USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 71
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On June 27, 1897, Mr. Fakright married Etta Metcalf, the daughter of Daniel D. and Katherine (Seibert) Metcalf. Mr. Metcalf was a resident of Ohio, where he followed farming and where he was a man of considerable prominence in his community. He eventually moved to Indiana, where he also followed agricultural pursuits. To Mr. and Mrs. Eakright have been born two children, William Dorsey and Mary Ruth, both of whom are at home. Mr. Eakright has long been interested in local public affairs and in
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1900, and again in 1910, served as census enumerator, in Newville township the first time and Wilmington township at the last census. Politically, he is an earnest supporter of the Republican party, to the success of which he has contributed by his personal efforts, and is also a faithful member of the United Brethren church, to the support of which he contributes. As a farmer Mr. Eakright has no particular fads, but is progressive and understands the value arising from feeding the products of his farm to stock instead of selling it off, to the gradual impoverishment of the land. An alert business man and a progressive and discriminating farmer, it is scarcely necessary to say that he has attained a high degree of success in connection with the great basic in- dustry of agriculture, and he is eminently deserving of the enviable standing which he enjoys in the community which he honors with his citizenship.
W. H. FOREST.
In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life-a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him so long and well, for the subject presents in his career an interesting study of the manner in which adherence to principle and sturdy endeavor may win worthy distinction.
W. H. Forrest was born in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, on Oc- tober 5, 1849, the son of James and Margaret (Aston) Forrest, both of whom were also natives of the Keystone state. James Forrest came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, settling on the farm, where he remained until his deathi, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife also spent the remainder of her life in that state, dying at the age of seventy-six years. They were the parents of eight children, Maria, John, James, Margharetta, Joseph Benton, Owen, Wil- son and Wallace, all of whom are deceased except Joseph and the subject of this sketch.
W. H. Forrest received his education in the common schools of Ohio and then took up the trade of a plasterer, which he followed during all his active years. He is now the owner of thirty acres of land and is living prac- tically a retired life. He came to Indiana in 1881, settling first at Butler.
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where he followed his trade as a plasterer for two years, and then moved to his farm in Wilmington township, where for twelve years he devoted him- self to its operation, and in which he met with the most pronounced success, so that at the end of the period named he was justified in selling the property and in buying his present comfortable home at Moore, where he is now living retired from active affairs and enjoying that rest which his former years of labor so richly entitle him to.
On November 3, 1881, Mr. Forrest was married to Margaret .A. Moore, who was born on January 1, 1855, in DeKalb county, Indiana, the daughter of Aaron D. and Rebecca (Caldwell) Moore. Her father was a native of the state of Ohio, and the Moore family history is given somewhat in detail in the sketch of John Moore, elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. For- rest have been born two children, namely: Rebecca, who married Otis W. Loutzenhiser, of Moore, Indiana, and they have one child, Violet; Ethel, who became the wife of Fred Oiler, of Moore, Indiana, and they have one child, Forrest.
Politically, the subject of this sketch is a supporter of the Democratic party, to which he has ever been loyal, though he has been too busy a man to give much attention to public affairs and has never held public office of any nature. Throughout an active and interesting career duty has ever been his motive of action and usefulness to his fellow men not by any means a sec- ondary consideration. He has performed well his part in life and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to say that DeKalb county is honored by his citizenship, for he has achieved success through his own efforts and is thor- oughly deserving of the proud American title of self-made man; the term being one that in its better sense can not but appeal to the loyal admiration of all who are appreciative of our national institutions and the privileges afforded for individual accomplishment.
JAMES PROVINES.
Fealty to facts in the analyzation of the character of a citizen of the type of James Provines is all that is required to make a biographical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the community, be- cause it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true glory of a city or state revered at home and re-
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spected abroad. In the broad light which things of good repute ever invite, the name and character of Mr. Provines stand revealed and secure and, though of modest demeanor, with no ambition to distinguish himself in public position or as a leader of men, his career has been signally honorable and it may be studied with profit by the youth entering upon his life work.
James Provines was born in Wayne county, now Ashland county, Ohio, on January 7, 1846, and is the son of Alexander and Dorcas (Adams) Provines, the former born in Pennsylvania on January 31, 1818, and the lat- ter in Ohio on January 15, 1820. On the maternal side the subject is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and his maternal grandfather, Hugh Adams, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Hugh Adams was born in county Down, Ire- land, about 1785, and when he was but three months old his parents brought their family to America. The subject's grandparents on the pa- ternal side were of good Scotch-Irish stock and came to American late in eighteenth century.
The subject of this sketch received a good, practical education in the district schools of his home county and afterwards engaged in teaching for five terms. After completing his education he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he employed himself until he had, by the most rigid economy and good management, succeeded in saving enough money with which to buy a farm, since which time he has made agriculture his life work. He is now the owner of a tract of land of two hundred and seventy-seven acres in Jackson township, and also owns some good town property. Progres- sive and enterprising in his methods, he has steadily and persistently follow- ed out advanced ideas in relation to agriculture, with the result that he has been able to realize very gratifying returns for his labors. In April, 1864, Mr. Provines enlisted as a private in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty- ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until October. 1864, when he was given an honorable discharge and was mustered out. The greater part of his service was as nurse in hospitals, in which he rendered good service to his country.
Politically, Mr. Provines has been identified with the Republican party ever since attaining his majority until the Chicago convention of 1912, when he severed his connection with the old party and aligned himself with the Progressive party. He has never held public office, though he has been honored by his party with the nomination for representative and county treasurer. He was appointed county ditch superintendent, holding the po- sition for several years. but has never been ambitious for public office,
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On November 11, 1869, Mr. Provines married Helen Woolsey, the daughter of Joseph and Maria (Scudder) Woolsey, of Delaware county, New York, and who came to DeKalb county in 1848, locating on the farm that the subject now owns. To Mr. and Mrs. Provines have been born three children, Frank A., Mary E. and Perry M., all of whom are married and living in DeKalb county. Mrs. Helen Provines died on February 24, 1896. She was a lady of splendid qualities of character, beloved by all who knew her.
Fraternally, Mr. Provines belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Grand Army of the Republic and Patrons of Industry, and is deeply interested in the workings of these various or- ganizations. Mr. Provines possesses a social nature and by his genial and kindly attitude with those whom he has come in contact, he has won the confidence and respect of everyone.
SAMUEL M. HIGH.
The history of the Hoosier state is not an ancient one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community planted in the wilderness in the last century and reaching its magnitude of today without other aids than those of continued industry. Each county has its share in the story. After all, the history of a state is but a record of the doings of its people, among whom the pioneers and their sturdy descendants occupy places of no sec- ondary importance. The story of the plain, common people who constitute the bone and sinew of the state should ever attract the attention and prove of interest to all true lovers of their kind. In the life story of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch there are no striking chapters or startling incidents, but it is merely the record of a life true to its highest ideals and fraught with much that should stimulate the youth just starting in the world as an independent factor.
Samuel M. High was born August 24, 1855, in Jackson township, the son of Peter and Sarah A. (Henderson) High. The mother was a native of Ohio, while the father was born in the state of Pennsylvania and came to DeKalb county at the early date of 1846. The battle to subdue the wilder- ness then being fought in this section of the state was entered into by these worthy pioneers, and they, with others of that period, laid the foundations for the wonderful prosperity that has come to this section of the state.
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To Peter and Sarah High were born three children : Mrs. Letitia Shear lives in Auburn; Foletus A. is deceased; Samuel M. The subject's father died December 26, 1888, and his mother on December 4, 1904.
The early education of the subject of this sketch was acquired in the DeKalb county common schools. Subsequently he engaged in farming and taught school, his services as an educator extending over a period of almost twenty-five years. He made all the improvements on his place, including a good house, substantial barn, etc. He is now living on the old home place, and is the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of splendid land, on which he is doing general farming, at which vocation he has been more than usually successful.
On July 30, 1897, the subject of this review was married to Rosa A. Philips, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Philips, he a native of Ohio and she of Pennsylvania. As a result of this union one child was born, Julius, who died at the age of seven years.
Mr. High is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, to which he gives an active and generous support, having been trustee for many years, while the Democratic party enjoys his unswerving allegiance. He was trustee of Jackson township from 1900 until 1905, and is on the advisory board at the present time.
TRUMAN W: GRAY.
Descended from honored ancestry and himself numbered among the leading citizens of DeKalb county, Indiana, the subject of this sketch is en- titled to specific recognition in a work of this character. A residence in this county of many years has but strengthened his hold on the hearts of the people with whom he has been associated, and today no one here enjoys a larger circle of warm friends and acquaintances, who esteem him because of his sterling qualities of character and his business ability.
Truman W. Gray, one of the most respected citizens and successful farmers in Fairfield township, was born March 18, 1824, not far from Black Rock, New York, and is a son of John and Julia (Rowland) Gray, the former a native of Ireland and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, the daughter of Luke Rowland, a native of Connecticut, and who lived to be one hundred years of age. John and Julia Gray moved from New York to Ashland county, Ohio, when the subject was a young lad, and when the latter was but eleven years old his father died, leaving his widow the care of
JOHN H. GRAY
TRUMAN W. GRAY
MRS. SUSAN GRAY
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a son and six daughters. Because of the moderate financial circumstances of the family, Truman was compelled to take a man's place early in life, and was consequently denied the educational advantages for which he was am- bitious. His first work was as a farm hand and he was also employed for a time in a tannery. Eventually he moved to Mercer county, Ohio, and bought eighty acres of land, which at that time was totally unimproved. He erected the first house and barn on the place. To the cultivation and im- provement of that farm he devoted the best years of his early life and re- mained there until November, 1871, when he came to DeKalb county, arriv- ing here on November 14th, and locating on a farm he had bought in section 35, Fairfield township. He had thus been a resident of Mercer county, Ohio, for about twenty-four years, and has resided here forty-two years. The trip from Ohio to Indiana was a long and tedious one, the family driving through in wagons, four days being consumed on the road, during which it rained and on the last day snowed heavily, so that the members of the little party were well chilled before they reached a comfortable fireside. They first rented a house three-quarters of a mile from their farm on the Squires place, where they remained until they bought the farm later in the winter. Mr. Gray is the owner of one hundred and twenty-four acres of land, which is as well improved as any farm in the locality. there being two residence houses on the farm, the one in which he now resides being built in 1883. It is commodious and convenient and was built according to Mrs. Gray's ideas. During the past two years the farm has been rented, though Mr. Gray still lives in the home built by him.
While a resident of Ashland county. Ohio, Truman Gray was married to Susan Springer, who was born in that county, the daughter of Johann and Elizabeth Springer, who were of good old Pennsylvania Dutch stock and respected residents of their community. Mrs. Gray proved to her husband a true helpmate in the broadest sense of the term and to. her he attrib- utes much of the success which accompanied his efforts in his new home. Mrs. Gray died on February 21, 1907. To these parents were born six children, two of whom died in infancy, the others comprising two sons and two daughters. Herbert died at the age of three and one-half years; Ida Josephine died when about six months old; Iona married Douglas Dudgeon, and died some time during the seventies; John Henry, who was born on November 7, 1853, in Mercer county, Ohio, is the only one of the children now living. He never married, and has spent his entire life with his father
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and is his companion now. He is a member of the United Brethren church. Truman Gray is a member of the Masonic order, in which he was raised to the degree of Master Mason at Willshire, Ohio, and in the workings of which he has always been an appreciative participant. His has been a long and well spent life, characterized by hard labor and persistent toil, and now, in the golden sunset of his years, he can look backward over a career over which there falls no shadow of wrong, and which, in the main, has been full of joy and happiness, for he is a man who sees the best in everything, and who has by his own influence and effort contributed in a measure to the hap- piness and well being of those about him. In every relation of life he has been true to his highest ideals and his daily life has been such as to win the respect and esteem of all who know him.
HENRY YARDE.
The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest opinion of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extrava- gant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life-a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well-defined pur- pose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.
Henry Yarde was born on February 13, 1859, on a farm one mile north of Garrett, Indiana, and is the son of John, Jr., and Lydia ( Houser ) Yarde. He is descended from good old English stock, his paternal grandfather, John Yarde, Sr., having been born in Devonshire, England, on March 12, 1805. His parents died when he was a child and he was reared by his mother's sister and given a collegiate education. At seventeen years of age he began teaching, and, with the exception of a year and a half in the grocery business, followed that vocation for thirty-five years. He married Mary Symonds, a native of Devonshire, and to them were born twelve children, eleven daughters and a son. In August, 1852, Mr. Yarde came with his family to the United States and lived in Summit county about one month, when he came to DeKalb county, Indiana, where he bought fifty
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acres of unimproved land. Having the use of only one hand, the burden of the work of clearing and improving the land fell to his son, John, Jr., then only sixteen years of age. Mr. Yarde, Sr., was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and a Republican in his political views. John Yarde, Jr., was born in Devonshire, England, on November 17, 1836. His early life was spent in school and before sixteen years of age he had taught seventeen months of school. He was successful in his life's business pur- suit and eventually became the owner of a large tract of fine land. He was married on October 10, 1858, to Lydia N. Houser, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, who was born on July 20, 1842, and was the daughter of David and Rebecca Houser, and to them were born six children, Martha, Frank, David, Nettie, Henry and Bertha. John Yarde, Jr., died on May 19, 1900. He was a member of the Episcopal church and highly respected in the community. Of the children enumerated above, Martha became the wife of William Imler and lives west of Garrett; Frank lives in the south- western part of Keyser township; David lives one mile north of Garrett ; Nettie is the wife of George Kelham, and lives in Noble county, Indiana ; Henry lives on the home farm one mile north of Garrett, and Bertha is the wife of Ira Grogg, of Butler township. The mother of these children still lives on the home farm.
Henry Yarde, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, and has spent his entire life there, having early assumed its man- agement and operation. At the time of his father's death the estate amounted to six hundred and twelve acres, and had been improved to a degree which made it one of the best farms in DeKalb county. In addition to the paternal estate, Mr. Warde is the owner of a farm adjoining the home place. to which he has also given close attention and which he has developed into a splendid estate. The residence in which Mr. Yarde lives is one of the most attractive homes in this community, being a large brick, slate roofed and with an observatory tower, and the surroundings are in harmony with the character of the home, the well kept hedge along the front of the farm, rows of ever- green trees and other tasteful improvements giving the place an air of pros- perity and cheer and welcome which is.attractive to the passerby.
In March, 1894. Mr. Yarde was married to Ida Ober, the daughter of Levi and Betsey Ober. To them have been born seven children, Merritt. Ruth. Ralph, Lydia, Mary, Rosa and Frank. Mr. Yarde is recognized as a man of strong and alert mentality, deeply interested in everything pertaining to the advancement of the community along material. civic and moral lines.
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and is known as one of the progressive and representative nien of the county. Because of his genial disposition and progressive spirit, he has earned and retains to an eminent degree the respect and confidence of all who have had acquaintance with him.
LEVI ROLAND.
The gentleman of whom the biographer now writes is widely known as one of the honored pioneers of DeKalb county and for over a half century he has been a valued factor in the development of the same, prominently identi- fied with the varied interests of his community. His well-directed energies in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his own business in- terests and his sound judgment have demonstrated what may be accomplished by the man of energy and ambition, who, persevering often in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, proves that he is the possessor of those innate qualities that never fail to bring success if properly directed, as they have evidently been in the case of Mr. Roland.
Levi Roland was born on September 22, 1848, in Stark county, Ohio, and is a son of Abraham and Susan (Stoner) Roland. These parents were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, from whence they moved to Ohio in pioneer days, where the father died shortly prior to the subject's birth. The mother then married Philip Texter and in 1865 moved to DeKalb county. Her husband also was a native of the old Keystone state. The sub- ject's mother was married three times, first, to a Mr. Liniger, by which union was born one child. To Mr. Roland and herself were born two chil- dren, the subject and Jacob S., now deceased, while to her union with Mr. Texter were born two children, both of whom are deceased, the subject of this sketch being the only living representative of the family. When the subjeet's mother and step-father moved to DeKalb county they bought a farm in the northern part of Keyser township, where they lived the rest of their lives, their home being located in section 27. They were members of the Old School Lutheran church, and were earnest, industrious and highly re- spected residents of their community.
Levi Roland received his education in the pioneer schools of the day and remained at home until his marriage, his earlier years being spent in farm work. On January 1, 1870, Mr. Roland married Eunice Ellen Hathaway, who was born on the farm where she now lives, on the north side of Keyser
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township. She is the daughter of Albert and Phoebe (Hawk) Hathaway. Her father was born in 1828 in the northeast part of Ohio, not far from Lake Erie, and probably near Chardon. He was the son of Nathan Hatha- way, a native of Massachusetts, who came here with his parents in Febru- ary, 1844. They bought the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Roland now live, entering the land from the government some time prior to their location here, and at that time there were only two houses where now stands the beautiful city of Auburn, and when Mr. Hathaway came here and asked how far it was to Auburn, he was told that he was standing in the heart of the city. Here the elder Hathaways cleared and improved a farm and spent the remainder of their days. Albert Hathwaay was one of seven children, four boys and three girls, by his father's second marriage. He married Phoebe Hawk, who was born in Adams county, Indiana, her parents being of good old Pennsylvania Dutch stock, who came from the Keystone state to Ohio, then to Adams county, Indiana, where they spent the remainder of their days and died. Albert Hathaway has lived ever since on the farm where he and Mr. and Mrs. Roland now live, comprising the tract entered by his father from the government and referred to above. To Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hathaway were born eleven children who grew to maturity and two who died in infancy, while seven of the daughters and two of the sons are still living. Mrs. Eunice Ellen Roland, Mrs. Hannah Rebecca Wise, Mrs. Mary J. Brown, Nathan, deceased, John H., of Tennessee, Mrs. Anna Char- lotte Houser, Mrs. Lydia Mountz, Silas A., of Garrett, Mrs. Delilah Book. Mrs. Stella Markins, and Calvin, deceased. The mother of these children passed away in 1906, and the father is still living on the old home farm.
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