USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 95
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100
C. W. FREEBURN.
Among the citizens of Concord township, DeKalb county, Indiana, who have not only won by their personal efforts a fair share of this world's goods, but also, because of their upright and honorable lives, the respect and esteem of the entire community, the subject of this sketch stands pre-eminent. He has at all times stood for the highest and best interests of the community and is regarded as one of the representative citizens of the township.
C. W. Freeburn, who is a successful farmer and public-spirited citizen of Concord township, DeKalb county, Indiana, was born on September 8, 1842, in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and is the son of John E. and Matilda
------
950
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
(Cooper) Freeburn, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Vir- ginia. They were the parents of the following children: C. W., the im- mediate subject of this sketch; John, a resident of Ohio; Mrs. Matilda Boyer,' who lives in the state of Washington; Mrs. Maria Burgead, of Michigan ; D. A., of Butler, this county, and Lincoln E., who lives in Ohio.
The subject's early education was received in the common schools of his native state and Ohio, and at the age of about twenty-five years he came to DeKalb county, Indiana. Here his first active efforts were in farming, but later he engaged in the livery business at Butler; which occupied his attention about two years. He then went to Hamilton, Steuben county, Indiana, where he engaged in the drygoods business, but subsequently sold his interests there and moved to Newville, this county. In April, 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Freeburn promptly offered his services to his country, becom- ing a member of Company C, Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the three-months service. At the end of his first period of enlistment he re- enlisted as a member of Company C, One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for two years, when he was trans- ferred to the scout service, in which he served until the close of the war. He was a valiant and courageous soldier and performed much arduous service and endured many hardships in his earnest efforts to assist in the preservation of the National Union. Since the war Mr. Freeburn has devoted his atten- tion to farming and is now the owner of eighty-one acres of splendid land in Concord township, this county, which he is cultivating with success and good results. He is practical and painstaking in everything he does, giving personal supervision to every detail of his work and the general appearance of his place is such as to reflect great credit on the owner.
In 1881 Mr. Freeburn married Belle McMullin, the daughter of Albert and Elizabeth (Whitcomb) McMullin, the father a native of Ireland and the mother of Ohio. To this union were born the following children: Mrs. Jessie F. Colburn, of Hicksville, Ohio; Mrs. Gail Resoner, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Briton B., who lives in the state of California ; William, who makes his home with the subject; Opal also is at home, as is Mildred.
Politically, Mr. Freeburn gives his earnest support to the Republican party, believing the principles advocated in its platform to be those most conducive to the highest interests of the American people. Fraternally; he is a member of the Masonic order and of the post of the Grand Army of the Republic at St. Joe. Personally, he is a genial, straightforward and hospitable gentleman, whom everybody honors and respects. He has been a hard work-
95I
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIAN.A.
ing man, and to his own personal efforts is attributable the success which he has enjoyed. Because of his earnest life and sterling character he has won and deserves the high standing which he now enjoys in the community where so many of his active years have been spent.
FRED B. LEIGHTY.
It is universally conceded that there are three factors which are more potent than all others in the advancement of civilization-pulpit, platform and press. Of these three, the press reaches places and conditions which the other two never touch. Public opinion, as voiced in the newspapers of our country. has as much influence in moulding legislation, advancing reforms and elim- inating corrupt politics as all other agencies put together. A good newspaper, one which stands for the best interests of a community, is a blessing and the good that it can do is incalculable. It is the paper of the town which often is the only means of driving graft out of city affairs. The editor of a good newspaper is a man who touches the daily life of the community on every side and the editor who does his work honestly, fearlessly and conscientiously deserves the praise of the community. Such a man is the subject of this brief review.
Fred B. Leighty, the son of Charles Bennett and Martha Jane ( Burley ) Leighty, was born at St. Joe, DeKalb county, Indiana, June 26, 1886. His father and mother were both natives of DeKalb county. Jolin Leighty. the subject's grandfather, was an early settler of Spencerville, Indiana, having emigrated to this state from Pennsylvania. He became one of the founders of St. Joe. Harper Burley, the father of Mrs. Leighty, was one of the early settlers of DeKalb county, coming to this state from Ohio. Bennett Leighty followed the occupation of a butcher during his lifetime in the town of St. Joe. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Leighty were born five children, Nena C., deceased : J. Harper. Frank R., Fred B. and Grace G.
Fred B. Leighty was educated in the common schools and the high school at St. Joe. While he was in the high school he became apprenticed to a printer of the town and when he was in his junior year in the high school he purchased the St. Joe News on March 1. 1906. He has continued in editorial charge of this paper since that time, and has built up the paper until it commands the respect of the town and community. It is independent in politics, with a weekly circulation of seven hundred, and is one of the best
952
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
advertising mediums in the county. It is published weekly and the price of the publication is one dollar per year. The job department is fully equipped with material for producing work that has given entire satisfaction to an ever-increasing number of patrons.
As the paper says: "St. Joe is the biggest little town in Indiana, with the best people on earth. Located in DeKalb county, population five hundred. Cleanest and most beautiful little village in the state ; good schools, churches and business houses and complete walks, all well shaded; fine electric light system, two good railroads and a good place for a business location. One mile from Spring Brook fruit farm, the greatest prize winner in Indiana."
Mr. Leighty was married on September 21, 1908, to Lora E. Hull, the daughter of John C. and Loretta Hull, both of whom are natives of DeKalb county. Mr. and Mrs. Leighty are the parents of one son, John Bennett, born January 20, 1914.
Politically, Mr. Leighty has taken an independent stand, voting for the man best qualified for office regardless of party lines, and always supporting such measures as promise to be of benefit to the community. Religiously, he is affiliated with the Methodist Protestant church and gives his earnest support to its various activities. Personally. Mr. Leighty is a man of genial dispo- sition and kindly impulses and his friends are in number as his acquaintances.
JOSEPH A. HULL.
DeKalb county, Indiana, enjoys a high reputation because of the high order of her citizenship, and none of her citizens occupies a more enviable position in the esteem of his fellows than the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. A residence here of his entire lifetime has given his fellows a full opportunity to observe him in the various lines of activity in which he has engaged and his present high standing is due solely to the honorable and upright course he has pursued. As a leading citizen of this community he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character.
Joseph A .. Hull was born on October 21, 1860, in DeKalb county, and is the son of Henry H. and Sarah A. (Widney) Hull, the father a native of the state of Ohio and the mother a daughter of the Hoosier state. Henry H. Hull came from his native state of Ohio when he was about fourteen years of age, settling on a farm of eighty acres, which he cleared and developed into
953
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
a good farm. After he had completed this task he bought sixty acres more, which he also cleared and later bought another tract of thirty acres, to which he gave his attention until he had that also in shape for cultivation. From the foregoing statement it may be implied that through a period of years his life was characterized by labor of the most arduous type, but it was such men as he who laid the foundation for the present splendid civilization and development which characterizes DeKalb county, and to him the present generation owes a heavy debt of gratitude. In November. 1863. Mr. Hull enlisted for service in the Union army and served about one year. He later became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, with which he was con- nected until his death, which occurred on September 1I, 1911. His widow. who now survives him at the age of seventy-three years, was born on Novem- ber 8, 1840, and, though advanced in years, is still in the enjoyment of good health. They were the parents of the following children: Joseph A., the immediate subject of this sketch ; Clarence H., of this county, and Delbert L .. who resides in the state of Colorado.
Joseph A. Hull received his elementary education in the common schools and at the age of eighteen years he engaged in farming on his own account, to which he has devoted his attention throughout the subsequent years. He is now the owner of ninety acres of splendid land, on which he located in 1892 and to the improvement of which he has devoted himself. He owns a pleasant and attractive residence, large and substantial barns, and employs modern methods in the operation of his farm so that he has been enabled through the years to reap maximum returns with a minimum of effort. He carries on a diversified system of farming, making a specialty of no one line and has found this to be the most practical and profitable method of pro- cedure. Among his fellow agriculturists he is held in high esteem because of the splendid success which he has attained and, personally. he has gained a large following in the community because of his genial disposition and high character.
On December 7. 1882, Mr. Hull married Ella C. Baker, the daughter of Stephen B. and Catherine (Reasoner) Baker, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Hull have been born the following children: Paul C., who died in infancy, as did Hubert E .; Harvey J. is a graduate of the common schools of Concord township and, though but thirteen years of age, is now attending the high school at St. Joe.
Politically, Mr. Hull gives his support to the Democratic party, in the
954
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
success of which he has been actively interested for many years, having been precinct committeeman for four years and Democratic election inspector during the past seven years. Mr. Hull enjoys a splendid reputation through- out his section of the country because of the marked success to which he has attained and the high personal character borne by him. Large-hearted, generous and courteous to all, he easily makes acquaintances and has a large circle of warm personal friends, who esteem him for his genuine worth.
AARON W. CAMP.
To indulge in prolix encomium of a life which was one of distinctive modesty and unpretentiousness would be most incongruous and yet in re- viewing the career of the late Aaron W. Camp, who was long one of the best known agriculturists of Smithfield township, and who held a position of unequivocal confidence and esteem in the community where he labored to so goodly ends, feelings of admiration are prompted, for he always looked to the general good of his fellow men while advancing the interests of his own house- hold, ever discharging his duties, whether private or public, in a most conscien- tious manner, thereby winning the admiration and confidence of all who knew him. Though a man of unpretentious demeanor, he possessed the silent but powerful force that attracted men, and his memory will long be cherished by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances throughout this community.
. Aaron W. Camp was born in 1849 in Stark county, Ohio, and was a son of John and Susanna (Smith) Camp. In 1855, when he was six years old, his parents moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating in Smithfield town- ship, near Ashley, a part of that town now standing on the old farm. There John and Susanna Camp made their permanent home and spent the balance of their lives, the father dying there about 1893 and the mother, who spent the last seven years of her life with her son, the subject of this sketch, passed away in December, 1908. They had been pioneer settlers in this section of the county and had courageously performed their share of the gigantic task of clearing the land and opening up the country to settlement. When they came here their land was all in timber, the only mark of human work being the small clearing in which John Camp erected his small pioneer cabin, in which a quilt was used instead of a door and other primitive arrangements character- ized the new home during the early months of their residence there. In 1878
955
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
a large, convenient and attractive residence was erected, being at that time one of the finest in the township. Amid the surroundings of typical pioneer life Aaron Camp was reared to manhood, having secured his education in the district schools of that neighborhood and the Angola Normal School, after which he successfully taught school for several years. After his marriage, in 1876, they remained about four years on the home farm, then for nine years le lived on and operated a farm he and his mother had bought, about three miles southwest of Ashley. During the following seven and a half years they lived on what was known as the McCoy farm, which is now owned by their daughter, Mrs. Mabel Judson. They then moved to the James Clark farm, three miles south of Ashley, though still owning the two other farms. Event- ually, twenty years after leaving the old home farm, they returned to it and there made their permanent home. Mr. Camp was an energetic and pro- gressive man in his farming operations and achieved a noteworthy success. In addition to his cultivation of the soil, he owned two threshing outfits, and, because of his extensive operations and high character as a man, as well as because of his material success, he was widely and favorably known.
In local public affairs _. Ir. Camp took an intelligent interest and was at the time of his death a valued member of the county council. Politically, he was an earnest supporter of the Democratic party, while, fraternally, he was for twenty years a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Camp's death oc- curred in 1906, his removal being generally considered a distinct loss to the community which had been honored by his citizenship.
In 1876 Aaron Camp was married to Amanda E. Husselman, who was born in Fairfield township, DeKalb county, in 1855, the daughter of John Trapp Husselman and Elvina (Hartman) Husselman and, on the paternal side, the granddaughter of Samuel and Susan (Trapp) Husselman, who, in 1844, came from Wayne county, Ohio, to DeKalb county. In 1855 John Trapp Husselman bought a farm east of Fairfield Center, where he lived until his death, which occurred in November. 1888. His widow is still living in Ashley, at the age of eighty-one years. Their daughter, Amanda E., lived on the farm near Fairfield Center until her marriage to Mr. Camp. She is still living on the old Camp homestead, near Ashley, with her daughter Ethel and son Jesse. She is a woman of many kindly qualities and is beloved by all who know her.
To Mr. and Mrs. Camp were born the following children: Maude B., who is the wife of Frank Duncan, of Olivet, Michigan, has a daughter, Mil- dred C .; Eva H., the wife of Forest Miller, lives on the farm where her par-
956
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
ents had formerly lived, three miles south of Ashley, and they have a son, Lloyd, and an adopted daughter, Hope; Mabel C. is the wife of Harvey T. Judson, of Auburn ; Ethel V. resides at home with her mother ; Jesse W., who was born on May 10, 1877, married Mrs. Edna (Hartman) Bensing. Jesse and Ethel are the joint owners of a farm, which the former operates, and he also cultivates the home farm at Ashley and a farm owned by his sister, Mrs. Mabel Judson. He is a wide-awake, energetic and progressive farmer and is achieving a pronounced success in his vocation. He takes an active interest in public affairs and is a Democrat in his political relations, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
Aaron Camp was entitled to rank among the leading men of his com- munity, for in him were embodied those qualities which prompt a man to do only those things which he feels are right. The qualities of keen discrimina- tion, sound judgment and executive ability entered very largely into his make- up and were contributing elements to the material success which came to him. A public-spirited citizen, he was ready at all times to use his means and in- fluence for the promotion of the public good, and there was probably not another man in his community who was held in higher esteem hy his fellow citizens.
ELIAS ZIMMERMAN.
In the past ages the history of a country was comprised chiefly in the record of its wars and conquests. Today history is largely a record of com- mercial activity and those whose names are foremost in the annals of the nation are those who have become leaders in business circles. The conquests now made are those of mind over matter, and the victor is he who can most- successfully establish, control and operate commercial and industrial interests. Elias Zimmerman is unquestionably one of the strongest and most influential men whose lives have been an essential part of the history of DeKalb county. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time, are the chief characteristics of the man. These, combined with every-day common sense and guided by strong will power, are concomitants which will insure success in any underaking.
Elias Zimmerman was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on May 30. 1829, and is a son of John and Mary (Paden) Zimmerman. In the fall of 1831 the family moved to what is now Ashland ( formerly Montgomery) county, Ohio, where they lived until the middle of May. 1844, when they
957
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
moved to DeKalb county, Indiana. Here John Zimmerman bought two quarter sections and settled in the woods two miles west of Spencerville. He came here early in the spring and had brought a hired man with him to help in the work of clearing the land and putting it in cultivation. They cleared about three acres that spring, and erected a shanty, about twenty-four by ten feet in size, built of small trees, with the bed made of sappling poles clear across one end from wall to wall. The cabin had no chimney, but they cooked outside. The first summer they cleared fifteen acres of land, and in the fall they hewed logs and built a house in which the family lived for six or eight years. This quarter section of land John Zimmerman succeeded in clearing and improving, but the other quarter section, southwest of Spencerville, he leased out, instead of clearing. The first fall they sowed wheat, the mode of their operations being necessarily somewhat crude. After clearing out the logs and raking and burning the trash, the wheat was sowed broadcast be- tween the stumps and was dragged in, it not being possible to plow because of the stumps. It grew, but when about knee high the tops were killed by frost. However, it sprouted again and they got one hundred bushels from fifteen acres.
John Zimmerman's first wife had died in Ohio before the family re- moved to Indiana, and he afterwards married Rebecca Folk. When he came to Indiana there were three boys and three girls by the first marriage and one by the second marriage, three more children being born here. After the death of his second wife John Zimmerman married Mrs. Nancy Murray, a widow. the mother of Henry Murray, now of Spencerville.
In an early day Peter Bowman came from Ashland county, Ohio, and set up a saw-mill on the Zimmerman farm. Soon after 1850 Elias Zimmer- man bought this mill and operated it for several years. After John Zim- merman had lived at Cedarville a few years, having moved there from the farm west of Spencerville, he built a house at Leo, Allen county, where he lived for a time, and then bought a mill at Spencerville, a picture of which is shown elsewhere in this volume.
Elias Zimmerman operated for about a year the saw-mill on his father's farm, west of Spencerville, referred to above, then moved it to Leo, where lie operated it for several years. He then bought an acre of ground adjoining the saw-mill, on which he erected a stave factory, making oil-barrel staves for several years and also installing a shingle mill. He continued these operations there until 1875. when he sold his interests at Leo and moved to Auburn. where his son Frank was already engaged in the operation of a planing mill.
958
DEKALB - COUNTY, INDIANA.
Becoming identified with the business, Elias Zimmerman has since had much to do with its progress and development and is now at the head of the con- cern, which is conducted under the name of the Zimmerman Mfg Co., and is the oldest manufacturing concern in Auburn in point of continuous exist- ence. For detailed reference to the Zimmerman factory in Auburn, the reader is referred to the sketch of John Zimmerman, which appears elsewhere in this work.
In 1850 Elias Zimmerman married Mary Bittenger, who died in 1872, leaving five children, Frank, George, John, Alice and Ada. Of these Frank, George and Alice are deceased; John is secretary, treasurer and general man,- ager of the Zimmerman Mfg. Co., and Adda is the wife of C. C. Schatter, of Fort Wayne.
On January 1, 1884, Elias Zimmerman married Priscilla Coder, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, the daughter of John and Eliza- beth (Griffith) Coder. Her parents, who were both natives of Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, moved first to Ohio, and eventually to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating in 1867 on a farm west of Spencerville. They lived there until about 1886, when the father retired from active farming and moved to St. Joe, where they spent their last days and died, the father passing away at the age of seventy-six years and the mother when seventy-four years old. They were well known throughout that community and were highly esteemed. About 1869 Miss Priscilla Coder began teaching school and during the following twelve years she was successfully engaged in the country schools and at Spencerville. In 1880 she came to Auburn and taught in the primary grade for four years, having an average of eighty-five pupils and at one time as many as one hundred and fifteen. To Elias and Priscilla Zimmerman has been born a daughter, Elizabeth, who is well educated. After graduating from the Auburn high school she became a student in DePauw University, where she was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Her scholar- ship was of such a high standard that she was awarded the Phi Beta Kappa membership, a membership in a national organization that is based solely on high scholarship.
Religiously. Mr. Zimmerman is an earnest and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Auburn, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor. It is useless to say that Mr. Zimmerman has worked hard and honorably earned the reputation which he enjoys as one of the leading public- spirited citizens of this locality, and it is also needless to add that he is held in the highest esteem by all with whom he has come in contact. for through the
959
DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.
years he has thrown the force of his strong individuality and sterling integrity into making the county what it is, efforts which have not failed of appreciation on the part of his fellow citizens.
GEORGE W. TROSTLE.
Among the citizens of Concord township, DeKalb county, Indiania, who have built up comfortable homes and surrounded themselves with valuable landed estates and personal property, few have attained a higher degree of success than the subject of this sketch. With few opportunities except 'wliat his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made an exceptional success in life and in his old age la's the gratification of knowing that the community in which he has resided has been benefited by his presence and his counsel.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.