leasure gives his support td the Democratic party, while fraternally he is an appreciati\e member of the Knights of Pythias. His religious membership is with the Presljyterian church, to which he gives his earnest support. In allthe relations of life he has bet-n a man among men! and, Ix'cause of his high character and earnest life, he merits fhe confidence and good will which he eniovs in the comnnmitv. [ACOB LUTZ. The character of a C(jmmunity is determined in a large measure by the- lives- of a comparatively few of its memlicrs. If its moral and intellectual staUdard be good, if its reputation for the integrity of its citizens has ex- tended into other localities, it w ill be found that the Standard set by the lead- ing men has lieen high, antl their uUUu-uce such as to mold the characters and. shape the lives of those with whom tlie\ mingle. Placing the late Jacob Lutz in the front rank with such men. justict- is rendered a biographical fact univi-rsally recognized throughout the locality long honored by his citizen- ship. .Vlthough a quiet and unassuming man, he contributed- greatly to the material and moral advancement of his community, while his admirable- (|ualities of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his- (lailv life won for him the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he moved and gave Ihm a reputation for integrity and correct conduct such as few achieve, and, although he is now ".sleeping the sleep of the just." hi.s- influence is still living and his memory is still greatly revered. Jacob Lutz was born near Canton, Stark county, Ohio, on January 17, iS2(j, and was a son of Michael and Magdalena Lutz. In 1828, when aljout seventeen years of age, he came to DeKalb county with his parents, whoi DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 567 located liere on a farm. His father died about two years after their arrival here and Jacob and his brother Jolm became assistants to tlieir mother in the clearing, improvement and cultivation of the farm, and in the protection and care of the younger children. Mr. Lutz devDted his entire life to agricul- tural pursuits and his farm in (irant township became one of the most up-to- date and productive in the county. Progressive and methodical in his busi- ness affairs, as well as in the operation of his'''fartn;lit was hardly surprising that he should achieve a splendid success, for he possessed to a notable degree thost qualities which coiitriliute to jirosperity in any undertaikihg. Mr.' Lutz was at all times actuated by the highest motives and so oi'dered hiiMife a$ frt retain throughout his career here the confidence and good will of ail who knew him, and his death, which Dccurred on September 22. I900, Was Con- sidered a distinct loss to the community. ' Air. Lutz "was an active and earnest member of the Reformed church froiri boyhood, of which society Mrs. Lutz is also a memiier, and in everything that affected the moral, civic; mate'rial or educational welfare of the community he was active in sup])ort of the best measures. - . . . , - On June 29, i80y, Jacob Lutz married Sarah Hamman. who was, jjorn af Tappan, Kosciusko county, Indiana", the daughter of Daniel arid "Sophia (Wolfe) Hamman. Her father formerly lived in Columbiana county. Ohio. but '.subsequently became a resident for a few years uf DeKalb county, Indir ana, later moving to Kosciusko. He was married in Ohio ler of the city council for two terms. l)eginning March 26, h)co. when the city was incorpora- ted, thus serving four years. During his term of office the paving of streets was begun, one of the most marked improvements in its history. Mr. McCord was a nieml)er of the conimittee on re\ ision of the city ordinances, a change from town to city government, entailing many ratlical changes in the governing ordinances of the municipality, necessitating the collection of the ordinances from a great mass of other matter in the town records. This work was satisfactorily accomplished to the credit of the committee. In May, 1885, Mr. McCord was married to Tillie E. Williamson, the daughter of F.li .-md Su-~ann;i Wiiliamsdii, of Waterloo, wlio arc represented elsewhere in thts N-,,rk. To Mr. anJ Mrs. .Mc( on! liavc been 1)orn two chil- dren. \'ictor W.. who i.s in ihe (h'lig store with his father, and Dorothy M., who is at home. Fraternally, Mr. McConl is a member of tlie I'ree and Accepted Masons, Wonging to William Hacker Chapter, i^oyal .\rch Masons, and also l^-ioiigs to Lodge No. i2()i. Knights of i'ytiiias. of which he is a ch.-irler member, and tiie Ik-nevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Mc- Corthing pertaining toi the advancement of the comnnuiity and has served as supervisor f or 'tWdntVP six years,' this being a remarkable testimonial to his efficiency andthe.Satis-j factory manner in which he has discharged his official duties. In the/ improve-t m^nt of the public roads he has been especially interested . and has changed them fi^om the ekrly-day corduroy construction to as fine gravel i'oads as can be found atiywhere in the county, and he has just, reason- to be proud of hla attainments in this line. :. In 1867 Mr. Grogg married Catherine Kandel, who was born inr, New Bavaria, Germany, the dauglitcr of Jacob and Katherine Ivandel. iln'iSs^ she came \vith her parents to ^America, who located first at Tiffin, Ohio, but irt i860 came to DeKalb county, locating a half mile south of Faigler's Corners in Richland township, where they -spent the remainder of their days. To Mn and Mrs. Grogg were born four children, namely: Daniel J., born in 1.8681 who assists; his father on the home farm; Annie, .who is -the wife^of Charley Zerkle, of Waterloo, has eight children, Ora, -Forrest, Ford, J<5hiiij Digwc^i, Guy, James and Lulu; Alta is the wife of John Melton, who -lives;.^wetit of Waterloo in Grant township and has two children, Blanche and Edna ; Nannie is at home keeping house for her father. Mr. Grogg's life has been character- ized by duty faithfully performed, and in his relations with his fellows he has earned their favorable opinion and is numbered among the popular and pub» lie-spirited citizens of his coninninit}-. rH()M.\S H. SPUOTT Karnest labor, unahaliiig persexerance, good management and a laudal)lc ambition t(i succeed, these are tlu- elements that have brought Thomas H. Sprntt prosperity ;in(I won for him the ijood will and respect of all with whom lie iias come in contact. A native of .\nlinrn. DeKalb county, where he first saw tlie light of d;iy on ."^eptemlier 4, 1850, he has s])ent iiis entire life in his native locality and is therefore well known here. His parents were Samuel W. and Sarah J. (Hays) Sprott Samuel W. Sprott was born in Darlington, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Thomas and Mary Sprott, who were of Scotch-Irish descent. Samuel W. Sprott came to DeKalb county, Indiana, in March, 1836, walking the entire distance by way of Defiance, Ohio. He was immediately successful in whatever he turned his. 572 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. hand to here and, his abilities and character becoming recognized by his fellow- citizens, in 1841 he became county clerk, county auditor and county recorder. He held the office of auditor for one year and the other two offices simultan- eously for ten years. In 1855 he was again elected to the office of county clerk, serving four years. He was a man of high character and strictest in- tegrity and during all the period of his residence here he enjoyed to a notable extent the absolute confidence and esteem of the people with whom he min- gled. Some time after locating in Auburn he married Harriet Miller, who died shortly afterwards, and subsequently, at Savannah, Ohio, he was imited in marriage to Sarah J. Hays, daughter of Thomas and Mary Hays. She was born at Haysville, Ohio, of which town her grandfather was the founder. Mr. Sprott continued to reside at Auburn, looking after his property interests and al.so engaging to some extent in agriculture. From 1872 to 1875 ^^ ^"' gaged in the shoe business and was postmaster at Auburn in the year 1867. He died on December 14. 1882, his wife having died August 19th of the previous year. They left two children, Mary VV., who became the wife of Dr. W. H. Nusbaum, of Indianapolis, and Thomas H., the immediate subject of this sketch. Thomas H. Sprott was reared to manhood in Auburn, and during his younger days was engaged in surveying to some extent. In 1872 he engaged in the shoe business in partnership with his father and remained so occupied until 1875. when he went into the real estate and insurance business. In this line he has continued ever since, being the oldest now in Auburn who have continuously engaged in that business in this county. Possessing marked business ability and energetic as a hustler after business, it is no wonder that Mr. Sprott has through the years enjoyed the largest patronage in his line in the county, and wherever he has gone he has made friends, which has meant increase in business. Mr. Sprott married Abagail J. Potter, of Auburn, the daughter of James A. and Catherine (Sponsler) Potter, these parents having come to this county from Ashland, Ohio. The father was a native of the state of New Jersey, but was reared to manhood at Jeromeville, Ohio. The Potters came first to Adrian, Michigan, where they lived a year and then alxiul the close of the Civil war they came to Auburn, where Mr. Potter engaged in the shoe trade. To Mr. and Mrs. Sprott have been horn four children: Jarl S., Pearl M.. Donald P. and Kirhy L. Jarl S., wlo was born in 1882, married Carrie Lar- sen and lives in Chicago, where he is city salesman for the General Fire Proofing Companv: he ha'< a dau'j^hter. Helen M. Pearl M.. who is assist- DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. 573 ant cashier in the Aulnirn State liank. lives in Auburn. I^imald P.. burn on November ii, 1886, married Haze! M. Knsley, is a^ent for the Metropohtan Life Insurance Company and hves in Auburn; he has three eiiihiren, Tiioina> R . Donald E. and Marie .Mice: Kirly 1.. b,,rn Jul) 7. iSi,i. i» eniijjoy.d as agent with the United States Express Company in Auburn. Politically, Mr. Sprott is an Independent Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to DeKalb Lodge No. 214, Free and Accepted Masons, and to Auburn Camp No. 51, Knights of the Maccabees. In May, 1902, Mr. Sprott was elected mayor of Auburn, assinning the duties of this office on September ist of that year, and his administration was of such a character as to win for him the unqualified commendations of his fellow citizens. Mrs. Sprott, who moves in the best social circles of the city, has for a number of years been a prominent member of the Ladies' Literary Society and is otherwise active in many good works. Mr. and Mrs. Sprott botii enjoy a well deserved popu- laritv in the citv of their residence and are numbered anioui,' its best citizens.^ lOHX KRAUS. The gentleman to whom the reader's attention is now directed was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but, in spite of these, by i)erseverance, industry and a wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life and is well and fa\orably known throughout his community as a result of the industrious life he has lived here for many vears. being regarded iiy all who know him as a man of sound business princi])!es, tboroughlv up to date m all ]iliases of agriculture, and as a man who, while advancing bis individual interests, does not neglect his general duties as a citizen. John Kraus, who owns a tine little farm of forty-si\ acres in (irant town- ship, DeKalb county, Indiana, was born on .\ngust 1 _-, iSrx). in Holmes countv, Ohio, and is a son of Philip antl Catherine (Ludwig) Kraus. the former of whom was born in Bavaria, and the latter in Hesse, Germany. Philip Kraus was a .-^toiie mason by trade, and when the subject of this sketch was but one year old the family moved to Spencer count\ , Indiana, where the mother died when John was but nine years old, lea\ing three sons. -\t this time the father and his M.ns came to Auburn, Indiana, where he ..btained work at stone masonry, and the subject of this sketch still recalls his boy- ho.id (lavs when he assisted his I'ather in that work. In iNfu; his father 574 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. married Mary Schaal, who as best she could became a mother to the orphan Ixiys. lier efforts being appreciated by them, and during all the subsequent years she enjoyed their confidence and highest regard. She was born in April, 1833. in Germany, and was residing at Toledo just prior to her mar- riage to Mr. Kraus. She was twice married prior to her union with Mr. Kraus, having first married a man named Schearer, by whom she had a daughter, Eva. who is now the wife of M. F. Long, ex-county clerk of DeKalb county, and now residing at Butler. .After Mr. Schearer's death she became the wife of a Mr. Detch. She is now, at the age of eighty years, making her home with the subject of this sketch. In 1870 the Kraus family moved to the Sprott farm and two years later moved to where the suliject now lives, in sections seventeen and eighteen. Grant township, where the father died when John was but fourteen years old. From the age of eleven >ears tlie latter had been compelled to practically earn his own way. working out at farm labor and other employment, and at the age of twenty-one he took up his residence on the home farm, to the operation of which he has devoted himself continuously since. Though his farm comprises but forty- si.x acres, it is so well managed and cultivated that he derives a greater profit from it than nianv do from much larger acreage. He is thoroughly u]) to dale in his ideas as to the eultivation oi the soil and the raising of crojjs. keeps in touch with twentieth-century theories and practice in agriculture, and the well kept appearance of his place bespeaks him to be a man of good judgment and excellent taste. Though deprived in his boyhood of the oppor- tunities for an education which he should ha\e had. he has by much reading and close observation become a well-informed man and is able to intelligently di.scuss all the leading questions of the day. He still retains the habit of reading which he formed years ago and in his lionie are found nian\ of the 1 e-l Ixioks of the day. On September i. 1883. Mr. Kraus married Jennie Monger, who was lM)rn at .\villa. Xol;le connty. Indiana, the daughter of Sebastian and Mary (Zonker) Monger, the father being a native of Bavaria, and her mother born in Seneca countx , Ohio. They were married in the Buckeye state and came to Indiana together, locating in Noble county, where they lived the remainder of their days, the father dying at the age of eighty-three years and the mother when seventy-se\en years of age. Sebastian Monger was a carpenter and builder by vocation, living on a farm which was operated by his son. To .\Ir. and Mrs. Kraus have been born the following children: Gertrude died at the age of two ancl one-half years: Ralph Watterson. who died at the age of three vears and seven months of .scarlet fever: Charles .A., a painter, who DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 575 was Ixini on June 12, 1886; Edward J., born on September 30, 1887, is at home; Agnes Catherine, born January 12, i88c): Frances A., born January 13. 1894, and h'lorence, born October 7, 1897. PoHtically. Mr. Kraus is an earnest ]\ei>ul)bi.aii, having long taken a deep interest in pubhc affairs, but he has never aspired to office. Thougii his daily occupation does not bring him much into [)ublic life, he is unusually well acquainted throughout the county and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He is a member of the township advisory board, dis- charging the duties of this position to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. One of his vivid recollections is that of the last important trial in the old court house, which was the Miller murder case. He was on the jury and was confined with his colleagues six long weeks under charge of a bailifif day and night. Religiously, he and his family are members of the Catholic church. Because of his success antl genuine wortli. lie enjoys the esteem and confidence of all who know him. BYRON LEAS. The best history of a community or state is the cme that deals most with the lives and activities of its people, especially of those who. by their own en- deavor and indomitable energy, have forged to the front and placed them- selves where they deserve the title of progressive men. In this brief review will be found the record of one who has achieved a career of marked success in agricultural afifairs and a name which all who know him delight to honor owing to his upright life and habits of thrift and industry. Byron Leas, one of the most progressive and public-spirited citizens of Grant township, DeKalb county, Imliana. was i)()rn on October 6, 1873, on the farm where he now resides just west of Walerlix,. He is the son of Obediah Leas, whose sketch appears elsewhere m this wnrk. and lie was reared on the home farm, securing his education in the puiilic schools of the com- munity. Since his marriage, which fKCurred in 1895. Mr. Leas has been farming on his own account on the farm where he now lives which was owned by his father and where he has resided conlinuimsly for forty years. His place comprises one hundred acres, the east line of which is only a fourth of a mile from the corporation line of Waterloo, and a splendid gravel road ex- tends across his farm. The beautiful aiul attractive home, surrounded by graceful and shai)ely shade trees, the large and commodious barns and other 576 DEKALK COUNTY, INDIANA. necessary outbuildings which are all kept in first class condition attest to the sound business judgment and excellent taste of the nvner. Mr. Leas has achieved a creditable success as a farmer and among his fellow agriculturists he enjcws a splendid and well deserved reputation. In 1895 Mr. Leas was united in marriage to Otie Jones, who was born and reared in (".rant township, a daughter of John Wesley and Sarah (Plum) Jones, who are mentioned on another page in this work. Fraternally, Mr. Leas is a member i>\ the Knights of Pythias, in the workings of which order he takes a live intere>t. Characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality antl in all his enterprises actuated by noble motives and high resolves, Mr. Leas' success and achievement represent the results of the proper utilization of innate talent in directing his efforts along those lines where sure judgment has led the way. .Mthough he is toD busy a man to devote much time to political mxitters, yet he can always be depended upon to lend his influence and support to all wurtli}- movements whether political or other- wise that ha\-e for their o!)ject the betterment and ui)building of his com- nuuiitv. W.^LTER W. MOUNTZ. The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character liy the consensus of opinion on the ])art of his neighbors and fellow citizens. The life of the honorable subject of this review has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him best, owing to the fact that he has always been loyal to trusts imposed upon him and has been u|»riglu in his dealings svith his fellow men, at the same lime lending his support to the advancement of any cause looking to tiie welfare of the community at large. Walter W. Mountz, who is the present efficient city clerk and city col- lector of (iarrett, Indiana, \\as born on Juh* 10, i885, at ( )\erhrook, Kansas. He is the son of Francis Henr}- and Delia (Smith) Mountz, bolli (^f whom were natives of Steuben county, Indiana, and whose respective parents came from Peimsylvania, their fathers being Jonas Mountz and .\nios Snntli. nati\'es of the old Keystone state and of I'enns\ hania ( iernian stock. Shortly after his marriage Francis H. Mount/. mo\ cd to K.uisas. lucating in 1884 on a farm there, where he remained until i8o_', when the f;iniily moved to Garrett, Indiana, and the following year Mr. Mount/, bought the old John WALTER W. MOUNTZ DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 577 L. Davis hardware store. He continued the business until 1904, when, in September, he sold out ant! thereafter lived a retired life until his death from apoplexy, which occurred in December, 191 1, at the age of fifty-two years. He is survived by his widow , who now lives in (iarrett. .Mr. Mountz was well known throughout this community and was proininent in civic affairs^ having served as superintendent of street paving and public improvements. He was city councilman for two years, 1901 to 1903, and was president of the DeKalb Building and Loan Association several years. To liim and his wife were born three children, Walter W., the immediate suljject of lliis sketch; Mrs. Dessa Barre, of Washington, Pennsyhania, and Russell, \\lii>^ lives at home. Walter W. Mountz received his education in the (iarrett pul)Iic school.'^^ and during the latter years of his school perioc] Vx- worke.l in his father's hardware store. In 1(^05, Mr. Mountz went to St. Louis and entered the employ of the Simmons Hardware Company, but a year later he resigned and took a position as storekeeper and time keeper for the Baltimore & Ohio' Railroad Company, at Chicago. In 1907, he went to Denver in the employ of the Denver & Rio Grande railroad, but six months later he was employed as material clerk witli tlie Rock Island railroad, lieing located at doodland. Kansas. In 1908 Mr. Mountz came to (iarrett, Indiana, and accepted a jjosi- tion as salesman with the Leigii I Unit clothing store, where he remained two. years, or until his election as city clerk, which office he assumed on January 1.. 1910, being re-elected in igi^ tn succeed himself for term of four years beginning January i, i()i4, without any opposition, he being chosen for a second term. He is eminently (|ualified for the discharge of the respon- sible duties of this office and has so conducted the affairs of the position as to meet the un(|ualified endorsemeiU of his follow citizens. Politically, Mr. ]\Iountz is a stanch sujjporter of the Democratic party. and has taken prominent part in political affairs. He served as precinct committeeman of the sixth |)recinct and al^o chairman of precinct com- mitteemen of Keyser townsliij) in 191-'. and in the same year he was secretary of the Wilson-Mar.shali Clul). Fraternally lie is a nienilier iti the Free and Accepted Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In the last named body he has served as recording and financial secretary since June, 1909. Mr. Mountz is a very busy man. for in addition to his official position as city clerk, he also serves as city collector and is secretarv of the finrmcial board of the citv. (37) ' 5/8 DEKALB COUNTY, IXDIAXA. Since January, i()J2. he has served as treasurer of the Garrett libiarv l)nard. and has rendered valuable assistance in the satisfactorv conduct nt the hhrarw On July lo, 1909. ]\Ir. Mountz married Lulu Maurer, who ched on July 29. 1910, and on August 4, 1912, he was united in marriage to Myrtle Osborne, of Kendallville. Mr. and Mrs. Mountz move in the best social circles of Garrett, and are very popular among their acquaintances. Mr. Mountz is a man of stanch integrity of character and possesses to an emi- nent degree tliosc (|uah'ties v, hich make an'l retain friendship. SIMOX A. l)ll.(;.\kl All credit is due a man who wins succe>^ and \>y iiersistenc)- and energ\- •gains a competence and a position of hon(]r as a man and citizen. Tiie record ■of the subject of this sketch is that of such a man, for he came to DeKalb county in the days of her rapid growth and here worked out his way to defi- nite success and independence. He quickly adapted himself to the conditions which he found here and has labored so consecutively and effectively that he is now held in high regard li)- rdl who know him, ha\ing iiere maintained hi^ Jiome since 1859. Simon A. Dilgard was h,,rn m .\shland county, Ohio, on August iS, 1854, and is the son of Ketihen and Lo\ ina (.Shaffer) Dilgard. Keulien Dil- gard was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on l""el)ruary 28, 1822, and was the son of Jacob Dilgard, whose father was a native of Paris, IVance, and who came to .America in his youth, l)eing reared 1)\- a ( lerman family in Pennsyhania, where he became first a mountaineer teamster and later a miller. When fifteen years of age Reuben Dilgard moved with his parents to Ohio, being one of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, and it is a note- worthy fact that of this family the father and all seven boys learned and fol- lowed the trade of milling. In Ohio Reuben Dilgard married Lovina Shaffer on March 10. 1846, the wedding occurring at her parents' home near Lou- denville, Ashland county. Lo\ ina Shaffer was a daughter of Simon and Rebecca (Kinnard) Shaffer, the latter's father having been a native of Lon- don, England, who, in early childhood, was brought by his parents to America. Soon after landing in America, while crossing a frozen river, the ice broke and the parents were thrown into the water and drowned, an Irish woman rescuing and rearing the lad, who grew to maturity and became the father of Rebecca, Mrs. Shaffer. She had an uncle. General George, in the DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. 579 War of the Revolution, and othei^ ot the faniilv liave l)eeii noted fur their courage and patriotism. .Vfter Reuheii Dilt^ardV niarriat;e in Oiiio. hi- hxi-d there until October, 1859, when he eaine to DeKalb county, huh.in.i. And located in the northwest (|uarter of section 7. (irant township, which at that time was covered by a dense forest, not a stick of timber havini,^ been cut. Though some other land had been bought in the neighl)orhood, Ijut little of it had been at that time improved. Here Mr. Dilgard entered bravely upon the task of clearing and improving the land in true pioneer fashion, and here he and his wife lived the rest of their lives. They were the parents of four chil- dren, two daughters and two sons, tlie former dyini; in infancy in Ohio. The boys were the subject of this sketcii and a brother, \\ illiani, wiio was Ijorn on August 28, 1850, and died at the age of thirty-five years, unmarried. Reuben Dilgard died on Jul\ 27. i8()6, and tlie mother, wiio was born Mav 1 i, 1824, died on August 17, 1891. Simon A. Dilgard has spent all his life since coming to Indiana on tin- original farm excepting about three years spent in New Mexico, dating from March, 1909. He has been active during all these years and acquired a competency so that during the later years of his life lie lias been enableil to spend a good deal of iiis time in tra\'el He and his son toijellier own three hundred and forty acres of land in one ])iece and liis son's wife also owns a quarter section of land adjoining in Xeu .Mexico only :i few rods from tiie old and historic Sant.i he tr;iii. .Mr. Dilgard has seen a good deal of frontier life during his travels, lia\'ing come in contact with the Indians and the oh! trails and Indian battle grounds, which he lias closely ol'-~erved, and lias also witnessed many strange customs among the i)order tribes. For a time he operated a flour mill at Auburn, but the mill was destroyed by fire in 1905. On February 3, 1876, Simon Dilgard was unitetl in marriage with Eliza Goodwin, who was born in Smithfield township, this county, the daughter of Daniel and Susanna (Kiefer) Goodwin. Daniel Goodwin was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on October 2, 1824, and was the son of David and K'atherine (ioodw'ii. lie came to UeKall) lor.ntv in uS.;^. His wife. Susanna Kiefer. was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, on September 21, 1828, the daugiiter of Jacob and Catherine (Smith) Kiefer. She was married on .April 20. 1855, and came at once to DeKall) county, li\ ing in Smithfield townsliiii. Daniel Goodwin died on July 4, 19"('. and Mrs. Goodwin is still residing in Smithfield township, where she enjoys the respect of all who know her. Daniel (ioodwin was twice married, his first wife living Init a short time after their marriage. Her maiden name was Mary ,S. Barron, a native of Ashland ^HO DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. county, Ohio, where their marriage occurred on June 28, 1850. She was the mother of two sons, Philemon, born May 14, 1851, in Ohio, and Henry, born in Indiana on September jo, 1854. The mother of these children was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on August 2, 1830, and died on September 24, 1854. Daniel Goodwin first came to DeKalli county, Indiana, in 1853, and entered land in Smithfield township, after which he returned to Ohio for a time. By his union with Susanna Kiefer were Ixirn the fciljowing children: William, born August 24, 1856; Eliza, born August 26, 1858; Elmira, born September 10, i860; John W., born July 22. 1862, and David, born October 20, 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Dilgard have been Ijorn the follcwing children: Myrara Arvie, who died at the age of four montlis; Ua\ ('., an undertaker at Auburn; Jay W., born March 17, 1887, is at home; Bernice, born August 8, i8q2, died at the age of two months ; \erna Katherine, at home. Fraternally, Simon Dilgard lias been a member of the Itjcal lodge of Knights of Pvthias at Waterloo from the time it was in.stituted, and is also an appreciative member of tlie time-honored Masonic order. His parents were active members of the Lutlieran church, in which they were earnest workers and were close students of the I'ilile. He, himself, lias taken an active interest in local j)ublic affairs, baving been a member of the tir.st town- ship ativisory board of (irant township. I'oiitically, a Democrat, he has fre- (juentlv been a delegate to county conventions and has been prominent in the councils of his party, enjoying a close i)ersonal acquaintance with Vice-Presi- dent Marshall and other eminent leaders of tlie party. He has been a man of indu-strious habits, showing wise (Hsrrimination and wise judgment in all his affairs and the success whicli bas come to him has been gained by hi.nc-sl. earnest effort, for which lie 's entitled to rlie universal respect wliich is ac- corded him in this comnuuiitw EUGENE KELLY. Fealty to facts in the analyzation of the character of a citizen of the type of Eugene Kelly is all that is required to make a biographical sketch interest- ing to those who have at heart the good name of the community, because it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true glory of a city or state revered at home and respected abroad. In the broad light which things of good report ever invite, the name and OEKAI.B COUNTY. INIMAN.V. 58 1 character of Eugene Kelly stand revealed and secure, and, though of modest demeanor, with no ambition to distinguish himself in public position or as a leader of men, his career has been signally honorable and it may l)c studii-d with profit by the youth entering upon his life work. Eugene Kelly was born in Waterloo, Indiana, <>n July 17. iSjy. ;uk1 is the son of Alfred and Ada (Locke) Kelly, whose skt-tch ajjpcars Llsewlurf in this work, consequentlx the family genealogy will not be referred to specif- ically at this pnhn. Mr. Kelly was reared under the paternal roof and re- ceived his education in the ])ul)lic schools of Waterloo, where he graduated from the high school in iHqq. After completing his education his first em- ployment was at telephone line work for his father, who tlien owned the Waterloo telephone exchange, and he continued in this line of effort until his father's death in 191 1, since which time Mr. Kelly and his mother lia\e owned the exchange and Eugene manages the business. He is up-to-date and pro- gressive in his ideas relating to business affairs and by his indomitable energy, ■courtesy to the patrons of the exchange, and his efforts to give .good, quick, efficient and prompt service, he has earned the apjireciation and <;ood will of all who have had dealings with him. Politically. Mr. Kelly is a Democrat and i^^ active in the local organiza- tion, as was his father. Fraternally, he is an enthusiastic memlicr of the Masonic order, in the workings of which he takes a deep interest. In 1892 Mr. Kelly married Carrie E. Triplett. of Rome City. Indi.ui.'i. ;i daughter of ( ieorge and .Xddie (Cliai)in) Triplett. (ieorge Triplett was jiorn in 1843, near .Akron. Ohio, tiie son of Joshua Triplett, while his wife was born near Medina Ohio. Tiiey were married at .Medina, ami soon .afterward Mr. Triplett became a private s,,ldier in the Seventy-fourth i'Jegiment In- •diana Volunteer Infantry. sei-\ ing for three ye.ars. He was orderly sergeant, .and was a courageous and faitiifnl snldier. being se\ ereh wonnded in battle. from which he was so IkuIIv di-^ahU-d that lie was unlit for field dut\ and was then detailed for service on ;i ho-^piia! tr,-ins]iori. After tlu- war be en<;aged in the grocery business at '{"oledo. ;in(l later at Medina, Ohi(., ;ukI about 1872 went to Elk Point. South D.akota, where for ,1 while he ran a restaurant .and bakery. Subsec|uently he came to liuli;in;i, again locating at Koruioke. near Fort Wavne. where be followed the s.anie business until about 187S, when he went to Rome (."it\. Indiana, and has been eng.aged in the hotel business .about thirty-five years there. His wife died in March. 10 12 Religiously, they were Tnembers of the Universalist church. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have been bom two sons, Alfred, born December 17. i()04. •'"'' C.rant. born September 6. 582 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. igo/. Personally. Mr. Kelly is a most courteous, companionable gentleman^ influtntial in Imsiness circle.-- and honorable and reliable in all of his dealings. He ranks among the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of the cilv in which he resides, manifests an actixe interest in whatexer pertains to the progress of DeKalb county and cn-operates with others in forwarding all measures whereby his fellow men mav I)e benefited. BENJAMIN CLOSE. Standing for upright manhood and progressive citizenship the subject of this sketch has long occupied a conspicuous place among the representatives of the great agricultural interests of Indiana and his influence in every rela- tion of life has made for the material advancement of the community in which he resides and the moral welfare of those with whom he has been brought into contact. Benjamin Close, one of the enterprising farmers and puitlic spiritetl citizens of Grant township, DeKalb countx , Indiana, was liorn nn .Vugust 24, 1858, in Ashland county, Ohio He is descended fr^m a long line of sterling ancestors, the first member of the famil\- to locate in .\merica being Benjamirt Close, who with two brothers came from luigland U> this country in early colonial days. The subject's paternal great-grandfather, Benjamin Close,. Sr.. was a soldier in the American Revolution and lived about forty miles from Buffalo, New York. Among his children was Benjamin Close, Jr., who married Elizabeth Gale, and among their children was Samuel, the subject's father, a native of Ashland crauity, Ohio, who married Mary Foote. Mary Foote was born in Lorain county, Ohio, and was the (Laughter of Charles and Mary (Hunter) Foote. The suliject's jKirents grew to manhood and woman- hood in their native state and were married there. s\ibse(juently living on a farm, which pursuit the father followed during bis active years. The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm in Ohio until thirteen or fourteen years of age. when tiie family moved to near Garden City in Blue Earth county. Minnesota, where the fatlier bought a farm and lived there about twenty-five years, and there the mother died. After her death the father lived among his children and is now a resident of the state of Oregon. The suljject of this sketch was reared to manhood in Minnesota and at- tended the public schools there, being graduated from the high school at DKKAl.U COUNTY, INIllAN \ ( iardi'ii t'ity. After his niarriayc winch nccurn larniin.t;- in Alinnc-sdla t(ir thirteen years. lia\ in.t^' at one huiulred and si.\t\ ■ acres. On ()ctol)er i, |8(; 5S3 ni i(S(S4, lie coiuuuieci ired a spieiKhd trad id' he s.ild that farm and came to DeKalb county, ln(han;i, hnyint; one hundred and eleven acres three miles north and a half mile west of Auburn, to which he has since devoted his attention with splendid results. Besides this farm he and his son own thirty- seven and one-half acres of land together. The subject's home jilace is well improved with a substantial and attractive residence, large and well built barns and other outbuildings, and the attractive and well kept grounds and other features of the farm reflect great credit on the owner. Mr. Close is modern and up-to-date in his ideas and keeps in touch with the most advanced thought relating to agricultural methods and practice. In addition 1(j the raising of all the crops common to this localit\- he is also engaged in the rais- ing of fruit and the breeding and raising of li\e stock, in which he has met with splendid success. In 1884 Mr. Close married Emma Shumaker, of near Napoleon, Ohio,, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Weiler) Shumaker, both of whom are descended from statmch old Peimsylvania Dutch ancestry. These parents remained on the farm, being engaged in agricultural pm-suits until about ten years ago when they retired from active life and moved to Napoleon, where the mother died July 19, 19 t 3. To Mr. and Mrs. Close have been born six children, of whom one is deceased, as follows: Percy, born August 5, 1885, died at the age of twenty-five years May 2. loi 1. He marriet' Crace (loetch- kins, of Union township, this county, and left a d.iugiitiM. Audrey: .\rden. who lives on a farm in Crant township, this ctninty, married Lottie (irogg, and they have a daughter, Irene; Elma is at home with her parents, as are Joseph, Elbert and Maurice. The subject himself is one of ten children born to his parents, of whom one sister, Mrs. Jessie Osgood, lives in Calgary, Canada, and Perry is editor of the Dixon (Montana) Herald, the other children being all deceased. .\s already indicated. Mr. Close has de\oted much close stuily to the science of agriculture and is without a peer ;inionL;- the farmers in his section of the county, being progressi\e in his methods .-md making use of the latest and most approved implements and appliances liy nicans oi which the labors of the farm are not only greatly lessened but m.ule nnuh more cffectixe and economical. He keeps in touch with the trend of current events, takes an active interest in public and political afifairs and is numbered among the most progressive and enterprisin.g citizens of his section of the county. 584 nEKALR CniNTV. INDIANA. GEORGE NOIROT. It is not an easy task td describe adequately a man who has led an emi- nently active and bus}- life and who has attained a position of relati\e dis- tinction in the community with which his intere'^ts are allied. Rut biot^^raphy finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that is de- manded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touch- ing briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of the lionoiable subject of this sketch whose eminently successful career now comes under re- view. George Noirot was born on February 18, 1864, in Paulding county. Ohio, and is a son of Nicholas and Magdalene ( Hurtig ) Noirot, the former bom in France in March, 1826. and died in Januar}-. 1005. at the age of nearly seventy-nine years, while the mother was born in Alsace, torinerh' France, now Germany, in March, 1823. These parents were marrietl in France in 1850, and in the spring of 1853 they came to America, locating first at Findlay, Ohio. The father was called a knife maker, but was really an expert at any kind of edged tools. He was enijiloyed at his trade at Findlay for seven years and then went to farming in Defiance county, that state. From there he went to Paulding county, and li\ed at \arious places in ( )hio. going froni Paulding to Putnam count\-. where be made hi- ])erni;inrm Iiouk' To bini and his wife were born ten children, three of whom died young and seven grew to maturity, all of the latter marrying but one and having homes of their own. In his old age Nicholas Noirot sold his |)roperty, dixiding the proceeds among the children with whom he afterward lived. His wife died on January 22. 1802. The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm in Putnam coinit\'. Ohio, and being about ten years old when the family located there. he worked for his father until past the age of twenty-two years, and in the summer of 1886 he went to Kan.sas, wdiere he worked by the month until the fall of that year. He then returned to Ohio and rented his father's farm. which he operated for about two years. He then went to Fort Wayne. In- diana, and engaged in luisiness which occu])ied his attention for two years. after which period be sold his business or exchanged it for eighty acres of land in the southeastern part of Grant township, DeKalb county. In Ohio from boyhood he had been trained in the raising of potatoes and onions on 3^ u Z9 /[^tn^n^ DEKAr.B COUNTY, INDIANA. 585 muck land and having discovered this class of land in DeKalb county, he conceived the idea that it could be developed to splendid potato and onion land, an idea that had never been thought of by the residents of this com- munity. The land which he bought was covered with swamps, tamarack bushes abounding everywhere, the only improvement on tlie entire tract being an old log cabin. To most people to produce a farm fmni this forbidding pro.spect seemed impossible. However, Mr. Noirot, witli far-sighted shrewd- ness, saw a possibility and he drained, tiled, grubbed and cleared and in 1892 commenced to plant potatoes with some corn. In 1893 he put in some onions, being thus the pioneer in the onion and potato raising industry on any considerable scale in this county. In 1893 Mi"- Noirot bought more land adjoining his first tract and added more in 1894, thus becoming the owner of one hundred and twelve acres of land in one body, about two-thirds of whicli was genuine muck land such as he had pro\ ed to lie the most desiralile for the potato and onion business. He continued tlic raising of these cro])s with splendid success until the fall of i8()0. wlien be iiouglit tlie Knierick farm in Fairfield township, to which he moved, renting out the farm in ( ir.mt township. The Fairfield township farm comprises about two hundred and forty-nine acres, lying on high and rolling ground, and here be followed gen- eral farming and stock raising, togetlier with the raising of jiotatoes and onions as side crop-. .Mr. Noirot lived in Fairfield township until December 14. i<)03. when he moved to the city of .Xuburn. in order to give his children the achantages of the city ^cliooK. and rented Iiis farm. During the first year in Auliurn he rented a le'^idence am most beautiful and substantial re' He is now extensiveh- engaged in saw mill in soutiieastern Missouri of his business ventures, he has been successful, llv ha> al-o dwni'd farms in \'arious other localities, now owning a farm in drant townsln']), one in Fair- field townstii]) and a ^mailer ])lace in I'nion io\\ iT-hiii. 'l"o I'im this locab'tv owes a large debt of gratitude, for 1ie (lemonsiratcd ,-i f.ict iliat has been ta'-en advantage of by many others who ha\e ac(|uired fortunes in the raising of onions and potatoes from muck land. Tlie land wliich was formerly worth- less cannot now lie Ixnight for one hundred and fiftx dollars an acre and thus the agricultur.al resources of the count)- ha\c lieen materially increased. In Tanuan-. i8()4. Mr. .\oirot was married to lunma Kessler. who was born in Coshocton county. Ohio, the daughter of Louis and Mary (Webber) Kessler, both of whom were natives f»f Ormanv. To Mr. and Mrs. Noirot 1 then !"inght the ( iarw ood home, one of tlie iidences in .\uliurn, wl lere be now resides. dealing in timln-r and lumber. o])erating a for two vears, and in ibi-~, a^ in all otiier 586" DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. have been born five ciiildrcn. namely: C'letiis, I'aul. ("leorye Leu, Jnhu I\av- mond, Mary Ma.Sfdalene and Corina Effie. Relii^idusly, Mr. Noirot and the members of his family are nieml)ers of the Catholic church and he belongs to the Catholic Benevolent League of Indiana. Mr. Noinit occiqiies a consijicu- ous place among the leading men of DeKalb county and enjoys the confi- dence and esteem of all who know him. His record demonstrates that where there is a will there is a way and that obstacles to success may be overcome bv courage, self-reliance and persistency. His career, though strenuous, has been fraught with good to the community and he enjoys a well deserved popularity in the circles in which he moves. JOHN JOEL E.VKRIGHT. \n enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and public recognition for themselves, and at the same time have hon- ored the locality to which they belong, would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of him whose name forms the caption of this sketch. The qualities which have made him one of tlie prominent and successful men of DeKalb county have also brought him the esteem of his fellow men, for his career has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and hon- orable methods. John Joel Eakright was Ijorn on March 15. iS^j, in Wilmington town- ship, DeKalb county, Indiana, about two miles south of P.utler, and is a son of .Abraham and Susannah (Miller) Eakright. Abraham Eakright was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on Decemlier ^o, 1827. His father, Samuel Eakright, was a native of England and came to America in 181 1, and soon after enlisted in tlie ser\ice of the United States in the war of 181 2. settled in Ohio and there married Mary Maxwell, a natixe of Ireland. In 1836 they moved to DeKalb county, settling in Wilmington township, where he died in 1853, and his wife in 1872. They had a family of thirteen children. When the family first moved to DeKalb county, their only neighbors were Indians, and it was eighteen months laefore Mrs. Eakright saw a white woman. Their trading point was Fort Wayne, or Lima, reaching the former place by pirogue boating on the river. None of Samuel Eakright's children are now- living and John Joel Eakright, the subject of this sketch, is the oldest mem- ber of the family. Abraham Eakright was married on June 19, 1831, to Susannah Miller, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and the- DEKALR COUNTY. INIMAXA. 587 daughter oi Joel and Sarah ( hjclielharger) MiUcr. who rame to DeKalh county in ahout 1847. locating four miles east of Auhurn in Union towushi]). where he bought a farm and lived during the rest of their lives. The Eakright family took a prominent jjlace in the early life of ihis locality and Samuel Rakright built the lirst bridge across the St. joe ri\er at Xewville. where the new bridge now stands. He wa- also the first ro:u! commissioner of D.dvalb county. Of the children of .\braham and Snsaunali 1 .Miller) Eakright. John J. is the subject of this sketch; Sarah A. is the wife of Lewis Manrow and lives north of Sedan: Edward W. is deceased: ]\lary Aknora is the wife of William J- Hoagland. of .\uburn. and Ellsworth ,\. live- on the old home- stead in Wilmington township. .Abraham Eakright's family was unbroken for over forty years. He was a faithful and earnest member of the I 'nited Brethren church until his death, which occiured on December 31, i8<)i. on the day following his sixtx -fourth birthda\- anniversarv. Mis life was lon.g and useful, and he enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew him. I lis wife. Susannah, was horn May j^. 1831, and came from Pennsylvania to Richland county, Ohio, with her i)arents. where they remained until about 1847. \\hen the family came to DeKalb county. She. too, was a member of the United Brethren church from the age of sixteen years, and lived a sincere and faithful Christian life until her death, which oceiu-red on .\pril 6. 1904, in the seventy-third year of her a.ge. John Joel Eakright was reared on his father's farm and receiveil his education in Butler and the high school at .\uburn. In the fall of 1873 he began teaching school and continued this vocation successfully until 1885. when he compiled a history of DeKalb county. Resuming his pedagogical work then, he continued it until he had taught twenty-three years, of w^hich period eighteen years was in his home district, and in later years he taught many children of former pupils, and in these children he plainly observed traits of character that had been noticeable in their parents. He had a good influence over these children, wimiing them and then stimulating them by kindness and argument rather than by force. Because of the personal inter- est he manifested in his pupils and the close touch that lias been maintained between him and them during subsequent years, he receives many letters of grateful appreciation from them and is today numbered among the successful educators of his county, though he has not lieen actively engaged in the profession for a number of years. In 1884 Mr. Eakright was elected justice of the |5eace for a term of four years, and in 1895 he was elected trustee of Wilmington township, ser\ing the regular term and the extension period because of legislative enactment, amounting to a total of five years and three 5-88 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. months. In 1905 he was elected county surveyor, serving two terms with eminent sati.sfaction to all concerned, and was subsequently elected city engi- neer of Butler, but, owing to an injury received in a runaway accident, which disabled him after about a month of official service, he gave up the position and returned to Auburn, where he has since resided. He is the owner of a splendid farm of one hundred and six and one-half acres in section twenty, Wilmington township, from which he derives a gratifying profit. Politically, Air. Eakright is a l\e]nil)]ican and takes a keen interest in the success of his part}-, as well as in local ])ublic affairs, giving his support to every movement which ])romises in any way to advance the local welfare. On October 28, 1874, Mr. Eakright married Acelia Treman, who was horn in Wilmington townshi]) about twd miles west of Butler, the daughter of l'"(lgar and Lama (Spencer) Treman. These parents, who were both nati\es of Medina county, Ohio, were married there and came to DeKalb county in about 1841. With Edgar Treman came John Treman, his father. John Treman entered (piite a tract of land and divided it among his children. Edgar owned eighty acres of land and there li\ed the rest of his life. He was a farmer and also a shoemaker, and his wife was in pioneer days con- sidered an e-X]5ert weaver, lulgar Treman served as township trustee and was otherwise strong in his comnumity. which was honored In- liis citizenship lip to the time of his death, which occurred on May 21. 1S85. His w-ife was a good, faithful woman, trained in the pioneer school of life and exper- ience and kiiew how to work and rear a family successfully iii the midst of difficulties which would deter the average woman of the present day and she gave to her cliildren the best years of her pure, noble life Her death occured in 1863. To Mr. and Mrs. Eakright has been born one son, Orton Edgar, whose birth occurred on Seiitember ij, 1877. and who was for n-iany years iii the employ of the 0\erland Automoliile Company at Toledo, but is now- a tester for the .\ul)urn Auto I'ompanx-. He married Louise Hard. John biel i'"a'<- riglit is a man of marked literary taste and abilit}-. and has written a ninn1)er of poems whicli iiave lieen published in current magazines and periodicals and which have received many commendatory words of praise. He writes for i)astime rather than as a means of profit and has written h\ request a |K)em for the reunion of the Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteers. It was greatly appreciated and copies distributed as souvenirs of the reunion. His poems are varied in character, pathetic, humorous and other styles and all are very readable and of high literary merit. DEKAI.H COUNTY. INDIANA. 589 CONRAD MILLER. Among the worthy citizens of DeKalh county of a past generation, whose residence here contributed in no small degree to the prestige of the commu- nity, was the late Conrad Miller, for, while laboring for his individual ad- \ancement, as was natural and right, he never forgot his obligations to the public and his support of sucli measures and movements as made for the gen- eral good could always be depended upon. He commanded the respect of all classes by his exemplary life, and liis memory will long be revered by liis friends who survive. Conrad Miller was born in Germany in 1817. and was a son of John Jacob and .Knna Mary (Bush) Miller. John J. Miller, who was a native and resident of Wittenberg, Germany, brought his familv to the United .States in 181 9, settling near Hagerstown, Maryland. Two years later he moved to Canton, Ohio, locating on a farm nearbx , where he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring on June 3, 1868. at the advanced age of ninety years, eleven months and eighteen days. Conrad Miller was reared under the parental roof in Ohio. and. ujion attaining manhood's years, married Anna Long, who was born and reared near Canton. Mr. Miller engaged in farming, to which xocation he bad been reared, and subse(|uently he was for many years engaged in the opera- tion of a hotel at Daltnn. Wayne count}', Ohio. He became a man of promi- nence and influence in that community and for the long period of twenty vears he eftlciently served as justice of the peace. In 1866 Mr. Miller moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, where he engaged in farming, and here, too, he gained a high ])lace in the esteem of his fellows. When the county farm was establi.shed. he was appointed the first superintendent of the same, retain- ing that position four years. He bad twenty-three inmates under his charge, and at the outset he was seriously handicapped through lack of conveniences, but he did his best to properly care for the unfortunates under his charge and retired from the office with the api)roval of all who were familiar with the work he had done, .\fter leaving the county farm, Mr. Miller bought a home in .\uburn, where he lived about six years, but eventually moved to the state of Mis.souri, where the deaths of himself and his wife occurred. To Conrad and .\nna Miller were Ixirn seven children, of whom the only one living in DeKalb county is Ada. the wife of .M)e Grogg, of Grant town- shi]). this cfjunty. She had two brothers, both of whom are deceased. .A sister, Martha M., taught school in Auburn about six years, and then became the wife of Fletcher Starr, and they now live at Newkirk. Oklahoma. Ilarley 590 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. taught school for awhile in DeKalb county, but eventually went west, where he studied medicine and was a successful physician at Newkirk, Oklahoma, until his death. Frances taught several terms of school in DeKalb countv. taught aliout si.\ years in Kansas City, and also served as an instructor in teachers' institutes in Alis.souri. She is now the wife of Doctor Wheeler, of Kansas City, who is secretary of the Mis.souri state board of health. Cora, who was educated for the pedagogical profession, married h'lan S])ellnian. now deceased, and she lives in Oklahoma. In every relation of his life, Conrad Miller was true to everv trust reposed in him and enjoyed to a notable degree the confidence and good will of all who knew him. He was a man of broad ideas and kindly impulses, and in the civic life of the communities where he lived he was a potent factor for good. The world is better for his having lived. JOHN WESLEY JONES. It is with no small degree of satisfaction that the biographer essays to set before the reader the salient pomts an^. he accepted a jjosition in the clothing liouse of G. H. Veshera. with whom he remained seven years. . In 1902 Mr. Kuhlnian started in business on his own account, though in a modest way, opening a men's furnishing and clothing store on North Main street. A year later, his increasing business requiring a larger stock and more room, hemo\ed to the Sherman Hollister building, on Main street, on the we.st side of the pub.lic square. By careful attention to the wants of his patrons, his courteous treatment of them, and his sound business methods. Mr. Kuhlman prospered to even .i more not;ible degree in his new location, -o that in tgo- he feU justilied in buying the building in which he was located, rmd two years later the store was com- pletely remodeled. A new and attractive front was placed in the store room. better lighting and ventilating facilities were provided, while at the rear of the main store room a large balcony was erected f born in 1SS7, on tlie Denison farm in tlie south- eastern part of (irant townshij), and is tlie --on of Ceorge O. Denison. whose sketcli appears dscwhere in thi> work, tlierefore, further details of the "^ub- iect's ancestral iiistory will not lie given ;il this ])oint. fieorge P.. Denison has sjient the greater part of bis life on the farm on which he was born and he received a splendid education in the pulilic schools of the community, com- pleting his studies in the high school at .Vulnirn. He was reared to the life of a farmer and .also e-ngaged in the ire liusiiu-ss in ])artnersliip with his father. He was later for four years in partnershij) with his brotiier-in-law. Clvde Fee, in the ice business, and is now in this business on his own account, having built up a large business at Waterloo and surrounding country. At the s-unc time lie is giving proper attention to the operation of his Crant town- shij) farm. The subject was married June 14. i()<)8, to .\gnes Brown, daughter of Elvis E. and Lulu (Burns) Brown, natives of Darke county, Ohio, the father being a traveling salesman for A. H Perfect & Conijiany, of b'ort DKKAI.l! COliNTN. INDIANA. 393 Wayne, Indiana. To tliis union have- been born two cliiKlren: I^'Jizabotb and Lulu Juanna. I""or a number of years Air. Denison has taken a deep interest in military affairs, being a member of ('(imi)any K, 'i'hird Res^iment Indiana Xational Guard, and is at the present time second lieutenant of his company. Mr. Denison is an expert rifle shot and has twice been selected for the state team in military rifle conte.sts, in whicli he has acquitted himself with honor and ■credit. Kind, courteous and affable in his relations with his fellows, Mr. Denison has won their esteem and because of his s])lendid character and at- tainments in life, he has earned a marked p(i]>nlaritv tliroughoul this section of the count\ . .!.I.\M DUW. This bic igr; iphic al me perpetuation in this work, been closed 1 )y the f ale lb citizens of li is t ■cnin nmit\' nnir has l.. do with a character well wnrthv of for Wiiliam Dunn. wh..sr life cliapter has Icn- It awaits all mankind, was one i>\ llie prdininent although lie was summoned to close his earthly iiccounts while still in the zenith of his powers. There were in him sterling traits which C()nnnande- r.achtel. who is mentioned elsewhere in this W(irk. John Dunn was])orn ],robahlv m 1 b .hues o .untv. Ohio, and was of Irish parentage. When he was a lad of lender years ilie home was broken up and he and a younger sister were cast among sti-angei-s. The\ wei-e sadly mislreaied, and on one occasion were sent out into tlie dense woixls after the cattle, which had strayed away, and lliey were toK! nm touth half of tedious 8 and 17. This land was at that time practically uutouclied. tlie onl\- inipro\enicnts consisting of a small cleared space, on which hatl been erected a log cabin, and tlic land in that locality was very swam[)y. Wild game was ;ibiuid:uit and. as Mr. Dunn was a good hunter, the family larder was kept well >up]ilie(l with fresh meat. He .suc- ceeded in clearing most of his land, though for a long time he foiuid it necessary to farm around the swamps ;ind swales — indeed, for many years the ground was so wet in the spring th.-il ;it corn planting, when the\- would dro]) pumpkin .seeds the latter flo.ated. John Dunn wa^ .ui indefatigable worker and was highly esteemed in the new communit\ w liere he had cast his lot. His death occurred in 1863, as the result of exposure while on a hunting expedition. He was survived a number of years by his wul.iw. who died in 1888. They were the parents of six children, as follows: ( icorge, who grew to manhood and married, died before his t;ither. in i8hi. lea\ing (^ne child, George, Jr., of Kansas; K;itherine married ( ieovge Peiijjle ; William, the immediate subject of this memoir; Mar\- .\nn. deceased, was the wife of Jo.seph Rohm, and left three children; b'annie (bed at the age of two years; John now lives on the old JKinie place in ( Irant township. William Dunn was reared under the pan.-nt,il roof, and a^ soon a-- cild enough he gave assistance to his father in the labors of the home farm. He secured his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, and (knoted all of his active years to agricultural work, remaining on the homestead until his death. He was energetic and practical in hi- work, and was counted among the enterprising and successful farmers of his townslup, his death being counted a distinct loss to the community. On January i, 1865. William Dunn married Sarah .\. Stroh. a (Laughter of John and Calbcri'ie Stroh. and Kttde.ssie, who died in June. !0M> who lives in Waterloo, is marrieil lives on the Dan Stroh farm in tlic ried Mae M. Nicewander and they March 22, 1883, Mrs. Sarah Dunn became the wife of Wesley Fulton, of (irant township, who is represented elsewhere in this work. thei 11 were born t hree children. ii;ii niely: was the wife ot 1 M-ank (loodwiii; John. id h; i^ a daughter. , Helen: William, , whc lUtlu .-.•istern p.art o| i ( .rant township. mar- :a\ e two children. Lanta and Boice. On DEKALB COUNTY, INDJANA. 597 Mr. Dunn was a man of ckan |)cTS(.nal liahils, uiiright in his daily life, genial in his relations with his fellow iiifu, ami was ck-scrvelic-s])irited ;md broad-minded in liis views of men and things, hence lie enjoys a well deserved popularity through- out the community. MVR(W S. KUTZNEI The character of ;i communit\- is determined in a large measure by the lives of a comparatively few of its members. If its moral and intellectual status be good, if in a social way it is a pleasant place in which to reside, if its reputation for the integrity of its citizens has extended into other localities, it will be found that the standards set by the leading men have been high and their influence such as to mold their characters and shape the lives of those with whom they mingle. In jjlacing the subject of this sketch in the front rank of such men, justice is rendered a biographical fact uni\ersally recog- nized throughout DeKalb county by those at all familiar with his history. Although a quiet and unassuming man with no ambititjn for public position or leader.ship, he h;is contributed nnich to the material advancement of the community, while iiis admirable f|ualities of head and heart and the straight- DEKAI.B COUNTY. INDIANA. 599 forward, upright course of his daily hfe have tended greatly to the moral standing of the circles in whicii he moves and gives him a reputation for integrity and correct conduct such as few achieve. Myron S. Kutzner was horn on March 15, 1859, on the farm on wiiich he now resides, which is located in the southwest (|uarter of section 7. (iranl township, DeKalb county, Indiana. He is a son of Augustus and Amanda (Eberly) Kutzner, of whom the father was born in Stark county, Ohio, the son of Isaac am! Mary ( Zou\er ) Kutznc-r. Tlu-se parents were natives of Lancaster county. PennsyK ;uiia. who moved in an earlv dav to Stark county, Ohio. Tlie family is of ( ierman ancestry and its members have in their lives exhibited the sterlin,;; (|uaHties of cliaracter wbicli have ever characterized that nationality. The suliject's mother. Amanda l-lberlw was born in Stark county, Ohio, and was a daughter of bmas h^berly and wife, the wife's maiden name having been Eberly. She came to DeKalb county from Stark county with her parents in the early fifties and locateronounced success, and is nov\ numbered among the best farmers of his community. He is the owner of one hundred and twelve acres of land, all of which is tillable and owns an attractive and substantial OOO DEKALB COUNTY. INDIANA. residence, large and conimndious liarns antl other neressary outlniildint^s. tlie general appearance of the place imlicatini^ iiini to he a man of iijood judgment and excellent taste. Tn January, 1882, Myron Kutzner wris married t:' .Marx Cov, whci was horn in Jackson town.ship, this county, tiie daughter of John and .M.aria (Fiant) Coy. who came to this county from Wayne county, Ohio. John Coy, who was a son of Jacoh and Barhara ( l-'ried ) Cov, was horn in West- moreland county, Pennsyhania. on Octoher j^-;, i8i(). and at the age of si.x years accompanied his parents on their removal to Wayne county, ( )hio. where he lived until 1845, when he came to Jackson township, HeKalh coiuitw Indi- ana, and settled on what is now known as the Cov farm on the .\uhurn .and Spencerville road. His wife, Maria Fiant, was liorn in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on May 13, 1830, and in 1834 accompanied her par- ents to Wayne countv. Oliio. where thev remained until 184.5. when thev came to DeKalh county. Imliana, her marriage to Mr. Coy occurring on Decemher 6, 1840. They took- up their home on the Co\" farm, huilt a pleas- ant and attracti'.e residence and reared a familv as follows: Jacoh ?>. ; Rebecca; Isaac X. : Belinda: Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Mary; Andrew; P'ranklin, who died in ir.fancy; Martha; John, who died at the age of twelve years. In the early eighties- John Coy and fanuly mo\ etl to .\ngola. Indiana, where they lived .ihout ten years, but eventually moved back to their farm and spent their List years with their eldest daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Miller, .south of Auburn. To Mr. and Mrs. Kutzner have been born three children, namely: Winnie, born in 1883, is the wife of John Buss, of Auburn, and they have two children, Edith and Mary Elizabeth: Allie, born in 1887, died at the age of four years: Carl C. born .\pril 27. iS<)fi. Mr>. Kutzner has a vivid recollection of conditions in DeKalh county when she first accom- panied her parents on their removal here. Her people told her that the wolves used to howl and scratch around their cabin door at night. Indians were frequent callers at their home, and even bears were to be seen occasionally. Mrs. Kutzner was reared on the farm which her father had homesteaded and reclaimed from the wilderness and their cabin home was characterized l)y all the primitive utilities which characterized that period. She well remem- bers the old "fat" lamp, tallow candles and how when the first oil lamp was introduced into the community people were extremely careful to avoid explo- sions. Mr. and Mrs. Kutzner are members of the United Brethren church, and because of their earnest, upright lives they enjoy an enviable standing among their acquaintances. Mr. Kutzner through the years has always stood DKKAI.K COUNTY, I X HI A X A. 60I for tlie highest and hesi standard > .yivcn Ins -upport unrt-- servedly to every movement to atlvance tlic welfare of liis fellows in any way. so that he has honestly earned the position whieli he has lon.s^ enjoyed as an enterprising and progressive man and a leader in the moral, educational and social advancement of the coniniunitv. ABRAHAM GROG(i All calling's, whether humble or exalted, may he productive of some measure of success, if enterprise and industry, coupled with a well directed purpose, form the motive force of the person directing the same, and in no case is this fact more apparent than in agricultural pursuits. It is a well au- thenticated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well applied energ\-. unflagging determination and perseverance as well as the above enum- erated cpialities. When a cmirse of action is once decided upon these attri- butes are essential. .Success is irever known to smile u])on the idler or dreamer and she ne\er courts the loafer and only tho-^e who ha\e diligentl\- sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the prosperous and influential gentleman whose name forms the caption of this biographical review, we hnd that the above named elements have entered largely into his make-up and therefore we are not surjirised at the large and e\er-growing success which he has attained. .\brahani Grogg was born on December 30. 1S4O, in Stark county, Ohio, and is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Hultz) Grogg. Daniel (irogg was one of the early settlers of L'nion township. DeKalb county, and was horn in Stark county, Ohio, on .August 13. 1818, a son of Dorman and Mary f Snyder) Grogg. who were nati\es of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and of German descent. They emigrated to Stark county. Ohio, in an early (lav and there the father died, the mother afterward coming to DeKalb county. Indiana, with her children, and dying here at the advanced age of ninety-five years. Daniel Grogg received a common school education, spend- ing his early years under the parental roof. In May. 1849. he came to De- Kail: county, settling on a farm where he spent the remainrler of his life. His first ])urcha.se was of one hundred and twenty .acres, to which he added until he owned three hundred and eighty acres of good land, on which he built a large, twu-story brick residence and other farm buildings also of substantial character. He was married in Ohio in t8j3 to F.lizabeth Hultz. and to this 602 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. union were born six children : John, Abraham, George, Peter, Frankhn and a daiigliter who died in young ladyhood. Mr. and Mrs. Grogg were members of the Lutheran church. When Daniel Grogg came to this county but ten acres of his land had been cleared, and on this land the trees had been simply chopped, but the ground was not cleared of the rubbish. A log house was there and here the family established themselves until a more substantial and modern house could be built. Their first home was located just east of where the county farm now is. Before moving there Daniel Grogg had iKnight a farm in the northwestern part of what is now Grant township, but never made his home there, though he kept it and added to it the original (irant township tract, comprising one hundred and fifty-eight acres, for which he paid five hundred dollars, this land being now worth many times that price. A1t€ Grogg was reared under the parental rouf and as soun as large enough was compelled to assist in the work of clearing the farm; most of his youth, however, was spent with his uncle Jacob Grogg, who lived at the northern edge of Auburn, where he operated a farm and ran a mill. Here the subject did all kinds of work and i)roved a valuable assistant to his uncle. .\fter he attained his majority he spent three years with Moses Gonser, and when the county farm was instituted he was employed by the first superin- tendent of the farm, Conrad Miller. While thus employed he made the acquaintance of Mr. Miller's daughter, .\(la, who afterwards became his wife, their marriage occurring in 1872, and after that event the young couple moved to their present home, the tract which his father had bought in jMoneer da\s. .\t this time only four acres had been cleared and no buildings or fences erected. Mr. Grogg first Imilt a log house and started to clear the land much in the wav his father had done many years before. In the winter lie would clear four or h\t; acres for corn land and then in the summer give hi^ attention to the culti\ation of the soil. P.y this method followed persist- entl\- year after year he has succeeded in developing a most excellent farm- on which he has resided continuously since. He follows modern methods in agricultural operations and is numbered among the progressive men of his locality, for he hesitates not to adopt new tnethods when their superiority over old ways has been demonstrated. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at \\'aterl(io, and are earnest supporters of every move- ment for the educational, moral or social advancement of the community, so- that they enjoy the confidence and good will of all who know them. On January 2, 1872, .Abe Grogg. married Ada Miller, the daughter of Com-ad and .\nna (Long) Miller, whose personal sketch appears elsewhere DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 6o_^ in this work, and on April _:ihruary 25, 1877. He was reared on the home farm, secnring his edu- cation in the common schools, yradnatino; from the liisjh school at Waterloo in 1897. L'ntil iqoj he remained with his father on the home farm and then l:ecame a rural mail carrier from Waterloo, traxelin.!; his route hve and one- half years. Then after passing- an examination he was appointed a railway mail clerk and followed that occupation about nine months, when he was com- pelled to give up that line of work on account of an attack of measles which had settled in his eyes and almost hlinded him to such an extent that it re- (piirecl many months of heroic treatment hefore he received any assurance that he would not lose his eye sight entirely. Ui)on leaving the road he came home, where he remained until igo(), when he hought the farm adjoining his father, to the operation of which he is now de\oting his attention. On h'eh- rnary 23. igio. Arthur (irogg married Mildred P.owman. the daughter of .\rchie and .Alice (Kelly) Ilowman, her birth having occurred in .\drnns- ville, Michigan. Her father, who was liorn near \Vaterloo. this county, was a son of Cyrus and Sarah (Smith) Bowman, the former of whom wa.^ at one time a member of the count}- 1)oard of couimissioners. Mrs. Grogg's l)arents now live about two and a half miles nordiea.st of Waterloo. Mrs. (irogg recei\ed a good education, having graduated from the Waterloo high school with the class of 1007, after which she .-Utended the Tri-State Normal .Scliool at .\ngola. and afterwards engaged in teaching school in \\"aterloo for two \ears. .\rthur (Irogg is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife belong to the r\thian Sisters, of which lodge she is deputy grand chief. .Mr. < irogg ,iKo belongs to the (ileaner>;. a farmers' fraternal organization. Abe (irogg has been a resident of DeKalb county during the most active l)eiiod of his life and has been an eye-witness and a participant in the won- derful development which has characterized tiiis locality. He retains vi\id recollections of the early conditions here and also has a number of valuable heirlooms which are interesting and unique, .\mong them is a [jcwter plate brought by his ancestors from CTermany, on which are stamped German, l-"rench and English seals, the plate being at least one hundred and fifty years old. He also has a porcelain goose-oil jug of unique design, also the .old spinning wheel which his mother used, as well as other mementoes of more than intrinsic worth. The Grogg family ha\c been not only successful in the ac(]uisition of n-iaterial wealth, but liave been |)rominenl factors in the life of 604 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. the various communities in wiiich they lived, enjoying at all times the respect and confidence of their acquaintances. Of the subject's brothers and sisters it max be stated that John lives in the northwestern part of Grant township : Peter resides on the old homestead east of the county farm : George died at the age of forty-six years, leaving a wife and daughter, now deceased; Frank Ii\-es aliout three miles west of Auburn and Emil\- is deceased. ADAM W. Hl'SSI'.l.M.W". The gentleman to a rexiew of whose honorable career we now call the attention of the reader is one of the representative citizens of DeKalb county and one of the lest known and most substantial farmers in Grant township, being the owner of a fine landed estate. An analyzation of his life work shows that he has been dependent upon no inheritance or influential friends for what he has ac<|uired, but has through his continued effort and capable man- agement gained a desirable property whereby he is classed among the self- made and influential men of the community. Adam W. Husselman was born on Xoxember y, 1859, m the xvestern ])art of Grant toxvnship, DeKallj county, Indiana, and is the son of Samuel and Amanda (King) Husselman. Samuel Husselman, who xvas one of the honored old pioneers of Grant toxvnship, xvas born on December 11, 1827, in Wayne county, Ohi(.), and is the son of John and Catherine (Miser) Hussel- man. A history of his parents and the ancestral record appears in the sketch of Henry Husselman elsexvhere in this work. Samuel Husselman was but fourteen years old xvhen his parents brought him to DeKalb county in 1842, and they located in the wilderness about half way betxveen Waterloo and Au- burn. When he was but twenty-three years of age his father gave him one hundred and si.xty acres of uncleared land, to the clearing of which he imme- diately applied his energies and he recalls the hard ploxving among the roots and stumps and the toil incident to the placing of the land under cultivation. At the age of txventx-three years Samuel Husstlrnan married Amanda King, who was born about thirty miles from Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of John and Catherine King. The parents came to DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1846, locating northeast of Auburn, near where the county farm is now sit- uated. Samuel Husselman has remained on the farm where he now lives during all the subsequent years and for many years has been numbered among DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 605 the most respected and sulistaiitial citizens of liis localit). i'o liim and his wife were liorn four children, two sons and two daii.^hter>. namely: i'jinne- line, the wife of Jacob Amstntz. who lives in section d, ( irant townshi]), this County: Adam li\es in s^^ction iS. this township: Lewis, wiio li\e- witii his father and is the owner of eighty acres south of hi> father's place. ;uid F.da, who is the wife of John .Monroe. li\es in the eastern part of Richland township. Mrs. Hussehuan. the mother of these children, died on April i. Kjii. .Mr. Husselman i- an earnest and faithful member of the United Brethren church, and in his daily life he has long endeavored to exemiilif)- the teachings of the Divine Master. .\dam W. Husselman was reared on the paiernal farmstead and secured his education in the district schools of the neighhorhood. After his marriage in 1885 he began farming for himself m the southwestern part of Grant town- ship on land which he rented for ten years, but finally bought. His place com- prises eighty acres and is most elegantly located, being improved to an extent that reflects great credit on the owner. The splendid and attractive residence, commodious and substan.tial barns and other outbuildings have all been erected by Mr. Husselman and he adopts nioderii methods in his agricultural operations, realizing gratifying profits from his efforts. When he moved upon this land it contained a lot of timber, but this has all been cleared away and now all the crops common to this section of the country are raised here, and in connection Mr. Husselman also gives some attention to live stock, which lie has found to be a profitable source of income. ( )n \ugust iS. 1XS5. Mr. Husselman marrieil .\my .McCague, who was bom m Richland township, this county, the daugluer of John and Julia (Wxrick) .Met ague, her birth having occurred October 14, i8fio, and her death occurred on August _'. nji-'. at the age of tifty-one years. .At the age of twenty years she was taken into full membershi]) in the Lutheran church at Sedan, and lived a faithful and consistent life until her death. .\ faithful wife and loving mother, a loyal neighbor, she was sincerely mourned by all who knew her. for her life has been a blessed benediction to the community in which she lived. To Mr. and ^Mrs. Husselman were born three children. namely: Howard Earl, Donald Roscoe and \' iola Ruth. Howard is helping to operate his uncle's farm near his father's place, ant! Donald and Viola are at home with their father. Quiet and unassuming in his manner, but so- ciable with his friends. Mr. Husselman has won a large and admiring ac- quaintance throughout the locahty and is counted a good citizen. He gives his support to every movement having for its object the ad\ancement of the general welfare of the community. 6o6 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. HERMAN D. BOOZER. Among the enterprising and successfnl business men of DeKalb county, none stands higher in the esteem of liis fellow citizens than the gentleman whcjse name heads this sketch. Persistent industry, well-directed effort and sound business judgment have been the concomitants which have contributed to the success that has crowned his labors, and his sterling integrity and up- right life have gained fur him universal respect. Herman i). I'khi/at \va> Ixirn (ni neccmher j, 1862, in Riciiland county. Ohm, ihc >(in oi" janies .\. and Marselia ( i'.arnett) Boozer. James A. P.oozer was horn in Lancaster county, I 'ennsyhania, in ICS33, tiie son of Henry and Alary ' AlcEwan ) ISoozer, and Henry lloozer, wlio was Ijorn in Pennsyl- \ania in 1/98, was the son i^f a ( iernian emigrant. Alarv McEwan was born in Pennsylvania in 1800. James A. Boozer came to Ohio at the age of eleven years with his parents in 1844, living in Richland county where he grew to manhood, and in Feliruary, i8f)2. married Alarsella Barnett, who also was horn in Ricldand county, tlie (hiugluer of David and Mary (Stewart) r.aiiH-tt, luT father of Irish descent, his mother s maiden name being Lattimer. In .\pril, i80(-), J;T;ie^ .\. i'.o(,zer m.ivol to Waterloo, Indiana, where he en- g;iged ill (he agricultural implement business fcir two year>. but in the big lire which occurred ;it that time, his stock was destroyed. He then went into the general mercantile business in partiu^rship with ( '. T. ("'ark. Imt twcp x'ears later Air. Clark sold his interest to Mr. P.lattner, and the firm of P.oozer & Blattner was in existence until 1873 \\hen the}- were jnit out of business by the severe financial panic of th;it ve;ir. .Mr, l'o(].7er then again engaged in the agricultural inu^)lenieiit luisiness and \\.is .iNi, agent for the Buckeye Harvester Company until his death, which occurred in ."September, 1888. He was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church antl a ni.an of splendid qualities of character. His widow sur\ived him about twenty years, her death occiu-ring in i()o8. her lat'er \ears lia\ im; l>e;.n spent in the home of lier sdu, Herman These parents h;ul three children, the subject of this sketch being the lirst m order of l)irtli, the others bein-- Henr\-, v ho v.as bom in iSW) .and (lied in (Vt(.ber, 1007, leaving a wife ■.^n^\ ;i son, R.alph, who is a graduate of the mechanical engineering department in Purdue L'niversity, and Hugh H. P>oozer, who lives in Baltimore, Maryland. Herman D. Boozer was reared at Waterloo and until his father's death assisted hini in the implement business. He then went on the road as sales- man for the P.uckeye Harvester Company, remaining in that capacity until DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 607 January, 1903. In the fall ui tlie previdus yiar he had been elected auditur of DeKalb county, and at the lirst of the year entered u\H tleath, in U)o6, the widow lives in Waterloo. Mr. l!eartl was a lifelong farmer, v,as township assessor for several terms and also justice of tlie ()eacc. To his first marriage, which was to a Miss Richex. were born three children: Mary, wifi of the immediate sul)ject of thi> -ketch; I'.lla. wife of C'ommo- ecember 15, U)()(x .Mr. lieard's second wife. Samantha (Kelly) Heard, was JHjrn in Wayne county. Ohio, in 184(1. and came to De- Kalb county with hei" parents when bvil six years ui age. being reared near Taylor's Corners. In 1868 she was married to Mr. I'eard. and of their chil- dren it may be stated that (Ieorge married Ella Sangster, and lives ;ii Taylor's Corners. They have two daughters, Esther and bJhel; l-dson lives on the old home farm, and ni.arried Hilda Clark, and tluv have a daughter. Rnlb: Ilertha is the wife of liert Heffelfinger, and lives at l-..ri I'.liss. near I'.l Paso, Texas. They have two children. Robert and .\udrev Mary. To Mr. and Mrs. I'.oozer has been born .a s.m. James J., the da'e of whose birth was December 24. i8<)i, and wlio is now engaged in electrical work at bdrt Wavne ha\ ing made an extensive and exhaustive study of electricity at home. .Mr. P.oozer is .an earnest sujiporler of the Democratic party and has rendered efficient ser\ ice as a member of the executive committee of his party. He stands for right principles in everything and is a strong advocate of temperance and for all movements that ]iromise to be of benefit to his com- munitv in anv wav. Thrifty, progressive, industrious and a good manager, 6o8 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. he i> iK'i imly achicvin.t;- niaUTial success in his business affairs, but has also ,!,Mined tliat which is nf nidre value, the regard and esteem of his fellow citizens. No niuvenient for the advancement of the community but receives lii> licart)- endorsement, and, keen-sighted and sagacious, his ad\ice is con- >idere(! \a!uab'e in all affairs aifecting the public interests. F. H. RITTER. That life is the most useful and desirable that results in the greatest good to the greatest number and, though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some measure each can win success and make life a blessing to his fellow men ; it is not necessary for one to occupy eminent public positions to do so, for in the humbler walks of life there remains much good to be accomplished and many opportunities for one to exercise one's talents and influence which in some vyay will touch the lives of those with whom we come in contact, making them better or brighter. In the list of DeKalb county's successful citizens, the subject of this review occupies a prominent place. In his career there is much that is commendable and his record forcibly illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish when one's plans are wisely laid and one's actions governed b) right princijiles. noble aims and high ideals. F. H. Ritter was l>orn l'el)ruar\ 25. 1X83. at llawpalh, now 'i'opeka. Lagrange county, Indiana, and is the son of James H. and ]\Iary A. (Hall) Ritter, Ijoth of whom were also natives of Indiana, the father horn in La- grange countv and the mother in Noble county. Loth are descendants of early settlers in their respective counties. The subject's father, who followed farming throughout his active life, is a man of strong character and stands high in his community. To jiim and his wife were born three children, Ashley, Icy and F. H., all of whom are living. Ashley has charge of the home farm and Icy is the wife of L". E. Mast, of Shipshewana, Indiana. F. H. Ritter secured his elementary education in the common schools of Lagrange county, completing his preliminary studies in the high school at Topeka and then engaged in teaching school for tliree }ears. Having deter- mined to make the practice of law his life work, he then entered the State University at Bloomington, huliana, but a year l;iter liecame a student at Notre Dame University, where he completetl his professional studies and F. II. RITTER DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. (>Oy received the degree of Bachelor of Law. He at once located at Alijion and entered upon the practice of his profession, but a year later located at Butler, where he has since remained antl where he has attained to a gratifying degree of success in the practice of law. Well qualified by natural ability and train- ing, Mr. Ritter has successfully handled many difficult cases in the local courts of the county and has earned the warm regard of his professional colleagues. He is careful and painstaking in the preparation of his cases, never going into court with a case until thoroughly prepared and, judging from his record thus far, the future holds promise of still greater successes. On June 25, 1908, Mr. Ritter was married to Flora G. Holcomb, the daughter of John W. and Amanda (Wert) Holcoml), l)oth of whom were natives of Lagrange county, thi- state, their respective families having been early settlers of the eastern part of tliat cdimty. To Mr. and Mrs. Ritter has been born one son, Harold, who is at homo with his parents. Aside from his professional interests. Mr. Ritter has taken an actixe ])art in the various civic activities of the community, having served one year as president of the Butler Commercial Club, and is at present city attorney for the corporation. Politically, he is affiliated with the Republican party, taking a deep interest in political campaigns, while fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, belonging to the subordinate lod.ge at Butler, and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodge at Lagrange. Indiana. His religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church, in the prosperity of which he is deeply interested and t(i tlu- 'Support of winch he contributes liberally. Mr. Ritter has hosts of friends in DeKalh county owing to his honesty in business, his success in liis jjrofession and his upright social and private life and he enjoys a marked popularity in the circles in which he moves. JOHN I-R.WT/ The subject of this review is a re])resentative farmer and stock grower of (irant township, DeKall) county, Indiana, and lie is known as one of the alert, progressive and successful agriculturists of this favored section of the Hoosier state. In his labors he has not permitted himself to follow in the rut in a blind, apathetic way, but has studied and experimented and thus .secured the maximum returns from his enterprising efforts, while he has so ordered his course at all times as to conunand the confidence and re.gard of (.39) 6iO DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. the people of the community in whicli lie lives, being a man of honorable business methods and advocatin,<: \vb;itever tends to promote the public wel- fare in any way. John I'Vantz is a native of the little republic of Switzerland, which has sent so many of her best citizens to America and who has contributed so largely to the upbuildino; and development of the country. He was horn on July 5, 1850, the son of Christian and Margaret (Amstutz) Frantz. When the subject was about four or five years old in 1855, the family came to America, locating in what is now the northwestern part of CJrant township, DeKalb county, Indiana, where they bou.ght a farm from the mother's brother, who had preceded them here. Here the subject's parents spent the rest of their lives, being numbered among the best citizens of the locality, the father dying about iSgT, ;ind tlie molher in the sjjring of 1907. They became the parents of eight children, namely; Christian .\., who li\es with the suljject: John, the immediate subject of this sketch; Tillie McClellan, of Huntington, Indiana: Mrs. May (Irogg. the wife of 01i\cr Crogg. who lives west of .\uburii ; Maggie, no\v deceased, was the wife of Peter Schull ; Samuel, Henry and Fred all died in childhood at the same time of diphtheria, and the subject of this sketch himself almost died of the same di.sea.se at that time. John l->.mtz ha-- li\e(l on the ho tha the best agricultural tracts in this section of th Joanna King, who was horn in Union township west of .Vulmrn, the daughter of Alexander and Caroline (Bowman) iving, who were early settlers in this count V. Thev c.inie from Baltimore, Maryland, .about 1840. and bought a farm west of Auburn where they spent the remainder of their lives and where Mrs. Frantz lived until her marriage. Air. and Mr--. I'rantz are the parents of a daughter, Doreas, who received her edue;ition in the high school at Waterloo, and who i^ a popular member of tin social circles in which she moves. Mr. hVantz has ;i pleasant and attractive house and the farm, which is well kept in every respect, is a credit to him. He is a man of marked domestic tastes, his greatest pleasure being found in his home and its sur- roundings, to the improvement of which he constantly devotes his attention. His brother. Christian, who is unmarried, also lives with the subject. John Frantz is regarded as one of the most progressi\-e and painstaking agricul- 11 ii fat e V tl t hei hi- id lunt mot ived y e\er her he d. ice com- mgln the practical .1 h im sell f \ A-itb indef: ;i:i; ;able in- he b; le- >elo, led it luV i> olH- of the Co tint \. In 1 i8Ss he married DEKALB COL"^■T^■, INDIANA. ,6l I turists in his ti Aviisliip, usini l; rare jndgnient anc 1 tore>ight in all h is nnder- takings and seldom niakt-s ;i i nislake in Ins calcnlal tions. Heislihera 1 minded, whole-souled, kind-hearted ai ul withrd a u-eful ar id nohle man who 1 las justly won the praise and respect ( it all who know him jOHX LUTZ. To rescue from fading tradition the personal annals of the ])ioneers of <)Ui- Ciiuntry is a pleasing hut lahorirnvs ta>k ; not so lahorious, perhaps, as per- plexing, by reason of the fact that many facts and impressions of the early days have faded from memory. To gather up the broken threads of strange yet simple stories of individual li\es. to catch the fleeting stories and fireside histories and hand them down to posterity is a laudable ambition worthy of encouragement on the part of everyone interested in his community. John Lutz, who long since passed to "that undiscovered l)ourne from whence no tra\eler returns.'" was one f)f the i)i(jneers of DeKalb county. Indiana, that noble band who were in the \an of cixilization nio\ing westwarfl. and who here passed through years of arduous toil and hardshi])s. amid (jrinu'tive con- ditions which sound strange to the present generation. I'.ecause of his labors and his character he is eminently entitled to representation in the annals of his county. John Lutz was Iwrn in Stark county, Ohio, in 1826, and was a son of Michael and Magdalena (Crawford) I,ut/-, who, in 1847. came to DeKalb county, entering a tract of government land in I'nion township. Here the father commenced the task of clearing the land, but his death occurred with- in two years after his arrival here, leaving to his widow and children the gigantic task to complete. Mrs. Lutz was an energetic, ambitious woman, and worked hard to make a h.ome and rear her children. In this she was assisted h\ her son. the subject of this sketch, who devoted himself to his mother with a faithfulness and devotion that was commendable in him. She died in 1882. after a life of usefulness and honor. John Lutz inherited seventy-three acres of land from his father's estate and to the cultivation and improvement of this land he bent his energies, lie was accustomed from his youth to bard work, which became a habit with him. In his younger days to him was as- signed the duty of hauling the farm produce to market and bringing back the needed supplies. He generally drove over the miserable roads to Ft. Wayne. Kendallville and other points, and it was always necessary to carry along an 6l2 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. axe ti) clear the roads of the fallen tiniher before he could get through. .\lr. l.utz, l)y hard work, good nianagenient and wise economy, was prospered and at the time of his death, which occurred on December 15, 1S94, he owned two hundred and se\enty acres of good land, his farm being well im- proved in every respect, including a splendid frame residence and other feat- ures that made it one of the attractive and valuable homesteads of the county. On March 24, 1868, Mr. Lutz was united in marriage with Susannah Oberholtzer. who \\a- born in the northeastern part of what is now Grant township, this county, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Gisgrich ) Oberholtzer. To them were born six children, as follows; One died in in- fancy; Bessie died on Octolier 17, 1884, at the age of five years, a sprightly and lovable child, of pleasing maimers: John. Jr., born in Xoxemlier, 1873, (lied on August (), i8iJ4, aged eighteen years and nine months. He was sin- gularl}- exemplary in character. ;i dutiful son and affectionate brother; the other three, Jennie, Addie and Martha, live on the old homestead, ea.st of Waterloo. They were born, respectixelw on February 28. 1870. December 21, 1 871, and .August 26, 1873. John Lutz was baptized in the faith of the l.utherar. church, and was faithful to his religious convictions to his death. .\ faithful husbaiul. kind father and upright citizen, lie was respected and esteemed by all who knew bim. and his death wa-- C(insidered a distinct loss to the comnumity which bad been honored by bis citizenship. DAXIF.I. GKOGG The student interested in the history of DeKalb county, Indiana, does not ha\e to carry bis iinestigations far into its annals before learning that Daniel Grogg was long an active and leading representative of its leading agricultural interests and that his labors proved a potent force in making this a rich agricultural region. Through several decades our subject carried on faruu'ng. gradually improving his valuable place, and while he prospered in this, he also found ample opportunity to assist in the material development of the county, and his co-operation was of value for the general good. Daniel Grogg, who became one of the earliest .settlers of L'nion town- shi]>, DeKalb county. Indiana, was born in Stark county, Ohio, on the 13th day of .August. 1818. and was a son of Solomon and Mary (Snyder) Grogg. who were born in Xortham]iton county. Peunsyh-ania. but who became nEKAi.n c(n'Nr\. Indiana. Iiit, pioneer residents of Stark count\ . 0\un, wlicrt- the father died, tlie mother afterwards coming to DeKaib ci unity witli lur cliildren and living iiere until her death, whicli ot-curred at the advanced age of ninety-five years. The Grogg family is di' ( icini;in descent, and there are still in possession of mem- bers of this family \ahial)le heirlooms, among which is a pewter plate one hundred and fifty years old, nn wJiicli arc st.-miiu'd (".crnuin, hVcncli and Eng- lish seals; a goose-oil jug of unii|uc design and :m njd spinning wheel used by Airs, ("irogg. 1 )aiiicl (irogg was reared im a farm and received his edu- cation in the common schools of his localil)-. !ii May, iiS4(), he liecame a resi- dent of DeKalli county, settling on the farm in Union township, where he spent the remainder of iiis life, the farm being located near the county farm. Daniel (irogg had also bought a farm in the northwestern ^art of what is now Grant township, comprising one hundred and fifty-eight acres, for which he paid five hundred dollars and which afterwards became very valuable land. HanicI (irogg m;trried Klizalieth Hultz. and to tlicni were liorii six childieii. namely: John, wiio now li\es in the northwestern part of Grant township: .\1k'. who lix'es near him and who is rejjresented elsewhere in this work: Peter, who Iive< on the old homestead east of the county farm: George, who died at the age of forly-si.x years, leaving a wife and one daughter, now de- ceased; Frank, who lives west of .\uburn, and Emily, also deceased. Daniel Grogg died at his L'nion township home on Marcli 23, 1887 and his wife died in December, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Grogg were for many years active and earnest memJj.'rs of the Lutheran church, in the ]3ros])erit\- of which lliev were deeplv interested and to the su])iiort of which tlu-y contributed liberally of their means. Mr. <"irogg during hi^ lifetime made many ])ermanent and valuable ini])ro\ements on his farm, so that at tlie time of his deatli it was numbered among the leading agricultural tiacls in the county, .\mong tlie improvements was a line two-story brick hou-^e. which is still standing. .Mr. Grogg's domestic life was eNcnijilary, for the home wa'^ a genial and happy one. He was an affectionate and faithful father and hi.- sons have cause to honor iiim and revere his memory, lie was a hospitaiile man and cordiallv res];onsive to all sm'ial cLaims and Ins home was attr'active to all whom he numbered in his list (jf friends. The death of such a man. even in the rounded fullness of a long life where his work had ceased to be more than an e.\ani])le. was :\ |>uMic loss, .-unl iim mily his intimate asscKiates but the people generally of tlie community felt that his passing away was a distinct loss to the com- ninnilv. lie left to bis family the rich memory of an unstained name and to the locality where be lived the record and ex.ample of an iionorable and well spent life. 6l4 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. Reverting to Mr. (irogg's ancestry, it may be stated that his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Snyder, wa.s born in F^ennsylvania. moving to Ohio in a da}- when there were but few white people in all that country, the savage red men being practically the only human beings, and they were not \ery peaceably inclined to the whites. Her mother's father, Henr\' Reichel- derfer, came tn this country from ( lermany, and it is related that he was nearly a year making the trip acros.^ the ocean, during which e\eryonc on board the ship nearly star\ed, it being necessary to eat the rats that infested the ship in order to keep alive. Henry Reichelderfer was a great hunter and settled in Ohio in an early day. .\n aunt of Mary Snyder was captured by Indians in Stark count\- and tied to the eaves of the cabin by the little tin.gers of her hands, so that her toes barely touched the ground, and another aunt was horribly gashed and criss-crossed, dying from the effects of her injuries. Following these atrocities Captain Brady and his famous band of Indian lighters followed the red men and wreaked on them \engeance for their misdeeds. \\FSI.b:\' la'LTOX. The subject of this sketch is one of the progressive farmers and enter- ])rising citizens of dranl township. HeKalli county, where he has made his home for a numl)er of years, i)eing closely associated with its (levelo])ment and welfare. He is a thoroughlx' practital :igricultmi-t and a man of busi- ness, and, like tlie great majority of viucessful men. has been the architect of his own fortunes. His fidelity to his duties liiis never been neglected in acting his part as a worthy son of the great American commonwealth. Wesley I'ulton was born on October lo, 1S47, in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, and is a son of David .uid Mary (Knight) b'ulton. David Fulton was born in Somerset countw Pennsylvania, and was a son of James Fulton, who was of Irish parentage, his fori)e;irs liaving come from the north of Ire- land. David Fulton was married to Marv Knight, who was lK)rn in Som- erset county, Pennsvhania. the daughter of James Knight and wife. David iuilton remained in Pennsylvania about four years after his marriage, then spent abtnit nine years in Perry county, Ohio, after which he returned to I'Xvette county, Penn.sylvania, to care for lus parents, who were getting old. He remained there about nineteen years and in 1X^3 went to Carroll county, Illinois, where he bought a farm and .spent the remainder of his life there, his death occurring in February, 1884. He was survived a number of years by Ik- <.1( I IcK-al 1 t;irm ii ]irc;ulK 1! Illin oi.. David I lu- .\k-tlln,l|.t ■ultou lM„s. ■op lie I.H :al puhli c affa ir^ 111' llu- (-11 mniur liti DEK.M.B COUNTY. INDIANA. his widow, who died in i8q8 m a life-long- farnier and wa-; alsc church. He wa.s prominent in where he lived both in the East and in Illinois. Wesley Fulton lived under the parental roof until iSfx). when, at the ai;e of twenty-two years, lie was married and then liet^an farming;- for himself near his home. He couducted a.tjrieultural o])eratious aliont >ix vear-. and then nio\ed to Lucas eouiit\, Iowa, where he l>on,iL;ht a small farm, on wliich lie li\ed until the death of his wit'e in i SSo. .\l,out iSSj, ,,r the year follow- ing-. Mr. Fulton sold his Iowa property and came to Indiana, where he was again married, and he then engaged ill farming- on the place where he now lives lives south of Waterloo. He is the owner of sixty-five acres of good land, which has engaged his undivided attention and which he has develo])ed into one of the choice agricultural homesteads of the section of the county in which he li\es. His life here has been characterized hy ])ersistent and wisely directed uidustry, his efforts heing rewarded with a degree of Mueess commensurate with his etiorts. lie has a good set of farm huildnigs. while all the o])erations of the farm are given his personal sii|icr\ ision. and in the conduct of his affairs he has been guided by the soundest of iudgmeiit which has characterized him in ever\thing to which he has given attention. In 1869 Mr. Fulton married l-'dizabeth Dorus. who was h.irn in brank- lin county. Pennsylvania, the daughter of |obii I )orus. 1 U-r parents mo\ed to b'ulton county. Illinois, when sin- was Init a child, and there she lived nutil about a year before her marriage, when she 1. seated in larroll county, Illi- nois. Her death occurred in iSSo. she leaving three children, namely: .\evv- ton .\., Cora I!, and Mary L. Xevvton, who was born in December, 1874. now lives at Danbury, (. onnecticut, where he is engaged in pedagogical work, being superintendent of a commercial school. He has taught six or seven years in New York and Connecticut. ( Ura I'., became the wife of l-raiik Williams, and they lived in Xebiaska. where her husb.-ind died, leaving two children, (Irant W. and Jessie. She afterwards became the vvife'of ( )-car Kent, and they live on a farm near Alma, .Xebniska. I'.v her second union she is the mother of three children; Mary L. is the wife of bred l.ampman, of Milledgeville, larroll u.iiiilv, Illinois, and they have three children, luhelyn, Margie and a baby boy. Mr. Inilton's second marriage was to Mrs. .Sarah .\. ( Strob ) Dunn, the widow of thi- late William Dunn. She was iKjrn in Ch-eensburg, Summit county, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Catherine (Dice) Stroh. She was brought to DeKalb county when only nine months old by her parents, who located on the northern edge of Ciiion 6l6 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. towiisliip. and tliere she was reared and received her education, her mar- riage to Mr. Dunn occurring on January i. 1865. After that event they lived on the Dunn homestead in Cirant township until Mr. Dunn's death in 1871. siie lea\ino- tliree cliil(h-en. namely: Mrs. Ettdessie Goodwin, de- ceased: John Dunn, nf W'aterloci. and William Dunn, of Grant township. To Ml'. Fulton's last union has been horn one child. Zella G., who is now the wife of h'rnest Cole, of Toledo, where he has a good position with the street car company. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Fulton are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, in the prosperity of which they are deeply interested and to the support of which they contribute of their means. Mr. Fulton is one of the leading citizens of his community and enjoys in a marked degree the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and friends throughout (irant township. His career has heen eminently honorable and all who know him speak in high terms of his many sterling qualities and characteristics. FRANK D. FANNING, M. D. There is no class to whom greater gratitude is duL- from the world at large than the self-sacrificing, sympathetic, noble-minded men whose life work is the alleviation of suffering and the ministering of comfort to the afflicted, to the end that the span of human existence may be lengthened and a greater degree of satisfaction enjoyed during the remainder of their earthly sojourn. There is no standard by which their beneficent influence can he measured, their helpfulness being limited only l)v the extent of their knowledge and skill, while their power goes hand in hand with the woiulerful laws of nature that .spring from the very source of life itself, .'-^omo one lias aptly said, "He serves God licst who si-r\e^ humanity mo>t."' Vniong the physicians and surgeons of Delxalii county who Iku e risen to eminence in their chosen field of endeavor is the subject of this review, whose c;ireer has been that of a broad-minded, conscientious worker in the sphere to which his life and energies have been devoted and whose profound knowledge of his profession has won for him a leading place among the most distinguished medical men of his day and generation in the city of his residence. Frank D. Fanning, an enterprising physician and public-spirited citizen of Butler. DeKalb county, Indiana, was born on May 4. 1873, at Butler. DeKalb county, and is a son of I^r. Fred W. and Carrie M. (Myers) Fan- ning. Fred W. Fanning, who was born at Belleville, Ontario, in 1841, was ANK D. FANNING, M. D. DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. I)\J educated in Colniri; Cdlloge. Cohurg, Ontario, .iifnuhiated in the I'niversity of Michigan at Ann Arljor. Miciiigan, and shortly afterward he located at Butler, DeKalb county, Indiana, where lie practiced his profession for thirty- six years, having previously fieen locateil at Heaver Dam, Ohio, for two years. His record was an honorable one as a citizen and professional man and he stood among the leaders of his profession in this part of the state. To him and his wife were born two sons, the subject of this sketch and Charles H., who is a stationary engineer at Bryan, Ohio. Frank D. Fanning received a good ])ul)lic school education and then at- tended the University of Michigan at Ann Arl)or. after which he matriculated in the medical department ni the I 'niwrsity of Illinois at I'rlaiia, where he was graduated in 1897 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Imme- diately afterwards he came to ISutler and became a i-artner of his father in the practice of his profession, remaining with him until the hitter's death, since which time he has engaged in the practice alone on his own account. He has been eminently successful in his treatment of diseases, having handled many very difficult cases and is held in high re])nt(.- among his professional Ijrethren. He specializes in diseases of ilu' eye, ear, nose and throat, of which he has made a close and critical study, and in which he is considered an authoritv. He is local siu'geon for the l'enns\]\ania, W abasli and Lake Shore railroads and is ;i member of the Wabash Railway Surgeons" .Associa- tion, the Lake Shore &■ Michigan SoiUh and the Penns\-lvania Railway Surgeon broad human s\-m])athy which aids him 1 to him for assistance and in the sick roo and hopefulness which enter -o largel\- mlo ibe >iKee--fnl treatnienl of phys- ical ailments. For many years Dr. Fanning has had .1 keen interest in political affairs and is now an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of the Progressive party. Religiously, he is a member of the Church of Christ, while his fraternal re- lations are with the h'ree and .Accepted .M.isons, Modern Woodmen of America and Lodge No. 158. Kni,ghts of Pythias. In 1888 Dr. Fanning married Florence P.. .\gler, tiie d.iughter of Hiram and Laura Agler, of P.utler Dr. Ivuuiing i^ an enthusia-t in his chosen call- ing, a close student, an original thinker ;uul an untiring in\ estigator. He avails himself of every legitimate means to kec]) in touch with the trend of modern medical thought and is familiar with the leading authorities, having a fine professional library in which he spends much of his time when not re- K; li! Iwav Su rgeons' .Association .\ss (K ■iati( men ot DeKall) county. Indiana, the sub- ject of this review occupies a deservedly conspicuous place and the following brief outline of his career and tribute to his worth should he perused by those whose lifework is yet a matter of the future. Honorable in all his dealings, considerate of the rights of others and a man whose influence has ever been on the side of right, his life lias lieen fraught with good to his fellows and the world made better by iiis presence. William II. Hinniau is a native of DeKalb county, Indiana, having been born in Smithheld township on necemlier 2. 1858. His jjarents were Morgan ( ). and Alar\- jane ( \'ard ) Hinnian. .Mcjrgan ( ). I Human was born July 20, 1832, between Akron and Middlchury, ( )hio, the son of Orron and Eliza- beth (Haynes) Hinniau. Long l)efore the ad\ent of railroads through this section of the countr\- ami when Morgan Hinnian was lint a lad of thirteen years, his father had come to Oc-K.alh county. liidi;uia, and bought two farms, one located at Haynes' Corners, north of liarrett, and the other in Smithfield township, near the Cedar Lake church. He returned to his Ohio home and prepared to bring his family here, Init his death occurred before they started. He left a widow and six children, four daughters and two sons. A year later the widow and her children came to DeKalb county, establishing the family home on the Haynes' Corners farm, wiiere she spent the remainder of her days. Morgan Hinman was fourteen years old when the familv came here, and, lieing the oldest son and next to the oldest child, lie became prac- tically the head of the f;uiiily, remaining witii his mother until his marriage. DEKAI.B COUNTY, INDIANA. (iK/ About 1857 he erected a rude cabin cm the Smillifield township farm, which had no floor and was a ly[)ical hnme of that period. He married about that time Mary jane Yard, born June 13, iS^:;^. in l^evonshire, England, the daughter of John and Ivli/.abcth N ,ird. She wa> eighteen vears of age at the time of the family's emigration to America, her birthday having occurred while on the ocean, on which trip the family sjient eighteen weeks. Her family was among the early settlers near Cn'irrett. and all the members of this family now living here are well known and respected citizens of their re- spective communities. Mary Kli/.abeth ^',•lrd and her lirother were engaged in teaching school here in the early \ears. and thus performed their part in the early progress and advancement of the comninnit\. After his marriage he went ahead clearing and draining his farm, which he de\elof)ed into a fine tract of land, and when the Air Line dixision of the Lake Shore railroad was projected through this locality, he engaged in clearing off timber for the right-of-way of this road. His first purchase of land was forty acres of the old homestead, but later he also bought the interests of two sisters in his father's estate, thus becoming the owner of eighty acres of fine land. Event- ually he sold that place, which is now known as the Ren Farrington farm, and about 1865 he moved to the Myers farm, two miles south and one and one-half miles west of C'orunna. where be rem.ained imtil about 1881, when he mo\ed t(i Dixon county, Nebraska, buying a farm at Wakefield. There his wife died. I'ebruary i. 1005. and subseijuenth he moved to Oklahoma, locating in C.arfield countw four miles Miuth of h'nid. where his death oc- curred on May 12, 1908. The subject of this sketch was reared ts affairs, the subject ni this sketch is entitled to specific mention in a volume of the character of the one at hand. Frank W. Olinger was liorn in Keyser township, DeKalb county, Indi- ana, a short distance west of .\uburn, on March 4, 1870, and he is a son of John S. and Lucy ( \:\.rd ) Olinger. The sul)ject's paternal grandparents were David B. and Rebecca (Suihart) (dinger. David B. Olinger was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, on June 17, 1813. and died near Auburn, Indiana, on December 19, i8q6, at the age of eighty-three years. He was descended from good old Pennsylvania Dutch stock. He emigrated from Maryland to Stark county, Ohio, where, on February 18, 1836, he married Rebecca Swihart, and there, on Februarv 21, 1837, their only child, John S., was born. They remained in Stark county until August, 1846, when they came to Indiana. Thev drove through, the journev lieing one characterized by hardships, poor 'RANK \V. OLINGEK DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. (125 n)all^. l)ri(l,i;x'k*ss ^ircaiiis, and dther ClllKlitil)n^ which made tlie jcmnu'v a tirc'Sdnu- and dftlinio daiij;'i.T(ius fxperienct'. l"])iiii ihi-ir arrixal ht-rc Uu-y Incalfd tw.i and a lialt nnles ca>l of Auhuni, wlu-re David l)on,i;ht ui.uiUy acres i)t liniJKT land, nn which not a slick had h(.rn cnl. I'or a time the family livetl on a near-by tract, on wiiich \v;is a small c.ahin. with the roof so low- that they conld reach it from the ground, .\hont a vear later they nu>ved to the Henry Shull place, north of Auburn, where the\- lived about three years, moving from there to the Brandon farm, two miles west of .\uhurn, where they remained ten or twelve \'ears. Then Mr. Olinux-r bought eighty acres just south of that tr;iet. on which he built ,i house, th.at being about two years prior to the outbreak of the C"i\ il war, and there I );Lvi(l Olinger ma, and then sold it and bought forty acres a mile and a half west of .Auburn, which, like the pre- y-eding place, had but a small portion cleared. However, a trifling matter (40) 626 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. like that offered to him no discouragement, and he soon liad tlie tract cleared and in cultivation. He has lived on that i)!ace now for forty-five vears and has made of it one of the best farms in his section of the count v. In addition to his labors as a farmer and woodsman, Mr. dinger worked much at the carpenter's trade during his active years. On April 18, 1861, John S. Olinger married Lucy Yard, who was born at Exmouth, England, on June g, 1842. the daughter of John and Marv (Simmons) Yard. Her parents, who were highly educated and well-tn-dc. were principals f)f an academy in England, but emigrated to this countr\- in an early day, probably in 1852. They first located in' Cleveland, where they remained a short time, coming then to DeKalb county and locating a mile north of Carrett, where they bougiit a farm and made their permanent liome, their original tract comprising about sixty acres. Tliough Mr. ^."ard was handicapped by having the use of only one hand, he was a man f)f energy and good business ability and eventually became cpiite well-to-do. To John S. and Lucy Olinger were born six children, namely: Salome died in infancy; David B. died at the age of ten years; Frank \\'. is the immediate subject of this review; Cora E. is the wife of George M. Ditmars and they live two miles south of .Xuburn: Mitchell H. is a barber and li\es at (larrett: Nettie May is the wife of P.ert Lockwood and thev !i\e on her father's farm, one and a half miles west of .\uburn. The mother of these children died on January 2Q, 1008, at the age of sixty-five years, hax'ing lieen an iinalid for manv vears. Desjiite her sufferings, she ever remained cheerful and ])atient. e\-incing and e.\]iressing an unfailing trust in an all-wise Providence. She was reared in the C"hurcli of England, or tiie F.iiisco]ial church, but later identified herself with the Lutheran church. n ,\pril 20. 1005. w.as ,a worthv woman .and ;i liighlv esieeme.l member of the ILaplist church ,it 628 DEKAl.B COUXTV. INDIANA. Auljurn, 'l"o I<"raiik W. and Mary AI. ( Miniver have l)eeii Ixirn three chiUh'en. namely: !m erett D.. liorn Septenilier 30. iS(),v died > a student in the public schiKils. lM-aternalI\. Frank \\ . ()lini;er i- a member nt the Kni ihniug'inut this locality. He pos- ■^esses splendid husine-^s (pialiHcations. and by untiring perse\erance and the exercise of sound judgiiUMit lie i^ achievini; a splendid success in his en- terprise. (hi Xoveniher 24. 1889. Ciiarles Lapp was united in marriage with Lizzie Swift, of l'"ayette. Ohio, and to this iiuiuii have been bom six chil- dren, four sons and two daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Capp are well known throughout this coni- munitx and enjoy the friendship of all who know them, who esteem them because of their excellent qualities and genuine worth. GILES THOMPSON .ABBEY. The life history of Giles Thompson Abbe\-. one of the well known and highly esteemed venerable \eterans. now living in honorable retirement in the picturesque little town of Waterloo, Indiana, shows what industry, good habits and staunch citizenshij) will accom])lish in the battle of acquiring proi)erty and rearing children to lead steady and respectable li\es. His life has been one replete with duty well and conscientiously performed in all of its relations. He has not been a man to shrink from his duty, however irk- some or dangerous, and it is such traits that win in life's affairs. He has come down to us from the pioneer period and li:is noted the wondrous trans- formation from that time to this, playing well his part in the drama of cixilization. He has been an adxocate of wholesome living, and cleanliness in jiolitics as well, and has e\er been outspoken in his antipathy to wrong huml)le citizen or bv the incumbents of influential doing, whether b\ ■ the offices. Giles Tbomps -on \1 of HeKalb county, , Indi; county. Ohio, and is a s who for forty-nine years has been a resident ,as born on Xovember 24. 1827. in Sandusk}' .\lansoii and Lucy (Daggett) Abbey, both of whom were born and reared in Ontario count)'. New "S'ork. where their mar- riage also occurred. The subject's paternal ancestry is traced back in an unbroken line to emigrants from England, who located in Massachusetts. they being the subject's great-grandparents. The subject's paternal grand- 630 DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. father. Joshua Abbey, who was Ik mi in Massachusetts, was a solcher in the war of the Revolution, in which al-o his brotliei . bibn. was an officer. Joshua Abbey moved to Ontario Cdunt}-. Xew \'ni-k, and there Alanson Abbey was born in 1793, and who was eventually a soldier in the war of 1812. .\fter his marriage in 1S19 he movefl to .'-Sandusky count)'. ( )hio. where he bought and dexeloped a farm. In 1S3S the family uioxed to .Steuben county, Indiana, settling in Steuben township about one-half mile --outh of Pleasant Lake, where the father spent the rest of bis life, hi■^ tle.ath ])er- til lu' owned a splendid tract of line months later returned to the wedded life, his wife died on December 10, 1904, her death l;eing considered a di-tinct lo-s to the commu- nity in which she had spent so many useful years. Lorin ( i. Duesler was a man of rare qualities of character and was never hai)pier than when attend- ing to his farm and cultivating his garden. He was a faithful husband, a loving father and a lieli)ful and considerate neighbor and ujiright citizen. To him and his wife were born bve children, n.amely: One who died in infancy: Francis M. lives about one ;iiid one-half miles ea.-l of Waterloo; Fliza M.. the wife of (ieorge Diehr, of I'reniont. Ohio; .Minnie, the wife of William .Metialf, who li\es about two antl one-half miles east of .\uburn, b)hn W. Duesler came lo DeKalb county with his [iarents when but two years old and was reared in (bant township with the exception of a part Mr. and Mrs. Duesler have Iieen born five children, namelv : Lena M.. DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. 635 born May 5, 1895; Helen V., burn October 14, 1X98; Ralpli 1... liorn June 21, 1901; Charles VV., born September 29, 1904, and Rutli \\'., born ATarch 13. 1907, who died in infancy. Mr. Duesler and the members of his family are all affiliated with the L'nited lirethreii church, in ibe ])rusperity of wliich they are all deeply interested and to the -^upijort of which he contributes liberally of his means. .\lr. Duesk-r has a wide arquaiiU.-uicc and hosts of friends as the result of In.-, .i^enial (li>])o-iti kiu.duess. honesty antl uprightness and his untiuestioned i)usiness ability, being one of the most biglil}- resj^ected citizens of bis cumniunity. where he has si)eiit tiie major ])orti(ni of his useful and busv life. JOHN MORRISON KIMSEY. .\mong the men of a past generation who impresseil their personality on the ci\ic and pubHc life of DcKall) county was John M. Kimsey, who tor mail}' years was an influential and potent I'actor in the welfare anil development of this localit)-. lie was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on Octo- l)er 9. 1833, and he was a son of Dr. Thomas Boland and Sarah (L'arr) Kimsey. Dr. Thomas B. Kimsey was born on December 7, 1806, probably in the state of Virginia, while his wife, Sarah Carr, was born on Februarv i8 1S07. in .Anneskillin. Ireland. Thomas B. Kimsey was the son of John, Knr.sey, who was born in England and came to America as an officer in the r.ritisli arm\ . but, when he realized what the .\merican colonies were fightiijg for. he left the British army, and later, at the request of (leneral Washing- ton, became an officer in the .\nierican army, iieing killed during the progress of th(-wai. He had brought his wife to this country and located in Balti- more. He left one son, John Kimsey, who married Lydia Boland, and they V. ert the ];arent.^ of l-'r. Thomas B. Kimsey. The latter's wife, Sarah Carr Kimsey, died in Waterloo, Indiana, on September 9, 1875, having made her borne with her son. Dr. Thomas B. The latter became a well known and sui-cessful pin sici;ui. being engaged in practice at Carrollton, Ohio, and later moved to .Monmouth, .\dams county, this state, and in 1852 came to .\uburn, Indiana, where he was numbered among the pioneer physicians of that com- munitv. Hi^ death occurred on May 6, 1856, and his passing away was con- sulered a distinct k'ss to the coiDmunity. His children were as follows-: John M., Aseneth, Lydia, William T., James Boland and Robert Ferguson. John M. Kimsey was reared to manhood at Auburn and early in life became a clerk in the Sanders dry goods store. In September. 1858, he and (>^(i DlCKAhB COLNTV. I.NUIAXA. hi^ l>rolher >laru-d the first Republican paper published in this county, the DcKalb County Tiiiics, but there were so few Republicans in this Democratic county that at that tune the paper lacked proper support and went out of business in alxjut three months after its establishment. Mr. Kimsey continued his services in the Sanders dry goods store at Aubin'n until i8(>o, when he came to Waterloo to accept a position in the store of Reuben J. Lent. In i8f>i .Mr. Kimse\- enlisted as a private in Company K, Forty-fourth Regi- ment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was in the militaiy service of his country tor eighteen months. He was made principal musician of his regi- ment and was mustered out of the service when the ])ands were dispensed with. After his return to i)eaceful pursuits Mr. Kimsey liecame an employe in the store of Amos & Marshall Hale, oi Angola, and later he went into business for him.self in partnership with Myron Hester. A few years later he moved to Waterloo and resumed his old position with Mr. Lent. Then for a time he ran a transfer line antl was suJKequently appointed postmaster at Waterloo by President Hayes. His administration of the office was very satisfactory and he held the position through the administration of President Garfield and one year under President Cleveland, a total service of nine vears. About i8qo Mr. Kimsey removed to Toledo and there spent the re- mainder of his davs. On July _>8. i8()i. Mr. Kimsey married Harriet E. Lent, the tlaughter of Reuben J. and Almira (Forsythe) Lent. Her parents were natives of New York state, the father born at L'tica and the mother at Cooperstown. The latter was the daughter of John Kimliall and Mary (Bailey) l-"orsythe, while John K. h'orsythe's father, Oliver I-'orsythe, was a general in the war of the Revolution. Mary Bailey's father, Joel Bailey, was also a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Harriet Lent was born in DeKalb county, Indiana, her parents having come here from New ^'ork state in about 1837. Her grandfather, John K. p-orsythe. had come here in 1833. locating in Otsego township. Steuben county. Indiana, when there were only five families in that locality. Reuben Lent settled at Hamilton and built the first hotel in that, place. Finally he mo\ed to .\uburn and ran the Ohio House in 1855, and in the following, year be and Miles Waterman laid out the town of Waterloo. Here he established a dry goods store, ran a hotel and, for ;i time, he and T. R. Dickinson ran the H'atrrloo Press. Mr. Dickinson being editc^r. Mrs. Dr. Broughton, of Waterloo, has in her possession the first copy of the first issue of this paper. In 1863 Mr. Lent moved to Toledo and spent the rest of his life there, dving at the home of his daughter. Mrs. Kimsev. His Ii|-K\l.i; COrXTV. INDIANA. <)7,J wife (lied oil July 17, \Hz,>). Mr. J,,lin Kinisey died (.11 .\oveniher m. n,i 1. and was .survived l.y lu.-^ widnw. wh.. slill lives at Toledn. To them uere hiirii six children. iianiel\ : I .( ila .\1.. the wife of Dr. llrou-htoii, of Waterloo; Jessie .\lniira. who died at ilu- .ige of seventeen years; I'.irdie K., thi- wife of Ora (). P.rown. of Toledo; Reuben Thomas, of Toledo; Ro.se Kllen. the wife of -\. T. Honneau. and |ohn h'orsvthe. of Toledo. GEORGE E. HARiMES. Among the substantial men whose labor and influence have given impetus to the general material iniproxement of DeKalb county in years gone b)- and who toda}- occupies no insignificant place in the esteem of the community in which he resides is the worthy gentleman whose name forms the introduction of this sketch. He has been content to spend his life in his native locality, wisely deciding that this favored section (jf the great Hoosier state was as well if not better suited for the pursuit of agriculture than any other. (ieorge 1*1 Harmes was horn in DeKalh eouiux. Indiana, on .\pril _'3. i8()(). the son of Henrv ;md Maria (Young) Harmes. Henry Harmes was born in Hano\er, (lermanx. December 30. i82_', the son of Frederick and Mary Harmes, who emigrated to the I'nited States in 1S30. Henry Harmes wa> married on September 19. 1S30. to Maria ^■oung, who was born in Huron couiitv, Ohio, and the same year the\ iiio\ed to DeKalb county. The\- became the parents of seven children, of whom oiil\ two are now living. Mrs. L'lara J. I'.rumback and the subject of this sketch. The mother of these children died on December u, iSfiS, and