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 48
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Prof. Huyette was married on the 9th of August, 1900, to Miss Anna S., daugh- ter of Hiram and Rebecca ( Briner) France, of Huntington. Mrs. Huyette is one of the three children born to these parents, she and her sister Emma being twins. They were both graduated at the same time from the Huntington high school, after which they engaged in teaching first in the country and later in the city of Huntington. Sub- sequently Emma became the wife of Charles Raymond, of Huntington county ; Anna continued educational work until her mar- riage at the date referred to above, spending the last five years while thus engaged in the schools of East Chicago; meantime she had graduated from the Indiana State Normal at Terre Haute and achieved distinction as a scholar as well as a large measure of suc- cess as a teacher. Nettie, the third sister, also a well educated lady, is now the wife of Sherman Fetters, a railroad man living in Andrews, Indiana. The mother of Mrs. Huyette died when her eldest daughters were about nine years of age. The father lives at Huntington. Prof. and Mrs. Huy- ette's marriage has been blessed with one child, a son by the name of Kenneth H.,
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whose birth occurred on the 25th of No- vember, 1901. The subject and wife are active members of the United Brethren church and socially they move in the best society circles of the community where they live.
Politically Prof. Huyette is a zealous supporter of the Democratic party and speaks with no uncertain meaning when maintaining the soundness of his principles. He cast his first presidential ballot when Grover Cleveland was elected for the second time, and from that time to the present has taken a prominent part in local and general politics in the different places of his resi- dence. He holds fraternal relations with Bristol Lodge No. 369, Knights of Pythias, and it has been his aim to make his life cor- respond to the beautiful and sublime prin- ciples which this excellent order inculcates. Prof. Huyette is regarded as one of the lead- ing men of Keystone and his career profes- sionally and as a citizen has gained him the confidence and high esteem of the public. He has hosts of warm personal friends and is making more every year by the urbanity of his kindly nature, while his advancement in his profession has won for him an hon- orable name among the leading educators in this section of the state.
GOTTLIEB ROLLI.
This well-known horseman of Harrison township, Wells county, Indiana, is a 'na- tive of the impregnable and gallant little re- public of Switzerland and was born July 10, 1859. His parents, John and Christina Rolli, were also born and were married in
that republic, where the father still lives and is engaged in the noble vocation of agri- culture. To the union of John and Chris- tina Rolli were born seven children, namely : John, still in Switzerland; Frederick, also residing in that republic; Gottlieb, whose name opens this biographical sketch and whose residence is in Vera Cruz, Harrison township, Wells county, Indiana; Eliza- beth, deceased ; Jacob, also in Vera Cruz, In- diana; Samuel is in Switzerland, and Onabarbra, deceased.
Gottlieb Rolli lived in his native land until 1882, when he decided to try his for- tune in the grander trans-Atlantic republic, came to America and settled in Vera Cruz, Indiana. Here he engaged in his present business of breeding, for which he has a pe- culiar ability, being an expert. Among other valuable animals he is part owner of Cremeo, that has scored 2:40 in a trial heat and is the sire of Gold Bug, who has made a record of 2:19; he also owns two high bred fillies and two draft stallions in part- nership. Mr. Rolli is also a famous dog fancier, and owns one of the best English pointer dogs in Wells county.
Fraternally Mr. Rolli is a member of Lodge No. 30, Knights of Fidelity, Bluff-' ton, and politically is a Democrat. He is one of the most active members of his party in Wells county and a leader in its councils and has served as a member of the town council of Vera Cruz for several years, being still an active member of that honorable body.
Gottlieb Rolli was united in matrimony in 1888 with Miss Maggie Munger, who was born in Switzerland, but when only two years of age was brought to America by her parents. This union has been blessed with
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six children, named as follows: Maurice, Frances, Ruth, Blanche, Harold and Harry.
Mr. Rolli is favorably known through- out the township of Harrison. He is rec- ognized as a man of the strictest integrity, was never known to take an undue advan- tage of another or to make a misrepresenta- tion in a trade of any kind, something which cannot always be said of men in his line of business. It is true that he is shrewd and knows full well what he is about, but he never oversteps the rigid rules of honesty. He and his amiable helpmate are rearing their children to lives of usefulness and to be ornaments to the community in which they have their being, and to society at large. Mr. Rolli may be termed a self-made man in the business sense of the phrase, and counts his friends by the hundred in Wells county and the surrounding counties as well as in more distant parts of the state.
NATHAN ROBERTS.
Kentucky, which in its early history was known as "The Dark and Bloody Ground," furnished Indiana with some of its pioneer settlers in the early days, but very few of them found their way as far north as Wells county. A few families, however, have been traced to that locality, among them the Roberts family, to which Nathan Roberts, the subject of this sketch, belongs. He was born in Rock Creek town- ship, Wells county, October 17, 1851, but his father was a Kentuckian, having been born in that commonwealth February 23, 18II. Robert and Abigail (Redding) Rob- erts were the parents of the subject hereof.
In his native state of Kentucky Robert Rob- erts grew to manhood and on January 28, 1836, he married Miss Mary Brown. Two children were born to this union, but both are now dead. In 1837 he moved to Wells county, Indiana, where he entered one hun- dred and twenty acres of government land, in section 32, Rock Creek township, and upon this he built a home, cleared and im- proved the land and later added eighty acres, making him the owner of two hundred acres. August 10, 1840, he met his first great be- reavement in the death of his faithful wife. He was again united in marriage, his sec- ond wife being a widow, Mrs. Abigail Sparks, whose maiden name was Redding, the date of her birth being December 12, 1815. To this union five children were born, three of whom are still living, viz: John, a resident of Rock Creek township; Nathan, of this sketch, and R. D., of Rock Creek township. Again the death angel visited the Roberts home and on April 8, 1862, Mrs. Abigail Roberts departed this life. Her loss was deeply felt and widely mourned. She was a kind, generous woman, of most ami- able disposition, whose sole object in life was to do good. For a third time Robert Rob- erts entered the bonds of matrimony, his third wife being Mahala Redding, who is still living on the old homestead. Her for- mer husband died February 5, 1880. He was a man who took an active part in all of the affairs of life, in politics was a Demo- crat and served a number of terms as town- ship trustee, besides occupying other local offices. He was a member of the New Light church.
Up to the time he was twenty years old Nathan Roberts attended the public schools of Rock Creek township, when they were in
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session, generally about three months in the year. In this way he secured a good com- mon school education, to which he has added much since by extensive reading. Until he was twenty-one years of age, when not in school, he worked for his father on the farm. The five years next succeeding his majority were employed upon the same farm, cultivating it upon the shares, his part being one-fourth of all that was raised. On March 9, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Mossburg, who was born Feb- ruary 22, 1853. She was a daughter of Henry and Mary (Ware) Mossburg, na- tives of Henry county, Indiana, whose an- cestors were natives of Maryland and Vir- ginia and members of the Christian church. Henry Mossburg, grandfather of Mrs. Rob- erts, came to Wells county, Indiana, in 1837, was the third settler in Liberty township and was the first white man buried in the township. He was a soldier of the war of 1812 and died November 2, 1838. Henry Mossburg, the father of Mrs. Roberts, was twice married. First, August 2, 1845, to Rebecca Scotten. To this union five chil- dren were born, of whom only one child, Isaac, is living. His second wife, to whom he was married May 8, 1852, was Mrs. Mary E. (Nau) Wiley. Ten children were born to this union, viz: Harriett A., La- Fayette, Ella May, William, Jane, Ara- mantha, Eddie, Lizzie, Walter and Milton, the latter dying when only four years old.
When Nathan Roberts was twenty-three years of age his father gave him forty acres of land in Rock Creek township. This he held for about two years when he sold it. The proceeds he used as a part payment on one hundred and sixty acres in Liberty township which he purchased, going in debt
for the balance, one thousand six hundred dollars. This land is located in section 3, was a wild and trackless forest at that time, but is now the well improved, productive farm upon which the Roberts family re- sides. Immediately after this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Roberts took up their residence on this place and it has been their home ever since. Their first home was a little frame house built of green cottonwood lumber, whose tendency to warp was so marked as to remind one of the "crooked house" of Mother Goose fame. In 1886 he built a barn thirty-six by sixty feet, that is one of the most commodious and substantial struc- tures of the kind in the township. In 1890 . he erected a handsome ten-room house, which is beautifully finished and has since been elegantly furnished, making a most enviable home. When he paid off the origi- nal indebtedness, he purchased another tract of forty acres adjoining his place on the east. This gives him two hundred acres, in one body, all choice farming land, well drained and under cultivation. By hard work, economy and thrift, Nathan Roberts and his faithful wife have accomplished this, be- sides putting together personal property of a value not less than two thousand dollars. The farm is well stocked with horses, cattle and hogs. From a very small and insignifi- cant beginning they have evolved all this and have done it within a period of twenty- five years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Roberts two children have been born, viz: Rosa M. is the wife of William Johnson and they have one child, Harold N. X .; they reside on the Roberts farm; Nettie B. is well educated and ac- complished in music, residing with her par- ents. Mrs. Roberts is a Quaker, her church
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being in Liberty Center, but both her daugh- ters are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Roberts is a member of Lodge No. 747, I. O. O. F., of Liberty Center, and of Atoka Tribe No. 226, I. O. R. M., at Rockford, Indiana. Whatever zeal he may lack in re- ligion, he makes up in activity in lodge work. In politics he is a Democrat, but never held or desired to hold office, though a number of times he has represented his township in various conventions. Most flattering success has never banished the na- tive modesty of Mr. Roberts. He is ever the same kind, genial and sympathetic man, one who loves his friends and treats his enemies with contempt. Mr. Roberts possesses an old parchment deed, signed by President Martin Van Buren.
PETER MEYER.
As far back as 1835 the Meyer family came from Switzerland to America. Peter Meyer was a native of the unconquerable little republic, having had his nativity May 22, 1831. He has since had his home in the grander republic of America, now being a resident of this country about sixty-seven years, or more than an ordinary life time. On coming to this country, Peter and Mar- garet Meyer, the parents of Peter, who is made the especial subject of this biographi- cal notice, first located in Starke county, Ohio, where they lived about one year, and whence Peter, the father, in company with John Buler, came on foot to Wells county, Indiana, in 1836. From here he went to Adams county with an ox-team and located in French township and lived on a farm in
the midst of a forest for several years, sold the farm and came back to Wells county, where he died in the 'seventies, at the home of his son Abe.
Peter Meyer, of this sketch, until twenty- one years old worked on his father's farm, and then began learning the carpen- ter's trade. Having finished learning his trade, he came to Vera Cruz and here mar- ried a Miss Mary Sauers, of Newville, but a native of Switzerland, who bore him one child; the child and the mother were both called away sometime late in the 'fifties. In 1860 Mr. Meyer chose for a second wife Miss Elizabeth Mosure, who was likewise a native of Switzerland, and to this happy union have been born eight children, name- ly : Albert; Jonas; Sarah, wife of William Frauhiger ; Betta, married to Philip Frau- higer ; David, a business man in Bluffton, and of whom more may be learned by a perusal of his life sketch on another page of this volume; Jacob, married, Elizabeth 'and Ida, still single.
Although Peter Meyer was a poor man even until his having attained his majority and up to the time of his first marriage, he was always industrious and economical and a good manager of his earnings as they came to him. He used these earnings ju- diciously, and with unusual foresight in- vested them in such a manner that they were sure to bring him a satisfactory re- turn. He was filled with energy and cour- age, and in 1860 made his first venture in real estate, buying eighty acres in an almost impenetrable forest in Wells county, but which he succeeded in developing into one of the best farms in Harrison township, taking into consideration its dimensions. But his industry and enterprise have not
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been confined to this tract only, as he has owned as many as four hundred acres, which he has divided among his children as they grew to maturity and chose life partners for themselves. The fact stands forth as an evidence of his perseverance and he deserves the most commendable credit for the suc- cessful manner in which he has developed his own homestead.
The Meyer family belong to the German Reformed church, and in politics Mr. Meyer has always been a Democrat. As a farmer, he stands today among the foremost of Har- rison township, and his strict integrity in all his dealings has made him one of the most honored men of his community as well as one of the most influential.
J. W. GOODYEAR.
The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of him- self and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict estab- lishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise ; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, use- ful and honorable life-a life character- ized by perseverance, energy, broad char- ity and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pro- nounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.
The Goodyear family is an old one and
is traced back through several centuries to its original location in Cumberland, Eng- land, where, close to the borders of Scot- land, the family flourished from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries. Eventually the members of the family became scatter- ed, the name being found in many parts of England and, according to old records still extant, a number went to London. At least three branches of the family have mi- grated to America at different times, it being a matter of record that there arrived in America in 1637 Stephen Goodyear, who afterward became governor of New Haven colony. Another branch of the family went from England to Holland and Germany, their emigration being coinci- dent with that of the Puritans. This Ger- man branch of the family later came to America and from it is descended the fam- ily to which belongs the subject of this sketch. The first emigrant ancestors set- tled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in that state, on the 4th of April, 1789, was born Samuel Goodyear, who lived a long and useful life, dying at the advanced age of ninety years. His son, William James Goodyear, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1822, and ac- companied his parents upon their removal to Ohio in 1832. Ten years later, 1842, he came alone to Indiana, locating in Bluff- ton, Wells county, a section of country which did not at that time give much promise of the marked prosperity which has since characterized both city and county. He worked at the carpenter's and cooper's trades several years. He was here united in marriage, on the 17th of February, 1850, with Miss Diana J. Sutton, a granddaughter of the Rev. Elijah Sut-
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ton, one of the well known early pioneers of Wells county. This worthy couple lived to celebrate the golden anniversary of the ceremony which united them, the event being the occasion of a large gathering of their relatives and friends who joined in their efforts to make memorable the day. Mr. Goodyear died July 10, 1901, on the old homestead near Murray where he had made his home for half a century. To William and Diana Goodyear were born two children, Rhoda Fidelia, born Novem- ber 16, 1851, and Jacob Webster, the subject.
Jacob W. Goodyear was born July 13, 1862, was reared upon the old home farm near Murray and was early given the ad- vantage of attendance at the common schools, after which, during the years 1877-9, he at- tended the normal school at Bluffton. In 1880 Mr. Goodyear entered Fort Wayne College, graduating in the commercial and business department the following year, and also graduating in the classical department in the same institution in 1883. In addition to pursuing his regular studies, he was en- gaged for two years in teaching bookkeep- ing and mathematics. After leaving school he was for a year occupied in can- vassing for the sale of books and then passed four years upon the farm. In 1888, upon the organization of the Wells County Bank, Mr. Goodyear was elected to the po- sition of cashier, in which capacity he has since served continuously. In 1903 he was elected to the position of vice-presi- dent of the institution and also made a member of the board of directors. He was still retained in the position of cashier and in these joint positions he has since had the active management of the bank's af-
fairs. The bank, though but fifteen years old, has had a most creditable history and from a small institution has developed in- to one of the largest and most influential state banks in Indiana. It has a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, a surplus of ten thousand dollars and assets amount- ing to over seven hundred thousand dol- lars. There are seventy-five stockhold- ers, whose interests are looked after by nine directors. Mr. Goodyear has not confined his sole attention to his banking interests, as is shown by the fact that he is an officer in and a director of four other institutions that have for their object the welfare and improvement of the city and county. For a number of years he has been a director, and in January, 1903, was elected the president, of the Commercial Club, an organization that has accomplish- ed much in building up the commercial interests of Bluffton, and he is also presi- dent of the library board, in the latter ca- pacity being in hearty accord with the proposition to erect a new library in this city in the near future, one that will be in thorough harmony with the other recent improvements in the city. Mr. Goodyear helped to organize and for the long period of twelve years has been treasurer of the People's Mutual Loan and Savings As- sociation and is also an incorporator and secretary of the new Elm Grove Cemetery Association, which has been started on most modern cemetery plans. In many ways not here mentioned Mr. Goodyear has exerted a silent, but none the less potent, influence upon the city's growth and development and among those best acquainted with the full scope of his ef- forts and accomplishments he occupies a
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high position in their confidence and es- teem. Much of the present prosperity of this section of the country is directly trace- able to the impulse of the influence and ef- forts exerted by the subject. Mr. Good- year is free in his expression of gratitude to his parents and his sister for their un- selfish devotion to him, that he might ob- tain a good education and have a start in life. Through them the foundations were laid thoroughly and deeply and upon them he has builded wisely and well, so that to- day he occupies a position not only credit- able to himself, but reflecting honor to those who so carefully looked after him in the primal days of his life career.
On the 26th of November, 1891, Mr. Goodyear was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Harriet Bennett, daughter of Robert C. and Harriet (Deam) Bennett. This union has been a most hap- py and congenial one and has been blessed by the birth of one child, Edith May, born May 23, 1896. Thus briefly have been set forth the salient facts in the life career of one of Wells county's intelligent men of affairs. His career and position illustrate most happily the fact that, if a young man possesses the proper attributes of mind and heart, he can attain to a position of unmistakable precedence and gain for himself an honored position among the men who are the foremost factors in shap- ing the destiny of cities, communities and states. His life proves that the only true success in this world depends upon per- sonal effort and consecutive industry. It also demonstrates that the road to posi- tion is open to all who possess the courage to tread its pathway and serves as an in- spiration to the young of the present and
future generations, teaching by incontro- vertible facts that true success is ambition's legitimate answer.
HENRY CLAY McCULLICK.
One of the original pioneers to whom the present generation is indebted for the com- forts and blessings which attend the deni- zens of a well improved and highly cultivat- ed commonwealth is Henry C. McCullick, a son of Henry McCullick, a native of Maryland, but of Scotch parentage. The father of the subject married for his first wife Martha Twible, a native of Maryland whose parents, John and Elizabeth Twible, were natives of Scotland, John, the father, having come to America with the British army. His inherent love of freedom, how- ever, later led him to desert the British and attach himself to the American cause and thereafter he fought in many battles for in- dependence, passing through many narrow escapes, having at different times had five bullet holes shot through his clothing and one through his hat. After his marriage the elder McCullick settled in Tyler county, Vir- ginia, where he remained until 1832 when he removed to Henry county, Ohio, remain- ing there until the fall of 1834, at which time he again removed to Wells county, In- diana.
February II, 1835, when the subject was seven years of age, Henry, Sr., became one of the first settlers of Chester township, Wells county, a typical pioneer belonging to that class to whom too much honor can not be accorded by succeeding generations. Upon his arrival in the new country Henry, Sr.,
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settled upon land which is still in the fam- ily, being the farm now occupied by Isaac McCullick.
At the first election held in Chester and Jackson townships there were but seven votes cast. Henry, Sr., was chosen for office and his oldest son was also elected to fill the office of justice of the peace. The oldest brother of the subject of this sketch was the first man who took out a marriage license in the new county of Wells. When the sub- ject with his father's family came to Wells county, they moved into an Indian settle- ment of three hundred souls, with whom he run, played and slept and declares that they are the best class of citizens the United States ever had if they had only been let alone. Henry, Sr., was a soldier of the war of 1812, and died in 1863 at about the age of seventy-five years. His wife, Martha, died in 1847. The subject was three times married. To his first union nine children were born. John, deceased ; Rachel, deceased ; Josiah, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased ; Lindy, deceased; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Mary J., the wife of St. Claire Raush, who is deceased; Penelope, the wife of Silas Jones ; William, who is a resident of Michigan and married to Margaret Good- frey. Henry, Sr., married the second time, and this wife dying, he chose for his third wife Susie Hunt, the widow of Harvey Hunt. To this third union was born one child, Ellen, who married Edward Terhune.
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