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 30
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 30
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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
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
first postmaster, which office he held until February, 1887. Wesley Sowers erected the first residence, and Dr. Bergman was the first physician. The first grain was purchased by Mr. Kunkle, in which business he is still en- gaged. The favorable location has given the town a growth that is truly surprising, and large shipments of wood, heading bolts and grain are made. Mr. Kunkle has purchased and shipped twenty-five cars of grain since har- vest in 1886. The town is destined to become a fine trading point, and now has a popula- tion of about 200. The residences are neat and substantial, and everything presents a neat and thrifty appearance. Little did Mr. Kunkle think, while clearing the heavy tim- ber from his land, that a railroad and a thriv- ing village would soon cover the most of his land, and he become the proprietor of a village. A fine residence, two stories in height, marks the site of the old log cabin in which this worthy couple began their married life; and their house is, in fact, the hostelry of the village. Mr. and Mrs. Kunkle have only one child-Iva Desco, a bright little girl, now four years of age, the first child born in Toesin.
JOHN H. ORMSBY, clerk of the Wells ('irenit Court, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, May 24, 1841, a son of Alexander and Nancy (Wolfeale) Ormsby, the former a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the latter of Virginia, of German ancestry. Ilis grand- father, George Ormsby, came from County Donegal, Ireland, about 1797. His grand- father Wolfcale moved from Londenville, Virginia, to Ohio about 1807. His father was born March 24, 1800, and died March 20, 1876. His mother was born December
12, 1801, and died December 12, 1877. The subject of this sketch had five brothers and five sisters, eight of whom are now living. His parents were married in Ohio and moved to Wells County, Indiana, in 1852 and settled on a farm in Union Township, where they resided until called away by death. lle received his education in the common schools of Wells County, Roanoke Seminary and Fort Wayne College. Ile began teaching when eighteen years of age, and has taught in all twenty-two terms in the schools of Union Township. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and First Regi- ment Indiana Volunteers as a private, and was discharged as a Sergeant July 3, 1865. In June, 1873, he was elected superintendent of the schools of Wells County and served two years, deelining a re-election. During 1880 and part of 1881 he was a teacher in the Reform School at Plainfield, Indiana. He was also in the mercantile business at Zanes- ville from 1869 to 1873. In the fall of 1882 he was elected clerk of the Wells Cirenit Court and re-elected in 1886. Ile has always been a prononneed Democrat and ever alive to the interest and success of his party. He was first married to Miss Samantha Leeper, who died in September, 1872. Ile was married to his present wife May 12, 1875. Her maiden name was Jennie Ray, a daugh- ter of George and Virginia (Morrison) Ray, of Richmond, Virginia. They have one child, Homer M., born November 17, 1877. He is a bright boy around whom their fondest hopes eling. Mr. and Mrs. Ormsby are members of the Presbyterian church in Bluffton, of which Mr. Ormsby is a member of the board of trustees. He is also a mem- ber of Lew Dailey Post, No. 35, G. A. R. He is a believer in the doctrine of total abstinence from all that ean intoxicate. Ile is a popular and efficient officer, obliging and
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pains-taking in the discharge of his duties. Ilis wife is intelligent, generous and charitable and is a valuable laborer in Sunday-school and church work.
II. KING, proprietor of the roller mills at Liberty Center, was born in Stokes County, North Carolina, May 3, 1822, son of Johnson and Margaret (Stan- ley) King. When he was about eight years of age his parents removed to Delaware County, this State, where his father entered land from the Government. Both parents died the following summer, about one month apart, leaving six children, our subject being the youngest. In the fall of 1837 he and his elder brother, Johnson, eamne to Wells Conn- ty, where Johnson entered eighty acres of Iand from the Government on seetions 21 and 22, Liberty Township. They were the third family in the township. They unloaded their goods under an oak tree and immediately be- gan to clear a place on which to build their log cabin. In 1843 this brother died. G. II. was then in his twenty-first year, and had previously purchased eighty acres of heavily timbered land on section 27, Liberty Town- ship, where he began clearing a farm for himself and lived there until 1857. February 25, 1841, he was married to Miss Susan Men- denhall, danghter of Benjamin and Margery Mendenhall, who was born in Miami County, Ohio, and came to Wells County in 1839. In 1857 Mr. King sold his farm and purchased eighty acres of improved land in the same township, where he followed farming until 1865. Ile again sold out and purchased an- other farm upon which he built a saw-mill, and followed farming and milling until 1879, then removed to Liberty Center and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1882 he gave
his business into the hands of his youngest son, and erected the first flonring-mill in Liberty Center, its dimensions being 26 x 36 feet, with an engine room 18 x 30 feet. In 1857 he put in a full line of rolls with all other machinery necessary to do good work, and now manufactures first-class flour. Mr. King has held the office of township clerk seven years, magistrate four years, county commissioner three years, township trustee twelve years and several other local offices. Mr. and Mrs. King have had twelve children, ten of whom are living-Margery, wife of Saul Foust; Matilda J., who died at the age of two years; Mary E., wite of J. J. Bigbee; Benjamin J .; Emily C., wife of Adamn Foust; Amanda J., wife of J. L. Mills; W. II., died in infancy; W. B., also with his father in the mill as a partner; Jolm II., a farmer of Lib- erty Township; Lydia, wife of Benjamin Foreman; Ilenry, a merchant of Liberty Center, and Laura, at home. Benjamin J. has a farm of eighty acres besides his mill- ing interests. Politically Mr. King affiliates with the Democratic party. He has been a resident of Liberty Township over fifty years, and has secured the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
BRAM SIMMONS, of the firmn of Dailey, Moek & Simmons, attorneys at law, Bluffton, was born in Randolph County, Indiana, and removed with his par- ents to Wells Connty, where he received the rudiments of a common school education in the district schools of Wells County. Ile afterward entered the Fort Wayne College in 1880, in which institution of learning he re- eeived his education. Ile commeneed read- ing law with Messrs. Dailey & Mock in the month of April, 1882, and was admitted to
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practice at the Bluffton bar November 30, 1884, entered into a partnership with the above-named gentlemen on the first day of January, 1856, since which time he has been a member of the law firm of Dailey, Mock & Simmons, of Bluffton, Indiana, in which city he now resides.
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ROUN C. BAUMGARTNER is a native of Wells County, Indiana, born in Har- rison Township in December, 1854, a son of Christian and Catherine (Lehman) Baumgartner, natives of Canton Berne, Switzerland. Ilis father was first married in Wayne County, Ohio, and with his family removed to Wells County, Indiana, where his wife died, leaving seven children. In 1852 he married Mrs. Catherine Baumgart- ner, widow of John Baningartner, to whom she was married in Switzerland, and after his death with her two sons, Jacob and Cleophas, came to America. The first named enlisted in the war of the Rebellion and served nearly three years. He was wounded at the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, and was captured, and taken to Libby prison, where he died. Cleophas practiced medicine a number of years, and then became a minister of the gospel, and is now living at Elkhart, In- diana. John C. Baumgartner was reared in his native township, remaining at home until 1880, when he left the farm, and until 1884 was engaged in manufacturing Inmber. In 18S4 he lost his left arm by an accident in his mill, and was obliged to seek other employment. After his recovery he was employed as agent for a publishing house for a time, and in the spring of 1886 began clerking for Justus, Clark & Beil, hardware dealers at Bluffton, remaining with them a short time, when he engaged in the abstract
business. In November, 1886, he was elected recorder of Wells County, his duties begin- ning in November, 1857. Mr. Baumgartner was married December 26, 1575, to Mary A. Ashbaucher, daughter of John and Anna (Sehene) Ashbaucher, of French Township, Adams County. They have two children- Charles Edwin and Oron Winfield. Mr. and Mrs. Baumgartner are members of the English Reform church at Bluffton. Mr. Bamngartner in polities is a Democrat. He is a member of Bluffton Lodge, No. 1,838, K. of Il.
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JEORGE W. HUFFMAN, a son of John and Susannah (Myers) Huffman, is a native of Indiana, born in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, January 27, 1847. Ilis father, John Huffman, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, a son of Jacob Huff- man, one of the earliest pioneers of Clarke County. John Huffman was reared in Clarke County to a farm lite, and was there married to Susannah Myers, who was also a native of Clarke County, her parents coming to that county from Virginia in an early day. In 1846 the parents of our subject removed by team to Indiana and located on a tract of eighty aeres in Salamonie Township, Hunt- ington County, which Mr. Huffman had purchased about two years before. Their land was then in a state of nature, being thickly covered with timber. While Mr. Inffinan was clearing a part of his land and ereeting his pole eabin, he and his wife lived with his brother Henry, who lived across the line in Wells County. This cabin was built with a weight pole roof and four foot clap- boards, and stood on his land about eight years, but during this time he had built a hewed log honse, and in 1859 he erected a
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good two-story frame house. Mr. Iluffman and family experienced many of the priva- tions and hardships which usually fall to the lot of the pioneer. Game was very plentiful, but he was no hunter, and never owned a gun, a rare thing for an early settler. He died in September, 1861, aged fifty years. In polities he was a life-long Democrat. IIe was a member of the German Baptist church, having joined it about three years before his death. His widow is also a member of the same church. She is still living on the old homestead at the age of seventy-one years. George W., the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native county, remaining on the old homestead until coming to Wells County in 1870. He was united in marriage Novem- ber 5, 1868, to Miss Sarah C. Netl, who was born in Liberty Township, Wells County, in 1850, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Neff. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Inffinan one son, Osear, is deceased. Those living are named-Ella May and Charles Wayne, the latter being called Wayne in honor of Anthony Wayne, who was a distant relative of his mother. In the fall of 1870 Mr. and Mrs. IInffman settled on eighty acres of land in Wells County. IIe had owned the land some two years previons, and before coming here had made a small elearing and put up a hewed log house into which they removed, and in the spring of 1883 he erceted their present residence. He has eleared fifty-five aeres on that place and underdrained it, making it a valuable farm. They now own about 113 acres of land, lying in Jackson and Chester townships, which property has been acquired by persevering industry and good management. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are members of the United Brethren church at Mount Zion, of which he is steward. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and has hell the office of 47
supervisor, and is at present a member of the Wells County Democratic Central Com- mittee.
ATRICK McCAFFREY, deceased, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in the year 1845, and was a son of James and Lizzie (Irvin) MeCaffrey. He was reared in his native country until attaining his eight- eenth year, when he immigrated with his father's family to America. The father had come to America seven years before, and worked on his farm of 120 aeres which he had entered in Chester Township, Wells County, Indiana, until he returned for his family. After coming to this country they located in Dayton, Ohio, and after remaining there about three weeks Patriek and his father eame to Fort Wayne, leaving the rest of the family in Dayton. They came on foot from Fort Wayne to Wells County to inspeet their future home in Chester Town- ship, which the father had improved from a state of nature, and later brought his fam- ily here. Thinking his farm too small for his family he located ou a larger one belong- ing to his brother John, who lived in Piqna, Ohio. James McCaffrey died March 17, 1882. His widow still survives, and is now a resident of Morris County, Kansas. Pat- riek McCaffrey, our subjeet, was united in marriage November 6, 1868, to Miss Catha- rine Meehan, a native of Ireland, born in County Donegal, a daughter of Patrick and Winnifred (MeGroaty) Meehan, of whom her mother died in Ireland. Iler father after- ward eame to America and died in Spring- field, Ohio. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. MeCaffrey, named as follows-Liz- zie, James, Charles, Mary, Annie and Will- Fiam. Mr. MeCaffrey resided in Wells County
HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
from the time he first located here until his death, which occurred January 28, 1854. In 1871 he purchased eighty acres of land in Chester Township, which is still occupied by his widow. Hle was a kind and affectionate husband and father, and a good neighbor, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him.
OIIN A. WALKER is one of the few men that were born and reared in Wells County. Ilis parents were Leonard S. and Melinda (Davis) Walker, who came to Rush County, this State, while yet unmar- ried. Leonard was born in North Carolina, son of John Walker, also born in that State, and when he settled in Rush County in 1821 had his second wife with him. John brought several children of his first marriage with him-William, Leonard, James, John, Mere- dith, Hiram, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. William is the only one living in this county. Leonard was married in Rush County before he became a resident of Wells County, in 1846. lle was one of the early settlers of this neighborhood, loeating first on the north- east quarter of section 4, which he entered. The village of Zanesville was laid out upon this land March 4, 18-19, by himself and his brother James, and quite a flourishing vil- lage grew upon the site. Two daughters were born in Rush County before Leonard and his wife came to this county -- Mary, now Mrs. Jacob Deaner, and Sarah, wife of Edwin Rich, of Fort Wayne. Nine children were born in this county -- John A., who married Allie Austin; Nancy, wife of Calhoun Me- Bride; Elias, who married Ella M. Brubaker; Jennie, wife of Oscar Young; Emanuel, de- ceased; Frank, who married Jennie Dorsie, and Allie, Dora and Emma, who live with
their parents, who have been residents of Fort Wayne for the last ten years. After remaining on his land for about seven years, he sold and purchased land on section 12, Union Township, this county. In 1876 he removed to Fort Wayne, having acemmulated a competeney. lle served as county com- missioner four terms. John A. Walker, onr subjeet, was married to Miss Allie Austin, January 1, 1874, Rev. T. M. Burnau per- forming the marriage ceremony. Her father,
. Dr. C. B. Austin, was formerly a physician at Noblesville, Indiana, and came to Zanes- ville, this county, in 1870, where he practiced his profession a number of years, during which time he was elected by the Democratic party to the General Assembly from Allen County. After his term expired he removed to Bluffton, where his wife died June 24, 1877. After a short time the doctor re- moved to Indianapolis, where he engaged in the insurance business. While a resident of that city he married Mrs. Joanna Brown, whose first husband was a banker of Hoops- ton, Illinois. They reside at Veedersburg, this State, where the doctor practices medi- cine. To his first marriage were born seven children-Thomas B., Allie, Josephine, Or- lando, Della, Elmer E. and Edward K. Thomas B. was a soldier in the late war, enlisting when eighteen years of age in a cavalry regiment, and serving during the en- tire war. After his return he began the practice of dentistry, which he still continues. John A. attended school at Roanoke, Indi- ana, and at Toledo, Ohio, then began teaching in this county and taught ten consecutive winters, the last three terms being after his marriage. In 1878 he was elected township trustee, serving one term. In 1880 he pur- chased his present farm, and he and his wife began their married life in the old log cabin which still stands north of and adjoining
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the farm of John Cass. It was the first forty-acre traet owned by our subject in Wells County. His present farm was one of the first farms cleared in this township, and was at that time owned by Samuel B. Caley, Esq., one of the first settlers in the neighborhood. Mr. Walker built a hand- some country residence, modern style, in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have one son- Earlie J., born February 20, 1880. Mrs. Walker was born in New Paris, Preble County, Ohio, March 5, 1849, and Mr. Walk- er in Union Township, this eounty, March 1, 1847.
WILLIAM BUMGARNER, of Ilarri- son Township, was born in Mason County, West Virginia, July 12, 1837. Ilis father, Samnel Bumgarner, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, son of David Bumgarner, who was probably born in Germany, and when a boy his parents emi- grated to Mason County, where he was reared on a farm, and married Rebecca Oliver, a daughter of Thomas Oliver, who came from Greenbrier County, Virginia, to Mason County, when quiet young. Ile was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father served in the Revolutionary war and also in the war of 1812. After his marriage he settled upon a farm in Mason County, and followed farming during the remainder of his days. Ilis eleven children all lived to be grown and married. Ile died in 1850, aged fifty-six years, and his wife died in 1884, aged eighty-nine years. Our subjeet was reared on a farm in Mason County and lived with his mother until the breaking out of the civil war. Ile was one of the first to go forth in defense of union and liberty. Ile and one brother were the only ones in their
precinet who had the courage to vote for Abraham Lincoln, this being his first presi- dential vote. Ile enlisted June 5, 1861, in Company A, Fourth Virginia Infantry, but did not need to get far from home to find war, as he was in the midst of continual skirmishing. He participated in the battle of Charleston and siege of Vicksburg. When a call was made for a storming party, he was the only one of his company who volunteered. Ile carried a board in front of him, which was pierced with fifteen bullets. lle was one of a few that returned to his command. ITis regiment was one that erossed the river on pontoon boats to eap- ture the piekets, and met with a very narrow escape. He was the third man who reached the summit of Mission Ridge. During this winter his health was very poor and he obtained a furlough. He served three years and one month, and was honorably discharged July 4, 1864, having never been under arrest, or in the guard-honse except when on duty. Ife contracted diseases from exposure and hardships, from which he never recovered. After the war he returned to his home in West Virginia, where he followed the ear- penter's trade until June, 1872. He was married August 31, 1862, to A. L. Armitage, danghter of George and Maria Armitage. In June, 1872, he eame West with his wife and four children, eoming with a two-horse team. Ilis father-in-law accompanied them to Southern Kansas, remaining in Emporia for a time, then returned and settled near Bluff- ton, this county, where he has since followed the carpenter's trade in connection with farm- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Bumgarner have had nine children, seven of whom are living- Frances A., wife of Charles Cole; Marion W., Jolin C., Reazin II., Hattie E., Clara E. and Tra E. Mary and Maudie (twins) died in infancy. Mrs. Bumgarner is a member of
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the Christian church, and in politics Mr. Bumgarner is an uneompromising Repub- lican.
ILLIAM GILBERT, one of the pio- neers of Wells County, Indiana, and an active and enterprising farmer of Chester Township, is a native of Michigan, born near Ypsilanti May 24, 1835. Ilis parents. William and Elizabeth (Moore) Gil- bert, were natives of East Kent, England, and in 1830 immigrated to America, settling in Canada within thirty miles of Montreal. From Canada they removed to Washtenaw County, Michigan, remaining there until September, 1837, when they came to Wells County, Indiana, making the journey by team, following the Indian trail from Fort Wayne to Scuffle Creek. Here the family settled in Chester Township, section 30, on a tract of 264 acres of timber land, which the father had purchased the winter before. The first three weeks after their arrival in the county they camped on Henry McCulloch's place, he being their nearest neighbor. While engaged in running off the line of the land the father ent his foot severely, which laid him up and he was obliged to hire a space cleared on his land for the erection of his cabin, and also to have his cabin built for him. Although game was very plentiful in the early days of the county, Mr. Gilbert was no hunter, but devoted all his time to clear- ing and improving his land. The first winter spent in the county he bought thirteen deer, and hauled all his provision from the Griffin Mill on Walnut Creek, about twenty or twenty-five miles distant, being obliged to make a road to get there. The wheat was ground in those days, but not bolted, and all the flour used then was unbolted. The father
died June 16, 1850, the mother surviving until July 4, 1860. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are living- Eleanor, wife of Isaac Bonham, of Lawrence County, Indiana; John, William, and Eliza, now Mrs. Miller. Of those deceased two died after reaching maturity-Ann, wife of Will- iam Sargison, and Elizabeth, wife of George Graves, and Thomas in his infancy. William Gilbert, the subject of this sketch, was in his third year when brought by his parents to Wells County, and was reared in Chester Township. Ile received his early education in the subseription schools, and for a couple of years had the advantage of the public schools. February 9, 1859, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hammond, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph and Judith (Henson) Hammond. Iler parents were born, reared and married on the Guernsey Island, off the north coast of France. After coming to America they lived at Nelsonville, Ohio, and in 1856 her mother removed with her family to Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana, her father having died when she was but two years old. Iler mother subsequently settled in Chester Township, where she died November 14, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert have had born to them ten children-Dong- lass Gilbert, born February 19, 1860; Mary Emeline, born December 25, 1862; James B. MeC'illan, November 10, 1863, married Catherine Ann Moffitt; Lois A., June 8, 1865; Cora 1., February 5, 1867; Francis M., January 20, 1868; Matilda E., April 1, 1871; Ilerbert, August 30, 1872; Herschel E., April 2, 1874; Martha Alice, August 23, 1876. Mary E. died April 30, 1864, and Douglass October 21, 1865. Mr. Gilbert has resided on the land entered from the Govern- ment since coming to Wells County, and still lives in the old house erected by his father in 1842. In politics he affiliates with
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the Democratic party. He has served his township as supervisor for several terms. He is a member of Five Points Grange, No. 522, Patrons of Husbandry. John Gilbert, the brother of our subject, who shares with him the old homestead, was born in East Kent, England, June 19, 1827, and followed the fortunes of his parents from the time of their removal from England until the time of their death, and has ever since then lived on the old home farm. His school days were spent at Ypsilanti, Michigan, although he attended school after coming to Wells County. Politi- cally he is a Democrat, and in the early days of the county held the office of constable. IIe is a member of Five Points Grange, of which he is Doorkeeper. His parents were Episcopalians in their religions faith, but there being no church of that denomination in this community, they joined the Methodist chureh.
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