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 25
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child of the subject, Sarah E., was born August 28, 1848, and died November 14, 1900; the third, Maria E., born . March 2, 1850, is the wife of John Verneder; Calvin V., born February 17, 1852, deceased ; Wil- liam D., born November 26, 1853, now re- siding in Kansas City; Montre C., born December 19, 1857, the wife of John Lee; Charlotte O., born November 19, 1858, the wife of Phanuel McIntyre; Robert A., born March 23, 1861 ; Rebecca A., born Septem- ber 18, 1863, wife of Warner Welch : Jacob M., born January 17, 1866; Emma R., born October 8, 1868, wife of Keaver Risinger, and John E., born December 28, 1872.
Mr. Kilander has been a general stock farmer all his life, devoting his time dis- tinctly to his farming affairs and has never taken an active interest in politics. In the person of the venerable subject we have a personage who has attained an age be- yond that of the most of his contempor- aries. Born in the first quarter of the last century, he has lived to see the wonderful development of the country and the applied inventions used as a means thereto which were undreamed of in his youth. He has been a pioneer of two states, aiding by the labor of his own hands in creating the con- ditions of prosperity which his environ- ments denote. He has lived to see the frui- tion of his labors in the days of his strong manhood in the possession by himself and children of the bounteous returns of the farms which he wrested so largely with his own hands from the virgin forests of a new country. Those who have been witnesses to and aided in all the transitory changes which have attended our wonderful devel- opment will have soon gone hence, but their deeds will be enshrined in the hearts of com-
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ing generations and sons and daughters will arise up on every hand and call them blessed.
NELSON E. STAFFORD.
Prominent among the enterprising men of Wells county is Nelson E. Stafford, who at this time is identified with one of the lead- ing industrial interests of the city of Bluff- ton. The Stafford family had its origin in Ireland and was first represented in the United States by the subject's grandfather, who crossed the ocean many years ago and settled in Pennsylvania. There he married and reared a family and it was in that state that his death also occurred. John Stafford, father of Nelson E., was born in Pennsyl- vania and at the early age of four years was left to make his own way in the world. He chose agriculture for his life work and by industry and thrift succeeded in purchasing a farm, in addition to the cultivation of which he also earned considerable money as a plasterer. When a young man he mar- ried Miss Lydia Eschleman, who bore him a large family of fifteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, five living at the present time. John Stafford provided well for those dependent upon him and assisted his children by every means within his power. He began life a poor orphan boy, but in time became quite well-to-do, having accumulated a competency of sufficient mag- nitude to place his family in comfortable circumstances.
Nelson E. Stafford, of this review, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of March, 1851. His early life includ- ed the usual experiences of country lads, and
he grew to young manhood impressed with the idea that in this world no excellence is to be achieved without great labor. The farm is no place for an idler, as young Stafford early learned by practical experience. He assisted his father and older brothers with the work in the fields and of winter seasons attended the public schools, where he ac- quired sufficient education to enable him to pass the required examination and procure a teacher's license. After teaching three terms in his native county he decided to abandon educational work and turn his at- tention to a vocation more in harmony with his tastes and inclinations. In April, 1873, Mr. Stafford came to Indiana and entered a mill at Richmond with the object in view of learning how to manufacture flour. After re- maining in that city three years and becom- ing proficient at his trade, he changed his location to Wells county, arriving here in August, 1875. From that time until 1880 he operated the flouring-mill at Murray and did a fairly remunerative business, but the latter year purchased an interest in the Quaker City mills, which he retained for about one year. Disposing of his share in the above enterprise, Mr. Stafford, in the fall of 1882, returned to Wells county and bought the Murray mill, which he had for- merly operated, and ran the same until July, 1902, when he became associated with David Eichhorn and G. A. Harnish in the manufacture of flour at Bluffton. Purchas- ing the old river mill in this city, they re- built and completely remodeled the struc- ture, supplying it with the latest improved machinery, making it one of the best and most successful enterprises of the kind in this part of the state. Mr. Stafford has thoroughly mastered the art of making
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flour, as the superior brands which he now turns out abundantly attest. He gives per- sonal attention to every detail of the busi- ness and in order to meet the constantly in- creasing demand for his product both at home and elsewhere the mill is kept running at its full capacity. He has spared no pains to add to his efficiency as a miller, keeping in close touch with the latest improvements in the trade.
Politically Mr. Stafford is a decided Democrat and for many years has been prominent in the councils of his party at the different places of his residence. In 1894 he was elected trustee of Lancaster township, which office he held for a period of five and a half years, proving a safe, con- servative and in every respect a most judi- cious and satisfactory public servant. While using his best endeavors to keep the levy at the lowest point conducive to the public good, he nevertheless did much for the township in the way of improving the high- ways, erecting school buildings and looking after other important interests. During his incumbency about eight miles of free turn- pike road were constructed, a fine graded four-room school building was erected at Murray and a structure containing two rooms built in the village of Craigville. Al- ways interested in the cause of education, he did much to advance the standard within his jurisdiction, and as long as-he held the office of trustee none but teachers of schol- arship and well recognized professional ability were employed in the schools of Lan- caster township. Mr. Stafford is a man of progressive ideas and stands for enterprise and improvement in all the terms imply. He discharges the duties of citizenship as be- comes an intelligent, broad minded, loyal American and loses sight of self if by so do-
ing he can in any legitimate way subserve the public good. Every object calculated to improve the material, social and intellect- ual condition of the community is sure to find in him not only a zealous advocate but a liberal patron, and to the extent of his ability he has ever been a promoter of the general welfare of his city and county. Mr. Stafford has many friends and occupies a conspicuous place in the confidence and es- teem of all with whom he has had business or social relations. He is an excellent neighbor, earnest in his efforts to make life pleasant to those with whom he mingles and stands deservedly high in the list of Bluff- ton's representative men.
On the 7th day of June, 1879, Mr. Staf- ford was happily married to Miss Louisa J. Eversole, daughter of Jacob Eversole, of Wells county, a union blessed with three children, namely: Frank, born June 7, 1879, was educated at the Northern Indi- ana Normal University at Valparaiso and the Marion Normal School at Marion, this state, has been one of the county's success- ful teachers, and is now with the firm of Stafford, Eichhorn & Co .; Grace, whose birth occurred on the 7th of May, 1880, and who is now the wife of Samuel Brickley, was educated in the home schools and at the Normal College at Angola; Roy, born Sep- tember 8, 1881, is a miller by trade, work- ing also for his father in the city of Bluff- ton. Fraternally Mr. Stafford belongs to the Pythian brotherhood and religiously be- lieves in the plain, simple teachings of the Christian church which takes the Bible alone for its creed and standard of faith and practice. He has held the dual office of clerk and treasurer of the congregation wor- shipping in Murray, his wife being a com- municant of the same body.
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DANIEL ALSPACH.
Daniel Alspach, deceased, was born August 10, 1842, in the state of Ohio. He was a son of Amos and Elizabeth (Fox) Alspach, who were natives of Ohio also. The grandfather was likewise named Dan- iel. Daniel, Jr., came with his parents to Wells county, Indiana, about the year 1852, entering the land now owned by Calvin Als- pach. Amos is yet living with his son Cal- vin, Elizabeth being deceased.
Amos was the father of five children, one of whom is yet living : Elijah, deceased ; Daniel died May 5, 1893 : John, deceased ; Elizabeth, deceased, and Calvin, now living on the old home farm. Daniel Alspach at- tended the public schools of Jackson town- ship, Wells county, Indiana, until he was about eighteen years old. He then enlisted in Company A, Forty-seventh Indiana Vol- unteers, and entered the service as a soldier of the Civil war. He first enlisted on the 25th day of September, 1861, to serve for three years, and re-enlisted as a veteran, on the 15th of December, 1863, being mustered out of service at the close of the war, Octo- ber 23, 1865. After his discharge from the army Daniel spent his time working on the farm of his father until his marriage, which event occurred December 25, 1867. On that day he was married to Henrietta Bevington, born November 3. 1850. She is a daughter of Reason and Catherine (Shadle) Beving- ton, both of whom are deceased. After his marriage Daniel and wife moved on to the farm where his widow yet resides, and where he died. He had saved money enough during his service in the army to purchase eighty acres of land in the woods. He cleared up and improved all this land
before his death, which occurred May 5, 1893. He left, besides his widow, four sons, viz: John A., born March 10, 1863, mar- ried Ellen Jones, and they have five children, Delphos E., deceased, Frederick H., Ray- mond E., Mable and Nelson D .; Asa B., born October 19, 1870, married Mamie Card, is an oil pumper and a farmer in Jack- son township, Wells county ; Orville F. was born May 21, 1876, married Lizzie Stoler, and is an oil pumper in Blackford county ; Daniel Clyde was born December 18, 1887, and is yet attending the public schools, being in the sixth grade, and a great reader. Dan- iel Alspach was a general stock farmer, de- voting his time entirely to the interests of his farming operations. Both himself and wife were active members of the Wesleyan church and were consistent Christians.
In politics the subject of this sketch was a Republican and an active worker in the ranks of his party, taking a lively interest in its success. At the time of his death he owned eighty acres of land, on which there are eight oil wells. There are five tanks on the farm, which will run a hundred dollars per month. His widow, Henrietta, has fifty acres of land, on which there are five wells, both places yielding a profit in roy- alties on oil of two hundred dollars per month.
September 20, 1896, Henrietta, widow of Daniel, was married a second time, her present husband being Benjamin Snyder. Daniel Alspach was a member of that great army of patriotic youth of the land whose pulses were quickened by the call to arms when traitors threatened the disruption of our country. With multitudes of others, he answered the nation's call; relinquishing his schools and youthful aspirations, he
Daniel Alspack
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donned a uniform and marched away, a soldier of that invincible host who had sworn that the union of states of our coun- try must and should not be severed. Mr. Alspach participated in some of the heaviest battles of the Trans-Mississippi valley cam- paign, viz: New Madrid, Missouri, Port Gibson, Mississippi, the great siege of Vicks- burg and possibly witnessed the surrender of General Pemberton to Grant ; was also on the Banks expedition up the Red river and the battles of Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort and Mobile, Alabama. During his entire service he was never taken prisoner nor was wounded. Much honor is due Mr. Alspach for his long service for his country.
After serving his country faithfully un- til its sovereignty had been acknowledged and peace declared, he proudly passed in re- view with that great army before disband- ment and returned to his home, from which he had been absent for more than four long and anxious years. Having demonstrated the stability and purpose of his life, as but comparatively few others did, by saving his money earned in the army, he returned to the peaceful pursuits of a husbandman of the soil. Purchasing unimproved land, he married and he and his young wife devoted themselves to the carving out of the un- broken woodland a home for themselves and the children that should bless their union. He lived the life of an industrious, peaceful and Christian citizen, performing all the duties relating thereto with a conscientious regard of the rights of others and an in- nate self indorsement of the rectitude of his own actions. He died at the comparatively early age of fifty-one years, as a result, no doubt, of the vicissitudes and hardships through which he had passed during his
army life. He has left to his children the record of a Christian citizen and patriotic soldier, and it can be said of him, that "the world is better for his having lived in it."
AMOS FRENCH.
The blessing bestowed upon the com- munity in general, and the afflicted in par- ticular, by the public institutions of the state are not appreciated as they should be by the public. The institution for the edu- cation of the deaf and dumb has accomplish- ed a work in Indiana the effect of which will live long after this and many another gen- eration has passed away. Two of the stu- dents of that institution, some years ago, were Amos French, the subject of this sketch, and Harriett A. Adams, who are now and have been for many years husband and wife, residing on a farm in Nottingham township, Wells county, Indiana. Without the instruction, learning and training re- ceived by them in that splendid school their lives would be far less happy than they have been and the field of usefulness they have occupied and so faithfully and efficiently filled would have been short of the service of two energetic workers.
Amos French was born March 23, 1852, in Adams county, Indiana. His father was John ΔΆ. French, a native of Dearborn county, Indiana, whose parents were Joseph and Eliza (Beach) French, natives of Mass- achusetts. John G. French was born on the 27th of November, 1824, and his wife's maiden name was Mary Ann Heller. They were married February 22, 1849, and became the parents of one child,
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.
Mary A., who married George Mow- ery. The first Mrs. French died De- cember 25, 1849, having enjoyed less than a year of married life. On March 18, 1851, John G. French was united in marriage to Lydia Weist. To this union nine children were born, two of whom preceded their father into eternity. The others are Amos, Eli, Henry, William, Eliza, John and Hat- tie. Amos is the subject of this sketch and will be more particularly referred to here- after; Eliza became the wife of John Gentis and is now deceased, and Hattie married Jethro Potter.
In December, 1835, Joseph French, pa- ternal grandfather of the subject, moved with his family to Wells county. At that time John G., father of the subject, was quite young, but he had early become fa- miliar with hard work and learned to en- dure privation and hardship common to that period and locality. He was strong and muscular, wielded an ax with giant power and had few if any equals in clearing the land. No one did more than he did toward wiping out the wilderness and converting the land into beautiful farms. Industry and energy, coupled with an economy in no sense approaching parsimony, enabled him to become the owner of considerable prop- erty. When because of old age he began to feel the ravages of time he decided to divide up his property among his children. He owned some five hundred acres of land and of this he gave each son and daughter an equal share. For himself he reserved a home, with his youngest daughter, Mrs. Jethro Potter. There he remained until his death, which occurred on his birthday, November 27, 1897. His wife died October 18, 1895. John G. French was a man of wonderful
memory and much intellectual ability and by dilligent reading had become possessed of a vast fund of useful information. He de- lighted to entertain his friends, particularly the young people, with stories of his early life and his experience in the days long gone by. There were few of his generation better posted on the current questions of the time than he and few could equal him in the discussion of any proposition. He was a lawyer, a member of the Wells county bar, but did not engage much in the prac- tice except in his immediate neighborhood before justices of the peace, where he won many signal victories. He was well known and highly respected in Bluffton and his children vied with each other in securing the pleasure of his company, even when age had greatly enfeebled him. The perversity and peevishness that generally comes with advancing years was unknown to him. Genial and kindly even unto the last, he ac- cepted the inevitable with a meekness and resignation that almost amounted to stoic- ism. Few men enjoy their old ages as he did.
When Amos French was three years of age, through an attack of scarlet fever, he lost his hearing and in 1862, when he was ten years old, he entered the state institu- tion for the instruction of the deaf and dumb, at Indianapolis. He remained there ten years, until 1872, when he had completed his academic course in that institution. On August 14, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriett A. Adams, a native of Preble county, Ohio, born July 16, 1852. She was afflicted as he was and it was while securing an education at the state institu- tion that they became acquainted. Her parents were M. C. and Mary (Shewman ).
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Adams. M. C. Adams was born in Preble county, Ohio, July 16, 1830, and was the son of Samuel and Emily Adams, natives of Massachusetts. Mary Shewman was born April 10, 1832, in Hamburg, Preble county, Ohio, and was the daughter of Christopher and Anna Shewman, also natives of Preble county. M. C. Adams and Mary Shewman were united in marriage August 31, 1851, in Preble county, located there and remained for six years, when they moved to Cincin- nati and remained there six years. From there they moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where Mr. Adams engaged in the wholesale business for four years. In 1861 they moved to Galveston, Indiana, where they re- mained until his death, which occurred March 13, 1887. His wife Mary is yet liv- ing at the age of seventy years. She lives in Kokomo, Indiana, with her son Grant. To them eight children were born, viz: Hattie, wife of the subject of this sketch, to whom more particular reference will be made hereafter; M. J., a resident of Hamil- ton, Ohio; Alice, widow of James Cox; Florence, wife of Eddie Leach, of Fairmont, Indiana; Daniel, a resident of Illinois ; Lin- coln ; Grant lives in Kokomo and Susie died in infancy.
When only sixteen months old Harriett A. Adams, wife of the subject, was taken ill with the measles. It was a most severe attack and for a time the life of the little one was despaired of. Fortunately she. dis- played far more vital force than she was credited with and she recovered, but the faculty of hearing was totally destroyed. She entered the state institution for people thus afflicted about the same time that her present husband did. They were members of the same class and as they grew older and
pursued their studies, Cupid made his ap- pearance and smoothly played his customary part. Both graduated from school the same year and the year following were united in marriage. The young people established their first home on an eighty-acre tract of land the same on which they now live in Nottingham township. On this only about twelve acres were cleared. Their home was an old log cabin, twenty by twenty-six feet, and their barn was a structure similar in character. Now fifty-five acres of the place are cleared, well drained, fenced and in fine tillable condition. In 1894 they erected a very comfortable house and commodious barn. To the work of the farm Mr. French devotes his entire time, carrying on general farming, raising grain and feeding live stock. With Poland China hogs he has been very successful. He has one pig which he is inclined to look upon as a mascot. It has five toes on each foot, but it is not likely that they will "save his bacon" when killing time comes. His cattle are of the general class.
To Mr. and Mrs. Amos French four children have been born, viz: Dorothy, born November 7, 1875, widow of Elmer Williams, is the mother of two children, Ralph and Raymond, the latter now dead ; Ella, born March 25, 1878, married Charles Bierie, and they have one child, Elsie E .: Bertha, born October 27, 1883; Hubert, born December 12, 1889. All have received good common school education, are intelligent and capable, with none of their faculties in the least impaired. The wit of the family especially commends his parents for never having subjected them to . jawing or scolding.
The parents and some of the children are members of the Evangelical church and at-
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tend service at Krepps. Mr. French has al- ways been a man of good habits, never hav- ing drank liquor, chewed tobacco or smoked. As he wittily expresses it, he prefers a full pocket to being full himself. In politics he is an independent Democrat, favoring the national platform of that party, but in local affairs he votes for the man who he con- siders best fitted to fill the office.
The loss of one of their senses has not prevented this model couple from accom- plishing a splendid life work. They have reared and educated a family of four tal- ented, even brilliant children, have man- aged their business affairs most commend- ably and accumulated considerable property. In the world of silence with which they are surrounded, silent themselves, they have played their part most nobly, far better than many with faculties complete. Despite their afflictions, they can leave their posterity names well worthy of being honored and revered for all time.
JACOB FREDERICK KREHL.
The subject of this review has been identified with the more important interests of Bluffton for many years, being one of the prime factors in the city's commercial pros- perity, besides gaining recognition as one of her representative and popular citizens, facts which clearly entitle him to consider- ation in this volume devoted to the lives of Wells county's successful men. As the name indicates, Mr. Krehl is of German birth. His parents, Frederick and Cath- erine (Flukfelder) Krehl, were natives of Poppenweiler, Wurtemberg, and it was in
that faraway kingdom that the subject first saw the light of day, June 4, 1845. When Jacob Frederick was about nine years old his parents decided to better their financial condition by seeking a home in the United States ; accordingly, in December, 1853, the family embarked and in due time reached the port of New York, from whence they went to Mahoning county, Ohio, where they remained until the spring following. In April, 1854, Frederick Krehl moved his family to Dekalb county, Indiana, where he invested his small means, amounting to about two hundred dollars, in eighty acres of land, the only improvements on which consisted of a rude log cabin and about five acres partially cleared. Here he lived the remainder of his days, improving a good farm and adding to its area until it included one hundred and twenty acres and meeting with that success and financial prosperity which the strong limbed, industrious, hon- est German yeomanry know so well how to command. He lived a long and useful life, provided well for those dependent upon hini and earned the reputation of an honorable man and loyal, enterprising citizen. He died in 1892 at the advanced age of eighty- two; his wife, who had so long been his faithful companion and true helpmeet through life's rugged journey, is still liv- ing, having reached the ripe old age of eighty-six years. Frederick and Catherine Krehl had seven children, the oldest of whom is Catherine, formerly the wife of John Bohnenberger, but now a widow liv- ing in Noble county, this state; William, the second of the number, is a farmer living in the county of Dekalb: Mary, the second daughter, married a cousin by the name of Frederick Krehl and resides in Girard,
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