USA > Indiana > Adams County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 1 > Part 27
USA > Indiana > Wells County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 1 > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
Geneva was incorporated by act of the Legislature, and the charter election held
January 27, 1874, when the officials chosen were: R. Todd, John D. Hale and N. P. Heaton, Trustees, of whom R. Todd was President; John Q. Anderson, Clerk; Charles D. Porter, Treasurer. The officers at this writing are: Nathan Shephard, W. II. II. Beers and M. J. Gottschalk, Trustees; A. G. Briggs, Clerk; John C. Hale, Treasurer. The population of Geneva is about 500.
The postoffice was originally established under the name of " Limberlost," so called from the stream of that name, and afterward named Geneva when the village was re- named. The first postinaster was Jacob Conkle, and his successors have been: R. Todd, W. W. Roberts, W. II. Fought and Samuel F. Biteman, the present incumbent. Geneva became a money-order office in August, 1880. The first order issued was August 2, 1880, and the first paid was August 21, 1880.
Geneva has had a newspaper for the past six years, and part of the time two papers.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
The firms doing business in Geneva in February, 1857, are:
II. M. Aspy, druggist and physician; Will
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VILLAGES.
Bair, jewelry; Charles H. Bell, grocery; Lawrence Biteler, harness; S. F. Biteman, postofliee; James Brelsford, physician; A. G. Briggs, hardware; J. G. Burk, livery; Jesse Carey, hardware; A. Culley & Sons, sewing machines; David Dillinger, blaek- smith; William Drew, attorney; Will F. Fought, stoves and tinware; S. Frank, dry goods; Garrison & Drew, furniture; Gotts- chalk & Shoemaker, dry goods and clothing; Jolin C. Hale, general store; W. H. Harper, hotel; Chris. Haviland, meat market; M. P. Ileaston, hotel; S. W. Hill & Bro., grain; Kelley Bros., agricultural implements; P. K. Kinney, saloon; P. B. Manley, attorney; Adam A. Mason, grocery; W. S. Meeks, saw-mill; Beeehier Meibers, saloon; Isaac Nelson, poultry; David Polm, shoemaker; Charles D. Porter, drugs; E. C. Pyle, gen- eral store; S. G. Ralston, physician; Alex- ander Robinson, saloon; A. O. Roll, barber; J. P. Scheer, saw-mill; Sutton & Striggle, blacksmithy and agricultural implements; II. S. Thomas, proprietor Geneva Herald; Watson & McWhinney, general store; Wat- son & Meeks, grocery.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school in this part of Wabash Township was kept by R. Todd in a log school-house on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 20. The school-house used in the vil- lage for many years was a frame building. This being too small, in 1878 the present commodious briek house was built at a cost of $3,500. There are four rooms, and four teachers are employed. Those for the cur- rent year are: W. A. Aspy, Ella Snow, Lulu Meeks and Ella Briggs. The principals have been, in succession: John II. Runyon, T. S. Walter, George W. Burk, S. W. Skeels, W. M. Reed, John W. Walker, J. T. Smith, J.
O. Jones, W. C. Ladd, Leonard Luckey, S. Peterson and W. A. Aspy.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Ge- neva was organized abont 1840. The first serviees were at the house of William Shep- hard, Sr., and the " Shephard class " inelud- ed William Shephard and wife, Samnel Linton and wife, Henry Judy and wife, Mr. Belt and wife, and William MeHugh and wife. Rev. G. W. Bowers was the first minister. Other pastors were: Revs. G. W. Bowers, William Anderson, Penser, B. F. Bowman, Abiah Kerwood, Henry Bradley, William Lash, C. E. Disbro, M. A. Teague, N. T. Peddycord, William Roberts, and W. T. Smith. Services were held in neighbor- ing houses until 1856, when this elass was divided. A part went south into Jay County, and a part to Buffalo, where a hewed-log elinreh was ereeted. Services were held here until 1877, when the present house of wor- ship was erected. It was dedicated in June of that year. The trustees were Joseph Anderson, D. B. Linton and John D. Ilale. The church was begun under Rev. Jacob Macklin. His successors have been: Revs. J. M. Rush, D. Sawyer, D. F. Stright, Whit- ford and N. Brandenbury. The present membership is about 100. The first super- intendent of the Sunday-school was II. S. Judy; the present one is L. W. Watson. The membership is about 100.
United Brethren Church .- The first ser- viees of this denomination were held in the old log church in 1873, by Rev. Beeber, and an organization was effeeted two years later, with perhaps ten members. G. W. Pyle and wife were the first belonging to the denomi- nation to settle in Geneva. The church has now seventy-five members, and has a house of worship, built in 1881 at a cost of $1,700.
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
Rev. William Karrikoff, of Mercer County, Ohio, is the pastor. The Sunday-school was organized in 1852. The first superintendent was Adam Bale. He was sneeeeded by G. W. Pyle, who held the position until November 1, 1886, when A. J. Judy was elected. The average attendance is abont eighty.
SOCIETIES.
John P. Porter Post, No. 83, G. A. R., was mustered July 24, 1882, by Colonel R. S. Robertson, mustering officer. The first mem- bers were Lafayette Rape, J. M. Holloway, J. P. Schieer, G. W. II. Riley, A. J. Judy, John D. Hale, S. G. Ralston, John C. IFale, George W. Cookerly, Will. II. Fought, Adam Calley, J. T. Young, William Drew, W. R. Meeks, Soerates Cook and William Bair. The first officers were: J. M. Holloway, Commander; Will. II. Fought, Senior Vice- Commander; Lafayette Rape, Junior Viee- Commander; John C. IIale, Adjutant; S. G. Ralston, Surgeon; W. R. Meeks, Chaplain; G. W. II. Riley, Officer of the Day; William Drew, Officer of the Guard; A. J. Judy, Quartermaster; J. P. Scheer, Quartermaster Sergeant; John D. Hale, Sergeant-Major. In 1884 William II. Fought was com- mander; in 1885, John Halloway, and in 1886, Michael O'Harra. The officers in 1887 are: John P. Scheer, Commander; John M. Sullivan, Senior Vice-Commander; I. N. Vealey, Junior Viee-Commander; J. Me- Dowell, Surgeon; S. F. Biteman, Chaplain; Will. HI. Fought, Adjutant; John C. Hale, Quartermaster; Lafayette Rape, Officer of the Day; Aaron Bricker, Officer of the Guard; W. R. Meeks, Sergeant-Major; J. T. Young, Quartermaster-Sergeant. The post has mus- tered 124 members, of whom 90 are now in good standing. The deaths have been: Jona- than Cain, October 1, 1885; Chris. D. Tharp, March 14, 1886; Isaac M. MeClellan, April
5, 1886; John Bolenbancher, December 21, 1886. The post meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, at Grand Army Ilall.
McPherson Camp, No. 11, S. of V., was organized May 8, 1884, with sixteen mem- bers- Joseph Wagner, Gns. Wagner, Joe W. Hendricks, C. E. Lyons, Allen Sholtz, W. E. Buckingham, Charles Rohn, Dan. P. Bolls, I. N. Havelin, Thomas Drew, William Har- ris, W. A. Lyon, J. A. Lyon, A. L. Coohuan, John Iliff and Atris Buckingham. Charles Rohn was elected captain for the first term. For the second term Charles D. Porter was elected. Hle was re-elected for the year 1886, but resigned, and Joseph A. Hendricks, the present captain, was elected. The camp has forty members, and meets every Tuesday evening in G. A. R. HIall. It has encon- tered many difficulties, but is now in a flour- ishing condition.
BERNE.
.The village of Berne was platted Angust 15, 1871, by Abraham Lehman and John ITilty. Additions have been made as follows: March 13, 1873, by John Hilty and Chris. Lisehty; November 1, 1875, by A. C. Leli- man; September 15, 1879, by John Hilty; September, 1880, by John Hilty; October 3, 1881, by John Hilty; August 7, 1882, by John A. Sprunger; February 22, 1883, by Chris. Beer; March 20, 1883, by John A. Sprunger; May 25, 1885, by John A. Sprin- ger; October 31, 1885, by A. C. Lehman; December, 1885, by Daniel Welty.
The first building erected on the village site was a frame store-room, built by Thomas Harris, in August, 1871. It is now used by J. P. Atz as a harness shop. Mr. Harris kept a general stock of merchandise for a year or so, and then sold to J. J. Hirschy & Co. Berne is now a prosperous village, the
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eredit for which is largely due to John A. Sprunger. It is in the midst of a large Men- nonite community, and many of those people were opposed to having any town at all, on account of the moral corruption supposed to pervade all centers of population. In the antmin of 1886 a eensus was taken, showing a population in Berne of 341. Steps are now being taken toward incorporation, for which, at a recent election, fifty-three votes were cast, to twenty-five against. The Board of Commissioners are now to act in the matter.
The postoffice of Berne was established in 1872, with Philip Sheets as postmaster. His successors have been Andrew Gottschalk, William Sheets, Joel Welty and Harvey Ilar- ruff, the present ineumbent. Berne was made a money-order office July 10, 1883. The first order was issued to Adolph IIuffer, the same day, in favor of L. Brames & Co., Fort Wayne. The first order paid was An- gust 8, 1883, to James Young, issued from Troy, Ohio.
The Hoosier Roller Mills Company have a good flouring mill, built in the summer of 1854, by a joint stock company consisting of A. A. Sprunger, Jeff. Lehman, Levi Moses, D. C. Neuenschwander, Abraham Sprunger and Samuel Lehman. The company bought the grain elevator, which they now operate. They also deal in Inmber. The capital stock of the company is $25,000. The mill has a capacity of seventy-five barrels per day, has run continuously sinee it was built, and has been a profitable investment for its owners.
The Eagle Ilonse was built during the summer of 1882, and opened August 9, by a stock company consisting of John A. Sprun- ger, Jeff. Lehman, D. S. Wittever and Aaron Neuenschwander. Mr. Wittmer became landlord, and after running the house a few months bought the share of Mr. Lehman, thereby securing a half interest, which he
still owns, the other half being owned by John A. Sprunger. It is a first-class hotel, and'cost $3,000.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
The firms doing business at Berne in Feb- ruary, 1887, are:
Allison, Morrow & Co., general store; Eu- gene Aschleinan, saloon; JJacob Atz, saddler; Berne Manufacturing Company, saw-mill; David Bixler, jeweler; M. Boller, tinner; Ja- eob Branneman, saloon; W. Broadwell, phy- sician; Brown & Koenig, blaeksmiths; Edward Dro, meat market; Joseph Gianque, grocer; J. P. Ilabegger & Co., hardware; HIarvey Harruff, postmaster; Abram Hoeker, blacksmith; Fred. Hofer, barber; Hoosier Roller Milling Co., flour mill, elevator and lumber yard; Hoffman & Gottschalk, drugs; Lehman & Muszbaum, meat market; Fred. Meister, tinner; Mendenhall, Harruff & Co., drugs; Frank Monosmith, station agent; C. D. Sheets, groceries and drugs; Philip Shug, agricultural implements; Sprunger, Lehman & Co., general store; Philip Sprunger, archi- teet and builder; John Wagner, boots and shoes; Jacob Wegmueller, saloon; Welty & Sprunger, Mennonite Publishing House; Charles Wilson, saloon; Wittever & Yoder, livery and feed stable; D. S. Wittever, Eagle Ilotel.
The Mennonite church here is a frame building, six years old, and cost $2,000. It was enlarged in 1886. The membership is about 300. Rev. S. F. Sprunger, the pastor, has been in this vieinity nearly twenty years, and built the church. The Mennonite Pub- lishing House issue the Bundesbote (a church weekly) and the Kinderbote (a Sunday-school paper) for the general conference. I. A. Sommer is editor. A church almanae, hymn books and a Bible history are also published. The printing is done in Chicago and the
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
binding in Fort Wayne. The Evangelical Association has had a class here for four years, but have no house of worship. Its member- ship is about twenty. Rev. Stoops, of Deca- tur, condnets services every two weeks. The Berne Maeszigkeitsverein, or Temperance So- ciety, has over eighty members and meets every two weeks. D. C. Sprunger is presi- dent and F. G. Eichenberger, secretary.
MONROE·
Monroe is a station on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, near the south line of Monroe Township, and is almost at the geographical center of the county. If the sur- rounding country had possessed more favora- ble topographical features the county seat would have been located here instead of at Decatur. It is exceedingly flat, however, and the first settlers found it very unattract- ive. It has ninety-seven inhabitants, accord- ing to the latest eensns. There are three
general stores, one drug store, two saloons, two blacksmith shops, two saw-mills, one hub factory, one tile factory and two board- ing-houses. A graded-school building is in process of erection. The first postmaster was George Roup; the present one is J. W. IIen- drieks. The Methodist Episcopal people or- ganized a class in 1876, and the following year they built a frame house of worship. Rev. Hosea Walpert was the first minister. Rev. Joseph Cook is the present pastor. Jesse Essex is superintendent of the Sunday- school, which has an average attendance of 100.
OTHER VILLAGES.
Monmouth, in Root Township, has seventy- nine inhabitants, and its glory is chiefly past. Something of its history has already been given. Pleasant Mills, in St. Mary's Town- ship, has 135 inhabitants; Ceylon, in Wabash Township, 125; Salem, in Blue Creek, sixty- one; Williams, in Root, twenty.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
ON. DAVID STUDABAKER, presi- dent of the Adams County Bank, of De- catur, and a prominent and influential citizen of Adams County, was born at Fort Recovery, Ohio, the date of his birth being Angust 12, 1827. At the age of seven years he was taken by his parents to Adams County, Indiana, they settling in Wabash Township, where he was reared to the avocation of a farmer. His father died when he was but thirteen years of age, and being the eldest child, he aided in the maintenance of his mother and family. IIe received his primary education in the distriet schools, which he attended during the winter months, being a pupil in the first school taught in Wells County, Indiana. It was a subscription school taught by an Irishman, and held in a primitive log cabin, built with puncheon floor; a log eut ont and the aperture covered with greased paper, served as a window, and the seats were made of logs. Mr. Studabaker attended the high school near Greenville, Ohio, one term, after which he attended the Jay County Seminary, at Portland, Indiana, one and a half years, and in the meantime taught in the distriet schools of Adams and Wells counties. He continued to teach school
until the spring of 1851, when he began read- ing law in the office of Hon. Jacob M. Haynes at Portland, Indiana. In June, 1852, he was admitted to the bar at the same place, Ilon. Jeremiah Smith presiding, and during the same month he settled in Decatur, where he began the practice of his chosen profession. He was married at Fort Wayne, Indiana, October 26, 1854, to Miss Harriet Evans, a daughter of Hon. John K. Evans. She was born at Shane's Crossing, Ohio, and in 1835 came with her parents to Adams County, In- diana, and received her edneation in the pub- lie schools of her neighborhood, and at the Methodist Female College at Fort Wayne. Mr. and Mrs. Studabaker have five children living-Mary J., wife of John Nibliek, a merchant of Deeatur; Lizzie E., wife of A. B. Morrison, a merchant and banker of Eek- mansville, Ohio; Hattie, at home; Maggie, wife of William J. Vesey, an attorney of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and David, Jr., a student of the grammar school at Lima, In- diana. One son, John E., died at Decatur in May, 1869, aged eleven years. Mr. Studa- baker practiced law at Deeatur until 1883, a period of thirty-one years, and during this time was associated a number of years with
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James R. Bobo and John P. Quinn, both of whom were formerly students in his office. In connection with his law practice, he at an early day began dealing in real estate, which he has continued until quite recently. In 1852 lie was elected proscenting attorney for the district comprising Adams and Allen counties, serving as such two years, and in 1854 was elected a member of the State Legislature to represent Adams County in the lower house, and was re-elected in 1856. In 1858 he was elected State Senator by the district comprising Adams, Jay and Wells counties. In 1868 he was elected judge of the common pleas court for the district com- prising Adams, Allen, Huntington and Wells counties. In 1869 he was identified with the building of the Richmond & Fort Wayne Railroad, and was elected one of its directors, which position he still holds. In 1871 he became a stockholder in the Adams County Bank, which was conducted as a private bank until 1874. It was then incorporated under the State law, and Mr. Studabaker was chosen one of its directors, and also vice-president, and in 1883 was appointed its president, which position he has since filled. Politically Mr. Studabaker affiliates with the Democratie party. He is numbered among the active and publie-spirited citizens of Decatur, and is always interested in any enterprise calen- lated to be of benefit to his town or county.
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AMES THOMAS MERRYMAN, attor- ney, a member of the firm of France & Merryman, Deeatnr, Indiana, was born in Washington Township, Adams County, Indiana, October 1, 1854, a son of Charles Wesley and Mary Ann (Archbold) Merryman. His father was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, July 2, 1827, a son of Zachariah and
Mary Merryman, of English-Scotch extrac- tion. He obtained a good common-school education by his own efforts, having been left an orphan before the age of ten years. IIe came to Indiana in 1836, when he ob- tained employment, and when not at work devoted his time to study until twenty years of age, when he began teaching school, which he continued until August, 1862, when he enlisted in the defense of his eonntry and was assigned to Company II, Eighty-ninth Indi- ana Infantry. He served nearly three years, when he was discharged at Nashville, Ten- nessee, the war being ended. Ile participated in many severe engagements, among the more important being those at Bull Run, Chicka- manga and Nashville. After his discharge he returned to Adams County and engaged in farming until his death, which occurred February 5, 1870. In politics he was a Republican. He was married October 18, 1848, to Mary Ann Archbold, a native of Ohio, dangliter of James L. and Malinda Archbold, of Irish and German deseent, who came to Adams County in 1836. To them were born six children, but four of whom are living-Jonathan and Zachariah, farmers of Washington Township; Snsie and James T. A daughter, Eliza J., died in July, 1878, aged twenty-six years, and a son, Henry I .. , died June 5, 1884, a few days before lie would have graduated from the Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana. The mother still lives in Adams County, making her home with her children. She has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since her girlhood, her husband being a mem- ber of the same church. James Thomas Merryman was educated in the schools of Decatur, and when sixteen years old began teaching, following that vocation during the winter until manhood. In 1876 he was deputized clerk of Adams Circuit Court, by
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Byron II. Dent, and also served under his snecessor, Ilenry Krick, until 1880, when he was employed as clerk in the Adams County Bank. In the meantime he devoted his leisure time to the study of law, and was admitted to the bar at Decatur in 1881. In 1882 he was elected the first mayor of Deeatur and served one term. In January, 1883, he became associated with John S. France in the practice of his profession. Mr. Merryman is a member of St. Mary's Lodge, No. 167, and Decatur Encampment, No. 138, I. O. O. F., and has received all the honors of both. Hle has been a representative to the grand lodge and also to the grand encampment of the State of Indiana. Ile is also a member of Deeatur Lodge, No. 511, A. F. & A. M. In polities he is a Democrat. He was married August 29, 1878, to Miss Louisa P. Albers, a native of Willshire, Ohio, daughter of August L. and Eve C. Albers. She was reared in Adams County, and edueated in the Decatur schools. Mr. and Mrs. Merryman have had three children-Matie June, Iona Dale and Charles August. Iona died Sep- tember 15, 1854, aged three years. Mr. and Mrs. Merryman are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
JOHN NUMBERS, deceased, formerly of Root Township, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1826, and when a boy was taken by his parents to Ful- ton County, Ohio, thenee to Wayne County, where he grew to manhood and where he was married January 31, 1848, to Miss Mary Jane Yoenm, who was born in Wayne County July 4, 1827, where she was reared, edneated and married. In 1851 they removed to De- eatur, this State, where they lived two months. The family consisted of parents and 19
one child, Myrtilla Jane, who was born in Wayne County June 12, 1850, and is now a teacher. Elmore L. was born January 10, 1853, in Monmonth, in the house where the father first settled, and where the widowed mother is now living. The father was a mason by trade, which he followed during the summer, and worked at shoemaking dur- ing the winter. His parents were John and Nancy (Linton) Numbers, both of whom died in Wayne County, Ohio. The mother died in the sminmer of 1886, aged ninety years. John Numbers, our subject, died November 18, 1854, of typhoid fever, and is buried in Monmouth cemetery. Mrs. Numbers' par- ents were Abraham and Mary (Hoffman) Yoenm. The father was born in Laneaster County, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1790, and died March 8, 1872, at the house of Mrs. Numbers. The mother was also born in Laneaster County, July 4, 1796. After the death of her husband she made her home with Mrs. Numbers, and died June 20, 1881. The parents were reared and married in Penn- sylvania, removed to Wayne County, Ohio, thence to this county in 1851. They had six ehildren-John, Rebecca (deceased), Mary Jane, Martha, who lives in Ashland County, Ohio, Anes, living in Chieago, and Eliza- beth. Both Mr. and Mrs. Yoemm were of German deseent. Mrs. Numbers' grandpar- ents, Henry and Martha Hoffman, were born in Germany. Elmore L. Numbers was reared and edneated in the schools of Monmonth, and commenced teaching at the age of eighteen years. He has since followed that occupation during the winter seasons. Ile was married March 28, 1876, to Mary S. Vanghan, who was born in Allen County, this State, May 24, 1858, danghter of Joel and Naney (Coverdale) Vanghan, natives of Ohio. The father died in July, 1876, aged forty-eight years; the mother is living in
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Blue Creek Township. They have four chil- dren-W. Roy. Nancy J., Linton V. and Ethel B.
AVID B. LINTON, an active and en- terprising farmer of Wabash Township, residing on section 33, was born in Wabash Township, Adams County, Indiana, March 18, 1842, son of Samuel and Margart (Walker) Linton. Ile grew to manhood on the home farm, receiving his education in the common schools of his native county. Mr. Linton engaged in farming on the home farm in Wabash Township until February, 1865, when he enlisted in Company E, One Hun- dred and Fifty-third Indiana Infantry, serv- ing until the following July, when he was taken sick with measles, and received his dis- charge, when he returned to his home in Wabash Township. He was first married January 9, 1869, to Miss Margaret O'Har- row, who was born in Gallia County, Ohio, and to this union was born one child, who died in childhood: Mrs. Linton died Sep- tember 14, 1869, and August 24, 1876, he was again married, to Mrs. Amy T. Wheeler, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, born September 26, 1842, a daughter of Jacob and Temperance Tederick. One child has been born to bless this union-Iretta Pearl, who was born July 12, 1877. Mrs. Linton was first married January 31, 1863, to Zeadock M. Wheeler, a native of Jay County, Indiana, and to this union were born three children- James L., George II. (deceased) and Merton D. (deecased). Mr. Wheeler died September 13, 1873. Mr. Linton settled on the farm in Wabash Township after his marriage, where he has since resided, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Ilis farm contains sixty aeres of choice land, all well improved and under fine
cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Linton are promi- nent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In polities Mr. Linton is a Republi- can, and since coming to the county has held several local offices. He is a comrade of John P. Porter Post, No. 83, G. A. R.
TTTILLIAM II. II. FRANCE, super- intendent of the Adams County in- firmary, was born in Vermont July 29, 1841, son of Frederick and Alice France. the former also a native of Vermont and now deceased, and the latter a native of Vermont. In 1847 the parents emigrated to Licking County, Ohio, where they lived until 1853, then came to Adams County. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are living-Charles M., attorney at law, living in Bluffton; Philemon T., of Van Wert County, Ohio; Martha P., of Willshire, Ohio; Mary M., also of Willshire, and Will- iam II. II. The mother has made her home in Adams County since the death of the father. Mr. France has always been engaged in farming from his boyhood. He received a rudimentary education in the early distriet schools. Ile was married August 26, 1860, to Miss Phebe M. Matthewson, a native of this county, and a daughter of Joshua and Almira Matthewson, who were born in New England, and were early settlers of Adams County. The father purchased a farm in St. Mary's Township, and entered forty aeres from the Government. Mr. and Mrs. France have had four children-Edwin W .; Alice 1., wife of Jeremiah Archer; Charles M. and Osa M. Mr. France was a resident of St. Mary's Township until 1883, then re- moved to his present home in Washington Township. He served as constable in St. Mary's Township, and as justice of the peace
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