USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 107
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 107
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JESSE OTT was born in Preble County, Ohio, December 1, 1822, the youngest of five sons born to John and Mary Magdaline (Lock) Ott. Jesse Ott passed his youth in Preble County, receiving a common school education. When twenty-one years of age, he started for himself, and when about twenty- two, his father made him a present of 160 acres in Perry Township, Noble County, which he traded for the southwest quarter of Section 29 in Green Township, it at that time being a body of woods ; the only evidence that there were ever whites on it was occasionally a tree cut down by some hunter for honey or coons. Mr. Ott was married October 19, 1848, to Docia Brown. To them were born eight children-Cornelius, Amanda, John, George, Fred- erick, Abraham, Eli and Alpha. Mr. and Mrs. Ott are hard-working, thrifty people. They now have 320 acres of land, and are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Ott is a Republican, and is an enterprising and intelligent citizen.
WILLIAM RAY (deceased) was born in Ohio County, Va., October 31, 1822. He was the second child of ten born to Thomas and Martha (Gibson) Ray. His father was a native of the Emerald Isle, and came to the United States when five years of age. William Ray was reared on a farm, receiving but a common-school education. In about 1828, he came to Guernsey County, Ohio, with his parents, and later was active in the development of that county. April 3, 1845, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Carr, her peo- ple also coming from Ireland and settling in Guernsey County, Ohio. Miss Carr was born November 10, 1828, and to their union were born four children -Thomas (deceased), Martha, Edward P. and David W. Martha is the wife of J. R. Cole, of York Township. Edward married Martha Black, of Jefferson Township. David married Sarah Bailey, of Allen Township, and resides on the old place. Mr. and Mrs. Ray lived in Guernsey County, Ohio, until 1864, then he moved to Noble County, where he resided until his death, which occurred January 27, 1877. Mr. Ray was an honored and respected citizen. His po- litical faith was with the Democratic party, and at the time of his death he was a Deacon in the Baptist Church. Mr. Ray was a first cousin to the celebrated author of Ray's Arithmetic. David Ray, the son who resides on the old place -120 acres-is a teacher of considerable experience, and an intelligent and enterprising citizen.
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HON. H. C. STANLEY is a representative citizen, and a sturdy, sub- stantial farmer. The family of which he is a member traces its origin back to " Bonnie Scotland," whence, many years before the Revolutionary war, members of the family came across the waters to seek their fortunes in the New World. They became followers of Roger Williams, but some generations later renounced the religion of their fathers, and altered their belief to suit their consciences. The father of H. C. Stanley, an honest, industrious man, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a native of North Carolina, and moved to Ohio when about twenty years old, where he married Miss Mary Cuppy, a native of Kentucky. In 1821, they moved to Union County, Ind. They had a family of eleven children, five of whom are living. The mother died in 1849, and the father subsequently moved to Richmond, Ind., where he died in 1867. The representative of this sketch was born in Clermont County, Ohio, January 22, 1818. His education, limited to the advantages of the com- mon school, was obtained in Union County, Ind., where he was inured to farm labor. In 1839, he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah L. Hunt, who died in 1841, leaving an infant son, Aaron, now married and a farmer of this county. In 1847, Mr. Stanley married for his second wife, Miss Sophronia Beeson, a native of Indiana. By this lady he became the father of nine chil- dren-J. Frank, Mary H., Milton D., Henry L., R. Allie, Perry A. (deceased), Cyrus H., Charles M. and Emma (deceased). In 1849, he came to Green Town- ship, and settled on his present farm, which was then covered with heavy forest trees, and without improvement, excepting a cabin of the rudest kind, which had probably been put up by some squatter or trapper. The family took pos- session of this, and began to carve for themselves a home. In this, after years of hardship and unceasing toil, they realized their hopes and bright anticipa- tions. Truly, the wilderness has been made to " blossom as the rose." The log cabin gave way to a fine residence with pleasant surroundings. To the orig- inal 160 acres additions have been made until the farm comprises over 500 acres, the most of which has been brought under subjection. The fine fields and broad pastures attest the high state of cultivation. The commodious barns, granaries, etc., give evidence of the substantial character of the improve- ments. All this stands as a monument to the years of labor and judicious management of its owner. But Mr. Stanley's fame is not confined to the ac- cumulation of wealth ; his influence has been felt in the direction of public af- fairs. He has filled the office of Trustee, in 1853 was elected County Commis- sioner, and in 1858 was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature as a Democrat, where he served with such fidelity that he was afterward twice re- elected. He is a clear, correct and practical thinker, and is a credit to the county where he has lived and labored so long.
OLIVER STRONG was born in Knox County, Ohio, February 20, 1826. He is a son of Philander A. and Ruth (Leech) Strong, who were parents of two children. When about two years old, his father died, and his mother married Samuel Gray. She had by him thirteen children. From Knox County they moved to Madison County, Ohio, and remained until the fall of 1835, when they moved to Green Township. Here he commenced clearing and improving a place entered from the Government. For a number of years, in order to suc- cessfully carry on farming and stock-raising, he was obliged to house the stock to keep them from the wild beasts. Oliver Strong was reared on the farm, receiving the common education of those days. He was married, June 29, 1846, to Miss Eva Fulk, of Swan Township, her parents being among the oldest
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settlers of that locality. They have had eight children-Melissa, born March 13, 1847, now Mrs. Gilbert McDague; Thomas J., born March 11, 1848, died November 10, 1850; Philander A., born August 15, 1849, died November 21, 1850; George W., born August 19, 1850 : Henry C., January 23, 1852, married Magdalene Treese ; Franklin P., born May 3, 1853; James W., May 12, 1854, died July 21, 1854; and John C., born October 26, 1856. Mr. Strong is a Democrat ; has held several Township offices, and has been a successful school teacher.
JOHN H. WARD was born in Knox County, Ohio, April 5, 1837. He is one of thirteen children, five only known to be living, born to James and Mary Ward. The father of these was a native of Maryland and the mother of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ward was a farmer, and a good man in every respect. He died in 1842, and his widow in 1870. Mrs. Ward was twice married ; her second husband, who has since died, was Stephen A. Woodruff. Up to the age of eleven years, John H. Ward lived with his mother; he then apprenticed himself for three years, at shoe-making. Subsequently moved to Fredericktown, and worked at his trade until he came to Albion, in 1856, where he worked for his old Fredericktown preceptor until his death. In 1863, he purchased a part of his present farm, which now numbers 160 acres. They moved on the place soon after, and began a life of hard labor, which has been crowned with success, having increased the 160 acres to 240 acres. Mr. Ward has given liberally to the support of all laudable enterprises. He is Democratic, also an active worker against intemperance. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are highly esteemed people. Mr. Ward's wife was Comfort Edwards, daughter of Alexis Edwards, to whom he was mar- ried January 19, 1859. They have had eight children-Marion, Anna, Hattie and Homer E., living; and Alsie A., Mary, Charlie and one unnamed, de- ceased.
C. J. WEEKS was born in Shelby County, Ohio, in 1826. Thomas Weeks, his father, is yet living on the Weeks family homestead, in Green Township. His mother, Eliza (Henderson) Weeks, died November 18, 1878, beloved by a large circle of friends. Thomas Weeks, in 1829, left the Buckeye State and emigrated to Allen County, Ind., on the Maumee River, near Fort Wayne. The State of Indiana, at that time, was but a partially settled country. Mr. Weeks and family resided in Wayne County until their removal to Noble County, in 1844, since when they have been identified with that county's his- tory. C. J. Weeks was reared in Indiana principally, his education chiefly consisting of hard labor. During his earlier manhood, he worked at the carpen- ter's trade, but has since confined his attention to farming. He was married, January 15, 1854, to Miss Alma White, and to them were born five children, viz. : Josephine (deceased), Eunice, Thomas, Dillie and Perry. He now owns the old farm, which consists of eighty acres of good land. He is a Democrat, and an honest, upright citizen. His grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was taken prisoner at Detroit, the time of Hull's surrender. The Weeks family is descended from Irish and English ancestors.
HENRY WINEBRENNER is the only child of Jacob and Catharine (Alabaugh) Winebrenner; he was born in Blair County, Penn., July. 4, 1817. When but eight days old his mother died, and he went to live with his grand- parents. His father was a shoemaker, and shortly after his wife's death moved to Liberty, Montgomery Co., Ohio. He here married Elizabeth Shively in 1827, who bore him five children. Mr. Winebrenner also kept
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tavern, and being a veteran of the war of 1812 and of a military turn of mind, raised a company of militia and was chosen First Lieutenant. Soon after his father's second marriage, Henry Winebrenner went to live with them ; and at age of fourteen was apprenticed to the tailor's trade. After serving four years, he commenced business for himself. In May, 1837, he married Lucy Edsall of Darke County, Ohio, and in 1850 came to Noble County and located on his present farm of 80 acres, which was devoid of clearing, and its present improved condition was accomplished by hard manual labor. They are the parents of nine children-Lewis, James, John, William, Norris, Howard, Oscar, Juliann and Elizabeth. Of these John and Elizabeth are dead. John enlisted in the Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served his coun- try faithfully. At the battle of Petersburg he was wounded, taken prisoner and never heard of afterward. James served in Company C, Eighty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. While out foraging, he was taken prisoner by the rebel Gen. Morgan. Being pressed by pursuers, Gen. Mor- gan paroled his prisoners, and they were sent back until exchanged. Mr. Winebrenner is an industrious, enterprising man, and a Republican. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and are esteemed citizens.
SWAN TOWNSHIP.
THOMAS A. ANDERSON was born in Beaver County, Penn., April 15, 1813 ; the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Patton) Anderson, and grandson of William Anderson, who came from Ireland previous to the Revolutionary war, and settled in Beaver County, Penn. While living here, they were attacked by the Indians. Mr. Anderson was severely wounded, some of the family killed and others taken captive. Our subject's parents were married in the Keystone State, and always made their home in Beaver County, where they raised three sons and eight daughters. Thomas A. Anderson was raised upon his father's farm, and married Miss Jane Cooley, June 1, 1839. From this union there were eight children, viz. : Thomas, Jane, Mary J., Sarah A., Rob- ert, Elizabeth, William, and one that died in infancy. William and Robert were soldiers in the late war ; William died while in the service. Mr. Ander- son, in 1854, came to this county and purchased his present farm. His wife died in 1859. He was married to Miss Annie McCoy in 1868. She was born in Beaver County, Penn., October 25, 1828. Mr. Anderson began life as a poor boy ; he now owns 295 acres of land well improved. He is a Republican, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
CONRAD BRICKER, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, born December 12, 1807, is the son of Henry and Eve (Worman) Bricker, both natives of Maryland. Soon after their marriage, the parents moved to Little Beaver, Penn., where, the fall and winter of 1804, Mr. Bricker worked at his trade of blacksmithing. In the spring of 1805, he removed to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he raised a family of eight children, and where he and wife passed the remainder of their days. Conrad Bricker was brought up on a farm, receiving a limited education. He married Miss Susanna Hawn March 22, 1829. She was born in Frederick County, Md., November 23, 1808. They had twelve children-Jeremiah, Jehu, Conrad, Rebecca, Catharine, Cor- delia, David, Samuel and Henry B., living ; Jonathan, Elizabeth and Lydia,
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deceased. Mr. Bricker remained in his native county engaged in farming until 1843, when he came to this county, where he has since resided. He owns 161 acres of land nicely improved. He is a stanch Republican, and himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church, and are progressive, intelligent people.
SAMUEL BROUGHTON, son of Amos and Nancy (Zimmerman) Broughton, natives of Massachusetts and New York respectively, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., August 4, 1819. His parents, in 1834, moved to Clark County, Ohio, thence to Champaign County, where the father died in 1838, at which time three of his ten children were married. Under the lead of Samuel, the oldest son at home, the family departed for this township, arriving in the fall of 1838. They had but little money and no food, but all went to work, receiving provisions of any kind as pay, and weathered through the win- ter. In 1839, Samuel returned to Ohio, and November 7 married Miss Almira Cummings, born in Logan County, Ohio, February 28, 1820. Returning with his wife, he engaged for some years in brick-making, and assisted, also, in the construction of the Lima Plank Road, and the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chi- cago Railroad through Western Ohio, and the Grand Rapids & Indiana Rail- road through Noble County. He afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits at Swan, but has latterly devoted himself to farming, stock-raising, and saw-mill- ing. His farm consists of 120 acres of good land adjoining the village. He and two sons served during the late war, and the latter were in several fierce engagements. Mr. B. is a Republican, and has held several offices. His Chris- tian mother died February 27, 1876. His children numbered seven-Delmer, Bela, Lucy A., Lois O., Samuel and Oliver P. M., living, and William, de- ceased.
MATTHEW CLARK is a native of Orleans County, N. Y., born April 3, 1827. His father, Jonathan Clark, was a native of the Bay State, and his mother, whose' maiden name was Eliza Stevens, was a native of Vermont. They were married in New York State, and located on a farm in Orleans Coun- ty, where they spent their entire lives, and reared a family of eight children. The father died October 2, 1866, and was followed by his wife June 24, 1875. In early life, Mr. Clark was a common seaman, visited a number of foreign countries, and became a man of extended information. During the war of 1812, his vessel was for a long time blockaded at the port of Valparaiso, South America. Matthew Clark was reared on a farm, and was married in his native State, March 29, 1846, to Miss Mary A. Shaw, who was born July 5, 1824, in Windsor County, Vt. In 1848, Mr. Clark and wife moved upon 100 acres of land in Swan Township. They were industrious, and in a few years found themselves surrounded with life's comforts. Five children have been born to them, viz .: Harvey E., Charley A. and Nellie E., living ; Ellen A. and an in- fant son, deceased. Mr. Clark owns 188 acres of nicely-improved land, is a Republican, and a self-made man.
'ROBERT S. COOLEY is a native of Beaver County, Penn., born De- cember 12, 1822, one of ten children born to Robert and Jane (Smith) Cooley, who were natives of the Keystone State. The father was a farmer and black- smith ; both were industrious, and passed almost their entire married life in Beaver County. Our subject was raised upon a farm, receiving the usual edu- cation of that early day. He married Miss Martha J. Moore February 10, 1848. She was born in Washington County, Penn., August 10, 1824. Of the children from this union three are living, viz., Elizabeth E., Frank and Calvin. Those deceased are Russell M., William P., James L. and Martha J.
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Mr. Cooley remained in his native county until 1852, when he moved to Jef- ferson County, Ohio, and in 1864 came to his present location and engaged in farming and stock-raising. He owns 220 acres of good land, upon which he has comfortable buildings. All this he has accumulated by hard work and strict economy. He liberally contributes to all worthy enterprises. From an Old-Line Whig and anti-slavery man he became a Republican. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and have the respect of all who know them.
EPHRAIM CRAMER is a native of Jefferson County, N. Y., born March 18, 1822, one of five children born to Conrad and Elizabeth (Rickard) Cramer ; both natives of the Empire State, where they were married, and resided until 1834, when they came to Swan Township. Here the mother died in 1835 and the father in 1878. Ephraim Cramer was brought up to hard work, receiving but a limited education. Soon after reaching his majority, he began for himself as a farmer and shoemaker, which he followed until about 1851. He then for three years engaged in saw-milling, after which he embarked in mercantile business at Swan, where for most part he has since resided. In 1846, he married Miss Cordelia A. Broughton, who was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., in 1824. Their children were Miles E., Mary A., Arthur and Edwin, living: Eugene, Merritt, William and Ida, deceased. Mr. Cramer is a Republican, and has been village Postmaster for over twenty-five years, besides filling other positions. He has carved his own fortune and bears an honored reputation.
NATHAN B. CROTHERS was born in Ontario County, N. Y., De- cember 15, 1821, the son of William B. and Melinda (Barton) Crothers, the former being a New Yorker and the latter a native of the Bay State. They were married in New York, and removed from there to Geauga County, Ohio, in 1830, where they raised a family of seven children, and where the father died in 1846 and the mother in 1851. Nathan B. was brought up on a farm and to hard work. When about twenty years of age he began working by the month as a farm-hand in the neighborhood. In 1845, he came to this county, and purchased eighty acres of land in Green Township, upon which he lived six years, and then bought his present place in Swan Township, where he has since resided. He was married January 7, 1847, to Miss Rebecca Strous, born in Allegheny County, Penn., October 27, 1825. Six children have been born to them, viz .: Melinda A., Mary E., Edwin E., Rebecca A. and Frank, living ; Charles A., deceased. Mr. Crothers began life as a poor boy, and is a self-made man. He owns 174 acres of land, which is well improved. He is a Republican, and a member of the Lutheran Church.
JOHN DRAKE was born in Northumberland County, Penn., December 17, 1815. At the age of eight years, he was left an orphan. When about seventeen years of age, he began working at the carpenter trade in his native county. Soon after reaching his majority, he went to Erie County, Penn., where he worked at his trade until he came to this county in 1844. He built one of the first saw-mills in Swan Township, and worked at milling and his trade until the close of the late war, since which time he has been engaged in farming, stock-raising and lumbering. He was united in marriage to Miss Maryetta Bauce in 1839, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1813. Five chil- dren have been born to them, viz .: Rollin W., Susan A., Mary A., Newton O. and Frank. Rollin W. served his country during the late war. He was taken prisoner, and was in Andersonville some five months. Mr. Drake owns 220
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acres of land, well improved. He is a self-made and self-educated man; was a Whig, and is now a Republican, and has been an active antagonist of the great social evil-intemperance.
REV. F. X. EGE is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born January 6, 1849, and son of Francis X. and Mary A. (Steinhouser) Ege, who were the parents of six children, and natives of Wurtemberg. The father was in the service of the Government as forester. His son, the subject of this sketch, was sent to school at the age of six years, continuing in the parish until fourteen, when for three years he attended a higher school, and then went to Austria, where he took a three years' course at the Gymnasium at Feldkirch. In 1869, he came to the United States, proceeding to Milwaukee, Wis., where for seven years he attended the Seminary of St. Francis. June 10, 1876, he was or- dained a minister of the Catholic Church, by Bishop Dwenger, at Fort Wayne, and was given charge of St. Anthony's Church at Earl Park, Benton County, Ind. In 1878, he came to Swan Township, and took charge of the Immac- ulate Conception Church, B. M. V., and also assumed the ministration of the Sacred Heart Church (Catholic) at Albion. Mr. Ege is a man of fine mental and moral attainments, and under his ministration the church has increased in numbers and wealth. His admirable qualities of mind and heart render him of incalculable usefulness to the Catholic Church and an ornament to society.
GEORGE FULK was born in Licking County, Ohio, in 1815, the son of Adam and Mary M. (Dispeny) Fulk, both of whom were natives of the Shenan- doah Valley, Virginia. In 1806, they moved to Licking County, Ohio, and, in 1836, came to this county and settled in Swan Township, entering 2,320 acres of land. In the family were five sons and six daughters, and to each of them he gave a quarter-section. Mr. Fulk brought considerable money to the coun- try with him, and his poorer neighbors found in him a never-failing friend. He was a man of great physical power, correct habits, and lived to be nearly one hundred and five years of age, and was buried on the home farm. George Fulk was reared on a farm, receiving a limited education. He always remained at home, and has cared for his aged parents ; and he is spoken of as an industrious and honest gentleman. He lives with his sister upon the old homestead, which consists of 295 acres of well-improved land. He has always been a Democrat, though not active in political matters.
JOHN C. GAUS was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, December 20, 1815, the son of John G. and Annie M. (Staudenmier) Gaus, both natives of Wurtem- berg. The father was a weaver and died when John C. was about twenty years of age. The latter, in 1839, came with the family to the United States ; some found employment in New York City, the others came to Massillon, Ohio. In 1843, John C. came West and purchased land in Swan Township, where he lo- cated permanently in 1845. He was married in Massillon, Ohio, August 22, 1843, to Miss Anna M. Barth, born in Germany December 16, 1816. They had ten children, five of whom are living, viz., John G., John C., Anna M., Catharine and Phillip M .; five sons died in infancy. In 1849, Mr. Gaus took a contract to build two and a quarter miles of the Lima Plank road. He also had a contract on the Eel River Railroad, but the company broke up and Mr. Gaus lost about $1,500. He helped to build the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. through a portion of Ohio, and, in 1856, took a contract to build twenty-five miles of fence on the Lake Shore road. He is a thorough business man, and has been reasonably successful. He owns 220 acres of land which is nicely improved and well stocked, and is a Democrat.
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JOHN S. HOOPER was born in Allegheny County, Penn., November 30, 1835, the son of William and Susan (Springer) Hooper, who were natives of the Keystone State. They raised five sons and one daughter, and removed to their present location in 1857, where they have since lived. Mr. Hooper is a quiet, unassuming man, never aspiring to any political prominence, but devoting his entire time to the improvement of his farm and the development of his neighbor- hood morally, intellectually, and otherwise. John S. Hooper was raised upon a farm, receiving a common-school education. He was married to Miss Jane King April 19, 1866. This lady is the daughter of Hiram King, Esq., one of the first settlers of Swan Township, and was born in Portage County, Ohio, October 17, 1833. Mr. Hooper owns 275 acres of good land in Swan Town- ship. He is a successful farmer and stock-grower, and has some of the best cattle, sheep and hogs in the township. He is a stanch Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an intelligent, reading man.
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