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 47
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
April 20, 1852, he married Betsey A. Wilmot, a native of Por- tage County, Ohio, born June 7, 1812. They had one child- Wilmot P. Mrs. Coburn and her son are living on the old homestead, which contains 160 acres of valuable land, under a good state of cultivation.
Russell G. Coburn, a son of Ebenezer and Deliverance (Wil- son) Coburn, was born in Ontario County, N. Y., Aug. 8, 1825, and was two years of age when his parents moved to Trumbull County, Ohio, and thirteen when they moved to De Kalb County, Ind. He remained with his parents, assisting in the cultivation of the farm, till his marriage, and then took charge of the old homestead and cared for his parents the remainder of their lives. For forty-six years he has lived on his farm, and has witnessed and materially assisted the development of the county. For twenty years he worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade in connection with farming. He was married July 6, 1845, to Mary Milliman, daughter of John and Mary (Warren) Milliman. They have had a family of eleven chil- dren, nine of whom are living-Augustus B., Sarah J., Phœbe Eve, Elsie Ann, Mary E., Alva S., Warren W., Caroline E. and Harriet A. Mr. and Mrs. Coburn have been members of the Christian church forty-five years. Politically he has been a member of the Republican party since its organization.
Robertson Culbertson, one of the prominent citizens of Concord Township, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, April 6, 1815, a son of Robert and Mary (Pepples) Culbertson, natives of Pennsylvania ; his father of Westmoreland County, of Scotch descent, and his mother of Adams County, of Irish descent. In 1810 his parents moved to Coshocton County, Ohio, where the father died six weeks before the birth of our subject. Four years later the mother married John Henderson. When eight years of age he went to live with his grandfather Culbertson in Wayne County, and remained with him till nineteen years of age. He then began to work for farmers by the month, and in 1838 came to De Kalb County, Ind., and entered 120 acres of land in Concord Township. Returning to Ohio he remained five years and then moved his family to the new home, which he has since cleared and improved, and now has one of the best farms in the township. He was married Nov. 10, 1836, to Margaret Robinson, daughter of Hugh Robinson, and to them were born seven children, but three of whom are living. One
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son, Joseph, enlisted Sept. 5, 1861, in the first company that left De Kalb County for the defense of the Union, and was killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 7, 1862, aged twenty-one years. A daughter, Mary J., was the wife of John C. Owens, and died at the age of thirty years, leaving a family of children. Mrs. Cul- bertson died June 24, 1874, aged fifty-five years and twenty days. August 28, 1883, Mr. Culbertson married Brown, widow of Samuel Brown, by whom she has three children-Calvin H., Willis B., and Herman L. In 1855 Mr. Culbertson was elected Magistrate of his township and served eight years. He served as Assessor and Land Appraiser seven years. In politics he is a Republican. He and and his wife are members of the Prot- estant Methodist church.
George W. Draggoo, farmer and stock-raiser, Concord Town- ship, is a native of Richland (now Ashland) County, Ohio, born March 22, 1826, the youngest of twelve children of Frederick and Martha (Angel) Draggoo. His father died when he was twelve years of age and he remained with his mother till man- hood, receiving a common school education. His mother died when he was twenty-one years of age, and the following fall, 1847, he came to De Kalb County, Ind., and bought the land which is now his valuable farm. To his first purchase he has added till he now owns 155 acres, all under cultivation, and his residence and farm buildings are pleasant and are built with all the modern conveniences. Mr. Draggoo has accumulated his property by hard work and frugality. He has been an influen- tial man in the township, and in 1860 was elected Magistrate and served eight years. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and one of the most esteemed of the brotherhood. In politics he is a Democrat. He was married April 26, 1849, to Samantha Blair, daughter of John and Margaret (Douglas) Blair, one of the first families in De Kalb County. They have two children-Alice A. and Franklin B. Mrs. Draggoo is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Amos Draper is a native of Otsego County, N. Y., born April 5, 1804, a son of Bethuel and Polly (Vaughn) Draper, his father a native of Massachusetts, son of Joshua Draper, of English descent, and his mother a native of New York, of Holland de- scent. When he was ten years of age his father died, leaving his mother, with six small children, in limited circumstances. The children were scattered, and our subject found a home in
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
the family of Stockwell in the city of Troy, where he lived three years, when his mother, having married again, he lived with her a short time. When he was twenty-two years of age he began teaching, his first school being near Hardwick. He then taught several years in his native county. In 1840 he moved to Huron County, Ohio, where he engaged in agricultural pur- suits till 1873, when he moved to De Kalb County, Ind., and bought eighty acres of land in Concord Township, all under cultivation. He is a self-made man, having made his property solely by his own industry and frugal habits, accompanied by his integrity and good business ability. He was married Jan. 22, 1837, to Sally Ann Doan, a native of the State of New York. To them were born five children, but three of whom are living -Horace, William, and Miranda. Emily and Harriet are de- ceased. Mrs. Draper, born May 10, 1818, died Nov. 12, 1879, aged sixty-one years, six months, and two days. In politics he is a Republican.
Jacob Dermott, farmer and stock-raiser, Concord Township, was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., May 16, 1824, a son of Peter and Hannah (Williams) Dermott. His father, a native of Ireland, came to the United States when a young man, and the latter a native of one of the Southern States of Welsh descent. When he was fifteen years of age his parents moved to Ohio, and settled in Paulding County. Two years later he went to Ft. Wayne, and for six years was engaged in the manufacture of chairs. In 1847 he bought eighty acres of unimproved land in Allen County, which he subsequently sold, and bought 160 acres of partially improved land in Concord Township, DeKalb County, which he exchanged about five years later for the farm where he now lives, which contains 120 acres of valuable land all under cultivation, and has since engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was married Oct. 23, 1845, to Phœbe Coburn, daughter of Asher Coburn, one of the first settlers of DeKalb County. They have had five children, four of whom are liv- ing-Asher M., John E., Olive C., and J. M. Their eldest son, Charles M., is deceased. Mrs. Dermott is a member of the Disciples church. In politics Mr. Dermott is a Democrat.
Jonas Emanuel, M. D., is the oldest practising physician of DeKalb County. He was born in Hardin County, Va., April 15, 1818, a son of Jacob and Mary (Kimball) Emanuel, the for- mer a native of Germany, and the latter of Virginia of German
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
descent. When he was about ten years old his parents moved to Fayette County, Ohio, where they died. In 1840 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Thomas MacGorough, a prom- inent physician of old Chillicothe, and remained with him three years. He took his first course of lectures at Cincinnati, and graduated from the Ft. Wayne Medical College. He began the practice of his profession at Franconia, Putnam Co., Ohio, and Dec. 19, 1843, came to DeKalb County and located in Spen- cerville. Since his settlement in DeKalb County he has trav- eled about 150,000 miles, the greater part of it on horseback. He was for several years the only physician of this part of the county and his labors were necessarily very laborious, often having to go miles through the dense forest, and being obliged to carry a hickory torch to see his way. He has been success- ful in his practice, and not only has acquired a good property, but has endeared himself to the hearts of the people, especially of the old settlers, with whom he shared their privations and difficulties, never refusing on any account to attend one who needed his services. In February, 1880, Dr. Emanuel took his honorary degree at Ft. Wayne College. He is a member of the Allen County Medical Association. He was married Dec. 25, 1842, to Esther Hawley, daughter of Richard Hawley, and to them three children were born-Mary E., wife of A. C. Taylor, of Kansas; Charles E., an attorney, of Auburn, and Appelles D., who was making a good record as a physician in Ohio, and in 1876 died of typhoid fever, aged thirty-two years, leaving a widow and three children. Mrs. Emanuel died Sept. 28, 1850, and May 16, 1852, Dr. Emanuel married Laura E. Coburn, a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, daughter of John Coburn. They had a family of seven children-Angelina, deceased ; Anoret and Henry are deceased; Hamilton is a physician of Ohio; Marcus C., an attorney of this county ; Ella, wife of Bruce L. Bogorte, an attorney of Dakota; Gerry E., a phy- sician, the youngest man ever graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill. Dr. Emanuel lost his wife Nov. 28, 1871, and was again married Jan. 21, 1877, to Lucinda Silsbee. He has a fine farm of 200 acres in Concord Township, and one of the pleasantest homes in the county. In politics he was first a Whig, but now is a member of the Republican party.
Henry H. Fales is a native of New York, born Dec. 18, 1818, a son of Peter and Judith Ann (Cole) Fales, the former a native
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
of Massachusetts, of Welsh descent, and the latter of Rhode Island, of English descent. When he was fifteen years of age his parents moved to Trumbull County, Ohio, where his youth was spent in assisting his father in the blacksmith's shop. May 10, 1838, he came to Indiana and helped build one of the first mills on the St. Joseph River, at Orangeville, and ran it two years. He then moved to Spencerville, Concord Township, De Kalb County, engaged in different vocations till 1844, when he settled on a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits till 1871, and for twelve years was associated with his son in the furniture and undertaker's business at Spencerville. Since 1883 he has lived retired from the active business of life. Mr. Fales was married Feb. 9, 1838, to Rebecca White, a native of Trum- bull County, Ohio, daughter of Ephraim and Betsey (Bartholo- mew) White. To them have been born ten children, eight of whom are living-Emily, wife of Joseph Spittler ; Betsey, wife of William Leighty; Eli, of Allen County, Ind .; William, on the old homestead ; Orange, of Elkhart County, Ind. ; Elliot S., of St. Joe ; Thomas L., and William L., of Concord Township. Rosa Ann and Malcolm are deceased. In politics Mr. Fales is a Republican. He has served as Magistrate of his township fourteen years. He and his wife are members of the Evangel- ical Lutheran church.
Harlow y. Gee, farmer and stock-raiser, Concord Township, is a native of Ohio, born in Ashtabula County, April 19, 1827, the second child of Anson and Amelia Gee. When he was four years of age his father died, leaving his mother in limited cir- cumstances with three children to care for. As soon as they were large enough, he and his elder brother were obliged to follow the plow and clear the land. His mother subsequently married Enoch Hayford, and in 1834 they moved to Bartholo- mew County, Ind., where his stepfather died. In 1840 they came to DeKalb County and bought eighty acres, to which he afterward added forty acres near Newville, pay- ing $3 an acre. He was married Aug. 25, 1850, to Lucinda Loomis, daughter of Amos Loomis, and settled on the home- stead. In 1851 he bought his present farm of fifty acres in Con- cord Township, all under cultivation. To Mr. and Mrs. Gee have been born eight children-Harriet A., wife of James Sich- ler; Mary A., wife of James Lindermuth; Elizabeth, wife of George B. Wilson ; Marcellus D., married Carrie Coburn ; Jud-
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
son O .; Caroline, deceased ; Burton A., and an infant, deceased. In politics Mr. Gee is a Republican. His success in life is due to his habits of industry and economy learned in youth from the counsels of a wise mother.
Rev. James Hadsell, deceased, was the second minister of the Disciples church in DeKalb County. He was born in Broome County, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1813, a son of John and Abigail Had- sell. When he was a boy his parents moved to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the district school, and by studying in his leisure hours when his services were not required on the farm. He began teaching school when a young man, at a time when he received $10 a month for his services. He was married March 12, 1835, to Mary A. Abel, who was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Aug. 21, 1813, a daughter of Daniel and Sally (Root) Abel. In 1836 they moved to DeKalb County, Ind., and en- tered eighty acres of Government land in Concord Township, where they lived thirty years. A short time after his settle- ment in the county he was licensed to preach in the Disciples church, and the rest of his life was an active worker in the cause of Christianity, traveling over DeKalb and adjacent counties for about forty years. He held many offices of trust and responsibility, and at one time represented his county in the Legislature. To him and his wife were born eight children -- Byron A., Orlina E., Marshall D., Austin A., Maria M., Carson C., Eveline S. and Camillus J. Mr. Hadsell died March 6, 1876.
Benjamin Hamilton was born in Franklin County, Pa., Dec. 6, 1845, a son of Edward and Rebecca (Bishop) Hamilton. His father died before his birth, and he lived with his grandfather Bishop, till eight years of age, when his mother moved to Adams ounty, Pa., where he lived till seventeen years of age. When twelve years of age he began to assist his mother in the maintenance of the family. In 1863 they moved to DeKalb County, Ind., and settled in Concord Township. His mother now lives in Hicksville. November, 1864, he enlisted in Com- pany A, Thirteenth Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battles of Fort Fisher and others of less importance. He was discharged in October, 1865, and returned to Allen County, thence to DeKalb County, where he has since followed agricult- ural pursuits. In 1872 he sold his farm in Concord Township,
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
and bought one in Allen County where he lived till 1881, when he sold it and returned to Concord Township and bought the farm he now owns on section 14, containing 132 acres of valua- ble land. He was married Jan. 21, 1868, to Catherine Houk, daughter of George and Mary (Shilling) Houk. To them have been born six children-John A. (deceased), George F., Milli- cent, William, Mary and Adelphia. Mr. Hamilton is a member of John C. Carns Post, No. 144, G. A. R. In politics he is a Democrat.
James M. Hamilton. [By A. H. Bittinger, Esq.]-The subject of this sketch was born near Defiance, Defiance Co., Ohio, Oct. 2, 1832. He was a son of Gavin W. and Anna B. Hamilton. His parental ancestors were Scotch and his maternal ancestors of German descent. His grandfather, William Hamilton, came from Scotland, arriving in New York in 1796. In the early part of the year 1839 his parents removed to DeKalb County, Ind., and he is therefore one of the old settlers of the county. He re- ceived his education in the local schools which did not at that early day furnish the facilities for education for which in after years that section of the county became noted, but he was an apt scholar and acquired a good and substantial education for the time spent in procuring it. He is a farmer from choice, and has owned the farm upon which he now lives for thirty-three years. He is also the sole proprietor of the Orangeville grist- mill, situated upon the same site on the St. Joseph River selected by and upon which his father erected a grist and saw mill in 1839, being the pioneer mills of that section of the country. Al- though domestic in his habits, he never married. In early life he planned tours through his own and foreign countries which he faithfully carried out in his maturer years. In 1864 he made a tour of the Southern States with the assistance of the officers of the Union Army, who furnished him with the proper passes through their lines. In the year 1871 he made a tour of the Pacific slope, spending fifteen months in Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, California and Utah. In 1876 he journeyed through the Eastern States and to the capital of the United States. In 1878 he took a voyage to Europe, visiting France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, England, Ireland, and the home of his ancestors in Scotland, where he found many of his kin- dred still occupying the ancestral homes. In 1885 he again made a tour of the Southern States, this time without the re-
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
straint of army passes, the principal object of which was the World's Exposition at New Orleans, La. He has acquired much useful information in his extensive travels. In politics, he is a Republican, his first vote being cast for John C. Fremont for President in 1856, with which party he has ever since voted for National and State officers-he never sought nor held an office. He zealously advocates any cause he espouses, and is positive in his likes and dislikes. He is quick and electrical in his move- ments, possessed of much strength and vigor, enjoys the com- forts of a pleasant home, and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
George Hauk, retired farmer, was born in Dauphin County, Pa., Oct. 23, 1812, a son of Samuel and Catherine (Spraker) Hauk, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. His father died in Lebanon County, Pa., aged sixty years, and his mother in Stark County, Ohio, aged eighty-six years. When he was eighteen years of age he left his native State and went to Stark County, Ohio, where he learned the miller's trade, serving an apprenticeship and worked at it ten years. He then bought a farm and followed agricultural pursuits in Stark County till the fall of 1853, when he came to De Kalb County and bought 160 acres of land in Jackson Township. He subsequently added to it from time to time, till he now owns a fine farm of 400 acres. In 1874 he retired from the care of his large farm, relinquishing it to his children, and bought thirty-nine acres in Spencerville, where he and his wife are now enjoying the ac- cumulations of their many years of toil. He was married June 27, 1838, to Mary Shilling, daughter of Adam and Mary (Roan) Shilling. To them have been born seven children-Mary A., wife of George Shutt, of Allen County; Hiram, of Allen County ; Elizabeth, wife of William Shutt, of this township; Daniel married Rila Kiner and lives on the old homestead ; Eme- line J. Bell, wife of Nicholas Goldsmith, on the old homestead ; Amelia Catherine, wife of Benjamin Hamilton, of this township, and Sarah Matilda, wife of Samuel Canard, of Allen County. Mr. and Mrs. Hauk are members of the Lutheran church. In politics he was originally à Whig, but now casts his suffrage with the Democratic party.
William Henderson, one of the pioneers of De Kalb County, is a native of Ashland County, Ohio, born April 26, 1824, the eldest of thirteen children of Samuel and Lettie (Moody) Hen
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
derson, natives of Pennsylvania, of Irish parentage. They were married in Harrison County, Ohio, and soon after settled on rented land on the present site of Haysville, and afterward bought a farm two miles north, where they lived till the fall of 1836. In July of that year Mr. Henderson came to De Kalb County and entered 320 acres of land, and returned to Ohio for his family. Sept. 25 they left the latter State and Oct. 13 ar- rived at their frontier home. They built a fire by the side of a log and made their wagon their house till a cabin could be built. The next morning the father started for Fort Wayne to mill, and was gone four days. When he returned the boys had their cabin ready to raise, and in less than a week from the time of their arrival they had a house to live in, the first in the township. He afterward bought 120 acres more land, making a large farm of 440 acres which he and his sons cleared and im- proved. He was elected the first Justice of the Peace in the township but refused to qualify, having no aspirations for offi- cial honors. He lived to see all but three of his children mar- ried and settled on homes of their own, and died Feb. 15, 1863, aged sixty-five years. His wife survived till December, I880, and died at the age of seventy-five years. William Henderson was twelve years old when his parents moved to De Kalb County, and although so young he was obliged to assist in clearing and improving a frontier farm. His educational ad- vantages were limited, never attending school but seven weeks. He was married Jan. 9, 1845, to Matilda Watson, a native of Ashland County, Ohio, daughter of William and Susan (Keffer) Watson, of Allen County, Ind. After his marriage he settled on a tract of heavily timbered land, and began to make a farm for himself. He built a cabin 16x18, in which he commenced. housekeeping, aud went bravely to work to clear his land. He has cleared 160 acres, and now has one of the finest farms in the township, and has made it his home for forty years. To him and his wife have been born four children, two of whom are living-Margaret and John W. Their eldest died in in- fancy, and Elizabeth was the wife of Milo F. Walker, and died May 5, 1883, aged twenty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Hender- son have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church forty years. He is a member of Concord Lodge, No. 556, A. F. & A. M. In politics he was originally a Democrat, but since its organization has affiliated with the Republican party. He was
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elected County Commissioner in 1866 and served four years, and has also served as Township Trustee four terms.
Andrew Horn is a native of Adams County, Pa., born Aug. II, 1814, a son of George and Louisa (Cramer) Horn, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Adams County and the latter of York County, of German parentage. He was reared on a farm, residing with his parents till manhood. He was married Feb. 15, 1838, to Sydney Pilkington, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Gettys) Pilkington. After his marriage he settled on the old homestead, where he lived a year and a half, and in September, 1839, he and his father moved to Richland County, Ohio, where he lived thirteen years. In 1848 he came to De Kalb County and bought eighty acres of land in Newville Township, and four years later moved his family to this county. He sold his land in Newville Township and bought eighty acres of land in Con- cord Township, which is his present home. Sixty-five acres of his land are under cultivation. His father died in the spring of 1862, aged seventy-three years, and his mother in 1864, aged seventy-one years. To Mr. and Mrs. Horn have been born six children-Israel, Mary J. (wife of George Lake, of Allen County), John M., Caroline (deceased), Edwin and Lorena. Their sons were all soldiers in the war of the Rebellion. In politics Mr. Horn is a Republican. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran church.
Isaac N. Hornberger is a native of Berks County, Pa., born Feb. 25, 1824, a son of John and Leah (Remp) Hornberger, na- tives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. When he was ten years of age his parents moved to Stark County, Ohio, where he lived with them till his majority. He was married Dec. 25, 1848, to Lucinda Lehman, daughter of David and Nancy (Zent) Lehman. He lived in Ohio two years after his marriage, and then moved to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled on the land which is his present farm, containing 160 acres, about fifteen of which were partially improved. He now has it all under culti- vation, and has a pleasant residence and good farm buildings. Mr. Hornberger is purely a self-made man, having acquired his property by hard work and economical habits. He is in poli- tics a Republican. Though not an aspirant for official honors he has served his township two years as Constable. To him and his wife have been born seven children-Nancy C., wife of Francis Koeht, of Union Township; Mary A., wife of Isaac
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Mann, of Wilmington ; Belle E., wife of George Swinford, of Wilmington Township; John P., of Union Township, married Laura Weeks ; Susannah M., wife of James Sherwood, of Union Township; Anna A. and Myrtle J. Mrs. Hornberger died Nov. 30, 1881. She was, as is also Mr. Hornberger, an active member of the United Brethren church.
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