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 50
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 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
BALDWIN II. CLARK, an active and enterprising farmer of Blue Creek Town- ship, was born in Mereer County, Ohio, January 24, 1841, a son of George and Mary Clark. His parents were natives of Vermont, and were among the early settlers of Mercer County, Ohio. Of a large number of ehil- dren born to them six are still living-Melis- sa, Marion, Harriet, Helen, Herbert and Baldwin Il. The mother is deceased, and the father is now a resident of Cloud Coun- ty, Kansas. Baldwin II. Clark, the subjeet of this sketch, grew to maturity in his native county, being reared on his father's farm and educated in the common schools of his neigh- borhood. He was a soldier during the late war, enlisting in October, 1861, in Company E, Forty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and partiei- pated in the following engagements: Battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi, Mission Ridge, Atlanta campaign, Sherman's march to the sea and through the Carolinas and battle of Bentonville. He was wounded 1
at the battles of Shiloh and Bentonville, North Carolina. He was a gallant and faith- ful soldier, serving until July, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge. After the war he returned to Mercer County, Ohio, where he was married in September, 1866, to Miss Emily Fisher, her father, Peter Fisher, being an old settler of Mercer County. Mrs. Clark died March 2, 1881, leaving four chil- dren-Walter S., Elmora B., Charles A. and Mary E. Mr. Clark was again married in Sep- tember, 1881, to Mrs. Catherine (Ray) Davy, a daughter of John W. Ray, an old settler of Adams County. To this union was born one child, a daughter, named Della A. By her marriage with George W. Davy Mrs. Clark had one ehild, named Emma G. Mr. Clark settled on his present farm in Blue Creek Township in 1882, where he has eighty aeres of choice land, and is meeting with success in his farming pursuits. In polities Mr. Clark affiliates with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and respected members of society.
MANUEL NEADERHOUSER, pro- prietor of the Buena Vista Flour Mill, is a native of Switzerland, born in the year 1816, and was reared to manhood in his native country. IIe learned his trade fromn his father, who was a miller and millwright. Ile immigrated to America in 1844 and settled in Wells County, Indiana, where he worked at his trade. Ile was married in Wells County in 1848 to Miss Mary Rapp, a native of Germany, who died in June, 1871. Of the ten children born to this union only four are living-Fred, John, Emma and Sarah. Mr. Neaderhouser was again married in 1871 to Miss Mary Baumgartner, who was
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born in Wells County, Indiana, in 1840, and to this union were born ten children, of whom five are living-Cora, Eflie, Maley, Teresa and an infant unnamed. Mr. Neaderhouser remained in Wells County until 1858, when he came to Adams County and erected a flouring mill, which he operated until 1886, when he put in a new set of machinery, of the roller process, at a cost of about $6,000. The mill was run by water power until 1870, since which time it has been run by a forty- horse power steam engine, the mill having a capacity of about fitty barrels of flour per day. Both Mr. and Mrs. Neaderhouser are mem- bers of the Evangelical Association. Their son, Fred Neaderhouser, was born in Hart- ford Township, Adams County, March 9, 1859, and here he grew to manhood, receiv- ing in his youth the benefits of a common- school education. Ile learned the miller's trade of his father, and in 1884 became a partner in his father's milling business, which has since continued. He was united in marriage March 27, 1886, to Miss Mary Lehman, who was also born in Hartford Township, the date of her birth being Janu- ary 21, 1866. She is a member of the Evan- gelieal Association.
DAM J. SMITHI, of the lumber firm, Smith & Bell, of Decatur, is a native of Whitley County, Indiana, born near Churubusco, February 20, 1857, a son of Henry and Catherine Elizabeth (Leppla) Smith, natives of Bavaria, Germany, where they were married, and in 1840 eame to the United States and located in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and in 1856 moved to Whitley County, Indiana. They lived on a farm until 1586, when they moved to Churubusco,
where the father died three months later, aged eighty-five years, and the mother still lives, aged seventy-four years. Both were members of the Lutheran church. They were the parents of six children-William, of Coesse, Indiana; ITenry, of Churubusco; John, a farmer of Whitley County; Philip W., of' Decatur: Catherine, wife of James Roach, of Coesse, and Adam J. Adam J. Smith was reared in his native county, where he had good school advantages, completing his edu- cation at the Valparaiso Normal School. When twenty-one years old he began teach- ing, which he continued for some time in Whitley County, and in 1884 moved to Decatur and engaged in manufacturing and dealing in lumber. In the fall of 1886 he formed a partnership with A. R. Bell, under the firm name Smith & Bell. Mr. Smith was married June 5, 1884, to Miss Willie Fonner, a native of Adams County, daughter of John A. and Elizabeth (Pillars) Fonner. They have one child-Edith May, born April 15, 1885. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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AMUEL FINK was born in Perry County, Ohio, December 7, 1823, a son of William and Magdalena (Garber) Fink, the father being a native of Maryland, born Jannary 9, 1795, and the mother Feb- ruary 3, 1798, a native of Pennsylvania, both being of German descent. They were married in Perry County, Ohio, February 28, 1823, and shortly after settled in Perry County, Ohio. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and for his services received a pension. Ile received a land warrant with which he entered 120 aeres in Vernon County, Mis- souri. He left Perry County in 1829 and
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settled with his family in Seneca County, Ohio. The mother died in Ottawa County, Ohio, July 4, 1863, the father dying in San- dusky County, Ohio, November 2, 1876. Both were members of the German Baptist church. They had a family of eight children, the subject of this sketeh being the eldest. ITis father being a farmer he was reared to the same veeupation. lle attended the schools of his neighborhood, receiving a common-school education. He learned the earder and fuller's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of three years, after which he worked one summer in a factory. May 14, 1854, he was married to Julena Salome Clark, who was born in Crawford County, Ohio, July 21, 1834, a daughter of Benjamin A. and Sarah (Swally) Clark, natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Schuylkill County, July 13, 1813, and the mother born in Mifflin, now Juniata County, July 23, 1813. Mr. and Mrs. Clark were members of the German Baptist church. They were the parents of nine children. Mr. Clark was a weaver when a young man, but later in life engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Fink have six children, whose names are-Ardella E., Clarkson F., George E., Martha B. M., Phebe E. and Elles O. Mr. and Mrs. Fink are members of the German Baptist church, Mr. Fink having passed the first degree of the ministry October 9, 1875, and since that time has been in the ministry. Ile came to Adams County, Indiana, in 1883, settling on the farm where he now resides, March 23 of that year. He takes a great interest in the culture of bees, in which he is remarkably successful. Ile is a natural genins, and can make almost anything he sets ont to do, and has received a patent on a bee hive. ITe is a man of strict integrity, hon- orable in all his dealings, and during his residence in Wabash Township has gained
the confidence and respect of the entire com- munity. Ilis elinreh believes in and carries out temperance in all things.
ILLIAM SNYDER, a prominent farmer of Hartford Township, Adams Connty, was born in the State of New Jersey, November 28, 1826, a son of Peter and Catherine (Horner) Snyder, who were also natives of New Jersey and of German descent. They removed from their native State to Montgomery County, Ohio, where the father lived till his death, at the age of seventy-two years. The mother is also de- ceased, she dying in Darke County, Ohio. They had a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. The father worked at carpentering for several years, but in later life engaged in farming, and in his agrieult- ural pursuits met with good success. IIe united with the Baptist church in New Jersey, and later joined the United Brethren church, but at the time of his death he was a mem- ber of the Baptist church. William Snyder, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood on his father's farm, and received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. IIe was married September 18, 1847, to Miss Christina Mundhenk, a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, born May 21, 1827. To this nnion were born eleven children-Amelia C., Mary A., Sarah E., Philip L., Martha C., William A. (deceased), Amanda E., Lucinda J., John G. (deceased), George E. and Samuel C. Mrs. Snyder died October 11, 1876, and Mr. Snyder was again married in Winchester Indiana, August 15, 1878, to Miss Mary Watts, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1836. In 1848 she with her parents, Samnel and Martha (Paxton) Watts, removed to Wells County, Indiana. In her
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sixteenth year she commenced teaching school in that county, and continned for about twenty-five years. Iler name has be- come a household word in Wells County, through her avocation as a teacher. Mr. Snyder followed farming on his father's farm for five years, after his marriage, when, in February, 1553, he came to Adams County, Indiana, and settled on the southwest quarter of seetion 21, Hartford Township, which had been entered by his wife. To his original traet of land he has since added until he has now a fine farm of 520 acres. Mr. Snyder takes an active interest in any enterprise which he deems for the advancement of his township or county, and it was mainly through his influence that the first turnpike in Adams Connty was built. In politics he was for- merly a Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party he has voted that ticket.
HOMAS HENDRICKS, deceased, was born in the State of Ohio, November 22, 1811, a son of John and Susan- nalı (Custer) Hendricks, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They were among the early settlers of Harrison County, Ohio, where they lived on the farm entered by them from the Government until their death. They were the parents of ten children, four sons and six daughters. Thomas Hendricks, whose name heads this sketch, grew to man- hood on the home farm in Harrison County, Ohio, being reared to agricultural pursuits. Ife was married in July, 1834, to Lydia Ren- necker, who was born in Maryland, October 12, 1812, coming to Ohio with her parents when six years of age. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks, of whom only four are now living. After his marriage Mr. Ilendrieks lived for a short time in Jefferson
County, Ohio, removing thenee to Tuscara- was County, where he entered eighty aeres of land. He improved this land, on which he made his home until 1848. He then removed with his family to Iowa, and settled in Van Buren County, where he bought a farm and engaged in farming, remaining there until May, 1853, when he sold his farm, and in Inne of the same year came to Adams County, Indiana. He then settled on section 3 of Monroe Township, where he lived till his death January 13, 1883. Mrs. Hendricks still resides with her son on the old home- stead in Monroe Township. She was for- merly a member of the Lutheran church, but now belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Hendricks was also a member. In polities, like his father before him, he was a Democrat.
M ORGAN SMITHI, deceased, was born in the State of Pennsylvania in 1807, where he grew to manhood. lle learned the shoemaker's trade, which he fol- lowed in his native State. llis parents, Sooy and Mary (Luzader) Smith, were also natives of Pennsylvania. They went to Ohio in an early day and settled in Guernsey County. They afterward removed to Pickaway County, where they lived till their death. Mr. Smith was twice married, marrying for his second wife a lady named Wheeler, by whom he has had six children. Five children were born to his first marriage. lle was a soldier in the war of 1812. Ile was a prominent man of Pickaway County, and at the time of his death held the office of county judge. Morgan Smith, whose name heads this sketeh, learned his trade from his father, who was a shoemaker by occupation. He went to Ohio with his parents, remaining there till sixteen
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years of age, when he returned to Pennsylva- nia. lle was first married to Elizabeth Mitchener, by whom he had four children, of whom only one is now living -- Eliza J., wite of Jasper Beazell, of Cincinnati, Ohio. For his second wife he married Mary A. (Bar- elay) Ilook, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, born June 16, 1811, a daughter of Stephen and Maria ( Reid) Barclay, who were also natives of Pennsylvania, where they lived till their death. Six children were born to this union-Carrie, Samuel, Barelay, Lucy (deceased), Mary and Job. By her former marriage with Thomas Hook Mrs. Smith had two children, one of whom is living-Igna- tius, now at Guilford, Indiana, engaged in the ministry. Mr. Smith remained in Penn- sylvania until he came with his family to Adams County, Indiana, in December, 1847. Ile had come to the county in 1837 and en- tered 160 acres, and after settling in the county he bought land until he had 720 aeres lying in Monroe and Wabash Townships, the result of persevering industry and good management. His widow now resides with her son Samuel in Wabash Township. She is a member of the Protestant Methodist church. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was wounded at the battle of New Orleans, for which he receives a pension from the Government.
TERRY McDANIEL, engaged in farming on section 19, Blue Creek Township, was born in Greene County, Ohio, October 8, 1835, a son of John and Mary MeDaniel, who were natives of Delaware and Ohio respectively, and early settlers of Greene County, Ohio. Of a large number of children born to them only three survive- Eliza A., Sarah and Perry. In about the
year 1836 the parents removed with their family to Adams County, Indiana, and settled in the woods in the east part of Blue Creek Township, where the father entered eighty aeres of land. He first built a log cabin for his family, after which he began to elear his farm. Ile remained in Adams County until his death, which occurred May 10, 1850. IIe was one of the representative pioneers of the county, and did much toward advancing the interests of his township and county. Ile was a man of striet integrity, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. In his religious views he was a Baptist. Perry MeDaniel, the subject of this sketch, was but an infant when brought by his parents to Adams County. He was reared amid pio- neer scenes, and experienced some of the hardships and privations incident to the early pioneers. ITis edneational advantages were limited, receiving only a rudimentary edneation in the distriet schools of that early day. August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany K, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, as a private. He took part at the battle of Mun- fordville, where he was captured, but shortly afterward was paroled, and participated in the battles of Nashville and Mobile, beside nn- merous others of minor importance. He was honorably discharged in July, 1865, after which he returned to his home in Adams County, Indiana. Mr. MeDaniel was married December 31, 1859, to Sarah Shepherd, who was born in Delaware County, Indiana, Jan- nary 13, 1839, a danghter of David and Bethsheba (Draper) Shepherd, and of Quaker origin. Mr. McDaniel settled on his present farm in 1881, where he has eighty acres of fine land, and is meeting with success in his farming operations. With the exception of seven years spent in Kansas Mr. MeDaniel has resided in Adams County sinee 1836, and by his fair and honorable dealings he has
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gained the confidence and respect of all who know him. In polities he affiliates with the Republican party.
B YRON II. DENT, farmer, section 35, Washington Township, was born in Licking Connty, Ohio, March 20, 1836. In October of that year he came to this county with his parents, who settled on the farm now owned by our subject. Jeremiah Roe lived a half mile northwest of them, and Zachariah Smith lived four miles southeast of where the Dents settled. Mr. IFuffer lived on the west side of the river, where the bridge now spans it. The father entered the farm from the Government, paying 81.25 per aere. Ilis son has been offered $150 per aere for it. There was a log cabin on the place, built by Jonathan Roe the spring be- fore the family came, and he had a claim on forty acres of it, which Mr. Dent purchased. The father lived in this cabin until 1844, when he was elected county auditor, and re- moved to town. Ile was the first anditor of Adams County. After serving four years he went back to the farm and lived on it until it was cleared, then returned to Decatur, where he died in February, 1878. Ile was born in Otsego County, New York, in 1809. IIis parents were George A. and Martha A. (Welch) Dent. Ile went to Lieking County, Ohio, when a young man, and there was married. Ile was an honest and strictly temperate man. Ile never engaged in specu- lations, and was a very careful man in his business. In politics he was formerly a Whig, and afterward a Republican. The mother of our subject was born in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, in 1813, where she was reared and edneated. She removed with her parents to Lieking County, Ohio,
and died in February, 1872, at the age of fifty-nine years. Both parents were buried at Decatur. The grandfather of our subjeet, Joseph Dent, was born in Lincolnshire, England. Ile was reared at his birth-place, and probably settled in Otsego County, New York. Ile died in that State. The grand- mother died while her son was quite young, and he was reared by a step-mother, of whom he was very fond. Ilis maternal grand- mother Welch died in Licking County, Ohio, and very little is known of her. Byron II. was reared on the old farm and in Decatur village. ITis education was obtained in the common schools. Ile taught school fourteen winters in the same distriet, thirteen terms before the war and one afterward. Ile enlisted in August, 1862, and was made AAdjutant of the Eighty-ninth Indiana In- fantry, serving until the war was nearly elosed. Ile was captured at the battle of Munfordville, Kentucky, which was his first engagement. Ile was soon after furloughed and returned home on a thirty days' visit. IIe was then exchanged and returned to duty at Memphis, Tennessee. The regiment was almost wholly captured. lle was in Grant's Vicksburg eampaign, thence to Shreveport, Louisiana, with General Banks. The right then went east of Memphis, thence to Mis- souri. Mr. Dent went to the hospital at Memphis, where he was confined about six months. He was discharged there on account of physical disability, and returned home, where he has since resided. Ile was married April 24, 1856, to Miss Mary J. Hoagland, daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Luckey) Hoag- land, and she was born in Medina County, Ohio, in September, 1838. She died October 15, 1884, leaving two children-Allen and Ella. Both are married and living in this township. Mrs. Dent's parents were natives of Ohio; the father is deceased, and the
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mother is living in Root Township. Mr. Dent was again married in June, 1886, to Miss Theresa Baltzell. Mr. Dent's parents had four children-Byron, our subject; Mary IL., wife of David Crabbs, living at Moscow, Ohio; Henry Clay, who died in 1879 at De- catur, at the age of thirty-five years, and Helen A., who died in childhood. Mr. Dent has held the office of county elerk, and elerk of the circuit court four years. IIe was the sceond mayor of Dceatur, holding the office two years. Politically he is a Democrat.
HOMAS H. HOUSE, farmer, residing on seetion 12, Root Township, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, August 19, 1825. IIc was reared on a farm, and remained at his birthplace until 1850, when he went the overland route to Cali- fornia, in company with four companions. They started Mareh 10, and went by water to St. Louis, at which place they bought their outfit-team and wagon, etc. At Salt Lake their provisions became exhausted, and they stopped there and worked awhile until their supplies were replenishicd. Before they crossed the Nevada Mountains they again ran ont of provisions, and traded a span of horses for twenty ponuds of flour, which lasted them until they reached California. They landed in Sacramento, where they en- gaged in mining for a few days, but their success was so poor that they went to work for a contractor and builder, who was build- ing a levee on the river. The contractor left suddenly, and they were left without their pay. Abont that time the cholera broke out, and when it was at its height one of Mr. Ilonse's companions died with it. Ile him- self was also stricken with it and was sick three months. Ile was taken to the hospital
at Sacramento, and all supposed he would die. Ile has no recollection of being taken to the hospital, or of anything that occurred for some time. After his recovery he again went to work in the mines, but the young men who had accompanied him had gone away and left him to his fate. He followed mining with varied success, and brought away with him about the same amount that he carried with him. He was absent about two years, returning by the Isthmus. While on a steamer it sprung a leak during a violent storm, and they ran into harbor. Ile landed in New York City, then went to his home in Penu- sylvania, where he remained six months, then went to Ashland County, Ohio. June 30, 1853, he was married to Susanna Shaffer, who was born in Ashland County, March 25, 1835. IIer father, Peter Shaffer, was born in Cum- berland County, Pennsylvania, and died in Ashland County, Ohio, in 1882, aged seven- ty-nine years. Ile was formerly a Methodist, but in later life was an Allbright, and lived the life of a Christian. His wife, Sarah (Black) Shaffer, was also born in Cumber- land County, and died in Ashland County, in 1841, when Mrs. House was six years old. She was also a Christian woman, being a member of the Methodist church at her death. The father of Mr. House, John House, was born in Washington County, Pennsyl- vania, where he died in 1833, when his son Thomas was eight years of age. He was a school-teacher during his mature years, being partially erippled by a white swelling. The mother, Susan (Hagan) House, was also born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, where she died when Thomas was two years old. Thus was our subjeet left at an early age to depend upon himself, never experiencing anything of home infinenees. Mr. and Mrs. House have had five children, two of whom are living-Angeline, born May 16, 1854
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is the wife of Hiram W. Smith, and is living in Allen County, Indiana; Josephine, born February 14, 1836, married J. D. Stultz, and died July 18, 1886; Theodore, born July 16, 1858, died September 7, 1861; Elizabeth, born September 13, 1862, died March 27, 1863; Morton E., born September 10, 1866, was married to Miss Emma Brown, Decem- ber 26, 1886. Mr. House is a Republican in polities, and himself and wife are members of the United Brethren church. Ilis grand- father, Thomas House, was born in Germany, as was also his grandmother House. They iminigrated to America and settled in Wash- ington County, Pennsylvania, where they both died on the farm they first occupied. Mrs. House's grandfather, Charles Shaffer, was a German by birth, and died in Wash- ington County, Pennsylvania, on the farm where he first settled. The grandmother, Charlotte Shaffer, also died in Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. House came to Ma- rion Township, Allen County, in the spring of 1854, settling in the woods, where he lived about three years. Ile built a log cabin and cleared about forty acres of ground which he had bought. Ile sold this farm and rented three years in Allen County, then bought his present farm in 1859, which was partially improved, having a log house and a log stable. Forty acres were also partly im- proved. The farm is now in an excellent state of cultivation. Ile has a good frame house and frame barn. January 29, 1862, Mr. House enlisted in Company E, Nine- teenth United States Infantry, and served three years. He was in the battles of Pitts- burg Landing, Mission Ridge, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, going to Atlanta with General Thomas under General Sherman, and return- ing to Lookout Mountain, where he was dis- charged. Ile was taken prisoner after the battle of Chickamauga while acting as team-
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