USA > Indiana > Kosciusko County > A standard history of Kosciusko County, Indiana : an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development. A chronicle of the people with family lineage and memoirs, Volume II > Part 15
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JOHN H. BOWSER, M. D., who graduated in medicine over thirty years ago, found his time and abilities more and more taxed as a com- petent physician and surgeon and was one of the ablest as he was one of the oldest practitioners in Kosciusko County at the time of his death. From the time of his graduation he was located at Syracuse and every one in that part of the county knew and esteemed Doctor Bowser and his fine family.
He was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, May 1, 1860, a son of Philip and Cassandra (Drnekamiller) Bowser. His maternal grand- father, John Druckamiller, came from the vicinity of Philadelphia to Carroll County, Ohio, locating near Carrollton, and later moved to Elkhart County, Indiana. Philip Bowser was born at an old village called Bowsertown, near Dayton, Ohio, in 1829, a son of Daniel Bowser, who came from Providence, Rhode Island, and was a pioneer in Montgomery County, Ohio. Daniel Bowser later did some pioneer work in Elkhart County, Indiana, and constructed a dam near Milford Junction and operated one of the carly mills. Philip and Cassandra Bowser married in Elkhart Connty, and then located on a farm mid- way between New Paris and Milford. In 1872 they moved to Goshen, where the father died in May, 1904. He was a stalwart republican of the old school. In the family were four children, one of whom died in infancy. Those still living are: Dr. John H .; Harley E., born in 1864 and now living at Goshen, Indiana; and Guy, born in 1878, who is a graduate of the Goshen High School and of the University of Michigan, and is now chief chemist with the National Portland Cement Company at Durham, Ontario, Canada.
The early life of Doctor Bowser was spent on a farm. He attended
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common schools and high school, and entering Indiana Medical Col- lege graduated with the degree M. D. in 1885. On the first of June in that year he located at Syracuse, and in this locality he gave his professional services to nearly two generations of people. He was a member of the County and State Medical Societies.
Doctor Bowser married Susie E. Willey. Mrs. Bowser is a gradu- ate of the Goshen High School and before her marriage was a teacher in Colorado. Five children were born to them, three still living: Howard A., born March 9, 1887; Harold J., born December 7, 1893; and Philip H., horn January 30, 1896. These sons are fine specimens of sturdy American manhood and two of them are now serving their country. Howard, the oldest, is a fireman with the Baltimore and Ohio Railway. He married Mabel Wise, daughter of the late Doctor Wise.
The son Harold graduated from the Syracuse High School and spent four and a half years in the Indiana State University. For three years he was a member of the university football team. He enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve Force. took special training course for six months, and is now an ensign in the navy. The son Philip is a graduate of the local high school, studied medicine four years in the State University Medical School, and enlisted in the Medical Reserve for the Navy. He was captain of the State University basketball team in 1918.
Dr. Bowser affiliated with Syracuse Lodge No. 290, Knights of Pythias, and was a member and physician for the local lodge of Eagles. In politics he was a republican. He owned a fine modern home at Syracuse, having built it in 1892. Mr. Bowser died suddenly of angina pectoris on June 17, 1918.
JACOB B. MILLER. Some of the best farms and the most enterpris- ing farmers are found in Jackson Township, among them being Jacob B. Miller, whose place is a half mile east of Sidney, in a community where his people have lived since pioneer times.
In Jackson Township he was born April 28, 1869, son of Samuel P. and Rachel (Heckman) Miller. His father was born in Ohio in 1842 and died in 1914. His mother was also a native of Ohio and is still living. They came to Kosciusko County with their respective parents, married here, and then settled on a farm in Jackson Township. The father was a very active member of the Church of the Brethren, which is an especially strong denomination in Jackson Township. He voted the republican ticket. Of the eight children, five are still living : Albert, a farmer in Jackson Township ; Jacob B .; Calvin C., of Cheru- busco, Indiana; Reason A., of Pierceton; and Elliott, a farmer in Jackson Township.
Jacob B. Miller grew up on the home farm and was educated in the public schools at Sidney. He was at home with his parents until twenty-one, and after that for twenty years farmed his uncle's place. On December 16, 1894, he married Miss Ollie Idle. Mrs. Miller was born in Monroe Township of this county June 13, 1871, daughter of
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Marion and Huldah Idle. When she was three years old her mother died, and she lived in the home of her grandparents until her father married again. Her father was a soldier of the Union Army, was a very popular republican, filled the office of assessor of Monroe Town- ship, and for a number of years taught the public schools. Mrs. Miller was well educated and was also a teacher before her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been farmers for many years. In 1910 they went West and proved up 160 acres of government land, then sold it and returned to this county. Mr. Miller has eighty acres, highly cultivated and improved, and is handling some well graded stock. He and his wife are members of the Brethren Church at Sid- ney, and in politics he has always supported the men and measures in the republican party.
HARLO W. CASE. As the nation grows older and more and more honor is paid to men who offered their lives as sacrifices to the preser- vation of the Union in the dark days of the '60s. One of these veterans still living in Kosciusko County is Harlo W. Case, whose life since the war has heen one of peaceful industry as a farmer in Indiana, and who is now enjoying a well earned retirement at his home in Syra- cuse.
Mr Case was born in Warren County, Pennsylvania, at the town of Pine Grove, May 30, 1838. He has therefore attained the dignity of fourscore years. His parents, Rufus W. and Amarilla ( Nichols) Case, were both natives of New York State and were married at West- field, from which locality they removed to Pennsylvania. Harlo W. Case was reared in Pennsylvania, in Lucas County, Ohio, and also lived in Michigan at Macomb and in Monroe County. In early man- hood he returned to Toledo, Ohio, and from that city enlisted in Com- pany G of the Fourteenth Ohio Infantry. This was a ninety days regiment and at the conclusion of his term of enlistment he re- enlisted for three years in Company F of the Fourteenth Ohio In- fantry. Even that service was not sufficient to satisfy his ardor for his country, and he finally veteranized for another period of three years or to the end of the war. During the Atlanta campaign he was wounded with gunshot, and his last days in the armory were spent in hospital. He was granted his honorable discharge on account of disability February 16, 1865.
With the close of the war Mr. Case returned to Monroe County, Michigan, and on February 9, 1870, married Josephine Morss. She became the mother of eight children, seven of whom are still living : Charles, Eva, Nora, Ellery, Mary, Arthur, and James. The mother of these children died while the family were living in White County, Indiana. For his second wife Mr. Case married Mary J. White, who died two years later. He then married Sarah A. Weimer, widow of Washington Weimer, who was a minister of the United Brethren church. Mrs. Case had one daughter, Bertha, wife of Frank Crandall.
Mrs. Case is an active member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Case has long been an honored member of the Grand Army Post at
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Syracuse and for sixteen years was its adjutant. During his resi- dence in Lucas County, Ohio, he served as trustee of his township. Mr. Case because of his long and arduous service in the war has a medal from the State of Ohio as an appropriate memorial for his sacrifices. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Case owns a fine farm of a 144 acres in Turkey Creek Township of this county but for a number of years has enjoyed the comforts of a good home in the Town of Syracuse. His farm is known as the Lake View Stock Farm.
CHARLES H. ROOKSTOOL and his son are owners and managers of one of the notable stock farms of Kosciusko County. This farm is in Van Buren Township, on rural route No. 2 out of Syracuse. It is the home of some of the finest Holstein-Friesian stock found in North- ern Indiana. Mr. Rookstool has been breeding Holstein cattle for a number of years, and some of his animals have received the highest marks and credits from competent judges. Both he and his son are members of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America.
Mr. Rookstool was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, November 13. 1863, but has spent most of his life in Kosciusko County. This is one of the pioneer families in Northern Indiana. Samuel and Mary Rookstool, grandparents of Charles H., moved from Preble County, Ohio, to Elkhart County, this state, in 1836. Samuel Rookstool was born in Virginia and his wife in Ohio. They were the parents of a large family of children.
William Rookstool, father of Charles H., was born in Preble County, Ohio, August 13, 1835, and was a small infant when his par- ents moved to Elkhart County. He grew up there and in 1869 brought his family to Kosciusko County and settled on a farm in section 2 of Van Buren Township. At first his land had practically no improve- ments. There was a rough house 16x24 feet and very little land was cleared ready for cultivation. He went through the experiences of the real pioneer, and eventually made for himself and his family an ex- cellent property. He owned land in Van Buren Township and also another farm in Elkhart County. He died January 31, 1889. and his widow is still living. On February 5, 1857. William Rookstool married Miss Sophia Grisamer, who was born in Noble County, Indiana, Octo- ber 27, 1837, one of the nine children of Joseph and Anna Grisamer, natives of Pennsylvania. William Rookstool and wife had seven cihl- dren. The first two died in early childhood. The third in age is Charles H .. Rosetta is the deceased wife of Melvin Neff, and Ida M. died after her marriage to Daniel Neff. Della is the wife of R. E. Dewit of Milford, and Ira died in infancy.
Charles H. Rookstool was born in Elkhart County November 13, 1863, and was about six years of age when his parents left Benton Township of that county and moved to Van Buren Township of Kosci- usko County. Here he attended the district schools and lived at home until after his majority.
In October, 1888, Mr. Rookstool married Miss Minerva J. Dewait. She was born on the farm where she now lives and was reared and
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educated in this community. Mr. and Mrs. Rookstool have one child, Iman G., who was born Angust 24, 1889, and is a graduate of the com- mon schools. He married Ethel M. Stiffler on June 16, 1908. She was born in Turkey Creek Township of this county. Iman G. Rook- stool and wife have three living children: Merritt, Everett and Wreathel, while one son, Alva, is deceased.
It was in 1901 that Mr. Rookstool bought his present farm of 200 acres. He paid only $5,600 for land which under his management and with extensive improvements is now conservatively valued ar $20,000. He has developed it as a thoroughly equipped stock farm. His fine barn was erected in 1907, and he extensively remodeled his home in 1908. Mr. Rookstool is a republican, and has received various honors from his party. Mrs. Rookstool is a member of the Church of the Brethren.
JESSE D. CORY is a prosperous farmer whose home is two miles west of Syracuse in Van Buren Township. The Corys are pioneers in Northern Indiana, and the family name has always been associated with honest, sterling worth and good citizenship.
The family was established in Elkhart County in the fall of 1831 by Jeremiah and Dolly Cory, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Kentucky. A son of these parents, A. C. Cory, was then thirteen years of age, having been born in Pickaway County, Ohio, April 19, 1818. A. C. Cory in 1837 bought eighty acres of land in section 1 of Van Buren Township, Kosciusko County. He made the purchase at the general land sale at La Porte. In a clearing made in the woods he erected a log cabin, and his first year's crop was an acre of corn. Most of the meat was supplied by the wild game, principally venison. He was one of the earlier settlers in Van Buren Township, and lived there to see the entire community transformed by the work of civilizing mankind. He had many experiences with wolves and other wild animals, not to speak of the hardships he under- went in clearing and improving his land. He was a republican in politics, served as director of the local schools many years, was a mem- ber of the Baptist Church and at one time a member of the Kosciusko County Pioneer Association. He first married, in 1839, Sally A. Mann, who died in 1845. January 4, 1846, he married Mrs. Matilda (Wood) Gunter. She was born in Ohio October 23, 1820, and her parents, John G. and Anna Wood, were settlers in Van Buren Town- ship in 1840.
The father of Jesse D. Cory was Orange L. Cory, who was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, in 1846, and is now living in Syracuse. He married Selena Evans who was born in Kosciusko County. After their marriage they lived in Elkhart County for several years, but finally moved to Warsaw. Orange Cory served as deputy sheriff of the county. He finally moved to Syracuse, where he is now living. He and his wife had eleven children, seven of whom are still living.
Jesse D. Cory was born in Elkhart County July 15, 1868, but has spent most of his life in Kosciusko County. He was educated in dis-
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trict schools and remained at home until twenty-one. For a number of years he has farmed his present place of eighty-nine acres and is a raiser of the staple crops and of good livestock. He is also a stock- holder in the local bank. Mr. Cory is affiliated with the Eagles Lodge at Syracuse and in politics is a republican.
COLUMBUS DISHER. When Columbus Disher married, he and his wife had practically no capital to begin on, and all they have accumu- lated since then represents a great volume of hard and earnest work. thrifty cooperation, and a strict utilization of all the opportunities that have come their way. Mr. and Mrs. Disher now have a fine farm in section 29 of Turkey Creek Township, and besides their material circumstances they have reared a fine family of young sons.
Mr. Disher was born in Prairie Township of Kosciusko County July 22, 1866, a son of Japeth and Malinda (Boggs) Disher. Both parents died many years ago, leaving their only son an orphan child. He was reared in the home of Robert Towns, and had all his early advantages in the district schools. Later he paid his way through the normal course of the University of Valparaiso, and for twenty years was one of the successful teachers of Kosciusko County.
October 6, 1889, he married Margaret A. Thomas, who was born in Scott Township of this county, February 28. 1871. After their mar- riage Mr. Disher continued teaching school in the winter time and farmed in the summer, and in 1902 he and his wife were able to buy their present farm of 120 acres in sections 28 and 29 of Turkey Creek Township. Mr. Disher does general farming and stock raising, and has a number of good hogs besides other livestock.
The following sons were born to their marriage: DeWitt, born Feb- ruary 11, 1891, is a graduate of the common schools and the high school, married Hattie Kuhn and they reside in Turkey Creek Town- ship. Othello, born October 28, 1892, attended high school and is now with the Oliver Plow Company at South Bend. Ralph, born January 21, 1900, is a graduate of the common schools and attended high school, but is now enlisted in the United States Army and is with the Expeditionary Forces in France. Lloyd and Floyd, twins, were born October 24, 1904. Columbus, the youngest, was born May 1, 1907.
Mr. Disher is a democrat in politics. Mrs. Disher was reared and educated in Scott Township of this county. Her father, Andrew J. Thomas, was born in North Carolina and was brought to Indiana when a boy by his parents. The Thomas family was identified with the early settlement of Kosciusko County. Andrew J. Thomas mar- ried Margaret Beekner, a native of Ohio. After their marriage they lived on a farm in Scott Township, where Mr. Thomas died in 1881. Mrs. Thomas died July 21. 1918. They had nine children, seven of whom are still living: William E., a retired farmer of Scott Town- ship ; Jacob E., a carpenter in Scott Township; Jennie, wife of Frank Binkley, of Bourbon, Indiana; Ida, wife of Charles Yager, of Scott Township; Lewis, principal of the Etna School; Margaret A., Mrs. Disher ; and Charles O., a retired farmer.
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HARLEY R. REGENOS. Five and half miles southwest of Claypool on rural route No. 1 in Seward Township is a farm that has been under one management and in the possession of one family for three successive generations. Its present owner, Harley R. Regenos, is a grandson of the man who cleared the land from the woods and insti- tuted the arts and practices of agriculture. Harley R. Regenos is also a well known auctioneer and is one of the successful men of affairs in the township.
He was born on the farm where he now lives January 23, 1883, and his parents were Jefferson and Mary (Warren) Regenos, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Wabash County, Indiana. The pioneer grandfather was Martin Regenos, who came to Kosciusko County in 1860 and at that time located on the farm where his grand- son now lives. Martin Regenos is remembered as a very excellent type of citizen and was especially devout as a church member and for forty years was class leader of the United Brethren church. His son Jefferson was hardly less active in church affairs, while the grand- son Harley assumes as large a share of church activities as his re- sponsibilities permit.
Harley Regenos spent part of his early life on the old homestead, and some years ago returned to it as owner and manager. He has a place of 100 acres, and it is gaining a wide reputation as the Yellow Creek View Farm, productive not only of all the staple crops of this region but of some very high grade livestock. Mr. Regenos has figured as a crier of publie sales for a number of years and has much special talent in that direction. He is a leader of the republican party in his home community and has been nominated for trustee of Seward Township. He is also at present serving as president of Seward Township Farmers Institute.
November 5, 1904, Mr. Regenos married Miss Minnie Mattix. She was born in Franklin Township of this county. They have four young children : Frankie L., Allen Dale, Orlando Dean and Ilo Eliz- abeth.
JACOB E. DOTY is widely known over Kosciusko and adjoining counties as a successful and general contractor with home and head- quarters at Milford. He has been in the contracting business for a quarter of a century and has developed an organization that lacks nothing in efficiency and equipment for handling the largest as well as the smallest contracts for building and general industrial work.
Mr. Doty was horn on a farm 21% miles east of Milford April 12, 1868, a son of Alonzo and Elizabeth (Rush) Doty, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Pennsylvania. Alonzo Doty grew up in Ohio and had a notable record as a soldier, being in the war with Mexico in the '40s and later serving as first lieutenant in the Civil war. He was wounded in the battle of Shiloh, but after recovering con- tinned until the end of the struggle. He married for his first wife Elizabeth Moore, and they had four children : Elizabeth, wife of Louis Case; Jennie, wife of George Pentry ; Richard L., who lives in Ten- nessee, and William, who died in childhood. For his second wife
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Alonzo Doty married Elizabeth Rush. By that union there were two sons and two daughters, two of whom are still living: Alonzo Ulysses, a farmer and contractor in Van Buren Township of this county ; and Jacob E.
Jacob E. Doty has lived in Milford since he was six years of age. He attended public schools here and at the age of fourteen began learning the stone mason's trade. He served a thorough apprentice- ship in that line, and the large experience gained as a journeyman brought him a complete and detailed knowledge of nearly every branch of the contracting business. He became a contractor at the age of twenty-five, and for a long period of years the business has been conducted as Doty Brothers.
Mr. Doty married Samantha Miller, daughter of D. W. Miller. She was reared in Jackson Township of Elkhart County. They have three daughters: Erma, wife of Charles Troster, of Milford ; Maude, a graduate of high school and of the State University, wife of Frank Clover of Gary, Indiana; and Mary E., a graduate of the Milford High School and the wife of George Keller of Milford. The mother of these children is now deceased. In September, 1917, Mr. Doty married Lilah Seniour. He is affiliated with Kosciusko Lodge No 418, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master In politics he has been active as a republican. has served as town trustee, and for six years was county engineer of Kosciusko County. He has also served as a member of the City Council of Milford a num- ber of years.
ISAAC T. SMITH. The records of early settlement in Kosciusko County contain few earlier dates than the year when Jacob Smith, father of the prosperous and well known farmer of Prairie Township, Isaac T. Smith, arrived here and acquired his first land in Prairie Township. The family has had a long and honorable history in con- nection with agricultural and local affairs since that time, extending over eight decades.
The fine farm home of Isaac T. Smith is five miles northwest of Warsaw. He was born in Prairie Township August 1, 1843, son of Jacob and Jerusha (Thomas) Smith. His father was born in Erie County. Pennsylvania, in 1806 and his mother in Ross County, Ohio. Jacob Smith on starting west walked all the way from Erie, Pennsyl- vania, to Logansport, Indiana. Ile married in that town and lived there for a year, but in 1833 invaded the woods and prairies of Kosci- usko County. He entered a tract of Government land in Prairie Township, and cleared away a place in the midst of the woods for his log cabin home. He was a quiet, unassuming man, always industrious and capable in his work, and gained the high esteem of all the citi- zens of his locality. He acquired 340 acres, and was one of the pros- perous farmers. In politics he was a democrat. Jacob Smith died in August, 1891, and his wife in 1894. Of their eight children the following are named: Hiram Smith, who lived in Plain Township, married Bettie Irwin and died in 1918: Alwilda, widow of Robert
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McBride, living at Leesburg; Mary, wife of William Webster, of Prairie Township ; O. H. P., who died in 1918 ; and Isaac T.
Isaac T. Smith grew up in his native township and had a com- mon school education. He made good use of his educational oppor- tunities, and for fourteen years was a successful teacher. On Novem- ber 26, 1868. he married Mary J. Rose. She was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, November 14, 1848, and lived there until her mar- riage. Mr. Smith has acquired a good farm of 260 acres and for many years has condneted it with a high degree of efficiency and profit.
He and his wife have three children: Edward T., a graduate of the Fort Wayne High School and now lives in Indianapolis; Claude M., a graduate of the common schools and living with his parents: Goldie E., a graduate of the Warsaw High School, wife of Ralph Huffer, living in Prairie Township.
Mr. Smith has always been a democrat in politics. In 1884 he was elected trustee of Prairie Township by a majority of thirty-one, at a time when the township was considered safely republican by a margin of twenty-five. He was reelected by a majority of forty-one in 1880 and 1882. He has always been active in his party and has neglected no opportunities to cooperate with every worthy movement in his locality.
EDWARD H. SMITH. There are comparatively few families that have kept their residence continuously in Kosciusko County for a period of over eighty years. The present generation of such a family is represented by Edward H. Smith. one of the able citizens and good farmers of Prairie Township. Mr. Smith lived five miles northwest of Warsaw, and is now in practically the same locality where this branch of the Smiths established themselves at a time when Kosciusko County was filled with heavy woods, Indians and wild game.
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