USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 64
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Politically. Harry Brown was an earnest supporter of the Republican party, and in the councils of that organization he was an active and promi- nent figure for many years. In 1912 he was one of the two delegates from the twelfth congressional district to the national convention of the party at Chicago, and since that time has been identified with the Progressive party. In the spring of that year he was nominated by the Republican party for the office of county clerk, but, the party being hopelessly divided that year, he went down to defeat with the rest of the ticket. A man of kindly and genial
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impulses and companionable nature, Mr. Brown has, won a host of warm and loyal personal friends throughout DeKalb county, and because of his up- right life and earnest effort and social nature he is deserving of the enviable standing which he now enjoys here.
On September 18, 1895, Harry Brown was united in marriage with Jessie May Himes, of Washington township, Noble county, Indiana, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Striebey) Himes, the former of whom was a successful farmer. To this union were born three children, Marie, Dorothy and Harriett, who are now living with Mr. Brown at Waterloo. The mother LI these children died on October 25, 1905, and on November 7, 1908, Mr Brown married Mrs. Elizabeth ( Brand) Shoemaker, the widow of Scott Shoemaker, deceased, who, during his active life, was a successful farmer north of Waterloo in Smithfieldl township. Elizabeth Brand became the wife of Scott Shoemaker, the son of Emanuel Shoemaker, and who was born in Smithfield township in May, 1861, living in Smithfield township with his parents until his marriage. He was a lifelong farmer and enjoyed the regard of all who knew him because of his vocational success as well as his upright life. His death occurred on June 8, 1898, leaving two daughters, Rhena May and Maude Scott. For about a year after the death of her first husband Mrs. Brown lived in Smithfield township and then moved into Waterloo, where a few years later she entered the present beautiful home at the south edge of that city, which she now graces with her presence.
WORTH CORBIN.
One of the successful and well known farmers of DeKalb county, and : ho richly merits the high esteem in which he is held owing to his life of integrity and industry, is the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this brief biography. He has done much to advance the material and gen- eral interests of his locality and has, by his persistent labors and excellent management, developed one of the best farms in the community.
Worth Corbin was born September 21, 1869, in Wilmington township, DeKalb county, the son of Absaur and Flora ( Nodine ) Corbin, he a native of Ohio, and she of Connecticut. Absaur Corbin was one of the earliest settlers of DeKalb county, and was a very successful farmer, having large interests. To them were born four children, namely: Amy. who married
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a MIr. Fisher and lives in Texas; Winnie Corbin lives in Wilmington town- ship; Nathan is deceased, and the remaining child is the subjeect.
The early education of the subject of this sketch was acquired in the common schools of the county. At the age of fifteen years he ceased his studies and began farming on the home place, which contains two hundred and ninety-three acres and which he now owns. His career as an agricul- turist has been crowned with brilliant success, for he has adopted the most scientific and up-to-date methods, in his chosen vocation, conserving his valuable land by a careful system of rotation of crops. In addition to this class of farming, he is devoting much time to the raising of fine stock. He believes in breeding along the best blood lines and has more than a local reputation as a stockman.
On the anniversary of our nation's birth, July 4, 1895, the subject was married to Rosa, the daughter of William Topper, she having been born in DeKalb county, Indiana, her father being a native of the Keystone state. To Mr. Corbin and wife have been born five children, namely: Orvill G .. born April 16, 1896; Leroy, born November 14, 1897; Golda L., born June 27, 1901 : Dortha F., born March 29. 1906; Lloyd O., born June 14, 1912.
Mr. Corbin, while never having sought public office, has given to the Republican party his lifelong support. He is well posted on current events and always displays a deep interest in any movement for the betterment of of the community in which he resides.
GEORGE W. GEDDES.
In placing the subject of this sketch in the front rank of Butler's busi- ness men, simple justice is done to a biographical fact, universally recognized by men at all familiar with his history, A man of judgment, sound discretion and business ability of a high order, he has managed with tactful success important enterprises and so impressed his individuality upon the commun- ity as to gain recognition among its leading citizens ånd public-spirited men of affairs.
George W. Geddes, who is numbered among the leading business men of Butler, Indiana, was born in DeKalb county on October 20, 1863, and is the son of Robert and Sarah (Dunn) Geddes, who were natives of Stark county. Ohio. Robert Geddes was one of the early settlers of DeKalb county and here followed farming all his active life. To him and his wife was born
GEORGE W. GEDDES
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one child, the subject of this sketch. The father is now deceased and is still survived by his widow.
George W. Geddes received his education in the common schools of DeKalb county and then took up the study of pharmacy at the age of sixteen years under the direction of Dr. M. J. Bolan, continuing in the latter's employ for several years. Dr. Bolan then sold his store, the firm becoming Fanning & Shoub, with whom Mr. Geddes continued for a time and then the firm name became consecutively Fosdick & Son, then Kehrer & Stone, with whom Mr. Geddes remained for twelve years. He then bought the store where he had first begun to work, the firm name being Geddes & Harding for about nine years. Mr. Geddes then bought Mr. Harding's interest and still continues the business under his own name. That he has been successful goes without saying, for he possesses in an eminent degree those qualities which insure success and which gain friends for the possessor. Mr. Geddes carries a complete and well selected line of drugs and all sundries usually found in a modern and up-to-date drug store, and he has for a number of year enjoyed his full share of the local patronage. His courteous treatment of his customers insures their return to him when in need of anything in his line.
Mr. Geddes married Maggie S. McPherson, the daughter of John S. McPherson, a native of New Jersey, and to Mr. and Mrs. Geddes has been born one child, Leta, who is at home.
Politically, Mr. Geddes has always given his support to the Republican party and has been honored by his party in official positions, in all of which he has discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He served as city treasurer of Butler five years, it being at the time when the town was bonded for public improvements, inchiding the water and electric lighting plants. He also served as a member of the school board for four- teen years, having a deep and intelligent interest in educational affairs. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and of Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 158. In the latter body he has passed through all the chairs and for twenty-three years served as master of finance. Religiously. he is a supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the prosperity of which he is deeply interested and to the benevolences of which he contrib- ntes of his means. He stands high in the esteem of his fellow men, being public spirited and progressive, and at all times willing to lend his aid and in- fluence in behalf of any measures for the material advancement of his local- ity for the intellectual, moral or social good of the people.
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MELVIN SWARTZ.
Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of DeKalb county none stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch. He has long been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county and the years of his residence here have but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his fellow men owing to the honorable life he has led and the success he has attained.
Melvin Swartz, one of the enterprising farmers and public-spirited citi- zens of Grant township, DeKalb county, was born on February 10, 1875, on the farm where he now lives, about a mile southwest of Waterloo. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Welch) Swartz. William Swartz was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on March 11, 1830, and died at the home of the subject of this sketch on January 25, 1911; his wife, Elizabeth (Welch) Swartz, died on October 5, 1910. William Swartz came to Indiana in 1848 with his parents and settled on the farm south of Waterloo, where he resided until about ten years prior to his death, when he removed to Waterloo. He was one of the pioneers of this community and expended his strength in' clearing the heavy forests and preparing his land for cultivation. In 1853 he returned to Wayne county, Ohio, and brought back with him Elizabeth Welch, to whom he was married on November 6th of that year, and here they courageously entered upon the struggles of life in which, by their united efforts, they attained to an eminent success. Mr. Swartz was a man of large capacity, and by earnest effort and persistent endeavor he earned the respect and confidence of the people, as well as material success. To him and his wife were born ten children, namely: Adeline, who lives in Nova, Ashland county, Ohio, and is the widow of Josiah Kosht : Angela is the wife of Nelson Shook, of Kendallville, Indiana; Ida died at the age of four years: Izora, who was the wife of Samuel Baker, died at the age of twenty-four years: Clement died at the age of two years ; Tarring is engaged in the meat business at Auburn, Indiana; Emmett died at the age of eleven months: Lulu is the wife of William Batdorf, who is engaged in the meat business at Auburn with her brother, Tarring Swartz; the subject of this sketch was next in order of birth : Jennie, who was the wife of William Fletcher, died at Water- loo in October, 1909.
Melvin Swartz was reared on the paternal farmstead until nineteen years of age, receiving his education in the district schools of the commu-
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nity. In 1893 he came to Waterloo, and, with his brother, Tarring, engaged in the butchering business, to which he devoted his efforts for six years. He then sold his interest and returned to the home farm, to the cultivation of which he has devoted his attention continuously since. In 1900, after selling out to his brother, he bought sixty-one acres of land adjoining the home place on the east, and in January, 1906, he bought the eighty acres of the home place, where he now resides. He is methodical and progressive in his ideas relating to agriculture, hesitating not to adopt new methods when their feasibility has been demonstrated by experience to be better than old methods. In consequence of his attitude along this line, his operation of the farm has been characterized by means and methods which have enabled him to attain a maximum of returns at a minimum of effort and expense.
On April 25, 1895, Mr. Swartz married Catherine Becker, the daughter of Frederick and Katherine ( Hoffman) Becker. Frederick Becker was born in September, 1825, in Nassau, Germany. In August, 1854, he married Katherine Hoffman, also a native of Nassau and born in the same house as was Mr. Becker. In September following their marriage the newly wedded couple and Mrs. Becker's brother, Frederick Hoffman, came to America. locating first at Mansfield, Ohio. They remained ten years longer at a little town south of Mansfield, where Mr. Becker followed blacksmithing. In 1864 he moved to Indiana, locating on a farm one and one-half miles east of Corunna, but later he bought fifty acres, on which he made his permanent home and spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring on August 28, 1894, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. In addition to his farming opera- tions he also conducted a blacksmith shop, which was a great convenience to his neighbors and farmers. Religiously he was a member of the German Reformed church and took a prominent part in the religious and civic life of the community. To him and his wife were born ten children, all of whom grew to maturity, namely : John, who lives on a farm near Corunna : George. of Montpelier, Ohio; Frederick, who lives near Corunna : Mary is the widow of Amos Seibert and lives near Concord; Emma is the wife of Ulysses M. Swaysgood, of Garrett, Indiana; Nettie is the wife of Ed Kenyon, of Fort Wayne: Herman died on April 24. 1891. aged twenty-one years, six months and nine days; Peter lives in Waterloo, where he is agent for the electric interurban line: Catherine is the wife of Melvin Swartz, who lives one mile south of Waterloo; Minnie is the wife of Herman Riley, of Elkhart, Indiana. The father of these children was a good citizen, an industrious worker and an affectionate father and faithful husband. His wife, who celebrated her
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seventy-eighth birthday anniversary in November, 1913, has resided most of the time since her husband's death at Waterloo, where she has built a comfortable and attractive residence on North Wayne street. She is a quiet, home-loving woman, whose greatest worldly interest is in her children and their welfare. She holds fast to the religious faith which she professed many years ago, one of her chief companions being an old and well-worn German Bible.
Mr. and Mrs. Swartz are members of the United Brethren church, in which they take an active part. He is president of the board of trustees. He was a member of the building committee, which erected the present fine edifice, costing fifteen thousand dollars, and which is an ornament and credit to the community. Mr. Swartz is a whole-souled, genial and companionable man, up-to-date and progressive in his ideas, and because of his sterling qualities of character and the success which he has attained. he is deserving of the enviable position which he holds in the esteem of all who know him.
WELLINGTON HUBBARD HOLLISTER.
Among the well known and public spirited citizens of Waterloo, Indi- ana, is Wellington Hubbard Hollister, who was born on December 28, 1849, in Lucas county, Ohio, the son of Horace and Susan ( Hubbard) Hollister. In 1857 the family moved to near Ligonier, Noble county, Indiana, and there the subject received his public school education. In his youth he applied himself to learning the cabinet maker's trade at Ligonier, and in 1869 went to Baltimore, Maryland, where he was for awhile employed at his trade. While living at Ligonier he had been a prominent member of the brass band and his comrades wrote to him at Baltimore, urging him to return and offering to pay his transportation home. However, he did not wait for them to pay his way, as he was somewhat homesick and anxious to return, and he was soon again among his former companions. Remaining at Ligonier until 1874, Mr. Hollister went to Angola, where he remained until about 1877. when he moved to Butler. At Angola he had been em- ployed in a jewelry store and had started to learn the trade, which he com- pleted after his removal to Butler. He was there in the employ of L. J. Diehl, jeweler, until 1890, when he went to Goshen and again employed himself at cabinet-making, and afterwards was employed in a buggy factory. In 1893 he went to Pullman. Illinois, and for a few months was employed
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in the street car department of the Pullman Company, but a few days before the big strike there he returned to Goshen. Here he was employed in the Kelly Foundry as cupola tender, and eventually became a pattern maker, working there until 1903, when he went to Detroit and was employed on the woodwork on automobiles until 1909, when he came to Waterloo, and has here since resided. He is now devoting his attention to agricultural pur- suits, in which he is meeting with gratifying success.
In 1879 Mr. Hollister married Ella Abbey, the daughter of Giles T. Abbey, who is referred to elsewhere at length in this work. To this union have been born four children, all daughters, namely: Erma, who married Carl Wolfe, by whom there was one son, Russell. She afterwards became the wife of Charles Clark, and they now live at Bryan, Ohio; Bernice is the wife of Edison Haskin, of Denver, Colorado, and they have two children, Harold and Kenneth : Winifrede is the wife of Elmer Greiser, of Detroit, and they have a daughter, Dorothy; Mildred is the wife of Alwyn Prange, of Waterloo, and they have a daughter, Ethel. Mr. Hollister is a member of the Woodmen of the World and because of his many splendid personal qualities and his upright life he has won a host of warm personal friends since locating at his present residence.
JOHN W. HENDERSON.
The gentleman whose life history is here taken under consideration is one of the strong, sturdy characters who has contributed largely to the welfare of the community where he lives, being a public-spirited citizen and progressive in the largest meaning of the word. He ranks as one of the leaders in agricultural circles in DeKalb county and one of the most repre- sentative citizens of Concord township, and yet is a plain, unassuming, straightforward gentleman whom to know is to respect and admire. But when we consider the excellent quality of his Hoosier blood, drawn from sterling pioneer ancestry, it is not surprising that he has developed into a man that does things.
John W. Henderson is the son of William and Matilda ( Watson) Henderson and was born close to his present residence on May 23. 1851. He was reared under the parental roof, and received his education in the district schools of his immediate neighborhood, his vacation periods being spent in labor on the home farm, in the cultivation and improvement of which
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he was an important factor, being the only son and assistant of his father in the work. At the age of nineteen years, Mr. Henderson completed his school studies, and thereafter gave his undivided attention to farm work, in which he has achieved most profound success during the subsequent years. He has a splendid farm located in Concord township, and he has so conducted it as to make it one of the best farms of the township. He raises all the crops common to this locality, carrying on very extensive farming, and also gives some attention to live stock, in which he has also been successful. Up-to-date, progressive in his ideas, he does not hesitate to adopt new methods when their practicability and superiority over old methods have been demonstrated.
On July 30, 1872, Mr. Henderson married Alice Nusbaum, the daughter of George and Mary Nusbaum, of Harlan, Allen county, Indiana, and to this union have been born three sons, Charles, William and George.
Politically, Mr. Henderson is affiliated with the Republican party, and in 1892 he was elected trustee of Concord township, serving in that capacity for five years and three months. In 1904 Mr. Henderson was elected recorder of DeKalb county, discharging the duties of his office for four years, to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. In 1908 he was the nominee of his party for representative to the Legislature, but, owing to peculiar local con- ditions, he met defeat with the rest of his ticket. Mr. Henderson has in him many of the elements that always win in the battle of life, no matter where fought out, and because of his upright life and commendable habits he er- joys in its entirety the esteem and respect of the community.
J. W. SHOWALTER.
The subject of this sketch is one of those strong, self-reliant and deter- mined characters who are occasionally met with and, who are of such a dis- tinct type as to seem to be born leaders of their fellow men. Not that Mr. Showalter courts that distinction, for he is entirely unassuming, but his great force of character and his zeal and energy in whatever he undertakes nat- urally place him at the head of the crowd, and he has been a potent factor in the development of DeKalb county, where he has long maintained his home and where he is well known to all classes for his honorable and indus- trious life in both private and public.
J. W. Showalter was born on March 27; 1846, in Ohio, and is the son
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of Noah and Elizabeth ( Moore) Showalter, the former a native of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Ohio. These parents have three children, Emma, H. M. and J. W. Mr. Showalter came to DeKalb county in his early youth, having been reared under the parental roof and having secured a good edu- cation in the public schools of his community. His first location after com- ing to DeKalb county was in Wilmington township, where he secured one hundred and forty acres of good farm land, to the improvement and culti- vation of which he devoted himself through the years, and today he is num- bered among the substantial older residents of his community. His farm near Butler comprises two hundred and eighty acres of as good land as can be found in the community, and he has for forty-five years, through winter's cold and summer's heat, persistently and courageously carried forward the work to which he set himself years ago, and by his earnest endeavor and persistent industry he has accumulated a handsome competency, thus render- ing his later years free from worry or embarrassment. Now, in the golden sunset of his life, he can look back over the years and conscientiously feel that his life has been a consistent one, for he has, without ostentation or dis- play, carried forward his life work in a manner that has won for him the commendation of all who know him. Mr. Showalter has made many per- manent and substantial improvements on his farm. He has carried on gen- eral agriculture, and has also been active in the breeding and raising of Shetland ponies and graded stock. His residence, which is about a half mile north of Butler, is a substantial and attractive brick house, and he also owns town property, including eight lots in Garrett.
Soon after coming to DeKalb county, Mr. Showalter married Sarah Ball, the daughter of John R. and Sarah ( Plies) Ball, and to them were born three children : Mrs. Elva Copp, whose husband is a farmer near Butler, and they have one child. Ruth: Mrs. Minnie B. Knisley, of Butler, where her husband is engaged in the clothing business, and Mrs. Nora Rudd, of Butler. The mother of these children died and subsequently Mr. Showalter married Laura Watkins, to which union were born two children, Caroline and Zelma, both of whom are at home with their parents.
Politically, Mr. Showalter has given his lifelong support to the Repub- lican party, believing that its platform embodies those principles most con- ducive to the welfare of the people. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order and Lodge No. 158. Knights of Pythias, at Butler. Mr. Showalter is an excellent neighbor, a praiseworthy citizen and keeps in touch with all matters of general interest to the community. He stands for law and
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good government, uses his influence on the right side of every moral issue, and, though quiet and unostentatious in demeanor and always attending strictly to his own business and affairs, his life has been fraught with good to all with whom he has come in contact.
WALTER J. MONDHANK.
The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch belongs to that class of men who win in life's battles by sheer force of personality and determination, coupled with soundness of judgment and keen discernment, and in whatever he has undertaken he has shown himself to be a man of ability and honor, always ready to lend his aid in defending principles af- fecting the public good.
Walter J. Mondhank, a successful business man at Butler, Indiana, and present mayor of that thriving town, is a native of Lancaster, Ohio, where he was born on September 23, 1876. He is the son of Frederick and Sarah ( Kratzer ) Mondhank, both of whom were also natives of the Buckeye state, where the father followed farming pursuits during all his active life. They were the parents of three children, Walter J., Charles and Ethel.
Walter J. Mondhank obtained his education in the public schools of his native community and then took up farming, which he followed for a year in Ohio and later in Colorado, subsequently engaging in the milling business at Platte City, Missouri, which he followed for about three years, and at the end of that period came to Butler, Indiana, where he bought the mill owned by Dratz & Son, which he is operating at the present time. This is one of the best equipped mills in this section of the state and here Mr. Mondhank does custom milling of all kinds, handling flour, feed and grain, and has met with a success commensurate with his efforts.
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