USA > Indiana > Miami County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 58
USA > Indiana > Howard County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 58
USA > Indiana > Cass County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 58
USA > Indiana > Tipton County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 58
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John W. Smith, the father of our subject, was born in North Carolina, July 12, 1826, his parents being John and Candis (Pearson) Smith, who were natives of North Carolina and were farming people. They died when their son John was a little child, leaving two children. The other son, James, served for four years in the Civil war and is now a resident of Koko- mo. After the death of the parents the two boys were bound out and reared in different families. John W. Smith remained in the home of his foster parents until he had attained his majority and was then given a horse, saddle and bridle. He started out to earn his own livelihood by working by the month as a farm hand, and in 1849 he came to Indiana, where he was employed at different places and at various kinds of labor, scorning no employment which would yield him an honest living. He came to Howard county in 1854, but soon afterward went to Tipton county, where he operated a sawmill for three years. In 1853 he invested his savings in a small tract of land upon which he is now living, but the original boundaries of the farm have been extended until it now comprises two hundred and eight acres of land, and in addition he owns another farm of one hundred and twenty acres
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elsewhere in Howard county and some business property in Greentown, which he rents. He has been quite successful in his undertakings and has accumulated a handsome competence. He has followed general farming and stock-raising, and buys and sells considerable stock. He has one of the finest farms in the county, improved with all modern conveniences. There are many rods of ditching and tiling on the place and the commodious two- story, brick residence is supplemented by substantial barns and outbuildings for the care of his stock.
John W. Smith has been twice married. In 1851 he wedded Miss Lavina Linley, belonging to an early family of the county, and in 1852 she died leaving a little daughter, who was reared by her maternal grandmother and became the wife of Lewis Knight, but is now deceased. At her death she left four children. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Smith married Martha Cate, of Tennessee, a most estimable lady, holding membership in the Christian church. They have five children: Mrs. Marietta Stahl, Ade- line, Will S., Viola and Florence. In his political views Mr. Smith is an uncompromising Democrat, and has held a number of local offices, but has never sought political preferment. He is highly esteemed for his sterling worth and in the affairs of life has gained success that is the just reward of his well directed labors.
Will S. Smith, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared on the homestead farm in Howard county and early became familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Throughout the great part of his life he has followed the plow, but for three years operated an elevator at Ver- mont Station, Indiana. He remained with his father until twenty-three years of age and was then married and removed to the farm upon which he now resides. Here he owns and operates one hundred and twenty acres of land, and elsewhere he owns a sixty-acre tract and cultivates another tract of eighty acres. His land is divided into fields of convenient size and the excellent condition of the crops indicates the careful supervision and watchfulness of the owner. He also raises good grades of stock, and his sound judgment in business affairs and his unflagging energy have brought to him a very gratify- ing competence.
In October, 1882, Mr. Smith married Miss Rosa L. Shrader, a native of Fayette county, Indiana, a daughter of P. N. and Martha Miranda Shrader, both of Fayette county. Her father purchased his land here and in the
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midst of the forest improved a farm. He served as county surveyor and was a worthy citizen. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church, and he was a Republican in his political association. Both have passed away. Their children were: Mrs. Rosa L. Smith; Florence, wife of W. T. Mugg; Oscar E., a farmer; and Ettie, wife of C. Williamson, of California. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but two died in early life. The surviving one is Clarence C., who was born December 4, 1887. The mother, who was a consistent member of the Christian church passed away in 1889. On the 22d of December, 1892, Mr. Smith was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary H. Touby, who was born in Howard county, in 1862, daughter of Peter and Jane (Colville) Touby. Her father was a native of Germany and after coming to America was mar- ried in Fayette county, removing to Howard county about 1853. Heimproved a farm here and was a progressive, enterprising and successful agriculturist. His death occurred in 1888, and his widow finds a comfortable home with her daughter, Mrs. Smith. Both were members of the Congregational church, and their children are Leora, wife of L. M. Yeager; Mary H., wife of our subject; and Albert, a prosperous farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Smith also have three children: Ross T., who was born in March, 1894; W. Everett, born in August, 1895; and Albert, born in February, 1897.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Christian church, in his social relations is a Mason, and in his political views a Democrat. He has, however, never been an aspirant for political office, his attention being given to his business duties and his home. He is known as an honorable, upright man, reliable in business, faithful in the discharge of his duties of citizenship, and his well spent life is in many respects worthy of emulation.
S YLVESTER B. KERLIN, of Logansport, Indiana, known among rail- road men as "Si" Kerlin, is one of the popular passenger conductors on the Chicago division of the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad.
Mr. Kerlin is a native of Iowa, born in Marengo county. April 14, 1856, son of Isaac and Mary (McFeaters) Kerlin. Isaac Kerlin was born in Penn- sylvania. He came west when a young man. Soon after the birth of Syl-
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vester B., he moved with his family from Iowa to Indiana and settled on a farm in Carroll county. Later he removed to LaFayette and subsequently came from there to Logansport, where he and his wife now reside. They are the parents of three children, namely: Wilson, a resident of LaFayette, Indiana; Sylvester B .; and Salina, wife of John Ennis, of LaFayette.
Mr. Kerlin passed his boyhood on his father's farm in Carroll county, his schooling being limited to the country schools and obtained before he was thirteen. He worked on the home farm and for wages on neighboring farms until he was sixteen. At this time his parents moved to LaFayette, and there young Kerlin secured employment on the railroad as a section man. At seventeen he became a brakeman on the Wabash Railroad, and was with that company one year, at the end of which time he came to Logansport and entered the employ of the Pan Handle Company, his first run for this com- pany being made in February, 1874. Some years later, in 1879, he was pro- moted from brakeman to freight conductor, and since April, 1883, he has been a conductor in the passenger service.
In November, 1882, Mr. Kerlin and Mrs. Emma J. Rowan were united in marriage. Mrs. Kerlin is a daughter of John M. Thomas, a Cass county farmer. By her first husband she had one daughter, Laura, who is now the wife of Charles D. May, of Winamac, Indiana. By Mr. Kerlin she has three children,-Geneva, Sylvester and Grace.
Politically, Mr. Kerlin was a Democrat up to the last campaign of 1896, since which time he has been a " sound-money " Democrat. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P., and in religion he is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
C HARLES A. FORD .- Born in Wood county, Ohio, on the 21st of May, 1862, Charles A. Ford is a son of John H. and Martha J. (Post) Ford, the former of whom was born in Wayne county, Ohio, September 15, 1830; and the latter in Otsego county, New York, on the 23d of October, 1830. The grandfather, Albert Ford, was born in New York, and was a farmer by occupation. At an early day he removed to Ohio, where he died at the age of seventy-six years. He was the father of five children. The maternal grand- father, William Post, was also born in New York and carried on agricultural
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CASS, MIAMI, HOWARD AND TIPTON COUNTIES.
pursuits as a means of livelihood. He resided for many years in Medina county, Ohio, where his death occurred at the age of eighty. The father of our subject is a well-known farmer of Medina county, where he has spent his entire life. His first wife died and he was married a second time. His chil- dren, eleven in number, were all born of the first marriage, and six are now living, namely: Rena, wife of Orin B. Severcool; William A .; Francis A .; Charles A .; Belle, wife of Henry Bishop; and Josephine, wife of John Coleman. The father is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, and during the Civil war loyally defended the Union cause.
Reared on a farm in Medina county, when his time was not occupied with the labors of the field during his youth, Charles A. Ford attended the district schools of the neighborhood and thus acquired a fair English educa- tion. At the age of twenty he began learning telegraphy and when he had become quite proficient in that line he was placed in charge of the office at Chippewa Lake, where he remained for one year. He was then transferred to Easton, Ohio, where he served as freight and ticket agent and telegraph operator for a year in the employ of the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Rail- road, and on the expiration of that period he was made the first agent of the Nickel Plate road at Leipsic. For two years he was agent for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad at Hartington, Nebraska, followed by eighteen months' service at Fort Seneca, Ohio, in the employ of the Nickel Plate Railroad. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to other business interests and became bookkeeper in the Lynch Brothers' boiler works at Titusville, Pennsylvania, and a year later accepted the position of bookkeeper and assistant manager of the Derrick Oil Company, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He continued at the latter place for eighteen months and in August, 1888, came to Kokomo, where he entered into partnership with Will- iam Donnelly in the establishment of the Kokomo Foundry & Machine Works, which they have successfully conducted since, employing from thirty-five to forty workmen. Mr. Ford is also president of the Atlanta Steel & Tin Plate Company, of Atlanta, Indiana, and was one of its organizers in 1892. Three hundred and twenty-five operatives are employed in that extensive concern, and the products are shipped to all parts of the United States, the output being very extensive.
On the 18th of June, 1884, Mr. Ford was united in marriage to Miss Emma A. Donnelly, daughter of William and Miriam (Henthorn) Donnelly.
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They have four children, Ida Belle, Lenore, Carl and Harry. The parents are members of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Ford is a prom- inent and exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Howard Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Kokomo Chapter, R. A. M .; Kokomo Council, R. & S. M .; Kokomo Commandery, K. T .; Indianapolis Consistory; Murat Tem- ple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and he and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Ford exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and in business he has been successful.
OHN BAZNER .- One of the substantial farmers and respected citizens J of Pipe Creek township is John Bazner, who also is the head of a respected family. He was born in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, March 11, 1826, and was the son of John George and Christina (Celtman) Bazner, the father also a native of Wurtemberg, and a miller by trade, being of the third generation in possession of the mill which he operated. He was a substantial citizen, engaged to a considerable extent in the Napoleonic wars, in the German army, and twice fighting with Napoleon and twice against him in 1809, 1812, 1814 and 1815. He participated in the battle of Austerlitz, and in many engagements in France and in the battle of Water- loo. After his discharge from the army he married Miss Christina Celtman, a daughter of Adam and Caroline Celtman, and their children were John, Frederick, Gotlieb, Carl, Philip, Ernest and Wilhelm. The father of these children was a Lutheran in his religion, and he died in his native land, at the age of seventy-three years.
John Bazner received a good common-school education, learned the baker's trade, and served six years in the German army, in which he was called out in the revolution of 1848, the same in which our noted American statesman, Carl Schurz, was engaged. He was married in Baden, Germany, when he was twenty-seven years of age, in 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Miller, who was born in Germany in 1826, a daughter of Jacob and Catharine Miller. Her father owned a small farm and devoted his time mainly to agri- cultural pursuits, and was an exemplary citizen. His children were Katie, Christine, Elizabeth, Susan and Frederick. Jacob Miller was a member of
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the Lutheran church and passed his entire life in his native land, dying at an advanced age. He was a highly respected citizen.
Soon after marriage, in May, 1853, John Bazner and wife emigrated to America, embarking in June, at Havre de Grace, France, in a sailing vessel, the good ship Malabar, Captain Freeman, of New Orleans, and landing at New York, August 27, having been forty-nine days on the voyage. For the first two months in that city he was employed at his trade of baker and in other work. In 1854 he came to Indiana, arriving August 27 at Peru, and for the first year worked for an uncle, John Z. Bazner. Next he rented a farm and commenced to work for himself. In 1860 he purchased a small place in Pipe Creek township and lived there three years, and in 1863 he bought a tract of eighty acres of wild land, built a log cabin, cleared the land, erected buildings and developed a fine place.
His children are: Emily, born in January, 1856, in Pipe Creek town- ship; Katie, in September, 1857; Paulina, in September, 1858; and William, in 1863.
Mr. and Mrs. Bazner are members of the Lutheran church in Peru, of which he has been a trustee. In his politics he is a Democrat.
Mr. Bazner has always been a straightforward, upright man, well known for his industry and attention to his business, his fixed purpose, sturdiness as a pioneer and his general excellence as a citizen. He is strictly a self-made man, financially, for he started with nothing and has by his own unaided efforts advanced himself to a comfortable position in life.
OHN W. HAMILTON, passenger conductor on the Pan Handle Rail- J road, with his residence at Logansport, Indiana, began his railroad career as a water-boy and has worked his way up to the position of trust and responsibility he now occupies.
Mr. Hamilton was born in Hocking county, Ohio, March 3, 1859, and is a son of Jackson Hamilton, a native of the same county. The latter was reared a farmer and followed that occupation until entering the employ of the Pan Handle Railway Company more than thirty years ago. He is still in the active service of the company and is now sixty-six years of age. He married Miss Eliza McCown, who died in 1886, and who was the mother o
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF
three sons: John W., James A. and Andrew P. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a Pennsylvanian who removed from that state to Ohio at an early day. Little is known of his history. The McCowns were New Jersey people.
John W. Hamilton was seven years old at the time his father left the farm and located in Logansport, and here he was reared and educated, com- pleting his schooling in the seminary of this city. At the age of eighteen he hired to the Pan Handle Company as water-boy and in that humble position performed faithful service, winning the confidence and good will of his employers and associates and ere long receiving promotion. His next posi- tion with the company was that of brakeman on a freight train running between Logansport and Chicago, in which capacity he served three years and a half, at the end of that time, February 1, 1882, being promoted to freight conductor. In November, 1892, he again received a deserved pro- motion and since that date has been a passenger conductor. During these years he has made a wide acquaintance and by his genial and accommodating manner has won the esteem of the traveling public.
Mr. Hamilton is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
D P. RUBUSH, M. D., is a prominent physician and surgeon of Sharps- ville, Indiana, whose life has been devoted to labors wherein wealth and influence avail little, the measure of success depending upon the mental- ity, the intellectual acquirements and broad culture of the individual.
The Doctor was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, November 25, 1847, and is a son of Rev. John and Sarah C. (Paul) Rubush, also natives of the Old Dominion, where their marriage was celebrated. Both died in Maryland, the mother in 1878, the father in 1884. From the age of eight- een years he was a minister of the United Brethren church, and, being ordained a presiding elder, he went to Tennessee at an early day as a mis- sionary. After establishing several churches and organizing an annual con- ference, he returned to his old conference in Virginia and later located in Maryland, where he continued to engage actively in the work of the ministry until his life's close, laboring faithfully and untiringly for the betterment of his fellowmen. The Doctor is the oldest of his three children, the others
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being Ida P., now the wife of A. H. Campbell, of Sharpsville, Indiana, and William H., a farmer of Georgia.
Dr. Rubush began his literary education in the subscription schools of Tennessee, and later attended the Laurel Hill Academy, in Washington county, that state. Leaving Tennessee, in 1863, he came to Indianapolis, and the following winter was a student in the Hartsville University. He then worked as a farm hand in Delaware county, Indiana, and in 1864 enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Indiana Battery, remaining in the service until the close of the war and participating in the battle of Nashville. After being mustered out and honorably discharged, at Indianapolis, in September, 1865, he returned to east Tennessee, where he commenced the study of theology, and then again attended school in this state. As a minister of the United Brethren church, he traveled a circuit in Tennessee for two years.
Within this time Dr. Rubush was married, in Marion county, Indiana, in 1869, to Miss Rachel Rubush, a very distant relative, and a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Joice) Rubush, of this state, who were of German descent. Her father was a prominent contractor of Indianapolis and at one time served as commissioner of Marion county. He died near Acton in 1890, his wife in 1896. Their children were T. R., a physician; Albert, who is engaged in the manufacture of tile and in farming; George A., a contractor of Indianapolis; Mrs. Allie Clark; and Rachel, the wife of our subject. Of the seven children born to Dr. and Mrs. Rubush, two died in infancy, the others being Jacob C., who is single; Allie, wife of G. Cook, a millwright; Carl C., who is married; and Ethel M. and Lela, both at home.
Returning to Indiana in 1870 Dr. Rubush joined the Miami conference, for two years had charge of a circuit in Ohio, and as a member of the White River conference of Indiana traveled a circuit for one year. In the mean- time, in 1873, he commenced reading medicine with Samuel Megaha, of Acton, Indiana, and the following year entered the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, where he was graduated in 1876. He first opened an office at Jackson's Station, where he remained for two years, spent the same length of time in Tetersburg and in 1879 came to Sharpsville, where his skill and ability were soon recognized, and it was not long before he built up a large and lucrative business, which he still enjoys, his practice extending for many miles into the surrounding country. He occupies an enviable position in the medical fraternity and is to-day an honored member of the county and state
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medical societies. Besides his large practice he conducts a farm in Tip- ton county, though he resides in town. Socially he affiliates with the Knights of the Maccabees and Put. Evans Post, No. 146, G. A. R., and politically is identified with the Republican party. As there is now no United Brethren church in Sharpsville his family have become prominent and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
G EORGE W. WOLF .- A prominent farmer and highly respected citizen of Pipe Creek township, Miami county, is the gentleman whom we have selected as the subject of the following paragraphs, since his residence in many places, his travels, his contact with many classes of people, his shrewd observation of the peculiarities of human nature, etc., entitle him to special mention.
He was born in Frederick county, Maryland, February 16, 1837, a son of David and Catharine (Hawver) Wolf. David Wolf, the grandfather of George W., was a farmer of Frederick county, Maryland, was born in Wash- ington county, that state, and his father, a native of Hesse, Germany, emi- grated to America about the time of the Revolutionary war. David Wolf, the grandfather, married Nancy Miller and resided in Frederick county, where he improved a farm and passed the remainder of his life, dying at the age of eighty-four years. His children were Jacob, Samuel, David, Elizabeth, Susanna, Sarah and Catharine. Of the children just mentioned, David Wolf, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in that county, August 1, 1812, and during life followed agriculture. In the same county he married Cath- arine Hawver, who was born March 16, 1814, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Sweeny) Hawver. The father, also born in the same county, of stalwart German descent, was a soldier in the American Revolution and by occupation a farmer, owning one hundred and sixty acres of land in his native county, where he died at the age of about sixty years. His children were George, Catharine, Elizabeth, Mary, Magdalena and Caroline. Mr. Hawver was an exemplary citizen, highly esteemed by his neighbors. A few years after marriage David Wolf settled on the old Hawver homestead and passed his life there, leaving this world September 25, 1860, at the age of forty-eight years, one month and twenty-four days. He was a man well known for his
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integrity and good qualities generally. His children were Susanna, Hiram A., George W., David S., James P., Celia A., Miranda A., Richard H., Hes- ter A., Bradley B. and Adeline V.
Mr. George W. Wolf, whose name heads this sketch as its subject proper, received a limited education in his younger days, having indeed but two months' schooling each winter until he was nineteen years of age, and all his life to the present time has been devoted to agriculture. He came to Miami county, Indiana, in 1858, but soon proceeded further west to Kansas and western Missouri, stopping in Jackson county in the latter state and working on a farm one summer. Then he returned to Frederick county, Maryland, for a short time, and in 1861 came again to this county and was employed on a farm and in brick-yards.
Early in the autumn of 1864 he was married and returned again to the old homestead in Maryland, where he lived a year. Coming again to Indi- ana, he settled in Washington township, Miami county, and resided on the Hawver homestead from 1865 to 1871, and then emigrated to Arkansas, where, in company with his brother, David S., he had purchased one hundred and ten acres of land, mostly cleared. After a residence of three and a half years there he sold out and returned to Miami county, here, and was a resi- dent of Peru till 1876. March 6th of that year he settled upon his present farm, which he had purchased on the 26th of the preceding February. He has greatly improved this tract, eighty acres, erecting good buildings, etc. Besides this he owns a good farm of the same extent in Pipe Creek town- ship, so that he now has altogether one hundred and sixty acres of good farming land, in a good state of cultivation. He is a man of shrewd judg- ment and a prosperous farmer.
September 22, 1864, is the date of his marriage, in Washington town- ship, Miami county, to Miss Sophia J. Hawver, who was born January 29, 1843, in Frederick county, Maryland, a daughter of George and Sarah (Swope) Hawver. Her father, a native of the same county, was born Jan- uary 4, 1817, a son of George Hawver, and emigrated first to Ohio, settling in Miami county, and in 1846 moved to Miami county, Indiana, locating on land which he had purchased on Eel river. This he subsequently sold, and moved to a point north of Peru, and in 1860 settled in Washington town- ship, on a partially improved tract of one hundred and twenty acres. He completed the clearing of this place and reduced it to a good state of cultiva-
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tion. His children were Susannah, William H., Sophia J., Mary S., George W., Isaac, John, and Ira E. and Lewis, twins. Mr. Hawver died October 13, 1879, at the age of sixty-two years, nine months and nine days, a faith- ful member of the German Baptist church, a prosperous farmer and a respected citizen.
Mr. and Mrs. Wolf are parents of the following children: Levi B., born November 21, 1867; David B., January 11, 1871; Dora M., April 4, 1872; and Minnie A., January 22, 1880.
Mr. Wolf is a stanch Democrat and bimetalist, was assessor from 1886 to 1891, is well known for his integrity, and both himself and wife are strong believers in the Christian religion. He has been a member of the German Baptist church since 1880, and has been a deacon for fourteen years.
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