USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 88
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 88
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ISAAC CAVAN is a native of Pennsylvania, born October 27, 1807. At the age of 23, in 1830, he came to Indiana ; remained about six weeks, when he returned to Pennsylvania. After a stay there of six months, Mr. Cavan came back to Indiana, with $400, and worked in this vicinity about one year, and in the meantime bought one-half section of land, following this up with a purchase of one-quarter section more, whereupon he went back to Pennsylvania. In 1833, another trip was made to this, then new country, and an addition by purchase of one-quarter section more made to his previous posses- sions. Returning again to his home in Pennsylvania, Mr. Cavan married Elizabeth Marker, March 27, 1834. She was born in Pennsylvania January 6, 1814. The same year they made the trip to this township, and settled on Section 2. Here Mr. Cavan carved himself and family a home. His markets for grain were Fort Wayne and Michigan City. Indians were then his most
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numerous neighbors, with whom he preserved the kindliest relations, and with whom he bartered and traded. Two children, William and John, have been settled on land divided between them by Mr. Cavan. His landed possessions at one time comprised several hundred acres, and among his early entries was the tract, now the site of Ligonier, made in 1833. In 1835, in company with a few others, Mr. Cavan laid out the town of Ligonier. Of the families that moved into this section at that early day, his is the only one that still resides upon the original homestead.
DAVID CUNNINGHAM is the only surviving member of the family of Michael and Elizabeth (Dennison) Cunningham, who were born in Ireland, he September 18, 1795, and she November 2, 1796. They came to West- moreland County, Penn., at the age of about twenty-one, where they were unit- ed in marriage about the year 1817. Here they remained until their death. She died March 18, 1846, and he February 20, 1880. They had a family of four children, viz .: James, a physician, who died in Pennsylvania when about fifty years old ; George, who died when about eleven years old; Eliza, whose demise took place at the age of seventeen ; and our subject, who was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., August 20, 1828, where he remained until 1855, when, having married Elizabeth Galbreth, October 9, 1851, he, with his family, came to this county Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham had a family of eight children, viz .: Elizaetta (deccased), Celestia, James (deceased), William F., John W., Ellsworth, Joseph R. and Norris. The six living are at home. Mr. Cunningham is an influential and worthy citizen ; is the possessor of 100 acres of well-cultivated land, and now holds the office of Trustee.
ADAM ENGLE, deceased, was born in Lancaster County, Penn, Decem- ber 19, 1776. At about the age of sixteen, he went with his parents to West Virginia, and was married about the year 1802 to Miss Eve Hoffman, a native of Virginia, born December 27, 1784. Soon after, they emigrated to Ross County, Ohio, thence to Pickaway County, same State, where they were early settlers, and in the town of Circleville, Mr. Engle built the first shingle-roof house, and was engaged in farming and coopering until about 1821, when he moved to Hocking County, Ohio, continuing in the same employment. Hav- ing lost his property by indorsing for others, in April, 1832, Mr. Engle. and wife, with a family of six children, accompanied by the families of Hostetter, Haines and others, started for Indiana, where they arrived on Perry's Prairie on the 6th of May, and proceeded to build a rude cabin, no nails nor sawed boards being used in its construction. In the fall of 1832, he built a cabin on Section 33, where he resided until his death. In this edifice, the first court was held. Mr. Engle was one of the very earliest pioneers of the county, and was ever a valued and esteemed citizen. The plow used by Adam Engle was one fashioned with his own hands. Oftentimes the little settlement were scarce of provisions, and fish were procured from the Elkhart River, and game from the forests to supply food. The little band brought with them to this county gearing for a saw-mill that they soon succeeded in getting in running order, it being the first constructed in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Engle both died in this township; his death occurred July 26, 1847, and hers August 1, 1862 ; they were members of the Lutheran Church, and a short sketch of their chil- dren is subjoined : Sophia, the widow of Henry Kline, is now a resident of Perry Township; they came from Fairfield County, Ohio, to this township about 1837, where Mr. Kline's death occurred. William Engle is residing in Michigan. Henry Engle came to this township in 1833, and resided here un-
83
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til his death in 1874. Joseph Engle is a resident of Ohio. Mary married Mr. Schlotterback, and died in this township in 1856. Elizabeth, who mar- ried a Mr. Coleman, died in 1875. Phœbe married Joseph Bradford and after his death became Mrs. John Squires. She died in June, 1862, in Perry Town- ship. John Engle came here with his parents, subsequently removing to Iowa, where he died in 1856. George Engle is a resident of Ohio, and Andrew En- gle of this township. Barbara Engle, the youngest, married Harrison Wood, and died in this township in April, 1859.
ANDREW ENGLE was born in Hocking County, Ohio, February 6, 1822. When ten years old, he accompanied his parents to this township, with which he has since been identified. November 26, 1847, he married Ann R. Conrad, and soon after commenced farming in Section 33. In 1854, he moved to Sec- tion 28, where he is now located. Mr. Engle has experienced all the phases of pioncer life, and has assisted materially in the advancement and progress of Perry Township. He owns 160 acres of well-improved land, and is a thorough farmer ; has served as Township Assessor two years. Mrs. Engle is a native of Wood County, Va., born March 10, 1819. They have five children living, viz .: Sherman B., Isabell, J. C. Fremont, and Wirten and Clebren, twins.
PHILIP HARPER has been a resident of Noble County since the very early days of its settlement, and where he was born, February 17, 1838, the year following its organization. Thus he was bred in the midst of pioneer life, and reared with the surroundings of frontier experiences. He became inured to its hardships and privations in his tender years, and was schooled by the meager opportunities of log schoolhouse days. From his advent to life in the woods he has lived to see the wilderness turned into a fruitful and prosperous country and has grown into possession, as the result of honest and heroic efforts, of a fine farm of 120 acres well improved and complete in its appointments. October 11, 1863, he was married to Miss C. Keehn, a native of Ohio. They have two children-Eddie E. and Marion J., to revere and comfort them in future years.
SOLOMON HARPER (deceased) was born in Ohio November 7, 1810, and died in Noble County, Ind., January 20, 1873. During his life he was a prosperous farmer and owned 479 acres of land. He devoted considerable attention to stock-raising, which he made a specialty. He was married in Ross County, Ohio, to Mary Shobe, who was born in Ross County February 18, 1807. They came to Noble County in 1831. After Mr. Harper's death, the property was divided among Mrs. Harper and the children. Their descend- ants were eleven children. Mrs. Harper is at present residing on her share of the property in Perry Township.
Z. E. HARPER is one of the early natives of Noble County, and, there- fore, a pioneer in the strongest sense of the word. His mother gave him birth October 15, 1844, in the wilds of this then new country. His boyhood days were passed with the scenes before him of log cabin days, the excitement of the hunter's chase, the "log-rolling bees," and the days when the arrival of a new- comer was heralded as gladsome news. Thus he has "grown up with the country," and advanced with its advancement. Mr. Harper was married October 26, 1865, to Sarah Carmean, at Goshen. She is a native of Ohio, where she was born May 18, 1844. Four children have been born to them-Lida A., Vada, Mary L. and John. Mr. Harper owns 108 acres of excellent land, constituting a farm most desirable in its adaptability for agricultural and stock- raising purposes, in the latter branch of which Mr. Harper gives attention, besides buying and selling to some extent.
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WILLIAM D. HAYS, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, April 21, 1830, was a son of Samuel and Jemima (Rittenhouse) Hays, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Ohio. They were married March 8, 1821, and went to Pickaway County, Ohio, which place they made their home. When our subject was but four years of age, his mother died, and October 4, 1836, his father married Mary Rittenhouse. In 1846, they moved to Indiana, this county, and lived the rest of their days. Mrs. Hays died June 4, 1851, and her husband died January 24, 1853. There were six children in Mr. Hays' family. W. D. Hays married Harriet E. Smith, a native of Ohio, February 24, 1853. Their children number six-James, Rheuann, Luella, Hattie B., William S. and Samuel L. Mr. Hays lives on the old homestead, and owns 500 acres of well-improved land. He is one of the most popular and opulent men of the county, and served at one time as Township Trustee.
JOHN HITE was born in England January 2, 1819, and came to America when ten years of age. He remained in Chester County, Penn., until 1834, when he moved to Portage County, Ohio; stayed there two years, then came to Jay County, Ind., where he resided about twenty-one years. Finally, in 1858, he came to Noble County, and located in Perry Township, Section 5, where he now lives, ably conducting his farm of eighty acres. He was married in Jay County, Ind., April 2, 1840, to Sarah A. Wilson, who was born April 16, 1821. They have had eleven children; eight of them are now living- Thomas W., William, George W., Mary A., Sarah E., Melinda J., John N. and James A. Those deceased are Isabella A., Mattie and Emeline.
T. W. HITE, one of the prosperous farmers of Perry Township, is a native of the Hoosier State, where he was born in Jay County, March 1, 1841. He made his home with his parents, John and Sarah A. Hite, until, at the age of twenty, he began work on his own responsibility. In 1864, he was drafted in the army, and, in company with his brother, went out with Company B, Thirty- fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served through the remainder of the war. May 12, 1864, he married Harriet Teaford, who was born in Ohio, January 1, 1845. They then settled on their present farm, which consists of eighty acres of excellent land. They have a brick dwelling house; and a new barn, together with the other buildings, adds to the appearance of the place. They have seven children, all at home-Nelson, Alva, Clara, Cecil, Laura, Luella and Nona.
BENJAMIN HOSTETTER was born in Ross County, Ohio, April 1. 1812. When but five years of age, his parents moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, where their home was located a number of years. In 1832, they made their advent in Noble County, and here spent the remainder of their lives. Decem- ber 31, 1835, Benjamin Hostetter and Elizabeth Shobe were united in matri- mony, and shortly succeeding this event he purchased 160 acres of the timber land of this county, and built thereon a rude log cabin. This proved a perma- nent settlement, as it is still their home, but the surroundings are materially changed. The farm has been enlarged to 220 acres, cultivated and improved by the untiring energy of Mr. Hostetter. His wife died in September, 1847, and he married Sarah Danner in 1850. There are ten children in the family -Jacob, Zerilda, Ida H., Joel W., Mary, George, Effie, Nellie T., Willard and Edgar.
GEORGE KEEHN is a native of Stark County, Ohio, where he was born in 1818. He remained there until 1855, following the carpenter's trade ; he then came to Indiana and settled in Perry Township, where his associations have been continued ever since. He was elected Treasurer of the county in
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1878, and served one term, upon the expiration of which he returned to his farm, which consists of 160 acres of valuable land, well improved and conveniently lo- cated. In Sparta Township he has forty acres, and valuable property in Albion. He served his township as Assessor for eight years, and ranks as one of Noble County's most respected and honored citizens. In 1841, he was married to Lydia Gerber ; she died in 1851, leaving three children-Harriet Harper, Christina Harper and David-all residents of Perry Township. In the fall of 1851, he was united to a second wife, Margaret Simmonds, a native of Penn- sylvania ; by her he has three children-Francis K. (residing in York Town- ship), Nancy McDaniel (of Sparta Township), and Helen E.
J. N. KEEHIN, a prosperous farmer of Perry Township, is a native of Stark County, Ohio. He is a son of John and Elizabeth Keehn, and his birth occurred June 11, 1835. At the age of nineteen, he left his native home, emi- grating to La Grange County, Ind., where he remained some length of time engaged in carpentering. He subsequently came to Noble County, and here was united in marriage with Harriet E. Shobe, December 15, 1861. During the rebellion, in 1864, he enlisted in the Thirteenth Indiana Regiment, Com- pany A. After one year's active service, he returned to this county, where he has since been a resident. Mr. and Mrs. Keehn have a family of four children -Charlie G., Lena A., Roy and Maud. Mr. Keehn owns 110 acres of good land, and has attained the third degree in Masonry.
GEORGE W. McCONNELL is one of twelve children born to Alexander and Polly A. McConnell, nine of whom are now living. The father and mother were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born March 15, 1791, and the latter May 10, 1802. They came to Ohio when young, and were married in that State in 1818. In the year 1838, the senior McConnell made a trip to Noble County, Ind., and purchased 400 acres of land; after a short stay, he returned to his home in Ohio. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and be- came prominent not only in his county, but in State affairs. He served as a soldier the last year of the war of 1812; was a Representative to the Legis- lature and a State Senator in Ohio; officiated as President of the State Board of Public Works of that State, and was Associate Judge of Morgan County, where he lived for some time. The elder Mr. and Mrs. McConnell both died in Ohio; he October 12, 1853, and she May 20, 1872. George W., the representative of this sketch, is a native of Morgan County, Ohio, born March 10, 1822. In 1849, he went to California, during the gold excitement, and for three years worked in the mines. He then returned to his home in Ohio ; in 1853, after a short stay, he came to Noble County. January 28, 1855, was married to Cornelia Egbert. About two years after this, in 1857, Mr. Mc- Connell moved to Ohio, but after a stay there of three years, he returned to this locality and settled where he now lives. They have had four children- Washington A., Robert E. (deceased), Oliver A., and James B. Mrs. Mc- Connell is a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born February 6, 1835. Mr. McConnell was at one time the proprietor of the Rochester Flouring Mills, in this township, which he operated for some time. He now lives upon a farm of 160 acres with good surroundings ; has been Township Trustee two years, and wields considerable influence in his community.
CHARLES MUNROE is a native of New York, where he was born June 8, 1807. His father died when he was quite young, leaving him to the care of his mother, with whom, when he was about ten years old, he came to Ohio; there he passed his life until his maturity, when he married Harriet
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Burroughs, in September, 1828. In the year 1853, Mr. Munroe moved with his family to Noble County, where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He possesses a farm of eighty acres in Perry Township, upon which he makes his home. Mr. and Mrs. Munroe have reared a family of nine children to maturity, all of whom are married and have established homes of their own, excepting the youngest, a girl, who still resides under the old parental roof.
JOHN REESE is a native of Germany, where he was born June 15, 1826, and one who braved the storms of the Atlantic for a home in America. He landed in New York and from there went to Buffalo, where he remained about six months, and during that time was united in marriage with Elizabeth Peters. Soon after, he came to Wawaka, Ind., and resided there or in the vicinity about nine years, when he came to Ligonier and established himself on the farm where he now lives, surrounded by the comforts of home life. Mr. and Mrs. Reese have had eight children-Manda, Lizzie, Henrietta, Daniel, Frank, Albert, Sarah (deceased) and John. They are members of the German Methodist Church. Mr. Reese owns seventy-three acres of excellent farming land, and is counted in every way a first-class farmer and worthy citizen.
H. D. ROGERS was born in New York October 24, 1818, which was his home for some years, after which 'he passed his time in Pennsylvania, until he reached the age of twenty-two. He then went to Ohio, where he engaged in the lumber and hardware business. In the year 1854, Mr. Rogers pushed farther west to Goshen, Ind. After a short stay of two months in that place, he made another change, coming to Noble County. Here, for some time, he was engaged in bridge-building, subsequently settling in Rochester, this Township, and engaging in the manufacture of brick. After following this for a period, he purchased the saw-mill now owned and operated by him, in the manufacture of lumber; also owns twenty-three lots in Rochester. Mr. Rogers' first marriage was to Betsey Sturtevant, in Pennsylvania, in 1839, from whom he was divorced in 1854. His second marriage was with Sarah Marsh, in 1855, in Sturgis, Mich .; she was born in Pennsylvania April 11, 1814. He is the father of five children.
WILLIAM SHOWALTER, one of six children, was born in La Grange County, Ind., March 25, 1855, and lived at home until about twenty-four years old. His parents are David and Mary Showalter, both natives of Vir- ginia, where they were married in 1849. The former was born March 4, 1825, the latter March 21, 1832. In 1852, they came to La Grange County, Ind., where they are now living. He has been an extensive land-owner, and now has 330 acres. William Showalter followed teaching six years, and in 1879, May 21, he was married to Ella Hitler. Her parents were Ohioans, but she is a native of Noble County, where she was born May 8, 1854. A short time after his marriage, Mr. Showalter came to Noble County and settled in Perry Township, on Section 16. He possesses 80 acres of good farming land, upon which are fine buildings, including a brick residence. In addition to his agricultural pursuits, he is engaged extensively in stock-dealing. They have no children. Mr. Showalter is a prosperous farmer and a genial gentle- man.
JAMES SILBURN is a son of James and Hannah Silburn, who were natives of England, where they' were married, and about the year 1829 emigrated to America, settling in Ohio. Here Mrs. Silburn died April 3, 1864, and two years later her husband sold his property and came to Indiana,
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where he is now living with his children. Mr. Silburn was born January 1, 1800, and his wife March 7, 1807. James Silburn, the subject, was one of eight children and was born January 10, 1833. He was married to Samantha 'A. Bower September 29, 1874. They have no children. Mr. Silburn possesses 140 acres of good farming land, and is a prosperous and valued citi- zen.
ADAM SIMMONS, native of Pennsylvania, born February 13, 1831, is one of eight children born to Jacob and Frances Simmons. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, born December 8, 1798, the mother also of Pennsyl- vania, born November, 1799. They were married in Pennsylvania in 1836 ; moved to Stark County, Ohio; resided there until 1856, when they came to Noble County, Perry Township, and lived the rest of their days. He died April 20, 1868; she died February 4, 1874. Adam Simmons came here with his parents and lived with them on his father's farm, which consisted of 160 acres of land. He was married in Pennsylvania, December, 1855, to Miss Margaret Barr, native of Pennsylvania, born in 1833. She died in Noble County March 5, 1861, and in 1871, April 16, he married Elizabeth Klick ; she was born in Ohio February 22, 1844. In 1875, Mr. Simmons located his home in Section 32. His farm consists of 120 acres of fine land. They have six children-Ramah D., born May 6, 1872; Alvin E., August 8, 1873; Franklin B., April 15, 1876; Harry W., August 28, 1877; Carl W., June 10, 1879; and Gracie M., born February 8, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons are members of the Christian Church, and are good citizens.
THOMAS SIMMONS was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 10, 1851, the son of Jonathan and Sarah Simmons, who moved to Noble County when Thomas was about seven years old. His school opportunities were the average of those of the locality where he lived. Believing in the advantages of a trade, he became a shoemaker. This business he followed for about five years, when he sold out and went to farming; this calling be has been engaged in for the past seven years. Mr. Simmons lives on that part of the old farm inherited from his parents. He owns 24 acres of fine land, comfortably improved. November 1, 1876, he married Miss Rosa Sisterhen, a native of Ohio, born April 5, 1854. Her parents were natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons have one child-Harry, born August 8, 1877. They have the good will of their community, and, being young, have the possibilities of a satisfactory future before them.
CHRISTIAN SLABAUGH has been a resident of this county since 1863, having been engaged in farming and a dealer in stock to a considerable extent. His farm consists of 201 acres of excellent land, well located, and affording an abundant revenue The family consists of himself and wife and three children, viz., Sidney, Willard and Olie. Mr. Slabaugh was born in Clay County, Ind., September 29, 1845, where he lived until about eight years old, when his parents moved to Elkhart County, and in 1863 to Noble County -Christian living at home during this time. In the year 1869, Mr. Slabaugh was united in marriage with Catherine Bowsher, January 22. She was born in Noble County, where her parents still reside, December 2, 1851. The result of this union is the birth of the above-named children, and they have a well ordered home.
ELIAS E. SLABAUGH was born in Lancaster County, Penn., February 14, 1818, where he remained until fourteen years of age ; then, in company with his parents, came to Ohio. When he had arrived at the age of twenty, he went
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to Fairfield County, that State, where he was married to Mary Vertz, in Janu- ary, 1841. They soon went to Owen County, Ind., and from there to Elk- hart County, and then to this county, and made a home on the farm where he now lives, being among the early settlers. They have reared a family of five children, viz. : Eliza J., William H., Christian E., Nancie and Isaac M. Mr. Slabaugh has been an extensive land-owner; but having more than the ordi- nary paternal care for his children, has divided his possessions among them, and thus starting them with comfortable homes. His farm now comprises 174 acres, with good and productive soil.
BENJAMIN F. SMITH is one of a family of six children, and was born in Ohio, on the 12th day of August, 1837. His parents were Jacob and Abigail Smith, who were also natives of the Buckeye State, where the father died, leaving the care of the family to the mother. She was a woman of ster- ling qualities ; and about four years after her husband's death, removed to Indiana, settling in Noble County, where she remained until her death, in 1879. Benjamin came to Indiana with his mother, and April 25, 1861, was married to Charity Lane, a native of this county, where she was born February 24, 1844. Seven children have been born to this couple, viz. : Emma, G. Ellis, Hattie E., Franklin F., Howard G., William H. and Sarah. Mr. Smith owns a large farm, consisting of 231 acres of land, and is a genial, pleasant neighbor.
THERON TEAL was born in Ohio August 19, 1831. His parents, George and Nancy Teal, emigrated to Indiana and settled in Elkhart County, bringing their family with them, when Theron was about six years old. After two years' residence in Elkhart County, they removed to this county and town- ship, locating on Section 21. Thus it was that Theron Teal, in his youth and early manhood, was reared midst the surroundings of pioneer life, and receiv- ing the advantages of those times. December 25, 1857, he was married to Elizabeth Simmons, who was a native of Stark County, Ohio, where she was born December 8, 1838. After about eighteen months, they moved to Jefferson Township, this county, remaining there two years, when they returned to the old homestead, subsequently purchasing a farm in Section 24, this township. Upon this they lived until 1881, when it was sold, and another farm purchased in Section 25, where they now live. Mr. and Mrs. Teal belong to the Seventh Day Advent Church, and their influence for good is felt in their community. They have a family of eight childen, all living at home, viz. : Elmer S., Mor- ton R., Logan L., Ora B., George E., James M., Mina V. and Rosa S.
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