Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 89

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 89
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 89

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).

GEORGE TEAL (deceased), a native of Franklin County, Va., was a pioneer of Perry Township. The Teal family are of Swiss and German an- cestry, who settled in Maryland in the latter half of the seventeenth century. George Teal was born the 28th of July, 1799, and with his parents removed to Ohio about the year 1806. His mother's maiden name was Neff, and her maternal ancestors were named Sayler. The subject was married, in 1826, to Miss Nancy Brower, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Harter) Brower, and when he came to this county, in the spring of 1837, had seven children. A brother, Joseph Teal, came with them, and is yet living where he first settled on Section 21, the subject going into Elkhart County, near Benton, removing, in the spring of 1840, to a farm adjoining his brother's, in Perry Township. In 1865, he went to Ligonier, but soon after purchased and removed to a farm south of Wawaka. In about seven years, he again sold out and returned to Ligonier. After a few months' sojourn at Kendallville, he purchased a home on Cavin street, where he died in September, 1876, at the age of seventy-

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reven years one month and seventeen days, and was buried in the Ligonier . netery. The widow of Mr. Teal is living with her son, Dr. J. M. Teal, at K dallville. Of eleven children born to them, nine are yet living, eight in this 'ounty. Their last born died in infancy in 1849, and Elizabeth, their sixth child, who married Lott G. Carr, died in November, 1856, leaving an infant daughter, who was reared by Grandmother Teal, and is now Mrs. Shobe, of Ligonier. Dewitt C., the eldest, and G. A. are blacksmiths in Ligonier. Dr. Norman Teal was in the medical department of the army, and is now practicing medicine and surgery in Kendallville. Theron is a farmer near Ligonier. Rebecca, the fifth child, but first daughter, is now Mrs. A. P. Frink, of Kendallville. George B. is a hardware merchant of Kendallville. Albert, who was the first born Hoosier, has been for the past twelve years postal clerk on the U. P. Railway. He was a soldier in Company B of the Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded in the right elbow at Resaca, Ga., in May, 1864. Harriet, now Mrs. Moffit, resides with her mother in Kendallville. Dr. J. M. Teal, dentist, the youngest of the sur- viving children, is living in Kendallville. In politics, the family were Whigs until the organization of the Republican party, with which they have since been identified.

ISAAC WEIMER was one of five children, and was born in Pennsyl- vania September 2, 1809. His parents-John and Elizabeth Weimer-were natives of the State of Pennsylvania, where they lived and where they died. Here Isaac Weimer lived until about twenty-two years of age. In 1837, he came to Indiana and settled in Goshen, where he remained and in the vicinity until 1856, when he came to this county, his present home. While in Goshen, he was married to Elizabeth Stawder July 26, 1849. She died January 9, 1851. August 11, 1853, he married a second time, to Lydia Bronson, a native of New York, Mr. Weimer has a family of five children-Catharine E., Mary L., Loretha C., Loretta E. and Abraham W. He owns eighty acres of good, well-improved farming land, and is a worthy citizen.

DR. CHARLES WOODRUFF is a native of New York State, where he was born March 17, 1817. His parents-Andrew and Rebecca Woodruff- were natives of Connecticut. When Charles was about seven years old, they moved from New York State to Ohio, where they died, he in 1849 and she in 1876. They were the parents of eleven children. Charles Woodruff, in his younger days, followed tailoring. In the year 1838, November 4, in Ohio, he was married to Jane Landon. She was born September 5, 1816, in the State where they were married. They came to Albion, this county, in 1853, where he entered upon the practice of his profession as a physician. In the spring of 1869, he moved to Ligonier, where he was connected with the drug busi- ness, also doing office practice, until 1879, when he sold out to his son, Dr. G. S., and retired from active business. Dr. Woodruff and wife belong to the Wesleyan M. Church. He has for some time preached for the denomination. They have four children-Orson L., Allen, George S. and Rollin C. The Doctor is the owner of thirty-two acres of land where he lives, and the possessor of town property, to the extent of three acres, with two houses on it. He has filled the office of Justice of the Peace and is a gentleman of pleasant and genial bearing. His son, George S., studied medicine with his father, and attended lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1866 and 1867, subsequently at- tended the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati. He was associated with his father in the drug business in Ligonier, and whose interest he purchased in

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1879. He also does an office practice. Was married, in 1870, to Miss Elinor Smith. They have two children-Ernest and Charles A.

A. YORKEY was born in Germany December 14, 1841. His parents emigrated to this country in 1852, our subject coming over with them. After remaining in New York City a short time, they came west to Buffalo, and in about a year came to Noble County, where the mother died August 1, 1866. She was born in 1824. The elder Yorkey was born in 1814. For a second wife, he married a Miss Cree. He is the father of five children, two by his first wife and three by the second. A. Yorkey was the eldest of the children. He was married to Sarah Flannagan November 15, 1868. They have a family of three children-Ambrose H., John A., Bertha S. He served in the army against the rebellion, entering in 1863 and remaining until the close of the war. His wife was born October 15, 1851. They belong to the Catholic Church. He owns seventy-two acres of land ; is frugal and industrious.

TOWN OF ALBION.

ADAMS, PALMER & CO., general merchandise, is a firm of recent organization. They have rented for a term of years the Clapp Block, consist- ing of two fine and commodious storerooms, which they have stocked with an extensive and complete line of dry goods, groceries, notions, etc., and are pre- pared to do an extensive trade. Their stock is new, having been purchased expressly for their new store by J. H. Palmer, who, although a young man, is old in business experience. Mr. T. E. Adams is a native of Whitley County, Ind., and son to Andrew and Eliza (Elliott) Adams. His father is a farmer and extensive stock-dealer, to which he has given his especial attention. T. E. was associated with his father in stock dealing until the formation of the busi- ness partnership with J. H. Palmer in April, 1881. Mr. J. H. Palmer is also a native of Whitley County, Ind., and for several years connected with the business interests of Columbia City, subsequently becoming a commercial trav- eler for a Chicago house. He brings to the firm good executive and business attributes.

E. M. ALSBAUGH, tinware, stoves, etc., is one of the young and en- terprising business men of Albion. He is a native of Michigan, and at the age of seventeen a student of his trade at Kendallville, Ind., where he re- mained for over three years. He next was employed at Wolcottville for one and one-half years, going from thence to Albion, and entering the employ of Markey & Walter, with whom he remained for two and one-half years. In April, 1880, encouraged by the leading business men, he began his business career at Albion, and is at present establishing a fine, lucrative and honorable trade. He manufactures all kinds of tinware, making a specialty of tin roofing and spouting, and carries a large line of stoves.

ALEX AUMOND, Deputy County Auditor, is a native of Canada. In 1866 he came to the United States, where he has since been identified. He came to Noble County in 1875, and in 1878 became an assistant of the County offices, first entering the Recorder's office, subsequently the office of Ceunty Clerk, and since 1879 has been connected with the Auditor's office. He is a valuable officer, being thoroughly posted in the routine and execution of County affairs.

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SAMUEL E. ALVORD is a native of Bradford County, Penn, where he was born in 1824. His father, Nathan Alvord, was an eminent physician, having a large and varied practice, and resided in Pennsylvania until his death. Samuel E. received an academic education, and remained in his native county until the age of twenty-two years. In 1847, he began reading law at Troy, Penn., continuing until 1849, when he came to Noble County, and employed the first winter after his arrival in teaching school at Rome City. In the spring of 1850, he came to Albion and commenced the publication of a Democratic newspaper called the Albion Observer, continuing the same with varying suc- cess until 1853, at which time it was discontinued, and Mr. Alvord was admitted to the bar. He studied and practiced this profession until 1855, when he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, serving in that capacity four years, during which period he was connected for two years with the Noble County Democrat. At the expiration of his clerkship he resumed the practice of law, continuing thus until 1872, when he began publishing the New Era, conducting the same until January, 1876, when he again returned to the law. During the autumn of 1876, he was again elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, and is still the incumbent of that office. Mr. Alvord has acquired a broad scholarship in all the avenues of literature, and has trained himself to the severest logic and dis- cipline. His genius is decidedly literary, and is eminently recognized through- out Northern Indiana. Prior to the war, though a Democrat, he was a " Free- Soiler ;" and later, was an earnest War Democrat, warmly espousing the enlistment of men, and the vigorous prosecution of the war. His literary pro- ductions are characterized by great beauty of expression, broad and thoughtful_ analysis of human motives, and a sternly realistic view of life that penetrates all shams and pours the focal light of hard, common sense upon all problems involved in darkness. His marriage with Miss Julia Sweet was solemnized in November, 1851. Four children have blessed this union-Lillie Engle, Edsall, Nathan and Edith.

ABEL BARNUM, a wealthy farmer of Albion, was born June 30, 1821, in Fairfield County, Conn., and was the fourth of seven children of Platt and Alethea (Barnum) Barnum, who were natives of the same State, and farmers by occupation. Abel was removed in infancy, with his parents, from Connecticut to New York, locating in Sullivan County. His educational ad- vantages were limited. His father died when Abel was but ten years of age. In 1844, he emigrated to and located in this county, where he purchased 160 acres of timber land, which he worked at clearing in summer and taught school in winter. His school-teaching experience closed in 1848, after which he devoted his time to farming exclusively, subsequently adding to his land, increasing it to 240 acres. Mr. Barnum is a thorough and systematic farmer ; was an adherent of the Whig party till 1854, when he allied himself to the Republicans. In 1852, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and served satis- factorily for five years, and is respected by all. On April 30, 1848, he was married to Miss Jane Sweet, of Jefferson Township, Noble County, a daughter of Hon. Jerome Sweet, one of the early settlers, who came to Jefferson Township in 1842, where he resided until his death, in 1869. Mrs. Barnum is a lady of culture and many amiable traits of character. They have two children-one son, Orlo P., born January 22, 1851, and one daughter, Alethea, born December 5, 1852.

JOHN H. BAUGHMAN, abstract office, is a son of Samuel and Chris- tina (Young) Baughman, who were residents of Ashland County, Ohio, over

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TOWN OF ALBION.

thirty years prior to coming to Noble County. In 1852, they located in Allen Township, where the father followed blacksmithing and farming. Of a family of ten children, eight are living-Henry, Cornelia Garver, Francis, Hannah Cribbs, Newton, John H., Mary J. Southworth and Amy I. Ihrie. The father and mother are now living in retirement at Lisbon. John H., at the age of seventeen, left the farm home of his father, and entered his brother's store at Lisbon, as clerk, where he remained until the winter of 1864, when he en- listed in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, remaining in the service nine months, when he was injured and was compelled to return home, resigning a Second Lieutenant's commission. Soon after his return, he was appointed Postmaster at Lisbon, and for one year ran a grocery store in connection. For a period of several years Mr. Baughman was engaged in various occupations, and for two years was unable to attend to business on account of ill-health. He finally went to Monticello, Ind., and learned telegraphy, and in September, 1871, entered upon the duties of opera- tor on the G. R. & I. R. R., at Kendallville. In 1872, he was elected Re- corder of the county by a majority of ninety votes, and re-elected for a second term by a majority of nearly 500, serving the two terms with popular favor. Mr. Baughman was married in March, 1871, to Miss Hannah Tyler. They have one child-Trever Day. The abstract office of Mr. Baughman is in Stone's new block. The experience gained in the Recorder's office eminently fits him for his present business. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

OWEN BLACK, retired, is a native of Lancaster County, Penn., where he was born in 1815. His parents were Peter and Martha (Amos) Black, natives of Maryland, and settlers in Ohio in 1833, where they resided for twenty years, removing to Indiana in 1853, locating in Noble County, where they re- mained the remainder of their lives, his father's death occurring October 23, 1862, his mother's June 28, 1872. Owen was the second of ten children ; his early duties were connected with farm life, until he attained his majority, when he learned the carpenter's trade; following that in connection with farming, until he came to Indiana. For two years, he was engaged in farming, at the expira- tion of which period he came to Albion, and began a successful business career. He was connected with the dry goods trade for fifteen years ; built the first grist-mill in Albion ; also erected two saw-mills and numerous dwelling houses and business blocks. He has 380 acres of fine farming land in Noble County, and 800 acres in Kansas. After an active business life, he has retired to the enjoyment of well-earned prosperity. He devoted considerable of his time to traveling in 1878, taking a trip across the ocean and visiting several countries upon the continent. Mr. Black was married, in 1838, to Miss Elizabeth Goss, a native of Richland County, Ohio, where her people settled in 1815. Two sons are descendants of this marriage-Jackson D. and Owen J., both young and promising business men of Albion.

JACKSON D. BLACK, merchant, is the senior partner of Black & Bros., an enterprising firm of Albion. Mr. Black is a native of Richland County, Ohio, and son of Owen Black, one of the old settlers and prominent merchants of Noble County. Jackson became associated with his father as an assistant about 1860, continuing until 1867, when he became a partner, under firm name of Owen Black & Son, which connection remained until 1870, when his father's interest was taken by D. S. Love, and the business continued until 1872, when Mr. Love retired, and he continued in business alone until 1880, when his brother, Owen J. Black, became a partner. Mr. Black suffered the

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entire loss of his stock, valued at $11,000, by fire, in 1879, but nothing daunted, however, he resumed business immediately, and is at present doing an im- mense trade, which he richly deserves. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Minerva Young, a native of Pennsylvania, and resident of Noble County. They have three children-Albert, Bessie and an infant.

CHARLES BOETCHER, miller. Among the industries of Noble County, there is none more complete in mechanical structure than the new and extensive flouring-mills of Hyter & Boetcher. Mr. Boetcher, the resident manager and miller, is a native of Wheeling, W. Va. His parents subsequently became residents of Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio, where our subject has resided the greater portion of his life, transacting business connected with mill- ing interests the most of his time. About 1872, he removed to Illinos, where he remained for eight years, being connected with a saw-mill while there. In August, 1880, he came to Albion. and purchased the milling interest of Mr. Ludlow, who, with Mr. Hyter, had started the "Paragon " Mills of Albion, in January, 1880. Since that time, Mr. Boetcher has had the exclusive manage- ment of the mills. The " Paragon " Mills are furnished with new and improved machinery from the Bass Foundry Machine Works of Fort Wayne, Ind., and presents a model appearance. They have four runs of stone driven by steam power, and operated and managed by an intelligent and enterprising gentleman: is an institution of which the people of Albion are justly proud. Mr. Boetcher was married, in 1879, to Miss Elmina Moore, of Ohio, she is a native of Wash- ington County, Penn. They have three children-Laura P., George M. and Charles W. Mr. Boetchler is a member of the I. O. O. F., of Albion.

PHILIP BOWMAN, retired farmer, is one of the representative pioneers of Noble County. He is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and was a resident of the "Buckeye " State until twenty-eight years of age, when, in 1844, he emigrated to Indiana, and settled in the woods of York Township, Noble County. Here he commenced the task of clearing and developing his land, remaining a resident of that township and identified with the growth, improvements and advancements until 1878, when he retired from active life, yielding the management of his farm to his son Jay, and became a resident of Albion. Mr. Bowman served York Township as Justice of the Peace for eight years, and was one of its most respected citizens. He formed a matrimonial alliance, in 1842, with Miss Lydia Harlan, also a native of Columbiana County, Ohio. She departed this life in 1857, leaving three children-Mary C. Mc- Ewen, of Brimfield, Noble County ; Jay, married to Miss Lucinda Mack, and residing on the homestead farm ; and Serenes, a business man of Albion. In 1866, Mr. Bowman was united to a second wife, Widow Mary M. Bowman. They have one child-Elmer.

SARAH A. BRADLEY, hotel, has been associated in the hotel and boarding-house business since 1860, when she bought the house now known as the Bradley Hotel, which she conducted until 1879, when she leased it for a term of years, and engaged in keeping a first-class boarding-house. It is her intention to refit and improve the Bradley House, and conduct it as a first-class hotel. The traveling public generally who place themselves under the care of Mrs. Bradley, will find a plentiful table and a homelike house.

JUDGE WILLIAM M. CLAPP, deceased, whose portrait appears in this work, was for many years a prominent citizen of Noble County. He was born December 18, 1817, in Tolland County, Conn., and was the eighth child of Stephen and Mary (Loomis) Clapp, who were farmers, and natives of the

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same State. The Clapp family is of Danish descent, and their lineage is recorded back to 1025. Descendants of this family emigrated to America in 1630. William M. Clapp is a descendant of Thomas, one of three brothers who settled in Massachusetts in 1633, and is of the seventh generation in the United States. In his youth, he assisted upon the farm for nine months of each year, and attended school irregularly the remaining three months. At the age of six, his parents removed to Ashtabula County, Ohio. Here he pursued his studies upon every occasion offered, committing to memory the coarse print of Murray's Grammar while employed in his father's sugar bush. At the age of seventeen, he thought himself fitted to teach, and accordingly secured a school. He soon found that he could not manage the large and disorderly scholars to his satisfaction and resigned. He then, in the following spring, went to Burton, Ohio, where for eighteen months he clerked in a dry goods store, subsequently in the same capacity at Mantua, Franklin and Chester, Ohio. He was next in association with a man named Johnson, in the commercial trade. Johnson, however, proved insolvent, and this enterprise terminated in disaster. After vainly seeking employment, he finally fell in with a gentleman and his wife who were on their way to Kentucky as school teachers, and who persuaded him to join them. He landed at Marysville, Ky., with a $1 bill on an Ohio bank, which proved to be of no value, as the bank failed. After a time he secured a school, and followed teaching successfully for over two years, saving about $400 ; he then returned to Ohio. His early ambition having been for the profession of law, he determined to direct his attention to that profession. He purchased a horse, and, with some provisions and clothing in a pair of sad- dle bags, started for Indiana. Upon reaching Peru, he entered the law office of E. P. Loveland, and remained for one and one-half years in diligent study. He was then granted a license to practice in the State, his parchment bearing date of March, 1843. The following April, he located at Augusta, then the county seat of Noble County. Here he entered upon his practice, following the migration of the county seat to Port Mitchell in 1844, and finally to Albion in 1847. To Mr. Clapp is due, probably more than any other one man, that Albion became the county seat. In 1848, he formed a co-partnership with H. H. Hitchcock in the mercantile trade. In 1849, Mr. Hitchcock retired, and Mr. Clapp conducted this businees alone until 1868, when he associated with him C. B. Phillips, and in 1873, W. W. White became a member of the firm. In 1875, Mr. Clapp disposed of his interest, but it again fell into his hands in 1876. He was also interested in a woolen-mill at Rome City for several years. His banking business began as a company affair, but in 1875 he secured the entire interest, which he conducted, in connection with his sons, until his death. His professional and business ventures were, upon the whole, successful, and secured for him a large fortune. He was reared a Whig, and upon the forma- tion of the Republican party, became and remained a strict adherent to its men and measures. In 1845, he was elected Auditor of the county, and served five years. In 1856, he was chosen to represent his district in the State Legislature for two years. He was elected Judge of the Nineteenth Common Pleas Court in 1860, and held the office by re-elections until it was abolished in 1873. From this period until his death January 5, 1881. he employed his time in looking to his various interests in and around Albion. Judge Clapp was a Royal Arch Mason, and a citizen whose virtues were so well known that they do not need to be eulogized. He was united in marriage in 1847 to Miss Mary A. Skinner. She died November, 1875, leaving three children-William Frank

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and Charles M., of Albion ; and Adella Starr, of Ohio. Judge Clapp was united to a second wife, Miss Angie Skinner, December 25, 1877. She was a cousin of his former wife, and is an estimable lady and valued member of society.

WILLIAM FRANK CLAPP, capitalist and merchant, a son of William M. and Mary A. (Skinner) Clapp. He was born in Albion in 1853, and had good educational advantages, finishing at Ann Arbor, Mich. At the time of his father's death, and for awhile previous, he was associated as cashier in his father's bank. He is now established in merchandising and is building up a large trade. He also represents several first-class fire and life insurance com- panies, and, in connection with his brother, Charles M., he is the owner of valuable real estate in Albion. To the material growth of the town, he is doing his share by the erection of substantial business blocks. In all of this, Frank shows an enterprising business spirit. He is genial and liberal and takes an active interest in the public advancement. Although young in years, he makes his presence felt, and strikes out like one with an older head. He is a member of the Masonic order-Chapter and Commandery; was married, in July, 1881, to Miss A. Smith, of Columbia City.

CHARLES M. CLAPP, banker and capitalist, son of William M. and Mary A. (Skinner) Clapp, was born in Albion, December, 1855, where he has since lived and been identified. He was engaged in the hardware trade one year, and then in association with his father until his death. He was appointed to administer his father's estate, and in the fall of 1881 resumed the banking business, starting the Bank of Albion upon his own responsibility. Mr. Clapp, although yet young in years, is a careful and able financier, and has embarked upon a successful business career. He is largely interested in real estate and is assisting in building up Albion. He was married, in November, 1878, to Miss Flora B. Woodruff. They have one child-Fred R.

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 89

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