Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 83

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 83
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 83

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).

ANDREW ALLSHOUSE, son of Henry and Catharine Allshouse, was born in 1828. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married in 1818. In 1825, they went Westward, locating in Stark County, Ohio, where they lived until 1840, when they moved to Crawford County, Ohio, remaining there the remainder of their life. Andrew Allshouse, who was one of eleven children, lived with his parents until twenty-five years of age. January 12, 1853, in Crawford County, Ohio, he married Rosanna Eley, who was born in 1832. After three years, they came to Indiana, this county, and settled near Albion. In 1861, removed to Wayne Township, their present home. Mrs. Allshouse has had six children-two, Henry and Dora, now living. Mr. Allshouse owns 160 acres of farming land and is prospering. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

C. F. BRUNDIGE is a native of Noble County, Ind., where he was born March 1, 1857. His parents, John and Mary Brundige, were natives of New York, and had four children-Charles F., Ruthann (deceased), Albert and Lydia. Charles Brundige has always made this county his home. July 2, 1879, he was married to Estella L. Milks, a native of Indiana, born Sep- tember 20, 1861. Their only child, Getta F., was born April 5, 1881. Mr. Brundige owns ninety acres of land and is identified with the growth and prog- ress of the county.

DANIEL DECKER is one of the old residents of Wayne Township. He is a native of Orange County, N. Y., where he remained until eighteen years of age, upon a farm ; he then went to Onondaga County, where for twenty years he was engaged in farming. He then became a pioneer set- tler of Richland County, Ohio, farming for six years near Plymouth. In 1852, he became identified with the farming interests of Wayne Township, set- tling upon the farm where he now lives. Mr. Decker has followed farming all of his life, and has helped develop his share of Noble County. He owns eighty-three acres of land which he has cleared and improved himself, and is a citizen of worth and enterprise. He married Miss Cornelia Bevier, a native of Broome County, N. Y., December 12, 1835. They have six children- Phedora (wife of James A. Brace, of Kendallville), Gem, Adeline Isbell (of Kendallville), Mate, Justus and Agusta.

HARMON A. DIGGINS, whose parents were natives of Vermont, was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1827, from which locality the family emigrated in 1832, and settled in La Grange County, Ind., near Lima. The father and mother were Luke and Silence (Wheeler) Diggins, and had eight children, only three of whom are now living-Lucia A., Artemas and the subject of this sketch. Those deceased were Fidelia, who died at Wolcottville in 1881; William, at the age of forty-five years, in Allen County; George, aged forty- six, at Kendallville; Harriet, when nineteen ; and Mary, at the age of thirty-one. The father moved to Wayne Township with his family in about 1835. He kept the first hotel in Kendallville about five years and was Postmaster on the

W. S. yeall WAYNE TP.

321

WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

old Fort Wayne road. He died in 1864, and his wife, who was a member of the Methodist Church, in 1872. Harmon A. Diggins has been a resident of this township since his parents moved here in 1835. He was married, in 1859, to Miss Eliza Deuell, daughter of John Deuell, an early resident of the township. Their children are Ada (now Mrs. Berhalter), Flora, Hattie and Jimmie. Mr. Diggins is the owner of a farm of ninety acres of land in the township, which is productive and valuable property.

S. T. EMRICK is one of the leading farmers of Noble County. His father, John Emrick, was a native of Pennsylvania. His mother, whose maiden name was Diane Green, was a native of Virginia. They both went to Ashland County with their parents, who were among the pioneers of that locality and there were married, residing there until 1861, when they came to Wayne Township, where our subject had settled in 1854. Here the mother still remains, now at the home of her son, our subject. The father died in the township in 1879. Seven children of a family of eight are now living-Rachel Eberhart, in Missouri; S. T .; John, also a resident of this township; Diane Tryon, Kendallville; Sarah Bucher, Wayne Township; Eliza Chesroun, in Ohio; and Martha Roush, a resident of Wayne Township. The subject of this sketch was born in Ashland County, Ohio, where, in 1849, he married Miss Catherine Eberhard, of that county. He remained there, engaged at farming, until 1854, when he came to Noble County, settling in Wayne Town- ship. He has cleared up and improved a large tract of land and is now the owner of 230 acres of as fine land as there is in the county. Mr. Emrick has given his entire attention to farming, and the splendid condition which his property presents attests the value of a practical and industrious manager. He has served the township as Justice of the Peace for two years and is a lead- ing member in all public matters of merit. Mr. and Mrs. Emrick have seven children-Sylvester, Rachel Randall (in Michigan), Noah, Ella, Jane Hantee (a resident of this township), Joshua and John F. They are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Emrick is a member of the F. & A. M. of Kendallville. WILLIAM J. HALL, of this township, stands prominent throughout Noble and La Grange Counties as an extensive and successful farmer and stock dealer. He was born in Clark County, Ohio, in 1809, in the midst of pioneer surround- ings. His father and mother, John and Margaret (Williams) Hall, were natives of Kentucky, in which State they were joined in wedlock. In 1807, they moved to Ohio, settling in Clark County. That country was then new, and the settlements sparse, necessitating the trying experiences of frontier life. After a number of years, the family moved to Logan County, but returned to Clark County at the expiration of about four years, where the mother died in 1824. Seven children had been born to her, three of whom are now living, viz .: John, in California; Emily, now Mrs. Collins in Lima, La Grange County ; and the representative of this sketch. Subsequently the father married Widow Judy, and in 1835 came to La Grange County, where he entered upon his second ex- perience as a pioneer settler, making his location in Springfield Township of that county, where he resided up to his death in 1843. His wife survived him a number of years. She was the mother by Mr. Hall of seven children, only three of whom are living : Charles, Whitley, and Ann, now Mrs. Osborn. William J. was married in Ohio in 1830 to Miss Lucinda Hull, also a native of Clark County, born in 1811. Her parents came there about 1810 from Pennsylvania, their native State, where they remained until their death. Mr. Hall, after his marriage, commenced farming, and in 1835 joined his father's family and emi-

322

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

grated to La Grange County. There, in Springfield Township, he rented a farm for a time, subsequently buying land. In 1845, he went to Greenfield Township, where he had acquired land by trading his Springfield property. In that township he labored early and late in clearing up his new possessions, to which he gradually added other acres by purchase, until his landed estate numbered 675 acres, all accumulated by unceasing toil and judicious manage- ment. In 1865, he sold out, and, purchasing 228 acres where he now resides, he moved his family to the new location. Here in 1869 his wife died ; she was the mother of eight children, five of whom are now living-Griffith F. and George W., in Springfield Township, La Grange County ; Ezra D., in Kansas ; William H., in Michigan, and Benjamin F., in this township. William H. and a son Rollo were soldiers in the war of the rebellion. The former entered the Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a private, and served through the entire war, being mustered out at its close as Captain. Rollo became a member of the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, and at the end of fifteen months, while yet in the service, was stricken with disease and died. Mr. Hall, out of the abundance of his heart and with a paternal regard for his children, divided a portion of his land among them. Wherever he has lived, he has been true to honorable citizen- ship, thrifty and successful in most of his undertakings; eschewing political honors, he has devoted his best energies to his own business affairs. Since coming to Wayne Township, he has given his attention largely to fine stock of the Durham blood, first purchasing this class of cattle in Ohio; in this branch he is achieving merited honors.

NICHOLAS HILL is the eldest son of Simeon and Catharine Hill, who emigrated from Germany to America in 1840. They located in Ohio, Licking County, where they remained about six years; then came to Noble County, set- tling in the woods, upon what is now the splendid farm of our subject. The father, soon after their arrival, was run over by a heavy wagon while clearing up the land, and died from the injuries received. The mother lived until 1878, attaining the age of past ninety-four years. Three children were descendants, Nicholas, Lawrence and Mrs. Catharine Ringle, the latter now deceased. Nich- olas is a native of Germany. Since 1846, his home has been upon the land upon which they first settled, which consists of one hundred acres, with superi- or improvements. He has been connected with the Methodist Protestant Church since its organization, being one of the six members to create the soci- ety, and aiding materially in its progress. He built the present church build- ing in 1869. He was united in marriage in 1845 to Miss Mary Kinney, a na- tive of Licking County, Ohio. She died in 1870. Their children now living are Mary Lawrence, in Michigan ; Arvilla Wright, Wayne Township; Orange, now operating the homestead farm ; Wilbur and Charles, in Michigan, and Al- bert and Rilla at home. Mr. Hill was united to a second wife in 1871, Mrs. Frances Warner, whose maiden name was Zimmerman. She is a native of Ohio.

LAWRENCE HILL is the second son of Simeon and Catharine Hill, early settlers of the township, locating there in 1846. Lawrence was born in Germany in 1830. With the exception of six years' residence in Michigan, in his early life, he has been a resident of Wayne Township since his parents settled there. Dividing up the land entered by his father with his brother Nicholas, he chose the eastern portion, upon which he settled and has cleared it up and improved it until it ranks with the best in Wayne Township. He now owns 120 acres, upon a portion of which an Indian village was located in early days, the chief's

LUCINDA HALL WAYNE TP.

323

WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

house, Schock-o-pee, standing where the residence of W. C. Jackson is now located ; an Indian mound was also upon this farm, and many curious articles and implements of the Indians , have been found from time to time. Mr. Hill is one of the valued residents of the township, and always iden- tifies himself with progress and improvements. He was united in marriage in 1855 to Miss Elinor Creigh, a daughter of Samuel and Lydia Creigh, who came to Wayne Township in 1844. They have four children-Catharine A. Johnson, Alice E. Johnson, Elinor I., Emrick and Alfred L.

JACKSON IDDINGS is a native of Portage County, Ohio, and son of Henry and Sarah (Mettlen) Iddings, who were pioneers of Portage County, now Summit County, Ohio, where they settled prior to 1812, and remained un- til August, 1836, when they started for Indiana, landing in Allen Township September 10, 1836. They settled in Wayne Township, and after some years removed to Allen Township, where the remainder of their lives was passed. Five children now survive them-Hiram, Eliza Reed, Lewis, Warren and Jackson. The last-named was born in 1816, and was twenty years of age when his parents removed to this county. In August, 1837, he married Bar- bara Dingman, a daughter of Mrs. Frances Dingman, subsequently Mrs. Tru- man Bearss, early settlers of Allen Township. He immediately settled upon eighty acres of land in Allen Township, where he resided for one and one-half years. His land, however, proved to be a " second entry," and he was forced to have it exchanged. After living in Wayne Township one year, he secured another tract in Allen Township, upon which he remained five years. He then removed to Green Township, where he resided eight years, then to Jefferson Township for eight years, and in 1863 made a home on the farm where he now resides.

This consists of 154 acres conveniently located and well cultivated. Mr. Iddings has devoted his time exclusively to farming, and has been amply rewarded. In Green Township, he held the office of Justice of the Peace for one year. Mr. and Mrs. Iddings have seven children-Hiram B., Owen, Asa J., Frances Bloomfield, Sarah Jordan, Ida Strayter and Ruth Bailey.

E. T. ISBELL, a son of Charles and Adah (Tryon) Isbell, born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1817, in the midst of pioneer life. He married there, in 1835, Miss Elizabeth Cosper, daughter of John Cosper, who became an early settler of Allen Township, Noble County. Our subject learned the shoemaker's trade of his father, which occupied his attention until about 1837, when, with his parents, he removed to Michigan, where he farmed for eighteen months. In 1838, with his parents, he came to Noble County, settling in Allen Township. Here he followed his trade, also farming and carpentering; he built the first frame house in Lisbon, and subsequently removing to Kendallville, built the first frame house there. In a short time he removed to La Grange, where he erected and used the first shoe shop. He next removed to La Porte, Ind., to secure medical advice. Then, on account of ill health, he went to Texas, travel- ing the entire distance with a wagon. He worked at his trade there four years; then returned to Kendallville, subsequently removing to Valparaiso, Ind., where he conducted a large boot and shoe business for twelve years. He subsequently returned to Kendallville, and in 1877, purchased his present property, where he is following gardening. Mr. Isbell has been a member of the Methodist Church for over forty years, of which he is an exhorter, and has also done good service as an advocate of Temperance. His first wife died in 1860, having ten children, five of whom are now living-William H. is a farmer, now living in the West ; he was a volunteer in the late war, and in service over three years ;

324

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Nathaniel H., now in Mexico, was also in the service about one year ; Adelina Moore, of Chicago ; Alice Goodwin, of Valparaiso, Ind .; and Harriet Nellis, a resident of Chicago. Mr. Isbell was united with a second wife in 1862, Mrs. Mary G. Lash, widow of William Lash, one of the early residents of Noble County.

P. C. ISBELL, son of Charles and Adah (Tryon) Isbell, born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1819. His parents were natives of New York, and pioneers in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, settling in Allen Township, Noble County, about 1838, where they died. Charles served as Justice of the Peace, and was an exhorter of the Methodist Church, of which denomination he and wife were members for many years. His family were participants in the Revolution, and himself a volunteer in the war of 1812. He died in November, 1865, aged sixty-nine years, his wife November, 1857, aged fifty-seven years. Their chil- dren are as follows : Ezra T., P. C., Rosanna Weston, of Iowa; Miranda South worth, of Plymouth, Ind. ; Fanny Salisbury, of Kendallville; Hannah Dodge, Nebraska ; Neomi Rickey, Kendallville ; Martha Lehr, Kendallville ; Emily Bidwell, of Fort Wayne, and Louisa Bidwell, of Albion. P. C. Isbell was reared in Ohio; when eighteen years of age, he went to Michigan, and engaged in farming, near Kalamazoo. In 1838, he came to Noble County, and settled in Allen Township, where he cleared up a farm. In 1852, he removed to his present farm, where he owns eighty acres of land ; but for the past twenty years he has been manufacturing trusses and abdominal supporters, elastic trusses for males and females, and braces and supporters of all descriptions, and has an extended trade. His office, in Kendallville, is at the drug store of Lohman Brothers. Mr. Isbell has the first ballot box of Wayne Town- ship, in which five votes were cast. He has, for many years, been Superintend- ent of the Cemetery, and is a member of the Masonic Order. He was married, in 1838, to Miss Maria Cosper, daughter of John Cosper, a pioneer settler of Noble County. They have seven children-Elias, Elizabeth, Gretzinger, of Jefferson Township ; Marion, who was a member of Company E, Thirtieth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, serving about two years, now a resident of Goshen ; Alonzo ; William, Manager of the Commercial College of Terre Haute, Ind. ; Leander and Anna Winans, of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Isbell are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Isbell, for many years, was identified with Sun- day school work, and traveled extensively, organizing and aiding schools.

G. L. KIMMELL is one of the earliest settlers of Wayne Township. His parents, Henry and Susanna (Rust) Kimmell, were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and in 1817 emigrated to Illinois, settling near Kaskaskia, where they remained for eight years. The country then was inhabited by only a few white settlers and the Indians. His father erected a grist-mill, and did an extensive business trading with the Indians. He was engaged in stock raising and deal- ing. He emigrated to Michigan with his family and 100 head of cattle, taking a " bee line " through the forest, cutting their road as they went. After a journey of thirty-nine days, during which they saw no white person, they arrived at their destination near Ypsilanti. This country was also a wilderness, and in clearing, improving and cultivating it his parents passed the remainder of their lives. His father was a large land owner and speculator, an extensive dealer and raiser of stock ; erected large manufactories of potash and pearlash, and was a respected and beloved citizen. Our subject is the third child of a family of eleven. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was a small child when they emi- grated to Illinois, where he had for his associates and playmates Indian children.

325,

WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

He has been associated with pioneer life in three States-Illinois, Michigan,. where he remained with his father, assisting him until twenty-four years of age, and in Indiana, where he came in 1838 to Wayne Township, upon a venture- for himself. He located upon Section 13, having to cut a road for three miles, to get to his land, and had no neighbors within three miles. Here he began to clear up his land, keeping " bachelor's hall." In 1840, he married Miss Phobe Ann Gail, a native of New York, and upon this farm the worthy couple still live, enjoying a well-earned prosperity. Mr. Kimmell owns 245 acres of valuable land, which is operated by his sons. Mr. and Mrs. Kimmell have been mem- bers of the Baptist Church over twenty-five years. They had five children- Henry S., George Edgar, Albert J., Charles Grant, and Mary Ann (deceased).

HENRY S. KIMMELL is a son of George L. and Phœbe A. (Gail) Kimmell, early settlers of Wayne Township. Henry is a native of Wayne Township, and has passed his life, from its earliest associations up to the present time, in farming. He now owns 135 acres of fine land, which he has in a good state of cultivation. He is a young man with good practical ideas, and is pro- gressive in all matters of public interest. He was united in marriage in Feb- ruary, 1877, to Miss Lucinda Rendel, of Michigan. They have four children -George C., Camillus H., Linus E. and William W.

J. W. LEARNED is a native of New Hampshire, and son to Samuel and Polly (Fowler) Learned. 'His father was a wealthy farmer of New Hampshire, and was thrice married, his last wife being a widow ; her maiden name was Susanna Hills, and she was the mother of the subject's wife. The parents were unfortunate in losing their entire property, and their last days were passed in this county, where they were cared for by their children. Their deaths occurred in August, 1855, only fifteen days intervening. J. W. Learned, when nearly twenty-one years of age, paid his father $20 for the few remaining months of his time, and went to Boston, where he was employed about two years ; then returned to New Hampshire, and in 1831 was married to Miss Abigail M. Dar- ling, also a native of New Hampshire. He then bought a piece of timbered land upon which he lived two years ; next emigrated to Cayuga County, N. Y., then to Seneca County, Ohio. In 1836, he came to this county and entered 180 acres of land, and in 1837 moved upon it with his family. In 1861, he purchased the land where he now resides, locating upon it in 1869. This he- has well improved. Mr. Learned now has 220 acres, and is a successful farmer. He has served the township as Trustee several terms; has been County Com- missioner ; is public-spirited and alive to the best interests of the people. Mr_ and Mrs. Learned have two children living-Olivia Call and Almira Milk.

R. T. LYMAN is a native of Massachusetts. His business ex- periences have been varied and extended. He engaged at lumbering in Vermont for his first venture, remaining there ten years. He then went to Washington County, N. Y., where he was engaged at farming five years. He then returned to Vermont and conducted a hotel for three years, at the expira- tion of which he engaged at farming there for two years. His next departure was in Ohio, where he remained until 1868, embarking in the egg and butter trade in various portions of the State. In 1868, he came to Kendallville, soon after forming a partnership with H. McCray, in the egg and butter trade, remaining in association with him until 1875 ; when he again turned his atten- tion to farming, at which he is still engaged. He is now the owner of the old " Green " farm, located in the central portion of the township. It is finely cultivated and well improved. Mr. Lyman is a member of the Masonic Order

326

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

and an enterprising citizen. He was married in 1850 to Miss Angelina Moore, of Washington County, N. Y. They have three children-Milton, Elmer and Annie.

HENRY POPPY is a son of Frederick and Dorothy (Roaric) Poppy, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America about 1830, settling in Mary- land, where they resided for several years, subsequently emigrating to Rich- land County, Ohio. In 1848, they removed from Ohio to Noble County ; becoming residents of Orange Township, where they settled upon a piece of timbered land. Here they resided for the remainder of their lives, clearing up and improving their property, becoming valued and respected citizens, and esteemed members of the Albright Church. Five children came with them to Indiana-Wilhemina; Thomas, living in Iowa; Agustus, a resident of Orange Township; Henry ; Charles, deceased; and Sarah A. Walker, a resident of Kansas. The father died in 1872, the mother in 1850. Henry Poppy, our subject, is a native of Germany. Since the removal of his parents to Noble County in 1848, he has been identified with the agricultural interests here. He married, in 1856, Miss Susanna Rendel, of Wayne Township, daughter of William Rendel, and the same year he became a resident of Wayne Township, where he has improved a farm of 114 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Poppy have five children-Emma, Rettie, Dora, Marshall and Charles. They are members of the Disciples' Church.

JOB RENDEL is one of the young and successful farmers of Wayne 'Township. He represents also one of the early families of the township. His parents, William and Susanna (Likes) Rendel, were natives of Pennsyl- vania ; they came from Wayne County, Ohio, to Wayne Township, about 1853, settling in the southern portion of the township, where the mother died in 1875. His father still claims it as his residence. They were parents of eight children-Mary J. Poppy, Susanna Poppy, Job, George, a leading farmer of Wayne Township ; John, of Springfield Township, La Grange County ; Mag- gie Kimmel, residing in Michigan; Arminda Mawhorter, of La Grange County, and Sarah Muter, of Orange Township. Job was born in Wayne County, Ohio, but since the removal of his parents to Noble County, has been associated in agricultural pursuits here. He now owns 160 acres of superior land with splendid improvements, and is one of the leading practical farmers of the township. He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Drowley, of De Kalb County, in 1863. They are members of the Disciples' Church, and have three children-Hattie B., George O. and Herbert.

HIRAM ROBERTS is a son of Nehemiah and Charlotte (Tanner) Roberts, natives, respectively, of Vermont and Massachusetts. They were married in the State of New York, subsequently moving to Pennsylvania, then tto Wayne County, Ohio. In 1841, they came to this county and settled in Allen Township. The father died in 1850, while on a visit to Ohio, and the mother in Allen Township in 1853. They were parents of thirteen children, only three of whom are now living, viz. : Hiram, who is the eldest ; Amy, the wife of Wm. Whitford, of Allen Township ; and Nathan, of Allen Township. Hi- ram Roberts was born in Jamestown, New York, in 1820. He came to Allen Township, from Wayne County, Ohio, in 1840, and purchased eighty acres of land, after which he returned to Ohio, and in 1841 brought his parents to Indiana. While a resident of Allen Township, he cleared and improved his land. In 1865, Mr. Roberts removed to his present home. His landed pos- sessions are very valuable, and comprise over 400 acres, well improved and

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 83

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