USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 44
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Harvey T. Judson received his education in the common schools, and for two years attended the high school at Ashley. When seventeen years of age he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he became a machinist's apprentice in the shops of the Wabash railroad. Here he learned his trade thoroughly and for a few months was employed at it, but in 1902 he became a traveling salesman for the Walter M. Lowney Chocolate Company, his territory covering Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. In this line he was eminently successful so that in January, 1909, he became manager of the Minneapolis branch for the Lowney people. In the meantime Mr. Judson had been on the watch for an available opportunity to engage in business for himself, and in May, 1910, he came to Auburn and established himself here. He has a splendid store well fitted up and stocked with a well selected line of goods. and having a thorough knowledge of the business he has been able to cater to the wants of the public in a way that has attracted to him a large patron- age. He is eminently public-spirited in his attitude toward local affairs and is an active member of the Auburn Commercial Club. Though not long a resident of Auburn, he has already earned and commands the unreserved con-
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fidence and good will of the business men of the city and others who have had dealings with him.
Politically, Mr. Judson gives his support to the Democratic party, though too busy a man to take a very active part in political affairs. Socially he and his wife move in the best circles of the city and are deservedly popular among their friends and acquaintances.
On January 16, 1904, Mr. Judson married Mabel Camp, daughter of Aaron W. and Amanda Ellen (Husselman) Camp, who was born September 10, 1884, in Smithfield township, a sketch of whose parents appears else- where in this work. Mrs. Judson was reared in Smithfield township and received a good education, being a graduate of the Ashley high school. She is a lady of charming personality and is the center of the social circle in which she moves. Personally, Mr. Judson, by his straightforward life, correct business methods and strict integrity, has earned the commendation of his fellows and is rightfully numbered among the representative men of his community.
LEANDER S. GOODWIN.
The most elaborate history is necessarily an abridgment, the historian being compelled to select his facts and materials from a multitude of details. So in every life of honor and usefulness the biographer finds no dearth of incident, and yet in summing up the career of any man the writer needs touch only the most salient points, giving one the keynote of his character, but eliminating much that is superfluous. Consequently in calling the reader's attention to the life record of the late Leander S. Goodwin no attempt shall be made to recount all the important acts in his useful life, nor recite every interesting incident in his somewhat remarkable career, for it is deemed that only a few of them will suffice to show him to be entirely worthy of a place in this volume along with his fellows of high standing and recognized worth, men whose names have figured prominently in the affairs of DeKalb county in the generations that are passed.
Leander S. Goodwin was born on August 23, 1846, in Ashland county, Ohio, and was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Good) Goodwin. Samuel Goodwin, who was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, on October 16, 1815, was the second son in a family of seven children, born to David and Catherine (Zimmerman) Goodwin, also natives of the Keystone state. In 1822 David and Catherine Goodwin moved to Wayne county, Ohio, and
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later to Ashland county, this state, where Samuel grew to manhood. In 1843 he was married to Elizabeth Good, and settled in Ashland county, where they lived until 1844, when they moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, settling on a farm in Union township, where they made their permanent home. At that time their farm was densely covered with timber and the task of clearing the land and putting it in shape for cultivation was one of large proportions, but, not discouraged by the outlook, Mr. Goodwin, by strenuous and persistent labor, cleared the land and in the course of time had one of the best farms in this locality, the improvement consisting of a large, comfortable residence and other substantial farm buildings. He accumu- lated a valuable property and was able to spend his later years in compara- tive ease. His wife died in 1865, leaving five children: Mrs. Mary E. Keck, Leander S., Joseph W., Mrs. Lucy George and Mrs. Alice Atwood Cummings. Leander S. Goodwin was reared to manhood on the farm in Union township, and in the fall of 1867 he married Rebecca Hively, who was reared a short distance west of Waterloo, being a daughter of David and Leah (Dayhuff) Hively, who came from Pennsylvania and probably lived in Columbiana county, Ohio, until their removal to DeKalb county. They located about one and one-half miles west of Waterloo some time before the Civil war and became known as substantial and progressive citizens of the community. After Leander Goodwin was married he followed farming a number of years, then engaged in the meat business in Waterloo, though also handling agricultural implements. In all the enterprises to which he addressed himself he met with gratifying success and was for a number of years counted a representative citizen of his community because of the active part he took in its progress and improvement and the substantial quali- ties of character which he possessed. Politically, he was active in the sup- port of the Republican party and at one time served as doorkeeper of the House of Representatives at Indianapolis. To his union with Rebecca Hively were born the following children: Etta, the wife of Daniel Blicker. of Waterloo; Ella, wife of Clyde V. Reed, of Waterloo; Alvin, of Pleasant Lake, and Samuel, of Waterloo. The mother of these children died in 1884, and in 1890 Mr. Goodwin married Jennie Lawhead, to whom were born three children, Martha, Jay and Willie. Mr. Goodwin died in 1898, and his death was considered a distinct loss to the community. Religiously, he was a member of the United Brethren church until the division in that society. He was a man of sterling qualities of character and impressed his personality on the community to a marked degree. His widow and her
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three children now live on the old home place at the western edge of the town of Waterloo. Mr. Goodwin's life was replete with duty well and con- scientiously performed in all relations. He was not a man to shrink from duty, however irksome or dangerous, and possessed the traits that win in life's affairs. He is eminently deserving of representation in a work of this char- acter.
HUGH R. CULBERTSON.
The gentleman to a review of whose life the reader's attention is here- with directed is recognized as one of the energetic, well known business men of Auburn, who by his enterprise and progressive methods has contributed in a material way to the commercial advancement of the city, besides filling worthily the responsible position of mayor of the city. In the course of an honorable career he has been successful in the lines to which his efforts have been directed and enjoys distinctive prestige among the representative men of his city and county.
Hugh R. Culbertson was born on his father's farm in Concord town- ship, DeKalb county, Indiana, on April 9, 1853, and is a son of Robert and Margaret (Robinson) Culbertson. Robert Culbertson was a native of the state of Ohio, but was numbered among the pioneers of DeKalb county, owning a good farm in Concord township. After the death of his first wife, the subject's mother, he married Mrs. Sidney Brown, widow of Samuel Brown. He remained on the farm until advancing years compelled him to relinquish active labor, and he went to live with a daughter, Mrs. Welch, in Jackson township, where his death occurred. His widow was stricken with paralysis in her old age and was thereafter cared for by her son, Herman L. Brown, until her death, which occurred in 1910. Hugh R. Culbertson is one of seven children born to his parents, two of whom died in infancy. Zephan- iah was a soldier in the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Shiloh; Mary Jane, who is deceased, was the wife of John Owens, of Jackson township, this county ; James, who died in the later eighties, was a veteran of the Civil war, and afterwards lived in Auburn, where he owned a good brick resi- dence at the corner of Main and Tenth streets; Emily became the wife of Daniel Welch and they lived in Jackson township, this county, until Mr. Welch's health failed, when they moved to Auburn, where he died. She later married Charles Jenkins, ex-county clerk and successful grocer at Au burn.
HUGH R. CULBERTSON
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Hugh R. Culbertson spent his boyhood and young manhood on the home farm in Concord township, receiving his education in the district schools of that neighborhood. After his marriage, in 1875, lie engaged in farming on his own account and was so engaged until 1881, when he went to Columbia City, this state, and was employed in the implement and buggy business. In August of the same year he came to Auburn and bought an interest in a hardware store in partnership with D. D. Snyder, and handled a regular line of hardware as well as farm machinery. In the fall of 1884 the hardware stock was sold to W. H. Kibblinger. Messrs. Culbertson and Sny- der continuing the implement business together until Mr. Snyder sold his interest in the business to W. B. Brown. Culbertson & Brown continued together until 1891, when they added a hardware department and took in M. Boland as a partner. A few years later Culbertson and Boland bought Brown's interest and ran the business until September 4. 1904, when the Culbertson Hardware Company was incorporated, with Hugh R. Culbertson as the principal stockholder, the remaining stock being held by R. D. Welch and F. E. Dragoo. In 1908 Mr. Welch sold his stock to Mr. Dragoo. The company has a paid-up capital stock of seven thousand dollars, and carries a large and complete line of all kinds of shelf and heavy hardware, as well as agricultural implements and farm machinery. The retail store is located on the north side of the public square and a large wareroom is maintained at the corner of Seventh and East streets. In 1891 Mr. Culbertson erected a large and attractive home at the corner of Second and Main streets, which is considered one of the handsomest homes in Auburn. The splendid success which attended Mr. Culbertson's business efforts came as the result only of the most persistent energy and indefatigable efforts, and all that he has today has been honestly earned. His business record here has been characterized by the strictest integrity of word and deed and no man enjoys to a greater extent the confidence and good will of the people.
A Republican in his political affiliations, Mr. Culbertson has for many years been an ardent supporter and active worker in the ranks of the or- ganization. He has a number of times served as a delegate to state conven- tions and was an alternate delegate to the national convention which nom- inated William Howard Taft for the Presidency. In the fall of 1909 he was elected mayor of Auburn after a most spirited contest. The regular election resulted in a tie vote between the two leading candidates for the mayoralty, despite the fact that the city is normally Democratic by one hundred votes. A special election was then called and Mr. Culbertson was then elected by a
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majority of twenty-two votes. His term will expire on January 1, 1914. Fra- ternally, Mr. Culbertson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Culbertson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In 1875 Hugh R. Culbertson was married to Harriett, the adopted daughter of James Dragoo. Mr. Dragoo was a pioneer settler of this county, having come from Hayesville, Ohio, in 1837 and entered government land in Jackson and Concord townships. He became a successful farmer and busi- ness man, shipping large numbers of live stock to Eastern markets, and he took a prominent part in the civic life of the community. He was the father of two children and also adopted three girls, whom he reared with the same care and attention as if they had been of his own flesh and blood. Mrs. Culbertson was born in the southeastern part of DeKalb county. Her father died when she was a little girl and she was reared in the Dragoo home. Mr. and Mrs. Culbertson have a daughter, Nellie, born on March 10, 1896.
JAMES CHAPMAN.
Of those who have seen the wonderful development of northeastern Indiana from the swamps and primeval forests and who have played well their parts in the great undertaking, none deserve special mention in a historical work better than James Chapman, whose conversation is at once instructive and interesting as he recalls the pioneer days, the times when there were only log school houses, with puncheon floors and greased paper for window panes, the long miles of endless woods, large numbers of deer and other wild animals which haunted the forests at that remote period, and of the days when civilization first attempted to reclaim these lands, turning them into fine farms, where plenty and happiness now abound.
Mr. Chapman was born on March 23, 1827, in Stark county, Ohio, and is a son of John and Eunice (Boyle) Chapman. John Chapman was born probably near Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and Eunice Boyle, who also was a native of the Keystone state, was of Irish parentage. She and John Chapman were married in their native state and subsequently moved to Stark county, Ohio, locating near Massillon. When James Chapman was about seven years old they moved to that part of Richland county which afterwards became Ashland county, Ohio, where the parents lived for many years and reared their family. In October, 1852, they moved to Allen
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county, Indiana, locating three miles southeast of Huntertown, where the parents spent the rest of their lives, and where John Chapman successfully followed farming pursuits. James Chapman lived on the home farm until eighteen years of age and then gave his attention to carpenter work in which he became an expert and in which he was successful. His father not only: conducted the home farm but gave considerable attention to veterinary work and was very successful in the treatment of dumb animals, especially horses .. In addition to carpenter work James Chapman engaged in the buying and selling of all kinds of live stock and also handled grain, wool and other com- modities in large amounts. An idea of the extent of his operations may be gained from the statement that in one year he bought and sold over one hun- dred and twenty thousand pounds of wool, and in one year sheared twenty- five hundred sheep which he had bought, shipping the wool to New York and Philadelphia. In 1884 Mr. Chapman came to Waterloo and bought a farm in the northeast quarter of the southeastern section of Smithfield town- ship, and here he carried on farming and made his home for about twenty years, at the same time dealing in livestock. About 1903 Mr. Chapman moved into the town of Waterloo, where he has since resided, and about 1909, at the age of eighty-two years, he retired from active business and has since been living quietly in his beautiful and attractive home here. Politically Mr. Chapman was in early life a Democrat, but after the organization of the Republican party, or rather the first Lincoln campaign, he has been allied with the latter party and has been ardent in its support. His life has been a busy one and he has been closely identified in many ways with important business interests, having carried on many and diverse lines of business at the same time. He was an honest and energetic man and at all times commanded the respect of all with whom he had dealings. His last active work was to superintend the erection of the very pleasant and modern house in which he now resides, the place being provided with all up-to-date conveniences, and being a pleasant and comfortable home. Mr. Chapman is now the oldest man living in Waterloo and until he suffered from an attack of la grippe three years ago, he was remarkably active for his age, and even now at the age of eighty-six years his eyesight and hearing are only slightly impaired and his memory very good.
On October 28, 1852, Mr. Chapman married Naney Johnson, whose father, Robert Johnson, came from county Cork, Ireland, being of Scotch- Irish descent. Nancy Johnson was born and reared in Richland, afterward Ashland, county, Ohio, where she lived until her marriage and for a short
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time afterward. To Mr. and Mrs. Chapman were born five children: Eunice Josephine, the wife of Robert Underwood, a veteran of the Civil war, and she now lives at Denver, Colorado; she has a daughter, Mrs. W. J. Railey, of Denver, who has one son, Robert Martin Railey; Laura, who re- mains unmarried, lives with her father in Waterloo and has charge of the home and assists her father in the management of his affairs; Emma Eliza- beth is the wife of Marshall Lewis and lives in Franklin township, five miles from Waterloo; she is the mother of two children, Fred and Iva, the latter being the wife of Milton Wiler and the mother of three children, Esther, Alfred and Bert Lewis: George Wilbur died at the age of nineteen years and Robert died in infancy. Mrs. Chapman died in October, 1904, just twenty- four days prior to the fifty-second anniversary of their marriage. She was a woman of many gracious qualities of head and heart and was beloved by the entire community in which she had spent so many active and happy years. Mr. Chapman is widely known for his kindly qualities and hospitality, no worthy person ever having left his door unfed and his high standing among the people of this locality shows how well his life has been spent, for he is appreciated for his fine personal qualities and for the active part he has taken in the upbuilding and development of the various communities in which he has lived.
JAMES CRAIG DAY.
Among the strong and influential citizens of DeKalb county the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this biographical record occupies a prominent place and for years has exerted a beneficial influence here. His chief characteristics seem to be keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honesty of purpose and motive and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his interests, but also to largely con- tribute to the moral and material advancement of the community.
James Craig Day, the leading hardware dealer at Waterloo, Indiana, was born at Mansfield, Ohio, on May 18, 1857, and is a son of Henry C. and Mary (Casebeer) Day. Henry C. Day was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio with his parents in an early day, where he was reared and received his education, and here he was united in marriage to Mary Casebeer, who was born at Crestline, Ohio, near Mansfield. James C. Day
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was reared to manhood at Mansfield, where he attended the public schools, and was afterward a student in the college at Oberlin, that state. Upon completing his collegiate studies, he spent about a year on the paternal farm- stead, and then, in the spring of 1881, he came to Waterloo, Indiana, and in partnership with his brother, Frank P. Day, started in the hardware business. Two years later the brothers went to Kansas, where Frank engaged in business at Kingman and remained there the rest of his life. James C. engaged in the real estate business at Garden City, but about four years later returned to DeKalb county, Indiana, and for a year was engaged in agri- . cultural pursuits in Fairfield township. In the spring of 1889 he came to Waterloo and bought the hardware business owned by the W. H. Kibblinger estate, and has continued to conduct this business ever since, a period of nearly a quarter of a century. During this time he has not only built up a large and profitable business, but has also by his persistent industry, good business methods and upright life won the respect and high regard of the entire community. He carries a large and well selected line of shelf and heavy hardware, such as is demanded by the local trade, and the keynote of his success here has been that he endeavors to please every customer who enters his door.
In 1887, soon after Mr. Day's return from Kansas, he was united in marriage with Jennie Lockhart, who was born in Smithfield township, De- Kalb county, Indiana, a daughter of William C. and Mary (Spencer) Lock- hart. The latter died when Mrs. Day was but a baby of two years of age, and the latter was reared by Mr. Lockhart's second wife. William C. Lockhart was one of the best known and influential citizens in his section of the county, and is mentioned in a personal sketch elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Day is a lady of culture and refinement, possessing many excellent qualities of head and heart which have commended her to the good opinion of those with whom she comes in contact. To Mr. and Mrs. Day has been born one son, William C., born December 19, 1894, who is now completing the last year of his high school work in the Waterloo public schools.
James C. Day has taken an intelligent and commendable interest in the public affairs of his community and though not a seeker of public office, he was persuaded to accept the position of treasurer of Waterloo for a two- year term, and so satisfactory was his administration that he was re-elected for a second term, discharging his official duties to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Waterloo, taking a keen interest in the working of that order,
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while religiously, he and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Presbyterian church. Genial and companionable, they enjoy the friendship of a large circle of friends in the community and are numbered among Waterloo's best citizens.
COLONEL E. MONTAVON.
In every life of honor and usefulness there is no dearth of incident, yet in summing up the career of any man the writer needs touch only those salient points which give the keynote to his character. Thus in giving the life record of Colonel E. Montavon sufficient will be said to show, what all who know him will freely acquiesce in, that he is one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of DeKalb county.
Colonel E. Montavon, who for a number of years has been recognized as one of the leading citizens of Waterloo, Indiana, was born on December 21, 1861, at Fremont, this state, and is the son of Peter and Catherine (Christ ) Montavon. Peter Montavon was born at Alsace, France, and was a man of splendid intellectual attainments, being able to speak seven different languages. He was a shoemaker by trade and coming to America he was employed in a number of cities of this country. On August 5, 1856, when twenty-six years old, he married Mrs. Catherine (Christ) Fluery, who was then but eighteen years old. She was born in Paris, France, and in young girlhood married Joseph Fluery, who was employed later at a lime kiln in Detroit, where he fell into the kiln and was burned to death. To Mr. and Mrs. Montavon were born two children: Frank and C. E., the former dying in 1876 and the latter being the immediate subject of this sketch. Peter Montavon moved around quite a good deal, following his trade, having lived at Quincy, Coldwater and Hillsdale, Michigan, and at Fremont and Angola, ' Indiana, as well as other places, and in 1869 was at Toledo. In that year Daniel Till, of Waterloo, was running a hardware store and shoe shop and employed six men in his line of work. He hired Mr. Montavon to come here as foreman of his shop and to serve as expert cutter of leather. Here he remained and later started a shop of his own at a time when shoes were all made by hand and he employed six men in their manufacture. At one time about thirty shoemakers were employed in the various shops in Waterloo. Peter Montavon continued in the business until his death, which occurred on November 23, 1905.
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Colonel E. Montavon learned his trade under his father's direction and was afterwards for awhile employed in a harness shop. In June, 1883, at a time when the harness business was dull, an old friend of his, James Bow- man, who was running a dairy and needed help, prevailed on Mr. Montavon to go to the dairy and help him for a few days, which the latter consented to do, but at the end of that period Mr. Bowman insisted on the young man remaining with him. Montavon was unused to outdoor work, but he did his best and soon became accustomed to the new conditions. Owing to Mr. Bowman's paralysis, the women had been doing the milking, but when Mr. Montavon learned how to do it, he told them milking was no occupation for a woman and he would do it all. In October, 1883, Mr. Montavon married his employer's daughter, Sarah I. Bowman, and soon afterwards Mr. Bow- man offered to sell him a half interest in the dairy and let him work and pay for his interest out of the profits of the business. After that contract was carried out, Mr. Bowman sold the remaining half to him in a way in which he could pay for it and later he sold him a half interest in the home place and finally Mr. and Mrs. Montavon became the owners of the entire place, com- prising about thirty acres, located at the edge of Waterloo. The place is very elegantly located overlooking the valley of Cedar creek, and is con- sidered one of the coziest and most attractive little places in this locality. In the spring of 1906 Mr. Montavon sold his dairy and continued the shoe shop formerly owned by his father, which he still operates and in which he has achieved a definite success.
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