Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 27

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 27
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 27

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).

MAJ. J. L. DRAKE was born in Holmes County, Ohio, November 1, 1817 ; the son of David and Rachel (Sills) Drake, who were natives respect- ively of Maryland and Virginia, and the parents of eight children. David Drake was twice married, by his first wife having two children. He came from Maryland to Holmes County, Ohio, in 1814, and died there in 1846. His wife died in the fall of 1878. James L. Drake, when seventeen years of age learned the tailor's trade. This he discontinued at the end of three years, on

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account of ill-health, and engaged in farming; also clerked for a time. In 1849, he and twelve others, including three brothers, went to California over- land, being one hundred and five days on the trip. They remained fourteen months. For the first two months our subject mined with the rest, but soon established a trading place, and in three months cleared $8,000. Among other things he clerked in a wholesale store at Sacramento, receiving $500 and board per month. The winter of 1850 he started home via Panama, and on his arrival in New Orleans was taken down with the small-pox. After his recovery, he returned to his family, and purchased the old homestead in Holmes County, Ohio. Mr. Drake had been a Democrat, but after the repeal of the Missouri Compromise became a Republican. For this his neighbors made threats to lynch him. He assisted in raising the first three years' company in Ohio, Company H, Twen- ty-third Regiment, of which he was elected Captain. He also had two brothers and two sons in the war. One brother, Levi, Lieutenant Colonel of the Forty- ninth Ohio Infantry, was killed at Stone River. The other, Commodore, was a Captain in the One Hundred and Ninety-second Regiment. One son, Levi

N., was taken prisoner and starved to death in Andersonville. The other, Fran- cis, was a non-commissioned officer in the Twenty-third Regiment, and is at present a hardware merchant of Rome City. Capt. J. L. Drake participated in all the engagements of his regiment until the battle of Antietam. Three of

his regimental officers became distinguished in the history of the United States, viz .: Ex-President Hayes, Major; Stanley Mathews, Lieutenant Colonel ; and William Rosecrans, Colonel. Capt. Drake was severely wounded by shell in the left arm and side, from the effects of which he was mustered out in October, 1862, and brevetted Major. He was elected Colonel of a Home Guards regi- ment, and was appointed Provost Marshal of the Fourteenth Congressional District, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He was mar- ried, August 7, 1839, to Susan Hayward, of Cattaraugus County, N. Y. They have had twelve children-Francis M., David, Sarah, Ellen, Emily, Mary, Cora, James S., Newton, Fremont, Sherman and Jack. Four are dead, viz .: David, Sarah, Newton and Sherman. The mother died April 23, 1877. Mr. Drake, in October, 1879, married Mrs. Harriet A. (Triplett) Filson. He came to La Grange in September, 1866, where he nas since been living retired.

JAMES S. DRAKE, of Drake & Merritt, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, February 18, 1852, the son of Maj. J. L. Drake, whose biography appears in this volume. At the age of fourteen, he came with his parents to La Grange, and attended the schools of this place. In 1870, he entered Hills- dale College, but discontinued in time to take a two years' course in the law department of the University at Ann Arbor, graduating in 1874. Mr. Drake then entered the law office of J. D. Ferrall, continuing as partner until 1877, when he opened an office alone. In 1879, he formed a partnership with his former classmate, Francis D. Merritt, as Messrs. Drake & Merritt. Since their connection with the bar of La Grange County, have had an increasing practice and now stand well up in their profession. In 1878, Mr. Drake was elected by the Republicans Prosecuting Attorney for the Thirty-fourth Judicial Circuit, and re-elected in 1880. January 2, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Clugston, daughter of John Clugston, of this county.

EDWARD S. EDMUNDS, teacher, was born in Danby, Rutland Co., Vt., September 27, 1843, a son of Obidah and Miriam (Thompson) Edmunds, and the oldest of three children. When ten years old, his mother died, and nine years after the remainder of the family moved to Western New York.

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The winter of 1862-63, he completed his education at Ripley Academy, and the next summer went to Oil Creek, Penn., where, on the 10th of Septem- ber, 1864, he enlisted as able seaman in the naval service of the Upper Missis- sippi Squadron, United States steamer "Victory " No. 33. He participated in a number of engagements and remained in the service until June 15, 1865, when he was discharged at Mound City, Ill. He then returned to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and engaged in farming. In 1866, he moved to Geauga County, Ohio, where, for two years, he engaged in cheese manufacturing, teaching writing school winters. The fall of 1868, he went to Michigan, where, for three years, he remained farming and teaching. From there he came to this place, which has since been his home, with the exception of two years, when he was teaching in Adams County. While at this latter place, Mr. Edmunds began the study of the sciences, making a specialty of geology. In his re- searches in La Grange and other counties, Mr. Edmunds has made some valua- ble discoveries. In August, 1880, he was admitted into membership with the " American Association for the Advancement of Science." For two years he was Principal of the schools of Wolcottville. He is teaching at present in Allen, Hillsdale Co., Mich. He was married September 8, 1875, to Frank, only daughter of Elisha and Margaret Hicks. He is a Republican, and, in 1880, was a candidate for County Superintendent.

W. S. FAULKNER was born in Talbot County, Md., December 11, 1836. He is a son of W. P. and Nancy (Pearson) Faulkner, who were natives of Maryland, and who moved to Springfield Township, this county, in 1837, where they engaged in farming, when all was woods with plenty of deer, wolves and other wild animals, while Indians were their nearest neighbors, and here resided until their respective deaths. Mr. Faulkner died in 1879, and Mrs. Faulkner in 1849. They were the parents of five children, all of whom are living. Our subject made farming his occupation until 1878, when he moved to La Grange, where he has since resided. In 1881, he sold his farm of 210 acres, and the same year traded for town property. He is now owner and pro- prietor of what is know as the Bullock Foundry and Machine Shop. He was married in 1859, to Charlotte E. Sears, who was born May 23, 1837, in New York, and her parents were also old settlers of La Grange County. To this marriage have been born three children-Millard, William E. and Mary L. (de- ceased). Mr. Faulkner is a Republican, and he is an enterprising and influ- ential citizen.

J. D. FERRALL, attorney at law, came to La Grange June 25, 1865, and entered upon the practice of his profession. In 1866, he was elected Pros- ecuting Attorney by the Republican party, performing the duties of that office until 1868. Since entering upon his professional duties here, Mr. Ferrall's business has gradually increased until now his services are sought from the neighboring counties, and the limits of the field in which he practices are scarce- ly circumscribed by the State lines. These facts attest his adaptability for his chosen profession, and the value placed upon his legal knowledge.

R. L. GIBSON was born in Ashland County, Ohio, October 1, 1840; son of Jacob Gibson, a native of Maryland, and Mary (Gault) Gibson, whose birth- place was Washington County, Penn. They were parents of eight children- seven now living. The father was a fuller and cloth-dresser, and later a farmer. He is yet living in Ashland County, Ohio, but his wife died in August, 1874. R. L. Gibson was the youngest one of the family, and lived thirty-four years on the old place. He received a good education, and taught in the public schools

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to some extent. The spring of 1865, he came to La Grange County to visit relatives, and while here met Miss Catharine Herbert, eldest daughter of Ralph and Sarah (McKinley) Herbert, who, on the 14th of February, 1867, became his wife. They resided in Ashland County, Ohio, until the spring of 1874, when they removed to La Grange. Mr. Gibson owns sixty acres of good land in Clay Township, which he farms, and about ten acres where he now resides. He is a Republican ; and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. They are the parents of one son-Martin Herbert Gibson.

W. C. GLASGOW, attorney at law, was born in Auburn, N. Y., April 28, 1842, and is a son of William and Eliza Glasgow, who are yet living at Hillsdale, Mich. W. C. was raised on a farm near this place, attending the district schools of his vicinity, and afterward the school at Hillsdale, from which he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He began the study of law with Hon. W. J. Baxter, of Janesville, and, the fall of 1865, entered the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. The year of his graduation (1867), he came to La Grange and began the practice of his profes- sion. Mr. Glasgow is a close student, and commands a lucrative legal business. He held the office of Prosecuting Attorney of La Grange County, from 1871 to 1875, and, as Prosecutor, gave excellent satisfaction. He is a Republican, and is the present President of the School Board of Trustees. He was married in 1870, to Miss Elora Wade, and both he and wife were members of the Presby- terian Church. Mrs. Glasgow died January 14, 1882, while on her way to Florida for her health.

ROBERT HANSLIP was born in Yorkshire, England, October 25, 1831; son of John and Ann (Jackson) Hanslip, parents of eleven children, seven now living. John Hanslip was a blacksmith. He emigrated to America in 1836, and came to Mentor, Ohio, where he purchased the farm now owned by Gen. Garfield's widow. Through a mortgage he knew nothing of, he lost this prop- erty, and, in 1840, emigrated to Indiana, locating in Lima, afterward in Bloom- field Township. In 1843, he removed to Clearspring Township, where he remained farming until his death in 1863. His widow is yet living, and resides in Iowa. Robert was reared principally in La Grange County, and, when a young man, engaged in the stock business. In October, 1863, he enlisted, and served until his discharge in September, 1865. He participated in a number of engagements ; came back, and engaged again in the stock business. He married Miss Susan Irwin in 1855, and, in 1858, moved to La Grange. From 1865 to 1879, he was engaged chiefly in buying and selling horses. The win- ter of 1881, he established his present meat market. To his union with Miss Irwin, there were born six children-Davis M., Alice E., John I. (deceased), Emma M., Robert E. and Ray L. The mother died October 4, 1880. Mr. H. is a Republican ; he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, as was also his wife.

HENRY M. HERBERT, Cashier of the First National Bank, is a son of Ralph P. Herbert, who was born in Fayette County, Penn., December 11, 1812, and when eight or nine years old moved with his parents to Rich- land County, Ohio, and from there emigrated to Lima Township, La Grange County, in 1835. R. P. Herbert married Miss Sarah Mckinlay November 25, 1841, they are the parents of four children-Catharine A. (now Mrs. R. L. Gibson), John E. (died in infancy), Henry M. and Sarah E. (now Mrs. R. Ellison). The mother was born June 11, 1819, in Livingston County, N. Y., a daughter of John and Sarah (Cameron) Mckinlay. The Herbert family

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moved to Clay Township in 1854, and purchased the farm where they now reside, adjoining the town of La Grange. Mr. Herbert is one of the county's most substantial citizens. Henry M., the only living son, was born in Spring- field Township, February 15, 1852. He was reared on the home farm and received a good education. In 1870, he entered the literary department of Hillsdale College, Michigan, and in January, 1872, began a commercial course, graduating in about three months. Being a stock-holder in the La Grange County Bank, he was elected cashier; after this bank was merged into the First National he was elected cashier of that institution, which position he now fills. Mr. Herbert is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

J. C. HEWITT, editor of the La Grange Register, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., August 15, 1842, one of thirteen children, of George M. and Mary Ann (Farley) Hewitt. The father followed farming until his marriage, after which he engaged as railroad engineer. For the past twenty years he has been in the lumber trade, and both he and wife are yet living in Cohocton, N. Y. J. C. Hewitt resided with his parents until seventeen years old, after which he graduated from the Rogersville Union Seminary, at South Dansville. May 24, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Thirty-fifth Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, as private, and was discharged June 5, 1863. He partici- pated in the battles of Slaughter Mountain, Rappahannock Ford, Gainesville, second Bull Run, Chantilly, Grovetown, South Mountain, Antietam, and finished his army career at Fredricksburg. He was mustered out as Captain. Mr. Hewitt returned East, and for a time taught school, after which, for two winters, he was clerk of the Judiciary Committee of the New York Legisla-

ture. He then read law and practiced his profession several years in Cohoc- ton. In 1871, he received an appointment as Inspector of Customs in the New York Custom House, filled that position two years, returned to Cohocton and established the Cohocton Tribune. The fall of 1871 he sold out, and May 20, 1876, came to La Grange and purchased a half-interest in the La Grange Register, of S. D. Crane, and on the 1st of the October following, purchased the other half. He was married, May 1, 1866, to Miss Margelia Rathbun, and they had born one daughter-Grace.

SAMUEL G. HOFF, of the firm of Hoff & Embrey, was born January 17, 1847, in Richland County, Ohio, a son of M. and H. (Mowers) Hoff. The father was a cooper, and in 1847 came to Indiana, and in October, 1848, moved his family to La Grange County, and located at Wright's Corner, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1868, moved to Newbury Township, where he is yet living. His wife died in December, 1879. S. G. Hoff was only twenty months old when his parents came to La Grange County. He attended the Collegiate Institute at Ontario, and in the summer of 1868 graduated from Eastman's Business College, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He then assisted his father on the farm and taught school until 1872, when he was elected and re-elected County Treasurer by the Republican party. He then purchased a farm of 80 acres near La Grange, on which he resided until the spring of 1881, when he, with H. F. Clark, established a meat market in La Grange. In September, 1881, Mr. Clark sold his interest to J. W. Embrey, the business continuing prosperous. Mr. Hoff was married in August, 1874, to . Ruth E. Shaffer; to them three children were born-H. Clyde, Freeman G. and James L. The oldest is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Hoff are members of the Lutheran Church.

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C. B. HOLMES was born in Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, December 3, 1822, one of seven children, four now living, born to James and Elizabeth (Wells) Holmes, who are both dead. The father was a merchant of Hebron, Ohio, in which he was assisted by Charles. In 1842, the latter came to Lima, then the county seat of La Grange County, where for two years he was employed in the offices of the County Clerk and Recorder. In 1844, he made a trip home, re- turning with a stock of goods and establishing the first store at La Grange, then but little else than an unbroken forest, being also one of the first settlers of the town, the first Postmaster and Justice of the Peace. Mr. Holmes followed va- rious kinds of business here until the spring of 1880, when he sold out and is now living retired. For nineteen years he was engaged in the drug trade, and for nine years Justice of the Peace. He has cleared up three or four farms, and erected a number of dwelling and business houses in La Grange. For eight years he was President of the County Agricultural Society. He is a Democrat, and for the past thirty years has been a Mason. His marriage with Miss Mary M. Rodman was solemnized in 1844, and to them were born Alice and Flora B. The mother died in 1872, and Mr. Holmes married his present wife, Mrs. Hannah M. (Case) Ryason, in 1874.

JOHN HOLSINGER, one of the old pioneers of Northern Indiana, now living in La Grange County, was born in Stark County, Ohio, January 9, 1817. He is a son of William and Susann (Raum) Holsinger, who were of German descent. John Holsinger was raised on his father's farm, and in 1841 emigrated to this county, located on the farm now owned by Levi Eshelman in Johnson Township, and cleared the greater part of it and resided there eight years. June 3, 1841, he married Eliza Sherman, whose parents were old set- tlers of Johnson Township. This lady died July 27, 1847, leaving three chil- dren-William, Angeline and Albert. Mr. Holsinger married his second wife, Mary Ann Stroman, December 25, 1847. To them were born Sylvester, John F., Francis F., Adrian, Dora and Ida, and two that died unnamed. The mother died July 11, 1871. September 19, 1871, he married Mrs. Susan (Denman) Nichols, who has borne two sons-Harry, deceased, and Walter H. In 1848, he sold his farm, and moved to Iowa; the same year, returned and purchased a farm in Orange Township. At the end of eight or nine years, he had cleared about 200 acres, and, selling this, moved to another farm further west in the same township, buying 715 acres. In March, 1877, he moved to La Grange, living retired. He owns 315 acres of good land in Orange Town- ship, seventeen acres in Elkhart County, and over five acres where he now lives. When his children were ready to start in life for themselves, he gave each $2,000, which was just $2,000 more than he had to begin with.

R. S. HUBBARD is a native of the city of New York, his birth occur- ring July 14, 1827. Capt. R. S. Hubbard, his father, followed the sea for a livelihood. He married our subject's mother, Susanna Gates, and the latter part of his life removed to Philadelphia, Penn., where he afterward died. R. S. Hubbard, Jr., was raised in the City of New York, and in Orland, Steuben Co., Ind. At the age of nineteen he began clerking at Angola, but afterward removed to Hillsdale, Mich., where he remained about fifteen months. In Sep- tember, 1849, he came to La Grange, and was employed as deputy in the offi- ces of the county officials. In 1853, he formed a partnership with Adams Knott, and established in trade at Lima. The fall of 1854, he and S. K. Ruick commenced business together in La Grange, which was carried on three years. In February, 1857, he married Susan M., daughter of Sidney and Eliza A.

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(Streator) Clark. This lady's father is now dead, but her mother is the pres- ent wife of Martin L. Punches. In 1857, Mr. Hubbard engaged in the drug trade at Ligonier, with Dr. Arnold, under the firm name of O. Arnold & Co. Four years from the next summer, he was in mercantile pursuits in La Grange, after which he went to New York City and connected himself with a mercantile firm until 1871, when he returned to La Grange; July 17, 1872, he established the La Grange County Bank, the first banking establishment in La Grange; May 19, 1873, he and Thomas J. Spaulding instituted the La Grange Bank, which continued until the fall of 1874, when, through the endeavors of Mr. Hubbard, a charter was obtained, and it was merged into the First National Bank. Mr. Hubbard is at present engaged in banking and mercantile pursuits in Michigan. He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which denomination Mr. Hubbard is a lo- cal preacher. They are the parents of two children, viz .: Richard Clark and George K.

L. D. HUGHES, hardware merchant, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, on Independence Day, 1839 ; one of twelve children born to Esrom and Rosanna (Shreve) Hughes. The father was a pioneer of Holmes County, having come there as early as 1825. L. D. Hughes received a good practical education, and April 17, 1861. enlisted in Company H, Twenty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged in June, 1864; with the exception of six days, he was always ready for duty. He participated in all the engagements with his regiment, and was wounded slightly at Giles Court House in West Virginia. On his return from the army, he commenced farming. April 19, 1866, he was married to Miss Ellen Drake, daughter of his Captain in the war, Maj. J. L. Drake. From ill health he gave up farming, and came West in 1867, locating at this point. For two years he followed clerking, and in 1869 established a hardware store. He carries a general stock, and does an average annual business of $15,000. Mr. Hughes cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and still belongs to the Republican party. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church

JOHN PAUL JONES, son of Phillip and Mary (Beam) Jones, was born in Westminster, Frederick (now Carroll) Co., Md., February 19, 1822. His great-grandfather, Phillip Jones, surveyed and laid out the city of Baltimore in the year 1731. His grandfather, Thomas Jones, was among the first Judges of the Orphans' Court of Baltimore County, and his father was one of the defenders of the city during the war of 1812. John Paul Jones was raised and resided in Westminster until fourteen years of age, and received a portion of his education from the private schools. In 1836, he removed with his parents to Bangor, Me., where his father engaged in mercantile business, our subject assisting in the store and attending the public schools. His father died in 1838, and in the spring of 1840 he returned to Baltimore and engaged in clerking. In October, 1840, he came to Fort Wayne, Ind., and entered his brother's office, Dr. Phillip G. Jones, who was then Clerk of the Allen County Circuit Court. Shortly after this he united with the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and in 1842 was licensed to preach, and received into the Indi- ana Conference, then comprising the whole State, and appointed to the Steuben Circuit, with Rev. E. S. Blue preacher in charge. While pastor of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church of South Bend, Indiana, in 1848, he was taken ill, and retired from active ministerial duties. In 1849, he located in La Grange and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1850, he was elected Representative

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to the State Legislature by the Whig party. By that party he was nominated Clerk of the La Grange Circuit Court in 1852, and was the only one on the Whig ticket elected. He was re-elected Clerk on the Republican ticket in 1856, and in 1860 was elected Clerk of the Supreme Court of Indiana. He removed to Indianapolis and held that position four years, and in 1870 returned to La Grange. In 1872, he was elected County Recorder of La Grange County, and re-elected in 1876, his term of office expiring November 10, 1880, making for Mr. Jones a total of twenty-one years in official life. He is at present engaged in the practice of law in La Grange. He was married in 1846 to Miss Aurelia Fobes, of Lima, Ind., and to them have been born six children, five of whom are yet living.

J. H. LUTZ, of the firm of Miller & Lutz, was born near Fort Wayne, Ind., April 29, 1841; son of Abraham Lutz, who was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1807. Abraham Lutz removed to Washington County, Md., in 1813, and at fifteen began learning blacksmithing. In 1835, he married Ann Maria Hunt ; in 1837, moved to Greene County, Ohio; in 1839, to Allen County, Ind., where he worked at his trade and farmed. After clearing up a farm, he, in 1868, sold out and moved to La Grange, where he died Decem- ber 7, 1870. His widow is yet living in La Grange, and they were the parents of five children, all living. John H. Lutz is the third. He was reared in Pleasant Township, Allen County, until twenty years old, and in 1861 married Huldah Beck. He worked at wagon and carriage making, and in 1862 moved to Fort Wayne, where he took charge of the finishing department of an agri- cultural shop. His wife died in 1864, leaving him two children-Wesley and Henry, both deceased. In March, 1866, he married Ellen A. Varner, and in 1868 moved to La Grange, where for two years he carried on wagon-making and blacksmithing. He then formed a partnership with J. R. Devoir, in the hardware trade, which continued four years, after which he sold agricultural implements for a time. In 1875, he entered into partnership with his present partner, J. A. Miller, in the furniture trade and undertaking. Mr. Lutz is one of our independent politicians, voting in all cases for the man instead of the party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment of La Grange, the Masonic fraternity and the K. of H. His wife is a member of the Lutheran Church, and they are the parents of two children-Mary B. and Cary.

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 27

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