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 45
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A. P. Cleland, whose name introduces this review, was born in Perry township, Miami county, Indiana, on April 18, 1846, and is the son of Jonas and Mary Ann ( Olmstock) Cleland. The mother was a daughter of P. Olmstock. It was in 1830 that Jonas Cleland came to this com- munity from his home in the Empire state, and it should be mentioned in passing that he walked the entire distance, and did not consider it any undue hardship. He settled in Perry township almost immediately, and here continued to reside until his death. He purchased a small place and there lived until 1855, when he came into possession of the place where the subject now lives. This farm is represented by a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, and is one of the fine places of the town. It has been worked out of a state of wildness beyond compare into a productive and blooming series of fields, and is adorned today with fine and comfortable buildings that the senior Cleland erected while he was yet the master of the domain.
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BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF "THE SHENANDOAH LODGE" RESIDENCE OF MR. AND MRS. JOSIAH ZEHRING
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Jonas Cleland was a man of splendid integrity, and one who held and merited the respect and confidence of his fellow men to his latest hour. He was not permitted to serve in the Civil war, though he offered himself to the Union, an old injury to his arm being considered sufficient to unfit him for the rigors of war, and he was obliged to content himself at home, while his neighbors, and his young son, went away to bear their share in the conflict. At one time in his life, Mr. Cleland carried mail in his district. Mr. and Mrs. Cleland reared a family of six sons and three daughters, and the mother died in 1899, seven years after the passing of the father, who went to his long rest in 1892.
A. P. Cleland was reared in the community where he has passed his active life, and such education as he has was gained through the medium of the country schools. He was early trained in the work of the farm, and bore his full share in the strenuous task of making a real farm out of a tract of wild land. He is the possessor of that farm today, have succeeded to its ownership when the father died, and he has in recent years given a deal of attention to the breeding of Duroc Jersey hogs, and a number of ribbon winners have come from his pens. He has produced hogs that weighed as much as one thousand pounds, and in 1912 shipped something like $5,000 worth of hogs. For the past thirty years he has been engaged in the manufacture of molasses and sorghum, and he also deals to some extent in hardware, so that his interests are plainly diversified, and such as to bring him into close touch with all classes in his community.
Mr. Cleland was a mere boy when he enlisted for service in the Eleventh Indiana Regiment and he was active in the ranks during 1864 and 1865, his services covering a year and a half. He took part in much of the activity of the army during those months and saw his full share of service as a gallant soldier.
Mr. Cleland is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was also his father, and he has taken an active interest in the work of that body during the years of his membership. He has never married, but his sister Catherine, lives with him and shares his fortunes.
Catherine Cleland married Anthony Wagner, who is now deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were born the following children who are now living Joseph, Jonas, Catherine, John, George and Mary. All of the children are married except George Wagner. Mrs. Wagner is the housekeeper for her brother and resides in Perry township, Miami county.
Both are highly esteemed in their community and enjoy the sincere regard of a wide circle of friends, who have known them long and are conversant with the many excellent qualities of heart and mind that dominate their lives.
JOSIAH ZEHRING. Though a resident of Miami county only since 1900, Mr. Zehring has made himself known as one of the most enterprising and vigorous farmer citizens, and has added prestige to a name long promi- nent in the south half of the county. His neighbors pay him their respects not only for his fine farm estate, but also for his genial person- ality, his helpful spirit in community matter, and his worth as an individual.
His fine farm of two hundred and thirty-eight acres lies in Deer Creek township, and is one of the estates well known throughout the countryside for its fertile acres, its excellent improvements and buildings, and the good management of its proprietor. Josiah Zehring was born in Montgomery, Ohio, May 20, 1845, a son of William and Susan (Feag- ler) Zehring. Various branches of this family have long been prominent
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in Miami county, and more of the family history will be found on other pages. Josiah Zehring lived at home with his people until he was forty years of age. Going to Kokomo, he found employment as engineer in a local factory, and lived there five years. After that his industry was once more applied to farming on a place in Howard county, and he remained there until September, 1900, when he came to his present loca- tion in Miami county. Mr. Zehring has erected all the buildings on his farm with the exception of the dwelling house, and he has remodeled and improved that. In many ways he has given new value to his property and possesses a very comfortable and valuable home.
On November 17, 1886, Mr. Zehring and Miss Rosie Newman were united in marriage. Mrs. Zehring is a daughter of William and Ellen (McClurg) Newman. Her father, a native of Kentucky, came to Indiana, and settled in Marion county, in 1857. Her mother died when Rosie was quite small. To the marriage of Mr. Zehring and wife have been born four children, the family record standing as follows: Bessie Lee, born January 17, 1886; William E., born January 25, 1889; Lydia E., born June 25, 1894 ; and Walter P., born September 19, 1900. The pretty homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Zehring is known as "The Shenandoah Lodge."
EUGENE MILLS. A resident of Miami county since 1891, Mr. Mills is a Union township farmer, who has brought a high degree of ability and progressive spirit to his community, and in his work. As a farmer he has won ample prosperity, and he has also been honored by election to positions of trust and responsibility to the township.
Eugene Mills was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, in Seward township, March 25, 1869, a son of William and Sarah V. (Secor) Mills. The maternal grandfather was Isaac Secor. Eugene Mills was reared and educated in Kosciusko county, and in 1891 moved from that county to Miami. The first location was two miles west of his present farm, and he remained there sixteen years after which he came to his present place. Since taking up his residence on his present farm, he has placed most of the improvements now to be seen there and which constitute it one of the best equipped rural homes in Union township. He improved and added additional rooms to the house, improved the barn and several other buildings, and all the group of home and farm buildings are situated on high ground well back from the road, making a very attractive home in its facilities and surroundings. Mr. Mills cultivates one hundred and twenty-six acres of land.
He is a member of the Baptist denomination. He has recently retired from the office of township assessor which office he held by successive elections for a period of eight years. In politics he was a loyal supporter of the Republican party up to 1912, in which year he joined the Progressives.
Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees. In 1881 Mr. Mills married Miss Luella S. Friend, daughter of John Friend, who married Elizabeth Himelick. Their four children are named as follows: Cecil Leroy, born February 5, 1892; Arthur Russell, born August 24, 1893; Mary Lucille, born August 20, 1895; and Sarah Elizabeth, born April 30, 1905.
JOHN C. BARRON. As would be expected in a town of its size Bunker Hill has its full quota of successful and prosperous enterprises, headed by capable and progressive business men. Among the prominent merch- ants of Bunker Hill is John C. Barron, who for years has been in active business life at that place, and is owner and proprietor of an establish-
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ment, whose patronage has been steadily increasing as a result of square and fair dealing. Mr. Baron, who began life with limited resources and advantages, has steadily advanced in the scale of material prosperity, and since coming to Bunker Hill has more than doubled the volume of business transacted through his store.
A son of John C. and Christiana Barron, John C. Barron was born at Logansport in Cass county, on July 3, 1873. On March 17, 1873, about four months before this birth, the father died, leaving his widow a family of five children to care for. The only other one still living is Emma, who married Jerry O. Ault of Bennett Switch. One son, Charles, died at the age of seven years, and Edna and Edgar died in infancy. John C. Barron, Sr., was the son of Jacob Barron of German descent, and a life long resident of Cass county. Christiana Barron was a daughter of Jonathan Novinger, also of Cass county. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Barron married Samuel McConnell, who died October 4, 1895. To that marriage were born two children, Thomas, who died in infancy, and Lulu, who married David Couk, and they live at Galveston.
Until he had reached the age of twenty, John C. Barron lived in his mother's home, which had been established in Miami county. On leaving home he went to Galveston, and as his early education has been much neglected, he there did what he could to supplement his early deficiencies, and at the same time prepared himself for a useful career. Mr. Barron while at Galveston learned the art of telegraphy, but never followed it to any extent. His experience in mercantile affairs was begun in the E. H. Thomas store at Galveston, where he remained until 1903. This experience convinced him that merchandising was his true vocation, and in 1904 he came to Miami county, and joined Mr. S. A. . McIlvain in conducting a store at Bunker Hill. This firm continued to prosper until September, 1910, at which time Mr. Barron bought the interest of Mr. McIlvain, and the business is now known as the John C. Barron store. His place of business is one of the centers of the town and is well kept, with a modern stock of goods constantly changing, and the establishment reflects the thorough business character and prin- ciples of its proprietor.
Mr. Barron is a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias, in both of which orders he is popular and active. His religion is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, and at the present time he is superin- tendent of the Bunker Hill Sunday School. His interests in civic affairs is whole-souled, and especially in the cause of education. From Decem- ber, 1905, to July, 1909, he served on the local school board, and did much to improve the local school facilities during that time.
On March 15, 1898, Mr. Barron was married to Miss May Fickle, a daughter of Wilson Fickle of Galveston, and a niece of David Fickle, now mayor of Logansport, and a prominent business man of that com- munity. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Barron. Carmen was born February 22, 1899, and Cletus was born October 4, 1901. Both are living at home, and attending the local school. The Barrons enjoy a foremost place in the friendship and esteem of a large circle of Bunker Hill people, and in business quarters Mr. Barron is regarded as one of the most dependable and well established men of the community.
JAMES E. STARKEY. For the past twelve years James Starkey has been identified with the work of education in Miami county, for the past three years as teacher of the grammar department of the Bunker Hill schools. His career thus far has been marked by exceptional accom- Vol. II-20
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plishment in the field of education, and gives promise of much valuable social service in future years.
James E. Starkey was born in Franklin county, Virginia, on Novem- ber 21, 1879, a son of James H. and Mahala Frances (Robertson) Starkey, and a grandson of Edward Starkey. Both grandfathers of James E. Starkey were among those who cast their lot for the "Lost Cause" under Lee and Jackson, and the great-grandfathers were soldiers of the Blue in the Revolution. James E. Starkey has a brother Marion Starkey, and a sister Julia, who married Arthur Hann, and lives near Onward, in Cass county. In 1886, when James E. Starkey was seven years of age, the family moved from Virginia to Miami county, and the parents are still living in Deer Creek township, near where they settled over a quarter of a century ago.
The early education of James E. Starkey was obtained in the schools of Bunker Hill and in the Marion Normal College. After his normal training he soon found opportunity for his chosen profession, and his work as a teacher was begun and continued for a number of years in Washington, Pipe Creek, and Jackson townships. Three years ago came his appointment to the Bunker Hill Schools. As an educator Mr. Sharkey has done excellent work in all the communities served by him, he possesses the ability and knowledge, and high ideals which make the task of teaching one of the most important in the general field of social service. Mr. Starkey has also taken an active part in official affairs in his home town, having held the offices of town clerk and treasurer. As a side line or occupation during the vacation time, Mr. Starkey is engaged in bee-keeping, and markets his crop of honey by the ton.
In 1907 Mr. Starkey married Vera Crider, daughter of Cyrus Crider. One son was born to them, Ronald Wayne Starkey. Like his parents, Mr. Starkey clings to the Baptist religion and has member- . ship in that church in Bunker Hill. Fraternally his relations are with the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are prominent and popular in Bunker Hill and lead in the best social activities of the town where they have a wide circle of friends.
SYLVANUS SEE. The title of Sylvanus See to a position among the representative men of Miami county, Indiana, rests upon the fact that through his activities he had added to the commercial prestige of the city of Macy, and that as a citizen he has ever faithfully and capably performed the duties which have devolved upon him. He has the added distinction of being a native son of the county, and is a member of a family which has contributed in no small manner to the growth and development of this part of the Hoosier State. Mr. See was born on his father's farm in Perry township, Miami county, Indiana, Decem- ber 11, 1861, and is a son of William and Anna (Mulford) See.
William See, one of those who assisted in clearing Miami county land of its primeval forest, was a native of Pennsylvania, and when a young man came with his parents to Miami county, Indiana. He worked for the Leedys for a number of years and became widely known as a threshing machine operator. His first machine was known as a "carer," which had no strawcarrier, nor did it separate the wheat from the straw, and the grain had to be later cleaned by fanning mills. Later on he was one of the first to operate the old horse-power, tumbling-rod thresher, working all winter at this occupation. Having cleared up a farm or two for the Leedys, he acquired land of his own in Perry township, Miami county, buying at different times until he had over 160 acres. This he cleared, built on it a cabin and there he and his wife started housekeeping. Mr. See was married, when twenty-six
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Respectfully yours, Iva A. Kessler.
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
years old, to Miss Anna Mulford, and they became the parents of four children, as follows: Alice A., who married Simon Burkholder, who has since died; Lovanda, now Mrs. William H. Hughey; Sylvanus; and Ella E., who became the wife of Charles A. Morris. Both Mr. and Mrs. See died on the old home place.
Sylvanus See was reared on his father's farm, on which he worked during the summer months, his education being acquired in the mean- time in the district schools during the short winter terms. When twenty-six years of age he was married, the date of this event being November, 1887, to Miss Mary E. Trout. Practically ever since his marriage, Mr. See has been engaged in the sawmill and lumber business at Macy. Here he has built up a good business by hard work and square dealing, and is now justly numbered among the substantial men of his community. Although he started his career in humble circum- stances, with but little capital and influential assistance, he has stead- fastly worked his way to a position of independence, and in the mean- time has so conducted his operations as to win the utmost confidence of his fellow-citizens. Mr. See, besides handling and manufacturing lumber, carries a full stock of all kinds of building material, sash, doors, cedar shingles and portland cement, to meet all demands of builders.
Mr. See is a Democrat in politics, and has taken a keen interest in the affairs of his locality, being at present a member of the Macy town board. He is a member of the Masonic order and the Odd Fellows at Macy in which he has numerous friends, and he and Mrs. See hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, as do all of his children. The seven children of Mr. and Mrs. See are all living, and as follows : Goldie A., the wife of Charles Ambler, of South Bend, Indiana; Jennie, who married Scott J. Hurst and lives in North Dakota; Emerson W. W .; Georgie A., the wife of George Schoen, residing at Macy; Howard M .; Sylvia and Julius McDonald.
For his family's pleasure he has a large five passenger "Overland" touring car. He is a gentleman, cordial and genial in manner, and his many patrons always find it a pleasure to patronize him.
HON. IRA A. KESSLER. One of the oldest family names in Clay township is that of Kessler. It was established here back in the pioneer days, when Miami county was an expanse of woods and prairie, with few roads, with only the river and canal as a central transportation route, and with very few of the evidences of a superior civilization. In the third generation of the family in this county is Hon. Ira A. Kessler, who for a number of years has been identified with educational work, and who was honored a few years ago by election to the state legisla- ture. The achievements of himself and other members of the family well entitle the name to distinction of a permanent memorial in this volume of Miami county biography.
Ira Albert Kessler was born in Clay township, Miami county, March 18, 1875, a son of Phillip and Christena (Hicks) Kessler. It was Grand- father Joseph Kessler who established the Kessler name in the vicinity, and his name as well as his works deserve the remembrance of later generations. He moved to Richland township in this county from Henry county, Indiana, in 1834. On coming here he entered land from the government, later selling it and entering a quarter section in Washington township near the Indian village on the north bank of Pipe Creek in 1839. No white men lived nearer than three miles, and young Phillip Kessler had no playmates except his younger brother, now Dr. James Kessler of Cherryvale, Kansas.
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The Indians wanted to trade for young James Kessler in order that he might become chief of their tribe. Thus the Kessler family lived in the midst of Indians, while about their home wolves howled at night, and bear, deer, turkeys and other wild game was plentiful in the dense woods, and supplied a great part of the meat consumed on the table. In moving from Richland township, the only known road from that vicinity was over a portion of the now Mexico Pike. The road was constructed across the prairie, and was known as a corduroy road. Joseph Kessler, on making the journey with his family, stopped and helped to build the south end of that road in order that he might have the benefit of its use in reaching his new location. In 1849 he sold his Washington township farm, and entered a quarter section in Clay township. That land, taken up thus at an early date, and which his labors did much to develop, has ever since been the abiding place in Clay township, and is still known as the Kessler homestead.
Phillip Kessler, born in 1832, is a great hunter and fisherman, and one of the best known citizens of Clay township. At one time in early manhood he went hunting, and remained out all night, and the follow- ing morning. At the end of his excursion he had killed so much game, including coons, a deer, and turkeys, that he had to go home for a wagon to haul it in. Phillip Kessler married a daughter of Dr. Wil- liam Hicks, who was a pioncer and long a respected citizen of Miami county. He bought the land at present known as the Daubenspec farm from Joseph Kessler, and afterward sold and moved to Miami village, where he spent the time except on Sundays in practicing as a physician. His Sundays were always given up to preaching the gospel, and he also served as postmaster for several years at Miami village. Phillip and Christena Kessler had seven children, two sons and five daughters. Of the daughters, a brief record is as follows: Elizabeth is the wife of P. A. Karnehm; Emma is the wife of B. T. Fivecoate; Mary, died in infancy: Dora is the wife of J. T. Anderson; Anna married and has two children, Paul and Philip Weaver. The other son, William Kessler is ummarried. The mother of this family died May 12, 1898.
Ira A. Kessler and a sister now reside at the old homestead in Clay township with their father. Among the possessions which Ira highly prizes is the first deed to the land, which was signed by Zachary Tay- lor, then president. It is a memento of early days, and one of the few documents to be found in this township of such date and signed by that old soldier president. For several years Mr. Ira Kessler has been engaged in teaching school, and is one of the best qualified educators in . this county and was elected by the teachers of the county to serve as president of the Miami County Teachers' Association. At this writ- ing he has charge of the school at Waupecong, in Clay township. Fra- ternally he is affiliated with Crescent Lodge, No. 280, F. & A. M., with Peru Chapter, No. 62, R. A. M., with Amboy Lodge, No. 664, I. O. O. F., and with the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge No. 249 at Peru. In the lodge of Masons he has served as Master for seven consecutive years, and he has passed through the various chairs of the Odd Fellow Lodge with distinction. Mr. Kessler is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, although the Christian church has been the regular faith of the family through the different generations. Politically Mr. Kessler has for some years been one of the vigorous young leaders in the Repub- lican ranks, and in 1908 was elected to the state legislature on his party's ticket by a majority of three hundred and twenty-one. Normally Miami county at that time had a Democratic majority of approximately five hundred, and his election was therefore in the nature of a high personal compliment to his citizenship and recognized ability. In the
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sixty-sixth general assembly he served on several of the most impor- tant committees with distinction and assisted in framing several neces- sary measures which later became laws of the state, and for which he received many expressions of gratitude from all parts of the state. He rendered his constituents efficient service, and his record well entitled him to further distinction. Two years later he was again the choice of his party for the same office, but the Democrats then resumed their con- trol, and succeeded by the narrow margin of thirty-eight votes. How- ever, the public still watches and expects of him further achievements.
GEORGE E. LEEDY. One of the oldest and best known families of Union township is that of Leedy, which has been identified with this part of Miami county since the early days, and its members have always borne and performed their duties and obligations to both themselves and the community.
Mrs. W. H. Leedy, mother of George Leedy is one of the oldest resi- dents of Miami county. She came here from New York State in 1839, having been born in that state July 6, 1834. Her father was George H. Hill, and her mother whose maiden name was Sarah Cool, was a daugh- ter of Christopher of New Jersey. The family of Mr. Leedy first settled in Union township of Miami county. At that time the country was all in a woods, and the school she attended was two miles away. Her father and mother both died on the old homestead. She married William Harrison Leedy, who had the distinction of being the first white child born in Union township. Mr. Leedy for twelve years was known as a teacher in Union township, and also taught one year in Peru township. For fifteen years he served as justice of the peace, and was always a man of influence and value in community affairs. He had a good educa- tion for those times, although as a boy he had obtained instructions at great disadvantages, it being necessary to walk all the way from Deeds- ville to Peru. He went into the county seat to attend school on Monday, and returned home on Friday. Mrs. Leedy's mother's people are all buried in Union township. Their first home in this section was a log cabin, but as her father was a carpenter, he soon got the material and erected a frame house which was the first in that vicinity. Part of that house is still standing on the old farm. William H. Leedy died in 1879, in Deedsville. Mrs. Leedy survives him and is one of the venerable women of the county, aged 80 years. She saw the corner stone laid at the building of the first courthouse in Peru, and she remembers the town when the east end was nothing but a swamp. To remedy this condition she remembers how a great quantity of dirt was hauled down from the hills and piled upon the low ground in the east end of town. Her memory also goes back to include the days of Indians, in Miami county, a number of them having come about her father's home wnen she was a child. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Leedy were the parents of five children, whose names are as follows: Sevilla, who married Orlando Keever, and who is the mother of one daughter, Pauline; Olive, who married Levi Karns, and has the following children, Ethel Florence, married to Harvey Norris, Cleo Verle, married to Jacob Norris, and Celester; Mary M., who died at the age of twelve years; George Elbert, who married Adelia Sheaffer; and one that died in infancy.
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