History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Part 92

Author: B.F. Bowen & Co., Pub
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1182

USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 92

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broad-minded, generous, aggressive, far-seeing, keen American, such as win in life's battles from sheer force of character and personality and depend upon none. By his own efforts and starting in life practically empty-handed, he surmounted every obstacle and has gained not only a competency, but an honest position in the community of his residence.

GEORGE W. PARK.

The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. George W. Park, one of the best known and most highly esteemed men of DeKalb county, has resided here from early boyhood and his career has been a most commendable one in every respect, well deserving of being perpetuated on the pages of a historical work of the nature of the one in hand. Like his sterling father before him, he has been a man of well defined purpose and never failed to carry to successful completion any enterprise to which he addressed him- self. Beginning life in a new country and under many unfavorable auspices, he has let nothing deter him, and before the lapse of many years he had a fine farm under cultivation. Knowing that the country was destined to take a very high rank in the productive and rich localities of the North, he applied himself very closely to his work, waiting for the future to bring its rewards, and today he is one of the substantial men of the county.

George W. Park was born December 16, 1849, in a log cabin near Fort Wayne, Allen county, Indiana, and is the son of William and Barbara ( War- ner) Park. William Park was born in Ohio and on attaining maturity learned the trade of a hatter, remaining active in this trade until thirty-five years of age. He then came to Indiana, locating within a mile of Robinson's Chapel, near Fort Wayne, where he bought sixty acres of land, mostly covered with timber, but which he cleared and put into good shape for cultivation. In 1862 he sold this place and moved to a farm of sixty acres near Corunna, known as the Baker farm, which he operated about ten years and then sold to Fred Baker. He opened a grocery store at Corunna, which lie operated about ten years and was very successful in this enterprise. Selling this store to George McMullin (now deceased), he then moved to Auburn, where he bought residence property and retired from active business pursuits, his death occurring there in 1889. Barbara Warner was a native of Maryland and was

GEORGE W. PARK AND FAMILY

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imarried to William Park at Fostoria, Ohio, in 1834, and together they came to Indiana. After her husband's death Mrs. Park made her home with Christian Buss on the Buss farm until her death, about ten years later, in 1898, Mrs. Buss being her daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Park were born nine chil- dren, namely: Three who died in infancy ; John, deceased ; Rachel ; Sarah J., deceased; Elizabeth, George W. and Mary Ellen. Of these, John enlisted at the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861 at Fort Wayne in the Eleventh Regi- ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a volunteer and was in the army under General Sheridan. At the expiration of his three-year enlistment, he re-enlisted as a veteran and was killed in a battle in the Shenandoah valley near the close of the war, being buried there ; Rachel, who lives at Auburn, was married four times, first to Martin Stage, second to Elic Timberman, third to Jolin Miller, fourth to John Porter. By the first union were born three children, and by the second marriage, a son, William; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Christian Buss, a farmer in Smithfield township, has seven children, Will- iam H., John H .. Isaac H., George H., deceased, Jefferson, Belle and Nettie ; Mary Ellen became the wife of Jacob Thomas, of Auburn, and they have six children, Maggie, Orrie, deceased, William, Henry, Harry and Wade.

George W. Park received his education in the common schools up to twelve years of age and in 1862 came to DeKalb county and began working on his father's farm. He worked three years in a grist mill in Auburn owned by Christian Buss and then for a while teamed and hauled logs for the old saw mill seven miles south of Ashley. During the following year he worked on the Buss farm and for a like period ran a peddling wagon out of Tiffin, Ohio, then for a year he farmed for Mrs. Britton, at the end of which time he went to Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, where he spent four years. The year after his marriage, in 1883, Mr. Park spent a summer in Auburn and then moved to the Willis farm, one and one-half miles west of Showers Corners in Smith- field township, where he operated eighty acres for about a year, at the end of which time he located on his present farm of eighty acres, formerly known as the John D. Miller place, where he resided until 1911, when he rented the farm to his son John and bought property in Ashley, where he now lives prac- tically retired from active labor. His life has been an active and busy one, characterized by the faithful performance of every duty to which he applied himself. His farm work was always characterized by up-to-date methods, and among his fellow agriculturists he was held in high esteem.

On March 29, 1883, Mr. Park was married to Sadie Miller, the daughter of John D. and Mary (Kanage) Miller, and to them have been born three

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children : May Belle, who became the wife of Harry Green, a blacksmith, lives on a ranch in Logan county, Colorado, where they took up one hundred and sixty acres of homestead land; they have two children, Mildred D. and Thomas P .: John married Nora Morrison and is a farmer; they have one child, Keith Arden; Inis E. is the widow of Melfred Bowman, a farmer in Richland township, and they have one child, Bertha.

John D. Miller was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he spent his boyhood days, and at the age of twenty-one years he moved to Stark county, Ohio. In 1857 he came to DeKalb county, Indiana, and bought an eighty-acre farm, to which he later added twenty-six acres adjoining. Most of the original eighty was covered with timber which he cleared and from which he developed a splendid farm. A good barn, residence and other necessary outbuildings makes his farm one of the best in the locality. The first residence in which he lived after purchasing the farm was a log house which was their home until the new residence was completed. On account of ill health and physical disability Mr. Miller turned the farm over to his son, Joseph, who is operating the place at the present time. Mr. Miller then moved to Hudson and while there, in 1900, his wife died. He lived alone for a time and then removed to the home farm, making his home with his son, Joseph. There he died in 1909. His wife, who was a native of Stark county, Ohio, was united to him in marriage in 1852, and came to DeKalb county with him and was a true helpmeet to him in every sense of the word, assisting him materially in the improvement of the farm and the advancement of his finan- cial interests. She died in 1900. They were the parents of three children, Clara A., who has been twice married, first to James A. Krum, second to John W. Seward, lives on the latter's farm near Hudson; Joseph K., who married Jennie Cox, is a farmer on the home place and has two children, Pearl and Marie.

Politically, Mr. Park is a Progressive Republican and for many years has taken an active interest in public affairs, though he has been too busy a man to give very much time and attention to politics. At the present time he is treasurer of the town of Ashley, performing his duties to the entire satis- faction of his fellows. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Ashley, and has served as a delegate to the grand lodge of the state three times, in 1904. 1909 and 1913. His religious connection is with the Methodist church, in which he is a very active worker and assisted materially in the erec- tion and dedication of the splendid new church at Ashley, being a liberal con- tributor to the building fund. He is president of the board of trustees and in

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many ways is an effective worker in the various interests of that society. Al- though his life has been a busy one, his every-day affairs making heavy de- mands upon his time, Mr. Park has never shrank from his duties as a citizen and his obligations to his church, his neighbors and his friends. Genial and kindly in his intercourse with his fellows, he has attained a marked popularity among his acquaintances and is numbered among the sterling and representa- tive citizens of his community.

CLARK CAMPBELL.

Among the honorable and influential citizens of DeKalb county, Indiana, is the subject of this review, who has here maintained his home for many years, winning a definite success by means of the agricultural industry, to which he has devoted his attention during the years of an active business life. His career has been without shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and thus he has ever commanded the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.

Clark Campbell was born on October 25, 1875, in Smithfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Campbell. His boyhood days were spent under the parental roof, his education being secured in the common schools of his locality. He remained on the paternal estate until 1897, shortly after attaining his legal majority, when he and his brother engaged in the hay business at Waterloo, shipping large quantities of baled hay to various points throughout Indiana and the Middle West, and was eminently successful in this vocation. After twelve years in the hay business Mr. Campbell quit the business which had engaged his attention for a dozen years and in 1909 turned his exclusive attention to farming, in which he is still engaged. He lives in section 35, Smithfield township, and has a splendid tract of well improved land, the general appearance of the place indicating him to be a man of wise discretion and sound judgment in the handling of his place. He raises all the crops common to this locality and also gives some attention to the raising of live stock, which is one of the most important departments of farm work. He is a good manager and has achieved a splendid success in his life work, being now numbered among the progressive, enterprising and wide-awake farmers of his locality.

On December 10, 1902, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to Mrs. Isadora Kelley, the daughter of Eli Walker and widow of the late Douglas

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Kelley. Mrs. Campbell is a woman of fine attainments and gracious qualities of head and heart, and in the social circles in which they move they are both popular among their acquaintances. Together they belong to the Order of the Eastern Star and the Pythian Sisters, in which they take a deep interest. Mr. Campbell became a Master Mason in February, 1897, and has passed through all the chairs of the local lodge of that order, being the present worshipful master. His father was a Master Mason for fifty years and was highly regarded by his fraternal brethren. Mr. Campbell is also an apprecia- tive member of the Knights of Pythias. In all movements for the betterment of the community he has given his warmest support and can be counted on at all times to throw his influence for the right and for the betterment of humanity, and because of his large acquaintance and genial qualities he is deservedly recognized as one of the representative ,men of Smithfield town- ship.

DANIEL F. HAMMAN.

He of whose history we now offer a brief resume is one of the ven- erable and sterling citizens of DeKalb county, Indiana, having been actively identified with agricultural pursuits here since boyhood and being the owner of a good farm in Smithfield township, where his friends are in number equal to his list of acquaintances, for his life has been one of signal useful- ness and honor, begetting objective confidence and esteem.

Daniel F. Hamman was born on January 23, 1844, in Stark county, Ohio, and is the son of John and Margaret ( Frick) Hamman. John Ham- man was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and was a son of David Ham- man. He was reared in his native state, and was there married to Margaret Frick. In the fall of 1846, loading their household effects into a big covered wagon, in those days familiarly known as a "prairie schooner," they started on the long, weary and ofttimes dangerous journey across Ohio to DeKalb county, where they bought a farm in Franklin township. Soon afterwards they disposed of this place and bought one hundred and twenty acres in section 19, Franklin township, of which they later sold forty acres. At that time none of the land was cleared and it was necessary to. cut down the standing timber in order to find room for a cabin. There the mother died two years later, leaving five children : Sarah, Simeon F., Daniel F., John W. and Franklin J. One and one-half years later the father married Anna

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Clark, who survived him and now lives on the old homestead at the ad- vanced age of eighty-three years. To this second union six children were born, of whom two died young, the others being Susanne, Francelia, Freeman, Commodore and Hamilton. John Hamman was not only a successful farmer, but also achieved quite a local reputation as a veterinary doctor, having a thorough knowledge of equine ailments and being successful in their treat- ment. He died some time during the early eighties.

After the death of the mother of the subject of this sketch, when the latter was about five years old, he and his younger brother, Franklin, then but a year old, were taken into the home of their aunt, Mrs. Mary Brandaberry, and by her were reared to manhood. When the Civil war broke out Daniel F. Hamman offered his services to his country, enlisting in August, 1862, in Company A, Eighty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which command was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. With his regiment Mr. Hamman took part in a number of important battles in Tennessee and on the Atlanta campaign, followed by Sherman's famous march to the sea and the campaign up through the Carolinas, after which came the Grand Review at Washington, the greatest military pageant the world has ever known. Mr. Hamman was a faithful and courageous soldier and, with the exception of a slight wound received at the battle of Perrysville, he escaped without injury. He received successive promotions to corporal and first sergeant as a testi- monial to his effectiveness as a soldier. At the conclusion of hostilities Mr. Hamman returned to the home of his aunt, with whom he stayed about a year and a half, and then bought the farm in section 22, Smithfield township, where he now lives.

In 1870 Mr. Hamman married Harriett E. Martin, who was born in Smithfield township, this county, the daughter of David and Lydia Ann (Shearer) Martin, who came here from near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. To this union five children were born: Herman M., who is represented else- where in this work; John D., David A., Lydia Ann and Jerry L. John D. married Sadie Warrick, and lives one mile southwest of his father's place, and is the father of three children, Waldo, Myrtle and Noah ; David A., who lives one mile southeast of his father, married Cyranda Walker and has two children, Lester and Mabel; Lydia Ann is the wife of Charles Erwin, of near Summit, this county, and they have a son, Russell ; Jerry L., who is unmar- ried, lives at home with his father. The mother of these children died on November 1, 1887, and in April, 1889. Mr. Hamman married Mary Snyder, who was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, the daughter of Bronson and Mary

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(Kirkwood) Snyder. She came with her parents to this country in 1865, they settling first in Steuben county, subsequently buying a farm in the southwest corner of Franklin township, where they lived until their death.

For many years the subject of this sketch has been an important figure in local public affairs and served as assessor of Smithfield township five years and also served as a member of the county council. Fraternally, he is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, where he enjoys inter- course with his old army comrades. His life has been filled with continuous toil and endeavor and has been so ordered in all its relations that he com- manded the unqualified esteem of those with whom he has come in contact, for he is one of the most popular men of the township where he has lived to such goodly ends:

JOHN VANGEESBEEK SHERWOOD.

One of the most enterprising of the younger generation of farmers in DeKalb county who has believed from the outset of his career that the "wis- dom of yesterday is sometimes the folly of today," and that, while the methods of our grandfathers in tilling the soil were all right in their day, yet in the twentieth century we are compelled to adopt new methods and farm along different lines, in view of the fact that conditions of climate, soil, grains, etc .. have changed since the days of the pioneers. He has been a close observer of modern methods and is a student at all times of whatever pertains to his chosen life work and he has therefore met with encouraging success all along the line, and, judging from his past record, he will undoubtedly achieve much in the future years and take his place among the leading agriculturists of a community noted for its fine farms and adroit husbandmen.

John Vangeesbeek Sherwood was born on September 18, 1875, on sec- tion 32, Smithfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana, and is a son of William C. and Mary D. (Parson) Sherwood. William C. Sherwood was born on July 16, 1841, in Onondaga county, New York, where he received his educa- tion in the common schools. In the spring of 1861 he moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, where his father owned one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 32, Smithfield township. He worked on a farm for Willard Childs for three months in Fairfield township and then returned to New York state. Later his father deeded sixty acres of land to him and about four years later he bought the balance of one hundred acres. He cleared the timber off this

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land during the winter months, returning to New York during the summers. His land was mostly covered with timber, but eventually he succeeded in get- ting the farm in excellent shape. On June 30, 1869, he married Mary D. Parsons, a native of the same county as himself in New York, where their marriage occurred. Two years after that event they came to the farm in DeKalb county, where he has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since. They became the parents of seven children, one of whom died in infancy, the others being Elijah, who married Lizzie Chandler White, and who is engaged in farming in Smithfield township; they have four children, George, Jennie, Alice and Edwin; Lucy became the wife first of Louis Rohm, and later of Calvin Husselman, a farmer at Richmond, Virginia. By her first marriage she had three children, Ralph, Martha and Alfred, and by the second union, one child, Ruth; John, the immediate subject of this sketch, is the next in order of birth: Edward is unmarried; Eliza became the wife of George Parrin, and they live in Butler ; Benjamin, who lives at Lapaz, Indi- ana, married Rosa Stoup, and they have two children, Orba and Mary G.

Politically, Mr. Sherwood is a Progressive Republican, and is a member of the United Brethren church. He and his wife are very active despite their years and are well liked in the community where they live.

John V. Sherwood received his education in the common schools of his township and has followed the vocation of farming all his active life. Prior to his marriage he bought eighty acres of land from his father, which at that time was in good condition and which had a good set of farm buildings. After his marriage he bought seventy acres more land, known as the B. B. Mc- Intarfer farm, the latter purchase being in the spring of 1913, and to the cultivation of his land he is now devoting his entire time and attention. His residence, barn and other outbuildings are all conveniently arranged and up- to-date in style, the fertility of the soil is maintained to the highest standard and, altogether, Mr. Sherwood has acquired an excellent reputation as a pro- gressive and enterprising agriculturist. He carries on general farming and also gives some attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, which he has found to be a valuable adjunct to the modern farm.

On June 24, 1903, Mr. Sherwood married Grace Anna Mills, and they have seven children: Edna C., Elzie R., Nellie M., Hilda M., Blanche N., Claude V. and John V., Jr. Mrs. Sherwood is ignorant as to her parents' whereabouts, for she was taken by her foster-mother. Harriett A. Westlake. a native of Indiana, when very young and never had any knowledge of her parents. She was reared by this foster-mother and moved to York, Steuben

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county, Indiana, where she was reared on a farm, her foster-mother, who is a widow, is still living on a farm there. Mrs. Sherwood was married prior to her marriage to Mr. Sherwood, by which union she had two children, who have lived most of their time with the subject, their foster-father. Their names are Clarence and Imogene Mills ; the former is now in the United States navy and the latter lives at Kendallville, Indiana.

Politically, Mr. Sherwood gives his support to the Progressive Repub- lican party, and is ardent in his support of the same, while his religious mem- bership is with the United Brethren church. Mr. Sherwood possesses a social nature, and by his genial and kindly attitude to those with whom he comes in contact he has won the confidence and respect of everyone. His life his- tory, though not á long one, has been a career of unswerving integrity, inde- fatigable industry and wholesome home and social relations, a most commend- able career crowned with success.

MOSES B. WILLIS.

As long as history endures will the American nation acknowledge in- debtedness to the heroes who, between 1861 and 1865, fought for the pres- ervation of the Union and the honor of that starry banner which has never been trailed in the dust of defeat in a single polemic struggle in which the country has been involved. Among those whose military records as valiant soldiers of the war of the Rebellion reflect lasting honor upon them and their descendants is Moses B. Willis, well known citizen of DeKalb county, where he has long maintained his home and won an honored name by virtue of his consistency to truth, honesty and right living. Therefore, he is eminently qualified for a place in the present work.

Moses B. Willis was born on November 8, 1839, at Salina, Onondaga county, New York, the fourth in order of birth of the children that were born to Henry and Emerline (Hewett) Willis. At the age of four years he accompanied his parents on their removal to DeKalb county, Indiana, settling one-half mile east of Green's Corners, in Richland township. There he was reared amid the hardships incident to pioneer life, assisting his father in his struggle to reclaim a farm from the dense forest which covered the land. His first school was obtained in the district school of that neighborhood, which was supplemented by two terms attendance at the seminary at Orland, Steuben

CAPT. MOSES B. WILLIS

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county, Indiana, and later two terms at the Auburn high school. He was a good student and qualified himself so well in his studies as to pass a creditable examination and received a license to teach, which vocation he followed during the winters of 1858-59-60. On the breaking out of the Civil war Mr. Willis enlisted in September, 1861, in Company K, Forty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years, taking the place of his father, who had enlisted, but whom he persuaded to remain at home with his family, insisting that the younger men ought to be the first to go. In the organization of his company he was appointed third sergeant, and on April 17, 1863. he was commissioned second lieutenant, but owing to the depleted condition of the county he was not mustered on that commission. About this time General Rosecrans conceived the idea that he could accomplish great things by or- ganizing a corps of the flower of the army, with which he would dash upon the enemy at unexpected times and places, and to this end he ordered details from each regiment. Two sergeants and five corporals were chosen for their bravery and soldierly bearing by the commissioned officers of the regiment, and from among this number Mr. Willis was chosen as one of the sergeants from his regiment. To these were to be added three privates from each com- pany, to be chosen by the captain, all of whom were to be mounted and fur- nished with the best of equipment. Had the government or the department of war approved of the plan, it would undoubtedly have been very effective, but the approval was not gained, therefore the plan was dropped and the men were returned to their respective commands. After the battle of Chickamauga Mr. Willis was detailed with others to go to Indiana to solicit recruits for his company, and while thus engaged his regiment re-enlisted as a veteran or- ganization, the members being granted thirty days furlough at home. On returning to the field Mr. Willis also re-enlisted as a veteran and served in his regiment post guard at Chattanooga. On January 16, 1865, he was commis- sioned and mustered in as captain of his company. The regiment was short of men on account of those who did not veteranize and who, on account of the expiration of their enlistment were discharged, but the regiment was given recruit substitutes and drafted men from two other regiments that did not veteranize. On June 17, 1865, Captain Willis was detailed on a general court martial for the trial of several cases, and was made president of the court, in which position he served until the duties of the court were completed. On June 26, 1865, Mr. Willis was detailed as inspector of the Second Brigade. First Separate Division, Army of the Cumberland, which later was disbanded

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History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Part 92

Author: B.F. Bowen & Co., Pub Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1182

Author: B.F. Bowen & Co., Pub
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1182