Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 26

Author: F.A. Battey & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 976

USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 26
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 26

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

266

HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

Elliott, Jared O. Chapman and Reuben Hays ; Fifth, Michael P. and James M. Sprague, and Samuel Carnahan.

Following is a list of the Justices of the Peace since 1842, as shown by the records: William Woodward, 1851-56; Sylvester Davis, 1850; Hugh Finlay, 1849; Levi Knott, 1847-49; J. S. Merriman, 1845-50; Kiah Gould, 1844-49; George Hood, 1842-44; James Finlay, 1855; William Lewis, 1854-58; Josiah T. Bowen, 1854-58; Thomas Snyder, 1860-72; Emanuel Fleck, 1868-76 ; George D. Rockwell, 1872-80 ; Lewis Lisher, 1876- 84; John Robbins, 1879-81; Sheldon Robbins, 1880-84. By the census of 1880 the following persons, over the age of seventy-five, were shown to be residents of the township : James Boyd, seventy-nine; John Brindley, eighty- three ; Jerusha Eatenger, seventy-six ; George Eatenger, seventy-six ; Jacob Erb, eighty-three; Frederick Labold, seventy-seven ; Jacob Mosher, eighty- two; Arethusa Mosher, seventy-seven ; Eleanor Norris, eighty ; Hetty Sprague, seventy-six.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

TOWN OF LA GRANGE.

OTIS L. BALLOU, attorney at law, was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., August 31, 1849; son of Pardon D. and Catharine (Bonesteel) Ballou. The family is of French origin, and formerly pronounced their name Valloo. Early in the history of the United States, two brothers emigrated to this country and all of that name now here are the direct descendants of these two. The name is familiar in the halls of Congress and also in literature and religion. Otis L. Ballou was brought to Ashtabula County, Ohio, when a small boy, by his parents, and there reared to manhood. He graduated from the Kingsville Academy in 1868, and in 1869 married Julia M. Curtiss. The same year, he and his wife, and his parents moved to La Grange County, where he began farming and teaching school. While at this he began the study of law, having access to the library of Andrew Ellison. He was admitted to practice in 1872, but did not commence until June, 1875, and continued alone until September, 1878, when he formed a partnership with George A. Cutting, which existed until September, 1880. Mr. Ballou is a Democrat, and is Mas- ter County Commissioner of the county. He has held local positions of trust, and is one of the present School Trustees. To Mr. and Mrs. Ballou were born two children-Pardon D. and Katie M.

JOHN BARR was born in Marion County, Ohio, April 24, 1826, one of a family of nine children-six now living-born to Amos and Overbia (Blox- som) Barr, who emigrated from Ohio to White Pigeon, Mich., with the family of John Miller, in 1829. The same year, they staked claims in Greenfield Township, this county-the land at that time not being in the market-and in 1830 moved, built cabins, and made that their final home. Amos Barr dying in May, 1838, John Barr, our subject, made his home in Greenfield Township, from the time he moved there with his parents until his removal to La Grange in 1881. The farm in Greenfield consists of 180 acres of fine land on English Prairie, and is rented out. He was married in 1851 to Miss Mary M., daugh- ter of David and Elizabeth (Green) Elya, and who came from New York to La Grange County in 1847. To this union there have been born three children- Julia, wife of Charles H. Miller, of Greenfield Township; Flemming, who married Ella Fraleigh, and resides in Greenfield Township; and Libbie, wife of M. H. Anderson, attorney, of La Grange. Mr. Anderson's father was the first white child born in Greenfield Township. Mr. Barr is living a retired life. He is a Republican and a member of the Masonic fraternity.

MAJ. W. B. BINGHAM was born in Adams County, Penn., November 14, 1819; son of David and Sarah (Burns) Bingham-on his father's side descended from Irish ancestors and on his mother's from Scotch. Both of Maj. Bingham's grandfathers came to the United States prior to the Revolutionary war, and

268

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

both served the Colonies, as mechanics, in their struggle for independence. Maj. Bingham, in 1828, emigrated, with his parents, to Richland County, Ohio. At the age of ten, he was employed as mail carrier, on horseback, from Mans- field to the mouth of the Black River, at that time a hazardous duty. Young Bingham continued at this until about the age of fifteen, when he engaged at clerking in Mansfield and neighboring towns. Afterward engaged in agricult- ural pursuits until 1847, when he enlisted for the Mexican war, under Col. Bruff, in the Fourth Ohio Regiment. He was first in Gen. Taylor's division on the Rio Grande, but was afterward transferred to Gen. Scott's command. He participated in the battle of Atlixco and several other engagements under Gen. Lane, including Puebla and Waumautala. He remained with Lane until peace was declared, and was discharged as Orderly Sergeant the fall of 1848. He returned home, and in 1849 married Mary Dille. In 1855, he moved to La Grange. His health having failed from disease contracted in his Mexican campaign, he gave up farming and engaged in mercantile pursuits. Long be- fore the breaking-out of the rebellion, Mr. Bingham had discerned the coming struggle, and being an excellent drill-master, he had a class formed and well drilled, so that on President Lincoln's first call he had troops ready for service. After sending three companies to the front, he was elected Captain of Company H in the Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and they entered service in September, 1861. At the battle of Fort Donelson, Capt. Bingham was pro- moted Major of the Forty-fourth for gallant conduct. He was mustered out for disability the spring of 1863, and has since been living a quiet and retired life. He and wife are the parents of five living children, viz .: Huldah, Frank, Emma, William and Edward.

SAMUEL BRADFORD, deceased, was one of the first settlers of La Grange County; born in Hillsboro County, N. H., December 20, 1800, and was a lineal descendant of George Bradford, who came over in the May- flower. Samuel Bradford moved, with his parents, to New York State at an early day, where his father died in 1808, leaving a wife, three sons and four daughters. His school advantages consisted of three months' attendance, hav- ing been constantly employed in duties common to pioneer life. In 1820, being · a minister of that faith, he was one of four to establish a branch of the first Free-Will Baptist Church in what is now Monroe County, N. Y. He married Betsey Compton the spring of 1825, in Bradford County, Penn. The next day, he left his bride and started into Ohio, where he was absent one year, looking after the interests of his church in Huron, Marion, Hardin, Logan, Champaign, Clark and Madison Counties. He then, with his wife, resided in Marion County, Ohio, five years. The spring of 1831, he came to La Grange County, pre-empting land in Greenfield Township, known as the "Stead farm," and owned by Benjamin Long. He erected a log cabin, and the succeeding fall returned to Ohio, and brought his family and settled on this place, which he sold in 1833 and moved to Springfield Township. In 1834, he erected on Turkey Creek the first saw-mill in the county, and in 1835 added a carding- mill. In 1836, he sold out and, in 1837, returned to Greenfield Township, living upon the farm of Samuel Brown, where he held schools in his house, among the first in the township. About this time, Elder Bradford withdrew from the Free-Will Baptist Church, having adopted the non-resistant and anti- slavery principles. and formed the society at Lexington known as the "Congre- gation of Saints." Elder Bradford was a man of strong religious convictions, and the greater part of his life was given to elevate and better mankind. He

269

TOWN OF LA GRANGE.

assisted in the organization of the La Grange Industrial Association, and at the time of his death was a member of the La Grange Phalanx. He died December 3, 1845, and to his memory was erected a monument by the mem- bers of the Congregation of Saints, on which was inscribed the following :

" Brother, in thee Society no common loss sustained,

For thou wast to humanity a warm and faithful friend.

Thy life, thy nobler powers, with an unsparing hand to God and man thou didst devote, And all thou hadst and all thou was thou gavest to promote."

His wife was a native of Cooperstown, N. Y .; born December 8, 1799. They had four children-William C., Alvah E., Samuel P. and Lucinda. Mrs. Bradford bravely shared the privations of pioneer life, and after his death carried out the principles he had inculcated in the minds of their children, which left their impress upon them through life. She died August 3, 1856.

CAPT. SAMUEL P. BRADFORD, County Clerk, is the only survivor of the family of Samuel Bradford, and, with the exception of one brother, Wm. C., who is buried on the north side of Pretty Prairie, all rest in the village cemetery of Lexington. Capt. Bradford was born April 11, 1832, on English Prairie, in Greenfield Township, and is the oldest white person born in La Grange County and yet living here. He received a practical education, and when twelve years of age, his father died; after which he, in turn, farmed, taught school, worked at carpentering and clerked in a store in Fort Wayne .. From this last place he returned and lived with his mother until her death, after which he farmed in Milford Township. On the 22d of September, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry as private ; but, after the battle of Corinth, was appointed Regimental Quartermaster, and was with the command from Corinth to Battle Creek, Louisville, Nashville, and thence to Murfreesboro in 1863; then to McMinnville, Jasper, Bridgeport, Chickamauga and Chattanooga. January 19, 1863, he received his commission as Quartermaster of the regiment, and in the fall of 1864 was assigned to Gen. Steadman's staff as Chief Quartermaster of the District of Etowah. January 11, 1865, he was commissioned Captain of Company H of his regiment, but retained his position on Gen. Steadman's staff until October 1, 1865. His regiment. however, was mustered out September, 1865, while he was still on detached service; but he was simply relieved from duty, drawing no pay after November, 1865, and finally, in 1868, was mustered out by special order of Gen. Grant. The Captain then engaged in business in Tennessee and Illinois, and, in 1870, returned to La Grange County. In 1877, he was elected County Clerk by the Republican party, which position he still holds. At the time of the completion of the new court house, the County Commissioners directed Capt. Bradford to arrange and index the records of the Clerk's office, which were in a bad con- dition. This task was completed, and has been pronounced the most complete system in the State. The successful manner in which Capt. Bradford super- vised the building of the new court house and arranged the details of his office has brought him into popular favor' as an officer of executive ability. He was inarried, September 3, 1858, to Miss Sue E., only daughter of William Hern, deceased.

C. A. BRANT is a son of Jabez and Arminda (Kirby) Brant, his birth occurring in what is now Ashland County, Ohio, January 31, 1829, and he is one of eleven children. His youth and early manhood were employed at dif- ferent occupations, mostly farming. He received a good common school edu- cation. In 1855, he married Armina Ensign, and in March, 1856, removed

270

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

to Decatur, Iowa, where he engaged in farming; he remained there until 1862, when he returned to Michigan, and in 1863 removed to La Grange, and was employed as traveling salesman, at which he continued eleven years. In 1875, he established himself in the drug trade in La Grange. His wife died Sep- tember 4, 1866, having borne a family of four children, only two-Selwyn A. and Addie M .- now living. Mr. Brant married his present wife, Louisa V. Chase, July 1, 1873, and to this union is born one son-Charles E. Mr. Brant is a Democrat, has been a member of the Town Council, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Brant is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

J. S. & A. D. BROWN are sons of Abijah Brown, who was born May 30, 1799, in South Adams, Vt. When a boy, his parents removed to Herki- mer County, N. Y., where they afterward died. At the age of twenty-one, he married Maria Shoff, and in 1826 removed to Allegany County, N. Y. In 1838, Mr. Brown located in Huron County, Ohio, and in 1845 purchased land in this county, and in 1865, having disposed of his property in Ohio, he came with his family to La Grange. December 30, 1867, his wife died, and he Jan- uary 8, 1872. Their remains rest in La Grange Cemetery. They were parents of seven children-Electa, Ira W., Charlotte L., Jacob S., Julia M., Adrian D. and one that died in infancy. Jacob S. was born in New York State March 22, 1829. He came to La Grange County in the fall of 1854, locating near the southern line of Bloomfield Township, and started the first steam saw- mill in Johnson Township. The following spring his brother Ira came out, and they operated the mill two years. Jacob S. then sold his interest and re- turned to Ohio, where for three years he was engaged in farming. Adrian D. was born in Huron County, Ohio, December 17, 1840. He came to this county in 1865. That summer Mr. Brown, Sr., and Ira W. purchased the Boyd property, and in the spring of 1867, Adrian D. and his father began the drug business, continuing until the winter of 1871, when Jacob S. succeeded his father. In the spring a portion of the Boyd House was destroyed, and the father and three sons-Jacob, Ira and Adrian-began the erection of Brown's Hotel. It was completed in the spring of 1872; it was a four-story brick, including the basement, 48x100. The building was then leased, and the lower rooms occupied by business firms. In one room J. S. and A. D. Brown opened a drug store ; the bank occupied another. On the 7th of January, 1877, the building was destroyed by fire, the loss being upward of $18,000. In 1878, the grounds were divided and Jacob S. and Adrian D. began the erection of their present buildings, A. D. taking the north lot, which is 22x120, and J. S. the three lower lots, each 22x80. In the second story of the latter's building is situated Brown's Hall, 56x60, with a seating capacity of 800, and the best in town. A. D. is carrying on a good business in the drug and grocery line. The Browns deserve much credit for the enterprise which has characterized their career in La Grange, being among the best business men in the State. Jacob S. married his first wife, Elizabeth Ingraham, May 11, 1856. They had five children, two now living-Ellen M. and Kate E. The mother died in August, 1864, and in October, 1865, Mr. Brown married his present wife, Sarah M. Chamberlain. They have had two children-Frederick J. and Car- oline G. May 3, 1870, Adrian D. Brown married a sister of his brother's present wife, Miss Helena C. Chamberlain, and to them four children have {been born-Guy C., Harold, Thaddeus and Chamberlain.

GEORGE W. BURBRIDGE, station agent, was born in Nottawa, St. Joseph Co., Mich., April 22, 1855, a son of Charles and Ann (Holling) Bur-

271

TOWN OF LA GRANGE.

bridge, natives of England, and who came to Canada, where they were married. At an early period they settled in St. Joseph County, Mich., and there engaged in farming. Mr. Burbridge was a poor man on his arrival, but, being energetic, soon acquired valuable property. In 1863, he enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and in May, 1864, died from disease contracted while in the service. His widow died in 1870. George W. was raised in St. Joseph County, where he continued on the farm until the winter of 1872, when he taught school, after which he went to Oberlin, Ohio, to learn telegraphy. The fall of 1873, he went to Centerville, Mich., and was in the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad Company until the next November. Since that time he has been employed at different places in his business, among them being Fort Wayne, Winchester and Sturgis. For two months he was shipping clerk. in the furniture establishment of J. G. Wait, in Sturgis. December 14, 1876, he was employed by the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, as agent at this. place. He is a Republican, and was married June 27, 1877, to Miss Jennie E. Kerr, of Nottawa, Mich., and to them has been born one son-Charles .A.

ABNER S. CASE, Deputy County Recorder, was born in Monroe Coun- ty, N. Y., January 13, 1822, one of twelve children born to Oliver and. Electa (Webster) Case, who were natives respectively of New York and Con- necticut. Abner Case was raised on a farm in his native county until fourteen- years old, when he moved with his parents to Monroe County, Mich. In Jan- uary, 1845, he married Anna Bunker, and for twelve years succeeding this, he- engaged in a flouring-mill. In 1850, he came to Ontario, La Grange Co. Mr. Case, with five others, assisted in the organization of the Republican party in. La Grange County, and by it was elected County Recorder, and served four years. He was then elected and re-elected County Clerk, serving eight years, with the exception of a short time when he resigned to fill the position of State Senator. He served in the regular sessions of 1869 and 1871, and a called session in April, 1869. In the spring of 1872, the Recorder of the county having died, he was appointed for the unexpired term, after which he took. charge of the new flouring-mills in La Grange. His health failing, he discon- tinued this occupation in 1879, since when he has been living retired and as- sisting his son in the Recorder's office. He and wife were parents of two chil- dren-Eugene V., and Frank E., who died in infancy. Eugene V. was mar- ried, November 17, 1867, to Alice M. Ruick, of La Grange, daughter of Daniel: Ruick. To them have been born three children, Anna B., deceased, Mary E. and Carl S. E. V. Case was County Clerk by appointment the fall of 1868,. and the spring of 1869. From the time he was fourteen years old to 1871, he- acted as Deputy County Clerk. He was mail agent on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad one and a half years, and in 1880 was elected County Recorder, and is the present incumbent.

H. M. CASEBEER, M. D., was born in Holmes County, Ohio, April 9, 1854. His father, David Casebeer, was of German descent, and a farmer by occupation. He married Rebecca Kenestrick, who has since died, and they were the parents of twelve children. H. M. Casebeer lived on a farm until fourteen years old, when he began teaching in the district schools. In this manner he paid his way, securing a good practical literary education. At the age of seventeen he began reading medicine under the instructions of his broth- er, Dr. J. B. Casebeer, of Auburn, and read four years. During the winter term of 1873-74, he attended his first course of lectures at Ann Arbor. The next spring he began practicing in Auburn, and continued until the winter

272

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

of 1875-76, when he returned to Ann Arbor and graduated, with the special diploma of Physical Diagnosis. He practiced in Leo, Allen Co., Ind., until October, 1878, when he removed to La Grange and formed a partnership with Dr. E. G. White. Dr. Casebeer is a Republican, and a member of the M. E. Church. He was married June 5, 1876, to Lizzie Speechly, of Ann Arbor, who died November 10, 1880.

JOHN H. CATON, blacksmith, was born in Frederick County, Md., December 16, 1839; one of ten children of James A. and Catharine (Ludwick) Caton. John H., in 1849, accompanied his parents to Preble County, Ohio, thence to Elkhart County, Ind., in 1850, where his parents died. At the age of seventeen, he began learning the blacksmith's trade. He enlisted in 1861, and was sent to Indianapolis to join the Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but found the regiment made up. He soon after went to Mishawaka, and was in the employ of the Government as a mechanic. In December, 1861, he went to Missouri, and the following April came to La Grange. In the fall of 1864, Mr. Caton received a commission as Second Lieutenant, and recruited a company, reporting to the Provost Marshal at Kendallville, and mustered into service as Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry. They were then sent to Camp Carrington, at Indianapolis, Mr. Caton, ad interim, having been commissioned Captain, and were here mustered in as Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry. They were then sent to the front, and remained until the close of the war on active duty. Returning to La Grange, he resumed his trade. He was mar- ried October 3, 1869, to Miss Annette Kingsley, and they have had five children, three of whom are living -Claude H., John P. and Kittie B. Mr. and Mrs. Caton are members of the Episcopalian Church ; he is a Republican, has served several times at Town Marshal of La Grange, and belongs to the A., F. & A. M. ; also is a member of the Chapter and Commandery at Kendall- ville, and has held all the official positions of the Blue Lodge, excepting that of Secretary.

JOHN F. CLUGSTON, merchant, was born in Frankin County, Penn., August 24, 1829, son of John and Jane (Martin) Clugston, natives of Penn- sylvania, and parents of eight children, seven yet living. Mr. Clugston's father, while in Pennsylvania, was a manufacturer of wagons, and engaged in farming. After his removal to Ashland County, Ohio, in 1847, he was em- ployed in the manufacture of grain cradles. John F. was educated in Penn- sylvania, and in Ohio engaged in carpentering. March 21, 1854, he was married to Catharine Will, and the following August moved to this county, which he had visited in 1852. Mr. Clugston worked at his trade about five years, and was Postmaster for a time, his service terminating in 1860. He then formed a partnership with John Will in a general store. Ephraim Welch was a member of the firm one year, and, with that exception, the co-partnership has continued uninterruptedly and harmoniously as Will & Clugston to the present, being one of the oldest business houses in La Grange. Mr. Clugston is a Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Clugston died October 13, 1880, aged forty-six years six months and fifteen days. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, as is also Mr. Clugston. They were parents of three children-Charles F., Mary J. and John W. Mr. Clugston's parents removed to La Grange in 1867, where his father is yet living, his mother dying in 1875. February 21, 1882, Mr. Clugston was married at Lansing, Mich., to Mrs. E. J. Smith, of this county.

273

TOWN OF LA GRANGE.

S. D. CRANE, attorney at law, son of Arba and Sarah (Danford) Crane, natives respectively of Vermont and New York, was born in La Grange County. His father was a carder and cloth-dresser, and an early settler of La Grange, where he is now living in retirement. His mother was a Mrs. Scott when she came to this county, and after her husband's death, married Mr. Crane. She died many years ago, leaving six children, four by her first husband, and two, our subject and B. Frank, by Mr. Crane. S. D. received good school ad- vantages, graduating at Hillsdale, Mich., in 1874. For several years he was engaged in teaching, having served as Principal of the Lima School two years, of Wolcottville three years, of the Kendallville High School one year, and of the Middlebury High School of Elkhart County one year. He served over one year as School Examiner of La Grange County, and for six years has been County Superintendent of Schools. He founded the La Grange Register, March 26, 1876, and was connected with it one year. He began the study of law in 1874, and in 1875 was admitted to the bar, practicing law during that year. In September, 1881, he went to Ligonier, and, in company with H. D. Reynolds, engaged in the practice of law and insurance business. He is now in the practice of his profession in La Grange. Mr. Crane is a Mason, and was married in 1870 to Miss Emogene Nickols, daughter of William Nickols, of Lima, Ind. She died in March, 1877, leaving three children-Clair V., Charles D. and Robert G. Mr. Crane was again married, in 1878, to Miss Emma L. Benham, a native of Illinois ; she is a graduate of a Michigan Uni- versity, and is a practicing physician of the homeopathic school.

CAPT. H. CROCKER was born in Monroe County, N. Y., March 30, 1825 ; a son of Joseph and Almira (Adams) Crocker. He is a grandson of Guerdon Crocker, who was a Captain in the war of Independence. Joseph Crocker was a Captain in the war of 1812, and is yet living at the advanced age of ninety-one on the farm he first settled in Huron County, Ohio, when our subject was about five years old. The representative of this sketch was there married to Marilda Shepard. They had two children-Ida and Ella. Having traded for land near this town, he immigrated hither in the spring of 1850, where his wife died two years later. He then began working at the carpenter and joiner's trade in town. The fall of 1862 he assisted in the organization of the Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He immediately after aided in the organization of Company C, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. On their way to the front they stopped at South Milford, where an ovation was extended to them by the citizens. At this place, Mr. Crocker was elected Captain, and they entered active service in the Department of the Mississippi. Capt. Crocker, by reason of ill-health, tendered his resignation, which was accepted in June, 1863, but, owing to the interruption of the mails, did not receive its acceptance until the following fall. On his return, the Captain entered mercantile business. He was married to his present wife, Clarinda Heminger, in 1855. He is a Republican and a member of the I. O. O. F. of La Grange.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 26

Author: F.A. Battey & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 976

Author: F.A. Battey & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 976