Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 99

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 99
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 99

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).

MOSES KISER is the second child of Jacob and Jane (Smith) Kiser, who had twelve children. Moses was born in Wayne County, Ohio, July 18, 1837, and came with his parents, in 1843, to Indiana, and settled on Section 10, in this township. Here Moses obtained such education as the schools of the log cabin days afforded, and when about eighteen years old learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. This he followed several years. In the war of the rebellion, on the 7th of August, 1862. he became a member of Company B, Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. William N. Voris. In this service, he participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chicka- mauga, and others of lesser note. On the 29th day of May, 1865, he was hon- orably mustered out as Sergeant. Returning home, he was subsequently elected Sheriff of Noble County, in which capacity he served so satisfactorily that he was re-elected for another term. On retiring from this position, he purchased the old Kiser homestead, upon which he still resides, a good Republican, and an honored and respected citizen. He now owns 173 acres of the valuable lands of Sparta Township. Mr. Kiser was married November 22, 1866, to Elizabeth A. Strouse. To them have been born three children-Walter F., Perry W. and Roscoe.

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JACOB KREAGER was born in Licking County, Ohio, August 12, 1823, the fifth child of John and Sallie (Hursey) Kreager. Being left an orphan when quite young, his education was sadly neglected. At an early age, he went to work at the carpenter's trade, but growing tired of this, he rented a farm in Ohio and worked it for two years; then went to hauling stone. This business proving distasteful, he discontinued it and bought a farm of fifty acres. This he soon sold and bought 116 acres, which he farmed for one year, and then sold for $1,500, and came to Indiana in May, 1854. Here he bought a farm of eighty acres, giving $1,500, and his team and wagon for the same. Here he built himself a cabin and worked at clearing up his farm, and has succeeded in obtaining 760 acres of the best farming land in Sparta Township. Mr. Kreager is fond of good stock, and pays some attention to breeding Durham cattle. He was married, March 24, 1850, to Miss Artemisia Belknap. They have six children-Cara P., John D., Emma E., William H., Mary A. and Minnie M. Mr. K. is a good Democrat, and a well-respected, influential citizen.

SPALDEN McMANN was born in Madison County, Ohio, November 2, 1834, the seventh child in a family of ten, whose parents were James and Mary (Lee) McMann. The father was a farmer, and came to Indiana, settling in Kosciusko County with his family in 1838, and Perry Township, this county, in 1840. In 1844, he moved to Section 5, of this township, where he died in July, 1869. The mother died in December, 1877. Spalden McMann obtained a limited education in the log schoolhouse of his neighborhood at intervals, when he could be spared from helping his father on the farm. In 1852, his uncle, Spalden Winchester, gave him forty acres of land, upon which he commenced for himself in 1856. Since that time, he has purchased an additional 280 acres, which makes him a farm not easily surpassed in soil and other good qualities. November 22, 1855, he was married to Elizabeth Gale. They have had twelve children-an infant (deceased), James (deceased), Melissa, Cora (deceased), Henry, Ann, Caroline, Schuyler, Perry, John, Spalden and Mary. In the late war, the family of which Mr. McMann is a member was represented by three brothers, showing a patriotic devotion to the country. He is a Repub- lican, and a thorough good citizen.

DANIEL OHLWINE, the fourth of twelve children in the family of Charles and Elizabeth (Schrader) Ohlwine, was born in Warren County, Ohio, February 14, 1810. He moved with his parents to Montgomery County, Germantown, when three years old, and, when about ten years of age, to Greene County, Ohio. His father was a tanner, and followed that trade until within a few years of his death, which occurred in 1856. The subject received the average education, and was employed during his youth in chopping, grubbing and splitting rails. In September, 1833, he came to Indiana, went back to Ohio in November, then returned in the spring of 1834, and built the cabin where he now lives in the spring of 1835. The first term of court in Noble County was held in 1836, on the old Adam Engle farm, and Mr. Ohlwine served on the jury. In January, 1835, he assisted at the burial of the old Indian chief, Flat Belly, with whom he was well acquainted. Mr. Ohlwine was fond of hunting, and, in 1844, bought 124.92 acres of land, the deed for which was signed by Gov. James Whitcomb. He has cleared, in all, about 200 acres of land. In 1840, he traveled on foot through Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas, and was gone about three months. February 17, 1831, he was married to Miss Maria Weed, who died in October, 1859. They had one child -Archie. Mr. Ohlwine was again married May 22, 1860, to Mrs. Sarah

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(Bartley) Ballah, a member of the Christian Church. He is a strong Repub- lican.

SAMUEL OHLWINE is a native of Greene County, Ohio, where he was born May 31, 1820, one of twelve children, to Charles and Elizabeth (Holtz) Ohlwine-the father was a farmer and tanner. Samuel, though raised on a farm, secured a good education, and commenced teaching school in Ohio, where he taught three or four winters. This calling he followed after coming to Indiana, until he had taught some eighteen terms, or about twenty-one in all. April 13, 1843, in Greene County. Ohio, Mr. Ohlwine was married to Eliza Ann Hopping. In October, 1845, he came to this county, and settled where he now lives. He bought eighty acres of land from the State, which he paid for in money called " blue dog." This he got at 45 cents on the dollar, and paid for his land with it at par. Mrs. Ohlwine died January 7, 1877. By her he had four children-Jasper N., Martha J., John Q. (deceased) and Mary Ann. Jasper enlisted in Company E, Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Silver's, and served in the late war about four years, being mustered out as Sergeant. Mr. Ohlwine December 18, 1879, married Lena Breninger for his second wife. He is a substantial citizen, and a desirable neighbor. In 1858, he was elected County Commissioner, in which capacity he served twelve years. During his term of office, the present court house was built, the county poor farm was purchased, and the buildings on it erected. Mr. Ohlwine was also, in 1874, a candidate on the Republican ticket for the State Legislature.

NATHANIEL PRENTICE was the son of Nathaniel Prentice, an old Revolutionary soldier, who served during the war, and was in the battles of Monmouth, White Plains, and assisted in the capture of Cornwallis. He cast his first vote for President for George Washington. Was a native of Con- necticut, and, in June, 1800, was married to Margaret Hedden, a widow with one child, from New Jersey. Mr. Prentice had also been previously married, and had two children at the time of his union with Margaret Hedden. To this union, seven children were born, one of whom, the subject of our sketch, was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., July 8, 1808, and is the fifth one in order of descent of the name of Nathaniel. He was raised on his father's farm, and received a good common-school education. Nathaniel and his brothers came to Noble County in 1837, and were soon followed by their aged parents. Nathaniel settled on the farm where he now lives, and his father on the farm now belonging to Mrs. Hull, on Section 29. The latter died January 23, 1839, highly respected by all who knew him. After the death of his father, Nathaniel still continued to work at clearing his farm, and, in December 14, 1851, was married to Catharine (Rice) Shepper, widow of John Shepper, and by her had eight children-Arcella (deceased), William H., Orpheus L., Laura, Luella, Lucy, Edwin Nathaniel and Oliver (deceased). Mr. Prentice has resided in Sparta Township since his arrival in Indiana ; is independent in politics ; is a member of the Christian Church and a highly respected citizen.

JEREMIAH B. NOE was born on Section 23, this township, February 7, 1844, the twelfth of a family of fifteen children. His parents were Aaron and Sarah (Beem) Noe, the former of French and the latter of Dutch descent. They came to Indiana, in 1837, from Licking County, Ohio. The father was a blacksmith and farmer, and set up the first blacksmith-shop in Sparta Town- ship. In 1841, Allen Noe, a brother of the subject and but a child, disap- peared from the yard while the mother was busy, and was never found. It is

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supposed he was stolen by the Indians, a full account of which will be found in the second chapter of the county history. Jeremiah was reared to farm labor. In 1860, he bought eighty acres of land, which he has cleared, and also owns a part of the old homestead, in all about 127 acres. In February, 1862, he enlisted in the Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and served at the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Stone River and minor engagements. He was wounded in the leg and lay in the hospital for fifteen months. Was discharged in February, 1864. He married, August 19, 1866, Rebecca Surfus. They had four children-Ellen, Ellsworth, Howard M. and Gracie. Mr. Noe has a flint-lock musket, four feet long, which his grandfather carried in the Revolutionary army. For the past three or four years, he has been engaged in shipping stock. He is a Republican and a good citizen.

NATHAN WHITE was born in Fayette County, Ohio, November 19, 1827, the third child of John and Maria (Baker) White. His father was a farmer and in 1838 came to York Township, and entered 160 acres of land on Section 30. He then returned to Ohio for his family, where he was taken sick and died, leaving his wife with the care of six children. In 1844, Mrs. White, a heroic woman, moved, with her family, to York Township, and settled on the land her husband had previously entered. This they commenced clear- ing, and by hard labor made for themselves a good home. Nathan acquired an education by attending school winters, and by industry and economy finally secured the old homestead by purchase. January 4, 1855, he married Maria Kimmel. They had three children-Irene, John O. and Mira. In March, 1868, Mrs. White died. In 1866, Mr. White bought his present farm on Sec- tion 13, this township, upon which he moved in 1869. It is on what is known as the Sparta Flats and one of the richest in the township. Mr. White's landed possessions comprise about 420 acres, 230 of which is under cultivation. Though by going security for others, and thus losing large sums of money, he is still ranked as one of the wealthy and respected citizens of the county. In political affiliations he is a Democrat, and in 1864, during the war of the re- bellion, furnished his substitute for service in the army for the Union.

WILLIAM K. WOLF was born in Greene County, Ohio, February 25, 1825. His advantages in the way of education and social culture were those common to farm life of those primitive years. He came to Indiana in October, 1861, locating on 160 acres of land purchased by him. Upon this he began the labor of cultivating the forty acres already under improvement and extend- ing the clearing. He now has 180 acres, with 120 under cultivation, the whole, with the improvements, constituting a most desirable property and a pleasant home. Mr. Wolf was the eldest of a family of ten children, whose parents were Daniel and Roseanna (Kershuer) Wolf, of German descent. He was married to Susan Kindel October 25, 1846. They had four children- Cleanthus (deceased), Casper and Florence (twins), and William Calvin. Dur- ing the late war, in October, 1864, he was drafted and became a member of Company B, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which organization he served until his discharge in August, 1865. He is a stanch Republican and a member of the Christian Church, of which organization he is a Trustee. As a Christian gentleman and neighbor, he stands above reproach.

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NOBLE TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM ABURN was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, June 25, 1825. All his education was received before the age of ten years, his mother hav- ing died when he was of that age. He bound himself to a farmer when he was twelve years old, to serve till he was eighteen. His father was killed about a year after his mother died, while assisting in hanging a slaughtered beef. Mr. Aburn served out the time for which he had bound himself, for which he never received compensation. After that he worked by the month and day until he reached the age of twenty-five, when he married Miss Catharine Arnett, of Miami County, Ohio. Seven children have been born to them, the eldest being dead. He moved into this county in August, 1860. Empty handed, but by industry and good management, he has succeeded in placing himself and family in a fine brick house, with first-class surroundings. He owns 240 acres of ex- cellent land. Four years after he had settled in the woods, he was drafted into the army, and paid $1,000 for a substitute, rather than leave his family with- out his protection. He says God seemed to favor him, and he never in his life paid a debt more easily.

JOHN S. BARTLEY was born in Sparta Township, Noble County, Ind., March 25, 1841, and with the exception of four years passed in Wells County, Ind., he has made this county his home. He enlisted in the Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry February 4, 1862, and took part in the battle of Shiloh and siege of Corinth. His regiment was guarding a train during the battle of Perryville, Ky., and had about as warm a time of it as any of them. He was discharged from No. 14 Hospital, Nashville, Tenn., March 15, 1863, having been rendered unfit for service from an attack of measles. Mr. Bartley was married to Miss Sophia Richmond August 9, 1864. His father and grand- father were natives of the State of New York ; his wife's folks are from Penn- sylvania. Mr. Bartley has commenced work on a barn, a fine improvement.

SIMON BENHOWER was born in Harrisburg, Penn., October 10, 1841. He remained there until the age of twenty-three years ; he had the advantages of a limited common-school education. He lived one year in Clark County, Ohio ; from there he went to Indianapolis, and thence to Roanoke, and came to this county about the year 1868. In 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served with them nine months. He served most of his enlistment in North Carolina, being present at the great battle of Gettysburg, but his regiment was not ordered in. He received his muster out at Chambersburg in 1863. In 1871, he married Miss Rosa Fisher, with whom he now lives. They have a family of four children. JOSEPH BITTING was born in Union County, Penn., May 26, 1837. Catharine (Butterbaugh) Bitting was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, December 17, 1833. Mr. Bitting came into this county in 1861, and settled on the farm where he now resides, one mile southwest of Noblesville, on the Columbia City road. His father, Henry Bitting, was a native of Pennsyl- vania, born June 9, 1800. His mother was born April 18, 1807. He was married in Miami County, Ohio, 'June 26, 1859. Four children are living, two boys and two girls. Mr. Bitting served as a soldier in the late war, first in the Thirty-second Indiana Volunteers, but afterward transferred to the Sev-

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enty-ninth Infantry. He served principally in North Carolina, Virginia and Louisiana, and received his discharge at Indianapolis May 17, 1865. After his discharge, he returned to civil life, resumed his farming, and has been suc- cessful. He cleared up the farm where he now lives, and has put it in a good state of cultivation.

ALPHEUS I. BUTLER was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 13, 1829. His father was born in Culpeper County, Va., August 19, 1795, and married Miss Sarah Seelock in Loudoun County, Va., February 28, 1820. They resided in Virginia till 1822, when they moved to Ross County, Ohio. They lived there eight years ; then came to Indiana, stopping at Fort Wayne till Feb- ruary, 1831. They then moved to Elkhart County, and settled on the Elk- hart River, near Benton. Mother Butler was born in Loudoun County, Va., May 11, 1803, and died March 1, 1880. The subject of this sketch attained to manhood in Elkhart County. September 13, 1860, he was joined in wed- lock to Miss Laura Jane Childs. Three children have been born to them, only one of whom, the eldest, Luella Blanche, is now living ; she was married to A. J. Yallinger September 15, 1876. Lizzie May, the next oldest, died Septem- ber 10, 1880, of blood cancer in one of her limbs. These two girls were pos- sessed of considerable musical talent. * Mr. Butler is a successful farmer and stock-raiser. His farm is situated on the Fort Wayne & Goshen road, about one mile northwest of Wolf Lake. His health for the last twenty years has not been good, yet he manages his farm, oversees the work, and makes a success of it.

PATRICK CLARK was born on the Isle of Man. His baptism dates January 1, 1820. His parents emigrated to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, when he was but ten years of age, and settled near the city of Cleveland, in War- rensville Township. He received but a common-school education, but he has raised a family of well-educated children, two of whom are teachers, and rank high in the profession -- Anna having taught twelve years and Catharine eight years. Mr. Clark was married to a young lady-Elizabeth Clark-in 1829. Her parents also lived on the Isle of Man: Mr. Clark moved to where he now resides, near Wolf Lake, in March, 1866. He owns a fine farm, and has erected thereon an elegant brick residence, which commands a splendid view of the adjacent country. Mr. Clark enjoys a competency, and is living at peace with all the world and with God. He has an attractive family, and the young people of the neighborhood collect there to enjoy themselves. Everything about the premises seems to be well ordered. The family of children consists of Caroline, Anna, Catharine, Celia and Henry. The eldest is married to Ed- gar Sparrow, and the second one to Leroy Surfus.

THOMAS R. DAVIS was born in Clark County, Ohio, January 28, 1844, and the same year his father came to Indiana and settled where Thomas now lives, at which time there was not a house between his and Wolf Lake. The father died in July, 1878. His mother is still living. His Grandfather Davis died in Clark County, Ohio, in 1847. His grandfather, Thomas Rich- ardson, died in 1852. His great-grandfather, William Richardson, died in Paulding County, Ohio, at the age of one hundred and six ; he had been a soldier of the Revolution, and was with Gen. Wayne in his campaign against the Indians. Wayne's mother and his mother were cousins. Mr. Davis en- listed in the Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry in July, 1862, and while on the march in Kentucky, October 7, 1862, he was sun-struck. On the 9th, having sufficiently recovered, he rejoined his regiment, and at the

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commencement of the battle of Stone River, December 31, he was captured and marched to Chattanooga, being three days without food, and then only re ceiving a pint of corn-meal with the cob ground in it. He was then sent to Atlanta, to Montgomery, Ala., and then back to Atlanta. Having an attack of typhoid pneumonia, he was dumped off on a platform to die, but was picked up and taken to a hospital. Finding a friend, he was kindly treated and recovered. He there witnessed a sale of slaves. From here he was taken to Petersburg in freight cars, being confined in them eight days without food, on account of drunkenness of the officer in charge. He was in Libby Prison one month and ten days, when he was paroled by answering to another man's name, who had probably died the night before. When Mr. Davis had recovered sufficiently to walk about, he weighed eighty-three pounds. He was sent to Columbus, Ohio, and from there reached his home on foot. He was exchanged in May, 1863, joined his regiment at Murfreesboro, Tenn., participating in the campaign against Tullahoma, in the battle of Chickamauga, and was in Chattanooga during the siege and battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He was soon after assigned to the Veteran Reserve corps, and sent to Wash- ington and Baltimore, and finally to Harrisburg, Penn., on detached duty with the disbursing officers. July 8, 1865, he was discharged. Mr. Davis was married to Miss Margaret M. Houser, March 20, 1866.

DR. E. W. DE PEW is a native of this State, born October 30, 1837. He studied medicine with Prof. William H. Myers, of Fort Wayne; he also studied in the State Unversity, at Ann Arbor, Mich., and at Liber College, Jay County, Ind. He commenced to practice at Avilla, where he remained two years. He practiced two years in Salem, Steuben County, and came to Wolf Lake in January, 1865. He stands at the head of the profession in the vicin- ity of his practice, which is very extensive in the southern part of the county.

GEORGE DODSWORTH is a successful farmer and stock-raiser, and is a native of Yorkshire, England, born June 21, 1827. He landed at New York City in April, 1850; moved into this State in 1852, and settled near Wolf Lake. His farm is on the Cold Spring road, not quite a mile from Wolf Lake. During the war, George Dodsworth was known as the soldiers' friend, and to this day they cannot say too much in his praise. His health at that time was so poor that he could not enlist, but he gave substantial aid and encouragement throughout to the cause of the Union. He is owner of 180 acres of good land, on which are a substantial brick dwelling, good barns and. grain houses. He was married April 17, 1851. Mrs. Dodsworth is a splendid housekeeper, and contributes her share to the welfare of their home.

SCOTT GALLOWAY was born in Washington Township, Noble County, March 16, 1849. Joseph Galloway, his father, was born in Ohio, and his grandfather was born in Ireland. Mrs. Frances Galloway, his mother, was born in Vermont. His father and mother were married in Stark County, Ohio, and moved to near Wolf Lake when there were but two log houses between where they lived and Fort Wayne, and but one house in Wolf Lake. Schools were scarce, and Mr. Galloway received but a slight education, but in his own language he tries to " live and learn," and we find him an intelligent and affable gentleman. Onthe 2d day of May, 1869, he married Miss Rebecca Cramer. They have one boy and two girls living. He moved into the woods where he now lives, and has cleared about 105 acres. He has altogether about 130 acres of cleared land, and seventy-eight acres of wood and prairie. He is well fixed, and purposes taking life at a better advantage and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

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Last year he raised over one thousand bushels of wheat and two thousand bushels of corn, with other crops in proportion.

JOHN HANEY was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, February 3, 1814. He lived in Miami County, Ohio, till the year 1847, when he came to this county and bought the land on which he now lives, one and a half miles west of No- blesville. Mr. Haney has been twice married. His first wife, Mary Ann (Dye) Haney, he married April 10, 1838. She died March 31, 1858. Sep- tember 13, 1860, he was married to Eliza Applegate, whose maiden name was Eliza Dye, and who was born in Richland County, Ohio, December 3, 1825. By his first marriage Mr. Haney has the following children living-Henry, Lloyd, George, Sarah and Mary Ann. By his second marriage he has the fol- lowing now living-Irvin, Laura, Anorah and Everett. Mr. Haney's father was a native of Germany. His son, Thomas Haney, was a professor of pen- manship, and while attending high school at Logansport, Ind., had charge of the penmanship department of the schools. He took cold during a vacation, and died March 28, 1867, unmarried. The following children are dead-Me- lissa (died November 23, 1860), David (September 8, 1862), and Stockton (November 12, 1862). Stockton went into the army with the Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, and died at Jeffersonville, Ind. James M. died July 22, 1872. Mr. Haney has worked hard for his possessions, but his working days are past, and he is now able to live at his ease.

SAMUEL JONES came to the county with his father in 1833. He was born in Clark County, Ohio, November 11, 1827. His father, Samuel Jones, Sr., was born May 30, 1787, and was married to Miss Mary Britten, of Ten- nessee, January 26, 1809. She was born February 10, 1790. The former died in 1838, and Mother Jones in 1829. Their family consisted of Margaret, born in 1810; Lydia, 1811 ; Mary, 1813; Elias, 1820 ; and Narcissa, 1823. Samuel Jones, Jr., was married to Miss Nancy Powers, December 18, 1848. She was born in Goshen, Ind., September 25, 1830. One daughter, Harriet Fidelia, was born to them March 5, 1850, and died March 16, 1851. The mother died of puerperal fever, when the child was but three weeks old. De- cember 7, 1851, Mr. Jones married Hannah Whittecar. To them were born Olive, February 2, 1853 ; Elias, April 27, 1854 ; Lydia, December 27, 1857 ; Laura Ann, April 26, 1863; and Nancy, February 26, 1866. Olive W. died September 29, 1854; Laura A., August 17, 1864; Lydia Alice, December 15, 1865 ; and Nancy, June 6, 1875. Mr. Jones has but two sisters living. His first schooling was at a private residence at Wolf Lake, by one Miss Stevens. With the exception of one year, since he came to the State, he has passed his days within its borders. The only son of Mr. Jones, Elias S., is at this time Professor of Penmanship of the Normal School at Columbia City, Ind. He has been selected to take charge of the penmanship branch of the select school at South Whitley, Ind. He is a teacher by profession, and has taught in No- ble, Elkhart, and Kosciusko Counties.

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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 99

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