USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 85
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 85
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farm where he now lives ; his wife died September 20, 1881, and he was again married, September 30, 1882, to Miss S. Seno Reno, who was born May 12, 1866, daughter of Lewis Reno, of Kankakee County, Ill. Mr. Lucado has no family ; he owns 210 acres of fine land, well improved.
J. R. MAXWELL was born in Cumberland County, Penn., May 30, 1820, and was one of the eight children born to John and Maria J. Max - well, also natives of Cumberland. In 1833, they moved to Ashland County, Ohio, and there died, the parents of eight children-Johnson R., John, Matilda, David, Robert, Ellen, Mary and William. Johnson R. Maxwell remained in Ashland County with his parents until 1842, when he went to Huron County, Ohio, where he was married, Novem- ber 4, 1852, to Mary Haskins, who was born in Bristol County, Mass., March 10, 1825; he then moved on a farm he had previously purchased, and which he cultivated until 1860, when he came to this county, where he now owns 134 acres of well-improved land, gained through his energy, economy and skill.
EDWIN MICHAEL was born in West Creek Township, Lake Co., Ind., September 17, 1840, the eldest of two sons born to John J. and Wealthy A. (Green) Michael ; his father was born in Albany County, N. Y., March 22, 1811; he was the only son of five children born to Jacob Michael, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and moved to Albany County, N. Y., in an early day and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1823. When quite young, our subject's father began the carpenter's trade, which he pursued in New York until the year 1838, when he went to the southern part of Michigan, resumed his trade and was married, in 1839, to Wealthy A. Green. In the spring of 1849, he came to Lake County, made a claim and settled in West Creek Town- ship. Mr. Michael is now living with his third wife ; he owns property and is living a retired life at Coldwater, Mich. His sons are Edwin and William H. In August, 1862, Edwin Michael enlisted in Company A, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteers, serving three years ; he returned home, and on January 1, 1866, was married to Thirsa H. Dyer, who was born at Wheaton, Ill., February 6, 1845. Their union has been blessed with five children-Maggie A., Earl J., Ida L., Julia M. and Edna R. In 1876, Mr. Michael purchased and moved on the farm where he now lives. He owns 130 acres of good land.
WILLIAM PULVER was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., October 4, 1827 ; one of the seven children of David and Mercy (Tobias) Pulver, who were natives of New York, and who came to this county in January, 1842. They were born, respectively, May 26, 1795, and September 2, 1805 ; were married November 5, 1825, and died December 27, 1843, and October 25, 1881. Their children were named William, Henry,
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WEST CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Mary, Eunice, John, Lodema A. and David. After his father's death, William Pulver took charge of the farm and remained at home till about twenty-five years old. March 17, 1853, he married Sarah J. Drake, a native of Seneca County, N. Y., and born in 1836. He then moved on his present farm of 260 acres, which he had previously purchased. Mrs. Pulver died September 10, 1864, and September 14, 1865, Mr. Pulver married Sarah A. Babcock, who was born in this county May 13, 1843. The children born to Mr. Pulver's first marriage were David M., Denny (deceased), Elkanah W., Rosetta (deceased), and Stephen E. (deceased) ; to his second marriage have been born Maxon I. (deceased), Jennie M., Eunice (deceased), an infant daughter (deceased), Ella M , Mertie E., Minnie G. and an infant daughter (deceased). Mr. Pulver is a member of Lowell Lodge, No. 245, I. O. O. F.
WILLIAM SANDERS, born in Essex County, N. Y., December 25, 1801, is the son of Theophilus and Tryphosa (Call) Sanders, natives respectively of Massachusetts and Virginia. About 1816, they moved from Essex to Cayuga County, N. Y., and then came to Indiana, where they ended their days. William Sanders, the next eldest in a family of eleven children, left his parents in Cayuga County, N. Y., about the year 1818, and moved to Erie County, Ohio, where he married, January 13, 1822, Emma Harris ; purchased land and farmed until November, 1841, when he came to this township and settled on his present farm. In 1863, Mr. Sanders was owner of 1,100 acres of land, but he has deeded the greater portion of it to his children, and is now enjoying in retire- ment the fruits of his early industry and economy. November 11, 1881, the beloved companion of his early youth and later manhood was stricken by death. July 13, 1882, he married Mrs. Abba Slocum. In 1870, Mr. Sanders was elected Justice of the Peace, and still holds the office. He built the first schoolhouse in the township, and has always been promi- nent in public affairs. He is a member of the Christian Church, and twelve children were born to him-Ralph T. (deceased), William W. (de- ceased), Irena (deceased), Tryphosa, Henry, Royal, Nathan, Horace (killed in the late war), Martin J., Betsey, Forlorn H. (deceased) and Sarah.
S. B. SANGER was born in Ontario County, N. Y., November 31, 1833. He was the eldest of eight children born to James HI. and Mar- tha Sanger, who were born and were married in New York State. In 1836, they came to this county and settled in Cedar Creek Township, where, in due course of time, they departed this life. S. B. Sanger came here with his parents, with whom he remained until past thirty-two years of age, when he came to this township and settled on the farm on which he yet lives. He has ninety acres of fine land, which he has constantly improved since his residence upon it. Mr. Sanger remains unmarried.
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D. H. SPINDLER is a native of Washington County, Penn., was born February 15, 1828, and was the eldest of the five children of John and Jane (Ewart) Spindler. The father was a native of Maryland, born in 1808, and moved with parents to Washington County, Penn., where he married, and, in 1830, moved to Knox Co., Ohio, and thence to Delaware Co., where his wife died in 1840. He married again and moved to Allen County, Ind., and there he died. D. H. Spindler was married in Dela- ware County, Ohio, November 9, 1855, to Hannah Denny, who was born in Carroll County, Ohio, November 12, 1835. In the fall of 1864, he came to this county, and, in the fall of 1878, moved on his present farm, which comprises 262 acres. The children born to Mr. Spindler were Idolia S. (deceased), James M. (deceased); John H., Allie (de- ceased), Clara B., James E., Lillie (deceased) and Alva,
HIRAM STORRS was born in Huron County, Ohio, May 9, 1830, one of a family of three children born to Libearse and Anna Storrs, the former a native of New Hampshire, and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Huron County, Ohio, where they remained until their deaths, his occurring in 1831. Hiram, our subject, being the youngest, was taken by his grandfather, Mr. Nathan Harris, of Erie County, Ohio, to rear. He came with him to Lake County, Ind., in 1845, where he mar- ried, January 28, 1855, Miss Lydia Taylor, who was born in La Porte County January 25, 1837, and moved on her father's farm, remaining until 1861, then went to Kankakee, Ill., and from thence, in 1867, to Lake County, Ind., where he purchased and settled on the farm where he now lives. He owns 250 acres of land. He has a family of eight chil- dren-Mary, Calvin (deceased), Ada, Thirza, Elzina (deceased), Alice (deceased), Charles A. and Hiram B.
T. A. WASON was born at Vevay, Switzerland Co., Ind., Septem- ber 23, 1845; he is one of three children born to Rev. Hiram and Betsy R. (Abbot) Wason, who were natives of New Hampshire. The former was born at New Boston, Hillsboro Co., N. H., December 18, 1814; he graduated in 1838, at Amherst College, and was married, October 29, 1844, to Betsy R., daughter of Timothy Abbot, who was born in New Hampshire, August 3, 1818. In 1857, Mr. Wason moved to West Creek Township, Lake Co., Ind .; purchased and settled on the farm on which he now lives; he studied theology, and began preaching about 1843; his family was named as follows : T. A., Nannie and Maria. T. A. Wason was married, December 24, 1873, to Julia A., daughter of James Bran- non. She died July 17, 1876, leaving one child-Julia B. He was again married, April 29, 1882, to Emma S., daughter of Henry G. and Betsy Peach, born January 12, 1853. Mr. Wason owns 155 acres of land.
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WINFIELD TOWNSHIP.
WINFIELD TOWNSHIP.
ORSON BACON, was born in Vermont in 1823. When but eight years old, he came with his parents to St. Joseph County, Mich., where he remained until manhood; here, in 1847, he was married, to Melissa Davis, of St. Joseph County, by whom he had five sons-Albert A., Charles C., James M., Arunah and Milo J. Owing to his meager means Mr. Bacon determined to change his location; he came to this township and purchased forty acres of his present home for $400, and after many privations, by energy and prudence, he has now 108 acres well improved; he has been active in erecting the Deer Creek Church, having contributed $100 thereto; he has been similarly of benefit in assisting other worthy projects; he is an earnest advocate of Republican party principles, and of temperance, and a man of broad charity; he and his wife are active members of the M. E. Church. Last autumn, he carried, by wagon, prod- uce to South Chicago, where he has three sons in the grocery business.
J. P. BALDWIN was born in Essex County, N. J., February 8, 1835, one of five children born to John M. and Rhoda Baldwin, both natives of New Jersey. John M. was a farmer, and, in 1848, he came west for the purpose of securing land, and located in Crown Point, where he taught school for one year, and then purchased eighty acres and laid claim to 160 in Eagle Creek Township; he moved on this farm, and he and family experienced many of the hardships and privations incident to a new country, drawing their produce to Chicago to market; he died in 1860, aged fifty years; his wife and family remained on the farm until 1868, when it was sold and the mother and three sons went to Carthage, Mo. In September, 1861, J. P. and his youngest brother enlisted in Company E, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Four months later, he was taken sick at Nashville, Tenn., and in two months was honorably dis- charged on account of disability ; he then took charge of the home farm, as his brother Adolphus M. had enlisted in Company I, Fifth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry. Our subject was married, December 19, 1867, to Miss Mary McCay, born in Tyrone County, Ireland, July 31, 1841, a daughter of John and Eliza McCay, who were early settlers in this town- ship. To this union two children were born-Martha J. and John J. In 1868, Mr. Baldwin purchased ninety-seven and one-half acres of land improved with a log cabin, which has long since given place to a good frame house, making his farm one of the finest in the township; he is now worth about $8,000, which has been made by hard work; he is an active
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politician in the Republican ranks, and he and wife are members of the U. P. Church.
JOHN BLAKEMAN was born in Warwickshire, England, in 1824, and at the age of twenty-three came to America and located in Wyandot County, Ohio, in 1847. Here he worked on a farm until 1850, when he was married to Lucinda Williams, a native of New York, born in 1821; she died in 1862, leaving five children-Caroline, Olive, Charles, Mary and Lincoln. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Blakeman came to this county, and partly purchased 160 acres ; this he was unable to pay for at once, and had to borrow money from time to time at great disadvan- tage; but being a man of truth, he redeemed his obligations, and is now the possessor of 210 acres of well-improved land. In 1865, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, from which he was honorably discharged. In 1866, Mr. Blakeman was married to his second wife, Jane Miller, formerly of New York, and daughter of William Miller, who early located here. To this union three children were given, only one-Amanda W .- being among the living. Mr. Blakeman was once a Democrat, afterward a Republican, and is now an earnest Greenbacker.
GEORGE BOVARD was born in Ireland in 1815, where he lived until 1840, when he came to America. He located first in Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade of weaver for seven years, when he started looms of his own ; so he continued until 1863. In 1850, he married Jane Finley, a native of Ireland, born in 1826. By this union they had a family of eleven children, of whom nine survive-John, William, George, Eliza, Anna, Sarah, Renwick, Jennie and Thomas. In 1863, Mr. Bovard removed with his parents to this township, and purchased 160 acres of his present home; his success has been flattering, since he has increased his land possessions to 300 acres, valued at $30 per acre. When he arrived in America he was in straitened circumstances, but industry triumphed, as for eleven years he rarely slept, except on Satur- day and Sunday, more than four hours at night. Mr. Bovard has been an active, and is yet an enterprising man. Both he and wife are mem- bers of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
ANTHONY DIDDIE was born in Dauphin County, Penn., in 1814, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth Diddie, both natives of Pennsylvania. When thirteen years of age he removed with his parents to Crawford . County, Ohio, where he passed to manhood, learned the trade of a shoe- maker, and was married, in 1838, to Elizabeth Schroll, born in Penn- sylvania in 1819, and daughter of Daniel and Mary Schroll, both of Pennsylvania. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Diddie have had eight children-William H., Mary A., Amanda, Francis, Sarah E., Maria,
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WINFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Levi W. and Jane A. Having but slender means, Mr. Diddie came here in 1849 to locate upon his own land, and accordingly entered 120 acres of his present farm, stopping in a log cabin two miles southward until he could erect one for himself; this was soon completed, and he commenced breaking the virgin prairie sod. Industry prospered him, and despite his loss of ten horses, he increased his domain to 130 acres, valued at $40 per acre. Mr. Diddie cast his first vote for Gen. Harri- son in 1836, but he is now a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN FISHER was born in Crawford County, Ohio, May 12. 1837, a son of John G. and Elizabeth Fisher, both natives of Ger- many. When in his twelfth year, he removed with his parents to this township, in 1849, his father locating on the farm on which our subject now lives. John Fisher received but a sparse education. He was mar- ried, October 20, 1860, to Ellen A. Andrews, born in Pennsylvania March 22, 1840, and daughter of Edwin and Catharine Andrews. To this union seven children succeeded, four of whom are living-Theodore B., Alva S., William and Jennie L. In 1860, Mr. Fisher began for himself by renting land, and afterward purchased eighty acres in Ross Township, and while improving the same enlisted in Company I, Twelfth Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served one year ; he worked at farming until 1866, when he went to Valparaiso and worked at bridge carpentering for two years. At this time, he purchased a homestead of eighty acres, which is now fairly improved. Mr. Fisher was Postmaster at Winfield-which is now known as Palmer Post Office- for eight or nine years ; he is foremost in every home enterprise and a radical temperance supporter.
HARVEY GIBBS, was born in Athens County, Ohio, October 14, 1842. When he was two years of age, his parents moved to Chillicothe, Ohio, and in 1846 to this county, where his father died. After this the family moved to Cedar Creek Township, where Harvey was reared as a farmer. At the age of seventeen years, he enlisted in Com- pany H, Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Valparaiso ; he was engaged at Chickamauga, Stone River, Nashville, Mission Ridge, Franklin, and was a faithful soldier. He was discharged September 28, 1865, as a veteran. On returning home he engaged in farming, and on November 5, 1868, was married to Hannah Carson, a native of Ohio, born in 1843, and a daughter of Matthew and Margaret J. Carson, both natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have four children-Addie M., Alva H., Maud and Mabel. In 1870, Mr. Gibbs purchased his present home of eighty-three acres. He is a firm Republican, having given his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Gibbs is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
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A. Z. GREEN was born near McCarthy, Benton Co., Ohio, Decem- ber 22, 1840, and is one of the six children of Joshua F. and Sarah (Fuller) Green, both natives of New York. The great-grandfather of our subject was driven from Ireland ; came to America, and was a Gen- eral during the Revolution. His grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. His father also exhibited great bravery in California, in 1850, by checking an Indian outbreak. A. Z. Green, partaking of the spirit of his ancestors, enlisted, in 1862, in Company A, Seventy-third Regi- ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Being discharged in July, 1865, he re-enlisted as a veteran, and was finally discharged December 9, 1865. He was in eight hard-fought battles, and while on a raid in Alabama he was thrown from his mule, receiving injuries which have permanently disabled him. On returning, he resumed farming, but in 1875 purchased a stock of goods, and began a store, in which he has done a brisk busi-
ness. He came hither a poor boy, but perseverance and economy have raised him to independence. Besides his store of goods, he has now 200 acres of land, worth $3,500. In 1868, he was married to Isabella Alyea, of Porter County, daughter of Elias and Nancy (Smith) Alyea, both from New York. Mr. and Mrs. Green have three children-A. B., Ada and Are. Mr. Green is a stanch Republican, having first voted for U. S. Grant. Both he and his wife are Methodists.
SILAS GREGG was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., in 1817, being the youngest son of Charles and Deborah (Corwin) Gregg, both of whom were natives of New York. Silas was reared as a farmer in a new country, and consequently received but a limited education. He moved to the West in 1837, and stopped with his brothers on the edge of this township, where he spent the first winter hunting. He remained two years, assisting in breaking the wild prairie, and conveying the products to Chicago and Michigan City. He had to go from sixteen to eighty-five miles to get milling done. He worked some time in Illinois and Wiscon- sin. On January 1, 1846, he was married to Matilda Young, born April 30, 1821. Mr. Gregg purchased 160 acres, which constitutes his present home, and which he has finely improved, being one of the finest wheat farms in this section. He gives much attention to the raising of stock. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg have her nine children, eight of whom are living -Aurilla J., Emma E., William Y., Lydia E., Alexander, Hattie R. and S. Delbert and Charles G. Mrs. Gregg died October 25, 1868, aged forty-seven. On December 1, 1870, Mr. Gregg was married to Margaret J. Campbell. Mr. Gregg has been Justice of the Peace, and is now Township Trustee. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gregg cast his first vote for Gen. Harrison, in 1840, and is now a strong Republican.
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WINFIELD TOWNSHIP.
SAMUEL LOVE was born in Ireland in 1831, and is one of the six children of William and Alice (Estler) Love. Samuel was reared a weaver, but after working a few years at the trade went to sea, and was rapidly promoted to a command. In the fall of 1852, in company with his brother James, he came to America, locating at Detroit ; was engaged as watchman on the steamer Cleveland, and was soon promoted to be sec- ond mate. In 1854, he removed to Door County, Wis., where he worked as a lumberman for seventeen years during the winters, sailing on the lakes during the summers ; he then came to this county, and located near Cedar Lake ; bought 260 acres of good land, and farmed for six years, then sold out and came to Leroy, where he is now conducting a general store and a large hay barn, besides another barn at Creston, and during 1881 he bought and shipped 25,000 tons of hay. Mr. Love was married in 1850, to Miss Ellen J. Mundell, born in 1831 in the North of Ire- land, and daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Mundell, and his union has been blessed with eight children-Elizabeth, John, William, Samuel, Mary A., James, Peter K. and Rosa. Mr. Love is an active Republican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
THOMAS McCAY was born in Tyrone County, Ireland, March 14, 1845, and is the only son of John and Eliza McCay, both natives of Ire- land, who emigrated to America in 1850, stopping in Philadelphia until 1855, when they came to this township. Mr. MeCay first rented a farm of Mr. John Ross for two years, and then purchased forty acres of his homestead, soon after adding forty more; still later, he purchased 120 acres, a part of which was well improved. He died in 1871, aged seven- ty-one years, but his wife still lives in her seventieth year. Thomas MeCay remained at home, assisting on the farm. By industry and fru- gality he secured enough to purchase the homestead, as well as other property, so that he now owns 195 acres, most of which is well-improved. Ilis principal crops are hay, corn and oats ; he also raises horses, cattle and hogs. On October 3, 1877, he was married to Mary A. Blakeman, of this county, born March 15, 1858. This union was blessed with three children-J. Delbert, Charles and Edith M. Mr. MeCay is an enterpris ing man, and will be one of the leading farmers in his section.
DAVID McKNIGHT, retired farmer and stock-raiser, was born in the North of Ireland December 25, 1811. In 1832, he emigrated to America, almost destitute of means, and located in Philadelphia, where, on August 28, 1838, he was married to Catherine Ciscadden, a native of Ireland, born July 12, 1812, and emigrated to the United States in 1835. By this union they had nine children, five of whom are living-James, Robert, Margaret, William and John. Alexander and David-soldiers in the late war, Company E, Ninth Regiment-are buried in Tennessee.
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James and Robert also served in Company E, Ninth Regiment, and were honorably discharged. In 1840, Mr. McKnight removed to Westmore- land County, Penn., and remained two years. On coming hither, in 1847, he purchased forty acres, with small improvements ; then he entered 160 acres of canal land, and later, eighty acres more. In 1858, he lost 300 acres by a swindling patent right, having given his notes on the mort- gage of the said land. By this means he was almost reduced to his first condition ; he soon after, however, purchased 160 acres, on which he built and improved on borrowed capital. Since then, he has been very fortunate, and he is now the owner of 695 acres, and also has given to each of his children eighty acres ; his land contains one of the best or- chards in the township, embracing apples, pears, peaches and cherries ; his receipts for butter average from $700 to $1,000 per annum, and in the various products $3,000 annually ; he is an active temperance worker, and he and his wife are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
THOMAS McLAREN, retired farmer, was born in Allegheny County, Penn., May 3, 1813, and is one of the nine children of Hugh and Jane (Harper) McLaren, both natives of Ireland. In 1841, he moved to Logan County, Ohio, where he was married to Rebecca Wylie, by which union they had nine children-Jane, Joseph W., Elizabeth A., Hugh H., John K., Mary R., David P., Ellen M., William R. L. (de- ceased), and Thomas B. Mrs. McLaren died in 1873, aged fifty-two years. On June 28, 1875, Mr. McLaren was married to Mrs. Hannah (Wylie) Quay, born 1820, in Beaver County, Penn. Mrs. McLaren had five children by her first marriage. Mr. McLaren has thirty-seven sons, sons-in-law, daughters and daughters-in-law, besides step-children. In 1853, he located at Hickory Point, on rented land ; later, he moved on the land he had located in 1851, paying $160. During the first years, he entered 853 acres, in addition to his farm of 200 acres ; in 1872, this was nearly all fenced, some of the lumber having been drawn twenty miles. Mr. McLaren is a good citizen, the founder of the village of Le Roy, and a strong prohibitionist ; he now owns 320 acres, worth $40 per acre, and has given to each of his nine children forty acres.
G. A. NICHOLS was born in Rhode Island in 1825, and is the son of William A. and Parmelia (Thompson) Nichols, both natives of Rhode Island. When he was five years of age, his parents removed to Athens County, Ohio ; thence to Porter County, Ind., and then into this town- ship, where they pre-empted 160 acres, on which G. A. Nichols now re- sides ; they were the first white settlers in Winfield Township. During his youth, our subject was compelled to go to mill by ox team, a distance of forty miles, and, when the. roads were impassable, they ground their grain in a coffee-mill. Their nearest post office was Michigan City. They
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