USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 51
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amounting to about seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds of poultry, and from fifteen to twenty thousand cases of eggs, thirty dozen to a case. Mr. Hull has full charge of the business in every detail and to his watchful at- tention of the market is largely due the success which has attended his efforts, for there is hardly a line of marketable produce which is more liable to fluctua- tions than that of the poultry and egg market. By his strict attention to busi- ness, his genial disposition and his sterling integrity Mr. Hull has gained a favorable reputation throughout DeKalb county, and among his large circle of acquaintances he numbers many warm personal friends.
Politically, Mr. Hull gives his support to the Republican party and in 1902-3 was a member of the state Legislature as representative from DeKalb county. He was a member of the Waterloo town board prior to this. In everything affecting the welfare of Waterloo and vicinity Mr. Hull has taken a commendable interest, giving his support to the moral, material and edu- tional upbuilding of the town.
On June 4, 1896, Mr. Hull married Nettie E. Chamberlain, the daughter of Dr. J. W. Chamberlain, who is represented elsewhere in this work. Mr. Hull is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Free and Accepted Masons, and in his daily life he endeavors to exemplify the sublime precepts of these honored orders. Because of his splendid record since locating in Waterloo, and his genuine worth, he is eminently entitled to representation in this work.
JEREMIAH HEMPSTREET.
Among the sturdy citizens of DeKalb county of a past generation who by their upright life and industrious habits impressed their personality upon the communities in which they lived, was he whose name appears at the head of this paragraph. Mr. Hempstreet was born in Half Moon, Saratoga county, New York, in 1803, and was reared in Herkimer and Lewis counties, New York. After attaining mature years he married Sabrina Merchant, by whom he had four children, his wife and three of the children dying in the Empire state. Later Mr. Hempstreet moved to Huron county, Ohio, where, on January 1, 1838, he married Mariam M. Smith, who was born in New York state on February 19, 1814. To this second marriage were born seven children: Cornelius, Sabine, Albert, Melvina, Mary S. and Ella. Mary S. was married in 1872 to Orlando Seerey, a farmer of Smithfield township,
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who was born in 1847 and died September 21, 1912. He was a Republican in politics and held membership in the United Brethren church. At the time of his death he was the owner of eighty acres of land, which is rented. In 1842 Mr. Hempstreet loaded all his household effects upon a wagon and came to DeKalb county, where he entered a tract of wild land in section 22, in Smith- field township. This land at that time was practically untouched by white men's hands, and to its clearing, improvement and cultivation Mr. Hempstreet devoted himself indefatigably and succeeded in breaking and fencing over one hundred acres of land. Despite the privations and hardships of pioneer life he remained actively engaged in work for many years and was hale and hearty until past eighty-two years of age, his death occurring on June 2, 1886. In the local affairs of the community he took an interested part and served one term as county commissioner and fourteen years efficiently as justice of the peace. He was a Democrat in his political views and a man of conscientious habits and well thought of by his neighbors and acquaint- ances. Mr. Hempstreet was survived a number of years by his widow, who died on March 24, 1897, at the age of eighty-three years. She had been converted in religion in 1841 and united with the Regular Baptist church, to which she was faithful until her death, a period of fifty-six years. Her hus- band, too, was a member of the same church and they were liberal con- tributors to the building and support of the church at Auburn. Mrs. Hemp- street was an affectionate mother, a kind and cheerful neighbor and made friends wherever she became acquainted. This worthy couple long occupied a respected position in the community where they lived, their deaths were considered distinct losses to the community. Because of their upright lives, business success and the sterling worth of character which they evidenced, they are eminently entitled to representation among the honored citizens of DeKalb county.
FRED J. NEBELUNG.
In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way to success through unfavorable environment we find an unconscious recog- nition of the intrinsic worth of a character which not only can endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. The gentleman to whom the biographer now calls the reader's attention was not favored by inherited wealth, or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this,
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by perseverance, industry and a wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life.
Fred J. Nebelung, a successful merchant and representative citizen of Auburn, Indiana, was born at Bryan, Williams county, Ohio, on the 17th of September, 1867, and is the son of Charles and Frances ( Peffer ) Nebelung. both of whom were natives of Germany, the father coming from Saxony and the mother from Alsace. They came to this country separately and were married in Toledo, Ohio, from whence they removed to Bryan, where Mr. Nebelung followed the vocation of a barber. He spent the rest of his days there, dying in 1889, and is survived by his widow, who still resides in that city.
Fred Nebelung was reared under the paternal roof and secured his edu- cation in the common and high schools at Bryan. From the age of sixteen years until about twenty-two years of age, he was employed as clerk in a clothing store, after which for two years he was a traveling salesman for Taylor's trimmings and furnishings, with headquarters at Cleveland, Ohio. Subsequently he went to Lima, Ohio, where for about three years he was employed in a clothing store, and, in 1893, returned to Bryan and entered into business on his own account as a merchant tailor and dealer in gents' furnishings. In March. 1898, he disposed of his business at Bryan, and. coming to Auburn, bought the Racket store on Main street, three doors south of Eighth street, where he remained about a month, then moving to his pres- ent location at the northwest corner of Eighth and Main streets. His business constantly increased from the time that he took hold of it and gradually he changed his stock to dry goods, shoes and ladies' ready-to-wear clothing. in addition to which he also carried a line of groceries. The growth of the business was gratifying and continued to such an extent that in 1913 Mr. Nebelung was compelled to enlarge his space and took possession of the store room adjoining him on the north. He now devotes the old store room to the shoe business, and has dry goods and ready-to-wear clothing in the new store room, while a carpet and rug department is maintained on the second floor. Strict attention to business, courtesy to customers and a large and complete line of goods in all departments are the elements that have con- tributed to the success of Mr. Nebelung, who is now considered one of the leading merchants of Auburn.
Fraternally Mr. Nebelung is affiliated with a number of local lodges, and is also a member and director of the Commercial Club. His religious membership is with the Catholic church, to which he is a liberal contributor. He gives a hearty support to every movement which is calculated to advance
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the best interests of the community, and, because of his genial manner, sterling integrity and genuine worth, he enjoys the confidence and respect of the entire community.
In 1895 Fred Nebelung was married to Mrs. Frederica Harding, of St. Mary's Ohio, who has proven to her husband a helpmate in the truest sense of the word. By a former marriage Mrs. Nebelung is the mother of a daughter, Nell.
CHARLES ELMER FREDERICK.
Among the men of sturdy integrity and reliable traits of character who have contributed their quota to the advancement of the upbuilding of DeKalb county, mention may most consistently be made of him whose name appears above, who ranks among the leading public-spirited citizens of Anburn, where he has maintained his home since September, 1907.
Charles E. Frederick was born on February 25. 1879, at Hudson, In- diana, and is a son of Joseph A. and Addie (Chilson) Frederick. Joseph A. Frederick was also a native of Hudson, Steuben county, Indiana, and was a son of David and Mary (Fisher) Frederick. They came from Ohio in the early days and settled in the uncharted woods. Addie Chilson, who was also born on a farm near Hudson, is a daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Hagerman ) Chilson, who came from Pennsylvania to Indiana.
Charles E. Frederick was reared on the home farm near Hudson. at- tending the public schools and the high schools at Hudson and Ashley. When about nineteen years old Mr. Frederick went into a hardware store at Hud- son, where he was employed as a clerk for four years. Then during the following eight years he was a traveling salesman for the Van Camp Hard- ware and Iron Company, of Indianapolis, and upon severing his connection with this concern he became associated with the Standard Simmons Com- pany, of Toledo, Ohio, as traveling salesman. whom he has represented dur- ing the last three years. Of good business ability, affable disposition and sterling integrity, Mr. Frederick has won friends wherever he has gone and has been eminently successful as a salesman for the companies he has repre- sented. He has gained friends wherever he has gone and is now one of the most popular residents of this community.
On December 28, 1904, Mr. Frederick married Bertha Ketcham, of Hudson, Indiana, the daughter of Joseph and Frances (Grieves) Ketcham. She was born at Hudson and received her education there, residing with her
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parents until her marriage. In September, 1907, Mr. Frederick moved to Auburn, where he now resides. He and his wife are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church at Auburn, and Mr. Frederick has been superintendent of the Sunday school there for the last three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Fred- erick have been born two children, namely : Cortland K., born May 6, 1907, and Frances Louise, born February 26, 1912.
Frances (Grieves) Ketcham was born in Huron county, Ohio, in 1848, the daughter of Thomas and Jane ( Insco) Grieves. When she was four years old the family came to Indiana, locating about four and one-half miles north of Hudson in 1852, and there she was reared and remained until her marriage to Mr. Keteham. The latter engaged in teaching school both before and after marriage, though he was a shoemaker by vocation at a time when shoes were all made to order, he having conducted a successful shoe store and was also postmaster of Hudson during President Cleveland's administration. His death occurred in 1880, his wife dying in August, 1906. She was a miem- ber of the Methodist church, and he was secretary of the Sunday school con- nected with that society. Joseph Ketcham was the son of Andrew Ingersol Ketcham and Mary M. (Guernsey ) Ketcham. Mrs. Frederick is one of four children born to her parents, of whom two brothers, Albert and one not named, died in infancy. Her sister, Ada G., is now the wife of Frank Strock, of Hudson, Steuben county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick move in the best social circles of their community and enjoy well deserved popu- larity among those who know them, for they have evinced qualities of sterling worth and have at all times stood for the best interests of the community in every way possible.
ELI T. COCHRAN.
It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the life of one who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of pur- pose and determined action. Such life, whether it be one of calm, consec- tive endeavor or of sudden meteoric accomplishments, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to young men whose fortunes and destinies are still matters for the future to determine. The subject of this sketch is distinctively one of the representative men of Auburn. For a num- her of years he directed his efforts toward the goal of success and by patient continuance in well doing succeeded at last in overcoming the many obstacles by which his pathway was beset.
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Eli T. Cochran, one of the best known business men and enterprising citizens of Auburn, Indiana, was born May 13, 1859, on his father's farm two miles west of this city. He is the ninth in order of birth of thirteen chil- dren born to Thomas and Amanda (Saine) Cochran. Thomas Cochran was a son of John and Mary (Cubison) Cochran, the former of whom came from the north of Ireland, being of Scotch descent. Thomas Cochran was born in Perry county, Ohio, August 24, 1815, his father being an early settler of that community. Thomas was reared in his native county, and made the old homestead his residence for over forty years. After attaining his majority he bought the interests of the other heirs of his father's estate, and took care of his parents until their death. In September, 1858, he moved to Indiana, purchasing land in what was then known as Richland, now Keyser town- ship, this county, two miles west of Auburn, where he made his permanent home. He was an industrious man and successful financially as well as otherwise. He married Amanda Saine on March 17, 1844, she having been born January 18, 1826, a daughter of Henry and Catherine Saine, natives of Maryland. To Thomas Cochran and wife thirteen children were born as follows: Hannah, who became the wife of D. K. Houghton, of Lewistown, Illinois; Edward, born July 9, 1846, died July 17, 1850; Mary A., wife of Charles McBride, of Toledo, Ohio; Emily M., wife of Allen Wysong, of Avilla, Indiana; William H., of DeKalb county; Joseph B., who lives on a farm two and one-half miles west of Auburn; David S., of Tucson, Arizona ; Dorothea, wife of Jeff Clark, of Garrett, Indiana; Eli T., of Auburn ; Benja- min F., of Virginia; Ida A., born December 25, 1862, died May 8, 1864; Ralph B., of Ontario, California ; and Charles K., of Auburn Junction, this county. Thomas Cochran was characterized by great physical energy, and even in old age was a rapid walker. He came of a long lived family, one sis- ter living to the age of ninety years. He lived on his farm until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1892, aged seventy-eight years. His wife died February 26, 1890. Both were members of the Baptist church, of upright character, whose lives were a benefit to those with whom they associated.
Eli T. Cochran spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, securing his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. At the age of fifteen years he was stricken with typhoid fever, from the effects of which his health became so impaired that he had to forego further schooling. He remained on the home farm until his marriage in 1886, when he was twenty- seven years old. Immediately thereafter he went to California, where he re- mained two years, and then returned to DeKalb county, taking up his resi-
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dence in Auburn, where he resumed carpenter work, a trade at which he had already had some experience, and a vocation at which all the male members of his family showed an aptitude. About two years later he began contract- ing and building, and continued as a contractor until 1906, when he bought out the Goodwin coal yard in Auburn, and has since operated that business. Marked enterprise and progress have characterized him in his efforts and he has attained to a success fully commensurate with the efforts put forth by him. Mr. Cochran takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, and in poli- tics has been active in the ranks of the Democratic party. He served two terms in the city council of Auburn and was an influential member of that body when Auburn instituted her system of fine paved streets. His home is in a substantial and attractive brick residence at No. 421 West Seventh street, Auburn, and is finished handsomely in hard wood, personally selected by Mr. Cochran. The home is modern in every respect, and has all the conven- iences required in modern, up-to-date homes.
In March, 1886, Mr. Cochran was united in marriage with Nora Belle Shook, daughter of Jesse and Virilla ( Fleming ) Shook. Mrs. Cochran, who is a lady of many social graces and estimable qualities of head and heart, was born on her father's farm in Fairfield township. this county, about two miles southwest of Fairfield Center. Her father, Jesse Shook, was the fourth of ten children born to John Shook and wife. Mrs. Cochran's grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, from which place he moved to Ohio, living suc- cessively in Columbiana, Trumbull and Seneca counties, before coming to DeKalb county, Indiana. In 1844 he located in Fairfield township, this county, when Jesse Shook was a boy of about fifteen years of age. John M. Shook, a brother of Jesse, and who now makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Cochran, was in the cavalary branch of the army during the Civil war. After the war he entered the employment of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railway at Parsons, Kansas, and was in the employ of that road for forty years. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine.
To John Shook and wife were.born the following children: Jonathan. Elias, Rebecca, Jesse, Henry, John M., Elizabeth, Samuel, William and Rose Ann. Jesse Shook married Virilla Fleming, daughter of Aaron Fleming and Nancy (Irwin) Fleming, a lady of Scotch parentage. He followed the voca- tion of farming for some years after his marriage, and when Mrs. Cochran was a little girl the family moved to Corunna. About 1893 Mr. and Mrs. Shook moved into Auburn, where he died in 1899. his wife surviving until 1906.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Eli Cochran has been born one daughter, La Vaun, who is now attending the public schools in Auburn. Mr. Cochran is an active member of the Knights of Pythias, the American Yoeman and the Auburn Commercial Club, in all of which he takes an active part and intelli- gent interest. Religiously, he and his wife are active members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, of which they are regular attendants and to which they contribute liberally of their means. Mr. Cochran has by his indomitable enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the ad- vancement of his locality, and during the course of an honorable career he has met with a fair measure of success, having been governed by honesty and sincerity of purpose so that he now enjoys to an eminent degree the confi- dence and regard of the entire community.
NORMAN TEAL JACKMAN.
The history of a county or state, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly the chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by those of its representative citizens and yields its tribute of admiration and respect to those whose works and actions constitute the record of a state's prosperity and pride. Among the prominent citizens of DeKalb county, who are well known because of their success in private business affairs and the part they have taken in public life, is he whose name appears at the head of this article, the present postmaster of Waterloo.
Norman T. Jackman was born in Franklin township, DeKalb county, Indiana, on the 9th day of April, 1855, and is a son of Isaac and Maria (Stoner) Jackman. Isaac Jackman was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on October 20, 1817, and was the son of Edward and Elizabeth ( Miller ) Jack- man. Edward Jackman had come to DeKalb county in 1834, entering a tract of land, and then returned to Ohio. In 1840 he moved his family to their new home, arriving here on the 28th of May. The long and tiresome journey was made in the prevalent manner of those days, by wagon, over the prairies, through the roadless forests and across unbridged streams, their stopping place at night being by the wayside wherever they happened to be. Their first work was to clear a small area and erect a log cabin. Here Ed- ward and Elizabeth Jackman spent the rest of their days, having given the best of their years to the creating of a home and the rearing of their children
MR. AND MRS. NORMAN T. JACKMAN
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to honorable manhood and womanhood. At their deaths their remains were buried on the home farm, but eventually were removed to the cemetery at Hamilton. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the eldest mar- ried in Ohio and later in the fall came here. Isaac was the next oldest and was about twenty-three years old when the family located here. His father was about sixty years old, so Isaac was virtually responsible for the welfare and comfort of the family. For eight years he remained at home, or until the other children were old enough to take his place. In September, 1848, he married Maria Stoner, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, the daughter of John and Agnes (Crites) Stoner, who had removed from Pennsylvania to the Buckeye state. She came to DeKalb county, Indiana, in June, 1846, with her parents, who located temporarily on a farm north of Waterloo. A year later they bought a farm about five miles south of Auburn, near St. Johns, where she lived until her marriage. After their marriage, Isaac Jackman and wife took up their abode on a farm in Franklin township which had been entered from the government by his father. Here they engaged in farmning and reared their family, consisting of three children, namely: Olive, the wife of Frank Williams, of Congress, Arizona, and they have a son, Isaac J. John S. Jackman, who was reared at home, married Olive C. Waterman, after which he farmed for awhile, also buying and selling live stock. He engaged in the furniture business in Waterloo and later was in the boot and shoe business until the fire of 1897, which destroyed his store, after which he re- tired from active business. He died in 1907, leaving two daughters, Blanche M. and Madge S. Blanche married John F. Shuman and resides in Florida, while Madge is a teacher, having taught in the schools of St. Paul until the winter of 1912-13. She and her mother now reside in California. The third child of Isaac and Maria Jackman was Norman Teal, the immediate subject of this review. Isaac Jackman died in 1872 and his wife in 1894. She was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Isaac Jack- man was a Democrat in politics and took an active part in local public affairs, especially during and immediately after the Civil war. In 1860 he voted for Abraham Lincoln and the Union and thereafter remained aligned with the Republican party. He was intensely public spirited, but never aspired to public office.
Norman T. Jackman spent his boyhood days on the home farm in Frank- lin township, and secured a practical education in the common schools, sup- plementing this by attendance for a short time at the Valparaiso Normal Uni-
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versity. He then returned to the home farm and remained with his mother until his marriage; in 1882, though he still continued the operation of the home farm for a number of years, or until 1890, when he bought a farm in Smithfield township, where he lived until 1902. In the latter year he moved to Auburn, where he had an interest in the excelsior factory. In the fall of 1906 he disposed of that interest and bought property in Waterloo, where he has since resided. He is the owner of one hundred and forty acres of good land, lying in two tracts in Smithfield township; one bordering on the old home farm and the other, an eighty-acre tract, lying a short distance north of Waterloo. For about five years, while still engaged in farming, Mr. Jack- man dealt in agricultural implements at Waterloo. On February 19. 1911, Mr. Jackman was appointed postmaster of Waterloo and is still the incumbent of that position. He has given to the discharge of his official duties the same careful attention to details that he gave to his own business affairs and has therefore earned the commendation and approval of both the department and the patrons of the office. He has all through his mature life taken a deep interest in all local affairs and has held the confidence of the poeple to a notable degree. While he was a resident of Auburn he was appointed re- ceiver to wind up the affairs of the Farmers Bank, which had failed, and he settled the affairs in such a manner as to satisfy all concerned, as far as was possible for any one to have done. He has also served in other positions of public trust, always with ability and faithfulness.
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