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 53
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 53
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AMES DAILEY, one of Wells County's pioneers and one of its prominent men, was born in Salem, New Jersey, Sep- tember 24, 1815, a son of James and Mary Ann (Miller) Dailey, both of whom were born in the State of New Jersey. In 1827 the family emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, and the following year removed to Franklin County, Indiana, settling in the wilderness of that county, and there our subject grew to manhood, his youth being spent in hard labor, assisting to clear the home farm. Ile received a rudimentary edneation in the sub- scription schools of that early day, but being
of a studious nature he is in a large degree a self-educated man. Before reaching man- hood he had qualified himself to teach. The first money he earned for himself after reach- ing the age of twenty-one years was made in teaching school in the neighborhood in which he lived. After this his time, until coming to Wells County, was spent in teaching school and working at the carpenter's trade. Ile was first married in Franklin County, No. vember 1, 1837, to Lydia Garton, a daughter of Jonathan Garton, and to them were born five children-Charles, of Lancaster Town- ship; Lewis was First Lieutenant of Com- pany I, Twenty-second Indiana Infantry, during the late war, being the youngest officer in his regiment, and died in his twen- tieth year at the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkan- sas; Joseph S., a prominent attorney at Bluff- ton; Mary Ann died after reaching maturity, and Rachel, wife of Thomas J. Sowards, of Lancaster Township, all the children but Charles having been born in Wells County. He came to Wells County in March, 1842, with his wife and one child, having but 75 eents in cash when he reached here. His first home was on rented land on section 10, Lancaster Township, of which only five aeres had been cleared. After living on this land one season he removed to a forty-acre tract of heavily-timbered land on seetion 21 of the same township, which he bought on eredit, living here seven years, his time being oeen- pied in improving his property, teaching school and working at the carpenter's trade. His wife died on this property February 13, 1850, in her thirtieth year. Mr. Dailey was again married in Adams County April 22, 1851, to Adeline Niblick, a native of Tusca- ·rawas County, Ohio, born November 9, 1829. Her parents, James and Anna (Carter) Nib- liek, were pioneers of Adams County, making their home three and a half miles west of the
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present site of Decatur, November 9, 1838, her mother dying there August 12, 1810, aged thirty-nine years. Her father was mar- ried again to Miss Sarah Ball, and to this union were born five children-De Witt Clin- ton, Elizabeth, Rachel, Emily and Mary, all with the exception of Emily and Mary living in Chicago, Illinois. Emily resides at Toledo, Ohio, and Mary lives at Bluffton, Wells County. By his first marriage Mr. Niblick had five children-Adeline, wife of our sub- jeet, and Robert, Jesse, Susan and Caroline, residents of Adams County. Eleven chil- dren have been born to the second marriage of Mr. Dailey, as follows-Edgar, living with his parents; James, of Bluffton; Edessa, wife of Lemuel Sturgis, died, leaving one child named James D., who has been taken to the home of Mr. Dailey; Dora. wife of Benjamin Hooner; Augusta, wife of Peter Hartman, of Adams County; Robert M., of Laneaster Township; Nellie, at home; Wil- lard died in his nineteenth year; Adeline, John and Jesse, the three last attending school. Mr. Dailey has met with sneeess in his farming operations, and by his own efforts has aceminulated his present fine property in Lancaster Township, consisting of 160 aeres of improved land, 100 acres being under good cultivation. Mr. Dailey was carly recog- nized by his fellow-citizens as fitted for posi- tions of honor and trust, who in 1845 elected him magistrate, which office he filled until 1850. Ile was then elected county auditor, and removed to Bluffton to attend to the duties of that office, serving in that capacity two terms. In 1850 he was one of the Deputy United States Marshals who took the eensus of Wells County. In 1865-'66 he was the deputy and acting sheriff of the county. Ile served as a member of the school board of Bluffton for several years. In 1867 he removed from Bluffton to his present resi-
dence on section 11, Lancaster Township. lle has held the office of magistrate in Lan- easter Township four years, besides serving in several minor oflices. Ile is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and while living in Bluffton was a member of the Odd Fellows order. In polities he is a Democrat, voting that tieket sinee the days of Andrew Jack- son. Of his brothers and sisters, Samnel M., formerly a resident of Wells County, now lives in Arkansas; three sisters, Mrs. Emily Iligh, Mrs. Elizabeth High and Mrs. Mar- garet Sutton, died in Wells County; Mrs. Hannah Reed lives in Miami County, Indi- . ana; Joseph died in Franklin County, and Mrs. Susan Allen died in Decatur County, Indiana.
FRA NEFF, of Harrison Township, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 9, 1833, son of William and Eleanor Neff. Ilis father was born in Berks County, Penn- sylvania, and of German ancestry. He re- moved to Ohio with his parents when a boy. The mother was a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Nicholas Lape. Our subject was reared on a farm and remained with his parents until he reached his majority. April 8, 1854, he was married to Miss Margaret Stout, daughter of Jonathan and Naney (Christian) Stont, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. Her . parents were born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. After his marriage Mr. Neil set- tled upon a small farm and built the first house in Stontville, and laid out an addition to the town. He was engaged in the mer- cantile trade two years, then sold his property in the village and purchased an interest in the old homestead. One year later he again sold out and erected a hotel in Stoutville,
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which he condneted over eight years, then sold and removed to Monroe, Indiana. He lived there one year, then came to Wells County in 1869, and purchased forty acres of partially improved land on section 29, Harrison Town- ship, where he engaged in farming. Ile subsequently purchased 100 aeres on section 8, and devoted his attention exelnsively to farming until 1883, when he turned his atten- tion to horticulture. Ile has ten aeres in small fruits and garden, and it has proved a successful enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Neff have seven children-Catherine, wife of Charles Stahl; Isidore, wife of Lewis Iledges, of llarrison Township; Amos IL., a telegraph operator; Luella, Stella (., Minnie and Charles F. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, and in polities Mr. Netl' is a Demoerat.
EORGE MIXELL, hotel and livery keeper at Uniondale, was born in Ma- honing County, Ohio, December 16, 1853, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Martin) Mixell, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1854 the family removed to Stark County, and a few months later to Wells County, Indiana, settling at Bluffton. Four years afterward they removed to a farm near the then small town. In 1860 the father purchased a small farm in Rock Creek Township, where he built a house and passed the remainder of his days. llis wife is living with her son Jo- seph. Their children were-Lucy, Catherine, George, Joseph and Daniel. Catherine mar- ried David Scott, who is deceased; Luey married Charles Osgood, and is also deceased; Joseph married Harriet Wolf, and resides on the old homestead. George was employed in the milling business in this connty several years during his carly life. November 27,
1826, he married Miss Sadic, daughter of Benjamin and Susan Netterfield, Rev. Me- Cormack performing the ceremony. They commenced their married life in the little vil- lage of Greenwood, and the next year re- moved to a farm in Rock Creek Township. One year later they returned to Greenwood, and in 1883 Mr. Mixell built a commodious residence in Uniondale. In 1884 its hospita- ble doors were thrown open to the traveling public, and it became the first hotel in the thriving village of Uniondale. In connection with this hotel Mr. Mixell has a nice livery, and enjoys the distinction of being the first in that business. Mr. and Mrs. Mixell have had four children-Effie and Luey are living, Freddie and Bessie are deceased. Luey, the youngest, was born in the new hotel, and Effie on the farm in Rock Creek Township. The two deceased were born in Greenwood. Mr. Mixell is a popular host, and his esti- mable wife is one of the best landladies. Their home affords fine accommodations for a village of the size of Uniondale, and the weary traveler finds there a warm welcomo and the best of cheer. Mrs. Mixell was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, near Jefferson. She had eleven brothers and sisters, all of whom eame to Indiana that are living. Har- mon Northfield, the eldest brother, in the winter of 1887, held the fortunate number that drew $15,000 cash in the Louisiana State Lottery. Ile is a resident of Greenwood, where the mother still lives.
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TOIIN J. HUFFMAN, a son of Henry and Catharine (Baker) Huffman, was born in Jackson Township, Wells Coun- ty, Indiana, on the old Huffman homestead, the date of his birth being March 25, 1847. Hle grew to manhood in his native township,
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and his father being a farmer, was also reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has fol- lowed through life. He was united in mar- riage November 28, 1868, to Miss Sarah Caroline Payne, who was born in Salamonie Township, Ilnntington County, a daughter of William and Charity (Swain) Payne, her mother being a daughter of John and Eliza- beth Swain. Mrs. Huffman's parents were married in North Carolina, and were among the early settlers of Huntington County, Indiana, coming to this State by team. They lived in Huntington County until their death, the mother dying April 10, 1861, and the father January 19, 1864. They were the parents of seven children-John Wilson, born January 22, 1841, died August 11, 1855; Isane Baxter, born November 26, 1842, resides in East Warren; Elizabeth Catherine, born January 5, 1845, died No- vember 7, 1864; Mahala Jane, born Angust 20, 1848, died October 3, 1874; Sarah Caro- line, born November 2, 1850, wife of our subject; David Franklin, born January 10, 1853, lives in Salamonie Township, and William Low, born June 30, 1854, died Sep- tember 4, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Inffman are the parents of three children-Charles Mel- ville, born September 2, 1869; Isaae Frank- lin, born January 28, 1871, and Austin Ralph, born December 17, 1873. Shortly after his marriage, John J. Huffman, the subject of this sketeh, removed to Hunting- ton County, where he lived on rented land in Salamonie Township from the spring to the fall of the same year. He then rented land in another part of the same township, on which he resided three years, when he returned to Wells County, and after living three months in Chester Township he came to Jackson Township, where he made his home for three years. He then returned to Salamonie Township, Ihuntington County,
where he bought eighty aeres, on which he has since made his home. Since then he has added twenty aeres to his original purchase, his farm now containing 100 aeres of choice land. In the spring of 1885 he erected a handsome two-story residence, 30 x 42 feet in size, and in the spring of 1887 he built his present fine, commodious barn. Ile is a practical farmer, as his surroundings plainly indicate, and by his quiet, unassum- ing manners and honorable dealings he has gained the confidence and esteem of the en- tire community. Mr. and Mrs. ILuffinan are members of the Pleasant Ilill Christian church. Politically he is a Democrat. Post- office, Warren, Inntington County.
HARLES MARCHANT MILLER is a native of Wells County, Indiana, born near Murray, Lancaster Township, May 20, 1851. Ile is the third of five sons and one of ten children of Jacob and Mary (Sut- ton) Miller. Ilis father was a native of Pennsylvania, of German ancestry, and came to Wells County in 1837. Ile is by trade a millwright, but was employed as a miller when he first came to the county, afterward settling on a farm in Lancaster Township, where he still lives. The mother of our subject is a native of Lieking County, Ohio, a daughter of Rev. Elijah Sutton, a pioneer Baptist minister of Wells County. Charles M. Miller lived on the home farm until sev- enteen years of age, where he was variously employed, teaching school during the winter seasons. At his own expense he attended the graded schools of Bluffton, and in 1873, with James Sewell, engaged in the mercan- tile business at Murray, the firm of Miller & Sewell continning until the following fall, when L. F. Shreve succeeded Mr. Sewell. In 1879
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he retired from the firm, and the following year was employed as clerk for G. F. MeFarsen. From 1880 until 1883 he was in the employ of II. C. Arnold, and from 1883 until 1886 was in the grocery business at Bluffton, and in the latter year he was employed by H. C. Arnold to buy grain. In November, 1886, he was elected auditor of Wells County, his duties beginning in November, 1887. Mr. Miller was married September 27, 1877, to Miss Lizzie Burgan, a native of Wells Coun- ty, daughter of George and Sarah (Widmer) Burgan. They have one child-Guy Bnr- gan, born July 18, 1878. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Miller is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a member of both lodge and chap- ter at Bluffton.
HILIP BRANNER, deceased, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, July 15, 1815, a son of Simon and Elizabeth (Maddox) Braner, whe were natives of the State of Pennsylvania, the father being of German ancestry. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and followed the avo- cation of a farmer through life. His educa- tion was such as conld be obtained in the rude log cabin subseription schools of that early day. He remained under the home roof with his parents until his marriage, September 19, 1839, to Miss Sarah Fogle. She was born in Greene County, Ohio, No- vember 4, 1819, a daughter of Jacob and Mary W. (Braner) Fogle, her father being a native of Germany, coming to America when a child, and her mother being a native of the State of Pennsylvania. They were among the pioneers of Greene County. After his marriage Mr. Braner followed farming in Montgomery County until 1842, when he
came with his family to Wells County, Indi- ana, and purchased forty acres of heavily timbered land on section 27, Rock Creek Township, which he began immediately to elear and improve. They came to the county in limited eirenmstanees, and in exchange for part of their land they gave two horses and one eow, while they cleared land to pay for the balance. IIere they experienced all of the hardships and privations incident to pio- neer life, and by years of toil and persever- ing energy they cleared their land and added to it at different times until they now own 240 acres of improved land under good enl- tivation. Mr. Braner was one of the pub- lic-spirited men of his township and always took an interest in public affairs, and for a time served as township trustee. Ilis death, which occurred April 16, 1885, was a source of universal regret. lle left a widow who still resides on the old homestead, and eight children, as follows-Mary 1., wife of Philip Jones; Elizabeth, wife of James Ellingham; Jacob married Margaret Miller; Joseph married Jane Capp; Susannah, wife of Jacob C. Maddox; John married Miranda A. Sut- ton; William married Margaret J. Brown; Martha, wife of Calvin L. Davis.
EORGE H. SEABOLD, proprietor of Mount Zion Saw-mill, Hoop Factory and Tile Works, is a native of Indiana, born at Fort Wayne, January 15, 1846, a son of Christian and Sarah (Mosier) Seabold. ITis father was born in Germany, and there he was reared to manhood. When a young man he immigrated to America, and while cross- ing the ocean his wife, whom he had married in Germany, died. While living in Penn- sylvania he was again married, taking for his second wife Sarah Mosier, who was born in
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Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. In 1838 they came to Indiana, and located at Fort Wayne, where the father engaged in the grocery business. He died at Fort Wayne, July 11, 1876. George II. Seabold, whose name heads this sketch, was reared and edu- cated in the schools of Fort Wayne. May 5, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Melinda Yeager, a native of Germany, who was brought to America when in her fourth year. Fourteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Seabold, of whom nine are yet living-Christian Philip Gustave, George Henry, Jr., Rose Amelia, John Albert, Sophie Mary, William Edward, Martha Ann, Ella Melinda and Pearly May. Mr. Seabold commenced life for himself in Fort Wayne as a teamster and contractor, which he followed about two years. Ile then carried on a grocery until 1876, when he sold out his business and came to Adams County, and remained at Decatur, that county, until April, 1876, removing thence to Vera Cruz or Newville, and engaged in the saw-mill bnsi- ness. In 1882 he came to Mount Zion, where he has since- made his home, Here he erected a fine saw-mill, which was destroyed by fire in 1883, when he erected his present buildings. His main building is 24x90 feet, two stories in height. He has a two-story addition, 18x30, and. a one-story addition 18x90 feet. The mill is supplied with an engine of twenty-five horse power with cylinder 9x16 feet. This engine supplies the power for the saw-mill, and for the hoop factory in the second story of one addition, and also to heat the dry-kiln of his tile works. Ile established his tile business in 1885, and since then has been making improvements on the ordinary methods of tile making. He has introduced about 1,000 feet of steam piping, which is supplied with stops so that the steam can be concentrated in any part or
scattered over the entire building. He has an elevator which works automatically, bring- ing the tile to a certain point, then elevating it to the story above. Mr. Seabold has fur- nished the entire plant according to his own system, and intends to run his tile works in winter as well as summer. IIe has been engaged in the manufacture of hoops since 1883, and the hoops made in his factory find a market principally at Marion and Kokomo, Indiana, and Chicago and Aurora, Illinois. The engine-room is supplied with a tank from which the water is pumped by a smaller engine into the boiler, and the water is forced by steam into the tank from a well in the yard. In politics Mr. Seabold casts his suffrage with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belong- ing to Bluffton Lodge, No. 145, of Bluffton.
OAHI GARRETT, an enterprising farmer of Liberty Township, is a native of Ohio, born in Mahoning County, December 17, 1839, the eldest son of Joseph Garrett. IIe grew to manhood in Mahoning County, and at the age of sixteen commenced learning the carpenter's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of six years, after which he followed contracting and building successfully in his native county until com- ing to Indiana in January, 1861. IIe was united in marriage December 25, 1860, to Miss Leah Funk, of Wayne County, Ohio, a danghter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Roneli) Funk, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett are the parents of four children-I. V. Lester, Allie L., Frank C. and Walter O. I. V. Lester married Fannie Howard, and resides in Liberty Township. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church, and take an
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active part in all church and Sabbath-school work. lle is a member of the Short-horn Association of Wells County, and takes pride in raising fine stock. Mr. Garrett came to Wells County in January, 1861, and pur- chased eighty aeres of timber land, paying for the same $800, $300 in cash, and working at his trade until the balance was paid. In August, 1863, he brought his family to his land in Wells County, and in connection with improving his farm he worked at his trade for four years. Ile then turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, in which he has met with excellent snecess, owing to his in- dustrious habits and good management. Ile still devotes considerable attention to raising a high grade of stock. Ile has acquired, by his own efforts, a fine property, his farm now containing 330 acres of well-improved land, which is under a high state of cultivation. Ile was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting October 30, 1864, in Company A, l'ifty-third Indiana Infantry. Ile partiei- pated in the battles of Kingston and Golds- boro, North Carolina, and was at the surrender of Johnston's army, at Raleigh, North Caro- lina. Ile was in the service of his country until the elose of the war, when he was hon- orably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, July 21, 1865. In politics Mr. Garrett affil- iates with the Republican party. He and his family are members of and active workers in the Baptist church.
AMUEL HUFFMAN, a son of Henry and Catherine (Baker) Huffman, was born on the old Iluffinan homestead in Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana, Jannary 3, 1859. Ile was reared in his na- tive township, remaining at home until 1884, when he bought forty aeres of timber land
in Blackford County, to which he afterward added forty aeres. In 1883 he bought 100 acres in Jackson Township, where he now lives, and in 1885 built a fine, substantial residence. Ile has added to his estate until he now has 130 aeres, 100 of which are under cultivation. In politics Mr. Huffman is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in the affairs of his party. Ile has served his town- ship as supervisor two years. Ile was mar- ried in March, 1882, to Lela Miller, a native of Jackson Township, daughter of Joseph and Naney Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have two children-Isaac and Eldridge. They are members of the Pleasant Hill Christian Church.
OSEPH ZOOS, a harness-maker at Uniondale, was born in Freiberg, Ger- many, April 14, 1863, son of Joseph and Emma (Stortz) Zoos, natives of Baden, Germany, who were the parents of seven children-Joseph, Julius, Josephine, Au- gusta, Philomela, May and Emina. The father was a farmer by ocenpation, and both parents are still living in the rural districts of Germany. The two sons reside at Union- dale. Mr. Zoos came to America in 1879, when only sixteen years of age, and when he arrived at Fort Wayne had only two cents in his pocket. Ile owned a German watch, which he sold in that eity in order to ob- tain money to get to his unele's honse, Matthew Zoos, who lived near Geneva, Adains County. The next day after his ar- rival he apprenticed himself to a Mr. Wach- man to learn the trade of harness-maker. A few months later he went to Buena Vista, this State, and opened a shop on his own ae- count. Ilis first stoek was purchased on credit, and when he left that village in 1884,
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after paying all his debts, he carried away $750 in cash. He then went to Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, but soon returned, and February 26, 1885, was married in Buena Vista to Miss Louisa, daughter of William and Lizzie (Klingman) Beach, whose acquaintance he had formed while a resident of that place. They came to the new town of Uniondale to commence their domestic life, where Mr. Zoos purchased his prop- erty, then unfinished, and within a few days it was ready for ocenpaney, and he opened the first harness shop in the village. Ilis naturalization papers were drafted October 14, 1884, attested by John D. Hale, elerk of Adams County. In addition to harness- making, he carries on the shoemaker's trade, assisted by his brother Julius, who came to America in 1884, and intends to become a citizen of the United States as soon as he is of legal age. Mr. and Mrs. Zoos have one daughter, an infant. He is successful in his business, and now has a property valued at $1,200.
ENJAMIN ASIIBAUCIIER, dealer in pianos, organs and sewing machines at Bluffton, Indiana, is a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born at Orrville, October 19, 1859, the youngest of six sons of John and Anna (Shene) Ashbaucher, natives of Canton Berne, Switzerland, where they were married, and in 1856 came to the United States. They lived in Ohio until 1863, when they moved to French Township, Adams County, Indi- ana, where they still live. They are members of the German Reformed church at Vera Cruz, Wells County. Benjamin Ashbancher remained with his parents until- 1882, when he entered the employ of II. C. Arnold at Bluff- ton, and in 1883 engaged in his present busi-
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