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 47
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David D. Sult was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, March 15, 1851, being the third in a family of four children, born to Peter and Mary (Johnson) Sult. Grandfather David Sult was one of the early pioneers of Huntington county. He was an active member of the Baptist re- ligious faith, and his death occurred in this county. He married Bar-
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bara Teagarden. Peter Sult, the father, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, near Lancaster, died July 19, 1910, in his ninety-sixth year. He followed the vocation of farming for many years, raised large quantities of stock, and did quite a business as a shipper. His wife, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, died May 16, 1898.
David D. Sult was reared on a farm, and as a boy attended district schools. He was three years old, when the family in 1854 came to Hunt- ington county, and settled on a farm in Warren township. That old homestead was the place where the father spent his last years. On leaving the district schools he continued to work on the farm until his eighteenth year, and then sought a different vocation from farming. He was employed by John Grabill, and William S. Dillman, until 1873, and while with them learned the carpenter's trade. After that he started out on his own account as a builder and contractor, and being a skilled mechanic himself, a thorough judge as to building specifications and necessities, he has seldom lost money on any contract, and at the same time has lived up to both the spirit and the latter of every agreement. He has constructed a great many private residences and other buildings in Huntington and the surrounding country.
On January 24, 1878, Mr. Sult married Miss Samantha E. Kunce of Huntington county, daughter of Andrew Kunce, an old resident of this vicinity. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sult three are now liv- ing, namely: Mary O., wife of Claude Hough; Frank P., a student in the high school; and Julia M. at home. The two now deceased are Homer A., and Buna V. Mr. Sult is well known outside of his business activities. He served as deputy sheriff of Huntington county two years, under S. Wintrode, and two years under P. McCarty. He is a democrat, and takes a lively interest in politics, and the election of his friends. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Court of Honor. His home is an attractive place on Salamonie Avenue.
W. B. DILLON. The people of Jefferson township have for a number of years had many reasons to appreciate the presence of W. B. Dillon among local citizenship. Mr. Dillon while successfully pursuing his main vocation as a farmer, is also one of the most capable instructors of the young in Huntington county, and has been engaged in educational work for more than twenty years. He is also a local minister of the Gospel, and it would be difficult to estimate his influence for morality and good during the many years of his active citizenship.
W. B. Dillon was born in Rush county, Indiana, September 26, 1872, a son of A. S. and Harriett (Summer) Dillon. His parents from Rush county moved to Grant county and subsequently to Huntington county. The mother is now dead, and the father lives in Marion. It was on a farm, and in the wholesome environments of a rural district that W. B. Dillon grew to manhood, and his education was supplied by the district schools of Grant and Huntington counties. He has also taken higher courses in the Marion College and in the State Normal School. When Vol. II-24
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he was about twenty years of age, in 1892, he was qualified and given his first school, and as a successful teacher and school executive has been almost continuously engaged in some locality ever since. Along with teaching he has combined farming, and has prospered and provided in liberal measure for his growing family. At the present time Mr. Dillon is teaching his fifth consecutive term at the Pleasant Plain school.
In 1895 occurred his marriage to Miss Lola Beal. Mrs. Dillon was born and reared in Huntington county, and is one of the cultured women in her community. She owns in her own name one hundred and forty- five acres of land on Section 1 of Jefferson township. To their mar- riage have been born four daughters: Mauric is deceased; Hattie is a graduate of the common schools and is now a student in the Warren high school; Ruby is a student in the seventh grade; and Ruth is also a student in the common schools. Mr. Dillon has for many years been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for some time has been a licensed preacher and has performed a great deal of pulpit and other pastoral and ministerial services. His individual member- ship is in the Pleasant Plain church. Politically he advocates the suc- cess of the party which will mean the ultimate eradication of the liquor traffic and its influence, and votes consistently for the prohibition cause.
ANDREW WILEY. One of the fine country homes of Jefferson town- ship is that of Andrew Wiley, who was born on the old Wiley home- stead, and his present estate is a portion of that old farm which was developed under the enterprise and management of his father and which increased the area of tillable and productive soil in this part of the county. As a farmer and stock man Andrew Wiley has a fine record and is one of the substantial men upon whom the prosperity and civic prog- ress of Huntington county depends.
It was on the north end of the old Wiley farm in Jefferson township that Andrew Wiley was born March 15, 1871. His parents were William and Nancy (Layman) Wiley. His father, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, came to Jefferson township of Huntington county at an early day, and secured one hundred and two acres direct from the govern- ment. After clearing up and making a home, he was not content to enjoy ordinary prosperity, but continued to accumulate until his posses- sions totaled three hundred and seventy acres in Huntington county. He was regarded as a hustler, and made money in practically every venture to which he turned his attention. Thus he was able to leave his children well provided, and each of them began life with something more than education and home training. Of ten children the five now living in 1914 are: Henry, of Lancaster township; Joseph L., of Jeffer- son township; Harriet, wife of D. D. Hare of Jefferson township; Andrew ; and William of Huntington.
Andrew Wiley grew up on the old farm in Jefferson township, and when a little past six years of age was sent away to attend his first term of district school. From that time forward until he was about twenty years of age he attended school whenever opportunity offered and his
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services were not required on the home place, and benefited by the in- struction of the school room as well as by the discipline of the farm, and when he started life on his own account at the age of twenty-two he possessed sufficient self-confidence and a capital of integrity and pro- ficiency which have been constantly increased in successive years.
In August, 1894, Mr. Wiley married Miss Grace Stocksdale, of Jef- ferson township. Mrs. Wiley was born in Rock Creek township of Hunt- ington county. She has proved a most capable helpmate to her husband, and the prosperity which stands to their credit is due to her good judg- ment and advice as well as to the industry and management of her husband. To their marriage have been born two children: Sarah June, who is nineteen years of age, was graduated from the Huntington high school in 1913 and is now the wife of Cecil Goff of Grant county ; How- ard R. A., who is twelve years of age and still in school. The family worship in the Methodist Episcopal church at Lancaster, and Mr. Wiley is one of the trustees of the church. As a republican he has for a num- ber of years taken an active part in local and county politics and believes in doing his civic duties as well as heaping up a full measure of individual prosperity. Mr. Wiley is the owner of a hundred acres, comprising a well situated and well handled farm estate, a mile and a half south of Lancaster and eleven miles south of Huntington on Sec- tion 3 of Jefferson township. His enterprise has been largely of a general nature, he lias had much of his success in the raising of hogs. His neighbors say that he usually makes money out of everything he turns his hand to, and his place in the community has been assured by many years of hard work and beneficent influence.
MACK CRAIG. When Mack Craig was twenty-one years old he entered the employ of his father on the home farm, and for three years he labored for a regular monthly wage, just as would a hired "hand." At the end of that time he established himself on a rented farm, and here he lives today, though he has long since owned the place. It is an eighty acre farm, well improved, lying six miles southwest of Hunting- ton, on the fine pike road known as the Huntington and Warren pike. Mr. Craig has improved his place from a state of comparative mediocrity, as farms go, until it is now one of the finest in the township, and reflects genuine credit upon its owner.
Born in Henry county, Indiana, on September 30, 1863, Mack Craig is the son of Levi and Lenora (Smith) Craig, both of them now resi- dents of Huntington county. They reared a family of five children. Mack Craig of this review is the eldest; James W. is next; Etta is the wife of George Tucker; Lena and Elenor are unmarried and live in Huntington township.
The family moved from Henry county to Huntington county when Mack Craig was seven years of age, in the year 1870, where the boy at- tended the district schools in the winter seasons, his summers being devoted to the arduous labors of the farm. He continued with that regime until he was about nineteen, gaining a fair education in the
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common branches, and continuing as his father's helper on the farm until he was twenty-one.
It was then that he began to look ahead for himself, and his arrange- ment to work for his father began, continuing for three years, so that when he was twenty-four years old he rented a place in Lancaster town- ship, continuing as a renter for nine years, after which he bought out the owner. Here he carries on general farming activities and is regarded as one of the most successful and prosperous farmers of the township.
Mr. Craig was married to Miss Hattie Wooster, and of their two children, one is living, Lilian E., a graduate of the Lancaster high school and now the wife of Delmer Allen, of Rock Creek township. In 1898 Mrs. Craig passed away, and he later married Miss Emma Smith, the marriage taking place on November 1, 1900. She was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1871, and is a daughter of Samuel Q. and Mary (How- land) Smith. Two children have been born of this later marriage,- Ruth A., born on January 8, 1903, and Georgia M., born July 7, 1905.
The family have membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Majenica, Indiana, and he is a member of the board of trustees of the church. Politically Mr. Craig is a republican, and he has been more or less active in the work of the party, performing every duty of citizen- ship conscientiously and taking his place among the solid and substan- tial men of the community. A man of sound judgment, upright in his dealings with men, he has the unbounded confidence and esteem of those who come into contact with him, either in business or purely social rela- tions, and lie stands well among his fellowmen wherever he is known.
SYLVESTER KARST. Many of the most successful farmers of Hunt- ington county are living on farms on which they were born, and where they have spent their entire lives, and thus, with intimate knowledge of soil and climatic conditions, are attaining a full measure of success from their operations. In this class stands Sylvester Karst, a progressive farmer and highly respected citizen of Polk township, who was born on his present farm, March 15, 1867, a son of Peter and Anna (Zeigler) Karst.
The Karst family, like a number to be found in Huntington county, had its origin in Germany, the father of Mr. Karst being a native of the Fatherland. His opportunities in his own country being somewhat limited, during the early forties he came to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania, where he secured employment as a farm laborer. He first received four dollars a month for his work and was later advanced to six dollars, and from these small earnings managed to save enough money to start a home of his own. He was married in Pennsylvania to Anna Zeigler, a native of the Keystone state, and shortly thereafter they went to Ohio, where they settled on a farm. In 1865 they came to Huntington county, the father purchasing the farm on which our sub- ject now resides, and here the parents spent the balance of their lives. They were faithful members of the Catholic church, and attended the congregation of Sts. Peter and Paul at Huntington. Ten children were
MR. AND MRS. HENRY S.WISMER
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born to Mr. and Mrs. Karst, of whom five are living at this time, namely : Peter P., a resident of Huntington; Jacob, who lives at Lancaster ; Catherine, who is the wife of John Scheer; Barney W., who lives in Montana; and Sylvester.
The boyhood of Sylvester Karst was divided between attendance at the district schools of Polk township and working on the home farm, upon which he has always resided. He has secured his land by pur- chase from the other heirs of his father's estate, and at this time is the owner of 160 acres of well-drained and well-cultivated land, located on the Range Line turnpike, five miles southeast of Andrews, and six and one-half miles southwest of Huntington. Mr. Karst is a man who has succeeded in life because he has always been able to overcome obstacles and conquer circumstances, working hard and thriftily investing his savings in legitimate business enterprises. He is known as a progres- sive farmer who is ever ready to adopt new methods in his work, and as a citizen who has the welfare of his community at heart. In politics he is a democrat, but he has not cared for public life and consequently has not been very active in county affairs. He is a member of the Catholic church, which he attends at Huntington.
In November, 1889, Mr. Karst was married to Miss Cecelia Eckert, who was born in Huntington township, and to this union there have been born nine children, of whom eight are living: Monica, who is the wife of Frank Bowers; Gertrude; Rosa; Arthur; Dorothea; Herman, who is deceased ; Martha; Mary and Marcellus. All the members of the family are well known and have many friends in Polk township.
HENRY S. WISMER. A death that came as a shock to the community of Warren township was that of Henry S. Wismer on January 11, 1913. A veteran of the Civil war, from which he bore a wound that was always a badge of honor and distinction in later life, Henry S. Wismer was for . more than forty years identified with Huntington county, and as a sol- dier, a citizen, a farmer and industrious worker was held in high esteem by all who knew him.
Henry S. Wismer was born in the State of New Jersey March 23, 1838, and was at the time of his death seventy-four years, nine months and eighteen days of age. His father, Moses Wismer, moved to Bucks county, Pennsylvania, when Henry was a boy, he acquired a common school education in that county, and at the age of eighteen moved to Wayne county, Ohio. It was from the state of Ohio that he went out to battle for the preservation of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. In 1862 his enlistment made him a member of the First Ohio Volunteers, and he continued a faithful private soldier until a year later, during the campaign in North Georgia, when he was wounded. For more than a year he was unable to walk, and suffered more or less from the impairment of his physical energies for a number of years. In 1870 Mr. Wismer moved to Huntington county, settling on a farm in Clear Creek township. That was his home until 1881, in which year he moved to the farm where he died, three miles east of Bippus in Warren township.
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Mr. Wismer was married in Wayne county, Ohio, July 9, 1860, to Margaret A. Rice, and they lived together as man and wife and faithful companions for fifty-one years and six months. Mrs. Wismer is still living, with her home at Bippus. Mr. Wismer was also survived by two sisters : Mrs. Lydia Long of Wordsworth, Ohio; and Mrs. Mary Wismer of Trenton, New Jersey. The late Mr. Wismer was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Huntington, and was always popu- lar among his old comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic.
EDWARD C. STOUDER. A large number of the energetic and progres- sive men of Huntington county have spent their lives in this neighbor- hood, growing with it and prospering with its prosperity, and have always been interested in its development. They are as a class stout- hearted men, loyal to their section, and their devotion to their county has led to the wonderful growth which has marked its progress during the years. One of these men is Edward C. Stouder, of Polk township, whose entire career has been passed here, and who is now the owner of a handsome farm of 115 acres, located on section 1, on the Range Line turnpike, two miles east and two miles south of Andrews, and six miles southwest of Huntington.
Mr. Stouder was born on a farm in Polk township, September 10, 1872, and is a son of John and Mary (Lahr) Stouder. The father came to Huntington county as a lad with his mother, and here was educated and reared, early choosing agricultural pursuits as his field of labor. He continued to be so engaged up to the time of his death, November 11, 1913, and through earnest and energetic efforts attained a substantial position among the world's workers. Mr. Stouder was a Mason, being a popular member of Antioch Lodge, at Andrews. Mrs. Stouder died in 1902. The next to the youngest of his parents' sons, Edward C. Stouder was reared on his father's farm in Polk township, and here attended the district schools. He began to work on his own account at the age of twenty-one years, and after his marriage settled on rented property, which he cultivated while engaged in ditching at $1,00 per day. He thus accumulated a little property, to which he added from time to time, until he had accumulated his present fine farm of 115 acres, in addition to which he has 160 acres in another tract. Mr. Stouder's suc- cess has been entirely self attained, for he started upon his career with- out capital or influence and has worked his way upward through honest effort. In addition to his stockraising and general farming operations, he has engaged extensively in buying stock and importing cattle from outside fields, which he sells to the farmers of his community. Mr. Stouder's energetic nature has led him into other fields of endeavor. On October 3, 1902, he moved to Huntington and engaged in the livery business, and while there was appointed chief of police of the city, a capacity in which he served for three years. At the end of that time he resigned his office, which he had filled most acceptably, subsequently disposed of his livery business, and returned to the farm, to the opera- tion of which he has since devoted his entire attention with very success-
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ful results. In politics Mr. Stouder is a stanch Republican and has been active in his party's work in the county. With his family, he belongs to the Pitcher Chapel church. His fraternal connection is with La Fon- taine Lodge No. 42, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
On January 14, 1894, Mr. Stouder was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Beal, who was born in Lancaster township, Huntington county, Indiana, and was eleven years of age when she entered the home of J. D. Campbell, by whom she was educated in the district schools. Five chil- dren have been born to them, namely: Nondus, nineteen years of age, a graduate of the common schools; Paul, a graduate of the graded schools and now a student in the Andrews High school; and Wilbur, Charles and Dale, who are attending the public schools.
FREDERICK J. CHENNEVUR. The manager of the Roanoke Drain Tile Company is a young business man who during the past fifteen years has shown unusual capacity for the handling of business, has surrounded himself with many of the evidences of prosperity, and is an efficient leader in the community.
Frederick J. Chennevur was born in Torquay, England, December 3, 1879, a son of William M. and M. A. (Gullett) Chennevur. The parents were born, reared, and were married in England, and in 1881 brought their little family to the United States. The father followed his trade in New York City, Norwich, Connecticut, in St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Chicago, and died in the last named city. His widow afterwards took her family to Roberts, Illinois, and from that place in 1897 camne to Roanoke, where she still resides. There are two sons, Frederick J. and Hubert C.
Frederick J. Chennevur received his education in the public schools of several different localities where the family resided, and is a graduate of the Roberts high school in Illinois. He came with his mother to Roanoke in 1897, and here the mother and the two sons established a drug business, which has been conducted as one of the leading mercan- tile concerns of the village ever since. Both brothers were also active in establishing and in the management of the Roanoke Drain Tile Company, a corporation with a capital stock of twelve thousand dollars, which has done more than any other factor in stimulating business at Roanoke, and is a very valuable concern for the community. The officials of the cor- poration are: P. B. Settlemyre, president ; A. D. Warmuth, vice presi- dent; H. C. Chennevur, secretary ; W. D. Carter, treasurer; and Fred- erick J. Chennevur, manager-these officials being also directors of the company.
Mr. Chennevur married Eva L. Koontz, a daughter of C. E. Koontz, now deccased. She was educated in the schools of Roanoke. They are the parents of two children: Florence, aged twelve; and Irenc, aged eight years. Mr. Chennevur has membership in Roanoke Lodge No. 195, A. F. & A. M. and is past master of his lodge. In politics he is a progressive and during his residence in Roanoke has shown himself one
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of the "live wires" in business and community affairs. He served eight consecutive years as treasurer of the Roanoke school board, and at the present time is secretary of the board.
SAMUEL FUNDERBURG. Among the many well-to-do farming inen of Lancaster township, mention should not be omitted of Samuel Funder- burg, who has accomplished a reasonable success in farming activities since he launched out into independent farm life. He is a young man of Huntington county birth, his native town being Union township, and the date of his birth was November 18, 1874. His parents are Jacob and Lucinda (Snowbarger) Funderburg, both now living in Union township.
Mr. Funderburg was reared on the farm home in Union township and attended the common schools of his native community, later gradu- ating from the Union grade schools, and when he was twenty-one years old the young man embarked on an independent business career. He began with slight means, but industry and hard work brought their un- deniable reward, and today he is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fine farm land in Lancaster township, six miles distant from the town of Huntington, on the Huntington and Warren pike. Prosperity has been his, and his place reflects the sturdy industry that has brought him independence and financial well-being.
In 1896 Mr. Funderburg married Miss Lola Eckman, a daughter of Jonathan Eckman. She was born and reared on a Lancaster town- ship farm, and was there educated in the schools. Two children share their home, Dale, born February 1, 1903, and Opal, born August 13, 1911. Glenn, born May 1, 1907, died January 29, 1910.
Mr. and Mrs. Funderburg are members of the Church of the Brethren at Loon Creek, and he is treasurer of the church. Politically he is a republican, and he is one of the public spirited and progressive citizens of the township. A man of mature judgment and of many fine charac- teristics, he fills a prominent place in his community, and is well entitled to the high esteem in which he is widely held. He has made the best of those opportunities and advantages that have come his way, and has acquitted himself creditably in all the relations of life.
NOAH HART. An able representative of the prosperous farmers of Huntington county as well as an honored and respected citizen of Jeffer- son township, has contributed his full share toward the development and growing prosperity of the community in which he lives. A native of Indiana, he was born, December 8, 1849, in Wayne county.
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