USA > Indiana > Wells County > Biographical memoirs of Wells County, Indiana : embracing a comprehensive compendium of local biography, memoirs of representative men and women of the county whose works of merit have made their names imperishable, and special articles by Hugh Dougherty [et al.] > Part 16
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Mr. Fleming made considerable money 9
by pasturing and feeding live stock, es- pecially cattle, in which business his success was most gratifying. As a farmer he early took rank among the most enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the county and in his various business transactions he was no less fortunate. He mounted rapidly the ladder of success, managed with masterly skill every undertaking in which he engaged and from the small beginning alluded to has advanced step by step until he is now the possessor of a competence of much greater magnitude than the majority of farmers at- tain. Clear perception, correct judgment, comprehensive thought and stainless honor have ever characterized his career and he stands today not only at the head of his voca- tion, but as a citizen ranks with the repre- sentative men of his adopted county. Mr. Fleming possesses in a marked degree those traits and abilities which make men masters of their fate. Great industry and consecu- tive effort account largely for the success which has attended him, while his word has always been held as sacred as a written obli- gation. He has witnessed the remarkable growth and development of Wells county along all lines of industrial activity and to the best of his ability he has contributed of brawn and brain to bring about the results that now exist. During a residence here covering a period of sixty-four years his character has ever been above reproach and his conduct in every relation of life has been that of the upright man and honorable citi- zen. No man in the county is better known and few occupy as conspicuous a place in the confidence and esteem of the people. In politics he has voted with the Republican party ever since its organization, but has never taken a very active part in public af-
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fairs, preferring the plain, simple life of private citizenship to any official honors within the power of the people to bestow. His religious belief is embodied in the Pres- byterian creed and for a great many years he has been a faithful and earnest member of that communion. Originally he and wife belonged to the Pleasant Ridge church in Jefferson township, but later their member- ship was transferred to the Murray congre- gation in which he held the office of ruling elder and with which they are now identi- fied.
Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have been blessed with five children, namely: Mary J., wife of Albert Wilson; Sarah A., widow of the late Jere Sowl, of this county; Lydia Bell, who married James Wilson, of Lancaster township; Drusilla, now Mrs. Donaldson Wilson, and Martha Jeanette, widow of David Truesdale Wason.
JAMES C. HATFIELD.
In this utilitarian age, when there is so little just discrimination between decisive merit and shallow pretenses, when selfish as- surance is often better appreciated than modest, unpretending worth, it is a pleasure to contemplate the character and career of such a man as the subject of this review, a man who, though unassuming, has not been underestimated by the people and who in re- turn for their mark of favor has taught them how valuable may be those public services that must be sought for and are never ob- trusively displayed, as it were, on the po- litical auction block. Though a man with- out pretense, he possesses that magnetic force that silently attracts, those mental and
moral qualities and personal characteristics that win strong friendships and that tact that make men and events subserve his just purpose.
James Clement Hatfield is a scion of one of the oldest and most worthy pioneer fam- ilies of Wells county, his ancestors having been among the sturdy indomitable spirits that led the van of civilization into this sec- tion of the Hoosier state. Tracing the Hat- field genealogy, it is learned that the family originated in England, one of the first an- cestors of which there remains an authentic record being one John Hatfield, who in an early day engaged in the East India serv- ice and amassed an immense fortune by commerce and banking. He was twice mar- ried, the first wife, whose maiden name was Dorotha O'Neal, bearing him children as follows: Adam, Andrew, John and Sarah, all of whom came to America and spent the greater portion of their lives in this coun- try. The second wife of John Hatfield, Elizabeth Shippore, a native of England, died without issue. Mr. Hatfield died in India, leaving as was supposed a very large and valuable estate to his relations, but for some reason it was not properly ad- ministered on, the effect being that his law- ful heirs never obtained the possession due them.
Adam Hatfield, founder of the Ameri- can branch of the family, came to this coun- try prior to the struggle for independence and settled in Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania. About the year 1772 he was united in marriage with Margaret Dilworth, who bore him the following sons and daugh- ters: Elizabeth, John, Mary, Benjamin, Sarah, Margaret, Robert, Nancy, Joseph and Adam. Inr 1795 Adam Hatfield, with
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his large family, migrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, then a mere frontier trading post, and departed this life there the following year. The family then returned to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where they made their home until 1815, at which time Mrs. Hatfield and her sons, Robert, Adam and Joseph, re- moved to Wayne county, Ohio, settling near the town of Wooster.
Adam Hatfield, Jr., married Miss Martha Kirkpatrick, a lady of great force of character, well fitted by nature and early training to bear the hard lot of pioneer life, and about the year 1839 moved to Wells county, Indiana, locating in Jefferson town- ship three miles north of the present site of Murray on a tract of four hundred and eighty acres of land which he had previously entered. Here he erected his log cabin, made a small clearing and entered upon that course of life which subsequently made him one of the leading farmers and prominent citizens of this part of the state. Adam Hatfield was a man of excellent parts and early took an active interest in public af- fairs, having been one of the first officials in Jefferson township. Although of limited education as far as a knowledge of books was concerned, he possessed a clear mind, quick perception, correct judgment, and was a leader of thought and moulder of opinion in his community. He also exerted a whole- some influence as a director of moral and religious sentiment among his neighbors and politically early took a decided stand as a Whig against the nefarious institution of human slavery. A| Presbyterian in religion, he and his good wife may properly be termed the forerunners of that faith in the county of Wells. In their little cabin home were held the first religious services ever
conducted in this part of the state, Rev. Isaac A. Ogden, of the Miami (Ohio) presbytery, officiating. The outgrowth of these services was a regularly organized church, the first in the county, of which Rev. John H. Russ was chosen pastor. In 1840 occurred the death of Mrs. Adam Hatfield and her re- mains were laid to rest in the old Miller burying ground. Subsequently the body was removed to the cemetery at Murray where now it lies awaiting the resurrection of the just. Adam Hatfield afterwards entered into the marriage relation with Mrs. Elizabeth Steward, who remained his faith- ful companion and helpmeet until his death, which occurred in 1848 at the age of fifty- five years.
Hiram Hatfield, son of Adam and Martha (Kirkpatrick) Hatfield, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, but spent his child- hood and youth amid the pioneer scenes of Wells county, Indiana. Owing to the lack of educational facilities his advantages in the way of intellectual development were exceedingly limited, being confined to a small private school taught by Miss Mar- garet Hatfield in a little log cabin that for- merly stood on the Hatfield homestead. It is said that this lady received for her serv- ices the munificent sum of seventy-five cents per week and boarded among the patrons of the school, spending a week with each fam- ily in succession until the end of the term. Notwithstanding these unfavorable circum- stances Mr. Hatfield made the most of his opportunities and by much reading and close observation in after years became not only a good practical scholar, but a remarkably well informed man on many important sub- jects. In 1850 he chose a companion in the person of Miss Martha A. Egbert, who
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entered into rest after two years of happy wedded life. Subsequently Mr. Hatfield married Miss Catherine K. Donaldson, daughter of Robert and Ann Donaldson, a union blessed with five children : Anna M., Victor M., James C., of this review, Jennie and Robert A.
In 1852 Mr. Hatfield disposed of his farm and engaged in the mercantile business at Murray, where he enjoyed a large and lucrative trade for sixteen years. In 1867 he purchased a stock of goods at Ossian where he carried on a very successful busi- ness, the magnitude of which necessitated the erection of the large two-story brick structure which was completed and occupied in the year 1880. From that time to the great panic in 1893 his trade constantly in- creased until his establishment easily became the leading house of the kind in the county. He was the embodiment of honor in all of his dealings and his name shines with pe- culiar luster as one of the most successful as well as one of the kindest and most oblig- ing merchants that ever carried on business in this section of the state. He easily met all of his obligations in ordinary times, but when the cyclone of disaster swept over the country in 1893 it became impossible for him to realize on his securities and out- standing accounts, consequently he, with hundreds of others, was engulfed in the tide. To such a man as he this proved a very heavy blow, but no blame has ever attached to his good name nor was the rectitude of his intentions for a moment criticised by those familiar with the peculiar conditions of the business situation at that time. . Ex- tremely sensitive, the wreck of the splendid fortune representing the labors and self-de- nials of a life time prostrated him physically
as well as financially. After a somewhat protracted illness he gently passed into the great unknown, departing this life on the 30th day of November, 1893, honored and respected by all who knew him. In addi- tion to his business career Mr. Hatfield had a military record, replete with duty faith- fully performed during the most momentous crisis in our national history. In 1861 he responded to the President's call for volun- teers to defend the Union, joining the Twelfth Indiana Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged at the ex- piration of his period of enlistment. When he entered the army it was to the great sacrifice of his business interests, but to one of his loyalty and true patriotic fervor the closing of his store for a few years and the consequent loss of custom was as nothing compared with the danger which at that time threatened the perpetuity of America's. beloved institutions. Religiously he was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian church and for many years served the local con- gregation to which he belonged as ruling elder. Soundly orthodox in his belief, he gave liberally of his means for the support of the gospel at home and abroad and also championed every cause that had for its ob- ject the elevation of man to a higher stand- ard of moral and Christian living and honor- able citizenship. In the language of an- other, "He left the heritage of a good name to his descendants, a name untarnished by even a suspicion of bad intent or wrong doing, a name that will long live throughout Wells county without a peer for unvarying integrity and stability of character." Mrs. Hatfield survives her husband and is still living in the town of Ossian.
James Clement Hatfield, the direct sub-
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ject of this sketch, is a native of Wells .county, Indiana, born in the village of Mur- ray on the 3Ist day of August, 1861. Much of character and success in life depends upon the right kind of parentage, in which respect the subject was peculiarly blessed. In early childhood there were implanted in his mind and heart principles of rectitude and honor which within the course of years crystallized into correct moral fiber, grow- ing with his growth and developing into well defined purposes as he advanced to- wards manhood's estate. At the proper age he entered the public schools of his native town and by close application made substan- tial progress in his studies, laying broad and deep a sure foundation for the useful career which he has subsequently led as an enterprising business man and trusted serv- ant of the public. Meantime of mornings and evenings he assisted his father in the store and his vacations were always spent behind the counter where, by intelligent ob- servation, he soon became familiar with the details of business and well acquainted with the underlying principles and ethics of com- mercial life. Young Hatfield pursued his studies until about ready to complete the last year of the high school course, when he yielded to his own and his father's in- clinations by entering the employ of the mercantile firm of Hatfield & Son. He also became a partner in the Ossian Cream- ery Company and for one year managed that enterprise to the satisfaction of the stock- holders and others concerned. Mr. Hat- field experienced his full share of the finan- cial disaster which caused such consterna- tion in business circles in 1893, but, with an energy born of a determination not to be- come discouraged, he rallied from the ef-
fects of the blow and in due time again found himself on the high road to prosper- ity and ultimate success. Early displaying decided interest as well as marked aptitude for public affairs, he became a politician in the best sense of the term. Reared a Re- publican and believing most earnestly in the principles of the party, he espoused the cause with all the ardor of his nature and it was not long until he was recognized as one of the energetic young leaders in the county of Wells. His services bringing him to public notice, he was elected chairman of his precinct and as such served with marked ability, contributing much to the success of the ticket. For a number of years he served as delegate to the various county, district and state conventions and by reason of valu- able services rendered the party as well as on account of his recognized fitness for the position, his friends, in 1898, nominated hin for the office of clerk of the Wells circuit court. This signal mark of favor was pe- culiarly complimentary in that it came to Mr. Hatfield unsolicited on his part, the one case in a thousand where the office seeks the man instead of the man seeking the office. Accepting the nomination in the spirit in which it was tendered, he went into the contest with the determination to win and notwithstanding the strength of the opposition his thorough canvass, aided largely by personal popularity, enabled him to vanquish his competitor and secure the office by a small majority. This victory speaks much for Mr. Hatfield's high stand- ing with the people when taking into con- sideration the overwhelming odds arrayed against him in the contest, the county being reliably Democratic. Mr. Hatfield entered upon the discharge of his duties with the
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best wishes of the public irrespective of party and that he has proven a most capable, courteous and obliging official is cheerfully conceded by all. His record thus far is with- out a blemish and such is his strength in his own county and district that his friends are justified in the prediction that the future awaits him with still higher honors which the people of the state at no distant day will .take pride in conferring.
It is not always easy to discover and de- fine the hidden forces that move a life of ceaseless activity ; little more can be done than to note their manifestation in the in- dividual's career. In view of this fact the life of Mr. Hatfield affords a striking ex- ample of well defined purpose with the abil- ity to make that purpose subserve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow man as well. He has proven a useful member of the body politic and, rising high in the con- fidence and esteem of the public, has always acquitted himself honorably, never falling below the dignity of true manhood nor in any way resorting to the methods and wiles of the professional partisan or demagogue. He is essentially a man among men, mov- ing as one who commands respect by innate force as well as by acquired leadership. As a citizen he easily ranks with the most in- fluential of his county, as a politician he is above the suspicion of dishonorable prac- tice and all who have been favored with an intimate acquaintance with him are profuse in their praise of his upright course and manly virtues.
Mr. Hatfield is a married man and the father of three children, whose names are Ethel, Hiram and Edgar. Mrs. Hatfield was formerly Miss Ella Gorrell, daughter of Milo and Mary Gorrell, and the ceremony
by which her name was changed to the one she now has was solemnized on the 13th day of September, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield are active members of the Presbyterian church, the former having served for a num- ber of years as superintendent of the Sun- day school, while both are deeply interested in disseminating the pure doctrines of Chris- tianity among men. Fraternally Mr. Hat- field is a thirty-second-degree Scottish Rite Mason, and also a member of chapter, coun- cil and commandery of the York Rite, and is well and favorably known to the brother- hood throughout the state. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias and K. O. T. M., having been honored with important official positions in both organizations. He is also a charter member of Bluffton Lodge No. 796. B. P. O. E.
NELSON KELLOGG TODD.
Nelson Kellogg Todd, son of the late Jacob Jefferson Todd, is a native of Wells county, Indiana, born in the city of Bluff- ton on the 10th day of February, 1867. His mother is Rachel J., daughter of Nelson Kellogg, one of the pioneers of his county. He early gave promise of intellectual pow- ers, and while still a youth made rapid prog- ress in his studies, completing the pre- scribed public school course when but six- teen years of age, graduating from the Bluffton high school in 1883. This was the first class ever graduated from that institu- tion and the subject was one of its young- est as well as one of its most creditable members. Having decided to make the law his profession, Mr. Todd began the study under his father's direction and in due time
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was sufficiently grounded in its principles to entitle him to admission to the bar. Ac- cordingly in 1889 he passed the required examination in the principles of law be- fore Hon. Joseph S. Dailey, judge of the twenty-eighth judicial district, and after his formal admission entered upon the practice at Bluffton in the office of Wilson & Todd, with whom he remained until the death of the former, when he became associ- ated with his father under the firm name of Todd & Todd. This partnership continued until the death of the senior member in 1900, since which time the subject was alone in the practice until April 1, 1902, when he formed a partnership with Frank W. Gordon, under the firm name of Todd & Gordon.
Mr. Todd's recognized legal ability soon won him a large and lucrative practice and it was not long until he became one of the leading members of the Bluffton bar. His practice gradually extended into adjoining counties, and for a number of years his name has appeared in connection with the majority of important cases tried in the courts of his native county of Wells. As a lawyer he ranks with the ablest of his com- peers, being a safe and reliable counsellor, thoroughly skilled in the arts of practice. Being a man of quick mental processes, his reach and grasp of legal questions and prin- ciples are unusually wide and far-reaching. In his practice he never resorts to any of the devices of superficial men, but makes himself a necessity to those having compli- cated cases. Mr. Todd is unacquainted with the wiles to which the unscrupulous practi- tioner resorts to gain his end, and has noth- ing but scorn for the lawyer who by disrep- utable means lowers the dignity of the pro-
fession which, as the conservator of justice, should command the unbounded respect and confidence of all. Actuated by correct and lofty motives, his reputation for honorable dealing with his associates and clients has won him a high place in the esteem of the public and, as already stated, he stands to- day among the leading and successful coun- sellors in a part of the state where legal abil- ity is recognized and appreciated at its true worth. Like his father before him, Mr. Todd is a politician, and as such has been an influential factor in the Republican party ever since old enough to wield the elective franchise. He has been an untiring worker in the ranks, a judicious adviser in party councils and for a number of years past it has fallen to him to attend as a delegate the various conventions, county, state and dis- trict. In the year 1892 he was a candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney, but the county being nominally Democratic by a large majority, he, with the rest of the ticket, failed of election, although receiving much more than the strength of his party.
Fraternally Mr. Todd has long been an ardent member of the Masonic order, in which he has risen to the degrees of chapter and council. He is also identified with var- ious other fraternal and benevolent organi- zations, in several of which he has been honored with high official station. He is an enthusiastic member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being a charter member of Bluffton Lodge No. 796. In early life Mr. Todd learned the printer's trade and after becoming an efficient work- man he set type in a number of offices in different states. At one time he seriously considered the advisability of devoting his life to journalism and had he done so he
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doubtless would have attained prominence and distinction in that useful field of en- deavor. As a citizen he is popular with all classes and conditions of people, inheriting many of the sterling characteristics and ad- mirable qualities for which his father was peculiarly distinguished. Public spirited, he gives countenance and support to all measures for the material advancement of his city and county, being greatly inter- ested in the industrial development of the country, as well as encouraging to the ex- tent of his ability the improvement of the community's social and moral conditions.
Mr. Todd's domestic relations are, most pleasant and agreeable, being the head of a household which is presided over by a lady of culture and refinement to whom he was united in the bonds of wedlock on the 18th day of June, 1891. Mrs. Todd was for- merly Miss Jeannette A. Patterson, daughter of Capt. and Mrs. Robert D. Patterson, of Adams county, this state. She is well known in the society circles of Bluffton, and is noted for her many virtues and excellent traits of character. Mr. and Mrs. Todd have one child, Margaret, whose birth occurred on the 28th of August, 1895.
JOSIAH FEESER.
The popular citizen and enterprising business man whose name furnishes the heading of this review needs no formal in- troduction to the people of Bluffton and Wells county. For many years identified with industrial interests and always taking active part in promoting the welfare of the public, he has risen to a high place in busi- ness circles, besides earning the reputation of
one of the county's progressive men of af- fairs. Paternally Mr. Feeser is descended from German ancestry and traces his family history to an early period in the annals of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, where his father, John G. Feeser, was born and reared. By occupation John was a black- smith, in connection with which trade he also carried on the pursuit of agriculture in his native state, at one time owning four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land in the county of Lebanon. In 1860 he disposed of his interests there and moved to Spring- field, Ohio, where he remained about three years, changing his residence about 1865 to Wells county, Indiana. In 1863 he enlisted in an Ohio regiment and served gallantly until the close of the war, shortly after which he opened a shop in Bluffton and be- gan working at his trade upon quite an ex- tensive scale. He built up a large and lu- crative business in general blacksmithing, wagon and carriage making, in which his son, the subject of this sketch, subsequently became a partner, this establishment being the largest and most successful industry of the kind in the city. John G. Feeser was a man of high character, an excellent citizen and did much to promote the business inter- ests of Bluffton. He served several terms in the town council and as a public official was untiring in his efforts to subserve the material good of the county, at the same time proving a safe and conservative cus- todian of the people's interests. By untir- ing industry and correct business methods he accumulated an ample fortune, conserv- atively estimated at twenty-five thousand dollars, and continued to manage his affairs until advancing age obliged him to retire from active life. Politically he was a Demo-
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