USA > Indiana > Marshall County > A twentieth century history of Marshall County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 29
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Clinton Huff, their eldest son and fourth child, was reared and re- ceived his educational training in Bremen, but his birth occurred in Ger- man township November 29, 1865. During the early part of his business career he assisted his father in the mill, and one year before the latter's death he took entire charge of the business, and has since become well known as a miller and farmer, for he is the owner of the old homestead farm in German township, an estate of one hundred and four acres. This is the first farm east of Bremen. He is also a stockholder and one of the directors of the Union State Bank, and is a member of the town board of Bremen. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party.
November 28, 1889, Mr. Huff was united in marriage with Anna M. Bauer, a daughter of John and Margaret ( Walter ) Baner, and they have two children, Iola and Wilfred. Mr. Huff has spent his entire life within the boundaries of Marshall county with the exception of one year when he was in Coffee county, Tennessee, in the saw-milling business, and his cour- teous and genial manner has won him a host of warm friends.
CEPHUS FIRESTONE, dealer in harness, buggies, etc., at Plymouth, Indiana, has been in business in that city for over twenty-three years, and has the distinction of being the oldest merchant (in point of continuous business years) at that place. He was born in Elkhart county, Indiana, August 26, 1858. His father, Emanuel Firestone, was a native of Colum- biana county, Ohio, and removed to Indiana during the pioneer days, set- ling in Elkhart county. He was of Pennsylvania German stock. Susan ( Harold ) Firestone, mother of our subject, was a native of the same county as that in which ber husband was born. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fire- stone died in 1864, when the subject of this sketch was but six years of age.
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Following the death of his parents, Cephus Firestone was taken to the home of Christian Blough, with whom he lived until he attained the age of fifteen years. He attended the public schools, as the opportunity pre- sented itself, until 1876, when he felt that he had reached an age when he must look toward his own support. He chose harness-making as a profit- able trade and apprenticed himself to a harness-maker at Walkerton, Indi- ana. He served his alloted time in that capacity, and in 1880 removed to Plymouth, where he entered into the employ of his brother, whom he served until 1884, and in that year purchased his brother's interest in the business and has conducted it independently since.
On April 17. 1884, Mr. Firestone was wedded to Miss Eva Wade, daughter of William Wade, of North township, Marshall county, Indiana. Three children have been born to them: Bert E., George W. and Louis, the last named now deceased.
Mr. Firestone is a Democrat, a member of the Masonic order, a Knight Templar, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum. He is well known throughout his community through his long business service, and is accounted a man of honesty and integrity.
M. A. PESCH, proprietor of the city meat market, Plymouth, Indiana, was born in that city August 8, 1878. His father, Peter Pesch, was a native of Germany and died at Plymouth aged forty-nine years. His mother, Elizabeth (Kleiner ) Pesch, also a native of Germany, is still liv- ing, and resides at Plymouth.
Mr. Pesch was educated in the Plymouth public schools and, after finishing his schooling, was employed for eight years by a local dealer in meats. In 1907 Mr. Pesch severed his business connections with his old employer and engaged in the meat business for himself.
Mr. Pesch is a Democrat in politics, and takes an active interest in all that pertains to the public welfare. He has resided in Plymouth since his birth and has many friends in the city and its environs.
FRED H. KUHN, one of the prominent business men of Plymouth, Indiana, was born in Detroit, Michigan, January 6, 1856. His father, Henry Kuhn, was born in Germany, and died in Michigan, aged seventy- three years. His mother, also of German nativity, lived to be seventy-five years of age. There were five children in the family, one daughter and four sons. Of these the subject of this sketch is the eldest.
Mr. Kuhn received his education in the local grammar schools and also attended night school at Detroit and Port Huron. In 1876 he removed from Port Huron to Plymouth and was employed in a meat shop in the latter city. In 1880 he engaged in the meat business on his own account and has conducted the business continuously for the past twenty- seven years. In politics he is a Republican, and takes an active interest in public affairs. He is the present chief of the Plymouth fire department. Mr. Kuhn is interested in fraternal orders, and belongs to the Masonic order, blue lodge and Knights Templar, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, Woodmen, Knights of the Maccabees and other orders.
In 1880 he was married to Miss Bertha Haslanger, and to this union
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three children have been born: Fred H., Jr., Gus R. and B. Irene. Mr. Kuhn erected the building in which he is now conducting his business. He is looked upon by the citizens of Plymouth as one of their most successful and enterprising merchants.
GEORGE P. MORLOCK, a trustee of West township schools, is actively interested in the cause of education and of all progressive movements that have for their object the betterment of conditions in the community. While his worth as a citizen is widely acknowledged he is also numbered among the diligent and energetic farmers and stock-raisers of West township, his place presenting a well kept appearance. He was born November 12, 1861, in Union township, but acquired his education in the schools of West township, while spending his boyhood days in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Adam Morlock. The father, now deceased, was a resident farner 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 con- cerning America and its opportunities, he sailed for the new world and located in New York. Gradually 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 grubbing up the stumps. The land was thus pre- pared 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 ardous 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 hundred acres, of which he cleared about three hundred acres. He thus took an active and helpful part in the development of the county and was a well known representative 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 fourth in order of birth. The others are John, Mrs. Caroline Kyser, Daniel, Mrs. Rose Shively, Joseph and Fred. After coming to this county the father continued to reside upon the old home- stead 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.
When six years ago George P. Morlock accompanied his parents on their removal from Union township, his birthplace, and the home- stead farm was his playground in youth and his training school for life's practical and responsible duties. We was married in West township to
Flera A. Smith, M. D.
Drg. D Somit
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
Miss Hattie Corse, a daughter of James A. Corse, whose family history is given on another page of this volume in connection with the sketch of Fred Corse. Mrs. Morlock was born in West township, March 23, 1860, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children: Cecil completed her common school education and received her diploma in the class of 1903; she is a modiste and located in South Bend. Ferne received her diploma in the class of 1904 and she has been a student at the Valparaiso College and is now one of the successful teachers in West township. Both of the girls have taken instrumental music. Ruth is in the seventh grade; Florence, the joy of the household, and Guy, but the last named is now deceased.
At his father's death Mr. Morlock inherited seventy-three acres of the old homestead, and adding to his possessions, he is now the owner of one hundred and twenty-three acres of rich and productive land, which responds readily to the care and labor he bestows upon the fields. The present improvements are monuments to his thrift and industry and the farm is equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences, including a comfortable residence and ample shelter in his barns and sheds for grain and stock. In addition to cultivating diversified crops he also raises good grades of horses, cattle and hogs, and his farming interests are managed with business-like dispatch and the work is carefully systematized.
Mr. Morlock is interested in community affairs to the extent of giving active and hearty co-operation to many movements which he believes will prove of public benefit. He votes with the Democracy and in 1904 was elected school trustee of West township. He is now making an earnest endeavor to consolidate this school with another, believing that a higher degree of efficiency can be attained in educational work thereby. In community affairs, as in his private business interests, he believes in the continuance of progress and development and always labors with this end in view.
THOMAS D. SMITH, M. D. During the past ten years Dr. Thomas D. Smith has been a member of the medical fraternity of Marshall county, practicing at Bremen, but his professional career covers a period of fifteen years. His alma mater is the well known Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College, graduating with its class of 1892, and during the first year and a half thereafter he was engaged in practice in California, returning thence to Cleveland, Ohio, and continuing on the medical staff of that city for four years. It was at the close of that period, in 1897, that he came to Bremen and enrolled his name among the leading physicians and surgeons of Marshall county.
The birth of Dr. Smith occurred in Hancock county, Ohio, Novem- ber 17, 1864. His father, James P. Smith, was a native of the mother country of England, but during his boyhood days he came with his father, Benjamin Smith, to America and they located in Quebec, Canada, from whence they removed to Wheeling, West Virginia, and from there to Hancock county, Ohio, the birthplace of Dr. Smith. James P. Smith followed the tilling of the soil as a life occupation, and his death occurred in August, 1906, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-three
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years. He had married Christena McGarry, a native daughter of Vir- ginia and a member of a prominent old family of that commonwealth. She was of French and English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had four children who grew to years of maturity, three sons and a daughter, namely: Irwin H., of Marion, Michigan; Anna L. Bunnell, of Mt. Blanchard, Ohio; and Charles C., a physician of Terre Haute, Illinois.
Dr. Thomas D. Smith, the youngest of the children, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, November 17. 1864, and his boyhood days were spent on a farm there, in the meantime attending the district schools of his neighborhood, later the high school at Mt. Blanchard, and for one year was a student at Wooster University of Ohio. With this excellent mental training to serve as the foundation of his life work he entered upon the study of the profession to which he dedicated his life's activi- ties, and Marshall county now numbers him among her most able and competent physicians and surgeons. In the line of his profession he is connected with the National Eclectic Medical Association and the State Medical Association.
Dr. Smith married, in 1892, Flora Williams, who is a graduate of the same medical institution as her husband, and she is now engaged with him in practice. Dr. Smith has membership relations with the. Masonic order, affiliating with its chapter and commandery at Plymouth. and is a member of the Order of Elks of South Bend and of the Wood- men of the World at Bremen.
Dr. Smith took a post-graduate course in New York Post-Graduate College in 1892 and 1893, and during that time he was on the staff of physicians of "The Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital."
Mrs. Dr. Smith was born in Stark county, Ohio, May 27, 1872, and is the only child born to Edward N. and Charlotte (Caldwell) Williams. Her father was a native of New York but reared till man- hood in Maryland. He received a good common school education. He saw service in the quartermaster's department during the Civil war and came to Stark county, Ohio, in 1869 and was married there. Edward Williams traces his lineage to Roger Williams, of historic fame in Rhode Island during the Colonial struggle for liberty. The early progenitors of Mr. Williams saw service in the war of the Revolution, which entitles Mrs. Dr. Smith to be eligible to the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution.
Mr. Williams is an ardent Republican politically and is a Knight Templar, being a member of this order of Masonry for thirty years. He is of the Presbyterian faith, as was also his wife. He resides in Akron, Ohio. The mother of Mrs. Dr. Smith was a native of Stark county, Ohio, born in 1851 and died in 1891. She was educated in the public schools of Ohio. She traced her lineage to the Spanish, English and Irish and in physique and facial expression was a typical Spaniard. Mrs. Dr. Smith's early primary training was begun in the public schools of Ohio. She then was a student in the classical course at Wooster University for one year, then entered the Women's Medical College at Cincinnati for two terms and later the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Col- lege and graduated in the class of 1893. She then associated with her husband in the practice of her profession till the present. She is the
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
only lady who is a practicing physician who holds a diploma in the county of Marshall, Indiana.
CHARLES W. RAMSAY, a prominent farmer and stock raiser in West township, Marshall county, has resided on his present homestead since his return from the front in the Civil war, becoming its owner in the spring of 1865. He was born on the 28th of August, 1837, in the state of New York, his ancestors having been identified with the interests of that commonwealth for many generations, and his grandfather, George R. Ramsay, received a grant of land there in compensation for his serv- ices in the Revolutionary war. George Ramsay, the son of George R. and the father of Charles W. Ramsay, inscribed his name among the honored pioneers of Marshall county, but he, too, was a native of the Empire state, there attaining to mature years and becoming identified with its agricultural interests. He was also well known as a cooper, lumber- man and as a tavern keeper. Ere leaving his native commonwealth of New York he was there married to Maria C. Ladd, who was born and reared there, and in 1841 they made the overland journey with their family to Indiana. Locating in West township, Marshall county, Mr. Ramsay became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres, but he had purchased his land before locating here, and he subsequently added forty acres to the original tract. With the aid of his children he cleared most of the land and placed many substantial and valuable improvements, but he was afterward defrauded out of the forty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Ram- say became the parents of thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters. The husband and father was called from this life in 1850, and the mother in 1881, after many years' residence in Marshall county, during which time they greatly endeared themselves to its residents. He was a mem- ber of the fraternal order of Masons, and was a Whig in his political affiliations.
Charles W. Ramsay was but a little lad at the time of the removal of the family to Marshall county, and in the old-time log schools of West township, he received his educational training and grew to years of maturity on the old home farm, which he assisted to clear and cultivate. On the 20th of June, 1861, he offered his services to his country's cause as a member of Company E, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, his military career covering a period of three years, and during that time he participated in many of the noted battles of the war, including that of Chattanooga. On the 6th of October, in the Wheeler raid near Shelby- ville, he received a gun-shot wound in the left side, and on the 21st of June, 1864, he was mustered out of service at Columbia, Tennessee. Returning thence to his old home in West township he became the owner of his present homestead and has ever since been busily engaged in its cultivation and improvement.
On the 6th of October, 1864, Mr. Ramsay married Abigail Miller, who was born in Ohio on October 4, 1839, to Jonathan and Esther Miller, farming people of North township, Marshall county. She departed this life September 26, 1902. Eight children, three sons and five daughters, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay: George W., Carrie M., Theo A. (deceased), Jesse C., Mary E., Florrie A., Anna A. and one,
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the first born, who died in infancy. Mr. Ramsay has given a life-long support to the principles of the Republican party and has taken an active part in the public affairs of his community. He is a member of the military order of the Grand Army of the Republic.
MELVIN L. COREY. In the commercial and industrial history of Marshall county Melvin L. Corey has taken a prominent place. In 1879 he moved to Argos and bought a half interest in his brother's hardware store, the firm name being W. D. Corey & Brother. Three years later George J. Alleman bought the interest of W. D. Corey and the new busi- ness was conducted for eighteen years under the name of Corey & Alle- man. The business rapidly developed into one of the largest and best known in this part of the state.
On account of failing health Mr. Alleman sold to George Stevens, and in 1901 Mr. Corey left the hardware business to accept the office of secretary of the National Retail Hardware Association, having already been elected secretary of the Indiana Hardware Association in 1900. The National Retail Hardware Association at this time had but seven hundred and fifty members and only five affiliated states, while at the time of this writing it has over twelve thousand members and covers thirty-three states. Fully one-half the mail that enters or leaves Argos can be traced to the association headquarters.
The National Hardware Bulletin was started by Mr. Corey in 1901, and is now one of the best known trade magazines as well as the leading official organization organ in the United States, it having readers in every state and many foreign countries. The printing of this magazine was mainly responsible for the organization and development of the Wickizer-McClure printing plant, one of the best in the state.
Mr. Corey was born in Green township, Marshall county, March 27, 1854, a son of Barney and Barbara A. (Douglass) Corey. The father was born in Rhode Island June 4, 1809, and became one of the early pioneer settlers of Marshall county. His death occurred in Green town- ship, Marshall county, in 1866. Five children were born, and three are still living: Sarah A., widow of Belitha Gray, now living in Whitestown, Indiana ; Barney J., a resident of Missouri; and Melvin L., the subject of this review.
The youngest child, Melvin L. Corey, supplemented his common- school training by study in the city schools of Rochester, Indiana, while later he became a student in Walworth Academy, of Walworth, New York, and in 1877 graduated in the Rochester Business College. During the two years thereafter he taught school in the state of New York, and then returning to Indiana entered upon his successful business career in Argos.
Mr. Corey married a native daughter of Marshall county, Mahala Shaffer, but he had previously wedded in 1882 Alwilda Boggs, a daughter of Joel L. Boggs, and her death occurred on the 21st of April, 1889, after becoming the mother of one son, Earl. The second union has been blessed by the birth of three children: Lawrence, Lowell and Hattie. Mr. Corey takes an active interest in the public affairs of his community, and for several terms he served as a member of the town board, of
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which for two terms he was the treasurer, was for three terms a member of the school board and its president for two terms, and during six or seven years he was the fire chief. His fraternal relations connect him with Argos Lodge, No. 212, K. of P., of which he is a past chancellor commander, and with Argos Lodge No. 399, A. F. & A. M., in which he is a past master. His political affiliations are with the Republican party.
WILLIAM VOREIS is a self-made man whose life record proves what can be accomplished by unwearied industry. He was born in Rush county, Indiana, May 27, 1834, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Pollard) Voreis. The father, who was born in Kentucky, February 2, 1806, became a resident of Rush county, Indiana, in the '20s, being one of the pioneer farmers there. In 1835 he removed to Marshall county and settled on one hundred and twenty acres of timber land in Green township, which he had previously purchased. He also walked to Laporte and entered a claim to one hundred and sixty acres of timber land which is today in Center township. At that time it was situated in the midst of the dense forest. Upon his property in Green township Mr. Voreis built his first log cabin and subsequently he entered one hundred and sixty acres in what is now Union township. He and his wife with their two children took up their abode in the little cabin home, occupying it until he was able to build a frame house. It was on the 15th of January, 1831, in Rush county, that he had married Miss Elizabeth Pollard, a native of this state, who died at the age of thirty-seven years. In their family were seven children: William, Elizabeth, Malinda, Samantha, Jonas, Thomas L. and George W., but only the first and last named are now living. After losing his first wife Mr. Voreis married Mrs. Lucretia Thompson, nee Bodkins. His life was in consistent harmony with his professions as a member of the Christian church, and throughout his business career he manifested unassailable integrity. His first presidential vote was cast for Andrew Jackson, and he always gave his political sup- port to the Democracy.
In his boyhood days William Voreis shared in the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life, assisted his father in clearing the wilderness and as opportunity permitted attended the subscription schools, living at home until twenty-six years of age. He then bought one hundred and sixty acres of land where he now resides for eight hundred and fifty dol- lars. It was covered with a native growth of forest trees and there he built a log cabin. On the 2d of December, 1862, he married Miss Sarah Siple, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, April 3, 1843, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret ( Alleman) Siple, who came to Marshall county at an early day, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Siple were born nine children, of whom four are now living: Ann, Margaret, John and Jacob. The wife and mother died May 13, 1885, and for his second wife Mr. Voreis chose Mrs. Martha Miller, whom he wedded August 1, 1891. She was born in Green township, this county, October 20, 1852, and was a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Alleman) Miller. She wedded first John Wickizer and had one son, John, a resident of Walnut township, is a teacher and a farmer. He received his diploma from the common schools and was also a student
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
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