USA > Indiana > Miami County > History of Miami County, Indiana : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 43
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"Several years ago he united with the Orthodox Friends and remained a member until a few years ago when he became a charter member of the Modern Friends church of Amboy. In politics he was formerly a Republican but for thirty years he has been working with the Prohibi- tion party, and always casting his ballot for what he thought to be his political duty. In support of all worthy efforts he was a liberal contributor and many times suffered privation for the purpose of ex- tending a righteous and worthy principle.
"In educational matters he exhibited an abnormal interest and was ever ready to advise unsettled young men and women to accumulate an education; not only was his interest confined to advice, for many graduates of the Amboy Academy, who have gone out in the world to combat life's struggles have dated their success from the timely assist- ance and words of encouragement received from Dr. Baldwin. For several years he was a member of the school board of the Amboy Academy. He was a leading factor in the establishment of the old Amboy Friends Academy, now Amboy High School, and the history of this grand institution would be incorrectly written without mention of his name.
"The great zeal and interest manifested by Dr. Baldwin in matters in which he conscientiously believed often created for him unpleasant surroundings, but he was dauntless in his conscientious duty ; he was often misunderstood but had great charity for those who occasionally failed to understand his motive. He was not of a combative nature and often endured insult rather than exhibit a pugnacious tendency.
"To those who understood him he was a source of pleasure and interest; his views of current history were founded on good reason and keen perception; rarely was he mistaken in his diagnosis of social or political ailments ; his familiarity with the principles of Materia-Medica and the theory of disease and cure, gave him an uncommon advantage in any diagnosis.
"During his practice of medicine he learned that there are times when all remedies fail and sociable and wise suggestion must be employed to assist nature to bring about a normal relationship between different organs of the body and thus it was by this method he attracted and retained many friends and patients who feel keenly the loss of this member of our community.
"The funeral was held in the Friends Church which was crowded with his many friends and relatives. The sermon was preached by Rev. Earnest Wiggins, pastor of the Modern Friends church, of Amboy, assisted in the services by Rev. Napier of the Friends Church of Amboy, Rev. John Kennedy of the W. M. Church of Amboy, and Rev. Ed. Ken- nedy, Methodist Episcopal minister of Macy, Indiana.
"The body was laid to rest in the Friends Cemetery at Amboy. Vol. II-19
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"Many beautiful floral expressions of sympathy and respect were received by the family, being contributed by the many friends and societies of the locality. All business of the town was closed for the hour of the funeral and all citizens exhibited a solemn respect for the departed pioneer."
CHARLES P. BALDWIN. The oldest son of Dr. John A. Baldwin, and himself one of the leading lawyers and business men of Miami county, Charles P. Baldwin is a native son of this county, was reared here, received academic education, for a number of years, was associated with his father in the large enterprises conducted under Dr. Baldwin's name in Amboy, and some five years ago turned his attention to the law, was admitted to the bar, and is now one of the active young attorneys in the southern part of the county.
Charles P. Baldwin was born at Amboy, July 19, 1869, a son of Dr. John A. Baldwin, whose career has been sketched in preceding paragraphs. Mr. Charles P. Baldwin married Miss Cesta J. Tudor. They are the parents of the following children: Harry T .; Fred C .; and Mary Jeanette.
Mr. Baldwin went through the Amboy high school and the local academy, a course which included the equivalent of the first year in college. For five years he was engaged as a school teacher, and for one year had taught in the district schools of this county before he had finished his own education. He was then married in 1895 and at once became actively associated with his father in the gas business and in the manufacture of drain tile. In 1896 he moved to Marion, in Grant county, where he was in the grocery business until April, 1897. He then took a place in the produce business, conducted by S. Tudor and Company, and continued in that work until January, 1903. At that date, returning with his family he again became the associate of his father in the gas business and in the manufacture of building brick and sand brick. He was interested in the construction of some of the busi- ness blocks in Amboy, and during the years 1906 and 1907 he put in a great deal of his time in reading Blackstone, and also followed up his studies by correspondence. At the end of this work, he was examined and admitted to the bar of Miami county in 1908, and since then has applied himself to active practice. He also conducts an agency for insurance and loans, and has served as attorney for the town. Mr. Baldwin is a member of the Friends church and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias.
LOUIS BETZNER. Few families have contributed more virile and efficient business energy to the modern activities of Miami county than the Betzners. The leading hardware enterprise of Peru is conducted by brothers of this name, one or two others are engaged in industrial work, and the youngest is a substantial farmer and influential citizen of Deer Creek township.
The founder of the family in Miami county was the late Louis F. Betzner, who was for a long period of years identified with the farming - activities of Deer Creek township. He came here in 1861 from Trenton, New Jersey, and bought the place where his son Louis Betzner now lives. A log house stood on the farm at that time, and that provided the first shelter and living accommodations for his little family. Later it was replaced by a substantial brick dwelling, and that still stands on the land, and is occupied by descendants of its builders. With the assistance of his sons Louis Betzner cleared and improved his land, and spent the rest of his life there. His death occurred September 14, 1903.
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Louis F. Betzner was born in Germany, spent his youth there in attend- ing school and in a substantial training that well served him after beginning life in the new world. Before he left his native land he had served six years in the German Army. The maiden name of his wife was Catherine Bender, and she too was a native of Germany. Her death occurred June 9, 1911. They reared a large family of children, who are now useful and respected members of the respective com- munities in which they live. Their names in order of birth are as follows: John G., Eli B., Carl E., Frederick H., Emma C., wife of Eli Bowser, Mary M., wife of Warren Morrow, and Louis C.
John G. Betzner the oldest of these children was born December 20, 1857. He was reared on his father's farm, assisted in the farm work and attended the district school. In his youth he learned the black- smith trade, and for a time was employed as foreman in the rolling mills at Marion. Following this he became superintendent of the rolling mills in East Chicago, where he remained until he came to his present location at Hammond, Indiana, where he is engine foreman in the chemical works. John G. Betzner married Miss Carrie Spangler.
Eli B. Betzner, the second of the sons, was born March 18, 1859. His boyhood days were passed on his father's farm until he was sixteen. Then he learned the harness maker's trade in Peru, with Valentine Smith, and for a few years remained there in that line of business. His next employment was in the harness shops owned by Dr. Hugh A. Ager, and his connection subsisted to mutual advantage and profit through fourteen years. In 1903 Eli became a partner in the Betzner Brothers hardware store in Peru, and has since been identified with that flourish- ing establishment. He married Miss Tillie Troster, and they have two children Blanche and Clarence. Eli B. Betzner is both an Odd Fellow and a Knight of the Maccabees. Carl E. Betzner remained on the farm until he attained his twenty-first year. He was born February 3, 1861. In 1883 he became a clerk in the hardware store of Puterbaugh Brothers at Peru, and with the exception of about one year when he was stock keeper for the Peru Electric Manufacturing Company, continued with them until 1903. In that year the firm of Betzner Brothers, con- sisting of Eli B. and Carl E. bought the Puterbaugh Brothers store, and has since conducted it on increasing lines of importance and success. Carl Betzner married Laura F. Martin, and they have one daughter Hazel. In politics he is a Democrat, as are all his brothers, and his fraternal affiliations are with Peru Lodge No. 539, I. O. O. F., the Knights of the Maccabees, and the United Commercial Travelers.
Frederick H. Betzner spent his boyhood and reached manhood on his father's farm. When he left the old homestead he became a carpen- ter for the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company at Kokomo. Later he was engaged in the restaurant business at Middletown, Indiana, where he remained until 1913. He is unmarried.
Louis C. Betzner, the youngest son, was born November 19, 1871, on the farm where he has since lived, having succeeded his father in the operation of the old place. In addition to attending the schools near his home, he was for a time a student in Bunker Hill and later in St. Louis. Louis C. Betzner was married April 22, 1896, to Miss Matilda Hartman, a daughter of John and Mary (Meek) Hartman. Her grandfather Dr. Meek was instrumental in getting a postoffice established at Bunker Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Betzner have two children: Wayne, born July 23, 1897, and Catherine, born November 17, 1900. Fraternally Mr. Betzner is identified with both the Knights of Pythias and the Masons at Bunker Hill. He has passed all the chairs in the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 299, and is senior warden of the Masonic
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Lodge No. 683. His church relations are maintained with the Methodist Episcopal and he is now chairman of the board of trustees and has served as superintendent of the Sunday School.
BENJAMIN F. ZEHRING. A resident of Miami county for more than 57 years, Mr. Zehring represents one of the families who have been most influential in the development of the material resources of southwestern part of the county, and which for half a century or more have furnished numerous members to the local government and to all general movements for the community's welfare and upbuilding.
Mr. Benjamin F. Zehring, who has been a farmer but always on the basis of sound business principles and very successful in all his under- takings was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, January 26, 1849. The family history properly has a place in the personal annals of Miami county.
The family annals go back to the great-grandfather of the present Deer Creek resident. This was Christian Zehring, a native of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and a blacksmith by trade. He married Mary Rauch and they were the parents of a large family of sons and daughters. Christian Zehring in 1818 came to Ohio and located in Warren county, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a member of the German Baptist Church and was a Democrat of the Jackson type, and a typical pioneer.
William Zchring, the grandfather of Benjamin F., was born in Pennsylvania, married Elizabeth Garst, and in the spring of 1818 located in Butler county, Ohio. Ten years later he sold his farm in Butler county, and moved to Montgomery county, which was his home until 1850. He then lived at different localities in Ohio until 1857, at which date he came to Deer Creek township in Miami county and made his home there until his death on August 16, 1873. He was brought up under the German Baptist faith and like his father was a Jacksonian Democrat. He and his wife were the parents of five children, John, William, Christian, Lydia and Barbara.
William Zehring, the father was born in Butler county, Ohio, May 3, 1821, and married in 1844 Miss Susan Feagler, who was born in 1824, a daughter of John and Susanna (Cullers) Feagler. William Zehring and wife for some years and after their marriage lived on his father's old farm in Montgomery county, Ohio, and in 1850 they came to Preble county, and after six years there to Montgomery county and lived there one year. In 1857 they immigrated to Indiana and located in Dear Creek township on a quarter-section of land, which he had purchased. Although some twenty-five years had passed since the first settlement in this county, yet a large portion of its fertile area was undeveloped and still in its primitive wilderness condition. Only fifty acres of the one hundred sixty bought by William Zehring was clear, and all the rest was in heavy timber. Though able to purchase this land, he was comparatively a poor man, and in addition during his early years of residence in this county had a good deal of bad luck. He owned an interest in a saw-mill which was burned and lost nearly all his ready resources, but he was a man of remarkable industry and a good business manager, and finally became one of the most prosperous citizens in this section of the county. In 1864 he built a two-story brick house and with barns and other improvements to correspond, he made his homestead one of the most attractive in the entire township. The children of his marriage with Miss Feagler were Josiah, William I., Benjamin F., Elizabeth, John H. and Alfred E. The mother of these children died February 18, 1865. William Zehring was always a Democrat and a man of influence, both in his party and in his
B.F.ZEHRING
PUGSLEY
PHOTO.
"WALNUT DELL GRANGE" RESIDENCE OF MR. AND MRS. BENJAMIN F. ZEHRING
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community. He served some six years or more as a county commissioner, was township trustee for eight terms and also served in the state legis- lature and in other minor positions which imposed a heavy burden upon their holders and with little reward except in the consciousness of duty performed. He was one of the original members of the old patrons of husbandry in Deer Creek township.
Benjamin F. Zehring represents one of the sturdiest and most highly respected families of this county. He was reared in Miami county from the time he was eight years of age, attended the old district schools which existed here during the fifties and sixties, and the actual experi- ence and hard work on his father's farm prepared himself for an inde- pendent career as an agriculturist. In 1871 he married Miss Mary McIlwain, a daughter of John McIlwain. The only child of this marriage was Sallie, who was born January 7, 1873, and who became the wife of Edward F. Wood, and the mother of two children named Russell and Lucinda. The first wife of Mr. Zehring died in February, 1873, and six years later he married Ruth Wininger, a daughter of George Wininger. There are two children by the second marriage, namely: Alonzo M., born March 17, 1879, and William, born October 9, 1882. Alonzo M. married May Rayburn, and William married Madge Quinn, a daughter of Robert Henry Quinn, William J. and wife have three children, Robert F., Forrest Q. and Thelma V.
Mr. Zehring has acquired a comfortable and profitable estate where he now lives as a result of his own management and hard toil. His home farm contains thirty-nine acres, but he owns two other farms and in the aggregate has two hundred and seventy acres of fine farming land in this county. This accumulation of material resources does not represent all the profits of his industry, because he lent his resources for the assistance of his father during the latter's financial difficulties. He has placed all the excellent buildings upon his farms and has done a great amount of clearing, and by his many improvements has contributed to the general valuation and welfare of this section of Miami county. He is an attendant at the Methodist church, and fraternally is affiliated with Cresent Lodge No. 280, A. F. & A. M., Miami, Indiana, having been a Mason for the past eleven years. The_estate of Mr. and Mrs. Zehring is known as "Walnut Dell Grange," and the residence is one of the most beautiful and modern in Miami county. All the modern conveniences are to be found in this beautiful home.
ANDREW J. KURTZ. As a farmer and stock raiser, Mr. Kurtz is one of the most prominent in Miami county, and is a successful representa- tive of a family which has been identified with similar interests in this county for upwards of sixty years. In the fine country of Deer Creek township, the Kurtz family from the early days have been noted as skillful managers of the resources of the soil, and have maintained high standards in the local society and citizenship. The fine old Kurtz homestead is now occupied by Andrew J. Kurtz and his has long been a place of prosperity in this section.
Andrew J. Kurtz was born in Deer Creck township, April 17, 1859, a son of John and Dorothy (Hepperly) Kurtz. As the name suggests the Kurtz family is of German origin, and both John and his wife were natives of the Fatherland. However, they were married in Ohio, having come separately to America, and from Ohio, early in the fifties journeyed to Indiana, and became early settlers of Deer Creek township. The father made his first clearing in a tract of heavily timbered land, built a log house, whose rude comforts were enjoyed by the family for several years, and all their experiences were those of the pioneer style.
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As the years went by the father and his sons cleared practically all the land and cultivated the fields, inereasing profit and prosperity. The old log cabin gave away to a substantial frame dwelling, and other improvements marked the steadily growing family fortune. Here the father and wife passed their lives and died, she passing away Mareh, 1902, and he January 1, 1892.
Andrew J. Kurtz, who had been engaged in farming on other land, took charge of the home farm in 1907. He grew up in Deer Creek township, received a fair education in the district sehools, and has been a hard worker all his life. In 1889 Andrew J. Kurtz married Malinda C. Apple, a daughter of John Apple. Mr. Kurtz and wife after their marriage started out to make their fortune without any eapital to speak of, and by careful management and hard work laid a substantial foundation and have been able to provide well for themselves and family of five children. These children are: Lillie, Roy, Lloyd and Edith, twins, and Jessic. All the children are at home, and Miss Lillie is one of the popular and successful young school teachers of the town- ship. Fraternally Mr. Kurtz is an Odd Fellow, a member of the Bunker Hill Lodge, and has passed all the chairs of his lodge. His politieal principles are those of the Democratic party, and he and his family are attendants of the Methodist church.
EDWARD L. WILLSON. In the farming district of Miami county are many prosperous and progressive men who believe that the happiest as well as the most independent life is to be lived on a farm. Prominent among these is Edward L. Willson, of Dcer Creek township. His individual earcer has been one of solid accomplishment sinee he started out and took the first step by getting married something more than thirty years ago. He is known as an exeellent farmer, and a man who can be depended upon in all matters of local moment.
Edward L. Willson was born in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, August 10, 1859, a son of Jaeob Wesley and Lueinda (Burtnor) Willson. Jacob W. Willson was born on the same farm as his son Edward, and his father was James Willson. Jacob W. Willson was one of a family of five sons, two others being named John and James. Lucinda Burtnor was a daughter of Jacob Burtnor, and a grand- daughter of Kamp Burtnor. She was one of a family of five sons and three daughters, named as follows: Abram, Joe P., Jacob, Joshua F., Francis M., Julia Ann, Lucinda, and Sarah. Jacob Wesley Willson brought his family from Ohio to Indiana, during the Civil war, and on Mareh 4, 1864, took up his residence in the town of Mexico, in Miami county, where he died the following year on March 5. After his death his widow and children went baek to Ohio, and made their home with her parents until her seeond marriage. February 11, 1869, she became the wife of Hon. William Zeliring, and returned with him to Indiana. Their home was on the plaec now occupied by Alfred Zehring in Deer Creek township. By her first marriage Lueinda Willson had three ehil- dren, including Edward L., whose brothers were Louis B., who died in infaney, and Charles W., who died at the age of two years. By her second marriage Mrs. Lueinda Zehring had one ehild, Catherine, who died at the age of two years.
Edward L. Willson was a small boy when he first eamne to Miami eounty. His boyhood days were spent here and at his grandfather's home in Ohio, and when starting out on his own aecount he found farming as a vocation for which his talents and inelinations best fitted him. With some assistance from his home-folks, he started in a small way, and by using the means and opportunities that lay nearest him,
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has contrived to prosper from one year to the next, and is now one of the mnost substantial and best known country residents in the southern half of Miami county.
In February, 1880, he took up his residence on the place he now occupies, and lived with the family there for a short time until his own marriage, when he began housekeeping. At the time he came into the possession of the farm, its buildings consisted of a four-room brick house, a double corn-crib, and a log stable, which he used for several years. In 1882 a new barn was put up under his supervision, and in 1900 the comfortable house which now affords shelter and home for his family was completed. Mr. Willson cleared up about twenty acres of the land, and made many other changes in cultivation and at the present time his farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres ranks with the representatives estates of the township.
On November 18, 1880, Mr. Willson and Miss Anna McHale were united in marriage. Mrs. Willson, who was one of a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, is a daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth Ann (Good) McHale. Her father died January 21, 1910, and her mother on February 21, 1885. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Willson have been born four children, as follows: Jessie M., born June 27, 1882, was married on Christmas Day of 1911 to Dr. W. E. Garret- son of Galveston, in Cass county. Walter A., born June 11, 1885, was married December 29, 1909, to Miss Lola Herrell; Harry E., born February 8, 1887, died at the age of nineteen months; Hazel L., born September 5, 1891, is now engaged in teaching her second term of school in Miami county. It has been the object of Mr. and Mrs. Willson to supply their children with the best possible advantages, and for many years their combined thrift and economy and hard work provided the means which they have liberally laid out for the benefit of their children and which now supplies themselves with a comfortable home in which to spend their evening years. Mr. Willson is affiliated with the Masonic Order and is now the oldest living Past Master of his lodge, his member- ship being in Galveston Lodge No. 244, A. F. & A. M. Of late years he has been an attendant at the Baptist church. The estate of Mr. and Mrs. Willson is known as "Maple Grange."
JOHN W. DAVIS. Through nearly five decades the Davis family has lived in Miami county. In Deer Creek township, people speak with respect and friendliness of these worthy people, who have prospered by their work on the land, have never neglected their duties as neighbors and citizens, and fill a place of usefulness and honor.
John W. Davis who has made his home in Deer Creek township since early childhood, was born in Miami county, Ohio, September 10, 1862, and was brought to Miami county, Indiana, by his parents in the spring of 1865. His father was Columbus Davis, a son of William Davis. After coming to Miami county the father taught school for awhile, later settled down to farming, and followed that vocation a number of years. The first land he occupied on coming to this vicinity, had on it a log house and stable, and he and his family lived a few years in primitive pioneer style. About 1866 they moved to the farm that is now occupied by John W. Davis. There the father built a house, and had his home there for a long period of years. In the spring of 1903 he moved to Kokomo, where the declining years of his life were spent. Columbus Davis was three times married. His first wife, Christiana, was the daughter of Frederick Cook. Christiana (Cook) Davis died on Sep- tember 23, 1870, and on October 10, 1871, Columbus Davis married her
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