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 38
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 38
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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
D ANIEL P. BOLDS, a prominent busi- ness man of Geneva, was born in Hart- ford Township, Adams County, Indiana, October 9, 1857, son of Alexander Bolds. lle remained at home until he became of age, and received a common-school educa- tion. After reaching his majority he fol- lowed farming until the winter of 1882, when he removed to Geneva and engaged in the mercantile trade, which he followed until the spring of 1886, then sold out and went to Kansas, where he purchased 640 acres of land in Ford and Finney counties. He owns property in Geneva, where he still resides, and a farm within one mile of Geneva. Ile was married September 26, 1879, to Josephine Deffenbaugh, a native of Hartford Township, daughter of Theodore Deffenbaugh. She was born December 26, 1862. They have two children-Forest, born July 24, 1880, and Ernest, born November 16, 1882. In poli- ties Mr. Bolds is a Democrat. In 1880 he was elected constable of Hartford Township, and served two years, and after his removal to Geneva in 1884 was elected conneilman of the First Ward, and was appointed president
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of the Town Board, serving two years. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans, John P. Porter Camp, No. 11, Division of Indiana, and has held the offices of first lieutenant and quartermaster.
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ALEXANDER BOLDS, farmer, seetion 28, Hartford Township, was born in Medina County, Ohio, August 22, 1830, son of Philander and Clarissa (Doris) Bolds, also natives of Ohio, and of English aneestry. They were married in Ohio, where the father engaged in farming. They came to Adams County in 1836, and settled in what was then Alexander, in Wabash Township. They re- mained here several years, then returned to Ohio, where the mother died. The father started to visit a son in Michigan, and was never heard from afterward. They had two sons and three daughters. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Our subject grew to manhood in Indiana and Ohio, and received a common-school educa- tion. He has always been engaged in agri- eulture. Ile settled permanently in Adams County in 1856, on the farm where he now resides. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company II, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and served until June 12, 1865. His regiment was attached to the Fourth Army Corps, under General Thomas. Ile participated in the battles of Franklin, Columbia, Pulaski and Nashville, where he was severely wounded, losing his arm by a gun-shot wound, for which he receives a pension of $40 a month. After this he returned to his home in Adams Coun- ty, where he has since resided. Politically Mr. Bolds is a Demoerat, and has held the office of township treasurer. He was married August 14, 1856, to Lehr Pontius, born in Piekaway County, Ohio, June 3, 1835, dauglı-
ter of John Pontins, also a native of Piek- away County. Mrs. Bolds is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Bolds are the parents of four children -. Daniel P., George W., Ruffina M. and Otta. Mr. Bolds owns 200 aeres of land, and is en- gaged in general farming.
IMROD DAILEY, deceased, was a farm- er, residing on seetion 34, Root Town- ship, where he owned 297 aeres of land. He was born in St. Mary's Township, Adams County, September 21, 1842, where he was reared on his father's farm. He remained at home until his marriage, which event occurred February 13, 1868, to Miss Rosanna Mills, who was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, September 28, 1848, where she was reared and married. Her parents were Halsted and Mary ( Pearson) Mills. Her father was born in New Jersey, April 4, 1812, and when he was very young his parents removed to Miami County, Ohio. Soon after his marriage he removed to Van Wert County, where he died November 11, 1885. IIer mother was born in Miami County November 29, 1822, and died October 6, 1877, in Van Wert County. Mr. Dailey's father, James Dailey, was born in Athens County, Ohio, September 18, 1816, and died in St. Mary's Township, this eounty, in 1863. His mother, Mary (Johnson) Dailey, was born in West Virginia September 22, 1823, and died December 3, 1885. Mr. Dailey died February 5, 1886, and is buried at Mount Tabor cemetery, St. Mary's Town- ship. He left three children-Anna, born May 25, 1869, in St. Mary's Township; Mary, born September 18, 1874, and Jesse Davis, born June 5, 1882. Politically Mr. Dailey was a Republican. Mrs. Dailey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal ehnreh. Mr.
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Dailey's grandfather Dailey was born in Ire- land. His grandmother, Mary Dailey, was born in Wales. His great-grandfather Dailey was a native of Ireland. His maternal grand- father, Enoch Pearson, and his grandmother, Rosina (McClure) Pearson, diel in Miami County, Ohio, the latter in 1856, aged eighty- eight years. Mrs. Dailey's grandfather, Will- iam Mills, was a native of New Jersey, and died in Miami County, Ohio. Her grand- mother, Elizabeth (Clark) Mills, died in Miami County when Mrs. Dailey's father was eighteen years of age. Her maternal grandfather, Joseph Johnson, and her grand- mother, Mary (Davis) Johnson, died in Van Wert County, Ohio.
OBERT EVANS, farmer, sections 20 and 21, Root Township, owns 225 acres of land, more than half of it being un- der cultivation. Ile came to this county with his parents in 1832. There were the parents and three other children. The father came before them, in company with two or three others whom he hired to cut away and elear nine acres of the land, and put in corn and potatoes. Ile then returned to Mercer County for his family and moved them to the farmn. They made a comfortable place for camping out while their cabin was being built. The cabin was made of round logs, scotched down on the outside, a bedquilt for a door, and no floor. The father hired some men in Ohio to build him a hewed-log house. It was two stories in height and was built by Ebenezer Goddard. It was commenced soon after the family arrived, and was finished in a few weeks. The family then moved into it, and the first one was converted into a stable. The one made of hewed logs is still standing and is in a good state of preservation. Mr.
Evans' parents were JJohn K. and Margaret (Wise) Evans. The father was born in Mont- gomery County, New York, November 16, 1795. He moved to Columbus, Ohio, in 1816, where he remained a year. then in 1817 removed to Dayton, and in 1822 to Shane's Crossing, thence to Allen, now Adams County, this State. He was the first and last associate judge of Adams County. In the spring of 1850 he moved to Fort Wayne, where he died February 22, 1874. He was very successful during life and amassed quite a fortune. When he was twenty years old he bought one year of his time of his father, and went among the farmers and worked by the month until he earned money enough to buy eighty acres of land in Mercer County, Ohio. This was his beginning. He died leaving an estate valued at $200,000. Ile was twice married. By his first marriage were five children, three of whom are living -Robert, Elizabeth and Harriet. By his second marriage were four children, all of whom are living. Our subject was married September 3, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth Sparks, who was born in Dearborn County, thiis State, July 7, 1828. When she was a child the family removed to Tippecanoe County, settling on a farm, and in a few years came to Adams County. Her father was a Meth- odist minister, and had charge of the Decatur circuit for two years. Hle then went to De Kalb County and had charge of that circuit two years. He is now living at Kewanna, Fulton County, Indiana, and is eighty years of age. Ile was born in Ohio January 11, 1806. The mother was born in the State of New York, November 11, 1805. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have had eleven children-Cyn- thia A., born August 9, 1845, died at the age of five months; Harriet J., born December 10, 1848; Jemima E., born August 7, 1851; Robert M., born November 3, 1853, died in
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early infancy; Jesse F., born July 5, 1856; Emma J., born March 24, 1859, died Sep- tember 8, 1884; John R., born September 11, 1861; Ida E., born October 8, 1865; Jeremiah C., born October 20, 1869; Thomas E., born July 23, 1872; an infant unnamed died very young. In politics Mr. Evans is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist church. llis grandfather, Robert Evans, was born in Massachusetts, and died in Root Township, this county, in 1845, aged seventy-seven years. Ile came from New York to Adams County, and died at the home of Robert's father. Ilis mater- nal grandfather, John Wise, was born in Ger- many, and came to America when a child. IIe died near Richmond, Indiana. His grand- mother, Sarah (Sowders) Wise, died in Ohio, near Piqua. She was American born. Mrs. Evans' grandfather, Jesse Sparks, was a na- tive of Ohio. Hler maternal grandparents, Stephen and Esther (Peck) Thorn, died in Tippecanoe County. Her parents were Jesse and Jemima (Thorn) Sparks.
OIN M. HOLLAWAY, undertaker at Geneva, was born in Darke County, Ohio, August 16, 1834, son of John D. Ilolla- way, who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1794. Ifis mother, Catherine (Mill) Hollaway, was born in Bed- ford County, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1793. The father of John D. was Samuel Hollaway, born in England in 1756. Ile and a brother came to America, he as a soldier in the Con- tinental army, and his brother a soldier in the British army. After the war Samuel settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he married and following farming. In 1804 he removed to Warren County, Ohio, near Lebanon, settling on a farm. In
1818 he joined the Shakers, with whom he remained until his death, which occurred in 1856, at the age of a hundred years. IIe reared a family of four sons and four daugh- ters, John D. being next to the youngest. The latter enlisted in April, 1811, and served one year under General Harrison. Ile was at the siege of Fort Meigs, under Major Cor- coran, and was wounded by a musket ball in the right thigh. Soon after his discharge he was married, in April, 1817, near Troy, Miami County, Ohio. IIe was a hatter by trade, but after his marriage followed farm- ing. lle removed to Darke County, Ohio, on Stillwater, where he lived until his death, September, 1866. The mother died in Sep- tember, 1872. They had eleven children, four sons and seven danghters, our subjeet being the youngest. The entire family were members of the Disciple church except John. Mr. Hollaway was a life-long Democrat, but he voted for his old commander, General Harrison, for President in 1840. John M., the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm until he was seventeen years of age, then went to learn the carpenter's trade, serving two years' apprenticeship. Ile then traveled until he was twenty-five years old, visiting many of the Western States and Territories, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Indian Territory, and back to his home. Ile was married August 12, 1859, to Zilpha A. Lukes, born in Miami County, Ohio, June 8, 1836, and then worked at his trade one year. After this he followed farming until 1861, when he enlisted, April 17, in Company C, Eleventh Ohio Infantry, in the three months call. Ile served until August 27, 1861, and afterward received a commission from Governor Tod, as First Lieutenant of Company E, Forty-fifth Ohio Infantry, serving until December 28, 1863, when he resigned and returned home. Ile
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again enlisted as a private in the Eighth Ohio Battery, Light Artillery, and remained until the close of the war. lle was discharged August 10, 1865, at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Ile participated in the battle of Perryville, siege of Knoxville, and several other battles and skirmishes. After his discharge he re- turned to Darke County, Ohio, and soon after was elected justice of the peace, which office he resigned and removed to Ridgeville, Randolph County, this State. In January, 1872, he removed to Ceylon, this county, thence to Geneva in 1574, which is his present home. ITe worked at his trade until Febru- ary, 1884, when he engaged in the under- taking business, and follows that exelnsively. Mr. Hollaway is a Republican in polities, and is a member of John P. Porter Post, No. 83, G. A. R., being a charter member. Ile has served three terms as commander. Mrs. HIollaway is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Hollaway are the parents of six children-Ilamlin M., Ida M., Irena, Olla (deceased), Emna and Goldie, also deceased. They have an adopted daughter, Mamie Ruekman.
ENNISON TINKHIAM, an old settler of Blue Creek Township, was born in Vermont, September 28, 1814, a son of Isaac and Synthia Tinkham, natives of Ver- mont. In his infaney his parents moved to Franklin County, Ohio, where he was reared, receiving good educational advantages, and in the winter of 1837 accompanied his father to Adams County, settling in Blue Creek Township, where they improved a traet of heavily-timbered land. He has been success- ful, his labors being rewarded by a com- peteney for his deelining years. Ile owns 180 acres of choice land, and has one of the 24
pleasantest homes in the township. Ile is one of the oldest living pioneers of the coun- ty, and rejoices to see the improvements that have taken place in the last half century, feel- ing a sense of pleasure in the thought that he has been instrumental in advancing this improvement. Mr. Tinkham was married January 25, 1844, to Margaret Scoles, a dangliter of Andrew and Hannah Seoles, early settlers of Adams County. To them were born ten children, but six of whom are living-Lorenzo, William T., Francis M., Sylvester C., Rebecca and Elizabeth, Mrs. Tinkham died September 18, 1885, leaving a large circle of friends to mourn her loss. She was an earnest Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Tink- ham is also a member of the Methodist ehreh. In polities he is a Democrat.
FOIIN G. SHEETS, farmer, resides on section 10, Union Township, where he owns seventy-two aeres of land. Ile was born in Harrison, Van Wert County, Ohio, Deeember 6, 1853, and was reared and edu- eated in his father's district. His parents were Jahue and Susanna (Rummel) Sheets, and were born in Columbiana County, Ohio. Both are living on the old homestead where they first settled, the father having entered the land from the Government. The farm consists of 164 aeres in Ohio, and sixty-four in Union Township, this eounty. April 20, 1882, our subjeet was married to Emma D. Bailey, who was born in Union Township January 18, 1863, and was reared and edu- eated in her native county. Her father, Na- thaniel Bailey, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, August 8, 1818, died November 12, 1853, and is buried in Clark's Chapel eeme- tery. The mother, Catherine (Ilarvont) Bailey,
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was born in Ashland County, January 18, 1820. The parents were married in that county, and came to Adams County, this State, with three children. After their set- tlement in this county eight more children were born. Six of their eleven children are living-three in Union Township, one in Allen County, one in Koseinsko County, and one in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Sheets have had two children-Oliver Otto, born October 26, 1883, died August 8, 1884; Mary Aletha, born September 14, 1885. The Sheets are of German ancestry. His grandfather, George Rummel, died in Harrison Township, Van Wert County, Ohio.
RANCIS JOSEPHI GILLIG, a pioneer of Adams County, was born Kulsheim, Baden, Germany, December 11, 1813. When he was fourteen years of age he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, serving an apprenticeship in his native city. In 1834 he came to America, landing in New York City July 4. He worked at his trade in New- ark, New Jersey, Sandusky, Ohio, Buffalo, New York, and again in Sandusky, until Oe- tober 7, 1838, when he came to Adams County, Indiana. There being but three houses in Decatur, he rented a log house across the river and east of the town, in which he lived until spring. In Angnst, 1839, he moved to Fort Wayne, but in the spring of 1841 he returned to Adams County, and located in Union Township, entering 120 acres of land from the Government. This land he eleared and improved and made his home fifteen years. IIe then sold his farm and subsequently bought another in Wash- ington Township, on which he lived until 1869, when he sold his farm and moved to Deeatur, and has since lived retired from aet-
ive business. January 1, 1838, Mr. Gillig was married in Sandusky, Ohio, to Teressa Spuwler, a native of Switzerland, born Jan- uary 26, 1817, danghter of George and Mary (Keller) Spuwler, who came to America in 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Gillig have had eight children; but two are living-Amos, a Imm- ber manufacturer of Decatur, and Julia, wife of Sylvester Spangler, a contractor and builder. Leo died in Virginia City, Nevada, December 27, 1868, aged twenty-seven years; Simon died May 15, 1569, aged twenty-two years, while a student at the mereantile col- lege at Ponghkeepsie, New York; Mary died December 14, 1852, aged five years, and three died in infancy. In politics Mr. Gil- lig is a Prohibitionist. Ile and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The parents of Mr. Gillig, Lawrence and Francisca (Kolhler) Gillig, died in their na- tive country, the father in 1848, aged sixty years, and the mother in 1872, aged eighty- two years. They were both reared in the faith of the Catholic church.
OHN ROBISON, a progressive farmer of Adams County, residing on section 26, Monroe Township, is a native of Perry County, Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being September 1, 1835. Ilis parents, John M. and Jane (Baxter) Robison, were also natives of the same State, and of Seotch descent, and to them were born nine children, three sons and six daughters. They immi- grated to Crawford County, Ohio, in 1837, and there engaged in farming. The mother died about the year 1859, aged sixty-two years, and the father died in Van Wert County, Ohio, in 1872, aged seventy-six years. Both were members of the Presbyte- rian ehnreh. John Robison, the subject of
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this sketch, was the youngest child of his father's family. Ile was reared on his fa- ther's farm in Crawford County, and received his edneation in the common schools. 1Ie was united in marriage March 31, 1857, to Miss Sarah E. Kerr, who was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1835, a daughter of James W. and Rosanna (MeLel- land) Kerr. Of the nine children born to this union seven are yet living-Jane R., Alva B., William E., John M., Martha A., Orrin M. and Esther D. After his marriage Mr. Robison engaged in farming in Ohio, remaining in that State until April, 1865, when he came to Adams County, Indiana, and bought the farm in Monroe Township, where he has since followed general farming. ITis farm contains eighty acres of choice land, and its entire surroundings show the owner to be a thorough, practical farmer.
ESSE MYERS, of Washington Township, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, September 1, 1814, son of David and Catherine Myers, natives of Virginia and early settlers of Columbiana County. When he was about fourteen years of age he went with his parents to Stark County, and four years later to Carroll County. IIe was raised among the pioneers and educated in the early district schools. In 1837 he eame to Allen County, this State, prior to its organization into a county, and again endured the hardships of pioneer lite. Ile was married May 28, 1838, to Mary Miek, and they be- came the parents of eight children, four of whom are living-Cordelia, Andrew, Anna and David. Mrs. Myers died in 1855. One year later Mr. Myers came to Adams County, remaining a short time at Mommonth. Ile removed to Washington Township in the fall
of 1883. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the United Brethren church.
ONATHAN BOWER, one of the sub- stantial farmers of Kirkland Township, residing on seetion 10, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Berks County Febru- ary 12, 1827, a son of Simon and Anna (Ramei) Bower, who were also natives of Pennsylvania, and of German deseent. They subsequently immigrated to Fairfield County, Ohio, where they followed agricultural pur- suits till death. Both were members of the Lutheran church. Their family consisted of fourteen children, four sons and ten dangh- ters. Jonathan Bower, the subject of this sketch, was reared to the avocation of a farm- er, which he had made his life-work. Ile remained on the home farm till his mar- riage, January 13, 1850, to Lydia Spade, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born De- eember 23, 1831. Her parents, Henry and Rosanna (Alsbough) Spade, were natives of Pennsylvania and Fairfield County, Ohio, re- speetively, the father born in 1800 and the mother in 1807, both being of German ori- gin. In his religions faith the father was a Lutheran, the mother being a member of the German Reformed church. The father was a farmer all his life. Ile died in April, 1842. IIe was twice married, having one child by his first marriage. His second wife was Rosanna Alsbongh, a sister of his first wife, and to this marriage were born eight chil- dren, three sons and five daughters. Mrs. Spade is also deceased, her death taking place April 6, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Bower have had twelve children born to them-1Ienry T., Mary A. (deceased), Margaret E. (de- ceased), Sarah J. (deceased), Laura A., Ros- anna, Simon J., Josephine I., Charles W.
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(deceased), Emma E., Hattie B. (deceased) and George B. After his marriage Mr. Bower engaged in farming for himself. In 1861 he came to Adams County and located on the farm where he now resides, he having purchased the land five years before coming to the county. IFis farm was then heavily covered with timber, and his first residence in the county was built of logs, as well as his farin buildings. lle now has 160 aeres of fine land, seventy acres under cultivation, a comfortable and commodious residence, and good out-buildings for the accommodation of his stoek. Mr. and Mrs. Bower are mem- bers of the Lutheran church. In polities Mr. Bower is a Demoerat, and takes an active interest in the polities of his county. He has held the office of assessor, and was township trustee almost five years.
ACOB BUHLER, dealer in lime, hair, cement and plaster of paris, also flour and feed exchange, at Decatur, was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, February 25, 1825. Ile learned the stone mason's trade when a young man, and traveled as a jour- Heyman mason in his native country for three years. In 1547 he came to America, landing at New York June 26, and from there went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked at his trade until 1548. Ile then went to Lieking County, Ohio, and there worked at his trade until coming to Adams County, Indiana, in 1849, where he has sinee resided at Deeatur, with the exception of five years spent in Wabash County. He followed contracting after settling in Adams County, and in 1875 began dealing in lime and building material, in which he is still engaged. He was united in marriage at Decatur, June 3, 1851, to Rose Ann Chronister, born in Cumberland
County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Helem) Chronister, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of German deseent. They came to Adams County, Indiana, in 1847, when Mrs. Buhler was about sixteen years of age; and located on a farm in Union Township, where the father died in 1859, aged sixty-four years. The mother died at Decatur in 1884 at the age of seventy-nine years. Both were members of the Lutheran church. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Buhler, of whom six are living-Emanuel. Samuel, Jaeob B., Albert, John and Chester, all with the excep- tion of Albert, who is in Nebraska, being residents of Deeatnr. Those deceased are -- David A., who died August 4, 1854, aged one year, and Henry C., who died May 3, 1562, aged six years. Mr. Bühler is a member of St. Mary's Lodge, No. 167, I. O. O. F. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. Hle and his wife belong to the Evan- gelical elnurch at Decatur, and for three years he has served as steward of his church.
ALBERT HUSER, proprietor of a saw- mill at Preble Station, was born in Wabash Township, this eounty, Jan- ary 16, 1859. Ile was reared on a farm, and when fourteen years of age he left home and hired ont to work on a farm until he was twenty-one years old. Ile then purchased a saw-mill at Friedheim, Preble Township, and still owns it. In Mareh, 1885, he bought the mill he is operating at the present time, and manufactures from 6,000 to 7,000 feet of lumber per day, and at Friedheim, 5,000 feet per day. Mr. IInser's parents are George and Mary (Shuler) Huser, who were born in Germany. They now live at Friedheim. The father eame to America alone, when a
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