USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 69
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The subject of this sketch was reared by his parents, securing his educa- tion in the public schools. He has for a number of years been successfully engaged in the mercantile business at Corunna, and is numbered among the substantial men and public-spirited citizens of this thriving community, his
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efforts having met with a success commensurate with his activity, energy and correct methods.
On October 5, 1890, Mr. Knauer married Mary Calkins, the daughter of Paulus and Matilda (Brown) Calkins, both of whom were natives of Ohio, but who came to DeKalb county when young and were married here. They settled in Richland township, where Mr. Calkins engaged in the manu- facture of tiling and in the operation of a saw mill, in both of which lines he was actively engaged up to the time of his death. To him and his wife were born the following children: Horace N., Milo, Frank, Lindel, Adney, Charles (deceased), Mary and Rose.
Politically, Mr. Knauer gives his support to the Progressive party, be- lieving that the old political parties have failed to meet the necessities of the American people. Fraternally, he belongs to the lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at Kendallville and the lodge of Knights of Pythias at Corunna. while his religious membership is with the Church of Christ. Genial in man- ner and untiring in his efforts to please his customers, Mr. Knauer has long enjoyed his full share of local patronage and carries a large and well selected line of goods to meet the demands of his customers. He is deservedly pop- ular among those who know him and is numbered among the representative men of the community.
ALBERT A. KRAMER, M. D.
Concentration of purpose and persistently applied energy rarely fail of success in the accomplishment of any task, however great, and in tracing the career of Dr. Albert A. Kramer, of Butler, DeKalb county, Indiana, it is plainly seen that these qualities have been the secret of his rise to a position of prominence and respectability. Moreover, he possesses genuine love for his work and regards it as a privilege to carry comfort and aid to the sick and suffering.
Albert A. Kramer was born in the state of Ohio on October 27, 1879. the son of Michael E. and Kathryn (Christoffel) Kramer. The father, who was a native of Germany, came to America with his parents, who first set- tled in Ohio in an early day, and there spent the remainder of their lives. The subject's mother, who was a native of the Hoosier state, was the daugh- ter of Jacob and Mary Christoffel, who were natives of Germany, and upon their emigration to this country settled in Indiana, where they spent their lives. To Michael and Kathryn Kramer were born seven children, namely: Anna, William, Bertha, Albert A., John, Ida and Clara.
ALBERT A. KRAMER, M. D.
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Albert A. Kramer attended the common schools of his native comnu- nity in Ohio, completing his elementary studies in the high school at Edger- ton, that state. He then spent two years in the Normal School at Angola, Indiana, and one year as a student in Northwestern University at Chicago. Having determined to make the practice of medicine his life work, he then entered the medical department of the Indiana State University, where he prosecuted his studies and was graduated in 1907 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then served a year as interne at the dispensary of the State College of Physicians and Surgeons and later at the Indiana University hospital at Indianapolis, and at the end of that period came to Butler in 1907 and engaged in the active practice of his profession, in which he has continued to the present time with a gratifying degree of success. Possessing an ardent devotion to his chosen calling, with a splendid technical training, he has handled successfully many difficult cases and has frequently been called into consultation by his professional colleagues, among whom he is held in the highest esteem. He has built up a large medical practice in this locality and has earned a marked degree of popularity among those with whom he has become acquainted.
On November 14, 1907. Dr. Kramer was married to Dora A. Snyder, daughter of Jacob Snyder, of Indianapolis, and to this union has been born one child, Hal C., who is at home.
Politically, Dr. Kramer gives his allegiance to the Republican party, while in his religious belief he is a Methodist. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 158, Knights of Pythias, at Butler, of which he is chancellor commander. He is also a member and president of the Butler Commercial Club and a member of the DeKalb County Medical Association. Dr. Kramer has been a hard and consistent worker all his life. Indeed, his efforts on his own account commenced at the early age of seventeen years, when he began teaching in the schools in Ohio, following this vocation for four years. Wide awake, energetic and enterprising, he has not confined his interests entirely to his profession, but has given his support unreservedly to every movement or interest having for its object the welfare of the people. He possesses a well-selected library of splendid works, is a deep reader and keen observer of men and events and is considered a well-informed man. being a pleasing companion and interesting conversationalist. Cordial in manner, he easily makes acquaintances, among whom he enjoys a large cir- cle of warm and loyal friends.
The subject was elected mayor of Butler on the Citizens' ticket for the term of four years, from 1914 to 1918 ..
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CHARLES W. WEBSTER.
The gentleman to whom the reader's attention is now directed was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and a wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life and is well and favorably known throughout DeKalb county as a result of the industrious life he has lived here for many years, being regarded by all who know him as a man of sound business prin- ciples, thoroughly up-to-date in all phases of agriculture and stock raising and as a man who, while advancing all individual interests, does not neglect his general duties as a citizen.
Charles W. Webster, an enterprising farmer and present trustee of Stafford township, was born on October 14, 1872, in this county, and is the son of George and Elsie ( Wanamaker) Webster. both natives also of Stafford township, this county. The father was born July 13, 1846, and died February 10, 1911, and the mother was born November 24, 1852. George Webster served efficiently as assessor and trustee of Stafford township. To the par- ents were born the following children: Charles W., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Vertie L. Emanuel, of Edgerton, Ohio, and Mrs. Helen Nihart, also of Edgerton.
Charles W. Webster attended the common schools of DeKalb county, and then spent two years in the normal school at Wauseon, Ohio. He was reared to the life of a farmer and followed this vocation for a number of years, though he was for some time a traveling salesman, chiefly of stock foods of various kind, in which field of effort he was eminently successful. He is residing on the old home place, and is realizing a handsome profit from its operation. At the present time he is devoting himself to the breeding and raising of thoroughbred livestock, especially of Duroc-Jersey hogs, though for the past fifteen years he has been interested in the breeding of sows. In 1904 he was elected the assessor of his township, and in 1908 was elected trustee, serving with such satisfaction that he was elected to succeed himself, and is the present incumbent of the office.
On November 1, 1899, Mr. Webster was married to Ona Fusselman, the daughter of Nelson and Kate (Cotril) Fusselman, both of whom were natives of the state of Ohio, the father born in Trumbull county and the mother in Hancock county. To the subject and wife has been born one son, Gerry L., whose birth occurred on August 10, 1901.
Politically, Mr. Webster has been a life-long supporter of the Republican
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party and has taken a deep interest in the success of that organization, especially in local affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 282, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Butler. His life-long residence in DeKalb county, his upright life and mature judgment and the many services which he has rendered have made his name a synonym for character and worth. He is imbued with the deepest and most helpful spirit, and is well fortified in his opinion as to matters of public policy, and has given his best to the furthering of good government, being neglectful of no civic duty. Because of his high character and genial disposition, he has won a host of warm personal friends throughout the community, who esteem him for his genuine worth.
JACKSON A. LONG.
The student interested in DeKalb county, Indiana, does not have to carry his investigation far before learning that Jackson A. Long has been an active and leading representative of its agricultural interests and that his labors have proven a potent factor in making this a rich farming region. Through several decades the subject has carried on farming, gradually improving his valuable place, and while he has prospered in this, he has also found ample opportunity to assist in the material development of the county, his co- operation having been of value for the general good.
Jackson A. Long is a native son of DeKalb county, Indiana, having been born one mile north of Garrett on December 30, 1868, and is a son of Har- rison and Marietta (Wyant) Long. Samuel Harrison Long was born in Summit county, Ohio, on October 3, 1842, and is the son of parents who probably were natives of Pennsylvania. Their marriage had occurred in Summit county about 1840 after their removal to that state, the mother's maiden name having been Barbary Ann Fike. They moved from Ohio to Noble county, Indiana, about 1844, settling two miles northwest of Kendall- ville, and about 1852 the father bought forty acres of land where the town of Garrett is now situated, where he lived until the Garrett Land Company hought his land. Harrison Long spent his boyhood days in DeKalb county. working on a farm near Auburn, and at the outbreak of the Civil war he was employed at the carpenter's trade. In response to his country's call for de- fenders, he lay down his vocational tools and enlisted on the 9th of August, 1862, for three years, or during the war, as a member of Company A, One
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Hundredth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The company's officers at this time were: Captain Rhoades, First Lieutenant Schwartz and Second Lieutenant Hartman. The regiment took part in a number of the most hotly contested engagements of the Civil war, and acquitted itself with great credit, winning the commendation of its superior officers. Mr. Long proved a valiant and faithful soldier and was fortunate in that he went through- out his period of enlistment without receiving a wound. At the time of the final surrender of the two great Southern armies, Mr. Long was at Raleigh, North Carolina, and from there marched to Washington, where he took part in the Grand Review, being mustered out of the United States service on the 8th day of June, 1865. From Washington the troops were shipped to Indi- anapolis in freight cars, and were there paid off and sent to their respective homes. Mr. Long came to Corunna, this county, where he met John Yarde, with whom he obtained employment until the following spring. During the ensuing winter he met and formed the acquaintance of Marietta Wyant, to whom he was married on the 3d of May, 1866. This union was a most happy and congenial one, lasting over forty-two years, Mrs. Long dying the 12th day of September, 1908. She was born in Champaign county, Ohio. on March 10, 1838, the daughter of John and Lydia Wyant, who were mar- ried in Champaign county, and there spent their remaining days. To Mr. and Mrs. Long were born six children, viz .: John Perry, Andrew Jackson, Lydia Rebecca, Ida Leona, Arta Odelpha and Orville Elester. On the 11th of April, 1894, Harrison Long left DeKalb county, locating in Benzonia. Benzie county, Michigan, where he rented a farm. Subsequently he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which he still has one hundred and fifteen acres, having given to his son, Orville, forty-five acres after his wife's death. On the 28th of October, 1909, Mr. Long married Mrs. Mary Francis Stafford, who was born in Concord township, DeKalb county, Indiana, on May 23, 1858, the daughter of William and Eliza Reed Dragoo, who were natives of Ohio.
Jackson A. Long spent his boyhood days in farming and attended the township schools as opportunity offered. He gave his attention to the opera- tion of one hundred and sixty acres of land, known as the Hayes farm, one and three-quarter miles northeast of Garrett, which place his parents had rented; and when his father moved to Michigan in 1894 the subject took over the care of the farm which he operated during the following ten years. Later he bought sixty acres known as the Huffman farm, on which he is now located. This is a tract of fine land, and Mr. Long has achieved a splendid
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success in its operation. In the fall of 1912 he built a splendid new barn, remodeled the residence, and built a large barn shed and made other permanent substantial improvements which have added in a tangible way to the value of his property. About twenty-five acres of this sixty acres of this tract is in timber, which is of itself a valuable part of the estate. The farm is well drained and fenced, and in the locality it is looked upon as one of the best farms of the township. Mr. Long is progressive in his methods, endeavoring at all times to keep up to the twentieth-century standard of agricultural knowl- edge, and by carefully rotating his crops, giving attention to the maintain- ance of the fertility of the soil, and to other features of practical farming he has been enabled to achieve a noteworthy success in his vocation. He is a hard worker and a good manager, and is ably assisted by his wife, who takes a commendable interest in the operation of the farm. Mr. Long is' well acquainted throughout this locality, and among those who know him he is held in highest esteem because of his accomplishments and his high personal character.
On November 16, 1893, Mr. Long married Lillian Grosh, the daughter of Samuel and Isabella (Opdyke) Grosh. Samuel Grosh was born in Stark county, Ohio, and as a youth came to Allen county, Indiana, with his parents, who settled near Leo on what is now the old farm in Allen county. Subse- quently he left Leo for Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed the miller's trade for a number of years, but eventually returned and located near Albion where he still follows the same trade. He entered into partnership with Fisher West, but about a year later sold his interest and came to Auburn. Soon after coming to Indiana from Cincinnati, Mr. Grosh married Isabella Opdyke. who was a native of Allen county, born near Fort Wayne. His death occurred in 1889, in Auburn, where he enjoyed the respect of all who know him. To Mr. and Mrs. Grosh were born four children: Lillian, wife of the subject of this sketch; Leonard, Perry and Mrs. Nellie Kraft, all of whom live in Auburn. After moving to Auburn, Mr. Grosh purchased a grist mill, also residence property, and for about five years prior to his death he was active in the milling business, but shortly prior to his decease he sold his interest.
Politically, Jackson A. Long gave his interested allegiance to the Demo- cratic party, and is active in its support, being an influential factor in all matters affecting the public welfare. Mrs. Long is a member of the Lutheran church at Auburn and gives her earnest support to that society. Mr. Long is interested in the welfare of the community and gives an earnest support to everything that promises to advance the public welfare materially, socially.
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morally or educationally, and is deserving the high standing which he now enjoys throughout the locality where so many active years of his life have been spent.
ERVIN W. WIGENT.
A man deserving of mention in this history of DeKalb county is the subject of this sketch, for he was born in Butler township, this county, and during his life has been actively engaged in a progressive and enterprising manner in furthering the interests of the community, for it is a well recog- nized principle that where a man does well with his own interests, the public as well as himself is benefited.
Ervin W. Wigent, who has for several years served efficiently as post- master at Corunna, where he is also engaged in the mercantile business, was born in DeKalb county, Indiana, on July 2, 1858, and is a son of Urial and Reuhamah (Clark) Wigent, both of whom were natives of New York state. These parents were reared to manhood and womanhood in their na- tive community and after their marriage there they came to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating on a farm near Butler Center in Butler township. When Ervin Wigent was six years old his father moved to Whitley county, In- diana, where the parents remained until their deaths. Urial Wigent had been a boat man during the earlier years of his active life, and in whatever enterprise he engaged he was marked by industry, perseverance and integrity of word and deed. To him and his wife were born the following children : Martha, John C., Chauncy G., Burris Edward, Byron D., Lucina, Sarah and Ervin W. The parents of these children are now both deceased.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of Whitley county, Indiana, and upon attaining the years of inanhood he took up the vocation of farming. Eventually he and his brother, Byron D., turned their attention to the lumber business, finally coming to Corunna, where, on November 1, 1893, they became identified with the milling inter- ests. They remained actively identified with this business for eight years, when the subject met with an accident in the mill which incapacitated him for further active physical labor, and also meeting with a heavy loss in the wheat market, they were compelled to retire from business. On April 1. 1904, the subject was appointed postmaster of Corunna by President Roose- velt and he still is the occupant of that office, discharging his duties to the en- tire satisfaction of the public and the patrons of the office. He is an earnest
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Republican in his political views and is active in his support of the principles which he advocates. As a business man and private citizen Mr. Wigent has ever been guided by the highest principles of integrity and honor and is best liked by those who know him best, his sterling qualities of character com- mending him to the sincere regard of everyone. He is genial and companion- able and is a welcome visitor in any circle which he chooses to enter. The community is honored by his citizenship, and because of his representative character he is entitled to specific mention in this work.
C. A. HOUGHTON.
To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural sections of our coun- try is due to the honest industry, the sturdy perseverance, the unswerving persistence and wise economy which so prominently characterize the farm- ing element of DeKalb county. Among this class may be mentioned the gentleman whose name heads this review, who, by reason of years of inde- fatigable labor and honest effort, has not only acquired a well merited ma- terial prosperity, but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he has associated, and he is one of the leading agriculturists of the community in which he resides.
C. A. Houghton was born April 12, 1863, in Auburn, DeKalb county, the son of O. C. and Mary (Twining) Houghton. The father was a native of the Empire state, while the mother was born in Ohio. They came to In- diana in May, 1847, and settled in Union township, at Auburn. To them were born eight children, namely: Samantha : Leland is deceased; D. K., who lives in Illinois, was the first male child born in the town of Auburn : Mrs. Phelina Johnson lives in Oregon; Mrs. Etta Otto lives in California ; Hiram, Ella and Anna are deceased; C. A.
The subject of this review was educated in the common schools of DeKalb county, attending the short winter terms of the primitive schools, and devoting the remainder of his time to working on the farm. On Sep- tember 1, 1892, he was married to Anna E. Rann, daughter of John Rann, a native of Pennsylvania, and Mary Rann, who was born in this state. This union has resulted in the birth of five children : Vera, Roscoe, Paul, Ruth and Lela, all of whom are at present living under the parental rooftree.
The subject is still actively engaged in carrying on general farming. and has made a success of his chosen vocation because of his thorough knowl-
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edge of the subject and his determination formed early in life to do well what was worth doing at all. His landed estate comprises eighty acres of good land; his buildings and other improvements are substantial, and no better place can be found to enjoy the benefits of true Hoosier hospitality. In the course of his busy and praiseworthy career he has found no time to seek the honors of public life, being content to exercise his suffrage in behalf of the Republican party, with which he has always been affiliated.
DANIEL LOUIS LEAS.
The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this biographical review needs no introduction to the people of DeKalb county, since his entire active life has been spent in this section of the state. a life devoted not only to the fostering of his own interests, but also to the welfare of the commun- ity at large. An honorable representative of one of the esteemed families of his section and a gentleman of high character and worthy ambitions, he has filled no small place in the public view. He is a splendid type of the intelligent, up-to-date, self-made American in the full sense of the term. a man of the people, with their interests at heart. As a citizen he is progressive and abreast of the times in all that concerns the common weal. Although a partisan, with strong convictions and well defined opinions on questions on which men and parties divide, he has the esteem and confidence of the people of the community and his personal friends are in number as his acquaintances, regardless of party ties.
Daniel Louis Leas is a native of the old Hoosier state and was born in Steuben county on October 17, 1865, and is a son of John Leas. The latter is represented at length elsewhere in this work, therefore further detailed mention of the subject's ancestral history will not be made at this point. When Daniel L. Leas was about three years old, the family moved to a farm immediately north of Waterloo, where he was reared to manhood. He at- tended the common schools and later the high school at Waterloo, where he was graduated in 1884. He then took a commercial course at the Tri- State Normal School, finishing the complete course, after which he assisted his father on the home farm and in the latter's bank until his marriage in 1889, after which he formed a partnership with J. C. Boyer and engaged in the general merchandise business at Waterloo. They were prospered in this business, but about six and a half years after their start they were burned
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out, suffering a total loss of store building and stock. Mr. Leas then bought Mr. Boyer's interest in the lot and erected a two-story brick business block, which he now occupies and there is engaged in the dry goods business,. handling ladies' and gents' furnishings, hats, caps, shoes, carpets, draperies, clothing and other auxiliary lines. When Mr. Leas became a partner with Mr. Boyer they also conducted a feed and grain business in connection with the general mercantile work, and this line Mr. Leas has continued with splendid success. About 1904 he erected the elevator at Waterloo and con- tinued also to run this and with this, as with his other enterprises, he has been. eminently successful. In 1895 Mr. Leas embarked in one of the most im- portant lines with which he has been connected during his business career, that of hay, in which he has achieved a big success and acquired a widespread reputation. He erected large hay barns at Waterloo and was in that busi- ness for about sixteen years. He at one time shipped about five hundred car loads of hay a year, but in 1910 he sold this business to his nephew, Earl Leas. About 1905 Mr. Leas bought the defunct DeKalb Bank at Waterloo .. moved the fixtures to Hudson and organized what is now known as the Hudson Bank, which was .. a pronounced success from the start. About two- years after the organization; of this institution he sold his interests there to his nephew, Leroy Waterman, and invested heavily in the German-American National Bank at Fort Wayne. He has also been in various other enter- prises and owns a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres west of Water- loo, and also has property at Angola, Ashley and Toledo. He is one of the organizers of the National Hay Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, whose object was to establish national inspection of hay, and is also a stockholder in the Fink Shoe Company, of Springfield, Ohio, and one of the three stockholders in the Waterloo Broom Company. He has always been a very active worker in the National Hay Association and has filled nearly all the important offices, never missing a meeting of the association. He is a member of the National Grain Dealers' Association, in the workings of which he has been an import- ant factor. The hay business was his most prominent line until he sold out to his nephew, and in many ways he has given a distinct impetus to business affairs in this locality, being entitled to noteworthy distinction on this ac- count. He has been essentially a man among men, having ever moved as one who has commanded respect by innate force as well as by superior ability. As a citizen he easily ranks with the most influential of his compeers in affairs which are for the betterment of his chosen county. While he has car-
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