USA > Indiana > Newton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 32
USA > Indiana > Benton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 32
USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 32
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 32
USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 32
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 32
USA > Indiana > White County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 32
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Robert C. Rogers, the direct subject of this review, was born in Butler county, Ohio, near Middletown, on the Joseph Henderson farm, and was two years old when brought by his parents to Indiana. He was reared on his father's frontier farm and his education was received in one of Indiana's primitive log school-houses. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed, in connection with farming, for a period of twenty years. In the meantime, in 1852, he was a victim of the California gold fever and made a trip to the far west, going via New York city and the isthmus of Panama, the Pacific voyage being made in the steamer Tennessee, which was wrecked after passing the Golden Gate. The passengers were all rescued in life boats. Arrived in San Francisco, Mr. Rogers at once made
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his way to the mining districts of the Golden state, and mined at El Dorado county and at other points, remaining in California four years. At the end of that time he returned to New York by way of the same route and thence came to Indiana. Shortly afterward we find him in Warren county, Ohio, working at his trade.
In Warren county, Ohio, near the town of Lebanon, he was married, October 27, 1859, to Rebecca J. Lefever, a native of that place, born August 20, 1837, daughter of Peter and Martha (Irons) Lefever. Peter Lefever was born on the same farm on which his daughter was, the date of his birth being November 11, 1812; his parents were Elias and Catherine (Craven) Lefever. Elias Lefever, a native of Maryland, was of German extraction, and was one of the early pioneers of Warren county, Ohio. He and his wife were the parents of Daniel, Sarah, Elizabeth, Susannah, Mary and Daniel. Elias lived to the advanced age of eighty years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, a member of the Baptist church and a man who had the high esteem of all who knew him. On his farm, which he cleared up from the wilderness, he erected a brick residence and made other improvements, and his home was one of the pioneer landmarks. Martha Irons, the wife of Peter Lefever, was born November 1, 1805, in New Jersey, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Gibbs) Irons, who were of Quaker stock, and pioneers of Warren county, Ohio. The farm entered and cleared by Samuel Irons, in Warren county, is still owned by his descendants. His children were Rachel, Mary, Rebecca, Sarah, Hannah, Phila, John, Joshua, Martha and Abiah. He died on his farm, at an advanced age. Peter Lefever and wife settled on the old homestead and in the quiet of rural life passed the rest of their days. Their children were Rebecca, Elias, Samuel, Catherine and Sarah. He was a member of the New Light or Christian church. Two of his sons, Elias and Samuel, were in the civil war.
After marriage Robert C. Rogers and wife settled a mile and a half north of Lebanon, Ohio, and he continued working at his trade. He was the foreman of the building of the spire on the First Presbyterian church of Lebanon, and at Franklin, Ohio, erected the spire of the Methodist church. Working at such great height injured his nerves and he was com- pelled to abandon work at his trade, and he turned his attention to farming. For one year he farmed in Warren county, and in the fall of 1861 he moved to Indiana, settling on rented land and carrying on agricultural operations in that way for ten years. Then he went to Illinois and bought a small farm in Hancock county, where he passed the next ten years of his life. In 1881 he returned to Indiana again, and at that time bought his present farm, one hundred acres of fine land in Perry township, Tippecanoe county, where he has since lived and prospered.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been given eight children, namely: Martha J., Sarah J., Edward F. (who died at the age of nineteen years), Minnie F., Charlotte L., Ralph C., Blanch and Clarence E.
Politically, Mr. Rogers is a Republican, has always taken a deep interest in public affairs, especially those of a local nature, and while in Illinois filled the offices of township trustee, school director and supervisor. Both he and his family are members of the Presbyterian church.
WILLIAM S. ANDERSON.
William S. Anderson, who is one of the prosperous and influential young farmers of Adams township, Warren county, is a native of this county, his birth taking place February 18, 1866, in Prairie township. He received a good, practical education in the public schools and on coming of age rented land in Prairie township, on which he remained until 1891, when he removed to Adams township and subsequently to Liberty township. In 1893 he took possession of the farm on which he now lives, comprising one hundred and twenty acres of finely improved land situated two miles south and one mile east of Pine Village. He also owns one hundred and ninety acres of land in Liberty township. He carries on general farming and is engaged to some extent in stock-raising.
Mr. Anderson was married September 13, 1893, to Miss Fannie E. Jones, and they have two children-Malcolm and Margery. In politics he is a Republican and contributes liberally of his time and money to forward the interests of his party. He is a young man of excellent character, a good neighbor and a progressive citizen.
James Anderson, the father of William S., was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1840, came to Prairie township with his parents, Joshua Anderson and wife, in 1849, and lived there nearly a quarter of a century before remov- ing to Washington township, his present home. He was a soldier of the civil war, serving three years. He has always been a Republican in politics and was elected county treasurer of Warren county in 1887 and served one term. He married Margery Graines, in 1861, and they had nine children: Harriet. A. (Mrs. James Pope), William S., Emma R. (deceased), John F., Jennie (Mrs. Augustus Broadie), Joshua C., Elizabeth Pearl, Minnie A. and James Elwood.
PATTERSON STALEY.
This respected and substantial farmer, Patterson Staley, of Dayton, Indiana, is a son of one of the original pioneers of Tippecanoe county. The Staleys are of English origin. Martin Staley, the grandfather of Patterson,
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was born in North Carolina and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He married, in his native state, Mary Staley, his second cousin, and in 1819 they came north and located in Montgomery county, Ohio, where they made their home until 1829. That year they came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and settled in Perry township, a quarter of a mile north of where our subject now lives. His son Aaron had come here the previous year. Martin Staley entered eighty acres of land in the forest of Perry township and to the work of clearing and improving the same devoted his energies. He, however, was not permitted to finish his self-imposed task, for a few years after his settlement here he died, in middle life. His children were Aaron, John, Meredith, Elizabeth, Jacob, Solomon, Hiram and Sophia.
John Staley, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in North Carolina, August 24, 1802, and accompanied his father in the removal to Ohio, as above recorded, being at that time seventeen years of age. He was married in Montgomery county, Ohio, August 28, 1828, to Hulda C. Waymire, a native of that county, born June 6, 1809, daughter of Frederick Waymire.
Mr. Staley, one year after marriage, came over into Indiana, and in November, of that year, 1829, settled in Perry township, Tippecanoe county, on the farm now owned and occupied by his son Patterson. The journey from Ohio to their new home was made by wagon, and two weeks were required to make the trip. Here he cleared and improved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. There were then plenty of Indians throughout this locality and they frequently came to the Staley home, but were always ยท friendly and never gave any trouble. John Staley was a man of many ster- ling traits of character. He was liberal in his religious views, and always attended the Universalist church, not, however, being a member. His wife was reared in the Quaker faith and later in life joined the United Brethren church. Politically, Mr. Staley was an old-line Whig in his early life, and after the organization of the Republican party he identified himself with it. He died November 23, 1868. His children, in order of birth, were as fol- lows: Mary Ann, born August 7, 1829; Dorothy Jane, December 5, 1830; Elizabeth, August 5, 1832; Oliver, June 30, 1834; Patterson, March 3, 1836; Clark, July 5, 1838; Rebecca, July 31, 1842; John I., October 8, 1846; Adaline, August 9, 1849; and Albertus W., April 10, 1854. Two of the sons, -Patterson and Clark-were soldiers in the civil war. Clark was in the Fortieth Volunteer Infantry and served about six months.
Patterson Staley's birth occurred on the farin on which he was reared and where he has since lived. In his young manhood he learned the car- penter's trade and worked at it for a time. When the war came on and con- tinued to rage he tendered his services to the Union. He enlisted at Lafay-
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ete, Indiana, December 11, 1863, for a term of three years or during the war, and went out as a member of the Tenth Indiana Battery, under Cap- tain Cox. He was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, Indiana, July II, 1865, by reason of the war being over. He was in the Atlanta campaign and also took part in the battles of Lookout mountain, Kenesaw mountain, Resaca, Sand Hill and many others. Altogether he was in thirty-two hard- fought battles, besides many skirmishes. After the Atlanta campaign he served on a gunboat on the Tennessee river until he was mustered out. His career as a soldier was remarkable, in that he was never wounded, never taken prisoner and never sick in hospital, and his duty was always performed cheerfully and with promptness. For meritorious service he was promoted to be corporal of his company.
After the war Mr. Staley returned home, and, November 26, 1865, mar- ried Mary Iler, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, February 10, 1842, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Earl) Iler. John Iler and his wife were Germans, who came to this country after their marriage and settled in the village of Seven Mile, Butler county, Ohio, where he worked at his trade, that of shoemaker. Their children were named Ann, Kate, Mary A., Eliza- beth, John and Christopher. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson Staley have lived all their married life on the old Staley homestead. The deed to this farm was signed by General Jackson in 1830. Here three generations of the family have lived. Patterson Staley's children are Laura W., Flora A., Jessie L., James Clifford, Cora A., Lizzie E., Charles P. and Frank Earl.
Our subject and his wife are both identified with the United Brethren church, and, politically, he is a Republican.
JOSEPH D. FARDEN.
Joseph D. Farden, a progressive farmer and stock-raiser of Adams town- ship, Warren county, was born December 25, 1843, and was educated in the district schools of Adams township. He was still at home with his parents at the outbreak of the civil war, and, becoming imbued with the patriotic spirit that filled the breast of every northern man, he enlisted for three years as a private in Company G, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the following battles : Jackson, Mississippi; Mission Ridge, Dalton, Reynolds Roost, New Hope Church, Dallas, Kenesaw mountain, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, the march to Savannah, Macon, Georgia; and Savannah. He was wounded at Jackson, Mississippi, and again at Mission Ridge, where he was shot in the muscles of the left arm. He was honorably discharged June 6, 1865, at Washington, D. C., and returned to his home in Adams township, where he has resided ever since. He moved
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upon the farm where he now lives in 1874, and owns one hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 16 and 21.
Mr. Farden was married March 26, 1871, to Miss Mary Van Tress, and three children have been born to them, namely : William M., Fairy and Flora. Our subject is a strong Republican and a firm supporter of the principles of his party. Socially, he is a member of the George D. Wagner Post, No. 365, G. A. R., of Pine Village.
MICHAEL SUMMERS.
Among the pioneer families of Lauramie township, Tippecanoe county, was that of our subject's father, Michael Summers, Sr., who entered eighty acres of land here in 1830 and continued to make his home here for the remainder of his life. He was one of the children of Michael Summers, a farmer of Rockingham county, Virginia, who lived to attain an advanced age, his death occurring in the Old Dominion. Michael, father of our subject, was a native of Rockingham county, whence he removed to Ross county, Ohio, in his early manhood. There he married Miss Mary Schultz, and several children were born to them on the old farm in Ross county. In 1830 they removed to this county and settled in the dense woods with which their new homestead was covered. As soon as possible, a cabin of round logs was constructed, and later this humble abode was supplanted by a more preten- tious one of hewed logs, then looked upon as quite a palace, by the happy, contented inmates. As the years rolled by, the industry and unremitting toil of the father was rewarded, for he became well-to-do and influential in the community. After clearing his first farm of eighty acres, he entered one hundred and forty acres (the present homestead of our. subject), a tract of eighty acres of prairie land, and another place of similar dimensions in Randolph township. He was a Democrat in politics but was not an aspirant to public office, as he found his time fully occupied in the cultivation of his farm and in meeting the needs of his large family. To Michael and Mary Summers nine children were born: John, Philip, Catherine, Andrew, Sarah A., Edith, Henry, Michael, and Abram, and after the death of this wife the father married Ruth Ford, by whom he had five children, namely: Melinda, James, David, Benjamin, Mary, and William, who died in early life.
Michael Summers, born in Ross county, Ohio, November 19, 1827, was but three years old when the family removed to this locality, and he has no recollection of any other home than those he has had here. He dimly recalls the building of the two log cabins in which he spent his boyhood; and the subscription school in which he acquired his knowledge of books was of similar construction, and furnished with a puncheon floor, slab desks and
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benches. One may be sure that he was a full-fledged farmer long before he was twenty, for boys were obliged to work early and late in those days, and the clearing of a homestead in the virgin forest was no light undertaking, and every able-bodied member of the household must do his share.' After his marriage Mr. Summers located on a portion of the old homestead, and to the tract which he had inherited from his father's estate he added by degrees land which he purchased from the other heirs. By thrift and excellent man- agement he has become well-to-do, owning five hundred acres of valuable farm land, most of which is kept under cultivation.
The marriage of Michael Summers and Mary A. Corkins took place in this township April 7, 1864. She was born in Onondaga county, New York, July 5, 1833, a daughter of Robert and Cornelia (Richards) Corkins. The father, a native of the same county, was born November 6, 1806, his parents being David and Ann (Clark) Corkins, of Dutch descent. He was a dyer in a cloth factory in the Empire state, but in 1834 he removed to this county and settled upon a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he entered and improved. In 1866 he removed to Kansas, where he home- steaded a quarter section of land, and there spent his remaining years, his death occurring in 1884. He and his estimable wife were faithful members of the Christian church. They were the parents of two sons and three daughters: Sarah A., Mary A., Robert B., Cornelia J. and David B.
The only daughter of our subject and wife, Alice E., died at about two years of age; and Bertie E., a most promising young man, died when eighteen years old. Alvah B. married Emily M. Madden, and is an enter- prising farmer of this township. Henry Ernest is at home and is superin- tending the management of the farm. The sons were given a good educa- tion and early mastered the various departments of agriculture. Like their father, they are stanch Republicans, and are always ready to do their full share toward the promotion of all public improvements, the upholding of law and order, and everything, in short, which will benefit the community in which they dwell.
JOHN A. ROTH.
This enterprising and successful agriculturist of Richland township, Benton county, is the owner of a fine farm of three hundred and eighty-six acres, and his management of the place is marked by the scientific knowledge and skill which characterize the modern farmer.
Mr. Roth was born in Harrison county, Indiana, September 13, 1860, and was the fifth son born to Adam and Magdaline (Reuter) Roth, natives of Bavaria, Germany, the former born in 1818, the latter in 1819. They were
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married in that country, in 1847, and the following year came to the New World, locating in Harrison county, Indiana, where the father purchased two hundred acres of land, which he operated for twenty years. On selling that place, in 1867, he came to Benton county and bought three hundred and fifteen acres in Richland township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his energies until called to his final rest, January I, 1896. The mother still resides on the home farm, three and a half miles northeast of Earl Park. Of the eight children born to them, the two eldest, both of whom were given the name of Rose, died in infancy; Eve is the wife of Frank Bolinger, of Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he owns three hun- dred and twenty acres of land; Frederick is a carpenter and architect of Duluth, Minnesota; Mary is the widow of Joseph Bury, and makes her home near Fort Smith, Arkansas; Barbara is the wife of Joseph Yochem, a farmer owning one hundred and fifty-five acres four and a half miles northeast of Earl Park; John A. is the next of the family; and Joseffa is now away from home. Our subject's paternal grandfather was Valentine Roth, and both he and his wife were natives of Bavaria, Germany.
The early education of John A. Roth, acquired in the district schools of Richland township, Benton county, was supplemented by a course at the St. Patrick's Brothers school in Chicago, and the Notre Dame University, which he attended one year in all. He then took a thorough business course at the C. M. Robinson Business College, at Lafayette, and he feels a just pride in the preparation for life's work, for he made his own way through school and is well fitted for any position which he may be called upon to fill. At the age of twenty-five he returned to his father's farm, which he had pre- viously operated, but in 1886 he bought two hundred and twenty-six acres from Adams Earl, and four years later added to it one hundred and sixty acres, all'in Richland township, Benton county. In connection with it he also operates two hundred acres of the Earl farm, and is meeting with most excellent success. While he carries on general farming he makes a specialty of the raising of small fruits, and in this branch of his business has also been very successful. For the past few years he has also been extensively inter- ested in the raising of potatoes. In 1896, from twenty-seven acres, he raised seven thousand bushels.
At Kentland, Indiana, September 13, 1887, Mr. Roth was married, by Rev. Father Miller, to Miss Mary A. Burns, a daughter of James and Alice (Burns) Burns, of Kentland, formerly of Ireland. Mrs. Roth was born on Shelter Island, New York, February 13, 1864, and by her marriage has be- come the mother of five children : Jessie, born June 6, 1888; Alice, born July 11, 1889; one who died in infancy; Ruth, born March 25, 1894; and Ray, born January 3, 1896.
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Mr. Roth holds his ecclesiastical membership in the Catholic church of Fowler; politically he is identified with the Democracy; and socially affiliates with the Royal Arcanum and the Catholic Order of Foresters. His circle of friends and acquaintances is extensive and he well deserves the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
GEORGE W. MIKELS.
The Mikels family, to which the subject of this article belongs, is of sterling old Scotch stock, and for several generations it has been represented in the United States. Patriotism has been strongly manifested by every member of the family, and in each of the wars in which this country has been engaged some bearing the name have upheld her banner and honor among the nations.
The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, George Mikels, emigrated from Scotland to West Virginia, and was accompanied by his family. When the Revolutionary war came on he volunteered his services, and fought for the liberties of his adopted country. Of his children, George, the next in the line of descent, was born in America, as it is believed. After his mar- riage he settled on the Salt river, in Kentucky, and was a participant in some of the early Indian wars of that section of the Union. He had a number of daughters and sons, the names of the latter being George, Joel, Thomas, John and William. He lived to an advanced age, his death occurring in Kentucky.
George Mikels, the father of George W. of this sketch, was born in the Blue Grass state in 1807, and about 1836 or 1838 he removed to Indiana. He entered land in Franklin township, Montgomery county, and cleared a farm, which he continued to cultivate until the Mexican war. He had mar- ried in his youth, and had two sons, John and William, by that union. He and his son John volunteered their services to the government, and fought until victory perched upon our banners. The father served under General Manson at Vera Cruz and at its capture. As our soldiers were about to leave the city of Mexico, which had surrendered, John Mikels was lost track of, and no further trace of him was ever found. He had been observed buy- ing a watermelon, with which he strolled into a side street, and it is believed that he was assassinated by some of the vengeful Mexicans. The father did not recover from the effects of his arduous army life, but died the year of his return home, in 1847. He was an exemplary member of the Christian church, in which he was an able and eloquent exhorter. Politically, he was a Democrat.
George W. Mikels, who was born near Darlington, Montgomery .county, Indiana, is a child of his father's second marriage. His mother,
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Elizabeth (McVey), Mikels, was a native of Kentucky, born in 1814. With his brothers, Thomas and Elijah, and sister, Jane, our subject passed his youth on the pioneer farm, having no educational advantages save that he once attended a subscription school for three months. At the age of seven- teen years, on the 23d of October, 1861, he enlisted as a private of Company K, Fortieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, his captain being John Gordon. His term of enlistment was three years, or during the war, and he was hon- orably discharged at Huntsville, Alabama, in January, 1865, after having served for three years and three months. He was always prompt and cheer- ful and perfectly trustworthy in the performance of all his duties, and was never absent from his post save when, for three months, he was home on a furlough, ill with a severe siege of typhoid fever. He took part in the cele- brated battles of Stone river, Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, and was active in the numerous great engagements of the Atlanta campaign, when for over four months the Union troops were under almost constant fire. He fought at Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw mountain and Peach Tree creek, and in the last named encounter with the enemy was wounded in the right ankle by a frag- ment of shell. The result of this was his confinement for three months in hos- pital No. 15, at Nashville. Upon recovery he returned to the ranks and was actively engaged in the battle of Franklin, one of the most hotly con- tested engagements of the war.
When peace had been declared, Mr. Mikels resumed agricultural pursuits, and for several years rented land in Randolph township, Tippecanoe county. In 1892 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and three acres of valuable and well improved land. He is a careful, thrifty agricult- urist and business man, and has been honored with all of the township offices, save that of justice of the peace, which he declined. He has been assessor, and supervisor several times and has been one of the township trustees for the past four years. He uses his franchise in favor of the Dem- ocratic party.
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