USA > Indiana > Adams County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 2 > Part 1
USA > Indiana > Wells County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 2 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Gc 977.201 Adlb pt.2 2106485
M. L.
KAI .DEINS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01786 7554
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/biographicalhistawcty02chic
C.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL
RECORD
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Adams and Well's Counties, Indiana. Cas.
CONTAINING PORTRAITS OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES FROM WASHINGTON TO CLEVELAND, WITH ACCOMPANYING BIOGRAPHIES OF EACH; A CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE STATE OF INDIANA; PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF SOME OF THE PROMINENT MEN OF THE STATE; ENGRAVINGS OF PROMINENT CITIZENS IN ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES, WITH PERSONAL HISTORIES OF MANY OF THE LEADING FAMILIES, AND A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND THEIR CITIES AND VILLAGES. Pt. 2.
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO 1587.
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Ile was always a Methodist, and a good Christian man. Mr. Daugherty's grand- father, George Daugherty, was a native of Ireland. Ile and three brothers were kid- napped on the coast of Ireland, brought to America and sold to pay their fare. This was about 1738. George was sold on the sea coast, to a man who lived in Delaware. Ile died there. Nothing is known of the grand- mother Daugherty. His grandfather, Caleb Furby, was an officer in the Revolutionary war, under Washington. Ile was born in Delaware, and died in Monongalia County, Virginia. Ilis maternal grandmother, Sarah (Davis) Furby, was born in Delaware, and died in Franklin County, Ohio. The year 1843 was one of great searcity. The season was a very wet one and very little was raised. Every family was engaged in burning and leeching ashes to make black salts to sell to the merchants in order to get their supplies. Indians were plenty, as well as game of many kinds. Mr. Daugherty was originally a Dem- oerat. At the time of the Pierce campaign, in 1852, he voted for John P. Hale, the Free-soil candidate. After that he voted the Republican ticket until four years ago, when he became a Prohibitionist. He is a member of the Baptist church, and Mrs. Daugherty is a member of the Methodist ehurel.
OSEPH HENRY VOGLEWEDE, dealer in boots and shoes, Decatur, Indiana, is a native of Indiana, born in Washington Township, Adams County, August 19, 1847, a son of Gerhard II. and Mary (Holtzhouse) Voglewede, natives of Hanover, Germany. Ile was reared in his native township, re- maining at home until twenty years of age, when in 1867 he began to learn the shoe- maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of
three years with Adolph Hart, of Decatur. In 1872 he went into business for himself, and in addition to manufacturing to order, keeps a full line of ready-made boots and shoes. From 1875 until 1881 he was in partnership with different parties under various firm names, but for the past six years has been alone. Ile is a good workman, and has a large eustom trade. October 22, 1872, Mr. Voglewede was married in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Decatur, by Father Von Sehwedler, to Miss Mary Meibers. They have six children-Charles, Clara, Clemens, Laurana and Bertha (twins), and Mamie.
ANIEL W. HOFFMAN was born in Preble Township, Adams County, this State, April 30, 1854. He was reared on his father's farm, and remained at home until he reached his majority. llis father then purchased a farm for him, and he went to farming and threshing. Ile first went to Michigan, in 1879, with a steamer, and fol- lowed it until 1883. During that year his arm got caught in the cog-wheel of the en- gine, and it resulted in the amputation of the arm below the elbow joint. When eighteen years of age he had his arm broken by falling from a horse. Mr. Hoffman was a son of Jacob and Margaret (Bieberich) Hoffman. The father was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1828, and came to America with his parents when two years of age. The family settled in Wayne County, Ohio, where he was reared. Ile came to this county when a young man, where he was married, and lived until his death, which occurred in Sep- tember, 1877. Ile is buried at the Lutheran church cemetery. The mother was born in this county in 1831, where she was reared and where she is still living, on the farm where
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she commenced keeping house. In the father's family were seven children, five sons and two daughters. Mr. Hoffman was mar- ried October 1, 1874, to Maria Bley, who was born in Preble Township, May 25, 1857, danghter of Adam and Rosina (Seebert) Bley, who are natives of Saxony, Germany, and where all her brothers and sisters were born, she being the only child born in America. There were ten children in her father's family, five sons and five daughters. Mr. and Mrs. lloffinan have four children-Rosina M., Otto A. J., Bertha A. and Emma Mary E. Mrs. Hoffinan's parents came to America in 1853, and settled upon the farm where they now reside. They celebrated their golden wedding in the fall of 1884, and the children were all present. Three sous were in the late war-Charles, Louis and William. Charles and Louis served three years, and William served one year. Charles died of caneer in Preble Township, May 10, 1886, aged fifty- one years. Louis is living at West Point, Nebraska, where he keeps a furniture store. William is a farmer, living in Missouri.
ICHARD TOWNSEND, proprietor of the Burt llouse at Decatur, is a native of Adams County, Indiana, born at Monmouth, November 6, 1850, a son of Eli and Leocadie (Burt) Townsend. The father was born in Albany County, New York, and was of English and Scotch parentage, and the mother of our subject was a native of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and of English and German ancestry. They were married in January, 1858, and to them were born two children, named Richard and Maggie. The father came to Adams County, Indiana, in 1857, remaining but a short time, when he re- turned to his native county, his father dying
in Rensselaerville, in that county, in August, 1565. Immediately after his death the mother returned with her children to Deea- tur, Adams County, where she has since made her home. She is a daughter of Chester and Lucinda (Vanderlip) Burt. She was brought up principally in Elmira, New York, and there received her education. Richard Townsend, the subject of this sketch, was but an infant when his parents removed to Rens- selaerville, New York, but grew to manhood in Adams County, Indiana, returning to this county with his mother. Ile began working at an early age, being employed in various capacities in his grandfather's hotel, the Burt House, at Decatur, and has worked himself up from the humble position of bootblack to the proprietorship of the hotel. In January, 1860, his grandfather, Chester Burt, died, since which he has been proprietor, and owing to his skillful management, and genial and accommodating manners, it has become a fa- vorite stopping place for the traveling public.
OIIN WAGONER, an enterprising farmer of Monroe Township, residing on seetion 4, was born in Monroe Town- ship, Adams County, Indiana, March 15, 1850, a son of Nicholas Wagoner. Ile grew to manhood on the home farm, receiving his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. He remained at home until his marriage, August 20, 1870, to Miss Sarah J. Hughes. She was born in Darke County, Ohio, June 26, 1849, a daughter of Lorenzo and Selecta (Wentworth) Hughes, who were also natives of Ohio. They came to Adams County, Indiana, in 1863, and settled in Mon- 'roe Township, where they lived till their death. They had a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters. The father was
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formerly a Methodist in his religions views, but afterward joined the United Brethren church. The mother was also a member of the United Brethren church. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wagoner, whose names are as follows-William W., Albert C., Lewis Edward, Benjamin F., David W. and Hosea C. After his marriage Mr. Wagoner settled on the farm where he now resides-a tract of forty acres given him by his father. Ilis land when he first settled on it was heavily covered with timber. He has steadily improved his land and added to it until he now owns a fine farm of 120 aeres, sixty-five acres being under good cultivation. In connection with his general farming Mr. Wagoner is extensively engaged in stock- raising. He has served his township as supervisor for eight years, with eredit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Mrs. Wagoner is a member of the United Brethren church.
- ERHARD II. VOGELWEDE, an early settler of Washington Township, was born in Hanover, Europe, December 6, 1818, son of Herman and Mary E. Vogel- wede. Ile was reared in his native country, and married therein September, 1845, to Mary C. Holtzhouse, born September 8, 1826, in Hanover, and daughter of Barney and Mary C. Iloltzhouse. To them have been born ten children, nine of whom are living- Henry, Mary, Gerhard, John, Anthony, Catherine, Elizabeth, Lonisa and Lney. In 1845 he immigrated to America, and came to Adams County by way of Baltimore, set- tling on his present farin on seetion 8, Wash- ington Township. Ile has always been a very hard-working man, and experienced all the vicissitudes of pioneer life. He owns 195
acres of good land, and as a farmer has been snecessful. Ile is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and is universally respected.
TILL II. FOUGIIT, dealer in hard- ware, cabinet-ware .and tin-ware, Geneva, was born in Mansfield, Rich- land County, Ohio, December 31, 1842. His father, Caspar Fought, was a shoemaker by trade, at which he worked, being in limited eireninstances. His mother, Susanna (Shull) Fought, died when he was six years old. Ilis father then broke up housekeeping, and he and a younger sister lived around among the neighbors. Ilis father married again and lived but a short time afterward. Our sub- jeet worked at whatever he could find to do, and wherever he could find an opportunity to work and attend school. He came to Fort Recovery, Ohio, in the fall of 1860, and served an apprenticeship at the tinner's trade. When the war broke out he enlisted October 28, 1861, and went into rendezvous at Camp Chase, where his company was assigned to the Fortieth Regiment, Ohio Infantry. Upon the organization of his company he was made Corporal. Ile participated in many of the important battles of the war, serving in East- ern Kentucky until the spring of 1863, when they were transferred to the Army of the Cumberland. He was with Sherman in his march to the sea, was in the battles of Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain. He was dis- charged at Pulaski, Tennessee, November 18, 1864. ITe then returned to Ohio and fin- ished his trade, then went to work at Fort Recovery. While in that place he was mar- ried to Fannie Wellingsford, December 31, 1867, who died July 14, 1879. Ile was again married in February, 1882, to Miss Belle Flickinger, of Decatur, Indiana. They
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have one child-Kittie Marie, born at Geneva November 18, 1884. Mr. Fought held the office of postmaster at Geneva, being ap- pointed under President Arthur's adminis- tration. His commission was dated July 25, 1883, and he held the position until removed for offensive partisanship by President Cleve- land, October 1, 1885. He is a member of John P. Porter Post, No. 83, G. A. R., be- ing a charter member, and taking an active part in its organization. Ile has held the office of senior vice-commander and com- mander. At present he is on the depart- ment staff, holding the position of assistant department inspector, and as adjutant of his post. He has been a member of the town- ship board.
ESSE NIBLICK, senior member of the firm of Niblick, Crawford & Sons, of Decatur, is a native of Ohio, born in what is now Carroll County, August 12, 1826, a son of James and Anna (Carter) Nib- lick. Ilis father was a native of Ireland, born January 19, 1803, and brought to America by his parents, and was reared in New York City and Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Ile was a cooper by trade, which he followed until coming to Adams County, In- diana, in November, 1836, when he engaged in farming in Washington Township, near Decatur. In 1869 he removed to Warrens- burg, Missouri, where he died a few weeks afterward at the age of sixty-nine years. Ile was a consistent Christian and at his death a member of the Presbyterian church. In poli- ties he affiliated with the Democratie party, and at different times filled minor offices. The mother of our subjeet was of English ancestry, born in the State of Maryland, and reared in Carroll County, Ohio, where she
was married to Mr. Niblick. She died near Decatur, August 12, 1838. She was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of the eight children born to the parents fonr still survive-Robert, a farmer of Kirkland Township; Jesse, our subjeet; Adaline, wife of James Daily, of Wells County, Indiana; Mary Jane, wife of Sig- mond Openheim, of Bluffton. Jesse Nibliek was but ten years of age when brought by his parents to Adams County, and here he has since lived with the exception of one year which he spent in Fremont, Ohio, attending school, and here he received the rudiments of his education. In his youth he learned the shoemaker's trade, and in 1846 engaged in the boot and shoe business for himself. October 16, 1851, he was married at Deca- tur, to Miss Catherine Closs, who was brought from her native country (Germany) by her parents, John and Catherine (Sougadiffer) Closs, in her girlhood. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Niblick, seven of whom are yet living-William, eashier of the Adams County Bank; John, a member of the firm of Niblick, Crawford & Sons; James K., clerking in a mercantile establishment; Mary; Amelia; Charles, a bookkeeper in the Adams County Bank, and Daniel, attending school at Decatur. Mr. Niblick dealt in boots and shoes until 1866, when he engaged in general merchandising with John Craw- ford, under the firm name of Nibliek & Crawford, which business they have sinee con- tinned, the firm name being changed to Nib- lick, Crawford & Sons, a son of each having been admitted as partners. In 1871 Mr. Niblick, in company with J. D. Nutman, en- gaged in a private banking business in the name of the Adams County Bank, Nibliek & Nutman, bankers. David Studabaker and R. B. Allison afterward became associated with them, when the bank was duly organ-
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ized under the State laws, and Mr. Niblick was elected a director and its first presi- dent. He was succeeded by R. B. Allison as president, Mr. Niblick being elected vice- president. Being one of the organizers and a stockholder in the Eagle Manufacturing Company of Decatur, Mr. Niblick was elected one of its dircetors. Politically Mr. Niblick easts his suffrage with the Democratic party. In 1848 he was elected clerk of Washington Township, and from that year until 1865 he was either elerk or trustee of that township, and sometimes held both offices at the same time. In the fall of 1865 he was elected treasurer of Adams County, and re-elected in 1867, serving in that office four years to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, and sinee 1870 has held the office of village trus- tee or eonneilman. Ile is one of the promi- nent and publie-spirited citizens of Decatur, and is always ready to aid in any enterprise which he deems of benefit to his town or county. Mrs. Niblick and her children, with the exception of William, are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Deeatur.
DAM SYPIIERS, retired farmer, re- OF siding on section 17 of Blue Creek Township, is a native of West Virginia, the date of his birth being January 15, 1822, a son of William and Mary E. ( Kibler) Syphers, natives of Maryland, and of Ger- man descent. They reared a family of six children, of whom only three are now living -Jacob, a resident of lowa; George W., living in Delaware County, Indiana, and Adam, whose name heads this sketch. Ile was reared on the home farm until reaching the age of sixteen years, when he came to Ceylon, Adams County, Indiana, and engaged in mereantile pursuits for a time. lle was
married in Adams County in 1847 to Millie Moore, who was born in Carroll County, Ohio, November 4, 1847, a daughter of Jacob and Abigail Moore. Of the four chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Syphers three are living-Lorinda, Joseph and Mattie. 1 son named Ephraim is deceased. Lorinda mar- ried Bernard Harris, of Michigan, and they are the parents of four children- Zulu, Nero, Gertie and Edward. Joseph is a resident of Hartsburgh, in Putnam County, Ohio. Mat- tie married Samuel Whitman, of Deeatur, Indiana, and has two children named Tracy and Franklin A. Mr. Syphers bad but limi- ited educational advantages in his youth, attending the subscription schools of that early day when his services were not required on the farm. He began life for himself a poor boy, but by persevering industry and economy he has succeeded in life. lle is now the owner of 128 aeres of choice land, located in Blue Creek Township, thirty-two aeres being on section 17, and ninety-six acres on section 18. In polities Mr. Syphers easts his suffrage with the Democratie party. He has held township offices, serving as supervisor and constable. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife, in her religious faith, is a Presbyterian. Their postoffice is Willshire, Ohio.
FILLIAM HARPER, JR., proprietor of the Geneva House, Geneva, Indi- ana, was born in Warren County, Ohio, March 15, 1834, a son of William Harper, a pioneer of Wells County, Indiana. Ile was twelve years old when he accompanied his parents to Wells County, and there grew to manhood, receiving but a limited educa- tion. lle married Lydia C. Watts, who was born September 11, 1833, a danghter of
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Samuel Watts. After his marriage Mr. Har- per engaged in farming until September 16, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Forty- seventh Indiana Infantry, and in January re- enlisted as a veteran and served until October, 1865. Ile participated in the battles of Champion Hill, Vicksburg and Jackson, be- sides many severe skirmishes. After the war he returned to Wells County and re- sumed farming in Nottingham Township, which he continued three years. He then went to Camden, Jay County, where he ran a hotel six years, and from there moved to Geneva and engaged in the dry goods busi- ness two years. Ile then engaged in farming in Randolph County until January, 1886, when he again located in Geneva and took charge of the Geneva House. Mr. Harper is a member of Nelson Trusler Post, No. 60, G. A. R., at Winchester, Randolph County. IJe is a Republican in politics, easting his first vote for John C. Fremont. Ile is at present marshal of the village of Geneva. Ile and his wife are members of the Chris- tian church. They have had ten children --- Palmer W., Ida V. (deceased), Walter F., Warren L., William M., Mary J., Cora A., Amanda, Grace W. and Arthur (twins, the latter deceased).
OUIN P. SCHEER, proprietor of the Geneva saw and planing-mills, was born in Lowden, Seneca County, Ohio, July 7, 1845. Ilis parents, John and Elizabeth (Sel- lers) Seheer, were natives of Baden Baden, Germany, born on the Rhine. They immi- grated to America, with their parents, the mother being an infant and coming in 1809. The father came in 1832. The families set- tled in Seneca County, where his parents were married in 1837, and afterward removed
to Williams County, where they followed farm- ing. The mother died in 1856, aged about forty-seven years. The father died about 1877. They were members of the German Reformed church, and reared a family of five sons and three daughters. When thirteen years of age John P. went to learn the black- smith's trade, at which he worked until June 15, 1862, when he enlisted in the Eighth Ohio, an independent company of Sharpshooters; re-enlisted January 18, 1863, and was after- ward merged into Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-fitth Ohio Infantry, serving until May 3, 1865, and was discharged, the war being closed. He was at Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, and in the Atlanta campaign against Ilood. Upon receiving his discharge, he returned to his home in Ohio, remaining two years. Ile then went to Boise City, Idaho, for his health, remaining one year, then returned and hired out as an engineer in a saw-mill at Fish Lake, Elkhart County, this State. Later he went to the Michigan pineries, and worked at his trade in summer, and in the saw-mill during the winter. In 1873 he came to Bluffton, Wells County, this State, and worked for Jay North & Brother in their lumber yard, and in 1878 removed to Geneva, having full charge of their saw and planing-mill and lumber yard for six years. Ile worked for John North one year, and December 1, 1885, he bought the mill, and has sinee conducted the business himself. Mr. Scheer is a member of John P. Porter Post, No. 83, G. A. R., and is also a member of the Masonic order, having be- come a member of Bluffton Lodge, No. 145, A. F. & A. M., in 1876; is now a member of Decatur Lodge, No. 571; also took the Scot- tish rites, Valley of Fort Wayne. He was married April 10, 1873, to Catherine Myers, born in Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana, October 26, 1838. Her father, John
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Myers, deceased, was an early settler of that county, having located there in 1875, where the mother still resides. The father died there in 181. To this nion have been born three children -- Mary E., born Jannary 10, 1875; Nancy B., born November 6, 1876, and Georgia, born January 24, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Scheer are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, at Geneva. Politi- eally, Mr. Scheer affiliates with the Republican party, and has held several local offices. Ile is also a strong believer in prohibition.
SAAC NELSON, dealer in poultry, is a native of Wabash Township, born April 20, 1845, and is a son of Elias Nelson, deceased, formerly of this county. He was reared in his native township and received a limited edueation. His mother died when he was eight years of age, and he went to live with a consin, with whom he remained four years, then went to live with his brother Edward. He worked for neighboring farmers in the township, and at Celina, just over the line in Ohio. He was a soldier in the late war, being a member of Company II, Seventy- first Ohio Infantry. Ile enlisted November 10, 1861; then veteranized and served until January 6, 1866. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Fort Donelson, the Atlanta campaign under Sherman, Nashville under Thomas, besides several other battles and skirmishes. Hle draws a pension for disease contracted in the army. Ile is a member of John P. Porter Post, G. A. R. After re- ceiving his discharge he returned home to Indiana, and after working at the carpenter's trade one year engaged in farming until the spring of 1872, when he embarked in the grocery trade, and followed that in connection with his farming. In 1886 he erected a
building for a pack-room, to pack butter, eggs and poultry. He still owns a farm in the township. Mr. Nelson was married March 30, 1867, to Ellen Gilbert, born April S, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are members of the United Brethren ehurel.
ERHARD HESSLER, farmer, Washing- ton Township, was born in Hanover, Germany, November 1, 1816, son of Gerhard and Catherine Hessler. Ile was reared to manhood in his native country, and in 1841 immigrated to America, landing in New York City. lle worked two years on the Ohio Canal. In March, 1852, he came to this county and settled on a farm in Wash- ington Township, where he went to work amid the scenes of pioneer life. He was married in April, 1851, to Elizabeth Smith, and to this mion were born six children, five of whom are living-John, Gerhard, Eliza- beth, August and Annie. Mr. Hessler owns 186 aeres of well-cultivated land. Politically he affiliates with the Democratie party, and religiously is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
ALIAS NELSON, deceased, was an early settler of Wabash Township, having located there in 1842 and engaged in farming. Ile came to the county in limited circumstances. He was a native of Kentneky, born in 1795. Ilis father, Charles Nelson, was also a native of Kentucky, and lived there during his life. llis wife, formerly Nelly Crouch, was born in the same State. They had a family of nine children, three daughters and six sons. After the father's death Mrs. Nelson emigrated to Fairfield
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County. Ohio, where she married Edward MeCanley, by whom she had two children, one son and a daughter. She died in Fair- field County about 1526. Elias was reared on a farm, and was married in 1820 to Eliza- beth Coffinan, who was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1802. They had a family of seven children. The mother died in Lieking County in 1830. Mr. Nelson was married again, his second wife being Sarah Coffman, a sister of his former wite. Ile came to Adams County in 1842, as before stated, when the country was entirely new. Deer and wild turkeys were plenty, and their nearest markets were St. Mary's, Celina and Bluffton. By his second marriage Mr. Nel- son had ten children. This wife dying, he married Jane Taylor, and they had one ehild. The father died in 1859, honored and esteemed by all. Ile was a member of the United Brethren church.
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