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 26
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 26
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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
MAZIAH SHIELDS, farmer, Chester Township, was born in that township May 8, 1858, son of William and Pher- iba (Hunt) Shields. The father was born in Clinton County, Ohio, January 16, 1818, of Irish ancestry. He was reared in his native county, and was there married June 28, 1843, to Miss Pheriba Hunt, born in Guilford, North Carolina, and daughter of Thomas and Lydia (Wilson) Hunt, who removed to Wayne County, Indiana, when she was five years old. Her mother died in Wayne County, and her father afterward removed to Randolph Coun- ty, where he passed the remainder of his days. Mr. and Mrs. William Shields re- moved to Wells County, Indiana, in 1843, locating on a farm of eighty acres in Chester Township which he had previously purchased. They made a temporary home at the house of
Mr. Shields' brother-in-law, John Lancaster, until Mr. Shields had eut down a sufficient number of trees to enable him to put up a building; and with the logs he then felled he constructed his first log cabin in Wells County. Ile moved his family into this primitive dwelling as soon as the puncheon floor had been laid, and without waiting for the walls to be daubed. Game of all kinds was plentiful, deer and wild turkeys fre- quently coming elear to his house. Wolves were troublesome and often devoured sheep within sight of their owners. Mr. Shields was not fond of hunting, but gave his time and attention to the elearing of his land and cultivating his farm. He had to go to Wayne County for grain, and to Mount Etna for his milling. There was no store or doetor nearer than Camden. Mr. Shields lived, however, to see the country cleared up and settled, good improvements, railroads, markets, mills and other conveniences close at hand. Mr. and Mrs. Shields were the parents of nine children, of whom two, John Wesley and Alonzo, are deceased. John Wesley was a member of Company I, Thirty-fourth Indi- ana Infantry, during the late war, and died from the severe exposure one year after his return. The living children are-Sarah Ann, wife of Eli Bryson, resides in Celina, Ohio; Thomas Milton married Matilda Ellen Tur- ner; Robert married Mary Caroline Ellis; Mary Elizabeth is the wife of John R. Bales; Amaziah, Susan Catherine and Esther Luella. William Shields was killed October 19, 1884, while on a visit to Wayne County, by his horses running away. He was a Republican in polities, and a member of the Christian church at Chester Center. Our subject was reared in his native township and edneated in its schools. He was married April 16, 1880, to Miss Sarah Ellen Maddox, a native of Chester Township, and daughter of Wes-
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ley Harvey and Eliza Ann (Grove) Maddox. To this union two children have been born --- Olive May and Claude. Politically he affili- ates with the Republican party.
IEUTENANT DAVID CASTON, de- ceased. It is but a fitting tribute to the hero of many battles to mention his warlike deeds, and to again revive and keep afresh the memories of those who, when living, were numbered among the good, the noble and the true. To speak of those who live is bnt a recognition of their presence, but to refer to those long since numbered with the silent dead, a reverential awe fills the minds of those who recognize the worth of those we desire to honor. Lientenant Cas- ton was born in Summit County, Ohio, March 4, 1838, son of Jolin and Elizabeth (Me- Daniel) Caston, natives of Pennsylvania. The parents were married in Ohio and reared a family of ten children, others dying in in- fancy. They were-David, Almira, Hiram, Harriet, Sarah, Martin, Josephus, Isaac, Louisa and Harvey. All reached maturity, married and had families, except Isaae, who was killed by guerrillas during the late war, he having enlisted when seventeen years of age in the One Hundred and Fifty-third In- diana Infantry. The parents came from Ohio to this county, and located two and a half miles northeast of Ossian. John Caston was a prominent and sneeessful farmer in Jeffer- son Township, and although a comparatively poor man when he came, he purchased a large tract of land, and his enterprise and industry made him one of the wealthiest farmers in Jefferson Township. He was an extensive dealer in stoek, taking great pride in breed- ing and improving their grade. Ile also creeted two saw-mills. In his death society 45
lost a genial, upright man, and one of the best citizens of the township. His second wife, formerly Mary M. Koons, is a resident of Ossian. Three sons were numbered among the brave soldiers who enlisted from Wells County during the late war, two of whom were killed, and the third, Hiram Caston, was severely wounded. lle recovered and upon his return from the army was married to Miss Phoebe Turner, daughter of one of the prominent farmers of Allen County. Hiram was accidentally killed while digging a well in the city of Fort Wayne, in July, 1886. Almira Caston married G. W. Stites, of Churubusco, Indiana, who was a soldier in the late war, engaged principally in hos- pital duty, and he now receives a substantial pension from the Government. Martin Cas- ton married Maggie Cartwright, and they were the parents of two children. Mrs. Cas- ton died, and Martin married Elizabeth Chal- fant, and is a resident of Ossian. Josephus Caston resides upon a part of the paternal homestead. He married Susan Cartwright, a sister of his brother Martin's first wife. Louisa Caston married Charles Green, the present treasurer of Noble County, this State. Harriet married Samuel II. Sturgeon, of Ossian, who was a soldier in the civil war. He was wounded at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, which unfitted him for further service. Harvey, the youngest son, married Miss Eliza Trenary, of this eonnty, who died January 19, 1887. Lieutenant David Caston was a practical scholar, and obtained a classi- eal education at Huntington, Indiana. He taught school several years in this and Allen counties, his last term being taught after his marriage. That event was celebrated April 9, 1861, with Miss Sarah J. Mc Kessiek, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Smith) Me- Kessick, Rev. W. N. Welker, a Baptist min- ister of Hieksville, Ohio, performing the
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
ceremony. That divine also performed the rites of baptism, received them both into the Baptist church, and later preached the funeral discourse in memory of the brave soldier, Lieutenant David Caston. Mrs. Sarah Cas- ton was a teacher from her fifteenth year, and taught several terms after her marriage, and after the birth of two children. She has taught thirty-one terms of school, the last being taught at Sheldon, Allen County, in 1871. Her father was born in Ireland, and his parents immigrated to America in 1791, Henry being at that time five years of age. The mother was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and of German an- cestry. She had twelve children, five of whom are living-Margaret, John, Susan, Melinda and Sarah J. Margaret is the widow of William Huff, of Waterford, Elkhart County, Indiana, is seventy-three years of age and the mother of ten children; John resides in Holt County, Missouri, and married Mary A. Kline, of this county, and they have four children; Susan married Harvey Crisswell, of Kenton, Ohio, and has four children; Me- linda never married, and resides at Ossian; William, now deceased, was a soldier during the great Rebellion, and was prominent during his lifetime. He was a member of Company A, Seventeenth United States In- fantry, enlisting August 22, 1862. He was discharged by reason of disability August 22, 1863, but as soon as he recovered his health he re-enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-third Indiana Infantry. Ile participated in the battle of Gettysburg, and in many of the most noted battles of the war. Ilis death ocenrred in 1879 at his home in Waterford, Elkhart County, Indi- ana. The deceased of this family are-Mrs. Eliza Kimble, Robert, Mrs. Maria Somers, Smith, aged twelve years, Nancy, aged eleven, and James, who married Catherine Snyder.
In his early life David Caston was engaged in farming. August 4, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company F, Eighty-eighth Indi- ana Infantry. He was appointed First Ser- geant of his company, and was discharged November 28, 1863, that he might accept a First Lientenancy in the same company and regiment. llis regiment was attached to the Army of the Tennessee, and participated in the noted battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chiekamanga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Where shot and shell filled the air this brave soldier fearlessly fought, and escaped all injury ex- cept a slight wound received at Lookont Mountain. He was the first of his regiment to scale Lookont Mountain, and Mrs. Caston has numerous letters testifying to his hero- ism. Almost at the close of the war, while at the front with his company, at the battle of Resaea, this hero was mortally wounded by a rebel bullet and expired a few moments later. Thus died this brave man, who at his own request was buried on the field of battle. Later the remains were interred in the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, Tennes- see. Upon his person was found this verse, which fully expressed his wish:
"Oh, bury me on the battle field, Let me sleep with the gallant stain; There my young life was for my country given, Let the soldier's dust remain.
There are many will tell how I bravely fell- No laggard was I that day ; With a dauntless heart I played my part, And pressed where dangers lay."
Far from his wife and children, William D., born December 3, 1862, and Maggie D. (upon whom his eyes never gazed, her birth occurring after his demise), Lieutenant Cas- ton was buried. During his long term of service he only once returned home on leave of absence. The death of the danghter occurred when she was four years of age.
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William D. is now the husband of Miss Ilattie Brown, of Waterloo, Indiana, the marriage oeeurring March 1, 1854. To them have been born one daughter, Georgia Celeste, April 19, 1857. They reside with Mrs. Cas- ton in Ossian. Mrs. Caston, in her motherly kindness, is rearing Zorah Phillips, her nieee, and a daughter of her niece, Mary Phillips.
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REDERICK HUFFMAN, a representa- tive of one of the pioneer families of Wells County, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, March 9, 1839, a son of llenry and Catherine ( Baker) Huffman. The father was born in Clarke County, Ohio, a son of Jacob Huffman, one of the early pioneers of that county, who came from Virginia. Jacob IInffinan took an active part in the early de- velopment of Clarke County, and his de- scendants in their time have been actively identified with the interests of the same connty. In the early days of the county he built a roek house, quarrying the rock and burning the lime used in its construction on his own place. The house is still standing, and is yet in good condition. Henry Huff- man grew to manhood in Clarke County, and was there married to Elizabeth Ebersole, a native of Rockingham County, Virginia. She died in Clarke County, and he subse- quently married Catherine Baker, a native of York County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Heffner) Baker, an old Pennsylvania family. They resided in Clarke County until 1842, when, packing their household effects, they came by team to Indiana, and after a two weeks' journey they came to Jackson Township, Wells County, and located on a ninety-one aere traet of land which Henry Inffman had entered some time before. Ile had also built a small log
cabin before the family came to the county, which was so low that a person could not stand up straight in it. The land was cov- ered with a heavy growth of timber of which not a stiek had been ent when purchased by Mr. IInffman. Game of all kinds was plen- tiful in those early days, and wild animals roamed the forests, and the howling of the wolves was an almost nightly occurrence. Mr. Huffman cleared his land, and added to it another forty acres. Though coming here when the surrounding country was in a state of nature Mr. and Mrs. IInffman lived to see it changed into well-enltivated fields and thriving villages, and to enjoy the comforts of life. Both are now deceased, the mother dying in September, 1584, and the father about six weeks later in October of the same year. They were members of the German Baptist church, and helped to organize the Sugar Grove Church, in Jackson Township, being instrumental in the erection of the elmreh at that place. Frederick Huffman, whose name heads this sketch, was but a little over two years of age when his parents came to Wells County, and here he was reared on the pioneer farm in Jackson Township, passing through many phases of pioneer lite, and as soon as large enough to handle an ax he began to assist his father clear his land. Hle made his home with his parents until one year after his marriage. He was united in marriage November 12, 1847, to Miss Mary Ruse, a native of Delaware County, Indiana, and daughter of John and Phoebe (Jennings) Ruse, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania re- spectively. Her father died in Delaware County while the family were preparing to come to Wells County. The mother came with her children and made their home with Daniel Jones, one of the pioneers of Wells County. The mother died in 1841, and Mrs. luffiman was reared in the family of Mr.
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Jones. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Huffinan, only four are living I'habe Catherine, wife of George Irick, of Huntington County; Octavia Jane, a teacher, having taught one term in the home school and a term in Wexford County, Michigan; Lucy Ellen and Albert. Daniel, Ezekiel, Nancy Elizabeth and Mary Alice are de- ceased. In 1858 Mr. Ilutliman engaged in farming on his own account, renting forty aeres of land adjoining his father's property, and there he resided until 1861. He then removed to his present farm, where he had purchased eighty aeres the year before on which a small cabin had been built and ten aeres cleared. In 1870 he erected a large and substantial residence and other farm buildings, and is now the owner of 200 acres of choice land, all of which, with the exeep- tion of thirty-five acres, he has eleared and brought under cultivation, the result of years of persevering toil and industry. Both Mr. and Mrs. Huffinan are members of the Ger- man Baptist church. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. Most of his lite has been spent in Wells County, where he is widely known and universally respected.
MASON, M. D., was born in Carroll, Fairfield County, Ohio, November 3, 1837, and removed with his parents to Wells County, Indiana, April 8, 1838. IIe attended school during the first years of life at distances varying from five to one and a half miles; being brought up a farmer. He attended Liber College, Jay County, Indiana, a part of 1860, 1861, 1862 and 1866. He was married to Miss M. A. Fitzsimmons August 3, 1861. Ile read medieine and taught school in Indiana and Ohio for several years, and afterward attended the Ohio Medieal
College, graduating in the spring of 1872, and also graduated from the Cineimati College of Medicine and Surgery in the spring of 1873, but had practiced medicine some time before receiving a degree. He has given his undivided attention to the practice of his chosen profession since receiving a degree.
- AMES SCOTT, one of the early settlers of Union Township, was born in Trum- bull County, Ohio, in 1825, son of John and Debby (MeCorkle) Seott, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Youngs- town, Ohio. They were married in Ohio and became the parents of six children-James, Isabella, Andrew, John, William and Calvin. All were born in Ohio. Our subject came to Wells County in 1849, in company with John Wilson and family, James Harris, and Naney Horn, all of whom were in one wagon. James, then a young man, had money enough to purchase 160 acres of land on the Indian Reserve, which had only been open for settle- ment but a short time. His first log cabin was built a few feet east of his present fine house, and the tall elm which stands in his yard has grown from a small sprout that eame up near the walls. He kept " bachelor's hall " in his pole shanty for eighteen months while he made the first elearing on his land. Not a tree had been felled nor a road opened in the neighborhood. Game was plenty, and James fried his own venison and baked his own johnnycake; he ate it, too. The Wolf- cale family eame to the township about the same time that Mr. Scott eame, and located a mile east of his land. They had eight ehil- dren, four sons and four danghters; one of the latter, Belinda, became the wife of our subjeet in June, 1851. The cabin that was to be her home had neither floor nor inud between the
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logs. But the young couple laughed at the prospect before them, as the future promised better things. After four years of happy married life, and during the sickly year of 1855, while her husband was ill with typhoid fever, she sickened and died with that dread disease, leaving one child, Eliza J., now wife of Thomas Burnan. She was sixteen months old at the time of her mother's death. In the autumn of 1856 Mr. Scott was married to Miss Elizabeth Wright, daughter of Ira and Jane (Fleming) Wright. Her ancestors were Irish. Her mother was reared in Vigo County, Indiana, to which State her parents had removed from Maryland. Her father disappeared very mysteriously when she was seven years of age, and was supposed to be murdered for his money, as he went to the village of Rosseau, drawing the money for his tobacco erop. and was never seen by his family again. Ilis wife afterward married Joseph Shipley, and they had five children- George W., Rachel S., John L. (deceased), Ilenry M. and Sarah J. (deceased). To her first marriageeight children were born -- Mary, Aurelia, Hannah, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Aman- da, Eliza J. and William I. Ira Wright was an excellent scholar, and his daughter, Eliza- beth, tanght school prior to her marriage. Many happy and prosperous years have been passed in the Scott homestead, and the thirty- one years of wedded life have sat lightly upon her brow. She used to rake the wheat after the sturdy arm of her husband had cradled it away from among the stumps. They shared each other's trials as well as labors. After her husband had bound the sheaves, she placed them in shock. While he did the night chores, she prepared the frugal supper; and their lives, which began with such sym- pathy, are to-day bound by much stronger ties of love. She was one of the brave, pio- neer women who helped to reclaim the
forests and cause them to produce fields. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have had four children --- Clark I., who married Ida M. Knaus, now a resident of Fayette County, Illinois; Alva C., deceased; William P., who married Emma Allen, and Alma B. They have rearel and educated David Scott and Norah B. Fults, who now reside with them. Mr. and Mrs. Seott are hospitable people, and the stranger always finds a welcome. Their larder is always full of delicacies. Their broad acres are finely cultivated, and each year brings an income which makes a snug bank account. Mrs. Seott is a member of the Disciple church. Mr. Scott is a member of no church, but is liberal in supporting all churches.
ELSON KELLOGG TODD was born in Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana, February 10, 1867, the only son of Jacob J. and Rachel J. (Kellogg) Todd. IIe was reared in his native city, where he re- ceived a good education in the schools of that place. He was a member of the first gradu- ating class from the Bluffton High School in the year of 1883, being the youngest in the class, having just attained his sixteenth year. At this time, being desirous to learn a trade, he entered the office of the Wells County Times, where he served an apprenticeship, and either in the capacity of printer or writer he has since been more or less connected with the press of Bluffton. In December, 1884, he commenced the study of law in his father's office, pursuing his legal studies in connection with his work in newspaper offices until December, 1885. He then went to Portland, Jay County, and continued reading law in the office of Haynes & Cox, returning to Bluffton eight months later, where he was again connected with his father's office until
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February, 1857. From November, 1886, until March 1, 1887, he was city editor of the Walls County Times, and from that time until May 1 following he held the same posi- tion on the Indiana Bugle, the successor of the Times. In 1984 he tried the competitive examination for a vacant cadetship at West Point Military Academy and so well acquitted himself on this occasion that when a vacancy occurred soon after Hon. George W. Steele, Member of Congress, tendered him the ap- pointment to the National Academy, which, however, he declined. In politics, like his father, Mr. Todd is a Republican.
ENRY W. DALRYMPLE, of Liberty Township, was born in Preble County, Ohio, January 19, 1838, son of John in and Judith (Williams) Dalrymple. The father was born in New Jersey, August 18, 1810, of German descent, and the latter was a na- tive of Ohio and a daughter of Isaac Will- iams. When our subject was three years of age his parents removed to Huntington County, this State, where the father pur- chased a farm in the dense wilderness. Here llenry W. was reared to manhood. In his father's family were fourteen children, nine of whom are living. Both parents were members of the Disciple church. The father died in October, 1562, at the age of fifty-two years; the mother died in 1556. Henry W. was married April 7, 1861, to Miss Hannah A. Wright, danghter of Rnel and Elizabeth (Shaw) Wright, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Pennsylvania; they settled in Huntington County, this State, in an early day. Mrs. Dalrymple was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in September, 1838, and came to Indiana when six years of age. Mr. Dalrymple purchased a part of the
old homestead and resided there until Sep- tember, 1574, when he removed to Wells County and purchased 120 acres of partially improved land on seetion 5, Liberty Town- ship. In 1855 he sold his farm and bought his present one on section 4 of Liberty Town- ship. The farm contains 252 aeres of im- proved land in a high state of enltivation. Mr. and Mrs. Dalrymple are the parents of six children-Emma A., Warren M., Rosa E., Cora E., Charley W. and Lloyd W. Em- ma A. died January 10, 1863. Mr. Dalrym- ple was elected township assessor in 1880 and served six years. In 1886 he was elected township trustee and is the present incumbent. Himself and wife are members of the Christian church. During the late civil war he served in Company A, Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, but after going South he was transferred to the wagon trains, and served there until the close of the war. Ile was honorably discharged November 18, 1865. Politieally Mr. Dalrymple affiliates with the Democratie party.
EORGE NUSBAUMER, farmer, Not- tingham Township, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, August 11, 1842, son of Joseph and Barbara (Schwaller) Nusbaumer. IFis father was born in Sollatown, Switzer- land, where he was reared to mechanical pur- snits. He was married in Switzerland, and all of his children were born in that country except George. In 1842 the family immi- grated to America, and at onee located in Wayne County, Ohio. There the father fol- lowed farming and grocery keeping until 1863, when he removed to this county and settled in Nottingham Township, where his son, John J., bought a piece of land, and there the father died in September, 1865,
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and the mother in October, 1876. Both are buried in MeDaniel's cemetery. George was reared in his native county and resided there permanently until 1862, when he enlisted in the civil war for three years. While in the service his parents removed to Wells County, Indiana, where he also came in 1865 and bought forty acres of land where he now re- sides. About fifteen acres were eleared, but there were no improvements. Two years later he bought forty acres more, upon which had been built a log cabin, and there he re- moved his family. lle built his present brick residence in 1875. Mr. Nusbanmer now owns 120 acres of land, of which seventy acres are cleared. He was married in Wayne County, Ohio, January 27, 1866, to Miss .Catherine Hunsinger, a native of that county and daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Hunsinger. Her father was born in Baden, Germany, and was a weaver by trade. Her mother was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and from there removed to Wayne County, Ohio, where she was mar- ried. Both are living a retired lite, the father at the age of eiglity-six, and the moth- er seventy-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Nusbaumer have had ten children, of whom three, John F., Clark and Willie, are deceased. The liv- ing are-Elizabeth, Alpha Albertus, Barbara Ann, George Raymond, Phebe May, Vedie Zell and Jessie Lee. In August, 1862, Mr. Nusbaumer enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Seventh Ohio Infantry, the regiment rendezvousing at Cleveland. Thence they went to Covington, Kentucky, thence to Camp Delaware, Ohio, thence to Alexandria, Virginia, joining the Eleventh Army Corps, under General Franz Sigel. His first gen- eral engagement was at Chancellorsville. At that battle the bugler was killed, and Mr. Nusbaumer supplied his place, At the cel- ebrated battle of Gettysburg he carried the
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