Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 36

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 36
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 36

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).

JOSEPH TAYLOR was born in Morton, Lincolnshire, England, March 2, 1822, a son of Stephen and Maria (Franks) Taylor, who emigrated to America, with a family of nine children, in May, 1848. They shipped on board the "For-

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est King" and, after a voyage of over six weeks, arrived in New York. Hav- ing, as they supposed, relatives living in Lima, La Grange Co., they concluded, with the aid of friends, to make that their home. While on their way, on Lake Erie, they ascertained that their friends were either dead or gone to Oregon; but, not having the means to go farther, they settled near Lima in July, 1848. The father of our subject, being a blacksmith, followed that oc- cupation and brewing beer until his death; which occurred in July, 1863. His wife died the next September. Joseph Taylor, at the age of sixteen, was a good blacksmith, and that has been his occupation, to a greater or less extent, through life. He was married, in November, 1850, to Prudence Field, born in Thurlby, Lincolnshire, Eng., March 26, 1824. This lady is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Barber) Field and came to America the same year of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have never had any children born to them, but have raised one boy-Thomas J. Field-from the time he was two and a half years old. Mr. Taylor came to Wright's Corners from Lima, in May, 1849, and commenced blacksmithing in a rented shop. He and wife have been industrious and, by hard labor, have made what they now own. They have over 138 acres of good land and other valuable property. Both were brought up in the Episcopal faith, but since coming to America have never joined any religious society. Mr. Taylor is a Republican and he and wife are most re- spected citizens.

PHILO TAYLOR was born in Connecticut in 1796. His wife, Ora- bell (Harmon) Kent, a widow lady with one daughter, was born in Vermont in 1795. They were married November 22, 1818, in Lawrence County, Ohio. The father of Philo Taylor was a native of England, and came to the United States about the time of the Revolutionary war. Philo Taylor was a carpenter by trade, and when a young man went to Lawrence County, Ohio, where for six years he was engaged as a millwright. He then moved to Portage County, and resided there ten years. He next emigrated to Indiana, locating as Wol- cottville, on the La Grange County side, where he purchased 320 acres of land, which he improved. He was one of the early settlers, and one of the most influential in building up the town. He received many positions of honor, among them that of County Commissioner, to which he was elected several times, and at one time was a candidate for Associate Judge. He was a Whig, and afterward a Republican. He was also a member of the Baptist Church. He died February 16, 1876, and his wife June 13, 1856. They were the parents of six children-Sylvester, V. R., O. B., Louisa M., William S. and Henry L. Sylvester and William are dead; Louisa M., is the wife of L. L. Wildman, whose biography appears in this work. The family of Taylors are of a sterling type, and have made their mark wherever duty has called them. Hon. V. R. Taylor resides in Wolcottville, on the Noble County side, while his two brothers reside in Wolcottville, just across the line in La Grange County.

HON. V. R. TAYLOR was born November 28, 1821, in Lawrence County, Ohio. He was reared a farmer, and came with his parents to Wolcottville in 1837. He received a good education, which was finished at the La Grange Collegiate Institute at Ontario. For a period of six years he taught in the public schools of La Grange and Noble Counties, and November 28, 1850, he married Miss Ann Rowe, who bore the following children : Philo J., William L. and George H. The mother's death occurred May 10, 1873, and January 28, 1875, he married Elizabeth A. Betts, his present wife. Mr. Taylor is an

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active worker in the interests of the Republican party, by which he was elected to the State Legislature in the fall of 1880. Although young in legislative affairs, he has shown a degree of judgment in his work at Indianapolis that ranks him among the leading men of the House. He is a farmer, owns 100 acres of land, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HON. O. B. TAYLOR was born in Portage County, Ohio, June 10, 1827. When his parents emigrated to Indiana he was ten years old, and after coming to the State he received the greater part of his education, finishing at the same place as did his elder brother. At the age of seventeen, he commenced his career as a district school pedagogue, but continued it only for three years, when he entered George Wolcott's store in Wolcottville. He continued with Mr. Wolcott until the spring of 1852, when he commenced business at South Milford, under the firm name of O. B. Taylor & Co. On the 27th of January, 1859, he married Catharine J. Henry, daughter of Hon. Francis Henry (de- ceased), of La Grange County, and the next October moved to Wolcottville, where he engaged, under the firm name of Wildman & Taylor, in a like trade to that at South Milford .. In 1867, the partnership changed to O. B. & H. L. Taylor, which continued some years. The senior partner then sold out to O. L. Woodruff, but after a time purchased H. L. Taylor's interest, the firm name continuing as O. L. Woodruff & Co. Mr. Taylor was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature by the Republican party in 1878, and was re- elected with an increased majority. He was a hard-working member, and was instrumental in the adoption of the Ditch or Drainage Law. He was chair- man of important committees, and served with distinction and satisfaction to his constituents. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and parents of three children-Frank P., Marshall N. (deceased) and Albert H. They also have an adopted daughter-Lana B. Besides valuable town property, Mr. Taylor owns 270 acres of good land near Wolcottville.

HENRY L. TAYLOR was born in Portage County, Ohio, December 1, 1835. He received a common-school education, and at the age of twenty-one began life's battle on his own responsibility. Up to 1869, he engaged in farm- ing; and then, in partnership with O. L. Woodruff, entered into mercantile pur- suits at Wolcottville, continuing for six years. He then sold his interest to O. B. Taylor, and since, has been engaged in buying and shipping grain. He also has a farm of 400 acres. He was married April 19, 1860, to Jane Nicholson, who died September 7, 1861. His present wife is Eliza J. Steven- son, daughter of Martin L. and Laura A. (Tozer) Stevenson, born April 3, 1843. They are parents of three children-Charles H., Archie S. and Ruth. Mr. Taylor is a Republican, and at one time was the nominee of that party for office of County Commissioner. He is a member of the Baptist Church.

JAMES TUCK, of the firm of Dickenson & Tuck, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, December 20, 1842, and is one of three children whose names are James, John and Elizabeth ; the last named is single and is a landscape and portrait painter, of Chicago. John served his country in the late war and died fron gunshot wounds at the hospital in Mobile, Ala. James Tuck was but two years old when his parents removed to La Grange County Ind. Sep- tember 24, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and received his final discharge at Nashville, Tenn., on the 14th of September, 1865. For over two years he was in active service at the front,

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and was a participant in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, etc. He was commissioned Commissary Sergeant, May 1, 1861, a position he held until the close of the war. Succeeding his discharge he came home and com- menced clerking in a dry goods store at La Grange, at which he continued until 1867, when he came to Wolcottville, and, in partnership with L. B. Dickenson, engaged in the drug trade, meeting with good success; they have since added groceries and are doing a lively business. Mr. Tuck has been twice married; first to Mary J. Law, who died shortly after their marriage, and in 1868 to his present wife, Miss Nancy T. Nichols, daughter of Nelson and Keziah Nichols. His last wife has borne him two daughters-Mary and Grace. Mr. Tuck is a Freemason, a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He is a son of Shuble and Mary (McGrew) Tuck, who were natives of New York. Shuble Tuck was a farmer, and from his native State moved to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he afterward married. He emigrated with his family to La Grange County, Ind., in 1844, and purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Tuck died in 1857 and Mr. Tuck in 1859. They were early settlers of the county and endured many hardships of pioneer life.

C. W. VAUGHAN, deceased, was born in Vermont May 16, 1821, son of William and Elizabeth (Weller) Vaughan. He was given a good practical education. At the age of eighteen, he went to Troy, N. Y., where he engaged in the molding business, thence to Akron, Ohio, where he was bookkeeper in a woolen factory. In about 1844, he came to Northport, Noble Co., and en- gaged in mercantile pursuits. He married Melinda M. Wright on the 22d of October, 1847, a daughter of Levi Wright. From Northport, Mr. Vaughan came to Wright's Corners, in 1846, and entered partnership with L. L. Wild- man, in a general store ; from this point he moved to Ontario, and from there to Fulton, Ill. In 1867, he removed to Chicago, where he engaged in live stock trade a number of years. He died November 14, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan were parents of three children-Ida, Gertrude and Lillie ; only one is now living. Ida married Robert Dykes and bore him one daughter, Grace M .; the mother is now dead. Gertrude married Herbert Vaughan, and they were the parents of one child that died in infancy ; the mother is also dead. The family home has been in Chicago for a number of years, but the widow and daughter own 526 acres of land in La Grange County, Ind., where they at present reside. They are accomplished people and are in the best circles of society.

MICHAEL WESTLER, lumber dealer. The Westler family came from Maryland to Ohio at an early day, where the subject of this sketch was born, in Green Township, Summit County, July 30, 1827. John and Elizabeth (Blatner) Westler were his parents, and their occupation was farming. Michael Westler lived with his parents on the farm until fourteen years old, when his father died. From that time until 1847, he worked at farming, went to school, and in the fall of that year commenced the study of dentistry. In October, 1848, he went West and bought a farm of 104 acres, on Section 29, Johnson Town- ship, La Grange County, paying for it $2.50 per acre. He boarded at a neigh- bor's and began improving his place. He was often called upon to work at dentistry. When he first bought the land there was no clearing on it. After building him a log cabin, he, on the 5th of April, 1853, married Sarah Ann Stroman, and to them were born-Francis M., Ida M., Charles J., deceased, Elmer E. and Etta R. R. Mr. Westler has been married three times. By

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his second wife there was born one son-William M., who died when about seven months old. He married his present wife (Naomi Wilcox) November 3, 1875. She bore him one daughter-Ottley E. In February, 1865, Mr. West- ler enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged August 31, 1865. In about 1869, he sold a part of his farm, moved to Wolcottville, and engaged in milling. For a time he had an interest in a saw-mill, but at present is engaged in the lumber trade and the agricultural implement business. He is a Republican, and has held various township offices. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Wolcottville, and of the La Grange Encampment. He has represented the lodge at the Grand Lodge, and has held all the offices of both lodges, except that of Secretary. Mr. Westler is an honest gentleman in every respect. During the war he was a decided loyalist, and during the trouble with black- legs from 1856 to 1858, he was one of the first to become identified with the Regulators.

L. L. WILDMAN, son of Levi and Sally (Stowe) Wildman, was born January 25, 1821, in Litchfield County, Conn., and is of Scotch descent. Levi Wildman was a cooper by trade, but farmed to a considerable extent. The subject lived in his native State until thirteen years of age, when he came with his parents to Ohio. The father left the family here in 1837, and went to Indiana, with a view of finding a suitable location. He purchased 80 acres of land a mile north of Wolcottville, and that winter worked for George Wol- cott. In the spring of 1838, he went to Ohio, and the next fall returned, bringing his family. Building a small log cabin on his place, he moved his family into it and began to improve his property. Mr. Wildman lived here a number of years, undergoing the trials of pioneer life, and, at an advanced age, died on the 20th of July, 1865. His widow died January 25, 1870. L. L. Wildman's education was finished at the La Grange Collegiate Institute, at Ontario. He taught school a number of terms, and, in 1846, entered into partnership with C. W. Vaughan, in mercantile business at Wright's Corners. Since that time Mr. Wildman has been identified in a number of business enter- prises at Kendallville, Rome City, South Milford, Wright's Corners and Wolcott- ville. He at present is engaged in the banking business at the latter place. He had been a director of the First National Bank of La Grange, but resigned. He is still a stockholder of that bank, and owns about 350 acres of land in La Grange and Noble Counties, and 160 acres in Kansas. He is a Republican, formerly a Whig. He was elected to the State Legislature from La Grange County in about 1858, carrying almost every vote in Johnson Township. He was married, December 31, 1851, to Louisa M. Taylor, daughter of Philo Taylor, and they have had four children -- Angeline G., born April 26, 1853; Eva, born December 29, 1854, died November 18, 1863 ; William W., born De- cember 31, 1856, died June 30, 1880, and Herbert, born April 5, 1860. The first-named is the wife of F. Eugene Dickinson, and the last, Herbert, mar- ried - Parks, and is a successful merchant of Wolcottville. Mrs. Wildman was born June 13, 1829, and both Mr. and Mrs. Wildman are members of the Baptist Church.

CHARLES WILSON was born in Livingston County, N. Y., April 10, 1827. His parents were John and Mary A. (Roberts) Wilson, who had a family of twelve children. The father was a farmer and of Scottish descent, and he and wife died in the State of New York. They were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Charles Wilson resided on a farm

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until fourteen years of age, and received a common-school education. In 1841, he commenced learning the blacksmith trade, which was his main employment for a number of years. He came, with his employer, to Indiana in 1843, lo- cating at Wright's Corners, where Mr. Wilson worked at his trade about a year; he then returned to his native State and engaged in the same business about two years, after which he returned to Wright's Corners and again engaged in blacksmithing, continuing up to 1848, when he commenced farming. In October, 1854, he purchased his present farm of fifty-one acres, which has since been his residence, excepting a time during the war. He enlisted Octo- ber 17, 1861, in Company H, Forty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, and was discharged in October, 1864. He was an active participant in the battles of Forts Donelson and Henry, and of Corinth; after the last-named engagement Mr. Wilson was on detailed duty, and for eighteen months led the supply train. He was married to Margaret Coberly, in 1850, and they have an adopted daughter-Adel. Mr. Wilson is one of Johnson Township's best citizens, and a Democrat. Mrs. Wilson was born October 10, 1827, in Ran- dolph County, Va .; she came with her parents to Crawford County, Ohio, where her mother died ; her father returned to Virginia, where he died. After her mother's death she was bound out to a family, and with them came to In- diana when fourteen years old ; she lived with this family, working very hard. Commencing at fifteen, she worked out by the week until her marriage with Mr. Wilson. They commenced poor, but by hard labor have acquired a good home.

GEORGE WOLCOTT, deceased, was born in Torrington, Conn., July 26, 1806, and was one of a family of twelve children. When sixteen years old he removed with his parents, Guy and Abigail (Allyn) Wolcott, to Sum- mit County, Ohio. His father dying in August of that year, he had charge of the home farm until 1828, when he went to Wadsworth and engaged in farm- ing until 1832. August 6, 1828, he married Miss Margaret Hine, of Tall- madge, Ohio, and for a time was engaged in saw-milling and the manufacture of fanning-mills at Wadsworth. In 1836, he sold his possessions here, and in March, 1837, he located on the southern line of Johnson Township, where he built a log house, and the following September moved his family, and then commenced reclaiming the then unbroken forest. One of the first industries started by Mr. Wolcott was a mill fed by a race half a mile long, which he dug himself. By his excellent management, it was not long before a little settlement sprang up around him, which took the name of Wolcottville, in his honor, now a thriving village of 500 inhabitants. He built mills, shops, stores, houses, etc. He erected the Wolcottville Seminary, hired teachers, and through his endeavors made Wolcottville what it now is. He was peculiar in disposi- tion, but was a friend to the poor and needy, and at an early day did much to relieve those suffering from fever and ague, then so prevalent. In politics he was a Whig, but afterward a Republican. He died March 31, 1857, but his widow is yet living, at the advanced age of seventy-eight, in Wolcottville. They were the parents of six children-Ann L., Abby A., Rowena R., Almira J. (deceased), Elton R., Marshall F. and Amelia M. (deceased). Mrs. Wolcott is living a retired life on her property near the village; she owns seventy-four acres of good land and is one of the highly esteemed old settlers of Johnson Township.

O. L. WOODRUFF, merchant, Wolcottville, of the firm of O. L. Wood- ruff & Co., is a son of Charles and Jane (Landon) Woodruff, natives respectively

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of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Charles Woodruff in early life learned the tailor's trade, but when he arrived at maturity abandoned that business, and studied the Eclectic system of medicine, and that has been his chief employment since. After a successful practice in Ohio a number of years, he came to Huntington County, Ind., in 1845; but after a residence there of six months, returned to Ohio, and again, in 1852, emigrated to Indiana, locating in Albion, Noble Co. He purchased the Samuel Woodruff farm north of town, but soon afterward traded it for the Worden House. During the excitement regarding the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad at Albion, he subscribed almost his total possessions to the enterprise, and it ruined him financially. In 1869, he went to Ligonier, and engaged in the drug trade, and the practice of his profession. The spring of 1880, he purchased a farm near Ligonier, of our subject, and has since been engaged in farming. O. L. Woodruff, was born in Sunbury, Delaware Co., Ohio, in 1839, and is one of six children. He lived with his parents up to the time of his father's failure, and since the age of fourteen has been doing for himself. At eighteen he had saved sufficient money to attend school one year at a Fort Wayne college. After this he attended the Wolcottville Seminary over a year, paying the expenses by teaching. Owing to ill-health, he left school, and in the spring of 1861 went to Albion, and there enlisted in the Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, but was rejected on account of poor health. He then clerked in a drug store at Albion, and from there went to Kendallville to clerk. By economy, he had saved a sufficient amount to enter into a partner- ship at Wolcottville in 1869 in a general store, and has continued that trade at this place. His present partner is Hon. O. B. Taylor. The firm name is O. L. Woodruff & Co., and they do an average annual business of $20,000. Mr. Woodruff was married in 1867 to Lydia Garrison, and they have one adopted . daughter. Mr. Woodruff is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

J. W. YOUNGKINS, M. D., born in Lancaster Co., Penn., 1834; is the youngest of eight children, of whom Abraham and Sarah J. (Montgomery) Young- kins were the parents. Dr. Youngkins, at the age of fourteen, came with his par- ents to Richland Co., Ohio, where the parents died. He received only a common . education in Ohio, and in 1855 began the study of medicine, graduating from the Medical College at Columbus in 1856. From that time until the breaking- out of the war, he practiced in Hancock County, Ohio, and in May, 1861, enlisted in the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and received his com- mission as Surgeon. After serving out his time-three months-he re-enlisted with his regiment, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. For two years he was on detailed duty at Winchester, from where he received his dis- charge in December 1864. After the war he resumed the practice of his pro- fession in Mansfield, Ohio. From there he removed to Butler, De Kalb Co., Ind., and from there to Wolcottville, in 1876, where he has since resided. Dr. Youngkins has a large and lucrative practice, and is a man of extended informa- tion, having traveled across the plains of America in 1851, Mexico and Central America in 1852, and Texas in 1872. He has been twice married. First, to Mary Ann Hall, who bore him one daughter-May ; and his present wife is Eliza Bingham. Dr. Youngkins is a Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F. of Wolcottville.

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WILLIAM BELLAIRS was born in England July 31, 1820. In 1845, he came to America and located in White Pigeon, Mich., where he remained until after he was married, December 19, 1852. He then came to this county and settled on a farm he had previously purchased. After living here for a period of five years, he returned to St. Joseph County, Mich. In 1863, he again returned to this county, having exchanged his farm in Michigan for the one that he now occupies, in this township. He owns 300 acres of good land, well improved. Mrs. Bellairs, formerly Ruth Julin, was born in Ohio, October 8, 1831. They are members of the Methodist Church and have a family of eight children-Olive, Ann, George, Henry, Caroline, Josephine, Levi and Mary. Mr. Bellairs is an enterprising citizen and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having attained the third degree in that order.

ELMER BELOTE is the son of John and Fanny Belote: was born in Monroe County, N. Y., August 10, 1814. His father was a native of Connec- ticut, born May 2, 1789, and his mother's birth occurred in Rhode Island January 1, 1796. They were married in New York State, February 14, 1813, and, in 1835, emigrated to La Grange County and located in this township on Section 29, where the remainder of their lives was passed. He died August 22, 1850, and her death occurred October 26, 1871. They were par- ents of eleven children, viz .: Elmer, James S., Joseph M., John B., William M., Jefferson A., Naomi E., David E., Andrew I., Amos and an infant. El- mer Belote came to this county with his parents and lives on the farm where they first located. He and brother John own the old homestead of 200 acres and they are both single. Their brother William, who is married, lives with them. The subject is a good citizen and has the confidence of all. He has served creditably as Township Trustee for a number of years.

CHRISTIAN BERGER is the son of George and Eve Berger, who were born, married and died in Germany. The former's birth occurred in 1799 and the latter's in 1809, their marriage in 1829 and their deaths in 1871 and 1848 respectively. They were parents of ten children, viz .: Jacob, George, Eve, Magdalena, Katie, John, Harriet, Jane, David and Christian. The latter, our subject, was born May 14, 1831, and remained in Germany until October, 1852, when he came to America, going to Erie County, Penn., where he was married, November 10, 1852, to Miss Mary Pfeffer, also a native of Germany, born September 3, 1829. In 1860, they removed from Pennsylvania and have since resided in La Grange County. In 1869, Mr. Berger bought his property in this township, Section 21, that he has since farmed and improved. He owns 203 acres of land and has a family of seven children-Levi B., born January 21, 1856; Abner A., October 31, 1859; Charlie F., September 16, 1861; Joseph L., February 18, 1865; Emma M., March 31, 1867; John H., May 14, 1869; and Edward C., May 14, 1871. Mr. Berger is an enterprising resident. Himself and wife are members of the Evangelical Church.

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 36

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