USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 38
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 38
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County Treasarer's office as Deputy, and, in 1878, was elected Treasurer by the Republicans ; he is now serving his second term ; he belongs to the I. O. O. F., also the O. F. Encampment; his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
H. W. FORBES is the eldest son of J. T. and Martha (Pettit) Forbes, parents of seven children, five still living; he was born near Hamilton, Upper Canada, January 6, 1843, and came with his parents to Porter County in 1854; he attended a common school until he was nineteen years old, when he attended three terms at the Valparaiso Col- lege ; he has worked mostly at farming, but at present owns a mill near Coburg; he has also dealt in grain and wood, shipping from Coburg, where he was the first agent for the B. & O. R. R .; he was also appointed the first Postmaster, which position he now holds, it being largely due to his influence that said post office was established ; he has 195 acres of land, about 130 of which are cultivated, and has besides buildings and other improvements. In politics, Mr. Forbes is a liberal Democrat. He was married, January 26, 1868, to Helen Shinabarger, the daughter of Jacob Shinabarger, who was born in La Porte County December 1, 1845. To this marriage a family of five have been born, only two of whom survive-Ross C. and Ruby J. The mother of Mrs. Forbes, now eighty-one years of age, residing with our subject. The first school attended by Mr. Forbes was a missionary school for the Indians; he at- tended here three years.
THADDEUS H. FORBES, son of J. T. and Martha (Pettit) Forbes, was born near Coburg, Upper Canada, August 20, 1851; he came with his parents to Porter County in 1854, and attended the com- mon schools until about eighteen years old, thereby receiving a very fair education; he remained at home until past his majority, and was married, June 26, 1875, to Nora Pinney, of La Porte County, Ind., daughter of Horace Pinney, and born September 4, 1852, her parents being among the oldest settlers of that county. Since his marriage he has been engaged in farming, clearing land and stock raising ; he has a good farm of 150 acres, about eighty of which are improved, together with good. necessary buildings; he was for four years Deputy Postmaster of Coburg, and also kept a grocery for three years, but is now employed in farming. Like other members of his father's family, he is a Democrat, but exceed- ingly liberal in his political views.
JOHN HANSFORD was born in Somerset, England, January 8. 1813, and is third of a family of four children born to John and Sarah (Pickford) Hansford; Mr. Hansford thinks he is the only one of his family now living; his parents were born and died in England. Our subject received no school education, but is wholly self-instructed ; he left England for New York at fifteen years of age, where he stopped a short time, thence moved to New Jersey, where he lived until 1832, thence to New Orleans, Cuba, and finally landed in Chicago in 1836; he stayed in Cook County, Ill., until 1842, when he settled in Washington Town- ship, Porter Co., Ind., upon the place of his present residence; he has now 920 acres of land, with important improvements. In November, 1838, he was married, in Cook County, Ill., to Ann Moran; she died in 1840, leaving two children. one now living-Maria (wife of S. Lewis, of
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Morgan Township). In 1843, he was again married, this time to Hannah Dillingham, who died January 1, 1875; by this union he had thirteen children, seven of whom are living-Eve (now in Kansas), Effie (wife of Otis King, of La Porte County), Ella (wife of R. Reed, of Washington Territory), William, Emma (wife of J. Sulman, of this township), Jay and Jonah (twins). On April 4, 1876, he was married a third time, the bride being Mary Grundy, who died in April, 1877; on June 21, 1877, he married his present wife-Lizzie Street. In business, Mr. Hansford has been exceedingly successful; in politics, he is independent, voting for the best man. For two years he has had a position on the G. T. R. R., which he yet retains.
JOSEPH KIMERER was born in Wayne County, Ohio, August 2, 1824 ; he is one of sixteen children born to Jacob and Catherine (Korn) Kimerer, only six of whom survive; his parents were born, reared and married in Cumberland County, Penn., removing to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1814, and being among the pioneers of that county, where his father died in 1837; his mother removed to Holmes County, where she resided until her death in 1859. Joseph Kimerer lived with his mother until his majority, when he was married, November 10, 1846, to Jane V. Silcott, a native of Fairfax County, Va., born in 1828; she died in 1862, leaving a family of five-Mary A. (wife of S. Thatcher), Marion, Lewis N., William A. and Jackson. In 1864, he married Nancy Hanna, who died in 1865, to which second marriage one child resulted-Nancy J. On March 20, 1866, he was married to Mary J. Lisle, of Holmes Coun- ty, Ohio, by whom he has a family of three -- James, Helen M. and Alice M. Mr. Kimerer moved from Wayne County to Holmes County in 1846, and engaged in farming until 1872, when he came to Porter Coun- ty; he has a fine farm of 246 acres. In politics, Mr. Kimerer is a lib- eral Democrat, and was County Commissioner of Holmes County, from 1860 to 1866; also, Trustee for three years, and Township Clerk for one year. In 1852, Mr. Kimerer traveled to California, but determining that farming was safer as a business than gold mining, he returned the same year ; he was a Mason many years, and has not now abandoned the order. Mr. and Mrs. Kimerer are members of the Christian Church.
T. H. LEWIS was born in Butler County, Ohio, November 25, 1838; he is one of a family of eleven children born to Elmander and Mary (Dodge) Lewis, ten of whom are living ; his parents were natives of Massachusetts, and his grandparents came to Ohio with their family at a very early day. Our subject came to this county with his parents in 1849, and settled in Morgan Township. In the spring of 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the second battle of Bull Run ; he was with Gen. Sherman in his " march to the sea," remaining in the service until the war had ended. Since that period, his occupation has been farming, having 200 acres of land; he was married, January 25, 1866, to Caroline Austin, a native of Porter County, and daughter of Cain and Mary (Bowker) Austin ; her parents were among the early settlers of this county. To this union there have born two children-Eddie and Florence. Mr. Lewis is a firm Repub- lican, and as such represents his party as Trustee of Washington Town- ship, and this for a second term ; he is a man of mnuch executive ability and integrity, and has been quite successful in his affairs.
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CHARLES R. LUTHER, one of the earliest settlers of Porter County, was born in New York August 26, 1828; he is the sixth of a family of nine children born to James and Irene (Ransom) Luther, seven of whom are living-our subject and one sister in this county; his father was a native of New Hampshire; he died in 1849, and his mother in 1859. C. R. Luther came here with his parents when eight years old. After receiving a fair education, and being engaged as teacher for several terms, he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which he worked for five years ; he was married, December 22, 1853, to Esther M. Holton, a daughter of Ira Holton, and born in Upper Canada November 19, 1837. To Mr. and Mrs. Luther have been born four children-Luna L. (de- ceased), Iredell, Harry R. and Lula B. ; of these, Iredell is a farmer, and Harry R. a school teacher. Mr. Luther was one of the Directors of the Northern State Prison for two years, and Assessor of Washington Town- ship for five years ; he is a Republican, having belonged to that party ever since its organization.
WILLIAM L. MALONE, son of Wilson and Sarah (Swank) Ma- lone, was born in this county October 3, 1847 ; he received his educa- tion from the ordinary schools and the Valparaiso High School, since which time he has been farming. On December 2, 1875, he was married to Matilda Forbes, daughter of J. T. Forbes, who was born June 30, 1853, a sketch of whose parents will be found in this work. To this union two children were born-Lawrence and Leon. In politics, Mr. Malone is a Democrat, and represents his party as Assessor of Washing- ton Township ; he has 200 acres of land, 120 being improved. Wilson Malone, father of our subject, came to La Porte County in 1832, and was among the earliest settlers ; his only possessions were a few household
goods and 50 cents. He contracted for the building of one mile of what is now known as the Michigan State road, and invested the pro- ceeds in Porter County land. He spent his first winter in a cabin with- out floor or windows ; but he was industrious, and at his death owned over 1,100 acres ; he died December 22, 1876; he was father to nine children-Elizabeth (Mrs. Dr. Pagin), Caroline (Mrs. A. Stanton), Cath- erine (Mrs. A. Brown). Rebecca (Mrs. H. Slover), James R., William L., Martha (Mrs. E. Powell) and Harriet (Mrs. C. Talcott). Wilson Malone was the son of Lester Malone ; was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 18, 1805; he lived in that county until manhood ; his parents died when he was quite young, when he was cast upon his resources for a livelihood ; he came West in 1826, stopping in Fountain and Montgomery Counties," Ind. On February 22, 1832, he was married to Sarah Swank, daughter of Jacob Swank, an early settler of Montgomery County ; she was born at Springfield, Ohio, October 15, 1811.
OVID OAKS, a pioneer of Porter County, was born in Allegany County. N. Y., February 9, 1821 ; he is the eldest of five children born to David and Mary (Howe) Oaks ; all are living-four in this county, the other in California ; his father was a native of New York, and his mother in Massachusetts. They came to this county in 1835, and here lived until the decease of both-in 1874. Our subject came to this county with his parents, and received a liberal education by attending the com- mon schools, and afterward the State University about four years ; he
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kept a hotel for two years, and taught school for some time ; he then moved to Missouri, where he bought land, and followed farming and school teaching for eight years. Returning to Valparaiso, he kept a grocery about five years, and returned to farming in 1875, having now 130 acres, sixty of which are unimproved. He was married, May 31, 1849, to Phebe Rhorer, a native of Kentucky, but a resident of Monroe County, Ind .; she was born April 17, 1824. Their family consists of four children-Omar M., Emma J. (wife of M. Kimerer, of Valparaiso), Eva (wife of H. Taggart, of South Bend), and Lucian R. Mr. Oaks is a Republican of the liberal school. Mrs. Oaks is a member of the Chris- tian Church.
JOSEPH PEOPLES was born in Carroll County, Ohio, June 27, 1842, and is one of fifteen children born to John and Mary (Davis) Peo- ples, nine of whom are surviving-three in this county ; his parents were natives of Pennsylvania ; they came to Ohio at an early day, where they married and lived until 1852, when they came to Porter County, Ind., settling in Washington Township. Mr. Peoples' father died in 1874, and his mother in 1852. Our subject lived at home until of age; then followed farming until the present time, except for about two years, during which he worked at carpentering and blacksmithing; he enlisted in the Twen- tieth Indiana Battery, under Capt. Rose, and was at Franklin, Murfrees- boro, Chattanooga, Fort Donelson and other engagements ; he was, for a time, flag-bearer for his battery, and was present at Gen. Lee's surrender, soon after which he was discharged. On February 14, 1868, he was married to Anna Babcock, born August 23, 1852. They have had four children-Jannet (deceased), Clark J., Frank B. and Nina M. Mr. and Mrs. Peoples are members of the Good Templars organization. He is a Republican, and was Justice of the Peace from 1878 to 1880; his farm comprises 105 acres, of which about fifty-five are under cultivation. Mr. Peoples is a total abstainer from strong drink and tobacco.
NICHOLAS PICKRELL, son of Nicholas and Margaret (McCoy) Pickrell, was born in Logan County, Ohio, March 3, 1828, and is the youngest of five children, two of whom only survive ; his father was a native of North Carolina, and his mother of Virginia ; his mother came to Elkhart County, Ind. (after his father's death), in 1835, where she remained until her death, in 1862. Mr. Pickrell, our subject, came to Porter County in 1849, settling in Morgan Township, but afterward came to Washington Township, where he still resides. He has 310 acres of land, 130 of which are improved; he is a man of fair edu- cation, and he served in Company G, Thirty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, from November, 1864, until the close of the war; he was in the battle of Nashville, and was with Gen. Sherman at the surrender of Gen. Johnston. Since his discharge, he has been en- ' gaged in farming. In politics, Mr. Pickrell is a firm Republican, having been one of the earliest adherents of that party. In 1874, he was Trustee of Washington Township, which office he held for six years. In 1880, he was elected County Commissioner, an office.he now holds. He was married, in February, 1856, to Sarah Bell. one of the early settlers, who died December 26, 1873, leaving a family of six children, five of whom still live-Lizzie B. (wife of F. Concannon), Carrie E., Mary,
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Phebe D. and John. Mr. Pickrell has been fairly successful in business affairs.
ANDREW B. PIERCE was born in Otsego County, N. Y., April 9, 1830, and is a son of Warner and Adelia (Beeman) Pierce ; his father was a native of New York, and his mother of Connecticut; they were married and lived in New York until coming westward in 1831; they stopped two years in Michigan and one year in La Porte County, Ind., reaching and settling in Porter County in 1834; his father followed farming until his death, on May 6, 1841 ; his mother is still living. now in her eighty-fifth year, vivacious and healthy. Our subject came with his parents in 1834 ; he received a fair education, and remained with his mother after his father's death, until twenty-eight years old, when he began farming for himself; he has now 420 acres of land. He was married April 1, 1858, to Mary E. Johnston. of this county, daughter of Jesse and Rebecca (Pickett) Johnston ; she was born May 1, 1838, and her parents were among the first to settle here, her father being the first Judge of Porter County. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have had eight children, four of whom are living-Morosco L., William F., Helena E. and John G. In politics, Mr. Pierce holds with the Democracy, but is not an ex- treme man. Both he and Mrs. Pierce are members of the Baptist Church of Valparaiso ; he has been fairly successful in business ventures.
S. P. SHINABARGER. one of the pioneers of Porter County, was born in Jackson Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, January 6, 1820; he is one of a family of ten born to Jacob and Hannah (Heller) Shinabarger ; six of these are living. The father of our subject came to Porter County in 1833, settling on Morgan Prairie, Washington Township. The county at that time was an unbroken forest and prairie, peopled by Indians ; the city of Valparaiso was unthought of; his father lived in this county for many years, but died in La Porte County. Our subject was fortunate to secure a good education, notwithstanding the meager advantages of that period ; he lived at home until his twenty-second year, and has since been farming, except one year, when he was in mercantile business at Buena Vista; he was married, October 20, 1844, to Esther Tabor, of Erie County, Penn., who died April 17, 1849, leaving two children, one, Bur- ton J., now surviving ; his second marriage was to Laura Tabor, June 1, 1852; by this union, he has had nine children-Martha E., Alta J., Ernest F., Bell, Nellie L., Edward S., Mary C., Walter O. and Ruther M. In politics, Mr. Shinabarger is a Liberal Republican ; his first vote was cast for Gen. Harrison in 1840 ; he has represented his party for over twelve years as Justice of the Peace, still holding that office ; his farm consists of 193 acres, 180 being under cultivation ; he is a member of Westville Lodge, I. O. O. F. The father of Mrs. Shinabarger (Mr. Tabor), resides with our subject ; he settled in La Porte County in 1835, and is now past eighty-five years of age.
HENRY SLOVER, one of the early settlers of Washington Town- ship, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., April 24, 1828; he is the youngest of twelve children born to Isaac and Polly (Watts) Slover; of this family, only three survive, our subject being the only representative in this county : his parents were both natives of New Jersey, removing to New York, thence to Erie County, Penn., and thence to Porter County,
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Ind., in 1843, settling in Washington Township; his father died while visiting Pennsylvania in 1852 and his mother in this county in 1849. Our subject came here with his parents in 1843. At the age of twenty- four, in company with some emigrants, he crossed the plains for Cali- fornia. Being overtaken by sickness, he gave up mining, and worked by the month ; he remained in California until 1858, when he returned to this township. On May 19, 1859, he was married to Rebecca J. Ma- lone ; they have had a family of three children-Carrie B. (deceased), Charles W. and Hattie. Mr. Slover has been fairly successful in busi- ness affairs ; he has a farm of 232 acres of good land, about one hundred and fifty of which are improved, and containing excellent buildings, mak- ing a most desirable property. Mr. Slover is a Democrat, but exceed- ingly liberal.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
DR. GEORGE W. ARNOLD was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., August 6, 1837, and is a son of Elisha and Phebe (Sayles) Arnold, both natives of New York. When George W. Arnold was eight years of age, he came with his parents to Porter County, Ind., where he has since re- sided. During his youth, he worked on the farm and acquired a fair common-school education. At the age of twenty-two, he began to study medicine at home, and in 1871 he graduated at the Bennett Medical Col- lege of Chicago, and the same year located at Wheeler, where he has been practicing, with the exception of one year spent in South Chicago. In 1864, he entered Company H, Fifty-third Regiment Indiana Volun- teers, and served until the war was closed. Dr. Arnold is a member of Lodge No. 403, A., F. & A. M., and also of Valparaiso Commandery. In politics, he is a Republican.
WILLIAM O. CADWELL, farmer, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., May 12, 1830, and was the fourth of eight children composing the family of Chester and Phila (Daniels) Cadwell ; five of these are liv- ing. In 1838, the family settled in Union Township, where the father lived until his death, in 1867. William O. Cadwell remained at home until he became of age. On June 19, 1853, he married Margaret Frame, of this county. She died in 1860, leaving one child-Malphus F., a farmer of Union Township. After his marriage, he located on his present farm, now embracing 110 acres. His second marriage took place October 15, 1861, to Mary Gilbert, a native of Ohio. To this union three children were born-Ida M., Homer O. and Don Alonzo. Mr. and Mrs. Cadwell are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Cadwell is Republican.
THOMAS CRISMAN, farmer, was born in Huntingdon County, Penn., August 13, 1805. He was the sixth of eight children composing the family of Benjamin and Mary E. (Yingling) Crisman, both of whom were natives of Maryland. In 1818, the family removed to Carroll County, Ohio, where Thomas lived until 1850, when he settled on the farm in Union Township, on which he has since resided. On November 25, 1830, he was married to Nancy Ringle, of Westmoreland County. Penn. As a result of this union thirteen children were born, nine of
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whom survive-Mrs. Lavina Shearer, of Lake County ; Mrs. Hannah Gunder, of Porter County ; Mrs. Eliza Smith, of La Porte County ; Mrs. Mary Matthews, of Hobart; Harrison, John, Thomas, Mrs. Louisa Scholl and Mrs. Alice Bentley. Mr. and Mrs. Crisman are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr. Crisman is a Republican. He has an excellent farm, with valuable improvements. He is a fair-minded and honored citizen.
EPHRAIM CRISMAN was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, and is one of the eleven children of Frederick and Eliza (Hardesty) Crisman. In 1848, he came with his parents to Union Township, where his father died January 4, 1877. The Crisman family is of Dutch descent. Eph- raim lived at home until he was married, December 25, 1861, to Sarah Long, of Williamsville, N. Y. To this union there have been seven chil- dren-Benjamin F. (deceased), Emma (deceased), Ella D., George (de- ceased), A. B., A. D. and Frederick. Mr. Crisman came to this town- ship, living three years, and after removed to the farm on which he now lives. This property is rich and well improved, containing some excel- lent buildings. Mr. Crisman has given considerable attention to raising blooded horses, and has one of the finest in the country. In politics, Mr. Crisman gives his support to the Republican party, and is esteemed as one of the most intelligent and enterprising citizens.
ELBERT H. EDDY was born in Bristol County, Conn., January 4, 1848, and is the elder of the two children of Jeremiah and Abigail (Curtis) Eddy. The family is of English descent ; his father was a skilled machinist, and at one time foreman for Reany, Neafie & Co., of Philadel- phia. Elbert lost his father when twelve years old, and removed with his mother to Davenport, Iowa, where he was educated at the high school. In 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Forty-fourth Iowa Volunteers, and served two years and five months. At Pittsburg Landing, he was taken prisoner, and held four months, a few weeks of which he passed at An- dersonville. After his return, he was several years engaged in giving public readings, and, as a professor of elocution ; he acted for some time as a comedian in the Chicago theaters, and was widely known throughout the West and South, everywhere receiving the highest encomiums from press and people ; he is the author of an elocutionary work entitled, "Art of Personation," which is one of much merit. On June 3, 1866, he was married to Miss Maria Currier, of Porter County. They have one son, Albert Bertram. In 1871, he forsook his old profession for the new one of gardener, for which he had no less a taste, and settled in Union Township. In this he has been no less successful, supplying much of the country around him, and making a specialty of garden plants and celery. Mr. Eddy is a courteous gentleman, good business man and en- terprising citizen ; his greenhouses are large and extensive. In politics, he is a Republican.
F. J. FIELD was born in Syracuse, N. Y., January 10, 1830, and is one of the six children of Thomas J. and Louisa A. (Chapman) Field. His father was a native of Poughkeepsie, and his mother of Onondaga County, N. Y .; his uncle was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, and on board the Macedonia during the war of 1812. When six years of age, he came with his parents to Michigan City, Ind., removing to
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Liberty Township, and later to Portage Township, where his father died in 1875, a Justice of the Peace, and a man much esteemed by all. F. J. Field, at the age of nineteen, went on a whaling voyage, through Behring's Straits to 723° north latitude ; he has laid in a boat three days without food or water. Returning home, he again sought the sea for eight years, and was wrecked on the shore of Cuba. In 1861, he began sailing on the lakes, and, in 1864, he enlisted in Company M, Heavy Artillery of Illinois. After the war, in 1872, he bought the 160 acres on which he now resides-a rich farm, well improved. On April 2, 1866, he was married to Miss C. E. Selkirk, of Ashtabula County, Ohio. In politics, Mr. Field is a Republican, and also a substantial citizen. Mrs. Field is a member of the Congregational Church.
JOHN FLEMING, farmer, was probably the second male white child born in Porter County ; his birth took place in Washington Township March 1, 1833. He was the second of thirteen children of Jacob and Catharine (Hesser) Fleming, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Ohio. Mr. Fleming settled in Washington Township in 1832, where he lived until his removal to Valparaiso, where he died. John Fleming has always lived in this county, working at home until the age of twenty- two, at which time he was married, on November 2, 1856, to Joanna Maxwell, of Wayne County, Ohio. Ten children followed this union- Edward, Eliza, David, George (deceased), John C., Artemus, Mary C., Emma R., Maud (deceased) and Robert. In 1858, Mr. Fleming bought a farm in Union Township, which he left, going to Washington Town- ship, where he lived until 1870, when he located on the old Cadwell place in Union Township, where he now resides. In politics, Mr. Flem- ing is a Democrat.
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