USA > Indiana > Steuben County > Atlas of Steuben Co., Indiana, to which are added various general maps, history, statistics, illustrations > Part 14
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EWING, ALBERT H. This gentleman was born in Niagara County, N. Y., February 6, 1837. His fathor, Francis H. Ewing, was born December, 16, 1806, on the line between Maryland ond Virginia; the town in which his birth occurred being in the former State. He moved with his parents, Thomas and Rebecca Ewing, when sixteen years old, to Ontario County, N. Y., und, three years Inter, to Ningara County, of tho samo State. He soon after went to Pennsylvania, where he was married to Rebecca Stranbridge, of that State, who lived but a short time. Ho returned to Niagara County, N. Y., where ho was married to Mrs. Francey Hostiogs, nee Berry, a native of Ireland, to whom was born the following children: Albert H., Thomas, Jumes B. and Edward A .; the first nuwied being the only survivor. Albort and James were soldiers in the late war, serving ju Company A, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. In June, 1838, Francis Ewing calee to this county and bought forty acres of lund in Scetion 7, Scott Town- ship, and in June, 1839, brought out his family, hved a short time in Fremont 'Township, and in the fall of' the same year, moved into a log cabin which be built that summer on his own land. Here, on thu farm, he spent the rest of his life, and by his energy and saving habita, rose from poverty to a leading place among the l'uriners of his towusbip. He died suddenly from paralysis May 8, 1879; bis wife still survives bim. The subject of' tbis sketch grew up on his father's farm, aud was married, November 26, 1865, to Miss Mary Showalter (daughter of Mielenel and Mary Showalter), who was born in Wayno County, Ohio, April 20, 1845, and bas the following children-James, Alice, Clara, Francis, Charles and Mary. Mr. Ewing served in the battles of' Fort Donelsou, Shiloh and a few minor engagements; is a Republican in politics, and is one of the most progressive farmers of' bis township.
STEUBEN TOWNSHIP.
BIERY, THEOPHILUS EMANUEL, the son of Samuel and Anna S. ( Hanm) Biery, was born ju Knox Townsbip, Columbiana Co., Ohio, December 7, 1841. Ho attended North George- town Seminary and Mount Union College, and, for a number of years, tought school. During the war, bo served iu the Union army, belong- ing to the Eighty-sixth Ohio Volnuteer Infantry and the One Hundred and Forty-third Ohio National Guards. He afterward studied med- ieine with Dr. Jesse Miller, ol' North Benton, Ohio ; attended a course of lectures at Clevoland Medical College, und subsequently gradu- ated from Detroit Medical College, June 8, 1869, aince which time he has been engaged in the successful practice of bis profession. Dr. Biery was married, March 30, 1865, at Pleusant Lake, Ind., to Miss Lydin A. Fifer, daughter of Adam aud Elizabeth Filer. They have bad seven children, wbose names are, respectively, Lizzie Annie, Orelia Lydia, Theophilus Oeellus, Charles Dallas, Jeannette Lavinia, Minnie Almeida and Galen Fidello. In 1875, Dr. Biery settled in Steuben Township, where he still resides. In connection with bis pro- l'ession, he has an extensive photograph gallery, which, when finished, will bo second to none in tbo county, The Doctor has a very intorost- ing family ; be, himself, is a thorough-going man, wbile Mrs. Biery is u model wife and mother.
CHADWICK, FRANK H., non of John and Abigal Ohad- wick, was born on Section 35, Jamestown Township, October 23, 1854. In the spring of 1872, he began his mercantile career hy entering the employ of Scovill & Latson, merchants of Angola, Ind. Here he remained three years, when be formed a copartnership with Henry Linder, and opened up a general store at Pleasant Lake. Mr. Chadwick waa united in marriage with Miss Artellie Snyder, of Pleasant Lake, Oct. 23, 1875. Mr. Chadwick's father came to this eounty in July, 1847, and settled in Jamestown Township. He moved to Clear Lake Township, and from there to Pleasant Township, and lastly to his present residence in Branch County, Mich. Mr. Chadwick is a first-class business man, and enjoya the respect and confidence of his numerous patrons. He has been very quecessful in business, and is well calculated to enjoy the surroundings ol' hia happy home.
CLARK, OMAR I., was born July 25, 1832, in Man- chester, Outario Co., N. Y., being the eldcat and only surviving son of Alonzo P. and Betsy ( Bump) Clark. His parents were natives of Madison County, and his father graduated at Hanover College, January 18, 1831, coming to the wild West, soon after, a poor but energetio young man. He at once commenced tho practico of medicine, and as the country at that time was sadly in need of a good physician, the
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PERSONAL HISTORIES.
Doctor soon secured & large practice, which be held until declining years and ill health compelled him to partly relinquish it. He was a very active and successful business man, and acoumuloted a very band- somo property. Politically, be was formerly an Old Line Whig, and later, a Republican. He was elected to the Legislature in 1854, ond was noted for his clear conception of whatever was eondueivo to tho general welfare of the masses. He was also a useful man as a lawyor and penermaker among his neighbors. Mr. Clark died February 3, 1867, moch respected hy all, having lived a very useful life. His wife was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gideon Bump, and was married to Mr. Clark at her home in Smithfield Township, Madison Co., N. Y., October 11, 1828. She died March 26, 1878. Omar I. Clark was married on the 4th of May, 1854, in Orland, Mill Grove Township, Steuben Co., to Miss Frances C. Goldsmith, daughter of Hurvey H. and Phebo A. Goldsmith, and by her he has had two children-Oscar G. and Ada J. Ile is at present a farmer, but has at different times con ducted milling, also the manufacture of cloth. He is a representativo business man, and an ont-and-out Republican. Mrs. Clark is a women of fine qualities, one of the best and kindest of mothers, wives and com- panions, nor can she be excelled as o housekeeper. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are very pleasantly situated. Their daughter, Ada J , is married to Charles A. Shackford, a good business mau, and present County Surveyor. She and her husband are living at the old home place. Oscar G. was married, May 4, 1879, to Miss Fes, and is living with bis parents Truly, it is a happy and undivided home.
DELLER, JOHN A, The subject of this brief sketch is a resident of Steuben Township, Steuben Co., Ind., and is a native of Butler Township, Columbiana Co., Ohio ; born the 25th day of Sep- tember, 18-14, and the son of Nicholas and Lydia (Redman) Deller. His father was a native of Switzerland, and enmo to Ohio at an early day ; ho removed to Indiana in 1851, when the subject of this sketch was but seven years of age. Coming to this county a poor man, Mr. Deller, Sr., brought with him a determination to make a homo and name for himself, and, by industry and energy, accumulated a fine prop erty and gained a reputation for honesty and uprightness. Ho was twice married ; his first wife, the mother of John A., died in Ohio, November 18, 1848, and he was married, in 1852, to Mary Ann Fetterhoff, who is still living on a part of the old place, and enjoys a good degree of bealth. Mr. Deller, Sr., died June 13, 1864. John A., coming to this State at the ngo of seven years, has lived here ever since. He was married, on December 13, 1868, to Miss Lucy K. Messer, by Elder Joba Martin, at Mount Zion Chapel, and this union has been blessed with three children, viz., Harvey J., Iva A. and Artie Reed.
He is at present pleasantly situated, with a pleasant family and com- fortable property. Ho may truly he said to bave been successful in life
Mrs. Deller is tho daughter of Dubiel and Mary A. Messer, and a native of Ohio. In her youth she had uot tho home advantages of many girls. which makes her appreciate them now all the more. Her motber is still living and near by her children, enjoying the declining years of her life.
DELLER, GEORGE N., was born in Butler Township, Columbia Co., Ohio, February 15, 1843, the son of Nicholas and Lydia Deller. He came to this county with his parents in 1851. In 1865 he was married, in Steuben County, to Miss Catharine A. Wolf, and by her is the father of four children, viz., Myron, Ella E., Willie N. and Nettie May. Ho is a member of tho United Brethren Church.
VAN ORDEN, JACOB, son of John and Catharino Vun Orden, was born in Catskill, Greene Co., N Y., November 16. 1812 In 1843, he came west to Toledo, Ohio, whero be engaged in butchering, grocery and ico business, with a limited capital, for ten years. In 1853, be engaged exclusively in the ice business, which he has followed, on the wholesale plun, up to the present time, and is now supplying the south- ern markets hy the car load. On the 23d day of April, 1850, be was united in marriage with Catharine Merrill, of Fulton County, Ohio. They bave had two children-Charles Milo and Alice Jane, wbo mar- ried John G. Croxton, Decomber 2, 1874.
Mr. Van Orden located on the banks of that beautiful " Pleasant Lake," in 1870, where he hus built the celebrated " White Rose Mills," and bis own elegant residence. Mr. Van Orden is an able financier, as is fully proven by continued success in all his enterprises.
POWERS, STEPHEN A. (Deceased.) Among the pioneer families of Steuben County, Tew have done more toward its growth and development than the Powers family, and none can be more safely placed among its foremost citizens than they. Their bonesty and integrity has never been questioned, and their spirit of enterprise in every thing they believe essential, is known in every bousehold in the county. They came of pure Celtic stock, the great-grandfather of the four brothers who settled in this county being Arad Powers, a native of Ireland, who married Lydia Bruce, a ontive of Scotland (of the noted family of Bruces so well known in history), and emigrated to the United States before the Revolutionary war, settling in Massachusetts. Oliver Powers was born in Massachusetts, of this marriage, where he grew up and was married to Lydia Winn, a native of that State, to whom was horn the following children : Jacob, Josinh, Oliver, Lydia, Lucy, Dolly and Betsey. Oliver Powers served throughout the Revo- lutionary war under Washington, and shortly after that struggle for independence elosed, he moved with his family to Oneida County, N. Y., and afterward to Ontario County of the same State, whero be and wife died. Josiah was the second in the family, and was born in Massachusetts, June 16, 1772, where he grew to manbood, and married Hannab Church, January fi, 1799. She was the daughter of Josiah and Hannah Church, natives of Masssebusetts, where she was horn January 16, 1776. The year of their marriage, they moved to Oneida County, N. Y., and in 1805 removed to Ontario County of the same State, where Josiah died August 8, 1808, leaving his wife with five small ebildren, as follows: Stephen, horn January 2, 1800 ; Winn, December 8, 1801; Clark, December 12, 1803; Josinh, February 4, 1806, and Calvin, Marcb 5, 1808. The four eldest she " put out " with friends to care for, and, with her bahe Calvin, began to earn ber own living. At that time, Ontario County was almost a wilderness, and the Powers family were among its pioneera. The boys grew to manhood in that county, and began life with nothing but their own brave hearts and willing hands to depend on to win the battle. Their mother was again married, September 29, 1811, to Georgo Jenks, a native of Massaebu- setta, by whom she had three children, Laura, Josnn and George. Her husband died November 30, 1820, and about 1847 she moved with ber eon George Jenka to Steuben County, Ind., wbero sbe died December
1, 1857, in her eighty-second year. The subject of this sketeh was the eldest in the family, and was horn in Oncida County, N. Y., January 2. 1800, and, as has already been stated, be " went out " to live, after the denth of his father, but his master dying before Stephen was grown, he was thrown on his own resources, and by his individual, unaided efforts, he acquired n firat-cluss English education. In his hoyhood he went to learn the blacksmith trade, but, his mind running in another channel, he quit thut business and learned surveying and navigation. Ile was married in Allegany County, N. Y., January 3, 1825, to Mary Ann Campbell, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Meyers) Campbell, natives of Herkimer County, N. Y., of Irish, Scotch, English and German origin. Mrs. Powers was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., July 16. 1808. Her father died one month before her birth, and her mother was married to Eber Newton, moved to Ontario County, N. Y., nud afterward to Allegany County, where both died, and where Mrs. Powers spent her youth. By her marriage, sbe had the following children-Clark, born October 18, 1825; Andrew, September 22, 1827 (died in the army at Vicksburg, June 14, 1863) ; Newton, February 24, 1830, (died May 7, 1837) ; Hannah E. March 11, 1833 (died August 3, 1839) ; Dolly Jane, April 2, 1835, Volney, March 17, 1838 (was n soldier in tho late war) ; Ellen, January 8, 1841 ; Oliver, February 12, 1843 + died in the army at Bowling Green, January 14, 1863), and Lydia Bruce, August 2, 1845. After his marriage, Stephen Powers settled in Allegany County, N. Y., where be lived twelve years, when he started for Indiana with an ox team, arriving in York Township, Steu- ben County, July 8, 1837. His brothers Clark and Calvin had come out in 1836, and entered land, and early in 1837, Clark came and built n enbin for the reception of bis brothers and their families, and in that cahin, Stepben and family lived with the others for about two months, when he moved to a cabin in Section 26, Scott Township, two miles west of the Powers Schoolhouse, and there settled in the woods, with Indians as their principal neighbors, with whom they lived harmo- niously It is quite unnecessary to speak of the many privations and hardships which fell to their lot. Suffico it to may, that they came pre- pared to meet, and resolved to overcome, all such obstacles, and they were not made of that stuff which falters. When the war broke out. Stephen A. Powers was in his sixty-second year, and his hair was white with nge, but his heart was strong and patriotic He colored his hair black, so as to pass muster when he presented himself as a volunteer for exam- ination. When the exmining surgeon asked him how old he was, he replied, " I am old enough to help put down the rebellion." Noble words, that will hve while time lasts. He served eleven months, when he was discharged for disabilities whieb finally culminated in bis death. After returning from the army, he settled in Williams County, Ohio, and in 1871 went to Antrim County, Mich., and took a soldier's claim. His foresight was wonderful, as he got his land forty acres wide, and one mile long, through which a railroad was then surveyed, and afterward built, which increased the value of his land considerahly. Here he died October 6, 1872, and his widow remained on the farm, and did what not many women would have been capable of doing, in elearing it up and carrying out the necessary regulatious to retain the land. For all this she deserves just credit, and her energy and foree of character is extraordinary. Her bushand was buried in Michigan five years, when she had his body brought to this county aod buried in the " Powers Cemetery," and, marking his last resting-place, she has put a fine monument, showing that, though dend, he is not forgotten. Stephen A. Powers was, in many ways, u remarkable man. He followed telehing and surveying as his principal occupation ; was County Sur- veyor for many years, County Commissioner frem 1839-40, and was well known all over the county. He was a close student, had a wonder- ful memory, was a lover of knowledge, and endowed with clear, logical reasoning faculties. He was a devoted Mason most of bis life, and a member of the I. O. O. F. He was a kind father and husband, courteous and polite toward his fellow-man, and believed that true religion consisted in faithfully following the " Golden Rule."
POWERS, WINN. This old and respected citizen was the second in the family, and was born at Fort Stanwix (now the city of Rome). Oneida Co., N. Y., December 8, 1801. His youth was paased under the roof of a stranger, where be was placed by bis mother, after his father's death. Having received a fair edmention, as soon as he arrived at manbood be began teaching school, teaching one term of three months in each year for three years ; tbe halance of the time he worked at farmning, and judiciously managed to save enough to give him a start in life. This was in Ontario County, N. Y., whither his parents had moved when Winn was about three years old, and where his father died August 8, 1808. He was married in Ontario County, April 19, 1825, to Betsy Reeves, tho daughter of John and Elizabeth Reeves, nalives of New Jersey, where Mrs. Powers was born May 11, 1801. few days after their marriage, the young couple moved to Allegany County, N. Y., and settled on a wild farm, on which they lived twelve years, elearing sixty acres of the farm during that time. His wife, before her marriage, had, by industry and economy, saved euougb to set up house- keeping in a primitive manner, and, in a log cabin in Allegany County, they began, hand in hand, to fight that battle of life, in which so few succeed. About 1836, they concluded it was their duty to provide homes for their children, who were growing up about them, so that when they arrived at maturity, they would be able to give them a start in life. With this purpose in view, they sold their little home, and started over- land for Indiana, where his brothers, Clark and Calvin Powers, had come and entered land in the spring ol' 1836. After a long aod danger- ous journey, he and family, with bis brother Stephen and family, arrived at the cabin huilt hy Clark, in Section 30, York Township, Steuben Co., Ind., July 8, 1837, where Winn and family lived throughout the winter of 1837-38. In January of the latter year, he bought 120 acres of land in Seetion 29, York Township, aud the following summer built a log cabin in the woods, and, in this bumble manner began his new life in the West. By his marriage, the following children have been born to him-Myron, born August 19, 1826 ; Hannah, October 11, 1828, Edwin, February 17, 1831 ; Calvin P., January 19, 1834 ; Mowry A., December 3, 1836 (deceased); Ano E., January 2, 1839 ; and George R, July 27, 1842. The purposes wbieb brought Winn Powers and wife to Indiana they never deviated from ; all their children now living are settled close to the old home, that " Mecca of our hopes," around which the most holy associations of childhood cluster, which, in after years, aro never blotted from our memoriea. The Powers family believe in the universal salvation of mankind; politically, have always adhered to the Detnoeracy, and " Unele Winn," as he is always called, bas been a Mason for about twenty-five years. For nearly half a een- tury, " Uncle Winn " and wife walked, side by side, " the Valley of Life,"
but the dread messenger touched with its withering hand that happy home, and April 14, 1873, his loving helpmate was called to " that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Beginning life " ut tbe foot of the ladder," he has, by his determined and energetic spirit, together with the assistance of an industrious, economical wife and family, accumulated property valued nt 835,000. He was always fond of the chase, and was happy when roaming the dense forest with no companion but his trusty rifle ; and, although now in his seventy-ninth year, tbero are few marksten in Steuben County who can equal him. The portraits of " Uncle Wino " and wife will he found in the Atlas, having been inserted hy bis son, Calvin P., who, believing that they should be represented in its pages, took this mode of showing his love and respect for his parents. The whole family live harmoniously, nod carry out, by their actions, the hopes and wishes of their dead mother and aged father. No quarrels or hickerings mur their relations with each other, and none stand higher for honesty and integrity iu all their dealings with their fellow-man. In every public improvement, such as the church, school, eto., the Powers fanuly have always stood shoulder- to-shoulder with the foremost ; and, we can sufely say, that no family of "Old Steuben " bave done more than they to build up the county, and forward every enterprise that was intended to encourage aud develop civilization
POWERS, HON, CLARK, (Deceased.) To-day, in our county of Steuben, the shout is, Hol for Kansas and Nebraska, while forty-five years ago, in New York and throughout New England, the same exclamation meant Ohio and Northern Indiana. The grand march of civilization is ever westward; and true it is, that, tho sell-made men wbo push themselves forward to be the permanent settlers of our front- iers, have always been noted as men of energy, ability, and of true moral courage. Sueb a man was Clark Powers, who was born in Oneida County, N. Y., December 12, 1803, heing the third iu a family of live children, and the son of Josiah and Hannah Powers, natives of' Gran- ville. Mass. His youth was possed in Ontario County, N. Y., where bis father died when he was only five years old. Alter his father's death, Clark found a home in that county with a good family, who gave bim a fair education, which he improved after coming of age. On July 23, 1833, William L. Marcy, Governor of the State of New York, appointed bim l'aptain in the Eleventh Regiment of Infantry, ot the Twenty-fourth Brigade of that State. Afier faithfully performing the duties of that office for three years, at bis own request, he was, on the 17th day of November, 1836, honorably discharged. In the spring of 1836, he and bis brother Calvin came to Steuben County, Iud., and on the 15th day of July of that year, they entered a large tract of land in York Township. They theu returned to New York, and in the spring of 1837, Clark again eatue to Indiana. In that year, he built a log cabin, immediately north of where the maplo grovo now stauds, in the southwest corner of Section 29, in York Township, for the occupa- tion of bis brothers nud their families, he, at that time, being a single man. After they arrived, bis hrother Winn and family hved in the cabin during the winter of 1837-38-Clark making his home with them. During these years, Clark mado several trips ou borseback from the city of Detroit, Mich., to this county, carrying money in saddlebags, with which to make the payments for his laud ; and to tho exposure to cold and rain in these trips through the then pathless and dense Forests, quay be safely attributed one of the causes which ultimately led to his early deatb. He lived with bis brother Winn, and in his own cabin, for about three years, when he again returned to Ontario County, N. Y., where, on the 4th day of November, 1840, he was married to Miss Hannah Keteham, who was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., August 19, 1813. She was the daughter of Stephen Ketcham, who was born in New York September 2, 1768, and Hannah Ketcham, nee Soutberland, born in the same State Novetuber 27, 1774; she dying in Renaselaer County. N. Y., December 19, 1827, and her bus- band, February 14, 1839. Mrs. Powers was the eleventh in a family of twelve children, her mother died when she was but fourteen years of age, and, her father marrying again, she, at the age of' nineteen, moved to Ontario County, N. Y., where she became acquainted with Clark Powers, and remained until her marriage. Immediately after their marriage, Clark Powers and wife came to Steuben County, Ind., and commenced housekeeping in the cabin which he bad built four yeara previously, where they remained until 1843, when they built and occu- pied the house on that part of the old homestead owued by Stephen A. Powers, wbere Mrs. Powers yet lives. Since her husband's death, she bas managed well the affairs of the estate and of her bouschold. She has ever been a kind mother, and has cured for and educated her children. She is a quiet, unassuming woman, and has strong con-
vietions of right and wrong. For many years she bas been deaf, but she is a constant reader, and, as age creeps slowly on, she passes ber titue most agreeably, respected and beloved by a large circle of neigh- bors and friends. The following children were horn of this union Hannab M., born April 4, 1842 (died February 18, 1879); Joanna, November 7, 1844 (the wife of Hugb D. Wood, M. D., ol Angola); William E., Deeetuber 10, 1845 (died October 7, 1846); Josiah, Sep- tember 18, 1847 (who was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-nintb Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and died at Chattanooga, Tenn., August 4, 1864); Stephen A., December 28, 1851 (married October 9, 1876, to Dora Ferrier, and now practicing law at Angola) ; and Elnora, Mareb 7, 1854, who is living with her mother on the farm. Clark Powers was a member of the Indiana State Leg- islature for the years 1845-46. He was a farmer by occupation ; and, by active industry and skillful management, he amassed considerable property. He was a man of actions rather than words, and many an carly settler of Steuben County remembers him for his acts of kindness and generosity to the poor. He was proverbially honest; and it may truly he said that be complied with his motto: # Do unto others as ye would that they should do unto you." His was a noble manhood, Chris- tion-like and truly charitable. He did much in the eurly advancement of the county. Under bis directions, large tracts of forest lands gave place to fields rich in their golden harvests, and the place of the wig- wam was marked by the district schoolhouse. But it was not his lot to live to fully know the greatness of the county he helped to establish. Moro than a score of years ago, in the spring of 1859-the 25th of Muy-he passed from the scenes and lahors of this life into the life beyond.
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