Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 33

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 33
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 33

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).

TIMOTHY FIELD was born June 8, 1811, in Windham County, Vt., son of Timothy and Welthy (Bishop) Field, natives of Madison, Conn. The father was a graduate of Yale College, and a Congregational minister. In about 1800, he went to Canandaigua, N. Y., and built the first church in that place. He remained in this field of labor some seven years, when he moved to Wind- ham County, Vt., where he ever after resided. He was twice married. By the first wife there were five children, and by the second, three. Our subject at fourteen years of age entered Canandaigua Academy, where he remained two years, and then accepted a position as clerk in his brother's store. He remained in Ontario County, N. Y., engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1838, when he came to this county, purchased a tract of land which he cleared and nicely im- proved. Since 1872, he has been engaged in merchandising. He was married to Miss Hannah Mosher in 1840. She was born in Romulus, N. Y., May 9, 1809, and died December 13, 1871. Mr. Field married Miss Ellen L. Foote October 31, 1874. She was born in Mount Morris, N. Y., March 3, 1849. They had two children, viz., Timothy B. and Gertrude E. Mr. Field was twice

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elected to the Legislature of the State. Was Enrolling and Draft Commissioner for La Grange County during the late war, and bas held the office of County Commissioner three years, besides other offices. He is the Postmaster at On- tario, and a member of the Congregational Church, and in politics a Republican. ABBOTT FLEMING was born in Sussex County, N. J., November 25, 1813. This family of Flemings are descended from one Malcolm Fleming, who died in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1736. He had three sons-Thomas, William and Andrew, who, in 1751, came to America and settled in Hunterdon County, N. J. Thomas had three children-Thomas, James and Margaret. William had one son-Andrew ; and he, five children-William, Eleanor, Mar- tha, Malcolm and Margaret. William, the eldest, is the father of our subject. He was a native of New Jersey, also his wife, Elizabeth Cook. The father passed almost his lifetime near Alexandria, N. J., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was for many years a Trustee and Elder of the Pres- byterian Church. He died in 1833. To him and wife were born the follow- ing : Eleanor, Jacob C., Thomas, Andrew, William, Joanna, Tylee and Abbott. Our subject was brought up on a farm. When about seventeen years of age, he began working at the stone-mason and plasterer's trades, and after his ap- prenticeship, engaged in business for himself. In 1837, he came to this county and settled on the farm he now owns in Lima Township. May 6, 1837, he mar- ried Miss Margaret Semple, born near Glasgow, Scotland, November 16, 1815. To them was born a son-William. They also adopted a daughter-Eliza J., wife of David Leighton. William, their son, has been twice married. His first wife was Mary J. Howard, who was the mother of his only child-Oren A. His second wife was Mary A. Craig. Abbott Fleming is a stanch Republican, and an Elder in the Lima Baptist Church.

ASA E. GANIARD was born in Ontario County, N. Y., August 31, 1833, the son of Silas and Lucinda (Wilder) Ganiard, natives of Bristol, On- tario Co., N. Y. They were married in their native State and removed to Hillsdale County, Mich., in early times, which became their permanent home. They had five children, whom they reared in a creditable manner, giving them such advantages as their means afforded. Asa E. remained on the home farm until twenty-three years of age. He was married to Miss Jane Keith July 3, 1856. This lady was born in Lima Township April 9, 1838, the daughter of Sidney and Sophia (Wilder) Keith, natives of New York State and among the first settlers of La Grange County. Mr. Keith was well and favorably known, and among the first County Commissioners. By our subject's marriage to Miss Keith, there has been born to them four children, viz. : William B., James W., Asa E. and Sidney K. In 1859, Mr. Ganiard came to this township and engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1864, he went overland to the Pa- cific Slope, making his home in California and Oregon five years, during which time he was at work in quartz mills. Since his return he has followed farming. He owns 120 acres of well improved land in Lima Township. He is a stanch Republican and possesses good social qualities.

WILLIAM HILL was born in Derbyshire, England, September 1, 1821, son of Thomas and Mary (Peat) Hill, natives of England. The father was a carpenter, and in 1831 emigrated, with his family, to Pennsylvania. In 1835, he moved to Michigan, and in about three years removed to Cook County, Ill., and then returned to Michigan, near Sturgis, where he engaged in farming. William Hill, at twenty-one years of age, learned the molder's trade, and after working four years in Sturgis came to Lima, then went to Coldwater.

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In 1848, he returned to Lima, and two years later purchased the Lima Found- ry, which he operated, in connection with A. L. Taylor, until the spring of 1861. Mr. Hill then sold his interest and engaged in the hardware and dry goods trade. After the winter of 1863, he dealt in real estate about two years, and then again engaged in hardware trade-during this time carrying on his farming. He continued the hardware trade alone and in partnership with Joseph Bunnell until 1878, when he sold out and has since been farming and operating in real estate. Mr. Hill is in good circumstances. He owns 450 acres of land in La Grange County, 250 in Michigan, besides some in Kansas and valuable town property in Lima. He is a Republican. June 20, 1847, he married Miss Lucinda Sparks, born in Genesee County, N. Y., June 29, 1830. To them have been born three children-Ellen, February 13, 1853; James W., January 13, 1857; and Mary I., August 5, 1858.

GEORGE and LEVI HORNING. George Horning was born in Cumberland County, Penn., July 24, 1811, and Levi in the same county, January 29, 1823, sons of George and Susanna (Myers) Horning, natives of Lancaster County, Penn., who were married in their native county, and soon after moved to Cumberland County, and in 1849 came to Lima Township, where they after- ward resided. They had a family of two sons and two daughters, and were industrious and intelligent people. George and Levi, after their parents' death, took charge of the home place, which became theirs. The two brothers farmed in common, sharing equally. George has always remained single, and in early life learned and worked at the blacksmith's trade. Levi was married to Miss Rachel Zeigler, July 4, 1856. She was born in Cumberland County, Penn., April 11, 1826. From this union there are six children, viz .: Manuel, Ezra, Cornelius, Mary, Frederick and Albert. Levi Horning departed this life Jan- uary 18, 1874. He was a kind husband and father, and was universally re- spected. George resides upon the old homestead with his brother's widow. The Hornings are among the most worthy people of the county.

JOHN B. HOWE, born of English parents in the city of Boston, March 3, 1813, was destined by force of character, and by natural ability, to achieve his present honored position. His father, the Rev. James B. Howe, an elo- quent minister of the Episcopal Church, and his beloved mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Badlam (the name having been changed from Bedlow, in re- cording an early deed), were Puritans, who gave fair education to their family of eight children. The father was a graduate of Harvard College, and an earnest advocate of education and morals. Stephen Badlam was Brigadier General of militia, who joined the Colonial army in 1775, and the following year, as Major of artillery, took possession, July 4, of the point which, from this circumstance, was named Mount Independence. After the war, he located at Dorchester, where he became Magistrate, and Deacon of the Church. At the age of sixteen, John B. Howe entered Trinity College, from which institution he graduated at the age of nineteen. This was in 1832, and in autumn of the same year he went to Detroit, thence to Marshall, Mich., and in 1833 he moved to Lima. He had read law in Michigan, was subsequently admitted to the bar, and for a number of years practiced with success. Of late years he has been engaged in banking. He is the author of several volumes on Political Economy and Finance, his logic and research securing the commendations of able critics. He was a member of the State Legislature of 1840, representing the counties of Steuben, De Kalb, Noble and La Grange; and, in 1850, was a member of the Indiana State Constitutional Convention, at which time, he, as

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a Whig, advocated measures regarding the slave, identical with those afterward adhered to by the minority of Justices in the Dred Scott decision. In 1846, Mr. Howe was married to Miss Frances Gidden, a native of the Granite State, who was born in 1825. Mr. Howe has a beautiful home, and enjoys that satis- faction resulting from a life of charity and humanity.

MRS. SARAH A. HUDSON was born December 10, 1823, in Port Gib- son, Ontario County, N. Y., daughter of Stephen and Normanda (Finney) Alling. The father was a native of New York and the mother of Connecticut. They were married in the Empire State and were the parents of two children. Mrs. Hudson received a common-school education, and remained at home until her marriage with Mr. Isaac G. Hudson, which occurred, October 8, 1850. He was born in Chatham, Columbia County, N. Y., March 31, 1819, and soon after his marriage moved to Wayne County, N. Y., remaining there until 1854, when he moved to this county, and purchased the farm now Mrs. Hudson's home. In less than a year after their arrival in this county Mr. Hudson died. He was a man of extended information, and a graduate of the Weslyan Sem- inary, of Lima, N. Y. His death was a great loss. In his family were the following children : Sarah J., Pliny E. and Isaac G. Mrs. Hudson's old homestead comprises 200 acres of well improved land. Pliny E. has the man- agement of it, and is a practical and successful farmer. He is a Republican, enterprising and public spirited.

ELIAS KEPLINGER was born November 9, 1815, in Washington County, Md., one of a family of nine sons and three daughters born to Joseph and Catharine {Snyder) Keplinger, natives of Maryland. The parents moved to Virginia, near Harper's Ferry, soon after their marriage, and from there, in 1832, to Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Here the father died at the age of eighty- four years. His widow survives him, and is eighty-six. Elias Keplinger was brought up to farm labor. He married Miss Emily Hoverstock, in 1842. She was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, January 25, 1825. They had seven children, four of whom are yet living, viz. : Catharine, Mary E., Charles H. and Etta M. Mrs. Keplinger died February 22, 1865. Mr. Keplinger mar- ried Miss Lydia A. Medaugh, a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, for his second wife. She died, December 5, 1878. December 11, 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Fridlie, born in the canton of Berne, Switzer- land, May 13, 1844. Mr. Keplinger came to this county in 1864, and pur- chased his present farm. He began life as a poor boy, and is a self-made man. He is a Republican, a member of the M. E. Church, and a successful farmer and stock grower.

OMAR A. KIMBALL, was born in Orland, Steuben Co., Ind., November 9, 1837. He is the son of Augustus Kimball, a native of the Empire State, who came with his parents to Calhoun County, Mich., in 1833. After two years the family removed to Orland, where the grandfather of our subject erected one of the first grist-mills in Northeastern Indiana. Here Augustus Kimball married Miss Eliza Eaton, and to them were born three children. He has been engaged in farming and milling at Orland for some time. Omar A. Kimball received a common-school education, and when fourteen years old was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, serving a term of five years at $3 per month. After he had learned his trade, he worked in Orland some time, and then went to Sturgis, Mich., and worked over three years. In 1857, he came to Lima, but soon after went West, stopping two years in Kansas. He then returned to Lima, and worked at his trade until 1862, when he enlisted in

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Company C, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He became regi- mental blacksmith, and served until the close of the war. Since his return from the army, he has worked at his trade in Lima. He was married, January 18, 1861, to Mrs. Emily L. Morse, born in Williamson, N. Y., May 27, 1829, to Zimri and Vashti (Overton) Atwater, who removed from New York State to Lima Township, in 1835. They were the parents of nine children. There was one child born to Mrs. Kimball by her first marriage, viz .: Loren. From her union with Mr. Kimball there were two, viz. : Lillie and Charley. Mr. Kimball owns a large two-story brick building where he carries on his trade. He owns a nice home property, and is doing a good business. He is a Republican.

J. CALVIN KINNEY, is a native of Burlington, Vt., and is of Scotch descent. The family came to the United States during the seventeenth century. The grandfather of our subject assisted the Colonies in their struggle for independence, and two of his sons served in the war of 1812-one as a Captain. John C. Kinney was a machinist, and when a young man worked at his trade in New York, where he married Miss Amy Rowley, and soon after- ward moved to Burlington, Vt. After some years, he removed to Huron County, Ohio, and in 1832 started on horseback through Indiana. He returned to Ohio the same year, and in 1833 moved his family to Lima, and ever after- ward made La Grange County his home. For some years he carried the mail on horseback from l'oledo through to Fort Defiance, White Pigeon and other places, and, while engaged at this, died. J. Calvin Kinney was born January 3, 1828. When seventeen years old, he learned the shoemaker's trade. After working at this eight years, and farming three years, he came to Lima. In 1855, removed with his family to Minnesota, but returned in three years. Mr. Kinney assisted in the organization of the First National Bank of Lima, and engaged in banking, brokerage, collecting and dealing in real estate, and has arisen to a position of wealth and comfort. He was married, February 22, 1848, to Miss Teressa Griffeth, who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., July 27, 1829. To this union were born seven daughters-Alice T., Amy E., Arroma L., Amelia M., Annettie D., Ada C. and Annie L.

JOHN R. KIRBY was born in Leicestershire, Eng., March 2, 1802, one of eleven children born to John and Charlotte (Reddals) Kirby, who emigrated to this country in 1831 and settled in Lake County, Ohio. They were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John R., when young, began work- ing at hosiery making. He came to this country with his parents and engaged in farming near Painesville, Ohio. He was married in England, in 1829, to Miss Hannah Kirby. They had two children-Albert, who died at seven years of age, and Amy L., who died May 18, 1861. She married John Tay- lor, of Lima. They had one child. Mrs. Hannah Kirby died in 1847. On the 5th of October, 1859, he married Mrs. Abigail W. (Charter) Durand, born in Burton, Ohio, May 13, 1815. They had three sons, viz .: Burritt E., Charles P. and James A. The latter is the only one living. He was born in 1853, and married Miss Emma White in 1879. She was born in Lancaster, Penn., in 1858. All the Durand boys received a liberal education, Burritt E. graduating from the Iron City College, at Pittsburgh, Penn., July 14, 1865. James A. is engaged in the drug trade at Lima. Mr. John R. Kirby came to Lima in 1859, and after about three years engaged in the drug trade. In 1878, ill health compelled him to retire. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.

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ALONZO D. MOHLER, A. M. and A. B., is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, born January 26, 1848. His ancestors were from Germany, who came to this country in the eighteenth century. His father, Amos Mohler, was a native of the Keystone State and his mother (Maria Rasor) of Ohio. They were married in the Buckeye State and had ten children, of whom Alonzo D. was the eldest. The father, in early life, learned the carpenter trade and after his marriage took up contracting and building. He worked at his trade in Dayton, Ohio, a number of years, and then engaged in mercantile pursuits in Shelby County, Ohio. In 1865, he moved to Huntington, Ind., where he now resides. He is a man of intelligence and greatly aided in the remodeling of the old school law of Ohio. Alonzo D. Mohler learned the carpenter trade with his father ; after which he served an apprenticeship at cabinet-making. Up to the time he was twenty years of age he had received common education. After some private instruction, he entered Asbury University, at Greencastle, Ind., and in 1873 received the degree of Bachelor of Arts and in 1876 that of Master of Arts. Soon after graduating, he took charge of the Muncie High School, and after one year came to La Grange to take charge of its public schools, which he has raised to their present high standard. He left the La Grange school and was given charge of the Lima school, with four assistant teachers. He was united in marriage with Miss Albina Davies January 1, 1874; born in Huntington County, Ind., July 27, 1850. To them have been born two daughters, viz .: Inez and Ruth. Mr. Mohler is a Republican and a member of the M. E. Church.

CHARLES G. NICHOLS, son of Drusus and Rebecca B. (Graves) Nichols, who were born, raised and married in Sherman, Litchfield County, Conn. In 1834, Mr. Nichols came to La Grange County, and purchased the mill at Mongo (or Union Mills). He operated this some two years, during which time he purchased a tract of land, and then returned to Connecticut for his family. Mr. Nichols was a thorough business man, and was largely engaged in farming, milling and mercantile pursuits, at one time owning a commission warehouse in Fort Wayne. He assisted in building the old plank road in La Grange County, and was on hand where enterprise was required. Charles G. was born September 13, 1835, in Litchfield County, Conn., and is the only survivor of three children. At the age of nine years he returned from Indi- ana to his native State, where he remained until eighteen, receiving a good common-school education. He was married, June 21, 1859, to Miss Ellen Bur- nell, who was born on English Prairie, La Grange County, May 8, 1840, and to them have been born the following family : Drusus B., Mary, Charles S., Samuel B., Morse F. and Gunther. Mr. Nichols lived in Greenfield Township until within the past year, when he removed to Lima to educate his children. He is a Republican, and has held the position of County Real Estate Ap- praiser. He owns 450 acres of good land.

SAMUEL S. PARKER was born in the city of Philadelphia, in 1817, son of Samuel Parker, a native of the Bay State, who, during the war of 1812, went to Philadelphia to work at carpentering, and there married. Miss Sarah Long, a native of Nova Scotia. He worked at his trade in Petersburg, Va., and at other points, till 1818, when he moved to Columbia City, Penn., and sub- sequently to Genesee County, N. Y. In 1833, he came to Lima Township, with four double teams and a one horse buggy, probably the first brought to Lima Township. . He bought a large tract of land and engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was a man of much more than ordinary ability, generous

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to a fault, and scrupulously honest. He died in 1857, and his wife in 1870. They had the following children : Lucy A., Samuel S., Lucy A., Ursula R., Orlinda, Romilda, George H. and Columbus C., four of whom are yet living. Samuel S. married Miss Orilla French, in 1854. She was born in Lake County, Ohio, in 1833. They had ten children, viz. : George H., Orlinda, Theodore, Romilda, Rosamond, Mary and Fanny, living; George, Timoleon and Homer, deceased. Mr. Parker owns 600 acres of land, and has a beauti- ful home just across the State line, in Fawn River Township, St. Joseph County, Mich. As a Republican, he has held the office of Justice of the Peace in the township in which he lives.

JOEL SANDERSON was born in the town of Brookfield, Orange Co., Vt., December 26, 1816, son of James and Rebecca (Hovey) Sanderson. The father was the first white male child born in Woodstock, Vt. The mother was a native of Canterbury, Conn. They were married at Lyme, N. H., and took up their residence at Woodstock, Vt. In 1828, they removed to Huron County, Ohio. Here, September 2 of the same year, the father died. There were ten children-Joel being the youngest. He, soon after his father's death, began working out, receiving but small pay. During the winter months, he would work for his board and attend school. In this way, he received his edu- cation. His marriage with Miss Mary A. Legg occurred August 7, 1842. She was born in Chisleborough, England, August 11, 1816. They had eight children, viz .: George W., James, Wilbur F., Sarah A., Rebecca, Eva, Ase- nath E. and Charlotte. Mr. Sanderson came to this county in 1844, and purchased a farm in Greenfield Township, where he lived until 1869, when he purchased his present place, consisting of 280 acres, well improved. He is a Republican, and has held various official positions. He was at one time Major of the Second Ohio Militia.

GEORGE D. SEARING is the son of I. W. and Ruth B. (Upson) Searing. The father was born in Essex County, N. J., December 10, 1802, and the mother in Morris County June 26, 1808. They were married Novem- ber 19, 1828, and had the following children, viz .: Caroline, Noah, Angeline, Henrietta, George D. and Susan. Mr. Searing's mother died when he was a child, and he lived with friends until about twelve years of age, when he entered a chair factory, where he remained seven years. He then worked as a "jour " two years, after which he engaged in business for himself, in his native county, remaining there until 1837, when he came to this county, and pur- chased 100 acres of land on Pretty Prairie, and engaged in farming. In 1870, he came to Lima and embarked in the furniture trade, in which he has since continued. Mr. Searing is a hard-working, industrious citizen. George D. was born in Greenfield Township, this county, March 31, 1847. He received a common-school education, and married Miss Sarah Byron, January 20, 1876. She was born in Darke County, Ohio, September 21, 1842. From this union there are two children-Annie and George. George D. is connected with his father in the furniture trade and undertaking. He is Justice of the Peace for Lima Township, and is a stanch Republican.

JOHN SMITH. This gentleman was born in Clark County, Ohio, October 24, 1823; son of David and Elizabeth (Hurd) Smith, who came with their family to this township in 1833. [See biography of William Smith.] Our subject was reared on a farm, receiving such education as the schools of that early day afforded. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah R. Parker March 19, 1855. This lady was born in Genesee County, N. Y., January

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12, 1827. From this union there was one child, viz .: Sarah A. Mrs. Smith died March 26, 1860. January 23, 1862, Mr. Smith married Miss Serena Craig, who was born November 19, 1827, in Columbia County, Penn. From their union there were two children, viz .: Mary J. and Charles C. Mr. Smith first voted with the Whig and then with the Republican party. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and a practical and successful farmer. He has done much to improve the stock in the county, and now has on his place as finely bred horses, cattle and sheep as are to be found in this locality.

WILLIAM SMITH was born in Clark County, Ohio, January 10, 1822, one of ten children, to David and Elizabeth (Hurd) Smith, natives respectively of Virginia and Maryland, and married in Ohio. The Smiths are of Irish descent. David Smith served in the war of 1812, under Gen. Harrison. The Hurds are of German extraction, and came to Clark County, Ohio, as did also the Smiths, during the war of 1812. David Smith and family emigrated to La Grange County in 1833, locating on the farm now owned by John and Hugh Smith, in Lima Township, purchasing 360 acres, on which he resided until his death. Mr. Smith became a faithful worker with the Abolition party, and was among the first County Commissioners. He advocated and practiced temper- ance and frugality. His death was a serious loss to the community. William Smith received a liberal education, and for twenty years taught school winters and worked at farming summers. He taught the first term in the new school- house in Lima ; represented La Grange County in the State Legislature, in 1855 and 1867; he cast the deciding vote in rechartering the "State Bank of In- diana," and in his second term assisted in electing O. P. Morton to the U. S. Senate. For some time he has been in the lumber trade and agricultural im- plement business. He is a Republican, a Mason, and belongs to the Presby- terian Church. He was married in 1847 to Esther Craig, born in Northum- berland County, Penn., in 1822, and died in 1866, leaving three children- Senator B., Mary E. A., and John C. In 1870, Mr. Smith married Kate Wood, who was born in La Grange County, Ind., in 1844. To them were born two children-William D. and Ione C.

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 33

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