Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 32

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 32
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 32

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).

SAMUEL SOMES came to this township in 1855, and in 1859 bought eighty acres of unimproved land which is now a cleared and improved farm, comprising one hundred and twenty acres. The four years preceding this he worked out by the month, receiving from $12 to $15 wages. He was married, January 1, 1861, to Sarah A. Mills, a native of Cayuga, N. Y., where she was born April 3, 1838. She is one of three children in the family of Jacob and Margaret (Passage) Mills. Mr. and Mrs. Somes have a family of three children-Eugene S., Ettie J. and Nathaniel W. Mr. Somes has been a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. for about eighteen years, and has passed all the chairs. He is the son of Samuel and Mary (Barnes) Somes, of New York, and is next to the youngest of eight children, all of whom are living, subject being born March 10, 1834. Mr. Somes served actively in the Regulator movement, and is a substantial farmer and citizen.

ANDREW J. TAGGART is the son of James and Sarah (McCasson) Taggart, of Salem County, N. J., who moved in 1823 or 1824 to Muskingum County, Ohio, where Andrew J., one of nine children, was born May 18, 1829. James Taggart died in Licking County, Ohio, in 1837, after residing there two years. Mrs. Sarah Taggart subsequently went to Fairfield County, Ohio, where her death occurred May 29, 1869. They were both descendants of Quaker families, and Mr. Taggart followed tailoring in the early part of his life, but latterly became a farmer. In 1853, Andrew J. Taggart started from Hebron, Licking Co., Ohio, overland to California, in company with four others. While in Salt Lake Valley, the Mormons threatened to prosecute them for burning timber on Government land, the Mormons claiming it as their own. In California Mr. Taggart kept a trading-post near the summit of the Sierra Range, about two months, during which time he met with an adventure with a

309

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP.

grizzly bear. For three years he was engaged in mining, then returned to Licking County, Ohio, arriving December 31, 1856. He came to this town- ship in 1857, and was married, February 4, 1858, to Helen M. Gould. She was born September 5, 1839, in Marion County, Ohio, and her parents, natives respectively of Vermont and Ohio, were Hiram and Abigail (Brundage) Gould. Mr. and Mrs. Taggart had five children, three now living-Jennie A., Hiram J. and Frank. Mrs. Taggart died April 7, 1873, and Mr. Taggart was mar- ried to Nancy J. Schermerhorn June 21, 1877. She was born in this county March 16, 1855. Her parents were Michael and Mary (Poynter) Schermer- horn. Maud A. is the only child of the subject and wife. Mr. Taggart is a member of the I. O. O. F., which order he joined in California.

JAMES THOMPSON was born in Marion County, Ohio, December 11, 1835, and is the eldest child of Joel and Lucinda (Odle) Thompson. The lat- ter was born July 21, 1810, in Maryland. Her father, William Odle, served in the war of 1812, and was stationed several months at Fort Wayne. Joel Thompson, a native of Pennsylvania, born February 26, 1813, was orphaned at an early age, but cared for until the age of thirteen by an uncle, John Thompson, by whom he was taken to Marion County, Ohio, and afterward lived with James Dota until he became of age. He was married, February 9, 1835, and settled on eighty acres of land given him by Mr. Dota in Marion County. In 1842, he sold out and came to this county ; bought eighty acres of land on Brushy Prairie, built a house and began clearing. He again sold in 1854, and came to this township; bought a farm of eighty acres; sold in 1862, and removed to La Grange, where he died December 28, 1868. Mrs. Lucinda Thompson died at the home of the subject in this township May 2, 1875. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. James Thompson was com- monly educated and reared on his father's farm. November 2, 1859, he was married to Miss Patience Clark, who was born in Fulton County, N. Y., August 5, 1835, the daughter of John Y. and Hester ( Westbrook) Clark. They have two childrem-Clara B. and Lenora. For six years Mr. Thompson farmed on shares for his father, then removed to Johnson Township, this county. In 1871, he bought the farm of eighty acres in this township where he continues to reside.

EDWARD W. VALENTINE is the son of John and Sarah (Talbott) Valentine, natives of Maryland. In early manhood, John Valentine went to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he owned a farm and was married. About 1828, he moved to Seneca County, Ohio, entered 160 acres, and lived there until his death, which occurred in October, 1863. He served in the war of 1812. Mrs. Sarah Valentine died in November, 1867. They were both members of the M. E. Church, and had a family of ten children. Edward W. was born in Seneca County, Ohio, March 5, 1832, and, until he became of age, worked on the home farm ; after which, he farmed for his father eleven years on shares. In 1864, he removed to and located permanently in this township, where he owns a well- improved farm of 120 acres. September 6, 1855, he was married to Lydia A. Coon, who was born in Canada February 10, 1839, and is one of seven in the family of J. W. and Eliza C. (Shipman) Coon, natives of Canada. Mr. Valen- tine is a reliable and enterprising Republican citizen. They have had a family of five children-Salina B. (now Mrs. Rose), Viola V., Revilow L. (who died at his father's home, February 4, 1882, in his twenty-second year), Nettie M. and Lilly Bertha.

DAVID VAN KIRK is a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., where he was born August 20, 1827. His parents, Thomas and Eleanor (Johnson) Van

310

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Kirk, were born in the same county-September 16, 1791, and October 17, 1800, being the respective dates of their births ; ten of eleven children born to them are yet living. Thomas Van Kirk was in the war of 1812, moved to Rich- land County, Ohio, in 1830, and two years afterward entered eighty acres of land in Seneca County, that he subsequently traded for 160 acres of improved land in Huron County, Ohio. He sold this farm in 1845, and came to this township, built a saw and carding mill, which he was engaged in operating up to the time of his death, which occurred September 1, 1861. David Van Kirk worked in his father's mill from 1846 to 1850, and after his marriage, Novem- ber 2, 1851, farmed on shares several years, buying, in 1855, the farm upon which he now dwells. It comprises 108 acres, and the log cabin is yet standing where they first lived. Mr. Van Kirk, since 1848, has been a member of the Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 76, A., F. & A. M., and has represented the same in the Grand Lodge ; he also belongs to the La Grange Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M., of which he was High Priest four years. Mrs. Van Kirk was formerly Lucre- tia Newell, and was born in Wayne County, N. Y., January 27, 1828. She is one of eleven children born to Thomas B. and Lois (Thurston) Newell. The par- ents were natives of New York, and early pioneers of La Grange County ; his birth occurred April 15, 1801, and hers December 3, 1802. Mr. and Mrs. Van Kirk have three children-Lucretia I. (now Mrs. McNutt), Lissa A. (now Mrs. McKibbin), and David A. The subject's mother yet survives, and is a resident of Iowa.

BENJAMIN W. VESEY is one of six children in the family of William and Adaline (Copeland) Vesey, natives of Orange County, Vt., where also the subject was born February 8, 1829. William Vesey, in 1835, emigrated to Lake County, Ohio, thence to Elkhart County, Ind., in 1838. Here he bought 120 acres of land that he subsequently sold, removing to a farm near Goshen. He was a Democrat, and, in 1862, was elected Sheriff of Elkhart County ; served in the late war as a private some time, but afterward was detailed in the Commissary Department until he was discharged. October 3, 1872, he died at his home, and being a member of the A., F. & A. M., was buried with Masonic honors. Benjamin Vesey received a fair education, and one year attended the University at Greencastle, Ind. In 1849, he went overland with an ox team to California, where he was engaged in mining and teaming until 1851, when he returned to Indiana, and bought a farm in Lima Township, this county ; sold in 1855, and bought one in Springfield Township in 1857, removing in 1864 to La Grange, and settling on his present farm of 365 acres in 1865. In 1853, February 8, he married Sarah P. Waterhouse, the daughter of Joseph and Esther (Penley) Waterhouse, natives of Maine, and parents of nine children. Sarah P. was born in Androscoggin County, Me., February 26, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Vesey have a family of five children, viz., George E., William J., Allen J., Charles E. and John H. Mr. Vesey is a Republican, and a leading farmer.

LIMA TOWNSHIP.

CHARLES L. ATWATER was born in Luzerne County, Penn., April 11, 1843, son of Thomas S. and Hannah (Enoes) Atwater, natives of the Empire State. They were married in Pennsylvania, and removed to this township in 1855. In their family were four sons-Myron, Charles L., John E. and Mon-

311

LIMA TOWNSHIP.

roe. The father was a blacksmith, but in this State followed farming. He was a Democrat, a strong Union man and a Christian. He amassed a com- fortable fortune, and died in 1870, and his wife in 1875. Charles L. was reared upon a farm and received a fair education. At majority he began farming for himself. After three years he erected a saw-mill in Van Buren Township, and after two years moved it to Newbury Township, where he suc- cessfully operated it some four years longer. He then sold out, came to Lima, and engaged in the furniture trade. He was burned out in 1878. and the same year erected two two-story brick business rooms in Lima, one of which he now occupies as a furniture sales room. He keeps a good line of goods, and is steadily increasing his business. He owns 160 acres of land in Van Buren Township, and a nice residence in Lima. He was married to Miss Sarah Boor, Septem- ber 8, 1870; a native of Illinois, and born July 4, 1850. Three children have been born to them-Artimus S., Gussie and Jennie M.

HENRY H. BASSLER, son of John and Barbara (Hostettler) Bassler, natives of Lancaster County, Penn., and descendants of Swiss ancestors. Henry H. was born in Lancaster County, Penn., August 18, 1824, but his parents dying when he was a boy he resided with relatives until manhood, working at farm- ing. He received but a common-school education, and November 11, 1845, was married to Elizabeth Rohrer, born in Washington County, Md., July 11, 1824. Soon after Mr. Bassler moved to Erie County, Penn., where he resided until the spring of 1860, and then removed to La Grange County, locating in Green- field, where he lived until 1868, and then moved to Lima. Mr. Bassler has always followed farming, with the exception of seven years, when he was en- gaged in grain trade. He owns 108 acres of good land, besides valuable town property in Lima. He has, by his own endeavors, worked his way from a poor boy to a substantial citizen. In politics he is a Republican, and has held va- rious township positions. He and wife are the parents of three children-Ja- cob R., Aaron C. and Susan H. Only the last named is now living. She is the wife of John Lazenby, and resides in Lima Township.

PETER BEISEL, son of Peter and Mary (Carver) Beisel, natives of Pennsylvania, where they were raised and married. The father was a hatter, and soon after his marriage engaged in mercantile pursuits in Gettysburg, Penn., but at the end of a few years removed to Baltimore, where he met with business reverses, and in 1830 came to White Pigeon, Mich., and the succeeding year moved his family there, where they ever afterward made their home. Mr. Beisel had accumulated considerable property at the time of his death, in 1839. He and wife had four sons and one daughter. The subject of this biography was born in Adams County, Penn., February 26, 1814. He lived at home until about twenty-two years old. In 1837, he came to Lexington, in Greenfield Township, and engaged in mercantile business with A. K. Brower. In 1848, he sold out and then erected a grist-mill. In 1853, he sold this and purchased, where he now lives, 420 acres of fine farming and grazing land. Mr. Beisel is a Republican, was formerly a Whig, served in the Black Hawk war, and was the first Postmaster at Lexington. He was married, August 18, 1839, to Margaret Ellison, born in Ireland August 10, 1816. To them were born ten children-Mary S., Margaret A., Julia L., Rebecca, Andrew M., Thomas J., living ; and Sarah J., Elizabeth F., Francis J. and George W., deceased. Mrs. Beisel died February 24, 1871.

SAMUEL BURNELL is one of the oldest resident citizens in the county, born in Yorkshire, England, December 24, 1809. His parents, Will-

312

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

iam and Hannah (Haller) Burnell, were natives of Yorkshire, and had a fam- ily of twelve children. In 1829, our subject emigrated to the United States, and for about a year worked by the month for John Coats, a farmer near White Pigeon, Mich. In 1830, Thomas Burnell, a brother of Samuel, came to the United States, and soon after the two brothers went to Greenfield Township, where Samuel pre-empted 160 acres of land on English Prairie. About this time, the parents emigrated to this country and located at White Pigeon, where, in 1837, the father died, aged seventy-three years, and his wife three years later, aged sixty-five. Samuel worked on a farm and at the carpenter's trade some years after coming to this county, investing his savings in land. He lived upon his farm in Greenfield Township some twenty-five years, with the exception of the years 1836 and 1837, which he spent as contractor and builder in Milwaukee, Wis. In 1862, he rented his farm and moved to Lima. April 4, 1839, he married Miss Mary A. Mason, born in New York State, Novem- ber 29, 1817. They have three children-Ellen, John and Jennie. Mr. Bur- nell helped to organize and was a director of the Indiana State Bank, of Lima, and is a large stockholder in the present Lima Bank. He is a Republican, a member of the Episcopal Church, and a most worthy citizen.

DANIEL W. COLE was born in Wayne County, N. Y., August 22, 1822, a son of Peter J. and Amy (Corwin) Cole, natives of the Empire State, where they were married, and in 1830 moved to near Detroit, Mich., which became their old home. The father was a farmer, and a hard-working, sober and well-respected citizen. Daniel W. is one of five children. When but a small boy his mother died, and at the age of nineteen he left home and began life's battle on his own responsibility. In 1840, he came to Lima, purchased a threshing machine, and for twenty seasons followed threshing. After some time, by close economy, he was enabled to purchase a small piece of land. He has increased his acres, and now owns 400 well-improved in Lima Township, and 110 acres in St. Joseph County, Mich. He was married to Melonia Stevens, November 26, 1846, a native of Orleans County, N. Y., born March 2, 1826. They had five children-Byron J., Amelia E., Lydia, Celia and Cora. Mr. Cole is a member the Baptist Church, and a Republican. When he came to Lima his wealth consisted in 25 cents, a good constitution, and a determination to be somebody. His present circumstances illustrate his success in life.

REV. CHRISTOPHER CORY is one of the oldest settlers and best known citizens in the connty. He was born January 13, 1800, at Westfield, N. J., and is one of eight children born to Benjamin and Susanna (Denman) Cory, also natives of New Jersey. The father was for many years an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Christopher Cory was reared upon a farm, and up to twenty-one years of age, had received but a good common-school education. He then entered an academy preparatory to the study of theology. He was licensed to preach when twenty-six years of age, and one year later was ordained a minister of the Presbyterian Church. Soon after, he was assigned a charge in a mining district of Pennsylvania, where he labored some time, and then went to Orange County, N. Y. In 1832, he was sent by the Home Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church as an evangelist to labor among the In- dians and early settlers of Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana. He began at Lima, Ind., and at the end of the fourth year was able to report to the society the organization of eight churches. He continued to work until 1848, when from a throat difficulty he was compelled to quit active service. In

313

LIMA TOWNSHIP.

1827, he married Miss Mary H. Baker, born in Westfield, N. J., May 2, 1801. To this union were born four children-William B., James R., Mary P. and Henry M. Mrs. Cory died April 13, 1877; she was a most worthy Christian lady. Mr. Cory lives with a son upon the old homestead, and has the respect of all who know him.

JOHN CRAIG (deceased), one of the old pioneers of La Grange County, Ind., was born in Pennsylvania December 23, 1784, and was there reared to manhood. He married Miss Jane Derr, who was born in the same State in 1796, and to them were born the following children : James, Esther, Joseph, Serena, John, Robert and Mary. In 1835, they left their native State and started West to obtain a new home. They stopped one year in Crawford County, Ohio ; then came to La Grange County, and located on the farm now owned by Augustus Hamilton in Lima Township. The country at that time was an almost unbroken forest with wild animals in abundance. Mr. Craig was a poor man when he arrived here, but went to work with success. He had the confidence and respect of his friends and neighbors. He died December 1, 1875, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. His widow yet survives him and resides in Lima Township at the age of eighty-six years. The following are sketches of four of the sons :

JAMES CRAIG was born in Columbia County, Penn., April 1, 1820. He was reared on a farm and assisted his parents in their labors. He always lived with his parents, and in this way the father and sons worked together, but now the sons each own separate farms. James owns 160 acres of good land. He is a Republican, a member of the Baptist Church, and an enterprising citizen.

JOSEPH CRAIG was born September 23, 1823, in Columbia County, Penn., and, in 1836, came with his parents to this county where he has since resided. He received a common-school education, and February 1, 1855, married Miss Louisa R. Stevens, born in Orleans County, N. Y., February 28, 1833. To this union were born two children-Edith L. and James E. The mother died May 1, 1881. She was a good wife, a kind and loving mother and a Christian. Her death was mourned by a large circle of friends. Joseph Craig is a Repub- lican. He owns 100 acres of well-improved land, and is a successful farmer of Lima Township.

JOHN F. D. CRAIG was born in Columbia County, Penn., April 17, 1830, and was reared upon a farm, and received his education in the log schoolhouse. He was united in marriage with Miss Augusta L. Bishop January 20, 1857, who was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., March 29, 1832. To them have been born four children, viz., Edward D., Gertrude A. and Edith M., living; and Frances E., deceased. Mr. Craig owns 236 acres of well-improved land. He raises good stock of all kinds, and is a practical and successful farmer in Lima Township. He is a Republican, and he and wife are hospitable, public-spirited people.

ROBERT CRAIG was born in Columbia County, Penn., and reared in Lima Township. He married Miss Jennette Keith December 12, 1865, who was born in Lima Township March 3, 1843, a daughter of Sidney and Sophia (Wilder) Keith, who were among the first settlers of the county. Robert Craig followed farming, and was much respected. He died September 27, 1877. To him and wife were born two children, viz., Alton K. and Jennie J. Mrs. Craig resides upon the old homestead, and is a lady of social and moral worth. The Craig family stand well in the county, and are appreciated for their unassuming ways, goodness of heart, and strict integrity.

314

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

JOHN CRAIG. This gentleman was born in Columbia County, Penn., February 1, 1826. He is the son of Joseph and Sarah Craig, both natives of the Keystone State. John was reared upon a farm, receiving a common-school education, and December 26, 1865, was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Johnston. She was born in the same county as her husband, June 5, 1829. To them have been born two children, viz .: Sarah E. and Joseph S. In 1857, came to this county, which he has since made his home. He began life as a poor boy and is a self-made man. He is a Democrat, but liberal in his views. He owns 160 acres of good land and is a respected and useful citizen.

WILLIAM CRAIG was born in Columbia County, Penn., November 5, 1827, a son of Joseph and Sarah Craig. His father was born in North- umberland County, Penn., in 1800, and his mother in Luzerne County, Penn., in 1797. They were reared and married in their native State, and to them were born three sons and three daughters. Joseph Craig was a farmer and an honorable man; he died in 1845, but his widow is yet living. William Craig received only a common-school education. On the death of his father he took charge of the home farm, and has since cared for his aged mother, who lives with him as does also a sister. In 1854, he first came to Lima, Ind., but after two years returned, and in 1857 brought his mother here, where he purchased 240 acres of land. This property has since been divided among the heirs, our subject now owning 120 acres; this he has nicely improved. Mr. Craig is a practical and successful farmer and stock- raiser. He has always been a Democrat and still works in the ranks of that party.

GEORGE H. DAYTON, M. D., is one of the oldest and most successful practitioners of medicine in Northern Indiana; was born in Newark, N. J., January 15, 1824, the only child born to George C. and Phoebe W. (Little) Dayton, both natives of that State. This family of Daytons are descended from one Ralph Dayton, who came from Bedfordshire, England, in 1673, and located on Long Island. His descendants have been called upon to fill positions of honor and trust in different States and under the Federal Government, and the name is one of the most widely known in the country. George C. Dayton held an Ensign's Commission in the State Militia of New Jersey, and was for many years engaged in the mercantile business in the city of New York. It was from the schools there that our subject graduated at the early age of fifteen years. He then entered the Literary Department of the University of that city, where he remained some three years, when he began the study of medicine with Dr. Valentine Mott, and in 1845 graduated in medicine. In 1846, he came to Ontario, this county, and practiced until 1879, when he moved to Lima. September 20, 1864, he married Miss Louisa Thompson, born in Mor- ris County, N. J., November 24, 1834. To them two children have been born, viz .: George and Mary. Dr. Dayton is a Republican and a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He is a member of the different medical asso- ciations of Indiana and Michigan, and of the National Medical Association. He is a close student of pathology, as he finds it in nature, and has been a leader in the use of new and rational remedies.

WILLIAM H. DEPUY was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., July 19, 1813; his parents were Moses M. and Elizabeth (Hedges) DePuy, natives of Long Island, N. Y., where they were married and shortly after moved to Sul- livan County, and thence to Livingston County, N. Y., in 1813, and in 1836 they moved to Marshall County, Mich. After a time they removed to Wiscon-

315

LIMA TOWNSHIP.

sin, and then returned to Michigan, where they afterward died. Mr. DePuy was a tanner and currier, also a shoemaker. He and wife were parents of thir- teen children. William H., at sixteen, served at the brick and stone-mason and plasterer's trade. In 1834, he came to Sturgis, Mich., and purchased a farm. He taught school in the village of Sturgis the winter of 1834-35. In 1844, he came to Lima. In 1851, he went overland to California, where he mined and worked at his trade until 1853, when he came back and engaged in mercantile pursuits in Lima. Since 1861, Mr. DePuy has been engaged in various callings. He is a Republican, and has been Postmaster of Lima seven years, and Justice of the Peace of Lima Township twelve years. Mr. DePuy was married September 3, 1845, to Harriet A. Ranson, born in Connecticut in September, 1816, and died May 21, 1869. Their children were Harriet, Charles, Helen, Lyman, Harrison, James, Mary and Ellen. March 5, 1872, Mr. DePuy married his present wife, Mrs. Lydia Favourite, born in Elkhart County, Ind., March 15, 1842. Mr. DePuy is a Mason, and his son Charles served four years in quelling the rebellion.

NEWTON ENOE is a native of Hartford County, Conn., born Septem- ber 11, 1799, one of four children to Oliver and Electa (Colton) Enoe, natives respectively of Connecticut and Massachusetts. The mother dying when New- ton was an infant he was raised by his grandmother until old enough to work for himself. He learned the tanners and currier's trade, and worked at that a number of years. In 1823, he married Electa Walker, a native of Vermont, and in 1835 emigrated to Elkhart County, Ind., where his wife died soon after- ward, leaving two sons-Newton G. and Orange W. In 1845, Mr. Enoe re- moved to La Grange County. His present wife was Miss Elizabeth Blair, born in Ross County, Ohio, November 11, 1809, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Houlton) Blair, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Defiance County, Ohio, in 1824, and in 1828 removed to La Grange County, locating about a mile west of the present site of Lima. They had four children-Fran- cis A., A. H., Benjamin H. and Elizabeth, only the last named, Mrs. Enoe, living. In 1832, Mr. Blair died of cholera. Newton Enoe was formerly a Whig, and became a Republican on the organization of that party. Mrs. Enoe is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has bravely shared all ad- versities and labors with her husband in building the home with which they are blessed.

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 32

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