USA > Indiana > Steuben County > Atlas of Steuben Co., Indiana, to which are added various general maps, history, statistics, illustrations > Part 13
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MILL CROVE TOWNSHIP.
BABCOCK, DAVID B., was horn in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1828, and, at the age of twenty-two, married Miss Amanda B., daughter of Thomas and Ann Hadley, of Summit County, Ohio, born in 1833. They have one daughter, Eudors S., born February 16, 1853. Mr. Babcock settled in Noble Township, Branch Co, Mich., which he sold in 1856, wben he purchased his present farm in this towoship.
PARTRIDGE, ALVIN, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, May 10, 1820. His father's name was Wakeman, and his mother's M. E. Home, Partridge His father came to Ohio from New York (of which State he was a native), at an early day, remained in Ohio until about the year 1845, when he removed to Wisconsin and remained a few years, theo weot to Kansas. He took an active part in the John Brown movement, and John Brown used to make headquarters at his house. He had one son shot crossing the Osage River, and one in prisoo near Topeka, with ball and ebain, all for the cause of freedom. He was an ardent Republican and member of the Methodist Church He died at the resideoce of his daughter, in Mill Grove Township, in 1865
The subject of this brief sketch was married ou the 24th of Oeto- ber, 1842, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, to Miss Lucia Thompson. They have had four children, viz, Eliza L., Josepb W., L. A., and Mary C. (deceased). Mr. Partridge settled in Steuben County, April 25, 1855. He had learned the trade of farming well in Ohio, und commenced farming in Indiana with marked success. In fact, what he is worth to-day, he owes to his own industry and management. Mrs. Partridge's father's name was Apollo Thompson, a native of Vermont. He came to Ohio in 1821, removed to Illinois in 1842, and is buried near Woodstock, in said State. Her mother's name was Lucinda, also a native of Vermont. She accompanied her husband to Illinois, but died soon after. They were both members of the Free-Will Baptist Church.
Mr. Partridge is well situated in Steuben County. Three of his children are living, his only son is married, and one daughter, also ; the youngest daughter being a school teacher in Nebraska. She is a young lady of remarkable ability aod business talents.
TWICHELL, JONAS H. Sr., was born in Conoecticut, December 15, 1800. He is the son of Robert and Anna Smith Twichell, aod is now the only remaining member of a family of nine, of whom he was tho eldest, At the age of eighteen, he leit home and worked by the month, sometimes as stone-cutter, sometimes on the river as raftsman. October 18, 1823, at the age of twenty-threo, he was married, in Coventry, Schenectady Co., N. Y., to Miss Melioda Scott, a young lady of twenty years, who was born in Hartford, Conn., and whose parents were both nativea of Connecticut. By her, he has been
blessed with nine children-Harriet E., Clarissa A., Charles T. (deceased), Benjamin S. (deceased), Jonas H., Marcus W., Melinda (deceased ), Storling S., and Theodore Bliss. Beginning life in earnest et so early an age, he went to work and cleared up a farm of 115 seres, ond built a house and barn. Finding, however, that the farm would never realize his expectations, he concluded to sell, and received $700, which he considered a good price for it. He went to Catskill and remained two years, soon after which time he came to Indiana and settled in this county, in 1836. He built a little log house, which was the first bouse on the prairie which was shingled; and be raised the first substantial frame building in Steuben County. During the montbs of April, May and June, in the year 1838, hehelped raise thirty six buildings. Mr. Twichell's father, who was a stanch Whig, died in 1826, and his mother died in 1843. Mrs. Twichell is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has always enjoyad very good health. Mr. and Mrs. Twichell reaide in the town of Orlaod, surrounded by the com- forts of life. They are, probably, ths oldest couple in the county among the old settlers; and though they have already reached together a good old age, they still bid fair to have many years of life before them.
OTSEGO TOWNSHIP.
BAKER, SAMUEL, son of John Baker and Sarah Stoner, was born in Franklin County, Penn., June 19, 1801. His father aud mother, natives of Pennsylvania, moved to Virginia in 1820, where they resided about sixteen years, when they came to Ohio ; the former died in 1847, the latter in 1854. On the 5th of November, 1829, Samuel Baker nod Miss Sarah Shriver were united in marriage, in Loudoun County, Va. They have had ten children-John S., Elizabeth, Sarah (deceased), Christopher, Jacob, Thomas, Margaret (deceased), Nathaniel, Samuel, Deniel (deceased). Mr. Samuel Baker removed to Ohio about eight years after his father, and settled near his father on an eighty-aere farm, where he remained for about fourteen years, when he, with bis devoted wife and seven children, came to this towaship and began a new home in the wilderoess, where, by industry und honesty of purpose, he has sue- ceeded well, and to-day is the fortunate owner of 640 acres of choice laud, which, by the aid of his sons, is one of the best-improved farms in this section. The ebildren, except two, are married and well situ- sted. Nathaniel aud Elizabeth live with father and mother, and are unmarried All this family are members of the M. E. Church, Mr. Baker and his sons, excepting John, are Republicaos.
BROWN, D. N. E., M. D., physician, son of Levy I. Brown and .Phebe A. Kirk, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, November 30, 1831, and settled in this county with his parents, 1846. The Doctor attended a course of lectures at the Cincinnati Eelectie Col lege in the winter of 1853-54. Was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Ann Hooper September 23, 1855. They have bad seven chil- dren : Elizabeth A., Phebe C. (deceased), Levy B., Sarah 1., Thomas I. and an infant. The Doctor took a second course of lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich., the winter of 1864-65; is a member of the Stsuben County Medical Society ; has an extended practice, and enjoys the full confidence of the people. His father is a resident of Roanoke, Hunt- ington Co., Ind. His mother died 1871. The Doctor is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.
JOHNSON, EDWARD C., was born iu Otsego County, N. Y., October 16, 1816. His father and motber, James H. and Elizabeth (Crandall) Johnson, were natives of New York and Rhode Island : he of the former, she of the latter State. They came to Indi- ana when the country was quite new, settling in Otsego Township, August, 1836. The subject of this sketch remained at home most of the time till his father's death (which took place in 1856), and bas since lived on the old place, to which he has added many acres. He was first mar- ried to a Miss Perkins, was married in June, 1845, to Miss Parmelia Mahry, and by her had one child, viz., Eleanor P. His present wife he married January 16, 1848, being uoited on that date to Miss Mary E. Corbin ; by whom he has had four children, viz., Elmer A. (deceased), Cyrenius, Kittie and Mina May.
The present Mrs. Johnson is the daughter of Amos and Ciril Cor- bin, nativea of Coonecticut. They came to this State in 1843, and located in Otsego Towoship, where they made a nice home. Her mother died January 5, 1835; her father died August 5, 1846. He was a good and useful man.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are living happily together in a pleasant home.
TEEGARDIN, AARON W, farmer and stock-reiser, is the son of William and Elizabeth Shook Teegardin, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but who came to Ohio in 1811: By occupation, a farmer ; in politica, Mr. William Teegardin was a Democrat"; and both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church. The latter died in 1867, and Mr. Teegardin died in 1871. Mr. Teegardin, the subject of this sketch, was born January 9, 1812, in Pickaway County, Ohio. He was married in Allen County, Ohio, November 22, 1838, to Miss Katy Ann Sharp, daughter of Thomas and Eliza Sharp. Her lather was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of New Jersey, but they both moved to Wayne County at an early. date. Mra. Sharp was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Teegardin have had eleven children, viz., Eliza, Susannah, Abraham (deceased). Mar- garet, George (deceased), Lucinda (deceased), Jacob, Elizabetb, Elias (deceased), Mary M., and Thomas William. Mr. Teegardin came to Otsego Township, in this county, in September, 1864. He owns 320 acres of land, and the homestead holds a place among the pages of this work. He is a Democrat, and both he and his wife belong to the Christian Church. Mrs. Teegardin has been a faithful wife and mother, and has raised four children beaidea her own, only the youngest of whom is now at home atteud'ing school. Six are married, and five have chil- dren of their own, so that the old people have thirty-one living grand- children They are a very happy and prosperous family.
WILLIAMS, E. B., was born in Now York Stato (Orleans County), January 10, 1833. He was the son of Henry R. and Mary Aon (Case) Williams, who were both natives of New York. His father was a carpenter and joiner by trade, sod, when the subject of this sketch was in his fourth year, came to Indiana, settling in 1836 in Steuben County; thus the youth of Mr. Williams was spent in the hard work which formed the part of the carly settlers of this county. He remaioed at home with his father until he had arrived at the age of maturity ; married February, 1855, Miss Susan Pearce, and by ber had two children-Susau Pearee and an infant that died. After he married, be worked his father's place one year, and there built a small log house
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on eighty acres of land, that now forms a part of his 160 acres. In 1863, his wife died, and in 1864, on February 18, he married for his second wife, Miss Martha Cooper, and by her has had three children, Alma M., Lucy W., and Susan A. His father died in 1878, October 11, living at the time on a farm that Mr. Williams helped to clear up when ha was at home. His mother died soon after arriving in this State from New York. The father and mother of his present wife, William and Lucy Cooper, were natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Indiana in 1844, and settled in Richland Township. Mr. Cooper died Septen- ber 13, 1869 ; Mrs. Cooper is still living, and resides near by with her daughter, Mrs. Brooks. Mr. Williams is now owner of one of the best farms in Steuben County, and his present place is a sufficient evidence of his success. His wife is a kind mother, and they have an interest- ing family of three daughters. They may truly be said to havs what is most desirable in life.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
ALLOMONG, JOSEPH, second son of John and Julia Ann Allomong, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, April 11, 1825. On the 28th day of April, 1844, Mr. Allomong was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Klingman, and the same year moved to Williams County, Ohio, and located on a farm owned by his father. On bis uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church, his father refused to give him the farm of eighty acres, as had been promised, which resulted in the subject of our sketch removing to this township, and settling on a wild quarter-section. To this has been added, by industry and economy, 268 aeres, a portion of which has been distributed muong his children, who are comfortably situated about the old home. By his first wife, he had four children-William ( deceased ), Rebecca J., Sarah Elizabeth and John Wesley. On the 23d of August, 1871, he married Martha A., daughter of Hezekiah and Eliza Ann Bell; they bave one child-Joseph Cyrus. . Mr. and Mrs. Bell, natives of Virginia, came to Ohio in 1833; both wero members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Mrs. Bell died January 18, 1864. Politically, Mr. Bell is a Democrat. Mr. Allo- mong's father and mother were natives of Pennsylvania, and moved to Obio in 1825. The father, though at one time a Democrat, became a Republican during the Harrison Administration. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. The father died April 16, 1872. Mr. Joseph Allomong is an outspoken Republican Since tho Methodist Episcopal Church was removed so far away, he and his wife have joined the United Brethren.
GORDON, HORATIO E., son of William G. Gordon and Mary Hedden, was born in Newark, N. J., October 12, 1812; came to Ohio, with his parents, at the age of sixteen, and continued to live with his parents till he was twenty eight. In August, 1840, he married Miss Ann E., daughter of John R. and Lydia Sleeper, and came to this township, when he entered 120 acres of Goverment land, where he now lives, and 160 acres in York Township, which he afterward disposed of. 'They had five children --- Emma A., Minerva A. (decensed), Horatio N. (deceased ), Rush W., William G. (deceased). On the 9th of March, 1865, Mr. Gordon was ueited in marriage with Mrs. Harriet A. Holt, daughter of Daniel and Clarissa Peck, of Mor- row County, Ohio ; they have had four children-Durand D. (deceased), Alida, Clarissa P., Orran O. His father was a native of England ; came to New Jersey in 1807 ; married in 1809, and moved to Knox County, Ohio, in 1828, where he still resides at the advanced age of 107 years. His mother died in the spring of 1876, aged eighty-three. The subject of our sketch is a Republican, a man of sterling qualities ; bas held the office of Justice of the Peace in his township for fourteen consecutive years. He resided for a time in Went Liberty, Ohio ; also was, for two and a hall' years, a merchant in Butler, Ind. He is the fortunate possessor of 320 acres of as fine and well-watered land as there is in Steuben County; owns 120 acres in Nebraska, also a fine property in Butler, Ind.
STEVENS, FRANCIS (deceased), son of Peirson Stevens and Cook, was in horn Piermont, N. H, January 30, 1820. At the age of nineteen, he came to this county, purchased of Abraham Beecher 120 neres of Lind, giving his promise to pay, as he had but $1 in cash in his pocket. 1n 1845, was united in marriage with Miss Maliuda F. Aldrieb, of Oisego Township, and began the battle of life in real earnest, in a little log hut, seconded by the efforts of his amiable wife. The first crop of wheat was burned, but, nothing daunted, he lahored the harder, and erelong his land was paid for. Other acres have been added as the result of industry and economy, and, during all the years of bard-hip and privation, the education of his children was not neglected. He joined the Methodist Church in early life, but of late years had associated with the United Brethren ; he was the father of nine children-Asa A (deceased), Sabina J. (deceased ), Abraham B., Sarah A, Hattie M , Lettie, Fremont C., Frank P. and Leslie O. Mr. Stevens departed this life December 14, 1873, mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends. Mrs. Stevens' father was a native of Vermont ; ber mother of New York. They came to thia township in 1837, where they reared a large family ; both were members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Aldrich died in 1855; Mrs. Aldrich died in 1860. Mrs. Stevens is in the enjoyment of a good degree of health, and is at present residing in Angola, for the purpose of superintending the education of the younger members of the family. Abraham B. Stevens is a young man of marked ability. Married Miss Liuda Hicks, by whom he had had one child-a daughter. He is engaged at present in teaching school in the neighborhood.
SALEM TOWNSHIP.
HOVARTER, HENRY, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, November 24, 1836, and was the eldest son of John and Nanoy Hovar- ter. His mother's maiden name was Weirick, and her parents both natives of Germany. He came, with his parenta, from Ohio to Steuben County in 1846, and was married, October 26, 1858, to Miss Catharine Hartman, of Fairfield Township, De Kalb Co., Ind. About six months after his marriage, he moved on to hia present furm, and went to work to make a home for himself and wife. Their marriage was blessed with five children, as follows : Issa, William F., Jobo Almon, Jacob I. and Manuel I. Mr. Hovarter commenced lifo with nothing, and the only assistance he and his good wife huve had in lite, is 8500, which Mrs. Hovarter received from her father. With this assistance, and with his own and his wife's industry and good management, he bas, to-day, one
PERSONAL HISTORIES.
of the best farms and buildings in the county, well situated, ens mila from Turkey Creek Post Offico, and is surrounded with whatover is necessary to make the evening of his life pass pleasantly away.
RANSBURG, MARTIN V., M. D., was born in Ssueca County, Ohio, July 7. 1842. His father, George Ransburg, was a farmer in comfortable circumstances, and gave his sun a liberal ednen- tion. In 1850, Martin removed, with his parents, to Steuben County, Ind., arriving in Salem Township October 1 of that year, where ho has sinco re-ided. For the first few years after his removal to this county, he was engaged in teaching school during the winter months, and work- ing, with his father, at farming, in summer. Not being contented to pass his lifetime in those avocations, he entered the office of' Dr. Thomas B. Williams, of Angola, as a medical student, April 12, 1868, and prosecuted his studies vigorously until the fall of 1870, when he began attending medical lectures at the Indiana Medical College, of Indianap- olis. Shortly after his return from the Medical College, he commeneed the practice of his profession in Salem Township, where he soon acquired an extensiva and remunerative practice, which he still con- tinues to hold, enjoying the esteem and confidence of the community in which he resides. He was married, February 29, 1876, to Miss Martha J. Bundy, of Otsego Township, Steuben Con1 Ind. Being in the vigor and prime of manhood, the Doctor's future prospects bid fair for increasing prosperity and usefulness
SHAFFSTALL, CHRISTIAN, was born in Dauphin County, Penn., Angust 23, 1807. His father's name was Solomon, and his mother's eame was Catharine. Ilis father was a furmer and also a very ingenious mechanic, and could make almost anything out of wood. Christian Shaffstall was married, December 14, 1831, in Dauphin County. Penn., to Christiana. daughter of Adam and Christiana Row. Sho was boru in April, 1809. In the spring following his marriage, he moved to Crawford County, Ohio, and settled in the green woods, on forty acres of land, given to him by his father. He lived on the lund fourteen years, eleared it up and improved it, and then traded the forty neres for 160 acres in Salem Township. Steuben Co., Ind., where he now resides. Thus he settled again in the green woods, and wont to work to clear up hts farm, and also, in winter und on rainy days, on the shoe- maker's bench, in order to support his young and growing family. In all his labors, he was ably assisted by his good wife, who was not only a great worker, but an excellent manager. During the fourteen years of their residence in Ohio, she clothed berself, husband and family by her own labor. She first took a contract to pull a field of flax for a neigh- bor, giving him the seed and keeping the flax for her portion. This she rotted, broke and spun into linen, to clothe the family. And so, every year, she continued working, not only in the flax, hut cat and wheat field, and potato-patch, outdoor and in, unceasingly. So, when they moved to Indiana, she had linen and linsey enough on hand to clothe the family for three years. In less than four years after coming to Indiana, she spun $120 worth of linen thread and sold it to her neigh- bors. Thus she continued from year to year, working in the house and in the field, and now, at the age of seventy years, she is quite vigorous, aud, last year, made and sold 350 pounds of butter from four cows, doing all the work herself, from the milking to the marketing. During the same time, she also kuit fifty pairs of socks to sell, besides doing all her household work. During all this time, they havo raised a family of ten children, eight of whom are now living, doing well, and well respected. They inherited habits of industry from their mother, and her excellent moral training kept them from falling into those vices which are the ruin of so many families. The names and births of their children are as follows: Lavina (now Mrs. H. Slick), born December 26, 1832; Susanna (now widow of Wilham Lewa, deceased), December 15, 1834 ; Adam, December 18, 1836; Isabella, December 28, 1838, died September 15, 1839 ; Hannab, born March 16, 1841, died October 8, 1847 ; Franklin, born December 23, 1842; Amanda (now Mm. Dan- iel Jenner), January 11, 1845; Nathaniel, July 12, 1847 ; Elmira (now Mrs. George Cary), October 27, 1849 ; Cornelia (now Mrs. H. Zimmer- man), January 28, 1852. Mrs. Shaffstall has been a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty-six years, and has always given liberally of her means for its support. Mr. Shaffstoll is a Republican in politics, aud was a strong Union man during the war. All three of bis sons were in the army. Their children are all now married and living by themselves, and DIr. and Mrs. Shaffstall are thus left alone in their declining years; but they have the consolation of knowing that they have doue their duty in life; and when they pass away from this earth, they will leave to their children not only earthly possessions but the rich legacy of a well-spent life.
TINKLEPAUGH, ALMON H. To determine a man's success in life, it is essential to know very many things concerning that life ; but, perhaps, the most important of these essentials may be com- prehended by two classes, viz: : What effect his life has had on the world; and, what effect it has had on bimself. The ability to deal fairly with hoth, to be neither too lavish nor too miserly, ia what makes success in life. In general, no man can be said to have succeeded in the world till he has proved his ability to toke care of himself, and han also shown a willingness to lend a hand to the world at large, whenever it was needed. Perhaps, the best school l'or true success in life is the school of poverty ; or, if not of actual want, yet of' sufficient lack of means to teach tho actual value of moucy, and to inculcate those ideas of economy and industry so essential to a man, wherever be may be. Among this class may be placed the subject of this sketch, for, commencing at the " foot of the ladder," ho has worked his way to a auccess in life worthy of comment. Mr. Tinklepaugh was born in the Stote of Pennaylvania, July 17, 1834, being the son of Hiram and Margaret English Tinklo- paugh. In 1843, his father removed with his family to Indiana; he pur- chased eighty acres of land on the lino of La Grange and Steuben Counties, and commeneed farming on it, the subject of this aketch, at that time, being only nine years of age. Tho childhood of MIr. Tin- klepaugh being spent in this way, and in a new country, his educational advantages were of a very limited character, though, by earnest effort, he acquired sufficient to transnet business well. At the age of eighteen, he left howe with but hands and plenty of pluck; having learned the carpenter's trade of his father, he worked at it most of the time until after his marriage, which took place November 28, 1856, in Sturges, Mich., where he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary L. Turner, daugh- ter of Charles and Betsy Turner, who were natives of New York State, and emigrated to La Grange County, Ind., in 1835. In 1857, a short time alter his marriage, he purchased forty acres of land, and moved on to it, remaining there about three years, when be purchased 200 seres, on which he still lives, having, though, sold off 100 acres of it since. Mr. and Mra. Tinklepaugh have bad children as follows, eleven in number,
viz., Hiram, Omer, Virgil D. (deceased), Everett (deceased), Effie M., Hattic V., Raymond (deecased), Scbuyler, Cyrus (deceased), Sberidan, and Sherman (deceased). At present, besides conducting his farm, be deals largely in agricultural implements. He hus as fino a dwelling place as may be found in this purt of the Stato, and is blessed with a wile nod family well caleulated to make a happy home.
ZONGKER, JOSEPH MARTIN, is the son of Joseph and Maria R. Zongker, and was born April 19, 1818, in Germany. He emigrated to the United States, and como West to make his fortune among the many trials and hardships of' a new country. In October, 1841, he married Miss Ratena Myers in Seneca County, Ohio., wbo proved u capable and loving wife and helper iu the joys and sorrows of life ; by her ho had thirteen children, viz., William H. (deceased), Susnonah, Sarah, Abrahamu, Isaac, Jacob (deceased), David, Josepb, Rosannab, Franklin, Francis (deceased), Peter and Lavina. Mr. Zongker lived happily with bis wife till her death, which occurred February 19, 1875, and was a grout loss to her family, as she was a kind and loving mother, and had endeared herself to all who knew her. Mr. Zongker settled in Salein Township, Steuben County, in 1851, the country was then almost a wilderness, only broken by a few enhins hore and there, but ho was not afraid of work, and went at it with a will to make a home for himself' among the many unpromising surroundings. His exertions proved sue- cessful, and the fine residence of to-day is a proof of what industry and good management will accomplish, even though there be many difficulties to overcome. By occupation a farmer, Mr. 'Z. is capable of' making almost anything that is constructed of wood, and his ingenuity is shown in the planning of his house and outbuildings, which aro among the most convenient in this part of the State. Ilis son David is now running the old place, which consists of 120 acres, fivo ueres baving been sold lor lots adjoming the town of Hudson, which is quite a lively town, Mr. Zongker is a member of tho German Baptist Church, and in pohties was formerly a Democrat. llis father and mother aro both dead. He cejoys good health, and, wo hope, has many years bel'oro him for the enjoyment of his beautiful home, surrounded by his family, to whom he bas endeared himself by his kindness and indulgence.
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