USA > Indiana > Marshall County > A twentieth century history of Marshall County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 19
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
office during the administration of W. M. Kendall. After his marriage he located on a farm in Polk township, but eighteen years afterward he left the farm and returned to Plymouth.
Mr. Yockey married, in 1877, Julia Morgan, a daughter of F. P. Morgan. Mrs. Yockey is one of the leading music teachers of Marshall county. He is a member of the blue lodge and chapter of the Masonic order, also of the Eastern Star, and has attained high rank in the Knights of Pythias fraternity, having for six years served as a representative to the Grand Lodge. He holds membership relations with the Reformed church. During his residence of forty-one years in Marshall county, Mr. Yockey has prominently identified himself with its business, political and social interests, and has won high rank among its citizens.
SAMUEL J. HAYES, a prominent attorney of Bremen, has practiced at the bar of Marshall county since 1876, covering a period of thirty-one years, and is now one of the county's oldest practicing attorneys. He was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, January 19, 1850, a son of Aaron L. Hayes, whose father, Samuel Hayes, was born in the Old Dominion state of Virginia, but was numbered among the early pioneers of Montgomery county, Indiana, whither he removed when his son Aaron was but a lad. He traced his descent to the mother country of England, and was identified with the cabinet maker's trade. Aaron L. Hayes claimed Ohio as the commonwealth of his nativity, but he attained to years of maturity in Montgomery county, Indiana, and became one of the early Methodist Episcopal ministers of northern Indiana, an efficient and earnest laborer in the cause of Christianity. He married Mary A. White, whose father, Joseph White, also preached the gospel throughout northern Indiana in an early day as a Methodist Episcopal minister. He was successful in the work to which he dedicated his life, and his name also became well known as one of the founders of Asbury University, now known as DePauw. He was born in Pennsylvania, but Ohio was the birthplace of his daughter Mary, and her death occurred at the age of sixty-three years, leaving six children: Elizabeth, the wife of B. R. Cole; Samuel J., the subject of this review; Thomas B., engaged in business at Rankin, Indiana; Rosa, the wife of Judge Charles Essick, of Colorado; Jennie, the wife of W. W. Rose, of Champaign, Illinois ; and Cora M., the wife of Perry E. Young, of Bremen.
During his early life Samuel J. Hayes accompanied his father on his various removals as a Methodist minister, having been but six years of age when he left his native county of Montgomery for Brooks, Indiana, there attending school for one year, and going thence to Rensselaer. He was a student of the public schools of Indiana, spent one year in Hebron, this state, one year at West Lebanon, Warren county, Indiana, and his father then being transferred to the Lafayette circuit, he resided in that city for two years, and from 1862 to 1865 the family resided in Sumption Prairie. When he was fifteen years of age his father pur- chased a farm at North Liberty, but was later transferred to the Illinois Conference and preached for one year at Loda. He was then obliged to leave the ministry on account of failing health, having been for many years a most efficient laborer in the cause of Christianity throughout
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northern Indiana, and his efforts were abundantly blessed. While residing at Loda, Samuel J. Hayes became a student in its high school and later a graduate, and for two years he was also a student in the Illinois State University at Champaign. With his educational training completed he entered the business world, spending one year as a merchant at Gibson City and going thence to Rankin, Illinois, was in the same business there until 1874. He then disposed of his interests there to enter the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and graduated in the law department with the class of 1876. He practiced for a short time in Michigan and then came to Bremen, where he has been identified with the bar of Marshall county for a period of thirty-one years and has achieved prominence in the records of jurisprudence in northern Indiana. During all these years he has been prominently connected with all movements for the upbuilding of his community, and has become a large property owner in and around Bremen, owning a farm in Polk township, Marshall county, and one near Bremen, which he has highly developed and improved, having been the owner of this estate for eighteen years. He also has several houses in Bremen and has dealt extensively in real estate throughout Marshall county.
Mr. Hayes married, in 1876, Anna E. Clark, a daughter of Charles Clark, of Buchanan, Michigan, and they have four sons and two daugh- ters: Clark L., Dallas A., May E., Zeta L., Harold C. and Robert C. The eldest son, Clark L., a graduate of Purdue University, holds a responsible position in Chicago, and had charge of the machines which tabulated the census of 1900 at Washington, D. C. He was located at Washington for six years. Dallas is a graduate of law at Ann Arbor and is now in partnership with his father. Mary E. attended St. Mary's Academy of South Bend and is now at home. Zeta L., who also attended St. Mary's, taught one year in the high school of Bremen and is now with the Santa Fe Railroad Company in Chicago. Harold C., attending Purdue University for the last two years, is now a civil engineer, and Robert C. is a student in the high school of Bremen. Mrs. Hayes is also a graduate of the St. Mary's Academy of South Bend, a member of the class of 1872.
Throughout his mature years Mr. Hayes has been an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, serving as its representative in the office of city attorney most of the time since he came to Bremen, was for six years a member of the school board, for two years was the prose- cuting attorney of the Forty-first district, to which office he was elected by the opposing party, is attorney for the Bremen bank, has served as attorney for all the township trustee and advisory boards, and has taken an active part in all movements pertaining to the good of his community. To him belongs the credit of drawing up the first document which pro- hibited the running of cows at large through the streets of Bremen. His fraternal relations connect him with the Masonic order of Bremen, of which he is a past master, and with his wife he affiliates with the Eastern Star.
CHARLES JOHNSON. The growth and development of county, state and nation have resulted not from the efforts of a few but from the com-
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bined labors of many, and the citizen who is loyal to the best interests of his home locality contributes to the sum total of national prosperity and advancement. Charles Johnson, well known in West township as a practical, progressive and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser, is also classed with those citizens who uphold the political and legal status of any community and give their influence on the side of improvement and progress. He was born in Sweden, January 5, 1851. His father, a farmer of that country, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jonson, likewise a native of Sweden. Both were reared and educated in the land of their birth and for many years the father followed farming there in order to provide for the support of his family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, all of whom were born in Sweden.
Charles Johnson, the youngest of the family, continued a resident of his native country to the age of twenty years. He is indebted to its public school system for the educational privileges he enjoyed, while in the home he received training in farm work that made him familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. The favorable reports which reached him concerning the opportunities of the new world led to his determination to come to America, and leaving home at the age of twenty years, he sailed for the United States, landing at New York in 1872. Soon afterward he entered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company, working at his trade of a mason. He was thus employed for about sixteen years. Although he had come to the United States with no capital he possessed a resolute spirit and laudable ambition and in course of time saved the money which enabled him to buy a farm. Coming to Marshall county in 1887, he purchased forty acres of land in Polk township. He cleared part of this but finally sold the place and purchased his present farm of sixty acres. His pos- sessions at this writing, in 1908, comprise one hundred acres of rich and productive land in West and Polk townships. His labors have brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and he annually gathers golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
On the 22d of March, 1887, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Alma Johnson, who was born in Sweden and was brought to America by her parents when only a young girl. She is a daughter of Andrew and Sophia Johnson, early settlers of West township, who became identi- fied with its farming interests in pioneer days. Her father secured a tract of land, which he cleared and cultivated. His farm comprised eighty acres and his labors brought the fields into a state of rich fertility, so that large crops were annually gathered. Mrs. Charles Johnson, their only child, was reared upon the home farm in West township and pursued her education in the district schools. By her marriage she has become the mother of seven sons-Edwin, Martin, Milton, Luther and Floyd, twins, Willard and Albian. All were born in Donaldson.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Charles Johnson has given his unfaltering allegiance to the Republican party, and though the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church and his life is in harmony with his
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professions. His is a creditahle record in that he has attained a com- fortable competence since arriving in America empty-handed. Moreover, the business methods that he has pursued have ever been straightforward and honorable, winning him the confidence and trust of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
JOHN WEISSERT. Germany has furnished to the United States many of her truest and most progressive citizens, and among those who left their home land there to further their interests in the United States were Gottfried and Magdaline (Bentz) Weissert, who were born in Wurtem- berg, Germany. There they were also married and gave birth to their two oldest children-August and Wilhelmina. The son is now a well known resident of Bourbon township, Marshall county, Indiana, and the daughter is the wife of D. A. Ross, of Center township, this county. With his little family of wife and two children Gottlieb Weissert sailed for America in 1853 and located in Marion county, Ohio, where they lived for five years, and after a residence of three years in Morrow county, that state, they came in 1862 to Marshall county, Indiana, and located where their son now resides in Center township. In his native land of Germany, Mr. Weissert was a nailsmith, making nails by hand, but after coming to the United States he became a farmer, and he died at his home in Center township January 18, 1890, aged seventy-four years. He survived his wife for fourteen years, her death occurring January 1, 1876, at the age of sixty years. They were members of the Lutheran church.
John Weissert was the only child born to his parents in this country, his birth occurring August 5, 1857, during the residence of his parents in Marion county, Ohio, and he has lived in Marshall county since he was five years old, covering a period of over forty-five years-years devoted to the pursuit of agriculture. In 1890 he married Celestia Armen- trout, nee Petcher, and their only living child is a daughter, Clara Edith, twelve years of age. In 1904 Mr. Weissert was chosen by the Democratic party as the assessor of Center township, continuing in the office for three years, and previous to his election he had served the office as its deputy. He is a member of the German Baptist or Brethren church.
F. M. SELTENRIGHT, a prominent farmer and the assessor of North township, was born in Miami county, Indiana, November 8, 1852. His father, William Seltenright, was born in Ohio, but came to Indiana during an early period in its history and worked at his trade of black- smithing until he purchased a farm in section 34, North township. There he lived and labored until 1881, then moved to Plymouth and lived there thirty-seven years, and moved back again on the farm, his death occur- ring at the age of sixty-three years. His wife, nee Rebecca Hann, claimed Maryland as the commonwealth of her nativity, and her death occurred on the old homestead farm in North township when she had attained the age of seventy-five years. She bore her husband four chil- dren, two sons and two daughters, namely: F. M., the subject of this review; Mary Ellen, the wife of Albert Ferguson, of West township,
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Marshall county ; Ann Eliza, the wife of Dr. J. J. Hamilton, of Caldwell, Idaho; and Charles William, also of North township.
F. M. Seltenright was not yet one year old when his parents estab- lished their home in North township, and he remained at home with his parents until his marriage, first wedding, in November, 1875, Rebecca Ellen Radebaugh, who became the mother of four daughters, two of whom died when young and one at the age of twelve years, the only one living being Nellie, at home. On the 19th of November, 1885, Mr. Seltenright married Clara A. Long, who was born in Hancock county, Ohio, but her father, George J. Long, was a native of Germany. Five children have been born of this union-George E., Effie B., William O., Jennie M. and Clifton F. The family resides on a fine estate in North township, consisting of two hundred and twenty-five acres, and there Mr. Seltenright is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He takes an active part in the public affairs of his community, voting with the Democratic party, and in 1904 he was elected to the office of township assessor. His fraternal relations are with the Woodmen of the World.
L G. DITTY. The Ditty family trace their ancestry to the Keystone state of Pennsylvania, from whence came Martin Ditty, the father of L. G., to Crawford county, Ohio, to become identified with its agricul- tural interests. In Bucyrus of that county, L. G. Ditty was born on the 23d of August, 1864, and when he was but a babe of two years of age his mother died, and at the early age of seven years he was left an orphan by the death of his father. He remained with his sister until eleven years old or until her death, and during the following four years he was a member of the home of another sister. He was about four- teen years of age when he began the battle of life for himself, first work- ing by the month and day, and his first contract was to clear eleven acres of land in German township, Marshall county. He was to receive eleven dollars an acre for the work, which was completed during the summer of 1881, and at that time he was but a lad of seventeen years. During this time he worked on his contract during the summer months and was employed in a saw mill during the winters. After his marriage he farmed for about six years in German township, and at the close of the period became an employe of D. C. Smith in an implement store in Bremen. In the spring of 1894 he embarked in that business for him- self, and his large stock now includes implements, heavy machinery, buggies, wagons, etc., and he also owns his own business house as well as other property in the city. Mr. Ditty started out in life a poor boy at ten years of age, but he has steadily and persistently climbed the ladder of success, gaining at each round prestige and the public confidence, and his life history is a splendid example of what may be accomplished through determined purpose and laudable ambition.
In 1884 he wedded Sarah Ellis, who died six years after their mar- riage, leaving two children, Clara M. and Florence R. Three years after the death of his first wife he married Anna M. Hahn, a daughter of Michael and Margaret Hahn, and she was a popular and successful teacher of Marshall county. They have two living children, Roland R. and Blanch M., and a son died at the age of three months. Mr. Ditty
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gives his political support to the Democratic party, in which he has been an active and influential local worker, and he is also prominent in the public life of his community. During five seasons he served as the sec- retary of the Fair Association, and he has also held the office of record keeper for the Knights of Pythias fraternity, Bremen. His fraternal relations also connect him with the M. W. of A., also at Bremen, of which he is banker of his local lodge, Camp No. 4404, and he is a mem- ber and the secretary of the Quarterly Conference of the Grace United Brethren church. Mrs. Ditty is also a member of the same church.
FRED C. MORLOCK deserves mention among the wide-awake and pro- gressive farmers and stock-raisers of this township. He was born within its borders November 18, 1877, and in the conduct of his business affairs has demonstrated his right to be classed with those who are pro- moting the agricultural development and interests of this portion of the state. His father, George Adam Morlock, now deceased, was a resident farmer of West township for many years. A native of Germany, he was reared in that country, but at the age of twenty-five years, attracted by the favorable reports which he heard concerning America and its opportunities, he sailed for the new world and located in Ohio. Grad- ually he made his way westward to Marshall county, where he arrived in 1853, settling in West township. Here he purchased a tract of land of about forty acres, mostly covered by heavy timber. He cleared the greater part of this, cutting down the trees, burning the brush and grub- bing up the stumps. The land was thus prepared for the plow and in due course of time brought forth rich harvests as a reward for the care and labor bestowed upon it. He added all the modern improvements, purchasing the latest improved machinery that was placed upon the market as invention perfected the farm implements and rendered the toil of the agriculturist less arduous and confining. As the years passed and he prospered in his undertakings, he added to his possessions from time to time until his landed holdings embraced six hundreds acres, of which he cleared about three hundred acres. He thus took an active and help- ful part in the development of the county and was a well-known repre- sentative of agricultural life here.
George A. Morlock was married in Ohio to Miss Elizabeth Zechiel. who was born in the Buckeye state and there spent the days of her girl- hood, being reared upon a farm. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Morlock were born seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom the subject of 'this review is the youngest. The others are John, Mrs. Caroline Kyser, Daniel, George, Mrs. Rose Shively and Joseph. After coming to this county the father continued to reside upon the old homestead property until the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy- two years of age. He was a lifelong Democrat, interested in the success and growth of his party, and to various movements and measures for the public good he gave earnest, loyal and efficient support. In early life his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church, but in later years he identified himself with the German Baptist church.
Fred Morlock was reared upon the old farm homestead, and fol- lowing his father's demise inherited this property and one hundred and
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seventeen acres of land. In his boyhood days he was sent to the district schools, wherein he mastered the branches of learning that usually con- stitute the public-school curriculum. In the periods of vacation he worked in the fields and thus early gained practical and valuable experi- ence concerning the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In all of his farm work he has been practical as well as enterpris- ing and progressive, and his place indicates his careful supervision and wisely directed labor. He raises the crops best adapted to soil and cli- mate and also keeps good grades of stock upon his farm.
On the 8th of October, 1896, Mr. Morlock was married to Miss Margaret Kebert, who was born in Polk township, this county, and is a daughter of Daniel and Augusta Kebert, early settlers of Polk township, who became connected with the pioneer development when the inhab- itants of this region were very few. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Morlock has been born a daughter, Goldie, whose birth occurred on the old home- stead and who is now the light and life of the household. Mr. Morlock has always voted the Democratic ticket since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is a young man of enterprising and deter- mined spirit and of laudable ambition and is rapidly forging his way to the front in agricultural circles, being already recognized as one of the progressive farmers of West township.
EDWIN J. BRADLEY, proprietor of the Bradley Hotel, Culver, Mar- shall county, is a native of Woodstock, Canada, born on the 8th of Feb- ruary, 1878, son of Daniel A. and Margaret J. ( McNutt) Bradley, both of whom were born and reared in the Dominion, and are at present resi- dents of Culver. In 1889, when eleven years of age, Edwin J. came with his parents to the town named, receiving his education in its public schools and at the Culver Military Academy. Thereafter he spent a year in railroad work, and passed some time in the west. His marriage occurred September 28, 1901, to Lucinda M. Baker, a daughter of J. J. S. and Almina (Taylor) Baker, and their child, Milford D., is now four years of age. Mr. Bradley was in business with his father for two and a half years, after which he assumed the independent hotel venture, in which he has been so successful. His house contains thirteen rooms, is well arranged, modern in equipment, and an institution of which the town is proud. Mr. Bradley and son are erecting an annex to their hotel, dimensions being twenty-eight by one hundred feet, for the pur- pose of placing therein one of the most approved bowling alleys found in the state, at a cost of $3,000. They are gentlemen of much business ability, and the excellent location of their property, within a short dis- tance from the Pennsylvania depot and the banks of the beautiful Maxin- kuckee lake, will make their resort one of the most popular in the vicinity of the lake. Their guests will find these gentlemen and the attaches of the hotel most courteous at all times. Besides the hotel, they keep in stock the best brands of cigars, tobaccos, candies, fruits, ice cream and all soft drinks. We bespeak for them signal success in their business.
He is a member of the Masonic order, in good standing, being iden- tified with the blue lodge, and is an earnest Republican who votes accord- ing to the personal fitness of the candidate, but has never aspired to office
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himself. Whether as a business man or a citizen, in his civic relations to the community, he enjoys the highest reputation for integrity, relia- bility and broad intelligence.
Daniel A. Bradley, the father, is a native of Ontario, of a locality east of Toronto, Canada, where he was born on the 5th of February, 1851. The paternal grandfather, Oliver H. Bradley, was also born, educated and married in Ontario, spending there, in fact, his entire life. The great-grandfather of Edwin J., William Bradley, was born on the Susquehanna river during the Revolutionary war, and when a young man emigrated from Pennsylvania to Canada, and continued his avoca- tion of farming. The mother of Daniel A. Bradley (Martha Rumsbey ) was born in England, and when but a child started for America with her parents. Her father was buried at sea, her mother passing away at Ontario.
Daniel A. Bradley is one of a family of thirteen children, all of whom reached maturity and all are still living. He remained upon the paternal farm until he was seventeen years of age, and then removed to New Castle, Canada, where he resided two years, after which he spent a period of five years on a farm five miles north of Woodstock. Several more years were passed in this vicinity, following which he went to South Dakota, took and proved up a homestead of 160 acres, and resided thereon for nearly ten years. He then rented a farm, which he finally sold, and in 1889 packed his household effects in wagons, and drove overland to Culver, Indiana, his journey consuming five weeks and four days. At this place he purchased a place formerly owned by Celia Van Schoiack, and for two years conducted a hotel opposite the location now occupied by his son in the same line of business. He still owns a fine residence on Toner avenue, east of Vandalia park, where he main- tains a residence. Mr. Bradley has been a respected resident of Culver for nineteen years, and a firm Republican since he obtained the right of franchise. He has been an active member of the Masonic order for twenty-five years, and now holds the position of treasurer of the Henry H. Culver Lodge, No. 617. He is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in his religious faith is a consistent adherent to the Christian church. While he was a resident of Canada Mr. Brad- ley was a member of the local militia and part of six years served as quartermaster sergeant at the Windsor Camp of Home Guard. June 20, 1872, he was promoted to quartermaster sergeant, at Windsor, Can- ada. He was prior to this at Sarnia, Canada, September 26, 1871, also at London and other points in the Dominion. He received his hon- orable discharge at Woodstock, Canada, June 22, 1874, from Lt .- Col. Hugh Richardson, commanding the Twenty-second Battalion of the Dominion of Canada. Mr. Bradley has many old relics presented him by his grandfather, which are valuable souvenirs, such as the old flint- lock rifle, a hunting knife, his father being a great hunter. These relics are fully a century old. He has taken no interest in military affairs since becoming a citizen of the United States. His wife was formerly Mar- garet J. McNutt, to whom he was married in 1877, and she is a native of Ontario, Canada, daughter of Jeremiah McNutt, also a native of the Dominion. The children are as follows: Ida E., a widow (now Mrs.
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