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 26
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Mr. Weaver is one of the deacons of the Christian Church in his neighborhood. As a democrat he has filled several offices and while in Bloom Township, Ohio, was township trustee.
SAMUEL GUY, whose country home is known as Springdale Farm, situated two miles northwest of Pierceton on route No. 3, has spent practically all his life in Kosciusko County. He began here with small means, and his own work has contributed to his success until he now has one of the better and larger farms of this section of the county.
He was born in Prairie Township of Kosciusko County, July 11, 1858, son of Robert and Mary (Vanator) Guy. His mother was born in Morrow County, Ohio. His father died January 1, 1866, and after his death the mother married Mr. E. J. Smith. Both are now de- ceased, and her children were by her first marriage, named Harriet and Samuel. Harriet is unmarried and lives with her brother.
Samuel Guy lived on the old homestead in Prairie Township until he was sixteen. when his mother moved to the place he now occupies in Washington Township in 1874. His education was the product of attending the district schools until the age of sixteen and after that he went to work and used his strength in plowing and planting and other- wise helping in the management of the farm. In that way he grew to maturity and his associations with agricultural enterprise in this coun- ty have been continuons for forty years.
On November 24, 1887, he married Miss Ina V. Crum. Mrs. Guy was born in Turkey Creek Township in June, 1869, but at the age of three years her parents died and after that she grew up in Wabash County with her paternal grandmother. She was educated in the public schools until about the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Guy had one child, Roy Martin, who died at the age of fifteen.
Mrs. Guy is one of the prominent members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church at Pierceton. Mr. Guy is affiliated with Pierceton Lodge No. 377, Free and Accepted Masons, and with the Consistory of Scottish Rite at Fort Wayne. Both are active in Pierceton Chapter No. 56 of the Eastern Star, and Mrs. Guy is a past worthy matron of its Chapter and is also past lady commander of the Ladies of the Mac- cabees. In politics Mr. Guy votes as a republican. The farm which has been the scene of his mature activities for so many years and which has amply repaid his efforts and management comprises 140 acres and it fully justifies its name and title as Springdale Farm.
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JOHN W. FAULKNER. One of the enterprising and progressive men who are principally engaged in agricultural pursuits in Kosci- usko County, John W. Faulkner brought to his calling excellent judg- ment and good business methods, and his labors have been crowned with success. He owns a good and well managed farm of 160 acres in Monroe Township, 31% miles sonth of Pierceton on rural route No. 2.
Mr. Faulkner was born in this township September 7, 1850, son of Nelson and Julia A. (King) Faulkner. His father was born in New York State and his mother in Ohio. Nelson Faulkner came to Indiana at the age of twenty-one, and became a resident of Kosciusko County. The King family came to the state in pioneer times and first located at Kendallville, and afterwards moved to Noble County, where they died. Nelson Faulkner and wife had six children, four of whom are still living: Barbara, wife of Mr. Hoagland, of Warsaw; John W .; Louisa, wife of William Klingle; Hannah, wife of William Moun- son ; Rachel, who married John Kegg, and is now deceased; and Isaac N., deceased.
John W. Faulkner spent his early days on the old farm in Monroe Township, was educated in the common schools, and lived at home until his parents moved to Pierceton. On September 2, 1874, he married Miss Alice V. Norris. Mrs. Faulkner was born in Wabash County, Indiana, December 9, 1854, but was brought to Kosciusko County as a child by her parents, who located in Monroe Township. Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner have the following children living: Lilly M., wife of George W. Campbell; Lura O., wife of James R. Winsley ; Lula A .. wife of George W. Winsley; Loyal C., who married Eva M. Headlee and lives on an adjoining farm; and Lyman M., who mar- ried Fannie F. Clover and is a farmer in Monroe Township.
The family are members of the Christian Church and Mr. Faulkner is a republican.
ELSON V. BOWMAN. One of the prosperous farmers of Monroe Township who conducts his extensive operations with method and good judgment is Elson V. Bowman, whose home is 21% miles southeast of Pierceton on rural route No. 2.
Mr. Bowman was born on the farm where he now lives February 22, 1886, son of Thomas and Eliza (Vandergrift) Bowman. His par- ents are still living. Thomas Bowman was born in Stark County, Ohio, November 23, 1844, was reared and educated there. and married on February 23, 1886, Miss Vandergrift, who was born May 14, 1846. In 1872 they came to Kosciusko County, Ohio, and have been among the substantial people of this community for over forty-five years. Thomas Bowman is a veteran of the Union Army, having enlisted in the 25th Ohio Battery and saw active service for three years. He is now a member of the Grand Army Post at Pierceton, Indiana, and in politics is a republican. Thomas Bowman and wife have six children, all still living : O. H. Bowman, of Monroe Township; Grace, wife of J. L. Helwig, of Warsaw; Emily, wife of O. H. Harmon, of Burlington, Colorado; Josephine, wife of C. L. Hass, of Pierceton ; Crete, who is unmarried ; and Elson.
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Elson V. Bowman was educated in the district schools, also at- tended Pierceton High School one year, and the scene of his active labors as a farmer is the place where he was born and reared.
December 18, 1907, Mr. Bowman married Miss Alta Tatman, of LaPorte County. She is a graduate of the Union Mills High School and was a teacher two terms before her marriage. They have two children, Alice, attending the Pierceton public schools and Florence, aged five years. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church and in politics Mr. Bowman is a republican.
ORVIL S. YEAGER. There is no local office for which the qualifi- cations of candidates are more carefully scrutinized than that of town- ship trustee. The citizens of Jefferson Township have congratulated themselves upon the work and efficiency shown by the present incum- bent of that office. Orvil S. Yeager, who has fully deserved the confi- dence of the community and is giving a very careful administration of the affairs entrusted to him.
Mr. Yeager, whose home is 61% miles southwest of Milford. was born in Tippecanoe Township of Kosciusko County, August 27, 1866, son of Andrew and Clarissa (Hull) Yeager. His father was a native of Canada and his mother of Ohio, and they married in Indiana. They lived for several years in Tippecanoe Township and finally settled near Nappanee. Both were members of the Church of God and the father was a deacon. In politics he voted as a republican. They had eleven children, and those now living are Charles, Annis, Ida, Rosa, Orvil and Orlando, twins, Clemma, Eva and Leonard.
Orvil S. Yeager grew up on the homestead and attended the com- mon schools. At the age of twenty-one he started out on his own account and was a farm worker for several years.
December 28, 1889, he married Miss Lizzie Carris, a native of Indiana and reared in Kosciusko County. Mr. and Mrs. Yeager are members of the Evangelical Church and he is one of the church trustees and is very active in Sunday school. His fine home comprises twenty-seven acres in Jefferson Township. In politics he is a re- publican.
DAVID H. LESSIG. There was no more admirable figure in Warsaw business circles than the late David H. Lessig, who passed away, and with his passing left vacant a high position in the community, on February 12, 1913. Those who were only familiar with him during the last twenty or thirty years of his life knew him as a man pros- perous and influential beyond the ordinary. Those whose memory went further back could recall some of the hardships and obstacles which he had to overcome in his advance to success. Along the strict lines of integrity and honor he gained some of the best prizes of life.
A native of Indiana, he was born on a farm near Goshen Septem- ber 4, 1851, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hart) Lessig. When he was a small boy his parents moved to Leesburg in Kosciusko County. There the father engaged in merchandising. David H. Lessig was reared to manhood in the Leesburg locality, educated by private tutors
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and in the public schools of Leesburg, and when only eighteen taught his first term of school. He continued teaching for two years. Early in life he had realized the importance of securing a good education. He never relaxed his studies, his close observations of men, and he was a sound reasoner in everything he undertook.
He was only sixteen years of age when his father died. From that time forward he had to mold his destiny according to his own energies, ambitions and ideals. Many men more fortunate in their early environment might well envy what Mr. Lessig accomplished.
Prior to attaining his majority he came to Warsaw as deputy county clerk under Gen. Reub. Williams. He remained in the Court House for three years. Returning to Leesburg, he took the post of station agent for the Big Four Railroad Company, and also served as bookkeeper for the firm of H. B. Stanley, grain dealers. Gradually he accumulated experience and some limited capital, and with this as a basis engaged in mercantile pursuits on his own account. He also during this period of his life served as trustee of Plain Township for four years, and for a similar length of time as postmaster of Leesburg.
No man in the county was better fitted for public responsibilities. In 1894 he was elected auditor of Kosciusko County, and remained in charge of that office in the Court House at Warsaw for four years. The day following the expiration of his term of office he was elected president of the Lake City Bank, and this was the office with which he was most familiarly identified and which he administered with exceptional ability until his death. He had also assisted in organizing the Leesburg Grain and Milling Company and served as president of that until the close of his life.
For nine years Mr. Lessig was a member of the Board of Education and was its secretary when the fine new high school building was erected in Warsaw. He was one of the organizers of the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce, and continued on its board of directors until he was called away by death.
On March 29, 1877, Mr. Lessig married Miss Fannie Richardson, of Rochester, New York. She died on the first anniversary of their wedding. She left one daughter, Frances R., who married Earl Con- rad and they have a daughter named Mary Louise. On March 9, 1888, Mr. Lessig married Miss Mary Eugenia Killbury, of Hornellsville, New York. Mrs. Lessig still lives at the old home in Warsaw, and is the mother of four children. The oldest, Harriet Louise, is Mrs. Harry Wann. The other three children are Joseph S., Donald H. and Eleanor H.
The early years of Mr. Lessig were fraught with hardships and privations. This fact undoubtedly led to his being ever ready to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself. Of a studious turn of mind, he was also genial, making friends readily, and in- variably retaining these friendships to the end. Few men stood higher in the community because of native ability, energy and unostentatious charity. He was a Royal Arch Mason, a republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
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ANDREW J. HILL. An esteemed and highly respected citizen of Kos- cinsco County and one of its enterprising and progressive farmers, Andrew J. Hill has for many years been intimately associated with the development and promotion of agricultural interests in Seward Township. The esteem in which he is held is well reflected in the fact that he is the present trustee of the township, and this is not the only position for which his fellow citizens have indicated their absolute trust and confidence in his ability to fill.
Mr. Hill was born in Lake Township of this county February 18, 1863, a son of Charles and Mary (Batzner) Hill. His father was born in Pennsylvania July 6, 1809. His mother was born in Germany December 11, 1829, and as a girl of nine years was brought to this country by her parents, who settled in Southeastern Indiana. Mary Batzner was the second wife of Charles Hill, and their five children were: Sarena, who died at the age of fifteen; Andrew J .; Albert, who died at the age of eleven; Danie, who died when twenty-one years old ; and Mary, wife of Clyde MeKnight, of Indianapolis.
Andrew J. Hill grew up in Lake Township, made the most of his advantages in the district schools, and he called his parents' home his own until he was twenty-one. But from the age of nineteen he was making his own way in the world and on June 9, 1888, at the age of twenty-five, he really established himself in life when he married Emma Perry. Mrs. Hill was born in Pleasant Township of Wabash County. After their marriage they moved to the Village of Silver Lake, where he was in business for a time, but in 1892 moved to his farm of 161 acres, and to its improvement and cultivation he has given his closest attention now for over a quarter of a century.
Mr. and Mrs. Hill became the parents of nine children : Dean C., a graduate of the common schools is now serving in the United States Army ; Herbert, also a common school graduate, is still at home but may also be called into the army ; Eunice, wife of David Wood; Icel, wife of Russell Shoemaker; Augustus D., who is a graduate of the high school of Silver Lake and of the Normal English department of North Manchester College; Grace, a high school student ; Priscilla, John and Pauline, who are the younger children and are still to finish their education in the common schools.
Mr. Hill is affiliated with Lake View Lodge No. 165, Knights of Pythias, and with the Loyal Order of Moose. In politics he is a dem- ocrat. Before his election to his present office he served as township assessor and at this writing is democratic nominee for county com- missioner.
WESLEY STACKHOUSE, a native of Kosciusko County, and practi- cally a lifelong resident of Scott Township, has given his capable attention to farming and with such good results that he now enjoys an enviable prosperity and is well able to relieve himself of the heavier responsibilities that formerly engaged him. However, he is still living on his comfortable rural estate in Scott Township.
He was born in that township October 15, 1851, son of John and Hannah Stackhouse. His parents were both natives of England,
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where they were reared and married, and all their children except Wesley were born in England. As a family they came to the United States about 1847 and were pioneers in Kosciusko County. They took an active part in church matters and the father was a republican. Of their children three are still living: Hugh, William and Wesley. Hugh still occupies the old homestead, while William is also a well known farmer of Scott Township.
Mr. Wesley Stackhouse was well educated, partly in district and partly in select schools. He married Miss Celestia Gearhart, who was also born in Scott Township. She was a faithful companion and mother to her children, and her loss was widely lamented. She died in January, 1914. Of her nine children all but one are still living : Ella, James, Ed, Leonard, Lulu, William, Allie, Fred and Hobert.
The family are members of the Christian Church and Mr. Stack- house is one of the trustees. In politics he is a republican. His farm, representing his labor and good management, comprises 180 acres. Mr. Stackhouse has accepted the opportunities afforded by his pros- perity to see much of this country. In 1914 he made an interesting journey to California and saw much of the country that has been so widely celebrated in literature. In the fall of 1917 he toured the East, including the cities of Boston, New York and Washington, and was there at a time when he could observe the National Legislature in session and see much of the life of the capital. On each of these trips he was absent from home about two months.
JAMES E. GUY. The world is now interested as never before in the production of farms both in the aggregate and individually. That Kosciusko County is doing its full share toward swelling the volume of farm products is well known, and one of the men in the vanguard of this work is James E. Guy, whose name and experience are espe- cially associated with the breeding of Hereford cattle. He has prob- ably the best herd of White Faces in the county. His herd leader is Meal Ticket No. 101793, an animal that exemplifies all the splendid qualities of this great beef stock. Mr. Guy has twelve cows and heifers. His farm is in Wayne Township 21/2 miles west of Warsaw, and com- prises 130 acres in his home place, while he owns another eighty acres two miles south.
On the home farm where he now lives Mr. Guy was born May 4, 1870, son of James and Ruhama (Creighton) Guy. His father was a native of Ohio. Both families came to Kosciusko County in early days, and the parents grew to maturity here and married and then settled on the farm where they spent the rest of their lives. Mr. James Guy, Sr., was born in 1819. The mother died fifteen years ago. In politics James Guy, Sr., was a republican. Of the nine chil- dren eight are still living: Henry, a farmer in Wayne Township; Laura, wife of B. F. Foulk, of Warsaw ; Mary, wife of George Heater, of Warsaw; Jennie, wife of George Wolfe; Anna, wife of Lem Cook, of Wayne Township; Ella, wife of Eli Grissom; Electa, wife of J. G. Longfellow, of Wayne Township; and James E.
James E. Guy was reared to manhood on the old farm and attended
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the district schools of Wayne Township. He married Miss Nannie Zimmerman, who died leaving two children, Ralph and Nannie. Both were educated in the common schools. Ralph married Gladys Phil- lips and now lives in Wayne Township, while Nannie is the wife of Ralph Remy and lives on the old farm. Mr. Guy married for his present wife Sarah Miller. They are members of the United Brethren Church at Warsaw and politically he votes as a republican.
JOHN H. HARMON. One of the thriftiest residents of Prairie Township is John H. Harmon, whose home is near Etna Green. In the main work which he chose for his career, agriculture, it is needless to say that Mr. Harmon has been prospered beyond the ordinary. He was reared and has spent most of his life in this county and his works and his influence have brought him an estimable station among his fellow men.
He was horn in Crawford County, Ohio. February 23, 1852, a son of David S. and Susan (Boardner) Harmon. Both his parents were natives of Columbiana County, Ohio. The paternal grand- father was John Harmon, a native of Pennsylvania, from which state he moved to Ohio and finally to Indiana, where he died. He saw some service during the Revolutionary war. The maternal grandfather was John Boardner, also a native of Pennsylvania, who subsequently became an Ohio farmer. David S. Harmon and wife brought their family out to Indiana in 1861, and located on a farm in Kosciusko County. They were active members of the Dunkard Church and in politics he was a republican and gave some good serv- ice as a member of the school board in the early days. His thrift and industry enabled him to accumulate 160 acres of land, which he placed under a state of high improvement. There were eleven chil- dren in the family and six are now living.
The oldest of these, John H. Harmon, while a boy in Ohio, at- tended a German school, and also attended the public schools of Indiana after the family moved to this state. Reared on a farm, he naturally took to the vocation for which his early training fitted him, and for a period of forty years or more has been industriously en- gaged in that line. His present place of eighty acres is situated in Prairie Township, and he has a good home and has practically per- formed all the improvements about his farm by his own hand or under his direct management. He combines crop growing with the raising of good stock.
Mr. Harmon married Sarah Knabenshue. She was born in Vir- ginia, but her parents brought her to Indiana when she was quite young. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Harmon five are living : Isaac is a Kosciusko County farmer; Walter is also a farmer in this county ; Leona is the wife of Mr. Yarmon, an engineer living at Fort Wayne; Gertrude married Mr. Girard, and they live on the Harmon farm; Glenn is a machinist living at Warsaw. In politics Mr. Harmon is a republican and from time to time has interested himself in those movements which bring about the improvement and betterment of his home community.
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HORACE TUCKER. Perhaps to no one of the old pioneers of Kosciusko County is more frequent reference made than to the late Horace Tucker. He was an exemplary citizen, successful in a mate- rial way, and his influence counted for much in the development and progress of the county. The following sketch of his career will serve to supplement other minor notices of him found in this publication.
He was born in Richland County, Ohio, November 8, 1825, son of John and Mary (Warde) Tucker. His grandfather, Ezra Tucker, was a native of New Hampshire and his children consisted of Daniel, John, Ezra, Cyrus, David and Eliza. Ezra Tucker served in the War of 1812. John Tucker, his son, enlisted in the same war but was never called into the field.
John Tucker grew up on a farm in New Hampshire, had the average education of his time in the subscription schools, and made such good use of his advantages that he taught for a time. About 1820 he moved to Richland County, Ohio, walking the entire distance of 800 miles. Northern and Western Ohio were then a total wilder- ness, with as many Indians as white people. John Tucker entered 160 acres of land in Union Township and industriously cleared it away acre by acre, lived in a rude log cabin, and for a time his nearest neighbor was four miles distant. The first season he cleared up a small patch and planted it with potatoes. The following year he returned to New Hampshire, walking as before, and there married Mary Warde. He brought his bride to his Ohio home in a one-horse wagon, and that wagon also contained practically all their movable possessions and goods. The wagon served not only as a vehicle by day, but as a shelter by night against the storms, and the roadside supplied the campfires where they cooked their simple meals. One of the implements which they brought with them on this journey from New Hampshire was a skillet which was handed down in the family and was owned by Horace Tucker. John Tucker and wife spent thirty-three days on this home seeking and honeymoon tour, and the last six miles he had to break the way through the brush and woods. In Richland County they put up with the hardships and trials of most of the pioneers, but were prospered perhaps above the ordinary and in course of time had a good farm and a substantial log house and still later a good frame house.
The children of this pioneer couple were: Horace, Aurelius, who married Isabel Alexander; Sarena, who married Francis Wager; Albert, who became a resident of Mentone, Indiana; Regulus, who married Jane Blue; Livona, who married John Vandermark.
John Tucker and his son Horace Tucker came to Kosciusko County in 1846, for the purpose of inspecting the land in this then compara- tively new community. Satisfied with what he saw, Horace Tucker bought 160 acres in sections 19 and 20 of Franklin Township. His father went back to Ohio leaving Horace to clear away some of the woods and brush, and this accomplished he too walked back to his Ohio home, having 200 miles to make the journey on foot. While in Ohio he continued work on his father's farm, and on January 13, 1848, married Eliza Johnson, daughter of Francis and Anna (Flem-
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ing) Johnson. The Johnson family came originally from Ireland, and William Johnson, grandfather of Mrs. Horace Tucker, on com- ing to the United States shortly after his marriage located in Penn- sylvania, where Mrs. Tucker's father was born. Francis Johnson was a blacksmith and a sickle maker. He spent most of his life in Ohio. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Horace Tucker ont of his generous prosperity was able to give each of his children money or property to the value of $6,000 upon their marriage and leaving home. Their children were: Albert L., born September 19, 1849, elsewhere mentioned in this publication; Rosella, born in De- cember, 1853, who married Jonathan Tinkey ; Hollis C., born in Feb- ruary, 1857, married Nettie Alexander.
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