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 44
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 44
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ANDREW J. FOREMAN, a successful agriculturist of Blue Creek Township, where he resides on section 33, is a native of Ohio, born in Butler County, May 9, 1830. His parents, IIenry II. and Mary M. Foreman, were natives of the State of Pennsylvania. They settled in Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana, in 1853, where they resided until death. Thirteen children were born to them, of whom seven still survive-Elizabeth, James, George, An- drew J., Samnel, William and Mary. The father was one of the representative pioneers of Adams County, having settled in the woods of Blue Creek Township, where he endured many hardships and privations. Ile began life a poor man, but owing to his habits of industry and economy he met with success, and was numbered among the enterprising farmers and respected citizens of his town- ship. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics he was a Democrat. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Ile was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Andrew J. Foreman, whose name heads this sketch, grew to manhood in his native county, being reared amid pio- neer scenes, and receiving such educational advantages as were common to farmer boys of that day. He came to Adams Connty after reaching his majority, settling with his parents in Blue Creek Township. He was
united in marriage October 11, 1861, to Miss Nancy MeAlhaney, who was born in Ohio, but at the time of her marriage was living in Adams County. To this union were born seven children-Sarah E., deceased; Mary E., wife of John N. Smitley; Samantha J., wite of William II. Agler; John W., Henry Il., William L. and Ida M. Mr. Foreman settled on his present farm in 1861, where his wife died December 14, 1875, leaving a family and a host of friends to mourn her loss. Mr. Foreman has met with success in his farming operations, having commenced life for himself without means, and has now one of the finest farms in Adams County, his farm containing 120 acres of well-im- proved and highly cultivated land. In his political views Mr. Foreman affiliates with the Democratic party. Ile is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
HIARLES T. RAINIER, M. D., an ac- tive and public-spirited citizen of Mon- roe, Adams County, is a native of Ocean County, New Jersey, born October 28, 1842, a son of Aaron B. and Esther T. (Pratt) Rainier, natives of New Jersey and Maryland respectively, the father born November 6, 1805, of French descent, and the mother born May 8, 1804. They were married in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1828, and to them were born eight sons and two daughters, our subject being the ninth child. Early in life the father learned the cabinet- maker's trade in New York City. After his marriage he settled at Columbus, New Jer- sey, where he experienced religion and entered the ministry, uniting with the Meth- odist Episcopal church. In 1844 he emi- grated with his family to Franklin County, Indiana, and worked at his trade at Meta-
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mora. IIe entered the Southern Indiana Conference when he first came to the State. lle afterward left Franklin County for Madi- son County, where he followed farming for three years, when he entered the Northern Indiana Conference, of which he was a mem- ber until his death, November 6, 1878. After disposing of his farm he spent three years on the Middletown Cireuit, after which he re- turned with his family to Philadelphia and engaged in the mercantile trade, which he continued about three years. Ile then re- turned to Middletown and re-entered the ministry, and while there was a presiding elder of the Northern Indiana Conference. Ile afterward removed to Richwood, Delaware County, Indiana, where his wife died Angust 3, 1861. Ile afterward traveled over many of the eonnties in the northern and eentral part of Indiana, being one of the circuit- riders of that day, and would frequently be gone several weeks at a time. Ile died at the home of his son at Monroe, Adams County. Charles T. Rainier, whose name heads this sketeh, came with his parents to Indiana when abont two years of age. He remained at home with his parents until July 18, 1862, receiving his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. lle then enlisted in Company II, Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and was with the Thirteenth Army Corps. Ile participated in the battles of Richmond, Kentucky, Arkansas Post, and siege of Vieks- Unrg, besides other battles and skirmishes. IIe served until October, 1864, when he was discharged for disability contraeted in the army. He now draws a pension. After his discharge he returned to his father's house in Grant County, Indiana, and for three years following he was engaged in teaching school during the winter terms, and reading medi- eine in the summer months. He then began the practice of medieine at West Liberty,
Jay County, Indiana, but after a time, his health failing him, he was obliged to give up his practice, after which he went to Allegan County, Michigan, and attended a course of lectures in the medical department of the Michigan State University. After remaining there a year and a half he came to Adams ('ounty, Indiana, in September, 1869, and engaged in the practice of medieine at Salem. Ile remained there two years, when he re- moved to Monroe, Monroe Township, where he followed his ehosen profession. IIe was one of the first settlers, and he ereeted the first building on the present site of Monroe. The Monroe postoffice was established mainly through his influence, and he was appointed its first postmaster, which office he resigned shortly afterward. Ile remained at Monroe until about 1878, when he removed to Mar- shall County, and was engaged in the prac- tice of medicine there for six years. IIe then returned to Monroe, where he still re- sides, but is living retired from the active duties of life, having given up his praetice on account of his health. The doctor was married October 27, 1866, to Naney J. Gil- pen, who was born in Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana, May 20, 1850, a danghter of Washington and Mary (Brokaw) Gilpen, natives of Ohio, the father born in Pennsylvania County, February 1, 1828, and the mother born in Belmont County in De- cember, 1828. They were married in Tusea- rawas County, Ohio, in 1848, and in 1849 came to Adams County, settling in Blue Creek Township, where the mother died No- vember 30, 1880. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. They were the parents of five chil- dren, three of whom are yet living. Six children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Rainier-Alice L., Willis B. (deceased), Mary A., Washington E., Lulu B. and Charles L.
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The doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as trustee, and was also recording steward of the Monroe Circuit. He is a member of Sam. Ilenry Post, No. 63, G. A. R., at Decatur.
W. GALLMEYER, fariner, resides on section 9, Preble Township, where he owns eighty aeres of land; he also owns twenty acres on the line adjoining the eighty. He was born in Westphalia, Ger- many, October 4, 1832, where he lived until 1845, when his parents (mother and step- father) and four sisters eame to America, settling in Preble Township, where the step- father still resides. His father died in Ger- many when F. W. was eight years old. The mother then married Conrad Scheuman. She died in November, 1875, leaving six children, although she had had nine children. His own father was born in 1800 and died in 1840. The step-father was also born in 1800. The family took n sailing vessel at Bremen, and were on the ocean thirteen weeks, land- ing in New York City. Our subject was educated partly in Germany and partly in Preble Township. He learned the carpen- ter's trade in this country, which he followed abont eight years. In 1858 he went to Ger- many to visit his friends and to secure the inheritance which his father left at death. While there he was married, in November, 1858, to Miss Wilhelmina Boese, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, in 1841, and was reared and married there. They came to America soon after their marriage and set- tled upon their present farm, commencing domestie life in a hewed-log cabin in the woods. IIe eleared up his farm, which is now mostly improved. Mrs. Gallmeyer's
parents were Fredricka and Conrad Boese. HIer father died in Germany. Iler mother came to America in 1859, with three ehil- dren, and three had preceded her to this country. She is living with her son Will- iam. Mr. and Mrs. Galhneyer have had fif- teen children, ten of whom are living, and all are single except the eldest. Their names are-Conrad, Wilhehnina, Eliza, Ernest, William, Edward, Fredrick, Martin, Christian and Anna. The deceased are-Frederick, Louisa, Mary, William and Wilhelmina. Mr. Gallmeyer was elected township trustee in 1868, and served until 1878, when he had an interregnum of four years, then served four years more. He served four years as justice of the peace, two years as assessor and two years as constable. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in Company D, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and was discharged in Au- gust, 1865. Ile was in several skirmishes, but no regular fought battle. Sinee his dis- charge he has followed farming.
YLVESTER SPANGLER, contraetor and builder, and an active and enter- prising eitizen of Decatur, is a native of Crawford County, Ohio, born near Massil- lon, February 19, 1842, a son of Michael and Dorothy (Keese) Spangler. When an infant, in 1843, his parents eame to Adams County, Indiana, and here he was reared to the avoca- tion of a farmer on his father's farm. On reaching manhood he learned the carpenter's trade at Fort Wayne. In the fall of 1863 he enlisted in the Union Army as a private in Company I, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, to serve one year. He served his country thir- teen months, when he was discharged at New Orleans. He participated in the engagements at Franklin and Nashville beside several
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skirmishes, and during his teri of service was not off duty a day on account of sickness or wonnds. After his discharge he returned to Adams County and worked at earpentering at Deeatur and vicinity. He was married at Decatur in 1865, to Julia Gillig, daughter of Francis J. and Theresa (Spuler) Gillig. She was born, reared and educated at Decatur, and before her marriage taught school in Adams County. Mr. and Mrs. Spangler are the parents of two children --- Ella and Della, both of whom are students at the Decatur Iligh School. In 1868 Mr. Spangler engaged in contraeting and building, which he has since followed, and has erected many of the briek business blocks on Main street, beside many of the substantial residences at Decatur. In polities Mr. Spangler is a Democrat. IIe served four years as village trustee of Deeatur, and since its organization as a city he has been conneilman five years. He is a comrade of Sam Henry Post, No. 63, G. A. R. IIe and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Decatur. Michael Spangler, the father of our subject, was a native of Ohio, born January 12, 1812, and was of German descent. Ile was a farmer by avocation, and on coming to Adams County he settled on a tract of wild land in Preble Township, which he improved and lived on abont twenty-four years. Hle then sold
his land in Preble Township and removed to a farm in Allen County near Williamsport, where he died September 8, 1877. The mother of our subject was born in Stuttgart, Germany, February 16, 1811. When twelve years of age she was brought by her parents to America, they locating at Liverpool, Ohio, where she lived till her marriage. She died
on the farm near Williamsport, Allen County,
October 3, 1869. She was a member of the Evangelieal church. Mr. Spangler was a member of the United Brethren church.
Eight of the ten children born to them grew to maturity, of whom seven are yet living, one living in Nebraska, and the remaining six being residents of Indiana.
MOS GULICK, one of the old and re- speeted pioneers of Adams County, is
3- a native of New Hampshire County, Virginia, born in the year 1524, a son of Elisha and Elizabeth Gulick, the father born June 29, 1784, of Scoteh-Irish ancestry, and the mother born January 22, 1757, of Ger- inan origin. ITis first ancestors on coming to Ameriea settled in the State of New Jer- sey, and later removed to Loudoun County, Virginia, thence to Hampshire County, of the same State, in 1794. The grandfather of onr subject was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, enlisting when seventeen years of age. The father of our subject was drafted in the war of 1812, but the war being then abont over, he did not render any service. He was married in Hampshire County to Elizabeth Shaffer, and to them were born eleven ehil- dren-Mary, born December 18, 1806, died September 26, 1826; John, born November 29, 1808, married Ellen Shepherd; Elizabeth, born November 2, 1810, married William Shrock; Hannah, born September 8, 1512, married Ardalis Carter; Evalina, born No- vember 14, 1814, married David Major, and died Angust 19, 1845; Sarah, born March 10, 1817, died June 13, 1820; Harriet, born October 4, 1819, married Joshua Major; Elisha, born January 16, 1822, married Ma- hala Arehabold; Amos, born February 29, 1824, the subject of this sketch; Anna, born April 9, 1826, died September 9, 1845, and Catherine, born May 24, 1828, married Dan- iel Lee. In 1836 the parents removed to Franklin County, Ohio, where two daughters,
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Elizabeth and IIannah, had preceded them. Both parents are deceased, the father dying May 30, 1879, aud the mother April 22, 1858. Amos Gulick, our subject, was mar- ried January 1, 1846, to Elizabeth Acker, who was born September 4, 1828, her ante- cedents being Dutch on her father's side, and Yankee on her mother's side. Of the seven children born to this union only four are liv- ing-Samuel, born May 7, 1848, married Emma Baxter, May 1, 1871; Rosetta, born March 3, 1855, married William Teeple, De- eember 16, 1877; Iva Anu, born April 15, 1864, and Amos Wilson, born December 25, 1866, are living at home. Catherine Eliza- beth was born November 11, 1846, married Joseph Smith, February 18, 1866, and died October 31, 1874; Eldora, born December 21, 1858, and died April 30, 1866, and James William, born September 13, 1850, died July 21, 1857. Six years previous to his marriage Mr. Guliek visited St. Mary's Township, Adams County, where he had a deed of fifty-two acres of wild land, his wife also owning forty acres. Ile disposed of his land and he and his wife settled on her forty- aere tract, on which he cut the first tree, and improved it from its wild state, changing it into productive fields. He resided on this farm about eighteen years, when he removed with his family to his present homestead, which consists of 188 acres of choice land, located about three-quarters of a mile north of St. Mary's River near the village of Pleasant Mills. Mr. Gulick and family have experi- enced many of the hardships and privations, as well as the pleasures of pioneer life, com- ing to the county when settlers were few and wild animals numerous. Game was then in abundance. Their grist was taken either to Willshire or Fort Wayne, some twenty-six miles distant, and occasionally corn was ground by hand. Buckwheat was frequently
ground in the same manner, and a half bushel ground in a hand-mill was considered a good day's work. Occasionally a tin punched full of holes, so that one surface would be very rough, would be used to grate the corn by hand. Log-rolling and house-raising were frequent occurrences among the early settlers, and everybody considered it not only a duty but a pleasure to attend these gatherings. Sociability and hospitality were everywhere to be found, and although deprived of many of the so-called modern conveniences, there were nevertheless many pleasant features to the pioneer's life. Mr. Gulick and all but two members of his family are members of the old school Baptist church, and highly re- spected members of society.
FOIIN McCONNELL, deceased, was born in Butler County, Ohio, January 20, 1819, where he lived until ten years of age, when his mother removed to Darke County, his father having died a few years previous to their removal. His mother hired him out to drive oxen on a briek yard, for 6} cents a day, in order to teach him habits of industry. Ilis parents were Jesse and Eliza (Mills) McConnell. llis father, Jesse McConnell, was born in the County Antrim, Ireland, removing to Butler County, Ohio, in 1817. He died in 1825, leaving a wife and three children, of whom John was the oldest. One ehild died in infancy, and Sarah, the other child, married Samuel Davis, and died in June, 1884. The mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1793, and was taken by her parents to Ohio in 1802, where she lived un- til her marriage. She was three times mar- ried and outlived all her husbands. She died at Troy, Ohio, March 9, 1572, aged seventy- nine years. John, the subject of this sketch,
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drove oxen on a brick yard two summers, then learned the blacksmith trade of Henry Dillon, commencing at the age of seventeen years, at 83 per month. He served three years, having been bound out by his mother. While he was learning his trade his mother again married and was again a widow. John returned home to assist his mother, and did not complete his trade. Ile came to Monroe Township. this county, and settled on Thomp- son's prairie in 1840. He secured 160 acres of land, part by entry and part by purchase. July 10, 1845, he was married to Lucinda McDermeit, born in Fayette County, Penn- sylvania, September 28, 1822, and was reared in Greene County, that State. She came to Monroe Township, Adams County, in 1838, where she lived until her marriage. They lived in that township until 1850, then moved to Decatur, Mr. McConnell having been elected auditor the fall before. He served in that capacity nine years. He had previ- ously served as county commissioner three years, from 1844 to 1847, and as clerk of the conrt four years. He was a township trus- tee at the time of his death, which occurred January 28, 1875. He died of typhoid pneu- monia. He was elected to the Legislature in the fall of 1872, and served in the special and regular sessions with satisfaction to his con- stituents. He was a self-made man, having received but three months' schooling. Ile was a man that was loyal to his convictions, true to his family and faithful to the Demo- cratic party. He was buried at Decatur, un- der the rituals of the Odd Fellows. IIe left an untarnished name and an unspotted char- acter as a legacy to his children. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell had six children-Mark M., born April 23, 1846; Margaret M., born An- gust 8, 1847, married John Blood, and died July 28, 1880; Joseph L., born February 13, 1849; George W., born June 24, 1851;
Mary, born December 8, 1854, died August 24, 1855; Frank, born January 29, 1859, is living at home with his mother.
HILEMON N. COLLINS, deceased, who was one of the prominent citizens of Adams County, was born in Richland County, Ohio, November 20, 1820, a son of Zenas and Catherine (Sites) Collins. The father was a native of Virginia, and the mother was born in Maryland. They subse- quently went to Missouri, where both died. Philemon grew to manhood in Ohio, receiv- ing an academic education. At the age of seventeen years he commenced teaching school, which he followed for nine terms. His father gave him eighty acres of land located on section 20, Wabash Township, Adams County, which he began improving in 1844. He was married March 9, 1848, to Miss Eliza J. McDonald, who was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1826, her parents, A. R. and Jane (Matchet) McDonald, being natives of the State of Pennsylvania. In 1831 the parents of Mrs. Collins removed to Columbiana County, Ohio, and later removed to Hamil- ton County, Ohio. In 1845 they located in Wayne County, Indiana, and three years following came to Adams County, settling in Wabash Township. In the fall of 1855 they came to Lagrange County, where the father died in the fall of 1875. IIe had been twice married. ITis first wife, the mother of Mrs. Collins, died in 1834, and by her be had six children, two sons and four daughters. Mr. McDonald was again married in 1836 to Elizabeth J. Anglemyer, and to this union were born thirteen children. The father was a shoemaker by trade, which he followed in connection with farming. He was a member
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of the Presbyterian church. To Mr. and Mrs. Collins eleven children were born, and of this number only one is living, a daughter named Geneva B., who is now the wife of I .. C. Messner. After this marriage Mr. Collins engaged in farming. He was engaged as civil engineer and county surveyor for nine years. Ile was station agent at Ceylon, Adams County, for five years. He and B. B. Snow were proprietors of the town site of Ceylon, a part of the town being located on part of his land. Ile also represented his eonnty in the Legislature for three terms, serving with eredit to himself and to the best interests of the county. IIe was very successful in his farming operations and at his death left about 600 acres, 400 aeres being in one body, his original purchase being eighty acres. Ile took an active part in the political affairs of his county, being formerly a Whig, but later affiliated with the Democratic party. During his residence in the county he won the conti- dence and esteem of all who knew him, and his death, which occurred October 31, 1878, was a source of universal regret. His widow still resides at Ceylon. She united with the Christian church May 14, 1876, and April 5, 1885, she became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ENRY P. MERRIMAN, of Monroe, and justice of the peace of Monroe Township, was born in Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana, Septem- ber 28, 1853, a son of John and Mary Jane (Ray) Merriman, natives of Steubenville, Ohio, the father born July 17, 1816, and the mother February 25, 1828. The father had been twiee married, the mother of our sub- jeet being his second wife, by whom he had eight children, seven sons and one daughter.
By his first marriage he had two children, both now deceased. For many years the father ran a distillery at Steubenville. Ile came to Adams County, Indiana, in 1848, and entered land on section 7 of Blue Creek Township, where he resided until his death Jannary 7, 1879. IIe was a prominent man in his township, of which he was trustee, and for twelve years held the office of justice of the peace. Mrs. Merriman is now living at Salem, Blne Creek Township. She belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Mer- riman having been a member of the same church till his death. Henry P. Merriman, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, receiving a fair common-school education in the schools of his neighborhood. When nineteen years old he taught school for two terins, after which he was engaged in farming until 1878. Ile was married Janu- ary 27, 1876, to Mary C. Edwards, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, born March 6, 1853. Iler parents, Lewis and Elizabeth (Wilson) Edwards, were natives of Ohio. They came to Adams County, Indiana, in 1865, and settled in Blue Creek Township, where they still reside, engaged in farming. Both are members of the United Brethren church. They are the parents of ten children, three sons and seven daughters. To Mr. and Mrs. Merriman have been born five children -- Leonard L., Dora L., Ann I., Gertrude C. and Margaret M. In 1878 Mr. Merriman came to Monroe, Adams County, and was engaged in railroading for eighteen months. IIe then entered the general mercantile establishment of Hocker & Hendricks, where he was employed as elerk until the firm dis- solved partnership. IIe then formed a part- nership with Mr. Hocker, with whom he was associated in the mercantile business until January, 1886, when owing to his inflamma- tory rheumatism he disposed of his interest
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in the business to Mr. Hocker, and visited Kansas Hot Springs in Arkansas, returning to Monroe July 19 of the same year. In 1881 he was appointed justice of the peace, and elected in 1882, and in the spring of 1886 was re-elected, and as far as his health will permit devotes his time to his office. Both Mr. and Mrs. Merriman are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Merriman is a member of St. Mary's Lodge, No. 167, I. O. O. F., of Decatur, having joined that lodge September 7, 1885.
ENJAMIN HOUK, farmer, resides on section 5, Root Township, where he owns 160 aeres of land. Ile also owns 147 acres elsewhere, making 307 acres in all. Ile came to this eounty in 1843, and settled on the same farm where he now lives. Ile hired ten acres ent, and built his log cabin, in which he lived until he built his present honse, the front of the log house being a part of the new one. Mr. Houk was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1821, and when he was fourteen years of age his parents removed to Stark County, Ohio, where they lived twenty years. Ile was married November 29, 1849, to Miss Sarah Mock, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, June 1, 1825, and was reared principally in Stark County. Her father, Samuel Mock, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, June 6, 1787, and removed to Stark County in 1819. IIe died February 10, 1871. Ile experienced religion in an carly day and exemplified it during a long life. The mother, Rachel S. (Geisaman) Moek, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, where she was reared and married. Soon after her marriage she removed to Stark County, where she died at the age of seventy-three years. Mr. Houk's 27
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