History of DeKalb County, Indiana : together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns and biographies of representative citizens : Also a condensed history of Indiana, Part 35

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.), pub
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Inter-State Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1110


USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of DeKalb County, Indiana : together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns and biographies of representative citizens : Also a condensed history of Indiana > Part 35


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Fostnancht, Moses, mustered in Sept. 3, 1863, deserted July 31, 1865.


Fitch, John, mustered in Sept. 3, 1863, transferred to Seventh Indiana Cavalry, reorganized.


Guthrie, Richard, mustered in Sept. 3, 1863, transferred to Seventh Indiana Cavalry, reorganized.


Hoffman, Samuel D., mustered in Sept. 3, 1863, transferred to Seventh Indiana Cavalry, reorganized.


Hamlin, George, mustered in Sept. 3, 1863, died May 14, 1864. Company K.


Cherry, Robert E., mustered in Sept. 11, 1863, transferred to Company E, Seventh Indiana Cavalry, reorganized.


TWELFTH (ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT) CAVALRY.


Company B.


Austin, George, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, ont Nov. 6, 1865, as Corporal.


Bailey, Alexander, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out June 6, 1865.


Boley, John H., mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, died at Louisville, Ky., Dec. 19, 1864.


Church, Israel, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, ont Nov. 10, 1865.


Deetz, John, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, ont Nov. 10, 1865.


Griffith, John W., mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out as First Ser- geant Nov. 10, 1865.


Jones, Sidney P., mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out as Sergeant Nov. 10, 1865.


392


HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.


Johnson, Franklin T., mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, promoted Second Lieutenant Oct. 16, 1864, First Lieutenant March 1, 1865, mustered out Nov. 10, 1865.


Jones, Milton C., mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out as Sergeant Nov. 10, 1865.


Kirkendall, George, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out June 7, 1865. Myers, Joseph, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, died at home April 7, 1864.


Nounnem, David, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out Oct. 4, 1865. Roberts, Joseph, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out Nov. 10, 1865. Shaw, John, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out Nov. 10, 1865.


Werrich, Joseph, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out Nov. 10, 1865.


Company C.


Cramer, Samuel, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, transferred to Vet- eran Reserve Corps, mustered out Nov. 1, 1865.


Dirrim, Isaac C., mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, out July 21, 1865. Duck, Samuel, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out May 20, 1865. Gondy, Henry W., mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out Nov. 10, 1865. Gondy, Albert J., mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out Nov. 27, 1865. Gillespie, Clement, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, died at Hunts- ville, Ala., July 20, 1864.


Wilkins, William, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out July 21, 1865.


Company I.


Britton, Alfred J., mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, deserted Feb. 12, 1864.


Carpenter, Alva N., mustered in Jan. 10, 1864; discharged Aug. 31, 1864, as First Sergeant.


Finch, Jacob, mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, deserted Feb. 12, 1864.


Haywood, Charles H., mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, deserted Nov. 16, 1864.


McClellan, Hugh, mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, out May 28, 1865.


Pulver, Joseph, mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, out Nov. 10, 1865.


Swan, Charles, mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, died at Jefferson- ville, Ind., Feb. 12, 1865.


Story, Willard G., mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, out Aug. 2, 1865.


ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINTH INFANTRY.


DeLong, Solomon, commissioned Major March 1, 1864, Lieu- tenant-Colonel June 15, 1864, resigned Dec. 10, 1864.


393


HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.


Company A.


Dunn, Lewis, mustered in as Corporal Jan. 10, 1864, com- missioned First Lieutenant June 1, 1865, mustered out as First Sergeant Aug. 29, 1865.


Bonney, Thaddeus S., commissioned Second Lieutenant Jan. 5, 1864, discharged Dec. 24, 1864, for absence without leave.


Mason, John A., mustered in as Corporal Jan. 10, 1864, ont Aug. 29, 1865.


Brown, William, mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, out Ang. 29, 1865. Casebeer, George, mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, ont Aug. 29, 1865. Enzer, Ephraim, mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, ont Aug. 29, 1865.


Fisher, William, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, died at Chattanooga, Tenn., June 8, 1864.


Lower, Alonzo, mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865. Myers, James, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out Aug. 29, 1865. Nelson, Ira, mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Nelson, Charles, mnstered in Jan. 10, 1864, died at Newbern, N. C., April 31, 1865.


Nelson, Daniel, mustered in Jan. 10, 1864, out Ang. 4, 1865. Steeley, John C., mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out June 8, 1865. Taylor, Wm. H., mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, ont Ang. 29, 1865. Veley, Josiah B., mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Company C.


Baer, Hiram, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, ont Ang. 29, 1865.


Cordry, John W., mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, died at Marietta, Ga., July 8, 1864.


Hively, Noah, mustered in March 7, 1864, died at Marietta, Ga., July 27, 1864.


Martin, Cyrus, mustered in March 6, 1864, out Ang. 29, 1865.


Swartz, Jacob, mustered in Jan. 6, 1864, deserted March 12, 1864.


Swartz, Amos, mustered in March 6, 1864, deserted March 12, 1864.


Company F.


DeLong, Solomon, commissioned Captain Dec. 31, 1863, pro- moted Major and Lieutenant-Colonel.


Baer, Obadiah, commissioned First Lieutenant Dec. 31, 1863, Captain March 2, 1864, resigned Dec. 26, 1864.


Smith, Philander, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, commissioned Second Lieutenant March 2, 1864, First Lieutenant Jan. 1, 1865, mustered out Aug. 29, 1865.


394


HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.


Beckley, Henry C., mustered in as Sergeant Jan. 11, 1864, com- missioned Second Lieutenant Jan. 1, 1865, mustered out as First Sergeant Ang. 29, 1865.


McNabb, John O., mustered in as First Sergeant Jan. 11, 1864, out as private Ang. 29, 1865.


Cogsdill, Gideon, mustered in as Sergeant Jan. 11, 1864, ont Sept. 2, 1865.


Williams, Samuel, mustered in as Sergeant Jan. 11, 1864, out, as First Sergeant, Aug. 29, 1865.


Brown, Alva, mustered in as Sergeant Jan. 11, 1864, killed at Franklin, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1864.


Sloan, Thomas O., mustered in as Corporal Jan. 11, 1864, out Ang. 29, 1865.


Clark, John, mustered in as Corporal Jan. 11, 1864, died at Marietta, Ga., Sept. 20, 1864.


Shirts, Uriah J., mustered in as Corporal Jan. 11, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Dowell, Alexander B., mustered in as Corporal June 11, 1864, died at Knoxville, Tenn., June 20, 1864.


Adams, Newton M., mustered in as Corporal June 11, 1864, out May 19, 1865.


Rupert, Edward, mustered in as Corporal Jan. 11, 1864, killed at Franklin, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1864.


Calkins, Milo F., mustered in as Musician Jan. 11, 1864, out as Fife-Major Aug. 29, 1865.


Knaff, Leslie, mustered in as Musician Jan. 11, 1864, out June 9, 1865.


Abel, Walter, mustered in March 7, 1864, out as Corporal Aug. 29, 1865.


Adams, David W., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, discharged May 8, 1865.


Amrine, John M., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Sept. 14, 1865. Bishop, George A., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, ont Aug. 29, 1865.


Beard, Cyrus, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, died at Marietta, Ga., July 28, 1864.


Brubaker, John, mustered in March 7, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Crouse, John, mustered in March 7, 1864, ont Ang. 29, 1865.


Chilson, Madison I., mustered in March 7, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Cogsdill, Chalon D., mustered in March 19, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


395


HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.


Cole, George, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, ont Aug. 29, 1865. Chilcoat, Daniel, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865. Delong, David, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out as Hospital Steward Aug. 29, 1865.


Delong, Henry, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Ang. 29, 1865.


Delong, Alfred, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, discharged Aug. 29, 1864.


Depew, Samuel, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Dyke, Manlius E., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, died at Nashville, Tenn., May 8, 1864.


Erl, Abraham, mustered in March 7, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Faurot, Wm. N., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Sept. 15, 1865. Fusselman, Nelson, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out June 21, 1865.


Fowler, Samuel A., mustered in March 7, 1864, died at Chatta- nooga, Tenn., June 1, 1864.


Flint, Gustin, mustered in March 7, 1864, out Ang. 29, 1865.


Griffith, Clark W., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865. Haynes, Lorenzo, mustered in March 7, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865. Hively, David J., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Herman, Henry, mustered in March 7, 1864, deserted May 20, 1865.


Hawkins, John B., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out June 7, 1865. Headley, Wilson S., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Hosler, Joseph, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, discharged Dec. 26, 1864.


Hosler, Daniel, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Hosler, John, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Hosler, Samuel, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, deserted March 12, 1864.


Hosler, Lewis D., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, deserted March 12, 1864.


Hobnic, Henry W., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, deserted March 31, 1864.


Hart, Alexander, mustered in March 7, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865. Houser, John H., mustered in March 19, 1864, ont June 8, 1865. Joray, Paul A., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Kimes, Andrew I., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865. Kroh, David, mustered in Jan. 11, 1964, died at Madison, Ind., Aug. 14, 1864.


Loomis, Drayton, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out as Corporal Aug. 29, 1865.


396


HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.


Luttman, Martin, mnstered in Jan. 11, 1864, deserted March 12, 1864.


McConnell, Henry P., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Ang. 29, 1865.


Moody, Judson S., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, died at Camp Dennison, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1864.


Morrow, Jacob S., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, deserted May 21, 1865.


Milliman, Joel A., mustered in March 7, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Mathews, Edward, mnstered in Jan. 11, 1864, out as Corporal Aug. 29, 1865.


Mathews, Volney F., mustered in Jan. 5, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Proctor, Charles, mnstered in Jan. 5, 1864, deserted Nov. 18, 1864.


Rawson, Edward, mustered in Jan. 5, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Reed, Isaac, mustered in Jan. 5, 1864, killed at Atlanta, Ga., Ang. 6. 1864.


Revert, Henry, mnstered in Dec. 28, 1863, deserted Oct. 28, 1864.


Revert, Jacob, mustered in Dec. 16, 1863, out Sept. 11, 1865.


Smith, George, mustered in Dec. 1, 1863, discharged June 15, 1865.


Sloan, David A., mustered in Dec. 28, 1863, died at Marietta, Ga., Ang. 10, 1864.


Staley, Abraham, mustered in Dec. 14, 1863, out Aug. 29, 1863. Squires, John W., mustered in Dec. 19, 1863, ont Aug. 29, 1863. Shook, Samuel G., mustered in Dec. 19,1863, out Aug. 29, 1863. Shoemaker, Horace, mustered in Jan. 5, 1864, discharged April 5, 1864.


Shirey, Peter, mustered in Jan. 8, 1864, deserted March 12, 1864.


Williams, David, mustered in Jan. 8, 1864, deserted May 21, 1865.


Weir, James, mustered in Dec. 18, 1863, discharged March 18, 1865.


Wilson, John C., mustered in Jan. 5, 1864, died at Murfrees- boro, Tenn., April 25, 1864.


Whirley, Abraham H., mustered in March 7, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Wiley, David A., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out as Corporal Aug. 29, 1865.


Wendell, John R., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, died at Nashville, Tenn., April 8, 1864.


397


HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.


Wert, William, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Willtrout, William R., mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, died at Wash- ington, D. C., Feb. 6, 1865.


Whiffle, Newman, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, discharged Jan. 27,1865.


Yater, Moses, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, died at Beauford, N. C., April 8, 1865.


Zubrook, Frederick, mustered in Jan. 5, 1864, died at Chatta- nooga, Tenn., June 8, 1864.


Company H.


North, Jacob, mustered in as Corporal March 19, 1864, out June 8, 1865.


Freeby, John H., mustered in March 7, 1864, out Sept. 2, 1865. Sleutz, John K., mustered in March 7, 1864, out Aug. 29, 1865.


Company I.


Lockwood, Delos, mustered in March 7, 1864, died at Knoxville, Tenn., June 12, 1864.


Shaver, Francis B., mustered in March 19, 1864, died in Ander- sonville Prison Aug. 30, 1864.


Wellington, Harrison, mustered in as Wagoner March 7, 1864, died at Andersonville, Ga., Sept. 21, 1864.


ONE HUNDRED AND FORTIETH INFANTRY.


Company C.


Wright, Isaac, mustered in Sept. 10, 1864, died at Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. 24, 1865.


ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SECOND INFANTRY.


Company A.


Frick, Henry, mustered in as Sergeant Sept. 17, 1864, out June 28, 1865.


Mills, James C., mustered in as Corporal Sept. 14, 1864, out as private June 28, 1865.


Baxter, Emmett, mustered in Sept. 14, 1864, deserted Oct. 4, 1864.


Baxter, George, mustered in Sept. 14, 1864, deserted Oct. 8, 1864. Campbell, Wm., mustered in Sept. 14, 1864, out June 28, 1865.


Gindlesparger, Abraham, mustered in Sept. 14, 1864, out as Corporal June 28, 1865.


398


HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.


Gindlesparger, William, mustered in Sept. 14, 1864, out June 28, 1865.


Kreger, George, mustered in Sept. 13, 1864, ont June 28, 1865. Kreger, John, mustered in Sept. 13, 1864, out June 28, 1865.


Rigby, Aaron, mustered in Sept. 25, 1864, out July 14, 1865. Rigby, David, mustered in Oct. 14, 1864, out July 14, 1865. Rigby, Eli, mustered in Sept. 17, 1864, out June 28, 1865.


Speer, Elzie, mustered in Sept. 20, 1864, out as Corporal June 28, 1865.


Speer, Robinson E., mustered in Sept. 20, 1864, out June 28, 1865. Treesh, Isaac, mustered in Sept. 13, 1864, out June 28, 1865. Treesh, Levi, mustered in Sept. 13, 1864, ont June 28, 1865. Vail, Jacob, mnstered in Sept. 13, 1864, out June 28, 1865.


Widener, Albertus, mustered in Sept. 13, 1864, out June 28, 1865.


Company D.


Bowman, John W., mustered in Oct. 13, 1864, out July 12, 1865. Balenline, James, mustered in Oct. 20, 1864, out July 14, 1865. Debelbus, John, mustered in Oct. 28, 1864, out July 14, 1865. Funk, Benjamin H., mustered in Oct. 13, 1864, out July 12, 1865. Palmer, Anthony, mustered in Sept. 28, 1864, out June 28, 1865. Pifer, John, mustered in Oct. 13, 1864, out July 14, 1865.


Worden, John, mustered in Oct. 13, 1864, out July 14, 1865.


Company F.


Oberholtzer, Samuel, mustered in Nov. 10, 1864, out July 14, 1865.


Company G.


Hettinger, John, mustered in Oct. 22, 1864, out July 14, 1865. Points, George H., mustered in Oct. 20, 1864, out July 4, 1865.


ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SECOND INFANTRY.


Griswold, Whedon W., commissioned Colonel March 9, 1865, mustered out with regiment.


Chamberlain, James N., commissioned Surgeon April 17, 1865, mustered out with regiment.


Mercer, William M., commissioned Assistant Surgeon March 9, 1865, mustered out with regiment.


Company B.


Casebeer, J. O., mustered in Feb. 17, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865. Casebeer, Jacob W., mustered in Feb. 17, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


399


HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.


Casebeer, Albert M., mustered in. Feb. 17, 1865, died at Indian- apolis, Ind., March 10, 1865.


Fuller, Andrew C., mustered in Feb. 17, 1865, out May 25, 1865. Fuller, William M., mustered in Feb. 17, 1865, discharged March 15, 1865.


McClellan, John G., mustered in Feb. 17, 1865, out May 17, 1865.


Company C.


Lemasters, William, mustered in as Sergeant Feb. 22, 1864, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Chilcoat, Humphrey E., mustered in Feb. 24, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Bair, Loami C., mustered in Feb. 19, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Coats, William H., mustered in Feb. 24, 1865, died at Columbus, Ohio, March 24, 1865.


Drowley, Edward C., mustered in Feb. 24, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Jennings, David, mustered in Feb. 20, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


McGrady, David, mustered in Feb. 20, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Rheineohl, Henry H., mustered in Feb. 24, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Swager, Uriah, mustered in Feb. 22, 1865, died at Indianapo- lis, Ind., March 6, 1865.


Wycoff, James W., mustered in Feb. 24, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865. Wycoff, William, mustered in Feb. 24, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Wanemaker, George, mustered in Feb. 22, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Company H.


Moss, Holland K., mustered in as Sergeant March 3, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Rickets, Riley, mustered in as Corporal March 7, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Boyles, Newton, mustered in March 7, 1865, out Sept. 29, 1865. Bryan, James, mustered in March 7, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Crooks, Albert, mustered in March 3, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865. Fike, Abraham, mustered in March 2, 1865, out June 29, 1865. Furney, Jacob, mustered in March 2, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Houser, Calvin P., mustered in March 3, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Jones, Edward, mustered in March 7, 1865, out May 16, 1865. Johnson, Uriah E., mustered in March 4, 1865, out July 31, 1865.


400


HISTORY OF DE KALB OOUNTY.


Knight, James, mustered in March 7, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865. Michaels, George, mustered in March 2, 1865, out Oct. 28, 1865. Nussdorfer, Philip, mustered in March 3, 1865, ont Aug. 30, 1865. Rummell, Owen W., mustered in Feb. 17, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Summerlot, Hiram, mustered in March 7, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865. Shore, John W., mustered in March 2, 1865, out Aug. 30, 1865.


Company K.


Squires, Orville, mastered in March 15, 1865, out May 21, 1865.


CHAPTER VII.


THE PRESS.


AUBURN OBSERVER. - DEMOCRATIC MESSENGER .- DE KALB DEMO- CRAT .- AUBURN REPUBLICAN .- DE KALB COUNTY TIMES .- WA- TERLOO PRESS .- SKETCH OF FRANK W. WILLIS .- THE NEW ERA .- OBSERVER AND REPORTER .- DE KALB DEMOCRAT .- THE DEMOCRAT .- THE AIR LINE .- AUBURN COURIER .- SKETCH OF JAMES A. BARNS .- BUTLER HERALD .- BANNER OF LIBERTY. -AUBURN TIMES .- BUTLER NEWS .- DE KALB COUNTY REPUB- LICAN .- SKETCH OF C. P. HOUSER .- SKETCH OF MYRON H. HOISINGTON. - GARRETT NEWS. - GARRETT HERALD .- SKETCH OF OTHO J. POWELL .- BUTLER RECORD .- SKETCH OF W. F. GAR- RISON .- BUTLER REVIEW .- SKETCH OF EDMUND CALKINS .- SKETCH OF J. J. HIGGINS.


No agency is a more effective help to modern progress than that of the press. Any county which possesses one or more newspapers and sustains them will in due time show its superiority to less favored localities. Prior to 1850 whatever legal printing was re- quired by De Kalb County was done at Fort Wayne. Later S. E. Alvord established the Observer at Albion, and obtained some of the local patronage from this direction. For a year or so his paper received the limited legal printing from De Kalb County, and early in 1852 he announced by prospectus his intention to issue, at Au- burn, a paper to be styled the Auburn Observer. This was not ac- complished, however, for lack of encouragement. Later, the press was sold to Messrs. Berry & Pierce, who at once removed it to Au- burn, and started the Democratic Messenger, the first paper in the county. It had a precarions existence. Within a year Mr. Berry retired, and Mr. Pierce was soon after elected Auditor. The office was destroyed by fire in December, 1855. In 1856 two papers were started at the county seat, the De Kalb Democrat, by W. C. Mc- Gonigal, and the Auburn Republican, by J. M. Bromagem. At the close of the exciting Presidential campaign of that year, the latter removed his establishment to Angola and there began the issue of the Steuben Republican. In 1859 Mr. McGonigal moved his press to Wabash, and established the Wabash Plaindealer.


(401)


402


HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.


Just before the fall election of 1858, W. T. & J. M. Kinney began at Auburn the publication of the De Kalb County Times. Within three months the proprietors found that to continue was to lose, and sold out to T. Y. Dickinson, who removed the office to Water- loo and on the first Thursday in February, 1859, issued the


WATERLOO PRESS,


the first paper printed in De Kalb County, outside of Auburn. During the year 1860, Mr. C. K. Baxter was associated with him as partner. Mr. Baxter was a printer in the office when the first number of the Press was issued. Beginning with Jan. 1, 1861, Mr. Dickinson was once more sole proprietor, and he owned the paper until September, 1864, although during 1863 it was leased by John F. Radcliffe. Mr. Dickinson was commissioned Consul at Leipsic by Abraham Lincoln April 13, 1865 (the day before his as- sassination), and this position he held for two years, after which he returned to Waterloo. He was for a time a clerk in the Pension Office at Washington, and then entered the railway mail service. His health failed and he died in the State Asylum for the Insane after an active useful life.


In September, 1864, Mr. Dickinson was bought out by Charles K. Baxter, who retained control six months, and then sold to Messrs. Radcliffe & Long. After a time Henry J. Long sold his interest to Benjamin F. Kennedy. He is now at Kendallville, the publisher of The Coming Times. Mr. Kennedy is still living at Waterloo, though broken down in health. In September, 1868, Mr. Baxter purchased the half interest owned by Mr. Radcliffe. The latter gentleman is now publisher of the Hersey Outline, at Hersey, Osceola Co., Mich. The firm of Baxter & Kennedy subsisted until October, 1865, when the first named became sole proprietor. Mr. Baxter remained in control until Jan. 1, 1884, since when he has lived at Waterloo, not actively engaged in busi- ness. His successors are Dickinson & Willis, the present publish- ers. Edward P. Dickinson, the son of the founder of the Press, is employed in the railway mail service. The Press is a staunch Republican paper, issued Thursday of each week. In size, it a six- column quarto; previous to 1880 it was an eight-column folio. Sept. 1, 1884, began its twenty-seventh year, and it is accordingly twice the age of any other paper in the county.


FRANK W. WILLIS, editor and part proprietor of the Press, was born in the city of Syracuse, N. Y., June 12, 1842, the son of


403


HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.


Henry and Emeline (Hewitt) Willis. Henry Willis followed canal- boating and other occupations in New York State, and in 1844 came to De Kalb County, settling on a tract of land in Richland Township. Here he resided, engaged in farming, until 1864, when, being elected Sheriff of the county, he removed to Waterloo. He held the office four years, or two terms, and then purchased the in- terest of C. K. Baxter in the book-store owned by that gentleman and Frank W. Willis. He has since continued in partnership with his son. His wife died at Waterloo, Aug. 10, 1875.


The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and attended the common schools. He also studied at Orland Seminary, and at the Auburn and Waterloo High Schools. In 1861 he offered his services to his country, enlisting in the Forty-fourth Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, Company K, and remained in the army a little over three years. Returning home after his discharge, he was ap- pointed Assistant Assessor and Deputy Collector for the Tenth Con- gressional District, by William Pitt Fessender, Secretary of the Treasury under Andrew Johnson. He satisfactorily discharged the duties thus assumed, for four years. In January, 1867, he purchased the book-store of H. K. Davis, and C. K. Baxter pur- chasing that of T. Y. Dickinson, the two then consolidated their business under the firm name of Baxter & Willis. In December, 1868, as before stated, his father purchased Mr. Baxter's interest. He is now interested in both the paper and the store.


Sept. 27, 1868, at Waterloo, Mr. Willis was married to Josephine Dickinson, daughter of T. Y. and Mary (Youngman) Dickinson. Of the children given to Mr. and Mrs. Willis, Mary Gertrude was born Oct. 31, 1869; Herbert Clyde, Dec. 15, 1871; Fred I., Sept. 27, 1873; Raymond E., Aug. 11, 1875; Edward D., Nov. 9, 1877; Dora E., Sept. 13, 1880; Frank B., Oct. 13, 1882. Mr. Willis and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, in which organiza- tion he is an Elder. He is politically a Republican, and he is a member of the G. A. R. He is also a Notary Public, and a Claim Agent.


The New Era was founded in the fall of 1859, at Auburn, by George Kuhlman. It passed into the hands of J. C. Loveland, by whom it was continued until 1865, when Loveland removed the office to Clyde, Ohio. He had entitled his paper the Observer and Reporter, but on removal it was christened the Clyde Times. The second, De Kalb Democrat, was started by William H. Dills, in 1864, at Auburn. Later, it was managed by Howard Coe. A fire


404


HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.


destroyed the office during the winter of 1867. H. D. Carroll pub- lished a paper called the Democrat during 1867, and discontinned it the year following.


The Air Line was started in December, 1868, at Waterloo, by. J. F. Radcliffe. James A. Barns purchased the paper soon after, and published the same for a time. In December, 1870, the Air Line was discontinued, and the press and material sold to Tom C. Mays, who then removed it to Auburn and originated the


AUBURN COURIER.


The first number of this paper appeared in January, 1871, as a seven-column folio. In a few months this was increased to an eight-column folio, and Jau. 1, 1877, the present size, that of a six- column quarto, was adopted. Mr. Mays was a genial, popular editor, and, when he chose, could write an able article. He made some enemies, however, during his seven years and a half at the head of the Courier. He formerly came from Ohio, and previous to locating at Auburn was connected with the Fort Wayne Senti- nel. July 1, 1878, he sold out to Theodore Reed, and announced himself a candidate for the office of County Clerk. He was de- feated by George H. K. Moss, Republican candidate, by 600 majority. Shortly after, Mr. Mays went to Silver Cliff, Col., for a company of gentlemen interested in that mining town, and started the Silver Cliff Miner. After a few months he left; and drifting around in various places, he went to Hot Springs in 1881, where he was for a time connected with the Hot Springs Daily Star. He is now traveling.




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