Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 97

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 97
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 97

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).

ABRAHAM GILL, one among the thriving farmers of this township, was born in Union County, Penn. His parents, Jacob and Susannah Gill, were natives of the same place, and his mother died in Pennsylvania. Abraham Gill's youth was passed in the States of Pennsylvania and Ohio, attending school, and farming during the summer vacations. After leaving Ohio, he came to Wells County, Ind., and purchased 80 acres of wooded land, where he built a log cabin, and lived twenty-six years. He then came to Sparta Town- ship, and bought 80 acres of land partially improved, and, after working it fourteen years, he sold it and located on his present farm in Elkhart Township. He owns 104 acres, and has improved 80 acres, upon which is a good frame dwelling-house, large barn, etc. Mr. Gill was married in Stark County, Ohio, to Mary McDaniel, a native of Stark County, and daughter of James and Sarah McDaniel, the latter a native of Pennsylvania, who, after her husband's death in Stark County, came to Indiana, and remarried. Mr. and Mrs. Gill are both members of the Christian Church. They have had twelve children- one, Elibabeth, deceased ; the others all married except John, who is living at home; Anne R., living in Fort Wayne; Sarah J., Sparta Township; Josiah G., Perry Township ; Jacob F., Michigan ; David, Elkhart Township ; Mary E., Ligonier ; Amos A., Michigan ; Adam, York Township ; William, Mich- igan ; and Almeda, Michigan.

MARION GLANT, proprietor of one of the two hotels at Wawaka, is a na- tive of Miami County, Ohio, and came here with his parents, natives of Ohio, in 1869. His education was obtained at West Milton, Ohio, and he lived with his parents until twenty-five years old. His father, John Glant, kept a butcher shop in Wawaka, where he died. His mother, Eliza Glant, is living

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with her son in Ohio. The subject was married February 10, 1870, to Athelia A. Henry, a native of Ohio, whose father, Mark W. Henry, is dead, and her mother makes her home with subject's family. Since their marriage they have been engaged in the hotel business at Wawaka, and they are at all times ready to administer to the wants of the traveling public. Their hotel is known as the Wawaka House, and is conveniently located near the depot. Until about two years ago, theirs was the only hotel in Wawaka. Mr. and Mrs. Glant are pleasant, affable people, and well adapted to their calling.

WILLIAM GOLDEN is a native of Pennsylvania, son of William and Temperance Golden, both deceased. The mother died in Pennsylvania and the father in Ohio. The school days of William were limited to three terms in Fay- ette County, Penn. In his early days, he learned shoemaking ; engaged in this and running a tannery four years ; subsequently he built a tannery at Vienna, and conducted it seven years ; then, in 1847, came to this county, and located in a rude cabin on 200 acres of wood land. In two years he was the owner of 1,000 acres in one body ; improved two farms, but, being land poor, he turned it into $10,000 worth of railroad stock, and $4,000 in a woolen-mill at Rome City ; lost it all. He then made another beginning in this township, by pur- chasing 80 acres, little improved; to this he added until he owned 400 acres. He has built a good house and barn and other buildings ; he now owns 200 acres, having sold off 200. His present farm is well improved and cultivated. March 8, 1836, he married Elizabeth Parks, daughter of James and Susannah Parks, both of whom are dead. Mrs. Golden is a native of Kentucky. They are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and have had ten children- Sidney A., married and a resident of California ; James W. (deceased), William A. (died in the army), Mary J. (deceased), Susannah, Francis M., Benjamin F., Stephen, Hannah C. and Elizabeth (deceased).

CHARLES K. GREENE is an affable, thrifty merchant of Wawaka, carrying a stock of drugs, groceries, wall paper, etc., to the value of $2,000. Mr. Greene is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, where he spent his boy- hood years. At the age of eighteen, he commenced the study of medicine with Drs. Young and Calvin. After four years' application, he came to Zanes- ville, Ind., where he taught school one term, after which, he found employ- ment in a drug store, for a Mr. Mackall, in Sheldon, Allen County. Here he served for about one year. May 18, 1876, he married Louisa Caston, daughter of John Caston, of Wells County, Ind. Mr. Greene and wife moved to Wa- waka, where he engaged in clerking for M. Caston, in a drug store. June 9, 1877, he purchased the business, amounting to about $600. In this venture he has been successful, and has built up the trade, added to his line and is now in a prosperous condition. He has filled the office of Justice of the Peace, to which he was elected in 1878 by a vote of 219 to his opponent's 35; belongs to the Brimfield Lodge of I. O. O. F., and he and wife belong to the M. E. Church. Two children have been born to them, one of whom, Myrtle, is deceased. The one living is Raymond V. Mr. Greene's parents, Charles M. and Annie Greene, are still residents of Ohio.

JAMES HALL, a prosperous farmer of Elkhart Township, is a native of Ohio, and came with his parents, William H. and Lucy Hall, to Indiana in 1838, and settled on a farm in Elkhart Township, where the mother died. She was a native of Vermont. William Hall is eighty-six years old, was born in Pennsylvania and is now living in Iowa. The subject received his schooling in Ohio, and was married, April 3, 1851, to Elizabeth Hamilton, and since

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then has been living on his present farm of 125 acres, that is furnished with all the modern improvements. She was born in Ohio, and was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Hamilton, natives of Pennsylvania. She died in 1865 and left five children-Mary, in La Grange County, married; Benjamin F .; Sarah S., married and living in La Grange County; Ida S., La Grange County ; and Elmer E. Mr. Hall subsequently married Mrs. Sarah J. Fer- guson, a native of Ohio. They have four children-Lemira, Lucy L., Ezekiel W. and Melvin. Mr. Hall is the inventor of Hall's Windmill, which was patented in 1871 and again in 1873. He was interested in that business about five years, then sold it to Flint, Walling & Co., who continue to manufacture and erect windmills in various parts of the country.

LOREN R. HATHAWAY was born in Perry Township, Noble County, Ind. His parents, William and Margaret Hathaway, came to Indiana from Ohio, their native State, and located on a farm in Perry Township. Here Loren Hathaway was reared, and was taught the common branches at the district and town schools. It was here also that his mother's death occurred. His father was proprietor of the first hotel started in Ligonier, where his last days were passed. The subject was united in marriage, in 1874, with Miss Alice L. Smith, a native of Darke County, Ohio. Her parents, William and Elizabeth Smith, were also natives of Darke. County. Mr. and Mrs. Hath- away came to their present farm in Elkhart Township in 1879. They have a good home and a family of three children-William H. L., Eva L. and Tola B., all living at home.

CHRISTIAN HELTZEL, a native of Virginia, spent his youth in the States of Virginia, Ohio and Indiana. He came to the latter State in 1836 with his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Heltzel, natives of Virginia, who located in Perry Township, where the mother died. His father served as Collector and Assessor two terms and Recorder eight years. He died in Albion. Christian Heltzel never attended school, but can read and write readily enough to trans- act all business forms. He purchased forty acres of land in Elkhart Township in 1847; subsequently purchasing and disposing of land, and engaged all the time in clearing and improving. He now owns 140 acres and is comfortably situated. He was married, in 1844, to Catharine Vance, native of Ohio and daughter of Martin and Barbara Vance, also natives of Ohio, who came to Benton Township, Elkhart County, in 1829. They had twelve children- Melissa, deceased; Marian and Eliza A. (twins), deceased ; George W., now living in Sparta Township; Marquis D., at home; Caroline, living in Nap- panee, Elkhart County ; John V., in Sparta Township; Thomas J., in Elkhart Township; Amos C., in Indianapolis ; Charles, deceased; Jefferson C., at home; and Catharine E., deceased. Mr. Heltzel's first wife died in 1863, and he subsequently married Elizabeth Rentfrow, native of Ohio. They have two children-Andrew J. and Seymour.

JAMES J. KNOX is a native of Richland County, Ohio, a son of John and Mary Knox, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where they lived on a farm until their death. James remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years old. He served as a soldier in the Mexican war thirteen months. After returning to Ohio he came to Noble County in 1848, and pur- chased 184 acres of timber land in Elkhart Township. Mr. Knox returned to Ohio and wintered, and in 1849 crossed the plains to California, where he en- gaged in gold mining until 1852, when, in July of that year, he again returned to Ohio. In 1853, he retraced his steps to Noble County and built a steam saw-

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mill in Allen Township ; this he operated for two years. September 5, 1854, he married Naomi A. Black, a daughter of Peter and Martha Black, who came from Maryland in 1853, and located on farm in Jefferson Township, where the father died ; the mother then lived with her son Cyrus until her death. In October, 1855, Mr. Knox and wife settled on his farm in this township, which he improved with fine buildings, orchard, etc. This farm he sold in June, 1881, and purchased a fine brick residence in Ligonier, which he intends mak- ing his future residence. Mr. Knox and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have had five children-Martha L. and Mary P., both deceased; Alice, Kate and Gertrude B. He still owns 433 acres of land, and is a substantial citizen.

AARON E. MAWHORTER, son of William and Prudence Mawhorter, was born February 11, 1838, in Elkhart Township, where he lived with his par- ents on a farm, and obtained a common-school education. March 22, 1858, he married Rebecca Kessler, who was born in Morrow County, Ohio. Her parents-Andrew and Mariah Kessler-the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Morrow County, Ohio, came to Indiana and located near Rome City. The mother died July 3, 1881, and the father is still living on the farm with his daughter. Mr. Mawhorter and wife are thrifty people, and have made vast improvements on their well-regulated farm. He now owns ninety-three acres of land, upon which are numerous fine buildings, besides town property in Wawaka. They have two children living-Eva C., who married a farmer of Elkhart Township, and William A., at work for himself; and one, Prudence M., deceased.

WILLIAM MAWHORTER (deceased) was born in Washington County, Penn., February 9, 1812. His parents, William and Margaret Mawhorter, were wealthy, but lost their property and came to Ohio when William, Jr., was was about thirteen years old. Here, the father died. The subject of this sketch, when he grew to maturity, purchased forty acres of land in Marion County, upon which he lived with his mother and sisters, and engaged some- what in clearing until 1834, when he sold out and came to this county, and purchased 160 acres of land in this township from the Government. March 19, 1837, he was married to Miss Prudence Pierson, who was born in Cape May County, N. J., August 18, 1816. They commenced housekeeping in the log cabin on his land, on which they lived until 1866, when he removed to eighty acres in Section 21, which he had purchased. Here his wife died July 7, 1870, he following her May 21, 1872. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was Steward several years. Their children were : Aaron E., Martha A. (deceased), Sarah C., William H., Francis M. (whose head was injured when three years old, impairing his mind; he lives with his youngest brother), Joseph A. (deceased), Thomas J., Marcus L., Joshua K. and Dr. N. (deceased). Thomas J. was born in this county December 10, 1852, and was married May 17, 1874, to Miss A. Rendel, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, October 10, 1854, the daughter of William and Susan- na Rendel. To them have been born four children, viz .: Miron E., Dora B., Blanche M., deceased, and Walter A. Mr. and Mrs. Mawhorter are living upon the land entered from the Government by his father.

GEORGE W. MUMMERT is a native of Canton, Ohio, whose parents were Adam and Mary Ann Mummert, natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Canton in 1816, where the mother subsequently died. The father is still living, and though he is eighty-one years old, he is quite active. In the year

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1854, at the age of eighteen, George W. came west to Goshen, Ind., where he found employment in a grist-mill. August 6, 1858, he married Louisa Zinn, whose parents were natives of Clark County, Ohio. Mr. Mummert followed milling in Goshen about fourteen years, then moved to Wawaka, where he built a grist-mill in 1868, in partnership with E. W. H. Ellis ; July 23, 1875, this property was destroyed by fire, when Mr. Mummert bought Mr. Ellis' interest and immediately erected a steam saw-mill ; this he continues to operate in a thoroughly business-like manner. He filled the office of Township Trustee two terms, and subsequently that of County Commissioner two terms. He is a member of Goshen Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F., of twenty-four years' standing, and member of Freeman Encampment. He is also a Master Mason of the Albion Lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Mummert have had a family of four children- William C. is now Postmaster at Wawaka, and Elmer E. is living at home. All of the family are members of the M. E. Church.

JAMES E. NOWELLS ministers to the wants of the traveling public as landlord of a comfortable hostelry in Wawaka. He was born in Holmes County, Ohio, and was bound out to Peter Dunmire, who kept a hotel. James' school opportunities were limited. He came to this township in 1856, but returned again to Ohio September 13, 1857. He married Mary A. Kline, daughter of Jacob and Barbara Kline, who still live in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Nowells came to his former location on a rented farm ; continued on rented property for a number of years, when he bought ten acres at the Poplar Grove Schoolhouse, after which he was employed as night-watchman at the railroad depot in Wawaka for six months ; then engaged in same capacity at the wool- en mills in Rome City for one year ; then one year as clerk in a Mr. Miller's store, same place. Returning to Wawaka, he exchanged some real estate for town property, and started a grocery store; this he continued for two years and six months, when he engaged in his present business, keeping hotel. Mr. Nowells has been honored with the office of Justice of the Peace for four years. They have three children-Alva E., Joseph L. and Minnie. His parents were Joseph and Sarah Nowells. The mother died in Ohio; the father came to Indiana, and is now seventy-five years old.

JOHN PANCAKE is a native of Ohio, where he lived on a farm and received the common education. His parents, John and Dorothy Pancake, came from their native State (Virginia) to Ohio, and settled on a farm, where they died. The subject came to Indiana in 1846, and located on land that had been entered by his father in 1838, and upon which he is now living. He has worked diligently, and at one time cleared a road through his farm, be- sides opening several others. His farm consists of 280 acres, enriched and cultivated soil. In the place of the log cabin of former days is an elegant brick residence, with other buildings to correspond. In 1846, Mr. Pancake was married to Miss Effie A. Radcliff, native of Ohio, and daughter of Job and Martha Radcliff, natives of Virginia. His wife died in 1847, in Indiana. He subsequently returned to Ohio and married Susan Cornell, now living. She was born in Virginia, and her parents, Daniel and Elizabeth Cornell, were also natives of Virginia, and were living in Illinois at the time of their death. Mr. and Mrs. Pancake have three children-Elias, married and living in Kan- sas, and Lizzie and Ella, living at home.

JOSEPH L. PANCAKE was reared in this township, where he came with his parents in 1844, though born in Ohio. They were also natives of Ohio, and located on 160 acres of land entered from the Government, which

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they afterward increased to 320. The father, Isaac Pancake, died February 26, 1880, and his wife, Eve, September 14, 1881, on the old farm. Joseph Pancake was married December 22, 1870, to Olive Peck, whose parents, Bur- ton and Sarah Peck, natives of New York, are now living in La Grange County, where Olive was born. They have two children-Verne L. and Emma G. Mr. and Mrs. Pancake belong to the Lutheran Church. His farm is desirably located, has an excellent soil, and is adorned with a good frame residence, large barn, etc. Mr. Pancake received a moderate education, and is esteemed as a good citizen.

EDMOND POTTER was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., where he lived until ten years of age, after that in Ohio until twenty-one, receiving a common-school education in Richland County. In 1844, he came with his parents to Indiana, and engaged in clearing land, etc. He was married Novem- ber 13, 1845, to Sarah J. Creigh, whose parents, Samuel A. and Lydia A. Creigh, located in Wayne Township in 1844. They are both dead. Mrs. Potter is a native of Richland County, Ohio. They lived on a rented farm in Wayne Township one year ; he subsequently went to Michigan, where he drove team on public works, and two years for a railroad company at Niles; followed this in building a mill in the Galien woods; then was something over one year lumbering at La Porte, Ind. He then rented a farm one year, when he bought forty acres wild land in La Porte County, which he improved for two years ; then removed to Sparta Township, this county, and rented for one year ; pur- chased sixty-five acres wood land in York Township, built a house and im- proved. In three years, sold and purchased eighty acres more; improved this with house, orchard, etc., remaining five years ; sold and purchased eighty acres in Elkhart Township, partly improved ; sold this in six months ; went to Iowa, bought ninety acres, which he cultivated one year ; then sold and returned to York Township and bought his former tract of eighty acres ; this he culti- vated and improved fourteen years, when the spirit of change again came over him, and he traded for his present farm in Section 29, consisting of 170 acres ; has a good frame house and barn and other buildings, orchard, etc. Mr. Potter has served as Constable two years. They have ten children-Amada, Judson, Mary, Edmond H., Paul, John T., Cynthia A., William, Simeon B. and Charles W. The parents of Mr. Potter were Henry and Azubah Potter ; the father, native of Connecticut, and died in Wayne Township, this county ; the mother, native of York State, died in Elkhart County, Ind.

PHILIP REIDENBAUCH (deceased), son of Philip Reidenbauch, was born in Germany, and learned the carpenter's trade there. At the age of twenty, he came to America and followed his trade for four years. March 16, 1844, he married Catharine Comingue, daughter of Lorenzo and Mary A. Comingue, all natives of Germany. Mrs. R. came to America in 1840. The subject and wife lived three years in Zanesville, Ohio, then came to Springfield, Elkhart Township, where, during the winter, he was engaged in carpentering, and then settled on their farm of eighty acres in Section 25. This land he cleared and improved, making subsequent additions until it now numbers 240 acres, 140 of which is cleared; and, together with the large frame residence and other requisite buildings, thereon, presents really a beautiful appearance. Mr. Reidenbauch died October 18, 1881, much regretted by all. He was a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a highly respected citizen. Mrs. R. is a member of the same church. They had nine children- Henry, killed in the battle of Mission Ridge; Catharine and Jacob, both mar-

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ried and living in Elkhart Township; Christina, living in Detroit, Mich .; Melinda, living in Wayne Township ; Lizzie, a resident of Michigan, and John, Philip and May A., all living at home.

JOHN W. RENDEL, a native of Ashland County, Ohio, is a son of Will- iam and Susanna Rendel, natives of Pennsylvania ; came with them to Wayne Township, Noble County, and located on a farm. The subject was reared in Noble County, and taught school when eighteen years of age. He was mar- ried, November 14, 1869, to Catherine E. Haller. She was born in Wayne County, and her parents, John F. and Joanna Haller, were natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. In 1870, they came to Elkhart Township, where Mr. Rendel purchased eighty acres of land, which he has largely improved. For some time Mr. Rendel followed teaching in connection with farming, and for the past five years has been engaged in the ministry. He has served as Township Trustee two terms, and is serving his third by holding the office on account of his successor's incompetency. He and wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. They have four children-John A., Charles F., Orvill and Ota E.

JOSEPH A. RITCHISON, son of Thomas and Mary Ritchison, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, and was reared and educated in Ohio. His parents were natives of Maryland, and came to Ohio, where they were engaged in farm- ing, and where they died. Joseph Ritchison was brought up to hard labor on a farm, and spent some time in boating on the canal and river. In 1836, he went to Greene County, Ohio, and was there married, in 1837, to Margaret Boroughs, a native of that county, and daughter of William and Sarah Bor- oughs, who were born in Maryland, and died in Ohio. The subject and wife lived in Greene County for thirty-eight years, engaged in farming, and then sold out and came to Indiana, where Mr. Ritchison purchased a farm of eighty acres in Elkhart Township, and resumed his old occupation. This land he has largely improved, and has erected numerous buildings. While in Ohio, Mr. Ritchison was elected Constable eight different times, and filled the office of Trustee two terms, and that of Deputy Sheriff two terms. They have had three children-Mary J., married, and living in Sparta Township ; Milo A., married, and living in Elkhart Township ; and William B., deceased.

WILLIAM ROBERTS was born in New Jersey, but passed his boyhood in Knox County, Ohio. His father, James P. Roberts, was a native of Scotland ; his mother, Hannah, was of Pennsylvania. They settled in Knox County, where they died. In February, 1855, James was married to Mary M. Coffinberry, daughter of G. L. Coffinberry. Her parents lived in Ohio, where she was born. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts came to Albion April 13, 1855, where he engaged in painting, having learned the trade in Fredericktown, Ohio. After six years in this employment, he purchased a stock of furniture and undertaking, which busi- ness he ran four years, then sold and purchased a half interest in a grocery and provision store ; this occupied two years of his time, when he sold to William Johnston. In 1868 and 1869, he clerked for Mr. Black, and in 1870 came to Wawaka as clerk in Mr. Ward's drug store. In November of 1871, he pur- chased the business. This establishment burned in 1875, about one-half of the stock being saved ; sustained a loss of $700. Started up the business again,

and sold out in 1877 ; then purchased a farm of eighty acres. His health fail- ing, he sold at the end of two years, and engaged in insurance, which business now receives his full attention. Representing, as he does, seven of the strong- est companies, adds largely to his prestige of success. He makes his office

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with G. W. Mummert. Mr. Roberts and wife have the following-named chil- dren-George L., James R. and Charlotte B. Mr. Roberts for four years administered the law to the satisfaction of the community as Justice of the Peace.

FREDERICK SCHWAB is a native of Switzerland, where he spent his boyhood years, and where his parents were born and died. In 1857, he came to this country and located at Springfield, in this township. Here he served two years as an apprentice at the carpenter's trade with his brother. Continued at this trade until 1862 ; then enlisted in Company B, Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Resaca, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. In addition to this, had his share of marching, skirmishes, etc. His health be- ing impaired, he engaged in shoemaking in Missouri for two years. Returned to Wawaka in 1875, and engaged in butchering for a summer ; then, after one year in the grocery business, Mr. Schwab commenced general merchandising, in which trade he still continues, carrying a stock of about $4,000 ; being well- adapted to this calling, he has become popular and commands an increasing cus- tom. His wife was Mary A. Lower, daughter of Daniel and Abigail Lower, natives, respectively, of Germany and Ohio. The father came to America in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Schwab were married in May, 1866. They have had five children-Margaret A. (deceased), Millie M., William D., Nora E. (deceased), and Charles W. Mr. Schwab is a member of the Ligonier Lodge, No. 267, I. O. O. F.

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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 97

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