USA > Indiana > Grant County > Biographical memoirs of Grant County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography with portraits of many national characters and well-known residents of Grant County, Indiana. > Part 114
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On his return to Grant county, the same year, Mr. Furnish was elected the assessor of Fairmount township, and in the spring of 1865 he entered Purdy University or Busi- ness College, at Indianapolis, was gradu- ated and returned to Fairmount township, where he taught school from 1865 to 1867. Mr. Furnish then served twelve months as deputy sheriff under Alexander Buchanan,
and was appointed, the next year, deputy auditor under William Neal, which position he filled three years; from 1869 to 1872 he served as sergeant-at-arms in the state sen- ate of Indiana; in 1870 was census enumer- ator for Grant county, and then moved to Delaware county, served as deputy auditor under Abraham J. Buckles for four years, and in 1875 moved to and lived on a farm in Delaware county two years; he next bought a farm in Montgomery county, Kan- sas, on which he lived until the fall of 1878, when he was elected township clerk for two years, but in 1879 moved to Wichita, Kan- sas, where for a few months he conducted a hotel, then sold out, but continued his resi+ dence there for two years; he then went to Kingman county and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he lived until 1889, and while there served as door- keeper of the house of representatives from 1885 to 1887, and was also railroad com+ missioner in 1887.
In 1890 Mr. Furnish returned to and settled in Jonesboro, Mill township, Grant county, Indiana, where he is now living in quiet retirement. It was in this town that John Furnish married, December 29, 1859, Martha J. Garrison, a native of the town and a daughter of Reuben and Levina ( Ha- vens) Garrison, and this union has been blessed with five children, viz. : James W., Nancy A., Minnie B., Reuben S. and Thom- as G.
Mr. Furnish has been an Odd Fellow since 1865, and is also a member of Mag- nolia Post, G. A. R., of Jonesboro. The Furnish family is one of the most highly re- spected in Mill township, and all are honored for their individual merits.
Benjamin F. Furnish, and uncle of John
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Furnish, was drafted into the United States service during the Civil war and served one year, and while traveling by railroad was in- jured and was soon afterward discharged from service. Mrs. Furnish also had two brothers that enlisted in the Civil war, John and Henry W. John was a member of Company F, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, and died in the service; and Henry W. was a member of Company A, Eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served four years and four months, and is now a resident of Jefferson township, Grant county.
WILLIAM R. COOMLER.
William R. Coomler, a gallant ex-sol- dier of the late Civil war and now a highly respected citizen and prominent politician of Jonesboro, Grant county, Indiana, is a na- tive of Ohio, being born in Montgomery county, near Dayton, May 8, 1841, the son of Jacob and Mary ( Hoffman) Coomler. Jacob Coomler moved with his family from their native state of Ohio to Indiana in 1842, selecting a farm in Wabash county as their future home. There William R. spent his boyhood days, assisting his father on the farm and attending school during the winter months. The schools of that day, however, were not like those of to- day; they were principally conducted in log school-houses, and the pedagogues were not very brilliant. He remained under the pa- rental roof until 1861, when he returned to Ohio, going to Butler county, where he worked out on a farm, remaining there but a few months, as, when the call was given for volunteers to defend the nation's flag, William R. was one of the first to respond, and on June 10, 1861, enlisted as a private
in Company G, Twelfth Ohio Infantry, for three years. He went with his company into West Virginia, and first became engaged in the battle at Scarey Creek, and the second engagement was the deadly second battle of Bull Run, in which he was wounded by a minie ball, which, striking him just below the nose, passed through the cheek bone and came out just in front of the right ear. It was a very serious wound and rendered him unconscious for several hours. He was first taken to the Alexandria field hospital, then to the hospital at David's Island, near New York city, where he remained for about four and one-half months, when he was dis- charged on account of disability occasioned by the wound he received on the 17th day of January, 1863, having spent the greater part of two years in serving his country.
After receiving his discharge Mr. Coom- ler returned to his old home in Wabash county, Indiana, remaining there two years; then rented another farm for the term of one year, when he moved on his father's farm, living there until 1880, at which time he removed to Grant county, purchasing a farm of eighty acres in Green township, where he lived until 1892, when he came to Jonesboro.
Mr. Coomler was engaged from 1892 until 1894 in the hardware business, in which he was successful. Mr. Coomler is a wide- awake and enterprising citizen, always in- terested in whatever is for the betterment of the general welfare and public interest, and in 1895 he was appointed superintend- ent of the paving of the brick streets of his native city, and after the completion of the same he became interested in the insurance business, in which he has met with marked success.
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In August, 1863, Mr. Coomler was uni- ted in marriage with Miss Sarah Moore, daughter of Thomas and Mildred Moore. To this union have been born twelve chil- dren, six of whom are living, namely : Ro- setta, who is now the wife of J. L. Morri- son, of Normal, Indiana; Morton E., who is following his father in patriotism and is now in the First Light Artillery in the Phil. ippine islands; Elva, the wife of Burton Rush, living in Green township, Grant coun- ty ; Emma, wife of John Laprell, a merchant tailor of Jonesboro; and Elmer E. and Myr- tle, who are still under the parental roof,
In 1886 Mr. Coomler was elected coun- ty commissioner to fill an unexpired term of William Ayres, serving over two years in that capacity, and was rewarded for his attentiveness to business and capability in doing so and was again elected county com- missioner, serving from 1891 to 1894, and in 1901 was elected county assessor by thir- ty-five hundred majority. Politically Mr. Coomler is a Republican, and has always been an ardent worker for his party.
Mr. Coomler is a member of Magnolia Post, No. 409, G. A. R., of Jonesboro, in which he is a past-post commander and has filled many of the offices in this order. He is also a consistent member of the Chris- tian church, to which he and his family liberally contribute.
Mr. Coomler has ever been an industri- ous citizen and a useful one. He has been a good manager, has made a success of his business, and he and his family enjoy the unfeigned eteem of all who know them.
DENNIS HAISLEY.
Dennis Haisley is a well-known farmer and is a trustee of Liberty township, where he was born August 26, 1859. His pater-
nal ancestors were English, and came to America during colonial days and assisted in freeing their adopted land from British dominion. The first members of the fam- ily in America settled in Pennsylvania, and some of their descendants removed to North Carolina, where John Haisley, the father of Dennis, was born November 6, 1817. He came to Indiana from North Carolina and for a time resided in Wayne county, whence in 1838 he came to Grant county and set- tled on land entered by his father in 1836, in section 14, in Liberty township, and lived here until 1877, when he removed to Marion, Indiana, and passed the remaining years of his life, which ended November 6, 1879.
John and Ann (Hawkins) Haisley were the parents of ten children: Jane, now Mrs. Jesse Carey ; Emily and Elmina, twins; Allen resides in Cincinnati, Ohio; Calvin is dead; Susanna is now Mrs. El- wood Scott, of Pickering, Ontario, Canada; Harvey and Harlan reside at Fairmount; Dennis is the subject of this sketch; and one died in infancy.
Dennis Haisley attended the district schools of his native township and the graded schools of Marion. In 1878 he en- gaged in farming, to which vocation ho had been reared. He now owns seventy acres of well-improved and valuable land, and is numbered among the leading men of his township. In politics he is a Republi- can, and in 1898 was appointed to fill an unexpired term of two years as trustee of Liberty township, and as his conduct in office was satisfactory his fellow townsmen in 1900 elected him to the office for a term of four years. He is prominent as an Odd Fellow, being a member of Subordinate, Encampment and Rebekah lodges, and hav-
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ing passed the chairs in Fairmount Lodge, No. 381, and represented the lodge in the grand lodge.
July 1, 1882, Mr. Haisley married Lou- isa Gross, daughter of Philip and Mahala (Faulkerson) Gross. She was born June 6, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Haisley have five chil- dren, viz. : Minnie A., born December 3. 1883; Ethel M., born August 21, 1886; John W., born October 24, 1888; Susie J., born December 25, 1890; and Paul, born February 28, 1894.
Philip Gross was born in Germany, and after coming to the United States enlisted as a volunteer soldier in the Civil war, and while in the service was taken sick and died in a hospital in New Orleans in December, 1863, where his remains were buried. He was the father of the following children : Lottie, now Mrs. Wade, resides in South Tennessee; Washington resides in Marion ; Mrs. Haisley; Julia is deceased, and was Mrs. Marshall Newell, of Illinois. The mother of Mrs. Haisley was born in Virginia and died in Cincinnati, Ohio, aged sixty- two years.
Mr. and Mrs. Haisley are members of the Friends church.
OYSTER BAY HOTEL AND RES- TAURANT.
Oyster Bay Hotel and Restaurant is one of the most popular places in the gas belt of Indiana, and is an example of what perse- verance and business sagacity, coupled with courteous treatment of the public, can ac- complish. The growth of this place of busi- ness has been remarkable, and it now en- joys an enviable reputation with the citizens
of Marion, and the traveling public. Only a few years ago the Oyster Bay began busi- ness in one room, but under the able man- agement of its proprietors, Messrs. Graham & Rippy, it soon grew in favor and the busi- ness increased until now it serves as large a number of people daily as any eating-house ir the city.
The dining-room is very large, and the table is daily provided with a variety of wholesome and well-prepared dishes. The meats are especially delicious, as the pro- prietors do their own butchering. There is also a lunch counter, where short orders are furnished at all hours. The sleeping rooms are large and well furnished, and all are occupied every night. The sample- room is clean and orderly, and its service equal to any in the city. The entire build- ing is lighted by electricity and heated by natural gas, and is supplied with other mod- ern improvements. All the different depart- ments are under the direct management of the proprietors, and they devote their entire time to the business, giving attention to its every detail. Mr. Graham is ably assisted by his amiable wife, who spends much time at the desk and at once makes strangers feel at home.
Vance Graham, senior member of the firm, was born March 7, 1857, and is the sixth of seven children born unto A. V. and Celia Graham, natives of Indiana. He was reared on a farm, attended the district schools until nineteen years of age, after which, for five years, he worked in flouring- mills in Johnson and Carroll counties. Com- ing to Marion, he served in the employ of Hon. James Charles three years, when he opened a small restaurant that was the be- ginning of the Oyster Bay. He married in
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Carroll county, March 1, 1880, Sarah Cath- erine, daughter of Eli and Susannah (Ride- nour) Huff, natives of Ohio and Pennsyl- vania, respectively.
Mr. and Mrs. Graham have two chil- dren: Frederick O. and Daisy M. Mrs. Graham and daughter are members of the Presbyterian church.
George Alfred Rippy was born in Lees- burg, Kosciusko county, Indiana. He was the third child of C. D. and Eugenie Rippy. When merely a boy he went to the Rocky Mountains, where he lived in Idaho and Montana for a number of years. Coming back to the east he located in Philadelphia, where he lived for four years previous to coming to Marion. Mr. Rippy has been an extensive traveler and is well acquainted in almost all parts of this country and has been identified in the light harness horse business in many places.
Graham & Rippy are proprietors of what is known as the Oyster Bay training and sale stable of Marion, where they have a competent trainer and are handling some of the best horses for speed in Indiana. Prom- inent among which are Oyster Bay Jack, Quline, Con Belle, and a number of others of more than local reputation.
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WILLIAM R. BAIRD.
Among our most prominent citizens we find the name of William R. Baird, who served his country during the Civil war and has ever shown honor to the flag of our nation, and is ever ready when the appointed time comes, the 30th of May, to assist in decorating the graves of his brave comrads, 55
who were less fortunate than he. Further mention of his war record will be given below.
William R. Baird is a native of Ohio, was born in Guernsey county, April 27, 1835, is a son of William F. and Jane (Henderson) Baird, and is one of nine chil- dren born to his parents, there being five sons and four daughters, six of this number are still living.
That this was a patriotic family is shown by the fact that four of the five sons were in the service during the Civil war, all enlist- ing in different regiments-one of which sons lost his life during an engagement.
William F. Baird, father of William R., removed his family from their native state of Ohio to Indiana in 1852, locating in Washington township, Grant county. He was a shoemaker by trade, which he carried on in connection with farming. He lived to advanced age of ninety years.
When William R. Baird was but a small boy, he began making his own living by working out on a farm; he then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until August II, 1862, when he offered his ser- vice in defense of the country, enlisted and was appointed second sergeant in Company I, One Hundred and First Indiana Volun- teer Infantry. He went with his company to Kentucky, where they were engaged in pursuing General Bragg, their first engage- ment being at Perrysville; he was also en- gaged in the pursuit of General Morgan. His time of service was cut short, owing to failing health, and he was discharged on account of disability in April, 1863. He then returned to Jonesboro, Grant county, Indiana, but was in feeble health, unable to work. Upon regaining his health he became
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engaged in the drug business with his fa- ther-in-law, Dr. Pierce. He then spent some few years in Kansas where he pur- chased a farm, but finding it more pleasant, as well as more profitable, to be among his friends and relatives, returned to the place of his nativity.
In October, 1857, Mr. Baird was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, the genial and lovable daughter of Dr. Pierce. To this union were born seven children, named in order of birth as follows, viz .: John A., William, Charles, Arthur, Edward, Flora and Lula.
Politically Mr. Baird is an active Re- publican and takes a prominent part in the party work of his community. He is not only a devout member of the Methodist Protestant church, but assists in many meet- ings, and may be said to be local preacher, in which capacity he has done much good.
Mr. Baird has been a member of the Masonic order for thirty-seven years, in which he is also an active worker and has rendered that order much valuable assist- ance during his many years' membership; he is also an ardent worker in the G. A. R. post, of Jonesboro. Socially, Mr. Baird, with his family enjoy the society of the best people of Jonesboro and are a highly re- spected family.
EMANUEL PENCE.
Emanuel Pence, prominent as a citizen and farmer of Richland township, Grant county, Indiana, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, July 7, 1832, and is a son of the honored pioneer, Lewis and Savilla (Norman) Pence, whose life-history may be found in the sketch of Lewis J. Pence.
Emanuel Pence was but ten years of age when brought to Grant county by his par- ents, and may be classed among the young pioneers, as he assisted in clearing up the parental farms in Richland township, being brought here at the age of thirteen. He has always followed the vocation to which he was reared.
In 1856, in Franklin township, Grant county, Mr. Pence married Miss Mary F. Coffman, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John and Margaret (Baker) Coffman, who came from the Keystone state to Grant county in an early day and devel- oped a farm from the wilds of Franklin township. To Mr. and Mrs. Pence have been born five children: Edward G., who died young; Milo, a resident of Converse ; Mrs. Laura J. Snyder, on the home farm; William S. (married) and David F., also on the parental homestead, but Mrs. Pence passed away in 1882.
In politics Mr. Pence is a stalwart Re- publican, and is quite active in his work for the party. He is classed with the most prosperous agriculturist of his township, and his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 27, Richland township, which he cleared up from the woods, is now in a good state of cultivation and is a model of neat- ness and fruitfulness. Like all the rest of this pioneer family, he ranks high in the es- teem of his fellow-citizens.
LEWIS J. PENCE.
Lewis J. Pence, one of the oldest and most honored of the citizens of Richland township, Grant county, Indiana, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, January 18, 1829, and is a son of Lewis and Savilla
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(Norman) Pence, the former of whom was born in Virginia and was a son of Lewis and Elizabeth Pence, natives of Germany, who first located in Virginia on coming to America and later emigrated to Champaign county, Ohio, where they passed the re- mainder of their lives.
To Lewis and Elizabeth Pence were born nine children, viz .: Jacob, who died in Ohio; Susan became the wife of George Myers and died in Grant county, Indiana ; Mrs. Kate Bayler died in Champaign coun- ty, Ohio; Mrs. Millie Bloce also died in the same county ; Martin came to Grant county ir. 1846, entered land, and here passed away ; Adam died in Champaign county, Ohio; Mrs. Barbara Philips died in Somerset, Wa- bash county, Indiana; Millie (second) was first Mrs. Nun, and next Mrs. Laing, and died in Miami county, Indiana, and Lewis, the father of Lewis J.
Lewis Pence attended school in Virginia until taken, when still a boy, to Champaign county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and was married in 1823. In 1842 he came to Grant county, settled one mile north of Marion and there made his home until 1845, when he came to Richland township and in 1846 entered one hundred and sixty acres of woodland in section 27, where he was com- pelled to clear a space large enough for the erection of a log cabin. He was percerving, however, cleared off all the timber from his original entry and added to it until he at one time owned one thousand and one hundred acres of fine farm land, and was considered to be the best farmer in the town- ship. In politics he was first a Whig, but on the disintegration of that party became identified with the Republicans and always took a lively interest in his party's success.
On this homestead his wife passed away, September 1, 1874, and his own lamented death took place February 1, 1875.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Pence were seven in number, namely : Chris- tian, who was born in Ohio, but died a farmer of Richland township, Grant county, Indiana; Mary was the wife of John High- ley, and also died in this township; Lewis J. is the subject proper of this sketch; Solomon resides near Mier; Emanuel, in Richland township; Lemuel in Grundy county, Mis- souri, and Barbara died in Richland town- ship in 1846.
Lewis J. Pence was reared in Ohio until his fifteenth year, when he came to Grant county, Indiana, with his parents, whom he assisted in clearing up the homestead in the woods, and partly cleared up his own farm, which had been entered for him by a cousin, Samuel Long. Mr. Pence remained on the parental homestead until he was twenty- three years old and then settled on his own property, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, and built himself a log cabin in the woods. This land he has since cleared off and put under a high state of cultivation, has erected upon it a handsome dwelling and substantial barns and other farm buildings, and now has one of the best farms in the county.
January 1, 1852, L. J. Pence married, in Richland township, Miss Elizabeth Fisher, who was born in Union county, Indiana, and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Moss) Fisher, who were born near Richmond, Vir- ginia, early located in Union county, Indi- ana, and in 1848 came to Grant county, and bought a timber tract in Richland township, and wrought from the wilderness a profit- able farm. On this homestead Mrs. Fisher
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died in 1854, and six weeks later Mr. Fisher was called away. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fisher; Deliah died in Sweetzer in 1895; Mrs. Frances Sexton died in Howard county in 1892; David was ac- cidentally killed in Richland township, Grant county ; Jonathan resides in Howard county ; Daniel died in the army in 1862 ; Mrs. Pence is next in order of birth; Mrs. Martha Crane died in Miami county in 1853; Mary died in 1854; Catharine died in Union coun- ty when two years old and Lydia died it: Richland township, Grant county, in 1879.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis J. Pence are five in number, viz. : Mary S., born April 19, 1852, is the wife of William Wimmer, of Greene township and the mother of the following children: Aaron Sherman, Clarence M., Wilbur Orthello, Abalulah Magdalena, Gi Lindley, Letitia (deceased), Galura, Mrs. Melissa Jones, Arthur Abner, Alvah Loren, Dora and Man- celona. David Monroe Pence, born in 1854, resides with his father, Theodore Freeman Pence was born in 1855, married Belle Payne, lives in Jackson township, Miami county, and has seven children, viz. : Mary Belle, Edith May, Lewis Raymond, Rose Pearl, James Monroe, and William Hobart, who died in July, 1898; Erl N. Pence is the seventh child born to L. F. and wife; Will- iam C. Pence was born in 1860. Amanda Rosetta Pence died in September 9, 1871, aged five years, seven months and ten days.
Lewis J. Pence is, politically, an active Republican and fraternally is a member of Converse Lodge, No. 601, F. & A. M. and stands to-day among the most substantial and highly respected citizens of Grant county.
GEORGE EDWIN WHEAT DULING (DECEASED).
"He giveth his beloved sleep." On Sep- tember 2, 1894, George Edwin Wheat Dul- ing sank to sleep, leaving a beautiful and un- fading record to attest the truth of his hav- ing lived and wrought and now passed on to a higher field of labor. He was born in Fairmount township, Grant county, Indiana, August 15, 1854, here grew to manhood, and here died, his personal traits being such as to draw to himself lasting friendships and strengthen those ties already formed. His life was singularly pure and beautiful, and had glided smoothly along to its mer- idian, where the golden mists of hope lie warm over the mountain tops, and the clouds of sorrow, asleep in the clear blue of the mid-day sky, gave no hint of the storm about to burst and carry his tempest tossed boat into the harbor of eternal life. Devoted to wife and children, he was happiest when seated with them at his fireside, they being to him what clubs, politics, or fame is to other men, and the petty cares of the day melted under his genial presence as the hoar frost disappears before the noon-day sun. He was a stanch and loyal friend, willing to sacrifice personal comfort and convenience to effect the good of another. The history of his life is briefly told. As a lad he at- tended the public schools of his native town- ship and there acquired his education. At the age of twenty years he left school and engaged in farming, a calling in which he persevered until his death.
October 8, 1881, Mr. Duling was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Latham, daughter of Thomas Peter and Sina Mar- garet (Duling) Latham, the union resulting
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in the birth of five daughters, namely : Jessie, born January 18, 1882; Blanche, born Sep- tember 19, 1883; Myrtle, born February 7, 1886; Hazel, born August 18, 1889; and Georgia, born July 27, 1894. These chil- dren were the delight of his heart and he took great pleasure in planning for their future, that it might be useful and good. In politics he was a Republican. Public- spirited and generous, he was interested in all that pertained to the general welfare and ever ready with both time and money to help advance any enterprise looking to the improvement of the commonwealth. The hand of aid was ready to be extended to the needy ones of earthı, and it was not an empty one, many a grateful recipients of his bounty blessing the kind giver, whose help was so unostentatious and timely. He was a con- sistent member of the Methodist Protestant church, foremost in every good work, and his death was the cause of widespread sor- row throughout the entire community.
Thomas Peter Latham, the father of Mrs. Duling, was a son of George L. and Lucinda (Bunnell) Latham, and was born in Virginia on October 20, 1832. He was a harnessmaker by trade and piled his craft in Coshocton county, Ohio, whither he moved at an early day, and which was his home until he came to Fairmount in 1881, and where he lived until his death, October 18, 1898. His wife, Sina Margaret Duling, was born December 1, 1832, and reared a family of five children, namely: George Edmond, born July 2, 1858, a resident of Columbus, Ohio ; Caroline, widow of George Edwin Wheat Duling, was born in Coshoc- ton county, Ohio, January 26, 1860; Mary, born January 20, 1862, married Dr. Will- iam Thomas, of Fairmount, and died De-
cember 27, 1888; Joel, born July 24, 1868, married Miss Nettie Maddy; Myrtle, born January 8, 1870; and Iona, born February 24, 1873, now the wife of Dr. Vigus. Mrs. Duling is a lady of many estimable quali- ties and has a large circle of warm friends in Fairmount and the surrounding country.
JOSEPH A. WEST.
Joseph A. West, a most prominent citi- zen of Mier, Richland township, Grant coun- ty, Indiana, and a well-known dealer in real estate, including town lots and farm prop- erty, also a dealer in live stock and mer- chandise, has been a resident of Grant coun- ty since 1852. He is a native of Cham- paign county, Ohio, was born April 16, 1850, and is a son of Nathaniel and Mary A. (Knapp) West, the former of whom was born in Kentucky and the latter in Ohio.
Nathaniel West was reared in Kentucky and was a live-stock dealer and drover, but removed to Ohio, in which state he was married. He was in the habit of coming to Indiana and buying stock and driving it to Champaign county, Ohio, but in 1852, came to Indiana to remain; built a log cabin in the woods at what is now Marion, and en- gaged extensively in stock dealing. He did not live long, however, after coming to In- diana, as his death occurred in 1855, but his widow still resides at Mier, at the some- what advanced age of eighty-two years. To the marriage of Nathaniel West and Mary A. Knapp were born five children; viz .: Sarah E., married to a Mr. Lillard, a farmer of Marion ; James M., who enlisted at LaRue; Ohio, in 1861, in the Ninty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the three
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months' service, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment veteranized in the same company ; served until the close of the war, and died in Marion, although his home, after the Civil war, was in Wells county, Indiana; William R., resides at Sycamore, Indiana; Taylor enlisted, at the age of four- teen years in 1863, in the Fifth Indiana Cavalry, served until the war closed, and died in Mier, in 1876; the remaining child is Joseph A., the subject of this sketch.
Joseph A. West was reared and educated in Grant county and began business on his own account by farming and dealing in stock buying and selling horses and cattle in Illinois and elsewhere, going, indeed as far southwest as Shreveport, Louisiana, and driving his purchases as far as Topeka, Kan- sas, being at times as long as four months on the road; he has also dealt in stock in Texas, and has driven it across the Indian Territory many times. In 1881 he located at Mier, Grant county, Indiana, and has since been engaged in various kinds of trad- ing, as is indicated at the opening of this sketch.
Mr. West was united in marriage in Sims township, Grant county, in 1880, to Miss Jane Zirkle, a native of the township and a daughter of Willis and Amanda Zirkle, who came from Ohio in an early day and opened up a large farm of fully three hun- dred acres, on which Mr. Zirkle died in 1881 ; his widow is now a resident of Swayzee, Grant county.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. West has been blessed with three children, born in the following order: Vesta, Frank and Glenn. Ir. politics Mr. West is a Democrat. As a business man he has made his way through the world by his own keen knowledge of
men and things, and by his quick perception of business opportunities as they have pre- sented themselves. He has risen to opu- lence and influence, and is one of the re- spected residents of his township.
GEORGE M. KOCHER.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is manager of the Marion branch of the Terre Haute Brewing Company, at Marion, and he is numbered among the en- ergetic and successful business men of that city. He is of German extraction, his grand- parents having emigrated to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania, where his father, John Kocher, was born ..
John Kocher learned the trade of car- penter, and was united in marriage with Maggie Moeler. They came to Indiana and became pioneers of Huntington county, set- tling on government land. Here John Kocher improved a home and followed his trade successfully for many years. He ac- cumulated a competency, but placing too much confidence in his fellow men he lost much of his property by acting as surety for others.
In 1886 he was stricken with partial paralysis and thus became incapacitated for further work at his trade. He still resides at Fort Wayne.
George M. Kocher is one of the six chil- dren born to John and Maggie (Moeler) Kocher. He was born in Huntington county, Indiana, October 26, 1869, where the early years of his life were passed. He attended the common schools but his school days were limited to his early childhood days, as he left the school room when eight
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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS.
years old. As a boy he worked for the neighbors and subsequently was employed in a box factory at Fort Wayne until 1885, when he accepted a position with the Cent- liver Brewing Company of that city, whom he served about three years, and, being pro- moted as manager of the bottling depart- ment, proved his ability and trustworthiness to such an extent that the firm made him their representative at Marion, and he here faithfully cared for their interests for three and one-half years. His business qualifica- tions were noticed by others, and when the Terre Haute Brewing Company decided to locate a branch at Marion they entrusted its management of Mr. Kocher and he has looked after their interests in Grant county since that date. Under his able manage- ment the business has steadily increased until now there are distributed from this point about six thousand five hundred bar- rels of beer annually, and the business gives
employment to five men and ten horses. The main plant of the Terre Haute Brewing Company is located in the city from which it takes its name, and has a capacity of four hundred and fifty thousand barrels per year.
George M. Kocher was united in mar- riage October 28, 1896, with Miss Daisy Slack, and they have one daughter, Marga- ret M., born April 28, 1899. Mr. Kocher has been frugal, industrious and conse- quently successful. He commenced a poor boy and without being aided by any one financially he has accumulated considerable property. His comfortable home, located at 307 North Adams street, was built by him and is worth several thousand dollars. He also owns other residence property in this city. Socially he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Royal Arcanum. In politics he acts inde- pendent of party ties.
Friends F
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Friends F532.G7 B5 c. 1 080107 000 Biographical memoirs of Grant
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