USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 79
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SAMUEL T. RONK, an enterprising and influential citizen and farmer of Jackson Township, is a native of Greenbrier County, Va. (now West Virginia), and was born December 10, 1844. He was the fifth son born to George W. and Sarah J. (Cary ) Ronk, the former a native of Roanoke County, Va., and the latter a native of Greenbrier County, Va. Samuel T. spent his early life in his native county, working upon his father's farm. Early in 1862 he entered the service of the Confederate Army, in Company A, Twenty-second Virginia Regiment, his sympathy at the same time being with the Union. His entry into the Southern Army was, therefore, the result of circumstances and not his own inclinations. His duties during the war were chiefly in the service of the com- missary department. At the close of the war he came to this State and located near Burlington, Carroll County, where his parents, in the meantime, had settled. In the fall of 1877 he came to this county and located where he now resides, in Section 31, Jackson Township. He gives his attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits, though he has gained considerable reputation as a veterinary surgeon. He was married to Martha J. Cox December 17, 1868. She was the daughter of Er and Dorcas ( Miller) Cox, natives of Indiana and Tennessee, respectively. She was born in Howard County, this State, November 6, 1848. To them ten children have
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been born: Andrew L., Lennie, Ettie R., John H., Mattie B .. Laura C., Thomas G., Samuel H., and two others who died in infancy unnamed. Lennie and Samuel H. are deceased. Mr. Rouk and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Politically Mr. Ronk is a Democrat. He owns sixty acres of good lund where he resides, besides twenty acres in Howard County. He is au industrious and successful farmer and a first-rate citizen.
JACOB SOMSEL, one of the enterprising young farmers of Jackson Township, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, and was born January 26, 1544. He was the fourth son born to David und Rebecca ( Warrenfelts ) Somsel, both natives of Maryland, of Ger- man descent. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth working upon his father's farm in his native county. At the age of twenty he begun farming for himself, and in the spring of 1572 he came to this county and located upon a farmu in Section 19. Jackson Town- ship, where he has ever since resided. His occupation during his entire life has been that of a farmer. October 25. 1566, he was married to Isabel Davisson, also a native of Preble County, Ohio. She was born March 11, 1548. She was the daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Shields) Davissou, uatives of Virginia and Ohio, re- spectively. To them have been born nine children: John W., born September 1, 1567; David C. ( decensed ), Charles, Levi and Warren (deceased), George B., Frank E., the next was a son, who died in infancy unnamed, and Daisy B. In politics Mr. Somsel is A Democrat. He has held the office of constable four terms, two of which were in Preble County, Ohio. He owns 120 acres of land. 95 of which is in cultivation. Mr. Somsel is a pushing, energetic and wide-awake farmer and a No. 1 citizen.
CALEB H. SPRINKLE, of Jackson Township, was born in Montgomery County, this State, September 8, 1846. He was the second son born to Samuel B. and Nancy ( Hardesty ) Sprinkle, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter a native of Clay County. this State. He accompanied his parents to this county about Isas, and located with them upon a farm in Jackson Township. Here Caleb spent his youth working upon his father's farm. In 1969. he located upon a farm in Section S, Jackson Township, where he has ever since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. JJune 22. 1869, he was married to Sarah E. Wynn, a native of Jackson Town- ship, born April 10, 1552. She was the daughter of Isaac and Sarah ( Frush ) Wynn, who were among the first settlers of Jack- son Township. Mr. and Mrs. Sprinkle have had eight children. They are Susie, William H., Thomas F., Charles S .. Cora B., Isanc E., Mary L. and Nellie B., all of whom are living except Isaac E .. who died when eleven months old. Mr. and Mrs. Sprinkle are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Sprinkle is a member of the F. & A. M. lodge, and is a Republican in politics. He is an industrious and successful farmer
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WILLIAM F. STANLEY, a prominent farmer and stock dealer of Jackson Township, was born in Deer Creek Township, this county, February 14, 1849. He was the oldest son born to George and Susan (Shelly) Stanley, who at present reside in Galveston. When he was seven years old his parents located in Galveston, where William spent his boyhood and youth assisting his father in his trade, which was that of a brick-maker. At the age of twenty- one he engaged in the business for himself. He was thus employed about six years. In the fall of 1871 he located upon a farm in Sec- tion 24, Jackson Township. The winter of 1872-73 he spent with his father-in-law, John Emry. After spending a short time on a farm in Section 15, Jackson Township, he went to Galveston, re- siding there about three years, during which time he was engaged in the manufacture of brick. In February, 1875, he removed to the farm he now occupies in Sections 19 and 20, Jackson Township. Since then he has been chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits and dealing in stock. November 17, 1870, he married Sarah Emry, a native of Licking County, Ohio, born November 30, 1849. She was the daughter of John and Catharine (Courson) Emry, both natives of Licking County, Ohio. To them six children have been born-all of whom are living. Their names are Jessie L., born June 26, 1871; Emma, born November 25, 1872; George E., born September 17, 1874; Mary A., born December 28, 1875; Maggie P., born November 10, 1877, and John F., born November 16, 1879. Mr. Stanley is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, and is a Democrat in politics. He owns a handsome farm of 196 acres of land, fitted up with good fences and buildings, and it is one of the most desir- able locations in the county. About 115 acres of his land is in a high state of cultivation. He is an industrious and successful farmer and business man.
HENRY STAUFFER and his wife Catharine Stauffer, a ven- erable old couple of Jackson Township, were married in Montgom- ery County, Ohio, October 9, 1828. They have, therefore, lived together over fifty-eight years. The former was born in Lancaster County, Penn., August 3, 1799. He was the oldest son of John and Isabella (Kelly) Stauffer, the former a native of Lancaster County, Penn., and the latter a native of Ireland, who came to America with her parents when she was six years old. Henry's paternal grandparents were Frederick and Elizabeth (Brubaker) Stauffer. His maternal grandparents were Henry and Isabella (Wilson) Kelly. When Henry was twenty years of age, or in 1819, he accompanied his parents to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he remained until after his marriage. The latter, Mrs. Catlı- arine Stauffer, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, April 15, 1811. She was the second daughter born to Nathaniel and Sarah (Flynn) Stutsman, the former a native of Maryland and the latter
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
n native of Fayette County, Penn. Her paternal grandparents were David and Amn Nesbit ) Stuteman. Her maternal grandparents were Dennis and ( Berney ) Flynn. After their marriage our subject resided in Montgomery County, Ohio, until 1557. Mr. Stauffer having been engaged in coopering und the nursery busi- ness. In that year they immigrated to Douglas County, Kas., where they resided upou n farm until 1-69, when, owing to the presence of old nge, in order to be nearer their son. John W. Stauffer, they returned from the West, eume to this county, and loented in a cozy. little house upon a small piece of ground which they had purchased in Section 20. Jackson Township. Here they resided in a quiet, happy way until February, Isso, when, owing to the enfeebled con- dition of Grandfather Stauffer's health and the impaired condi- tion of his eyesight, they yielded to the wishes of their son and daughter-in-law, nud since have made their home with Mr. and Mrs. John W. Stauffer. Henry Stauffer is the oldest living person in Jackson Township, and, perhaps, the third oldest person in the county. Mrs. Stauffer is now in the seventy-sixth year of her age and is enjoying excellent health. They are the parents of four children. Their names nre John W., Sarah A., Nathaniel S. and Mary J., the third of which died at the age of nineteen. The father of Mrs. Stauffer, Nathaniel Stutsman, died nt Peru, this State, April 9, Iss1. at the advnuced age of ninety-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer both belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, having become mem- bers of that church in June. IS2s. They are now spending their declining years in a pleasant way. In politics Mr. Stauffer formerly belonged to the Whig party. He is now an ardent Prohibitionist. JOHN W. STAUFFER. one of the prominent farmers of Jack-
son Township, is n native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and was born October 5, 1529. He was the oldest son born to Henry and U'ntharine ( Stutsman ) Stauffer, the former a native of Lancaster County, Penn., and the Intter a native of Montgomery County. Ohio. His father is of German and Irish and his mother of German and English descent. Our subject spent his early life working upon a farin in his native county. In March. 1557. he accompanied his parents to Douglas County. Kas., where the Intter located upon a farm. In 1×60 John returned to this State and located in Carroll County. Three years Inter he came to this county and located upon n farm in Noble Township. In the spring of 1565 he returned to Carroll County, but in January, IS68, he again came to this county and located this time upon a farm in Section 19, Jackson Township. where he has ever since resided. His chief occupation has always been farming. May 31, 1560, he was married to Margaret Trapp, a na- tive of Noble Township, this county, born March 27. 1840. She was the daughter of George and Catharine ( Miller ) Trapp, both na- tives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Mrs. Stauffer is a
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member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Stauffer is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. lodge and a Democrat in politics. He held the office of road superintendent from the spring of 1882 to the spring of 1884. He owns a fine farm, fitted up with good fences and buildings, and taking everything into consideration it is one of the most desirable locations in Cass County. He is a pushing, en- ergetic and successful farmer and a good citizen. He began life poor, but, by industry, perseverance and economy, has placed him- self in comfortable circumstances.
HON. HEWIT L. THOMAS, a venerable old citizen of Gal- veston, was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., April 27, 1805. He was the youngest son born to Minor and Nancy ( Wynans ) Thomas, the former a native of Ridgefield, Conn., and the latter a native of the Van Rensselaer Patent in New York. His father's ancestors formerly came from Wales, and were, therefore, of Welsh descent. His mother's people were of German and English descent. The father of our subject immigrated to this State and located in Fayette County in 1819, and was a prominent Baptist minister. Here Hewit L. spent his youth working upon a farm. He attended the district schools of his day, in which, considering the very limited advan- tages, he received a very good education. By the time he was . eighteen years of age he had sufficient education to teach school. After teaching two terms he went to Oxford, Ohio, where he at- tended college about five months. He then returned to the farm in Fayette County, but in the spring of 1826 he removed to a farm in another part of the county. Two years later he again changed his location to a farm in another part of the county. In the spring of 1828 he began a subscription school in Harrison Township, Fayette County, which he continued for one year with good success. On account of the serious illness of his father he gave up the school for the purpose of administering to the wants of the former. In the spring of 1831 he located upon a farm in Connersville Township, Fayette County. In the following spring he removed to Waterloo Township, where, for one year, he was engaged in hotel-keeping. In 1834 he located again in Harrison Township, but two years later, or in 1836, he came to Cass County and located in Clinton Town- ship. In the spring of 1853 he removed to Noble Township. In 1855 he immigrated to Minnesota, where, for ten years, he was en- gaged in the lumber business and merchandising. In October, 1865, he returned to this county and located at Galveston, where he has ever since resided. March 9, 1826, he was married to Charlotte C. Helm, a native of Mason County, Ky., born, of Scotch and English descent, August 26, 1808. She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Drummond) Helm, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter a native of Scotland. Her father emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky in an early day, and took part in many skirmishes with
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
the Indinus during the early settling of that State. He was under Gen. Harmer during his expedition against the Indians, and was one of the seventeen who escaped at the time of the latter's defeat. He was also a major under Gen. Harrison's command during the war of 1512. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have had three children. all of whom are living. Their names are Meredith H .. born November 201, 1526; Minor T., born September 21, 15:30. and William H., born November 22, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are faithful members of the Baptist Church, and the former has been sexton of the church at Galveston about seventeen years. He was formerly a member of the S. of T. and T. of H. In politics he is a Republican. While a resident of Clinton Township, this county; he was elected to the of- fice of justice of the peace, which he resigned four years later to ac. cept the office of associate judge. To this he was re-elected in 15-17, and served in all ten years. While in Noble Township he held the office of township trustee two years, and he was president of the first agricultural society ever held in this county. In the fall of 1556 he was elected a member of the Senate of Minnesota. In the fall of 155% he was elected a member of the Minnesota Legis- lature, and was re-elected in 1960. In 1563 he received from the Government an appointment as one of three commissioners, whose duty it was to appraise the lands owned by the Winnebago Indians. He also held the offices of trustee and assessor a number of years while residing in Minnesota. Mr. Thomas is now in the eighty- second year of his age, and is in full possession of his faculties and enjoying good health. He is a well-informed and intelligent man. and one of Cass County's most highly respected citizens. Minor T., the second son, entered the service of the I'nion Army at the beginning of the war, and was the first volunteer from Washington County, Minn. He first entered as lieutenant but was afterward promoted to a lieutenant-colonelcy in the Fourth Minnesota Regi- ment. In the fall of 1962 he was made colonel of the Eighth Min- nesota Regiment. He commanded the expedition under Gen. Sully, who made an expedition against the Indians in 1564. He was in the battles of Bull Run, Corinth, and before the close of the war rose to the rank of brigadier-general. He at present resides in Texas and is engaged in railroading as a civil engineer. William H .. the third son. served in the war three years; he was in the battles of Nashville and Tupelo; was promoted to a captaincy; took a part in the capture of Mobile. At present he is a practicing phy- sician in Indianapolis, and holds the position of professor of the treatment of nervous diseases in the College of Physicians and Sur- geons.
MEREDITH H. THOMAS, a prominent grain merchant of Gal- veston, is a native of Fayette County, this State, and was born No- vember, 20. 1526. He is the oldest son of ex-Judge Hewit L. and
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Charlotte C. (Helm) Thomas; see sketch. Our subject came with his parents to this county in 1836, or when he was ten years old. They located upon a tract of woodland in Clinton Town- ship. Here Meredith spent his youth working upon his father's farm and attending the district school, in which he received a very good ed- ucation, considering the limited advantages of those days. In 1845 he was employed as clerk by Messrs. Pollard & Wilson, who, at that time, were among the leading merchants of Logansport. This postion he held until 1855, when, accompanied by his father and brothers, he went to Minnesota. Here, with his father and brother, Minor T., he engaged in the lumber business and merchandising. In 1865 he returned to Cass County and located at Galveston, en- gaging in general merchandising. He now owns a half interest in a hardware store, and is proprietor of the best grain elevator in Cass County, which he built at Galveston in 1879. Harriet A. Knowl- ton, a native of New York, born June 12, 1832, became his wife October 16, 1851. She was the daughter of Artemus B. and Fan- nie (Spencer) Knowlton. To them have been born five children, viz .: Frank H., born April 15, 1853; Charles F., and Daniel W. (twins), February 2, 1856; Claudia B., May 13, 1866, and Mary B., September 10, 1867, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are faithful members of the Baptist Church. In poli- tics, Mr. Thomas formerly affiliated with the Whig and Republican parties but now is an ardent Prohibitionist. He is an enterprising and successful business man and an influential citizen.
ALVIN H. THOMAS, a prominent young farmer of Jackson Township, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, and was born June 6, 1846. He was the second son born to Lewis and Elizabeth ( Din- widdie) Thomas; the former of whom is at present a resident of Galveston. When Alvin was one year old his parents came to this State and located in Kokomo, Howard County. When he was eleven years old, his mother having died, he went to live with his uncle, John A. Lock, with whom he made his home, working upon the farm until 1863. In October of that year he entered the serv- ice of his country in Company A, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Regiment, under Capt. E. W. Penny, from which he was honorably discharged in December, 1865. He was in the battle of Nashville, and participated in the campaign of Atlanta. After the close of the war he came to this county, and for the three years fol- lowing he worked by the month in Jackson Township. In 1870 he located upon a farm in Section 20, Jackson Township, where he resided until 1877, when he came to his present home, which occu- pies a portion of the same section. Sarah E. Canine, daughter of Isaac V. and Mary C. (Graves) Canine, of Jackson Township, be- came his wife October 6, 1869. She was born in Jackson Town- ship September 17, 1853. To this union three children have been
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born, all of whom are living. Their names are John O., born No- vember 9. 1570; Charles E., born December 7, 1574, and t'ora J .. born May 12. 1576. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Thomas is a member of the G. A. R. and F. & A. M. lodges and a Democrat in politics. He owns a handsome farm of 160 acres of land, nearly all of which is in a high state of cultivation. He has built upon this a fine brick residence. at a cost of $3,1MM). He is an energetic and successful farmer.
FRANK H. THOMAS, an industrious and successful young merchant of Galveston and the senior member of the firm of F. H. Thomas & Bro., is a native of the city of Logansport, and was born April 15, 1-53. He was the oldest son born to Meredith HI. and Har- riet A. ( Knowlton ) Thomas, now residents of Galveston. As soon As he was old enough he was placed in the public school. where he ardently pursued his studies until the age of twenty, spending his vacations clerking in his father's store. He received a good com- mon school education, and only lacked one year of graduating in the Logansport High School. In March, 1574, he took an interest in his father's store, the name of the firm being M. H. Thomas & Son. This continued for three years, when his two brothers, Chas. F. and Daniel W .. also became members of the firm. They thus continued to do business at Galveston until July 1. 1852. when the partnership was dissolved. Since this time the business of the firm has been continued by our subject and his brother Charles F. They now own an excellent stock of dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, hats, caps, groceries, etc., and are doing a good business. Virginia Forest, also a native of Logansport, born December 11, 1555. be- came his wife September 5, 1575. She was the daughter of John M. and Rebecca ( Longstreth ) Forest, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have had but one child, Elsie M., born Septem- ber 3, 157>. He and his wife are both members of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Thomas is a Republican. In the spring of 1844 he was elected to the office of township trustee, but declined a renomination. He is a young man of irreproachable character, en- ergy and good business tact, and is one of the promising business men of Cass County. The building in which our subject and his brother do business is known as the "old brick store." and is the best business building in Galveston.
CHARLES F. THOMAS, a promising young business man of Galveston and junior member of the firm of F. H. Thomas & Bro., Was born in Afton, Washington Co., Minn., February 2, 1556. He is the son of Meredith H. and Harriet A. ( Knowlton ) Thomas, of Galveston. He was nine years old when his parents came from Minnesota to this county, locating at Galveston. He received, in the public schools, a good common school education, after which he attended the normal school of Valparaiso two terms, completing the com-
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mercial and scientific courses. In March, 1877, he became a mem- ber of the firm of M. H. Thomas & Sons, and since the dissolution, in 1882, he has continued the business of the firm in connection with his brother, Frank H. June 16, 1880, he was married to Laura L. Armstrong, a native of Eaton, Ohio, born August 19, 1859. She was the daughter of Charles L. and Mary ( Lease) Armstrong, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. To this union three children have been born, all of whom are living. Their names are Harry B., born December 10, 1881; Nellie B., born September 24, 1883, and Sarah B., born June 4, 1885. Our sub- ject is a member of the Baptist Church. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Thomas is a Repub- lican. He is an enterprising and successful young business man. DANIEL W. THOMAS, an enterprising and successful young business man of Galveston and the junior member of the hardware firm of M. H. Thomas & Son, is a native of Afton, Washington Co., Minn., and was born February 2, 1856, being a twin brother of Charles F. Thomas. He came with his parents to this county in 1865, and has ever since been a resident of Galveston. He received, in the public school, a good common school education, after which he continued his studies at the normal school of Valparaiso. In March, 1877, he became a member of the dry goods firm of M. H. Thomas & Sons, and after the dissolution of the firm, in 1882, he engaged in the hardware business, in which he has ever since con- tinued. In September, 1883, C. S. Davisson took a half interest in the stock, and the firm thus continued under the name of Thomas & Davisson until March, 1886, when the interest owned by Mr. Davis- son was purchased by our subject's father, and the firm is now M. H. Thomas & Son. They have a large and commodious store- room, well stocked with hardware, stoves, tinware, agricultural implements, etc., and are doing a good business. Lulu B. Patton, a native of Lafayette, born November 4, 1859, became his wife November 17, 1880. She was the daughter of William and Jane A. (Dill) Patton, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mrs. Thomas' mother was born in the town of Dillsburg, in western Pennsylvania, which was named in honor of the former's grandfather. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have had two children. Their names are Herbert, born September 5, 1883, deceased, and Mary A., born August 8, 1885. Mr. Thomas and wife are both members of the Baptist Church, and the former holds the position of treasurer in that church. In politics he is an ardent Prohibitionist. He is a promising young man of sterling character and good habits, and possesses energy and good business tact.
JOHN TURLEY, one of the enterprising and successful busi- ness men of Galveston, is a native of Greene County, this State, and was born March 17, 1832. He was the second son born to William
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