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 25
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
GILBERT M. JENNINGS. Among the substantial agriculturists of Huntington county who are contributing to their community's welfare by their activities in farming and stock raising, Gilbert M. Jennings holds a prominent place. At this time he is the owner of a well-culti vated farm of ninety-one acres, in Polk township, and is also serving in the capacity of township assessor, having also held other positions of responsibility and trust within the gift of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Jennings has been a life-long resident of Polk township, having been Vol. II-13
598
HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY
born here on his father's farm in Wabash county, March 7, 1854, a son of William and Debora (Mills) Jennings. His parents were born, reared, educated and married in Warren county, Ohio, and not long after their union migrated to Indiana and located on a farm in Wabash county, on which they spent their remaining years in the tilling of the soil. They were known as honest, industrious and Christian people, and well merited the high esteem in which they were held by their neighbors. Of their six children, three are living at this time : Joseph, a resident of Polk township ; Mark W., who makes his home in the city of Huntington ; and Gilbert M., of this review.
Gilbert M. Jennings passed his boyhood on his father's farm, and early learned habits of industry and thrift, and when eleven years of age began to be self-supporting. For some years he worked on various farms in Ohio and Wabash county, Indiana, in the meantime accepting such educational opportunities as presented themselves. He was married September 19, 1878, to Miss Sarah J. Miles, who was born in Polk township, Huntington county, January 29, 1861, a daughter of Thomas and Hattie (Keener) Miles, and received her education in the public schools of her native vicinity. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jennings, as follows: Eva, who is the wife of Arthur Lee; Anna, who is the wife of Jacob Caley ; Thomas, who married Dora Sanderson; Walter, who married Miriam Coulter; Belle, who is the wife of Glenn Campbell; Cecil, who married Leona Zerby ; and Miles, Ralph and Mary, all single, and residing with their parents.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Jennings settled down to house- keeping in Polk township, and here through industry, energetic effort and good management they have developed a handsome and valuable property. At this time the farm consists of ninety-one acres, and is located in section 28, township 27, North, range 8, East, and thirteen and one-half miles southwest of Huntington. Mr. Jennings has had wide experience in his chosen vocation, and is known among his fellow citizens as a skilled agriculturist who is able to make his land pay for every bit of labor expended upon it. He is a believer in the use of modern methods, and is at all times willing to give new inventions a trial. A republican in his political views, he has been an active factor in the success of his party in Polk township, where he has served as a member of the board of supervisors and is now township assessor. In his public offices he has shown a conscientious respect for the responsi- bilities of his positions and the manner in which he is administering the affairs of his office has but strengthened him in the confidence of his fellow-townspeople. He and his wife are consistent members of the Chris- tian church, and are widely known and have many friends in Polk town- ship.
CHARLES E. LAWRENCE. Though he claims the old Buckeye state as the place of his nativity Mr. Lawrence has been a resident of Indiana since his childhood days and here he has achieved definite success and prestige as one of the progressive and representative agriculturists and
599
HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY
stock-growers of Huntington county. He gives special attention to the raising of high-grade live stock, and is the owner of the Eureka Stock Farm, which comprises 180 acres and which is most eligibly situated at a point five miles west of the village of Warren, and on the admirably improved Cross gravel road. Mr. Lawrence is one of the alert, loyal and public-spirited men of Jefferson township, and his success has been on a parity with his energy and well ordered efforts, the while he has the high regard of all who know him.
Charles E. Lawrence was born in Adams county, Ohio, on the 8th of October, 1871, and is a son of Jacob and Alice J. (Morford) Lawrence, the former of whom was likewise born in Adams county and the latter of whom was born in Brown county, both families having been founded in Ohio in the pioneer epoch of its history. The parents continued their residence in Adams county, Ohio, until the autumn of 1876, when they made the trip to Huntington county, Indiana, with team and wagon, by the medium of which they transported their household goods and other appurtenances. They first settled on a farm in Rock Creek township, and later they removed to Jefferson township, where the father became a prosperous farmer and valued citizen and where he continued to main- tain his home until his death, which occurred on the 7th of February, 1899. His widow still resides in Jefferson township and has a wide circle of friends in the county that has represented her home for two score of years. Jacob and Alice J. Lawrence became the parents of three sons and one daughter: Cora is the wife of Simon Summers, a prosperous farmer of Rock Creek township; William C. is a successful representa- tive of agricultural industry in Jefferson township; Frank, deceased; and Charles E., of this review, is the youngest of the children.
Charles E. Lawrence was four years of age at the time of his parents' removal from Ohio to Indiana and was nine years old when they estab- lished their residence on the fine old homestead which is his present place of abode. The land was reclaimed by his father from the virgin forest, and he well recalls the scenes and incidents that marked the gradual progress to effect the development of one of the finest farms in Huntington county. He early began to lend his aid in the work of the farm, applying himself diligently during the summer seasons and giving his time in the winter to the pursuance of educational work in the dis- trict schools, in which his advantages were such as to enable him to lay a stanch foundation for the broad knowledge which he has since gained under the direction of that wisest of all headmasters, experience. He has continued the improving of the old homestead farm since he became owner of the property and is a recognized leader in the breeding and raising of high-grade live stock in Huntington county. His farm is also devoted in part to the raising of grain, fruit and to general horti- culture in so far as it applies to providing for his own use and placing certain products on the market. Thrift and prosperity are in definite evidence on his homestead, and he is liberal and public-spirited, though entirely without ostentation and without ambition for political office. He is a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, and has
600
1 HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY
given active service in its local ranks. He enjoys unqualified popularity in his community, and his home is known for its democratic hospitality and good cheer. Both he and his wife are zealous adherents of Methodist Episcopal church at Pleasant Plain, and he is a member of its board of trustees.
In Adams county, Ohio, the place of his nativity, Mr. Lawrence found the gentle and gracious young woman who has been his devoted wife and helpmeet. On the 28th of September, 1893, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Ada Carmichael, who was born in Adams county, Ohio, where she was reared and educated, and of this union there are three children,-Earl M., who is his father's able coadjutor in the work and management of the home farm; Eva V., who is a student in the high school at Warren; and Everett, who is attending school in his home dis- trict.
AUGUSTUS WASMUTH. EDMUND WASMUTH. These names introduce a family which for half a century has been prominent in commercial and civic affairs in Roanoke and vicinity, and has probably borne a greater share of responsibility in those directions and has accumu- lated larger interests than any other single family in this locality. Mr. Augustus Wasmuth has now reached an age when he may properly enjoy the fruits of a well spent career, and has a long look backwards over a life which has been fruitful in a business way and which has included service to his adopted country as a soldier, and in many other ways has been a factor of usefulness to his fellow men. Edmund M. Wasmuth is now in the prime of his vigorous activity as a business man and has made his mark in Huntington county as a member of the state legislature. Augustus Wasmuth was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, August 26, 1841. With an aunt he came to the United States in 1855, and lived in Starke county, Ohio, until 1858. The latter year was the date of his location in the vicinity of Roanoke. A young man who had received only nominal advantages in the way of schools and had no fortune to begin with, he found employment for his ener- gies as a farm hand at monthly wages. He was still under age when the war broke out, and in September, 1861, he went out to fight the battles of the union as a soldier in company E of the Forty-seventh Indiana Regiment. For nearly four years, or until the close of the war, he continued with the armies of the north, and on returning to Huntington county, in November, 1865, he brought with him a splen- did record of service and one which his descendants will always prize. On returning to Roanoke, he found employment as a clerk in the store of J. S. Grim. After two years he formed a partnership with W. K. Windle in the hardware business, and they continued prosperously along that general line until about 1888. Mr. Wasmuth then acquired sole control of the business, and conducted it for several years under the name of A. Wasmuth & Son. From that time forward the enter- prise branched out and took on new lines of trade. The firm built an elevator and began dealing in grain, established a lumber yard, and
A. Harmuth
601
HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY
made their activities the chief business of its kind in the locality. Later the firm was changed to A. Wasmuth & Son Company, and the business is still conducted under that name, both at Roanoke, and at Andrews, where the company have important interests.
Augustus Wasmuth was married April 18, 1867, to Miss Ellen Grim. She was born in Starke county, Ohio, April 9, 1847, a daughter of Peter and Barbara (Weimer) Grim. The Grim family came to Huntington county about 1852, and various members of the household have been among the capable citizens of this county.
Mrs. Wasmuth died February 26, 1904, after thirty-seven years of happy married life. She became the mother of seven children, as fol- lows: Evaline, who was educated in the public schools and the Roanoke Seminary and is now the wife of Charles L. Hackett; Edmund M .; Arthur D., who is in charge of the lumber business of the firm at An- drews, and is a graduate of the State University of Indiana; Daniel A., also a State University graduate and cashier of the bank at Roanoke; Elizabeth, who graduated from Indiana University, and is the wife of C. E. Endicott, of Andrews; F. L. Wasmuth, who has charge of the hardware department of the firm at Roanoke; H. R. Wasmuth, of Andrews.
Mr. Augustus Wasmuth is affiliated with the Little River Lodge No. 275, I. O. O. F., of which he is past noble grand, and for thirty years served the lodge as treasurer. He keeps up his associations with his old army comrades as a member of William McGinnis Post No. 167; G. A. R., of which he is past commander. For several years he served on the school board. Mr. Wasmuth is a man who has given a splendid account of his talents. He started business with about one thousand dollars in capital, and with the aid of his sons has built up an enter- prise whose annual trade runs up into many thousands, and the value of which, as a growing concern, and in its capital investment reaches a figure where it compares favorably with the largest concerns in Hun- tington county.
Hon. Edmund M. Wasmuth was educated in the public schools, and in the Roanoke Seminary, and was about sixteen years old when he en- gaged in business with his father. He is exceptionally well known in Huntington county. He is a shrewd business man, always alert, and energetic in anything he takes hold of, and at the same time is admired for his many sterling qualities of character. He is affable, and has at heart not only his own prosperity, but the welfare of his neighbors, and has done much to upbuild Roanoke and vicinity. He has spent all his life in Huntington county, and the county chose one of its really repre- sentative men when he was elected and re-elected to the state legislature. Mr. Wasmuth has a beautiful home in Roanoke and an interesting family. He married Blanche Tirey of Detroit, Michigan. Their chil- dren are : Pauline, Vona, Augustus, Catherine and Robert.
JOSEPH L. WILEY. A substantial and prosperous agriculturist of Huntington county, Joseph L. Wiley is proprietor of a fine farm in
*602
HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY
Jefferson township, and there occupies a noteworthy position among the more intelligent, enterprising and active citizens. A native of Jeffer- son township, he was born, September 29, 1860, on the farm of his father, the late William Wiley.
Born and reared in Darke county, Ohio, William Wiley decided when quite young that a change of location would prove beneficial to his finances at least, and about 1845 journeyed on horseback to Huntington county, Indiana. In Jefferson township he entered one hundred and twenty acres of land, in section 4. Remaining a year, he put out a deadening, after which he returned to his old home. A year later, having taken unto himself a wife, he came back with his bride to Jeffer- son township, and immediately began the improvement of his homestead property. Selling out at the end of ten or twelve years, he bought one hundred and ninety-nine acres of land in section 3, and was there ac- tively engaged in general farming until his death, January 4, 1897. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Layman, survived him, passing away October 15, 1912. Of the ten children born of their union five were living in 1914, as follows: Henry, of Lancaster township; Joseph L., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned; Henrietta, wife of David D. Haire, of Jefferson township; Andrew, of the same township; and William, Jr., of Huntington.
Growing to manhood on the parental homestead, Joseph L. Wiley at- tended the summer and winter terms of the district school, and while working with his father obtained a practical experience in the art and science of agriculture. After his marriage, Mr. Wiley rented his father's farm on section 12, Jefferson township, for a period of five years. At the end of that time he invested his money in land, buying that part of his present farm lying in section 9. Succeeding well in his farming operations, Mr. Wiley has since added other land by pur- chase, and is now owner of one hundred and sixty-two acres of fertile and productive land, located in sections 3, 9, and 10, his home being eleven miles south of Huntington, on the Lancaster gravel road, and seven and one-half miles northwest of Warren.
Mr. Wiley married, February 10, 1887, Mary Minton, who was born in Lancaster township, and into their home seven children have been born, namely: Herman E., a farmer in Jefferson township; Dessie E., a graduate of the Lancaster Center High School; William N., who was graduated from the same school; Ora V .; Letitia A. N .; Agnes L .; and Garl L. Politically Mr. Wiley is a republican, and for five years ren- dered excellent service as assessor of Jefferson township. Religiously he and his wife are consistent members of the Church of the Brethren at Lancaster. Mr. Wiley and his family occupy a pleasant social posi- tion among the people of their community, by whom they are respected for their many virtues, and heartily liked for their frank, open-hearted hospitality and genial, kindly manners.
CHARLES D. WILEY. An energetic, industrious young man, actively engaged in farming, is numbered among the esteemed and valued citizens
603
HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY
of Jefferson township, Huntington eounty, where he is actively identified with the advancement of the agricultural interests of that part of Indi- ana. A son of Francis Wiley, he was born July 4, 1885, in Jackson township, Wells county, Indiana.
A native of Huntington county, Indiana, and the descendant of one of its early pioneers, Francis Wiley was born and reared in Jefferson township. After his marriage he removed to Wells county, Indiana, settling in Jackson township, where he continued a resident until his death, October 8, 1888. He married Nancy C. Heaston, who was born in Jefferson township, Huntington county, and there brought up and edu- eated. Left a widow when young, she returned to the home of her father, Jaeob H. Heaston, with whom she lived until married to her second hus- band, Samuel H. Friedley.
Left fatherless when three years old, Charles D. Wiley was brought up in the home of his maternal grandfather, and was educated in the distriet sehools of Huntington eounty. Becoming a farmer from choice, he bought land in Jefferson township, and is now owner of the north- east quarter of the northeast quarter forty acres of section 9, and in the management of his farm is meeting with well merited suecess, his farm being pleasantly located three miles north, and four miles west of Warren, Indiana.
Mr. Wiley married, December 24, 1908, Ethel I. Bowman, who was born December 5, 1889, in Warren township, and was graduated from the Lancaster Township High school with the elass of 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley have two children, namely; Harriette L., born January 21, 1910; and Paul G., born December 20, 1913. Politieally Mr. Wiley is a stanch adherent of the republican party.
WILLIAM HOWARD SURFUS. Ranking high among the prosperous and progressive agrieulturists of Huntington eounty is William Howard Sur- fus, one of the large landholders of Jefferson township, and the pro- prietor of Sugar Grove Stock Farm, a valuable estate situated ten miles south of Huntington. A son of Adam Surfus, he was born in Allen county, Indiana, May 10, 1855.
Born in Ohio, Adam Surfus removed to Allen county, Indiana, in early manhood, and there married Experienee Fowner, who was born in Virginia. He subsequently removed to Noble eounty, Indiana, with his family, and there both he and his wife spent their remaining years. Of the twelve children born of their union, the following named were living in 1914; Rebecea, of Kimball, Indiana; Sarah, wife of Albert B. Marker, of Noble county ; Emma, widow of Adam Dent, of Chicago, Illinois; John W., engaged in farming in Noble eounty; and William Howard, the spe- cial subject of this brief sketch.
Remaining beneath the parental rooftree until attaining his majority, William Howard Surfus was edueated in the rural schools of Allen and Noble counties. As a boy and youth he assisted in the care of the home farm, gaining a knowledge and experience of agricultural pursuits that has since been of inestimable value to him in his ehosen oceupation.
604
HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY
Thrifty and industrious, he accumulated considerable money while farm- ing in Noble county, and in 1900 came to Huntington county to invest a part of it in land. Locating in Jefferson township, Mr. Surfus bought the Sugar Grove Stock Farm, which contains two hundred and seventy acres of choice land, and he has since purchased eighty acres, the east half, northeast quarter of section 8, Jefferson township, now having title to three hundred and fifty acres. He has a fine sugar orchard of sixty-nine acres, containing about three thousand trees, from which he makes a goodly profit, selling all of the sugar in Huntington.
On March 24, 1881, Mr. Surfus married Emma Dobbins, who was born in Ohio, January 29, 1859, and as a child came to Noble county, Indiana, with her parents. Six children have been born into the house- hold thus established, namely : William C., engaged in farming in Jeffer- son township, married Dottie Colvin, who was formerly a school teacher; Ray, living at home; Curtis, a high school graduate, and also a graduate of the Marion Normal College; Maria, Forest, and Hazel. Politically Mr. Surfus is an active and earnest worker in the republican party. A pleasant and whole-souled man, he is deservedly popular with all classes of people, having hosts of friends.
OLIVER P. M. MILES. Numbered among the enterprising and self- reliant men who are so ably conducting the agricultural interests of Huntington county is Oliver P. M. Miles, proprietor of the Hillside fruit farm, in Jefferson township. He was born August 25, 1864, in Polk township, Huntington county, Indiana, where his earlier years were passed.
His father, Thomas Miles, was born in New York state. He married Hettie A. Keener, a native of Randolph county, Indiana, and for a num- ber of years thereafter lived in Polk township. Huntington county. About 1880 he removed with his family to Jefferson township, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days, his death occurring February 15, 1890, and hers June 18, 1911. They were the parents of five chil- dren, as follows: Sarah J., wife of Gilbert Jennings, of Polk township ; Evaline, wife of Isaac Eads, of Jefferson township; Oliver P. M., the special subject of this brief biographical sketch; Etta, wife of Martin Spangler, of Michigan; and Ella, wife of William H. Cook, of whom a brief account is given on another page of this volume.
Brought up in Polk township, on a farm, Oliver P. M. Miles obtained his early education in the rural schools, and at the age of sixteen years came with his parents to Jefferson township, which has since been his home. He early began farm work with his father, and finding that occu- pation congenial to his tastes, as well as profitable, he has continued in it, and when ready to make a permanent location bought his present farm of sixty acres, located on section 16, two miles north, and four miles west of Warren, and twelve miles southwest of Huntington. Mr. Miles is especially interested in the growing of choice fruit, a branch of horticulture in which he has had good success. He has now a choice apple orchard, and a peach orchard of five acres, in which he has eight
605
HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY
hundred trees, and intends ere long to have a large part of his farm devoted to the raising of fruit. He also raises registered stock of a good grade, his hogs being a high-grade Poland-China breed.
On January 29, 1889, Mr. Miles was united in marriage with Anna Cook, who was born in Jefferson township, March 9, 1865, a daughter of Nathan and Martha (Mills) Cook, who were married in 1861 in Ohio, and afterwards settled in Huntington county. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miles, namely : Velma H., wife of Virgil C. Follis, of Jefferson township; Vernie M .; Harmon W .; Willard M .; and Ormal S. Politically Mr. Miles is a republican, and religiously he is a member of the Christian church.
FRANK SMELSER. Among the prominent residents of Wayne town- ship is Frank Smelser, general farmer and breeder of good livestock, who is numbered among the old residents of this section, having lived here for upward of fifty-six years. He has therefore been a witness to much of its growth and development and as the years have passed by he has so directed his labors that success has resulted, and his methods are of interest to the business world. He has always based his business principles and actions upon the rules which govern strict and unswerv- ing integrity and indefatigable energy, and the monument to his labors is the South Elkhorn Stock Farm, a tract of 192 acres located at Banquo, Indiana.
Mr. Smelser was born in Wayne township, Huntington county, Indiana, October 16, 1858, and is a son of Smith and Mary (Sparks) Smelser, the latter being a daughter of Elder John Sparks, a Baptist minister. Smith Smelser was born in Union county, Indiana, and was reared in Rush county, where he was married to Mary Sparks, who was born in that county, and in 1853 they made their way to Huntington county and settled on a farm in Wayne township. Through his maternal grandmother, Frank Smelser is connected with the famous Daniel Boone, whose niece she was. Smith Smelser passed the remaining years of his life in agricultural pursuits, became one of the substantial men of his community, and passed away in January, 1911, with the respect and esteem of all who knew him. He and his wife were the parents of six children, of whom five are still living : John, who is a resident of Banquo, Indiana; Frank; Albert, a resident of Michigan; Charles H., who is the owner of the old homestead place in Wayne township; and Dr. J. S. H., a practicing physician of Oklahoma. Smith Smelser was a demo- crat in his political views, but was never a seeker after personal prefer- ment. He and his wife were devout members of the Baptist church and reared their children in that faith.
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.