USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 80
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Arthur L. Thomas was born on November 7, 1872, at Auburn, and re- ceived a good practical education in the common schools of his home neigh- borhood. His first active business was in connection with a saw-mill, in which he took a one-third interest and later bought a one-third interest in the ice business which had been established by his father, and is still actively engaged in both enterprises. He is a man of industrious habits, good business judgment, and because of his upright character and genial nature he enjoys the friendship of all who know him. Politically, he is a Republican, though with no political aspirations. In 1905 Arthur L. Thomas married Maude Musser, the daughter of Jacob and Levina ( Rock ) Musser, and they have two children, Arnold and Charles V.
ORLANDO ELLIOTT.
It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the life of one who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of pur- pose and determined action. Such a life, whether it be one of calm, consecu- tive endeavor or of sudden meteoric accomplishments, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to young men whose fortunes and destinies are still matters for the future to determine. The subject of this sketch is distinctively one of the representative agriculturists of DeKalb county. For a number of years he directed his efforts toward the goal of success and by patient continuance in well doing succeeded at last in overcom- ing the many obstacles by which his pathway was beset, and is today con- sidered one of the foremost farmers of the county.
Orlando Elliott was born on November 12, 1859, in Coshocton county.
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Ohio, and is a son of Nathan and Jane ( Ling) Elliott. Nathan Elliott, who was also born in Coshocton county, Ohio, followed farming pursuits through- out his active life, and when the subject of this sketch was about five years of age, or in 1864, the family came to DeKalb county, where the father bought eighty acres of land in Fairfield township in 1867 and moved onto the same. However, he sold this farm and bought one hundred and twenty acres known as the Barker farm, near Summit, and lived there until about 1898, when he sold this tract to John Conrad and moved to Jackson county, this state, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land to which he moved ; but resided there only a few weeks, when, in the spring of 1901, his death occurred. He was one of the first settlers in DeKalb county, the journey from Ohio having been made by wagon to this locality, the mother and children coming by train. Jane (Ling) Elliott was also born in Coshocton county, Ohio, and her death occurred on the Barker farm near Summit in 1880. She was a hard-work- ing woman, a true helpmate to her husband, and her loss was keenly felt by him and the surviving children. They became the parents of ten children, namely: Mary, deceased; Orlando, the immediate subject of this sketch; Mrs. Nancy D. Rufner : Emma, deceased; Mrs. Zora Meek; John, deceased ; James ; Jesse : Cora, deceased, and Jennie, who died in infancy.
Orlando Elliott was reared under the parental roof and secured a good, practical education in the common schools of his home neighborhood. He was reared to the life of a farmer, and followed this vocation practically all of his active years. At one time he owned forty acres of land east of Sum- mit which he traded for his present farm of eighty acres in 1895, and event- ually he bought twenty acres additional off of the John Gramling farm adjoin- ing his own tract. The latter purchase included a barn which Mr. Elliott moved to his present farm and remodeled it. Mr. Elliott is progressive in his agricultural methods, giving proper attention to every detail of his work, and has maintained his farm at the highest standard of agricultural excellence, the buildings being kept in good repair, the soil well-drained and tiled, and the fences in good shape, so that the whole estate presents a pleasing aspect to the passer-by. The residence which was on the farm when he bought it is a large brick structure, well-arranged, and provided with modern conveniences, and it is considered one of the best homes in that section of the township.
On March 7, 1881. Orlando Elliott was united in marriage with Eliza A. Gramling, daughter of John and Mageline (Fretz) Gramling. John Gramling was born in Pennsylvania, but in his youth moved from that state to Stark county, Ohio, thence to DeKalb county by wagon and canal boat, com-
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ing here when quite young. He was reared to the life of a farmer, and also gave some attention to the vocation of carpentering, at which he was an ex- pert. He owned forty acres of land near Summit, to which he gave intelligent direction, and was numbered among the enterprising and influential citizens of his locality. He is now deceased. His wife, whose maiden name was Mageline Fretz, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and came to DeKalb county in 1854 when about twelve years of age. She is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have been born twelve children, namely: Carl, deceased ; Mrs. Mary Mageline Lemmon; Mrs. Elsie Greer, deceased; Mrs. Lulu Zonker; Jolin, deceased; Walter, deceased: Mrs. Blanche Gonser, Jesse, Jennie, Mildred, Clarence and Edna.
Politically, Mr. Elliott is an active supporter of the Republican party. and has been prominent in local affairs, having ever given his support to every movement looking to the advancement of the welfare of the com- munity in general. Religiously, he is an earnest member of the Christian church, to which he gives a liberal support, while in all things relating to the moral, social or educational advancement of the community, he is an active figure. Mr. Elliott is descended from sterling old stock, his father having evidenced patriotism of the highest order when on November 14, 1863, he en- listed at Camp Chase, in Company A. Sixty-ninth battalion Ohio' Volunteer Infantry. He was commissioned as second lieutenant, February 6, 1864, andl served under General Grant until his muster out on the 13th of September. 1864. he having enlisted forty-one days service.
ADAM LEINS.
In examining the life records of self-made men it will invariably be found that indefatigable industry has constituted the basis of their success. True, there are other elements which enter in and conserve the advancement of personal interests, perseverance, discrimination and mastering of expedi- ents, but the foundation of all achievement is earnest, persistent labor. At the outset of his career the subject of this review recognized this fact and did not seek any royal road to the goal of prosperity and independence, and the result is that he is now numbered among the progressive, successful men of DeKalb county. 1
Adam Leins was born October 19, 1875, the son of John G. and Rosena
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(Miller ) Leins, both natives of Germany. the subject first seeing the light of day in Noble county, Indiana. John G. Leins arrived in America when he was a young man and after locating in DeKalb county endured the struggles and hardships of home-making, he finally being successful and earning the respect and admiration of his fellowmen. To the father and his faithful helpmate were born.twelve children: Mrs. Roseta Schurr lives in Richland township; Mrs: Mary Hovarter is deceased: Mrs. Kathren Schoup lives in Richland township: George F. and Henry also live in Richland township; William lives in Fairfield; John F. lives in Richland township; Manda is de- ceased ; David lives in Fairfield : Adam : two children died in infancy.
The subject of this sketch secured his education in the common schools of DeKalb county and followed farming in his younger days. He served two terms as township assessor in Richland township, having been elected to that responsible office on the Democratic ticket.
On January 6, 1898, occurred the marriage of Mr. Leins to Myrtle A. Rohm, she being the daughter of Simon and Lydia ( Treesh ) Rohm, he a native of Knox county, Pennsylvania, and she of Stark county, Ohio. To Simon and Lydia Rohm were born five children. Mr. and Mrs. Leins have been blessed by the birth of three children : Audrey .A., who was born Febru- ary 2. 1899: Ralph A., born March 11, 1903. and Roy C., born September 23. 1913.
Mr. Lein's is at present the owner of eighty acres of land, which he has. brought to a high state of cultivation. The place has been improved by the erection of convenient and substantial buildings and the general appearance of the farm indicates that an up-to-date and progressive man is at its head. The Lutheran church receives the active encouragement and support of the subject and family. Politically, he is allied with the Democratic party.
ARTHUR G. DANIELS.
The subject of this review is one of the sturdy spirits who has contributed largely to the material welfare of the community where he resides, being a farmer and stock raiser, and as a citizen he is public spirited and progressive. in all that the terms imply. For a number of years Mr. Daniels has been actively identified with the agricultural interests of DeKalb county, and he is the owner of a very desirable landed estate in Smithfield township.
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Arthur G. Daniels was born on the old Daniels farm in section 26, Smith- field township, DeKalb county, Indiana, on August 13, 1854, and is the son of Reuben G. and Susanne ( Hallabaugh ) Daniels. Mr. Daniels was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the district schools of the. community, his vacation periods being employed in assisting his father in his farm work. After his marriage in 1875 Mr. Daniels farmed the home place on shares with his father, he and his wife residing in the old home, as his mother had died several years prior. He continued farming on shares until May 19, 1887, when he bought the home farm of one hundred and sixty acres from his father and gave untiring devotion to its cultivation and improvement. A few years later he bought thirty-eight acres adjoining his farm on the south and is thus now the owner of about two hundred acres of as fine farming land as can be found in DeKalb county. He is not satisfied with mediocre ac- complishments in any line and has not only maintained the productive capacity of his farm up to the highest standard, but has also given some attention to the aesthetic side of life, maintaining the home in such a way as to make it attractive to the passer-by and also to the family. The large and well arranged house is set amidst a cluster of fine shade trees, while the lawn is well kept and ornamented with shrubbery, the interior of the house being char- acterized by tasteful furnishings and an air of comfort which appeals to the caller. Mr. and Mrs. Daniels move in the best social circles of the com- munity and in their own home the spirit of old-time hospitality is ever in evidence.
On September 25. 1879, Arthur G. Daniels was married to Mary Lucinda Frazer, who was born in Williams county, Ohio, and is the daughter of Jacob Israel and Lydia (Spangler) Frazer, who are mentioned on other pages in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Daniels have been born three chiklren, namely : Pearl is the wife of Walter E. Fretz, a furniture dealer and under- taker of Sidney, Ohio, and they have a son, Robert : Mabel is the wife of La- Roy Waterman, of Hudson, Indiana, where he is cashier of the Hudson Bank, and they are the parents of two sons, Ross and Neal; Hazel, who is at home with her parents, is attending high school at Waterloo and will graduate in the spring of 1914.
In the civic life of his community Mr. Daniels has long been an in- portant and influential factor, being an ardent advocate of temperance prin- ciples and of public righteousness, in the interests of which he has long taken an active part. He and his wife are members of the Barker Methodist Episcopal church, in the prosperity of which they are interested and to which
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they contribute of their means. Fraternally, Mr. Daniels is a member of Lodge No. 205, Knights of Pythias, at Waterloo, in the work of which he is interested. He is a well educated, symmetrically developed man and keeps abreast of the times in his knowledge of current thought, and because of his earnest life, high attainments, well rounded character and large influence he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of the character of the one in hand.
ANDREW SCHIFFLI ..
DeKalb county, Indiana, is characterized by her full share of enterpris- ing and progressive farmers, who have been the mainstay and backbone of the wonderful development which has marked this section of the state during the past few decades, and today among this class stands Andrew Schiffli, whose finely improved and cultivated farm lies in Smithfield township, where he enjoys a high standing among his fellow citizens.
Andrew Schffli was born on January 25, 1874, in Alsace, Germany, which formerly, however, belonged to France, and is one of nine children born to John and Victoria ( Halın) Schiffli, both also natives of Alsace, the father born in 1837 and the mother in 1844, the latter being a daughter of George Hahn. John Schiffli and Victoria Hahn were married in their native country, and in 1881 they and their children came to the United States, at which time the subject of this sketch was but seven years of age. Andrew well remem- bers a stormy day on shipboard during their voyage when, because of the high waves which broke over the ship, the passengers were not allowed on deck. However, he disregarded orders and went out to the end of the deck, where he ran great danger of being washed overboard. He was found by a sailor, who gave him a liberal spanking and sent him to a safer spot. Upon their arrival in the United States, the Schiffli family came at once to DeKalb county, where the father bought twenty acres of land in the northern part of Smith- field township, about one-half mile south of the county line. After remaining there four years he sold that place and bought forty acres of land in section TI, on which only about seven acres had been cleared and on which was a big house. The greater part of the land was covered with swamp water and brush, and so bad was the condition that the cows mired in the barn lot. In the hope of improving the condition they moved the house, log at a time, to a better location, and gave their attention to the ditching and draining of the
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· soil. At the beginning it was necessary to go through water waist deep to get the cows. Eventually by tireless effort, conditions were improved, and when, about fifteen years ago, the big ditch was put through their land, the soil rapidly became more cultivable, and now the farm is one of the best in the locality. From the time they came to this land until 1900, it took about all the efforts of the family, including the help given by the boys who worked in the shops, to pay off eight hundred dollars owing on the purchase of the farm. In 1900 Mr. Schiffli built a good bank barn ; in 1902 a splendid house, and in 1903. a hog house. They are now prospering and reaping the result of their former years of strenuous endeavor. The farm is well supplied with all the implements necessary for intelligent labor and, under the wise direction of Mr. Schiffli, the farm is one of the best in the township. To John and Vic- toria Schiffli were born nine children, namely : Elizabeth. the wife of Joseph Bapst, of Garrett : Matthias, who owns ninety-two and one-half acres in the eastern part of Smithfield township: Andrew, the immediate subject of this sketch: Emil, who owns a farm north of Barker's church: August, who lives on the home farm: Ada, the wife of Louis Steinkohl, of South Bend, Indiana : Theresa, Mary and Louise, who are unmarried: Theresa at home: Mary and Louise, residing at South Bend, and one child, a boy, who died in Alsace in early infancy. The father of these children died in 1908. and his widow is still residing on the home farm.
Andrew Schiffli lived at home until attaining his majority, having ably assisted his father in the efforts to reclaim the farm and he secured what education was possible in the district schools. After arriving at legal age he started work on his own account in the railroad shops at Garrett, where he remained nine years, and then during the following four years he engaged in farm work by the month. After his marriage in 1908 he began farming on the Taylor farm in Franklin township, but two years later moved to the George Shoner farm in section 13. Smithfield township, where he is now engaged in the operation of one hundred and forty-three acres of land. His early farm- ing efforts under his father's direction were strenuous years, but they well qualified him for the later duties of life, and now he is achieving a splendid success under favorable conditions. He keeps his farm up-to-date in all par- ticulars, using none but the best of farming implements, keeping high grade live stock and giving his personal attention to every detail of the farm work. Steady, industrious and exercising sound discretion in his labors, he so main- tains the fertility of the soil as to realize abundant crops, and among his fel- low agriculturists he is held in esteem because of the splendid success he has .achieved.
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In 1908 Mr. Schiffli married Katie Shondel, the daughter of Michael Shondel, and to them have been born two children, Agnes and Wilfred. Mr. and Mrs. Schiffli and their children are members of the St. Michael's Catholic church, in the success of which they are interested and to which they con- tribute of their means. Mr. Schiffli has gained his success through his own efforts, is regarded as a man of splendid character and is highly esteemed by all who know him.
GEORGE MAY.
It is proper to judge of the success and the status of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, in his church, at his devotions, hear his views on public questions, observe the outcome of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization and thus be- come competent to judge of his merits and demerits. After a long course of years of such daily observation it would be out of the question for his neigh- bors not to know his worth, because, as has been said, "Actions speak louder than words." In this county there is nothing heard concerning the subject of this sketch but good words. He has passed so many years here that his worth is well known, but it will be of interest to run over the busy events of his life in these pages.
George May was born on January 5. 1854, in Erie county, New York, and is a son of Valentine and Magdalene ( Kuhn) May. Both of these par- ents were born in Alsace, France, where Valentine grew to maturity and spent seven years in the French army. About 1850 he came to America with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rhinehart May, locating in Erie county, New York. There, after reaching the years of maturity, he married Magdalene Kuhn, the daughter of Anthony and Christina Kuhn, and there he spent the re- mainder of his life, being engaged in farming, his death occurring on May 1, 1903. His widow is still living and resides at the old home in Erie county, being now eighty-two years old. Mrs. May's mother, Christina Kuhn, died on May 5. 1911, at the remarkable age of one hundred and three years. Christina, the mother of Mrs. Christina ( Steinmetz ) Kuhn, lived to be one hundred and ten years old. . She died three days after the battle of Wurth, where the Prussians so decisively defeated the French, her death being caused by fright when the house in which she was living was shot to pieces over her
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by the cannon balls of the conflicting armies. She had practically been free of illness during her entire life.
George May remained at the parental homestead in Erie county, New York, until twenty-four years old, having received his education in the district schools of that locality. In young manhood he learned the blacksmith's trade and was busily engaged at the forge, his early life being characterized by persistent industry. In February, 1877, he came to DeKalb county, Indiana. locating in Smithfieldl township, where for a year or two he farmed on shares. In April of the year of his arrival here he married Agnes Shoudel, the daugh- ter of Matthias Shoudel and sister of Michael L. Shoudel, whose sketch ap- pears in this work. She was born in Chicago and was brought to this locality when about two weeks old, her parents settling in Smithfield township among the early pioneers. About five years after his marriage George May bought the farm where he now resides in section 14. Smithfield township, and to this he has since devoted himself with the most persistent energy and with very gratifying results. The land which he owns is characterized by great fertility. a quality which he has maintained by careful rotation of crops and fertilization when necessary and he has made many substantial and permanent improve- ments, having erected most of the buildings and rebuilt the barns. The gen- eral condition of his farm bespeaks for the proprietor a spirit of thrift and progress which have won for him a conspicuous place among the county's most enterprising agriculturists.
Mr. May is a citizen of broad views and of public spirit and one who takes pride in the progress of his township and the enhancement of the public weal. In 1900 he was elected township assessor and served in this office four years and also served one year as a member of the county council, having been elected in 1904. but resigning at the end of one year's service. He is the solicitor for Smithfield township for the Mutual Fire Insurance Company for DeKalb county and also for the Mutual Cyclone Insurance Company of Indi- ana, and in this line is building up a large business. Politically, he is a Demo- crat just as long as his party insists on putting up good men for office, but is independent when it comes to the choice of men for whom he shall vote.
To Mr. and Mrs. May have been born the following children: Mike, who lives in Buffalo, New York, married Carrie Housworth, and they have three children, Marian, Gertrude and Arthur: Lena is the wife of Andrew Zircher, who lives north of Summit in Smithfield township, and they have three children, Michael, Christina and Mary: John, who lives west of his father, married Mary. Dapp, and they have two children. Agnes and Esther;
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Kate is at home with her parents; Annie is the wife of George Delucenay, of the northern part of Smithfield township, and has four children, Frances, Elmer, Leo and Mary; Mary is at home with her parents. Mr. May and his family are active members of the Catholic church, of which he was the young- est member when it was organized in this locality and of which he has been an earnest supporter and attendant since. Mr. May and his wife move in the best social circles of the community and are extremely popular. Mrs. May is a lady of refinement and culture, her unassuming manner, charming personality and excellent traits of character gaining for her the friendship of all who meet her. Mr. May is an honest and upright man of the strictest integrity and nobly has he earned the wholesome reputation which is his.
FRANK WALKER.
DeKalb county is favored in numbering among its enterprising farmers and progressive men of affairs the well known and highly esteemed gentleman to a brief review of whose life and achievements we now direct attention, his well improved and valuable farm being one of the attractive places of Smith- field township, where he has maintained his home for many years.
Frank Walker was born in March, 1877, on the well known Walker farm in Smithfield township, DeKalb county. Indiana, and is the son of Eli and Susan ( Wilderson) Walker. Eli Walker was born in 1844, in Smith- field township, this county, and was the son of John R. and Catherine ( Krum- rine) Walker, the former of whom was born in York county, Pennsylvania. and whose father was a native of England. Catherine Krumrine was of German descent. Eli Walker was reared on the home farm, and in 1866 · married Susan Wilderson, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, the daughter of Martin and Barbara (Crook) Martin, she having come to De- Kalb county with her parents in about 1851. They located in Smithfield township on a farm adjoining the Walker place. After his marriage Eli Walker farmed on shares on the old home farm for three years, and in 1872 bought the farm where he now lives a short distance north of Waterloo. where he has resided for over forty years. He put in many years of hard and strenuous labor during the pioneer period and when but a youth he hauled many loads of wheat to Fort Wayne with oxen, the trip requiring three days and but few houses heing passed on the way. The roads were only trails
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