USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100
Reuben Lockwood was for many years an honored and appreciative member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, taking an active interest in the workings of the order. He was a member of that pioneer band which accomplished so much in the early development of this section of the state, and as a defender of his country in the hour of her trial he proved himself a patriot, and because of these characteristics he is entitled to specific mention in the annals of DeKalb county.
SAMUEL G. STONE.
The well known druggist whose name forms the caption of this brief review is too well known to the readers of this history to need extensive com- ment, since his has long been one of the leading business houses in Butler. It numbers its patrons by the hundreds throughout this locality, the store being a gathering place for visitors from the rural districts, but from whatever quar- ter customers come they are accorded uniform courtesy and the kindest con- sideration, always finding here a well-kept, neat, attractive and well-managed
550.
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
store, stocked with a complete and carefully selected line of goods, second to none, the prices of which are regarded by its many patrons of long standing as being 'remarkably low considering the excellent quality of goods offered.
Samuel G. Stone, a leading business man of Butler, was born at Fort Henry, New cork, on July 12, 1854, the son of Grandville and Lucy ( Butler ) Stone, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Connecticut. Grand- ville Stone was a wagon maker by trade, which pursuit he followed many years, but later in life took up farming, in which he was successful.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of New York and Ohio, having moved to the latter state and upon attaining mature years engaged in the drug business at Striker, Ohio, in which he con- tinued with gratifying success until 1876. He then came to Butler, Indiana, and in 1877 engaged in the drug business here, in which he has continued ever since, and in which he has met with well deserved patronage. He has a large and well selected line of druggists' sundries, while in the filling of pre- scriptions he handles none but pure and fresh drugs. He is well qualified by training and experience for the business to which he devotes himself and be- cause of the high quality of his goods, his prompt and courteous treatment of his customers and his own high character he has long enjoyed an enviable standing in his community.
In September, 1876, Mr. Stone married Elva C. Stoner, the daughter of A. B. and J. A. Stoner, of West Unity, Ohio. There Mrs. Stone's father followed the dual occupations of grocer and druggist for many years and was successful in his affairs. Eventually he located at Metz, Indiana, and finally came to Butler, where he remained for several years and then located at Garrett, this county, where his death occurred. To Mr. and Mrs. Stone have been born four children, Gertrude Elnora, Gladys Elmira, Bessie Emily and Milliard Samuel.
The Democratic party has always claimed Mr. Stone's support, and he has been active in the ranks of that party during political campaigns. He has been honored by his fellow citizens by election to a number of public offices, in all of which he discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He was trustee of the town of Butler under the old law for two. years, and in 1902 was elected a member of the board of school trustees, in which he has served four terms and is still an honored member of that body. He was elected the first mayor of Butler when it was incorporated as a city in 1903, serving a short term, his administration, which expired in 1905. being characterized by marked ability and effort to advance the interests of
551
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.A.
the community. He also served as city treasurer for three years with emi- nent satisfaction. Religiously, Mr. Stone is an earnest member of the Metho- dist church, while fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Ma- sons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Personally, Mr. Stone is a man whom it is a pleasure to know, being gen- erous-hearted, kind, hospitable, honest in all his dealings with his fellow men, and eminently worthy of the trust and respect they repose in him and have for him, and he is today regarded as one of DeKalb county's representa- tive and most valued citizens.
JOHN H. W. KRONTZ.
Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of record. By a few general observations may be conveyed some idea of the high standing of John H. W. Krontz in the community where so many of his active years have been spent. United in his composition are so many elements of a solid and practical nature which during a series of years have brought him into prominent notice and earned for him a conspicu- ous place among the enterprising men of DeKalb county, that it is but just recognition of his worth to speak at some length of his life and achievements.
John H. W. Krontz was born in Wilmington township. DeKalb county; Indiana, on April 7. 1870, and is the son of Michael E. and Mary Ann Krontz. both of whom were natives of the state of Ohio, the father born in Holmes county. They came to Indiana and the father was one of the early settlers of this locality, having arrived October 8, 1843. He was a farmer by voca- tion, which pursuit he followed all his life and attained to a gratifying degree of success. They are both now deceased. They were the parents of three children-Laura K., William and John H. W., the last named being the only survivor.
John H. W. Krontz attended the common schools of DeKalb county, completing his elementary studies in the high school at Butler and in the Fort Wayne College. He then took up pedagogical work and for several years followed teaching in this county, meeting with marked success in this exacting vocation. Mr. Krontz had pursued his technical studies along the line of civil engineering, in which his ability was widely recognized, and in 1896 he was elected surveyor of DeKalb county, serving efficiently and satis- factorily in this position until 1900. Upon retiring from the office of sur-
552
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
veyor he took up the work of civil engineering, in which he is still engaged. Thoroughly competent by training and experience for this important line of work. Mr. Krontz is widely recognized as one of the leading surveyors of this section of the state and is constantly employed in this line. Politically Mr. Krontz is an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious mem- bership is with the Christian church. Mr. Krontz's career presents a series of successes, while his unswerving rectitude has made his life count for good in all its relations, as is attested by the unreserved esteem of the people of the community in which he has lived so many years, and in which he has had due regard for the higher verities of life, giving his support to that which tends to the betterment of the people.
WILLIAM HENRY LEAS.
DeKalb county, Indiana, has been especially honored in the character and career of her public and professional men. Here, as in every community, there are found, rising above their fellows, individuals born to leadership in the various professions, men who have dominated not alone by superior in- telligence and natural endowment, but by natural force of character. It is always profitable to study the lives of such men, weigh their motives and hold up their achievements as incentives to greater activity and higher excel- lence on the part of others. A lawyer of widely recognized ability and a man of undoubted integrity and honor, William H. Leas has made a definite im- pression on the history of his locality. DeKalb county has been dignified by his noble life and splendid achievements, and he stands as a worthy and con- spicuous member of a striking group of public men whose influence in the political and civic life, as well as in professional circles, has been of a most beneficent order, and it is but a matter of justice to here enter a brief tribute to his career.
William Henry Leas was born in Salem township, Steuben county, Indi- ana. on the 16th day of September, 1849, and is the son of John and Susan (Schimpff) Leas. More specific reference is made to his ancestral history in the sketch of his father, which appears elsewhere in this work. He came with his parents to Smithfield township, this county, in 1868, and from that time on has been continuously and closely identified with the history of this locality. He secured his elementary education in the common schools, after
WILLIAM H. LEAS
MRS. EMMA LEAS
553
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
which he engaged in pedagogical work, teaching first in the district schools and afterwards in the graded schools of Waterloo. Later he assisted Willard, Kingman and McConahey in surveying and the making of county maps in Ohio and Indiana, in which work he gained much valuable experience and knowledge. Having long entertained an ambition to enter the legal pro- fession, in 1873 Mr. Leas began the study of law at Angola and in the fall of that year he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in March, 1875, with the degree of Bachelor of Law. He had been admitted to the bar in Angola in 1874, and on June 1, 1875, he located at Waterloo and opened a law office. He was first in partnership with C. M. Phillips until October, 1875, from which time he was alone until November, 1876, during which period he succeeded in building up a good practice. In the month last mentioned he became a mem- ber of the law firm of McBride, Morlan & Leas, his partners being Judge R. W. McBride and Joseph L. Morlan. In August, 1878, Mr. Morlan died and the firm was dissolved, since which time Mr. Leas has mostly practiced alone. In point of length of continuous practice Mr. Leas is the dean of his pro- fession in DeKalb county.
Mr. Leas' success in his profession has been most pronounced. Always careful in the preparation of his cases and a deep student of law, he has the faculty of stating a case clearly and succinctly, while his candor, fairness and honor have made him deservedly popular among his colleagues and those with whom he has had dealings. He possesses a comprehensive knowledge of the law and a familiarity with precedents, which have made him a strong pleader and an opponent to be feared. Personally, his clean character, fidelity of purpose and affability of manner have won him a large circle of warm friends and commended him to the good opinion of all who know him.
Politically, Mr. Leas has always been an ardent supporter of the Demo- cratic party and was twice elected a member of the board of school trustees of Waterloo, where he performed effective and appreciated work in the inter- est of educational affairs in the community. From 1902 to 1912 Mr. Leas served as attorney for the town of Waterloo, and is at the present time at- torney for the town of Corunna.
On August 20, 1878, Mr. Leas was united in marriage to Emma J. Danks, the youngest daughter of Oris and Stella ( Booge) Danks. She was born and reared in Waterloo, and suffered the loss of her mother when but an infant, in 1863. Afterwards her father married Sarah A. Jones. Orris Danks was born in Onondaga county. New York, on July 16, 1815. a son of
554
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
Benoni and Phoebe ( Earle) Danks, who also were natives of the Empire state. His grandfather, Robert Earle, was a soldier in the war of the Revo- lution. In 1836 Orris Danks came to DeKalb county and bought land in Smithfield township, returning to his native state' two years later and. there) in 1840, he married. Euseba. Brown .: : In the following year they returned to DeKalb county and made their home on his land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted himself until 1862 when the family re- moved to Waterloo, where Mr. Danks engaged in the hardware business, afterwards engaging successively in the grocery and boot and shoe business. His first wife died in 1851 and in 1852 he married Estella Booge.
To Mr. and Mrs. Leas have been born two children, namely: Stella B., born July 4, 1880, is the wife of R. Earl Peters, whose permanent home is in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, but who is now in Washington, D. C., as secretary to. Congressman Cyrus Cline of the twelfth district. Mr. and Mrs. Peters have a daughter, Leah Velfetta, born March 20, 1907: Earl D. Leas, born February 15, 1882, lives in Waterloo, where he enjoys a large business as a buyer and shipper of corn, baled hay and straw. On January 20, 1904, he married Emma Gfeller, of Waterloo, the daughter of Samuel Gfeller.
GEORGE SCHULTHESS.
There could be no more comprehensive history written of a city or a community, or even of a state and its people, than that which deals with the life work of those, who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have . placed themselves where they well deserve the title of "prominent and pro- gressive," and in this sketch will be found the record of one who has out- stripped the less active and less able plodders on the highway of life and who has attained to an enviable position in the business, political and social life of the community where he has resided for many years.
George Schulthess, business man, citizen and public official, who is hon- oring the city of Garrett, Indiana, by his residence, was born on May 5, 1873, at Millersburg, Ohio, and is the son of Matthias and Elizabeth (Schaffe-) Schulthess. These parents, who were natives of Switzerland, trace their ancestry back through the centuries to about the year 1400. . The subject pos- sesses a genealogical work in the German language which traces the paternal ancestral line in unbroken ascent to the founder of the family in 1400 in the
555
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
state of Zurich, Switzerland. Three months before the subject of this sketch was born his mother became a widow through the death of her husband and. she herself died when the subject was but twelve years old. These parents had been married in their native land and Matthias Schulthess was a coopen by . trade and an energetic and industrious workman. At the time of the mother's death she left a family of three sons and two daughters, of whom two sons and a daughter are still living: Fred, a resident of Garrett, Mrs. Emma Geib, living on a farm near Garrett, and the subject of this sketch. The latter came to Garrett at the time of his mother's death and made his home with his brother, Fred. He received his education in the public schools of that city, and his leisure hours, instead of being spent in play and recrea- tion, were employed in assisting in farm work. Later he and his brother lo- cated in Garrett and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in partnership with Professor Moore, which they conducted a few years, and then engaged in the milling and grain business. They were successful in these enterprises, but after a few years they sold out and engaged in the coal business for three years, at the end of which period they disposed of those interests and since that time the subject has been engaged in supervising his farm of one hundred acres located one-half mile from Garrett in Keyser township. Though starting life under discouraging conditions Mr. Schul- thess, by most indomitable perseverance, sturdy industry and wise manage- inent, has prospered and is now numbered among the successful and up-to- date citizens of his community. With modern and progressive ideas regard- ing business affairs he has maintained his farm at the highest standard of excellence and has found it a profitable enterprise. Though his business af- fairs have made heavy demands upon his time Mr. Schulthess has neverthe- less found it possible to take an active part in local public affairs, in which he has been deeply interested. 111 1900 he was elected trustee of his township and served four years to the credit of himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens and also served a year as city councilman by appointment. In the fall of 1908 he was elected to the council, serving until October of the following year, when, owing to a vacancy, he was appointed mayor of Gar- rett and has now been serving four years in this position. That he has acquitted himself with honor and credit goes without saving among those who are familiar with his efforts. The city is now erecting a new city hall and under the administration of Mayor Schulthess a new boulevard lighting system has been installed, the public utility plant been overhauled, including the installation of new engines and generators and a substantial addition to
5,56
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
the main building. In all these things Mr. Schulthess has been guided by the same sound business ideas and methods that he has exercised in the conduct of his own affairs, this being the secret of the successful administration which he has given to his office. In politics he gives his earnest support to the Democratic party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to both subordinate lodge and encampment, and also belonging to the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Religiously, Mrs. Schulthess is a member of the German Methodist church.
In 1897 Mr. Schulthess was married to Elizabeth Lehmback, of Gar- rett, and to them have been born three children, Aline, Howard and Leroy. Mr. Schulthess's life history exhibits a career of unswerving integrity, inde- fatigable private industry and wholesome home and social relations, a most commendable career crowned with success. It is the record of a well bal- anced mental and moral constitution, strongly marked by those traits of char- acter which are of special value in such a state of society as exists in this country. Possessing a strong social nature and exercising a genial and friendly attitude toward those with whom he comes into contact, it is not strange that he has gained a large and loyal following among his acquaint- ances in this locality.
FRANK HOGUE.
It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has made a success of life and won the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such is the record of the well-known gentleman whose name appears at the head of this paragraph, than whom a more whole-souled or popular man it would be hard to find in the city where he has resided during t' e major portion of his life. Steady persistence, stern integrity and excel- lent judgment have been the elements which have contributed to his success, and lecause of this success and his high personal character he is deserving of the high position which he holds in the esteem of all who know him.
Frank Hogue, who for a number of years has been the efficient lumber buyer for Hoffman Brothers Company, of Fort Wayne, is a native son of DeKalb county, having first seen the light of day in Butler township on June 11, 1852. He is the son of Henry and Effie (King) Hogue. the former of whom died on August 5, 1872. Henry Hogue was the son of George
557
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
and Lydia ( Wilder) Hogue, and was born in Canandaigua, New York, on March 5, 1818. When about twenty years old he came to DeKalb county. Indiana, his mother having died a short time before that, and here he was employed in sawmills, work to which he had been accustomed in his native state. He bought a farm in Butler township and there made his permanent home, his father also spending his last years there. Carrying on the dual occupations of farming and lumbering, Henry Hogue was a very busy man, and he enjoyed the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He was a Republican in politics, though with no aspirations for public office. He married Effie King, who was born in Pennsylvania on November 26, 1828, and who is still, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, a well-preserved woman, retaining her mental and physical faculties to a remarkable degree. She is the daughter of George and Mary Jane ( Phillips) King, and she was brought to DeKalb county on October 4, 1835. Her father was killed when she was but three days old, and she was reared by her mother until seven years old, after which time she was reared in the family of George DeLong, with whom she came to Indiana, the family locating in Butler township, DeKalb county. Their long and tiresome journey was made in a wagon, drawn by two yoke of oxen, who pulled them from Dayton, Ohio. They had come from Pennsylvania down the Ohio river to Cincinnati, and thence by canal to Dayton. It took them six weeks to make the trip from Dayton, camping out at night and letting the oxen graze. They came by way of Fort Wayne. thence through Huntertown, which then consisted of but three or four houses. But few roads had been constructed, and those few very poorly made, while most of the streams had to be forded. On approaching their land in Butler township, none of which had been cleared, they were compelled to cut the dense undergrowth and many trees in order to get their wagon through to the site of their future home. The prospect was not a very invit- ing one, but, with a vision of the future, Mr. DeLong went energetically to work to clear a spot for a home. They first lived in a tent made of carpet. but soon a log cabin was erected, in which the family were comfortably housed. Here Mr. DeLong acquired ownership of three hundred and fifty acres of land. A few years later he sold out and moved to Allen county. Mr. and Mrs. Hogue had been married just prior to that event and they remained on the farm, Mr. Hogue being employed to run the saw-mill for the new owner. They then moved to the farm adjoining on the north, which Mr. Hogue had bought, and there he spent the remainder of his life. To him and his wife were born ten children, namely: George Henry, Lydia A., Frank, Effie, Theron, Frederick, Perry, James, Florence and Mary, the
558
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
latter dying at the age of three months. Of these children, only three are now living, namely: Frank, the immediate subject of this sketch; Lydia, of Auburn; Florence, the wife of William Hoff, of Selma, California. The mother of these children now makes her home with her son Frank.
Frank Hogue was reared on the home farm in Butler township and secured his education in the common schools. In 1873 he went West, where he remained three years, and then, in 1876, he returned to the home farm, to the operation of which he gave his attention for a time. He then accepted a position with Hoffman Brothers, of Fort Wayne, extensive lumber dealers and saw-mill men, and he has been connected with that company ever since. For thirty-five years he has been the timber buyer for this well-known firm, his duties requiring him to travel over practically the entire country. He has earned the reputation as one of the best judges of timber in the country and his services are held in high value by the firm with which he is connected. Mr. Hogue has continued to reside in Auburn, and has a beautiful home at the corner of Fifth and Main streets, which he built in 1909.
In 1884 Mr. Hogue married Allie Rainsburg, of Pleasant Lake, Indiana, the daughter of Frederick Rainsburg, of Hudson, Indiana. Mrs. Hogue died in 1891, and in 1898 Mr. Hogue married Carrie Caswell, of Fremont, this state. to which union was born a daughter, Frances. They are well known throughout this community, and their friends are in number as their acquaintances.
JONAS E. DILGARD.
Among the honored and influential citizens of Waterloo, Indiana, is Jonas E. Dilgard, who has shown what an earnest and energetic hard-work- ing man can accomplish, although forced to hew his own fortune from ob- stacles that beset his way. He started life without financial aid from any- body; has been industrious, and has adhered to those principles and ideals that always insure success, so that his later years are being passed in the midst of plenty and serenity.
Jonas E. Dilgard, who is now retired from active labor and is residing in the attractive little town of Waterloo, is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, where he was born on February 14, 1853. He is a son of John and Mary (Hoy) Dilgard. John Dilgard was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, and in early childhood was brought to Wayne county, Ohio, by his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Dilgard. Mary Hoy, who was a native of
559
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
Wayne county, Ohio, and the daughter of Jonas Hoy, was reared in her native county and lived there until her marriage. In 1865 John Dilgard and his wife moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating four miles west of Water- loo, where they had acquired eighty aeres of good farming land and there they made their permanent home. John Dilgard was an active and industrious man, being both a farmer and a carpenter, which dual occupations he fol- lowed during all his active years. His death occurred in 1899 and his wife died in 1880. They were the parents of six children: Jonas, Mina, Emily, Daniel, Martha and John.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.