USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 45
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 45
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GEORGE M. STORM came to Indiana in 1836, with his parents George and Rothilda Storm, who settled in Goshen, Elkhart Co., Ind., where they both died; the former was born in Massachusetts, and the latter in Connecticut. George M. spent his youth at Goshen and Lima, and learned harness-making, establishing a shop at the latter place in 1854. This employ- ment he continued about eight years, then turned his attention to farming; first purchasing 80 acres of land in this township, where he was located about six years, and since then has farmed on his present land-117 acres-that is under good cultivation. Mr. Storm was married March 4, 1859, at Lima, to Miss Laura A. Webster. They have two children-Clarence W. and Allyn D. Mr. and Mrs. Storm are both natives of New York, his birth occurring October 31, 1831. Her parents, Edwin and Betsey Webster, of Massachusetts and New York, respectively, came to Indiana in 1854, and died at the home of the subject ; the latter contemplates building a large barn the ensuing season.
CHARLES STROUD is a native of Sturgis, Mich., and was born on the 3d of November, 1849. He is the son of Thomas and Hannah Stroud, of England, who came to America and settled in Newark, N. J., from whence they proceeded to Sturgis, Mich., where Mr. Stroud, Sr., yet survives at the age of seventy-eight years; Mrs. Hannah Stroud died in this township. Charles Stroud received a limited education, and when twenty years old began his independent career in life. In this township he was married November 24, 1872, and has since lived here. His wife, Selina Miller, is the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Miller, of Pennsylvania, early settlers of Indiana. Her mother died in this township, and her father is a resident of Sturgis, Mich.
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Mr. Stroud owns 115 acres of excellent land, and takes just pride in the fine blooded stock raised on his farm. At this writing, he is feeding 200 head of sheep for the spring markets. Mr. and Mrs. Stroud have only one child, a daughter, Mary S.
NEWBURY TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM ATWATER is a native of Wayne County, N. Y., where his birth occurred the 18th of May, 1827. In the fall of 1856, he removed to Indiana, and for the first year was located at Lima, then purchased his present home of eighty acres in this township. When Mr. Atwater first came to this county he had only $5; he has worked diligently at clearing and improving his farm, and now is in comfortable circumstances. He was united in marriage to Miss Martha Craven, in February, 1854. She was born in England in 1831, and came to America with her parents, Martha and James Craven. in 1835. The subject is the son of Luther and Mehitable (Sheldon) Atwater, natives of Connecticut and New Jersey, respectively, and of Welsh and German descent. They were parents of fifteen children, two of whom settled in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Atwater belong to the Methodist denomination, and have a family of five children-Adella (now Mrs. Jacob Leopold), Clara B., Edgar D., Addie and Viola.
AMOS BORNTRAGER is a native of Somerset County, Penn., where he was born November 20, 1826. He is one of thirteen children in the family of John Borntrager. Three of the subject's elder brothers having emigrated to Indiana, his father sold the homestead farm in 1848, and removed to this township, where he died. Amos Borntrager, in 1849, November 17, was mar- ried to Miss Lydia Miller, a native of Pennsylvania ; her parents, Israel and Rosa A. Miller, were of German descent, and born in the State of Pennsylva- nia. Mr. Borntrager, in 1861, purchased his farm of 320 acres, and has him- self accomplished the task of clearing, improving and furnishing his land with buildings. It is one of the oldest and best farms in the township ; was entered by Joseph Keysey during Van Buren's administration. Mr. Borntrager is a leading resident, and he and wife belong to the Omish Church. They have had twelve children ; ten are living-Rosa A., Gertie, Isaac, Barbara, John, Benjamin, Elias, David, Lydia and Abner.
JOSEPH BORNTRAGER is one of a family of thirteen children, nine of whom are living in this county. Their parents, John and Barbara (Johns) Borntrager, were of German descent, and natives of Pennsylvania, in which State Joseph was born in Somerset County August 4, 1811. He was married, March 20, 1832, to Miss Barbara Yoder, the daughter of Christian and Eliza- beth (Miller) Yoder, natives of Pennsylvania. They lived a number of years in Somerset County, where Mr. Borntrager bought a farm for $1,400. Janu- ary 3, 1841, he started for the West in company with two brothers-Christian and Daniel, who were the first Omish settlers in this section. Joseph went to Elkhart County, Ind., and located near Goshen, paying $500 for eighty acres of forest land. In 1852, he sold this, with another eighty he bought in 1843, for $3,300, and, in February, 1853, purchased 160 acres in this township, where he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Bontrager have had eleven children, seven of whom are living-Christian E., John E., Eli E. (who was the first Omish child born in the county), Joseph, Daniel E., Reuben E. and Magda-
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lene. One son-David-at the age of eleven, was thrown from a horse and killed. Subject and family are strict members of the Omish Church. He has served several terms as School Director and Roadmaster, and has been chosen as administrator and guardian a number of times. He is living with his youngest son, Reuben E., who now owns and manages the homestead farm.
JOHN BUTT is a native of Marion County, Ohio, where he was born February 7, 1826. His parents were Jacob and Mary (Mutchler) Butt, the former of Virginia, the latter of Pennsylvania, and both of German descent. They were early settlers of this county, coming here in July, 1836. The sub- ject was a resident of Van Buren Township until after his marriage, May 15, 1850, removing that year to this township, where he invested in seventy acres of land. After disposing of this property, he bought 100 acres of his present farm, which now consists of twice that number. Mr. Butt is an experienced thresher, having followed a machine nearly every fall since he was fifteen years, of age ; also working at breaking and farming. He has rendered twelve years' efficient service as Justice of the Peace, and also filled several minor offices. His wife, Mrs. Harriet L. Butt, is the daughter of Alexander and Nancy Pointer, and of eight children that were born to them only three are living- Kansas E., Jane E. and Hattie L.
HEZEKIAH DAVIS, the son of Amos and Susannah (Leib) Davis, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, October 9, 1825. His parents were of Welsh and German descent and natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania. His father came to this township and entered land, in Section 19, in 1835. In 1854, Amos Davis purchased the Greenfield Mills, which he operated until his death, in 1867, at the age of seventy. While going to Bronson, Mich., he fell from a load of wheat and struck his head on the wheel, causing his death. His widow is living with her daughter Mary, at Millersburg, Ind., at the age of eighty-five. Hezekiah Davis helped his father to clear the farm and his edu- " cation was very limited. Near the year 1840, when out with his father, they found fourteen bee-trees in half a day. At the age of twenty-three, he had accumulated $400, with which he purchased 160 acres of his present home. After keeping "bach " part of the time for three years, he was married, April 10, 1851, to Miss Sarah Reynolds, a native of St. Joseph County, Mich., born November 15, 1832. Her father, Samuel Reynolds, located on Elkhart Prairie in 1829, spending the latter part of his life at Union Mills, where he died at the age of seventy-one. Mr. Davis is one of the old and influential men of the township. In 1852, he was elected County Commissioner and served eight years; then, after an interval of six years, was again elected to that office, holding it four terms in succession and giving general satisfaction. He is a Republican, formerly a Whig, is orthodox in religious belief, owns 1,400 acres of land and has $40,000 out at interest. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had seven children-Emma F., Sam G., Eugene, Warren H., Niles R. (deceased), Lenora G. and Hewlitt. Mr. Davis has been a very industrious worker. He ran the first reaper, harvester, binder and feed-mill in the township, and during the early part of his life put in eighteen hours a day at work.
ESAIAS HOCHSTETLER is the son of Peter and Magdalena Hoch- stetler and a native of Somerset County, Penn. When he was twenty-one, he began for himself, and for two years worked at various employments. In December, 1841, he married Mary Blough, the daughter of John and Sarah Blough. Her birth occurred December 20, 1822, and her husband's March 17, 1819. Both of their parents were natives of Pennsylvania, of German
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descent. The subject rented property about three years, and in 1844 removed . with his family to this township, coming overland, in company with three neighbors. He located on the farm where he now lives, and by unceasing toil has brought it up to the standard. It consists of 157 acres, for which he paid $100 down, going in debt for the rest. His first house was built of round logs, one story high, 16x18. This has been replaced by one of more modern struct- ure. Mr. Hochstetler has the confidence of all. He has been appointed a number of times as guardian and administrator in settling estates. To the subject and wife have been born six children, five of whom are living, viz .: Sarah, Lydia, Daniel, Elizabeth and Mary.
JOSEPH KAUFFMAN, SR., was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in July, 1840. His parents-Stephen and Magdaline Kauffman-were natives of Pennsylvania and descendants of the Germans. At the age of sixteen, Joseph Kauffman started for himself, and was variously employed until 1864, when he rented a farm in Elkhart County, Ind., settling on his farm in this township the following year. It then consisted of eighty acres of forest land; is now cleared and cultivated, and increased by an addition of sixty acres. October 22, 1864, Mr. Kauffman's marriage to Miss Mary E. Cripe took place. Her birth occurred October 15, 1843, in Elkhart County, Ind. Her father was Benjamin C. Cripe, a native of Ohio and of German descent. They have five children-Harvy E., Anna E., Barbara Ellen, Mary J. and Amasa B-and are members of the German Baptist Church. Mr. Kauffman went to Elkhart County, Ind., in 1845, with his parents, who died there, his father in Decem- ber, 1864, and his mother in March, 1855. Mr. Kauffman assisted in opening the roads in his section and is an industrious farmer.
ELI KLINGERSMITH is the eldest of six children in the family of Peter and Sarah (Gard) Klingersmith. He was born September 3, 1818, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and at the age of twenty-one began working for himself. He learned the carpenter's trade and followed the same five years. Before settling in this county, in 1864, on his present farm of eighty acres, he invested in some real estate in Wabash County, Ind., which he afterward sold ; his land in this township he has cleared and converted into valuable property. In 1849, Mr. Klingersmith and Miss Anna Knepp were united in marriage, and to them have been born four children, viz., Daniel, Henry, George and Mary. Mrs. Klingersmith was born February 1, 1829, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and, in 1830, removed with her parents, John and Mary (Price) Knepp, to Holmes County, Ohio. Mr. Klingersmith is a good farmer and citizen ; himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Klingersmith's mother is yet living and resides with her children at the advanced age of eighty-one.
PETER C. MISHLER, son of Peter and Susanna (Berkey) Mishler, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, October 7, 1827 ; his parents were descendants of the German, born in Pennsylvania, and had a family of seven children. Peter C., when twenty-one years old, began to work at the carpenter's trade, continuing the same about six years, after which he purchased a forest farm near Berlin, Ohio. In 1865, he emigrated to this township, settling on the farm where he now lives ; he owns 180 acres, is an enterprising and thrifty farm manager, and is serving his first term as Township Trustee. While in Ohio, he held the office of Township Assessor one term. January 14, 1855, he was married to Miss Mary Yoder, a native of Holmes County, Ohio. Seven children were born to them, but only three now survive-Edward, John and
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David. Mrs. Mishler's parents, Stephen and Susan (Kime) Yoder, were na- tives of Pennsylvania. Her mother and Mr. Mishler's father both spent their last days at the home of the subject, in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Mishler belong to the Omish Church.
JAMES C. MURRAY, the son of Edward and Jane (Mckibben) Mur- ray, is a native of Somerset County, Penn., born September 15, 1817. His parents were born in Ireland and emigrated to America in 1814. They resid- ed in Pennsylvania, where they first located, until about the year 1820, when they moved to Ohio, traveling west to Elkhart County, Ind., in 1844, where their last days were passed. James Murray moved to Elkhart County in 1846, thence to this township in 1861, locating on the farm he now owns of 130 acres. In 1842, he was married to Miss Mary A. Smith, who is a native of Somerset County, Penn., where she was born, July 13, 1823. Mr. Murray has by his own efforts acquired his home and property ; he received but a lim- ited education in youth, is a man of energy and enterprise and active in poli- tics. The parents of Mrs. Murray were natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Of eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Murray five are living, viz., Silas C., David, John F., William E. and Emma.
JOHN R. NELSON is descended from Irish and English ancestors, and came to this county in 1838 with his mother and brother. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in June, 1824, and when about thirteen years old, his father, James W. Nelson, died, leaving the family dependent upon their own resources. After their arrival here, his mother, Margaret Nelson, entered a tract of unim- proved land in Section 27, of this township, where they settled, cleared a farm and established a home. Mr. Nelson remembers distinctly of crossing the Black Swamp in 1838, and of the abundance and variety of game that filled the forests at that time. He first bought a farm of forty acres in Clay Town- ship, this county, and, in 1853, invested in his property of eighty acres, in this township. His wife's maiden name was Miss Mary Boliard; she was born in Crawford County, Ohio, April 3, 1836, and married to Mr. Nelson in 1854, May 30. They have four children living, viz., John F., Rosetta, Montaville and Truben, and have buried two. Mrs. Nelson's parents were Daniel and Elizabeth Boliard; the latter was born in Ohio and the former in Pennsylvania. He came to this township in 1848, is seventy-five years old and lives in Mid- dlebury. Mr. Nelson is much averse to secret societies and orders.
JOHN E. POWELL is the son of Caleb and Sarah (Austin) Powell, and was born the 3d of June, 1833, in Knox County, Ohio. His ancestors were of Welsh and English descent. When a child of four years, he went with his parents to Sangamon County, Ill., where he lived until after his father's death, which occurred about 1845. With his mother he returned to Ohio, emigrating after a brief period to this county, Clay Township, where he was located until 1861, when he purchased his present home. October 25, 1855, his marriage to Miss Mary E. Fox was solemnized. She was born in New York, December 19, 1837, and is the daughter of Charles J. Fox, a native of New York, who made a settlement in this county in 1838, where he lived until his death in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Powell have had born to them seven chil- dren-Albert F., Charles E., Frankie (deceased), Eddie, Mary May, Clemen- tine and Satie J. Mr. Powell is a man of enterprise, and has served as Con- stable, and was also Trustee four years.
HENRY PROUGH is the son of Samuel and Saloma (Confer) Prough, and one of eleven children, seven of whom are living. The parents were natives
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of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Hocking County, Ohio, where the subject was born August 23, 1839. In 1851, they came to this county, locating on a farm in Eden Township, where Mr. Prough, Sr., yet resides. February 14, 1861, Henry Prough was married to Miss Lucinda J. Weygandt, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, April 9, 1842, and to their union five children have been born-Albert E., Celestia J., Ira D., William C., and Chauncey, deceased. Mrs. Prough is the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Gilbert) Weygandt, natives of Ohio, of German descent ; after her husband's death, Mrs. Weygandt re- moved with her family, in 1859, to Eden Township, this county, where she lived the remainder of her life. Mr. Prough and family are members of the Lutheran Church. He purchased his farm in 1863, previous to which time he had farmed for his father on shares. In 1864, he was drafted in the army and paid $1,000 for a substitute. In 1867, he removed to his present location ; owns 1953 acres of land, and is worth about $11,700, having started with $3 and a horse.
VALENTINE L. SCHROCK is one of nine children in the family of Christian and Leah (Lehman) Schrock, both of whom were natives of Somerset County, Penn., the former's birth occurring January 1, 1817, and the latter's in March, 1825. Valentine Schrock is of the same nativity as his parents, and was born January 20, 1845. He received an ordinary education and remained on his father's farm until he attained the age of twenty-one. In 1866, he went to Johnson County, Iowa, where he gave his attention to carpentering and farming, until 1867, when he engaged in the saw-mill business in Elkhart County, Ind. In 1873, he located on a farm in Van Buren Township, this county, and three years later bought a saw-mill in this township, which he has since successfully operated. May 9, 1869, Mr. Schrock was united in mar- riage to Mary Troyer, a native of Holmes County, Ohio, where her birth oc- curred March 5, 1851. Her father, Levi Troyer, was born in Holmes County Ohio, December 25, 1816. Her mother was Ann (Mishler) Troyer, of the same nativity. Mr. and Mrs. Schrock are members of the Omish Church and the parents of five children-Anna A., Aaron H., Andrew J., Adeline S. and Alice L. Mr. Schrock is a Democrat and an esteemed citizen.
DAVID SHROCK is a native of Somerset County, Penn., and the son of John and Barbara (Yoder) Shrock, the former of whom was born in Germany in 1766, and the latter, a native of Pennsylvania. They removed to Cambria County, Penn., when David was four years old, and the latter remained there until 1846, when he settled in this township, on the farm of 240 acres where he now lives. When twenty-two years of age, his father gave him $350; by industry and judicious management, he has acquired property worth $27,000 or more, owning 520 acres of land besides. his farm. Mr. Shrock served a number of years as School Trustee, and has been chosen administrator ; he is a Republican, and in 1831, April 3, was married to Maria Borntrager; she was born in Somerset County, Penn., November 14, 1808, and his birth occurred December 26, 1808. Her parents, John and Barbara (Johns) Borntrager, were natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Shrock are members of the old-school Omish Church, and have reared a child-John H. Whetstone, whom they took at the age of two years ; to him Mr. Shrock has willed the homestead farm. Subject owns a Bible that is over three hundred years old, and contains an inscription written in. 1634.
A. SUMMEY, the son of John and Susanna Summey, is a native of York County, Penn., born in 1827. In 1837, he accompanied his parents to
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Wayne County, Ohio, thence to Elkhart County, Ind., in 1851, coming, after a brief sojourn, to this township. At the time of coming here he had $280, and bought 80 acres of land in Section 8, to which he added 100 more ; then sold, in 1866, for $8,400, and purchased his present home, that includes 572 acres of good land. Mr. Summey was married to Miss Rachael Chambers in 1850. They have had nine children, six of whom are living-Susan, Eliza A., John E., Ellis, Alice and Oliver. Mrs. Summey is the daughter of Ben- jamin Chambers, and a native of Stark County, Ohio. The father and mother of the subject were descendants of the German and English, respectively, and natives of Pennsylvania ; they died at his home in this township, the former October 21, 1873, at the age of seventy-one, and the latter December 16, 1873, at the age of seventy-eight. They had four children, two of whom live in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Summey are members of the German Baptist Church. He is a Republican, and raises from $1,500 to $2,000 worth of stock annually. His education has been principally self-acquired. In their house, in the fall of 1854, the Dunkards held their first meeting in the township.
FREDERICK SUNTHIMER, son of Adam and Catherine (Shaw) Sunthimer, natives of Germany : they emigrated to America, locating in Vir- ginia, where Frederick Sunthimer was born, 1836, in Wheeling. In 1840, they removed to Ohio, and lived in the counties of Tuscarawas, Coshocton and Holmes. In the latter place, eighteen years after the death of his wife, Adam Sunthimer passed away, at the age of seventy-one. At the age of twenty-two, the subject came to La Grange County, and worked two years, receiving $132 per year, in a saw-mill, in Eden Township. Shortly succeeding his marriage, which occurred November 28, 1860, he rented his father-in-law's farm, where he has lived ever since, with the exception of four years, spent in working his own farm of 77 acres, in Section 19, that he subsequently exchanged for the homestead property of 180 acres, which he has greatly improved. His wife, Rachael, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Miller, natives of Pennsylva- nia, was born May 30, 1844. They have six children-Mary A., Joseph E., Rachael, Andrew J., Amanda and Edward. The subject and wife are members of the Omish Church. He is worth about $12,000, and is a Republican citi- zen of enterprise.
HANNON J. VAN DORSTON, one of the enterprising citizens of the township, purchased and located on his farm of 107 acres in the spring of 1864, and is living in the oldest frame house in the township. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, April 4, 1833, and came to Indiana soon after celebrating his twenty-first birthday. One year he passed in Elkhart and La Porte Counties ; then returned to the home of his parents. In April, 1855, he started for Cali- fornia, going via New York and the Isthmus of Panama. After arrival there, he engaged in mining for fourteen months ; then went to Portland, Oregon, where he worked at lumbering until the fall of 1858, when he returned home, and, March 24, 1859, was married to Miss Susan Flora. They have had eight children-Minerva C., now Mrs. Gideon Lehman ; Flora T., Charles E., Sam- uel J., Capitola, Lula D., Ethel E. and Othny Ono. Mrs. Van Dorston is the daughter of Jacob and Magdalena (Lesher) Flora, natives of Pennsylvania, and was born in Wayne County, Ohio, May 8, 1840. Mr. Van Dorston was Justice of the Peace four years, and then re-elected but did not qualify. His parents, Samuel and Mary (Flickinger) Van Dorston, natives of Pennsylvania, moved from Ohio to St. Joseph County, Mich., in 1865 ; Samuel Van Dorston died in 1880; his widow is now living in Three Rivers, Mich., and is eighty-four years
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old. The subject, his wife, and two daughters, are members of the Lutheran Church.
JOSEPH WEIRICH, when a boy of fifteen years, came to this township with his parents in 1842, who settled on a farm in Section 17, subsequently changing their location to Section 20, where they began again the task of clear- ing a home from the forest wilderness. Joseph Weirich is a native of Somerset County, Penn., and the eldest son of Philip Weirich, also a Pennsylvanian by birth. In about 1852, Joseph purchased the old homestead property, and ex- changed it a few years afterward for his present home of 150 acres. As the result of his own efforts and industry, he now is worth over $8,000. On the 3d of March, 1852, he married Barbara Garber. Her father, John Garber, was a l ative of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Weirich are belie vers in the Omish faith. He received a poor education in youth. As a wheat-thresher and wood-sawyer, Mr. Weirich has had considerable experience. His father died in February, 1868, and his mother, who is yet living, has at- tained the age of seventy-nine years.
ELIAS WIGHT was born June 6, 1830, in Augusta, Me., and removed with his parents to Richland County, Ohio, in 1833. In the spring of 1852, he came to Indiana, stopping in Elkhart County, where he taught school several years, having had some experience in Ohio, teaching there three winter seasons. This vocation he pursued two winters in Iowa, but was called home by the death of his father in 1855, after which he assisted in the support of the family until he was married, July 1, 1860. Elias and Elizabeth Wight, of Maine, were the parents of Elias Wight, the subject, who now owns and resides on the farm where they lo- cated when they first came to this State in 1853. Mrs. Wight died in 1861. The Wights are of an old family whose ancestors came to America from the Isle of Wight. Elias Wight is an active Republican citizen, was elected County Commis- sioner in 1878; served the township as Assessor for eleven years and during that time took the military enrollment. His wife, Sophia A., whose parents, William and Ann Telfer, came to this county in 1847, was born in St. Joseph County, Mich., in 1843; her parents were natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Wight have had four children-Marvin L. (deceased), Byron W., Eva E. and Clarence E. Subject owns 240 acres of land, half of which comprises the old homestead, and first introduced the raising of sorghum, beginning the manufacture of it in 1857. At the age of eighteen, Mr. Wight left home for the purpose of attend- ing the college at Oberlin, whither he went accompanied by his father, arriving at nightfall. His trunk was deposited in the college building, they proceeding to a hotel to pass the night. The next morning, his father decided that he could not spare him, so they procured his trunk and returned home, his “great ex- . pectations " ending in the acquirement of a common-school education.
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