USA > Indiana > Huntington County > History of Huntington County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana > Part 42
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.
HON. BUELL M. COBB, attorney-at-law, is a native of Craw- ford County, Ohio, and was born January 20, 1834. He was the oldest son born to Henry and Sally (Mitchell) Cobb, natives of Pennsylvania, and New York, respectively, the former of English and German, and the latter of English and Scotch descent. His boyhood and youth were spent working upon his father's farm in his native county. He attended the district school until he reached his sixteenth year, when he took up the avocation of teacher. This he followed until 1866. In 1854, he removed to Iroquois County, Ills., and engaged in farming. In 1857, he went to Mower County, Minn. There he pursued the avocation of a farmer and carpenter until in February, 1860, when he re- turned to Iroquois County, Ills. There he taught school in winter and worked at the carpenter's trade in summer until August, 1862, at which time he entered Company I, One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois Volunteers, from which, owing to a physical disability, he was discharged about one year later. He served in the rank of a non-commissioned officer. He then returned to his home in Iroquois County, and resumed his trade and the busi- ness of teaching. In August, 1865, he came to this county and located at Andrews, where he entered upon the practice of law. In February, 1870, he came to the City of Huntington, where he has ever since been actively engaged in the practice of his pro- fession. May 20, 1855, he was united in marriage to Nancy C. Phillips, a native of Adams County, Ohio, and daughter of Leonard and Margaret Phillips, both natives of Ohio. Our sub- ject and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and a Republican in politics. While a resident of Dallas Township, this county, he held the office of Justice of the Peace four years. In 1872 he was elected a member of the State Legis- lature and served one term to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.
TIMOTHY COLLINS, manager of the large grain elevator owned by George Thayer, is a native of Ireland, and was born September 1, 1832. He was the eldest of eight children born to John and Ellen (Murphy), both natives of Ireland of Irish de- scent. At the age of seventeen or in October, 1849, he left home and came with an uncle to America. On reaching this country they continued westward and made La Gro, Wabash County, their place of settlement. In February, of 1850, he came to the village of Huntington whither his parents also came from Ire- land in 1862. Mr. Collins first went into the employ of John Roche, for whom he clerked and acted as bookkeeper for some eight or nine years. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper for J. & J. W. Purviance, and as bookkeeper and cashier for Samuel H. Purviance. He thus continued about four years. He then became employed as bookkeeper for Lewis & Co. In March, 1864, he went into partnership with Frederick Dick and
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Samuel Buchanan in the grocery and provision trade. At the end of five years the partnership was dissolved, but Mr. Collins continued as bookkeeper and cashier for the firm for ten years. About 1878 he became the manager for Joseph W. Purviance. In August. 1882, he became the manager of the grain business for J. D. Thayer & Co. The elevator is now owned by George H. Thayer & Co. Mr. Collins is a member of the Catholic Church and a Democrat in politics. He has been honored with the po- sition of Councilman, eight years. In 1870 he was the candidate of his party for Auditor, but failed to overcome an opposing ma- jority.
ELI A. COLLINS is a native of Clinton County, Ohio, and was born November 16, 1840. He was the second in a family of three children, born to John and Elizabeth (King) Collins, the former of whom died in Clinton County, Ohio, in about the year 1844, and the latter at present resides in Wells County, this State. When our subject was seven years of age, he came with his widowed mother and an uncle, to Wells County, this State. When he had reached the age of sixteen he accompanied his uncle to Warren, this county, where he began to learn the trade of a carpenter. Prior to this his employment had been exclu- sively on a farm. His early education was such as could be obtained in the common school. After finishing his trade he devoted his attention to it until in 1861, when he entered the service of his country as a musician. He continued in this capacity with the Thirty-Fourth Indiana Regiment about one year when he retired, having received an honorable discharge. He then returned to Warren, and November 1, 1863, he was united in marriage to Matilda Aumock, a native of Perry County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Philip and Susanna (Miller) Aumock, the former a native of Perry County, Ohio, and the latter a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. In the following spring Mr. Collins came to Huntington and resumed his trade, at which he continued until 1870. Since that time his attention has been given to the ice business, and to the management of an ice cream parlor. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are the parents of four children, all sons: Jesse D., William H., Alva B., and Charles M. The eldest son, Jesse D., for two years past has had charge of the ice cream business, formerly conducted by his father. The son in question, Jesse D., at present extensivly and profitably engaged in the wholesale ice cream trade of Chicago, was married January 13, 1886, to Bertha May Hawkins, daughter of Levi Hawkins, of this county. Mrs. Collins is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Collins is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and a Democrat in politics. He and wife are among the most estimable citizens of Huntington.
GEORGE R. CORLEW, one of the pioneers of Huntington County, and one of her most prominent citizens, is a native of
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.
Springfield, Windsor Co., Vt., and was born on Sunday, January 1, 1822. He was the fifth in a family of nine children, eight sons and one daughter, born to Presby and Lucy (Thornton) Corlew, both natives of Vermont, the former of French and English, and the latter of Scotch descent. While our subject was yet a young child his parents removed to the state of New York and first located at Glenns Falls, but some three or four years later they removed to the town of Cadysville, Clinton Co., N. Y., where for three years the father was engaged in the lumber business. They then located upon a farm in the same county. There the family resided about four years when, upon the death of the father, the widowed mother came with a family of five children to Cham- paign County, Ohio, and located upon a farm. About two years later the mother was married to David Patty. Shortly after their marriage the family removed to Zainesfield, Ohio. About 1838, they came to this State and settled in the woods on the old Ridge road, about seven miles northeast of Fort Wayne, Allen County. After pinching along a short time in a rude hut, and in the direst circumstances, they removed to a farm near by and from this home, two years later, George, then a young man of eighteen, went to Ft. Wayne and began to learn the tinner's trade. This was finished in due time, and after working between three or four years in that place he came to Huntington, then a village of less than three dozen houses. That was in 1843. Here Mr. Corlew opened up the first tin shop in the town. He con- tinued in the tin and hardware business until about 1863. A part of his attention was, during that time, given to dry goods, also. On retiring from these he engaged in the grocery business, and some three or four years later, changed from this to the avo- cation of a silversmith. Shortly afterward, however, he relin- quished this business and since then he has been in retired life. In 1876 he removed to his farm two miles southwest of town, but in November, 1886, he returned to Huntington, and is now com- fortably located on South Jefferson Street. He was married March 4, 1846, to Ann Scotton, a native of Coventry, England, born September 28, 1828. She was the daughter of John J. and Dinah (Jennings) Scotton, with whom she came to America when she was four years old. They first settled in Wayne County, Ohio, but in about the year 1844 they came to Wells County, this State, and located on a farm where they resided at the time the above marriage took place. Mr. and Mrs. Corlew have had six children, Albert W., George F., Emma, William, John S. and Jennie. Of these, Albert W., George F. and William are de- ceased. They were aged twenty-three, twenty-two and three years, respectively. Mr. Corlew is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and a staunch Democrat in politics. He belongs to Mys- tic Lodge and also is a member of Huntington Chapter of R. A. M.
HON. SAMUEL F. DAY, Mayor of the City of Huntington, was born near Franklin Mills, Portage- now Kent- County,
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Ohio, May 30, 1827. He was the second son born to Jacob and Mary ( Spears ) Day, natives of Massachusetts, and Pennsyl- vania, respectively. His boyhood and early youth were spent working upon his father's farm in his native county. During winter he attended the district school in which he received a fair knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning. At the age of fifteen, he was employed as a teamster in Franklin Mills. At eighteen, he accepted a position as boat hand on the Cross-Cut Canal, between Cleveland and Pittsburg. In the spring of 1847, he was placed in charge of a boat plying upon that canal. This work furnished his chief employment until the fall of 1854, when he returned to Franklin Mills and took charge of a hotel. He came to Huntington in 1861, and in the following year opened up a livery which he has conducted ever since. He was married September 21, 1851, to Edatha H. Hotchkiss, a native of Oswego, New York. She was the daughter of Harry and Lida (Norris ) Hotchkiss, both of whom were also natives of New York. This union has resulted in the birth of eight children: Cora E., Sam- uel F., Clara A., Robert J. and Lulu C., living, and Rowland J., Clara A. and Harry H., deceased. Mr. Day has taken thirty-two degrees in the Order of Masonry and possesses membership with Amity Lodge No. 483; Huntington Chapter No. 27; Hunt- ington Council No. 51; Fort Wayne Commandery No. 4 , and the Indiana Consistory. He has never identified himself with any church, but is a firm believer in the principles of Christian- ity and the Universalist doctrine. His attendance is shared by all the churches, as is, also, his liberal contributions. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1865, he was elected Mayor of Huntington, and he has since been re-elected to that office four times. He possesses executive ability, good judgment and dignity, and to these qualities the able and impartial discharge of his official duties may be attributed. His course as the city's chief magis- trate has proven his sympathy for her best interests and his fellow townsmen have expressed their appreciation of his ser- vices by prolonging his administration. In 1871, he was elected a member of the school board and it was, in a measure, due to his efforts while a member of that body that the present High School building was erected. He has the educational interests of the city at heart, and has labored earnestly in elevating the city schools up to their present high standard. He bore an influen- tial part in initiating the project that resulted in the establish- ment of the Orphans' Home, of Huntington, and he has been one of the directors of that institution ever since it was founded. He has, also, been instrumental in securing the success of various other enterprises that had for their object the accommodation and welfare of the public. Among these may be mentioned the formation of the Huntington County Agricultural Society, in 1867-8, and the construction of several gravel roads throughout the county. Mr. Day deservedly enjoys an enviable reputation
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.
in his official and business relations and a generous appreciation as a citizen. His portrait appears elsewhere in this volume.
ALEXANDER W. DELONG-The subject of this sketch, Alexander W. DeLong, is familiarly known throughout the county as a man of pure motives, strong convictions, moral courage and public spirit. The name of his parents, Isaac DeLong and Mary DeLong, indicate that he is of French extraction. His father died in this county several years since, after a life of activity, as one of the most esteemed lawyers and citizens of this part of the state. Alexander W., was born June 21, 1838, near Seneca- ville, on the Wills Creek, a place familiarly known in Guernsey County, Ohio. His childhood was awarded common school ad- vantages, until he was thirteen years of age, when he entered upon a four years' apprenticeship as a printer in the office of the Post, published at Somerset, Ohio, after the expiration of which, as was his agreement, his master gave him six months' advan- tage of the common school. His services being completed, bet- ter inducements led him to the employ of D. H. Lyman, Esq., upon the Zanesville Courier, for the ensuing nine months. His deportment made him many friends, among whom were William J. Ijams, Esq., of Rehoboth, Ohio, who offered him a scholarship, and persuaded him to attend Ohio Wesleyan University, at Dela- ware, Ohio, for the next nine months. Here he made proficient advancements, and when the want of funds made the abandon- ment of student life necessary, he keenly felt the sacrifice, for his literary tastes have always been of a high order. Thus at nine- teen years of age, he came to Huntington, among strangers, in what was then regarded as the "West," and founding the In- diana Herald, a Whig newspaper, which has been published under the same name to this day. He canvassed the county on foot, soliciting subscribers and patronage. After completing pre- liminary arrangements in Huntington, he returned to his home at Somerset, on horseback, and having arranged for the purchase of material, for the new paper, started for Cincinnati, making the trip across the country in the old fashioned stage coach. While making a temporary stop at Chilicothe, for the purpose of changing horses, then 1 o'clock in the morning, he received the first intelligence of the nomination of Gen. Zachary Taylor for President of the United States. Returning to Huntington by way of the canal, he issued the first number of the Herald, on the 4th of July, 1848, and continuously published it until the latter part of the year 1865, when he sold out, but again resumed his con- nection in 1875, and continued its principal manager until April, 1883, when he again disposed of the office. It is a fact worthy of mention that in all that time he never changed his political prin- ciples, but he and the paper have pursued a constant course in favor of Republican principles as to good government and human rights. His domestic life, which began by his marriage at Mahon,
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in Huntington County, Ind., May 10, 1850, to Elizabeth C. Morgan, has been that of modest retirement, having a host of true and tried friends, bound to him, not by considerations of appetite and feast, but by ties of honest friendship. The fruits of this mar- riage were a son Charles, who died at the age of near four years, and whose loss has weighed upon his memory ever since, show- ing the pure impulses of his heart; and a daughter, Ada, born March 10, 1869, and now living. The religious antecedents of Mr. DeLong were Catholic, on the side of his father, and Presby- terian on that of his mother, and he himself was baptised in the Catholic faith, in early boyhood, by Father Lumberson, in Guern- sey County, Ohio. His religious faith is not strictly orthodox, viewed from a Catholic or Protestant standpoint. He has a high sense of moral responsibility, and a full and complete belief in Deity; and while in no sacrilegious manner declining to dwell on particulars or methods, is contented with the hope that God, who is Omnipotent and just, will do justice to all, as such deserve, and that the golden rule, if followed, furnishes a safe rule for the conduct of men. In 1871, with a few other citizens, he assisted in organizing the Citizens' bank, of Huntington, from which he withdrew a few years afterward, but whose success to-day is a memento of his foresightedness. In 1875, he was active in the organization of the Huntington, Kelso and Warren Gravel Road Company - this road being the first completed in the county. He was President of the Company from its organization, and for several years after its completion, and lending his individual credit to make it a success. For nearly forty years he has championed all public improvements, and never been a party to any " job," or made a dollar by any dishonest connection with any movement. For a period of six years he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the City Schools of Huntington, and in years gone by has always aided every literary enterprise, espec- ially the old Workingmen's Institute and Library, and the pres- ent Library Association, of whose Executive Committee he was for many years an active member. In politics, Mr. DeLong is known throughout the state as an uncompromising Republican, but opposed to all dishonorable methods in politics. In 1876, he was a regular delegate at the National Republican convention at Cincinnati, and was a member of the State Central Committee, of Indiana for four years. In July, 1865, he was appointed Post- master at Huntington, and continued to serve in this capacity until the expiration of his term, in February, 1883. He was then appointed Receiver of the Land Office for the Northern District of Arizona, located at Prescott. He remained there about fifteen months, but disliking the business and the country, he resigned and returned to his old home in Huntington. Mr. DeLong is a man of positive convictions, who, when he thinks he knows the right, dares maintain it; whose character for honesty and integ- rity is unquestioned; whose hand is open as day to charity, in ways and times the world at large knows not of; whose zeal has
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led him to befriend the aspirations of others, public men, at the the sacrifice of his own interests, some of whom, as not un- usually happens, have not been lavish in gratitude in return; whose life of industry has amassed a competency, and whose daily life is one of constant activity.
ICHABOD DILLE, one of the early settlers of Polk Town- ship, and now a resident of Huntington, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, April 12, 1820. He was the second in a family of ten children - three sons and seven daughters - born to Ichabod and Mary (McCain) Dille, both natives of Ohio, the former of English, and the latter of Scotch descent. When our subject was ten years of age his parents came to this State and located in the woods near the present site of Jonesboro, Grant County. They were among the first settlers of that portion of the county. The father had entered a tract of land and upon it he settled, cleared up a farm and continued to reside there until about 1815. The parents afterward resided successively in Wabash County, Peru, and finally in Champaign County, Ills., where the father died November 10, 1868, aged seventy-nine. His wife, the mother of our subject, died at the latter's home in this city, April 3, 1886, in the eighty-sixth year of her age. Our immediate subject spent his youth working upon his father's farm in Grant County. At the age of twenty he located upon a piece of land and began farming for himself. With the exception of one year which was spent in Iowa, he continued upon a farm in Grant County, until 1853, when he came to Huntington County and settled in Polk Township. There he continued to reside until in July, 1878, since which he has been a resident of Huntington. He was married July 23, 1840, to Rachel Smith, a native of Ohio. She died in August, 1852, leaving six children: Eli G., Jonathan, Mary E., Jehu, Lovina A., and Lewis W. Eli G., Mary E. and Lewis W. are deceased. The oldest was killed at the battle of Champion Hills, May 16, 1863. November 19, 1853, Mr. Dille was married to Mrs. Rebecca Brooks, daughter of Benjamin and Judith (Davis) Havens, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively. She was born in Warren County, Ohio, January 7, 1823. This latter union has resulted in the birth of three children: Jesse B., John I. and Viola, all living. Mr. Dille is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, and a Republican in politics. He and wife are now comfortably located on Mt. Etna Avenue, and they deserv- edly enjoy the confidence and respect of all.
JOHN I. DILLE, a prominent young attorney of Hunting- ton, was born in Polk Township, this county, November 18, 1857. He is the son of Ichabod and Rebecca (Havens) Dille, both natives of Ohio. Our subject spent his early life upon his father's farm in this county. At the age of fifteen he took up the vocation of a teacher, and he taught in all, three terms. He received in the common school a good knowledge of the com-
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mon branches, after which he attended the Normal school at Valparaiso about three years. The years of 1876 and '77 were spent in the State University. In June of the latter year he graduated in the Law Department of that institution. After pursuing some special studies at the Normal at Valparaiso for several months, he located at Huntington where he formed a law partnership with James B. Kenner with whom he has been associated ever since, excepting one year, during which he was the partner of L. P. Boyle. July 21, 1878, he was married to Mary J. Mohn, by whom he has four children: Dessie B., Chester B., Eva and Mamie P., all of whom are living. Our sub- ject is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. Lodges, and a Republican.
Z. T. DUNGAN is a native of Huntington Township, this county, and was born December 7, 1859, being the third and youngest child born to Matthew and Hannah (Barker) Dungan. The former, a native of Fayette County, Ind., was born June 9, 1828, and was the son of Zachariah and Prudence Ann (Durbin) Dungan, who were respectively, natives of Warren and Butler Counties, Ohio. Matthew Dungan came to this county in 1847, and located in Section 31, Huntington Township. He was mar- ried to Hannah J. Barker, December 19, 1852, and the follow- ing May, he and wife located upon a farm in Section 29, same township. There they continued to reside until April, 1885, when they removed to the City of Huntington, and there the husband died on the 4th day of August following. Soon afterward his widow, Mrs. Hannah Dungan, returned to the farm on Section 29, where she still resides. The latter was born in Wayne County, this State, June 12, 1828, and was the daughter of Thomas and Abbe (Cave) Barker. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood and early youth working upon his father's farm in this county. In winter he attended the district school, in which he obtained the rudiments of an education. At the age of sixteen he took up the profession of a teacher, and followed it eleven terms with good success. In the meantime he had im- proved his education by attending school. At seventeen years of age he was appointed by the County Commissioners as student to Purdue University, but after investigating that institution he concluded he would prefer a normal education, and consequently soon afterward he entered the Normal School at Ladoga. Later on he completed the teacher's and scientific courses in the Central Indiana Normal School at Danville. In 1876 he entered upon the study of the law and continued at this as his profession would per- mit until the spring of 1880, when he was admitted a member of the Huntington County Bar, under the late Judge Slack. Soon afterward he entered upon the practice of his profession in the office of Kenner & Dille, in Huntington. His undivided atten- tien was given to the practice of his profession for two years. In conjunction with this he acted in the capacity of local editor
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of the Lime City News and the Indiana Herald. During the campaign of 1884 he was connected with the Daily Democrat. During the session of the legislature in 1885 he was appointed Assistant Clerk of the Senate, but owing to sickness was com- pelled to relinquish the position. Since April, 1885, he has re- sided upon a farm in Section 29, Huntington Township, a residence he expects to make temporary. May 11, 1880, he was married to Lina Close, daughter of George and Mary Ann (Ellis) Close, the former a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and the latter a native of Brown County, Ohio. Mrs. Dungan was born in Ad- ams County, Ohio, July 6, 1859. To their marriage two children have been born, Harry O., born May 19, 1881, and Carleton M. G., born July 7, 1883.
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