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 37
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 37
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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
She is one of the oldest, if not the oldest settler in this section. She well remembers the hardships endured by the early settler. Neighbors were miles apart, no roads, no mills, and no postoffice. Mr. Todd taught the first school in the township. Mr. Tharp was a minister in the Protestant Methodist church, and Mrs. Tharp is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
OHIN CHRISTEN, JR., farmer, Root Township, owns forty acres of land on the southeast quarter of seetion 16. Ile was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, Octo- ber 5, 1844, and when he was six years of age eame to America with his parents and seven other children, landing in New York in July, 1850. They then came to Adams Connty and settled in Root Township, where the parents are still living. John was reared in Root Township, and educated in the common schools. Ile commeneed teaching in the winter of 1871, and taught fourteen winter schools. In 1885 he was obliged to give up teaching, as his health was becoming impaired. His parents, Jolin and Elizabeth Christen, were born in Switzerland, the father Angust 7, 1812. The mother is a few years younger. The father was a baker by trade, but has followed farming sinee coming to America. Our subject was married July 22, 1870, to Miss Catherine Magley, who was born in Root Township, Adams County, December 25, 1850. Hler parents were Christian and Mary Magley, who were born in Switzerland and came to America, settling in Licking County, Ohio, thence to this county previous to 1850. The father died in August, 1861, aged thirty- nine years, and is buried in Root Township. Mr. and Mrs. Christen have six children-
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Edward S., born December 13, 1871; Arthur A., born October 12, 1873; Minnie C., born October 14, 1875; Henry W., born Novem- ber 25, 1877; Wilburt C., born January 21, 1884, and Raymond D., born September 19, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Christen are members of the Lutheran church, and in polities Mr. Christen is a Democrat. In the spring of 1886 he was elected assessor for four years. Mrs. Christen's grandfather, Jacob Sharer, was born in Switzerland, and died in Licking County, Ohio. Iler grandmother, Mary Sharer, was also born in Switzerland, and died in Root Township. At the time Mr. Sharer settled in Adams County, game was very plenty, he having shot more deer than any other man in that part of the county, and at one time killing two at one shot, and often shooting squirrels and other game from his cabin window. Her grandmother, Mrs. Magley, on her father's side, died in New York soon after they landed, and Mr. Magley, her grandfather, died in Licking, Ohio.
ACOB YAGER, was born iu Inrou County, Ohio, September 20, 1837. Ilis parents, Jacob and Margaret (Wysup) Yager, came to Adams County in July, 1838. llis grandfather, Jolin Yager, came from Germany when seven years of age and settled in Pennsylvania. The grandmother Yager probably came from the old country. Ilis ancestors on both sides were of the Protestant faith, and were generally farmers. About the year 1834 the grandfather came to this connty and entered two sections of land, which he divided with his children, who were nine in number, six sons and three daughters- Francis, Henry, Peter, Samuel, Jacob, Saralı, Polly and Catherine. The parents were married in Ohio, and began
their home life in the forest of Preble Town- ship, Indiana. The land had no improve- ments whatever. Wolves, bears, etc., were uncomfortably plenty, and deer, and other wild game, had been almost entirely undis- turbed. The tract of 100 acres which Jacob's father received cost about $125 at this time. The family went to work with a will; tree after tree was felled and acre after acre was cleared until this part of the wilderness became a productive farm, and the old log cabin, with its puncheon floor, after many years of faithful service was supplanted by modern buildings. When the parents came to this connty there were very few settlers. There was no county seat, and papers and deeds were recorded at Fort Wayne. Mr. Yager's parents had five children-John, Jacob, George, Sarah and Polly Ann; Jacob, Sarah and George are living. After remain- ing on the homestead until he was twenty- five years of age, aiding in the improvement and enltivation of the farm, Jacob Yager and Mary Jane Archibald were united in marriage October 24, 1861. They began domestic life in Preble Township, settling upon a forty-acre tract which Jacob received from his father. The land was partially cleared, but had no buildings or other improvements. After three or four years forty acres more were added to the original traet, and a frame barn and a hewed-log house were built. They lived on this place eleven years, then removed to Decatur, where they resided two and a half years, then moved to St. Mary's Township upon a beautiful tract of land, com- prising 197 acres, situated about three quar- ters of a mile from Pleasant Mills Village. It is one of the finest farms in the township, having 150 acres of improved land, and being well watered by two creeks, or branches, which renders it valuable as a stock farm as well as for agricultural purposes. Mrs.
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Yager was born August 16, 1840, daughter of Thomas and Phebe (Valentine) Archibald, who were probably natives of Ohio and of Irish ancestry. In a very early day her paternal grandparents removed to the Terri- tory of Indiana and entered 160 acres of land in Wells County, where they lived until their death. ller parents removed to the same county, probably in the year 1848, where the father purchased eighty acres of land. ller ancestors were all Protestants, and one of her uneles, John Nevett, was a minister. Her great-grandfather served in the war of 1812, and her mother's brother, William Valentine, served in the war with Mexico, during which he received an injury. Jacob Yager and his brother John were soldiers in the late war, John serving in Company C, Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, and Jacob being a member of Company D, Fifty- first Indiana Infantry. Jacob was mustered into the service at Indianapolis in 1863, from which point his regiment was ordered to Nashville, thence to Pulaski, where the regiment was attacked by the rebel General Hood, abont the first of December, 1864, and was forced to retreat, having only about half the force of the enemy. On this retreat many very bloody and hotly contested battles were fought-Spring Hill, Columbia, and others, until finally the historieal stand was made at Nashville between Generals Thomas and Ilood. Ilere every precaution was taken and every arrangement made for the desperate encounter soon to be made. The breast- works of the rebels and the federals were in close proximity, and the men eould converse with one another. Many little trades were made by the pickets on both sides. The crisis finally came on the 15th of December, 1864, and on the 16th the battle had its full force. Mr. Yager's regiment was engaged almost the entire day, during which time le
was wonnded in the ear. This prodneed paralysis of the jaw. After about six months the ball was extracted. On the evening of that dreadful day the regiment, which in the morning had answered to 900 names, eould muster only about 300 names, the remainder having been sacrificed in battle. The dead were literally strewn over the ground and the scene of death was all that the imagination can picture. Mr. Yager was taken to the field hospital, thence to Nashville, thence to Jefferson Ilospital, Indiana, and August 26, 1865, he received an honorable discharge for faithful and patriotic service. When he arrived home he continued the occupation of farming, which he has continued to the present time. Ile has been honored with various official positions, viz., constable, assessor of Preble Township six years, eity marshal of Decatur, has also been guardian, and at present is commissioner of Adams County, serving his second term. Ilis father died June 16, 1886, and his mother January 6, 1887, at the residenee of her son Jacob, aged seventy-three years, eleven months and five days. She was a member of the Baptist church a great many years. Mr. and Mrs. Yager have had five children-Ida May, born September 8, 1876, died March 1, 1880; Charles William, born August 5, 1866; Margaret Jane, born January 16, 1863; Lydia Adaline, born November 26, 1868; Phebe Viola, born October 20, 1872.
HEODORE DEFFENBAUGH, de- eeased, was an early settler of Adams County, born in Cumberland County, Maryland, September 20, 1826. Ilis parents, John and Eleanor (Martin) Deffenbaugh, were also natives of Maryland, and emigrated to Ohio; thence to Adams County about the
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Andrew Gottschalk
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year 1838, settling in Hartford Township, where they lived until their death, the father dying in 1850, and the mother five years later. They had five children, and were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Theodore was the eldest child. He remained at home until he reached his majority and received a good education. lle was married July 29, 1852, and for some time engaged in school teaching. Mrs. Deffenbaugh was formerly Keziah Clendennin, born in Fair- field County, Ohio, August 8, 1835. Iler parents, James and Mehitable (Fox) Clen- dennin, were natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Fairfield, Ohio; thenee to this county, settling in Hartford Township, where the father died in March, 1867. The mother is still living. They were the parents of nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Deffenbaugh had six children, and were members of the Baptist church. Mr. Deffenbaugh was a soldier in the late war, being a member of Company HI, Fiftieth Indiana Infantry, and participated in several battles, Nashville being the last. Ile died of small-pox Jan- nary 25, 1865. Mrs. Deffenbaugh was again married to Jesse Carey November 6, 1880, and resides in the village of Geneva.
NDREW GOTTSCHALK, treasurer of Adams County, is a native of Indiana, born in Nottingham Township, Wells County, November 13, 1850. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer, and was edneated in the distriet and private schools of his na- tive county, remaining on his father's farm till reaching the age of twenty years. Ile then engaged in teaching school in Notting- ham Township, which he continued till 1872, a period of two years. In May, 1872, he came to Adams County, Indiana, and engaged
in the drug business at Linn Grove. In November of the same year he removed to Berne, Adams County, where he has sinee been associated with Peter Hoffman in the drug business under the firm name of' IIoff- man & Gottschalk. During this time, from 1877 till 1883, he was postmaster at Berne, and from 1880 till 1882 he held the office of justice of the peace, serving with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. May 9, 1875, he was married at Botkins, Shelby County, Ohio, to Miss Laura Sheets, a daughter of Philip and Cornelia (Monger) Sheets, who were natives of Germany. Four children have been born to this union, three of whom are living-Cora B., Thurman and Wilda M. Oliver E., their second ehild, died at Berne May 15, 1883, aged over four years. Mr. Gottschalk was elected treasurer of Adams County in the fall of 1884 on the Democratic tieket, and in September, 1885, eame to Decatur to assume the duties of that office, being re-elected to the same office in the fall of 1886, in which he is serving to the best interests of his county. He was a mem- ber of the Adams County Democratie Central Committee two years, from 1882 until 1884, and in 1884 was a delegate to the Democratic State Convention held at Indianapolis. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gottschalk are members of the Evangelical Association, of which he has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school for the past five years. The parents of our subjeet, Jaeob and Christina (Fox) Gottschalk, were natives of Wittemberg, Germany, where they were reared and married. They immigrated to America in 1845, first loeating in Mont- gomery County, Ohio, removing shortly after to Wells County, Indiana, where the father followed farming till his death, which occurred January 26, 1867. The mother also died on the homestead in Nottingham Township, Wells County, in 1855. Both were consistent
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members of the Evangelical Association. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom still survive, residing in vari- ous parts of the State of Indiana.
EWIS W. LEWTON, farmer, sections 17 and 20, Root Township, was born in Adams County, Indiana, November 12, 1841. When he was quite young his parents moved to Adams County, loeating in Decatur, where the father died in December, 1845. The latter was born April 16, 1815, and was married March 2, 1837. Ile was a son of Perry and Mary (Le Masters) Lewton, the former a native of Carroll County, Ohio, and when a young man came to Adams County, Indiana. He was married in Adams County. The mother was born in Carroll County, Ohio, April 11, 1816. Her parents were John and Naney (Baxter) Le Masters, both of whom died in Root Township. Mr. Lewton's grand- mother died January 9, 1864, her husband having died previously. Mr. Lewton was reared in Decatur- and Root townships. After his father's death the family removed to a farm. The mother afterward married Zedekiah Brown. There were three children in the family of Mr. Lewton's father-Naney E., born February 10, 1838, died at the age of thirteen years; Lewis, and Perry A., born March 12, 1845. All were born in Adams County. There was one half brother-James B., born September 22, 1852, and died April 16, 1853. Our subjeet was married Novem- ber 24, 1867, to Miss Sarah J. Robison, who was born in Adams County, and died Angust 15, 1870, leaving two children- Mary E., born August 20, 1868, and Lewis C., born December 6, 1869. January 3, 1872, Mr. Lewton was married to Miss Mary C. Robison, a sister of his former wife. |
Iler parents were James and Elizabeth (Dou- den) Robison. Mr. and Mrs. Lewton have had six children -- Carrie D., born January 14, 1873; Amos J., born January 17, 1875; Ada M., born June 15, 1877; Hattie, born June 27, 1879, died August 27, 1880; Edgar W., born May 8, 1882, and Daisy, born Oc- tober 9, 1884. Politically Mr. Lewton is a Democrat. He was elected township trustee in 1884, and re-elected in 1886. Ifis grand- father, Jacob Lewton, was born in Maryland, and died in Ilarrison County, Ohio, at the age of eighty-five years. He was twice married, and the father of fifteen children. During the late war Mr. Lewton enlisted in Company K, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and served three years. He enlisted August 28, 1862, and was mustered out July 19, 1865. at Mobile, Alabama. His first battle was at Munfordville, and was there taken prisoner September 17, and was paroled the same day and went to Indianapolis. He returned home and remained until exchanged. Ilis regiment was in General Bank's Red River expedition, under the command of General A. J. Smith, Division Commander.
ORNELIUS TRENTON DORWIN, photographer, of Dceatur, is a native of Adams County, Indiana, born at Monmouth, March 27, 1848. His father, Calvin S. Dorwin, was a native of Vermont, a son of Ziba and Anna (Stackhouse) Dor- win, and of English descent. Cornelius Dorwin was eight years old when his father died. . Ilis mother subsequently married James Spencer, and removed to Decatur. Our subject was reared at Decatur, receiving his edueation in the schools of that eity. When fourteen years old he began to learn harness-making with I. J. Miesse, which he
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followed until seventeen years of age. Ile then went to Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he commenced to learn photography with A. F. Wise, remaining with him until he reached the age of nineteen years. In February, 1867, he enlisted in the United States Regn- lar Army, and was assigned to Company F, Twenty-first United States Infantry, and was stationed at Fortress Monroe, at Old Point Comfort, Virginia, a part of the duty of his company being to guard Jeff. Davis, who was at that time a prisoner at that place. In 1869 his regiment was ordered to the Pacific coast, and was transported by the Union and Central Pacific Railway Companies on the second train from east to west on that ronte. He was present at the laying of the last rail on that road, and saw the golden spike driven in by a silver hammer. Ilis regiment was stationed at Fort Goodwin, Arizona Terri- tory, until 1870, to look after the Apache Indians, when his term of service expiring, he was discharged February 4 of that year. - Ile then returned to Decatur, Adams County, and soon after went to Montgomery County, Indiana, and opened a photograph gallery at Waveland, which he carried on until 1872. In that year he went to Edgar County, Illi- mois, locating at Kansas, where he remained until the fall of 1874, when he returned to Decatur, Adams County, and has since been engaged. in the photograph business. In 1886 he began quarrying stone, burning lime and dealing generally in that business, and at the same time continuing his photograph business. January 18, 1876, Mr. Dorwin was married at Decatur to Miss Maggie J. McGonagle, a daughter of Joseph and Eliza- beth (Crawford) McGonagle, of Ohio. They are the parents of three children-Otis Joseph, Kate Elizabeth and Eva. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dorwin are members of the Presby- terian church at Decatur. He is a member
of Kekionga Lodge, No. 65, K. of P., in which he has passed all the chairs, and is a member of the Grand Lodge of the State of Indiana.
ABEN HEDINGTON, deceased, who was one of the old and honored pioneers of Adams County, was born in Knox County, Ohio, Jannary 6, 1822. Ilis parents died when he was a child, and from an early age he was thrown on his own resources and worked at whatever he could find to do. He was married in Van Wert Connty, Ohio, in 1840, to Sarah Daniels, who was born in Knox County in 1821, a daughter of Robert and Susannah (Osenbeangh) Daniels, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. The parents of Mrs. Hedington were mar- ried in Knox County, and to them were born eleven children. They came to Adams County in the spring of 1839, and after living a short time in Monroe Township, went to Michigan, where the mother died about 1860, a member of the Lutheran church. She was born in the State of Ohio, October 16, 1802. After his wife's death Mr. Daniels returned to In- diana and lived with his children. He died in White County in April, 1871. To Mr. and Mrs. IIedington were born thirteen children, of whom eight still survive-Sam- uel, Lhamon, Maria, Isabell, Julia Ann, Mi- nerva, George B. and Arminda. Henry M., their second son, enlisted in the war of the Rebellion when eighteen years of age, and served three years. IIc was wounded twice. After his return home he was married, and had a family of three children, two of whom survive him. Mr. Hedington came to Adams County, Indiana, where he lived two years, and then settled in Van Wert County, seven miles from Monroe Township, as early as
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1841, in which year he settled in Monroe Township. In 1843 he settled on section 24 of Monroe Township, where he spent the re- mainder of his life. Ilis first purchase was forty aeres, on which a log cabin had been built. Ile afterward built a hewed log house, in which his family lived until 1860, when he erected a comfortable frame residence, in which his wife and three children still reside. Ile followed stoek-raising in connection with his general farming, and in all was very suc- eessful, and was enabled to add to his origi- nal purchase until he owned 500 aeres besides what he had given to his children. In poli- ties he was a staunch Demoerat, casting his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk. Ile was a kind and loving husband and father, and was mueh respected throughout the neighborhood where he had lived for so many years, and his death eaused universal regret to his friends and sorrow to his family.
ANDREW J. JUDAY, an early settler of Geneva, was born on the old home- stead in Wabash County, November 12, 1841, son of Henry S. Juday. He was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and ob- tained his education in the distriet sehools. Ile remained at home until the breaking out of the civil war, then enlisted at Bluffton, September 19, 1861, in Company A, Forty- seventh Indiana Infantry, serving until Oe- tober 28, 1864. Ile participated in the battles of New Madrid, Missouri, Riddle's Point, Fort Pillow, Port Gibson, Mississippi, Champion Hills, May 16, 1863, at which place he was severely wounded in the arm and sent to hospital. After his recovery he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and remained in the service until his dis. charge. Ile was taken prisoner at Champion
Hills, and paroled June 6, 1863; he was af- terward exchanged. Ile now draws a pen- sion of $30 a month for his injuries. Upon receiving his final discharge he returned to Adams County, and followed farming until 1872, and settled in Geneva the following March, where he was engaged in the grocery trade nine years. He was one of the first groeers in Geneva. In 1881 he sold out and went into a general store with G. W. Donart. After a few months he purchased his part- ner's interest and condneted the business alone for three years. He then sold out his stoek to Sol Keister, sinee which time he has given his attention to farming in a small way. Mr. Juday is a Republican in polities. He has served as president of the school board four years, and is a member of the John P. Porter Post, No. 83, G. A. R. Mr. Juday has been twice married. Ilis first wife was Amanda Nelson, whom he married Jannary 18, 1864, a daughter of Elias Nelson. She was born in Adams County, and died July 4, 1865. January 28, 1870, he was married to . Ellen M. McCollum, a native of Jay County, this State. When she was two years of age her parents removed to Fillmore County, Minnesota. Her father, Daniel MeCollum, was an old settler of Jay County. The mother died in Minnesota and the father in Geneva. They were the parents of ten children. Mrs. Juday has had four children, two now living -Otis O. and Alta G. Mr. and Mrs. Juday are members of the United Brethren churel. llenry S. Juday, deceased, father of the preceding, was an early settler of Adams County. He resided on the northwest quar- ter of section 28, Wabash Township. IIe was born in Virginia in 1803, and removed to Darke County, Ohio, where he was married. Ilis father was also a native of Virginia, re- moved to Preble County, Ohio, and died in 1867 in Darke County, at the age of one hun-
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dred years, one month and twenty-seven days. His wife died many years previous. Henry S. was married to Anna Landis, who was born in Kanawha County, Virginia, in 1816. Her parents removed to Darke County, where they passed the remainder of their days. Our subject came to Adams County in 1836 or 1837, and resided on his farm until 1564, when he removed to Fulton County, Illinois, where he died in 1867. In polities he was formerly a Whig, but joined the Republican party after its organization. Hle was a staunch worker, and held the office of justice of the peace for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Juday were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church until 1864; but owing to the fact that there was no church of that denomination, they united with the United Brethren church. They had eight children, fonr sons and four daughters.
AMES NIBLICK, deceased, was one of the old and honored pioneers of Adams County, settling on section 6, Washing- ton Township. in the fall of 1834, and is said to have been the ninth settler in the county. Ile subsequently sold his farm in Washing- ton Township, and removed to Decatur, where he resided two years. He then went to Mis- souri, where he lived till his death in the fall of 1869. Mr. Niblick was a native of County Armagh, Ireland, born in the year 1801. Hle was brought by his parents to America when two years of age, they settling in New York State, where they lived several years, remov- ing thence to Ohio, where the father followed agricultural pursuits. James Nibliek, our subjeet, learned the cooper's trade, which he followed a number of years, and for ten years after coming to Adams County was the only cooper in the county. He was twice married,
his first wife being Anna Carter, by whom he had eight children, five sons and three daughters. Iler father was at one time a slave-holder, but afterward freed his slaves. For his second wife Mr. Niblick married Sa- rah A. Ball, who died in the fall of 1886. Eight children were born to this union, one son and seven daughters. Mr. Niblick was numbered among the enterprising and pub- lic-spirited citizens of his county, and always took an active interest in any enterprise which he deemed for the public welfare. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and was much respected by all who knew him.
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