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 47
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During the fall of 1854 Jacob Seidner and his family immigrated to Miami county, Indiana, and located in the woods in section 16, of Allen township. 'Mr. Seidner first secured a tract of eighty acres of land, on which was located a log house, and for this property he paid $700. Following Mr. Seidner came his parents, Jacob Seidner and wife, two years laters, and here both of the parents and grandparents of Alvin Seidner spent the remainder of their lives in clearing and culti- vating farıns.
Alvin Seidner was rearcd to manhood on the farm which he now owns, and as a boy attended the old-fashioned district schools. When a young man he learned the trade of carpenter, and began to follow that occupation in 1867, since which time he has erected structures all over Miami county, house and barn building having received the greater part of his attention. An able mechanic, he is also known as a man of the strictest integrity, at all times living up to the letter of his con-
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tracts, and his work may be absolutely depended upon. While work- ing at his trade, he has not neglected his farming operations, and is now the owner of 160 aeres of some of the best farming land to be found. in Allen township.
Mr. Seidner was married December 13, 1874, to Miss Alice Traey, daughter of Samuel S. Tracy, who died in March, 1905. To this union there have been born three children: Minnie, who died when three months old; Rose, who is the wife of Daniel J. Dielman; and Blanelie, now Mrs. Jesse Barnheisel, a resident of Perry township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Seidner are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. A stalwart Republican in polities, Mr. Seidner served for some time as township assessor, and in 1900 was elected a member of the board of county commissioners. At the eonelusion of his term he was renominated by his party, but was defeated at the polls in a close struggle.
EBENEZER H. SUTTON, M. D. It would be a difficult task to find among the pioneers of Indiana a eitizen whose eareer exerted a greater influence upon his community than that of the late Dr. Ebenezer H. Sutton. A physician at a time when practically the only roads were Indian trails, he devoted his life to his honored ealling, and as a firm believer in the future of his State invested in and developed large tracts of land, with the result that he became one of the most substantial men of his locality. Ebenezer H. Sutton was born near Connersville, Fayette county, Territory of Indiana, September 21, 1814. He was of English aneestry, the progenitor of the family eoming to Amcriea with the Puritans and being related to Governor Carver, also to Colonel Wadsworth of Charter Oak fame. Until later generations the Suttons, for the most part, resided in the New England States and were farm- ers. The father of Doetor Sutton eame to Indiana when it was still a territory and praetically in a primitive condition.
Ebenezer H. Sutton grew up amid pioneer surroundings on his father's farm in Fayette county, and his literary education was ae- quired before the firelight of the old fireplace in the log eabin home. He read medieine at Indianapolis, and aside from attaining a large general practice was noted as a surgeon, practieing for some time with Doetor Wishard, at Indianapolis, and subsequently with Doetor Fiteh, at Logansport. He was a believer in the future value of Indiana realty, and entered large tracts of land in various localities from the govern- ment. At one time he owned a large eranberry marsh in Kosciusko county, from which, in seasons, he would harvest several thousand bushels of berries and these he cleaned by specially constructed de- viees of his own invention. Doetor Sutton entered land from the gov- ernment at Gilead, and there resided and practieed his profession dur- ing the Indian days, traveling by Indian trail to patients all over this locality. Later he practiced at Akron, and from that place came to Maey (then Lincoln), in January, 1875. Here he continued to reside until his death, which occurred November 4, 1890. He was a graduate of old Rush Medical College. A consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he was an active worker therein and a liberal con- tributor to its movements. For many years he was eonneeted with the Masonic fraternity, and was one of the organizers and first members of the Miami County Medical Society.
Doetor Sutton was married in Clay county, Indiana, June 23, 1839. to Miss Laura Ann Sutherland, who was born at China, Genesee county, New York, December 12, 1823. She removed with her parents to Lo- gansport, in 1832, and there some four years later she united with the
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Methodist Episcopal church. For three-quarters of a century Mrs. Sutton served her Master, and her acts and good deeds will always live in the memory of those who knew her. She was at all times ready and anxious to assist in any good work, whether in the church or in her home. Her death occurred at her home in Macy, March 1, 1912. Ten children were born to Doctor and Mrs. Sutton, of whom four are liv- ing, all residents of Macy : Mrs. Maria Day, Mrs. Corinna Keesecker, Mrs. Julia Day and Eddie B.
EDDIE B. SUTTON, the youngest of the children of Dr. Ebenezer H. Sutton, is one of the progressive and enterprising business men of Macy. He was born on the home farm in Kosciusko county, Indiana, August 8, 1863, and following the acquiring of his education in the common and county normal schools was engaged in teaching for seven or eight terms. Succeeding this for one year he acted in the capacity of letter carrier from the post office at Peru, and then engaged as a salesman of farming machinery, an occupation which he followed for seven years. In 1903, realizing the need of telephone service in Macy, he organized the company and built the plant here, which is now giv- ing the community excellent service. A Republican in his political views, Mr. Sutton was elected Trustee of Allen township in 1908, and has continued to act in this capacity to the present time. His fraternal connection is with Lincoln Lodge No. 523, F. & A. M. Mr. Sutton is the father of one daughter: Erma, who is now the wife of Everett Flaugher, manager of the Furnaces Ice Cream Company, at Danville, Illinois.
LEVI SNOWBERGER. In naming the representative citizens of Miami county, no list would be complete that did not make more than passing mention of Levi Snowberger, one of the most progressive and enter- prising agriculturists of Allen township and one who has prospered in business, and has earned success by his enterprise, natural sagacity, and well-established reputation for integrity and uprightness. It is a pleasure to bear testimony to his real worth, a testimony that unmistak- ably voices the sentiments of the entire community. Levi Snowberger was born in Huntington county, Indiana, July 29, 1860, one of the six children, four now living, born to Jacob and Mary (Paul) Snowberger.
The father of Mr. Snowberger, a farmer, passed away in 1861, and the widow was married to George Craig, of Henry county, In- diana, in 1872, and died in 1890, in Henry county. Levi Snowberger was but fifteen months of age when his father died, and he lived with his mother until he was nine years old, and with a married sister for two years after. Following this he lived with his mother and step- father until he attained his majority. His youth was passed in assisting his brother-in-law and step-father, and his educational advantages were decidedly limited, the greater part of his training being secured in the school of hard work. However, he made the most of his opportunities, and succeeded in acquiring an ordinary education, which has since been supplemented by years of observation, reading and practical ex- perience. He was trained thoroughly in agricultural pursuits, and it was but natural that he should adopt the vocation of farmer upon reach- ing his majority. Since his marriage, he has located on his present property, a well-cultivated tract of 155 acres in Allen township, which he devotes to general farming and stock raising. He has met with suc- cess in raising registered Short Horn cattle, and is widely known as a skilled judge of live stock. Mr. Snowberger is progressive in his ideas and methods, using the latest machinery and each year adding to his
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equipment and buildings. He bears the reputation of a thorough man of business and as one whose connection with only strictly legitimate business measures has gained him the confidence of his associates.
On December 29, 1881, Mr. Snowberger was united in marriage with Miss Alfaretta McKillip, daughter of David and Amanda (Fouts) Mc- Killip, of Allen township, Miami county, the former for a quarter of a century a well-known and successful farmer of this section. Three chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Snowberger: Ethel, who died when six years of age; one child who died, unnamed, in infancy; and Gar- net. Mr. Snowberger is a Republican in his political tendencies, but has been too busy with his agricultural affairs to think of entering the public arena as a secker for preferment. However, good men and meas- ures have always had his stalwart support and he has shown a com- mendable interest in everything that affects the welfare of his township and county. His religious belief is that of the Christian church.
DAVID MCKILLIP. Among the honored citizens of Miami county, none are more worthy of being commemorated in its annals than the late David McKillip, whose death occurred June 9, 1906. For more than a quarter of a century he lived within its borders, during which time he was a prominent factor in its agricultural, social and civic affairs, fairly earning a reputation for honorable dealing with his fellow-citi- zens to such a degree as to make his name a synonym for all that was honorable in business or correct in morals. He was descended from a race that has given to America some of her most successful men in every walk of life.
David McKillip was born June 5, 1837, in Union county, Indiana, and was the seventh son in a family of eleven born to Alexander and Elizabeth (Skillman) McKillip. His father, Alexander McKillip, was a participant in the War of 1812, and served under Commodore Perry in the naval engagement on Lake Erie. He was one of the four men who first boarded one of the English vessels, and for this was awarded, with the other three, a silver medal. This medal was given by the State of Pennsylvania, and bore this inscription: "Presented by the State of Pennsylvania in testimony of his patriotism and bravery in the naval action on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813." On the opposite side was engraved a portrait of Commodore Perry, above which was his name "Oliverius Hazard Perry" and underneath the famous dispatch: "We have met the enemy and they are ours." Andrew McKillip was a na- tive of Scotland and emigrated to America when fourteen years of age. He located in Union county, Indiana, in his later life, and there died about the year 1847.
David McKillip was reared to manhood on the P. Lybrook farm in Union county, Indiana, and received his educational training in the dis- trict schools of his day. In 1858 he moved to Henry county and there learned the cooper's trade, at which he worked but about two years, then learning the carpenter's trade. He was so employed for a num- ber of years, but in 1870 moved to Delaware county and engaged in farming, subsequently went to Henry county, and in August, 1880, finally located in Allen township, Miami county, where lie was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life.
On June 16, 1861, Mr. McKillip was married to Miss Amanda Fouts, who was born in Henry county, Indiana, April 16, 1840, and died June 8, 1887. They became the parents of two children: Alfaretta, who married Levi Snowberger, a successful farmer of Allen township; and Forest, who died in infancy. Mr. McKillip was one of the foremost men of Allen township during his residence here. In politics an out-
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spoken Republican, he served Allen township as trustee, having been elected to that office in 1886. He and his wife were faithful members of the Christian church, ever living up to its teachings. A representa- tive of the best class of Miami county's citizenship, Mr. McKillip in- herited a large amount of the shrewdness, thrift and industry of his Scotch ancestors. His life was one of hard work interspersed frequently with good deeds, and in his death his community lost a good and pub- lic-spirited citizen, his family a kind and indulgent father, and his acquaintances one who could ever be depended upon to be loyal to his friends.
EZEKIEL V. ROBINS. Born in the township of his present residence and on the farm which he now occupies and cultivates in Union town- ship, E. V. Robins represents a family which has been identified with Miami county since the first decade of its civilized history. His people have been a substantial worthy stock, worthily represented in all the relations of life, and their work and influence has been factors for good in the community.
E. V. Robins was born in Union township, February 14, 1842, and has himself witnessed practically every important phase of development and improvement in this county. His father was Samuel C. Robins and his grandfather was Ezekiel Robins, the latter a minister of the gospel who died at the advanced age of eighty years. The maiden name of the mother was Catherine (Ryan), whose people came from Ireland, and she was born in the state of New Jersey. There were seven sons and two daughters in the family of Samuel C. Robins and wife, and besides Ezekiel V. Robins; they are mentioned as follows: Richard, Morris, Ed- ward, Thomas Ryan, James, Samuel, Margaret, who married Albert Deeds, after whose father the town of that name was named; and Catherine, who married Joe Brower. The mother of these children died in 1851.
Samuel C. Robins, the father, came to Miami county in 1837 from the state of New Jersey. At that time Peru consisted of a few log houses, and all the country was practically a wilderness with only here and there the homestead and clearing of some settler. There were prac- tically no roads about the country, and all transportation was over rough trails blazed through the woods. The family came to Miami coun- ty chiefly by the water route, by way of the great lakes and thence down the Wabash and Erie canal to Peru. No railroads were built for a number of years after the Robins family settled in Miami county. It is a matter of considerable interest that Samuel C. Robins operated one of the first locomotive engines ever brought to the United States, and the old engine was later on exhibition at the Chicago World's Fair. The father bought his first land at one of the periodical land sales held in Delphi, and was one of a great number of settlers drawn from all parts of Indiana who attended at this event. Besides farming he was employed at various other pursuits, having a special skill in handling tools. Afterwards he bought the farm on which his son E. V. Robins was born and now resides. On this place he put up a house which had two stories. The neighbors thought a two-story cabin was very pre- tentious, and that was almost the limit of building luxury for several years in that locality. Afterwards he replaced his first log house with a frame building, and provided a comfortable home for his family. Nearly all the land on the homeplace was cleared by members of the Robins family, and the father continued to live there until his death at the age of fifty-six years. He was a man of great judgment and looked forward to the time when all the lowland would be reclaimed by ditch-
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ing and drainage. He avoided offices of every kind, and lived a quiet and simple life, though with much service to the community.
Mr. E. V. Robins lived at home in the place which has been de- scribed, attending the local school, and in 1861 married Miss Esther A. Edwards, a daughter of Elias and Maria Edwards. Their marriage was celebrated in Union township. They are the parents of five sons and one daughter, whose names are as follows: Richard A., who married Rosie Dowd; Ida May, who married Brinston Dowd; Charles C., who married Anna Girard, daughter of Edward Girard; Samuel F., who married Ida Cloud, a daughter of George Cloud; Merrit E., who mar- ried Clara McGuire, a daughter of Simon McGuire; Ray M., who mar- ried Sella Kershner, a daughter of James Kershner. Mr. E. V. Robins has spent all his life on his present home farm, and his efforts have been rewarded with substantial prosperity. He and his family are members of the Methodist church, and for one term he served in the office of county commissioner, from 1892 to 1894.
TRUMAN KOTTERMAN. Of the younger generation of Union town- ship progressive farmers and citizens, Truman Kotterman is a conspic- uous example and belongs to a family which has been in Miami county from the days when the forest covered all the fertile soil, and his grand- father, as well as his father, were among those settlers who had to un- dertake the heavy labor of clearing off the woods before they could plant their crops.
Truman Kotterman was born in Richland township, Miami county, January 6, 1876, a son of Aaron and a grandson of Michael Kotter- man. The maiden name of the mother was Mary Olds, who was a daugh- ter of John Olds. Aaron Kotterman, the father, came to Miami county in 1854 from Franklin county, Ohio, where he was born. He married in Richland township of this county. Beginning with thirty acres of land, he was a prosperous and substantial farmer, who gradually in- creased his holdings, until he had one hundred acres. The farm had first been owned by the grandfather, Michael Kotterman. Aaron Kot- terman made that his home until his death. It was timberland when first occupied, and an old Indian trail was once a prominent feature through the woods, and some of the old settlers can still trace its course across the Kotterman farm. There was a log cabin during the early history of the Kotterman family, and in that the grandparents had their home for a number of years. After the death of the grandfather, the grandmother built the house which is still standing there. Aaron Kot- terman, the father died at the age of seventy-one years, and had long been an active member of the Methodist church. During the war he went out as a soldier of the Eighty-seventh Indiana Regiment, serving as corporal, and was wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Gettys- burg. The saber which he carried through the war is now in the pos- session of his son Truman, and a prized relic of both the war and his father's part therein. By occupation Aaron Kotterman was a carpen- ter for a number of years, and much of the work which he did in the county is still standing as a witness to his careful skill and labor. Aaron Kotterman, who had been as public spirited as he had been successful in private business, formerly served his community as road supervisor, and had always done his part in building up and improving the town- ship.
Truman Kotterman remained on the home farm until he was mar- ried, which event took place on January 25, 1903. His wife was be- fore her marriage Miss Maude Snider, daughter of Solomon and Emily (Boden) Snider. Mr. and Mrs. Kotterman have in their home a child Vol. U-21
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of their own, Vivian, born November 16, 1903, and an orphan, Boyd, who was born April 14, 1911.
After his marriage, Mr. Kotterman first located on Grandfather Old's farm, where he remained two years. From there he came to his present homestead, which he bought seven years ago. He has one hun- dred and twenty acres, and cultivates it as a productive and profitable estate. The buildings were on the place when he bought it, but he has improved all of them, and has done a great deal of work in clearing and developing the farm as a home and a business enterprise. He keeps some thoroughbred stock, and engages in general farming. He and his family are members of the United Brethren church, and at one time he was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The pretty homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Kotterman is known as "High View Lodge."
CHARLES C. HARRIS. Former county drainage commissioner of Miami county, Mr. Harris is one of the most substantial agriculturists of Union township, and has spent most of his life in this section of Indiana, be- ing a native of Miami county.
Charles C. Harris was born in Miami county, on the fifth of October, 1869. His parents were Thomas and Sarah (Miller) Harris, the father having been a native of Tennessee. The father died about 1903, and the mother in 1899, their deaths occurring in Wabash county, where they are buried.
Reared and educated in the country and by attendance at the local schools, C. C. Harris grew up and from an early age has had a practi- cal and thorough knowledge of agriculture in all its departments. In Miami county, in 1897 he was united in marriage with Lula Ward, a daughter of John and Cynthia (Burns) Ward. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are the parents of three children, whose names are Hueston H., Vera J., and Ralph W. For a number of years Mr. Harris was a resident of Wabash county, and in 1897 for about six months, was in the feed busi- ness at Peru. After that he returned to Wabash county, and spent about two years there as a successful farmer. He then moved to his present rural home in Union township. He has one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, and the improvements are of the best and keeping with the standard Miami county country homes. Though the buildings were on the place when he acquired it he has added to and improved most of them, and is a man who keeps his estate in thorough repair. He has also done considerable ditching, fencing and general improvement work. Mr. Harris and family are members of the Methodist church, and he is affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees at Perrysburg. From 1906 to 1908 he held the responsible place as county drainage commissioner and during that time did much effective work, for the improvement of the lowlands in the county. In politics he is a Demo- crat. As a farmer he raises hogs as his chief stock product, and in 1912 shipped two carloads to market. The estate of Mr. and Mrs. Harris is known as "Locust Lawn Stock Farm."
HENRY KNAUFF. One of the best improved farms in Miami county is the Knauff estate in Union township. It is the home of progressive German-American citizenship, where Henry Knauff has lived and given his energies to its development and improvement for more than forty years. For what he has accomplished as a farmer, and also for his in- fluence in citizenship and as a helpful factor in community affairs, Henry Knauff has the respect and esteem of his entire community.
Born in Germany, May 10, 1863, he was a son of George and Anna C. (Kuhn) Knauff. The paternal grandfather was named Nicholas
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Knauff. In 1868, when Henry was five years of age, the family emi- grated from Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, landing in Castle Garden, New York City, July 4, 1868. The father came on direct to Miami county, settling in Union township. For a number of years he was a renter, having only a small amount of capital when he arrived and through the gradual accumulations of his economy and thrift, he finally got a permanent start. He then bought the farm where his son Henry, and where the father also resides. A number of years before, John A. Taylor had come to Union township and had taken up considerable land along Weasaw Creek, and started a couple of grist mills. He sold his land to Dr. Passage and the latter sold to E. A. Shirk. The senior Mr. Knauff bought the land from Mr. Shirk and has made it his home to the present time. George Knauff, the father, is now eighty-five years of age. He is a member of the Christian church. His first wife died in 1871, and he then married Emily J. McDonald, who died in 1908.
Henry Knauff has lived on his present place for forty-three years, and was reared and received all his education in Miami county. In these years he spent much time and labor in the improvement of the farm, and at the present time is engaged in the erection of a commodious new barn.
Mr. Knauff was elected trustee of Union township in 1900 and gave efficient service in that position for four years and two months. After that he Was appointed assessor, and is serving in that office at the pres- ent time. He and his family worship at the Perrysburg Baptist church, of which he is Deacon. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees.
In 1882, in Union township of Miami county Henry Knauff married Rosanna Deeds, a daughter of George Deeds. George Deeds and his brother William at one time owned the land upon which the village of Deedsville is now located, and the name of that little center of popula- tion commemorates the name of Deeds. The Deeds family came to Miami county from Ohio in the early sixties. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Knauff are as follows: Harry E., at home; Charles R., who married Ethel Raber, daughter of B. F. Raber, and they have one son Marvin ; Elsie L., who married Verl Sowers, of this county ; Henry Ray, at home; and Florence M., at home.
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