USA > Indiana > Newton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 30
USA > Indiana > Benton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 30
USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 30
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 30
USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 30
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 30
USA > Indiana > White County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 30
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Mr. Peterson may well be termed a self-made man. He left home with but few dollars in his pocket. On the way over to this country the vessel in which he started sprang a leak and was disabled. The captain gave up discouraged, but assistance was given by a Scottish vessel from Glasgow, and thus Mr. Peterson had to pay his passage a second time. When he reached Fountain county, Indiana, he had only two dollars in his pocket. 17
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The first month he worked at mauling rails, for eighteen dollars per month, and afterward did farm work for ten dollars a month, and by carefully saving his earnings he obtained a start. Then, assisted by his faithful wife, he worked his way up to the position he now occupies as one of the substantial farmers of the county.
Charles Parker Peterson, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, was born December 14, 1874, and after completing his studies in the common schools took an engineering course at Purdue University. He went to Chi- cago in January, 1898, and accepted a position in the office of the Western Review of Commerce, and while there, on the last of July, 1898, he enlisted in the naval reserves, for one year unless sooner discharged. He left Chi- cago June 3, 1898, and was assigned to the United States cruiser Yale at Norfolk, Virginia. The Yale left Norfolk in a few days, sailing for Santiago de Cuba, arriving early in June. After this service the Yale was the first ship to land troops at Porto Rico. Mr. Peterson enlisted as an ordinary seaman, and was promoted to the position of master-at-arms a week after he was assigned to the Yale, which office he held during his service. The war over, he was honorably discharged and returned with the naval reserves to Chicago.
FRANK B. OGBORN.
Frank B. Ogborn, the genial and popular merchant of Pine Village, and member of the town board, is a representative of one of the most respected and well known families in Warren county. He was born in Pine township, on his father's farm, March 9, 1864, is a son of Amos Ogborn, and a grand- son of William Ogborn. The grandfather of our subject moved from New Jersey to Ohio in the early part of the present century and remained there until his death. Three sons and three daughters became residents of this state, Dr. Job Ogborn, of Lafayette, being among the number.
Amos Ogborn was born in New Jersey, February 27, 1816, and grew to manhood in his native state. He was married to Lucinda Gage and in 1839 settled in Pine township, this county, about a mile west of the village of that name. He entered a heavily timbered piece of land for a homestead, cleared off the timber and converted it into a fine farm. His wife died April 4, 1865, after becoming the mother of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters. Five sons and one daughter are still living, namely: Nathan S., a minister of the gospel residing in Pine township; Charles W .; Amos M., also a clergyman and a resident of California; John L., of this township; Frank B., our subject; and the daughter is Mrs. Alice Dinwiddie, who re- sides on the old homestead. Amos Ogborn contracted a second alliance with
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Rebecca Kirk. His death occurred on the morning of April 26, 1894, in Pine Village, to which he had removed about one year previously. He was in his seventy-ninth year, and died in the ripeness of age and the consciousness of a well spent life. The disease which eventually shortened his days was supposed to be a cancer, which caused him great suffering, the pain being en- dured with great fortitude and Christian resignation. He was an earnest member of the United Brethren church, and illustrated the beauty of his belief by his daily life. By industry and thrift he had succeeded in secur- ing a competency, while his. upright demeanor placed him above reproach. He was an ardent Republican.
Frank B. Ogborn was reared on his father's farm and attended the public schools. Later he was a student in Green Hill Seminary for one year, and completed his education in the Central Normal School, at Danville, Indiana. He then took up teaching, and for six years was one of the most efficient teachers in Warren county. He came to Pine Village and opened his present store in 1884, soon building up a large, remunerative trade. His affable, courteous treatment of his patrons and his earnest efforts to meet the demands of his trade have brought and held him a great many customers. He was married September 3, 1884, to Miss Anna Ambler, a daughter of Elijah and Hannah Ambler, of Chase, Benton county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Ogborn have two children, Edith and Vernon. Both he and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the center of a large social circle. Mr. Ogborn is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic fraternity, while in politics he is a decided Republican.
1 JOHN ASHBY.
A member of one of the original pioneer families of Wea township, Tip- pecanoe county, Mr. Ashby springs from sterling Welsh ancestry, who were settlers in the colony of Delaware, two brothers of the name coming to Amer- ica. One of these, William by name, was the great-grandfather of our sub- ject, and was the father of William, George and Joseph Bayard and Mary and possibly others. William, last mentioned, was a soldier in the war of 1812, in which he died, leaving a wife and eight young children. Joseph Ashby, the father of John, was born in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1800, was a carpenter by trade, and was married in Butler county, Ohio, whither he had emigrated when a boy with the man to whom he was apprenticed. He wedded Sarah Conarroe, who was born in Ohio, about 1800, a daughter of Job and Rebecca S. (Talbert) Conarroe. Her father, a native of New Jer- sey, had emigrated to Butler county, Ohio.' In 1826 he came to Tippecanoe
.
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county, settling in Wea township, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land and made a farm. He was a pioneer here. His children were Jonathan, Joseph, Sarah, Ann, Letitia, Rebecca, Eliza, Keziah and Rachel. He was one of the leading and substantial farmers of Wea township and lived to be over seventy years of age. His wife also lived to be about the same age. He was an industrious and exemplary citizen, a member of the United Brethren church.
After marriage Joseph Ashby remained in Butler county, Ohio, where he purchased forty acres of land; but in 1827 he emigrated to this state, set- tling in Tippecanoe county, and entering land in Wea township, adjoining that of his father-in-law, and made a good pioneer home. By his industry and good management he became the possessor of a goodly quantity of land, owning at the time of his death between four and five hundred acres, besides giving land to his children. Beginning with nothing, he rose to affluence, because he was an energetic, self-made man. In his younger days he was a United Brethren minister, but later became a minister in the Christian church, was very popular and was called to attend many funerals and per- form many marriage ceremonies. His eldest son, William, also was in early life a United Brethren minister, and afterward a minister in the Christian church. Besides the William mentioned, Joseph's other children were Eliza A., Job, Mary, John and George. He died on his farm in Randolph town- ship, between seventy and eighty years of age. He was one of the most venerable pioneers of the county, having settled here when there were but a few small huts in Lafayette. Two of his sons, William and George, were soldiers in the civil war, in the Seventy-second Regiment of Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, and served for three years; William died in a hospital at Gallatin, Tennessee.
John Ashby, the subject proper of this sketch, was born January 28, 1832, on the farm in Wea township where he now lives, and which was entered by his father. His early life and education were characteristic of the times so well known to all the old settlers of this region. February 9, 1854, when twenty-two years of age, he was united in marriage with Sarah Foresman, in Sheffield township, this county, of which she was a native. Her parents were John and Rachel (Ritter) Foresman, pioneers from Ohio and previously from Pennsylvania. In that family were George, Martha, Matilda, Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, Rebecca, John, Robert, Rachel and Letice. Mr. Foresman was a prominent citizen, an elder in the Presbyterian church, and died at the age of about seventy years, at which time he owned five hundred acres of land.
After his marriage John Ashby continued upon land belonging to his father, and he has resided in this neighborhood all his life. The land which
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he inherited and which he purchased aggregated one hundred and fifty-seven acres, all good farming land, and he accumulated a competence. The chil- dren by the wife mentioned were Frank, Rachel, Joseph, Oliver, John, Elizabeth, Mary, Robert, and one who died in infancy at the age of five years. Mrs. Ashby, the mother of these children, died March 15, 1881, a devoted member of the Christian church and a woman of excellent character. June 12, 1882, Mr. Ashby was united in marriage with Mrs. Harriet Rutledge, née Worl, in Lamoine township. She was born August 21, 1851, in Yountsville, Montgomery county, Indiana, a daughter of Atwell and Martha (Miller) Worl. Her father was born in Lexington, Kentucky, May 5, 1812, of Scotch descent, a farmer by occupation, who married Martha Miller, of Ohio, January 27, 1827, and had the following children : Mary A., Elizabeth, Har- riet, and two sons who died young. Mr. Worl died at the age of sixty-four years, a sincere member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife is still living, now aged eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Ashby are both members of the Christian church. In politics he is a Republican, and has been hon- ored by his fellow citizens with the office of assessor of his township for ten years. He is a well and favorably known pioneer. Mrs. Ashby was first married to Mr. Rutledge, of this state, by whom her children were Atwell and Martha. Mr. Rutledge died at Conroe, Indiana, aged about fifty-eight years, a member of the Methodist church. By the present marriage there is one daughter, named Blanche.
JOHN W. RHODE.
John Wesley Rhode is a leading farmer and stock dealer of Warren county, and has the honor of being the oldest resident born within the pres- ent boundary of Pine township. The name of Rhode has been prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of this county for the past seventy- three years, our subject being the fourth generation of the name residing here. He was born in Pine township November 3, 1842, and is a son of Lewis Rhode, a grandson of William Rhode, and great-grandson of John and Mary Rhode. These great-grandparents were from South Carolina, and the great- grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution. He moved to Ohio in 1803, and later to Warren county, Indiana, where he died in 1844. Six children composed their family, viz .: William, Jonathan, Thomas, Caleb, Esther and Seymour.
William Rhode, the grandfather, also was a native of South Carolina, and was married to Sarah Murray, with whom he moved to Warren county, Ohio, and in 1827 to the county of that name in Indiana. Here he died in 1858, leaving a wife, who survived him six years, and thirteen children.
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The children were Mary, William, John, Thomas, Lewis, Martha, Isaac, Joel, Seymour, Caleb, Sarah J., Jacob M., and one that died in infancy. Lewis Rhode was born December 10, 1816, and came with his father to Warren county, this state, when he was in his eleventh year. December 30, 1841, he was married to Miss Eliza Jane Clifton, who was born in Sussex county, Delaware, July 26, 1825. Her parents also were natives of that state, where the father, Thomas Clifton, was born March 17, 1793, and the mother, Sarah, was born June 25, 1805. They were married in 1834 and came to this state, where the father died August 6, 1874, and the mother September 6, 1880, after sixty years of married happiness. Lewis Rhode and his wife were married about fifty-six years before death desolated their home by taking the wife on September 16, 1897. The aged father now makes his home with his children, John W., Thomas W. and Lewis M. He is a gentleman who richly merits the respect shown him, has held a num- ber of local offices, and is an honored member of the Free and Accepted Masons.
John Wesley Rhode, the eldest of the three brothers, was married February 13, 1867, to Miss Fannie Jones, who was born April 17, 1849. She is a daughter of Clement G. and Nancy (Russell) Jones, residents of this county since 1828. The father passed to his reward June 25, 1893. He was a native of Delaware, moved to Ohio, thence to this county. The mother makes her home with Mrs. Rhode, the only surviving child. The other three were: Mary Isley, who died September 14, 1887 ; Isaac, Feb- ruary 22, 1890, and Clement Curtis, August 10, 1891. There are two half- sisters, Mrs. Eleanor Brier, of Pine Village, and Mrs. Sarah E. Jones, of Missouri. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Rhode has been blessed by the birth of two daughters : Mrs. Nancy L. Bright, who is the mother of two children -a son born July 2, 1891, and died July 25, 1894, and Fannie Agnes, born February 10, 1898 ; and Mrs. Eliza C. Grames, who also has two children- Cecil Glenn, born September 13, 1892, and Raymond Russell, born Novem- ber 18, 1894. When Mrs. Bright's son was born he had eight grandparents living, and still more remarkable is the fact that Cecil Glenn Grames had eleven living grandparents (including great-grandparents) at the time of his birth. Both daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Rhode is a Democrat, and a member of the Royal Arch Masons.
DAVID M. RESER.
David M. Reser, who follows farming in Sheffield township, was born in Clark county, Ohio, April 2, 1823, and is a son of Jacob and Polly (Purget) Reser. His father was born in Hampshire county, West Virginia,
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of Scotch parentage, received a limited common-school education, and in early life learned the blacksmith's trade. In his native county he married Polly Purget, and soon afterward removed to eastern Ohio, whence they went to Clark county a few years later. In the latter place Mr. Reser followed blacksmithing until 1836, when he came with his family to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, making the journey with two wagons, each drawn by three horses, and leading another horse. They were twenty days upon the road, and when they reached their destination Jacob Reser made a location on Wea prairie, renting the farm upon which Mrs. Booth, a widow, now resides. In 1839 he purchased three hundred and sixty acres of land in Lauramie town- ship. Most of this was prairie land, which in course of time he converted into rich fields, making there a comfortable pioneer home. Upon that farm he resided throughout the remainder of his life, and in addition to its culti- vation he carried on blacksmithing. In politics he was an old-line Whig. His honesty was proverbial, his energy and perseverance in business were among his chief characteristics, and he was regarded as one of the leading citizens of his neighborhood. He died in 1865, at the advanced age of ninety years. His children were Hiram, Sidney and Eliza, who were born in West Virginia; and Margaret, Hezekiah, Samuel, Polly, David M., Harvey and James F., born in Ohio. All of these children reached years of maturity.
David M. Reser was about thirteen years of age at the time of the emigration of the family to Indiana. He well remembers many incidents of the journey. When crossing the Black swamp, near Kirtland, Indiana, four of their horses were mired and were rescued with difficulty. They camped one night when the wolves howled around them till daybreak. Their provis- ions running low, David Reser and his father went back two miles to get sup- plies for the horses, and the next day found it very difficult to get through the swamp at Kirtland. At length they reached Tippecanoe county, and our sub- ject was reared amid the scenes of pioneer life here. He pursued his educa- tion in a log school-house, and his advantages were rather limited. He still has in his possession a "reward of merit " for good conduct, which he has preserved for sixty-five years, and which was given him by his teacher in Clark county, Ohio, Andrew Mclaughlin, who was probably an Irishman, for the card bears the motto, " Erin go bragh."
Mr. Reser was reared on a farm, and when twenty-five years of age was married, in Tippecanoe county, March 9, 1848, to Mary A. Brelsford, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, September 1, 1820, a daughter of John and Ann (Page) Brelsford. Her father, a farmer by occupation, was born Jan- uary 5, 1781, and was a son of John and Catherine Brelsford. The former was born March 17, 1748, and was a son of Benjamin and Martha Brelsford. Mrs. Catherine Brelsford, whose maiden name was Weaver, was born Febru-
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ary 14, 1746, and by her marriage became the mother of the following chil- dren: Esther, born February 17, 1772; James, January 1, 1774; - , born February 24, 1777; John, January 5, 1781; Pierson, September 25, 1783; Benjamin, June 1, 1788; and Sarah, March 2, 1792. The Brelsfords were natives of New Jersey and represented an old colonial family. John Brels- ford, the father of Mrs. Reser, married Ann Page, who was born January 22, 1790, and their children were: Rebecca, born December 3, 1816; Jane, May 28. 1818; Mary, September 1, 1820; John, August 9, 1822; David S., Jan- uary 26, 1824; George D., October 1, 1826; Daniel P., July 8, 1828; Allen C., September 11, 1831; and Ellen, September 16, 1834. Mr. Brelsford, father of this family, early located in Butler county, Ohio, and two of his brothers settled on farms near him. He cleared a tract of land and there carried on agricultural pursuits until his removal to Tippecanoe county, Indi- ana, in 1846. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on Lauramie creek, in Sheffield township, and there made his home until his death, which occurred July 22, 1848. He was a progressive agriculturist and a man of great energy and honor in business, and is numbered among the honored pioneer settlers of the county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Reser were born seven children, namely: Eunice Ann, born February 9, 1849; Benjamin B., a farmer of Howard county, who was born November 19, 1850, and was married March 13, 1879, to Cynthia McCoy, by whom he has two children; Franklin C., a farmer of Howard county, who was born April 25, 1853, and was married March 1, 1891, to Jennie Harrington, by whom he has two children; Mary Alice, born August 17, 1855; Amanda, who was born November 1, 1857, and was married October 18, 1882, to John A. Fidler, a carpenter of Logansport, Indiana, by whom she has one son; Allen B., deceased, who was a farmer and was mar- ried to Mary L. Storm, September 20, 1893; and Laura B., who was born September 1, 1862, and was married September 21, 1892, to George Ilgen- fritz, a farmer who is cultivating the farm belonging to his father, George Ilgenfritz, Sr.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Reser began their domestic life on the farm which is still his home,-a tract of one hundred and twenty acres upon which few improvements had been made. It is now supplied with all the accessories and conveniences of the model farm, for as the time has passed he has erected substantial buildings, secured the latest improved machinery, placed his land under a high state of cultivation and developed an excellent property. In 1891 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 24th of April of that year. She was truly a helpmeet to him, for her capable management of the household affairs, her industry and enter- prise contributed not a little to his success. Mr. Reser is liberal in his
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religious belief. For many years he has held a membership in the Univer- salist church, and aided in building the house of worship in Dayton. His political support is given the Republican party, and while he has never sought office he has always been a loyal citizen, true to the best interests of our government, and public-spirited in advocacy of all measures for the gen- eral good.
GEORGE GUNKLE.
George Gunkle, of Buck Creek, Indiana, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Tippecanoe county. His grandfather, John Gunkle, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and some years after his marriage, which occurred in that state, he removed with his family to Ohio and settled in Butler county, where he acquired a tract of land on the frontier and im- proved a farm. There he passed his remaining days and died. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and his sterling qualities of mind and heart endeared him to the people among whom he lived. His children were John, Michael, Daniel, Adam, George, Margaret, Christina and Barbara. His son Michael, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1801, and was a boy when he accompanied his parents to Ohio. In Butler county, Ohio, he grew to manhood, and there married Miss Amelia Cope, their marriage being consummated July 4, 1824. She, too, was a native of Pennsylvania. They continued to reside in Butler county until 1828, when they came over into Indiana and took up their abode in Tippecanoe county, at a point on the Wild-cat, one mile south of where the subject of this sketch now lives. Here Michael Gunkle entered one hundred and sixty acres of land and developed a fine farm, from time to time acquiring other adjoining tracts, until his estate comprised six hundred acres. He was regarded as one of the most substantial and highly respected farmers of the county. He built one of the first sawmills on the Wild-cat, and ran this mill many years. He remained on his farm all the rest of his life, and died July 20, 1883, at the age of eighty-two years. Like his father before him, his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church, and for many years the Lutheran ministers made their home at his house. He gen- erously contributed to the various churches in his township, aiding in their erection and support; and whatever measure or movement was, in his opin- ion, intended to advance the best interests of the locality ever found in him a hearty supporter. Politically, he was a Democrat. His children, in order of birth, were John, Samuel, Daniel, Catherine, George, Elizabeth, Seno and Joseph.
The maternal great-grandfather of our subject was a captain in the
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Continental army. At the time of the battle of Germantown he was at home on a furlough, sick, and had his bed placed out of doors so that he could hear the sound of the cannon firing.
George Gunkle, whose name initiates this review, was born November 1, 1836, on his father's farm, on Section 8, Perry township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and his boyhood days were passed in work on the farm and attendance at the subscription schools which were held in the log school- house near his home. He learned the sawmill business of his father and was in business with him for many years. Later he established a steam mill on his present farm, which he ran for ten years and which is now operated by his sons. After his marriage, which occurred in 1850, he settled on the home farm, where he continued to live until 1872, when he purchased his present property, or rather eighty acres of it. To his original purchase he subsequently added and now his place comprises three hundred and ten acres. In the improvement of this farm he has expended both time and means. He has to-day one of the most desirable and valuable farms in the locality.
Mr. Gunkle was married in his native township, December 2, 1860, to Martha J. Boen, who was born in Lafayette, Indiana, February 28, 1841, daughter of Pleasant Boen. Mr. Boen was a North Carolinian, and his children were Martha J., Oliver P., William and Emeline. After his death his widow became the wife of Daniel Leslie, and by him had the following named children: George, Archibald, Frances, Elzina, Margaret and Melissa. To Mr. and Mrs. Gunkle were born five children, namely: William, Cath- erine, Edmond, Idela and John. Mrs. Gunkle died April 24, 1894. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mr. Gunkle holds the same religious faith to which his father and grandfather adhered. He is politically a Democrat.
WILLIAM E. MILLS.
William E. Mills, the druggist at Pine Village, has been engaged in business at this point since the spring of 1894, succeeding I. W. McConnell. This is the only drug store in this village.
Mr. Mills is a native of La Salle county, Illinois, where he was born in 1863. His father, Edward Mills, was a native of Cohoes, New York, who married Lavantia Guy. In 1866 the family removed from Illinois to Story county, Iowa, where the father died, in 1876 ; and the mother of our subject, surviving, is a resident of Maxwell, that county. Of their eight children seven grew up to years of maturity. The eldest, Dr. Daniel Mills, is a physician practicing at McCallsburg, Story county, Iowa ; William E., our
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