Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 80

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 80
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 80

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).

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grated to La Grange County. There, in Springfield Township, he rented a farm for a time, subsequently buying land. In 1845, he went to Greenfield Township, where he had acquired land by trading his Springfield property. In that township he labored early and late in clearing up his new possessions, to which he gradually added other acres by purchase, until his landed estate numbered 675 acres, all accumulated by unceasing toil and judicious manage- ment. In 1865, he sold out, and, purchasing 228 acres where he now resides, he moved his family to the new location. Here in 1869 his wife died ; she was the mother of eight children, five of whom are now living-Griffith F. and George W., in Springfield Township, La Grange County ; Ezra D., in Kansas ; William H., in Michigan, and Benjamin F., in this township. William H. and a son Rollo were soldiers in the war of the rebellion. The former entered the Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a private, and served through the entire war, being mustered out at its close as Captain. Rollo became a member of the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, and at the end of fifteen months, while yet in the service, was stricken with disease and died. Mr. Hall, out of the abundance of his heart and with a paternal regard for his children; divided a portion of his land among them. Wherever he has lived, he has been true to honorable citizen- ship, thrifty and successful in most of his undertakings; eschewing political honors, he has devoted his best energies to his own business affairs. Since coming to Wayne Township, he has given his attention largely to fine stock of the Durham blood, first purchasing this class of cattle in Ohio; in this branch he is achieving merited honors.

NICHOLAS HILL is the eldest son of Simeon and Catharine Hill, who emigrated from Germany to America in 1840. They located in Ohio, Licking County, where they remained about six years; then came to Noble County, set- tling in the woods, upon what is now the splendid farm of our subject. The father, soon after their arrival, was run over by a heavy wagon while clearing up the land, and died from the injuries received. The mother lived until 1878, attaining the age of past ninety-four years. Three children were descendants, Nicholas, Lawrence and Mrs. Catharine Ringle, the latter now deceased. Nich- olas is a native of Germany. Since 1846, his home has been upon the land upon which they first settled, which consists of one hundred acres, with superi- or improvements. He has been connected with the Methodist Protestant . Church since its organization, being one of the six members to create the soci- ety, and aiding materially in its progress. He built the present church build- ing in 1869. He was united in marriage in 1845 to Miss Mary Kinney, a na- tive of Licking County, Ohio. She died in 1870. Their children now living are Mary Lawrence, in Michigan ; Arvilla Wright, Wayne Township ; Orange, now operating the homestead farm ; Wilbur and Charles, in Michigan, and Al- bert and Rilla at home. Mr. Hill was united to a second wife in 1871, Mrs. Frances Warner, whose maiden name was Zimmerman. She is a native of Ohio.

LAWRENCE HILL is the second son of Simeon and Catharine Hill, early settlers of the township, locating there in 1846. Lawrence was born in Germany in 1830. With the exception of six years' residence in Michigan, in his early life, he has been a resident of Wayne Township since his parents settled there. Dividing up the land entered by his father with his brother Nicholas, he chose the eastern portion, upon which he settled and has cleared it up and improved it until it ranks with the best in Wayne Township. He now owns 120 acres, upon a portion of which an Indian village was located in early days, the chief's

LUCINDA HALL WAYNE TP.

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house, Schock-o-pee, standing where the residence of W. C. Jackson is now located ; an Indian mound was also upon this farm, and many curious articles and implements of the Indians have been found from time to time. Mr. Hill is one of the valued residents of the township, and always iden- tifies himself with progress and improvements. He was united in marriage in 1855 to Miss Elinor Creigh, a daughter of Samuel and Lydia Creigh, who came to Wayne Township in 1844. They have four children-Catharine A. Johnson,. Alice E. Johnson. Elinor I., Emrick and Alfred L.

JACKSON IDDINGS is a native of Portage County, Ohio, and son of Henry and Sarah (Mettlen) Iddings, who were pioneers of Portage County, now Summit County, Ohio, where they settled prior to 1812, and remained un- til August, 1836, when they started for Indiana, landing in Allen Township September 10, 1836. They settled in Wayne Township, and after some years removed to Allen Township, where the remainder of their lives was passed. Five children now survive them-Hiram, Eliza Reed, Lewis, Warren and Jackson. The last-named was born in 1816, and was twenty years of age when his parents removed to this county. In August, 1837, he married Bar- bara Dingman, a daughter of Mrs. Frances Dingman, subsequently Mrs. Tru- man Bearss, early settlers of Allen Township. He immediately settled upon eighty acres of land in Allen Township, where he resided for one and one-half years. His land, however, proved to be a " second entry," and he was forced to have it exchanged. After living in Wayne Township one year, he secured another tract in Allen Township, upon which he remained five years. He then removed to Green Township, where he resided eight years, then to Jefferson Township for eight years, and in 1863 made a home on the farm where he now resides. This consists of 154 acres conveniently located and well cultivated. Mr. Iddings has devoted his time exclusively to farming, and has been amply rewarded. In Green Township, he held the office of Justice of the Peace for one year. Mr. and Mrs. Iddings have seven children-Hiram B., Owen, Asa J., Frances Bloomfield, Sarah Jordan, Ida Strayter and Ruth Bailey.

E. T. ISBELL, a son of Charles and Adah (Tryon) Isbell, born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1817, in the midst of pioneer life. He married there, in 1835, Miss Elizabeth Cosper, daughter of John Cosper, who became an early settler of Allen Township, Noble County. Our subject learned the shoemaker's trade of his father, which occupied his attention until about 1837, when, with his parents, he removed to Michigan, where he farmed for eighteen months. In 1838, with his parents, he came to Noble County, settling in Allen Township. Here he followed his trade, also farming and carpentering; he built the first frame house in Lisbon, and subsequently removing to Kendallville, built the first frame house there. In a short time he removed to La Grange, where he erected and used the first shoe shop. He next removed to La Porte, Ind., to secure medical advice. Then, on account of ill health, he went to Texas, travel- ing the entire distance with a wagon. He worked at his trade there four years; then returned to Kendallville, subsequently removing to Valparaiso, Ind., where he conducted a large boot and shoe business for twelve years. He subsequently returned to Kendallville, and in 1877, purchased his present property, where he is following gardening. Mr. Isbell has been a member of the Methodist Church for over forty years, of which he is an exhorter, and has also done good service as an advocate of Temperance. His first wife died in 1860, having ten children, five of whom are now living-William H. is a farmer, now living in the West ; he was a volunteer in the late war, and in service over three years ;

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Nathaniel H., now in Mexico, was also in the service about one year ; Adelina Moore, of Chicago ; Alice Goodwin, of Valparaiso, Ind .; and Harriet Nellis, a resident of Chicago. Mr. Isbell was united with a second wife in 1862, Mrs. Mary G. Lash, widow of William Lash, one of the early residents of Noble County.

P. C. ISBELL, son of Charles and Adah (Tryon) Isbell, born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1819. His parents were natives of New York, and pioneers in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, settling in Allen Township, Noble .County, about 1838, where they died. Charles served as Justice of the Peace, and was an exhorter of the Methodist Church, of which denomination he and wife were members for many years. His family were participants in the Revolution, and himself a volunteer in the war of 1812. He died in November, 1865, aged sixty-nine years, his wife November, 1857, aged fifty-seven years. Their chil- dren are as follows : Ezra T., P. C., Rosanna Weston, of Iowa; Miranda South worth, of Plymouth, Ind. ; Fanny Salisbury, of Kendallville; Hannah Dodge, Nebraska ; Neomi Rickey, Kendallville ; Martha Lehr, Kendallville ; Emily Bidwell, of Fort Wayne, and Louisa Bidwell, of Albion. P. C. Isbell was reared in Ohio; when eighteen years of age, he went to Michigan, and engaged in farming, near Kalamazoo. In 1838, he came to Noble County, and settled in Allen Township, where he cleared up a farm. In 1852, he removed to his present farm, where he owns eighty acres of land ; but for the past twenty years he has been manufacturing trusses and abdominal supporters, elastic trusses for males and females, and braces and supporters of all descriptions, and has an extended trade. His office, in Kendallville, is at the drug store of Lohman Brothers. Mr. Isbell has the first ballot box of Wayne Town- ship, in which five votes were cast. He has, for many years, been Superintend- ent of the Cemetery, and is a member of the Masonic Order. He was married, in 1838, to Miss Maria Cosper, daughter of John Cosper, a pioneer settler of Noble County. They have seven children-Elias, Elizabeth, Gretzinger, of Jefferson Township ; Marion, who was a member of Company E, Thirtieth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, serving about two years, now a resident of Goshen ; Alonzo ; William, Manager of the Commercial College of Terre Haute, Ind. ; Leander and Anna Winans, of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Isbell are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Isbell, for many years, was identified with Sun- day school work, and traveled extensively, organizing and aiding schools.

G. L. KIMMELL is one of the earliest settlers of Wayne Township. His parents, Henry and Susanna (Rust) Kimmell, were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and in 1817 emigrated to Illinois, settling near Kaskaskia, where they remained for eight years. The country then was inhabited by only a few white settlers and the Indians. His father erected a grist-mill, and did an extensive business trading with the Indians. He was engaged in stock raising and deal- ing. He emigrated to Michigan with his family and 100 head of cattle, taking a " bee line " through the forest, cutting their road as they went. After a journey of thirty-nine days, during which they saw no white person, they arrived at their destination near Ypsilanti. This country was also a wilderness, and in clearing, improving and cultivating it his parents passed the remainder of their lives. His father was a large land owner and speculator, an extensive dealer and raiser of stock ; erected large manufactories of potash and pearlash, and was a respected and beloved citizen. Our subject is the third child of a family of eleven. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was a small child when they emi- grated to Illinois, where he had for his associates and playmates Indian children.

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He has been associated with pioneer life in three States-Illinois, Michigan, where he remained with his father, assisting him until twenty-four years of age, and in Indiana, where he came in 1838 to Wayne Township, upon a venture for himself. He located upon Section 13, having to cut a road for three miles, to get to his land, and had no neighbors within three miles. Herc he began to clear up his land, keeping " bachelor's hall.": In 1840, he married Miss Phoebe Ann Gail, a native of New York, and upon this farm the worthy couple still live, enjoying a well-earned prosperity. Mr. Kimmell owns 245 acres of valuable land, which is operated by his sons. Mr. and Mrs. Kimmell have been mem- bers of the Baptist Church over twenty-five years. They had five children- Henry S., George Edgar, Albert J., Charles Grant, and Mary Ann (deceased).

HENRY S. KIMMELL is a son of George L. and Phoebe A. (Gail) Kimmell, early settlers of Wayne Township. Henry is a native of. Wayne Township, and has passed his life, from its earliest associations up to the present time, in farming. He now owns 135 acres of fine land, which he has in a good state of cultivation. He is a young man with good practical ideas, and is pro- gressive in all matters of public interest. He was united in marriage in Feb- ruary, 1877, to Miss Lucinda Rendel, of Michigan. They have four children -George C., Camillus H., Linus E. and William W.

J. W: LEARNED is a native of New Hampshire, and son to Samuel and Polly (Fowler) Learned. His father was a wealthy farmer of New Hampshire, and was thrice married, his last wife being a widow ; her maiden name was Susanna Hills, and she was the mother of the subject's wife. The parents were unfortunate in losing their entire property, and their last days were passed in this county, where they were cared for by their children. Their deaths occurred in August, 1855, only fifteen days intervening. J. W. Learned, when nearly twenty-one years of age, paid his father $20 for the few remaining months of his time, and went to Boston, where he was employed about two years ; then returned to New Hampshire, and in 1831 was married to Miss Abigail M. Dar- ling, also a native of New Hampshire. He then bought a piece of timbered land upon which he lived two years ; next emigrated to Cayuga County, N. Y., then to Seneca County, Ohio. In 1836, he came to this county and entered 180 acres of land, and in 1837 moved upon it with his family. In 1861, he purchased the land where he now resides, locating upon it in 1869. This he has well improved. Mr. Learned now has 220 acres, and is a successful farmer. He has served the township as Trustee several terms; has been County Com- missioner ; is public-spirited and alive to the best interests of the people. Mr. and Mrs. Learned have two children living-Olivia Call and Almira Milk.

R. T. LYMAN is a native of Massachusetts. His business ex- periences have been varied and extended. He engaged at lumbering in Vermont for his first venture, remaining there ten years. He then went te Washington County, N. Y., where he was engaged at farming five years. He then returned to Vermont and conducted a hotel for three years, at the expira- tion of which he engaged at farming there for two years. His next departure was in Ohio, where he remained until 1868, embarking in the egg and butter trade in various portions of the State. In 1868, he came to Kendallville, soon after forming a partnership with HI. McCray, in the egg and butter trade, remaining in association with him until 1875 ; when he again turned his atten- tion to farming, at which he is still engaged. He is now the owner of the old " Green " farm, located in the central portion of the township. It is finely cultivated and well improved. Mr. Lyman is a member of the Masonic Order

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and an enterprising citizen. He was married in 1850 to Miss Angelina Moore, of Washington County, N. Y. They have three children-Milton, Elmer and Annie.

HENRY POPPY is a son of Frederick and Dorothy (Roaric) Poppy, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America about 1830, settling in Mary- land, where they resided for several years, subsequently emigrating to Rich- land County, Ohio. In 1848, they removed from Ohio to Noble County ; becoming residents of Orange Township, where they settled upon a piece of timbered land. Here they resided for the remainder of their lives, clearing up and improving their property, becoming valued and respected citizens, and esteemed members of the Albright Church. Five children came with them to Indiana-Wilhemina; Thomas, living in Iowa; Agustus, a resident of Orange Township ; Henry ; Charles, deceased; and Sarah A. Walker, a resident of Kansas. The father died in 1872, the mother in 1850. Henry Poppy, our subject, is a native of Germany. Since the removal of his parents to Noble County in 1848, he has been identified with the agricultural interests here. He married, in 1856, Miss Susanna Rendel, of Wayne Township, daughter of William Rendel, and the same year he became a resident of Wayne Township, where he has improved a farm of 114 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Poppy have five children-Emma, Rettie, Dora, Marshall and Charles. They are members of the Disciples' Church.

JOB RENDEL is one of the young and successful farmers of Wayne Township. He represents also one of the early families of the township. His parents, William and Susanna (Likes) Rendel, were natives of Pennsyl- vania ; they came from Wayne County, Ohio, to Wayne Township, about 1853, settling in the southern portion of the township, where the mother died in 1875. His father still claims it as his residence. They were parents of eight children-Mary J. Poppy, Susanna Poppy, Job, George, a leading farmer of Wayne Township ; John, of Springfield Township, La Grange County ; Mag- gie Kimmel, residing in Michigan; Arminda Mawhorter, of La Grange County, and Sarah Muter, of Orange Township. Job was born in Wayne County, Ohio, but since the removal of his parents to Noble County, has been associated in agricultural pursuits here. He now owns 160 acres of superior land with splendid improvements, and is one of the leading practical farmers of the township. He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Drowley, of De Kalb County, in 1863. They are members of the Disciples' Church, and have three children-Hattie B., George O. and Herbert.

HIRAM ROBERTS is a son of Nehemiah and Charlotte (Tanner) Roberts, natives, respectively, of Vermont and Massachusetts. They were married in the State of New York, subsequently moving to Pennsylvania, then to Wayne County, Ohio. In 1841, they came to this county and settled in Allen Township. The father died in 1850, while on a visit to Ohio, and the mother in Allen Township in 1853. They were parents of thirteen children, only three of whom are now living, viz. : Hiram, who is the eldest; Amy, the wife of Wm. Whitford, of Allen Township ; and Nathan, of Allen Township. Hi- ram Roberts was born in Jamestown, New York, in 1820. He came to Allen Township, from Wayne County, Ohio, in 1840, and purchased eighty acres of land, after which he returned to Ohio, and in 1841 brought his parents to Indiana. While a resident of Allen Township, he cleared and improved his land. In 1865, Mr. Roberts removed to his present home. His landed pos- sessions are very valuable, and comprise over 400 acres, well improved and

Yours Truly John Shipaly

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cultivated, making a farm difficult to excel. He was first married in 1847 to Miss Betsey Munger, of Orange Township. She died in 1852, leaving two chil- dren-Mary M., now Mrs. Smith, of Kendallville, and William Henry. Mr. Roberts married for his second wife, in 1856, Catherine Lash, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of Phillip Lash, who came to Wayne Township about 1852. By this union three children have been born-Charles, on the old farm in Allen Township ; Rose Long, of Ligonier, and John E. Mr. Roberts is a member of the Chosen Friends, and a practical, substantial farmer.

ANDREW ROSENBURY is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, born in 1811. His parents, Oliver and Ann (Jack) Rosenbury, were natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Columbiana County, Ohio, subsequently removing to Summit County, and thence to Tuscarawas County, where they died. Our subject passed his early days in pioneer life in Ohio, subsequently engaging in farming in Summit County, where he remained for twelve years. In 1848, he became a resident of Wayne Township, locating in the extreme northeast corner, where he entered 80 acres, clearing and improving part of it, and then selling it, after seven years' residence. With the proceeds, he pur- chased 280 acres where he now resides. Here he has lived up to the present time, improving and clearing his land himself. He now owns 260 acres, 160 of which are in a splendid state of cultivation. Mr. Rosenbury is one of the many pioneers who have added much to the wealth and prosperity of Noble County, whom posterity should justly hold ever in grateful remembrance. He was married, in 1833, to Miss Justa Metland, a native of Summit County, Ohio. They have seven children living-Ann E. Shultz, of Kendallville; Louisa, deceased ; Oliver, in Missouri; Jane Devoe, in Kansas ; Joseph, a farmer of Wayne Township; Harriet Chaffee, of Missouri; Warren, a resi- dent of Allen Township, and Norman.

JOHN SHIFALY . is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born July 17, 1838, and attended school until fourteen years old, when, November 23, 1852, unaccompanied by friends, he left home and made the trip to the United States, landing in New York City January 9, 1853. After one year on a farm in Mahoning County, Ohio, he landed in Kendallville, Ind., March 27, 1854. Here young Shifaly, though not able to speak English, entered as clerk in the grocery store of J. Kime, where he worked one season for three dollars per month. On the 24th of December, 1854. he commenced to make Thomas B. Weston's his home. During that winter, he attended school two weeks, and, though commencing with his A B C, by his characteristic perse- verance, in studying at home nights by the flickering light from the fire-place, in the spring he was able to read quite well. Home studying has been the source of his English education. As evidence of his attainments, he has been identified with school interests, as Director, for years, and there is to be found in his house one of the best libraries of any farmer in Indiana, comprising such works as Encyclopedia Brittanica, Appleton's Encyclopedia, Bancroft's History, Edward Everett's, David Hume's, and most of the standard works of other noted authors. Mr. Shifaly continued to work for Mr. Weston until January 2, 1859, when he was united in marriage with Emily Pauline Weston, only daughter of his employer. He then took entire charge of the farm, making improvements, building, clearing, etc., continuing in full control until Mr. Weston's death. To the original tract-which was inherited through his wife-he has added by purchase 240 acres, the whole now comprising 510 acres, and constituting one of the best stock and grain farms in Northern In-

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diana. Mrs. Shifaly was born in Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich., August 30, 1838, and has lived on their present farm nearly 38 years. Their children are as follows: Mary Pauline, born May 5, 1860, and married to Albert Chaffee September 16, 1877 ; they have one child, born September 28, 1881; Charlotte Josephine, born August 18, 1862; Grant George Thomas, born May 7, 1864, died, July 21, 1872. Mr. Shifaly has the greatest reverence for the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Weston, and entertains for them both the highest appreciation for their kindnesses to him during his stay under their roof, which will always be remembered as equaling parental affection. Mr. Shifaly is a true representative of perseverance, energy, thrift and strict integrity. In physical endurance he is a prodigy, having performed an amount of labor that would have broken down a man of ordinary constitution, but no doubt much of this ability to endure is attributable to correct habits and his temperate mode of life. For twenty years past he has neither used tea nor coffee, neither has he used tobacco in any shape or manner. Never did drink spirituous liquors, nor does he drink beer, or even hard cider. This is the more remarkable when his nationality is taken into consideration. The good judgment and

labor bestowed in the management of his farm has been almost marvel- ous in results. Two thousand bushels of shelled corn were marketed in one season, besides retaining sufficient for stock feeding ; another year he raised 188 bushels of clover seed, and another season 2,000 bushels of wheat. From this same farm he has sold wood for twenty-two winters, often three and four loads per day, hauling a distance of six miles, and not an uncommon thing to unload on his first trip at 4 o'clock in the morning. He has now 400 head of sheep, thirty-five head of cattle and several head of horses. Mr. Shifaly is of a social disposition, a stanch Republican, and, in public matters, keeps apace with the progress of the age. He is a fitting representative of the progressive and practical farmers of Noble County.

ADDISON B. STANTON is a son of Caleb S. and Chloe (Caldwell) Stanton. Caleb was a native of New York; his wife of Canada. They were married in Wayne County, N. Y., and in 1834 emigrated to Michigan, where they remained until 1836, when they removed to Noble County, Ind., settling on Section 10, Wayne Township. There the worthy couple passed the re- mainder of their days, assisting in the development of the community and aiding as best they could in the progress and advancement of the township. He served in various offices of trust, for three years as Township Trustee. He died in 1872; his wife in 1873. She was a consistent member of the M. P. Church. They were parents of four children-Dorliska Andrews, now a resident of La Grange County; Addison B .; Alphonzo, a resident of Mich- igan ; and Luftus, also of Michigan. Our subject is a native of the "Empire " State. He has been identified with Wayne Township from the "pioneer" days of their early settlement up to the present time. Mr. Stanton has always fol- lowed the vocation of farming, and is now the owner of 160 acres of valuable land. He has always taken an interest in public measures for the improve- ment of Noble County and is one of the representative and practical farmers. He was united in marriage, in 1850, with Miss Lucinda Potter, daughter of Henry Potter, an old resident of the county. They have two children-Ade- laide Devoe, living in Wayne Township, and Seymour, who is a divine in the M. P. Church and (in 1881) located in Grant County, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Stanton have been identified with the M. P. Church for many years and are esteemed and valued citizens.

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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 80

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