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 55

Author: Dougherty, Hugh
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Logansport, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 732


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 55


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In January, 1893, Mr. Abbott experi- enced his first real misfortune. His young wife bade farewell to earth, entrusting to her young husband the care of their two babes, Minnie M., who had been born Au- gust 26, 1890, the other Laura J., an infant of but a few days, born January 20, 1893, but


who survived her mother only about six months. These bereavements were most keenly felt by the young business man. He, however, applied himself only the more closely to business, endeavoring to forget his sorrows by smothering them with busi- ness cares. After a period of nearly two years he was again united in marriage, this time to Laura C. Reed, daughter of David and Elizabeth Reed, of Lancaster township. His present wife was also a school teacher, having taught a number of terms in the vi- cinity of their present home. To this latter marriage three children have been born : Bertha May, September 13, 1895; Loyd Allen, April 11, 1899, and Helen Margaret, January 12, 1901.


Twice appointed postmaster, each time under a Republican administration, it seems superfluous to mention that Mr. Abbott is a Republican. Politics, however, is not in his line, business being the first consider- ation with him. He is a member and a regu- lar attendant at the services of the United Brethren church, has been one of its trus- tees for a number of years and is now super- intendent of the Sunday school. His stand- ing in the community is above reproach and there is scarcely a person in town or country surrounding that is not his personal friend.


B. F. HOWER.


The largest general store in Lancaster township, Wells county, Indiana, is that owned and conducted by Benjamin Frank- lin Hower in Craigville, of which town he was formerly the postmaster. He was born in Kirkland township, Adams county, Indi-


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ana, May 6, 1859, a son of Joseph and Rachael (Proctor) Hower. Joseph Hower, the father, a native of Champaign county, Ohio,was born in 1836, was reared a farmer, married Rachael Proctor in the spring of 1858 and in the fall of the same year settled in Kirkland township, Adams county. There he purchased a farm, on which he re- sided until his death, which occurred in January, 1873, and was caused by that fell and insidious disorder, consumption. Not- withstanding the weakened condition of his system, brought on by this fatal disease, Joseph Hower bore its ravages with Chris- tian resignation, and when he was called away the community sincerely mourned his loss, while to his family it was irreparable.


Benjamin F. Hower attended the dis- trict school of his native township until he reached the age of fourteen years, at which age he lost his father. Benjamin then un- dertook the management of the homestead for his mother and operated it in her interest until his marriage, which took place Septem- ber 24, 1881, to Miss Susan Baum, a daugh- ter of Benjamin and Susan Baum, of Adams county. Mr. Hower continued to reside on the old homestead for six years after his marriage, when in 1887 he removed to Craigville and embarked in his present busi- ness, which, considering the limited num- ber of inhabitants in the township, has reached mammoth proportions. He has shown himself to be a shrewd business man, keeping in touch with the people and clearly anticipating their needs. His stock in trade is invariably well selected and equally well assorted, so that the most fastidious patron may be thoroughly satisfied. Mr. Hower is also an accomplished salesman, a qualifica- tion that seems to be natural to him, and affability and courtesy are equally innate.


When he once meets with a patron he, through his straightforward dealing and avoidance of misrepresentations of any kind, secures him for all time, and this is the true secret of all successful merchandis- ing.


The Hower family of children number seven, to-wit: Minnie Pearl, born June 18, 1882, and married to Martin Kaufman, of Lancaster township; Gertha M., born March 26, 1886; Sarah Elizabeth, born February 15, 1890; Ada Belle, born February 16, 1892, and died September 7, 1892; Hattie ' Mabel, born October TI, 1895; Raymond, born April 6, 1897, and Herbert, born July 4, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Hower and their children of suitable age are members of the C. U. church at Craigville, to the mainten- ance of which they are most liberal con- tributors financially, and in whose doctrines they are sincere believers, being desirous that others, outside its pale, shall be brought within the fold. In politics Mr. Hower is a stanch Democrat and in the interests of his party never fails to make any reason- able sacrifice of his time and labor. In par- tial recognition of his devotion to his princi- ples and party, he was appointed, during President Cleveland's second administra- tion, postmaster of Craigville and for four years filled the office with ability and to the entire satisfaction of the postoffice department at Washington and to the gratification of the public of Lancaster township.


PHILEMON A. ALLEN.


Philemon A. Allen is a native of Whit- ley county, Indiana, and was born near Coesse on the 29th day of January, 1853,


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being the eighth in order of birth of nine children of Nathaniel and Eliza (Force) Allen, both of whom were born in Akron, Ohio, representatives of honored pioneer families of the Buckeye state. They were reared in their native state, and in the year 1843 moved to Whitley county, Indiana, which section at that time was almost entire- ly unreclaimed from its primitive wilder- ness condition. The father at once located on a heavily timbered tract of land, which he began to clear and make ready for culti- vation. He erected a saw-mill, which was the first in the county, and was for that reason very much appreciated by the set- tlers. The family abode was at first a mod- est log cabin, typical of the place and the period, but the intelligence and progress- ive character of Nathaniel Allen was such as to secure advancement in temporal af- fairs, and he contributed his full share of effort toward the development of the county. He and his wife were both active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and often in those days, before the erection of church buildings, their home was opened for re- ligious services, conducted by the pioneer circuit riders, and the preacher of that per- iod was sure of a welcome in the home whenever his long journey brought him in their vicinity. Of the nine children born to Nathaniel and Eliza Allen, three died in infancy, while the parents resided in Akron, Ohio. Those who lived to mature years were as follows : William A., Wesley W., H. Wallace, Cynthia J., Philemon A. and Mary E. Cynthia became the wife of Isaac Hull and moved to Kansas, where she died, leav- ing several children. Mary E. became the wife of John W. Waugh and died in 1893, leaving five daughters and a son. Williamand


Wesley both served in the war of the Rebel- lion and are still living in Whitley county. Wallace went to Kansas in the '70s and still resides there.


Philemon A. Allen grew to manhood in his native county, and the days of his boy- hood and youth were passed as the life of the average boy reared on the farm. He at- tended the common schools during the short terms they were in session each year and the rest of the time was spent in helping to cul- tivate the farm. At the age of seventeen years he was qualified to teach and was first licensed by that pioneer educator, I. B. Mc- Donald. He taught two years in what was called the "Log London" school and one year in the Snyder school. He then took a course of study in the normal school at Leb- anon, Ohio, after which he went to Mason county, Illinois, where he taught for two years. In the spring of 1875 he took some special studies in the Fort Wayne College and a few months later was called to take charge of the normal department in that in- stitution, which he conducted very success- fully for two years. In the fall of 1877 he took charge of the schools at Ossian, Indi- ana, which position he held for four years and brought the school to a high standard of excellence. It was during his administration that the excellent high school at that place was organized, which has each year since then sent out fine classes of graduates. In the summer of 1881 Mr. Allen took an exten- sive European trip, and among other things, made a study of the school system in the countries he visited. On his return from Eu- rope he took the superintendency of the schools at Bluffton, Indiana, which position he held for ten years. On taking charge of the schools of that city he at once organized


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the high school, which graduated its first class in June, 1883. Early in his adminis- tration the Bluffton high school was com- missioned and the entire school system of the city was brought to such a state of efficiency that it was recognized as one of the best in the state. At the close of an entire decade of service as superintendent of the Bluffton schools, Mr. Allen resigned the position, hav- ing negotiated for the purchase of a half in- terest in the Bluffton Banner. The board of education was reluctant to accept his resigna- tion and endeavored to prevail upon him to continue in the position. But having for some time been desirous of engaging in journalism he adhered to his purpose, and in May, 1891, he assumed editorial charge of the Banner and continued in that position until January, 1902, when he sold his interest in the paper to the present editor. Under his manage- ment the paper advanced rapidly in circu- lation and influence, and was noted for the high tone which characterized its editorial and news columns. Having always been iden- tified with the best and highest interests of the community and county in which he has resided for twenty-five years, he has never hesitated to make bold and effective attacks upon whatever was at war with those best in- terests. During the eleven years of his connec- tion with the Bluffton Banner he maintained a lively interest in educational affairs, all school enterprises receiving ample and most complimentary notice in his columns. In politics Mr. Allen has always been an un- compromising Democrat and under his di- rection the Banner led the party to victory in several very closely contested local fights.


On December 25, 1884, Mr. Allen was united in marriage with Miss Georgiana Swaim, of Ossian, Indiana, a native of Troy,


Ohio. To them were born two children, For- rest, now in his eighteenth year, who will graduate from the Bluffton high school this year, and Lucile, who died February 6, 1891, at the age of two years and four months. In fraternal relations Mr. Allen is identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 145, F. & A. M., and also of the Royal Arch chapter. He has been from young manhood a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, serving for many years on the board of trustees of the Bluffton church. He has been for a long time superintendent of the Sunday school of that church, having recently been elected to that office for the twentieth year. Mrs. Al- len and their son Forrest are also members of the same church.


1


JOHN C. FULTON, M. D.


The man who bears numerous relations to the public and in each of them acquits him- self not only with credit but with honor, is deserving of much at the hands of his biogra- pher, far more than is the worthy subject of this sketch, Dr. J. C. Fulton, of Bluffton, li- able to receive from the writer hereof, or in a work of as limited a scope as the present volume. The eminent Irish orator, Charles Phillips, described Napoleon Bonaparte as "a man without a model and without a shadow." The compliment is distinctively Irish, because it includes the evil as well as the good. Of Dr. Fulton no evil has been or can be said. His virtues are so many and so predominant over all of the weaknesses at- tributable to human nature that to mention them would be to insult the intelligence of


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thousands of worthy citizens of Wells county, where for more than thirty-two years Dr. Fulton has practiced his profession as a physician and surgeon. Eulogy in his case is wholly superfluous. The old and the young, the feeble and the bold, the maimed and the sound, all alike, sing his praise.


The Fultons are of Irish ancestry. The family in America sprang from four brothers who left their native land for America pre- vious to the war of the Revolution, in 1765. The brothers were James, Joseph, Robert ' and Abraham, the former being the great- great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Their two sisters, Margaret and Polly, accompanied them on that important trip to America. Here in America, Mar- garet became Mrs. Quinn and Polly became Mrs. Boyde. Four of the sons of the latter, John. James, Benjamin and Abraham, en- tered the Presbyterian ministry, and to their eloquence, religious earnestness and zeal much of the grand work accomplished by Presbyterianism in America is due. The Fulton family in Ireland were among the early members of that denomination in that country.


James Fulton, the great-grandfather of Dr. J. C. Fulton, was the father of five sons and one daughter, viz: James, Abraham, Robert, Cochran, Benjamin and Sarah, of whom Abraham is the grandfather of the subject hereof. His wife was Miss Anna Smith and they were the parents of seven sons, all of whom grew to manhood. James, the eldest of these seven brothers, died at the age of eighty-four years, without issue. Robert died at the age of seventy-eight years, leaving seven children. Abraham died when ninety years old, leaving seven children. John, who died at the age of forty-five


years, was the father of eight children. David, who died aged eighty-two years, left a family of six children. Cochran died at the age of seventy-six, leaving a son and a daughter. Andrew passed away at the early age of thirty-three years, leaving five chil- dren. John, above mentioned, the father of the subject, was attacked with a malignant form of milk sickness, which caused his death in 1855. In certain sections of Indi- ana this disease was quite prevalent in the early days, but is now seldom heard of. John Fulton was married in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1838, to Miss Sarah Egbert and in 1840 they removed to Wells county, Indi- ana. The names of their eight children are as follows : Milton S., Martha A., John C.,. Mary E., Rachael A., Clara A., George E. and James C. With the exception of the last named, who died in infancy, the children all reached maturity, married and have children.


Dr. J. C. Fulton, the subject of this re- view, was born in Stark county, Ohio, on the 22d day of February, 1845, whilst his parents were temporarily spending the win- ter in that state. He was reared on a farm, attending school about three months of each year until the war of 1861-5, after which he attended Bluffton high school and later at- tended Miami Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio. He began the practice of medicine in Murray, Wells county. Indiana, in 1870. The Doctor was married on the IIth day of . January, 1872, to Miss Jennie Belle Hanna, who died January 26, 1887, and on March 8, 1888, he was married to Mary J. (Routh) Lesh. John C. Fulton and Jennie Belle (Hanna) Fulton were the parents of four children, viz: Minnie U. Lesh, Mabel D., Allie A. and Jennie B. M.


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WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.


From the firing on Ft. Sumter, in April, 1861, until the following October, Dr. Ful- ton was making his arrangements to enter the service of his country. When the Twelfth Indiana Regiment was organized he became a member of Company G, and served until May 12, 1862, in the Army of the Potomac. He was mustered out in the city of Washington by reason of the expi- ration of his term of enlistment. His brief term of service convinced him that the rebel- lion was not to be crushed in the limited space of time predicted by many. He would have re-enlisted immediately, but desired to return home and make his arrangements for a much longer period of absence. In Au- gust, 1862, he joined Company G, One Hun- dred and First Indiana Regiment, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out in June, 1865. Upon the organization of the regiment it was taken by rail to Cin- cinnati, thence to Louisville, where the line of march to Perrysville was taken up. The subject was one of a detail supplied to guard the wagon train, a position he desired, as involving more peril and excitement. The battle of Milton, Tennessee, occurred March 20, 1863, and in this engagement the One Hundred and First Indiana took a promi- nent part. With his regiment, Dr. Fulton took part in the Rosecrans campaign of Chattanooga, Tennessee, which included also the campaign of Chickamauga, Geor- gia. In the hot fight at Mission Ridge Dr. Fulton participated and later did his whole duty in the Atlanta campaign. He was with the regiment until it reached Goldsborough, North Carolina, where he was taken ill. In the march through Georgia, from Atlanta to Savannah, the army was much in need of horses and mules.


Dr. Fulton was one of the number detailed to forage along the line of march for ani- mals of this species. At one time they turned over to the government four hun- dred and eighty equines, many of them val- uable animals. At another time they en- countered, in the dark, a company of twelve Confederates having charge of over one hundred head of horses and mules. The southerners were ignorant of the location of the rebel camp and the Doctor and his com- pany kindly volunteered to show them. When they landed with their animals in the Federal instead of the Confederate camp they felt that they were indeed "from Mis- souri" and had been "shown." The lieu- tenant in charge of the Confederates was greatly chagrined. He was a bright young fellow and felt mortified at being so easily tricked. In all of his army experience the Doctor was wounded but once, and then only slightly.


For a period of thirty-two years Dr. Fulton has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Wells county, hav- ing been so engaged longer than any other man of his calling in the county, except Dr. J. I. Metts, of Ossian. That he has been most eminently successful is conceded on every hand. At his time of life he would like to be less active, to have more time that he might call his own, and has a number of times determined to retire from the more exacting duties of his calling. But old pa- trons to whom he has ministered for thirty years will not be turned away. He feels that he owes it to himself to take life easier, but those old friends-patients of a life-time-also feel that some obligation is due to them, with the usual result in Dr. Fulton's case, that self is sacrificed. Away


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in the dim past, when the various counties of the state knew nothing of a medical society, Dr. J. C. Fulton was one of the first to take the initiative in perfecting such an organi- zation in Wells county. He is now presi- dent of the Wells County Medical Society, a member of the State Medical Association and of the American Medical Association. Personally he is one of the most genial and companiable of men, one whose principles need never be questioned. In religion he is too broad in his views to be hemmed in, bound or circumscribed by any denomina- tional limits. He therefore belongs to no religious society, despite his Presbyterian ancestry. He is a member of Lew Dailey Post No. 33, G. A. R., and was for many years its surgeon. While he never held and never could afford to hold a public office, he acknowledged his allegiance to the Republi- can party, believing that the policy ad- vocated by that party regarding govern- mental management the most conducive to the welfare of the American people. If, however, it transpired that a policy which he considered pernicious was advocated by that party, neither a jack-screw nor a derrick would be required to change him. He has always been a lover of life in any form and the useful domestic animals especially com- - mend themselves to his favor. When the breeding of shorthorn cattle became the rage a number of years ago, he was one of the or- ganizers and for a number of years president of the Wells County Shorthorn Breeders' Association. It is now defunct, but it was a worthy movement and subserved a good purpose. He has a superbly improved farm of two hundred and twenty acres, six miles from the city. The barn alone on the prem- ises cost twenty-five hundred dollars. While


never neglecting what is due from him, as a medical practitioner, to the general public, he is deeply interested in agriculture and stock raising. In all of the numerous re- lations he bears and has borne to the public, as citizen, soldier, physician, agriculturist and man, he has acquitted himself in a man- ner not only to merit and receive popular ap- probation, but is held in the highest esteem for a kindness and generosity that is inex- haustible and purely his own.


HUGH D. STUDABAKER.


The name of Studabaker is one which has been prominent in the annals of Wells county from the early pioneer era of its his- tory up to the present time, and of this fact numerous evidences are given within the pages of this publication, where will be found specific mention of various members of the old and honored family. In the case at hand we have to do with the present in- cumbent of the office of county clerk and one who is an able, representative young business man, commanding the high regard of the people of his native county, where he has passed practically his entire life.


Hugh Dougherty Studabaker was born on a farm on the banks of the Wabash river, in Lancaster township, Wells county, Indiana, on the 10th of September, 1869, being a son of Major Peter and Sarah (Morgan) Studabaker. Major Studabaker was born in Darke county, Ohio, on the 26th day of February, 1833, being a son of Abra- ham and Elizabeth ( Hardman) Studabaker. In 1847 the Major came to Wells county, and in 1851 entered into partnership with


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his half brother, John Studabaker, in the dry goods business in Bluffton. On the 28th of October of the following year, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Sarah Morgan, a daughter of John Morgan, who came from Lancaster county, Ohio, and who was extensively engaged in the milling busi- ness. In 1858 Major Studabaker was elect- ed treasurer of Wells county, and was chosen as his own successor in 1860. On the 15th of August, 1862, he responded to the call for volunteers to aid in suppressing the Rebellion, and was commissioned cap- tain of his company, while on the Ist of June, 1863, he received his commission as major. He enlisted as a member of Company B, One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he rendered most valiant service, continuing at the front un- til victory crowned the Union arms and par- ticipating in the grand review in the city of Washington, in May, 1865, while on the 24th of the succeeding month he was honor- ably discharged in Louisville, Kentucky, ar- riving at his home on the 4th of the follow- ing July. In the battle of Kenesaw Moun- tain he received a severe wound in his left foot, and from the effects of this injury, which resulted in bone erysipelas, his death eventually occurred. He passed away on the 19th of May, 1888, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Anna Thornburg, of Farm- land, Indiana. In 1866 he accepted a po- sition in the First National Bank of Bluff- ton, and two years later, in company with John Studabaker and Hugh Dougherty, in honor of the latter of whom the subject of this sketch was named, he became concerned in the organization and establishing of the Exchange Bank, and he continued to be ac- tively identified with this institution until


his death. In 1874 he was elected to the office of county commissioner, and was re- elected in 1876 and 1880. No man in the community held more uniform confidence and esteem, for he ordered his life on a high plane of rectitude and honor and had the kindliness and urbanity which ever make for the securing of warm and abiding friend- ships. His wife survived him by about a decade, passing away on the 24th of Octo- ber, 1899, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Anna Thornburg, in Bluffton. Mrs. Studa- baker was born on the 4th of September. 1835, so that she was nearly sixty-four years of age at the time of her demise. Of this union were born four sons and two daugh- ters, the subject of this review having been the sixth in order of birth. Of the other children we incorporate the following brief record: George W., who married Olive Kemp, in 1876, is now a resident of Bluff- ton ; James M., who married Emma Ervin, in 1881, is now residing in Colorado; David was drowned in the Wabash river, on the roth of June, 1868, at the age of eleven years; Anna E. married John H. Thorn- burg, in 1882, and they now reside in Bluff- ton; and Alice S. married Charles E. Lacey, in 1887, and they reside in Crawfords- ville, Indiana.




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