Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 28

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 28
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 28

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BENJAMIN RAUPFER was born in Baden, Germany, November 3, 1838, was reared and received a good education in his native town. His father, Peter Raupfer, died in 1851, and that fall our subject went to Switzerland and engaged in teaming and selling silks and other goods, continuing thereat until 1865, when he embarked at Havre de Grace on the English ship " Belonia," bound for New York. After a stormy voyage of twenty-two days, he arrived in safety at his destination and soon after came to Columbia City, and took charge of an engine, which he ran for three years. He then opened a saloon, which he managed until 1879, when, in partnership with Fred Walter, he purchased the " Eagle" beer brewery, which the new firm enlarged and re- modeled, and converted into one of the finest in the country, giving it a capa- city of 6,000 barrels per annum, and the product is pronounced to be the best in Northern Indiana. In 1869, November 9, he married Mary Myers, who has borne him two children, Joseph and William, and the family are highly respected.

JAMES REIDER was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 19, 1841, and is a son of Christian and Martha Reider, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and were the parents of a family of eight children, all living. The father was a farmer and stock-dealer by occupation through life. He removed with his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, from Dauphin County, Penn., when twelve years of age, and subsequently married there, and came with his family to Columbia City, Ind., in 1865, where he died June 10, 1873. His widow yet lives in Columbia City. James was reared on a farm, receiving a good education, and was married February 25, 1864, to Mary M. Kister, of Wayne County, and in May of the same year enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; was assigned to the Army of the

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Potomac, stationed at Fort Ethan Allen, Va., and discharged September 10, 1864, after which he removed to Whitley County, Ind., where he has since resided, farming in Columbia Township until 1869. He then removed to Thorn Creek Township, remaining until 1872, when he returned to his former farm, remaining until the fall of 1874, when he was elected County Clerk, and after his term of four years had expired, engaged in the hardware trade, and is now a member of the firm of Knisely, Reider & Co., doing good business in hardware and agricultural implements. Mr. Reider is Democratic in politics. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and have a family of four children, viz. : Eddie W. and Otto F., twins ; Harry W. and Lula M.

JOHN RHODES is a native of Franklin County, Ohio, where he was born, November 9, 1814, and is one of eight children (four yet living) born to Peter and Catherine (Hoffman) Rhodes, who were both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Peter Rhodes followed distilling and weaving in earlier life, but after his marriage, moved to Franklin County, and engaged in farming. He served in the war of 1812, moved to Putnam County, Ohio, where he died in 1838, and his widow the year following. John Rhodes re- mained on the farm until 1837, receiving but a limited education. At the age of twenty-three, he began learning the mill-wright trade, and at the age of twenty-five had thoroughly mastered the business. In March, 1839, he con- tracted marriage with Mary Ann Clevinger, who died in 1840. In July, 1841, he came to Columbia City, purchased the lot he now owns, cleared up the trees, and erected a frame building, 18x36 feet, one story. He then returned to Ohio, and in December, 1841, was married to Ann Enslen, returning in August, 1842, to Columbia City, which, at that time, was a comparatively new country. Since then, by industry, economy and energy, he has become one of the most substantial citizens. Himself and wife were parents of four children-Francis L., Sarah E., Alfaretta A. and Edith A. Of these, only two are living- Francis, who married Lillie Cunningham, and Edith A., now Mrs. Ruch. The mother died November 22, 1874.

CHARLES RUCH is the son of Jacob and Hannah (Walter) Ruch, and was born in Augusta Township, Northumberland Co., Penn., November 1, 1808. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and English descent respectively. ' Their family consisted of eight children, five of whom are yet living. The occupation of the father was that of stone-mason, but in later years he engaged in farming, which he followed until his death. Charles Ruch was reared on the farm until eighteen years of age, receiving the ordinary common-school advantages. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, working at that several years. He then read medicine for two years, but discontinued that, finding the occupation of house-painting and paper-hanging more lucra- tive. In 1838, December 4, he was married to Sarah N. Fertig, and engaged for some years afterward in mercantile pursuits. In 1845 (October), he came to Fort Wayne, where he followed cabinet-making. In March, 1849, he re-

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moved to Smith Township to settle his father's estate, where he remained until November 1854, when he moved to Columbia City, which has since been his. home. Here he engaged respectively in painting, livery business, merchandis- ing, etc. Mr. Ruch began life on the bottom round of the ladder, and, by strict integrity and perseverance, has acquired a competence, and a character fully in sympathy with all laudable and progressive enterprises. Democratic in politics, he served as Postmaster in Columbia City for two years under Pierce's administration. Of a family of thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ruch, only the following survive, viz. : Albert F .; Margaret L., now Mrs. Lowden- slager ; Mary K., now Mrs. Heitzfeld; Joseph H .; George W .; Jacob A., and Ann E., now Mrs. Heacock. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ruch are members of the Lutheran faith. The two sons, Joseph H. and George W., own and operate one of the leading drug stores in Columbia City. They are also proprietors of a new grocery-house, where everything pertaining to a first-class business is- found. Their success is no doubt due to their unvarying fair dealing, liberality and enterprise-characteristics of the family.

I. B. BUSH came with his parents to Grant County, Ind., in early life, where he remained on the farm until twenty-five years of age. He then went West, but returned in 1859, and in response to President Lincoln's first call for troops in 1861, volunteered, went to Indianapolis, was sworn into service, but the volunteers exceeding the number required, many were debarred from active service, and Mr. Rush returned home, re-enlisted in August, 1861, in Company F, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as private; was immediately sent to the front, commissioned Sergeant Major, and entered active service. In June, 1862, was promoted to Second Lieutenancy. In August, 1863, was made First Lieutenant and Adjutant of his regiment, and soon after was placed on detached service on staff duty, serving as Assistant. Adjutant General to Brig. Gen. E. B. Brown, of St. Louis. Mr. Rush par- ticipated in all the important engagements from Cairo to New Orleans, includ- ing the siege of Vicksburg. He was also at Fort Donelson, Port Hudson,. Champion Hills, and the capture of Jackson, Miss. At Champion Hills he was severely wounded in the right knee, from the effects of which he yet suffers. While at Vicksburg, Mr. Rush was detailed on "Flag of Truce Duty," and sent into the interior by Gen. Grant's orders. Mr. R. still pre- serves these orders in the General's own handwriting. He participated in the very last battle of the war, on the grounds of Palo Alto, where Gen. Taylor fought his celebrated battle in 1847, and was mustered out of service in 1866, when he returned home, remaining until 1869, when he came to Columbia City and accepted the position he now holds in the Columbia City Bank, where. he has since remained. Mr. Rush was born in Randolph County, N. C., June 11, 1833, and is the oldest child of Nixon and Demaris (Byrne) Rush, who were natives of North Carolina, and of English and German-Irish descent. respectively, and both families of Revolutionary war memory, both great-

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grandfathers, Rush and Byrne, serving in the struggle between the Colonies and Great Britain, and both grandfathers serving in the war of 1812. Nixon Rush was reared in the South, on his grandfather's large plantation, where he held ownership in sixty-eight slaves, to all of whom he gave their freedom in 1835. Thirty-eight of these were sent to Indiana with Nixon Rush, their expenses being paid by his father. They were left in Orange County. All took their old master's name, and many have attained considerable prominence among the colored people. Nixon Rush and wife are both living in Grant County. Mr. I. B. Rush was married in June, 1870, to Nancy Elliott, of Beaver, Penn., and their family consists of two daughters, Demaris and Mar- garet. Mr. Rush is a Republican, and Mrs. Rush is a member of the Presby- terian Church.

WILLIAM SELL was born in Stark County, Ohio, August 2, 1837, one of ten children (five of whom only are now living), born to Henry B. and Nancy (Eberhart) Sell, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and of German descent. Henry B. Sell was a farmer by occupation, and at the age of seven- teen moved to Stark County, Ohio, and at nineteen was married. On his arrival in Ohio, he had only 25 cents, and at the time of his marriage had earned enough to buy a pair of young steers. He worked at clearing, etc., till 1844, when he came to Indiana, stopping at Fort Wayne, Liberty Mills, and finally in Columbia Township, where he purchased some land and went through all the hardships incident to pioneer life, and by persistent labor acquired 845 acres of good land. His wife, who ably assisted him in all his undertakings, died about the year 1872, Mr. Sell surviving her about four years and dying in 1876. They were members respectively of the Lutheran and Presbyterian Churches, and had the respect of all who knew them. Our subject, William Sell, was reared in Whitley County, from the age of six years, and obtained his education at the common schools. September 2, 1860, he married Miss Martha Jane Riteneour, and to their union were born seven chil- dren, viz. : Benjamin F., Henry J., William J., Catharine, Charley (deceased), Milledore and Theodore, twins, the last now dead. The mother died in August, 1871, and Mr. Sell married his present wife, Miss Anna Riteneour, sister of his deceased wife, who has borne him four children-Cora A., Irvin (deceased), Fanny (deceased) and Oscar. Mr. Sell owns and works 160 acres of land in the township, and is doing a good business in town, in handling all the latest and best improved agricultural machinery known to the trade. He is a Demo- crat, and a member of the Lutheran Church.

CAPT. PETER SIMONSON (deceased) was a native of New Jersey, and studied civil engineering at Providence, R. I. At the age of fourteen, he had become so proficient that, with an odometer, he traversed and measured " Little Rhody," and drew a very accurate map of the State. At the age of eighteen, he was a man in form, and could scarcely be surpassed in his occupation as civil engineer. He went to Ohio, and was given charge of a division of construc-

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tion on what is now the Pennsylvania Railroad. Shortly after this, in com- pany with William P. Shinn, who is now one of the wealthy manufacturers of St. Louis, and several other young engineers, he came to Indiana (1855), and was given charge of a division on the then Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. He remained with this road until it was finished, and then engaged for a short time in the lumber and saw-mill business, and was placed about $5,000 in debt. After this he was again in the employ of the railroad last mentioned, furnish- ing fencing, telegraph poles, and wood for repair work, from Crestline to Chi- cago. He thus not only paid his debts, but had some money besides. At this time the rebellion burst forth, and he began raising the Fifth Indiana Light Artillery. One hundred and forty-eight men were enlisted in Whitley, Noble, Kosciusko and Allen Counties, and, under the command of Capt. Simonson, marched to the field. The movements of this battery will be found narrated in the military chapter of this volume. After three years' service, he was ap- pointed Chief of Artillery of the Second Division of the Fourth Army Corps, the highest possible promotion in the artillery service. This gave him com- mand of thirty-six guns. It was under his express orders that the shot was fired which instantly killed the rebel Gen. Polk. He was a natural leader, brave, honest and intensely loyal ; but at last, at Marietta, Ga., while placing his battery in an exposed but excellent position, he was killed instantly by a musket ball which pierced his forehead. He died lamented by all his associates in arms and at home, and especially by his devoted family. He had lived at Columbia City for a number of years, having married, in July, 1857, Miss Annie Swihart, of that place, by whom he had one child-Mary. He was a noble-hearted man, a Mason, and came of good family, his father having been a prominent Baptist clergyman in the East.

HENRY SNYDER, like many others, began life a poor boy, dependent entirely upon his own business ability and industry. He inherited much me- chanical skill from his father, and at the age of seventeen learned the furniture and cabinet-maker's trade, which in his hands has led on to success. He came to Columbia City in 1853, and from small beginnings his business has attained its present proportions. It is conducted on Van Buren street, in a two-story brick building, owned by himself, 25x147 feet. Here he has a large and finely assorted stock of goods, and, in addition, does a general manufacturing busi- ness. In his workshops he has an engine, planing mill and all modern ma- chinery. In connection with this is a first-class undertaking establishment ; and his annual sales are from $12,000 to $15,000. His son, William D., is associated with him, under the firm name of H. Snyder & Son. Henry Sny- der was born in Cumberland County, Penn., February 23, 1828. His parents were natives of the "Keystone State" and of German descent. Of their fam- ily of nine children, eight are yet living. The father's trade was that of a carpenter, but in later years he preferred farming. He moved, with his family, to Richland County, Ohio, about 1834, and to Kosciusko County, Ind., in

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1852, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1873. Henry Snyder was married in Ohio, January 1, 1850, to Elizabeth R. Stough, and they have a family of two children-Sarah J., now Mrs. Waidlich, and William D. Mr. S. is a Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F. and himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

A. J. STOUFFS was born, June 10, 1831, in Belgium, Province of Brabant, son of Anthony J. and Josephine (De Corte) Stouffs, natives of Bel- gium and the parents of seven children, six of whom are yet living. Anthony Stouffs was Treasurer under the Belgium Government, but resigned in 1880, and himself and wife are yet living in their native country. A. J. Stouffs received a good education in Europe, and was engaged in importation of silks from Eastern countries and wholesaling in Belgium and France; was married, December 27, 1852, to Miss Zelia Steyls, and, on December 21, 1859, took passage, with his family, on board the steamer "Kangaroo," bound from Lon- don to New York, arriving in this country January 11, 1860, since which time the West has been his home. He came to Illinois, engaged in farming and buying wheat, and was for a time in Chicago, selling goods. In 1864, he came to Hobart, Ind., where he was engaged, in the capacity of freight clerk, by the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. Co., and in 1865 came to Columbia City in the same capacity, where he has ever since remained. In 1867, he assisted in the establishment of a flax mill, which was burned in 1868. He is now retired from active labor, but assists his son, Arthur, who owns and runs a first-class grocery store near the depot, and "lends a hand" on the home farm of 175 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Stouffs are parents of five children-Anna, Arthur, Mary, George and Blanche. Mr. Stouffs is a Democrat and himself and wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

EPHRAIM STRONG first saw the light in Chenango County, N. Y., May 6, 1816, and is one of a family of seven children, three yet living, born to David and Sarah (Slater) Strong, who were natives respectively of New York and Rhode Island. David Strong was a carpenter by trade, and died in 1826, leaving a widow and six children in limited circumstances. The widow remained in that vicinity until her death, which occurred at the age of sixty- seven years. Ephraim Strong's educational advantages in youth were slight, and he was early thrown on his own resources. He remained in his native State until 1837, when he started West and arrived in Fort Wayne October 7, 1837, where he remained until 1839, working at job work and saw-milling, when he went to Adams County, Ind .; on July 2, 1840, married Miss Angeline Hill, daughter of George Hill, then living in Adams County, Ind. He re- mained there, engaged in farming, until 1844, when he removed to Whitley County, locating in Thorn Creek Township. In the fall of 1845, he removed to Columbia Township, and purchased the property now comprising the County Poor Farm, at that time entirely devoid of any improvement. Here he built a cabin and began clearing and improving the place for a future home. He sold

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this property in 1850 and removed to Columbia City, engaging in the meat and grocery business until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1856. He afterward purchased a farm in Thorn Creek Township, to which he removed after his marriage, May 3, 1857, to his present wife, Eleanor Kyler, of Kosciosko County, and the disposal of his town property. He farmed for two years and sold again, only to purchase on a larger scale, and in 1863 added 145 acres more adjoining, to which he had previously added eighty acres. In 1871, he removed to Columbia City, and in 1874 engaged in mercantile business, which he has since followed, and by his own persistent and unaided efforts has ac- quired a competence. He is the father of ten children, five by each wife, seven yet living. One son (Aaron) served through the war in the Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Strong are both members of the Universalist Church.

HON. H. SWIHART has for nearly half a century been identified with the progress and development of Whitley County. He is a native of Mont- gomery County, Ohio, where he was born in 1807. His parents, Adam and Catherine (Shidler) Swihart, were natives of Pennsylvania, and pioneers of Montgomery County, Ohio, where they settled in 1804; in 1828, they removed to Preble County, Ohio, where the remainder of their days was passed. Our subject is the fourth child of a family of eight, and in his youth and early man- hood was familiar with the pioneer life of Ohio. In 1831, he was united in marriage with Dorothy Ulrich, a native of Pennsylvania; this marriage occurred in the same house where our subject was born, being at the time the property of his wife's father. From this period until 1835, Mr. Swihart engaged at farming and conducting a saw-mill. He then emigrated to Indiana, settling, in 1836, upon eighty acres of land which he entered in Cleveland Township in 1835, his family consisting of wife and two children-Catherine and Anna. For five years following, he was employed in clearing up land, etc., to earn a livelihood. In the spring of 1841, he removed to Columbia City and engaged for about four years in erecting saw and grist mills. He then embarked in the mercantile business, at which he continued over ten years, during the latter portion in association with John M. Willett, and again with Daniel Halteman. About this time he was elected a Director of the railroad then in course of con- struction between Fort Wayne and Chicago, and for about five years engaged at contracting upon its construction. In 1859, he was elected County Recorder, serving four years. He also, in 1859, embarked in the lumber business, which he followed until 1876, when he retired from active labors. From 1845 until 1848, Mr. Swihart was an Associate Judge of the Circuit Court, resigning before the expiration of his term. In 1848, he was elected upon the Repub- lican ticket to represent his district in the State Legislature, the district at this period usually giving about five hundred Democratic majority; he served in this office two terms. Mr. Swihart has served in several minor offices of trust, among which we mention as Justice of the Peace three years, and as the agent

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for the county and Elihu Chauncey for the sale of lots in Columbia City. He has always advanced, as far as able, measures of enterprise and progress ; has aided liberally all good works, and has aided materially in furnishing historical matter for this work. His wife died in 1855; four children are now living- Mrs. Catherine Scantling, Anna M. Thiele, Elizabeth Tharp, and Isaac, a farmer of Etna Township; the last was a member of the Fifth Indiana Battery, and served over three years. Two sons died in the service-Adam, a Lieu- tenant in the One Hundreth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in service over two years, died at home from effects of service, and Gabriel of the Fifth Indiana Battery. The latter enlisted in the Twelfth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and spent six months in service, and six months in Southern prisons, then joined the Fifth Indiana Battery and was killed in 1864 near New Hope Church, Georgia.

FRANCIS TULLEY, one of the oldest settlers of Whitley County, Ind., and a present resident of Columbia City, was born April 3, 1810, in Ross County, Ohio, and there grew to manhood. He was of a family of eight chil- dren, but two yet living, born to Francis and Elizabeth (Wayland) Tulley, who were natives of Virginia, and were of English and German descent. Francis Tulley's early years were spent on his parents' farm, his educational advan- tages being necessarily limited. He was married, February 26, 1833, to Miss Mary E. Nickey, who was born in Augusta County, Va., July 12, 1812, and was one of eleven children, five yet living. Her parents were Samuel and Catharine (Bolsley) Nickey, and were of German descent. After the death of the father in Virginia, the mother, with the remainder of the family, removed to Ross County, Ohio, in 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Tulley emigrated to Indiana in 1834, locating in Smith Township, Whitley County, which, at that time was an almost unbroken wilderness. Here they built a log cabin, set up their house- hold gods and began to battle with the rude forces of nature around them, un- dergoing all the privations and toil incident to pioneer life. Here their chil- dren were born, four in number-Rosanna (now Mrs. John Krider), William A., a gunsmith ; Cyrus B., an attorney, all residents of Columbia City, and Wesley C., of Smith Township. In June, 1872, the parents left the old home, in which they had encountered life's joys and sorrows and had amassed an am- ple competence by their labors, and came to Columbia City, where they have since lived quiet, retired lives, loved and esteemed by all. Mr. Tulley is a Democrat, and himself and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. WILLIAM A. TULLEY was born on the old Tulley homestead, in Smith Township, November 24, 1836, receiving the advantages of the common schools of that day. He engaged in teaching and working on the home farm until his marriage with Miss Eliza J. Reed, which took place February 12, 1859. Mrs. Tulley died June 10, 1863, leaving one daughter-Elnora E. Previous to the death of his wife, Mr. Tulley began learning ambrotyping and photography, but relinquished that project and returned to the farm, where he remained until

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his marriage with his present wife, Mrs. Allie (Bodley) Spear, daughter of Capt. J. Bodley and widow of James Spear. This occurred October 18, 1870, and one child was born to this union-William B. In 1873, Mr. Tulley went to Clark County, Wis., where he learned the gunsmith's trade, which he has since followed. In April, 1877, he located in Columbia City, where he does a good business, carrying a fine stock of everything in his line, and making a success of the undertaking. He owns town property in Churubusco, besides eighty acres in Smith Township. Mr. Tulley is a Democrat, and Mrs. Tulley is a member of the Methodist persuasion.

CYRUS B. TULLEY was born in Smith Township, Whitley County, Ind., August 18, 1839. Spent his youth on the old homestead, availing him- self of the best advantages the schools of that day offered. He was married, October 25, 1859, to Fannie W. Krider, and afterward engaged in farming and teaching until he came to Columbia City in 1865 and began the study of law, and engaged in surveying. In the spring of 1866, he was elected Town Clerk, and the year following was elected one of the Town Trustees. In the fall of 1867, he was elected County Surveyor, in 1871, City Marshal, and, in the fall of 1872, was elected to the State Legislature, serving in the regular and special sessions of 1872-73. In 1875, he was again elected Town Trustee, and in 1878 was re-elected to the Legislature, serving in the regular and special sessions of 1879. Mr. Tulley was admitted to the bar of Whitley County in 1869, and has made the practice of law his profession. He is at present acting Justice of the Peace and strictly Democratic in politics, while Mrs. Tulley is a member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. T. owns twenty acres of land in Union Township, besides a large number of town lots in Colum- bia City, and one-fourth of the Central Building block in which his office is located. Himself and wife are the parents of two daughters-Abie and Rose.

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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 28

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