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 32
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 32
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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
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native of Maryland and the latter of Vir- ginia. The father died in this county at the age of seventy-one years, and the mother died the same year. Mr. Rice's grandfather, Jesse Riee, died in Virginia; he has no knowledge of his grandmother Rice. ITis parents' names were Sampson and Elizabeth C. (Thompson) Riec, both natives of Vir- ginia. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have had nine children-Elizabeth II., Mary C., Joseph M., Sarah A., William F., Nancy J., Samantha F., James B., and Charles G., who died at the age of nine years, four months and six- teen days.
WILLIAM DREW, attorney at law, Geneva, was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1833. His father, Rufus B., was born in Maine, and his mother. Mary A. (Buek) Drew, in New York. They were married in Tioga County, and engaged in farming, and later removed to Steuben County, New York, where they still reside. They reared a family of six children, William being the second child. Ile re- mained at home on the farm until nineteen years of age, and received an edneation in the common schools of New York and at Union Academy at Knoxville, Pennsylvania. HIe then came to Ohio, where he was engaged in clerking in Piekaway and Fayette counties until the summer of 1855, then went to Randolph County, Indiana, and followed school teaching. Ile was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which otlice he held twelve years. August 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Eighty-fourth Indi- ana Infantry, and served until August, 1863, when he was discharged by reason of disabil- ity, having contracted a disease, for which he now draws a pension. Ile returned to Ran- 21
dolph County, and resumed teaching, and was also re-elected to his former office of justice of the peace. While engaged in these duties he devoted his spare time to the study of the law, passed a successful exami- nation, and was admitted to the bar in 1869. Ile at onee engaged in the practice of his profession at Ridgeville, where he remained until the spring of 1576, then came to Geneva, Adams County, where he has since resided. IIe has held the office of justice of the peace in this county five and a half years and served one term as trustee for the town of Geneva. Mr. Drew was married at Deerfield, Randolph Connty, November 23, 1856, to Miss Rebecea A. Vorhis, a native of ITunterdon County, New Jersey, born April 2, 1835. By this union they have six children-Annie, Jessie, Thomas, Willard, Charlotte and Charles V. Mr. Drew is a charter member of John P. Porter Post, G. A. R., and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.
FROIIN ARCHIBOLD, who was one of the old and honored pioneers of Adams County, now deceased, was born in HIar- rison County, Ohio, February 11, 1809. When a boy he was taken by his parents to Tusearawas County, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood, and was married April 17, 1839, to Elizabeth Gibson. To them were born eleven children-Margaret, Thomas, Mary J., Rebecca, George W., William G., James M., Sarah C., Martha F., John M. and Ezra B. Beside their own family they reared a grandchild named Martin Archbold. In 1851 they moved to Wells County, Indiana, settling in Jefferson Township. On coming to Indiana Mr. Archbold bought 205 acres of land in Preble Township. Adams County, and until he had cleared a part of his
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land and erected a log cabin, his family lived in Wells County for a few months. Ile then removed with his family to Preble Township, in which he made his home until February 3, 1885. He then rented his farm on which he had lived so many years, and came to Decatur, where he died December 23, 1885, his death being a source of universal regret. He was an active and enterprising citizen of Adams County, and for sixteen years held the office of justice of the peace. He was a strong temperance advocate. Ifis widow is still living in Decatur. She was born November 30, 1808, in Brooks County, Virginia, where she remained till nine years of age. She then removed with her parents to Tuscarawas County, where she lived till after her mar- riage. Ezra B. Archbold, the youngest son of John and Elizabeth Archbold, was born December 16, 1851, in Preble Township, Adams County, where he was reared. In his boyhood he attended the schools of his district, and completed his education at the Decatur High School. Ile subsequently engaged in teaching school and taught eleven terms in his own school district. January 29, 1874, he was united in marriage to Sidney F. Lipes, who was born July 4, 1855, in Marion Township, Allen County, Indiana, where she was reared and married. Her parents, David D. and Mary J. (Somers) Lipes, were natives of the State of Virginia, and when quite young were taken by their respective parents, to Allen County, Indiana, where they were married. Nine children were born to them-Lydia L., Sarah E. (deceased), Sidney F., Mary A. (deceased), John C. (deceased), Emma U., Ulysses Grant, Eva A. and Jennie L. Mr. and Mrs. Arch- bold are the parents of five children-Chellis II., born March 4, 1875; Morris J., born May 14, 1877; Dayton V., born July 22, 1879; Eva F., born March 13, 1882, and
John D., born February 11, 1886. In politics, like his father, Mr. Archbold affiliates with the Democratie party.
EORGE HEIMBARGER, general farin- er, seetion 31, Jefferson Township, Ad- ams County, was a native of Germany, born November 26, 1828, a son of Jacob and Louisa (Nei) Heimbarger. When he was seven years old his parents immigrated with their family to America, settling in Fairfield County, Ohio, where they lived till their death, engaged in agricultural pursuits. They were members of the Allbright church. They had a family of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters. George, the sub- ject of this sketeh, grew to manhood in Fair- field County, Ohio, receiving a limited education, attending school only three months, he being obliged from an early age to assist his father on the farm. When he was old enough to work out he engaged in the manu- facture of brick. Ile finally purchased a small farm and engaged in farming for him- self. This farm he subsequently sold and with the proceeds purchased the farm where his widow now lives. He met with excel- lent success in his farming operations, and to his original purchase of 240 acres he was enabled to add till his farm contained 480 acres of well-improved land, under a high state of cultivation, he having resided on the same farm from 1865 until his death. Mr. Heimbarger was twice married. Ile was first married in 1849 to Mary Baler, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, by whom he had three children -- Isaae, Lewis and George A., the two latter deceased. Mrs. Heimbarger died in 1869, and January 24, 1861, Mr. Heimbarger married Louisa Law- renee, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Feb-
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rnary 26, 1830, and to this union were born six children-Levi (deceased), Mary, Cinde, Aaron and Andrew (twins), and Jacob. Mr. Heimbarger, as is also his wife, was a mem- ber of the United Brethren church. Mr. Heimbarger died March 25, 1887.
AVID STEELE, residing in Kirkland Township, where he is engaged in gen- eral farming, was born in Kirkland Township, Adams County, November 6, 1840, a son of Samuel Steele, who was one of the old pioneers of Adams County. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and received a limited edneation in the public schools, which he improved by private study at home. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, serving his country until July 22, 1865, when he was discharged at Jefferson Bar- racks, Missouri. Hle participated in a num- ber of battles and skirmishes, including the battle of Munfordville and the Red River expedition. On receiving his discharge he returned to his home in Adams County, and resmned farming. He was subsequently engaged in the saw-milling business near Decatur abont eleven months. December 24, 1868, he was married to Mrs. Mary E. (Ilixon) Gilliam, born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in July, 1844. To this union were born nine children-Willard S., born De- cember 3, 1869; Ethel A., born May 18, 1871, died February 10, 1880; Lauretta E., born December 16, 1872; Millard N., born February 13, 1874; Charles F., born October 14, 1875; Cinderella M., born March 24, 1877; Lewis V., born October 18, 1879; Walter E., born November 14, 1882, and Bessie B., born June 23, 1884. Mrs. Steele was formerly married in Kirkland Township,
Adams County, to Jomm Gilliam, a native of North Carolina, and to them were born one daughter named Sarah S. Mr. Gilliam was a soldier in the late war, enlisting after his marriage, in Company II, Eighty-ninth In- diana Infantry. He went south with his regiment and participated in several battles, when he was taken sick and returned to his home, dying in 1865. Mr. Steele has resided on his present farm since his marriage, where he has 102 acres, and has always been en- gaged in farming. He has also been con- nected with the saw-mill at Peterson for twelve years. He is a member of St. Mary's Lodge, No. 167, I. O. O. F., at Decatur. lle is now serving his second term as trustee of Kirkland Township.
EORGE W. HAEFLING, farmer, Wash- ington Township, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, December 17, 1839, son of Balthas and Margaret Haetling, natives of Bavaria, Germany. In 1833 his parents emigrated to America, landing at Philadel- phia, and resided in Pennsylvania until 1837, then removed to Seneca County, Ohio. They were among the early settlers of that county, and the parents remained there until their decease. They had eleven children born to them, nine of whom survive-Peter, Adam, Leonard, John, Joseph, George, Frances, Michael and Maria. Our subject was reared among the pioneer scenes of Seneca County, and experienced the usual hardships of the early settler. Ile was married May 15, 1866, to Miss Margaret Kintz, who was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1842, daughter of Peter and Mary Kintz, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland. They were early settlers of Seneca County, Ohio, having located there
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about the year 1844. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living --- Andrew, Peter, Gabriel. Amanda, Matilda, Elizabeth, Margaret and Josephine. The mother is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ilaefling have had six children, of whom five are liv- ing-James P., Peter R., Edward B., Thomas T. and Daniel M. George C. is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Haeffing are members of the Roman Catholic church, and in politics Mr. Haefling is a Demoerat. IIe came to Adams County in 1869, living seven years in St. Mary's Township, then came to his present farm on section 12, Washington Township. While in St. Mary's Township he served as supervisor four years.
AMUEL STEELE (deceased), who was one of the old and prominent pioncers of Adams County, was born in Penn- sylvania, and subsequently removed to Ohio with his parents, they locating near Wooster. HIe was married in Ohio, to Miss Susannah Worley, who was a native of that State, and of Scotch descent, Mr. Steele being of Ger- man origin. To this union were born nine children, six sons and three daughters. In March, 1838, Mr. Steele settled in Adams County, Indiana, on section 9, Kirkland Township, where he lived till his death, which ocenrred about the year 1858. When he first settled in the county everything was in a state of nature, and here he and his family experienced many of the hardships and priva- tions incident to pioneer life. His first dwell- ing was a rude log cabin which he erected, with puncheon floor and elapboard roof. Mr. Steele took an active part in the affairs of his township, and was a member of the board of trustees under the old organization, besides holding other local offices. During his life
he was much interested in agriculture and fruit-growing, and was one of the principal actors at the first agricultural fair held in Adams County. Politically he was a Demo- erat. Religiously he was a Presbyterian till his death.
AMES MCCUNE, a prominent agricult- urist of Adams County, residing on seetion 26, Monroe Township, was born in Rush County, Indiana, the date of his birth being August 3, 1840, a son of John MeCune. When five years old he was brought by his parents to Monroe Township, Adams County, and here he grew to man- hood, being reared to agricultural pursuits on the home farm, and receiving his educa- tion in the common schools of his neighbor- hood. He remained at home till attaining the age of nineteen years, when he went to Rush County and spent a year working at the earpenter's trade. He then returned to Adams County. and engaged in farming. March 7, 1860, he married Miss Emeline Baker, a native of Indiana, born in Shelby County May 25, 1838, a daughter of Jesse and Lydia (Vance) Baker, natives of Kentucky and Ohio respectively, the former born in 1806, and the latter in 1811. The parents of Mrs. McCune were married in Shelby County, Indiana, removing thence to Rush County, and when she was a child they moved to Iowa and lived in Des Moines County abont seven years. They then returned to Indiana, locating in Haneock County, and later went to Wayne County, Iowa. In 1858 they came to Adams County, Indiana, set- tling in Monroe Township. In 1880 they went to Missouri, returning to Adams County two years later, where the father died in the fall of 1883. The mother is now making
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her home with a daughter at Monroe, Adams County. They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McCnne settled on the farm where they now reside, which contains eighty acres of choice land under a fine state of cultivation. August 14, 1862, Mr. MeCnne enlisted in Company I, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, serving until July 22, 1865. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Munfordville, Kentucky, was paroled and sent home, and afterward ex- changed. lie rejoined his regiment at Camp Morton, Indiana, and afterward participated in the engagements at Big Blue, Missouri, Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, Tupelo, Mississippi, . the two days fight at Nashville, Tennessee, and Fort Blakely, beside other battles and skirmishes. He received a gunshot wound in the left arm, and now draws a pension. After his discharge he returned to his home in Adams County, where he has followed farming. Hle is quite a traveler, and has visited the States of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. In politics Mr. Me- Cune is a Republican, and although his party is largely in the minority in the county, he has held several local offices, including the office of justice of the peace, which position he resigned December 25, 1886. He is a member of Decatur Lodge, No. 571, A. F. & A. M., and is also a comrade of John P. Porter Post, No. 83, G. A. R., at Geneva, Adams County, Indiana.
ENRY MYERS, one of the self-made men of Blue Creck Township, is a native of Ilanover, Germany, born De- cember 24, 1838, a son of Jacob aud Mar- garet Myers. He grew to manhood in his native country, being reared to the avocation |
of a farmer, and in his youth received fair educational advantages. In the fall of 1854 he immigrated to America, landing at New York City, where he remained about one and a half years. After spending some time in Ohio, he, in 1858, eame to Adams County, Indiana, and for five years operated a grist- mill at Pleasant Mills. In March, 1860, he was married to Miss Barbara Schrank, and of the ten children born to this union eight still survive-Emma, Jolin, Lewis, Maggie, Lena, Ella, Frederick and George. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Myers settled on his present farm on section 29, Blue Creek Township, which at that time was almost entirely unimproved. Ilis farm now contains 120 acres of well- cultivated land, which he has acquired by years of toil and persevering industry. Mr. Myers is one of the active and public-spirited citizens of Blue Creek Township, and is always interested in any enterprise which has for its object the advancement of his town- ship or county. Ile has served several years as school director, and in the spring of 1886 he was elected to the office of township trustee to serve one term of two years. In his religious faith Mr. Myers is a Lutheran. In polities he affiliates with the Democratic party.
ANSON SMITH THOMAS, son of Aaron and Hannah Thomas, was born in Cape May County, New Jersey, May 10, 1823. When he was abont ten years of age his mother died, and he went to work on a farm. When about twelve years of age he became a sailor, and followed that occupation for nine years, serving in every position on ship-board from "cabin boy " to " first mate" of a coasting vessel. Came to Ohio in 1846; was married to Maria Royal, daughter of Mark Royal, in Crawford County, Pennsyl-
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vania, in April, 1849, who lived but a few years after her marriage. She was the mother of two children, but both died in infancy. August 6, 1854, Mr. Thomas was married to Martha Jane Bennett, daughter of Jacob Bennett. She died November 29, 1886, in Geneva, Indiana, and was the mother of five children-three had preceded her to the bet- ter land. The living are William A. and Lydia M. Soon after Mr. Thomas came to Ohio he engaged himself to one George Lud- low, near Cincinnati, Ohio, and served two years as an apprentice to the house-carpenter and joiner's trade. Ile was converted and joined the church of the United Brethren in Christ when in the thirty-first year of his age. May 24, 1856, he received a quarterly conference license to preach the gospel. September 14, 1857, hereceived an annual conference license to preach, and became a member of the An- glaize annual conference, United Brethren church. Having passed favorable examina- tions of the three years' course of study, he was ordained an elder in said church, An- gust 25, 1860, by Bishop Edwards, and at this writing still remains a minister in good standing in said conference and church, and has been present at every conference session but one during the past thirty years. IIis first circuit contained seventeen preaching places, located in Randolph, Jay, Wells and Blackford counties, in Indiana. There were no railroads, no pikes, and bnt few bridges across the rivers in these counties at that time. IIe has served in every office in the church from elass-leader to presiding elder- in the latter office a number of years. For a number of years, on account of swimming the Salamonie River in the month of January, he was afflicted with throat disease, which forced him to leave the active ministerial work in 1879. In March of that year he bought a half interest in the Delphos (Ohio) Courant
printing office, and became associate editor of that paper. The business was conducted un- der the firm name of Walkup & Thomas. In July, 1880, he sold his interest in the Cour- ant to his partner, E. B. Walkup, and in Au- gust of the same year he commenced the publication of the Willshire (Ohio) Inde- pendent, buying everything new, being the first one to put a newspaper press in that town. During the "second amendment " campaign in 1883 he advocated the measure so strongly that they starved him out, and inducements being offered at Geneva, Indi- ana, he moved his presses to that town, and November 8, 1883, he published Volume I, No. 1, of the Geneva Independent, a seven- column folio. His health improving, he suspended the paper, sold his presses to C. E. Detter, to be taken back to Willshire, and for two years served the people on Geneva charge of the United Brethren church as pas- tor. June, 1886, he bought a new newspaper and job outfit, and resumed the publication of the paper, but reduced it to a six-column folio and called it the Herald, which has at this time an increasing patronage. IIe is now in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and having again retired from the active minis- try, he expects to devote the remainder of his days to the newspaper business. ITis family, if they were all together, would num- ber ten, but only three remain.
AUL GRANVILLE HOOPER, junior member of the law firm of Heller & Ilooper, of Decatur, is a native of Adams County, Indiana, born in Root Township, November 24, 1857, the only son of Ezekiel and Almira HI. (Gosline) Hooper. His father was a native of Maryland, born of English parents in 1790. He was reared a farmer,
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which avocation he followed through life. Ile was a soldier in the war of 1812. lle came to the part of Allen County that is now a part of Adams County in 1834, and settled in Root Township, where he entered a traet of Government land, which he improved from its wild state, living here until his death in 1871 at the advanced age of eighty-one years. As one of the pioneers who took part in organizing Adams County in 1842 he was commissioned one of the associate judges of the Common Pleas Court of the county. In polities he was originally a Whig, but later affiliated with the Republican party. For many years he was a member of the Mon- mouth Episcopal Methodist church, and a liberal contributor of his means to all worthy enterprises. The mother of our subject was a native of Athens County, Ohio, and of French origin, and was reared in her native county near Albany. She was first married to Townsend G. Bobo, who died at Crown Point, Indiana, in 1853. His widow came to Adams County the same year, where she married Mr. Ilooper in 1857. She is still living, making her home in Decatur. Paul G. Hlooper, whose name heads this sketch, received a fair education in his youth at the schools of Monmouth and Decatur, and at the age of fifteen begau teaching in the dis- trict schools of Adams County. At the age of nineteen years he began reading law in the office of his half-brother, IIon. James R. Bobo, of Decatur. In 1879 he was admitted to the bar at Decatur, and during the same year he was one of the proprietors and editors of the Adams County Union. an independent paper published at Decatur. December 25, 1879, he was married at Hoagland, Indiana, to Charity E. Harrod, a daughter of Morgan and Samantha (Beem) Ilarrod. She was born and reared in Allen County, Indiana, and educated at the Methodist Episcopal College
at Fort Wayne. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. After severing his connection with the Union Mr. Hooper formed a partnership with John T. France, of' Decatur, with whom he was associated in the practice of law until 1881, when retiring from the firm he became associated with D. D. Heller, thus forming the present law firm of Heller & Ilooper. In polities Mr. Hooper is a Republican. Ile is a member of Keki- onga Lodge, No. 65, K. of P., of Decatur.
OIIN A. SPRUNGER, senior member of the firm of Sprunger & Lehman, of Berne, Adams County, Indiana, is a native of Canton Berne, Switzerland, born Angust 12, 1853, a son of Abraham B. and Elizabeth (Cureher) Sprunger. In 1855 he was brought to America by his parents, who, after remaining in Ohio three months, settled on section 32, Monroe Township, Adams County, and there our subject grew to man- hood on his father's farm, receiving his edu- cation in the German schools of his neigh- borhood. When twenty years old he bought his time of his father, giving his note for $100. Ile then engaged in saw milling and running a threshing machine, which he fol- lowed nntil 1875, when he began dealing in hardware and machinery at Berne. In 1876 he engaged in general building, and the same year erected the grain elevator and several dwelling houses at Berne. During 1878 and '70 he was engaged in dealing in and ship- ping stock. In 1879 he became a member of the firm of Sprunger, Lehman & Co., of which he is manager. IIe erected the flour mills in 1884. In 1883 he built his fine residence at Berne at a cost of 83,000. Dur- ing 1884 and '85 he erected twelve dwelling houses, and also built the Champion Block
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in which his firm does business, and in 1883 he built the Eagle Ilonse. Mr. Sprunger was united in marriage February 17, 1880, to Miss Katie Sprunger, a native of Wabash Township, Adams County, Indiana, born September 5, 1859, a daughter of Christian P. Sprunger. Two children have been born to this union-llillegunda, and Edmoua (de- ceased). Mr. Sprunger may be classed among the self-made men of the county, having commeneed life for himself a poor boy. Although a comparatively young man he has accumulated a competence, which he has gained by persevering industry, and strict attention to any business in which he has been engaged, and is now considered one of the substantial men of the county. He is an active and public spirited citizen, and perhaps no man in the county has done more toward building up the town of Berne than he. 1Ie is a member of the Mennonite church, and is a teacher in the Sabbath-school.
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