Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 25

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ;
Number of Pages: 962

USA > Indiana > Whitley County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 25
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 25

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).

WILLIAM CARR is a native of Wentworth, Yorkshire, England, where he was born March 30, 1834. He received a common school education, and, at the age of fifteen, served an apprenticeship at the stone-cutter's trade. He emigrated to America in 1854, stopping at different cities, and working at his trade. While in the employ of Saulpaugh & Co., in Nashville, Tenn., he met and married Miss Mary F. Jackson, who was born in Vermont, May 28, 1838. The marriage took place December 21, 1856. In March, 1861, Mr. Carr re- turned north, and was engaged in the construction of the stone-work of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad for nearly ten years. He settled at his present home in Columbia City in 1864, where his employment has been that of contractor and builder. His family consists of two daughters-Sarah J., now Mrs. L. C. Mitten, and Ottley A., now Mrs. Dr. L. M. Linvill. Mr. Carr is a Democrat, a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and of Fort Wayne Commandery, No. 4. He was elected to represent the people of Whitley County

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in the State Legislature in 1880, and, although identified with the leaders of . progression and improvement, has never aspired to political prominence. Mr. Carr is an honorable, liberal man, of fine feelings and positive opinions, which can be changed only by convincing arguments. Being social and a true gen- tleman at all times, he occupies an estimable place among the best men of the community of Whitley County.

JOSEPH CLARK is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was born April 14, 1846, and is a son of Otho and Elizabeth (Oaks) Clark, the former a native of Washington County, Md., and the latter of Franklin County, Penn. They were married in Pennsylvania, and removed to Dayton, Ohio, about 1838, where they resided until October, 1846, when they removed to Huntington Co., Clear Creek Township, Ind., where Mr. C. engaged in farming and shoemaking, residing on a farm of 200 acres, and by his own industrious, energetic efforts from the humblest beginnings, raised himself to a position of ease and comfort in his old age. He now resides in Jefferson Town- ship, Whitley County, where he moved in April, 1866. His wife died Decem- ber 23, 1880. Of a family of ten children, seven are yet living. Joseph Clark is the seventh child, was reared on a farm, and received a good common-school education. He began teaching at nineteen and taught nine terms. Was mar- ried, in November, 1875, to Miss Leah Schinbechtel, a native of Ohio-after his marriage, farming, teaching, assessing and saw-milling until October, 1878, when he was elected Treasurer of Whitley County, re-elected in 1880. He is now serving his second term. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and a Democrat. His family consists of four children-Ida L., Ethan O., Walter L., and one unnamed. Mr. Clark owns 150 acres of land in Jefferson Town- ship, and had three brothers in the late war.

M. E. CLICK was born in Clark County, Ohio, March 19, 1834, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Myers) Click. Mr. Click is of German descent, and a native of Rockingham County, Va. Their family consisted of nine sons, all living. The mother died in December, 1852, and Mr. Click afterward married Susanna Ream, who became the mother of five children, three boys and two girls, of whom the sons only survive, making a total of twelve living sons of Jacob Click. He is a wagon-maker and farmer, and himself and second wife reside in Clark County, Ohio. M. E. Click spent his earlier years on his parents' farm, but at the age of twenty, took up the study of daguerreotyping, and has followed it ever since through all the improvements this age of progress necessitated. He traveled extensively in the interest of his profession, and located in Chicago, in 1862, for the purpose of studying photography. In May, 1863, he came to Columbia City, where he located for the practice of his art, and, being a first-class artist, his location has been permanent and successful. He is now owner of considerable town property. In December, 1865, he was married to Mrs. Harriet Nave, and they have one son, Edwin H. Mrs. Click was the widow of Daniel Nave, and daughter of Henry Smith, an early resident

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of the county. Mr. Click is a Republican, and in Masonry has advanced to the Royal Arch Degree.

CLUGSTON, ADAMS & CO., in April, 1878, with a general assortment of goods, valued at about $12,000, engaged in mercantile business at the corner of Chauncy and Van Buren streets, Columbia City, and met with remarkably good success, and, as trade demanded, they kept adding to the variety and quan- tity of this stock, till they now carry, without exception, the largest and best assortment of goods of any house in the town, it being valued at $30,000, and consisting of dry goods, silks, hats, caps, boots, shoes, ready-made clothing, carpets, groceries, etc., and they do an average annual trade of $90,000 to $100,000. The senior partner, Asher R. Clugston, was born in New Castle County, Del., December 22, 1839, and is one of four children born to Asher and Catherine (Rittenhouse) Clugston, who were of Scotch descent. He came to Larwill, this county, in 1861, and in August, 1867, married Mary A. Mat- toon. To this union have been born three children-Lucia E., Gertrude M. and Arthur W. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Masonic fraterity, being a Knight Templer of Fort Wayne Commandery. John Adams, the second member of the firm, was born in Thorn Creek Township, November 22, . 1856, and is a son of Andrew Adams, an old settler of Whitley County, and yet living in Thorn Creek. His early education was gained in his native county ; he graduated at Iron City College, Pittsburgh, Penn., and he acquired his business knowledge by clerking in Columbia City.

JAMES S. COLLINS is one of a family of eleven children, and was born in Wayne County, Ind., December 19, 1819. His parents, John and Jane Collins, were natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, were married in the latter State and emigrated to the Territory of Indiana in 1806, Mr. Collins finding the air of freedom more congenial to his strong anti-slavery principles. They settled four miles south of where Richmond now stands, and remained until 1836, when they removed to Whitley County, locating one-half mile west of the present site of South Whitley, remaining there until 1846, when they removed to Columbia City, where they afterward died. James S. Collins remained with his parents, assisting them in pioneer labors, until the spring of 1844, when he went to Fort Wayne, and began the study of law with L. P. Ferry, an attorney of that city. He remained there until Mr. Ferry's death, when he came to Columbia City, and began the practice of his chosen profession. He was admitted to the bar at the fall term of Whitley County Circuit Court in 1844, and has since devoted his time to practice, with the exception of three years, in which he was actively employed in the construc- tion of the Eel River Railroad, of which he was President. Mr. Collins was married, in 1849, at Richmond, Ind., to Eliza J. Fleming, and a family of six children was the result of this union-Jane H., Reginald H., Dorothy, How- ard, Sophia Du P. and William James, all living except Howard, who died at the age of six years. Mr. Collins was formerly a Whig in politics, but is now

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Republican-was elected to the State Legislature in 1860, and served in the regular and special sessions of 1861.

RICHARD COLLINS was born in Wayne County, Ind., May 8, 1815, and is a son of John and Jane (Holman) Collins. His early life was spent in Wayne County, where he received all the advantages the schools of that early day had to offer. He came to Whitley County with his parents, September 25, 1836, locating in Cleveland Township, which has since been his home. He was married, May 8, 1844, to Mary Rhodes, who became the mother of two children-Walter S. and Mary E., both deceased-the mother dying August, 1847. In the month of April, 1850, Mr. Collins married his present wife, Catherine Hildebrand, who is the mother of eight children, but four surviving. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Collins was County Clerk as well as Recorder, and served as such until November, 1855. He was the first Sheriff elected in Whitley County; in addition to these, he has filled various local offices of honor and trust. He was engaged in milling and merchandising in Columbia City for some time, until recently he changed his occupation for that of a lumber dealer, which business he still follows. He is one of the first and most highly honored citizens of Whitley County ; he is a Republican, but previous to the organization of that party was identified with the Whigs. He is a man possess- ing the confidence of all who know him.

T. J. CUPPY was born in Cleveland Township, Whitley County, Ind., August 3, 1844, and is one of six children, three yet living, of the family of Abraham and Sarah (Collins) Cuppy. The father, Abraham Cuppy, was a native of Ohio, born in Clermont County, May 25, 1810, and his parents were among the first settlers of Ohio and Indiana. He was a man of much natural ability and fine powers of mind. He was married in Wayne County, Decem- ber 30, 1830, to Miss Sarah Collins, a native of Indiana. Mr. Cuppy was the first County Auditor, Clerk and Recorder of Whitley County, and also served as Legislator and State Senator. He died at Indianapolis, Ind., January 15, 1847, while holding the last office. Mr. Cuppy was a prominent Democrat, a large land owner, and a member of the Masonic order. One son, William H., was Captain of Company E, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the late war. He was wounded at Fort Donelson, and, after months of suffering, died at his home in South Whitley, July 15, 1862, universally regretted. He had been highly educated, was of superior promise, and was sacrificed on the altar of his country. T. J. Cuppy early assumed life's responsibilities. During the war he was employed by the Government in various positions, and in 1870 began work on the Eel River Division of the Wabash Railroad, then called the Detroit, Eel River & Illinois Railroad ; here he remained eight years, when he embarked in the grain trade along the line of the Eel River Railroad, with headquarters at Auburn, DeKalb County, Ind., at the same time establishing himself, as dealer in agricultural implements, in Columbia City and South Whitley, which business he is now exclusively engaged in in Columbia City,

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carrying the largest stock in Whitley County. Mr. Cuppy was married, Jan- uary 9, 1881, to Miss Frances Stahl, a daughter of George W. and Nancy (Carr) Stahl, a native of Indiana, and of the Presbyterian faith. Mr. Cuppy is a stanch Republican, and a Sir Knight of the Apollo Commandery, No. 19, of Kendallville. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the O. F. Encampment.

EDWARDS & ANDERSON, hardware dealers. This partnership was formed December 7, 1874, and the firm began operations with a stock of hard- ware valued at $3,500, meeting with assured success from the start. Their stock is now valued at $8,000, and they do a yearly business of from $40,000 to $50,000. In addition to this the firm established a lumber yard in 1878, which business they still follow, and in January, 1882, with their characteris- tic enterprise, and at considerable expense, they started their present hub factory, which is steadily assuming larger proportions, and in time promises to be one of the leading manufactories of the place. They are introducing the latest and most improved machinery, and furnish employment for fifteen men, only first-class workmen being employed.

MILLARD F. ANDERSON is a native of Richland Township, where he was born January 25, 1848. After acquiring a good practical education, he left home at the age of 20, learned telegraphy, and was employed as a station agent for nearly five years in Iowa and Columbia City. In 1874, the partnership of Edwards & Anderson was formed, which has continued to the present time. In June of the previous year, he was married to Miss Jennie H. Morrison, daughter of Andrew Morrison (deceased), an early settler of Allen County, Ind. They have two children-Fred S. and Georgie J. Mr. Anderson has relied entirely on his own industry and business ability, and by persistent effort, combined with unfailing courtesy, has established a fine paying business, reflect- ing credit on himself and of benefit to the community. Mr. Anderson is a Republican and a member of the I. O. O. F., also the O. F. Encampment.

C. S. EDWARDS, the senior member of the firm of Edwards & Anderson, was born in Franklin County, Penn., December 14, 1835, and is one of a family of ten children, five yet living, of James and Elizabeth (Beaver) Edwards, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish and German descent re- spectively. They moved to Fort Wayne in 1841, where Mr. Edwards carried on the shoe business for some years. He died in Allen County in 1860, his widow following in 1861, and both are buried in Lindenwood Cemetery. C. S. Edwards spent his early years in Fort Wayne, and in 1861 enlisted in the Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as Drum Major. He was in the battle of Shiloh and other engagements ; received his discharge in 1863, when he went to Montana, where he engaged in mining, teaming and merchandising, until 1867, when he returned to Columbia City, and formed a partnership with Dr. D. G. Linvill in the hardware business. In 1869, having disposed of his inter- est in that line, he opened a livery business, which he followed for five years,

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when the present partnership was formed. Mr. Edwards was married in Co- lumbia City, in 1870, to Miss Elizabeth White, and they have one daughter, Anna M. Mr. Edwards is a Republican and a member of the A., F. & A. M., of Columbia City, a man of fine business ability, and highly esteemed by all. CHARLES J. EYANSON was born September 20, 1839, in Versailles, Ripley Co., Ind. A year or more after his birth, his parents returned to Phil- adelphia, Penn., from which place they had previously removed. Here Charles J. acquired his education, and, in 1853, engaged in the dry goods trade, which he continued for three years, after which he learned the tailor's trade, which he has since followed, with the exception of an engagement as general agent for a sewing machine company, when he traveled over the South, establishing local agencies. In 1860, he formed a partnership with his brother, Thomas E., in Huntington, Ind., in merchant tailoring, where he remained until 1862, when he went to Roanoke, to carry on the same business. In 1865, his partnership was resumed with his brother, at Columbia City, on an extended scale, under the firm name of Eyanson Brothers, at the same time carrying on the man- ufacture of woolen goods in the woolen mills at the same place. The partner- ship with his brother was continued until January, 1874, when it was dissolved, Charles J. continuing the business alone. Besides his tailoring establishment with its dozen employes, he carries a large and general assortment of ready- made clothing, cloths, hats, caps and gents' furnishing goods, doing a successful business. November 20, 1866, he contracted marriage with Miss Magdaline Zimmerman, a native of Blumenfeld, Baden, Germany, and they are parents of six children-Charles J., Stephen T., Walburgh M., Frank E., Lewis and John N. Mr. and Mrs. Eyanson are of the Catholic faith. Mr. E. is a Democrat ; has held the office of Township Trustee, and is the present Town Treasurer. Mr. Eyanson's great-grandparents, on the father's side, came from the vicinity of Dublin, Ireland, to America, with Lord Baltimore, and John Eyan- son, our subject's grandfather, was born in Cecil County, Md., in 1753, and served eight years in the Revolutionary war. A brother of John, our subject's grand-uncle, William, also served in the Revolution, and was taken prisoner at New York ; was afterward exchanged, but died from the effects of starvation.

F. H. FOUST is one of the early settlers of this place, and came from Delaware Co., Ohio, to Whitley Co., Ind., in the fall of 1849, locating in Co- lumbia City, and, in partnership with Adam Wolfe (formerly of Morrow Co., Ohio, now of Muncie, Ind.), engaged in the manufacture of fanning-mills. In 1853, they established a partnership in the dry goods business, which was most successfully continued for ten years-Mr. Foust taking entire charge, as Mr. Wolfe never resided here. After the settlement of the affairs of this firm, they established, in November, 1867, a banking firm, under the name of F. H. Foust & Co., and known as the Columbia City Bank. This institution is one of the permanent features of the city, as the individual members are known to be men of undoubted honor and integrity, and solid financially. For the past.

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two years, Mr. James G. Williams has been a partner in the bank. They erected their present three-story brick in 1873, and own a two-fifths interest in the new brick adjoining on the east, known as Foust's Block. The partner- ship existing between Messrs. Wolfe & Foust is one of the most harmonious on record, having existed since 1849. Mr. Foust was married, December 12, 1850, in Columbia City, to Miss Moxie A. Jones. His birthplace was Dela- ware County, Ohio, where, on January 10, 1825, he entered this existence. His parents-Henry and Mary (Olds) Foust-were among the early settlers, dating back to 1807, and were of German descent. Mr. Foust is owner of the old homestead. He is a strong Republican, but has no aspirations for political prominence.

THEODORE GARTY, dealer in black walnut and hard-wood lumber and furniture manufacturer, was born in Lorraine, France, and was the son of John and Catharine Garty. The father died in Lorraine, and the mother afterward married Victor Crouser. They emigrated to America in 1856, and located in Stark County, Ohio, and three years later removed to Columbia City. Here our subject began to learn cabinet-making with Henry Snyder, working three years ; then went to Fort Wayne and worked three years; thence to Cincinnati, St. Louis, Quincy, Ill., Hannibal, Mo., Verona, Mo., and various other points, engaging in sundry branches of his trade, and embracing a period of about eleven years. In 1872, he returned to Columbia City, and became associated with Henry Snyder in the furniture business. In 1876, he formed a copartnership with George Steerhof, which was continued about two years, when he again formed a partnership with Mr. Snyder. In 1880, he became sole proprietor, and is now engaged largely in manufacturing, and employs about twelve men on the aver- age. He was married, in Hannibal, Mo., in 1871, to Miss Christina Blume, a native of Missouri, and five children are now living born to their union, viz .: Nettie, Edward E., Celeste, Robert and Menna. In 1880, Mr. Garty was elected City Clerk, and is now serving his second term. He has proven him- self a shrewd business man and consequently a successful one, and is favorably known for his upright dealings and business integrity.

JAMES M. HARRISON was born in Beaver County, Penn., August 8, 1837, and is a son of Samuel and Polly (McDowell) Harrison, who were farmers, and the parents of eight children, James M. being the youngest. The father was a native of County Down, Ireland, near Belfast, emigrated to the United States about 1812. Married and located in Virginia, where they lived until their removal to Gallipolis, Ohio, and afterward to Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Harrison died, about 1859. Mr. Harrison came to Allen County, Ind., where our subject was living, in 1864, and died in Noble County, Ind., in 1872, aged 81. James M. Harrison was reared in Mechanicsburg, Penn., where he acquired a good common-school education. Leaving Pennsylvania in 1855, he went to Noble County, Greene Township, Ind., remaining until 1862, teaching winters and being variously employed summers. He was married March 15,

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1860, to Mary J. Richards, daughter of Joseph Richards, who was then a resi- dent of Swan Township, Noble County. In the meantime he had acquired forty acres of land, which he sold in 1862, removing to Allen County, Ind., where he engaged in farming and mercantile pursuits until the fall of 1864, when he farmed exclusively until 1868, the spring of that year removing to Churubusco, Smith Township, Whitley County, engaging in mercantile pur- suits until 1878, when he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court of Whitley County, and removed to Columbia City, where he is now filling that position. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison were parents of the following family-Joseph R., Will- iam A., George F., living, and Mary C., James N., Emma J., deceased. Mrs. Harrison died in 1872, and the year following Mr. Harrison married his present wife, Janetta De Poy, who has borne him two children-Mary I. and Jessie W. In politics he is a Democrat ; owns a farm of 132 acres in Noble County, Swan Township, and town property in Churubusco, this county. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and Mrs. H. is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. H. is of English-Irish stock, and through his energy and industry has materially assisted in building up the town of Churubusco, from the smallest beginnings to its present size of nearly one thousand inhabitants ; esteemed by all, he is in every respect a self-made man.

HEACOCK & RUCH are the leading firm in the livery business in Columbia City. The partnership was formed in August, 1879, by the associa- tion of Alfred Heacock and Jacob A. Ruch. Mr. Heacock is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, where he continued a resident until 1877. He is by trade a machinist, and was employed in that calling, together with traveling as a salesman until 1877, when he came to Columbia City, and, in connection with W. H. Liggett, built the "City " Flouring Mill ; the partnership lasted for two years, at the expiration of which period Mr. Heacock formed his present business connection. J. A. Ruch is a son of Charles Ruch, one of the old settlers of Whitley County. He has been connected with the livery business all of his life, for several years in association with his father. Messrs. Heacock and Ruch are courteous and obliging business men ; have a fine business establish- ment, and are worthy of the large trade, which by fair and honest dealing they have secured.

D. R. HEMMICK first saw the light in Greene County, Ohio, October 29, 1836, and is a son of David and Catherine (Johnson) Hemmick, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively, and parents of eight children, three of whom are living. David Hemmick was possessed of an ordinary education, a farmer and shoemaker, and was married in Ohio. In the fall of 1859, he emigrated to Columbia City, Ind., having two sons at that place. His death occurred August 1, 1866, at the age of seventy-six years, seven months and seven days. He was a non-commissioned officer in the war of 1812 under Gen. Harrison, a most unassuming and honorable man. His widow yet lives in Columbia City at the advanced age of ninety-one years. D. R. Hemmick is

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of German-English descent, and received the usual advantages of the day for education. Coming to Columbia City, Ind., in 1857, he worked at cabinet- making and plastering until the breaking-out of the rebellion, when he enlisted in Company E, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, under Gens. Thomas, Rosecrans, et al. He par- ticipated in the battles of Greenbrier, Chickamauga, Shiloh and others ; was commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1865, and soon after promoted to First Lieutenant, serving through the war; he was discharged in September, 1865; succeeding that, Mr. Hemmick returned to Columbia City, where he engaged successively in plastering, livery, dry goods and hardware business. In 1874, a partnership was formed to carry on the dry goods and grocery trade under the firm name of Neely & Hemmick. In 1877, this firm assisted in establish- ing the City Mills, and have retained their interest ever since. Mr. Hemmick was married, April 26, 1866, to Miss Lucy A. Watson, a native of Ohio, and to this union were born two children-only one, Rena, yet living. The mother died in the spring of 1870, and Mr. Hemmick married his second wife, Mar- garet Daniels, a native of Richland County, Ohio, in 1872, she dying the same year. Mr. H.'s present wife was Mrs. Sarah Ellen (Jones) Parrett, whose former husband was killed at the battle of Fort Donelson in 1862. Two children have blessed his last marriage; but one, Cora Ruth, surviving. Mr. Hemmick is a stanch Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 176, Columbia Lodge, and himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 25

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ; Number of Pages: 962

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ;
Number of Pages: 962