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 72
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NOAH JOHNSON.
This gallant ex-soldier and at present a resident of Union township, Wells county, Indiana, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1826, a son of James and Rebecca (Baxter) Johnson, also natives of the Keystone state. Solomon Johnson. grandfather of Noah, was a native of Wales and, with two brothers, came while young to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where he married Fannie Warren, and where he and wife passed the remainder of life. Sol- omon, who was born January 3, 1765, died July 24, 1843, and Fannie (Warren) John- son, who was of German descent, was born August 1, 1772, and died June 15, 1838. They were the parents of fourteen children, namely : Pattie, born December 23, 1791; Joseph, born February 15, 1793 : Jacob, born July 17, 1794; Rebecca, born June 3, 1796; Dorcas, born February 28, 1798; Eliza, born February 27, 1800; James, born January 18, 1802; Abram, born January 8, 1804; Eliza, born December 7, 1805; Anna, born Sep- tember 29, 18 -; J. B., born April 18, 1810; Sarah B., born October 28, 1812, and Wil- liam, born November 22, 1820. James Johnson was reared a farmer in Pennsyl- vania, was married in that state, then re- moved to Ohio and in 1853 came to Indiana and settled in Allen county, where his death took place. To James and Rebecca John- son were born fourteen children, of whom Noah was the first born and of whom eleven still survive.
Noah Johnson was also reared to agricul- ture, and educated in the district schools and married Miss Sarah Thomas, a daughter of Enos and Margaret (Cameron) Thomas. Sarah Thomas was educated in Ohio and
came from Columbiana county, Ohio, to Wells county, Indiana, with her husband in a wagon. Here Mr. Johnson purchased the farm he still continues to occupy and culti- vate and which he wrought out from a dense forest. Although Mr. Johnson went in debt for the greater part of his purchase, he eventually succeeded in liquidating the in- cumbrance and is now in good circumstances. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson has been crowned with eight children, namely : Emmett, born in 1847; Amizet, born May 13, 1850; Rebecca, born August 14, 1852, and now the widow of Zeph Babcock ; Margaret, born December 5. 1855, and now the wife of Frank Detier; Elizabeth, born April 23, 1860, and now the widow of W. W. Greek ; Bethena, born July 14, 1858, is still at home ; Albert L., born October 17, 1862, and Ella, born July 7, 1866.
After his marriage and, when he was well settled on his farm the great Civil war broke out, and Mr. Johnson, filled with patriotism and indignation, tendered his services, and his life if necessary, to the government, en- listing in Company E, Thirty-fourth Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry, October 17, 1862, under Capt. Harry Deam, at Bluffton. He took part in the Vicksburg campaign, the battle at Port Gibson, the fight at Champion Hill, back of Vicksburg and at Jackson, all in Mississippi, and after the last campaign he was transferred to New Orleans, Lousi- ana, where he did garrison duty until De- cember, 1863. He also took part in the Red River expedition, and the fight at Browns- ville, Texas, and was honorably mustered out after the close of the war in 1865, but with the partial loss of eyesight, for which catastrophe the government allows him a pension of one dollar per day. In politics
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Noah Johnson was first a Whig, but on the founding of the Republican party joined its ranks. Mrs. Johnson is a devout member of the United Brethren church, in the radi- cal branch of which she is an ardent worker.
Enos Thomas, the father of Mrs. John- son, was one of the earliest justices of Col- umbiana county, having been appointed to his office by President George Washington. Seth Thomas, Mrs. Johnson's grandfather, was a native of England, married Martha Kirk, also a daughter of Albion's isle, and this couple were the progenitors of the pres- ent family bearing their names in the state of Indiana. The Johnson family are among the most respected residents of Union town- ship, Wells county, and, having been married for more than half a century, may be well considered as among the patriarchs of the county to which they have contributed so much of their labor and enterprises in re- deeming it from the wilderness and in mak- ing it the pleasant abode that it is today.
HENRY H. LASSITER.
Agriculture has been the true source of man's domain on earth ever since the primal existence of labor and has been the pivotal point of industry that has controlled for the most part all the fields of action to which his intelligence and energy have been devoted. In a civilized community no calling is more certain of yielding a compensatory return than that which is culled from a kindly soil, albeit the husbandman at times is sorely taxed in coaxing from old Mother Earth all that he desires or even expects; yet she
is a kind mother, being only desirous of bringing out whatever there is of good in her children, and seldom chastens with disappointment the one whose diligence and frugality she deems it but just should be rewarded. The subject of this sketch has found a benefactress in his planetary mother, for at an early age he was thrown upon his own resources and without the warmth of her smile he must needs have suffered, even though his courage was of the greatest.
Henry H. Lassiter was the son of William and Eliza (Wood) Lassiter, who were descended from a long line of English ancestors. The great-grandfather and grandfather of the subject were born and reared in England and came to America when the grandfather was a young man, settling in North Carolina, where they became husbandmen of the soil. The Wood family, which boasts of having a descendant in the person of the subject, were natives of New Jersey, where his mother was born. Both father and moth- er were reared in North Carolina, where they lived until their deaths. Great wealth came to bless their home, the father be- coming the possessor of three mills, one thousand acres of land and numberless slaves. Later the slaves were sold and the family were no longer troubled with the care of their bondmen. Thirteen children came to this home of peace and wealth, but of one only will this sketch attempt to deal.
Henry Lassiter as a boy showed a dis- position to trade and traffic and was thus tempted to neglect his education to such an extent that in later years he wished he had been less mercantile and more
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studious. He first began his life of trad- ing by running a six-horse team, selling general merchandise and buying and sell- ing horses during the time of the war. He made plenty of money and was on a fair road to a position of wealth had not the war broken him up, leaving him nothing with which to face the world. Miss Caro- line Allred, of Randolph county, North Carolina, became his wife in March, 1862. At this time his fortunes were beginning to look somber and before the end of the war he was again a poor man. To their marriage were born William M., James T., Delfina J., Nathan P., Alvira C., Wiley M., Patia I. and Henry A., all of whom are married but the two last named. Henry H. Lassiter came to Knightstown, Henry county, Indiana. May II, 1864, with but five cents in his pocket and a wife in the South dependent upon him for sup- port. Being a carpenter, he soon made money and came to Wayne township, Huntington county, Indiana, where he re- mained until 1865, when he moved to a farm in Wayne township near Mount Elvia. In the meantime he was joined by his family, his wife having to take the oath of allegiance, and after a short residence in Wayne township he removed to Wabash county and engaged in the butch- ering business, finally taking up farming again in Dallas township, where he lived for thirty years. He finally sold his farm in Dallas township and came to Union township, where he bought a quarter of section 3, the original Seaman farm, where he now lives.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Lassiter have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years and are actively
connected with the church, Mr. Lassiter being a steward. The Republican party has always received his vote and all his life he has taken part in the political affairs of his community. Mr. Lassiter is a man of much travel, having visited the greater portion of the United States, and has profited much by his experiences. He is a breeder of Percheron and Patchen horses and also of Polled Durham cattle, having some of the finest stock in the country. He also has a great reputation as a veterinary surgeon, having been a practitioner for thirty years, during which time he has made the study of animals a specialty. He holds a license to practice in the state of Indiana, where he has done a large busi- ness since beginning his practice. He has always been a lover of horses and it is probably to that love that he can point as an incentive to him in taking up the profession of veterinary surgery and no animal has had so ardent a student as this farmer has proven himself to be of the horse, of which he is familiar to the minut- est detail. As a non-professional man Mr. Lassiter is an up-to-date farmer, a good citizen and an excellent neighbor and en- joys the highest regard of the community.
E. H. BOTTS, M. D.
In the following sketch it will be seen how a man with a sufficient amount of cour- age can make of his life what he will. No matter what the ambitions, what the long- ings of the human heart, courage and perse- verance will ultimately win the goal, and no difference what the disadvantages, they can
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be overcome if only a man's will and courage remain undaunted. Dr. Botts, being one of those who would not acknowledge failure, won, after many years of patient endeavor, the success for which he sighed.
Dr. E. H. Botts, of Zanesville, is the son of David and Ellenor (Fordyce) Botts, both now deceased. He was born in Clinton coun- ty, Ohio, May 20, 1858, and was reared amid the scenes of rural life. He attended the graded schools at Genntown, Ohio, and came to Huntington county, Indiana, in 1881, se- curing employment on a farm in order to have the benefit of outdoor life. Two years later, in August, 1883, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Ida Young, a daughter of John Young, of Huntington coun- ty, Indiana, who was born in that county in March, 1864. When a boy he had a liking for the medical profession, which was shown even in his play. Being poor and with nothing but his strong will and indom- itable courage to carry him through the world, he rented a farm with the intention of making enough money to enable him to take a course in medicine. For two years he borrowed books and after working all day in the fields would read until far into the night, thus acquiring a rudimentary knowledge of his profession. He further pursued his studies for six years under the perceptorship of Dr. Ira E. Lyons, of Huntington, and later with Dr. E. S. Fisher, of Markle, Indiana. In the fall of 1889 he entered the Fort Wayne Medical College, in which he took a three years' course, graduating in March, 1893. Immediately thereafter Dr. Botts located at Zanesville, where he began his profession encumbered with a heavy debt. His prac- tice soon became lucrative and exceeded his anticipations. Besides now owning an eighty-
acre farm in Huntington county, he enjoys a large and lucrative practice. The Doctor has not had children of his own, but has taken into his family his brother's son, Ver- non, whom he is educating. Owing to his profession he has held aloof from political work, but has kept himself informed on the issues of the day, being a supporter of Demo- cratic principles. He conscientiously per- forms his professional duties, taking pride in keeping abreast with the times.
ROBERT CLARK.
The present competent postmaster of Zanesville, Wells county, Indiana, Robert Clark, is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (McGoogan) Clark, and was born in Tus- carawas county, Ohio, February 13, 1839. Daniel Clark was a native of New Bruns- wick and early came to the United States, locating in Ohio where he was subsequent- ly married. From Ohio Daniel and Eliza- beth Clark removed to Allen county, In- diana, in 1848, but later settled north of Zanesville, Allen county, in the same year purchased a farm and there passed the re- mainder of life. He was a gentleman of fine education, was an eloquent speaker and was favorably known as an advocate of Republican principles throughout Allen and Wells counties, having united with the Republicans on the disintegration of the old Whig party, of which he had pre- viously been a member. Mr. Clark was a most public spirited citizen and a strong friend of the common schools. His death took place in the faith of the Baptist church, in which he had long been a dea-
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con. The children born to Daniel and Elizabeth Clark were six in number and in order of birth were named as follows: Charles, Sarah J., William, Robert, Ben- jamin and Sophia, of whom three are still living.
Robert Clark was a lad of about ten years of age when brought to Indiana by his parents. He was early inured to hard labor and passed his boyhood days in as- sisting his father in clearing up the Indi- ana farms. He secured a very good com- mon school education, became a teacher in the public schools, later learned the car- penter's trade, but was engaged in farm- ing when the tremendous civil strife broke out between the North and the South. Rob- ert Clark was a patriotic youth and a lover of freedom, and at once offered his serv- ices in defense of his country's flag by en- listing, in August, 1862, in Company G (Capt. Truesdale), One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Milton, Tennessee, March 20, 1863, Mr. Clark was badly wounded and in- capacitated from further active service. After recuperating sufficiently, he was honorably discharged from the army and returned to his home.
In September, 1864, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Diffendorfer, who was born in Pennsyl- vania and came to Wells county, Indiana, in 1861 with her parents, Henry and Eliza- beth (Silvers) Diffendorfer. To the mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born nine children, in the following order : Lizzie died in childhood; James C .; Min- nie W., wife of Heber Wagner, of Co- lumbia City, Indiana; Theodore, who mar- ried Mary Shepler, is a barber at Fort
Wayne, Indiana; William H., who married Myrtle Fults, also resides in Fort Wayne; Charles married Clara Cline and lives in Zanesville; Markley married Effie Flack and also resides in Zanesville; Chase and Alma. The family attend the church of God, in which Mr. Clark is an elder, and fraternally he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Roanoke, Indi- ana. In politics he is a substantial Re- publican and in January, 1898, was ap- pointed postmaster of Zanesville, under the administration of President McKin- ley, although he had filled the same office under President Benjamin Harrison. In conjunction with conducting the affairs of his official position, Mr. Clarke carries on the harness business, and is regarded not only as an obliging and affable official, but as an upright business man and is highly esteemed for his many fine personal qualities.
JAMES L. McBRIDE, M. D.
Among the eminent and rising young medical men of Zanesville, Wells county, Indiana, stands Dr. James L. McBride, who was born in Lancaster township, this county, September 8, 1865, a son of J. L. and Jennie (McNary) McBride, of Scotch- Irish descent. The future doctor was reared upon the home farm and received the rudiments of his education in the dis- trict school, and at the age of eighteen years was granted a license to teach in Wells county. He reviewed his studies in the normal schools and later became a leading teacher and was appointed prin- cipal of the graded schools of Zanesville,
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holding the position during the winters of 1887 and 1888. He then entered the office of Dr. L. A. Cook, Bluffton, under whose judicious instruction he made rapid prog- ress and was soon prepared to enter the Indiana Medical School. This event took place in the fall of 1889 and in March, 1892, he was graduated. At this period of his career, the young doctor found him- self heavily in debt, but the incumbrance had been secured by the guarantees of his friends and he felt that a brilliant future was awaiting him. He at once entered into a competitive examination for the po- sition of assistant surgeon at the National Military Home at Marion, Indiana, and secured the appointment in 1892 and im- mediately took a post-graduate course in Chicago. The position he had secured enabled him to liquidate the debts for which his friends had gone security and he was soon on his feet again. After serv- ing one year as assistant surgeon of the National Military Home, Dr. McBride withdrew from the position on account of failing health and located in Zanesville, where his superior abilities as a physician met with a speedy recognition and where he has secured an extensive and remuner- ative line of patronage in both Wells and Allen counties.
Dr. McBride was united in marriage October 8, 1892, with Miss Almissie Michaels, a native of Allen county, Indi- ana, and who was educated in Zanesville. This happy union has been crowned with three children, namely: Donald, born April II, 1894; Justine, January 27, 1895, and Bonnie, December 23, 1897. Mrs. Mc- Bride is a member of the Lutheran church, to the support of which the Doctor is him-
self a liberal contributor. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic order and of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, as well as the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. In politics the Doctor is a sound Republi- can, and at one time was chairman of the Republican central committee of Wells county. He is a fluent speaker and a trenchant writer, as well as a brilliant conversationalist, and he is moreover' a high-minded and public spirited citizen and a most agreeable neighbor and his frankness in treating his patients is com- mended by all who give him their pro- fessional patronage. The Doctor owns a fine ten-acre tract of land in Union town- ship, which he has acquired through his fees as a physician, and he keeps it in a high state of cultivation.
Jonathan Michaels, father of Mrs. Dr. McBride, was born in the village of Sultz-am-Neckon, Germany, November 16, 1832, a son of John G. and Mary (Smith) Michaels, who came to America in 1834. For about eight years the Michaels family lived in Williamsport, Maryland, and in 1863 came to Zanesville, Indiana. January 29, 1855, Jonathan Michaels was joined in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Cline, who bore him six children, namely : John B., Amanda V., Juniata, Arbelan M., Almissie H. and Sarah J. The mother of these children was called from earth Oc- tober 1, 1865.
There are but few physicians young as Dr. McBride who have gained so eminent a standing in the profession, and much of his popularity without a doubt, regardless of his acknowledged ability, is due to his cheerful and enlivening conduct in the sick-room, through which he secures at
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once the confidence of his patient and arouses faith in his skill.
AUGUSTUS W. HAMILTON.
Prominent among the young attorneys of Wells county, Indiana, is Augustus W. Hamilton, who was born in Union town- ship, August 30, 1873, and is a son of William M. and Mary E. Hamilton. He graduated from the public schools of his township at the age of sixteen, then, in the winter terms of 1892 and 1893, at- tended the normal school at Marion, Indi- ana. The following summer he worked for his father on the home farm and dur- in the winter succeeding taught school in Union township. In the spring of 1894 Mr. Hamilton matriculated at the Indiana University, after a three-year course in the North Manchester College, and the next summer he passed at Winona Park, where he was employed in scientific work. The year following he taught school in Union township, and during the succeeding spring and summer passed his time at the Indiana University and the winter follow- ing again taught in the same township. The spring of 1896 he again attended the Indiana University, and the summer was spent at Wawasee Lake biological station. About 1897 Mr. Hamilton was appointed principal of schools at Edgerton, Indiana, then spent another summer at the Wawa- see station and the next year was principal of schools at Hoagland, Indiana. The spring and summer following he again passed at the university, then went back to Hoagland and passed the summer sea-
son, the latter part of the summer at the university, and at Todd & Todd's law of- fice at Bluffton. He again became princi- pal of the schools at Hoagland and later spent a spring and summer in the study of law at the Indiana University, the latter part of the summer in Eichhorn's law of- fice in Bluffton. The next year he spent at the university, where he completed his law course, and was admitted to practice in the Wells county circuit court in Sep- tember, 1900. In May, 1902, Mr. Ham- ilton opened his office in the Odd Fellows' building at Bluffton, where he has since had the good fortune of meeting with a steady and lucrative patronage.
In politics Mr. Hamilton has always been a sound Democrat, and at the con- vention of his party held at Bluffton in 1902 was placed in nomination for the of- fice of joint senator for the counties of Wells, Blackford and Grant, though not elected, as the normal majority of the Republicans was three thousand, yet he carried his party strength with a large complimentary vote. He is a fair example of the self-made man, and as a politician and party manager has few equals in this county.
Mr. Hamilton is a member of a very talented family and of five brothers who finished their education at Indiana Uni- versity, three are college professors and one is teacher of science in the Bluffton high school.
He has always been a studious young man and has never been frivolous in his conduct or prodigal of his time. His in- dustry, integrity and energy have won the approbation of hosts of appreciative friends. No man can peer into the depths
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of the mysterious future, but if coming events are at all foreshadowed by those which have passed away, analogy would indicate a bright career for Mr. Hamil- ton in the years yet to come.
JACOB SMUTS.
Many natives of the state of Ohio are now residents of Wells county, Indiana, and are among the most prominent citi- zens and agriculturists of the county, which they have in a great measure wrought out from a wilderness of wood and swamp and converted into a bloom- ing garden of flowers, fruit and grain. Among these is Jacob Smuts, who was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, June 3, 1845, and is a son of Robert and Eliza- beth (Kohr) Smuts, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and of Ger- man extraction. From Pennsylvania Rob- ert Smuts removed to Ohio and thence came to Wells county, Indiana, in 1848 and here entered the land on which Hiram Lantz now resides. This property in due course of time he cleared up from the for- est and changed into a fruitful and profit- able farm, realizing a satisfactory com- petence and eventually retired to Hunt- ington, and there passed the remainder of his life in peace and comfort, dying honored and respected. Of the twelve children born to Robert and Elizabeth Smuts, nine are still living.
Jacob Smuts was reared on the farm and was thoroughly trained in agricul- ture. He was educated in the district
schools of his neighborhood and began making a livelihood by working out as a farm hand by the month. He married Lavina Kessler, who was born in Ohio, but was reared in Wells county, Indiana, by Jacob F. Barnett. To Jacob and La- vina (Kessler) Smuts have been born seven children, of whom six are still liv- ing, namely: Ulysses G., Ira C., John M., Homer V., Cora B. and Jennie P. Mr. Smuts was possessed of but little wealth when his marriage took place, but he has since been a hard worker and through his industry has earned for himself a fine farm of one hundred and four acres in Union township, on which he erected, in 1894, a handsome brick dwelling and has improved the place in every respect that makes farm life profitable, respectable and comfortable. He is a member of the Pro- gressive Brethren church, in which he has been trustee and is now treasurer, and Mrs. Smuts is a member of the Church of God. Both are sincere and consistent church workers and lead a life that is be- yond reproach.
In politics Mr. Smuts is an active and leading Republican and makes his in- fluence felt in his party's councils. He is popular as a party man and as a citizen and has served as supervisor of the township.
The industrious habits of Mr. Smuts are well worthy the emulation and imita- tion of the rising generation; for he has certainly led a life that points a way for the youth of the land to tread in and make rapid progress through the intricacies of life and avoid the obstacles that usually beset the way of the inexperienced and un- sophisticated. The social standing of Mr. and Mrs. Smuts is all that could pos-
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