USA > Indiana > Marshall County > History of Indiana : containing a history of Indiana and biographical sketches of governors and other leading men. Also a statement of the growth and prosperity of Marshall County, together with a personal and family histry of many of its citizens, Vol. II > Part 43
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who proved a valuable assistant in helping to make a home in the then almost unsettled part of Marshall county. June, 1862, his wife and two children died of scarlet fever, leaving two other children, a son and daughter, both of whom have since died. Mr. Scofield's second marriage was solemnized in 1865, with Miss Lydia Emerson, daughter of one of Marshall county's pio- neers, a union blessed with the birth of four children, only one of whom, a daughter, is now living. In 1876, Mr. Scofield was called upon to mourn the loss of his second wife, and three years later, he married Mahala Miller, his present wife, who has borne him two children, Loyd and Independence S. Mr. Scofield is one of the most successful farmers of Marshall county, and also one of the wealthiest of North township. He began life with but a lim- ited amount of capital, and his large and well improved farm, consisting of 700 acres, and his other valuable lands in the county represent his own unaided efforts. He and his neighbor, Mr. Seltenright, after the dis-organization of the county agricultural society, purchased the ground at sheriff sale, and have since refitted the same and held several successful fairs which have been very extensively patronized, paying good premiums. These fairs have been held annually since 1887, the one in the fall of 1889, having been a grand success, the premiums paid amounting to over $6,000. As a stockman, Mr. Scofield ranks with the most exten- sive breeders in northern Indiana, and upon his farms are to be seen some of the finest horses and cattle in the state, Politically he wields an influence with the democratic party, and has served one term as township trustee, the duties of which he discharged in a manner highly satisfactory to all concerned.
John Seltenright, a leading farmer and stock-raiser, is a na- tive of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and the youngest of thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, born to David and Anna (Rice) Seltenright, who were both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was reared in his native state, and in an early day emi- grated to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and from there, in 1852, came to Marshall county, Ind., settling where the subject of this sketch now resides, in North township. He was a public spirited man, bore an active part in the early development of the coun- try, and died in North township, as did also his wife. They were both members of the Lutheran church, and most estimable citi- zens. John Seltenright was born June 16, 1837, and grew to manhood on a farm, attending in the meantime, as his opportu- nities afforded, the country schools, in which he obtained the rudiments of an English education. He began farming for him- self at the age of twenty-two, and later engaged in saw-milling, which occupied the greater part of his attention for seventeen years. He operated mills in various parts of the county, and be- came quite a successful lumber man. For some years he has
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been giving his attention altogether to farming and stock-rais- ing, in which he has been very successful, his home place, at this time, consisting of 350 acres of land, upon which are some of the finest improvements to be seen in the township. His real estate in North township alone amounts to over 570 acres, which with other valuable property in various parts of the country, makes him one of the well-to-do men of Marshall. In partnership with William Scofield Mr. Seltenright purchased ground where they have held several excellent county fairs, the ground being im- proved for this especial purpose. Mr. Seltenright is a public spirited citizen in all the term implies, but has never been an aspirant for official positions, though a firm supporter of the democratic party. He was married March 1, 1866, to Mary L. Zears, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, November, 1846, the eldest daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Williams) Zears, who were also natives of Ohio. The Zears family came to Marshall county, in 1857, settling in North township, where they now re- side. To Mr. and Mrs. Seltenright have been born three children: Alice, Elmer and Nellie L.
Benjamin Snyder, a representative man of North township, and member of the present board of county commissioners, is a native of Stark county, Ohio, and the son of Simon and Sallie Snyder, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Benjamin Snyder came to Marshall county in 1848, and was reared a farmer, and when quite young did the work of a man in the fields. He remained upon the home place until twenty- five years of age, but began life for himself when twenty years old as a renter. In 1869 he and a brother, Henry, purchased a saw-mill in German township, which they operated in connection with farming for several years. In 1879 they dissolved their partnership and divided the proceeds, after which Mr. Snyder purchased his present home of 170 acres in North township where he has since resided. This place bears the reputation of one of the best grain farms in Marshall county, and in addition to general agriculture, Mr. Snyder has also gained the name of being one of the best breeders of fine horses and other superior domestic animals in North township. Mr. Snyder has held sev- eral minor official positions in this township, and in 1888 was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, the du- ties of which responsible office he has since discharged with satisfaction and efficiency. He has acted as president of the board, and to his careful judgment is the county largely indebted for a number of needed improvements, among which may be classed six iron bridges and the recent refitting and remodeling of the court-house. Mr. Snyder was married April 7, 1867, to Miss Julia Boyer, who was born in Holmes county, November 8, 1845. She is the youngest daughter of William and Lucy (Ritter)
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Boyer, and is the mother of five children: Flora E., wife of H. Sarber; Emma M., Almira (deceased), Samuel J. T., and Celestia C.
Ferdinand Spahr, a prominent citizen of North township, and ex-county commissioner, was born in Erie county, Penn., April 3, 1845, and is the only living child of John and Barbara Spahr, both of whom were born in Baden, Germany, the father, No- vember 28, 1798, and the mother, April 7, 1804. John Spahr was reared and educated in his native country, and served a term in the regular army. After his marriage to Miss Barbara Motuer he came to America about 1831, settling in Erie county, Penn., moving thence, in 1844, to Michigan. He afterward located in Mishawaka, Ind., where he remained until 1856, and then moved to the town of Elkhart, at which place he and his wife remained until their respective deaths, which occurred April 18, 1875, and March 5, 1886. The immediate subject of this mention was a small boy when his parents moved westward, and he was raised principally near the town of Mishawaka. He early learned the carpenter's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship two years, and then followed journeyman work in various parts of the country. June 13, 1862, he married Miss Margaret P. Middleton, of Elkhart county, Ind., who was born September 4, 1846, daugh- ter of Jonathan and Margaret (Davis) Middleton, natives of Virginia. Soon after his marriage Mr. Spahr turned his atten- tion to farming, which he followed for some years in Elkhart county, Ind., moving thence to Marshall county in 1866, and settling on the farm where he has since resided, in North town- ship. . He found but little improvement on this place, but by hard work and close attention to the same, has made a very comfortable home, beside owning other real estate in another part of the township. He has been a democrat, but, aside from holding the offices of justice of the peace and that of commis- sioner, to which he was elected in the fall of 1882, has not asked nor sought political preferment. Mr. and Mrs. Spahr are worthy members of the United Brethren church. The following are the children: Charles S., Francis E., Ferdinand and Grover C.
Joseph Stough is a native of Pennsylvania, born in either Fayette or Westmoreland counties, that state, July 3, 1843, and is the third child of Simon and Sophia (Grim) Stough, both parents natives of the same state. Simon Stough was a cabinet-maker by trade, and followed his chosen calling until within the past few years. He moved to Tuscarawas county in 1851, where his wife died, and in 1855 he was married to Mrs. Phoebe (Hooprich) Staffy. He came to Marshall county, Ind., 1864, and worked at his trade at Linkville until within a short time past, when he abandoned active pursuits and is now living a retired life. Joseph Stough spent his first ten years in Pennsylvania, and was then
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taken to Tuscarawas county, where he grew to manhood, learn- ing the carpenter's trade in the meantime, in which he acquired great skill and proficiency. He enlisted in the fall of 1861, Com- pany G, Fifty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, and was mustered at Canal Dover, that state. The regiment was assigned to the army of the Cumberland, going out under Gen. Stanley Mathews and later under Gen. McLain. He was in a number of battles, in- cluding Stone River, where he received a gunshot wound in the left foot; Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, several battles of the At- lanta campaign and other minor engagements. He veteranized in 1863, and was ordered to Camp Chase, where he was honor- ably discharged in 1865, after having served over four years, in which time he had only a thirty days' furlough. He returned home at the close of the war, and in December, 1865, came to Marshall county, Ind., where for some time he was engaged on a saw-mill, which he afterward purchased in partnership with his brother, John Stough, under the firm name of Stough Bros. This partnership continued until 1886, and in the meantime they pur- chased land from which a large amount of timber was cut and manufactured into lumber. They dissolved the partnership in the above year, since which time Mr. Stough has given his attention to farming and improving his land, owning good property in Linkville, and a place consisting of 120 acres, one mile north of the village. In his various business enterprises he has met with well earned success, and is now one of the substantial citizens of North township. He married in April, 1883, Miss Mollie Miller, a native of Franklin county, Ind., and daughter of John and Mary Miller, who has borne him three children, Elva M. and L., (deceased), and Earl P., living, born July 12, 1889.
Benjamin Stuckey was born in Montgomery county, Penn., February 16, 1849, son of Frederick and Catherine (Meyers) Stuckey, both natives of the same state. Frederick Stuckey was a farmer by occupation, and shortly after obtaining a good start in life, was unfortunate in losing his home and contents in a de- structive fire. He moved to Ohio about the year 1854-55, set- tling in Preble county, thence, later, to Marshall county, Ind., lo- cating near the town of Argos, where he lived for a period of four years. He afterward lived in Center township and is now a resident of the village of Linkville, where he and his wife still reside. Benjamin Stuckey left his native state at the age of five years, and when fourteen years old came to Marshall county, where with the exception of a few years, he has since lived. He remained with his parents until attaining his majority, and then began farming on rented land, and in 1871 moved to St. Joseph county, where he became the possessor of a farm of eighty acres. He disposed of this in 1887, and returned to Marshall county, and purchased his present farm in North township. He is a success-
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ful agriculturist, and in addition to farming, gives considerable attention to bee culture, in which venture he is also successful, having one of the largest apiaries in Marshall county. He was married September 22, 1870, to Miss Percilla Penrod, who was born near Radgersville, Ohio, April, 1853, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Kindle) Penrod, natives, respectively, of Pennsyl- vania and Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Stuckey have had four child- ren, of whom the following are living: George M., Mina A. and Herbert C. Mrs. Stuckey's father moved to Marshall county in 1865, locating at Linkville. The family afterward moved to St. Joseph county, where Mr. and Mrs. Penrod's death occurred in the years of 1874 and 1873, respectively.
John W. Thomas was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, Oc- tober 21, 1833, the second of a family of twelve, eight sons and four daughters of Samuel S. and Mary M. (Leinard) Thomas, who were natives of Ohio and Maryland respectively, of Welsh and German descent. The subject's paternal grandfather, Henry Thomas, was born in Pennsylvania, married there, and moved to Ohio in an early day, of which state he was one of the pioneers. He became a large land owner, raised a family of twelve chil- dren, and died at the advanced age of eighty years. Mr. Thomas' maternal grandparents moved from Maryland to Rich- land county, Ohio, many years ago, and spent the rest of their days in that part of the state. They were noted for their longev- ity, several members of the family living to be nearly one hundred years old. Samuel S. Thomas, father of John W., was a carpen- ter by trade, which calling he pursued in several states. He owned his first land in Ohio, which he sold in 1832, and moved with his family to Indiana, stopping first in Huntington county. Mr. Thomas disposed of his interests there, and in the spring of 1833 moved to Marshall county, locating on the present site of Bourbon, where he purchased eighty acres of land upon which the town was afterward laid out, and of which he was proprietor. He afterward purchased land one mile east, and in connection with farming, operated a saw-mill which did quite an extensive business for some time. He was a man of strong physical con- stitution, of great endurance and well skilled in wood-craft. He continued to reside in Bourbon township until his death, which occurred while on a visit to one of his sons, in December, 1875, being sixty-four years of age at the time. Mrs. Thomas died in 1880, aged sixty-three. They were both members of the German Baptist church, and Mr. Thomas was formerly a whig, and later a prominent member of the republican party. John W. Thomas was reared amid the active scenes of pioneer life, was early taught lessons of industry and economy, and received a limited education in the indifferent schools of that period. He came to Indiana in his nineteenth year, and by his own efforts has accu-
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mulated a handsome property, being at this time one of the rep- resentative farmers of North township. He began life for him- self at twenty-one years of age, although he remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which was consummated March 3, 1859, with Miss Susan Jenkins, daughter of Henry and Malinda (Mooney) Jenkins. The parents of Mrs. Thomas were of French and Irish descent respectively, and came to Carroll county, Ind., in the early settlement of that part of the state. The father died, and in 1851, the mother, who had subsequently married Henry Van Noy, moved to Marshall county. She died in 1853. Mrs. Thomas was born in Carroll county, this state, June 7, 1839, and became a resident of Marshall county in 1851. She is the mother of two children, viz .: Eldora (deceased), wife of Ed- ward Dial, and Frank L., who is now in school. Mr. Thomas built his first residence on the present site of Bourbon, and after- ward disposed of his property in the town and engaged in the flouring mill business, which he continued about one year. He then sold out his mill and purchased a farm in partnership with his father, which he also owned about one year, and then bought land adjoining the town of Bourbon, which he platted as an ad- dition to the town and disposed of the lots. In the spring of 1869 he removed to North township, where he purchased 100 acres of land, at the same time invested in a saw-mill and engaged in the lumber business, paying for the mill in six months. Later, he purchased 160 acres of timber land adjoining his present home and afterward purchased where he now lives, and at one time owned over 700 acres of valuable land. He is now the owner of over 400 acres, and his farm in North township is one of the best improved places in the county. In 1876, Mr. Thomas engaged in the lumber business about sixty-five miles northeast of St. Paul, in Wisconsin, in partnership with H. G. Thayer, and erected a large mill which they operated very successfully for some years. This mill subsequently burned, and afterward Mr. Thomas purchased his partner's interest, rebuilt the mill, and continued to operate it until its destruction by fire the second time in the fall of 1882. At that time he shipped the machinery away, and now operates a mill in his own neighborhood which is well patronized, being supplied with machinery, not only for the manufacture of lumber, but also for making shingles, laths, etc. He is now devoting his attention largely to farming and stock- raising. Politically, Mr. Thomas is a republican, and with his wife belongs to the United Brethren church. On the 30th day of July, 1890, J. W. Thomas had his right arm torn off above the elbow in the planer of his own mill. He is now doing very well and will undoubtedly get well. A few days after his misfortune in the mill, his friends nominated him as county commissioner on the republican ticket.
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James Voreis, a venerable citizen of Marshall county, is a native of Barren county, Ky., born February 2, 1806. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Downing) Voreis, whose marriage resulted in ten children, viz .: Sophia, Margaret, Jeremiah, Nancy, Rachel, Sarah, John, James, Abraham, David R. and Francis. James Voreis, when a small boy, was taken by his parents from Pennsylvania to Preble county, Ohio, and after re- siding in that state for some years the family came to Union county, Ind., moving thence to Rush county, where our subject grew to manhood. He was reared a farmer and at the age of twenty-one years began the pursuit of agriculture for himself. January 15, 1831, he married Elizabeth Pollard, a union blessed with the birth of nine children, viz .: Mary (deceased), William W., Elizabeth (deceased), Malinda (deceased), David R. (deceased), Samantha, Jonas S., Thomas W. and Washington. In the spring of 1836 Mr. Voreis moved to Marshall county, and entered 420 acres of land for himself and father, upon which they settled, Mr. Voreis having previously visited the country and prepared a dwelling for the reception of the family. The life of Mr. Voreis has been that of an enterprising and success- ful farmer, and he has seen Marshall county grow from a wilder- ness state into one of the best improved sections of Indiana. Politically he has always been a supporter of the democratic party, the principles of which he believes to be conducive to the best interests of the country.
James M. Wade, present trustee of North township, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, September 25, 1848, and is the son of William and Sarah (Boyd) Wade, natives of Ohio, and of English descent. William Wade, the subject's grandfather, was a native of Turkey, in Europe. He left that country in his younger days, emigrating to America, and settling in Pennsyl- vania, moving thence to Kentucky, and later to Ohio, where he lived the remainder of his days. William Wade, the subject's father, was a farmer by occupation, and by his marriage with Sarah Boyd, reared a family of nine children, whose names are as follows: John W., Serena, Rebecca, James M., Elizabeth, Henrietta, Charles W., Mary A. and Eva A. In 1852, Mr. Wade came to Marshall county, and purchased 150 acres of land in sec- tion 15, North township, to which he moved by cutting a way through the thick forest, there being no such an improvement as a road at that time in this part of the county. He soon cleared a good farm, took a prominent part in the affairs of the town- ship, and died in May, 1882. His widow still survives, residing at this time with a daughter, in Plymouth. James M. Wade be- came a resident of Marshall county in his fourth year, since which time he has been a well-known citizen of North township, an now resides upon the home farm, where the family first settled.
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He received a common school education, and remained with his parents until his twenty-fifth year, at which time he married Miss Ellen Baker, daughter of Abraham and Sarah Baker, whose biography appears elsewhere. Mrs. Wade was born January 18, 1852, the eldest of ten children, and is the mother of four chil- dren, viz .: William Lawrence, Bertha E., Gracie and William Lester. Mr. Wade began farming the home place, but in 1881 purchased a small farm on the Michigan road, to which he re- moved, but he disposed of the same in 1887, and returned to the home farm, which he now owns. He has been a very active farmer, and also a very thrifty one, being at this time classed with the well-to-do men in the community in which he resides. He is a democrat in politics, and, as such, was elected to the office of township trustee, in 1887, the duties of which position he has discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner ever since: M. D. L. Whitman, a well-known farmer and stock-raiser of North township, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, November I, 1839. He is the third son and third child of a family of eleven children born to Humphrey and Sarah (Gueisbert) Whitman, natives of Ohio and Maryland respectively, the former of Ger- man-Scotch, and the latter of German, descent. Mr. Whitman's paternal grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, and became one of the pioneers of Ohio, as did also his maternal grand- father, who moved to that state from Maryland a great many years ago. Humphrey Whitman was a farmer by occupation, and later in life engaged in the manufacture of lumber. He lived the greater part of his life within a short distance of where he was raised, and died in 1876 at the age of sixty-two years. His wife died the previous year at the age of sixty-three. M. D."L. Whitman was reared in Seneca county, Ohio, received a limited education in the country schools, and on reaching his majority began working for himself as a farm hand at $12 per month. He afterward engaged in lumbering and the manufac- turing of staves, and in the spring of 1861 came to St. Joseph county, Ind., where he worked one year on a farm. Returning to Ohio in the winter of 1861, he lumbered until August, 1862. August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and First Ohio volunteer infantry, which was assigned to the army of the Cumberland. He was with his regiment in all of its varied engagements in the southwestern campaigns, and took part in a number of battles, among which were Perryville, Stone River, Liberty Gap, Champion Hill, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Look- out Mountain, and was with Sherman in the Georgia campaign, and was for forty days on the skirmish line from Chattanooga to Atlanta. Later, under Gen. Schofield, he took part in the second battle of Franklin, the battle of Nashville and other engage- ments. After the battle of Nashville he went with the army to
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east Tennessee to intercept Lee should he move in that direc- tion, passing through Paint Rock mountain into North Carolina as far as Ashville, returned through east Tennessee to Nashville, and remained there until June 6, after which he was ordered to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was honorably discharged. During his war experience he received no injuries worthy of mention, but had many narrow escapes, his clothing having been pierced by eleven bullets at the battle of Chickamauga, and at the battle of Resaca his clothing was also cut by one of the enemy's mis- siles. In the latter engagement he rescued the colors of the reg- iment upon the death of the color bearer, and bore them from the field, after which he acted as color bearer of the regiment until after the fall of Atlanta. At the close of the war he re- turned to Ohio, and on October 26, 1865, was married to Miss Helena McHenry, of Seneca county, Ohio, who was born March 8, 1842, the daughter of Silas and Christina (Eager) McHenry. To this marriage four children were born: Oliver S., Sylvia J., Effie M. and Lena. Mr. Whitman moved to Marshall county, in 1869, locating upon the farm where he now lives. He added to his original purchase from time to time, and is now the pos- sessor of 240 acres, the product of his own industry. His wife died December 29, 1874, aged thirty-two years, and he was mar- ried the second time April 20, 1876, to Miss Drusilla Penrod, of St. Joseph county, who has borne him four children: Dorsey D., Lina P., Jessie M. (deceased), and Elsie F.
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