History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Part 43

Author: B.F. Bowen & Co., Pub
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1182

USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 43

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of living. He was reared on the home farm and attended the public school at Orland, graduating from the high school there in 1886; then he became a student in the Tri-State Normal School at Angola, where he was graduated in 1891, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He then applied himself to the reading of law in the office of Judge Roby, at Angola, and in 1894 he was admitted to the bar, when Judge Stephen A. Powers was on the local bench. Mr. Rhoads continued his law studies and took a course at the Indiana Law School, where he graduated in 1895, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Returning then to Angola, Mr. Rhoads formed a partnership with Judge Roby and entered actively upon the practice of his profession. In 1896 he was elected prosecuting attorney for the thirty-fifth judicial circuit, com- prising DeKalb and Steuben counties, and was re-elected in 1898, thus serving two terms in this responsible position, in which he earned many warm encomiums because of his faithful and able performance of duty. In 1900 Mr. Rhoads moved to Auburn and again formed a partnership with Judge Roby, who in the meantime had moved to that place. Five months after the partnership was formed Judge Roby was appointed to the bench of the state appellate court, and Mr. Rhoads thereafter practiced alone until 1907. Well grounded in the basic principles of law, a close student of late decisions, careful and painstaking in the preparation of his cases, and a forceful and effective pleader in court, Mr. Rhoads achieved a splendid suc- cess in his practice and earned the high regard of his professional colleagues. On May 1, 1907, Mr. Rhoads was elected cashier of the City National Bank, of which he had been a stockholder since 1902, his selection being prompted largely by the notable success with which he had managed and closed up the affairs of the DeKalb Bank, at Waterloo, and the Mcclellan Bank, at Auburn, both being owned by the same stockholders and failing at the same time, and of which Mr. Rhoads had been appointed trustee in bankruptcy. As cashier of the City National Bank, Mr. Rhoads has demonstrated busi- ness and financial ability of high order and the splendid record which this strong institution is making is due in a large measure to his energetic efforts, personal influence and sound judgment in the handling of its affairs.

The City National Bank of Auburn was organized in 1902 with an authorized capital of $50,000, the principal promoters of the enterprise being W. H. McIntire (who became president), Dr. F. M. Hines, F. E. Davenport, cashier, and I. M. Zent, of Auburn, and Timothy J. Knisely and David Knisely, of Butler. In 1907 Mr. McIntire sold his stock in the bank, the new officiary being as follows: President, Dr. F. M. Hines; vice-presi-

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dent, C. M. Brown; cashier, Willis Rhoads, and assistant cashier, Fred W. Knott; directors, F. M. Hines, C. M. Brown, I. M. Zent, Willis Rhoads, Rev. August Young, H. Garrett, Philip Carper and Emory A. Shook. The financial statement of the City National Bank, at the close of business on June 4, 1913, was as follows: Resources-Loans and discounts, $255,- 706.63; overdrafts, $4,002.13; U. S. bonds to secure circulation, $25,000; other bonds to secure U. S. postal savings deposits, $7,000.00; bonds, securi- ties, etc., $4,000.00; banking house, furniture and fixtures, $18,330.64; due from national banks not reserve agents, $25,505.49; due from approved reserve agents, $60,647.37; checks and other items, $1,041.03; notes of other national banks, $880.00; cash on hand, $19,360.19; redemption fund with U. S. treasurer, $1,250.00; total, $422,723.48. Liabilities-Capital stock, $50,000.00; surplus fund, $14,000.00; undivided profits, less ex- penses and taxes paid, $4,319,58; national bank notes outstanding, $25,000.00; deposits subject to check, $205,266.93; demand certificates of deposit, $93,877.82 ; saving deposits, $25.382.63; postal savings deposits, $4,876.52; total, $422,723.48.

A Republican in his political affiliations, Mr. Rhoads has taken an active and effective interest in public affairs, and in 1908 he was the nominee of his party for state senator, but went down to defeat together with the rest of the ticket. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has attained the first fourteen degrees in the Scottish Rite, and he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. Religiously, he is, with his wife, connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is one of the stewards. In the civic life of the com- munity, Mr. Rhoads has been a prominent figure and an influential factor, having been for a number of years a member of the Auburn library board and for a number of years chairman of the board of children's guardians. Socially, he and his wife move in the best circles and are deservedly popular among their acquaintances.

In 1897 Willis Rhoads was married to Clara Morgan, a daughter of Winfield S. and Elizabeth (McCurdy) Morgan. She was born four miles northeast of Butler, this county, where her parents had been early settlers. Her maternal grandfather, John McCurdy, was one of the pioneer Metho- dist preachers in this county and was a well-known character and a man of great influence for good. To Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads have been born three children, one son and two daughters, namely: Frank Morgan, born October 18, 1898; Margaret Lucile, born October 27, 1902, and Joanna Elizabeth, born July 6, 1910.

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JOHN PETER HOFF.

Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will inevitably result in the attaining of a due measure of success, but in follow- ing out the career of one who has attained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplish- ments possible, and thus there is granted an objective incentive and inspira- tion, while at the same time there is enkindled a feeling of respect and admira- tion. The qualities which have made Mr. Hoff one of the prominent and successful men of Auburn have also brought him the esteem of his fellow townsmen, for his career has been one of well-directed energy, strong de- termination and honorable methods.

John P. Hoff, who is rendering efficient service as sheriff of DeKalb county, Indiana, is a native of this county, having been born at Auburn on October 2, 1885, and he is the son of Frank A. and Mary J. Hoff, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. Hoff was reared in this city and received his education in the public schools, attending the high school up to the senior year. He was then engaged for a time in his father's grocery store, but later became an employe in the Auburn Steam Laundry, of which he acquired a one-third interest when nineteen years old. Shortly after attaining his majority, he became half owner of the business, but about a year later, sold out and going to Rockford, Illinois, went to work for the White Swan Laundry, a large concern, with which he was associated about six months. He then returned to Auburn and was again in his father's store until January, 1909, when he was appointed a deputy under Sheriff Thomas, serving in this capacity for four years. So efficient was his discharge of his official duties that in the fall of 1912 he was elected sheriff of DeKalb county and is the present incumbent of the office. It was believed that at the time he took the office he was the youngest sheriff in Indiana, and the youngest but one in the United States. Physically, Mr. Hoff is well quali- fied for his position, being a man of large build and determined character and fearless in the discharge of his duties. He is genial in his relations with his associates, a good mixer and popular in all circles in which he moves.

On November 24, 1909, John P. Hoff was married to Lottie Wolford. a daughter of Frank W. and Clara M. (Royer) Wolford. Her father was a native of Williams county, Ohio, and in his young manhood came to Garrett, Indiana, to take employment with the Baltimore & Ohio railway in the yards there, first as switchman and later as conductor. To Mr. and

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Mrs. Hoff has been born a daughter, Mary Josephine, whose birth occurred on October 19, 191I.

Politically, Mr. Hoff is a Democrat and, fraternally, is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. Religiously, he is a member of the Catholic church, while Mrs. Hoff belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, both being earnest supporters of their respective churches.

In view of the energy, determination and integrity which have char- acterized Mr. Hoff's life, and of his standing in the community where he has spent his life, he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of the character of the one at hand.

CHARLES R. REED.

A career marked by earnest and indefatigable application has been that of this substantial and honored citizen of Waterloo, where he has maintained a residence for many years, during all of which time his life has been an open book, known and read by his fellowmen. He was a valiant soldier of the Civil war, where his fidelity was of the type which has characterized his actions in all their relations and gained for him the confidence and esteem of the public and unbounded respect of all with whom he has been brought into contact.

Charles R. Reed, who, after a life of strenuous activity, is now retired and residing in his pleasant home in Waterloo, Indiana, was born in Butler township, DeKalb county, on October 13, 1842, the son of Russell and Marilla (Holbrook) Reed. Russell Reed was born probably in Vermont, and in New York state married Marilla Holbrook, who was born in Massa- chusetts, the daughter of Lyman Holbrook. Lyman Holbrook brought his family to DeKalb county from Jefferson county, New York, whither they had come from Massachusetts, and in 1834 they settled in the southwestern part of Butler township, DeKalb county. In 1836 Russell Reed came to DeKalb county and settled on a farm adjoining the Holbrook farm in Butler township, and here he spent his later life with the exception of five years, when he lived in Iowa. His death occurred in 1864 and his wife sur- · vived him many years, her death occurring in 1893, both being buried in the Huntertown cemetery.

Charles R. Reed was reared to maturity in Butler township, and in

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August, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Eighty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Reed enlisted as a private but was soon promoted to the rank of cor- poral. On September 20, 1863, he was wounded at the battle of Chicka- mauga and was confined in the hospital for five months. The day after he was wounded he was captured by the enemy, but ten days later was paroled. In the winter of 1864-5 he was detailed to go to Chattanooga and thence to Charleston, Tennessee, to take charge of a company of men made up from different regiments. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Murfrees- boro, Chickamauga, and the battles, skirmishes and marches incident to the campaign leading up to Atlanta, and nearly all the other engagements of his regiment until the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge on June 7, 1865, at Washington, D. C. A brother of his, Oliver Reed, died in the service at Jeffersonville, Indiana, in 1864. Before the war Mr. Reed had received his education in the district schools and had also attended the seminary at Huntertown, and after the war he attended the free school at Fort Wayne, completing here the education which had been interrupted by the war. He engaged in teaching school with considerable success in Allen, Noble and DeKalb counties, and also taught vocal music for twenty years, both in ordinary classes and in normal classes in Ohio, Illinois and Indiana, and in the public schools of Waterloo, resigning his position in the latter schools in 1911, although he was requested by the board to continue his labors there. During the same time that he was teaching school Mr. Reed also supervised the operation of his farm, in which he met with good suc- cess. He is now retired from active pursuits and is living quietly in his pleasant and attractive home in Waterloo.

In 1868 Mr. Reed was married in Swan township, Noble county, In- diana, to Mary P. Perry, who was born and reared there, a daughter of Oliver and Mary (Francis) Perry. To this union was born one child, Clyde V., who is telegraph operator at Waterloo for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad, his wife being ticket agent. He married Ella Goodwin, the daughter of Leander Goodwin, and they have one son, Lynn Goodwin Reed. In the year that Mr. Reed moved from Noble county to Waterloo, 1871, his first wife died, she passing away on September 17th, and on March 16, 1876, he married Ella S. Smith, who was born in Franklin township, this county, the daughter of Henry and Mary Jane (Shaneholt) Smith. Her father, who was born in Ohio, was a son of Archibald and Mary (Thompson) Smith, the former a native of Teregles, Scotland, born

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on December 27, 1788, the latter born in Cumberland county, England, on October 29, 1794. These parents were married in Liverpool, England, on October 11, 1818, and immediately started for America, being ten weeks on the ocean. They lived in New York a short time, then moved to Stark and Medina counties, Ohio, where they followed farming pursuits until 1841, when they came to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating near Hamilton in Franklin township, where Archibald Smith bought five hundred acres of land. Here his death occurred in 1861 and his wife died in 1876. Their son, Henry, married Mary Jane Shaneholt, in Stark county, Ohio, and came here in 1841. His wife died when their daughter, Ella S., was a child only three months old, and Henry Smith's sister, Margaret, became the foster mother to the little one and reared her to womanhood. After Ella was grown to maturity and married to Mr. Reed she always thought of Aunt Margaret as a child would of a mother. Miss Margaret Smith lived with her parents until after their death, and then she and her brother, Archibald, lived in Waterloo for some years. In 1888 she became the wife of Jacob I. Frazer, who died in 1898, and now she resides in Waterloo. She was born near Massillon, Stark county, Ohio, on September 24, 1831, and is now eighty-two years old. Mr. Reed now makes his home with her. Her life has been one of quiet self-sacrifice, performing many kind deeds for others, many of whom remember her with gratitude. Her training, example and instruction so impressed itself on Mrs. Reed that the latter became a devoted wife and mother, rearing her children to honored and respected womanhood. To Mr. and Mrs. Reed were born the . following children: Daisy A., the wife of Edmund Brown, of Urbana, Ohio; Mary Blanch is the wife of Frank Spiker, of Massillon, Ohio, and they have one son, Harold R .; Mabel Margaret is the wife of Lawrence Eugene Pontins, a photographer at Columbia City, Indiana. The mother of these children died on January 19, 1894. She was a devoted and faithful member of the Presbyterian church and was beloved by all who knew her.

Charles R. Reed has led an active and strenuous life in some respects and has at all times enjoyed the absolute confidence of all who knew him. Aside from the interests already mentioned he was at one time a partner in a flour and feed exchange and also served as United States Express Company's agent at Waterloo. He was twice elected justice of the peace, serving eight years altogether and the discharge of his duties was characterized by a sense of justice and discrimination that earned the commendation of all familiar

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with the proceedings of his court. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder, and also a devoted member of the Grand Army of the Republic, which he served as commander three full terms, filled out another term by appointment and is now commander of the post. His integrity of principle and purity of motive are unquestioned and being a man of splendid disposition he is consequently popular in all the circles in which he moves, and is eminently deserving of representation among the enterprising and progressive citizens of his community.

GEORGE W. NEWCOMER.

Among the successful citizens of DeKalb county must be numbered him whose name appears at the head of this sketch. After a period of years, during which he indefatigably labored along agricultural lines, he was pros- pered to a gratifying degree and is now enabled to enjoy. that rest which he so richly earned. He is a man of stanch and reliable make-up and has won and retains the highest regard of those who know him.

George W. Newcomer, one of the well known and popular citizens of Waterloo, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 15th day of April. 1845, and is a son of Christian and Mary (Wolfe) Newcomer. Christian Newcomer, who was born in Pennsylvania, came to Columbiana county, Ohio, among its very early settlers. In 1847 the subject's parents moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, settling on section 20, Franklin township, where the father entered eighty acres of government land at the regulation price of one dollar and a quarter an acre. At the time of their settlement not a stick of timber had been cut on the land and it was necessary to clear a spot before a cabin could be erected. A tree located on the site of the cabin was utilized for shingles, the stump of the same being converted into a table for family use. There they established their permanent home and reared their children, the father devoting his energies to the clearing of the land and the cultivation of the soil. Christian and Mary Newcomer were the parents of eleven children, of whom one died in infancy, ten grew to maturity, and five are still living. Of those who reached adult years the following mention may be made: Mrs. Nancy King lived in Waterloo until her death; Andrew died at the age of about twenty years; Peggy died in young womanhood, as did Kate; Barbara, who was the wife of Gabriel Miller, lived in different places in DeKalb county and is now deceased; Mrs. Mary Camp lives at

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Fairfield Center; Maria is the widow of Daniel Gingerich, and lives at Butler, this county; Joseph lives in Waterloo; George W. and Christian also live in Waterloo.

George W. Newcomer had but little opportunity for receiving a school education in his youth, but he did learn the practical duties of the farm and also imbibed those habits of industry and perseverance which were such im- portant contributing elements to his subsequent success. He remained at home until his marriage in 1872, when he and his wife moved on to a tract of land which he owned. This land represented years of the most rigid economy and strenuous effort on his part. He first secured five acres in Franklin township from his earnings and from the profits derived from this land he bought ten acres more and then repeating the process he finally bought ten acres at a time until he eventually owned forty-five acres of land. He later bought five acres more from his father from which to get timber to build a barn. He worked many days for twenty-five cents a day and saved money. The young couple started on their matrimonial career with very little in the way of home comforts and no luxuries, but by pluck, energy and good management they prospered until eventually Mr. New- comer became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land. This tract is now divided into three parcels of eighty acres each, on each of which is one of his sons. He is selling the land to these sons and one has already paid for his tract. In April, 1901, Mr. Newcomer bought a comfortable and attractive home on the south edge of Uniontown on an eminence over- looking the valley of Cedar Creek across from Waterloo and there he now resides.

On April 4, 1872, Mr. Newcomer married Barbara Van Horn, who was born in Noble county, Indiana, the daughter of John and Annie (Rosen- berger) Van Horn. Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn came from Chambersburg, Columbiana county, Ohio, to DeKalb county in the fall of 1853, driving through with teams to Noble county, this state. There they entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, none of which had been cleared, and erected a cabin, constructing the doors, bedsteads and utensils in the primi- tive manner customary in those days, the cooking being done by the fire- place and the illumination of the cabin being provided by the old-fashioned grease lamp. Mrs. Newcomer's mother died about 1885 in Rice county, Kansas, and her father died about eleven months later at Aetna, Newaygo county, Michigan. In Ohio John Van Horn had been employed in the coal mines at Chambersburg, but after coming to Indiana he devoted his entire attention to farming. He and his wife belonged to the Methodist church.

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In Ohio he had been a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the membership being con- sistent from the fact that he was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn's respective mothers bore the maiden names of Eliza- beth Hanselman and Elizabeth Hunsaker. Mrs. Newcomer was reared in Noble county, Indiana, until fourteen years of age, when she came to DeKalb county and lived with her uncle, George Van Horn, about three miles east of Waterloo, in Wilmington township, until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer have been born six children, namely: Charles E., born May 12, 1873, married Effie Mann, of Franklin township, the daughter of Jehu and Elizabeth Mann. To them have been born five children, Marion, Harold, Howard, Grace and Gladys. Charles E. Newcomer has bought eighty acres of land from his father; Lona L. is at home with her parents; Mary M. first married Ed. McKague, by whom one child was born, Blanche Irene. After Mr. Mckague's death she became the wife of John W. Brown, and they now live in Franklin township, this county ; Arna O., born February 7, 1879, married Ora Hodges, and lives on eighty acres of his father's farm, half of which he has paid for. He is the father of two daughters, Gertrude and Mildred. Ora Hodges was the daughter of James and Lois ( Holcomb) Hodges; Elmer G. Newcomer, born October 22, 1882, married Junia Schultz, of Franklin township, the daughter of Allen and Amanda ( Mann) Schultz, and to Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer have been born three children, Esther, Arthur and Ralph. Elmer G. Newcomer is operating eighty acres of his father's farm with the view of purchasing the same; William L. New- comer, born May 29, 1893, who married Mae Krum, daughter of Eugene and Della (Shultz) Krum, of Ashley, DeKalh county, on December 18, 1913, is assisting his brothers on the farm; Virgil and Vernon, twins, born July 29, 1885, are both deceased, one dying at birth, and the other at the age of five months.

Fraternally, Mr. Newcomer is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and he and his wife and daughter, Lona, are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. A well balanced mind, sound and practical in- telligence and mature judgment are among Mr Newcomer's prominent char- acteristics, to which may also be added a geniality and amiability of dis- position which has won for him a large and loyal following among his acquaintances. Though now retired from active business pursuits, he still retains an intelligent interest in the welfare of the community and unre- servedly gives his support to every movement for the educational, moral or material advancement of his fellow citizens.

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HARVEY T. JUDSON.

Concentration of purpose and persistently applied energy rarely fail of success in the accomplishment of any task and when we examine the life record of Harvey T. Judson in order to find how he has won his position among the substantial residents of DeKalb county, we find that these have been strong elements in his business career.

Mr. Judson was born at Butler, DeKalb county, Indiana, on October 20, 1882, and is a son of Charles and Lillie Belle ( Holcomb) Judson. The Judson family has a long and honorable lineage, being traced back to the Judson who came to this country on the historic "Mayflower" in 1620, and back of him through many centuries in England. The subject's father, Charles Judson, came to . DeKalb county in 1878 from Bethel, Connecticut, locating at Butler, where he was employed as an engineer on the Wabash railroad. His wife, Lillie Belle Holcomb, was a native of Danbury, Con- necticut. To Mr. and Mrs. Judson were born two sons, Harvey T., the immediate subject of this sketch, and George B., who was born on June 2, 1886, and who is now manager of the Highland Park State Bank at Detroit, Michigan. The family lived at Butler until about 1887, when they moved to Chicago, and from there to Detroit in 1890, and finally to Ashley, DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1893.

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History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Part 43

Author: B.F. Bowen & Co., Pub Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1182

Author: B.F. Bowen & Co., Pub
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1182