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 42
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 42
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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
ANIEL GLASS, farmer and stock-raiser, Harrison Township, was born in Co- lumbiana County, Ohio, September 12, 1830, son of Matthew and Polly (Kissner) Glass, who were natives of Ohio, and of Ger- man-English descent. He remained on the farm in his native county until he was eight- een years of age, at which time he emigrated to this county with his father's family, who settled in Liberty Township, where his father had purchased 320 acres of nimproved land. They immediately began to clear and improve the land and make a home. The father lived on this farm for many years, then removed to Bluffton, where he passed the remainder of his
days, his death ocenrring February 20, 1876. The mother had previously died in Ohio, and the father married Rachel Humphrey for a second wife. Our subject resided with his father until his marriage, which occurred November 8, 1852, with Miss Margaret Por- ter, daughter of Robin Porter, who was born in Mahoning County, Ohio. After marriage they settled in Liberty Township, where they lived three years, then removed to Harrison Township, and came to his present farin in 1870, where he owned fifty aeres of improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Glass have one child- Arena, wife of Jacob Thompson, residing in Liberty Township. Mr. and Mrs. Glass are members of the Christian church, and politi- cally Mr. Glass is a Democrat. Robin Porter, the father of Mrs. Glass, is one of the few early settlers of Wells County that are now living. He was born in Pennsylvania about the year 1796, son of Aaron Porter, who re- moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania, thence to Ohio when a boy. Ile married Elizabeth Parshall when a boy, and in 1849 removed to Wells County, settling in Liberty Township. Ilis wife died in Ohio, leaving twelve ehil- dren. Ile was married a second time to Jane Burroughs, and they had two children. Ilis second wife died and he afterward made his home with Mr. Glass. Ile is now ninety-one years of age. Ile is a member of the Disciple church, and retains his mental vigor to a re- markable degree.
IZRA C. CROASDALE, farmer, seetion 15, Liberty Township, was born in Warren County, Ohio, October 31, 1820, youngest son of Joseph and Lydia (Crosley) Croasdale. llis father died before he was born, and while he was an infant his mother removed to Philadelphia County, Pennsylva-
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nia, where he was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. When he was ten years of age his mother died, and he went to live with a Quaker by the name of Knight, with whom he remained until he was sixteen years of age. Ile then worked in various places for about four years, then shipped aboard a coasting vessel for the West Indies, where he was taken siek and obliged to remain nearly a year. Ile then returned to North Carolina, thence to New York and up the Iludson River to Skaneateles, where he remained eight months, and then returned to Philadelphia for two years, thence to Clinton County, Ohio, where he was married Decem- ber 9, 1845, to Miss Ruth Ann Walker, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Ruland) Walker, who were natives of Kentucky and came to Ohio in an early day. After his marriage he remained in Clinton County seven years, five years of the time being en- gaged in selling goods. In October, 1852, they came to Indiana, settling in Huntington County, where they lived three years, then came to Wells County, where Mr. Croasdale purchased eighty acres of partially im- proved land on section 15, Liberty Town- ship, where he has resided thirty-three years. lle has since added eighty aeres, and now owns 123 acres of well improved and well cultivated land. Mr. and Mrs. Croasdale have had six children-Nathan R., Robert W., Susanna, wife of Henry Mendenhall, and now deceased, Amos (deceased), Elizabeth Ellen, wife of James Bareus, and Lydia J. Nathan R. married Miss Jane Hartley, March 12, 1875, and they have two children-Alfred and Annie Emily. Robert W. married Martha Clowser, January 1, 1873, and they had two children-Ezra Demint and Robert Henry. Ilis wife died October 1, 1875, and he was married again to Eliza Jane Ernst, July 25, 1878. They have three children-Augustus
Amos, Charles Clinton and Minnie, Mr. and Mrs. Croasdale are members of the Christian elmreh, and politically he affiliates with the Republican party. Ile is a self-made man, having earned all he has by industry and economy.
OIIN V. MERRIMAN, farmer, section 20, Liberty Township, was born in that township February 11, 1845, the second son of James M. Merriman. Ile was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. IIe remained with his parents until he attained his majority, then went to Preble County, Ohio, where he was married, January 1, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Stamback, daughter of William and Nancy A. (Me- Elhana) Stamback, who were natives of Preble County, and probably of German ancestry. Mr. Merriman settled upon a farm in Jackson Township, this county, where he remained until the death of his wife, which occurred February 8, 1872. They had two children -- Jennie I., and Rosa B., who died at the age of four months. Mr. Merriman returned to the old homestead and remained with his father until his second marriage, which occurred February 28, 1874, with Miss Mary E. Foreman, daughter of Obadiah and Sarah (Hamilton) Foreman. The father was a native of Virginia, and removed to Clinton County, Ohio, when a young man. The mother was born in Kentucky, and re- moved to Clinton County, Ohio, in an early day. Mrs. Merriman was born in Clinton County, Ohio. Mr. Merriman first located in Huntington County and lived there six years, then purchased his present farm, which con- tains eighty acres of improved land. By his second marriage were seven children-Cur- tis, Lena M., Otto M., Milton E., Leroy,
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Anna B. and Fanny. Lena M. died April 6, 1857. Mr. Merriman served one term as township assessor; is a member of King Lodge, No. 246, F. & A. M., and is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. Politi- cally he affiliates with the Democratic party.
JOHN W. RINEAR, of Liberty Center, was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, March 4, 1842, eldest son of Charles Rinear, who was born in Burlington County, New Jersey, July 7, 1816. His mother, Jane S. (Parker) Rinear, was born in Genesee County, New York, May 16, 1820. Charles was a son of John Rinear, also born in Bur- lington County, New Jersey, and of French descent. When Charles was five years of age his parents emigrated to Columbiana County, Ohio, settling upon a farm. Ile remained at home until he reached his majority, and was married December 25, 1840, his wife being a daughter of Silas and Esther (Montgomery) Parker, who were natives of New York and of English ancestry. After his marriage he was engaged in farm- ing in Cuyahoga County until 1847, then removed to Indiana and settled in Hunt- ington County until 1854, then removed to Wells County, where he located on section 21, Liberty Township. He followed farming until 1586, when failing health compelled him to change his oceupation, and he removed to Liberty Center and rented his farm of 120 acres and retired from active business. Mr. Rinear has officiated as deacon of the Baptist church over forty years. His wife is also a member of that church. In polities he is a Republican. Of their six children, five are living-Jolin W., Elias M., Emma S., George F. and Mary J .; Charles died at the age of twenty-four years. Our subject was twelve
years old when he eame to Wells County. He was educated in the common schools, and remained at home until the breaking out of the civil war, when he enlisted, September 25, 1861, in Company A, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry. While at the month of White River, Arkansas, he received a wound which confined him to the hospital at Mem . phis, Tennessee, where he contracted chronic diarrhea, for which he was honorably dis- charged October 7, 1562. Hle returned home, and April 2, 1863, was married to Miss Sarah C. First, who was born in Liberty Township, Wells County, Indiana, February 23, 1843, daughter of Jacob First, who was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1811, and a son of George and Catherine (Smith) First, the former a native of Penn- sylvania, and of German parentage, the latter a native of Virginia, whose father was drowned before her birth. George First and his family removed to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1819, where Jacob was reared on a farm and remained until he reached his majority. Hle was married September 8, 1831, to Miss Hannah Stonebrook, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Frederick Stonebrook, also a native of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. After his marriage he settled on a farm in Wayne County, where he lived until September, 1841, then came to Wells County, where he entered 160 aeres of land from the Government, on section 29, Liberty Township, where he resided forty years, and still owns the farm. Of their ten children, six are now living -- Israel, Solomon, Mary J., Sarah C., Celiuda and Thomas E .; the deceased are-George W., Sarah J., Caroline, and one that died in infancy. Mrs. First died July 13, 1860, and June 7, 1861, Mr. First was married to Mrs. Julia A. Campbell, a sister of his first wife, whose first husband was Robert Campbell. She died in 1877.
John W. Pineau
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In 1843 Mr. First was elected to the office of township trustee, an office he held many years. In 1856 he was elected justice of the peace, and held the office twelve years. Ile is a member of the German Baptist church, and in polities, a Democrat. Mr. John W. Rinear, after his marriage, was engaged in farming until 1877,then embarked in the mercantile trade at Liberty Center, a business he followed until 1883, and is now farming. In 1872 he was elected justice of the peace and served twelve years, and in 1877 was appointed postmaster of Liberty Center, holding the office until January 1, 1880. Mr. Rinear is a staunch Demoerat. Mr. and Mrs. Rinear have one child-ITannah S., wife of John B. Funk, a druggist at Lib- erty Center; she was the first white child born in the village. Mr. Rinear has 275 aeres of improved land. He belongs to the Odd Fellows fraternity at Bluffton, Lodge 114, also a member of Lew Daily Post, No. 33, G. A. R., of Bluffton, Indiana.
EWIS PRILLAMAN, farmer, Harrison Township, was born in Miami County, Ohio, March 26, 1825, the oldest son and the second of nine children of William and Sarah Prillaman, natives of Virginia. The father was a son of Christopher Prilla- man, probably of German deseent. The mother was a daughter of Obadiah Winter, a native of New York and of English ancestry. William Prillaman came to Miami County when eight years of age, with his parents, where he was reared on a farm, and was there married. IIe followed farming until 1830, then removed to Shelby County, remaining mutil May 14, 1838, when he removed with his family to Wells County and purchased eighty acres of land on section 12, of David
Miller, for 8500. Ile afterward purchased 200 acres, for which he paid $2.50 per acre. Ile bought it of Jesse Whitmore. Mr. Prill- aman has served as county commissioner, and in 1842-'43 he represented his county in the Legislature. Himself and wife were active members of the Christian church, and po- litieally he affiliated with the Democratic party until 1854, then joined the People's party. He died March 16, 1855. His wife survived him eighteen years, and died April 8, 1873, at the age of sixty-eight years. They started in life without means, but by dint of hard labor and close attention to his business he accumulated a large property. By honest and upright dealings he won the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. Our subjeet was thirteen years old when he eame with his parents to Wells County. Ilis youth was spent in assisting his father in elear- ing and improving his farm, and in attend- ing the subscription schools of the early day. In 1845 he commenced teaching school, teaeli- ing for two years at $12 per month. Ile was married May 27, 1847, to Miss Maria Studebaker, a daughter of William and Sarah (Thompson) Studebaker. After his marriage he settled upon a portion of the farm his father had purchased, and turned his atten- tion to agriculture. In 1855 he purchased his father's farm, and now has a landed es- tate of 280 aeres of improved land. It is coneeded to be one of the best farms in the eounty. They had eleven children, ten of whom are living-Albina, died at the age of three years; Maria, wife of P'. Rogers; Will- iam; Sarah J., wife of John Bixer; Lucinda J., wife of Charles Capp; Henry A., Cora Bell and Cora May (twins), Zella L., Mary L. and Lewis D. Mrs. Prillaman died May 1, 1850, and March 30, 1855, Mr. Prillaman was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Bayman, daughter of William Bayman, a native of
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Darke County, Ohio. The second wife died in 1868, and September 1, 1870, Mr. Prillaman married Maria Masterson, a native of this county, and daughter of Conklin Masterson. She lived until January 12, 1873, and June 1, 1883, he married Laura A. Ripple, of Ma- honing County, Ohio, and a daughter of John Ripple, who came to Adams County in 1864. Mr. Prillaman has served in several town- ship oflices, and in 1868 was elected county commissioner for three years, being the only Republican commissioner elected in the conn- ty. Himself and wife are members of the Christian church.
TILLIAM GRAHAM, an active and enterprising citizen, and a snecessful agriculturist, of Rock Creek Town- ship, is a native of Ireland, born in County Donegal, November 26, 1848, a son of Rob- ert and Jane (Greggs) Graham. He passed his youth in his native country, being reared on a farm, and receiving his education in the common schools .- He left the home roof in 1865, sailing from Liverpool, England, An- gust 7 of that year, and after a voyage of nine days landed in New York. He came to Wells County, Indiana, the same year, and being in limited circumstances worked at whatever he could find to do, and was em- ployed at farming, in mercantile pursuits, and at the stonemason's and bricklayer's trade, and by hard work and economical habits he accumulated means to purchase his pres- ent farm, which then consisted of eighty acres of heavily-timbered land. He imme- diately began to clear and improve his land, and by persevering energy and his industri- ous habits he has brought his land under a fine state of enltivation, and has prospered in his farming operations. October 11, 1877,
he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Wallace, a daughter of Thomas Wallace, and to them have been born two children- Thomas and Robert. Both Mr. and Mrs. Graham are members of the Presbyterian church, and are numbered among the re- spected citizens of Rock Creek Township. In polities Mr. Graham affiliates with the Republican party.
ILLIAM HARPER, deceased, an old pioneer of Nottingham Township, was born in Fayette County, Penn- sylvania, in 1804. He passed his childhood and youth in his native State, and when a young man went to Warren County, Ohio, where he married Elizabeth Ann Jennings, a native of New Jersey, born in 1809, her par- ents being pioneers of Warren County. In 1846 Mr. Harper moved to Indiana and settled in Nottingham Township, Wells County, where he died January 11, 1885. His widow is now living in Hastings, Nebraska, with a daughter. They had a family of thirteen children, ten of whom grew to maturity. When Mr. Harper settled in Wells County the country was heavily timbered and game was plenty. Ile entered a half section of land at $1.25 an acre, which he cleared and improved, and and at his death it was one of the most valuable farms in the township.
AMES HARVEY, deceased, was one of Lancaster Township's pioneers, estab- lishing his residence on section 19 in the antumn of 1833. IIe eame with his fam- ily, following the Indian trails, and lived the following winter in a rude log cabin without door or windows, using blankets to
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keep out the cold blasts. In the spring they were able to plant a few vegetables, but for a time life was a struggle. Mr. Harvey was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, and is a brother of Robert Harvey, who settled on the present site of Murray in 1832. Ile was married in Union County, Ohio, to Miss Sa- rah Davis, who was born in Greene County, Tennessee, October 11, 1811, a daughter of George and Susan (Miller) Davis. Mr. ILar- vey died in 1842, after he had made a home and was beginning to enjoy the fruits of his labors. He left three children, all of whom are deceased. In 1851 Mrs. Harvey married David Aker, a native of Wythe County, West Virginia, and they have one son-William R. Mrs. Aker lives on the old Harvey homestead, and is the only one of the pio- neers of 1833 left in Wells County, and to her we are indebted for many recollections of pioneer life.
AMUEL STRAW, JR., farmer and stock- raiser, of Rock Creek Township, was born in Wells County, Indiana, the date of his birth being December 16, 1849. Ilis parents, Samuel and Mary (Crum) Straw, had born to them ten children, of whom our subject was the second son and fourth child. Ile grew to manhood in his native township (Rock Creek), his youth being passed in as- sisting his father on the farm, and in attend- ing the district schools, where he received a fair common-school education. He resided on the home farm until his marriage, which occurred November 8, 1874, to Miss Sarah A. Arnold, a daughter of Moses and Mary A. (Bartlemay) Arnold, of Harrison Township, Wells County. Mr. and Mrs. Straw are the parents of three children -- Mary E., Charles E. and Henry E. After his marriage Mr.
Straw settled on section 24, of Rock Creek Township, on a farm which his father had purchased in 1872, where he has since made his home, and has brought his land under good enltivation, and by his industrions hab- its and fair and honorable dealings he has gained the confidence of the entire commu- nity. Besides his home farm, he also owns property in and around Bluffton. In politics Mr. Straw affiliates with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church.
FORGE C. DITZLER, Iumber dealer, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, son of George and Catherine (Saner- bangh) Ditzler, natives of Pennsylvania, in which State they were married. They re- moved to Crawford County about the year 1852, bringing with them four children- Sarah, Belinda, Susanna and Mary. John R., George C., Alice and Frank were born in Ohio. The family settled in Gallion, where the father worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade. Later he purchased a farm near Gallion, and the family removed to the country. In 1864 they came to Wells County, settling in Rock Creek Township, on the Wabash River, upon the farm now owned by George C. and his brother John. The parents are now living a retired life in Murray. All the children are married, and all live in Indi- ana except Susanna and Alice. Susanna be- came the wife of John Shorey, who is now deceased, and later became the wife of Jacob Strausbaugh. Sarah married Jacob Alshouse; Belinda became the wife of Lemuel Line; Mary married John Schoch, and after his death married his brother Samnel; John R. married Catherine Briekley; Alice married Charles Taylor, and resides in Missouri;
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Franklin is the husband of Lul Seehler, and George (., our subject, married Laura Teeple February 6, 1879, Rev. Jonathan Markley, a minister of the New Light church, perform_ ing the ceremony. Mrs. Ditzler's parents were residents of Adams County for severa years. They removed to Butler County! Iowa, in which county Mrs. Ditzler was born' in 1857. At the breaking out of the civil war Samuel Teeple, the father, enlisted as a volunteer and died while in the service. IFis children were eight in number-Sarah, Jane, Rebecca, Dorothy A., Mary M., Laura E., Henry I. and Lavina A. Rebecca and Lavina A. are deceased. Sarah married David Hark- er; Jane became the wife of Jacob Loop; Rebecca married Eli Townsend; Dorothy married Solomon Swank; Mary M. became the wife of Ed. Musgrove, of Sherman City, Michigan; Henry married Rebecca Miller, and Lavina married Thomas Fox. The mother is now the wife of Daniel Wisehaupt, a resident of Murray. Mr. Ditzler purchased a mill at Murray prior to his marriage, and the young couple began their domestic life in that village. This mill was sold in 1882, and Mr. Ditzler took a large contract of fur- nishing material for the building of the Chi- cago & Atlantic Railroad, that had been surveyed out and the road bed partly graded. Ile immediately began the ereetion of a new mill, which was completed the same year. It is the largest mill in the county, having a capacity of 15,000 feet. Since its completion in May, 1882, Mr. Ditzler has furnished most of the ties and bridge timbers for some distance each way from where Uniondale is located. This is a merchant mill, and is run to its full capacity nearly all the time, em- ploying on an average twenty hands and from six to eight teams. It is the principal in- dustry of the village, and has been a great source of revenue and has done everything
toward building up the town. Mr. Ditzler's residence was the first one completed in the village, located only a few feet from his present home. llis mill turns out 2,000,000 feet of lumber annually, most of which is furnished to different railroads. His mill eut the material for the first as well as all the houses in town. Mr. and Mrs. Ditzler have had three children -- William II., Charles F. and Ray L. Charles was the first child born in the village of Uniondale; date, December 5,1882.
NDREW DILLMAN, deceased, was one of the prominent agriculturists of Jackson Township, as well as a much respected citizen. Ile was a Kentnekian by birth, born in Bracken County, February 12, 1811. His parents, John and Lydia (Roer) Dillman, settled in Ohio when he was a child, and in that State he grew to manhood, being reared to the avocation of a farmer, which he made his life work. He was united in mar- riage in Brown County, Kentucky, Novem- ber 19, 1835, to Sarah Kilander, a native of Kentucky, born January 15, 1819, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Dillman) Kilander, na- tives of the State of Virginia. Her parents subsequently removed to Ohio, where they lived until 1854. In that year they came to Wells County, Indiana, and made their home in Jackson Township until their death. They were members of the Disciple church. They left at their death a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom are yet living exeept one. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dillman, ten still living-Mary, Susan, Lydia, Levi, Jacob, John, Sidney, Alice, William and Minnie. Mr. Dillman followed farming in Ohio until April, 1854, when he came with his family to
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Wells County, Indiana, and settled on seetion 19, Jackson Township, where he lived until his death, which occurred February 2, 1586. His widow still resides on the old homestead. She is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Dillman was also a worthy member of the same church until his death. In polities he affiliated with the Democratie party. IIe was an enterprising and public-spirited man, taking an active interest in the affairs of his township. The postoffice at Dillman was named in honor of him.
ENRY EDRIS, engaged in farming and stock-raising on seetion 30, Rock Creek Township, is a native of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being November 26, 1840. He is a son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Spitler) Edris, who were na- tives of the State of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His father died when he was an infant, and left him with his mother, with whom he remained until he grew to manhood, and was reared to the avocation of a farmer. Ile was married January 12, 1863, to Miss Emeline Weber, daughter of Law- renee and Sarah (Moyer) Weber, natives of Berks County, Pennsylvania, of German an- cestry. Iler father was a son of Peter and Susanna (Raber) Weber, and grandson of Henry Weber, who was a native of Germany, and her mother was a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Edris) Moyer, and a granddaugh- ter of George and Susanna (Pitfer) Moyer. Mr. and Mrs. Edris are the parents of eight children-Mary E., wife of John Smeltzer; Edwin L., Henry M., Aaron C., Milton P., Sarah E., Harry E. and Louis E. In 1864 Mr. Edris came with his father-in-law's fam- ily to Wells County, Indiana, and settled on the farm on section 30, Rock Creek Town-
ship, where he has since followed agricultural pursuits. But little of his land had been cleared when he settled, but by persevering industry and good management he has cleared and improved his farm, which now consists of 159 acres of well cultivated land. Hle and his wife are members of the Reformed church. In his political views he is a Democrat.
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