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 23
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Mr. and Mrs Shull have had four children : one who died in infancy ; Allison, who married Miss Ollie Taylor; Norman, who married Jessie Thorp and lives at Flat Rock, Illinois; and a daughter who died at the age of seventeen years. Mr. Shull is an excellent example of the live, pro- gressive, up-to-date farmers of the Twentieth Century, one who knows how Vol. II-12
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to make his land pay him a profit, and how to enjoy life in the surround- ings that have always been his. He is a Republican in politics and was Road Supervisor for years and a member of the Advisory Board. Among his neighbors he is known as a man of a large and generous heart, who will sacrifice his personal interests to assist others. It is but natural that he should have a wide circle of friends.
JOSEPH E. ALLEN. The rich agricultural resources of Huntington county have afforded to Joseph E. Allen the opportunities for securing success, and here, through earnest and consistent effort he has won a place among his locality's substantial men. His present farm, a tract of eighty acres, lying one mile south and three miles west of Warren, is one of the well-developed properties of Jefferson township, and in its management Mr. Allen has displayed the possession of business ability of more than an ordinary nature. As a citizen he has discharged his duties and responsibilities faithfully, and in each avenue of life's en- deavor he has succeeded in his efforts to be known as a helpful and reliable member of his community.
Mr. Allen was born in Lancaster township, Huntington county, Indiana, March 22, 1871, and is a son of Curtis and Susanna (Beck) Allen. His father, a native of Howard county, Indiana, was there edu- cated in the public schools, and in young manhood came to Lancaster township, Huntington county, and was married to one of that locality 's native daughters. They settled down to agricultural pursuits, in which they continued to be engaged throughout their active careers, and both have now passed away. Mr. Allen was married twice, and had six chil- dren, namely : Mary J., who is the wife of John Miller; Joseph E., of this review; and John M., Ella May, Frank and Dow, who are all deceased.
Joseph E. Allen was a small lad when his parents brought him to Jefferson township, and here he grew to manhood amid rural surround- ings. He secured liberal educational advantages in the district school in the vicinity of his father's farm, and when not engrossed in his studies was engaged in assisting his father in the work of the home- stead, thus growing to sturdy manhood with an alert mind and a strong and well-trained body. In October, 1880, he founded a home of his own when he was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Amanda Rinehart, of Jefferson township. Of the five children born to this union four are still living : Russell, a graduate of the common schools, who married Glagie Myers, and is now engaged in successful farming opera- tions in Jefferson township; Everett, a graduate of the common schools, who resides at home and assists his father in the work of farming; Miss Edith, who lives at home with her parents; Cleatus, the baby, who is one and one-half years old.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Allen settled on the farm which they now occupy, and which through conservative and well-directed effort has been brought to a high state of cultivation. In his work Mr. Allen has kept abreast of the progress of the times and is a recognized
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leader among the agriculturists and stockraisers of Jefferson township. The consensus of opinion regarding him is altogether favorable and the high esteem in which he is uniformly held comes as a tribute to his high business and personal worth. His farm is well equipped with improvements of the most modern character, as Mr. Allen is a firm believer in the use of the latest inventions, discoverics and methods and the gratifying results which he has achieved are testimonials to the effect that his judgment is of the best. He has a comfortable and well- appointed residence, a commodious and substantial barn and well-built outbuildings, his well-bred cattle are fat and content, and all in all his property is one which creates a favorable impression upon the visitor and yields Mr. Allen a handsome income.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen are consistent members of the Methodist Epis- copal church at Otterbein, Mr. Allen being a member of the board of trustees. In political matters he supports the principles of democracy, and has been prominent in the affairs of his township, especially in the line of good roads, being appointed under the laws of the county as superintendent of gravel roads for Huntington county and having jurisdiction over the Beck, Shaw, Green, Searles, Detamore, Wearley. Cross, Nunamaker, Trout and Hawkins gravel roads. His public service has been characterized by conscientious devotion to duty, and as a result he is known as one of the helpful men of his community whose activities are potent factors in its development.
HENRY TROUT. One of the honored residents of Huntington county who for long years has borne a conspicuous and active part in its agri- cultural affairs, who is now in a green old age, and who still takes a keen interest in those things which make for progress and advancement, is Henry Trout, the monument to whose labors is a fincly cultivated farm located five miles west and one-half mile south of Warren, in Jefferson township. A veteran of the great Civil war, through which he fought valiantly as a soldier in the ranks of the Blue, Mr. Trout has at all times shown himself a patriotic and public-spirited citizen, whose devotion to duty and to friendship has gained him the unqualified esteem and respect of those among whom his career has been passed.
Henry Trout was born on his father's farm in Highland county, Ohio, March 7, 1843, and is a son of Robert W. and Nancy (Allison) Trout. They were natives of the Buckeye state, where they were rearcd, educated and married, and shortly after their union started out for Huntington county, the journey being made in a wagon. They settled on the Beck gravel road, three and one-half miles west of Warren, where the father had a lease on 160 acres of land, but after several years there he passed away and the widow was left with her six sons. They were given but small opportunities to secure educational advantages, but were industrious and ambitious youths and took up their father's work where he had laid it down, and during the twelve years that the family lived on the leased farm managed to bring it under a good state of cultivation. Henry Trout had just passed his eighteenth year when
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the Civil war broke out. He was filled with patriotic ardor, but it was not until 1862 that he was able to leave his duties at home and join the young men of his neighborhood in going to the front to defend the country's flag. At that time he became a private in Company E, Sev- enty-fifth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with this command until the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox virtually put an end to hostilities, and Mr. Trout was mustered out of the service and received his honorable discharge at Indianapolis. During his service he participated in numerous important and hard-fought battles, includ- ing Chickamauga, Hoovers Gap and the engagements of the Atlanta campaign, and at Atlanta received a wound in his right leg which inca- pacitated him and confined him to the hospital for two months. He at all' times showed himself a brave and faithful soldier, cheerfully per- forming the duties assigned to him and earning alike the admiration of his comrades and the respect of his officers.
When his services to his country were completed, Mr. Trout returned to Huntington and courageously resumed the battles of peace. His sub- sequent career has been passed in agricultural operations, and at this time he is the owner of forty acres of good land, a farm which he has brought to a fertile and cultivated state. In the management of his affairs Mr. Trout has shown himself a capable and reliable business man. Every trust reposed in him, whether of a public or private nature, has been fully discharged, and he has proved himself in all the relations of life an earnest, honest, upright man, and a citizen of whom any com- munity might be justly proud. He has always been progressive by nature, and in the campaign of 1912 joined the new party of that name, but, while he takes a keen interest in matters of public importance and gives due consideration, he has never cared for public office.
Mr. Trout was married in Huntington county to Miss Isabella Tay- lor, whose death occurred in 1883, and they became the parents of three sons, as follows: Theodore, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Grant county, married Miss Elinore Jones; Samuel N., who is single and is carrying on operations on the home farm in Jefferson township; and John M., also a successful farmer of this township, married Sarah E. Roberts and has one son, Alvah W. For his second wife Mr. Trout married Mrs. Sarah Eveline Laymon. The members of this family are all widely known in Jefferson township, and have many friends, drawn to them by their sterling traits of character.
ISAAC SMITH. Jefferson township, Huntington county, comprises a community of which any section of the great state of Indiana might well be proud, on account of the enterprising class of farmers consti- tuting it and the high moral standard maintained by the leaders of society and business life throughout its extent. Among these is found Isaac Smith, who by his steady habits of industry has gained a compe- tence, and by his steadfast integrity and honorable dealing has estab- lished and maintained a reputation as one of his community's reliable and useful men. There may be a feeling of family pride when an indi-
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vidual may point to his lands and possessions as properties secured and given to him by his ancestors, but it must be much more gratifying to realize that one is the builder of his own fortuncs and that the credit belongs to himself for obstacles overcome and successful results accom- plished. Mr. Smith has made his own way in the world, and through his own efforts has reached a place of independence.
Isaac Smith was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, March 30, 1872, and is a son of William H. and Emma (Wildemuth) Smith, natives of the Buckeye state. They were reared and educated in their native locality, there met and married and settled down to housekeeping on a farm. About the year 1886 they brought their family to Huntington county, Indiana, and located on a farm in Wayne township, where they continued to make their home to the present time. They are widely known and highly esteemed in their adopted community, have at all times done their full duty in discharging their responsibilities as citizens, and have been the parents of nine children, of whom seven have been reared to man and womanhood and are living at this time: Mary, who is the wife of Ira Fisher ; Isaac, of this review; Ida, who is the wife of Earl Wilds; Daniel, who married Ona Messersmith; John, who married Mabel Spair; Amanda, who is the wife of William Carmichael; and Orpha, who is the wife of Chester Holmes. All the children were reared to habits of industry and honesty, given good educational advantages, and fitted for the places they have been called upon to fill in the world, and all have proven credits to their community and their training.
Isaac Smith received his early educational training in the public schools of Fairfield county, Ohio, and when thirteen years of age accom- panied his parents in their journey to Huntington county. After set- tling in Wayne township, he completed his education in the district schools, in the meantime being rcared in agricultural duties and trained in the many things necessary for the successful farmer to know. When he reached maturity, he embarked in activities on his own account as a tiller of the soil, and has continued to work with such energy and good judgment that today he holds a firmly established position as one of his community's substantial men. He owns a tract of ninety acres, located five miles west of Warren, upon which he has a set of substantial build- ings, including a modern residence, handsomely and comfortably fur- nished, and the various improvements which he has made are attractive in appearance and modern in character. He is a man of exemplary habits, commendable purpose and unbending integrity, and in all life's relations merits the confidence which is so freely accorded him. Essen- tially a farmer, he has preferred to devote his attention to the tilling of the soil rather than to the activities of public life, although he refuses his aid to no movement which he feels will be of benefit to his community in any way. He exercises his right of franchise in behalf of the can- didates of the republican party.
On March 20, 1894, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Lillie M. Young, who was born on a farm in Jefferson township, Huntington county, December 13, 1870, daughter of Dr. E. T. and Elizabeth (Rodaheifer)
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Young, who came to this eounty from Ohio, and settled in Jefferson township, where Mrs. Smith received her education in the publie sehools. Dr. Young was a well-known medieal practitioner and farmer and a complete review of his career will be found on another page of this work. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith : Ova, born Dceember 23, 1902; and Ovid, born October 13, 1906.
GEORGE W. CLICK. Maple Grove Farm in Rock Creek township adds not a little to the general prosperity of the community, for it is one of the most productive and well kept spots in the town, and reflects in its every aspect the industry and general character of its owner, George W. Click, who has spent his entire life thus far within the borders of the township. He was born on an adjoining farm on April 3, 1856, and is the son of George and Elizabeth (Morningstar) Cliek. Both were born in Clark county, Ohio, and were residents there until their migration into Huntington county, Indiana, in the year 1855, when they located on a farm in Seetion 6, Rock Creek township, and there spent their remaining years.
George Click, father of the subject, died on his home farm on Feb- ruary 14, 1885, and his widow still survives, a resident of Laneaster township. They were the parents of four children: George W. Cliek of this review was the first born; Mary A. is the wife of J. M. Shidler, of Lancaster township; Jaeob A. lives in Salamonie township; Samuel F., of Huntington township.
George W. Click was reared on the home farm, and had his early education in the common schools of the community. As the oldest of the children, he early had to make the acquaintance of hard work on the home farm, and the lot of the average farmer boy was scarcely different from his. When he reached his majority, however, he gained a freedom that had hitherto not been aecorded to him, and his earnings were earefully saved and invested, so that he was quite a young man when he became the owner of an eighty-acre farm located about four and a half miles southeast of Huntington, and about six miles west of the town of Markle. His farm is one of the model places of the township, and, in addition to general farming, Mr. Click devotes a good deal of attention to thoroughbred live stock.
Mr. Click married Clara Snowberger, who became the mother of four children: William H. Click, the first born, is a resident of Hun- tington ; Scott S. makes his home in Alberta, Canada. Laura E. is the wife of George Pasko, of Union township. Nina F., the youngest, is single and lives at home.
Mr. Cliek is a prominent and popular man in his community, being one who displays a healthy interest in all matters of eivic import, and - he does not disdain the social amenities of life, finding considerable en- joyment in his membership in Amity Lodge No. 285, F. & A. M., and Huntington Chapter No. 27, R. A. M., as well as Huntington Couneil No. 51, R. S. M.
Politieally Mr. Click has added his strength to the ranks of the
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GEORGE W. CLICK, LAURA ELIZABETH CLICK PASKO, ELIZABETH MORNINGSTAR CLICK, WILLIAM THOMAS PASKO
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progressive party, and he has been active in local politics for a good many years. Though never an office seeker, he has nevertheless dis- played the interest of a good citizen in the politics of his community, and his influence has always been a creditable one.
EDWARD T. YOUNG. Numbered among the younger generation of agriculturists who are advancing the interests of Huntington county through their intelligent management and well-directed activities is found Edward T. Young, a worthy representative of a respected family and a progressive farmer and stock raiser of Jefferson township. Mr. Young was born on the farm on which he now lives May 11, 1883, and is a son of the late Dr. Edward T. and Amanda (Kindler) Young.
Dr. Edward T. Young was one of the men who have left the impress of their lives and labors indclibly upon the history of Huntington county. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, December 14, 1827, his parents being Edward and Rachel (Miller) Young, the former of Irish and the latter of German ancestry. Edward Young went to Ohio at an early day, settling in Fairfield county, where he purchased a farm, to the cultivation of which he devoted the remaining years of his life. Both he and his wife attained advanced years, he passing away at the age of eighty-one years, while she was ninety-seven years old at the time of her demise. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: David, Margaret, John, James, William, Enos, Thomas, Elizabeth, Mary and Edward T. Doctor Young spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, and when he was a lad attended the common schools, the sessions being held in a little log schoolhouse kept up by subscription. During those early days, the scholars were put to work cutting the wood with which the room was heated, and the teacher boardcd around at the different homes a stated period, according to the number of children there were attending school from each family. At the age of twenty-one years Doctor Young rented the home farm, which he conducted successfully for two years, and in 1854, in company with his brother, Enos Young, he purchased 480 acres of wild timber land in Jefferson township, Hunt- ington county, Indiana. In addition to the land being covered with timber, a great deal of it was under water, but in spite of all these handicaps he moved his family to this locality in November, 1854, and here took up his residence, determined to establish and maintain a good home. In coming to this county, the distance of some 300 miles was made by wagon and the roads, axle-deep with mud, wound round through the woods, making the journey a most difficult one, it consuming nine days. A short stop was made in Warren, the town at that time boasting of two business establishments, a blacksmith shop, which was conducted by L. E. Ewart, and a general store run by Myron Smith. On reaching the land in Jefferson township, the family quickly crected a small log cabin, into which they moved. Subsequently the numerous cracks in the cabin were chinked and the windows were covered with sawed boards in order that the winter might be passed in this crude home as com- fortably as possible. The winter proved an exceptionally hard one, and
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the little party of settlers faced and overcame numerous hardships and privations, but never did they complain nor think of returning to Ohio. Doctor Young was possessed of some money, and he at once began clearing a portion of his land, and by spring had an acre clearcd and ready to plant in corn. From that time forward his success was assured, and the farm today is one of the finest and most productive to be found in the county, the primitive home having long since been replaced by a commodious modern residence and substantial barns and outbuildings.
Doctor Young was married in the spring of 1853, in Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Rodaheifer, whose parents were Virginians and migrated to Fairfield county, Ohio, among the earliest settlers. Three children were born to this union, of whom two died in infancy, the other, Lillie M., being now the wife of Isaac Smith, a substantial farmer of Jefferson township, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Young passed away in 1875, and the doctor later married Amanda J. Kindler, , who was also born in Fairfield county, but had been a resident of Hunt ington county, Indiana, for many years. One son was born to this union ; Edward T., of whom more later.
Prior to coming to Indiana, Doctor Young had studied medicine with an uncle in Ohio, and after locating in Huntington county he pur- chased books and continued his studies. There was much sickness in this vicinity at the time, with a physician no nearer than Warren, and Doc- tor Young began to be called upon to treat his neighbors. In this way he gradually built up a practice that extended all over the township, and his reputation steadily grew, while he won a firm place in the hearts and gratitude of the people. At one time he had made up his mind to locate in some town to engage in the practice of his calling, but when his neighbors and numerous friends heard of his decision they protested and finally prevailed upon him to remain. He sacrificed his ambition to their wishes, and continued in active practice until 1897. Doctor Young was reared a democrat, but when he "began to think for himself" (as he often expressed it) he transferred his allegiance to the repub- lican party. He was elected trustee of Jefferson township, a position in which he displayed marked ability and was able to do much to further his township's interests, particularly in the way of educational facilities. He and Mrs. Young were consistent members of the Presbyterian church, which they attended at Marion. When Doctor Young passed away on March 21, 1904, his community lost a man who in every avenue of life's activities had never failed in his duty to his community, his fellowman and himself.
The only son of his parents, Edward T. Young was reared on the home farm in Jefferson township and secured a liberal education in the district schools. His entire career has been devoted to agricultural pur- suits, and at this time he is the owner of 230 acres of well tilled land, with excellent buildings and improvements, which he is making pay in full measure for the labor he expends upon it. He is progressive in his business ideas and methods, believes in the use of modern inventions and
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appliances, and is the owner of a late model Reo automobile, which he uses both for pleasure and for business. Politically he is a republican but has never taken a prominent part in public life.
Mr. Young was married February 28, 1906, to Miss Anna Hart, born in Huntington county, a daughter of Frank Hart, and to this union there has come one daughter : Bernice, who was born May 13, 1913.
ORA E. ROBERTS. He whose name initiates this paragraph has secure vantage-place as one of the representative farmers of his native county, and the general appearance of his attractive homestead farm gives patent evidene of thrift and prosperity. His farm is situated in Jefferson township, Huntington county, and on the old homestead farm of his parents, in Section 12 of the same township, his birth occurred on the 23d of November, 1877. He is a son of William W. and Sarah E. (Morris) Roberts, who now reside in Warren, this county, and who are numbered among the highly esteemed pioneer citizens of Huntington county, the father having been long and prominently identified with the promotion of the agricultural industry in this favored section of the state. Of the four children three are now living: Lillie E. is the wife of Jonas E. Mason, of Noblesville, this state; Ora E. is the immediate subject of this review, and Orva M., who likewise is a substantial farmer of Jefferson township, married Miss Delilah Brubaker.
Ora E. Roberts was about one year old at the time of the family removal to the farm now owned by George S. Morris, and after three years removal was made to the present Roberts farm, the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 28, Jefferson township. Mr. Roberts was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm and early began to gain practical experience that has been of inestimable value to him in his independent operations as an agriculturist and stock-grower. As a boy and youth he attended the district schools during the winter months, when his services were not in requisition in connection with the work of the home farm, and he remained with his parents until the time of his marriage, since which he has been aligned as one of the progressive and successful farmers of his native county. In politics Mr. Roberts is a stanch prohibitionist and votes in accord with his inviolable convic- tions, though he has had no desire for public office. He and his wife are members of the Wesleyan Methodist church, in which they are act- ively identified with Plummer Chapel, in Jefferson township.
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