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 43
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 43
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YLVESTER LOUNSBERRY, farmer, was born in Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana, the date of his birth being March 6, 1844. His parents, Smithi and Sallie J. (Tomlinson) Lounsberry, were both natives of Connecticut. They left their native State for Coshocton County, Ohio, re- moving thence to Grant County, Indiana, and from there came to Wells County, about the year 1840, locating across the river from the present home of our subject, where the father entered 400 acres of land. There the father died in 1857, his widow surviving him until the year 1868. They were the parents of seven children. Sylvester Lounsberry, the subject of this sketch, was reared to the avocation of a farmer in his native township, his father being a farmer by occupation. He was united in marriage in March, 1877, to Miss Mahala C. Matlack, a daughter of Will- iam and Catherine Matlaek, and to this union have been born two children, named Wells and Ralph. Mr. Lounsberry made his first purchase of land in 1883, and by industry and good management he has acquired 173 acres of choice land. In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party. Ile is well known and much respected through- out the county, and has filled several local offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to hiis constituents. In 1879 he was elected county commissioner, assuming the duties of
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that office in December of that year, and he has also served as township assessor and land appraiser.
ANIEL G. BRECHBILL, a progressive agrienlturist of Rock Creek Township, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 29, was born in Leb- anon County, Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being January 18, 1841, a son of John and Sarah (Garmon) Brechbill. His parents were also natives of the State of Pennsyl- vania, and were of German descent. When he was four years old his father died. Hle lived with his mother until sixteen years of age, his youth being spent in working on a farin, beginning to work at an early age. At the age of sixteen years he began learning the carpenter's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of two years, after which he worked as a farm hand for some time. In 1862 he came to Wells County, Indiana, and located at Murray, where he worked at his trade until August, 1862, when he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion. Ile was assigned to Company B, One Hundred and First Indi- ana Infantry, and participated with his com- pany in many hard-fought battles, including Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Jones- boro. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and participated in the grand re- view of Sherman's army at Washington, D. C. Ile served until the elose of the war, and re- eeived an honorable discharge July 2, 1865, when he returned to Wells County and fol- lowed his trade for one year. Ile was married December 2, 1865, to Miss Maria Raver, a daughter of Joseph Raver, and of the eleven children born to this union eight still sur- vive-Mary C., John H., Frank W., Cora A., Almeda M., Della May, Morris E. and Artia |
M. Sarah E., Laura E. and an infant un- named are deceased. Mr. Brechbill lived on rented land for nine years after his marriage, when in 1874 he purchased his present farm, which contains fifty acres of well-improved and highly-cultivated land. In his political views Mr. Brechbill is a Democrat, and has served his township as constable for three years, to the entire satisfaction of his con- stituents. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brechbill are members of the Reformed church.
BRAHIAM MAST, retired farmer, is a native of Lebanon County, Pennsyl- vania, born November 30, 1811, a son of Abraham and Sarah (Yoder) Mast, natives of Berks County, Pennsylvania, the father a son of George Mast, and the mother a daugh- ter of Jacob Yoder, both being of German ancestry. Our subject was reared on a farm in his native county, remaining at home until twenty-two years of age, when he went to work by the month for David Albert, and three years later, in 1836, accompanied Mr. Albert to Montgomery County, Ohio, re- maining there a year and a half, when he re- turned to Pennsylvania to visit his friends. He spent the winter at home, and in the spring of 1840 went again to Ohio, when he found that his friend and employer had died the 24th of October, 1839. Ile then went to work by the day, making his home with Mrs. Albert, and the following fall took charge of her farm, which he worked on shares three years. December 25, 1842, he was married to Elizabeth Albert, a native of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Houtz) Albert, and granddaughter of Nicholas Albert. In 1853 Mrs. Albert sold her farm, and with Mr. Mast moved to Wells County, Indiana, and
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bought 240 acres of land in Rock Creek Township, twenty acres of which was par- tially improved. Mr. Mast bought eighty acres of land in Lancaster Township, although he located on his mother-in-law's farm and carried it on for her, subsequently buying 160 acres of her. She made her home with him as long as she lived. In February, 1853, Mr. Mast retired from the active and ardnous labors of farm life, and removed to Bluffton, where he is now living in the enjoyment of a competence gained by years of toil. Mr. and Mrs. Mast have had eight children-David, Uriah, Amanda A. (died, aged one year and eight months), Eliza, Laura, Lucinda, Jennie and Ida. In polities Mr. Mast is a Demo- crat. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church.
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REDERICK ENGELER, of Vera Cruz, was born in the District of Winterthur, Canton Zurich, Switzerland, January 17, 1831, son of Caspar and Magdalene Engeler. Ile remained with his parents, attending school, until he was fourteen years of age, then went to learn the wagon-maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years. Ile then worked as journeyman, traveling through different sections of the country, for two years. When he was two years of age his father died. In 1852 he, with a brother and sister, immigrated to the United States, our subject settling in this connty, where he worked at his trade for two years. IIe then went to California, via New York and the Isthmus of Panama, landing at San Francisco. Ile worked on a farm until fall, then engaged in mining, which he followed successfully until October, 1858, when he returned to this county and engaged in the mercantile trade at Vera Cruz. This
occupation he continued three years; then engaged in the woolen business for a time, and then operated a flouring mill until 1883. Since that time he has been engaged in farm- ing in connection with his other business. Hle owns 200 acres of improved land, in a good state of cultivation. He was married in April, 1859, to Miss Rose Ann Biverstein, born in Wayne County, Ohio, and daughter of Benedict and Rosanna Biverstein, natives of Switzerland. To this union eleven chil- dren were born, nine of whom are living- Frederick, Mary E., wife of Martin Vitz, of St. Paul, Minnesota, Albert, Frank F., Emma, Charles, William, Maggie, Edward, Henry and Tillie. May 13, 1859, Mr. Engeler was appointed postmaster, under President Bu- chanan's administration, an office he held two years. IIc was elected and then eomnis- sioned a justice of the peace April 12, 1860, for four years, by Ashbel P. Willard, Govern- or; was re-elected in 1864 and commissioned by Governor O. P. Morton, April 17, 1864. In 1580 was again elected, and is the present incumbent. After the expiration of his first service he was appointed notary public, and held the office until 1850. Politically ke is a Democrat. Ilimself and wife are members of the Reformed church in the United States.
AVID II. SWAIM, senior member of the law firm of Swaim & Swaim, of Bluffton, Indiana, and son of Colonel William and Hannah (Toy) Swaim, was born in Ossian, Indiana, September 17, 1858. Af. ter ten years spent on a farm, his mother de- siring to give her children better educational privileges, moved to Ossian, and here he at- tended the graded schools until 1879, with the exception of one term spent at Valpa- raiso, Indiana. Ile was subsequently employed
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for two years in the graded schools at Ossian, first as a subordinate teacher, and afterward as principal. In the fall of ISS2 he began a course of study in the law department of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor which he completed, and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in the spring of 1854. Ile was admitted to the bar at Bluff- ton, Indiana, in 1834, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law. Sep- tember 16, 1885, he was married to Miss E. May Gorrell, daughter of James and Mary Ann Gorrell, of Ossian, Indiana. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bluffton.
MOS QUICK, an enterprising and pro- gressive agriculturist of Rock Creek Township, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising, was born in North- umberland County, Pennsylvania, August 7, 1835, a son of James and Jane (Thurston) Quick. When he was two years old his mother died, after which his father came with his family to Indiana and settled in Franklin County, where he resided eight years, remov- ing thence to Madison County. Amos re- mained with his father until 1852, when he came to Wells County with his brother, who settled in Laneaster Township. He made his home with his brother until reaching his majority, when he purchased eighty acres of heavily timbered land on section 36 of Rock Creek Township, which he at once began clearing and improving. February 13, 1859, he was married to Miss Rachel E. Bay, a na- tive . of Wells County, and a daughter of William and Rebecca (Miller) Bay, who were pioneers of this county, coming here from Ohio in an early day. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Quick, named
James W. and John II. Mr. Quick has con- verted his land into a well improved and highly cultivated farm, and sinec 1856 has devoted his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist ehnreli. Politically he easts his suffrage with the Republican party.
AVID FRITZ, one of the self-made men of Wells County, engaged in farm- ing and blacksmithing in Rock Creek Township, is a native of Germany, born in Rettersburg, Oberamt, Waiblinger, Konig- reich, Würtemberg, January 19, 1818, the eldest son and second child of George and Catharine (Greiner) Fritz. Our subject was reared on his father's farm until fifteen years of age, when he began learning the black- smith's trade, and after serving an ap- prenticeship of two years he worked as a journeyman blacksmith in various places in his native land until he immigrated to America. IIe left Amsterdam for the United. States April 22, 1848, and landed at New York June 12 following. Ile immediately went to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where he was variously employed for one year, after which he worked at his trade in that eity for five years. March 26, 1850, he was mar- ried to Miss Lydia Freeze, a daughter of Peter Freeze, of Berks County, Pennsylvania. To this union nine children were born-John, Cordelia, wife of Thomas White, of Bluffton; Daniel, deceased; Lovina; Eliza, wife of William Wysong; David; Mary, wife of Charles Metz; Henry J. and Charles F. In 1854 Mr. Fritz removed from Pennsylvania to Fairfield County with his family, which then consisted of his wife and two children. Ile was engaged in blacksmithing at Stouts- ville, Fairfield County, when he came to In-
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diana, and November 7, 1858, he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land where he now resides. By hard work and perseverance he cleared his land and converted it into a good farm, and was successful in his agri- cultural pursuits. Ile erected a blacksmith shop on his land, and has since followed blacksmithing in connection with his farming operations. Besides his home farm he owns a traet of seventy-six aeres in Union Town- ship, which he sold in 1887. Mr. Fritz was bereaved by the death of his wife June 30, 1886. She was a consistent member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Fritz is also a worthy and active member of the same church, and is a mueh respected citizen of Rock Creek Township, having by his fair and honorable dealings gained the confidence and esteem of all who know him. In politics he affiliates with the Democratie party.
ETER SOUERWINE, farmer and stock- raiser, Rock Creek Township, is a native of Germany, born February 22, 1818, a son of Louis and Elizabeth Souerwine. When he was ten years old he immigrated with his parents, and after a voyage of seventy days landed at Baltimore, Maryland. The family first settled in Adams County, Pennsylvania, remaining there until 1838, when they re- moved to Wayne County, Indiana, where the mother died June 11 of the same year. Peter and his father then came to Wells County and entered 200 acres of Government land on seetion 36 of Rock Creek Township. They then returned to their home in Wayne County, where they resided until 1843, when they returned to Wells County and built a cabin on their land. Peter Souerwine was married March 26, 1843, to Miss Christena Hieger, a daughter of Louis Hieger, who 53
eame from Germany to America several years after our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Souer- wine were born six children-Lonisa, wite of Frank Adams, of Rock Creek Township; Louis and Peter, living on a part of the old homestead, and three who died in infancy unnamed. Mr. Sonerwine has cleared and improved his land and added to it until he now has 360 aeres of well enltivated land. Ile and his wife are members of the old school Lutheran church. In politics he is a Democrat.
MOS ROWE, superintendent of the Wells County Infirmary, is a native of Ohio, born in Pickaway County Febru- ary 14, 1530, a son of David and Elizabeth (Bortges) Rowe, and grandson of Peter Rowe, a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. llis mother died when he was but five weeks old, and he was reared by his grandfather Rowe. When he was eighteen years of age his grandfather died, and he then took charge of the homestead, remaining with his grand- mother until 1864, when he moved to Wells County, Indiana, and bought forty aeres of improved land in Harrison Township, which he afterward sold and bought eighty aeres on section 14 of the same township, where he lived five years, and then for three years lived on a farm on section 15, and in 1872 he was appointed superintendent of the connty infirmary, holding the position four years. Ile then lived one year on the Chal- fant farm, and two years on his farm of forty aeres, and in 1879 was again appointed superintendent of the infirmary, and is still filling that position satisfactorily. Mr. Rowe also served as constable in his native county. He was married December 11, 1855, to Sarah Clark, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio,
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daughter of James A. and Susan (Bort) Clark, of German and English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe have had eleven children, but six of whom are living --- David, Mary, wife of Lewis B. Hale; James A., Harriet E., Ben- jamin F. and Leona. The deceased are -- Lewis E., Margaret M., Charles, Moses M. and Amos T. In polities Mr. Rowe affiliates with the Democratic party. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.
EORGE R. HUFFMAN, who has been identified with the interests of Wells County for many years, is engaged in farming on scetion 2, Jackson Township, where he is numbered among the most re- speeted citizens. Mr. Huffman was born in Jackson Township, Wells County, the date of his birth being March 7, 1842, and is a son of Henry and Catharine IInffman, who were early pioneers of the county. He was reared in Jackson Township and has always made it his home. He remained on the home farm until one year after his marriage. March 6, 1863, he married Miss Elsie Ann Griffith, a native of Wells County, Indiana, and a dangh- ter of Samuel Griffith. Both of her parents are deceased, her mother having died when she was a child, and her father about the year 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Iluffinan are the parents of four living children -Samuel, William Allison, Jonas Goode and Dehina Allison. One son, Theodore, is deceased. In 1864 Mr. Huffman enlisted in the late war, and was assigned to Company C, Fifty-third In- diana Infantry, going first to Indianapolis. From there he went to Dalton, Georgia, thence to Pittsburg. Ile subsequently went to Beaufort, North Carolina, and from there went to Kingston, where he was engaged with his regiment. They joined Sherman's
army at Goklsborough, and marched through the Carolinas and participated in the grand review of Sherman's army at Washington, D. C., at the elose of the war. Mr. Hutfinan was discharged at Indianapolis after the ex- piration of a furlough which he had passed at his home. Before enlisting in the late war Mr. Huffinan had lived one year on rented land. After the war he bought a piece of land, which he sold soon after, and bought and sold another piece of land, when, in 1878, he purchased his present farm of eighty acres, of which seventy-two aeres have been cleared and brought under cultiva- tion. In politics Mr. Iluffman affiliates with the Democratic party, but in local elections votes independent of party ties. In his re- ligions faith he is a Dunkard.
NTHONY SUNIER, an active and enterprising citizen, and a prominent business man of Wells County, Indiana, is a native of Switzerland, born in Canton Berne, in April, 1826, a son of Peter F. and Lydia Sunier, who were natives of the same eanton. The mother of our subjeet died when he was two years old, and his father subsequently married again, and was the father of six children. In 1837 he immi- grated to America with his family, landing at New York after a voyage of thirty-seven days. The family lived three years in Wayne Coun- ty, Ohio; in 1840 eame to Indiana, in which State the father entered 300 aeres of Govern- ment land which was heavily covered with timber. The father eleared and improved this land, and followed farming there until 1860, when he removed to Newville, Indiana, where he died in 1862. Anthony Sunier, the subject of this sketch, was fifteen years of age when he came to Adams County, and
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there he grew to manhood, assisting his father clear and improve his farin. His edneation was obtained mainly by his own exertions after reaching manhood. He remained with his father until his marriage June 7, 1849, to Miss Emily Henny, a daughter of Samnel and Mary Ann (Merillat) Henny, who came from Canton Berne, Switzerland, in 1844, and settled in Wells County, Indiana, in July of that year, Mr. Henny purchasing an unim- proved farm in Harrison Township. Mr. and Mrs. Sunier are the parents of four chil- dren-Aldine, wife of Christian Bear; Marie, wife of Adolph Hofer; Corinne, wife of James Darley, and Albert E. After his marriage Mr. Sunier settled on a farm in Harrison Township, and later purchased forty aeres of heavily timbered land in French Township, Adams County, to which he removed. After residing there thirteen months, clearing fif- teen acres, he sold his land in French Town- ship at an advance on the purchase price. 1Ie then removed to Wells County and bonght eighty aeres in Harrison Township, again settling in a dense wilderness, where he resided until 1857, and during his resi- dence on this land cleared fifteen acres. Ile then went to Minnesota, purchasing a traet of land, and for the fourth time settled in the dense wilderness, and began making a new farm. After residing there three years he sold his land to good advantage and returned to Wells County, and engaged in the grocery business at Vera Cruz one year, after which he followed general mercantile pursuits for fourteen years. He again returned to farin- ing and followed agricultural pursuits five years, when he removed to Bluffton and engaged in the dry goods business with B. F. Wyley for three years, when they sold out their business. Mr. Sunier again engaged in the dry goods business, which he followed two years, and during this time also managed
his tarm, located one mile south of Bluffton, where he has 191 acres of choice land. In 1853 he engaged in the boot and shoe busi- ness in company with William Bear, and in the fall of 1886 they added a stock of elothi- ing to the business, and are still doing an extensive trade. Mr. Sunier is a member of Bluffton Lodge, No. 142, A. F. & A. M., and is also a member of the Odd Fellows order. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. Hle and his wife attend the German Reformed church.
TSHIAM WEST, farmer, Chester Town- ship, was born in Greenup County, Keu- tneky, May 4, 1524, son of William and Sarah (Arthur) West. William West was born, reared and married in Virginia. His wite was also born and reared in that State. Several years after their marriage they removed to Kentucky with their family, which then consisted of three children. Their goods were packed on horses, the road across the mountains being impassable for any other mode of conveyance. When they arrived in Greenup County they found a rough broken country, and sparsely settled. They lived in Kentucky until 1831, then removed to Preble County, Ohio, and in 1840 they packed their household goods and came by team to Indiana, settling on seventy- seven aeres of land William had purchased before coming. There was no clearing on the place, which was covered with a heavy growth of timber. The family lived in a house adjoining the farm while Mr. West and his boys cleared a place and put up a log cabin. Game was in great abundance, but William was not much of a hunter and did not often disturb the deer and wild turkeys that roamed over the country at will.
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Isham, our subject, was very fond of the " sport," and killed a great many deer and other game. They brought some sheep from Ohio, and made a pen for them quite near the house; but even that did not protect them from the wolves. In September of the next year the mother died, and was buried in the Twibell cemetery in Blackford County. The father afterward removed with his son to Senfile Creek, where the latter had bought a place, and there he remained until his death, which occurred in June, 1850. Our subject was in his seventeenth year when the family came to Wells County, and he has resided here ever since. Ile has 160 acres of land, with 120 aeres of clearing. He was married in April, 1846, to Miss Margaret Jarrett, a native of Wayne County, this State, and daughter of Jonas Jarrett, who settled in Wells County as early as 1838. Of their nine children, five are living-William, now serving as township trustee; Sarah, wife of Christopher Starr; Mary Catherine, wife of Lemuel Bales, who is now deceased; James and Joseph. The deceased are - Bentley, Jolinny, Frances Emily, and an infant un- named. Mr. West is not a politician, and has never sought office, although he served one term as supervisor. Mrs. West is a member of the Christian church.
ACOB SPEECE, an old settler and a prominent farmer of Jackson Township, Wells County, is a native of Ohio, born in Champaign County, June 8, 1820, a son of Peter and Sarah (Prineehaus) Speece. They were natives of Virginia, and of Ger- man deseent, their parents coming from Germany in an early day. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving seven years
in that struggle for independence. The par- ents of our subject emigrated to Ohio among the carly settlers. They reared a large family to maturity. Peter Specce grew to manhood in Virginia, and in August, 1813, went to Ohio with his family. They resided in Cham- paign County until 1861, when they came to Wells County, Indiana, and bought a farm in Chester Township, on which the parents lived until their death. Both were members of the United Brethren church, and were inch respected by all who knew them. Peter Speece died March 1, 1871, aged eighty-four years and five months, and his wife died November 13, 1867, aged seventy- nine years. Jacob, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood on his father's farm. Ile received but a limited education, but by private reading he has fitted himself to per- form the duties he is called upon to do. lle was married in his native county, July 4, 1841, to Miss Rebecca MeIntyre, who was also born in Champaign County, Ohio, the date of her birth being May 1, 1819. Her parents were natives of Virginia, and in an early day settled in Champaign County, Ohio, living there until their death. They were the parents of nine children, three sons and six daughters. The father of Mrs. Speeee served as a soldier during the war of 1812. To Mr. and Mrs. Speeee were born nine children - Mary J. (deceased), Sarah C., Thomas MeIntyre, Peter, Nancy E., Jacob F., William, Rebecca Ann, and Henrietta (deceased). They also reared Isaae Spauld- ing from the age of seven days, at which time his mother, Mary Jane (Speece) Spauld- ing, died. Mr. Jacob Speeee followed farm- ing in Ohio until 1847, when, in September of that year, he came to Wells County, Indi- ana, and settled in Jackson Township, on land for which he had traded eighty aeres before coming here. He has since made his
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