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 79
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A. Byron Darby, M. D., is a native of Fulton County, Ohio, born Nov. 18, 1839, a son of Samuel Bryant and Sepharna (Guilford) Darby, his father a native of Vermont and his mother of Massachusetts. His parents were married in Alle- gany County, State of New York, in 1826, and in 18.36 emigrated to what was then Henry, now Fulton County, Ohio, with two yoke of oxen and lumber wagon (one of the yokes then used is still in the possession of the Doctor). Being among the first settlers of the county, Samuel B. Darby helped organize the first township in the county; kept the first postoffice; taught the first school and opened the first store which he carried on for several years. In early life he was a Democrat, but after its organization affiliated with the Republican party, and was a member of the Convention which nominated J. C. Fremont, and also Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency. Samuel Bryant Darby died July 15, 1884, aged seventy-seven years. Sepharna Darby is yet living, aged seventy-four years. They had a fam- ily of nine children, four of whomare living. A. Byron Darby attended Alfred College in Allegany County, N. Y., and subse- quently Oberlin College, Ohio, where he paid his school ex- penses by teaching and working hours not required for study. Having early in life had the desire to study medicine, in 1862 and 1863 after reading the necessary text books, he attended the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in the spring of the latter year. After his graduation he located at Flint, Ind., and practiced in partnership with Dr. H. L. Smith a year, when Dr. Smith moved from the place
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and left him the only physician there. He built up a large practice, but his health becoming impaired, in 1864 he moved to Waterloo, De Kalb County, Ind., and has met with equally as good success here as in his former location. He is a member of the State Medical Society, the Northeastern Indiana Med- ical Association and the De Kalb County Medical Society, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his colleagues in the profession, as well as of the families who employ him. He has been Secretary of the Board of Health of Waterloo since the organization of the Board. Being of a genial, but dignified and calm presence, he inspires the confidence of his patients, and his sympathetic and kindly nature wins for him their love and esteem. Dr. Darby was married April 28, 1864, to Linda M. Huyck, youngest daughter of John T. and Lucinda (Basil) Huyck, the former of whom was born in the State of New York and the latter in the State of Vermont. Dr. A. Byron and Mrs. Darby have three children -Hadsell Byron, born June 3, 1865 ; Frank Wm., born Feb. I I, 1868, and their daughter Verna, born Nov. 6, 1878. The Doc- tor and his wife are members of the Church of Christ and workers in the Sunday-school. He is a member of Waterloo Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M., also No. 1,436, K. of H. He is a strong supporter of the temperance cause, and lends his influ- ence at every opportunity in his practice to encourage men to be temperate, that they may not only preserve their health, but their character also.
John Davis, deceased, was born in Onondago County, N. Y., April 13, 1813, the son of Solomon and Margaret (Baily) Davis, natives of Holland. When he was eighteen years of age his parents moved to Ohio and settled in Huron County. There he learned the trade of a carpenter and married Miss Jane Messner, a native of Dauphin County, Pa. After their marriage they moved to Crawford County, Ohio, and in 1847 came to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled on a farm two miles north of Auburn, which he cultivated and on which he put good improvements. He was a prominent man of his township and served as Justice of the Peace two terms; also served his township as Trustee. He was widely known and universally respected. He was a member of Auburn Lodge, No. 221, I. O. O.F. He died June 16, 1882. His widow lives on the homestead. She was born Dec. 31, 1820. She is the mother
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of five children ; two are living-Margaret, wife of E. D. Raub, and Eda, wife of C. D. Reed. Ida, Jay and Ado are deceased.
Ezra Dickenson, a retired farmer of Auburn, was born in Sharon, Litchfield Co., Conn., Aug. 26, 1798. He was reared a farmer, living with his parents till his majority. In 1819 he went to Ohio and located in Johnson Township, Trum- bull County, where he bought a tract of wild land which he cleared and cultivated, residing there till 1836, when he came to Indiana and entered 120 acres of Government land in Concord Township, De Kalb County. In 1842, having three children who were mutes, he sold his farm in Concord Town- ship and bought one near Hicksville, Ohio, that his children might have the advantage of the deaf and dumb asylum. In 1852 he sold his farm, and returned to De Kalb County and bought a farm in Wilmington Township where he lived till 1880, when, feeling the infirmities of old age creeping on, he sold his farm and bought a residence in Auburn that he might spend the rest of his life in a more quiet manner. When he came to Indiana, De Kalb County was a dense wilderness. Indians were plenty, but white people scarce. There were no roads, and oxen were the only teams used. He was one of the first Petit Jurymen of the first Circuit Court of De Kalb County. The first court was held in a log house on the site of the present court-house in Auburn. The jail was a loft over the court-room, which was entered through a hole in the floor, and the ladder taken away to prevent the escape of prisoners. The nearest markets were Fort Wayne and Hicksville. While living in Wilmington Township, Mr. Dickenson served four years as Justice of the Peace. In 1861 when, in his sixty-third year, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, barely passing the examination of the mustering officer, who took him to be about forty-five. April 3, 1862, he was discharged for disability. He is living with his fifth wife who was Mrs. Re- becca (Waldron) Sibert, to whom he was married April 22, 1882. He is the father of twelve children, eight of whom are living. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife of the Lutheran church. He is a member of De Long Post, No. 67, G. A. R. He has affiliated with the Republican party since its organization.
William H. Dills, attorney at law, Auburn, Ind., was born in Dearborn County, Ind., March 15, 1834, a son of Jacob and
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Tena (Dawson) Dills. In 1844 his parents moved to De Kalb County and settled in Spencerville, where he grew to manhood. He was educated in the public schools and a select school in Fort Wayne. When nineteen years of age he was employed as civil engineer by the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Rail- road, working in this capacity about a year when, in 1854, he began the study of law under the preceptorship of his uncle, Judge R. J. Dawson, of Spencerville, and in 1855 and 1856 at- tended the law school at Greencastle, Ind., and after his grad- uation was admitted to the bar. In October, 1856, he was elected Prosecutor of the Common Pleas District composed of De Kalb and Steuben counties, and the same year located in Auburn where he has since pursued his practice. During his residence in Auburn he has held various official positions, among others Town Clerk, and attorney for the town and county. He has been identified in the movements to secure the various railroads through Auburn, and at times has been connected with the local press, editorially and otherwise. He has always been identified with the Democratic party, and has taken an active part in politics, as speaker and writer, in both county and State. In 1882 he was a candidate for Circuit Judge, but was defeated by a small majority. In 1884 he was elected one of the Democratic electors, and took an active part in the campaign. He has the distinction of being the only man from De Kalb County that ever voted directly for the Presi- dent and Vice-President of the United States, and also of re- ceiving the largest number of votes from the people, of any resident in his Congressional District, viz .: 244,992. He has been Secretary of the De Kalb County Pioneer Association since its organization in 1876. He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Emily A. Ralston, of Auburn, by whom he has two children-Frank and Kittie. May 30, 1879, he mar- ried his second wife, Mrs. Julia May (Miner) Brandon.
James Dragoo, a pioneer of De Kalb County, Ind., was born near Hayesville, Ohio, Aug. 5, 1817. He was the sixth of nine sons of Frederick and Martha (Angel) Dragoo. He came to De Kalb County in 1837 and entered land in Jackson and Concord townships. Then returned to Ohio and remained till 1841, engaged in farming. In 1841 he moved to De Kalb County and settled in Concord Township where he improved a farm of 125 acres, on which he lived till 1874 when he rented
Died June 30-1895- Aged 77 years 18 months and 25 days
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his farm and moved to Auburn. While living in Concord Township he served as Justice of the Peace nine years. He has been variously engaged in various branches of business since coming to De Kalb County. At one time he was associ- ated with John P. Widney in the mercantile business. At another he bought hogs and cattle and shipped to the Eastern markets, and in an early day he bought cattle and horses which he drove to markets in Illinois and Wisconsin. He has been twice married. First, in August, 1838, he married Zerniah Johnson, who died in Concord Township in March, 1873. In September, 1874, he married Mrs. Hannah Ferrell, of New- castle, Pa. They have one son-Harry D. A son, Terry, died March 4, 1877, and a daughter, Clarissa, died July 11, 1880. Mr. Dragoo has three adopted daughters-Sarah H., now the wife of E. Burke, of Monroe County, Ohio; Harriet, wife of H. P. Culbertson, of Auburn, and Charlotte, wife of Jeremiah Davis, of Jackson Township.
George H Dunn, the only son of George and Sarah A. (Miller) Dunn, was born in De Kalb County, Ind., May 21, 1861. His father was a native of De Kalb County and his mother of Ohio. His father died before his birth and his mother found a home with Joseph Gardner, by whom he was reared and educated. He obtained a good common-school education, and was early taught the rules of agriculture, which enabled him as he grew older to become successful in that branch of business. He has always made Mr. Gardner's house his home, and now has charge of and superintends his farm. He has made a specialty of stock-raising, and has some of the finest grades of cattle and sheep in the county. He is an energetic and industrious young man, and is one of the progressive and enterprising young farm- ers of Union Township. He was married Feb. 12, 1885, to Almettie, daughter of Gilbert Showers, of this county. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, and he has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is a Re- publican in politics, and an active worker in the ranks.
Edward Eldridge has been a resident of Auburn since 1852, coming here from Fort Wayne, Ind. He was born in Sussex, England, March 24, 1826. When fifteen years of age he left his parents and emigrated to the United States. He landed in New York City, where he remained and was variously em- ployed three years, when, in 1844, he came to Indiana and
C
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located in Fort Wayne, and there worked at the carpenter and cabinet-maker's trades till 1852. He then came to Auburn and worked at the cabinet-maker's trade till 1861. Since 1861 he has been engaged in either the grocery or saloon business. At present he is running a saloon. He was married Jan. 15, 1861, to Salinda McDowell, of Auburn. They have two children- Jenkenson, a compositor in thé Republican office, and James D., · a tailor of Auburn.
Richard Elson, D. D. S., Auburn, Ind., was born in Stark County, Ohio, Oct. 28, 1839, a son of Thomas W. and Ann (Baker) Elson. When he was about a year old his parents moved to New Pittsburg, Wayne Co., Ohio, where he was reared, remaining with them till manhood. In September, 1861, he enlisted, at Wooster, Ohio, in Company C, Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, and served till 1864. He participated in the battle of Cumberland Gap, and at the charge made at Chicka- saw Bayou, near Vicksburg, by General Sherman, in Decem- ber, 1862, was seriously wounded, and was sent to the hospital at Paducah, Ky. After his recovery he was detailed Hospital Steward at St. Mark's Hospital, Paducah, and remained there till discharged at the expiration of his term of service. While in the service he was commissioned Second Lieutenant of the Eighth United States Heavy Artillery by General Thomas, but declined to serve on account of poor health. After his dis- charge he returned to New Pittsburg, and the following winter taught school. In the spring of 1865 he came to Auburn and engaged in the drug business till 1868, when he began the study of dentistry under Dr. W. K. Simpson, and practiced at Auburn till 1883, when he took a course of lectures at the Indiana Dental College, Indianapolis, graduating as D. D. S., March 5, 1884. While there he was appointed Demonstrator in the operative department. He is now permanently located in Auburn, where he is reaping the reward of a well-established professional reputation. In April, 1867, he married Helen Alda Alling, of Auburn, a granddaughter of Wylys Griswold, one of the oldest pioneers of De Kalb County, by whom she was reared. They have one son-Francis Alling, born June 21, 1870. Dr. Elson is a member of De Kalb Lodge, No. 214, F. & A. M., and De Long Post, No. 67, G. A. R. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he is one of the Board of Trustees.
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Hon. Nicholas Ensley, merchant and banker, Auburn, Ind., was born near Bellview, Seneca Co., Ohio, Feb. 28, 1841. His parents, George and Lydia (Noel) Ensley, moved to Indiana the follow- ing November and settled in Butler Township, De Kalb County, where he was reared on a farm, helping his father cut down the forest for three large farms, and received a good education. Nov. 1, 1861, he responded to the call for volunteers by the President to defend the Union against rebel invasion, enlisting in Company K, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry. He served four years, and was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 14, 1865. For meritorious service he was detailed clerk of the military court at McMinnville, Tenn. In the spring of 1864, after the battle of Chickamauga, he was detailed chief clerk in the Pro- vost office at Chattanooga, and remained there six months. Previous to being detailed provost clerk, he had been pro- moted to Second Sergeant of his company. In the fall of 1864 he was promoted to Quartermaster-Sergeant, and in the spring of 1865 was commissioned Second Lieutenant of his Company K, and from that time till his discharge acted the most of the time as Regimental Quartermaster. After the war he returned to De Kalb County and took charge of his father's farm, the old homestead at Butler Center. In 1872 he was nominated on the Republican ticket as a candidate for Treasurer of De Kalb County. Although his party was largely in the minority, he was elected by a majority of fifty-two votes, and in 1874 was re-elected by 160 votes. He became a resident of Auburn in November, 1872, and has since been identified with her success- ful and enterprising business men. He has been a member of the Auburn School Board three years, and takes a great interest in educational matters. In the spring of 1877 he engaged in the farm-implement business, discontinuing it in 1884. In Janu- ary, 1879, he embarked in the general mercantile business and has met with good success. In February, 1882, he assisted in the organization of the Farmers' Bank of Auburn, and is still one of its members. He was elected State Senator to represent De Kalb and Steuben counties, Nov. 4, 1884, on the Republican ticket by a majority of 348. Mr. Ensley was married to Helen, daughter of John A. Ditmars, of De Kalb County. They have five children-Oliver P., Eva Adel, Oscar J., Marion E. and Amber L. He is a member of De Long Post, No.67, G. A. R., Auburn, Ind., of which he is Senior Vice-Commander.
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Dr. Almond S. Farrington, of Waterloo, was born in James- town, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Dec. 4, 1832, a son of Keeler and Aseneth (Southwick) Farrington, of Scotch descent. His ancestors were heroes of the Revolution, and his father was a soldier in the war of 1812. When he was five years old his parents moved to Peru, Huron Co., Ohio, and when he was seventeen to De Kalb County and located near Sedan. He re- ceived but a limited education in his early life. The county being new and there being no public-school fund, the schools were supported by private subscription, which was with diffi- culty made large enough to carry on a school during the win- ter months. In 1849 his father bought a timbered farm in De Kalb County, and for about a year and a half he assisted in clearing and improving it, but wishing to have the benefit of a good school he then returned to Ohio, and attended during the winter for two years, working the remainder of the time to de- fray his expenses. In 1852 he entered Hiram College at Port- age County, Ohio, where he was a student under President Garfield. He remained there five years, and in 1857 began the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Elisha Hall, of Norwalk, and the next year entered the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, where he remained until March 1, 1860. The next month he located at Norwalk where he had a very satisfactory practice, but in 1862 moved to De Kalb County, and lived in Sedan seven years. In 1869 he sold his property in Sedan, with a view of locating in Waterloo, but not being able to suit himself in the village, bought a farm just outside the limits, which he superintended, although the greater part of his time was taken up with his practice. In 1871 he purchased his home on Maple street, which is one of the most valuable and desirable residences in town. For twenty-two years he has been identified with the medical fraternity of De Kalb County, with a constantly increasing popularity, and is now in the enjoyment of an extensive practice which yields him a good income. As a surgeon Dr. Farrington has always met with good success, being a skillful and reliable operator, but his greatest merit lies in his medical practice. A close student and a constant determination to excel, places him at the head of the profession, and to a marked degree he has the love and confidence of his patients and their friends. Possessed of a strong character, a cheerful and sympathetic presence, his
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calmness impresses those about him of his ability and fidelity. He is a worthy and earnest member of the Christian church. In politics he is a Republican, and is firm and uncompromising in the support of his political convictions, yet generous and toler- ant of others not in accord with him, and is in no sense a poli- tician, as applied to an office seeker. He is an earnest and con- sistent temperance man, and in his practice as a physician aids, by his example, the cause. He is a genial, courteous, Christian gentleman, and is as greatly admired by the medical fraternity as by those outside the profession. Dr. Farrington was mar- ried Oct. 19, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Link, of Union Township, a lady of rare intellect and pleasing manners ; a kind neighbor and devoted Christian mother. They have eight children, five sons and three daughters. Dr. Farrington is in the prime of his manhood, notwithstanding he carries in his body sev- eral pieces of lead, received by the discharge of a gun in the hands of a maniac in 1871. This disabled him for sometime, but his strong constitution, aided by his correct habits, over- came all the evil effects, and he is to-day in the enjoyment of robust health.
Philip Fluke, retired currier and tanner, Auburn, was born in Bedford County, Pa., June 27, 1816, a son of Philip and Mary (Summers) Fluke, who removed to Richland County, Ohio, in the fall of 1816. He was reared and educated in Ohio, remaining there till 1844 when, in November, he moved to Auburn, Ind. His education was received in the public schools, and when eighteen years of age he was apprenticed to the currier and tanner's trade, serving three years. He then worked as a journeyman six months at Ashland, Ohio, and then returned home and attended school four months, and in 1838 began in business for himself. In 1842 he sold his busi- ness, and in 1844 came to Auburn and opened a tannery which he conducted till 1874 when he retired from active business life. When he started in life his father gave him $500 and forty acres of land; this, added to a small amount he received from his father's estate, has been his only assistance. Possessed of good business management, he made the most of what he had, and has amassed a fortune, having a large landed estate adjacent to Auburn. He was married to Ruth, daughter of Thomas Ford, of Auburn, who died March 25, 1853, leaving one son-Wakeman C., a druggist of Clayton, Mich. Jan. IO,
Died CET ]- 1980 aged 84,000 3 months and 3 days.
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1857, he married Sarah, daughter of David Thomas, of Rich- land Township, De Kalb County. She died in Auburn, Jan. 17, 1873. To them were born three children, two of whom are living-Eliza J., wife of S. L. Gibson, and Frank E., at home. Ida May died in April, 1865, aged four months. In politics Mr. Fluke has always been a Democrat. He has served two terms as Trustee of Auburn.
Herman Frochlich was born in Zduny, Prussia, April 1, 1841, a son of Eduard and Ernstina (Langner) Froehlich. His mother died in 1845. In 1862 his father, a younger sister and himself came to the United States and located in Warsaw, Ind. Her- man Froehlich came to De Kalb County in 1865 and his father followed him in 1869, where he died in 1875. Herman learned in the old country in his father's shop the cabinet-making trade, and during his stay in Warsaw, Ind., he learned the marble monumental trade, and since has always followed this vocation. He is an industrious, economical man, and has accumulated a good property, being to-day among the most substantial busi- ness men of Waterloo. He was married in November, 1865, to Eva Eckhardt, daughter of George and Catherine (Pullman) Eckhardt. Her father came with his family from Hessen Darmstadt to America in 1847 and located in the State of New York, from whence he was sent by the American Tract Soci- ety to De Kalb County in 1851 to distribute tracts, and was employed by them four years, and subsequently a portion of his time for two years. Mr. Eckhardt died in November, 1874. Mrs. Eckhardt is living now in Toledo, Ohio. They had a family of four children, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Froehlich have three children-Olive E., Frederick H. and Edmund Carl. Mr. Froehlich cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and his last for B. F. Butler. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Joseph Gardner, one of the early settlers of De Kalb County, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., April 13, 1819, the eldest son of John and Barbara (Kampf) Gardner, his father a native of Maryland and his mother of Westmoreland County, Pa. In 1830 his parents moved to Holmes County, Ohio, where they both died. Six of their nine children are living. Joseph was reared on a farm and early became skilled in the mysteries of agricultural life. He has made that occupation his work through life and has been uniformly successful. In
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the fall of 1845 he came to De Kalb County and bought a tract of 160 acres of wild land on time, paying for it with money he had earned. After paying for his land he worked for others, at clearing and farming, four years, and then married Catherine Beidler, eldest daughter of David Ash, and widow of Jacob Beidler. After his marriage he settled on his land and began to clear and cultivate it. Possessed of energy and good man- agement, he has accumulated a competency for his declining years. In July, 1884, his residence was destroyed by fire, and he has since erected a neat and substantial two-story brick dwelling. His farm buildings are all large and conveniently arranged. In politics Mr. Gardner was in his early life a Whig, but since its organization has affiliated with the Republican party. His influence has always been on the side of temper- ance and good order. He has served his township acceptably in various offices of trust.
Don A. Garwood, of the firm McClellan & Garwood, attorneys at law, Waterloo, is a native of Cassopolis, Cass Co., Mich., born March 9, 1858, a son of Dr. Alonzo and Ellen (Brown) Garwood. His father is a prominent physician of Western Michigan, and has also figured in State political circles, repre- senting his district in the State Senate in 1856. In 1876 Mr. Garwood entered Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, and after teaching one year graduated in 1881. In September of the same year he came to Waterloo and was employed in the office of Best & McClellan, and at the same time began the study of law. In 1883 he was admitted to the bar, and the fol- lowing September, Mr Best having retired from the firm, he was given an interest in the business by Judge McClellan, the firm name being McClellan & Garwood. In October, 1882, Mr. Garwood was married to Jennie, daughter of Judge McClellan. They have one child-Aileen. Mr. Garwood is a member of Waterloo City Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M .; Wm. Hacker Chapter, No. 63, R. A. M., and De Kalb Council, R. & S. M., of Auburn, and of Apollo Commandery, K. T., of Kendallville.
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