Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 87

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 87
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 87

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JAMES A. HAMLIN, of Hamlin & Skinner, drugs, etc., is a native of Crawford County, Ohio, born in October, 1846. His father being a farmer, James was engaged in tilling the soil during his minority. In 1864, he enlisted in the navy, upon U. S. Steamer Choctaw, of the Lower Mississippi Squadron, and was in service two years, taking part in several severe engage- ments, prominent among them the battle of Fort De Russy, La. He returned from the service, receiving his discharge at Cairo, Ill., to Ohio, soon after en- gaging in the grocery trade, at Melmore, Seneca County, where he remained for several years. In December, 1875, he came to Albion, and embarked in the grocery business, continuing until 1878, when he changed his line of busi- ness to the drug trade, and to that branch has devoted his attention since ; now in partnership with M. C. Skinner. Messrs. Hamlin & Skinner are doing the leading business in their line. They are courteous and progressive business men, and worthy of the extensive trade they are accorded. Mr. Hamlin was elected Justice of the Peace in 1879, and is still a worthy incumbent of that position. He was connected with the same office in Ohio ; elected there when only a few days over twenty-one years of age, the youngest ever elected in that State, serving there six years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and A., F. & A. M., of Albion. Mr. Hamlin married, in 1867, Miss Hattie A. Murray, a resident of Oberlin, Ohio. They have two children-Nellie C. and Arvin M.

J. R. HART, liveryman, was born September 7, 1828, in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. He is one of a family of eight children born to John and Lodema (Dorwin) Hart. The father was a shoemaker, and followed his trade until the latter part of his life, when he engaged in mercantile pursuits at Mon- mouth, Adams Co., Ind., where he was also Postmaster. Mr. Hart brought his family to Adams County in 1843, where he resided until his death, at the close of the war of rebellion. John R. Hart assisted his parents until the age of nineteen, when he left home and went to Muskingum County, Ohio, where for two years he was engaged in various pursuits. In 1849, he returned to Indiana, and November 25, 1851, married Hannah L. Gorsline. For a num- ber of years, he was engaged in the hotel and livery business in Monmouth, and for four years was a resident of Cincinnati. In 1878, he purchased 102 acres of land in Green Township, Noble County. and was engaged in farming until the spring of 1881, when he rented his farm, moved to Albion and formed a partnership with Samuel Stoops in the livery business. This enterprise has

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been successful-constantly growing in favor with the public-which is chiefly due to their fair and honorable dealing with customers. Mr. Hart is a Uni- versalist, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This couple have had three children-Mary J. (deceased), Helen A. and Ida M. Helen is the wife of Clark E. Slocum, of Fort Wayne, Ind. Mr. Hart is a first-class business man, and a highly esteemed resident of Albion.

A. D. C. HARVEY, contractor and planing-mill, is a native of Scot- land, and came to America with his parents in 1836. They located in Ash- land County, Ohio, where they remained until 1852, when they removed to Noble County, locating in Jefferson Township, where they were engaged in farming for several years ; they are now living in retirement in Albion. The subject of this biography commenced to learn the carpenter's trade when eight- een years of age, and in that calling has devoted the attention of many years, doing extensive contracting, and also owning a complete planing-mill, which, in connection with lumber interests also, divides his attention. For fourteen years he also owned and operated a farm in Jefferson Township, in connection with his other interests. He has contracted for and built all of the county buildings-notably the infirmary and jail-most of the churches in the region around the county seat, and many of the business blocks and private residences of Albion. He conducts a business room in town for the sale of sash, doors and blinds, and other builders' material. He was married, in 1860, to Miss Anna Buchan. They have three children-Mary E., William P. and Alex L. J. W. HAYS, physician and surgeon, is a native of Greene County, Ohio. When ten years of age, his parents removed to Miami County, Ohio, where he was associated, working upon his father's farm and teaching school until 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in three years' active service, participated in about thirty heavy engagements, among which we mention Winchester, Manassas Gap, Mine Run, Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania Court House, Monocacy Junction, Md., Charlestown, Va., Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, siege and capt- ure of Richmond, Sailor's Run, and at the surrender of Lee. His regiment was a member of the Sixth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. He entered the service as a private, and, upon the assault and capture of Richmond, commanded a company, continuing in that position until he was mustered out, at which time he was recommended for promotion, and had the war con- tinued would have received a commission. His father, Jacob H. Hays, had in the meantime become a resident of Sparta Township, Noble County, and, in 1865, our subject came to this county, but soon after went to Piqua, Ohio, and commenced reading medicine with G. Volney Dorsey, remaining under his tutelage for four years, attending two courses of the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1872. He was also a teacher at intervals during this period. In April, 1872, he commenced his practice in Albion, where he has since remained, achieving a lucrative business. He has served the county as Infirmary Physician for four years, and is a member of the County and Northeastern Medical Associations. Dr. Hays was married in June, 1870, to Laura E. Munger, of Dayton, Ohio. They have three children living-Edna, Olive and Woodward.

JAMES T. JOHNSTON, County Surveyor, is a native of Scotland. His parents emigrated to America in 1854, and settled in Richland County, Ohio, where his father died in May, 1881; his mother still survives. James is the eldest of four children, and was reared upon a farm. He received a good edu- TT

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cation, being a graduate of Washington and Jefferson Colleges, of Pennsylva- nia. He was a teacher for a number of years, for three years in Noble and De Kalb Counties. His connection with Noble County began in 1871; he first engaged at railroad contracting, subsequently engaging in the dry goods and hardware trades at Kendallville. Previous to coming to Indiana, he taught in the schools of Wooster, Ohio, and the Academy of Savannah, desisting on ac- count of the failure of his health. He was elected Surveyor of Noble County in 1876, and is now serving his third term. He married, in 1871, Miss Eliza P. Vermilya, a native of Ohio ; four children are born to them-Harry V., Elizabeth Winifred, John H. and James.

A. J. KIMMELL, grocer, is a native of Canton, Ohio, and a son of Adam Kimmell, who was an early settler of Stark County, and a business man there for many years. His wife, Elizabeth Bowers, and mother of A. J., died in Stark County in 1849. Subsequently-in 1852-Adam Kimmel came to No- ble County, where he remained until his death. He was an intelligent and valued citizen, serving for fifteen years as Justice of the Peace in Ohio. A. J. Kimmell is by trade a tailor, which he followed upon first coming to Indiana, subsequently engaging in the grocery, dry goods, hardware and merchant tailor- ing and ready made clothing trade. In 1870, he was appointed Postmaster of Albion and served nine years, during which period he was also engaged in the grocery business. This branch he still continues, in addition to which he operates a valuable farm of seventy acres in Jefferson Township. He has served as Township Trustee two years; is a member of the Masonic order, and an energetic business man ; Mr. Kimmell was married in June, 1853, to Miss Ann Edwards, a daughter of Alexis Edwards, who came from Morrow County, Ohio, in 1848. They have two children, Frank and Emma. The former is connected with his father in the store; he is married to Miss Ella Ulmer, of Washington Township, her father, George Ulmer, being one of the first white settlers of Allen Township. Emma is now the wife of John W. Smith.

WILLIAM S. KISER, County Auditor, is a son of Jacob and Jane (Smith) Kiser; the former being a native of Wayne County, Ohio, the latter of Chester County, Penn. They were married in Ohio, and came to Indiana, making their location in Sparta Township, where they at present reside. Of a family of twelve children, only three now survive: Moses, ex-Sheriff of No- ble County, now a farmer of Sparta Township; Isabella Hursey, also a resi- dent of Sparta Township, and William S., who was born in Sparta Township in 1849. Until twenty years of age, he remained upon the home farm. He then came to Albion to attend school, during which period he entered the of- fice of the County Auditor, and for nine years was an assistant in the court house in the different offices. In 1878, he was elected Auditor of the County, and is at present serving his first term. Mr. Kiser is eminently fitted for the important duties of his position, and possesses the confidence of all parties. He is a member of Albion Blue Lodge, No. 97, of Kendallville, Chapter, Com- mandery and Council A., F. & A. M., of I. O. O. F., and K. of H., of Ken- dallville. Mr. Kiser was united in marriage in November, 1871, to Miss Ella J. Haney, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Pierce Haney. They have one child living, Georgie ; one deceased, Raymond.

S. K. KONKLE, painter, is a native of the Buckeye State, where, in Wayne County, he was born in 1836. Since 1848, he has been a resident of Albion. Mr. Konkle has followed the occupation of a painter all of his life- in former years a house-painter; since 1879, he has done the painting for the

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carriage manufactory of H. R. Shirk, of Albion ; also does fine graining and sign painting. In 1860, he was married to Miss Cornelia G. Andrews, a na- tive of Ohio. They have two children-Burton A. and Edwin L.

JAMES J. LASH, County Recorder, is a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and son to William and Mary G. (Carson) Lash, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They removed from Ohio in 1848, and settled near Kendall- ville. His father was a farmer, and continued a resident there until his death in 1855. His mother is still living there. Four children of a family of eight now survive-Mary E. Lester; Joanna C. Jewell, Chicago; Eliza P., Kendall- ville; and James J. The latter, at nineteen years of age, went to Michigan, where, in 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, and was in service during the war. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Cor- inth, Perryville and Savannah, Averysboro and Bentonville, N. C .; was wounded in his left arm, which had to be amputated. He received his dis- charge in New York in June, 1865. Returning to Kendallville, he was soon after appointed Postmaster there, serving for two and a half years. He next engaged in the insurance business for two years, during which period he was elected County Treasurer and removed to Albion. He served two terms, his office expiring in 1875. He then engaged in farming, at which he occupied himself until, having been elected County Recorder in 1880, he began the duties of that office, in August, 1881. He is a member of Kendallville I. O. O. F. Mr. Lash was married, in 1860, to Miss Rosa A. Hyde, a native of Ashtabula County, Ohio. Her father, Cullen Hyde, moved to Allen Town- ship in 1852, where he resided until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Lash have four children-Emma Grace, Lizzie A., Maud L. and Ruby A. M.

WELLINGTON Y. LEONARD, M. D., was born in Miami County, Ohio, October 5, 1834. His parents, Joseph and Julia (Renshaw) Leonard, were natives respectively of Vermont and Pennsylvania. Gilbert Leonard, the father of Joseph, was a soldier in Washington's army, and served with fidelity until the close of the struggle. At one time during this service, his wife, with her infant child, was compelled to seek safety from the enemy by fleeing to the depths of the forest, where she was secreted for three days and nights, without food or drink, suffering intensely. The school days of Wellington were not marked by anything conspicuous. His opportunities were the subscription schools of the times, a greater portion of the year being spent in hardy toil on the home farm. In 1850, his father removed to Wolf Lake, where he bought a farm, on which he located. In 1852, Wellington went to Xenia, Ohio, to become an architect. This he studied and attended night school. Under the double strain his health failed, and he abandoned drafting. In the fall of 1855, we find him entering a select school at Wolf Lake, attending one year, and soon after commencing the study of medicine with Dr. D. W. C. Denney, with whom he remained two years, excepting an absence to teach one term of school. In 1859, he attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- phia. In 1860, he returned to Wolf Lake, and, in connection with Dr. Will- iam C. Williams, began the practice of medicine. The partnership continued until 1861, when the latter entered the army. In 1863, he again attended lectures, this time at Cincinnati Medical College, from which he graduated in 1864, receiving his diploma March 4. Returning to Wolf Lake, he resumed his practice, continuing until the winter of 1865 and 1866, when he went to Chicago and attended lectures at the Rush Medical College for one term, re- ceiving the ad eundem degree January 26, 1866, after which he returned to

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his old field of labor, and remained until April, 1866, when he removed to Albion and, in company with Dr. Dunshee, resnmed the practice of his pro- fession. After two years, the partnership was dissolved. His practice was steadily increased, until it is now large and lucrative. The following extract concerning Dr. Leonard is taken from Butler's "Medical Register and Direc- tory:" "Wellington Y. Leonard, M. D., Albion; graduated Cincinnati Col- lege Medicine and Surgery March, 1864; ad eundem, Rush Medical College, Chicago, 1866; member of Medical Society, Noble County, Ind .; member of Northeastern Indiana Medical Society ; and member of American Medical Association. He was County Physician from 1867 to 1875; is surgeon of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Albion." In politics, he is a Republican and firm in his convictions. He was a member of the Albion School Board for three years, and was instrumental in perfecting the Albion School Building, which is a pride to the town. The Doctor has also served as a member of the Town Board of Trustees, and is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married, November 19, 1857, to Miss Amanda Place, of Phoenixville, Penn. They have four children, three sons and one daughter.

S. W. LEMMON, M. D., is the oldest medical practitioner in Albion, having been identified here for over twenty-five years. Dr. Lemmon is a native of the State of New York, and came when a youth with his parents to Seneca County, Ohio, locating near Attica, upon a farm. Having decided upon the profession of medicine, he entered the office of Dr. Freeman, of Attica, and commenced his studies, subsequently attending the Western Reserve College of Cleveland, and graduating in the Medical Department. He commenced his practice in Attica, Ohio, where he remained for five years, removing from there to Toledo, Ohio, and thence to Albion in 1856, where we still find him admin- istering to a well-established practice. Dr. Lemmon is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the County Medical Society, and of the Northeastern Medical Association. In 1853, he married, in Attica, Ohio, Miss Harriet Chandler, who died in 1858. He was united to a second wife, Miss Harriet Wheeler, of Allen Township, in 1859. They have three children-Hattie, Antony and Lillie.

ISAAC MENDENHALL, Postmaster, was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 1837. His father, John Mendenhall, was a native of Virginia ; his mother's maiden name was Fiania Shoaff, a native of Ohio. They were married in Ohio, where they resided until 1842, when they emigrated to Indiana and located in Swan Township, Noble County. His father was a farmer, and conducted a saw-mill, residing there until 1870, when he was drowned. His mother is still living. Isaac is the second of seven children, six of whom are now living. He passed his early days occupied with duties connected with the farm and saw- mill. In 1861, October 8, he enlisted in the Fifth Indiana Battery, one year from which time he was wounded at the battle of Perryville, Ky., and was compelled to return home. In January, 1863, he engaged in the mercantile business in Swan Township. During the period of his residence there, he served as Township Clerk, and was Township Trustee three years. In 1866, he was elected County Treasurer, serving two terms. After his terms expired, he engaged in the drug trade in Albion, at which he continued until 1879, when he was appointed Postmaster of Albion, in which position we find him at pres- ent writing (1881). He was married October 8, 1863, to Miss Farlay Carver, of Allen Township. They have four children living-Fiania, Charlotte, Cecelia and Farlay ; a son, Wade, a bright youth of seven years, died October, 1880.

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JAMES PEPPLE is a native of Bedford County, Penn., born in 1812. His father was a farmer, and upon the farm he passed his early days until the age of nineteen, when he learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1832 moved to Richland County, Ohio, where he remained for fifteen years, following his trade, and also running a blacksmith-shop four years. In 1847, he came to Albion, embarking in blacksmithing and wagon making, which he carried on for some years. In 1857, he commenced farming in Albion Township, and has given his attention to that calling since. He owns seventy-five acres of improved land adjoining the limits of Albion. He has served as Justice of the Peace and as Township Trustee each one term. In 1831, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Border, who died in 1872. Six children now survive her- John, Riley, Rebecca Coon, of York Township; Mary E. Stoops, a resident of Marshall County, Ind .; Delilia Cockley and Clara A. Ramsey, of Warsaw, Ind. Mr. Pepple was married, September 12, 1878, to Maggie Holland, a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and at the time of her marriage a resident of Fort Wayne, Ind.

C. B. PHILLIPS, grain and insurance, is a native of New York, and lived upon a farm until seven years of age. He then went to New York City, where for three years he was employed in a wholesale dry goods house. He came to Albion in September, 1856, and clerked for William M. Clapp for over six years, at the expiration of which time he embarked in business in connec- tion with Walters, which association lasted for two and one-half years, when he retired, and was connected with Judge Clapp in business until 1876, when he began a business venture alone, which proved extensive and successful, and lasted until October, 1880, when he was burned out, losing about $5,000. He is at present dealing in grain, and doing a general fire and life insurance busi- ness. Mr. Phillips has been associated with the business interests of Albion for many years, and has always ranked as a citizen of honest integrity and sterling worth. He is the present (1881) Treasurer of Albion, and is Secreta- ry of the Masonic Order, of which he is a member. He married, in November, 1861, Miss Catherine Pepple, daughter of James Pepple, of Albion Township. She died in 1877, leaving three children-Thurlow, Grace and Ettie. În December, 1878, he married a second wife, Mary Kuhn, of York Township.

DR. C. M. PICKETT is a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y. His parents were of Scotch descent, and natives and residents of that county for a number of years. Our subject, for a period of about thirteen years, was en- gaged in manufacturing enterprises in different localities and States. He com- menced the study of medicine in 1868, in Illinois, and for a number of years was a resident and practitioner of Clay County, Ind. He came to Albion in June, 1878, where he has been in constant and successful practice since. Dr. Pickett's practice is of the Homeopathic school. He is a graduate of the Pulte Medical College of Cincinnati, class of 1878, and is a member of the Institute of Homeopathy. He is a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders of Albion. Dr. Pickett was united in marriage, in 1860, to Miss Mar- garet M. Jordan, a native of New York. They have three children-Emma L. Strowbridge (residing in Jefferson Township), Fred L. and Grace L.

NELSON PRENTISS was born in Genesee County, N. Y., August 16, 1813, and resided there until 1835, when he removed to Noble County. His father, Nathaniel Prentiss, was born in Preston, Conn., March 11, 1764, and at the age of fifteen entered the Continental army, where he served his term of enlistment, when he shipped on a privateer. He was shortly after captured

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by a British man-of-war, and taken to New York, where he was confined during one winter on the old prison-ship "Jersey," and the following spring was taken to Jamaica, in the West Indies, where he was kept until the close of the war. At the time of his death, which occurred in Noble County, February, 1839, he was a Revolutionary pensioner. He left a widow, whose maiden name was Margaret Heddon, who lived until 1861. She was a descendant of the Van Rensselaers, of Albany, N. Y. Nelson was the sixth child, and his early life was passed in the western frontier of the State, where he had only such chances for education as were afforded in that new country. These, with three terms at Wyoming Seminary, completed his opportunities for learning. At the age of sixteen, he commenced teaching, which he followed eight years. One of his special gifts was his retentive memory, and what he read, that was worth recol- lecting, was never forgotten. In 1837, he began the study of law, and in 1842 was admitted to practice in the courts of Indiana. In 1836, when Noble County was organized, he was appointed one of the School Examiners of that county, holding either that or the position of Superintendent until 1868, when he resigned. In 1879, he was again chosen Superintendent, in which office he is now actively engaged. In 1849, he was elected Clerk of the Noble County Circuit Court, and served one term. From the time of his admission to the bar, he followed the practice of his profession until 1868, when his office and law library were destroyed by fire. In 1846, he joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is now a member of North Star Lodge, No. 380. In 1852, he united with the Masonic order, and was the first Master of Albion Lodge, No. 97, holding that position for twenty consecutive years. As an extemporaneous speaker, he has few superiors. It is due to his efforts that the Old Settlers' Organization of Noble County has been made a success. For the first six years, he was President and Biographer of the society, and at the present time holds the latter position. He delivered the centennial address at Albion July 4, 1876, which is claimed to be the most complete on that subject of any delivered in the State. Following the teachings of his father, he iden- tified himself with the Democratic party until 1854, when he espoused the principles advocated by the Republicans. For many years, he has been a leading Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He is an active worker in the Sabbath schools as well as in the cause of temperance. He is simple in his habits, kind to his family, though strict in discipline. He is ever ready to espouse the cause of the weak as against wrong, and battles against vice in the palace of the rich as well as the hovel of the poor.

WILLIAM W. RIDDLE, County Sheriff, is a native of Richland County, Ohio, born in 1842. His father, J. B. Riddle, a native of Ohio, came to Noble County at an early day, settling in Jefferson Township, where he still resides. William remained an assistant upon the home farm until nearly eighteen years of age. Enlisting in 1861, in the Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was subsequently, in 1863, transferred to the First Heavy Artillery, he re- mained in service until 1866, participating in several heavy engagements, and was mustered out at Baton Rouge. Upon his return to his home, he engaged in farming. In 1869, he was united in marriage, to Miss Ellen E. Koontz, a native of Allen Township, Noble County, and soon after began farming opera- tions upon land of his own, in Jefferson Township, at which he continued until January, 1881, when he assumed the office of Sheriff, to which he had been elected in 1880. He owns a farm of eighty acres of improved and valuable land in Jefferson Township. Mr. and Mrs. Riddle have three children-Addie L., Wallace Guy and an infant.

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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 87

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