USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 27
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 27
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MOSES T. HUNT was born September 30, 1787, in New England. He was a carder and cloth-dresser by trade, and April 29, 1815, was married to Martha B. Willard, who was also a native of New England, her birth occurring June 17, 1798. Shortly after their marriage, they settled in Coos County, N. H., and here their children were all born, three in all, viz., Franklin W., Hamilton P. (deceased), and Hub- bard. Their births respectively were February 6, 1817 ; September 2. 1818, died January 27, 1824, and January 18, 1821. The parents lived the remainder of their days at Lancaster, Coos Co., N. H., the father dying August 29, 1825, aged thirty-seven years and eleven months, and the mother September 15, 1822, aged twenty-four years and three months. Hubbard Hunt was reared at his birthplace at Lancaster, N. H., receiv- ing a good common school and academical education; learned machinist and steel and brass finisher's trade in Fairbank's Scale Works, at St. Johnsbury, Vt. He was in the employ of that firm seven years, but in 1846 came to Indiana for the first time, to look at the country. His brother, Franklin W., being at Valparaiso, he came to this place to see him, and while here made proposals to his brother, and advanced money to him to embark in merchandising at this place. The summer of 1847, Hubbard came to Valparaiso, and became an active partner, but early
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in 1849, his health failing, he went to California to seek his health, and remained there until November, 1850, passing through all the scenes, in- cidents and privations of a miner's life. He arrived home in March, 1851, much improved in health. On his return, he again actively en- gaged in merchandising with his brother, their partnership never having been dissolved, and they continued until 1856, when their interests were divided, and shortly after the dissolution of their partnership in the same year Hubbard engaged in stock dealing till the fall, then sold his cat- tle in Iowa, after which he engaged in the hardware trade at Valparaiso. He continued at that four years; then engaged in a general man- ufacture of native lumber, after which, in about 1866, he formed the part- nership of White, Hunt & Co., for the sale of pine lumber, which con- tinued some fourteen years with harmony and success. During his career in lumber trade, Mr. Hunt's services were often sought and engaged as administrator of descedents and assignee of bankrupt estates, all of which he settled with satisfaction. At present he is not actively engaged in any pursuit, except in the looking after his personal interests. On his retirement from the firm of White, Hunt & Co., in January, 1882, he retired to private life, and is living as such in the full enjoyment that one could derive after over forty years of active, hard labor. Mr. Hunt was married May 9, 1851, to Miss Finett Dunning, daughter of John Dunning, an old settler of Valparaiso. They have had no children of their own, but have one adopted son, Willard James, the orphan child of Mr. Hunt's niece, Ida (Hunt) McConkey. Mrs. Hunt is a member of the Presbyterian Church, but Mr. H. is a member of no particular church or party, but is liberal and tolerant in his views on all subjects. Mrs. Hunt was born in Wayne County, N. Y., December 31, 1829, and came with her parents to Porter County in about 1844. She was a daughter of John and Lucy (Rose) Dunning.
WILLIAM JOHNSTON, attorney at law, is a son of Judge Jesse Johnston, of Centre Township, who was born in Ross County, Ohio. June 10, 1808; came to Indiana in September, 1829, and to what is now Porter County in 1834. He is a son of George and Nancy John- ston ; was reared and still is a farmer, and November 30, 1830, married Rebecca Pickett, who has borne him a family of eleven children, six of whom are yet living. He is prominently identified with the early and subsequent history of Porter County. In politics, was first a Whig, tinct- ured with Free-Soilism. and afterward a Republican. In 1836, was elected a Justice of the Peace, but would not serve; was Probate Judge from 1836 to 1840, and subsequently served in various other positions of honor and trust. In 1851, he became a Freemason and has ascended to the Royal Arch degree. In 1879, he became a member of the State Pioneer Association. He is now living on his farm of 240 acres near Valparaiso. William Johnston was reared in Porter County, receiving his education at the common schools, afterward attending the Valparaiso Male and Female College four years, and finishing his literary education in 1866 by graduating from Asbury University at Greencastle, Ind. He began the study of law in Valparaiso, and established himself first in practice at Chesterton. In about 1868-69, he moved back to Valparaiso, where he now occupies a leading position at the bar of Porter and neigh-
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boring counties. He has been twice married, first in December, 1866, to Belle Hopkins, who died April 23, 1870, leaving two children, only one of whom, Charles H., is yet living. He married his present wife, Almira Hankinson, in October, 1878, and to their marriage has been born one daughter-Flora A. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are among the best of Valparaiso's people. The former is a Republican in politics, and the latter is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
R. W. JONES was born in Fayette County, Penn., July 16, 1816 ; is one of the cleven children of Richard and Margaret (Forsyth) Jones, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The mother died in about 1830, and in 1853 the father came to this county, where his son, R. W., was living, and here died the following fall. R. W. Jones, when six years of age, was taken by his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, where he received a common-school education, and where he was married, April 19, 1840, to Orilla Aylsworth. Shortly after this event, he came to Boone Town- ship, this county, farmed for seven years, and then came to Valparaiso, engaged in various pursuits, and now is dealing in agricultural imple- ments. He is a Democrat, but was formerly a Whig, and by the latter party, in 1850, was elected and re-elected Sheriff, serving four years ; he has also served two terms as Justice of the Peace. He has had born to him six children, viz., Mary, who died when ten years old; Emeline, widow of Elias Schenck; Ervin D., who married Mary Baum ; Saman- tha, now Mrs. J. B. Luddington ; Florence, who died when about twen- ty-four years old; and Frank H., who married Alice Williams, and is in partnership with his brother, Ervin D., in the livery business. Mr. Jones is the owner of some good town property, besides over two hundred acres in Porter County, all gained by his business tact and good management. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
DAVID F. JONES, son of Richard and Margaret (Forsyth) Jones, was born in Fayette County July 12, 1821, and, when two years old, moved with his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood. He obtained his education from the common schools, and be- came a farmer. He came to Porter County, Ind., in 1846, but remained only four months. He then went back to his old home, and the next season returned to Porter County, clerking that summer in Valparaiso for Joseph Jones and J. Barker. He again went back the following fall, and there, February 11, 1848, married Eve Critchfield, and the suc- cecding August moved to Porter County for good. He bought and set- tled on a farm on Horse Prairie, in Porter Township, farming summers and teaching school winters, until December, 1852, when he moved to Valparaiso, where he has ever since resided. He embarked in mercan- tile pursuits, at which he was actively engaged about two years, after- ward dealing in live-stock and buying and selling wool. Mr. Jones is a Republican, formerly a Whig ; is a member of both Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, and his wife is a member of the Christian Church. They are the parents of no children, but have one boy, Andrew J. Zim- merman, whom they have reared from three years old to fourteen. Mr. Jones and wife are among the well-known and respected families of Val- paraiso and Porter County.
ROBERT P. JONES was born in Greene County, Ohio, October 3, 1824, the fourth of a family of thirteen children, twelve of whom lived
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to maturity, born to Jonathan S. and Lydia W. (Phares) Jones, who were natives of Ohio. Jonathan S. was a farmer, and in the spring of 1841 traded his land in Ohio for eighty acres in Liberty Township, this county. That same fall the family located on this place, it at that time having about fifteen acres cleared, with a small log cabin on it. Here Mr. Jones died in 1855, one of the respected early settlers of Porter County. His widow survived him until 1880, when she, too, died. Robert P. Jones re- ceived only the common school advantages in youth, and at the age of sixteen, preceded his parents by two months to Porter County. He assisted his father in clearing up the old farm, with the exception of the summer of 1842, when he carried the mail between La Fayette, Ind., and Joliet, Ill. The next summer, he worked for George Z. Salyer, and from that time until his marriage assisted his father chiefly, but also worked around at odd jobs. May 14, 1845, he married Miss Clarissa Dillingham, and for twenty-one years succeeding was engaged in farming. The summer of 1866, he came to Valparaiso and engaged as clerk for ten months in the leather store of Powell Bros. He was then elected to the office of Town Marshal, serving about four years, after which he served as Deputy Sheriff about two years. In 1872, he was elected County Sheriff by the Republican party, and in 1874 was re-elected, serving in all four years ; he then embarked in the hardware trade in partnership with G. A. Sayles, which continued until November, 1879. Since then has been living partially retired engaged in loaning money, etc. Mr. Jones and wife are the parents of three children-Samantha A. (now Mrs. James H. Patrick, of Valparaiso), Lyman L. (who died at the age of nineteen years six months and sixteen days), and Lydia L. (who died at the age of twenty years six months and sixteen days). Both deceased chil- dren lie buried in Kimball Cemetery with their grandparents, in Centre Township. Mrs. Jones was born in Huron County, Ohio, January 28, 1826, and is a daughter of Henry and Amanda (Page) Dillingham, who came to Centre Township in June, 1836. Hannah, sister of the mother of Mrs. Jones, was taken prisoner by the Indians at an early day in the history of Ohio, and was kept in captivity about a year, afterward being sold to a doctor, through whom she regained her friends. Four brothers of Mr. Jones lost their lives in the late war.
A. L. JONES, attorney at law, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, August 10, 1835; the son of William W. and Belinda (Jones) Jones, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, and parents of ten children, all yet living. In about 1839, the family moved from Wayne to Fulton County, Ohio, and thence, in 1847, to Horse Prairie, Boone Township, this county, purchasing a tract of land. In 1849, William W. Jones was elected Clerk of Courts of Porter County, on the Whig ticket, and in 1850, moved to Valparaiso, where he performed his official duties until November, 1855; April 5, 1856, he died, mourned by a host of friends. He was an active business man, a fluent speaker, and strictly honest. Although no office-seeker, he was placed in many positions of honor and trust. He had been ordained a minister of the Christian Church, but never steadily pursued ministerial work. His widow is yet living, and resides with a daughter in Kansas. A. L. Jones, after attending the county and city schools, entered the State University at Bloomington,
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in 1852, and graduated in 1855, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, having also taken one course in the law department, and studying during the interval in the law office of Judge S. I. Anthony. In the winter of 1856, he was admitted to the bar of Porter County, and until November, 1859, assisted in his father's office as Deputy. He then opened a law office and began practice, which he has ever since successfully continued, except when he was in the army. In the spring of 1862, he entered the Quartermaster's Department of the Army of the Potomac as a citizen clerk ; so remained until May, 1863, and then enlisted in the Seventh Indiana Cavalry. He was made Quartermaster Sergeant, and the March following was commissioned Quartermaster of the regiment, being mustered out in April, 1866. He at present is the senior of the law firm of Jones, De Motte & Jones, his son, Frank P., being the junior member, and Mr. De Motte being the present Member of Congress from the Tenth District. October 6, 1858, Mr. Jones married Miss Jennie Baugh, of Bloomington, Ind., who has borne him four children, viz., Frank P., Kate (deceased), Mattie (deceased) and Grace. Mr. Jones is a Democrat ; he is a fluent speaker, and a successful lawyer of soundest integrity. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and the family are among the first in Valparaiso.
O. P. KINSEY, A. B., Professor of English Literature and History in the N. I. N. S., was born near Freeport, Harrison Co., Ohio, De- cember 7, 1849, and is one of four children, three yet living, born to Reese and Eliza A. (Ridgeway) Kinsey. The father is dead, but his widow is yet living and resides in Harrison County, Ohio. O. P. Kinsey was reared principally near his native town, and after attending the common schools of his neighborhood, entered Harlem Springs Seminary, in Car- roll County, Ohio, in 1866, where he began fitting himself for the teach- er's profession. After a time, he returned to his native county, and, after teaching a number of terms, in the autumn of 1868 entered the Normal School at Lebanon. At the end of one year, he was given the position of janitor, which aided him pecuniarily until his last year, when he paid his way through by teaching in the school. In this way, he succeeded in graduating from the classical department, after which he was given a po- sition in the faculty and the Professorship of English Literature. He retained this position until 1881, when he resigned to accept a half-inter- est in the N. I. N. S. of Valparaiso. Previous to his location here, he took an extended tour through the Eastern States, Great Britain and Continent of Europe, visiting the principal educational institutions on his journey, with special reference to his profession. The spring of 1882, he returned to Valparaiso, took charge of his half-interest in the Normal School, and the tutorship of the classes in English Literature, History and other irregular classes. While a student at Lebanon, Prof. Kinsey formed the acquaintance of Miss Sarah J. Porter, also a student of the same place. Miss Porter afterward became a teacher in the school as did Mr. Kinsey, and August 24, 1876, they were united in marriage. Mrs. Kinsey is earnestly interested in the welfare of the Normal School here, and has charge of the Ladies' Department ; also is the teacher of Geog- raphy and Natural History.
KELLOGG BROTHERS. ALFRED KELLOGG was born in Wayne County, Penn., January 30, 1823. His father, Azor Kellogg, was
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born in the same place January 24, 1796, and was a farmer and lumberman. He married Nancy Stevens in 1820, and in August, 1849, to gratify the wishes of his children, came West, and located with his wife and youngest son in McHenry County, Ill., leaving the others be- hind to close up affairs. In 1850, he came to Valparaiso, where he pur- chased, in connection with his son Dennis, and son-in-law, Daniel S. White, the old foundry on Block 16, Lot 5, Main street. The firm name was Kellogg & White until 1851, when his sons in Pennsylvania, Alfred and John, came out and added to the business a cabinet shop and a ma- chine shop. In 1860, Mr. White, who had previously withdrawn, was again taken in, and a planing mill was added, also a general lumber busi- ness by Alfred Kellogg, who was the first general lumber merchant in Valparaiso. The same year, the business was removed to a point near the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. depot. In due course of time, the father withdrew from the firm, and is now living retired. His wife died in Jan- uary, 1879, and lies buried in the city cemetery. Mr. White again with- drew in 1864. The three brothers now have a two-story brick building, 50x60 feet, with an engine-room attached, 12x24, with the latest and best machinery, driven by a twelve-horse power steam engine. They have an average force of twelve men, and do business all over Porter and the ad- joining counties. They are the inventors of some threshers, mowers and reapers that stand in the front rank, especially the "Kellogg Mower." Alfred Kellogg was married in Pennsylvania, in September, 1845, to Martha Norton, who died December 10 of the same year. In May, 1848, he married Isadora Chase. By her he has one child living-Martha.
JOHN W. KELLOGG, of this firm, was born in Wayne County, Penn., April 13, 1825; was educated in the public schools, and in 1849 married Abigail J. Hull, born in Wayne July 28, 1824, and daughter of William and Elizabeth (Spangenberg) Hull. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg came to Valparaiso with Alfred and his family. He is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church and parents of five children- Silas W., Fortunatus G., Nettie, Lizzie N. and Abbie Bell.
DENNIS A. KELLOGG was born May 20, 1830; married, July 14, 1852, to Lucinda Norton, and came to Valparaiso with his parents. Besides being an equal partner with his brothers in the foundry, he con- jointly with them owns an eighty-acre farm in Liberty Township, and twenty-four acres near the Porter County fair grounds, and individually owns his private residence. He is a Republican. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and they have had two children-Adelbert and Mark, the latter deceased.
DR. J. H. LETHERMAN was born in Washington County, Penn., March 4, 1819, the son of Dr. Joseph and Sarah (Mercer) Letherman, natives of Pennsylvania and the parents of two children, of whom the Doctor only is living. Daniel Letherman, his grandfather, was a native of Prussia, came to America when a child, with his parents, and was a preacher of the Dunkard Church. Our subject's maternal ancestors were of Irish-English descent, and his grandfather Mercer was a Presbyterian minister. Dr. J. II. Letherman was reared in Pennsylvania, where he received a good common-school education, afterward entering Jefferson College, where he remained four years. Having a liking for the study
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of medicine, and his father being a physician, as were a number of other near relatives, he began the study of that profession in about 1843, and attended medical school at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, also the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, graduating from the last named and receiving his diploma as "M. D." He began practicing in his native State, but in 1845 removed to Des Moines County, Iowa, remaining there until, in November, 1853, he came to Valparaiso, and has remained here ever since, engaged in active prac- tice, and in this time he has booked $100,000 in Porter County. In 1871, he admitted his son, Dr. A. P. Letherman, a graduate of Louisville Medical College of Kentucky, as a partner. Dr. J. H. Letherman was married March 2, 1848, to Miss Jane Mary Peirce, of Cumberland County, Penn., and to this union was born ten children-Joseph H., an attorney and engaged in the Internal Revenue Department of Texas ; Andrew P., now his father's partner ; William C., druggist, of Valparaiso; Rebecca, deceased ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Lawrence L., mail agent on the Mich- igan Central Railroad; John and Alice A., twins, the former deceased ; Jane B. and Carrie M. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Dr. Letherman is a Republican. He has been County Cor- oner twelve years, and has served at different times in city official posi- tions, and is one of the present Aldermen of Valparaiso.
JOHN S. LOUDERBACK, grocer and baker, was born in Cass County, Ind., August 28, 1835. His father, Andrew Louderback, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his grandfather Louderback was a native of Germany, coming to America shortly after the Revolutionary war. Andrew Louderback came with his parents to Brown County, Ohio, when about twelve years old, and was there reared to manhood. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and followed that as a business until about 1840, when he worked at that in connection with farming. He was mar- ried to his first wife, Nancy Washburn (who was the mother of our sub- ject), in about 1823. This lady was born in Kentucky in 1802, her father being a native of Massachusetts and of Irish descent. They moved to Wayne County, Ind., in 1830; in 1834, removed to Logansport, Ind., and in 1836 removed to Fulton County, Ind., where Mrs. Louder- back died in 1858. To her marriage with Mr. L. there were born ten children, nine of whom are yet living. Mr. L. married for his second wife Martha Jones, who is yet living, but Mr. L. died in March, 1864. John S. Louderback was reared on a farm until seventeen years old, when he began learning the wagon and carriage maker's trade with Otis Whipple, of Delphi, Carroll Co., Ind., and when nineteen years old began at his trade on his own responsibility at Fulton. He enlisted in Com- pany I, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, August 14, 1862, and in October of the same year, was made Eighth Sergeant. He was promoted to Quarter- master Sergeant in March, 1863, and a few months afterward was made Orderly Sergeant, retaining that position until July 1, 1864, when he was promoted to a First Lieutenancy. October 1, 1864. he was made Captain of his company, but owing to the previous Captain being wounded, Capt. Louderback had, for one year previous to being commis- sioned, served in that capacity. He was made Quartermaster of the regi- ment on its being mustered out of service, and he disposed of its effects
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to the Government. He was a participant in the campaign in Kentucky against Morgan, and assisted in the thirty days' raid that resulted in Morgan's capture. They joined the Army of the Cumberland in Ten- nessee in 1863, and participated in the engagement at Knoxville and a number of its surrounding battles. Their horses being worn out, they were dismounted, and going to Paris, Ky., were remounted, after which they joined Sherman's army at Ringgold, Ga., and were placed under Gen. Stoneman's command. For seventy-one days they were in active fight- ing duty, participating in battles of Resaca, Lone Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain and various others. July 24, 1864, under Gen. Stoneman, they started on their trip South, with the intention of releasing the prisoners at Andersonville, Ga., and passing through the enemy's line at Stone Mountain, they fought an engagement at Macon, and afterward learned that a General who was to co-operate with Stoneman had been defeated. They fought until all ammunition was used up, when the officers, holding a council, deemed it wise to surrender, which they did July 28, 1864. Capt. L. was taken to Andersonville the 1st of August, and instead of going into other quarters as an officer, remained with his men, and remained there suffering all the agonies of that place until October 1, 1864, when they were removed to Charleston, and after being there twenty-six days they were removed to Florence ; here he received his liberty, and was sent to Annapolis. Receiving a thirty days' furlough he went home, then rejoined his company, remaining with them until the close of the war, receiving his discharge June 27, 1865. Succeeding that he was at Fulton a short time, and in August, 1865, came to Valparaiso, buying a grocery stock and engaging in that trade in partnership, con- tinuing as such for six years. In 1869, he came to his present place of business and embarked in the grocery and bakery business, which he has ever since continued with success. He was married in Fulton County, Ind., May 29, 1866, to Sarah J. Clevenger, and by her has had nine children-Andrew J., Effie F., Judson D., Eddie, Cora. Mamie and Gracie, living ; and Edgar and Alva, deceased. Capt. Louderback is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
THOMAS G. LYTLE, Mayor of Valparaiso, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, December 3, 1824, and is a son of Aaron and Hannah (Jones) Lytle, who were natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respect- ively, and the parents of nine children, only three of whom are yet living. The Lytles are of Scotch descent, and the Joneses are of English descent. Aaron Lytle was a blacksmith by trade, and went to Pennsylvania when a young man, and from there came to Wayne County, Ohio, where he married. He quit blacksmithing when about thirty-five years old, and engaged in speculating, buying and selling land, merchandising, etc. During the financial crisis of 1837, he lost the greater part of his means. In 1840, he came to Porter County, purchasing an improved farm of 160 acres in Boone Township, and in the spring of 1841 moved his family out. In 1852, he sold his farm, moved to Valparaiso, and bought a steam saw- mill near town, which he operated for some time. He speculated in land, and engaged in other business enterprises until his death, in the fall of 1870. His widow survived him until 1876, when she, too, died, and both are buried side by side in the city cemetery. Mr. Lytle was a
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