Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 26

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 26
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 26

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).

HON. ADAMS Y. HOOPER (deceased) was born at Athens, Ohio, in January, 1825. His father was a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was an only child. The youth of the lad was largely passed on the farm of his father in Perry County, Ohio, but, at the age of eighteen or twenty years, he attended the Somerset Academy, though he afterward finished his academical course at Westerville Academy, Franklin County, Ohio. He afterward read law with H. H. Hunter, Esq., of Lancaster, Ohio, and, soon after his admission to the bar, was married to Edith B., daughter of Amos T. Swayze, the nuptials being solemnized in February, 1848. During the following year, he went to Huntington, Ind., but, in the autumn, came to Co- lumbia City, where he lived and labored until his death. He became a prom- inent lawyer, and during his life was a practitioner for some twenty-five years. Soon after his arrival in the county he taught school, and from the first won the hearts of all who knew him. He was appointed Postmaster of Columbia City by President Fillmore, and was an ardent Whig and Republican during his life. He occupied many minor positions of trust, always serving with scrupulous fidelity. In 1852, he was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature, representing the counties of Whitley and Noble. In 1854, he was elected County Auditor, and about this time became connected with the Repub- lican, through which paper his rare elements of mind and heart first became known to his fellow-citizens. In 1868, he represented Whitley and Kosciusko

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Counties in the State Senate with great credit to himself. After many years of faithful service in the county, he died of consumption, in March, 1875. His widow is yet living in Columbia City, as are also two of his children- Emma B. and Amos L. The other children, Almeda M., Webster, Emily G., Orvilla, Cassius B. and Kate R., are with their father. Perhaps no death ever occurring in the county was so widely and sincerely mourned as that of Adams Y. Hooper. He was so admired, so respected and so loved that his early death was regarded as a public calamity. This was due to the noble char- acteristics of the man, to his purity of heart, to his " unfaltering faith in the all-conquering power of a principle," to the devotion of his active mind in the diffusion of public faith and honor, and to those warm elements of mind and heart that kindled the respect and love of those who met him in business or in social life. The county will not forget the name of Adams Y. Hooper.

MARTIN IRELAND, M. D., is a native of Ross County, Ohio, where he was born November 29, 1821; son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Carmean) Ireland, both natives of Maryland, and the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are yet living. They came to Ross County, Ohio, about 1805; were identified with the early settlement of the county. Mr. Ireland followed the occupation of farming during life. The mother passed away in Ross County, and the father, in 1848, moved to McLean County, Ill., and from there went to Missouri to look after some property in 1857, where he died April 3 of that year. Martin remained on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, receiving such education as the schools of that day afforded. After leaving home, he engaged in teaching winters, and was variously employed during the summer months. He was married, September 23, 1847, to Sarah Fellers, a native of Virginia. She came to Ohio at the age of four years, and to Whitley County when thirteen. Dr. Ireland came to Whitley County, Ind., the fall of 1846, and taught the first school in the first school building erected in Colum- bia City. The next year he decided to perfect himself in the study of medicine, to which he had paid some attention previously ; and, in 1849, attended medical lectures in Cincinnati. He located for the practice of his profession in Fayette County, Ohio, remaining six years, after which he returned to Columbia City, practicing here for over seventeen years, when he removed to Nokomis, Ill., remaining there seven years ; but, in April, 1880, Dr. Ireland and family returned to Columbia City, where they have since resided. Their family con- sists of nine children-Augusta V., Arabella A., Clara V., Wooster M., Franklin S., John M., Sarah J., Merritta W. and Homer A. Dr. I. is a Republican ; a member of the A., F. & A. M., of Columbia City, and a graduate of the Wooster Medical University of Cleveland.

WILLIAM W. KEPNER, one of Columbia City's successful business men, and a retired merchant, is a native of Juniata County, Penn., and was born in 1811. He was the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Mccullough) Kep- ner, natives of Pennsylvania, where they died, members respectively of the

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Lutheran and Presbyterian Churches. The father was a respected and trusted citizen ; was a farmer and merchant, quite successful in the accumulation of property. Our subject was the second child in a family of eight, and the eldest son. He was reared upon a farm, and at his majority went to boating on the canal, owning and running a boat for four years. He then ran a hotel in Ohio about six years ; then came to Columbia City, in 1846, and engaged in merchandising and dealing in furs, there being but a few families in the town. This he continued about twenty-two years, farming in the meantime upon his land in the township. In 1868, he withdrew from trade, and made investments in Kansas lands, and country and town property. He also, for several years, kept a hotel in town, and has made a success of life, having now retired from active business. He is owner of 350 acres of land in the county ; eighty-six in Stark County, and 400 in Kansas, and also considerable town property, which he is improving. In 1836, he married Miss Ann Pfoutzs, a native of Perry County, Penn., who has proved a faithful helpmate, in every way forward- ing the interests of her husband. They have had seven children, of whom three are now living, viz. : John H., grocer ; Charles A., one of the proprie- tors of the Main House, and Jennie Chambers, residing in Delphos, Ohio. Mr. Kepler and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and since his coming has always been identified with the progress of the town, and has aided liberally, with time and money, in all laudable, public movements.

DR. N. I. KITHCART was born in Ashland County, Ohio, January 16, 1857, and is one of ten children, five yet living, born to Thomas and Anna (Ernst) Kithcart, who were natives respectively of Ashland County, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The parents are farmers, and yet live in Ashland County, and are of Scotch-Irish descent. N. I. Kithcart remained on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, receiving all the advantages of the schools of that day, and attending the Greentown Academy, at Perrysville, Ohio, until twenty-one, in connection with the study of medicine under Dr. J. W. Griffith, since deceased. In 1872, he attended medical lectures at the Cincinnati Medical College, Ohio, for two years. While visiting a cousin, Dr. J. F. Gard, at Wawaka, Noble Co., Ind., he was induced to locate for the practice of medicine at Coesse, Whitley County, where he remained until the spring of 1876, when he returned to Cincinnati, and on March 28, of that year, was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Busey, who was born in Covington, Ky., October 20, 1852. They located in Columbia City, where Dr. Kithcart has since enjoyed a large and successful practice. The Doctor, like the majority of Ohio, is Republican.

RICHARD KNISELY, deceased, was a native of Bedford County, Penn., where he was born March 15, 1803. With his father's family, he came to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1804, where his grandfather founded the town of New Philadelphia. Here Richard Knisely was reared, educated, and learned the carpenter's trade, and June, 1841, came to Whitley County, Ind., working for Judge Henry Swihart, who yet resides here. In 1845, Messrs. Knisely

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and Swihart were elected Associate Judges, serving in that capacity acceptably until the office was abolished. He was married, June 7, 1846, to Miss Amy Norris, of Richland Township, after which he purchased a farm one and a half miles west of Columbia City, where he made a home and passed the remainder of his life. He divided his time in making improvements on his farm, and served as County Surveyor for several years. He was formerly a Whig, but identified himself with the Republicans, after the organization of that party, and was a zealous supporter of Lincoln's administration. Judge Knisely was well known by all old citizens of the county as a man of ability, honesty, and sterling integrity. He passed away from earth January 24, 1882, leaving a precious memory. Mrs. Knisely died in May, 1871, and was the mother of seven children who mourned her loss-William H., Emanuel, Alexander, Ga- briel, James C., Mary E. and George. The oldest, William H., was born May 20, 1848, spent his early years on his father's farm, teaching winters and work- ing summers. He was married, October 19, 1869, to Ruth McNear, and they remained on the farm until 1880, when they removed to Columbia City, where they have since resided. Mr. Knisely has been engaged in the trade of agri- cultural implement for ten years ; in connection with William Reed for four years, afterward with his brother, under the firm name of William H. Knisely & Bro. In April, 1879, he became a partner in the firm of Knisely, Krider & Liggett, since changed to Knisely, Reider & Co. Mr. and Mrs. Knisely are parents of four children-Laura D., Frank, Walter and Eddie L. Mrs. Knisely is connected with the U. B. Church. Mr. Knisely is a Republican, and a man universally esteemed and honored by all.

WRIGHT LANCASTER was born in Wayne County, N. C., June 27, 1819, and is a son of Rex Lancaster, and grandson of Wright Lancaster, of English descent. Rex Lancaster was, by trade, a wagon-maker. He married Pharaba Henby, and in 1820 removed to Wayne County, Ind., in a wagon of his own manufacture. The country, at that time, was new, and a log cabin in the wilderness, with the attendant hard work of clearing was the best to be had. Here they spent their days, rearing a family of seven children, four of whom are yet living. Wright Lancaster, the eldest, assisted in the support of his father's family until his marriage with Margaret Grimes, in 1844, they living on a rented farm in Wayne County for seven years, when they removed to Cleveland Township, this county, locating on a partly improved farm, which he had previously purchased. On this place Mrs. Lancaster died from cerebro- spinal meningitis, having been the mother of eight children-Indiana, John H., George G., Alexander G., Frank Rex, Ralph P., Mary V. and William S., all of whom are living except John. Mr. Lancaster married his present wife, Mrs. Sarah A. Grimes Mitchell, a half sister of his former wife, June 24, 1869, and two children are the result of this union-Nora, deceased, and Walter. Mr. Lancaster has been a constant resident of Cleveland Township since his arrival, and followed farming for an occupation, dependent entirely upon his

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own resources for success, and has always commanded the respected and esteem of all who knew him. He has always been identified with the Republican party, occupying, at different times, nearly all the township offices of Cleveland Township, and is the present honorable incumbent of the office of County Re- corder, to which he was elected in 1878.

J. G. LEININGER came to Columbia City in 1866, as stock dealer, and, being favorably impressed with the country, the following year moved his family here, where they have since resided, with the exception of one year spent in Missouri, where Mr. L. was engaged in farming and buying stock in that State. He is, at present, owner of seventy acres of land in Union Township, one and a half miles east of Columbia City, and for several years operated a meat market in town, but now devotes his attention exclusively to farming and stock-raising. He takes an active interest in the welfare of the county, and all laudable enter- prises find in him a warm supporter. His political bias is Democratic, and he is, at present, President of the City School Board, and has filled the office of Township Trustee for three years. Mr. Leininger was born in Stark County, Ohio, February 7, 1826, and is one of six sons, all yet living, of John and Mar- garet (Goss) Leininger, who were of Franco-German descent. John Leininger was a blacksmith, but engaged in farming in later years. He died in 1870. Mrs. L. is yet living in Mercer County, Ohio. When they came West, in 1833, and later, to Jay County, Ind., in 1837, the country was wild and un- broken, and they endured all the inconveniences and dangers attendant upon pioneer life. Game must have been abundant, for J. G., when a boy of four- teen, shot and killed seventy-two deer in twelve months. Here he was reared, educated and married. January 13, 1848, Miss Elizabetlı Broom became his wife; she died June 2, 1863, having been the mother of six children, three surviving her. To Mr. Leininger's second marriage with Sarah Hough, De- cember 1, 1864, have been added five children, four yet living-Effie S., David A., Margaret E. and Silas E .; Sarah E., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Leininger are both members of the Lutheran Church.

LIGGETT & CRIDER. This partnership was formed between John H. Liggett and N. W. Crider in July, 1881, and was but the culmination of previous business moves by John H. Liggett. In September, 1877, he pur- chased the stock of Warren Mason, consisting of books and stationery, which was kept in the post office. This stock he removed to the room now occupied by Beeson's drug store, continuing the business alone, and making additions for nearly two years, when he purchased the stock of W. H. Smith, and re- moved all to the room now occupied by the present firm. Here they do a first- class business, and besides a general stock of books and stationery, they are agents for the Domestic Sewing Machine and for the Mason & Hamlin Organ. Mr. Liggett is also agent for the Pacific Express Company. N. W. Crider, the junior partner in this firm, was born in Smith Township, Whitley Co., Ind., May 27, 1838, and is a son of John and Rosanna (Tulley) Crider. Mrs.

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Crider was the first female white child born in the county. N. W. received a good practical education in youth, and began teaching at the age of twenty. After teaching three terms, he concluded to change his occupation. In the fall of 1872, he removed with his parents to Columbia City, where he has since resided, and has assisted materially in the business and social prosperity of the city. Mr. Crider is a member of the Grace Lutheran Church, and votes the Republican ticket.

W. H. LIGGETT is a son of Alexander D. and Delithe Liggett, born in High- land Co., Ohio, August 4, 1838, one of a family of twelve children. A. D. Liggett was a farmer-an honest, industrious man-and himself and family emigrated to Wabash County, Ind., in 1854, where he died July 12, 1870, highly respected by all. His wife resides in Columbia City. W. H. Liggett grew up on the farm, until, at the age of sixteen, he came with his parents to Indiana, where he taught school winters and worked on the farm in the summer months. November 29, 1860, he married Rebecca Jane Mills, a native of Preble County, Ohio. In April, 1863, Mr. Liggett moved to Cleveland Town- ship, Whitley Co., and continued farming and teaching until October, 1874, when he was elected Sheriff of the county on the Independent ticket, serving two terms in succession. In the fall of 1877, he, in connection with Thomas and Alonzo Sharp and Messrs. Meely & Hemmick, of the dry goods firm of Mee- ley & Hemmick, began the erection of what is now known as the " City Mills," under the firm name of W. H. Liggett & Co. The mill was completed in Feb- ruary, 1878, and is a two and a half story and basement, 35x50, with engine- room attached, 35x20. It has a manufacturing capacity of seventy-five barrels per day, with the latest improvements for first-class work. In 1878, Mr. Lig- gett formed a partnership for the sale of agricultural implements, under the firm name of Knisely, Krider & Liggett, which has since been changed to Knisely, Reider & Co., Mr. L. still retaining an interest, although devoting himself to milling since his term of office expired. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Republican in politics, which accounts for his defeat as Legislator in a county having a Democratic majority of from four hundred to five hundred. His family consists of five children-Emma, Edith, Eliza- beth, Mabel and John A .- and are highly esteemed by neigbors and friends.

DR. DAVID G. LINVILL is of Welsh descent, his ancestors coming to this country about the time of William Penn's advent. Three brothers, William, Benjamin and Solomon, settled in Pennsylvania. Benjamin was the great-grandfather of the subject of our sketch. Himself and brothers were hunters by occupation, and, in 1730, they discovered a creek in Virginia, which has since been called Linvill Creek in their honor. Here Benjamin settled in 1756, and reared a family. One son, the grandfather of Dr. Linvill, was named Benjamin, after his father. He married a Miss Matthews, who bore him a family, and lived and died at his home on Linvill Creek, a large plantation and slave owner. Of a family of nine children, Benjamin, the

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third son, was the father of Dr. Linvill. After his father's death, the home- stead was sold and Benjamin, taking the proceeds, went into Ohio, and pur- chased a section of land on Rush Creek, in Fairfield County, to which place the family removed previous to the war of 1812. Here Benjamin married Sarah Swayze, a daughter of Judge David Swayze. He was a miller by occupation ; served in the war of 1812, and is yet living in New Salem, Ohio, at the ad- vanced age of ninety. His wife died in 1872. They were parents of four sons and one daughter, all living except one son, who died from disease con- tracted while in the army. Dr. D. G. Linvill was born on the banks of Rush Creek, Fairfield County, Ohio, February 1, 1821. Until he became of age, his time was variously occupied as miller, clerk and in perfecting his education. At this time he began the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. Swayze, and graduated at the Western Reserve College, at Cleveland, in 1849, and the same year formed a partnership with his uncle for the practice of medicine at Colum- bia City, Ind. This partnership continued until 1855. Dr. Linvill has been eminently successful in his practice, both as surgeon and physician. He be- came a member of the American Medical Association in 1874, and is also a member of three local societies. He holds liveral views on politics and relig- ion, and is a member of the M. E. Church, and also belongs to the mystic brotherhood of Royal Arch Masons of Columbia City. He was married June 24, 1854, to Martha J. Myers, daughter of Abram Myers, and fifteen children have been born to them ; but eight now living, viz .: Lewis, David, Frank, Eddie, Hayes, Benjamin, Elbertine and Josephine. Dr. Linvill has been more than ordinarily successful in life, and is one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens of Whitley County.

CHAUNCEY B. MATTOON is a native of the " Old Bay State," and was born in Northfield November 2, 1839. He is one of five children, all yet living, of Hezekiah and Mary (Maynard) Mattoon, grandson of Hezekiah and Penelope (Lyman) Mattoon, great-grandson of Philip Mattoon, the family having been in America since 1676, and has identified itself with the political, military and general history of our country. C. B. Mattoon remained in his native town, and engaged in house-painting, until April, 1861, when he en- listed in the Fifteenth Regimental Massachusetts Band, and, together with his regiment, went immediately to the front, where he participated in the battles of Ball's Bluff, Fair Oaks and all through the Peninsular cam- paign. By special act of Congress, discharging bands, he received his discharge in 1862. He then went to Boston and worked in the sewing-machine shops of Grover & Baker until March, 1864, when he came West, and located in Larwill, Whitley County, Ind., where he was employed in the manufacture of staves. In 1869, he came to Columbia City, and, for a time, was in the employ of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, when he went to Fort Wayne in the employ of the Adams Express Company, returning to Columbia City upon the completion of the Eel River Railroad, where he has

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since remained, with the exception of two years spent in Logansport. He is now station agent at Columbia City, and his varied experience has peculiarly fitted him for the position. Mr. Mattoon was married June 10, 1871, to Miss Mary S. Keefer, who died September 1, 1880, leaving three children-Grover, John and Harry. Mrs. Mattoon was a daughter of Peter Keefer, a native of Pennsylvania, and of German descent.

COL. ISAIAH B. McDONALD is a native of the Old Dominion, his birth occurring at Woodville, Rappahannock Co., September 18, 1826. His parents-Carter and Elizabeth (Carder) McDonald-were natives of the same State, and both were of Scotch descent. Nine sons and three daughters were born to these parents, Col. McDonald being the second son and second child. In 1836, the family moved to Wayne County, Ohio, and, in 1842, to Whitley Co., Ind. For some years in early life, Col. McDonald worked as carpenter and joiner, but after he had attended two terms of the Edinburg Academy, Wayne County, Ohio, he became a successful school teacher, extending his services as such over Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. In May, 1852, he returned to Whit- ley County, and soon after began the practice of law. During the same year, he secured the election as Prosecuting Attorney for the counties of Whitley and Noble, continuing to serve as such until 1855, when he was elected Clerk of Whitley County. From 1864 to 1870, he served as School Examiner of Whitley County, but resigned during December of the latter year, to accept the responsibilities of Representative in the State Legislature. He took a front rank in legislative debate, and was appointed Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. 1876, he was Presidential Elector, and represented the Twelfth Congressional District in the National Democratic Convention, on which occa- sion he cast his vote for Tilden and Hendricks. He has filled many minor positions in county affairs, but always with that inflexible fidelity which has ever been a characteristic of the man. He is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Sachem of the Improved Order of Red Men. No man has done more for Columbia City and Whitley County than Col. McDonald. His success in life is mainly due to his extraordinary energy and in his determination to succeed. He is a strong Democrat, and has long been connected with the newspapers of the county, through the columns of which his individuality and influence have been widely felt. Col. McDonald has an excellent military record. During the entire rebellion, he was an earnest War Democrat. The wing of his party which declared the war a failure received no sympathy from him. He enlisted as a private at the first call to arms, but was chosen Second Lieutenant of Company E, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteers, going out as such to the field. He served his country until the autumn of 1864, when he resigned and came home, when, greatly to his pleasure and astonishment, he was presented with an elegant sword by the members of his command, who had sent the sword to Columbia City from the field, to be publicly presented to him on his arrival. Upon the sword were written, as follows, the battles in which he had fought :

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Elk Water, Va .; Greenbrier, Va .; Camp Alleghany ; McDowell, Va .; Cross Keys ; Cedar Mountain ; Catlett's Station ; Waterloo; Second Bull Run; and Winchester. In July, 1861, Lieut. McDonald was appointed Senior Aid-de- Camp and Chief of Staff to Gen. J. J. Reynolds, in Western Virginia. In Headley's History of the Rebellion, honorable mention is made of Lieut. Mc- Donald, who at Camp Alleghany began the attack with a charge upon the rebels by moonlight. Gen. Milroy, in his report of the battle, had this to say of Col. McDonald : "I owe the warmest thanks to Lieut. McDonald, of your staff, for the able and efficient service which he rendered on the march and in the action by his activity, bravery and coolness in leading and rallying the troops." In January, 1862, he was transferred to the staff of Gen. Milroy, and served with him through the Virginia campaigns of 1862-63, as Captain and Com- missary of Subsistence. In August, 1862, when Gen. Pope's trains were captured at Catlett's Station, a correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote as follows : "During the onset of the rebels, after the wagons of Pope's train had been fired, they started from the road to where Gen. Milroy's trains lay, intending to pay their attention to them, but they were promptly met by a guard of about one hundred men, headed by the gallant Capt. I. B. McDon- ald, Commissary of Milroy's brigade. His bravery and determination saved the train." Gen. Milroy said of the Second Bull Run fight: " I avail myself of this opportunity to return my thanks to the members of my staff-Capts. Baird, Flesher and McDonald and Lieut. Cravens." The following is the dis- patch which led to Capt. McDonald's promotion :

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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 26

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