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 68
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LANCASTER TOWNSHIP.
one year later signed the Washingtonian temperance pledge. He is one who has always been honored and respected by his neighbors, and has done much developing the resources of the country. Starting in life with no capital, but a determination to succeed, he has steadily won his way to prosperity; but this point has been obtained by the most unremitting toil and good man- agement, and is by no means the result of favorable circum- stances. His marriage has been blessed with nine children, whose names are as follows: Mary A., born December 4, 1843, died May 23, 1878; Almira S., born March 1, 1846; died May 10, 1865; Martha J., born October, 1848, died January 12, 1849, Orange L., born February 7, 1850; Thomas E., born November 9, 1853; George A., born May 10, 1855; Anna J., born January 5, 1859, died November 12, 1874; William M., born August 31, 1860; Elmer I., born July 5, 1864.
LEWIS C. MARKS, mechanic in Mt. Etna, is a native of Grant County, Ind., and fifth child of Thomas J., and Harriet (Chambers) Marks, the father born in Kentucky and the mother in Ohio. He was born October 31, 1848, attended the com- mon schools at intervals until his nineteenth year, at which time he engaged to learn the wagon maker's trade under Samuel Wood, at that time a resident of Mt. Etna, but now a citizen of Marion. After becoming proficient in his trade, Mr. Marks began business for himself, purchasing in 1869, the shop and appliances of his employer, which he has since operated with encouraging success. He has taken an active interest in all movements hav- ing for their object the public good, and has held several official positions in Mt. Etna, including those of Town Clerk and Mar- shal. He is an earnest worker in the cause of temperance and believes that the only way to deal effectually with the rum power is to vote it out of existence, hence he is a firm believer in the principle of prohibition. His marriage on the 25th of Sep- tember, 1876, to Miss Mary J. Young, has been blessed with four children, to wit: James, born August 26, 1877; Lola, born Jan- uary 27, 1880; Lansford, born March 25, 1883, and an infant, de- ceased, not named.
S. P. MITCHELL, M. D .- Dr. Mitchell is a native of Hunt- ington County, Ind., born in Lancaster Township, on the 18th day of June, 1847. He is the eldest son of Robert and Mary (Harri- man) Mitchell, of Preble County, Ohio, who immigrated to Indiana in 1844, and from that date until 1866, resided in Hunt- ington County. In the latter year they removed to St. Claire County, Mo., and two years later returned to Huntington, where the father's death occurred July 18, 1878. The mother is still liv- ing, making her home at this time in the City of Huntington. S. P. Mitchell was raised in his native county and received the advantages of a practical education in the country schools which
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.
he attended at intervals until nearly his twentieth year, frequently walking a distance of six miles to and from the old log building known as the Ream School House in Lancaster Township. In 1871-72 he attended the Howard College, Kokemo, Indiana, and in 1873 began the study of medicine with Dr. A. H. Shaffer, of Huntington. He entered the medical department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor in 1873. Attended one term, and later became a student of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, from which institution he graduated in the spring of 1874. Having thus thoroughly familiarized himself with the theory of his profession, he began the active practice of the same at the town of Mt. Etna, where he has since continued in the en- The joyment of a very prosperous and lucrative business.
doctor is a wide-awake, energetic man, an enthusiastic student, and as a successful practitioner, few medical men in the county stand higher in the estimation of the people than he. He is a member of Lodge No. 323, F. & A. M .; has held the office of Treas- urer of Mt. Etna, and at this time Secretary of the Board of School Trustees of the town. In politics he was formerly a Re- publican, but is now an ardent supporter of the principles of the Prohibition party. On the 28th of October, 1875, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Jennie M. Van Antwerp, a union blessed with the birth of two children, viz .: infant son, deceased, and Merrill V., born April 12, 1885. Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell are both active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, belonging to the Mt. Etna congregation.
MILLER MORGAN, farmer and business man, son of John and Barbara (Miller) Morgan, natives respectively of Tennessee and Ohio, was born in Union County, Ind., December 24, 1825. He was educated in the country schools and until his twenty- second year remained with his parents, becoming familiar with the details of the farmer's occupation in the meantime. Decem- ber 7, 1848, he married Miss Mary Hayward, a union blessed with the birth of six children, whose names are as follows: Cornelius, born August 6, 1852, died August 15, 1854; Joseph B., born Nov- ember 11, 1856; John V., born June 2, 1863; Anna, born January 28, 1866, and two that died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. Morgan a number of years ago, engaged in farming in Lancaster Township, and at this time owns a fine place of 120 acres, eighty of which are in cultivation and well improved. September, 1886, in part- nership with a son, John V. Morgan, Mr. Morgan purchased a stock of general merchandise at the village of Kelso, which they now carry on. They handle all kinds of goods demanded by the general trade, and do their proportion of business. Mr. Morgan was formerly a Democrat, but now advocates the prin- ciples of the Prohibition party. He has rendered material assist- ance in the general improvement of the county, and takes a live interest in all movements having for their object the wel- fare of the public.
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LANCASTER TOWNSHIP.
JOHN V. MORGAN, son of Miller and Mary Morgan, was born in Huntington County, Ind., June 2, 1863. His early edu- cation was received in the common schools, supplemented by a course at the Central Normal Institute, Ladoga, Ind., and a commercial course at the Columbus, Ohio, Business College. Mr. Morgan was raised on a farm, but in the fall of 1886, in part- nership with his father, engaged in the dry goods business, at Kelso, of which place he is also Postmaster, having been ap- pointed to that office by Postmaster-General Vilas, in January of the above year. On the 30th day of November, 1886, was solem- nized his marriage with Miss Nellie Lewis, daughter of Wallace and Clementine Lewis. Mrs. Morgan was born in the State of Iowa, on the 26th day of November, 1870. Mr. Morgan is a Demo- crat in politics, and one of the representative young men of Huntington County. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Majenica Lodge, No. 563, of which he is at this time Secretary.
THOMAS A. RODGERS, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, Mt. Etna, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, March 31, 1840, the fourth son of John and Mary (Marks) Rodgers, natives of West Virginia. John Rodgers in 1847, moved to Grant County, Ind., and subsequently about the year 1854 or '55 the family moved to Huntington County. Thomas Rodgers was reared on a farm, and at the early age of fourteen left the paternal roof, for the purpose of making his own way in the world, and from that time until his twentieth year, worked as a farm laborer. He then took up the shoe-maker's trade, and after acquiring a skillful knowledge of the same, under Ezra Coun of Warren, began business for himself, which he has since continued at the town of Mt. Etna. In addi- tion to running ten hands and doing all kinds of maufacturing and repairing, Mr. Rodgers deals quite extensively in Eastern work, and is now in the enjoyment of a very prosperous and constantly increasing business. He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Democrat in politics, but has never been an aspirant for official position. He was united in mar- riage with Miss Phoebe J. Mitchell, of Preble County, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers have been born eight children, only three of whom are now living, viz .: Lillian Mitchell and Charley.
ABRAHAM B. SHIDELER. - The gentleman whose name introduces this biography, is a native of Wayne County, Ind., born October 12, 1843, to Jonas and Fannie (Berg) Shideler, na- tives respectively of Ohio and Pennsylvania. He grew to man- hood in Lancaster Township, Huntington Co., his parents moving here when he was quite young, and in the common schools re- ceived an education, which though not of a high scholastic order, has enabled him to successfully discharge the duties of a very active business life. At an early age he commenced with John
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.
W. Burns to learn the blacksmith's trade, and has since continued the same with gratifying success, being at this time the proprie- tor of a shop at the village of New Lancaster, where he is doing a very prosperous business. Upon the breaking out of the war, when but little more than seventeen years of age, with the spirit that actuated the movements of young men and old throughout the entire North, he volunteered in the service of his country, to do battle for the maintenance of her rights. He responded to the first call for troops, enlisting in the Thirty-Fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until honorably dis- charged, his period of service amounting to four and a half years. Mr. Shideler was married June 17, 1866, to Miss Esther Burris, of Preble County, Ohio, a union blessed with the birth of four children, two of whom, Minnie B. and Tennis E., are living, the former born August 31, 1868, and the latter on the 27th day of February, 1879. Mr. Shideler is a staunch Republican in pol- itics, and, in November, 1886, was elected by his party a member of the Board of County Commissioners. He and wife are active members of the Methodist Church, belonging to the New Lan- caster congregation.
ELIJAH SMITH, successful farmer of Lancaster Township, was born in Harrison County, W. Va., November 5, 1823, son of Jacob and Anna (Warmsley) Smith. Parents natives of the same State. He was raised on a farm, remained with his pa- rents until attaining his majority, at which time (1844), he be- gan life for himself as a common laborer, and continued as such for a period of about five years. On the 12th day of January, 1850, was solemnized, his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Star- buck of Clinton County, Ohio, and the same year moved to Hun- tington County, Ind., and settled on his present farm of 120 acres on the northwest quarter of Section 8, Lancaster Town- ship. Mr. Smith has been a very industrious and wide-awake man, and is justly entitled to a mention among the representative citizens of the county of his adoption. He and wife are consis- tent members of the Christian Church, and in politics he is an earnest supporter of the Republican party. The following are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, viz .: John M., Mary L., Anna J., Sarah J. and Latham L., the last two of whom are living.
OLIVER N. SNIDER, dealer in general merchandise, Har- lansburgh, is a native of Huntington County, Ind., born in Polk Township on the 5th day of December, 1854. He is the eldest son of John and Mary (Fisher) Snider, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio, who were among the early pioneers of Huntington County, moving here when the country was in almost a wilderness state. He enjoyed such educational advan- tages as were afforded by the common schools, but such was his progress in his various studies that he early obtained a teacher's
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LANCASTER TOWNSHIP.
license, and followed the profession of teaching for a period of seven years. In addition to teaching he was variously employed, buying and shipping produce, soliciting and collecting for the med- ical firm of G. & H. Rundle, of Pickaway, Ohio, and a part of the time acting as traveling solicitor for the publishing house of Rand, McNally & Co., of Chicago. In 1883, he purchased the mercan- tile establishment of Karst & Hollett, at Harlansburgh, and since that time has been doing a very prosperous business. He has a fine stock of merchandise, keeping all articles demanded by the general trade, and by honorable dealing has already succeeded in attracting a large and substantial class of customers. Mr. Snider's marriage with Miss Lida J. Randolph, daughter of Rhodes and Mary J. (Fish) Randolph, was solemnized June 24, 1886. Mrs. Snider was born in Shelby County, Ohio, March 24, 1861, and accompanied her parents to Huntington County in the fall of 1863. Mr. Snider is a Republican in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
LEVI SOURS, a native of Lancaster County, Penn., was born October 1, 1809, the youngest son of nine children born to Henry and Catharine (Harter) Sours, both natives of the same State. Our subject received a limited education, owing to the inefficiencies of the school system of those days, was raised on a farm and remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, when he was then married to Miss Abi- gail Weston, the event being solemnized on the 23d of Septem- ber, 1830. His wife was born in Northumberland County, Pa., December 15, 1808. She is a daughter of John and Margaret (Shineberger) Weston, natives of Pennsylvania, also. Nine children were born to this marriage, viz .: Alfred H., October 15, 1831; John J., June 12, 1834; Rebecca J., August 5, 1836; Simon F., March 23, 1839; Isaiah, December 18, 1840; Ruhamina E, April 26, 1842; Phebe C., September 20, 1844; Eliza M., November 13, 1846; Lidia A., October 14, 1849. Two of these are dead, John J., died August 25, 1835; Eliza M., July 4, 1867. About the year 1846, the subject came to this county and located in Jackson Township, and remained about six years, after which he moved to Iowa, and resided about two years, then they returned to this county, buying land in Huntington Township, where they made their home for about twenty years, and then to Huntington they moved. Here they resided for eight years, then being dis- satisfied with town life, they purchased a small tract of land on Section 16, Lancaster Township, where they expect to remain the balance of their days. They have a nice little home on the Lancaster Gravel Road, nicely located, etc. This aged couple are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Republi- can. Socially they are held in high esteem by the large circle of friends with whom they are acquainted. When he retired from active life, he divided an estate of about 3,200 among his child-
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.
ren, who are now doing well for themselves and respective families.
JOHN J. SPRINKLE, dealer in general merchandise, New Lancaster, was born in Lancaster Township, Huntington County, March 24, 1860, the eldest son of Absalom and Salome (Heffner) Sprinkle, the father a native of Ashland County, Ohio, and the mother of Huntington County, Ind. He was reared to agricul- tural pursuits, received a good English education, and on attain- ing his majority, engaged in the mercantile business, at Pleasant Plains and New Lancaster, being still located at the latter village, where he has a good stock of general merchandise. He was married June 17, 1883, to Miss Lucinda E., daughter of John and Catharine (Shultz) Boyd, of Huntington County. Mr. Sprinkle is a Republican in politics, and with his wife, belongs to the German Baptist Church.
GEORGE B. STECH, one of the enterprising and self-made men of Lancaster Township, was born in Baden, Germany, May 18, 1829, and is the eldest son of William and Catherine (Zeigler) Stech, who came to the United States a number of years ago and settled in Louisville, Kentucky, where the father soon died. The family subsequently moved to Indiana, where for the first three years George B. was employed in the capacity of farm laborer. By carefully husbanding his earnings during that period, he was enabled to purchase a team, after which he rented land for a period of seven years. At the end of that time, in the fall of 1866, he came to Huntington County and purchased eighty acres of land in Section 36, Lancaster Township, to which he has since added, until now his farm numbers 173 acres, 113 of which are in cultivation. Mr. Stech is in the true sense of the word a self- made man, as he was in a destitute condition when landing in this country, his sole earthly possessions amounting to but 5 cents in cash. Previous to coming to America he was a soldier in the German Army, and as such served for a period of four years. October 3, 1861, he married Sarah A. Updyke, of Union County, Ind., where she was born April 11, 1842. The following are the names of the children, viz .: Isaac M., born February 21, 1864, died February 2, 1887; Frederick W., born June 20, 1867, and Benjamin F., born August 6, 1869. Mr. Stech is a Republican in politics, and with his wife and family belongs to the Lutheran Church.
JOB C. STOUT. - The subject of this biography was born in Franklin County, Ind., April 1, 1833, and is descended from one of the oldest families of the State, his parents having been resi- dents of said county as early as the year 1814. Owing to lack of school advantages he grew to manhood with but a limited educa- tion, and when still a young man, served a two years' apprentice-
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ship at the brick mason's trade, in which he acquired great proficiency, and to which he devoted his entire attention for a number of years. In October, 1865, he moved from Jennings to Huntington County, and purchased in Section 23, Lancaster Township, 160 acres of land, upon which he at once went to work preparing a home for the reception of his family. By persevering industry he soon succeeded in bringing the greater part of his land into cultivation, and his farm at this time is one of the most productive and best improved in the township. Mr. Stout has always taken an active interest in the internal improvement of the county, and to him, as much as to any one man, is due the credit of bringing about the construction of the Huntington and Warren turnpike, of which road he served as superintendent. He is a Republican in politics, but of late years has inclined to the principles of the Prohibition party, believing the latter to be the only hope of redeeming the country from the accursed rum power. Mr. Stout, on the 11th of November, 1855, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brady, daughter of John P. and Eleanor (Nutt) Brady, of Pennsylvania. She was born January 27, 1838, and is the mother of seven children, viz .: Mary E., born Novem- ber 26, 1857; Sarah J., born June 17, 1861; William L., born Octo- ber 3, 1864; Martha A., born August 16, 1866; Lucinda E., born February 17, 1869; John F., born June 7, 1871, died August 1, 1872, and Nettie, born April 12, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Stout, together with nearly all their children, are members of the Missionary branch of the Baptist Church.
JASPER H. TERRELL, a native of Clinton County, Ohio, was born March 26, 1836. His parents were Newcomb and Jane (Johnson) Terrell, natives of Maryland and North Carolina, both being deceased in the above county. Our subject received a common school education, was reared on a farm, where he re- mained until he was seventeen years of age, when he com- menced to learn the wagon and carriage maker's trade, with James Trouth, of Lynchburg, Ohio, and afterward served with his brother William, and Joseph Ewert. The subject traveled over considerable territory as a journeyman and in about the year 1857, came to Mt. Etna, Huntington County, where he opened a shop for himself, which he conducted until the year 1875, when he disposed of the same to William Harvey. He was married to Miss Catharine Marshall, a native of Ohio, on Nov- ember 7, 1856, and to them seven children were born, Nora, an infant, unnamed (deceased), Clara, an infant un- named (deceased), Minnie, Haassah and Charley. Our subject is a member of Mt. Etna Lodge, No. 333, F. & A. M., and Mt. Etna Lodge, No. 304, I. O. O. F. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1870, and served for four successive terms, being elected on each occasion. He is the owner of 110 acres of land in Lancaster and Jefferson Townships, which is under a fair state of cultivation, and is all cleared land but
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.
about fifteen acres, and otherwise substantially improved. Politi- cally he is a Republican.
STEPHEN M. VENARD. - Mr. Venard was born in Wayne County, Indiana, June 3, 1858, and is the eldest son of Philip and Ruth (Willcuts) Venard, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respec - tively. The parents were married in Wayne County, where the mother still resides, the father having departed this life December, 1882. Stephen M. Venard was raised on the farm and in the common schools received the basis of an education which, supplemented by a systematic course of reading and study in later years, has developed into a fund of valuable knowledge making him in the true sense of the term a well educated man. At the age of eighteen he obtained a teacher's license, and from that time until the present has been more or less permanently identified with the educational matters, being at this time one of the most widely known and successful in- structors in Huntington County. After about four years' close application as a teacher he engaged as solicitor for insurance, a business in which he has been very successful, and which he still carries on in connection with school work, having at this time an office in the town of Mt. Etna. Mr. Venard is a man of broad views, has decided opinions upon all the leading questions of the day, and while not a partisan in the sense of seeking office, takes an active interest in political affairs, being an uncompromising supporter of the Republican party. His mar- riage to Miss Melvina B., daughter of Joel and Elizabeth (Leverton) Chenoweth, of Huntington County, was solemnized on the 15th day of September, 1881. Mrs. Venard was born September 1, 1862, and is the mother of one child, Elgithe Dot Venard, whose birth occurred October 8, 1882.
CHAPTER XIII.
POLK TOWNSHIP - AREA AND GENERAL FEATURES -EARLY SET- TLEMENT - PIONEER LIFE - RELIGIOUS HISTORY - ROADS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS - ITEMS OF INTEREST - MONUMENT CITY - HARLANSBURGH - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
POLK TOWNSHIP embraces a superficial area of twenty-four square miles, or 15,360 acres, with the following boundaries, to wit: Wabash County on the west, Dallas Township on the north and the townships of Lancaster and Wayne on the east and south respectively. Until 1846 its territory was included in that of Lancaster Township, but at the March ter n of the Board of County Commissioners of that year it was organized as a
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separate jurisdiction and named in honor of President James K. Polk. Salamonie River, the principal water course, enters near the southeast corner, flows a northwesterly direction through Sections 36, 26, 23, 21, reserve Section No. 31, and receives several tributaries, the largest of which, Majenica Creek, waters and drains the eastern part of the township, emptying into the main stream a short distance southeast of Monument City. Crooked Creek, another small tributary, flows a southerly course through Sections 9, 16 and part of 21, while Logan and Rush Creeks afford water and ample drainage for a considerable area of territory in the southwest corner of the township. The country adjacent to the Salamonie is somewhat broken, but by far the greater part of the township is comparatively level and characterized by a soil which, for depth and fertility, is not surpassed by that of any other part of the county or the State. When first seen by white men the face of the country was covered with a dense growth of the finest timber, much of which was ruthlessly destroyed in pre- paring the ground for cultivation and much sacrificed in later years to the demands of trade. Walnut, poplar, oak, sugar tree, beech, elm, ash, were the leading varieties, with a dense under- growth of spice bush, paw paw, etc., the thickets of which afforded safe retreats for wild animals, both fierce and dangerous. The township is pre-eminently an agricultural region and within its borders are to be seen many of the finest farms in the county, the improved condition of which bespeak the presence of an in- telligent and progressive class of citizens. Near the present site of Monument City, in an early day, was a thriving Indian vill- age, presided over by Chief Tuck-a-min-gwa, who, with those under his immediate supervision, was noted for his great friend- ship for the white settlers. The Indians remained in the town- ship until about the year 1847, at which time they removed to the far west, although small bands visited the country at inter- vals for several years after that date.
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