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 92
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Ind., was born in Troy Township, De Kalb County, Ind., April 17, 1848, a son of William Knisely, an early settler of that town- ship. Losing his father when quite young and being the eldest child, he was obliged to depend upon his own resources and assist his mother in the maintenance of the family. His educa- tion was obtained by study at home, when not at work, as he was able to attend school but two months in the year. When about eighteen years old he began teaching, and taught two terms. Then clerked six months for his brother-in-law, J. D. Aldrich, when he became a partner in the business. In 1870 he came to Butler, and the first winter worked in the hotel for his board. The next spring he was employed in Isaac Oaks' store at $40 a month, and after a year and a half was given $50 a month. He remained there three and a half years and then bought an interest in the drug business with Dr. Hoopingard- ner. The next year his brother, David H., bought the Doctor's interest, and they carried on the business six months when they sold the entire stock to the Doctor and established a general store. They carry a stock valued at $20,000, and have an an- nual business of $60,000. When they sold their drug store they had a capital of about $6,000. They keep a full line of dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, hats, caps, notions, groceries, furnishing goods, carpets, and also carry on a merchant tailor- ing establishment, having a good custom. They are among the most successful merchants of Butler, and among the rising young men of De Kalb County. Mr. Knisely was married May 10, 1868, to Jennie McCurdy. To them have been born four children ; three are living-Lillie Dell, born Feb. 28, 1870; Ora T., Sept. 15, 1873 ; Sarah Dessie, Nov. 3, 1874. Mr. Knisely is a member of the Masonic fraternity, lodge, chapter, council, and commandery. He and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
David H. Knisely, of the firm Knisely Brothers, general mer- chants, Butler, Ind., was born in Troy Township, De Kalb Co., Ind., Nov. 18, 1854, a son of William Knisely. He remained on the farm till fourteen years of age, receiving a common- school education. Then went to Hamilton, Steuben County, and clerked for Aldrich & Knisely a year and a half. He then worked on the farm a year, and in 1871 came to Butler and at- tended school two terms, and clerked in a drug store three years. He then bought an interest in the drug business with
63
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his brother, Timothy J., which they sold in the fall of 1875, six months after buying, and in September established their pres- ent place of business. Mr. Knisely was married Oct. 15, 1882, to Eva J. Mason, daughter of Albert J. Mason, an old set- tler of De Kalb County. They have one child-Mabel. Mr. Knisely is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
William Knisely, deceased, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Jan. 1, 1804, a son of John Knisely, a native of Pennsyl- vania, of Swiss parentage. In 1841 Mr. Knisely came to De Kalb County and entered a tract of timbered land from the Government, which he cleared and on which he lived till his death, April 5, 1860. He was thrice married. His first wife was Susan Burl, and to them were born six children-Harriet, Elizabeth, Rhuama, Sarah, Solomon and Martha J. His second wife, Elizabeth Snyder, lived only a year after their marriage. His third was Susan McEndaffer. They had four children ; but three are living-Timothy, William and David.
Edward Krafft, farmer and stock-raiser, section 34, Wilming- ton Township, was born in Baden, Germany, March 3, 1835, a son of John Krafft. He came to the United States in 1850, in company with some neighbors, and lived one year in Richland County, Ohio. Then came to De Kalb County, and in 1854 returned to Richland County and worked two years for one man, and in that time saved enough to pay for forty acres of land. In 1856 he returned to De Kalb County and bought his land in Wilmington Township, on section 27. He went to work to clear his land, and by industry and frugality has added to it till he now owns 150 acres. He is engaged extensively in stock-raising, making a specialty of Durham short-horned cat- tle. He has several very fine head ; one, Flora Red, is regis- tered. From the spring of 1863 till the fall of 1865 Mr. Krafft was engaged in the dairy business on the Thomas farm in this township. Mr. Krafft was married in November, 1862, to Hen- rietta Coleman, daughter of Conrad Coleman, who died in 1870, leaving three children-Mary A., Ida E. and Edward Mahlon. June 15, 1871, Mr. Krafft married Eliza A., daughter of Hugh Maxwell. He is a member of the Presbyterian and his wife of the United Brethren church.
William Krontz, farmer, section 22, Wilmington Township, was born in this township, March 5, 1844, a son of John Krontz, one of the pioneers of De Kalb County. He remained on the
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farm with his parents till the breaking out of the Rebellion, and in 1862 enlisted in Company A, Eighty-eighth Indiana Infantry, and served nearly three years, participating in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Atlanta, and with Sherman to the sea. He was married July 30, 1865, to Amanda Wineland, daughter of John Wineland, one of the early settlers of Wilmington Township. They have six children-Mabel, Henry, Elam, Roy, Michael, and Lovina. Mr. Krontz has a good farm of fifty-six acres, well improved, with a good residence and farm buildings.
Joseph R. Lanning, merchant, Mooresville, Ind., was born in Cadiz, Ohio, Dec. 16, 1829, a son of John Lanning, a native of New Jersey, an early settler of Cadiz, and later of Ashland County, Ohio. He was brought up to the life of a merchant, beginning to work in a store when he was ten years of age. He first came to De Kalb County in 1849, but did not locate till 1851, when he became established in the mercantile business in Butler. He was elected County Clerk in 1867, and re-elected in 1871. He was Postmaster of Butler four years, and Justice of the Peace about the same length of time. In 1872 he was a delegate to the convention at Baltimore which nominated Hor- ace Greeley for President. In the fall of 1867 he moved to Auburn, where he still resides. From 1875 to 1882 he was in business in Auburn, and then moved his stock to Mooresville. He carries a stock valued at $1,500, having an annual business of $3,000. Mr. Lanning was married in April, 1857, to Mar- garet Deeter, daughter of Edward Deeter, an early settler of De Kalb County. They have eight children-George L., Dan- iel K., Joseph R., Edward D., Margaret B., Minnie, Evelyn and Ella.
Aaron Levy, merchant, Butler, Ind., was born in Northern France in 1842, and came to America in 1865. In 1869 he began the mercantile business in Florence Township, Williams Co., Ohio, and two years later moved his stock to Archibald, Ohio, where he still has one of the largest stores in the place. In November, 1882, he opened a store in Butler, and now carries a complete stock of general merchandise, valued at $20,000, and has an annual business of from $35,000 to $40,000. He was married in 1872 to Caroline Hirsh, and to them have been born six children-Sarah, Barnhardt, Henry, Ida, Rosa and Louis.
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Hon. William H. Madden, M. D., of Butler, is a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born April 8, 1825, a son of John Mad- den. His early life was spent on a farm, but later his father moved to Freeport, Harrison Co., Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile business several years. He received a good educa- tion in the public schools, and after leaving school began the study of medicine with Dr. John E. Charles, of New Cumber- land, Ohio. In 1847 he located in Butler, Ind., and practiced six months; then returned to Ohio and practiced in Jefferson County fourteen months, and in 1849 returned to Butler, where he has since resided, locating on section 1, Wilmington Town- ship. He owns a fine farm of 375 acres of improved land, which he superintends in connection with attending to his pro- fession. He is a member of the Indiana State Medical Society, and has the respect and confidence of the brotherhood. In 1876 Dr. Madden was elected to the Indiana Legislature, and while there introduced two important bills, which were adopted ; one a bill to entitle trustees of two or more townships to build school-houses jointly, and the other to legalize the acts of the corporation of the town of Waterloo. Both these bills have been of great benefit to Wilmington and adjoining town- ships. As a legislator Dr. Madden was ever mindful of the needs of the people whom he represented, and all his voice was for the promotion of measures which promised the greatest good to his county and State. In addition to his service as Representative he has filled several local offices of trust, such as Justice of the Peace, Trustee, Notary Public, etc. He was the first Postmaster of Butler, appointed in 1853. Dr. Madden was married April 13, 1851, to Isabel Walter, daughter of Peter Walter. Of their seven children but five are living-Herman M., Melissa J., Ira B., Ida M. and Emma L.
Albert J. Mason, dealer in lumber, shingles, lath, etc., Butler, Ind., was born in Genesee County, N. Y., Dec. 29, 1829, a son of David and Sarah (Smith) Mason, his father a native of Ver- mont and his mother of Elmira, N. Y., both of English descent. In 1845 his parents moved to Williams County, Ohio, and set- tled in Northwest Township, and Albert J. began to work in a fanning-mill factory the following spring. He worked there one season and then began to work at the carpenter's and join- er's trade, which he followed continually until 1880. He came to De Kalh County in 1856, and has built some of the best
Philip gushus
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
houses and business blocks in the town. He established his lumber yard in 1875, and since 1880 has given it his entire at- tention. Mr. Mason was married in 1853 to Harriet M. Olds. They have had four children, three of whom are living-Byron C., a traveling salesman for a Cincinnati Safe and Lock Com- pany ; Warren A., a partner with his father ; and Eva, wife of David Knisely. Mr. Mason is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and is one of the most enterprising business men of Butler.
Elliott P. Masters, of the firm Masters & Scoville, Butler, Ind., was born in Fulton County, Ohio, Oct. 10, 1853, a son of Hon. Ezekiel and Susannah B. (Perkins) Masters. In 1869 his parents moved to Pioneer, Williams Co., Ohio, and there he followed farming and engaged in the produce business. He re- ceived a common-school education, remaining with his parents till his majority. In 1882 he came to Butler, Ind., and formed a partnership with J. M. Scoville. They keep constantly on hand a full supply of hard and soft coal, and buy and ship but- ter, eggs, and game to the Eastern markets. Mr. Masters was married Nov. 18, 1875, to Martha V. Fulton, daughter of Peter Fulton, of Pioneer, Ohio. They have three children-Bertha, Herbert and Lottie. Mr. and Mrs. Masters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Masters's father, Hon. Ezekiel Masters, was born in Knox County, Ohio, Dec. 3, 1816, and in 1826 moved with his parents to Marion County, Ohio, where his father died, leaving him at the age of seventeen years with the care of eight younger children, and a debt to clear on the homestead. In 1836 he was appointed Orderly Sergeant of a vol- unteer rifle company, and eighteen months later was promoted to Second Lieutentant, and subsequently by succession till he was Colonel of the regiment. Early learning habits of frugality and industry, he was successful and accumulated a large property. In 1845 he removed to Williams County, Ohio, where he still lives. He has held many responsible offices in church and State, and was a member of the General Assembly from 1862 till 1868. Oct. 13, 1836, he was married to Mary Oliver, who died, and he afterward married Susannah B., daughter of Hon. Judge John Perkins. He has fourteen children, all well edu- cated.
David Maxwell, section 27, Wilmington Township, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 12, 1838, a son of Hugh and
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Ellen (Northgraves) Maxwell, and came with them to De Kalb County, in 1842, and was here reared and educated in the log- cabin schools. In 1859 he went to California, driving a team of mules all the way. There were twelve in the party when they left De Kalb County, intending to go to Pike's Peak, but at Bel- mont, Kas., receiving unfavorable reports seven of the party turned back. Mr. Maxwell bought the mules of Mr. Fosdick, who returned to the county, and the five proceeded to Cali- fornia. In the spring of 1860 he went intoNevada and bought a stock ranch which he ran till the fall of 1865 when he returned to Indiana, coming by water around Cape Horn, reaching home Jan. 10, 1866. Since his return he has been engaged in agricult- ural pursuits, and now owns a farm of 160 acres, all well im- proved. March 27, 1870, Mr. Maxwell married Addie Bills, daughter of Francis Bills, an old settler of Wilmington Township.
Hugh Maxwell, farmer, section 34, Wilmington Township, was born in Mercer County, Pa., May 28, 1806, a son of James Maxwell, a native of Ireland, who came to the United States in an early day and in 1814 removed his family to Wayne County, Ohio. He was reared and educated in Ohio, attend- ing the primitive log-cabin schools, and those very little as his services were usually required on the farm. After he was twenty-one years of age he learned the blacksmith's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years, receiving in that time only his board and clothes. He worked at his trade seven years. In 1837 he came to Indiana and entered land on sec- tion 34, Wilmington Township, and in 1842 moved his family to it. He has been a hard-working man and has cleared his land of timber and made of it one of the best farms in the county. He owns 200 acres of valuable land, all well cultivated. Mr. Maxwell was married May 20, 1834, to Ellen Northgraves, daughter of Joseph Northgraves. But four of their seven children are living-Joseph, David, Ellen and James. Their eldest daughter, Jane, was married and at her death left two children, one son in Dakota and the other in Michigan. Mrs. Maxwell died in February, 1844. Mr. Maxwell subsequently mar- ried Mary A., daughter of David Ash. Eight of their nine chil- dren are living-Eliza A., Mary E., Hugh B., Walter S., Henry M., Calvin J., Sarah C. and Aurilla M. Mr. and Mrs. Max- well and five children are members of the United Brethren church. Ellen is a member of the Christian church.
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Daniel T. McNabb, proprietor of the Wabash House, Butler, Ind., was born in Center County, Pa., April 28, 1834, a son of Robert and Prudence (Parsons) McNabb. He was reared on a farm, receiving a good education in the common schools. When seventeen years of age, in 1851, he went with his par- ents to Lee County, Ill., and from there in 1855 to Ashland County, Ohio. In 1859 he came to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled in Stafford Township, where he engaged in farming till 1862, when he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-eighth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Per- ryville and several others, and in the latter part of 1863, at Stone River, he was taken sick, and February, 1864, was dis- charged on account of disability, and has never fully recovered. He now draws a pension on account of injuries received in the service. He remained on the farm about twelve years after his return home, and then moved to Butler, where he teamed till October, 1882, when he bought the Wabash Hotel. This house contains twenty-one rooms and is kept in first-class order. They set a good table, having everything the market affords; terms, $1 a day or $4 a week. Mr. McNabb was married June 5, 1855, to Sarah A., daughter of Jacob Hart. They have had five children ; but four are living-Margaret E., Alice, Harriet and Augusta. John W. died in 1882, aged twenty-one years. Mr. McNabb is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In political views he is a Republican.
Thomas H. Mitchell, deceased, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Oct. 10, 1818, a son of John Mitchell, who was a native of Pennsylvania, but a pioneer of Ohio. He was reared a farmer, but obtained a good education, completing it at the Leesburg, Ohio, High School. He taught school nine winters, devoting the summers to agricultural pursuits. In 1853 he moved to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled on a farm in Franklin Township, where he died Oct. 23, 1860. He was a devoted Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was an upright, progressive citizen, a liberal sup- porter of all charitable institutions, benevolent to the poor, and a kind and obliging neighbor. He was married May 22, 1844, to Rebecca Knisely, a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, born Feb. 25, 1823, a daughter of David Knisely, an early set- tler of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell were born eight children, but three of whom are living-William K., a physi-
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cian of Ligonier, Ind .; John D., a farmer, residing on the old homestead, and Thirza. James O., Francis L., Mary E., Mattie and Sarah Belle are deceased.
Aaron D. Moore, one of the most prominent farmers and stock- raisers of Wilmington Township, resides on section 18, where he has a pleasant home and 200 acres of valuable land. He makes a specialty of raising fine stock. His Durham short- horned cattle are registered in the American Herd Book, Chi- cago ; Spanish Merino sheep in the Vermont Merino Sheep Breeders' Association, Middlebury, Vt., of which he is a mem- ber; and his hogs in the Central Poland-China Record of Indian- apolis. His ram, Burwell, No. 316, is a grandson of Bismark, who took the first premium at the Centennial, where there . were twenty-seven competitors. He paid $200 for this when a lamb nine months old. It shears twenty-two pounds. One ewe, No. 76, shears twelve pounds of first premium wool, and several shear eighteen pounds. His cattle and hogs are of the choicest grades. He is the only man save Dr. W. H. Madden, of Butler, in Northern Indiana, who has sheep registered in the Vermont Spanish Merino Record. Mr. Moore was born in Canal Fulton, Stark Co., Ohio, Jan. 17, 1831. He was reared and educated in his native town. His father was a shoemaker and in limited circumstances, and in his youth he began boating on the Ohio Canal in the summer, attending school in the win- ter. He came to De Kalb County in 1854 and settled in the dense woods where he now lives, and it was eight years before he saw a light in a neighbor's cabin, and often for weeks he saw no one. The first log cabin he built is still on his farm. He was a good hunter, and his gun and hounds were his main de- pendence. For several years he paid his taxes with hides and furs. He has cleared 160 acres of his own land, in addition to the assistance he has given to others. One season he walked nine miles Monday mornings, chopped in the woods all the week and returned home Saturday nights. While he was work- ing for his neighbors his wife raised a crop of corn at home on land that had never been plowed. Mr. Moore was married in January, 1851, to Rebecca J. Caldwell, of Stark County, Ohio. To them have been born nine children, but six of whom are living-Hiram M., Margaret A., Ella, A. Alvin, George M. and John R. A daughter, Jane, died at the age of eighteen years, and a son, William, at the age of ten years.
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Chester A. Newman, photographer, Butler, Ind., is a native of Michigan, born near Brighton, Livingston County. When he was four months old his parents moved to Percy, N. Y., where he remained till eleven years of age. He then returned to his na- tive county and attended the schools at Pinckney and Howell, and after leaving school began to learn the art of photography in Brighton. He then opened a studio in Mendon, Mich., where he remained one year, and moved to Butler in 1883. He thoroughly understands his profession, and does the latest ap- proved work. His business is constantly increasing, and he has the promise of a prosperous future.
Philip B. Nimmons, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Broome County, N. Y., March 24, 1817, a son of Samuel E. Nimmons, an early settler of that county from New Jersey, who in 1832 moved his family to Richland County, Ohio. In 1844 Mr. Nimmons came to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled in Wilmington Township, where he now lives, on land entered by his brother James in 1837. Five acres were partially cleared, but there was no house on the land. He immediately built a round-log house and moved his family into it. When he left Ohio he had a wife and two children, forty sheep, a cow and calf and $27. in money. He paid his last dollar for fruit trees and exchanged his sheep for provisions, and in that way began life in the wilderness. He was taken sick and was obliged to sell forty acres of his 160 to pay for having his land cleared, but afterward bought it again. He has always fol- lowed agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, giving the latter industry his special attention for the past six years. When he began to give his attention to stock he bought a thoroughbred short-horn heifer of John Comstock, of Liberty Mills, Ind., for which he paid what was considered an exorbitant price. How well he has succeeded can be seen by viewing the splendid herd he has on his farm. The head of his herd is Sultan, No. 2, bred by B. F. Bedford, of Kentucky, his sire being Prince Adra, and his dam Valley Princess, both prize animals at the Paris, Ky., exhibition. He has eight head of thoroughbreds, and ten or fifteen grades almost as good in appearance as thor- oughbreds. They sold two head of cattle at the Waterloo fair, and one calf six months old for $75. They received eight first premiums at the Hicksville and nine at the Waterloo fair. Their fatted cattle bring 11/2 cents a pound more than other
Died April 7-1898 ag 81 year and lid Ls
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
grades. Durhams are acknowledged to be the best beef cattle and are easier kept than other grades. Although not consid- ered as good milch cows as some other grades, Mr. Nimmons has one cow that is an exceptionally good milker. The farmers of De Kalb County are indebted to Mr. Nimmons for his untiring industry in improving the stock. Mr. Nimmons was married Nov. 14, 1840, to Mary A. Brink, daughter of Abram Brink. To them were born five children- Laura, Sarah, Mary, Emblen and Allie. Laura married William S. Best, an attorney of Minneapolis, Minn .; Sarah married Hon. J. I. Best, one of the Supreme Court Judges of Indianapolis ; Mary married James E. Rose, attorney of Auburn; Emblen, now in partnership with his father, married Eliza Kester. Mrs. Nimmons died March 30, 1860. In May, 1861, Mr. Nimmons married Mrs. Mary Nımmons, daughter of Harvey Westfall. They have one son-Frank W., who married Allie Yarlotts. She had one son by her former marriage-George W. Mr. and Mrs. Nimmons are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Nimmons has never sought official honors, but has served two terms as Justice of the Peace, and five or six years as Township Trustee.
Prof. Augustus Obendorf was born in Tuscarawas Township, Stark Co., Ohio, April 28, 1861, a son of Jacob and Mary (Shaub) Obendorf. Jacob Obendorf was born in Lancaster County, Pa., Dec. 8, 1820. He enlisted in the war for the Union in the Sixty-fourth Ohio Infantry, and was killed at the "battle of Murfreesboro, Dec. 31, 1862. He left a family of nine children -Mary A., Hiram, Martha, Ann E., Catherine, Alice S., Sarah S., Augustus and Jacob. Jan. 23, 1866, Mrs. Obendorf mar- ried Stephen Kutz, who was born Feb. 27, 1810, and died Jan. 15, 1880. To them were born three children, all deceased. In the spring of 1881 Mrs. Kutz moved with her family to De Kalb County. Augustus Obendorf received a good education in Ohio, and in the spring of 1880 came to De Kalb County, Ind., and the following fall was employed to take charge of the Centre School, Wilmington Township, and has taught four winters in that district. In the winter of 1883-'84 he taught in Stafford Township. He is a good disciplinarian, and is re- markably successful as an instructor, having a peculiar tact for imparting information to others.
Benjamin Oberlin, of Butler, was born in Stark County, Ohio,
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Jan. 16, 1836, a son of John Oberlin, who came to De Kalb County, Ind., in the fall of 1845 and settled on a tract of heav- ily timbered land. His education was received in the log-cabin school-house, and was limited to but a small portion of the year. He was reared in the primitive log cabin, and spent the greater part of his youth in assisting to clear the farm. In 1856 he came to Butler, where he has since made his home. He was married Nov. 4, 1859, to Elizabeth Eckhardt, daughter of Henry Eckhardt, who came from Germany to the United
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