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 35
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Mr. Menzie married Miss Ethel Smith, daughter of G. J. Smith of Kosciusko County. She was born in Wayne Township and was edu- cated in the common schools. They have three children : Lucile, aged ten; Audra, aged nine; and Morris J., aged seven. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Morris Chapel and Mr. Menzie is one of the official board and has served as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a republican in politics.
GEORGE B. SALMON is one of Kosciusko County's well known eiti- zens who started life without particular advantages and assets and by self denial, thrift and industry gradually accumulated those means which represent financial independence. He is now possessor of a good farm home in Washington Township, a mile south and 11/2 miles west of Pierceton, on rural route No. 3.
Mr. Salmon is a native of Whitley County, Indiana, born near Lar- well July 13, 1866. His parents were Benjamin B. and Susanna (Siek- afoose) Salmon. His father was born near Marietta in Washington County, Ohio, and his mother was a native of the same state. When he was three years old his parents moved to Delaware County, Ohio, where he grew up to the age of twenty-one and then came to Indiana in 1843 and located a mile north of Larwell, where he was one of the
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early settlers. His wife's people had come to Indiana in 1837 and es- tablished their home near Lee's Corners in Cleveland Township of Whitley County, where the maternal grandparents of George B. Sal- mon spent their last years. Benjamin B. Salmon married in Whitley County and was one of the substantial farmers and highly respected citizens of the Larwell community until his death in 1894. He and his wife had three children, Michael dying at the age of six years. Della, who was born iu 1864, became the wife of Rev. C. A. Bellheimer, of Elwood, Indiana.
George B. Salmon had the old farm in Whitley County as the scene of his youth and in that locality he attended the common schools to the age of fourteen. After that he was on his own responsibility and worked at any honorable occupation he could find.
After considerable experience and with a view to a settled future he married on March 1, 1892, Miss Elizabeth Ring, who was born and educated in Whitley County. Mr. Salmon worked for some years in a saw mill. He finally bought the old farm in Whitley County, but in March, 1894, moved to Kosciusko County and acquired a good farm of eighty acres where he and his family now reside. Mr. Salmon has prospered here as a general farmer and stock raiser and is a man who takes an active interest in local welfare. He has served as a member of the township advisory board and politically votes the republican ticket.
Mr. and Mrs. Salmon had three children. The daughter Neva was graduated from the common schools and died about the time she at- tained womanhood. Garth B. is a graduate of the common schools and the local high school, spent one term in Winona and one term in Han- over College, and is still living at home. The youngest is Dorothy, aged sixteen years. All the family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Pierceton and Mr. Salmon is one of its elders.
JOHN L. BOGGS, whose concentrated energies through a long period of years have been directed to farming and who owns one of the good places on route No. 6 out of Warsaw, is a member of one of the very earliest families to establish their homes in the wilderness of what is now Kosciusko County. His father was in fact in this county before it was organized and about the time the boundaries were laid out.
Mr. Boggs' grandparents were Andrew and Susannah (Bowen) Boggs, both of whom were born in Greenbrier County, Virginia. They came to Indiana in 1825, about the time Indianapolis was established as a city, and made their home in Wayne County and from there moved to Henry County, where Susannah Boggs died May 4, 1834. Her husband soon afterward located in Blackford County, where he married a second time. He served as a justice while living in Delaware and Blackford counties and was also associate judge of the latter county. He was a man of affairs and was one of the proprietors of Hartford City, county seat of Blackford County. After a long and useful life he died January 27, 1854.
The father of Mr. John L. Boggs was Andrew Hamilton Boggs, who was born in Jackson County, Ohio, March 7, 1821. He was four years
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old when brought to Indiana and grew to manhood in Wayne, Henry and Blackford counties. The sons of the early settlers had very little opportunity to obtain what would now be called a very liberal educa- tion, since public schools in the modern sense of the term did not then exist in Indiana. But he wisely made use of such advantages as came to him, and developed a good mind, a resourceful energy, and a char- acter that entitled him to the respect of all who knew him. At the age of fourteen he was practically thrown upon his own resources. At that time, in the spring of 1835, he accompanied two of his brothers from Wayne County to LaPorte County, making the entire journey on foot. He and his brothers worked for a time as farm laborers at ten dollars a month. Later he pursued his journey to Peru in the Miami Reserve, but in the fall of 1835 came to Kosciusko County. For a time he made his home with his brother-in-law Joel L. Long, near Leesburg. Then followed years of toil and careful economy in order to realize his ambi- tion to become a farmer, and land owner, and eventually he acquired a generous property in Prairie Township of Kosciusko County, where he lived until his death. He was a democrat in politics and was a mem- ber of the Seventh Adventist Church.
Andrew HI. Boggs married, December 14, 1843, Martha Ann Thomas, daughter of Antepas and Axsa Thomas, also natives of Ten- nessee. The Thomas family were also among the pioneers of Kosciusko County, arriving here in the fall of 1835. Mrs. Andrew H. Boggs died June 3, 1886. She was a member of the Christian Church. They had a large family of children, and those now living are: Axsa, wife of Samuel Anglin, of Wausau; Thomas W., a farmer in Clay Township; John L .; Ellen; Samuel, who lives in Kosciusko County : Jennie. wife of Edward Shinn, of Oklahoma; Harvey D. of Prairie Township.
John L. Boggs was born on his father's farm in Prairie Township January 7, 1855. In that locality he grew to manhood and acquired an education in the district schools and was a worker on the home place to the age of twenty-three.
On October 25, 1880, he married Miss Rosa Norris. Mrs. Boggs was born in Prairie Township and at the age of three years was left an orphan. She found a good home with Mr. Horn in Elkhart County and was given a good common school education. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Boggs rented his father's farm in Prairie Township for seven years, and then bought his present place in Monroe Township, comprising ninety-six acres, devoted to general farming and stock raising.
He and his wife have three children: Andrew H., a graduate of the common schools who lives on his father's farm. married Rubie Fisher. He also owns fifty-three acres of his own. Virginia, the sec- ond child, is the wife of Calvin Smith, owner of a good farm of sixty acres in Clay Township. Mattie is the wife of Walter S. Scott, of Monroe Township. Mr. Boggs has seven grandchildren, five boys and two girls. In politics he is a democrat.
CHARLES W. SMITH is one of the prosperous farm owners and well known citizens of Washington Township and for his success the credit
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is due almost entirely to his individual efforts and his steadfast hon- esty and integrity.
Mr. Smith was born in Richland Township, Holmes County, Ohio, August 13, 1848. He is a son of Peter and Hannah (Patton) Smith. His father was born in Ontario, Canada, and his mother in Pennsyl- vania. Peter Smith grew to maturity in Canada and then moved to New York State, where he married a Miss Springenberger. She died in New York State, the mother of eleven children. Later he moved to Pennsylvania and married Miss Hannah Patton, and they finally brought their family to Holmes County, Ohio, where they spent their last years. Peter Smith was a very successful man in handling his affairs whether farming or business, and owned a large place of 400 acres. He was the father of twenty-six children by his two wives.
Charles W. Smith grew up on a farm in Holmes County, Ohio, and had training afforded by the public schools of his day. When a single man he moved to Indiana and in Allen County he married Miss Clara Bushong. After their marriage they located on a farm in Allen County and he acquired forty acres there. Selling that they moved to Kosciusko County and bought forty acres in Washington Township, and now own a well improved place of eighty acres 11/2 miles southwest of Pierceton, on rural route No. 2. Mr. Smith is a republican in poli- tics, but has never sought any of the honors of public affairs. He is a general farmer and stock raiser, and a man whose reputation is one of the best in his part of the county.
Mr. Smith has been twice married. His first marriage, to Clara Bushong, occurred March 26, 1876. His second marriage, to Allie Zinninger, occurred April 12, 1899.
MILTON I. KOONTZ. One of the names that is well known to the people of Kosciusko County as representing expert agricultural ability and sound citizenship is that of Milton I. Koontz, who grew up in this county and has distinguished himself by his progressive measures and achievements as a farmer of Monroe Township.
Mr. Koontz was born in Jennings County, Indiana, September 27, 1882, a son of William and Hannah (Bowman) Koontz. His parents were married in Ohio and both were born on the same day, month and year. The father died in 1908. From Ohio they moved to Jennings County, Indiana, and in 1887 located in Monroe Township of Kosci- usko County, where they had their home the rest of their lives. Will- iam Koontz was a very well to do farmer, and his efforts enabled him to accumulate a large property of 390 acres. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and in politics a republican. William Koontz and wife have four children: Sadie, wife of Frank Richards, of Whitley County, Indiana; Rilla, widow of Charles Barnhart; Calvin M., of Monroe Township; and Milton.
Milton I. Koontz has lived in Kosciusko County since he was five years old. He was educated in the common schools of Monroe Town- ship and lived at home until his marriage to Miss Elnore Workman. Mrs. Koontz is a native of Kosciusko County and was reared and edu- cated here.
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After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Koontz settled on 160 acres which he bought from his father's estate. He has made a splendid suc- cess both in his fields and in the handling of his livestock. The farm equipment of the Koontz place measures up to the very best found anywhere in the county. The barn is in its main dimensions 40 by 60 feet, with an L 30 by 40 feet. There is a basement under the entire structure and it has capacity for holding an immense amount of stock and farm material. The Koontz home is one that many city people might envy. It contains nine rooms, is furnace heated, and has all the up-to-date conveniences and facilities.
Mr. and Mrs. Koontz are the parents of five children: Leota, Am- men, Esther, Ruth and Marie. Fraternally Mr. Koontz is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and in politics is a republican.
CALVIN M. KOONTZ is one of the substantial element of agricul- turists in Kosciusko County and is said to have one of the best kept farm homes in Monroe Township. This farm is known by the popular name of Woodside Farm and comprises ninety-five well cultivated and managed acres located 51% miles northwest of South Whitley, on rural route No. 3.
Mr. Koontz was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, February 19, 1880, son of William and Hannah Bauman Koontz. Three weeks after his birth his parents moved to Indiana and located in Jennings County and eight years later came to Kosciusko County, where Cal- vin M. Koontz has spent all his subsequent years. He was educated in the common schools and also in Manchester College.
Mr. Koontz has two children, Thelma, aged ten years, and Edith Stafford. The latter is the daughter of his wife by a former mar- riage. Thelma is his first wife's child. In 1914 Mr. Koontz married Mrs. Zelma Idle Stafford, daughter of T. H. Idle.
Mr. Koontz is a very active and prominent member of the Chris- tian Church, being president of the board of trustees and serving as superintendent of the Sunday school now in his eighth year, and for four years was superintendent of the Monroe Township Sunday School Association and is now its vice president. He is affiliated with Springfield Lodge No. 213 of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and is part grand of the lodge and member of the Encamp- ment. He is also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and in politics is a republican. He has been party committeeman, and in many other ways takes an active interest in local affairs.
ABRAHAM PFLEIDERER. A mark of special esteem and confidence has been reposed in Abraham Pfleiderer by his fellow citizens in Monroe Township, who have continuously kept him in the office of township assessor for the past eight years.
Mr. Pfleiderer was born in Liberty Township of Crawford County, Ohio, December 19, 1846, a son of David and Mary (Hackenleble) Pfleiderer. His father was born in Germany December 4, 1822, and was brought to this country by his parents in the fall of 1830, when only eight years old. The Pfleiderers located in Crawford County,
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Ohio, where David Pfleiderer grew to manhood and married Mary Hackenleble, a native of Crawford County. Their children were: Linda Moore, Anna Stafford, Mary Huffman, James B., Clara Sim- mons. Mattie Fridle and Abraham.
Abraham Pfleiderer grew up in Ohio and has been a practical farmer of Monroe Township for many years. He is a member of the Baptist Church and in politics a democrat, has served as supervisor, as township committeeman and was appointed to the office of assessor in 1911. He is now in his second four-year term.
Mr. Pfleiderer married Sarah A. Wert, who was born in Sandusky Township of Crawford County, Ohio, June 16, 1844, daughter of John and Saloma (Shaffer) Wert. Her parents were both natives of Pennsylvania but spent their last years in Crawford County, Ohio. In the Wert family were seven children, three of whom are still living: J. B. Wert, of Carrollton, Ohio; Eliza Roop, now living with Mr. and Mrs. Pfleiderer ; and Sarah A.
Mr. Pfleiderer has twenty grandchildren and four great-grand- children.
WILLIAM E. MERRICK is one of those fortunate men who possess farms and landed interests in Kosciusko County. He has lived in this county all his life, came to manhood with ample experience and training in what has proved his permanent vocation, and gradually from year to year has accumulated a property and the other inter- ests that furnish a solid basis of satisfaction and comfort. His home is in Washington Township, 21/2 miles southwest of Pierceton, on rural route No. 2.
Mr. Merrick was born in Van Buren Township of this county July 13, 1864, son of Henry Edward and Mahala E. (Wright) Mer- rick. The Merricks are a pioneer family in Kosciusko County. His grandfather, Richard H. Merrick, was born in Montgomery County, Maryland, August 10, 1813, and during his early life there followed teaming and blacksmithing. He had a very limited education. In Maryland June 6. 1837, he married Miss Nancy Halbert, who was born in Morgan County, Virginia, daughter of Noah and Susan Hal- bert. In 1848 Richard H. Merrick moved from Maryland to Mont- gomery County, Ohio, and in 1857 came to Kosciusko County. For seven years he worked the farm of William Felkner south of Milford, and afterwards owned and improved eighty acres in Monroe Town- ship. He died November 29, 1884. He was a member and for many years an elder in the Christian Church and his widow belonged to the same denomination. They had three children, Henrietta S., who married O. O. Felkner, Henry Edward, and Mary C., who married Myron Potter.
Henry E. Merrick was born in Maryland and was a small boy when brought to Kosciusko County. He grew up on a farm in Van Buren 'Township, had a common school education supplemented by a course in Hillsdale College in Michigan, aud for a number of years he was a successful teacher. On July 4, 1863, Henry Edward Mer- rick married Mahala Wright, who was born in Kosciusko County
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August 28, 1843, and spent all her life in this county. Mr. Merrick died in 1911 and his wife in November, 1917. He was very active in the affairs of the Christian Church, which he served as an officer, and was a democratic in politics. He and his wife had eight children, two of whom died young. Those still living are: William E .; Charles E., of Monroe Township; Frank M., of Milford; Neil W., of Sonth Bend; Harry E., of Youngstown, Ohio; and Ralph E., of Elkhart County, Indiana.
William E. Merrick lived on a farm in Van Buren Township to the age of sixteen. His early advantages were supplied by the public schools of Milford and Monroe Township, and he also attended the County Normal and the College at Valparaiso. His early work, like that of his father. was as a teacher, and he had nine terms of teaching to his credit in this county.
November 8, 1888, he married Sarah A. Frank. She was born in Wood County, Ohio, August 13. 1874, daughter of Thornton and Catherine (Wiley) Frank. Her father was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1832, and moved to Wood County, Ohio, in 1843. He married there December 20, 1860, Catherine Wiley, who was born in Wood County June 16, 1840, daughter of James M. and Sarah (Wright) Wiley. James M. Wiley was born in 1809. Thorn- ton Frank enlisted in Company E of the One Hundred and Forty- fourth Ohio Infantry for service in the Civil war.
After his marriage William E. Merrick began farming in Monroe Township, and after three years moved across the road from his former place to his present farm in Washington Township. Five chil- dren were born to them. Dongola, born October 4, 1890, is now de- ceased ; Alaroma, born July 10, 1894, is the wife of Frank Green, of Pierceton, and they have one daughter, a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Merrick, named Sarah E. Green, who was born January 1, 1913. Bunola, the third child, was born February 10, 1897, is a graduate and post-graduate of the Pierceton High School, and is now the wife of Walter W. Wiggs. Catherine, next youngest of the family, was born August 5, 1907, and is a student in the common schools, while the youngest, Donnabelle, was born July 31, 1912, and has already begun her schooling. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pierceton and Mr. Merrick has served as church trustee. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and in politics is a democrat.
EDGAR H. HENDERSON has been individually carrying the burdens of agriculture in Kosciusko County for a number of years. Business has prospered under his hand and he has enjoyed many of the good things of life, including a good home and the riches of esteem paid him by his fellow citizens.
Mr. Henderson's home is in Washington Township on rural route No. 2 out of Pierceton. He is a native of Ohio, born in Perry County October 11, 1880, son of George and Almeda (Voorhes) Henderson. His parents were also natives of Perry County, Ohio, were married there and in 1885 brought their family to Wayne Township of Kos-
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ciusko County. They are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Warsaw and the father is a prohibitionist. They have five children: Ruth, wife of J. W. Keefer, of Monmouth, Illinois; Edgar H .; Margaret, wife of Harry Van Meter, of Wayne Town- ship; Edith, a graduate of the Warsaw High School and now a stenographer at Elkhart; and Harold, who married Chloe Thomp- son and who as a United States soldier took part in the Mexican trouble in 1916 and is now with the army cantonment at Hatties- burg, Mississippi.
Edgar H. Henderson was five years old when brought to Kosciusko County. He grew up in this locality, was educated in the district schools and remained at home to the age of twenty. He first married Bertha E. Funk, daughter of S. C. Funk and member of an old and prominent family of this county. Mrs. Henderson died in January, 1912, the mother of four children, Mary, Ward, Edith B. and Fred. Fred is now deceased. Mr. Henderson married for his present wife Edith E. Hawkins. They have two young children, Russell, aged four, and Ralph, aged two. Mr. Henderson is affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Loyal Order of Moose and in politics is a republican. His farm comprises forty-three acres in section 30 of Washington Township.
J. R. HOVER, editor and proprietor of the Pierceton Record, is descended from one of the first pioneer families of Kosciusko County. Four generations of the Hovers have lived in this county. His father and great-grandfather bore the name Peter and they lived a portion of their lives at least in Kosciusko County. They came to the county in 1837, locating in the vicinity of where the Village of Wooster now stands in Washington Township. When the first election was held in that township there were only five voters and grandfather Peter Hover was one of them. The Hovers as a rule have been agri- culturists and in politics their affiliation has been steadily with the republican party since it was organized. The family also furnished charter members to the Presbyterian Church at Warsaw. Peter H. Hover, father of the Pierceton editor, spent his active life as a farmer in this county, and in religion he first was a member of the Baptist Church and later belonged to the United Brethren denomination. He married Lucy Van Ness, a native of Logan County, Ohio. Of their five children three are still living : George A., of Stillwater, Oklahoma ; Ida, wife of H. G. Mickey, of Pierceton ; and J. R. Hover.
J. R. Hover was born at Wooster in Washington Township March 7, 1870, and grew up in agricultural surroundings. He attended the public schools at Wooster, leaving at the age of sixteen. For about twenty years Mr. Hover suffered from rheumatism, almost to the extent of being completely incapacitated for regular work. He has always been a busy man, and in May, 1910, bought the Pierceton Record which he has successfully managed and edited since that date. He is now serving his third consecutive term as town clerk and is a leader in the republican party.
Mr. Hover married Miss Effa L. Yohn, of Pierceton. They are members of the Christian Science Church at Warsaw.
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WILLIAM KIRKENDALL, a prosperous farmer of Washington Town- ship, represents a family that has been identified with Kosciusko County for over eighty years. The good and substantial qualities of the race are exemplified in the career of Mr. William Kirkendall, who began life with practically no means and assets but has promoted him- self until he is now proprietor of one of the excellent farms of the county.
Mr. Kirkendall was born near Milford, Indiana, May 19, 1868, son of Jacob and Christiana (Cook) Kirkendall. Both parents were natives of Ohio and came to Kosciusko County when young people. They married and then settled on a farm near Milford, where the mother died. The only daughter died at the age of twelve years. Her name was Mary. William Kirkendall lost his mother in early infancy, and after that was reared by his grandfather Cook. His grandfather gave him a good home and sent him to school, but at the age of twelve years practically made him manager of the Cook farm. Mr. Kirken- dall remained there with added responsibilities and duties until he was twenty-three years old.
On March 19, 1894, he married Miss Minnie Wilkinson, a native of Noble County, Indiana, but reared in Whitley County. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kirkendall settled near the A-Square School- house on twenty acres of land and gradually added to this until he had a farm of eighty acres. He finally traded that for the 158 acres where he now lives and this home and property represents his substantial achievements.
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Mr. and Mrs. Kirkendall have three children, Fred, Hazel and Blanche, all of whom have received the best advantages of the local schools. Mr. Kirkendall is a democrat in politics.
FLOYD STRIEBY is a present trustee of Turkey Creek Township. In every way he has justified the expectations of his fellow citizens who elected him to that office and it is highly consistent that a member of the Strieby family should be endowed with these responsibilities. The Striebys are a deep rooted stock of Kosciusko County and their names and activities have been a factor in Turkey Creek Township for four- score years.
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