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. 2 > Part 2
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. 2 > Part 2
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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
NDREW B. DAUGHERTY, engaged in general farming on section 14, Mon- roe Township, is a native of Adams County, Indiana, born in Root Township, June 28, 1847, a son of Andrew and Jane (Montgomery) Daugherty, the father born in Wheeling, West Virginia, July 29, 1805, and the mother a native of Franklin County, Ohio, born June 25, 1810. They were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters. They came to Adams County, Indiana, in 1836, and entered eighty aeres of land in Root Township, on which the father still resides and where the mother died March 18, 1882. In polities the father was formerly a Democrat until 1856, when he east his vote for John C. Fremont for President, working with the Republican party until 1876. Ile then affiliated with the Greenback party un-
til 1884, when he cast his vote for prohibi- tion. lle has held the office of county commissioner, township trustee and justice of the peace, besides filling other local offices. In his religions faith he is a Baptist, his wife having been a member of the same denomi- nation. Andrew B., the subject of this sketch, was reared to the avocation of a farmer on his father's homestead, and received his edu- eation in the common schools of his neigh- borhood. Ile was married January 26, 1870, to Jemima E. Evans, who was born in Root Township, Adams County, August 7, 1851, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Sparks) Evans, natives of Ohio and Indiana respeet- ively. John K. Evans, the grandfather of Mrs. Daugherty, was born in Montgomery County, New York, and lived there from his birth, November 16, 1795, until 1816. Ile then removed to Columbus, Ohio, and after remaining there about one year went to Day- ton, Ohio. In 1820 he settled in Mercer County, living there until 1833, when he set- tled in Adams County, Indiana. He was the first and last associate judge of Adams Conn- ty. In 1850 he removed to Fort Wayne, where he died in the spring of 1875. Ile was an active and enterprising eitizen, and a man of good business ability, and suceeeded in accumulating a good competence. Mr. Danglierty has always followed farming. Ile removed to his present farm April 1, 1879, which contains eighty aeres of fine land, fifty aeres of which are now under a high state of cultivation. Ile has one of the finest residences in his neighborhood, which was erected in the summer of 1885, at a cost of $600. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty-Blanche E., born February 11, 1872; Robert G., born July 4, 1874, died November 2, 1874; Lizzie I., born February 5, 1876; Claude D., born December 13, 1878, and an infant yet un-
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maumed, born January 24, 1557. Politically Mr. Daugherty is a Republican. Mrs. Daugherty is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church.
ENRY LUTTMAN, fariner, resides on section 2, Root Township, where he owns eighty aeres of land. He was born in Hanover, Germany, March 11, 1836. When he was fifteen years of age le came to America in company with some acquaint- ances, landing in New York. They went to ITenry County, Ohio, living there about six months, then came to Root Township, this county, where Mr. Luttman has since re- sided. Ile worked among the farmers for about five years, then married Engel Koester, January 26, 1858, who was born in Prussia, February 13, 1837, and when she was eight- een years old came to America with her parents, who settled in Root Township. They first stopped with Mrs. Luttman's uncle, on the farm now owned by Mr. Luttman, and the father rented a farm for a few years. There were only two children in her father's family, she being the oldest. William, her brother, died in 1856. Ile was struck by the limb of a tree and died in three days. He was nearly seventeen years old. Mrs. Lnttman's parents were Charles F. and Margaret Mary L. (Shap- horster) Koester, both of whom were born in Prussia, the father, September 14, 1807. The father died December 25, 1864, and is buried in Church cemetery. The mother was born February 12, 1810, where she was reared and married. She is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Luttman. Mr. Luttman's parents were John C. and Elizabeth Luttman. The mother died in Germany when Henry was about two years of age. She was twenty-three years old, and Henry was the oldest child. The father 33
again married, and died in Germany in 1561. Ile was born in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Lutt- man have had ten children, seven of whom are living-Harmon II., born May 11, 1859; Christian II., born October 8, 1860; Engel M., born December 27, 1561; Engel II. E., born October 3, 1863, died October 1, 1864; Charles F., born April 11, 1865; William II. A., born December 7, 1866, died Novem- ber 26, 1884; Frederick W. M., born Septem- ber 25, 1868; F. W. Edwards, born March 11, 1870; II. F. Andrew, born December 1, 1875. Mr. Luttman was elected township trustee in 1880, serving four years; was elected justice of the peace, serving three years, and also served as constable one year. Mr. Luttman's grandfather Luttman, John II., was born in Hanover, Germany, where he spent his whole life. Ilis grandmother Luttman died in Ger- many when Henry was two years old, just four weeks after his mother's death. Mrs. Luttman's grandparents were all born in Ger- many, and all died there.
ATHANIEL BAILEY was born in Richland County, Ohio, Angust 8, 1818, a son of Elias and Mary (Polk) Bailey. He came to Indiana in the fall of 1844, and bonght a tract of wild land in Union Township, Adams County, which he improved and made his home until his death, November 12, 1853. Ile was married No- vember 28, 1839, to Catherine ITarvuot, daughter of Isaae and Jane (Greer) Harvnot. To them were born eleven children-Jane, wife of N. Tilbury; Mary, wife of William Swartz; George W., who was a member of Company I, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and died at Memphis, Tennessee, during the war; Maria E., wife of John Barkley, died in 1873; Huldah A., wife of Simon Barkley,
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died June 30, 1871; Isaae M., of Allen County, Indiana; Albert J., of Union Town- ship; Philip S., died September 26, 1560; Lewis II., of Union Township; Elizabeth. died in infancy, and Catherine E., wife of John Shultz. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Christian church. Mrs. Bailey still lives on the old homestead in Union Township.
OIIN GODFREY WAGNER, deeeased, was born in Butler County, Ohio, and of German deseent. Ilis father was a shoe- maker, of whom he learned the trade, which he followed several years. lle then engaged in mill-wrighting and followed that business until 1861, when he enlisted in the United States serviee as a soldier. He enlisted as a private, but was appointed First Sergeant on the organization of his company, which was Company C, First Indiana Infantry. He par- tieipated in the skirmish at Woodsonville, Kentucky, besides some other skirmishes. Ile was taken sick and sent to the field hos- pital, thence to Evansville, Indiana, and was then brought home by his brother Masons, living only a week and three days after arriv- ing home. Ile was buried under Masonic rites June 10, 1862. Mr. Wagner was a well-edu- cated man, and followed teaching when a young man, until about 1856. He was an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and had charge of Newport eirenit, Wayne County, this State, also the Cameron circuit, in Jay County. Ile traveled this circuit until about 1860, when, owing to poor health, he was obliged to give up the charge. IIe then engaged in operating a saw-mill, remov- ing to West Liberty, Jay County. After that he followed shoemaking until called away as a soldier in defense of his country. Mr. Wagner was married to Ann F. Powell, who
was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Michael Powell. To this nion ten children were born.
ALISIIA V. ELZEY, retired farmer, came to this county October 7, 1836, with his parents, three sisters and three brothers. One sister was married and came with her husband and two children. The family settled on seetion 31, Root Township, upon the farm now owned by Seott Ilnghes. The father entered the entire section from the Government, and divided it among his children, keeping 280 aeres for himself. Ile entered the land in May, 1886, then returned and brought his family. They moved with four wagons and nine horses. They also brought several cows with them. The family came from Clinton .County, Ohio, where Elisha was born July 26, 1815, and where he was reared. The parents were William and Elizabeth (Nichols) Elzey. The father was born in Delaware in 1783, and was reared in the State of Maryland. Ile was married in that State, and removed to Cineinnati with wife and one child. They afterward removed to Clinton County, when the country was new. Ile went to Ohio previous to the war of 1812, but being disabled for military duty on account of a broken eollar bone, he was exempt. The mother was born in Maryland, and was some younger than the father. She died in December, 1534, in Clinton County. Elisha was married February 28, 1837, to Miss Elvira Johns, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, one mile from Cuba, in 1818, where she was reared and educated. Mr. Elzey returned to this county immediately after marriage. Before leaving he had built a log cabin on an eighty-acre lot given him by his father. IIe lived on this farm with
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his family until he moved to the city of Deeatur in [880. All his children were reared and married on this farm. Mrs. Elzey died December 28, 1839, leaving one child seven months old-lliram, now living in Muscatine County, Iowa. April 26, 1840, Mr. Elzey was married to Miss Mary Row, who was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, and came to this eounty with her mother and brother in 1839, settling on the Reynolds farm. The second wife died the following May, within six weeks of her marriage. Ile was married the third time Mareh 26, 1842, to Comfort And Whitehurst, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1820, and came to this county with her mother and two brothers in 1841. She died in February, 1879, leaving six children-Richard S., Jane Rachel, Alfred, Mary, William and Caroline. In October, 1882, Mr. Elzey married Mrs. Ra- ehel Fisher, who was born in Frederick County, Virginia, March 18, 1816, was reared and married in that State to Lewis Fisher, and removed to Clinton County, Ohio, in 1834, and lived there until her family came to this county in 1840, settling on a farm adjoining Mr. Elzey's. They then sold and removed to French Township, where Mr. Fisher died April 18, 1854. He was born October 26, 1810, in Virginia, where he was reared and married. lle died leaving nine children --- Elizabeth, William, Thomas, Mary, Clinton, Catherine, Delphey, Aun and Melissa. One child, Samantha, died at the age of thirteen months, previous to the father's death. Of these eight children, four are living, two sons and two daughters. When Mr. Elzey came to this county with his father to enter the land, there was no house in Deeatnr. One house was built the following October, and a surveyor by the name of Jacob Hoffer lived in it. The first election held in the county was at the house of John Reynolds when
Samuel L. Rugg was elerk. The first letter that he and his wife received through the Decatur postoffice Mr. Rugg brought to them two and a half miles. They used to fan their buckwheat, and sometimes their wheat, with quilts. Mr. Elzey's grandfather, John Elzey, died in Maryland, and his grand- mother, Mary Elzey, died in Clinton County, Ohio, at a hale old age. Ilis maternal grand- parents died in Maryland. Mrs. Elzey's parents were William and Elizabeth (Braning) Williams, who were born and died in Vir- ginia. ller grandfather, Hugh Williams, was born in Wales, and settled in Virginia when a young man, where he died. Iler grandmother, Naney (Keateh) Williams, was born in England. ller maternal grandfather, John Braning, was born in Ireland, and when eleven years of age ran away from home and came to Amerien, settling in Frederick Coun- ty, Virginia, where he passed the remainder of his days. Ilis parents found where he was and sent for him to come home, but he was afraid to go, although his father was old and there was a million dollars for him. IIe married Rebecca Keateh, and their eldest daughter, Elizabeth, married William Will- iams. The grandmother, Rebecca (Keateh) Braning, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, and died in Berkeley County, aged ninety-one years.
ANIEL RAILING, liveryman, and dealer in and shipper of horses, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Cum- berland County, October 16, 1830. ITis parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Rail- ing, were natives of Pennsylvania, the father of Seotch and the mother of German parent- age. Ilis father died in 1840. When he was ten years of age he was obliged to work
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
for his own maintenance, and found employ- ment with farmers, working for wages until nineteen years old, when with his mother he eame West as far as Ohio, and lived in that State until 1855. They then came to Adams County, Indiana, where with his brother David he purchased eighty aeres of land near Decatur. In connection with farming they for fourteen years ran a threshing- machine, and in that time threshed grain in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Iowa. In 1864 Mr. Railing began to buy and ship live-stock, and in 1874, with others, embarked in the livery business. Ile was married at Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1853, to Miss Elamina Kern, formerly of Ohio. They have two ehildren-Salmona, wife of John B. Rice, and Christina, wife of John Vail. Mr. Rail- ing is a member of Decatur Lodge, No. 571, A. F. & A. M.
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TILLIAM KLINE, farmer, seetion 7, Union Township, owns 120 aeres of land. lle was born March 25, 1840, in Root Township, this eounty, where he was reared, and educated in the common schools of his father's district. Ilis parents were Jacob and Barbara Kline. Ile was married August 5, 1860, to Miss Naney E. Mumina, who was born in Tusearawas Connty, Ohio, June 23, 1840. When she was thirteen years of age she came with her parents and three other children to Adams County, the family settling in Root Township, where the father died October 16, 1878, and is buried at I'leasant Valley cemetery. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 7, 1810, and when a boy removed with his parents to Tuscarawas County, Ohio. The mother was born in Maryland March 25, 1810, and when a girl removed with her
parents to Tuscarawas County. She is still living. Both parents were members of the United Brethren church. Mr. and Mrs. Kline have five children-Louisa J., born May 23, 1861, now the wife of John Nidel- inger; Emma F., born September 6, 1863; Franklin E., born September 4, 1866; Elmer A., born April 13, 1872; Bertha A., born September 22, 1881. Mrs. Kline's grand- father, John Mumma, died in Union Town- ship, this eounty; her grandmother, Magdalena Mumma, also died in Union Township, and both are buried at Pleasant Valley cemetery. Hler parents were John and Catherine (Snyder) Mumma. Her grandmother, Catherine Sny- der, died in Root Township, and is buried in Pleasant Valley cemetery. Mr. Kline joined the army September 22, 1864, rendezvoused at Wabash, then went to Indianapolis, where he and his comrades were distributed among different regiments. Mr. Kline was assigned to Company I, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and joined his company at Bridgeport, Ala- bama. His first skirmish was at Columbia, Tennessee; then followed the battles of Frank- lin, Duck River, and two days' tight at Nash- ville, where the regiment suffered great loss, Ile was under fire thirty-three days. He was discharged June 17, 1565, and returned home and engaged in farming.
1. BUNNER was born in the town of Clinton, Monongalia County, West Virginia, and is the fourth son of Randolph and Sarah Ann (Sapp) Bunner, who were also natives of Virginia. His paternal grandparents were John and Sarah (Carl) Bunner, and his maternal grandparents were Benjamin and Sarah (Guthrie) Sapp, and were natives of Virginia. The national- ity of his ancestors is Irish, and they are also
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Protestants, many of them being members of the Disciple church. One of Mr. Bunner's brothers is a minister in that denomination. llis great-grandfather, Joseph Sapp, toughit seven years under General Washington. The brothers and sisters of our subject are- Alvinza Alexander, Benjamin Franklin, John Randolph, Jefferson Jackson, Sylvia E. Lee, Joseph Edwin, George Washington, Sanford Pickenfall, Albert G. Davis, Sarah Jane and Margaret Ellen. Ilis mother had nine brothers-Selva, Joseph, Samuel, William, Edmund, John, Henry, Jasper and James; the sisters were -- Rebecca, Charlotta and Phebe. The father's brothers and sisters were -- James, John, Joseph, Enoch, Washington, Sarah Jane, Mary and Betsey. Ilis ancestors were generally farmers. His father possessed unusual oratorical powers and had a good knowledge of law. Franklin Sapp was a soldier in the Union army during the late civil war, holding the rank of Lieutenant and receiving an honorable discharge for faithful and patriotic service. Ilis parents began domestic life in West Virginia, upon a traet of land consisting of 145 acres, which was totally unimproved, but by patient toil it was developed into one of the finest farms in that region. The father erected commodious buildings, and also built a saw-mill and a grist-mill, and being a good mechanie, did much of the work himself. He died June 9, 1883, in his native State. James remained at home until 1876, and April 14 of that year he went to Wetzel County, Virginia, remaining there seven years, where he engaged in farming. After a few years he went into the seale business, and became a professional seale builder. From Wetzel County he went to Jackson, where he pur- chased a lot and ereeted two dwelling-houses, and supplied one of them with a valuable library of miscellaneous works. le devoted
a few months to the study of law, abandoning the task, however, for more congenial pur- suits. June 20, 1855, he removed to Mis- souri, where he remained about a year. Ile was accompanied by one Peter Millhone, who became homesick soon after his arrival there. From Missouri he came to St. Mary's Town- ship, this county, and engaged in building scales. In connection with this he also pursnes other lines of business. His accu- mulations of property have been of his own efforts. His mother resides in one of his houses in West Virginia, and is well pro- vided for. The family is scattered through the North and through the South. An unele, Alexander Bunner, and a cousin, George A. Bunner, are among the most respected pio- neers of St. Mary's Township. June 3, 1886, a brother of Mr. Bunner met with an unex- pected and sad deatlı. While walking along the railroad near Grafton, West Virginia, the passenger train ran over him, killing him instantly. Ile was about eigliteen years of age, of fine personal appearance and noble qualifications. This was a very severe be- reavement for the family. The other ehil- dren, except John Randolph, are all living. James contemplates removing to Virginia in the near future.
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ERNON L. SNOW, son of James B. Snow, deceased, resides on the family homestead, section 29, Wabash Town- ship, where he was reared to manhood and edu- eated in the common schools. He was born in Jay County, March 26, 1859, and came with his parents to Adams County when five years of age. When his father died he came into possession of the old homestead. IIe was married November 6, 1880, to Mary C. Vance, daughter of Marshall P'. Vance, an old
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
settler of the Township. She was born in Hartford Township, this county, October 28, 1862. They have had three children-Jessie A., deceased; Gracie and Bertha. Mr. and Mrs. Snow are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
D. WILLIAM GERKE, farmer, re- siding on section 10, Root Township, is a native of Hanover, Germany, his parents, Ilerman and Agnes (Myer) Gerke, being natives of the same country, the father born September 16, 1802, and the mother January 1, 1805. They were reared and married in Hanover, Germany, and to them were born seven children -- Frederick, F. D. William (our subject), Louisa, Louis, Sophia, Ilermann and Minna, three born in Germany, and four in Adams County, Indiana. In 1836 the family came to America, landing in New York, going thence to Cineinnati, Ohio, where they remained with friends a short time. In February, 1837, they left Cinein- nati for Deeatur, Adams County, Indiana, making the journey by team, stopping a day or two at Decatur, when they came to their present farm, which was then oeenpied by the father's brother, Diedrich Gerke, who had come to America two years previons. The family made their home with Diedrich Gerke until the father had a small log cabin erected. This eabin contained but one room, and was only used for a sleeping room, the family living out of doors, where they also did their cooking the first summer. In the fall of the same year the father erected a hewed-log house, which was occupied by the family until 1854, when their present fine frame residence was built, which is now oe- enpied by the subject of this sketeh. The father died in this house October 3, 1864,
and is buried in Lutheran cemetery. The mother survived until July 31, 1881, and died at the home of her son Frederick Gerke, in Fort Wayne, while on a visit to her chil- dren, and is buried in the Concordia Lu- theran cemetery at Fort Wayne. They were Lutherans in their religious faith, their chil- dren being reared in the same faith. F. D. William Gerke, whose name heads this
sketch, was but three years of age when brought by his parents to Adams County, and here he grew to manhood on the home farm, and in his youth learned lessons of persevering industry which have been of great benefit in fitting him for the duties of life. Ile was married May 1, 1862, to Miss Lonisa W. K. Johnson, who was born in Allen County, Indiana, October 24, 1840, a daughter of John and Johanna (Piesano) Johnson, natives of Oldenburg, Germany, the father born October 28, 1812, and the mother in April, 1814. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerke, of whom seven are living-Sophie M., Caroline M., Frederick C., Ilarmon F., Lonisa M., Henry J. and Carl L. J. II. Louis died aged four weeks, Eliza E. died aged two years and seven months, and William J. died at the age of eight weeks. In August, 1882, Mr. Gerke and his eldest daughter sailed for Germany to visit liis old home, landing at Bremen, going and returning on the steamer Rhine. The weather being fine they had a most enjoyable time, returning to their home in Adams County after an absence of two months. Mr. and Mrs. Gerke relate many interesting ineidents of their early pioneer life. When Mr. Gerke's parents were elear- ing their farm in Preble Township they went ont one evening to stir up the fires, and hearing the owls hoot they mimicked them. The owls hearing them flew over their heads, which so scared them that they ran to the
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house, not knowing what they were. One day Mrs. Gerke's father went to Fort Wayne to buy groceries and found the store filled with Indians. Her father being in a hurry, and seeing a bundle on the counter, pushed it aside, when the bundle proved to be a pappoose and began to ery. The Indians then pitehed into the father, and would have killed him if an Indian to whom he had given a chew of tobacco had not stepped forward and saved his life. Another time the father of Mrs. Gerke was working on the Maumee Canal when a fearful rainstorm eame. The mother and children were much frightened and commenced praying for their father to come home, and in the midst of the storm while they were still crying and praying the father eame. Soon after the Gerke family settled in the county the father went to mill with an ox team to Fort Wayne, a distance of twenty-one miles, expecting to be gone from home three days. On the evening of the third day the father had not come; the chil- dren commeneed crying, never expecting to see him again, but about 11 o'clock in the evening he arrived, causing much rejoicing in the family. One night the father went out of doors soon after the children had gone to bed, and saw a bear near the house, but did not tell of this incident until a long time afterward, fearing that it would frighten the children. Mr. Gerke has made farming the principal avocation of his life, and has met with excellent success in his farming opera- tions, and is now the owner of a fine property. Besides his home farm in Root Township, where he has 240 aeres he has 117 aeres of land in Maumee Township, Allen County. The grandparents of our subjeet, Ilenry and Julia (Colkmeyer) Gerke, were born in Germany, the grandfather living in that country until his death. The grand- mother came to America and died in Adams
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