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 43
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times and rarely misses a guess as to re- sults. Religiously he and his family are members of the Baptist church, regular at- tendants upon its services and liberal con- tributors to all worthy causes, religious or charitable. All legitimate enterprises hav- ing for their object the benefit of the city find in him a faithful friend and promoter. He has ever been the implacable foe of all schemes and jobs, and people with measures of that kind soon learned to give him a wide berth. Such enterprises as the asphalt pave- ments and the city water works received his hearty support and endorsement.
The number of those who, with the lim- ited opportunities afforded, have accom- plished as much as George F. McFarren are very few. Beginning a poor boy on the farm, earning his bread by his daily toil, later teaching that he might obtain the money wherewith to pay the expense of being taught, and eventually, practically without capital, becoming one of the pros- perous merchants of the city of Bluffton, is an achievement that justly swells with pride the breasts of his relatives and friends. Many of the young men of his early ac- quaintance, with brighter prospects and op- portunities many fold better, he has far out- stripped in the race of life. With means to supply every want, he and his good wife may now pass their declining years in ease and comfort.
Harry McFarren secured his education in the graded schools of Bluffton, and also took the regular course at the Valparaiso (Indiana) Commercial College. While still young he entered his father's store as clerk and assistant and readily absorbed a knowledge of the business. This occupation, however, was not permitted to interfere with
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his studies or encroach upon the time that should be employed in the school room. When he had completed the course at the Valparaiso Commercial College his father for a time employed him in the store, and later, when he had disclosed an aptitude for business rarely met with in one so young, made him a partner in the business. The firm is now styled G. F. McFarren & Son.
On the 21st of September, 1898, Harry McFarren was united in marriage to Miss Flo Morris, daughter of John and Etta (Powell) Morris, of Bluffton. Mr. Morris is an alderman of the city. To this union one child has been born, Harriet, the date of her birth being March 3, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. McFarren are members of the Baptist church and are liberal contributors to its support, as they are of all worthy objects. In politics he is a member of the Democratic party, but has evinced no thirst for political preferment. He is a model young man, of domestic tastes and good habits. Now starting on the verge of a most promising business career, well equipped by nature and education for whatever may be required of him in the line he has undertaken, it remains to be seen whether or not he will equal or surpass the achievements of his worthy father.
JOHN M. BUCK.
This prominent manufacturer and head of one of Bluffton's leading industrial enter- prises is a native of Indiana, born at Alexan- dria, Madison county, on the 2d day' of June, 1853. His father, Henry Buck, for- merly a land owner and farmer of the above county, was of German descent, and the
mother, whose maiden name was Jemima Chamness, comes from a long line of Quaker ancestors. For many years Henry Buck was not only one of the leading agriculturists of Madison county, but also achieved promi- nence as a local politician of the Republican party, having been one of the first men in his part of the state openly to avow and defend what was then the political heresy of aboli- tionism. He acquired some property, was twice married, and departed this life in the year 1867. . His second wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, is still living.
John M. Buck was the oldest of the chil- dren born to his father's second marriage. He was reared to maturity in close touch with nature and as a farm hand early learned by experience the true meaning of honest toil. His means for acquiring an education were such as a few months' attendance each year at the public schools afforded, conse- quently he is not a learned man in the sense of the term as generally understood, although possessing a fund of valuable prac- tical knowledge such as schools and col- leges do not impart. Young Buck assisted in cultivating the home farm until his twenty-fourth year, when he started into the world for himself, first directing his atten- tion to buying and selling lumber and later taking up the trade of wood turning. He started, in 1890, a small establishment of his own in the town of Geneva. He spent about five years at the above place, when he found it necessary to secure a more favorable loca- tion, consequently he moved his establish- ment to the city of Bluffton.
Since moving to the latter place in 1895 Mr. Buck has built up an extensive business and, as stated in the initial paragraph, the enterprise has become one of the largest and
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most important of the city's industries. In addition to the plant at Bluffton, which gives employment to about twenty-five men and from three to five teams every working day of the year, he operates a branch factory at Auburn, this state, which, under his direc- tion, has steadily increased its output and grown in public favor. Mr. Buck manu- factures wooden tool handles. His weekly pay roll at Bluffton alone will average about two hundred and fifty dollars, in addition to which he pays each week to the farmers in the vicinity who urnish him, very satis- factorily, with raw material the sum of four hundred dollars.
Mr. Buck began manufacturing in a very small way and the large measure of success which has attended him is due entirely to his own energy, superior management and wise business foresight. At the outset he encountered many difficulties and numerous obstacles calculated to impede and discour- age, but with an inborn determination which hesitated at none of these impediments to his progress, he persevered, gradually removing everything in his pathway and gaining favor until he found himself upon a well estab- lished basis which made ultimate success a certainty. That he has achieved his aim is abundantly attested by the place his plant occupies among the industries of Bluffton, in the business circles of the city and throughout the state. The constantly in- creasing demands for his products necessi- tates the running of his several establish- ments at their full capacity, and, judging by present prospects, their enlargement or the building of additional plants is only a matter of time.
Few men in Wells county stand higher in the esteem of their fellow citizens than
Mr. Buck and none have better records for energy, honesty and sterling integrity. He is a man of actions rather than words, at- tends strictly to his own affairs, at the same time being not unmindful of the duty which every citizen owes to the public. He is es- sentially a business man and as such ranks with the most enterprising and progressive of his contemporaries, deserving of great credit for what he has done for this city in the way of giving employment to labor and providing a good market for the farmers with timber to dispose of. Mr. Buck sup- ports the Republican party, but aside from voting for the regular nominees takes little interest in political matters, having no ambi- tion to gratify in the way of public distinc- tion or official honors. He owns a beautiful and attractive home on the corner of Wabash and Market streets, where he welcomes and entertains his friends with a genuine hospi- tality.
Mr. Buck was married in 1880 to Miss Caroline Pugh, of Alexandria, Madison county, this state, a union blessed with three children : Roland C., the eldest, was born on the 20th day of June, 1881; served with Company M, Twenty-eighth Regiment United States Infantry, in the Philippines, and was shot and killed from ambush by native robbers on July 13, 1902; Clyde, the second of the family, was born December 7, 1883; Alline, the youngest, is a student in the Bluffton high school. Mrs. Buck is a member of the Methodist church and well known in the best social circles of the city. While not identified with any religious or- ganization himself, Mr. Buck believes in the church as a great moral force among men and is liberal in his contributions to its sup- port.
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JONAS MEYER.
Jonas Meyer is a son of Peter and Eliza- beth (Mosure) Meyer, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume, in the sketch of Albert Meyer. Jonas Meyer is the fourth child of a family of eight children and was reared to manhood on the home farm in Harrison township, where his birth took place November 28, 1869. He was educated in the district school, which he at- tended until sixteen years of age, but worked on the farm industriously throughout his school days when not engaged in study, con- tinuing so to work until he was twenty-one years old, when he began working out at ditching and such other work as he could find to do, appropriating his earnings to his own use, but saving by far the greater por- tion. In 1894 he engaged in partnership with Daniel Gilliam in well drilling, work- ing in 1896 with his brother David and in 1897 with Wm. Engler, having saved dur- ing that time about two thousand five hundred dollars.
Jonas Meyer was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary Rich, a daughter of Joseph Rich, of Adams county, and about the same time he invested his means in an eighty-acre tract of land, for which he paid in full. This farm he has improved with a fine dwelling and also a well built barn, forty by seventy-six feet in dimensions, together with other farm build- ings of equally substantial construction. To the marriage of Jonas and Mary (Rich) Meyer have been born four children, namely : Joseph, February 21, 1895; Peter, November 21, 1897; Lillie, April 14, 1900, and Chance, born August 8, 1902. Though not active in politics, Mr. Meyer is of Demo-
cratic proclivities and usually votes as suits his judgment, irrespective of party nomi- nations. He looks at both sides of a ques- tion, weighs the matter carefully and with deliberation, and having thoroughly digest- ed it mentally, arrives at a conclusion de- cisive and permanent, and this conclusion be- comes the rule for his future action. He thus weighs political issues and never per- mits his prior predilections to interfere with or bias his judgment.
As a farmer, the success of Mr. Meyer has been phenomenal for so young a man, and this fact is but another evidence of the thoroughness with which he studies and weighs everything which comes under his control or his observation. His integrity has never been questioned, and he stands be- fore his fellow citizens the peer of all.
MICHAEL LONG.
The career of the gentleman whose name introduces this review illustrates most forcibly the possibilities that are open to a young man possessing sterling business qualifications, supplemented by the requis- ite amount of energy to direct the same in their proper channels. It also proves that ambitious perseverance in the face of oppos- ing circumstances, steadfast purpose and untiring industry, combined with sound judgment, will eventually be rewarded and that true success is the legitimate result of individual effort. Although a recent acces- sion to the population of Wells county, Mr. Long has already gained recognition and prestige as a shrewd, farsighted business man in one of the leading
M. Jis
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industries of the state, while his stand- ing as a prominent and influential citi- zen is none the less honorable and assured. Mr. Long was born of poor but respectable parents May 30, 1852, and claims New York as his native commonwealth. The father came to this country from Ireland and, possessing but little worldly wealth, was unable to furnish his son with the ad- vantages which the majority of American lads enjoy. The subject's ' educational training was limited to a few months' at- tendance at the common school during his youth and while still a mere boy he was obliged to rely upon his own resources for a livelihood. At the age of fourteen he went to the oil fields of Pennsylvania, where he worked in various capacities during the ensuing four years, retaining only enough of his wages to meet living expenses, con- tributing the greater part to the support of his parents and younger members of the family. The year following his arrival in Pennsylvania he engaged with Capt. J. T. Jones, the largest oil producer of that day, and spent about fifteen years in his employ, during ten of which he served as foreman of a large force of workmen in the Bradford district. In this way Mr. Long soon be- came conversant with the oil industry in all its details and his valuable practical exper- ience finally led him to embark in the busi- ness as a producer instead of spending all of his time and knowledge acquiring wealth for others. Before severing his connection with his employer, he began operating in a modest way and in due time succeeded in obtaining quite a substantial start, accumu- lating, beside a complete outfit, considerable valuable oil property. By a sudden and un- fortunate experience he learned what so 22
many long before his day had learned, that material wealth rests upon a very insecure foundation and is liable at any moment to take wings and vanish. This was very for- cibly brought to his mind by a fire which gained such headway that within a very short time his hard earned savings of sev- eral years disappeared in flames and smoke, leaving him as poor as when he began life's struggle. Considerably cast down, but by no means discouraged, he at once set about to retrieve his fortune and the better to carry out his plans decided to try the Indi- ana fields, which at that time held out many promising inducements. He first came to Geneva, Indiana, where he drilled six dry holes. In 1892 he came to Wells county, poor in purse but animated by a determina- tion to win success if it could be done by energy, backed by previous experience as an operator. For some time he labored against a formidable array of opposing cir- cumstances, losing considerable of his means in ineffectual drilling. Later he made a judicious investment in Nottingham town- ship where matters soon began to assume a more encouraging aspect. In due time he struck oil in that promising field and since then his success has not only been sure but rapid, his wells now being among the most prolific producers in this part of the state. By close attention to business and thorough management he has steadily come to the front as one of the leading oil men of Indiana, having accumulated within the last ten years through his own efforts a fortune considerably in excess of seventy-five thousand dollars, while his future prospects point to still larger and longer continued returns.
Mr. Long is conservative in his meth-
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ods, calculating with the greatest care be- fore embarking in an undertaking, but when once he addresses himself to an en- terprise it is prosecuted to successful issue with energy and dispatch. He possesses the rare power of foreseeing the end from the beginning and since commencing oper- ations in the Indiana fields his labors have seldom miscarried and his judgment has rarely been at fault. In the year 1896 he moved his family to Bluffton and now owns an elegant and well appointed home on West Cherry street, his place being one of the finest residence properties in the city.
While residing at Bradford, Pennsyl- vania, Mr. Long was happily married to Miss Anna Flaherty, whose parents came to this country a number of years ago from their native home in Ireland. To this union five children have been born, all of whom are living and still members of the home fireside. In social life Mr. Long is a pleas- ant gentleman of agreeable presence, win- ning friends wherever he goes and standing high in the esteem of those with whom he mingles. His domestic habits are pure and strong and his home is the center of a gen- erous hospitality. There, surrounded by family and friends, he enjoys that repose which comes from cordial interchange of kindly deeds with those near to him and without which life would lose much of its charm. He also delights to meet with com- panions and kindred spirits in the fraternal organizations to which he belongs, viz., the Pythian brotherhood, Lodge No. 92, and Lodge No. 796, B. P. O. E., being a charter member of the latter society. His standing in the business world rests upon a sure foundation, as he is regarded today among the leading oil men of the country.
Mr. Long has borne well his part in life, as his rise from poverty to his present posi- tion of affluence and prominence abundantly attests.
HENRY C. McCOLLISTER.
The career of the subject of this sketch forcibly illustrates the old axiom, "Where there is a will, there is a way." Becoming an independent factor in life at the early age of fourteen, with an empty pocket and no one to give him friendly counsel or advice, he resolutely faced the world and after a long and hard struggle, before which most young men would have retired in defeat, he finally succeeded in gaining a sure foothold and in time rose to the respectable position he now occupies. The name by which he is now known is not the one given him by his parents, but was assumed for a special rea- son. The family patronymic was Beabout and by such he went until a youth in his teens. His father, Moses Beabout, was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Smallie, was born and reared in Mercer county, that state. The subject was born in the county .of Mercer on the 28th of February, 1832, and remained under the parental roof until reaching the age of fourteen. Like many other youths, he became impatient of home restraint and for reasons which he cares not to explain decided to sever these ties and make his own way in the world. He car- ried this resolution into effect between two days and for fear his parents might appre- hend him, changed his name to McCollister and by this he has since been known. Mak- ing his way to Pittsburg, he there took a
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boat for Cincinnati and after working at various vocations in the latter place made his way to Clinton county, Ohio, where he worked for several years as a farm hand. He also found employment for a while in a saw-mill and later entered the service of a railroad as brakeman. He continued rail- roading for quite a while in various capaci- ties and in this and other kinds of work finally earned sufficient money to enable him, as he supposed, to support a wife. Accord- ingly, on the 23d of December, 1855, he was married in Clinton county, Ohio, to Elizabeth Smith, daughter of James T. and Lydia M. (Wait) Smith, the father a native of Delaware and the mother of the Buckeye state.
After his marriage Mr. McCollister set- tled down in Clinton county for a couple of 1 years, but being quite poor in this world's goods he experienced considerable difficulty in making a livelihood, to say nothing of lay- ing aside the little surplus for the proverbial rainy day. His principal work during his residence in Ohio was sawing lumber, but this kind of employment not proving re- munerative, he finally moved with his father- in-law to Jay county, Indiana. There he rented land and followed agricultural pur- suits until 1866, at which time his wife's father purchased forty acres of land in Wells county and to this place the subject moved in February of the same year. The only improvement on the place at that time was a small log cabin and into this Mr. McCollis- ter moved his little family, after which he addressed himself to the work of clearing the land. One year later he returned to Jay county, but continued to devote his spare time working on his own place until he had all but ten acres in cultivation. At the end
of three years he again took up his residence on his own soil and bent every effort to make a comfortable home for those dependent upon him. He worked in a saw-mill to pay for the lumber for a new house, later built a fine barn and, being blessed with health and strength, his progress from that time on was altogether satisfactory. . In the course of ten years he not only brought his own little farm to a fine state of cultivation, but purchased eighty acres of good land in the county of Jay, which in due time became quite valuable in that it lies within one of the richest of the Indiana oil fields. Subse- quently he transferred the latter farm to his son, but he still owns forty acres in Jay which, with his home in Wells, leaves him an estate of eighty acres, more than sufficient for his needs seeing that he received every year a handsome income from the five pro- ducing oil wells on his land.
Mr. McCollister has always been an in- dustrious, hard working man and many times the world looked dark and the future held out nothing in the way of promise. Of a sanguine temperament and inclined to make the most of circumstances, he never allowed himself to be cast down or become discouraged, but always looked on the bright side in the firm belief that the goal of suc- cess would eventually be reached. The sum total of his earthly possessions at the time of marriage was a very limited supply of in- ferior household goods and a cow, but with the assistance of his brave hearted, faithful wife, who was his sunshine in days of ad- versity and firm support under all circum- stances, he patiently endured the frowns of ill fortune, gradually surmounted unfavor- able environment and at last reaped the re- ward of his labors and waiting in the com-
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fortable fortune which has placed him in in- dependent circumstances for the remainder of his days. Of recent years Mr. McCollis- ter has rented his land and lived a life of honorable retirement on the liberal income which he now receives. He enjoys his well earned rest as only such as he can and with his good wife is now bent upon filling up the measure of his days by helping his fel- low men and making the world better. Po- litically he is an earnest supporter of the Re- publican party and takes an active part in local and general public affairs, though never asking official position at the hands of his fellow citizens. Religiously he is a de- vout member of the United Brethren church, in which his wife is also a zealous and faith- ful worker.
Mr. and Mrs. McCollister have had four children, only one of whom is liv- ing. The oldest of the family, James M., was born October 12, 1856, and died on the 26th of September, 1878; William, born May 16, 1858, married Jane Straley and is the father of two sons and two daughters, viz: Martha M., James L., Wilber and Esther; Rebecca, whose birth occurred on the 14th of December, 1860, married Allen Wall and departed this life August 8, 1887, leaving six children, namely: William, Moses, John H., Hattie, Oscar and Fran- cis, the last two deceased; Ella was born on the 26th day of February, 1863, and died November 18, 1887. She was the wife of Samuel Alberson and the mother of three children, Sophronia A., Nellie J. and Lulu M., the second and third twins.
In the foregoing brief account are em- bodied the salient features in the career of a man whose life abounds in many practical lessons for the young and rising genera-
tion. He is essentially a self-made man and his success has resulted from industry, in- domitable perseverance and the habit of doing well everything which he found to do. Integrity and a high sense of honor are among his more pronounced characteristics, to which may be added good judgment, keenness of perception and a desire always to do as he would be done by, without which principle no man's life can be called success- ful. He has lived according to his high standard of manhood and is ready when the time comes to enter that mysterious bourne to which all humanity is tending.
WILLIAM L. ENGLE.
A stranger traveling through Wells county, noting how largely the people are interested in the oil business and the num- ber of producing wells to be encountered in any direction he might turn, would naturally suppose that it is through them that it re- ceived its name of Wells county. Such, however, is not the case. Wells county ac- quired its title long before any of its inhabi- tants ever thought of becoming oil produc- ers. Nevertheless, the industry has added much to the wealth, comfort and happiness of that locality. One of the first to engage in the production of oil in Wells county was William L. Engle, of Geneva, Indiana, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Not- tingham township, Wells county; Septem- ber 19, 1860. His father was Isaac Engle, a native of Warren county, Ohio. His grandparents were William and Lutitia Engle, natives of New Jersey, who, early in the last century, moved to Randolph
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