History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Part 59

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

USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 59

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Fraternally, Mr. Leas is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, while he and his wife belong to the auxiliary, Order of the Eastern Star. Success has attended Mr. Leas' efforts because he has worked for it along legitimate lines. He has always been regarded as a man in whom the utmost confidence could be reposed and being friendly and neighborly he is well liked by all classes. While he has never taken a great deal of interest in political affairs, he has always done what he could toward the betterment in any way of conditions in his community, being public-spirited and broad-minded in his views of men and things, hence he enjoys a well deserved popularity through- out the community.

MYRON S. KUTZNER.

The character of a community is determined in a large measure by the lives of a comparatively few of its members. If its moral and intellectual status be good, if in a social way it is a pleasant place in which to reside, if its. reputation for the integrity of its citizens has extended into other localities, it will be found that the standards set by the leading men have been high and their influence such as to mold their characters and shape the lives of those with whom they mingle. In placing the subject of this sketch in the front rank of such men, justice is rendered a biographical fact universally recog- nized throughout DeKalb county by those at all . familiar with his history. Although a quiet and unassuming man with no ambition for public position or leadership, he has contributed much to the material advancement of the community, while his admirable qualities of head and heart and the straight-

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forward, upright course of his daily life have tended greatly to the moral standing of the circles in which he moves and gives him a reputation for integrity and correct conduct such as few achieve.

Myron S. Kutzner was born on March 15, 1859, on the farm on which he now resides, which is located in the southwest quarter of section 7, Grant township, DeKalb county, Indiana. He is a son of Augustus and Amanda (Eberly) Kutzner, of whom the father was born in Stark county, Ohio, the son of Isaac and Mary (Zouver) Kutzner. These parents were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who moved in an early day to Stark county, Ohio. The family is of German ancestry and its members have in their lives exhibited the sterling qualities of character which have ever characterized that nationality. The subject's mother, Amanda Eberly, was born in Stark county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Jonas Eberly and wife, the wife's maiden name having been Eberly. She came to DeKalb county from Stark county with her parents in the early fifties and located on a farm southeast of Water- loo, where she lived until her marriage. Their coming to this locality was in an early day, antedating the first railroad into this, part of the country. Augustus Kutzner's parents came here about 1851, locating north of Auhurn on the farm now occupied by Frank Grosscup. Augustus did not come here with his parents, but remained in his native locality two years longer with an uncle and aunt, Samuel and Barbara Willaman, with whom he had spent much of his youth. With them he came to DeKalb county in 1853 and they located where the subject of this sketch now lives, the Willimans having bought that tract of land, and the subject's father buying a tract adjoining them on the east. Here the father began his farming operations and here he died in 1860, when the subject of this sketch was but one year old, leaving two children, the subject and a sister, Ellen F. The mother of these children lived about nine years longer, dying when the subject was but ten years old. after which event the two children were reared by Mr. and Mrs. Willaman. who both died on their farm here. Having no children of their own, the sub- ject of this sketch was to them like a son. Mr. Willaman died in 1884, and was survived many years by his widow, who died in 1905.

Myron Kutzner was reared to manhood on the farm which he now occu- pies and received his education in the public schools, completing it in the high school at Auburn. He has never forsaken the pursuit of agriculture, in which he has met with most pronounced success, and is now numbered among the best farmers of his community. He is the owner of one hundred and twelve acres of land, all of which is tillable and owns an attractive and substantial

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residence, large and commodious barns and other necessary outbuildings, the general appearance of the place indicating him to be a man of good judgment and excellent taste.

In January, 1882, Myron Kutzner was married to Mary Coy, who was born in Jackson township, this county, the daughter of John and Maria (Fiant) Coy, who came to this county from Wayne county, Ohio. John Coy, who was a son of Jacob and Barbara (Fried ) Coy, was born in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, on October 23; 1819, and at the age of six years accompanied his parents on their removal to Wayne county, Ohio, where he lived until 1845, when he came to Jackson township, DeKalb county, Indi- ana, and settled on what is now known as the Coy farm on the Auburn and Spencerville road. His wife, Maria Fiant, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on May 15, 1830, and in 1834 accompanied her par- ents to Wayne county, Ohio, where they remained until 1845. when they came to DeKalb county, Indiana, her marriage to Mr. Coy occurring on December 6, 1849. They took up their home on the Coy farm, built a pleas- ant and attractive residence and reared a family as follows: Jacob B .; Rebecca ; Isaac N. : Belinda ; Elizabeth, who died in infancy ; Mary ; Andrew ; Franklin, who died in infancy; Martha; John, who died at the age of twelve years. In the early eighties John Coy and family moved to Angola, Indiana. where they lived about ten years, but eventually moved back to their farm and spent their last years with their eldest daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Miller. south of Auburn. To Mr. and Mrs. Kutzner have been born three children, namely: Winnie, born in 1883, is the wife of John Buss, of Auburn, and they have two children, Edith and Mary Elizabeth; Allie, born in 1887, died at the age of four years; Carl C., born April 27, 1896. Mrs. Kutzner has a vivid recollection of conditions in DeKalh county when she first accom- panied her parents on their removal here. Her people told her that the wolves used to howl and scratch around their cabin door at night. Indians were frequent callers at their home, and even bears were to be seen occasionally. Mrs. Kutzner was reared on the farm which her father had homesteaded and reclaimed from the wilderness and their cabin home was characterized by all the primitive utilities which characterized that period. She well remem- bers the old "fat" lamp, tallow candles and how when the first oil lamp was introduced into the community people were extremely careful to avoid explo- sions. Mr. and Mrs. Kutzner are members of the United Brethren church, and because of their earnest, upright lives they enjoy an enviable standing among their acquaintances. Mr. Kutzner through the years has always stood

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for the highest and best standard of living and has given his support unre- servedly to every movement to advance the welfare of his fellows in any way, so that he has honestly earned the position which he has long enjoyed as an enterprising and progressive man and a leader in the moral, educational and social advancement of the community.

ABRAHAM GROGG.

All callings, whether humble or exalted, may be productive of some measure of success. if enterprise and industry, coupled with a well directed purpose, form the motive force of the person directing the same, and in 110 case is this fact more apparent than in agricultural pursuits. It is a well au- thenticated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance as well as the above enun- erated qualities. When a course of action is once decided upon these attri- butes are essential. Success is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer and only those who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the prosperous and influential gentleman whose name forms the caption of this biographical review, we find that the above named elements have entered largely into his make-up and therefore we are not surprised at the large and ever-growing success which he has attained.

Abraham Grogg was born on December 30, 1846, in Stark county, Ohio. and is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth ( Hultz) Grogg. Daniel Grogg was one of the early settlers of Union township. DeKalb county, and was born in Stark county, Ohio, on August 13. 1818, a son of Dorman and Mary (Snyder) Grogg, who were natives of Northampton county, Pennsylvania. and of German descent. They emigrated to Stark county, Ohio, in an early day and there the father died, the mother afterward coming to DeKalb county. Indiana, with her children, and dying here at the advanced age of ninety-five years. Daniel Grogg received a common school education, spend- ing his early years under the parental roof. In May, 1849, he came to De- Kalb county, settling on a farm where he spent the remainder of his life. His first purchase was of one hundred and twenty acres, to which he added until he owned three hundred and eighty acres of good land, on which he built a large, two-story brick residence and other farm buildings also of substantial character. He was married in Ohio in 1843 to Elizabeth Hultz, and to this

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union were born six children : John, Abraham, George, Peter, Franklin and a daughter who died in young ladyhood. Mr. and Mrs. Grogg were members of the Lutheran church. When Daniel Grogg came to this county but ten acres of his land had been cleared, and on this land the trees had been simply chopped, but the ground was not cleared of the rubbish. A log house was there and here the family established themselves until a more substantial and modern house could be built. Their first home was located just east of where the county farm now is. Before moving there Daniel Grogg had bought a farm in the northwestern part of what is now Grant township, but never made his home there, though he kept it and added to it the original Grant township tract, comprising one hundred and fifty-eight acres, for which he paid five hundred dollars, this land being now worth many times that price.

Abe Grogg was reared under the parental roof and as soon as large enough was compelled to assist in the work of clearing the farm; most of his. youth, however, was spent with his uncle Jacob Grogg, who lived at the northern edge of Auburn, where he operated a farm and ran a mill. Here the subject did all kinds of work and proved a valuable assistant to his uncle. After he attained his majority he spent three years with Moses Gonser, and · when the county farm was instituted he was employed by the first superin- tendent of the farm, Conrad Miller. While thus employed he made the acquaintance of Mr. Miller's daughter, Ada, who afterwards became his wife, their marriage occurring in 1872, and after that event the young couple- moved to their present home, the tract which his father had bought in pioneer days. At this time only four acres had been cleared and no buildings or fences erected. Mr. Grogg first built a log house and started to clear the. land much in the way his father had done many years before. In the winter he would clear four or five acres for corn land and then in the summer give- his attention to the cultivation of the soil. By this method followed persist- ently year after year he has succeeded in developing a most excellent farm on which he has resided continuously since. He follows modern methods in agricultural operations and is numbered among the progressive men of his locality, for he hesitates not to adopt new methods when their superiority over old ways has been demonstrated. He and his wife are members of the- Presbyterian church at Waterloo, and are earnest supporters of every move- ment for the educational, moral or social advancement of the community, so- that they enjoy the confidence and good will of all who know them. 1

On January 2, 1872, Abe Grogg married Ada Miller, the daughter of Conrad and Anna (Long) Miller, whose personal sketch appears elsewhere-

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in this work, and on April 3d following their marriage, they moved to their present home. To them has been born one son, Arthur M., whose natal day was February 25, 1877. He was reared on the home farm, securing his edu- cation in the common schools, graduating from the high school at Waterloo in 1897. Until 1902 he remained with his father on the home farm and then became a rural mail carrier from Waterloo, traveling his route five and one- half years. Then after passing an examination he was appointed a railway mail clerk and followed that occupation about nine months, when he was com- pelled to give up that line of work on account of an attack of measles which had settled in his eyes and almost blinded him to such an extent that it re- quired many months of heroic treatment before he received any assurance that he would not lose his eye sight entirely. Upon leaving the road he came home, where he remained until 1909, when he bought the farm adjoining his father, to the operation of which he is now devoting his attention. On Feb- ruary 23, 1910, Arthur Grogg married Mildred Bowman, the daughter of Archie and Alice ( Kelly) Bowman. her birth having occurred in Adams- ville, Michigan. Her father, who was born near Waterloo, this county, was a son of Cyrus and Sarah ( Smith) Bowman, the former of whom was at one time a member of the county board of commissioners. Mrs. Grogg's parents now live about two and a half miles northeast of Waterloo. Mrs. Grogg received a good education, having graduated from the Waterloo high school with the class of 1907, after which she attended the Tri-State Normal School at .Angola, and afterwards engaged in teaching school in Waterloo for two years. Arthur Grogg is a member of the Knights of Pythias. and he and his wife belong to the Pythian Sisters, of which lodge she is deputy grand chief. Mr. Grogg also belongs to the Gleaners, a farmers' fraternal organization.

The Grogg has been a resident of DeKalb county during the most active period of his life and has been an eye-witness and a participant in the won- derful development which has characterized this locality. He retains vivid recollections of the early conditions here and also has a number of valuable heirlooms which are interesting and unique. Among them is a pewter plate brought by his ancestors from Germany, on which are stamped German, French and English seals, the plate being at least one hundred and fifty years old. He also has a porcelain goose-oil jug of unique design, also the old spinning wheel which his mother used, as well as other mementoes of more than intrinsic worth. The Grogg family have been not only successful in the acquisition of material wealth, but have been prominent factors in the life of

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the various communities in which they lived, enjoying at all times the respect and confidence of their acquaintances.

Of the subject's brothers and sisters it may be stated that John lives in the northwestern part of Grant township; Peter resides on the old homestead east of the county farm; George died at the age of forty-six years, leaving a wife and daughter, now deceased; Frank lives about three miles west of Auburn and Emily is deceased.

ADAM W. HUSSELMAN.

The gentleman to a review of whose honorable career we now call the attention of the reader is one of the representative citizens of DeKalb county and one of the best known and most substantial farmers in Grant township, being the owner of a fine landed estate. An analyzation of his life work shows that he has been dependent upon no inheritance or influential friends for what he has acquired, but has through his continued effort and capable man- agement gained a desirable property whereby he is classed among the self- made and influential men of the community.

Adam W. Husselman was born on November 9, 1859, in the western part of Grant township, DeKalb county, Indiana, and is the son of Samuel and Amanda ( King) Husselman. Samuel Husselman, who was one of the honored old pioneers of Grant township, was born on December 11, 1827, in Wayne county, Ohio, and is the son of John and Catherine ( Miser) Hussel- man. A history of his parents and the ancestral record appears in the sketch of Henry Husselman elsewhere in this work. Samuel Husselman was but fourteen years old when his parents brought him to DeKalb county in 1842, and they located in the wilderness about half way between Waterloo and Au- burn. When he was but twenty-three years of age his father gave him one hundred and sixty acres of uncleared land, to the clearing of which he imme- diately applied his energies and he recalls the hard plowing among the roots and stumps and the toil incident to the placing of the land under cultivation. At the age of twenty-three years Samuel Husseinan married Amanda King, who was born about thirty miles from Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of John and Catherine King. The parents came to DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1846, locating northeast of Auburn, near where the county farm is now sit- uated. Samuel Husselman has remained on the farm where he now lives during all the subsequent years and for many years has been numbered among

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the most respected and substantial citizens of his locality. To him and his wife were born four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Emme- line, the wife of Jacob Amstutz, who lives in section 6, Grant township, this county ; Adam lives in section 18, this township; Lewis, who lives with his father and is the owner of eighty acres south of his father's place, and Eda, who is the wife of John Monroe, lives in the eastern part of Richland township. Mrs. Husselman, the mother of these children, died on April I, IQII. Mr. Husselman is an earnest and faithful member of the United Brethren church, and in his daily life he has long endeavored to exemplify the teachings of the Divine Master.

Adam W. Husselman was reared on the paternal farmstead and secured his education in the district schools of the neighborhood. After his marriage in 1885 he began farming for himself in the southwestern part of Grant town- ship on land which he rented for ten years, but finally bought. His place com- prises eighty acres and is most elegantly located, being improved to an extent that reflects great credit on the owner. The splendid and attractive residence, commodious and substantial barns and other outbuildings have all been erected hy Mr. Husselman and he adopts modern methods in his agricultural operations, realizing gratifying profits from his efforts. When he moved upon this land it contained a lot of timber, but this has all been cleared away and now all the crops common to this section of the country are raised here, and in connection Mr. Husselman also gives some attention to live stock. which he has found to be a profitable source of income.

On August 18, 1885, Mr. Husselman married Amy McCague, who was born in Richland township, this county, the daughter of John and Julia ( Wyrick ) McCague, her birth having occurred October 14, 1860, and her death occurred on August 2, 1912, at the age of fifty-one years. At the age of twenty years she was taken into full membership in the Lutheran church at Sedan, and lived a faithful and consistent life until her death. A faithful wife and loving mother, a loyal neighbor, she was sincerely mourned by all who knew her, for her life has been a blessed benediction to the community in which she lived. To Mr. and Mrs. Husselman were born three children, namely: Howard Earl, Donald Roscoe and Viola Ruth. Howard is helping to operate his uncle's farm near his father's place, and Donald and Viola are at home with their father. Quiet and unassuming in his manner, but so- ciable with his friends, Mr. Husselman has won a large and admiring ac- quaintance throughout the locality and is 'counted a good citizen. He gives his support to every movement having for its object the advancement of the general welfare of the community.

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HERMAN D. BOOZER.

Among the enterprising and successful business men of DeKalb county, none stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Persistent industry, well-directed effort and sound business judgment have been the concomitants which have contributed to the success that has crowned his labors, and his sterling integrity and up- right life have gained for him universal respect.

Herman D. Boozer was born on December 2, 1862, in Richland county, Ohio, the son of James A. and Marsella ( Barnett ) Boozer. James A. Boozer was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1833, the son of Henry and Mary (McEwan) Boozer, and Henry Boozer, who was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1798, was the son of a German emigrant. Mary McEwan was born in Pennsylvania in 1800. James A. Boozer came to Ohio at the age of eleven years with his parents in 1844, living in Richland county where he grew to manhood, and in February, 1862, married Marsella Barnett, who also was born in Richland county, the daughter of David and Mary (Stewart) Barnett, her father of Irish descent, his mother's maiden name being Lattimer. In April, 1866, James A. Boozer moved to Waterloo, Indiana, where he en- gaged in the agricultural implement business for two years, but in the big fire which occurred at that time, his stock was destroyed. He then went into the general mercantile business in partnership with O. T. Clark, but two years later Mr. Clark sold his interest to Mr. Blattner, and the firm of Boozer & Blattner was in existence until 1873 when they were put out of business by the severe financial panic of that year. Mr. Boozer then again engaged in the agricultural implement business and was also agent for the Buckeye Harvester Company until his death, which occurred in September, 1888. He was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church and a man of splendid qualities of character. His widow survived him about twenty years, her death occurring in 1908. her latter years having been spent in the home of her son. Herman. These parents had three children, the subject of this sketch being the first in order of birth, the others being Henry, who was born in 1866 and died in October, 1907, leaving a wife and a son, Ralph, who is a graduate of the mechanical engineering department in Purdue University, and Hugh H. Boozer, who lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Herman D. Boozer was reared at Waterloo and until his father's death assisted him in the implement business. He then went on the road as sales- man for the Buckeye Harvester Company, remaining in that capacity until

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January, 1903. In the fall of the previous year he had been elected auditor of DeKalb county, and at the first of the year entered upon his official duties, holding the office until January 1, 1907, and retiring from his office with the commendation and approval of all who knew him. He had resided during his official life on his farm on the southeast edge of Waterloo, and he has re- mained there continuously since. He has one hundred and thirteen and a fraction acres of splendid land, which has been maintained at the highest standard of cultivation and the farm is further attractive because of the splendid residence and other up-to-date improvements.

In January, 1889, Mr. Boozer was married to Mary E. Beard, who was born in Franklin township, this county, the daughter of Jefferson Beard, who was born between Canton and Massillon, Ohio, on August 25, 1834, a son of John and Elizabeth Beard. Jefferson Beard owned a farm near Taylor's Corners at the time of his second marriage, and a year and a half later he bought the Mooney farm adjoining and later sold his first farm. Since mis death, in 1906, the widow lives in Waterloo. Mr. Beard was a lifelong farmer, was township assessor for several terms and also justice of the peace. To his first marriage, which was to a Miss Richey, were born three children: Mary, wife of the immediate subject of this sketeli: Ella, wife of Commo- dore Hammond, and May, deceased. By his second marriage, which was with Samantha Kelly, there were three children, George, Edson and Bertha. Mr. Beard died on December 15, 1906. Mr. Beard's second wife, Samantha (Kelly ) Beard, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1849. and came to De- Kalb county with her parents when but six years of age, being reared near Taylor's Corners. In 1868 she was married to Mr. Beard, and of their chil- dren it may be stated that George married Ella Sangster, and lives at Taylor's Corners. They have two daughters, Esther and Ethel; Edson lives on the old home farm, and married Hilda Clark, and they have a daughter, Ruth ; Bertha is the wife of Bert Heffelfinger, and lives at Fort Bliss, near El Paso, Texas. They have two children, Robert and Audrey Mary. To Mr. and Mrs. Boozer has been born a son. James J., the date of whose birth was December 24, 1891, and who is now engaged in electrical work at Fort Wayne having made an extensive and exhaustive study of electricity at home.

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History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Part 59

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

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