USA > Indiana > Miami County > History of Miami County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 42
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ADAM RADER came to Miami County in the fall of 1840, from Rockingham County, Virginia. His birth occurred on the 8th of March, 1822, being the eldest son of Henry and Sarah (Hoover) Rader, natives of the same county. The father came west at the same time and located on a farm in Peru Township, where he re- mained until death, April 9, 1872. In 1835 the subject of this sketch came to Clinton County: He was principally reared in Montgomery County, Ohio, where he received his education. He now owns eighty acres of land in Peru Township. He was married to Miss Harriet M. Wallace June 2, 1853, a native of Highland County, Virginia, to whom were born nine children: William, Henry, Edward, Lewis, Anna M., Sarah, Elsie, Martha and Pearley. Mr. Rader is an ardent Republican.
WILLIAM RASSNER, the subject of this biography, was born in Germany on the 23d of April, 1823, and is a son of Albert and Elizabeth Rassner. He remained in his native country until nine years of age, at which time, 1832, his parents emi- grated to the United States, landing at the City of Baltimore in September of the above year. From there they removed to Chambersburgh, Pennsylvania, and thence in 1835 to Dayton, Ohio, in which city the subject grew to manhood. His educa- tional privileges were fair, the best his opportunities afforded, yet of that practical nature which enabled him at the age of fourteen to commence his business career as a druggist, at which profession he served about six years, acquiring great proficiency
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in the meantime. Severing his connection with his preceptor in 1846, he enlisted in the Ist Ohio Regiment for the Mexican war, and continued with the same for about one year, serving part of the time as a private soldier, and a part in the capacity of hospital steward. On leaving the army he returned to Day- ton, and, in 1849, came to Peru, Indiana, where he. opened a drug house and where he has since resided. He continued the drug business with encouraging success until 1873, at which time he retired from active life, and is now enjoying that quiet which only those who have battled with the world for over a half century know how to appreciate. Mr. Rassner has taken an active interest in the welfare of his adopted city, and all measures for the public ยท good find in him an ardent and ener- getic supporter. He deserves mention for his efforts in the city's interest as a member of the Common Council, to which he was elected several times, and in the deliberations of which he dis- . played wisdom and rare executive ability. He is at this time one of the trustees of the city water works. He was married August, 1848, to Miss Anna Raabe, of Germany, who bore him three children, viz: Matilda, Catharine and Amelia R. Mrs. Rassner died early in 1857. The latter part of the same year was solemnized his second marriage with Magdalene Springer, of Peru, a union blessed with the birth of two children, Emma and Frances. His second wife died in 1864. He married his present wife, Mary A. Stepler, in 1864, to which marriage four children have been born, viz .: Lizzie, Louisa, Elvira R., and David H. Mr. Rassner votes in conformity with the principles of the Democratic party, and has been an active participant in local politics.
JOHN H. REAM is a native of Shanesville, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and the eldest son of William and Harriet A. (Shultz) Ream, natives of Pennsylvania, who are of German descent, and came to Miami County in 1847 and located in Peru, the former being a blacksmith by trade. John H. was born December 10, 1838, and in 1853 commenced learning the trade of harness-making under J. M. Stutesman, serving an apprenticeship of nearly three years. Not being satisfied with his chosen vocation he secured the position of "news-butcher" on the railroad which he retained for some time, after which he worked in many depart- ments of railroad service, and was finally promoted to that of Master of Transportation of the Grand Rapids and Indiana R. R. (northern division) in which he was retained for about three years, with headquarters at Grand Rapids, Mich., In the year 1877, with Thomas, a brother, he engaged in the grocery and bakery business, and afterwards purchased his brother's interest in July 1886. In April, 1861, he entered the service of his country in the 13th Ind-
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iana Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out July 2, 1864, as Sergeant, having then served over three years in this noble cause. He was wounded at the battle of the Deserted Farm, near Suffolk, Virginia. In 1865 he re- entered the service as Captain of Company H., of the 15Ist Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at the re-organization of that regi- meut, and continued until the close of the war or until the disband- ing of the troops. Mr. Ream's marriage to Miss Lottie C. Cov- elle, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was solemnized February 21, 1873, and to them one child-Anna M .- was born. Politically he is a Republican. He is also prominently identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, Masonic Fraternity, and Royal Arcanum, in all of which he is a highly respected and much esteemed member. He conducts, at present, the leading grocery and bakery business of Peru.
GEORGE I. REED, editor Peru Republican, was born in Cass County, Indiana, December 14, 1838; son of James and Margaret (Cox) Reed. His father was a pioneer settler of Cass County, having moved there in an early day from Ohio. His mother was a native of Tennessee; her father served in the war of 1812. Mr. Reed was educated in the district schools, at the Cass County Sem- inary and the Union Christian College at Merom, where he gradu- ated in 1866. As a student he excelled in the languages and during the last three years he taught the Latin classes. In July, 1866, he accepted the position of Superintendent of the Peru city schools, which he was obliged to resign, on account of ill health, at the end of six months. After recuperating about one year, Mr. Reed, in connection with J. M. Brown, Esq., purchased the Peru Republican, with which he has since been identified. The firm of Reed & Brown continued as such for about one year, when Mr. Reed purchased Mr. Brown's interest and remained sole proprietor until 1873. Mr. M. R. Sinks was then received as partner and he took charge of the mechanical part of the business. In May, 1878, he sold his share to W. W. Lockwood, Esq., of Odell, Illinois, since which time the firm has been Reed & Lockwood. Under Mr. Reed's management the Republican has become the leading news- paper in Miami County and it is universally recognized as one of the oldest and most influential journals of Northern Indiana. From 1867 to 1871 Mr. Reed occupied the position of School Exam- iner, and subsequently served as President of the City. School Board of Peru. In 1878 he was elected a Representative to the Legislature. The Republican is open for articles writ- ten in the interest of education, and few men have done more than he has toward developing the present effective educational system of his county. An earnest Republican, the columns of his paper are devoted during political campaigns to advocating the
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principles of his party. Mr. Reed is a member of the Christian Church and an active Mason. During the war he enlisted in the 2Ist Indiana Volunteers, Ist Heavy Artillery, but was at once detailed for clerical duties in which he continued until peace was de- clared. He has been foremost in supporting all enterprises for the public good. He is of medium size and build, has genial, pleasant manners and stands deservedly high as a conscientious, intelligent, public spirited citizen. January 13, 1870, he married Maggie Bell, daughter of N. Bell, Esq., a prominent citizen of Kokomo. They have one child.
WILLIAM C. H. REEDER, a native of Massillon, Stark County, Ohio, was born to Daniel and Sarah (Dames) Reeder, November 3, 1839, natives of Pennsylvania and England, respect- ively. The father's ancestors are of German descent. Mr. Daniel Reeder came to Miami County in the year 1854, and settled in Peru. The father was born in 1808 and the mother in 1821. The person whose name heads this sketch, is a cabinet maker, having commenced to learn the trade at the age of eighteen under Messrs. West & Jamison, and served an apprenticeship of three years. In July, 1861, he answered the country's call and enlisted in the service for its preservation, in the 20th Indiana, Company A, and was mustered out in July, 1864. Was wounded twice at the battle of Peach Orchard, Va., June 25, 1862. He came back to Peru and and was employed by his former employers, West & Jamison, with whom he again labored at his trade for about two years, after which he was employed by the I., P. & C. Railroad Company, in their wood department and is their pattern builder, at which he has been employed ever since. Our subject was united in matrimony with Miss Agnes Weist, of Huntington, Indiana, October 21, 1869, and they have been blest with the birth of six children, named Charles, Emma, Edward, Robert and Anna, who are still living, and John E., deceased. Mr. Reeder and family are very much respected citizens in the vicinity in which they reside. He is a Republican.
JOHN C. REYBURN was born in Peru, August 28, 1838; the eldest son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Timberlake) Reyburn, who hailed from Ohio and Virginia, respectively. The father of this subject came to Miami County about the year 1836, a carpenter by trade, and was, in an early day, elected Justice of the Peace. He died May 21, 1846, and the mother, May 6, 1850. John C. was also a carpenter, having learned the trade under a Mr. Timberlake, his uncle, and in 1879 commenced to work for Mr. Lenhart, who does a general furniture and undertaker's business. Near the close of the late war, March, 1865, he enlisted in the 155th Indiana Regi- ment, and was in the service about six months. His marriage to Miss Elizabeth Detamore was solemnized on the 18th day of August,
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1859, and they are now the parents of five children, four of whom are still living-Charles, Luella, Lillie, Emma, and Mary E. (de- ceased). His education was that usually received at the common schools. Our subject is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, and also represents his ward in the Council of the city.
JOSEPH REYBURN was born in Miami County, Ind., May 5, 1833, son of Rev. William M. and Sarah (Black ) Rey- burn. William M. Reyburn was born in Virginia Oct. 21, 1792, and when quite young emigrated to Ohio, settling near the City of Lewisburgh, where he grew to manhood's estate. He was raised a farmer, but early entered the ministry of the Methodist Church, receiving his license to preach about the year 1829 or '30. In October, 1831, he came to Miami County, Indiana, and settled on land adjoining the City of Peru, where he opened a farm, which was his home the rest of his life. He was one of the first preach- ers in Miami County, and, in addition to the duties of his sacred calling, took an active interest in the political affairs of the county, having been elected a member of the Board of Commissioners in 1835, Representative in 1841, and State Senator in 1843. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and while a resident of Ohio held the office of Major in the Militia of that State. His mar- riage with Sarah Black, of Ohio, was solemnized June 13, 1816, a union blessed with the birth of the following children: Eliza J., James M., Caroline, Sobieski, John C., Margaret, Sarah, William B., Joseph and Sarah, all dead but the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Reyburn died Jan. 28, 1849. Mr. Reyburn's second marriage was celebrated Sept. 26, 1850, with Ann S. Woodword, who is still living. His death occurred June 1, 1854. Joseph Reyburn was raised in Miami County, and has spent all his life on the paternal estate west of Peru. He was educated in the early schools of the city, which he attended at intervals until attaining his majority, when he began life upon his own responsibility, choosing agricul- ture as a vocation. He has led a quiet and ueventful life, and belongs to that substantial class of citizens whose recommendations to the confidence of the people are actions instead of words. He affiliates with the Republican party, and is a zealous Christian, hav- ing been born and raised in the Methodist Church, to which his family also belongs. On the 25th of March, 1856, in St. Joseph County, Ind., he married Rachel L., daughter of George and Han- nah Deacon, of Ohio, to which marriage the following children have been born, to-wit: William A., Edwin C., Joseph S. and Mary Reyburn.
HENRY REYNOLDS was born in the city of Ithaca, New York, May 21, 1837, and is the son of Abraham and Amanda (Purdy) Reynolds. His ancestors were English people, and sev- eral representatives of the family came to the New World in the
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first vessel that landed at the mouth of the Delaware River early in the 17th century. The subject's grandfather, Samuel Reynolds, was a native of New York, and for many years a prominent business man of New York City, where he carried on the banking business. The grandfather, on the mother side, Monmouth Purdy, was born in New York also, and was a large farmer and stock raiser of Cayuga County. Abraham Reynolds was born in New York City about the year 1809, was farmer and stock raiser by occupation, and died in his native State in the year 1854. Amanda Reynolds was born in Cayuga County, New York, and died there in 1864. Henry Reynolds was raised on a farm in Cayuga County and received a liberal education in the Courtland Academy, from which he graduated in 1859. He engaged in business for himself as a machinist, in Poplar Ridge, in which place and near by he oper- ated shops for a period of about twelve or fifteen years. Disposing of his interests at the end of that time he went to Ithaca, New York, and accepted the position of superintendent of the Cayuga Lake Railroad shops in that city, in which capacity he continued for a number of years. He resided at Ithaca until the spring of 1886, at which time he came to Miami County, Indiana, and purchased an interest in the general foundry and machine shops, formerly oper- ated by E. S. Hackley and later by Thomas Lovett. He is at this time a partner with A. J. Ross, and the firm thus constituted do a general foundry and machine business, giving employment to about fifteen men. Mr. Reynolds was married July, 1864, to Miss Eliza- beth Tuthill, of Pennsylvania. Mr. Reynolds is a Republican in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Presbyterian Church.
CHARLES B. ROBINSON, JR., second son of C. B. and Mary E. (Boynton) Robinson, natives of Maine, was born at the City of Farmington, New Hampshire, on the 9th day of April, 1850. His parents came to Indiana in 1851, and located in Peru, where Charles R. spent the years of his youth and early manhood, and in the public schools of which he enjoyed the advantages of an English education. At the age of fifteen he engaged as fireman on the Pan Handle Railroad, subsequently worked in the same capacity on the "Big Four" line, and still later, accepted a similar position on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road, for which company he was soon promoted engineer. In 1877 he engaged with the I., P. & C. road as engineer, running between Peru and Michigan City, and still retains this place, being at this time in the employ of the Wabash Company. Mr. Robinson is a skillful railroad man, and has the confidence of the large corporation with which he has for so many years been identified. He belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomo- tive Engineers, Royal Arcanum, and is besides an active member of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F. fraternities. He votes in conformity with the principles of the Republican party, but is in no sense of the
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word a partisan. In January, 1872, Miss Sarah M. Apperson, of Clinton County, Indiana, became his wife, and to their marriage have been born three children, viz: Neil, Stella and Edith.
RICHARD B. RUNYAN, ex-Auditor of Miami County, is a native of Trenton, New Jersey, born October 16, 1824. His father, Lewis Runyan, was a New Jersey merchant, and lived and died in that State. The mother of Mr. Runyan was Mary Runyan, whose maiden name was Britton. The subject of this sketch was educated in the State of his nativity. In 1844 he came to Miami County and settled in Peru. Some years afterward he removed to his present place of residence, just outside the present northwest city limits. Here he owns a fine farm of one hundred and seventy acres, and has in addition valuable property in the city of Peru. Politically he has always been identified with the interests of the Democratic party. In October 1878 he was elected Auditor of Miami County and was re-elected to the same office in 1882. He is a public man in whom the people of this county have implicit confidence. He is one of the most efficient county officials, the county has ever had. . Mr. Runyan was married in November 1853 to Miss Maria McGregor, the only child of John McGregor, a man famous in the pioneer history of Miami County and this city. He was born in Buckley County, Virginia, January II, 1798, and died August 26, 1835. Mrs. Runyan was born May 1, 1834, and was the first white child born in what was then known as Miamis- port, now a part of Peru. They have one son, Britton L. Mr. Run- yan is one of the representative citizens of this county. He and wife are members of the Episcopal church.
JOHN SHAFER, a native of Ohio, was born July 10, 1842, the second son of George and Catharine (Naucle) Shafer, of Germany, who came to Miami County in 1850 and located in Peru Township, the father always following farming for a livelihood. The subject was reared on a farm, and when the war broke out he enlisted in the 52nd Indiana Infantry, Company E., March, 1864, and was mustered out in May, 1865; was wounded during the fight at Nashville, and was in several other engagements. His education was very limited. His marriage to Miss Sarah B. Bell was solemnized November 15, 1867, and to them five children were born: Francis M., Walter L., Mary G., James O., and Otto P. His wife died in 1880, and in 1882 he was again married to Lurinda Crosley, and two children were the result of this second union. John Willard, and Charles. He is a member of the G. A. R. and is a Republican.
DAVID L SHEARER, grain dealer and prominent business man, of Peru, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, born May 24, 1820. His parents, David and Mary R. (LaRose) Shearer, were natives of North Carolina, which State they left in an early day,
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emigrating to Ohio about the year 1804. David Shearer, senior, was descended from German ancestors and died in the year 1857. The mother's ancestors were French people and among the early . residents of the Carolinas. She preceded her husband to the grave departing this life in 1852. They both lie buried at Huntington, Indiana, to which city they removed in the year 1840. The sub- ject, at the age of eight years, was taken to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in the common schools of which he obtained the elements of
a practical education. When thirteen years old he accepted a clerk- ship in a mercantile house at Shanesville, Ohio, where he remained until 1840, at which time he took service in the same capacity in Hunt- ington, Indiana, in which city he subsequently (1846) engaged in the goods business on his own responsibility. He remained at Huntington until 1866, at which time he disposed of his interests there and came to Peru and engaged in the grain business, a branch of trade he has carried on with success and financial profit ever since. He erected the large elevator in this city which has a capac- ity of 40,000 bushels, and is one of the largest and most successful grain dealers in Northern Indiana. Mr. Shearer is a marked example of a self-made man, and from an humble beginning has by dint of per- severance and a large share of well developed business sense, suc- ceeded in accummulating a comfortable competence. He is prom- inently identified with the Masonic Fraternity, having taken the degree of Sir Knight, and in religion holds to the creed of the Pres- byterian Church. His marriage on the 7th of June, 1846, with Miss Harriet Wiest, of York County, Pennsylvania, has been blessed with the birth of these children, viz: Mary D., B. F., George W., H. W., Louisa and Charles F. (deceased).
E. H. SHIRK (deceased). Elbert Hamilton Shirk was born in Franklin County, Indiana, February 14, 1818. He was the sec- ond son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Stout) Shirk, natives of Georgia and Kentucky, respectively. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm, where he enjoyed the limited advantages afforded by the public schools during the winter months On arriving at manhood, he attended college two years in Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, where he studied Latin, French and Mathematics. After leaving the University he was employed as teacher in the County Seminary, at Rushville, Indiana, for two years, and immediately thereafter located in Peru, arriving here in the summer of 1844 and forming a partnership with the late John Harlan in the mercantile business. June 18, 1845, he was married to Mary Wright, of Franklin County, a lady of English descent, who returned with her young husband to the new and strange home in Peru. They came the old-fashioned way, bringing all of their goods in a two-horse wagon. A year later the firm of Harlan & Shirk was dissolved and Mr. Shirk continued the business alone. He was very successful as a merchant and ac-
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cumulated wealth very rapidly. From 1850 to 1855 he invested largely in Mexican war land warrants, which he laid judiciously in Iowa and other western States, which in turn were exchanged for improved farms in Miami County. This was the beginning of oper- ations in real estate which laid the foundation for a colossal fortune, equal in magnitude to that amassed in his commercial pursuits. The most profitable of these deals was the purchase of a large number of lots in Evansville and lands in south- western counties of the State, in 1862, that had been forfeited as donations to a railroad company; the purchase of large tracts in Kansas in 1868, and in Michigan in 1867; and the securing of equities in unencumbered Chicago real estate in 1874-75. In 1857 he established a private bank and received deposits from farmers and others who had a surplus. In 1860 he resumed mercantile business, which he had dropped for a few years pre- vious. Under the national banking act Mr. Shirk procured a charter and proceeded to organize the First National Bank of Peru, taking for himself one-half the stock, and subsequently, by purchase, acquiring over nine-tenths. He was elected president of the bank and was re-elected annually from that time until his death. This bank has been a remarkable financial success, having already invested three hundred thousand dollars of its surplus earn- ings in government bonds, and having accumulated an additional surplus of two hundred thousand. At the beginning of 1867 the firm of Kilgore & Shirk, in general merchandise, was formed, to which George C. Miller was admitted as partner, some years later, and from which Mr. Kilgore . withdrew in 1880, leaving the firm Shirk & Miller, as it stands to-day. In politics, Mr. Shirk had strong convictions on which he always acted, first as a Whig and afterwards as a Republican, though he never took a prominent part in partisan contests. In early manhood he professed Christianity and united with the Baptist church before locating in Peru. He was one of the eleven original members of the Baptist church of this city in 1867, and continued one of its devoted members till his death, contributing liberally of his means towards its support. Mr. Shirk was of medium height, erect and quite slender. His life was clean and free from vicious habits, which weaken and destroy the physical system. He was therefore clear headed; able to utilize all his tremendous energy, and accomplished the purpose of his will, even though it required long continued, unremitting effort. The probity of his character was the foundation of persistent honesty and commercial integrity that stood unimpeached and unchallenged through a business life of more than forty years in this community. This was the inspiration of that universal confidence which selected him as the reliable custodian of the accumulations of others, a con- fidence which insured his success as a banker. Measured by the
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most practical standard known-the results accomplished-Mr. Shirk's life was a most conspicuous success. He was a financier of transcendant ability, endowed with wise foresight, intuitive percep- tions, broad comprehension, accurate judgment, and his death left a vacuum in commercial affairs, felt as a personal bereavement by a large number of persons in the community with whom he had rela- tions of a business character. He was a conspicuous example of the successful self-made man, and the acquisition of his immense for- tune, by honest business methods in an agricultural community, was something akin to the marvelous. He owned at the time of his death valuable property in various cities of Indiana, Illinois, and other States, immense tracts of real estate and fine farms in various States, the larger share of stock in the banks at Monticello, Delphi and Tipton, and was in fact the wealthiest man in northern Indiana, and one of the wealthiest in the State. He died at his home in Peru on the 8th day of April, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Shirk have had four children, three of whom (two sons and one daughter ) are at this time living; Milton, the eldest, is President of the First Na- tional Bank of Peru; Elbert W. Vice President of the same; and Alice, wife of Richard A. Edwards, Cashier of the bank.
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