USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 77
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At this time the subject is engaged in general farming on one hundred acres of very valuable and fertile land. His place is a model of all that goes to make up a modern farm. His fraternal spirit finds companionship in Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 191, of Auburn.
ISAAC GUNSENHOUSER.
Throughout an active and interesting career duty has ever been the motive of action of Isaac Gunsenhouser, one of the progressive agriculturists of Stafford township, DeKalb county, and usefulness to his fellowmen has not been by any means a secondary consideration. He has performed well his part in life, and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to say that this locality is honored in his citizenship, for he has achieved definite success through his own efforts and is thoroughly deserving of the proud American title of self- made man, the term being one that, in its better sense, cannot but appeal to the loyal admiration of all who are appreciative of our national institutions and the privileges afforded for individual accomplishment. It is a privilege, ever gratifying, in this day and age, to meet a man who has the courage to face the battle of life with a strong heart and steady hand and to win the stern conflict by bringing to bear only those forces with which nature has equipped him, self-reliance, self-respect and integrity.
Isaac Gunsenhouser is a native of the county now honored by his citizen- ship, he having been born in Stafford township on March 9, 1838, and was
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the son of John J. and Mary Elizabeth (Strole) Gunsenhouser. John J. Gunsenhouser was born in Switzerland, and at the age of twelve years ac- companied his parents on their removal to the United States, they first settling in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Sometime later Mr. Ginsenhouser removed to Summit county, Ohio, and still later to DeKalb county, Indiana. His wife. who was born and raised in Summit county, Ohio, was married to him there. and accompanied him to DeKalb county in 1836. They settled on a farm in Stafford township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of eleven children, namely : Elizabeth, John, Mary Ann, Henry. Jacob, Isaac, Lola, Nancy, Sarah, George and William.
Isaac Gunsenhouser received his education in the public schools and was reared to the life of a farmer, which vocation he followed for eleven years. He then engaged in the saw-mill business in Newville township, which com- manded his attention for twelve years, after which he cultivated land in that township for twelve years longer. He then returned to Stafford township. locating on the old home farin where he now resides, and there took care of his parents until their death. He is an up-to-date, progressive farmer, giving due attention to every detail of his work, and has been very successful in this vocation. In 1905 his wife departed this life and he then arranged for his daughter and her husband to make their home with him, he retaining a life interest in the twenty-four acre farm.
In 1860 Mr. Gunsenhouser married Roseana A. Dickerhoff, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Macobie) Dickerhoff, who were from Summit county. Ohio, and who were among the early settlers of DeKalb county. To Mr. and Mrs. Gunsenhouser have been born two children, Mary E., and Inez. deceased.
Politically, Mr. Gunsenhouser has always assumed a rather independent attitude, especially in local affairs, and has been elected by his fellow citizens to a number of prominent offices, in all of which he has discharged his duties to their entire satisfaction. He served two terms as road supervisor of the township, two terms as school director, twelve years as a justice of the peace. and in 1906 was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, as- suming his duties on the first Monday of December in that year. . At that time there was a general public impression that there had been some crooked work among the county officers, and in response to public sentiment Mir. Gunsenhouser, as commissioner, started an investigation. It developed that several past officials of the county were compelled to disgorge about thirty-two thousand dollars, which had been unlawfully taken from the county funds.
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The only expense of this investigation was that of an expert accountant. Fraternally, Mr. Gunsenhouser is a member of the Masonic order, in the workings of which he takes an appreciative interest. His influence is always given to every movement having for its object the advancement of the best interests of the community, and among those who know him best he stands high, for his life has been square to everyone that knew him, so ordering his course in all the relations of life as to command the respect and esteem of his fellowmen.
KARL GERNER.
It is a generally acknowledged fact that journalism is one of the most important factors in twentieth-century life, exerting as it does an influence on practically every department of society. This relation is just as actual and potent in the smaller cities and towns as in the larger cities and he who directs the policy of a newspaper, or wields the pen which gives expression to that policy, exerts a personal control over local thought and action not equaled by any other profession. Among the newspaper men of DeKalb county, who have, by their progressive attitude toward local affairs, contributed in a very definite measure to the advancement of the community, is the gentleman whose name appears above and who is successfully publishing the Courier, at Auburn, Indiana.
Karl Gerner, the son of Christian and Katherine ( Keller) Gerner, was born in Adelheim, Baden, Germany, January 17, 1854. His parents came to this country, in 1857, and settled at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father was a locksmith by trade, but later entered the mercantile business and continued in that for the remainder of his active life. Both of his parents are deceased. His father served in the revolution of 1848 in Germany under General Segil, and was forced to leave the country on this account. To Mr. and. Mrs. Gerner, Sr., were born five children, three of whom are still living.
Karl Gerner was educated in the public schools of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, and coninued his education at Meadville in the same state. He later went to Boston and completed the law course in that city. Feeling that the West offered the best field for the practice of his profession, he went to Iowa and located at Storm Lake, where he continued to practice for four years. He then went to Colorado and practiced law and was appointed the United States commissioner, after which he went to South Dakota and en-
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tered a government claim at Iroquois, in that state. He continued his prac- tice in South Dakota for fourteen years, and was very successful in all of his cases. An indication of his success is found in the fact that he was elected a member of the first South Dakota Legislature, upon the admission of that state to the Union.
After leaving the Legislature Mr. Gerner gave up his law practice and entered the newspaper business. He was one of the founders of the Iroquois Chief, in South Dakota, and continued that paper until 1896, when he came to Indiana. He located at Waterloo, DeKalb county, and started the Silver Dawn, a paper which advocated the free and unlimited coinage of silver, as set forth by the Democratic party at that time. He continued this publication until 1909, when he sold it. He subsequently became associated with the Auburn Dispatch, and when the Dispatch was sold to the Auburn Printing Company he took charge of the Auburn Courier. which he still manages.
In 1883 Karl Gerner was married to Harriett Mather, the daughter of Elias and Eliza (Herrick) Mather. Mrs. Gerner's father was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and was a lineal descendant of Cotton Mather. famous preacher of Salem, Massachusetts, of the early colonial days. Her mother, Eliza, was born in Aurora, Ohio, and her parents were pioneers at Twinsburg, that state. Her grandfather, James Herrick, was a native of Con- necticut. When Harriett's mother was a child of ten, her parents move:l to New Jersey and later to Illinois, where her father died. She, her sister and the mother went to South Dakota, and lived there until her marriage to Mr. Gerner. In her younger days Mrs. Gerner attended the University of Michi- gan at Ann Arbor. She began teaching school at the age of sixteen. in Illinois, and later taught in South Dakota until her marriage. After they came back to Indiana she taught in the public schools of Waterloo for three years. She became a member of the Progressive Literary Club at Waterloo, and was also a valued member of the Fortnightly Club of that place. In the literary clubs she began to urge the desirability of a public library at Waterloo, and continued to urge the idea with great persistence. Others took up the propo- sition and with the joint effort of all the clubs of the town and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, a library was finally established, and later the Carnegie Library was erected as a result of that beginning. Mr. and Mis. Gerner have two children, Karl and Harold. Karl is clerking in the offices of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at Garrett, and Harold is still at home.
Mr. Gerner has always taken an active part in different fraternal or- ganizations. While in Dakota he was grand master of the Ancient Order of
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United Workmen. After coming to Indiana he became worshipful master of the Free and Accepted Masons at Waterloo, and he also served one term as worthy patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Gerner has always been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and his papers have always upheld the principles of that party. In his long service as a newspaper man he has had the opportunity to advance the interests of his party in a very material way.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerner have always taken a large part in every activity which had for its object the bettering of the community in which they live. They have been on the right side of all the educational or moral questions, and their influence has been an uplift to the neighborhood in which they have lived. It is generally acknowledged that the influence of Mrs. Gerner had more to do with the decently dedicated library at Waterloo than any, other person.
ELIAS SCHOPF.
To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and respected even from childhood deserves more than mere mention. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy, and even remain in the hearts of neighbors and friends, but to take the same position by dint of the practice of an upright life, and without a craving for exaltation and popularity, is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. The late Elias Schopf, one of the successful men and public-spirited citizens of DeKalb county, Indiana, who departed this life on January 31, 1911, and who was well known throughout this community, was a man honored and respected, not because of the vigorous training of his special talents, but be- cause of his daily life, each day having been one that was above criticism and passed upon in the light of real, true manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellow men, he not only made his presence felt, but also gained the good will and confidence of both his associates and the general public, ever retaining his reputation among men for integrity and character, no matter how trying the circumstances, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of a gentleman. Consequently his influence for good in the general life of his community was most potent, and he will long be sadly missed from the various circles in which he moved and over which his in- fluence was like sunshine on a field of ripened wheat.
Elias Schopf was a native of the old Keystone state of Pennsylvania,
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having been born in Lancaster county on the 5th day of April, 1831. He was a son of Henry and Elnora Schopf, who, in 1840, loaded their household effects into a covered wagon and brought their children with them to Wayne county, Indiana. There the subject of this sketch grew to manhood and in 1860 was married. Three years later he and his wife came to DeKalb county, locating on a farm about one mile south of where Garrett is now located. buying the place where Mrs. Schopf now lives, consisting of eighty acres. At that early day but little of this land had been cleared, the major part of the tract being swampy and densely covered with timber and undergrowth. Through this wild solitude deer were still to be seen and many other wild animals were found, some of whom found a place in the larder of the pioneer families. The first home of the family here was an old log cabin, but soon afterward a more comfortable and attractive frame house was erected, and in 1891 Mr. Schopf erected a substantial, well-arranged and attractive brick house which is still standing and in which Mrs. Schopf now lives. Early in life Mr. Schopf had learned the trade of cigar making, which, for a time, he followed here in the early days, but he soon abandoned that work and gave his entire attention to farming. In this he was successful, for he was energetic and methodical in his work, giving attention to every detail of the improve- ment and cultivation of his land until he had developed it into one of the best farms in this locality. Personally, Mr. Schopf was a man of intelli- gence and high character, whose life, though quiet. was eminently useful to the community in many ways. He was a man among men, standing "four- square to every wind that blew," and all who knew him realized that he was the possessor of good attributes which could be relied upon. Broad-minded and sagacious in his views of men and things, he was generous in his relations with all causes which appeared to him to be for the betterment of the com- munity and in the early life of DeKalb county he was ever ready to perform his share in helping to lighten the burdens of his fellow pioneers. He was strongly domestic in his tastes and to his wife he was a loving, thoughtful husband, with whom he shared the joys and sorrows of life for over a half century, while to his children he gave that thoughtful care and kindly atten- tion which endeared him to them. His death was the first in this large fam- ily, as all the children and grandchildren survive him.
On November 15, 1860, Elias Schopf married Catherine Strouse, who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1841, a daughter of Philip and Sarah ( Long) Strouse. When she was about eighteen years of age she came to Wayne county, Indiana, to join a brother who had preceded
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her and with whom she lived until her marriage to Mr. Schopf. To them were born ten children, four sons and six daughters, namely: Boston Wal- ter, born August 12, 1861, lives on the home farm; Savannah Elizabeth, born October 18, 1862, is the wife of Irving Smith, of Hillsdale, Michigan ; Viola Ellen, born March 28, 1864, married Daniel Lung and lives in Butler township, this county ; Sarah Catherine, born December 28, 1867, is the wife of Percy Cornell, of Jackson, Butler township, this county; Philip Monroe, born November 18, 1869, married Louise Miller, and they live in Garrett, this county ; Carilla Larah, born May 18, 1872, is the wife of William Heitz, and lives in Fowlerton, Indiana; Anise Maria, born March 22, 1875, is the wife of Bert Fitch, of Garrett; Sylvester Sydney, born January 12, 1877. married Semma Knott, who is now deceased, and he lives on the old home place, being in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company; Pres- ton Darius, born April 15, 1879, and who is a watchmaker by vocation, is living at home; Almeda Stella, born April 27, 1881, is the wife of Albert Barringer, of San Francisco, California. The following grandchildren are included in this family record: Mrs. Savannah Smith's two children, Rus- sell and Raymond; Mrs. Daniel Lung's five children, Alta, Archie, Arlie, Frankie and Edna : Mrs. Sarah Cornell's four children. Ethel, Esther, Ernest and Myrtle ; Mrs. Anise Fitch is the mother of four children, Ivan, Oscar, Thelma and Floretta: Sylvester has a son, Danford; Mrs. Lung's daughter, Alta, married Walter Downend, and they have two daughters, Catherine and Laurine, and Mrs. Lung's son, Frank, married Myrtle Mowery, and they have one son, Lester.
In 1868 Mr. and Mrs. Schopf became members of the Reformed Men- nonite church, and their lives ever afterward were fairly consistent with the profession they thus made. Generous, charitable and kind in all their rela- tions with their fellows, none of the old residents of this community ever enjoyed the confidence and respect of all more than this worthy couple. and Mrs. Schopf is now beloved by all who know her because of her kindly quali- ties and the thoughtful regard which she entertains for all who come in con- tact with her.
H. F. DELONG.
In the death of H. F. DeLong, which occurred on February 4, 1889. there was removed another one of those prominent agriculturalists of DeKalb county, Indiana, who made their way in life by force of their merits and in-
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dustry from small beginnings to splendid successes, and his memory will long be revered and his influence for good felt in this section of our common- wealth, for he belonged to that class of worthy and noble citizens who leave behind them a worthy name. Mr. DeLong was born on November 19. 1836, in Miami county, Ohio, the son of James and Elizabeth DeLong, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of the follow- ing children: Mrs. Philena Jones, who lives in Kansas; H. F., the subject of this sketch; David D., deceased; Sophia, deceased, and Mrs. Emma Bangs, of Montana.
The subject of this sketch was brought by his parents to DeKalb county, Indiana, when but two years old, and has thus been an eye witness of the wonderful transformation which has taken place during the intervening years. At that early period settlers were but few and far between. The timber stretched for many miles in every direction, with an occasional cabin clearing here and there, while but few efforts had at that time been made to develop agriculture as it is now practiced. He devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, and in 1861 settled on the fine farm of eighty-nine acres in Richland township, where his widow now resides and to the im- provement and cultivation of which he devoted himself through the years and the success he attained entitled him to rank among the foremost farmers of the vicinity. He carried on general farming and also gave some attention to stock raising, giving intelligent and agreeable direction to all of his labors.
On July 25, 1867, Mr. DeLong married Jane McCrum, who was born in Canada on September 25. 1838, the daughter of James and Mary A. (Chug- ham) McCrum, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Mrs. DeLong was but three years old when her parents brought her to DeKalb county, and here she has resided continuously since. To Mr. and Mrs. DeLong were born the following children: Marian S .. of DeKalb county; Mrs. Alice Wittig, of Defiance county, Ohio ; Mrs. Zoe Washburn, of this county ; Clarence E., of Whitley county, this state. The mother of these children is still residing on the old farm and, despite her seventy-five years, she is enjoying good health and has the confidence and esteem of all who know her.
Politically, Mr. DeLong was a Republican of the most radical type, and took an active interest in the success of his party, as well as in general affairs, though he held no public office. Religiously, he was a consistent and earnest member of the United Brethren church, to the support of which he contributed liberally of his means. Mr. DeLong was a public spirited man in all that the term implied, being ever interested in enterprises tending towards the general
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welfare, and withheld his support from no movement for the good of the locality so long honored by his residence. His personal relations with his fellowmen were ever mutually pleasant and agreeable, and he was highly re- garded by all. being easily approached, obliging and straightforward in all the relations of life.
FOREST MILLER.
It was remarked by a celebrated moralist and biographer that "there has scarcely passed a life of which a judicious and faithful narrative would not have been useful." Believing in the truth of this opinion, expressed by one of the greatest and best of men, the writer of this review takes pleasure in pre- senting a few facts in the career of a gentleman who, by industry, persever- ance, temperance and integrity, has worked himself from an humble station to a successful place in life and won an honorable position among the well- known and highly esteemed men of the locality in which he resides.
Forest Miller is a native of Steuben county, Indiana, where he was born on September 20, 1875, and is a son of William Henry and Sarah (Martin ) Miller. William H. Miller was born in Stark county, Ohio, and came to' DeKalb county, Indiana, when nineteen years of age. In 1874 he married Sarah, the daughter of Albert Martin, and his death occurred Febru- ary 5, 1906, on the homestead farm. Mr. Martin, who was a millwright by trade, lived in Steuben county, Indiana, although a native of Ohio, owning a farm in the above county, and also one in DeKalb county. Mr. Martin was a soldier in the Civil war and died in Kentucky after two years' service. His widow went to Kentucky and brought his body home and he was buried at Hamilton, Indiana. Mrs. Sarah Miller, his mother, who also was a native of Ohio, is now deceased. They were the parents of nine children, viz: Forest, the subject of this sketch : Don Carlos, William, George A., Lew, Mrs. Flor- ence Sutherland, and three who died in infancy. Don Carlos lives on a farmi in Smithfield township and also operates a threshing machine. William is married and lives in San Francisco, California. George, who also is married, lives in South Dakota, where he runs a grain elevator. Lew lives at Van- couver. Canada, and is a gas fitter by occupation. Florence became the wife of Elmer Sutherland and lives in Smithfield township, where her husband is following the farming pursuit.
Forest Milier received his education in the township schools and early in
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life began assisting in the work on the home farm. At the age of twenty-one years he received an inheritance of thirteen hundred dollars, and thereafter was employed at various labor until twenty-six years of age, when he bought eighty acres of land in Smithfield township. After farming this land for three years he sold it and bought a half interest in a farm of one hundred and sixty acres known as the James Clark farm, across from the Clark school. This land he operated a year, and then sold his interest in it to his wife's uncle, O. J. Camp. Then he rented this farm for nine years, making many improvements and spending about five hundred and fifty dollars on it.
In 1907, after the settlement of the father's estate, Mr. Miller bought the interest of the two brothers in forty-five acres of land in the southern part of the old homestead across from the Christian church in Smithfield township, and in April, 1913, he bought one hundred and sixty acres from the O. J. Camp estate, comprising the farm he originally rented.
Mrs. Miller received forty acres from her father's estate in 1908, and subsequently she bought forty acres more from her sister, Mrs. Maude Dun- can, this land being now rented to Gobert Gaetz. In all his affairs Mr. Miller has been characterized by sound judgment and untiring energy, so that he has succeeded in achieving a genuine success where many others would have gained but mediocre results. He gave his personal attention to every detail in his farm work, and maintained his place at the place of highest agricultural excellence. He raises all the crops common to his locality, and also gives some attention to the handling of live stock, in which he has been very success- ful.
On December 25, 1901, Forest Miller was married to Eva Camp, the daughter of Aaron and Amanda ( Hasselman) Camp, and to them has been born one child, Lloyd Wilson, and Mr. and Mrs. Miller, out of the kindness of their hearts, have adopted a daughter who is now known as Ethel ( Hope) Miller. Politically, Mr. Miller is a Democrat, progressive in his ideas and is numbered among the men of advanced thought in that locality. Fraternally. he is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of . Ashley, and is held in the highest esteem by his fraternal brethren. He is one of those solid men of brain and substance so essential to the material growth and prosperity of a community and whose influence is willingly extended in behalf of every de- serving enterprise that has for its object the advancement of the moral welfare of the locality. His success in life has been the legitimate result of consecu- tive effort, directed and controlled by good judgment and correct principles.
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