USA > Indiana > Huntington County > History of Huntington County, Indiana : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 19
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JAMES J. BLAIR. Among the residents of Huntington county whose abilities have been recognized by election to public office is James J. Blair, who has served as trustee of Salamonie township since 1912. He has spent his entire career in this township, and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Blair was born in Salamonie township, Huntington county, Indiana, March 1, 1846, and is a son of Thomas and Cynthia (Irwin) Blair. The Blair family is of German-Scotch origin, and was founded in Indiana by the grandparents of Mr. Blair, George and Jane Blair. The Irwins, who originated in Ireland, came to Indiana one year later from North Carolina. Thomas Blair was born in Pennsylvania, and was a lad of fifteen years when he accompanied his parents to Hunting- ton county, the family settling in Salamonie township. He enjoyed the privileges of a good common school education, following which he learned the trade of cabinetmaker, an occupation which he followed until his death. He was a man of versatile talents and much mechan- ical ability, and also worked as a general carpenter and wheelwright, in addition to spending some time at farming. Thomas and Cynthia Blair were the parents of six children, of whom three survive: Louisa J., the wife of James Robinett, of Allen county, Indiana; George, a resi- dent of Akron, Ohio; and James J.
James J. Blair was reared on his father's homestead place on section 16, Salamonie township, and sccured his educational training in the dis- trict school of this vicinity. He was but fourteen years of age at the time of his father's death, and he then laid aside his books to devote himself to learning the trade of carpenter, having inherited much of his father's mechanical skill along with his carpenter tools. This vocation he followed for many years, but he has also carried on farming, and at this time has a property of twenty acres in Salamonie township. He is known as an honorable man in his business transactions and faithful to every engagement, so that he holds a high place in the esteem and
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confidence of his fellow-citizens. Politically a democrat, in 1912 he became the candidate of his party for the office of township trustee and was duly elected, taking office June 1st of that year. In his official capacity he has shown the same conscientious attention to details and fidelity to duty that have marked his personal activities, and his town- ship has profited greatly thereby. Mr. Blair is a consistent member of the Christian church at Plum Tree and for some time has served as deacon.
On November 12, 1866, Mr. Blair was married to Miss Sallie Ham- ilton, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, and came to Rock Creek township, Huntington county, when she was four years of age. Later the family came to Salamonie township and here she received her educa- tion in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Blair have two children : Nellie, the widow of Eugene Rittgers; and Leanora, who married A. Melling, of Blackford county, Indiana. Curtis Blair, formerly of Rock Creek township, died February 12, 1911.
WILLIAM E. ROGERS. The farming interests of Union township have no better representative than William E. Rogers, who for about twenty years has been identified with that section of the county, and as a result of these active years spent in a close and methodical industry has a great deal to show in the way of a first-class farm and improvements, as well as the high position as a citizen. A number of years ago Mr. Rogers bought the Michael Young farm, situated four and a half miles north- west of Markle, his place being described in the usual record of land as the west half of eighty acres in the northwest quarter of section 27 in Union township.
William E. Rogers was born in Rock Creek township of Huntington county, Indiana, September 23, 1872, being a son of J. C. and Eliza (Trustler) Rogers. The father, who was also a native of Huntington county, and now resides as a substantial citizen in the town of Warren, is honored as a veteran of the Union army, having served in the Thirty- fourth Indiana Regiment during the war between the states. There were nine children in the family, mentioned briefly as follows: Allie, wife of Charles Sheets; Rosa, wife of William Powell, who lives in Canada; Lucy, wife of Ed Rays, of Denver, Colorado; William E .; Hattie, wife of Frank Morrison, who also lives in Canada; Vonie, wife of Charles Griffith; Gertrude, wife of Harry West of Peoria, Illinois; Frank, of Galveston, Texas; and Elmer, of Montpelier, Indiana.
William E. Rogers was reared in Rock Creek township, and all the memories of his boyhood days center about that locality. His education was acquired in the district schools. Early in his career he spent six years in Arkansas, but with that exception has been identified with Huntington county all his life. In 1893 Mr. Rogers married Miss Martha Bailey, a daughter of George and Nancy (Hersey) Bailey. Her parents were natives of Ohio, and came from that state to Huntington county many years ago. Mrs. Rogers herself is a native of Huntington county, born in the town of Markle in November, 1873. Her youth
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was spent in Union township, and most of her education was acquired in district No. 8 in that township. Mr. Rogers and wife have three children : Tennie, a graduate of the Union township high school, and now a popular teacher in that township; Claude, a student of the eighth grade; and Eldon, who is also in public schools. Mrs. Rogers is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church at Huntington. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Star of Hope Lodge, No. 464, I. O. O. F., and as to politics he gives his support to the Democratic candidates and principles.
SAMUEL F. TRIBOLET. One of the comparatively young men of Huntington county, until recently successfully identified with tile manu- facturing in this county, and now a farmer and well known resident of Union township, Samuel F. Tribolet is an Indiana man by birth, and has spent most of the years of his manhood in Huntington county.
He was born in Nottingham township of Wells county, Indiana, December 5, 1877, a son of David and Mary (Sarge) Tribolet. His father was born in Switzerland, was reared and educated there, and when twenty-three years of age imigrated to the United States and located first in Hancock county, Ohio. Two years there were followed by his removal to Bluffton, Indiana, where he met and married Mary Sarg. She was a native of Pennsylvania, and was nine years of age when her family brought her to Wells county, Indiana, locating twelve miles south of Bluffton in Nottingham township. After the marriage of David and Mary Tribolet, they settled in Bluffton, where he followed his trade as blacksmith, and from there moved to Rifetown, where he conducted a shop of his own for some time. Later he moved to the state of Tennessee, where his death occurred in October, 1900. There were eight children, six of whom are yet living, mentioned as follows: John W., a farmer in Huntington township; Rosa, wife of Ben J. Robrock, of Union township ; William J. Tribolet of Union township; Samuel F .; Charles E., of Rock Creek township; Clara, wife of Henry Schweff, of Union township.
Samuel F. Tribolet was reared principally in Rifetown, Wells county, and when eight years of age his father moved to Brown's Cor- ners, and his attendance at the country schools continued until he was fifteen years of age. Since that time he has been practically on his own resources, and his first experience in earning a living for himself was as a farm hand. Later he was employed in a tile factory, and with the accumulation of experience finally engaged with his brother, William J., in the tile business in Union township of Huntington county. That was his line of enterprise for ten years, and the firm of Tribolet Brothers did a large business in the manufacturing of brick and drain tile. Mr. Tribolet withdrew from that undertaking in the spring of 1913, and has since devoted all his energies to the work of general farming, being owner of a well improved estate of one hundred and four acres on the Prairie Road, five miles southeast of Huntington.
In November, 1908, Mr. Tribolet married Grace Tumbleson, a daugh- ter of Willard Tumbleson. They are the parents of one child, Velma B., born in March, 1912. Mr. Tribolet affiliates with Toledo Lodge of the
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also has taken the Encampment Degree.
In politics he is a democrat. He is a quiet business man, has led an honorable life, and stands high in the esteem of all his neighbors in Union township.
ROBERT P. Ross. Included among the successful farmers of Hunt- . ington county who have won success solely through their own industry and well-directed efforts is Robert P. Ross, the owner of a handsome and valuable farm situated in Polk township. In addition to carrying on general farming, he raises cattle, sheep and hogs and is also interested in business ventures, being at this time a stockholder in the Andrews State Bank. Mr. Ross was born in Wabash county, Indiana, December 15, 1856, and is a son of William G. Ross.
Nathan O. Ross, the grandfather of Robert P. Ross, was born in Fayette county, Indiana, from whence he came by way of ox-team to Wabash county, Indiana, with his large family, the family at that time being in such modest circumstances that some of the children were without shoes. However, he was a hard-working and thrifty farmer, and in the years that followed he accumulated some 1,200 acres of land, largely in the woods. He also became a pioncer lawyer of Wabash county, and entered prominently into democratic politics, being widely known and highly respected among his fellow-citizens. William G. Ross. was born in Fayette county, Indiana, and was a youth when he accom- panied his parents to Wabash county, in 1837. Like his father he adopted agricultural pursuits as his vocation in life, and through earnest effort accumulated a competency. He was a republican in politics, and his religious connection was with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was a faithful worker. He became the parent of six children, of whom five are living at this time : Minerva, the wife of Marcus Engle- man, who started his career without a dollar and is now the owner of 400 acres of land in Rich Valley, Wabash county ; Robert P .; Allen W., who is a respected citizen and substantial farmer of Randolph county, Indi- ana ; Thomas O., a retired farmer of Peru, Indiana ; and John E., whose home is at. Roann, Wabash county.
Robert P. Ross secured his educational training in the district schools of Wabash county, and as a lad began to assist his father and brothers in clearing the home farm from the green woods. He grew up as a farmer, and early adopted the tilling of the soil for his field of endeavor, an occupation upon which he has continued to concentrate his best energies. On December 25, 1880, Mr. Ross was married to Miss Philena Boblett, who was born in Wabash county, Indiana, and educated in the public schools. She taught one term in the public schools. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ross, all of whom are living: Grace, a graduate of the graded and high schools, and now the wife of Jesse White, of Wabash county; M. G., a resident of Wabash county ; Thomas, who is engaged in farming in Wabash county; A. J., who is car- rying on farming in Canada; Harry, a farmer of Polk township; Fay
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M., the wife of Claude Wilson, of Polk township; Edna and Elizabeth, graduates from high school, who are single and reside with their parents ; and Truman, who is attending the common schools. The children have all been given good educational advantages and have been well fitted for the positions in life which they may be called upon to fill.
Mr. and Mrs. Ross are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal . church. His fraternal connection is with the Knights of the Maccabees, in which he carries a policy of $4,000. He is now a supporter of the poli- cies of the progressive party, although until the campaign of 1912 he was a republican. Mr. Ross has gained success through his own efforts, for during the early part of his career he had little capital and was forced to spend many years as a renter. He came to Polk township in March, 1903, and since that time has accumulated 257 acres of some of the best land to be found in this locality, located six miles south and two miles west of Andrews. He is skilled as an agriculturist, using modern methods, ideas and machinery, and his farm shows the beneficial effects of good management in every department. He has also met with success in his stockraising operations, and each year ships a large num- ber of cattle, sheep and hogs to the markets. In business circles he is known as a man of integrity and straightforward dealing, who may be absolutely relied upon by his associates, and those who have dealings with him. His acquaintance is large throughout this section, and his friends many and sincere.
DAVID M. PRILAMAN. Huntington county is largely agricultural and the greater number of its prosperous citizens are engaged in the cultiva- tion of the soil. These men form the backbone of their community, and upon them rests the responsibility for the future prosperity or failure of this section. One of the farmers of the county who through intelligent treatment of the soil is not alone gaining a profitable living for himself, but is also insuring the productiveness of his land for years to come, is David M. Prilaman, of Polk township, the owner of 113 acres of land located just across the Salamonie river, south of Monument City. Mr. Prilaman has been an agriculturist all his life and has gained prosperity through hard and persistent toil combined with a thorough knowledge of farms and farming methods. He is a Hoosier by birth, the place of his nativity being Wabash county, and his natal day March 21, 1859.
Christian Prilaman, the father of David M. Prilaman, was born in Ohio, from whence he came shortly after his marriage to Indiana, and first located in Wabash county. There he was engaged in farming until the year 1866, at which time he moved with his family to Huntington county, and here purchased 100 acres of partly developed land in Polk township. A man of steady and industrious habits, he was able to com- plete the clearing of his property and to make numerous improvements thereon, and when he passed away was known as one of the well-to-do farmers of his township. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the German Baptist church, and were active in its work. Mr. Prila- man was married to Miss Elizabeth Free, also a native of Ohio, and they
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became the parents of ten children, of whom six are living at this time : David M., of this review ; Joseph, a resident of California; Frances, who became the wife of J. C. Fisher, of Marion, Indiana; Samuel, a resident of Manitoba, Canada; and Mary, who is the wife of Ed Carroll, of Har- lansburg, Indiana.
David M. Prilaman was but seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to Huntington county, and in the Polk township district schools he subsequently received his educational training. He grew up on the home farm, assisted his father in its cultivation, and thoroughly familiarized himself with every detail pertaining to its work. At the time of his father's death he inherited a part of the property and pur- chased the remainder of the original 100 acres from the other heirs, and to this he has since added thirteen acres more. This is one of the really valuable farms of Polk township. Situated on the banks of the Sala- monie river, it has rich, fertile soil, which is well drained and produces bumper crops. Mr. Prilaman has devoted the greater part of his atten- tion to farming, but he has also met with success in the line of cattle raising. His reputation is high as a man of stability, reliability and integrity, and his numerous friends testify to his general popularity.
In November, 1883, Mr. Prilaman was married (first) to Miss Ada Bailey, daughter of Thomas Bailey, of Polk township, and she died in 1894, having been the mother of three children, namely: Bessie, a grad- uate of the common schools and now the wife of Arlin Bodkin; Jesse L., a graduate of the common schools, who married Ethel Campbell; and Guy M., a graduate of the common schools and the Monument City High school, a carpenter residing at Andrews, who married Amelia Bechtol. Mr. Prilaman was married (second) to Mrs. Flora Bradford, who was born Flora Dawson and married (first) Earl Bradford, now deceased, by whom she has one daughter, Ruby, who is twelve years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Prilaman have no children. They were married in June, 1906.
Mr. Prilaman's fraternal connections are with Golden Rule Lodge, No. 308, Knights of Pythias, at Andrews, Indiana. Politically a repub- lican, he has been active in local and county affairs, and has served efficiently as a member of the Polk township advisory board since the passage of the law creating that office. In all the affairs of life he has been faithful to his obligations, and the general regard in which he is held gives evidence of his high standing in the confidence of his fellow- citizens.
W. H. SOUTHWOOD. Ten miles from Huntington, Indiana, in Polk township, are located the famous Salamonie Valley Stock Farms Nos. 1 and 2, comprising a tract of 233 acres of highly productive farming and pasture land, from which come yearly large shipments of water- melons and muskmelons. The owner of this valuable and well-known property is W. H. Southwood, whose career has been one of steady advancement from humble position and obscurity to substantial success and prominence in the business world. Mr. Southwood is eminently entitled to the proud American title of self-made man, for he has been
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the architect of his own fortunes, has labored faithfully and uncom- plainingly, and has at length erected a structure that rests firmly on integrity and reliability.
Mr. Southwood has resided in Polk township all of his life, having been born on a farm in this locality, May 19, 1852. He is a son of Joseph and Lydia (Peters) Southwood, natives of Virginia, who came to Hunt- ington county in 1848, and located on a farming property here, residing in this section during the remainder of their lives. They were people of sterling honesty, public-spirited loyalty and kind-hearted sympathy, and were respected and esteemed wherever known. They were in modest financial circumstances, however, and could afford to give their son only an ordinary public school education, although he was carefully reared. Mr. Southwood was an ambitious and industrious lad, and early began to be self-supporting. Even in his youth he did not unquestion- ingly accept long-established ideas merely because they had been in force for many years, but was always experimenting with new methods and processes, with the result that he often was able to distance his fellows who kept along in the same old rut. Gradually he became a land owner and began to make experiments in specializing along various lines. Finally he found that Polk township soil, properly cultivated, was capa- ble of producing an excellent quality of watermelons, and his operations increased and his product came into demand because of its quality and size. He gained the sobriquet of "The Watermelon Raiser." His prin- cipal varieties are the "Monte Cristo" and "Tom Watson." In addition he yearly grows a large crop of muskmelons, his varieties being the "Buckbee Ideal" and "Perfection Yellow." In the management of his affairs Mr. Southwood has shown himself a capable, far-seeing business man, who has the courage of his convictions, and whose judgment is almost invariably correct. His reputation for stalwart integrity has been built up through years of honorable and straightforward dealing, and few men are held in greater confidence by those who have associated with him.
Mr. Southwood was married to Miss Martha J. Eads, who was born in Polk township, daughter of William B. Eads of this locality. Four children have been born to this union, of whom two are living at this time : Robert R., who is married and a successful farmer of Polk town- ship; and Ollie R., who is the wife of Rev. Ora Oxley, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal faith. Mr. and Mrs. Southwood are consistent members of the Church of the Brethren and have been liberal supporters of its movements. Politically a republican, Mr. Southwood has not sought office, although he is stanch in his support of his party's candi- dates and principles and takes a keen and intelligent interest in public affairs that affect the welfare of his community. Essentially a farmer and business man, he has devoted almost his entire attention to the culti- vation of his fields, content to be just what he is, an unassuming citizen, representative of the best type of Huntington county citizenship.
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CARL A. VITz. Six miles out from the city of Huntington, southeast on the prairie road, is located the pleasant homestead of Carl A. Vitz. Mr. Vitz has a delightful home, a fine farm of seventy-seven and a half acres, and his own industry, combined with the good judgment and thrifty management of his wife, has brought about a degree of pros- perity that places him among the substantial citizens, and the name is spoken only with respect and esteem in that section of Huntington county. His position in the community can best be judged by the fact that his fellow citizens have honored him with election to the office of trustee of Union township, and in that capacity he is giving a most excellent administration of the important responsibilities entrusted by law to the township trustees in Indiana. Mr. Vitz is a thorough believer in the principle of public education, uses all his efforts and influence to extend the beneficent activities of the local schools, and has proved, in the judgment of the majority of his fellow citizens, just the man to fill the administrative office of which he is incumbent.
Carl A. Vitz was born in the city of Huntington April 25, 1864, a son of Rev. Peter and Anna M. (Jacob) Vitz. Peter Vitz was born in Germany in October, 1825, was educated in Heidelberg University, and in 1853 came to America. For a number of years he was a minister of the German Reform church and his death occurred in the city of Hunt- ington.
There was a family of ten children, mentioned as follows: John F., a farmer in Union township; Rev. Martin, now an instructor in the Mission House at Sheboygan; J. Otto, a minister at Louisville, Ken . tucky ; Henry W., a minister at Indianapolis; Carl A .; Martha M., wife of Rev. P. S. Kohler, of Sutton, Nebraska ; Emma M., wife of Rev. H. B. Robrock, of St. Louis, Missouri; Rev. O. P. Vitz, of Rising Sun, Indiana ; Anna L., wife of Ernest Eberhart, of Indianapolis; Rev. Nathan E. Vitz of Defiance, Ohio.
Carl A. Vitz was reared in Huntington until he was six years of age, and the ministerial duties of his father made it necessary for the home to be transferred from place to place, and at these various places of residence he received his education in the local schools. In 1882 Mr. Vitz returned to Huntington, and three years later in 1885 married Miss Anna M. Fowerbaugh. She was born in Huntington county in October, 1865, a daughter of William Fowerbaugh, a pioneer of this county. Her education was acquired in the parochial schools of Huntington. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Vitz located in Union township, where they have lived for upwards of thirty years. They are the parents of three children, namely: Peter W., a graduate of the Union Township high school, and of the State Normal, and now superintendent of the Union Township high school ; Edward M., a graduate of the Union Town- ship school, who is a progressive young farmer; Meta M., a graduate of the high school and a teacher in Union township. The family are all active members of the German Reformed church at Huntington, and the son, Edward M., is one of the deacons in that church. In politics Mr. Vitz has long been one of the leaders in local Democracy, and was elected. on the Democratic ticket to his present office.
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JAMES M. STUART. Huntington eounty is noted for its fine farm- steads, and in Union township one of the best of these is the Blaek Locust Stoek Farm, situated seven and a half miles southeast of Hunt- ington, and two and a half miles northwest of Markle, on the Markle Gravel Road. This is the home of James M. Stuart. Its industry is eattle raising. Mr. Stuart has spent money, patience and labor in laying the foundation of a splendid herd of Holstein cattle. The farm com- prises two hundred acres of land, and its aere valuation is set at a high figure, which in itself is evidence of a fine state of improvement. By many years of hard work and able management Mr. Stuart has fitted himself into the industrial and civie life of Huntington county, as one of the successful mnen.
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