USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 58
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To Mr. and Mrs. Eakright has been born one son, Orton Edgar, whose birth occurred on September 9, 1877, and who was for many years in the employ of the Overland Automobile Company at Toledo, but is now a tester for the Auburn Auto Company. He married Louise Bard. John Joel Eak- right is a man of marked literary taste and ability, and has written a number of poems which have been published in current magazines and periodicals and which have received many commendatory words of praise. He writes for pastime rather than as a means of profit and has written by request a poem for the reunion of the Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteers. It was greatly appreciated and copies distributed as souvenirs of the reunion. His poems are varied in character, pathetic, humorous and other styles and all are very readable and of high literary merit.
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DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
CONRAD MILLER.
Among the worthy citizens of DeKalb county of a past generation, whose residence here contributed in no small degree to the prestige of the commu- nity, was the late Conrad Miller, for, while laboring for his individual ad- vancement, as was natural and right, he never forgot his obligations to the public and his support of such measures and movements as made for the gen- eral good could always be depended upon. He commanded the respect of all classes by his exemplary life, and his memory will long be revered by his friends who survive.
Conrad Miller was born in Germany in 1817, and was a son of John Jacob and Anna Mary (Bush) Miller. John J. Miller, who was a native and resident of Wittenberg, Germany, brought his family to the United States in 1819, settling near Hagerstown, Maryland. Two years later he moved to Canton, Ohio, locating on a farm nearby, where he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring on June 3, 1868, at the advanced age of ninety years, eleven months and eighteen days.
Conrad Miller was reared under the parental roof in Ohio, and, upon attaining manhood's years, married Anna Long, who was born and reared near Canton. Mr. Miller engaged in farming, to which vocation he had been reared, and subsequently he was for many years engaged in the opera- tion of a hotel at Dalton, Wayne county, Ohio. He became a man of promi- nence and influence in that community and for the long period of twenty years he efficiently served as justice of the peace. In 1866 Mr. Miller moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, where he engaged in farming, and here, too, he gained a high place in the esteem of his fellows. When the county farm was established, he was appointed the first superintendent of the same, retain- ing that position four years. He had twenty-three inmates under his charge, and at the outset he was seriously handicapped through lack of conveniences, but he did his best to properly care for the unfortunates under his charge and retired from the office with the approval of all who were familiar with the work he had done. After leaving the county farm, Mr. Miller bought a home in Auburn, where he lived about six years, but eventually moved to the state of Missouri, where the deaths of himself and his wife occurred.
To Conrad and Anna Miller were born seven children, of whom the only one living in DeKalb county is Ada, the wife of Abe Grogg, of Grant town- ship, this county. She had two brothers, both of whom are deceased. A sister, Martha M., taught school in Auburn about six years, and then became the wife of Fletcher Starr, and they now live at Newkirk, Oklahoma. Harley
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taught school for awhile in DeKalb county, but eventually went west, where he studied medicine and was a successful physician at Newkirk, Oklahoma, until his death. Frances taught several terms of school in DeKalb county, taught about six years in Kansas City, and also served as an instructor in teachers' institutes in Missouri. She is now the wife of Doctor Wheeler, of Kansas City, who is secretary of the Missouri state board of health. Cora, who was educated for the pedagogical profession, married Elan Spellman, now deceased, and she lives in Oklahoma.
In every relation of his life, Conrad Miller was true to every trust reposed in him and enjoyed to a notable degree the confidence and good will of all who knew him. He was a man of broad ideas and kindly impulses, and in the civic life of the communities where he lived he was a potent factor for good. The world is better for his having lived.
JOHN WESLEY JONES.
It is with no small degree of satisfaction that the biographer essays to set before the reader the salient points and facts in the life history of the estimable gentleman now deceased whose name initiates this paragraph, for his life was one singularly full of good deeds and his influence was ever whole- some and ameliorating, so that today he is remembered as a man who was held in the highest respect and admiration of his many friends and acquaint- ances.
John Wesley Jones was born in Ashland county, Ohio, on August 22. 1842, the son of Isaac Jones and wife, of whose six children he was the youngest. Isaac Jones' family came to DeKalb county, Indiana, in the early days, where, at Auburn, Mr. Jones later ran a tin shop, though he subse- quently moved to a farm two and one-half miles south of Auburn. Early in the Civil war John W. Jones enlisted as a member of Company A, One Hun- dredth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served about nine months, being then discharged because of physical disability. He re- cruited his health and on March 19, 1864, he again enlisted in the First Indiana Battery of Heavy Artillery, with which he remained in the service until the end of the war. On April 19, 1864, soon after his enlistment, he was married to Sarah A. Plum, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, the daughter of Jeremiah and Jane (Scott) Plum. At the age of five years she
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came to DeKalb county with her parents who located about one mile east of Waterloo. Jeremiah Plum became the sheriff of DeKalb county a few years after the close of the Civil war, hokling that office for four years, and his son, Philip, was sheriff of the county in later years. Here Jeremiah Plum fol- lowed farming during nearly all of his active life and also gave some atten- tion to auctioneering, in which he was very successful. He was a member of the United Brethren church, as was his wife, and they are both now de- ceased, their deaths occurring on their farm east of Waterloo. After John W. Jones received his final discharge from the military service at the close of the Civil war he engaged in farming a year on his father's farm and then was similarly engaged two years on the farm of his father-in-law while the latter was serving as sheriff of the county. During the remainder of his life Mr. Jones was employed by the Lake Shore Railway Company in various capac- ities, the last nine years of his life being in the freight service of that com- pany at Waterloo. He was industrious and energetic, and was numbered among the valued employes of that company, enjoying a well deserved popu- larity among his fellows.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jones were born nine children, of whom two died in infancy, seven being raised to maturity: Frank Leonard, who lives a mile east of Waterloo, married Mary Mergy, and they have two daughters: Otie is the wife of Byron Leas, who lives west of Waterloo, and who is mentioned specifically elsewhere in this work; Josephine is the wife of F. W. Miles, of Hammond, Indiana, and they have a son ; Norah is the wife of James Rainier, of Auburn, and they have two children, a boy and a girl; Mary became the wife of Thomas Ferguson, who lives two and one-half miles south of Auburn ; Edison, who lives in Waterloo, married Lena Durst; Daisy Fern is the wife of Chester C. Bowman. John Wesley Jones died on October 6, 1895, and his death was considered a distinct loss to the community, for he had been a man who, though not very prominent in the public life of the community, had nevertheless been an earnest and constant supporter of everything which promised to advance the best interests of the locality, and he was numbered among the sterling and consistent citizens of Waterloo. Religiously he was a member of the United Brethren church, of which Mrs. Jones is now an earnest member, and fraternally he belonged to the Knights of the Maccabees and the Grand Army of the Republic. A kind and loving father, a faithful husband, a public-spirited citizen, Mr. Jones had for many years quietly but consistently fulfilled his duties as a citizen in his community and he exerted an influence which has been for the moral and social upbuilding of the people.
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DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
GEORGE W. KUHLMAN.
The family of which the subject of this review is a creditable representa- tive has been known in DeKalb county for many years, and, without invidious comparison, it can with propriety be said that no other name is better known or more highly esteemed in DeKalb county. Honored and respected by all, there is today no man in the county who occupies a more enviable position in commercial circles than George W. Kuhlman, not alone because of the suc- cess he has achieved. but also by reason of the commendable and straightfor- ward business policy which he has ever pursued and the upright life he has lived.
George W. Kuhlman was born in Auburn, Indiana, on February 22, 1876, and is the son of Enos and Amanda (Rhodefer) Kuhlman. Enos Kuhlman, who was of German descent, was born at Canton, Stark county, Ohio, and was a son of William and Mary ( Hoover) Kuhlman. Enos Kuhl- man was reared at Canton and in young manhood he came to Auburn. Here he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which company ex-Governor Winfield T. Durbin was also a member. Mr. Kuhlman's military record was a creditable one in every regard and after his return home he became a salesman, traveling a part of the time. In 1900 he went into business for himself at Mulhall, Oklahoma, where he now has a general store and where he is meeting with splendid success. Soon after his return from the army Enos Kuhlman married Amanda Rhode- fer, who was born and reared near Auburn, a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Feagler) Rhodefer. Her mother was a granddaughter of Henry Feagler, who was a captain in the war of 1812. Amanda Rhodefer's par- ents were from Holmes county, Ohio, coming to DeKalb county, Indiana, in an early day. and locating about three miles northwest of Auburn. Later he moved to a farm about two miles southwest of that town, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. To Enos and Amanda Kuhlman were born three children, namely: Aubrey L., William O. and George W., all residents of Auburn.
George W. Kuhlman was reared under the parental roof and until fourteen years of age he received the advantage of a public school education. Out of school, his hours were well occupied, his mornings and evenings being spent as a chore boy for Dr. S. B. Johnston, while during his summer vaca- tions he was employed as a gardener by Elder S. B. Ward, consequently he had but little time in which to indulge in the sports and recreations common
GEORGE W. KUHLMAN
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to boys of his age. He was carefully reared, his mother being a strict Bap- tist, with positive convictions of right and wrong, and who inculcated in her sons high ideals and worthy ambitions. In 1890 George W. Kuhlman began work in the dry goods store of WV. P. Harter as errand boy, at a wage of two and a half dollars a week. By strict honesty and careful attention to every duty assigned to him he earned the confidence of his employer and was given charge of the domestic department. Under the strict discipline and wise instruction of Mr. Harter he there laid the foundation for a practical and successful business career. At the death of Mr. Harter, in 1893, the store passed into the hands of Bishop & Lackey, and Mr. Kuhlman remained with the new firm until 1895, when, being offered an advance in salary and being desirous of gaining a broader knowledge and wider experience in business affairs, he accepted a position in the clothing house of G. H. Yesbera, with whom he remained seven years. In 1902 Mr. Kuhlman started in business on his own account, though in a modest way, opening a men's furnishing and clothing store on North Main street. A year later, his increasing business requiring a larger stock and more room, he moved to the Sherman Hollister building, on Main street, on the west side of the public square. By careful attention to the wants of his patrons, his courteous treatment of them, and his sound business methods, Mr. Kuhlman prospered to even a more notable degree in his new location, so that in 1907 he felt justified in buying the building in which he was located, and two years later the store was com- pletely remodeled. A new and attractive front was placed in the store room. better lighting and ventilating facilities were provided, while at the rear of the main store room a large balcony was erected for the accommodation of stock. The second story of the building was also improved, being used as a sales and stock room, while the third floor and basement are also devoted to different purposes pertaining to the business. Furnace heat was installed and other improvements made, so that it became the largest and most complete exclusive clothing and furnishing house in northeastern Indiana. Mr. Kuhl- man has done practically a cash business from the start, at the same time adopting the policy of giving the utmost value for the money. He has dem- onstrated business ability of a high order, and his success can be attributed to his careful study of the requirements of his business and his close applica- tion to his affairs, successfully mastering each difficulty as it presented itself.
On April 27, 1898, Mr. Kuhlman was united in marriage to Olive Mc- Clure, who, for six years prior to her marriage, had been connected with the (38)
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dry goods and millinery trade, in the store in which Mr. Kuhlman had been employed. To them has been born a daughter, Ethelmae. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlman are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they are regular attendants and to which they give earnest support. Mr. Kuhlman is an active member of the Auburn Commercial Club and takes a deep inter- est in every movement for the advancement of the best interests of the com- munity. A man of genial disposition and kindly impulses, he has won and retains to a notable degree the friendship of all who know him.
GEORGE B. DENISON.
It is the purpose of this volume to preserve an authentic record as far as possible of the lives and deeds of those who have assisted in the upbuilding of the varied interests of DeKalb county. The rank that a city or county holds very largely depends on the achievements of its citizens. Some add to its reputation by efficient public service, some by professional skill, some by increasing its manufacturing or commercial interests and some by cultivating its lands. The subject of this sketch has been interested in both business and farm life and in both lines of endeavor he has so conducted his affairs as to not only win pecuniary success, but also the esteem of all who are familiar with his career.
George B. Denison was born in 1887, on the Denison farm in the south- eastern part of Grant township, and is the son of George O. Denison, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, therefore, further details of the sub- ject's ancestral history will not be given at this point. George B. Denison has spent the greater part of his life on the farm on which he was born and he received a splendid education in the public schools of the community, com- pleting his studies in the high school at Auburn. He was reared to the life of a farmer and also engaged in the ice business in partnership with his father., He was later for four years in partnership with his brother-in-law. Clyde Fee, in the ice business, and is now in this business on his own account. having built up a large business at Waterloo and surrounding country. At the same time he is giving proper attention to the operation of his Grant town- ship farm.
The subject was married June 14, 1908, to Agnes Brown, daughter of Elvis E. and Lulu (Burns) Brown, natives of Darke county, Ohio, the father being a traveling salesman for A. H. Perfect & Company. of Fort
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Wayne, Indiana. To this union have been born two children: Elizabeth and Lulu Juanna.
For a number of years Mr. Denison has taken a deep interest in military affairs, being a member of Company K, Third Regiment Indiana National Guard, and is at the present time second lieutenant of his company. Mr. Denison is an expert rifle shot and has twice been selected for the state team in military rifle contests, in which he has acquitted himself with honor and credit. Kind, courteous and affable in his relations with his fellows, Mr. Denison has won their esteem and because of his splendid character and at- tainments in life, he has earned a marked popularity throughout this section of the county.
WILLIAM DUNN.
This biographical memoir has to do with a character well worthy of perpetuation in this work, for William Dunn, whose life chapter has long been closed by the fate that awaits all mankind, was one of the prominent citizens of his community, although he was summoned to close his earthly accounts while still in the zenitli of his powers. There were in him sterling traits which commanded uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is today honored by all who knew him.
William Dunn was born on the 16th day of January, 1844, in Wayne county, Ohio, and his death occurred at his home in Grant township, DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1871. He was a son of John and Elizabeth (Bachtel) Dunn. The latter was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was a sister of Henry Bachtel, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. John Dunn was born probably in Holmes county, Ohio, and was of Irish parentage. When he was a lad of tender years the home was broken up and he and a younger sister were cast among strangers. They were sadly mistreated, and on one occasion were sent out into the dense woods after the cattle, which had strayed away, and they were told not to return without the cattle. Not being able to find them, they remained in the woods over night. and narrowly escaped being attacked by wolves. They appeased their hunger by such food as they could find in the forest, and in the midst of this experience the lad vowed that if he ever had children of his own they should never suffer as he was doing, and this thought was one of the incentives that spurred him on in his mature years. He was reared to manhood in his native state and there
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married Elizabeth Bachtel, his assets at that time consisting of two dollars in money, a strong physical constitution and an abundance of grit and de- termination. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, at which he worked, and also gave some attention to farming in Ohio. In 1849 Mr. Dunn came to what is now Grant township, DeKalb county, and bought a farm of two hun- dred acres in the south half of sections 8 and 17. This land was at that time practically untouched, the only improvements, consisting of a small cleared space, on which had been erected a log cabin, and the land in that locality was very swampy. Wild game was abundant and, as Mr. Dunn was a good hunter, the family larder was kept well supplied with fresh meat. He suc- ceeded in clearing most of his land, though for a long time he found it necessary to farm around the swamps and swales-indeed, for many years. the ground was so wet in the spring that at corn planting, when they would drop pumpkin seeds the latter floated. John Dunn was an indefatigable worker and was highly esteemed in the new community where he had cast his lot. His death occurred in 1863, as the result of exposure while on a hunting expedition. He was survived a number of years hy his widow, who died in 1888. They were the parents of six children, as follows: George, who grew to manhood and married, died hefore his father, in 1861, leaving one child, George, Jr., of Kansas; Katherine married George Pepple; William, the immediate subject of this memoir; Mary Ann, deceased, was the wife of Joseph Rohm, and left three children; Fannie died at the age of two years; John now lives on the old home place in Grant township.
William Dunn was reared under the parental roof, and as soon as old enough he gave assistance to his father in the labors of the home farm. He secured his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, and devoted all of his active years to agricultural work, remaining on the homestead until his death. He was energetic and practical in his work, and was counted among the enterprising and successful farmers of his township, his death being counted a distinct loss to the community.
On January 1, 1865, William Dunn married Sarah A. Stroh, a daughter of John and Catherine Stroh, and to them were born three children, namely: Ettdessie, who died in June, 1910, was the wife of Frank Goodwin; John. who lives in Waterloo, is married and has a daughter, Helen ; William, who lives on the Dan Stroh farm in the southeastern part of Grant township, mar- ried Mae M. Nicewander and they have two children, Lanta and Boice. On March 22, 1883, Mrs. Sarah Dunn became the wife of Wesley Fulton, of Grant township, who is represented elsewhere in this work.
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Mr. Dunn was a man of clean personal habits, upright in his daily life. genial in his relations with his fellow men, and was deservedly popular in the community where the greater part of his life was passed.
OBEDIAH LEAS.
It is by no means an easy task to describe within the limits of this review a man who has led an active and eminently useful life and by his own exertions reached a position of honor and trust in the line of industries with which his interests are allied. But biography finds justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history, as the public claims a cer- tain property interest in the career of every individual and the time invariably arrives when it becomes advisable to give the right publicity. It is then with a certain degree of satisfaction that the chronicler essays the task of touching briefly upon such a record as has been that of the subject who now comes under this review.
Obediah Leas was born in Salem township, Steuben county, Indiana. on November 5, 1851, and is a son of John and Susan (Shimpf) Leas, who are represented elsewhere in this work. The subject was reared on the paternal farmstead and secured his education in the common schools. When he was about fifteen years of age the family moved to Smithfield township, this county, where he grew to manhood and lived until his marriage in 1872. He then moved into Union, now Grant township, west of Waterloo, where he began farming operations on a rented farm. In about 1873 he bought a farm of his own in the same neighborhood and in 1898, after the death of his father, he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the paternal estate in Smithfield township, to which he moved and where he lived about four years. At the end of that period he moved into the city of Waterloo, where he has since resided, buying his present home about two years after coming to this town. While carrying on farming operations, and since. Mr. Leas has given much attention to the buying, baling and shipping of hay, being associated in this business with his brother, D. L. Leas, for about eighteen years. He was . very successful in this enterprise and was numbered among the most extensive shippers of hay in this section of the state. He is now the owner of three hundred and twenty-three acres of splendid farming land, besides his prop- erty in Waterloo, and is numbered among the substantial and enterprising citizens of the county.
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On November 27, 1872, Obediah Leas married Lydia Plumb, the daugh- ter of Joseph and Nancy (Slick) Plumb. Both of her parents are now de- ceased, her father dying in 1908 and the mother in 1887. Mrs. Leas was born in Salem township, Steuben county, Indiana, but later the family moved to Waterloo, where her father was engaged in the bakery business with his brother, Richard Plumb. To Mr. and Mrs. Leas have been born three children, namely: Byron, born, October 6, 1873, lives on the old home farm west of Waterloo. He married Otie Jones, of Grant township; Franklin O., born August 28, 1875, owns a farm in Fairfield township, which he operates, together with a part of his father's land. He married Mary Stomm, and they have three daughters, Ruah, Verna and Ruby; Lula, the wife of Carl Schomberg, lives in Smithfield township on the old farm, and they have one son, Franklin.
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