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 36
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 36
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
--.. ...
-
-
838
HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
delegate to the county conventions and has frequently been one of the county eentral committee.
TILLIAM ALLEN GUTELIUS, drug- gist, Bluffton, Indiana, was born in Pickerington, Fairfield County, Ohio, June 5, 1848, a son of John P'. and Henri- etta (Turner) Gntelins. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and left his native State in 1837 and lived in Ohio until 1868, when he came to Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana, and became proprietor of the Ex- change Hotel, which he continued until his death, which ocenrred July 15, 1871, at the age of seventy-three years. In politics he was a Democrat, and at one time was clerk of Union County, Pennsylvania. Ile held to no particular creed, and was a member of no church. The mother of our subject is a na- tive of New York, but was reared in Column- bus, Ohio, where she was taken by her parents when a child, in 1818, and was there married to Mr. Gutelins January 8, 1839, being the second wife. Sinee his death she has lived at Bluffton with her children. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Five of her eight children are liv- ing, all residents of Bluffton-Martha J., wife of R. Y. Saylor; Henrietta L., wife of M. M. Justus; William A .; Emina M., wife of HIon. J. S. Dailey, and Thomas HI. William A. Gutelins was reared in Fairfield County, Ohio, and educated in the district schools and Fairfield Union Academy, at Pleasant- ville. When thirteen years of age he began in a measure to support himself, being for two years a newsboy in Columbus. When nineteen years old he began to teach school, and taught in Fairfield County, Ohio, and in Wells County, Indiana. In 1869 he en-
gaged in the hotel business with his father, which continned until the latter's death, and in 1871 he embarked in the drug business at Bluffton. Mr. Gutelius was married at Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 21, 1871, to Mary F. Buckles, daughter of John II. and Harriet S. (Vorris) Buckles. They have six children- William B., born May 10, 1872; Ilarry E., September 21, 1873; Hattie L., December 13, 1875; Nettie, April 13, 1877; Maud E., July 19, 1879, and Mary, August 13, 1885. Mr. Gutelius is a member of Bluffton Lodge, No. 114, I. O. O. F. His father was made a Mason in 1819, and at his death was one of the oldest members of the order in the State of Indiana.
INFIELD S. SETTLE, farmer, Not- tingham Township, was born in Rockingham County, North Caro- lina, November 20, 1841, son of Josiah and Nancy A. (Graves) Settle, the former also a native of North Carolina and of Scotch-Irish descent, the latter a native of the same State, and of German ancestry. When Winfield was six years old his parents removed to Butler County, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood. In 1869 his father died at the age of seventy years. Abont 1877 his mother removed to Richmond, Indiana, where she still resides, aged seventy-two years. The father was formerly a merchant, but in Ohio he re- tired to a farm, where he passed the remainder of his days. Winfield was reared to farm life. IIe made his home in Butler County until 1869, then came to this county and lo- cated on 160 acres of land that he had pre- viously purchased, in Nottingham Township, where he now lives. When he first came to his place he found thirty acres cleared. The improvements consisted of a log cabin, which
..
--
3
1.
Mini Jarrett
1
841
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
.. .....
is still standing and being used for storage. There was also a round pole stable, standing where his present residence now is. Since coming here he has added nineteen acres to his farm, and he now has about 105 acres eleared. He erected his present residence in the fall of 1881. 1Ie was married in Wells County, April 24, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth Alberson, a native of Adams County, and a daughter of Charles and Mary Ann (Brown) Alberson. Her father was born in Randolph County and is now deceased. Her mother is a native of Jay County, and resides in Not- tingham Township. To this union have been born eight children-Nancy Ann, Will- iam Henry, Olive Cornelia, Winfield Scott, Thomas Josiah, James Edward, Charles and Walter Blain. Jannary 26, 1864, Mr. Settle enlisted in Company F, Eighty-fourth Indi- ana Infantry. He went from Henry County to Indianapolis, where he was mustered in and went into camp. From there he went to Cleveland, Tennessee, the regiment being en- camped at Blue Springs near that place, where he remained until the Buzzard Roost count, then returned and went into camp on the same ground as before, where he remained until the Atlanta campaign. Ilis first en- gagement was at Tunnell Hill, then Resaca, Kingston, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Pine Mountain, Neal Dow Church, Peach Tree Creek and Vining Station. At the latter place he was taken sick and was sent back to Marietta, Georgia, and a few days later to Chattanooga. Two weeks after- ward he was sent to Lookout Mountain, where he remained about seven weeks, then received a ten days' furlough. At the expiration of his furlough he reported back to Lookout Mountain, and from there went to join his regiment at lluntsville, Alabama. They then went by train and marches to East Tennessee to intercept the flight of Lee when he should
be driven from the defenses at Richmond, but he surrendered without making an attempt to get away. They then went to Nashville, thence to Johnsonville, on the Temessee River, thence by boat to New Orleans, thence to Texas, where he remained six months, thence to Levaca, on the Mata- gorda Bay, thence to Indianapolis, where they were discharged, and Mr. Settle reached his home in Ohio in January, 1566. At the discharge of the Eighty-fourth, his time not having expired, he was transferred to the Fifty-first Indiana, and mustered out with them at the close of the war. Mr. and Mrs. Settle are members of the United Brethren church, Mr. Settle having served as steward two years, class-leader three years, trustee eight years, and superintendent of the Sab. bath-school over three years. lle is an enthusiastic Republican, and has been chair- man of the central committee of Nottingham Township since 1880. He is ex-officio mem- ber of the county committee.
ILLIAM JARRETT, of Chester Township, was born in Wayne County, Indiana, October 16, 1527, son of Jonas and Margaret (Blunt) Jarrett. ITis father was born, reared and married in Virginia, and his first wife died there. Ile afterward removed to Wayne County, Indi- ana, married there a second wife, who died in 1834. In February, 1837, he removed to Wells County, with two six-horse teams, where he had previously entered 240 acres of land, near where his son William now lives, on section 28, Chester Township. He had to clear a place to build his log cabin, and in the meantime his family occupied a cabin owned by Goldsmith Baldwin, who came here from Vermont, and who afterward
.. ...
812
HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
married one of Mr. Jarrett's daughters. Mr. Jarrett was a good hunter, and game was so plenty that it was not necessary to provide before hand. lle could at any time go out in the morning, kill a deer, and get it ready for breakfast. Ile first went to Henry County to mill, taking four days for the trip. After- ward a horse-mill was started at Camden, and later a water-mill near Warren. Mr. Jarrett's daughter, Lovina, and John Me- Cullick, were the first couple married in the county. The father died March 10, 1855, at the age of sixty-one years, and was buried in the Twibell cemetery, Blackford County. William was reared in Wells County from the age of ten years and has lived here for half a century. Ile was married March 15, 1845, to Miss Frances West, a native of Kentucky, and a danghter of William West. Ile is a Democrat in politics, and has served three years as township trustee. His father was a life-long Democrat.
OSIAII DAVIS, deceased, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, July 12, 1825, son of William and Sarah Davis, and of Welsh ancestry. He was reared on a farm, and when he was fourteen years of age his mother died, after which he began the battle of life for himself. Ile worked out by the day and month until he reached maturity. About the year 1848 he came to Wells County and purchased eighty acres of nim- proved land on section 29, ITarrison Town- ship, which he began to clear and improve. January 20, 1854, he was married to Miss Harriet Groves, a daughter of Joseph Groves. They settled on the farm owned by Mrs. Davis' father and lived there three years, then removed to his own farm. By dint of perseverance and close attention to business,
he soon had his farm in a good state of enlti- vation, and he followed farming during the remainder of his days. Of their four chil- dren, three still survive-Edwin R., Emma A., wife of Lewis Cobbum, and Henry Sher- man. Mr. Davis was an active member of the United Brethren church, as is also his wife. Politically he affiliated with the Republican party. After an illness of over two years with cancer, he died September 3, 1886. Ilis wife still reside on the old home- stead.
OSEPH GROVES, deceased, one of the early settlers of Wells County, was boru in Pennsylvania, January 3, 1803, son of George and Susanna Groves, of Ger- man descent. When he was seven years of age he went with his parents to Fairfield, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. Ilis early life was passed in assisting his father, who was a tanner and shoemaker by trade. IIe was married in Fairfield County to Miss Elizabeth IIoskinson, a daughter of Jonathan Hoskinson, who was born in Virginia and came with her parents to Ohio when quite young. After his marriage Mr. Groves re- sided in Ohio until the fall of 1839, when he came with his family to Wells County and entered 160 acres of Government land which- was heavily timbered. They lived ander a large oak tree until he had his cabin built. There were himself and family, two brothers and their families, and his father and mother, making twenty-one persons in all. Mr. Groves followed farming during the rest of his life, enduring all the hardships, trials and privations of pioneer life. Five of his nine children reached maturity, and two are now living-Mary married Jacob Stahl; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of John Van Horn;
......
.
-
-
- ------
7
843
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Harriet married Josiah Davis, who is now deceased; Thomas Benton, deceased; Martha married John Groves and is now deceased; four died in infaney. Mr. and Mrs. Groves were active and consistent members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Groves died December 29, 1878, and Mrs. Groves died July 15, 1878.
HEODORE HORTON, M. D., is a na- tive of New Jersey, born in the village of Chester, Morris County, October 25, 1823, a son of Elijah and Sarah Rose (Over- ton) Horton, natives of New Jersey. Ilis father was a lawyer by profession, and at one time was judge on the bench in Allegany County, New York. Ile died in Oswego, Kosciusko County, Indiana, in 1880. Ilis inother was the daughter of a Congrega- tional clergyman, but at the time of her death was a member of the Universalist church. She died in Oswego, Indiana, in 1875. The Hortons are of English and the Overtons of French ancestry. Theodore Horton was reared in Allegany County, New York, where his parents located when he was ten years old. When he was twenty-one years old, in 1844, he accompanied them to Kos- eiusko County, Indiana, and for about two years taught school in Kosciusko and Elk- hart counties. In 1846 he went to Fort Wayne to complete his medieal studies which he had commenced at Nunda, New York, in 1841, with Dr. John Gilmore. He studied with Dr. Charles E. Sturgis in Fort Wayne, and under his preceptorship began the prae- tice of his profession. During the winter of 1846-'47 he took a course of lectures at the Cincinnati Medical College, and in 1848 lo- cated in Bluffton, where he has since lived. lle has had a long practice in Wells and
adjoining counties, and has made many warm friends. In 1878 he took a course of lec- tures at the Bellevue Hospital Medical Col- lege, New York City, graduating from that institution in the spring of 1879. In poli- ties Dr. Horton is a Democrat. In 1849 he was appointed deputy treasurer of Wells County, by Dr. Courtney, holding the posi- tion one year. In 1854 he was appointed appraiser by the board of county commis- sioners for a term of five years, and the same year waselected to the State Senate to represent Wells and Huntington counties, and in 1861 he was elected a State Representative from Wells and Adams counties. In 1863 he was elected auditor of Wells County, serving one term of four years. On the breaking out of the Rebellion he was a prominent Democrat, and while making a political speech during a hotly contested eanvass, and at a time when recruits were being obtained for the army, his language was objectionable to some of his opponents, and he was arrested by a United States Marshal, at midnight, being allured from home by the report that he was wanted a short distance in the country to perform a surgical operation. He was held a prisoner a few days, when he was dis- charged, there being no case against him. Two friends who had served with him in the State Senate were prisoners at the same time, and they had a jolly time while in the eus- tody of the Government. Dr. Horton has always been an influential citizen of Bluffton, and in 1879 was elected a member of the city council, and has held the position sev- eral times since. Ile has been twice married. llis first wife, from whom he was divorced, was Mary Rhoads. To them were born two children-Edwin R. and Mary. Edwin R. is now a physician, practicing with his father. In 1868 he married Elizabeth Case, a daugh- ter of Almon Case, a pioneer of Wells .
..
844
........ . ....
............
HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
County. To them was born one daughter- Jennie. She died in 1876, aged seven years. Mrs. Horton died at Bluffton, aged forty-two years. Dr. Horton is a member of Bluffton Lodge, No. 114, K. of P.
JOHN J. PRIBLE, farmer, Liberty Town- ship, was born in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio, December 28, 1532, son of Enoch M. and Lydia (York) Prible. The father was born in Kentucky, son of Benjamin Prible, who was of English ancestry. The mother was a daughter of depthal York, and was born in Ohio. When John J. was four years old his parents removed to Ihuntington County, Indiana, where the father entered a tract of Government land three miles west of where Warren now stands. He passed his youth in assisting his father in elearing and improving the farm, and in attending the subscription sehools that were taught in the primitive log school-house. The first house in which he attended school stood on his father's farm. It had no floor, and greased paper was used for windows. When he was eight years old his father died, and his mother subsequently married Noah McGrew, with whom he resided until he was seventeen years of age. At that time he commenced working for himself, working by the month on a farm, and he also worked four years in a earding-mill. He was married December 23, 1854, to Miss Maria A. Becker, daughter of Peter and Lydia Beeker, who came from Cayuga County, New York, when she was about seven years of age, settling in Innt- ington County, this State. After his mar- riage Mr. Prible settled upon the land his father had entered from the Government, and has followed farming ever since. July 20, 1861, he removed to this county and pur-
chased 160 aeres of heavily-timbered land on seetion 5, Liberty Township, and commeneed the work of elearing and improving a farm. December 5, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, going to In- dianapolis, thence to Huntsville, Alabama, the following summer. He participated in the battles of Nashville and Mobile, then went to Columbus, Mississippi, where he re- mained until the elose of the war. He was honorably discharged and mustered ont of the service November 18, 1865, at Vieks- burg. lle then returned to his home in Wells County and continued farming. Ile now owns 320 acres of well-improved land, in a good state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Prible have had five children-Byron H., Lurany, wife of John T. Buekner; Lueretia HI., James, and Flora Jane, who died at the age of four years and nine months. Both are members of the Disciple church. Mr. Prible is a Republican in polities, and is a member of King Lodge, No. 246, 1. F. & A. M.
OBERT CURRY, deceased, was one of the earliest pioneers of Zanesville. He entered the land upon which his widow now resides in 1847. This traet was a por- tion of the Indian Reserve. Mr. Curry was born in Preble County, Ohio, and was a son of John and Naney (Downey) Curry. John Curry's father was also named John. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, and removed to Preble County, where he was married to Naney Downey, and they had six children, four of whom were reared -Robert, Josiah, Martha and Elizabeth. Robert was reared on the farm, and learned the art of pioneering in detail. His aecumn- lated savings were barely sufficient to pay for his entry of 120 acres of land in Wells
845
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
-.....
County, but with a determination to have a home of his own, in March, 1850, he moved upon his land in the wild woods of Wells County, which three years before had been the home of the Pottawatomie Indians. There was no road ent through the woods, but Rob- ert made his way to his lands, found a suit- able location and built his cabin near the place where their present home was built. Nothing now remains to mark the place where their early life was passed and where so many happy days were experienced, save the ancient chimney. Robert was a bachelor when he built his cabin, and he was in a measure prepared for housekeeping before he thought of getting a wife. James Gardner with his family had located near Murray in the fall of 1849, coming from Wayne County, Ohio. Neighbors were not numerous, and religions services were held at the most cen- tral point. Robert was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and services were held regularly at Murray. He there formed the acquaintance of Miss Elizabeth Gardner, daughter of James and Jane (Me- Canghey) Gardner, and March 2, 1852, they were married at the residence of her parents in Lancaster Township, Samuel Caley, Esq., performing the ceremony. March 8 found them domiciled in the log cabin, and the young couple were ready to begin life in earnest. Children came to gladden their home. John Irvin, Martha J. and James G. were born in their cabin home, and its walls were rendered doubly sacred by the death of their first-born and the youngest child. The first was almost four years of age, and the daughter two years of age. Notwithstanding their bereavements the family lived con- tentedly, and their hopes centered upon their son James, who grew to manhood to be the joy of his father and the idol of his mother. lle was reared to manhood, and prosperity
came before the death of the father, which ocenrred November 16, 1883, aged sixty-five years. His son took charge of the farm, and Jimary 7, 1586, was married to Miss Naomi, daughter of Elijah and Lybia (MeGuire) Jacobs, residents of Union Township. They settled on the home farm and never knew the hardships which came to those who first set- tled in the new country. Charles Irvin, their first son, was born on the home farm within a few rods of the birth-place of his father. The widowed mother is an inmate of their household.
EONIDAS II. FETTERS, of Harrison Township, was born in Fairfield Connty, Ohio, December 13, 1849, the fourth son and seventh child of Thomas and Saralı (Bright) Fetters, who were natives of Ohio, grandparents of Pennsylvania, and of Ger- man aneestry. Ile was reared on a farm and received his edneation in the common schools. Hle remained with his parents until his mar- riage, which occurred December 15, 1870, with Miss Eliza Huber, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Fisher) Huber. She was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. Her mother was from Ohio, and her father from Pennsylvania, and of German descent. After his marriage Mr. Fetters settled upon the farm of his mother-in-law, and lived there until the fall of 1874, when, November 6, he came to Wells Connty and settled upon a traet of timber land on section 28, Ilarrison Town- ship, which was entered from the Govern- ment by a man named Weekly, and was then transferred to the father of Mr. Fetters. Ile has since lived on this farm, and has im- proved it until it now contains ninety acres of land under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Fetters have five children-Walter, Cors,
846
HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
Daisy, Carrie and Ethel. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. March 20, 1SS6, a cyclone passed over the eastern part of the place causing great destruction.
II. REED, farmer, was born in Stark County, Ohio, son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Click) Reed. Henry was a native of Pennsylvania, and his parents were among the pioneer families of Stark County. They reared a family of eleven children, and passed the remainder of their lives in Stark County. Jacob, the grand- father, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Henry Reed was married in Stark County, and during their residence in that State their seven children were born-Simson, Leah, Ilenry, George, Franklin, Luey and Adaline. Henry married Martha M. Fohl, George married Frances Myers, Luey A. became the wife of Henry Dobins and Adaline the wife of Washington Henderson. The family im- migrated to Indiana in 1868, and are now residents of this State. Henry Reed, Sr., settled in Pleasant Township, Allen County, where his death occurred in 1883, his wife having preceded him two years. Our sub- jeet learned the carpenter's trade in Ohio, and was a contractor and builder for several years before leaving that State .. His marriage with Martha M. Fohl was celebrated in 1858, and in the autumn of 1862 he left his young wife and enlisted in Company K, Seventy- sixth Ohio Infantry, as a private. Ilis regi- ment was assigned to duty and became a part of the great Army of the Tennessee, which did such noble service during the war. Captain James M. Jay commanded his com- pany; Steele was Major. Mr. Reed partiei- pated in the battle at Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi, and numer-
ons other engagements, receiving no wonnd; but his illness was caused by fatigue and exposure. After his discharge in 1863 he returned to his home in Ohio, where he followed his trade until his removal to this State in 1867. IIe located in Union Town- ship, Wells County, and for several years worked at his trade, dividing his time be- tween his trade and elearing a farm of forty aeres. Hle built the " Nunnemaker " school- house, in Allen County, the large barn of Daniel Fisher, in Union Township, and was the architect and builder of the fine barns that stand on his present farm in Jefferson Township, Wells County, which he purchased in 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have had nine children-John, Wesley and Harvey were born in Ohio; Jemima, Franklin, Ella, Will- iam, Cora and Bethilda were born in this State. Jemima married John W. Lee, a farmer, of this county; Harvey married Martha Woods, of Allen County, and they now reside in this county; Wesley is a mechanic, and carries on a carriage man- factory at Zanesville, Indiana. All of Mrs. Reed's family that are living reside in Ohio. Mr. Reed was elected justice of the peace of Jefferson Township in 1880, and served his term faithfully and well. Ile has been a member of the Republican party since its organization, and a member of the Church of God for twenty-eight years; he has been an elder in that church most of the time since he became a member.
JAMES HOGG, a son of John and Mar- garet (Torrenee) logg, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, the date of his birth being in the year 1838. His father was born in 1803, a son of James and Jane (Taylor) Ilogg, the former being a son of
D
.
-...
---
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
847
George and Jane (Finley) logg and of Scotch descent. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Joseph and Ann (Ward) Torrence. The parents of our subject were married in 1837, and to them were born seven children-James, Joseph, deceased; Charles, still living in Ireland; Ann Eliza, deceased; Jane, living in Ireland, Margaret and John. Mrs. Hogg died September 1, 1866, aged fifty-eight years. In 1573 James Ilogg, our subjeet, and his father, immi- grated to America, where he purchased his present farm in Rock Creek Township. Wells County, Indiana, where his father is making his home with him. He was united in marriage February 3, 1874, to Miss Eliza- beth Torrence, a daughter of Francis and Sarah (Gregg) Torrence, who left their native country, County Donegal, Ireland, for America in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Ilogg are the parents of three children-Sarah, John II. and Francis W. Mr. Hogg is a thorough, practical farmer, as is well attested by his highly enltivated and improved farm, which contains eighty acres of choice land, and by his industrious habits and fair and honorable dealings he has gained the respect of all who know him. In his political views he affiliates with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the United Presby- terian church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.