USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 87
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Elmer Goodwin, who owns a fine farm of one hundred and forty-four acres at the edge of Waterloo, was born in this town on September 22, 1858. and is a son of David and Sarah ( Wiltrout ) Goodwin. David Goodwin. who was born in Ashland county, Ohio, on November 5, 1826, was a son of David and Catherine ( Zimmerman ) Goodwin, natives of Pennsylvania, who in 1822 moved to Wayne county, Ohio, and later to .Ashland county, that state, where the father's death occurred. David Goodwin was reared in Ash- land county, Ohio, and was one of nine children, four boys and five girls. born to their parents, of whom only two are now living, Daniel and Mrs. Mary Stroh. On May 25, 1853. David Goodwin married Sarah Wiltrout, who was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, on February 12. 1837. the daughter of Jacob Wiltrout. Six months after his marriage David Goodwin came to DeKalb county, Indiana, and in the fall of 1855 he moved upon the farm near Waterloo, where he resided for forty-four years. He was a man of consid- erable enterprise and energy. his accumulations being the result of hard labor and rigid economy. He and his thrifty wife cleared and improved the farm. which, when they took possession, was in its primitive wildness. In the early 'lays of their residence here Mr. Goodwin was converted and became one of
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the first members of the Waterloo class of the United Brethren church, and when that society built a new church edifice he was one of the most liberal donors to the building fund. His death occurred at Waterloo on March 9, 1899, at the age of seventy-two years. To him and his wife were born four children, namely : Mary, wife of Jonas E. Dilgard, of Waterloo: Elmer, the immediate subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Allie Gavitt, of Logansport, Indiana, and Frank, of Waterloo. In December, 1903. Mrs. Sarah Goodwin became the wife of B. F. McEntarfer, whose death occurred in February, 1911. Her death occurred on October 5. 1912, at the age of seventy-five years.
Elmer Goodwin was reared on his father's farm at Waterloo, where he has spent his entire life, and to the cultivation of which farm he has devoted his attention with very gratifying success, being now numbered among the successful and substantial citizens of his community.
In 1883 Elmer Goodwin was married to Almeda MeEntarfer, who was born at Waterloo, Indiana, and is a daughter of David and Mary ( Wildersin ) McEntarfer. David McEntarfer was born near Waterloo and was a son of Jacob and Drusilla (Saynor ) McEntarfer. Jacob McEntarfer was a son of John and Catherine MeEntarfer, who came from Stark county, Ohio, to DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1839, locating in Smithfield township when there were only four or five families in the township. The country had been but little improved and wild animals and Indians were numerous. Mr. Mc- Entarfer often visited the Indians and attended their dances. There on the home farm David MeEntarfer was reared to manhood and married Mary Wildersin, who was the daughter of Martin and Barbara ( Cronk ) Wildersin. He secured a good education in the schools and early in life became a teacher. his death occurring at the early age of twenty-one years, leaving a wife and two children, Emma and Almeda. His widow afterwards became the wife of Solomon Link and lived in Smithfield township near Waterloo until her death, which occurred on October 8, 1903. By her second marriage she bore three children, Mrs. Maude Daniels, Mrs. Pearl Barnes and Benjamin. To Elmer Goodwin and wife has been born a daughter, Grace, who is now the wife of John Thomas, of Waterloo, and they have a daughter, Ruth. Mr. Thomas is the son of Jonathan and Phoebe ( Everhart) Thomas, and he was born at Edon, Ohio. At the time of his marriage Mr. Goodwin built a very attractive and commodious residence where he now resides, and he gave his attention to the operation of his fine farm, which is numbered among the best pieces of agricultural land in this locality. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, in the workings of which order he takes a deep interest, and ac-
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cording to those who know hini best he is a good citizen in the broadest sense of the phrase, giving his support to those enterprises which promise to advance the best interests of the community materially, morally and educa- tionally. His personal relations with his fellow men have ever been mutually agreeable and he is highly regarded by all, being easily approached, obliging and straightforward in all the relations of life.
ALBERT H. PETERS.
Among the enterprising and public-spirited farmers of Jackson township, DeKalb county, Indiana, none has been granted a greater meed of respect and admiration than the gentleman concerning whom this brief is written. Al- though a comparatively young man, he has for many years been an efficient and widely recognized factor in the growth and advancement of the interests of his community. A keen appreciation of the utility of modern methods of agriculture has made for his success in his chosen vocation of agriculture. and he is ever ready to adopt new modes and appliances when their worth is proven.
Albert H. Peters comes of sturdy Teutonic stock, he being the son of Ernest and Ricca (Gael) Peters, natives of Germany, who emigrated to the New World from the fatherland in 1872, settling in DeKalb county. Indiana. The father and mother are still living in Jackson township. To them were born six children : Albert H., who was born February 3. 1875. in DeKalb county ; Charley, who lives in Jackson township : Fred is deceased ; Mrs. Sarah Dannenberg lives in DeKalb county; Edward, a farmer of the same county ; Freda Habig lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The common schools of DeKalb county were the source of the subject's early education, the time not devoted to his studies being occupied in assisting his parents in the labor of the farm. Upon reaching maturity he was elected to the position of constable in Jackson township, which office he filled for a period of eight years to the eminent satisfaction of his fellow citizens.
On April 11, 1900, the subject of this review was united in marriage to Della Kester, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Shilling) Kester, natives of DeKalb county. To this union has been born one child, June B., whose birth occurred on June 19, 1912. The only brother of the subject's wife, Leon, is deceased.
ALBERT H. PETERS AND FAMILY
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Mr. Peters is now conducting a line of general farming on the ninety acres of good land which he owns. A splendid home has been erected here, and his barn and other farm buildings are of the very best. In fact, it would be hard to find a better agricultural plant than that possessed by the subject. and it is a matter of just pride to him that it stands as a work of his own hands.
In religious matters Mr. Peters gives his support to the Lutheran Evan- gelical church, in which he takes an active interest, while, politically, he votes the Democratic ticket.
EARL W. FORREST.
One of Smithfield township's agriculturalists and stock men who is deserving of a place in this book is Earl W. Forrest, a man of courage, self- reliance and the utmost integrity of purpose, as a result of which he has. during his entire life, stood high in the estimation of his neighbors and friends, whose interests he has sought to promote while endeavoring to ad- vance his own.
Earl W. Forrest was born on August 6, 1879, on the old homestead farm on section 19, Smithfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana, and is the son of William R. and Lucy C. (Canfield) Forrest. He was reared under the parental roof, securing a good education in the schools of his native town- ship, and has followed farming from his boyhood. He was early in life imbued with the notion that there was a dignity and independence in the agricultural vocation not to be found in any other line of effort. and he has intelligently and properly directed his efforts along this line, his labors being crowned with a fair measure of success. In addition to farming operations. Mr .. Forrest has also engaged in threshing in season up to the present time, having purchased, in the fall of 1909, a complete, modern threshing outfit, and in this special line of effort he has been successful on his own account. and has been of great assistance to the farmers of his community. He en- gages in farming operations on his father's farm of one hundred acres and forty acres where he lives, and he just completed the erection of a fine, up-to- date barn, costing about three thousand dollars, and which is generally con- sidered one of the best structures of its kind in the township. It is noteworthy that most of the heavy material for this barn was cut and shaped on the farm where it was used. Active, resourceful and progressive, Mr. Forrest has the
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true twentieth-century spirit of enterprise, not being bound by old-time methods; but has forged ahead and followed the most improved lines, being rightfully classed among the leading agriculturalists of his county. Politi- cally, Mr. Forrest is an earnest Republican and active in his interest for that organization, though his private affairs have made such heavy demands on. his time that he has not aspired to any public office for himself.
Mr. Forrest was married on July 9. 1898, to Myrtle Curry, the daugh- ter of David and Emma ( Thorpe ) Curry. . Mrs. Forrest's father was a native of Ohio, who came to Allen county. Indiana, in 1874, living in Huntertown until about three years ago, when he located in Garrett, Indiana, where he now resides. To him and his wife were born six children, viz. : Henry ; Myrtle, Mrs. Forrest: Mrs. Luella Hoover, of Garrett: Mrs. Carrie Waterbeck, of Garrett : Charles and Bessie. Mirs. Forrest's mother, who was born near Maysville, now known as Harlan, Indiana, is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Forrest have been born seven children, viz. : Loyd, who died at the age of three years : Orville, deceased : Edina. Lavon, Viola, Donald and Clark.
In his relations with his fellow men, Mr. Forrest has been guided by the highest motives. Ile has the greatest sympathy for his fellows and is always willing to aid and encourage those who are struggling to aid them- selves. Yet in this, as in other things, he is entirely unassuming. When he believes that he is on the right path. nothing can swerve him from it. His home life is a sacred trust, and his friendships are inviolable. He has com- manded the respect of all classes by his exemplary life, and today is an honor to the community in which he lives.
ISAAC E. BARKER.
It is with pleasure that we present to our readers the life record of Isaac E. Barker, for he is a prominent and influential citizen of DeKalb county and one who for various reasons, is entitled to distinctive representation in this vohime. The Barker family, of which the subject of this sketch is a worthy representative, is one of the old honored ones of DeKalb county. The first representative of the family who came to America was Edward Barker, who was born in Nottinghamshire, England, in June, 1806, and in 1834 came with his wife and two daughters to the United States. He first lived two years at Detroit, Michigan, and then moved to Branch county, Michigan, where he-
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lived until 1850, coming to Hamilton, Steuben county, Indiana, where he lived two years. About 1852 he bought a farm in the northeast quarter of Smith- field township. DeKalb county, just east of Summit. Edward Barker was by trade a miller, having served an apprenticeship in England and worked at his trade in connection with farming prior to his settlement in DeKalb county. He was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church and a zealous worker in that society. He was the prime mover in the organization of a Sunday school in the early days, which was the forerunner of the Barker Methodist Episcopal church, that church having been organized at his house in the fall of 1852, and of which he was the first class leader. He was an earnest Christian, broad and liberal with all classes, Protestant and Catholic and unbelievers, and was respected be all is a good, reliable citizen and a true friend, his advice being frequently sought and carrying great weight. At the time Mr. Barker came to DeKalb county the country seemed wild and very lonely, but little improvement having been made, the only features of note on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres being a log house and rude barn. with only a part of the land cleared. He was progressive and public spirited in his attitude toward local affairs and gave the land on which was built the Methodist church which bears his name. His death occurred in September. 1872. He was married in England to Susannah Pitts, who died in Septem- ber. 1840, leaving four children. Subsequently he married Rebecca Ohram. of Ohio, who died in 1876. Of his children, Milton T. Barker was born at Detroit, Michigan, on June 11. 1840. He was reared on his father's farm in DeKalb county, on which he resided until 1898, when he moved to .Ashley. where he now resides. When about thirty years of age he received from his father forty acres of land in section 11, on which he had already built a house, and subsequently he bought forty acres more : in all he acquired the ownership of one hundred and forty acres, but in March, 1900, he sold off eighty acres of this farm, and two years after his removal to Ashley he bought a small farm at the east edge of that town, where he now lives. Mr. Parker was for many years prominent in the local life of the community. served as justice of the peace one term and was elected for a second term. but declined to qualify. He also served as trustee of Smithfield township two terms and in other ways took a leading part in the advancement of the local welfare. Though he did not receive an extensive education in his boyhood. he was an extensive reader and close observer, and was consideredl a well in- formed man. Milton P. Barker was twice married, first to Margaret Dirrim, the daughter of James Dirrim, of Franklin township. this county, to which
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union were born five children, Clara, the wife of Preston Miller, of Jackson county, Michigan, is the mother of four children, Mrs. Lela Gee, Charles, Hattie and Harry; Hannah D. is the wife of William Updegraph, of Okla- homa ; she has two children, Waldo and Mrs. Nina Smith; Isaac E. is the immediate subject of this sketch; Charles M., who lives in Jackson county, Michigan, married Juliette Seavy, and they have one daughter, Mabel ; James C., who lives in Jackson county, Michigan, married Bertha Betz, and they have a son, Clyde. Mrs. Margaret Barker died on April 9, 1893, and in 1896 Mr. Barker married Mrs. Harriett (Smurr) Packer, the daughter of Nelson and Rebecca Smurr. She was born in Wilmington township, this county, of which her parents were early settlers; was reared there and eventually mar- ried Oscar Packer, theirhome being at Butler, this county, until his death, in May, 1888. They were the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters: Jay Packer, of Detroit; Jennie, who is deceased, was the wife of John Lowe; Annie is the wife of Lew Groff, of Edgerton, and William, who is a worker in powder mills at various places.
Isaac E. Barker was born on July 7, 1869, on the home farm east of Summit, this county, and was there reared. He secured a good practical education in the common schools and then was a student at the Tri-State Normal School at .Angola, and also took special studies at Auburn. In 1889 Mr. Barker began teaching school, in which vocation he was busily engaged during the following sixteen years, the first year in Jackson township, the sec- ond year in Fairfield township, and the remainder of the time in Smithfield township, having taught thirteen years in two schools in the latter township. He attained a widespread reputation as a successful educator and his services were in great demand. However, in 1895, Mr. Barker relinquished his peda- gogical work and has since given his undivided attention to his farming opera- tions, in which he has met with a large and well deserved success. Mr. Barker is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, having bought eighty acres from his father and forty acres of it comprising the old Barker home- stead. With the exception of about five acres all of his land is in a fine state of cultivation.
In 1892 Mr. Barker married Georgia Chapman. the daughter of Lewis Chapman and a sister of L. N. Chapman, in whose sketch elsewhere in this work apppears the record of the Chapman family. Mrs. Barker was born and reared in Smithfield township, this county, and is a woman of many fine per- sonal qualities of character which have endeared her to all who know her. To Mr. and Mrs. Barker have been born four children, Paul, Clando, Milton
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and Rossaline. The first two named are attending the high school at Ashley. Politically. Mr. Barker is an earnest advocate of Democratic principles, and as a nominee of his party he was elected in loco as trustee of Smithfield township, holding that office for four years and discharging his official duties to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, while, religiously, he and his wife and three sons are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they are earnest and faithful workers and to which they give a liberal support. Per- sonally, Mr. Barker enjoys a wide popularity, for he has taken an intelligent interest in the welfare of the community which is honored by his citizenship. and has at all times given his earnest support to everything tending to ad- vance the welfare of his fellows. Courteous and kind to all, broad-minded in his views of men and affairs. and firm in his convictions, it is a compliment worthily bestowed to speak of him as one of the worthy citizens of his locality, and he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of the character of the one in hand.
ALBERTUS CAMPBELL.
Indefatigable industry, sound business judgment and wise management have been the elements which have contributed to the success achieved by Albertus Campbell, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Smithfield town- ship. DeKalb county. His farm is well improved and highly productive. being numbered among the good farms of the township in which he lives, and because of his high character and unquestioned integrity he enjoys to a marked degree the sincere respect of the community.
Albertus Campbell was born on April 13. 1871, on the old homestead farm close to Waterloo, DeKalb county, Indiana. and is a son of Edward and Marium E. ( Childs) Campbell, who are specifically mentioned elsewhere in this work. The subject was reared under the parental roof, securing his education in the district schools and gave his assistance to his father in the operation of the home farm until he was married, after which event he engaged in the baled hay business in partnership with his brother, Clark. During the same period he was also engaged in the operation of forty acres of land adjoining his father's farm and which belonged to the old homestead. In December, 1905, Mr. Campbell bought sixty-five acres of the old Jerry Hempstreet farm, belonging to Mrs. Hempstreet, and at the present time is
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the owner of one hundred and thirteen acres of that farm. About eight acres of the land is still in timber, but the balance is all under cultivation and splen- didly improved in every respect. When he obtained this land the barn was there, but the residence was in very poor repair and Mr. Campbell at once moved his present residence off the forty acres belonging to the homstead farm one mile away and moved it to its present location, the operation requiring eight days. He then remodeled the residence, converting it into a large. roomy, convenient and comfortable home, where the family now reside. In every respect Mr. Campbell has shown an intelligent understanding of the re- quirements of successful agriculture and has achieved a success which has placed him in the front rank of the farmers of Smithfield township, the splendid success which he has enjoyed being attributable entirely to his own efforts and to his indomitable industry and perseverance.
On June 7. 1896. Mr. Campbell married Laura Walker, the daughter of Eli and Susan (Wilderson) Walker, and to them have been born two chil- dren. Edward F. and Jeremiah. In local public affairs Mr. Campbell has taken a deep interest and was township assessor for four years, from 1904 to 1008. discharging the duties of this position to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He was ordered to raise the assessment of real estate five per cent., but did not quite succeed in that effort. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Knights of Pythias at Waterloo. and he takes a deep interest in the workings of these societies. Mr. Campbell is wide-awake to the best interests of the community and gives a wholehearted support to all worthy movements for the good of his fellows. He enjoys & wide acquaintance and is well liked by all who know him because of his busi- ness success and his sterling qualities of character.
HENRY DAPP.
Agriculture has been an honored, vocation from the earliest ages, and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as of energy and thrift, have been the leading patrons of husbandry. The farm has been the fruitful soil from which has emanated the moral bone and sinew of the nation, and from the labors of the field have come forth in to the most exalted planes of usefulness the strongest men of the country, while all who have appreciation of true values will regård with admiration the dignity of the farmer and the value of the work he accomplishes. Among the enterpris-
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ing citizens of Dekalb county is the subject of this brief sketch. Who is an honored resident of Smithfield township, with whose agricultural development and progress he has been intimately identified, while he has so lived as to merit and receive the fullest measure of popular confidence and esteem.
Henry Dapp was born on January 19. 1860, in Alsace. France. non belonging to Germany. He is the son of Alois and Elizabeth ( Martin ) Dapp. both of whom were born, reared and married in Alsace, where the father fol- lowed the pursuit of farming. Henry Dapp was reared in his native locality and in 1880, at the age of twenty years, accompanied his parents on their emigration to America. settling at once in Summit. DeKalb county, Indiana. where the father bought one hundred and sixty acres of splendid land, com- prising the northeast quarter of section 14, where he made his home, giving his undivided attention to the cultivation and improvement of his farm as long as he lived. He was a man of sterling qualities of character and enjoyed the respect of the entire community. To him and his wife were born six children, namely: Henry, the immediate subject of this sketch: Stacy, the wife of John Trapp, of Garrett, this county : Caroline was the wife of Joseph Deitch, of Avilla. Indiana, and is now deceased; Clementine is the wife of Anthony Grist and lives at Garrett: Louise and Elizabeth are twins. Eliza- beth, deceased, was the wife of William Long and lived at Fort Wayne until her death. The father of these children died on January 1. 1899. and the mother on December 1, 1897.
The subject of this sketch lived on the okl home place, eventually buying eighty acres from his father and after the latter's death he bought out the interests of the other heirs in the remaining eighty acres of the estate, thus being now the owner of the entire farm of one hundred and sixty acres. The place is well improved in every respect, the fertility of the soil having been maintained by judicious attention to the rotation of crops and fertilization, and Mr. Dapp has achieved a splendid success in his operations. He carries on a diversified system of farming, raising all the crops common to this locality and gives some attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, in which he has met with success.
In 1884 Mr. Dapp married Magdalene Schiffli, a daughter of Anthony Schiffli, and to this union have been born eight children, namely: Mary is the wife of John May, who lives near her father's farm in Smithfield town- ship and they have two children, Agnes and Esther: Elizabeth is the wife of Matthias Hohl, and they live west of the Catholic church in Smithfield town- ship; they have two boys, Henry and Alvin: Theresa is the wife of John
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Schlusser, who lives in the western part of Smithfield township, and they have a son, Paul Louis; Anthony lives near his sister in Smithfield township and married Esther Gabe; John is unmarried and is attending St. Meinard College in southern Indiana ; Louise, Albert and Katie are at home with their parents. Mr. Dapp and his family are all earnest members of the Catholic church. Their lives have been such as to earn the warm commendation of all who know them, for they have been true to their highest conceptions of right and in the civic life of the community Mr. Dapp has taken an intelligent interest, giving his support at all times to every movement which has for its object the advancement of his fellow men. Personally, he is genial and companionable and has won a host of warm personal friends.
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