History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 105

Author: Ford, Ira, 1848- ed
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 618

USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 105
USA > Indiana > Noble County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 105
USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 105
USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 105

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William Smith acquired a liberal education for his time and for twenty years taught school in winters, while the summers were spent in farming. He taught the first term of school in the new schoolhouse at Lima. He also represented LaGrange County in the State Legislature in 1855 and again in 1867. During his first term he cast the deciding vote for recharter- ing the State Bank of Indiana. During the second term he assisted in electing Oliver P. Morton, In- diana's war governor, to the United States Senate.

Mr & Mrs Jeohro b. Swith

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HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA

For a number of years he was engaged in the lumber and agricultural implement business. He was a Mason and member ot the Presbyterian Church, and died at Logansport, Indiana, May 4, 1901. In 1047 he married Estner Craig. She was born in North- umberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1822 and died in 1866. She was the mother of three children: Senator B., Mary E. A. and John C. William Smith married for his second wife Kate Wood, who was born in LaGrange County in 1844. By that union there were two children, William D. and Ione C.

John Craig Smith was about eight years old when his mother died, and he grew up in the home of his maternal grandparents, John and Jane (Derr) Craig, who were early settlers of LaGrange County. He acquired a public school education, attended the graded schools of Lima, and since early youth his chief interests have been identified with farming. He is a republican in politics.

November 24, 1880, Mr. Smith married Emma L. Hinkle. She was born in Pennsylvania February 23, 1860, a daughter of Aquila and Mary (Boyer) Hinkle. The Hinkle family settled in LaGrange County in October, 1864. In 1872 Aquila Hinkle bought land in section 29 of Van Buren Township, where Mr. and Mrs. Smith now live. He first bought 120 acres and later increased his holdings to 180 acres. He divided this place among his chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have since added seventy acres and now have 24912 acres. For several years Mr. Smith was a breeder of Jersey cattle, and is now practically retired from the heavier responsibili- ties of farming. He is a stockholder in the local elevator and shippers association at Howe.

Mrs. Smith's father died in November, 1914, at the age of eighty-one, and her mother passed away May 5, 1919, at the age of seventy-nine years and one month. Mrs. Smith was their only child.

The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Smith is Augusta, who was born in September, 1881. She is the wife of Charles F. Junod, member of an old and prom- inent family of LaGrange County. Mr. Junod was born in Van Buren Township, is a graduate of Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, spent ten years or more with the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company at Milwaukee, part of the time being gen- eral agent for Nebraska, and in 1915 became con- nected with Kountze Brothers, bankers of national and international prominence at New York City. Mr. Junod is now vice president of the Atlantic Na- tional Bank of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Junod have two sons, Charles Frederick, Jr., born April 10, 19II, and Robert Smith Junod, born August 25, 1913.

Ross H. ABEL is the present trustee of Newville Township in DeKalb County. He is a man emi- nently qualified for the duties of this responsible office, to which is entrusted the management and welfare of the local schools and many other mat- ters of direct concern to every resident of the town- ship. Mr. Abel has been one of the prominent educators in Stark County for many years, has lived in the southern part of DeKalb County all his life, and is also identified with its rural interests as a farmer.

This is one of the oldest families of old Concord Township. His grandfather, George H. Abel, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, February 21, 1808, the son of Damon and Sallie (Root) Abel. In 1828 he married Electa Hadsell, who was born in New York State. After his marriage he followed farm- ing in Ohio until September, 1836, when he came to Indiana and entered 160 acres in Concord Town- ship. He cleared up most of this land and lived an

active and useful life there until his death on May 10, 1874, being survived by lus widow a number of years. They had a family ot ten children, and scv- eral of the sons made honorable records as soldiers 111 the Union army.

Walter M. Abel, a son of George H. Abel, was born in Concord Township August 27, 1846, and served two years in the Civil war. Later he was at one time commander of his Grand Army Post, was a loyal republican in politics, and spent his business energies largely as a farmer. He died September 15, 1917. Walter Abel married Anna E. Nelson, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, March 30, 1853, came to DeKalb County when a girl, and is still living. She is a member of the Wesley Chapel of the Methodist Church. Walter Abel and wife had two children. The older is Lulu M., wife of Philip Carper of Jackson Town- ship.

Ross H. Abel was born in Concord Township January 29, 1880, and lived at home attending dis- trict school at Spencerville and St. Joe, and after- ward took normal and special courses in the Tri- State College at Angola and at Valparaiso. Mr. Abel has been a teacher in DeKalb County for eighteen years. He and his mother live together, and for a number of years he has had the prac- tical operation of the ninety-five acres in the home farm. Mr. Abel was elected trustee of Newville Township November 5, 1918. He has been quite active as a republican.

GEORGE DAYTON SEARING, JR., in association with his father became a business man at Howe when he was hardly more than a boy in years, and has continued a useful service long furnished by mem- bers of his family in the undertaking and furniture business there. Mr. Searing has the distinction of having introduced the first motor hearse in La- Grange County, buying it and bringing it to his establishment at Howe June 5, 1916.

Mr. Searing was born at Lima, now known as the Town of Howe, October 12, 1879, a son of George D. and Sarah A. (Byram) Searing. His grand- parents were Ichabod W. and Ruth (Upson) Sear- ing, the former a native of New Jersey. From Men- don, New Jersey, the Searings came West and set- tled in Greenfield Township of LaGrange County in 1837. Ichabod Searing and wife had five children : Henrietta V., who is still living and makes her home with Mrs. Sarah Searing at Howe; Caroline, who was the wife of Joseph Upson; Mrs. Angeline Up- son ; Noah; and George D., Sr.

George D. Searing, Sr., was born in Greenfield Township March 31, 1847, spent his early life on a farm, and finished his education in the LaGrange County Collegiate Institute under Professor Patch. He was an early business man at the Village of Lima, where he opened a stock of furniture in the year 1870, and then engaged in the undertaking business, until his store was burned out, entailing a total loss. However, he continued in business and also did considerable writing of insurance. From 1880 until his death on August 8, 1914, he served continuously as a justice of the peace. He was a republican in politics, was affiliated with Howe Lodge of Masons and was a member of LaGrange Chapter of the Royal Arch. He was also a charter mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias at Howe. His widow, still living, is a member of the Methodist Church. They had two children, Anna R. and George D. The daughter is living at South Pasadena, Cali- fornia, widow of Henry A. Herman, who was killed at Long Beach, California, in December, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Herman had three children: Dorothy, George and Margaret.

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HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA

George D. Searing, Jr., graduated from the Lima High School in 1900. The following year he gradu- ated from Clark's School of Embalming at Cincin- nati, and had learned the undertaking business while working for his father as a boy. He was his father's partner from 1900 until 1914, and has since been active head of the business. For nineteen years he has held a position as notary public and he also carries on the insurance agency which his father established.

Mr. Searing is a republican, is a charter member of the Lodge of Masons at Howe and also a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias. In November, 1907, he married Miss Marjorie Hoff. She was born in Kansas, a daughter of Enoch and Florence (Bart- lett) Hoff, formerly of LaGrange County. Mr. and Mrs. Searing have two children, Florence B., who was born November 28, 1908, and died in June, 1917, and Caroline A., born February 19, 1912.

ELI C. WALKER has been a prominent business man of Auburn for a number of years and consist- ent with his position in business is also the city's chief executive. His popularity in Auburn is very well shown by the result of his election to the position of city mayor. Although the opposing candidate was a prominent attorney and business man of wide experience, Mr. Walker received the largest number of votes ever cast for any candidate in this city. Assisted by a Council of excellent business men, Mayor Walker has given Auburn a splendid administration, of which the people are justly appreciative.

He was born in Stark County, Ohio, January 2, 1868, son of George W. and Caroline (Neidig) Walker. His father, who was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, was two years old when his parents moved to Stark County, Ohio. He grew up there and was married to Caroline Neidig, who was born in that county. They lived on a farm in Stark County, Ohio, until 1880, when the Ohio prop- erty was sold and the family came to DeKalb County, Indiana, locating in Richland Township.

George W. Walker .died there May 2, 1915, and his widow is still living. Both were members of the English Lutheran Church, and he was a veter- an of the Civil war, having answered his country's call as a volunteer soldier. He was also a Master Mason and a republican in politics. Of a family of six children five are still living: Charles E. M., of Auburn; Maggie, wife of Frank Boren, of Rich- land Township; Jennie, wife of Bert Mochamer, of Auburn; Amelia, wife of Ezra Rohm, of Grant Township; and Eli C.

Eli C. Walker was twelve years old when brought to DeKalb County. He continued his education in the district school, also the Anburn High School and the Tri-State Normal at Angola. Many resi- dents of this county remember gratefully his serv- ices as a teacher. He taught for fifteen years, eleven in the district schools and four years was head of the Corunna Graded School, which he organized.

He was married to Edith Chaney, who was born in Richland Township in this county. His wife possesses a marked religious character, which has been a determining factor in the lives of her hus- band and children, contributing not only to their happiness but also to any accomplishments to which they may have attained.

After his marriage he gave up school work and for a time was assistant cashier of the Thomas Exchange Bank at Corunna. In 1903 he moved to Auburn and became associated with the La Dne & Carmer Company in the shipping business. While connected with this firm the family moved

to Fort Wayne, where they lived for three years. After returning to Auburn he and associates incor- porated the J. M. Carmer Company, July 1, 1915. Soon after this Mr. Walker bought a controlling interest and continued to manage the corporation's affairs until he sold out May 14, 1919.

Mr. Walker has been quite active in politics and was elected mayor of Auburn in November, 1917, beginning his official term January 7, 1918. He is district steward of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Auburn, and has served as superintend- ent of the Sunday school both here and at Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne. He has also served in many other lay capacities. Mr. Walker is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Mizpah Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Fort Wayne. He is also an Odd Fellow, and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star at Auburn.

To his marriage were born three children: Vic- tor O., who is a graduate of the Auburn High School and a Purdue University student, is em- ployed as an engineer with the S. F. Bowser Com- pany at Fort Wayne. He is married to Carrie Archer. Clement is a graduate of the Auburn High School and is still at home. He is associated with his father in the shipping business. Marie, the only daughter, died July 11, 1915, while a stu- dent in the Auburn High School.

JOHN M. CRAIN. It has been characteristic of the Crain family throughout their residence of more than three quarters of a century in Steuben County to be farmers, good citizens and people accustomed to assuming their share of all the responsibilities of community life. These characteristics belong to one of the younger generation, John M. Crain, who handles three separate farms and is one of the leading young stockmen and agriculturists of Pleas- ant Township.

His grandfather, Lucius Crain, first visited Steu- ben County from New York State in 1836, buying land in section 36 of Steuben Township. In Sep- tember, 1837, he moved his family to this land, but the following year they returned to New York. He made permanent settlement in Steuben County in 1840, and lived here until his death on August 31, 1848. Lucius Crain married Paulina Frink.

One of their children was the late John M. Crain, Sr., who was born in New York State in 1834 and was a boy when the family came to Steuben County. He grew up in Otsego Township and later sold his place there and bought the farm where George Webb now lives, and finally the Pleasant Township farm where his widow resides. John M. Crain, Sr., died in 1891. He was a dem- ocrat in politics and his wife is a member of the United Brethren Church. John M. Crain married Rose Renner, who was born in Steuben County July 20, 1850, a daughter of John Renner, of an- other prominent family of the county. Mrs. John M. Crain had nine children: Irene, Paulina, de- ceased, Anna, Odesta, Ione, Benlah, Frances, John M. and Theodore.

John M. Crain, Jr., was born on the farm where his mother now lives in Pleasant Township on De- cember 4, 1889. He grew up there, attended the public schools, and since early manhood has been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1915 he bought eighty acres in Pleasant Town- ship. He also rents eighty acres of the Widow Moss of Angola, and has in addition the manage- ment of his mother's home farm. This gives him a large acreage, but he uses it profitably and effi- ciently and is one of the leading breeders in the

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county of Belgian horses, Shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs.

Mr. Crain is a republican. His wife is active in the Christian Church. He married in 1912 Frances Jones, of Steuben County. Their two children are: John, born March 17, 1913, and James, born May 30, 1917.

MRS. ELIZABETH CAMPBELL, of Perry Township, widow of the late Michael Campbell, is one of the interesting women of that section of Noble County, and has spent all of her long and useful life in one locality. The associations of her later years are bound up with those of her early childhood, as she has lived from birth on one farm, which incidentally is one of the oldest improved tracts of land in Perry Township.

Her late husband, Michael Campbell, was born near Lima, Ohio, January 8, 1849, and on leaving Ohio came to Indiana but soon went to Michigan, and about 1874 settled in Noble County, Ohio. On June 28, 1874, he married Miss Elizabeth Harper.

Mrs. Campbell was born March 19, 1850, and the house in which she now 'lives is truly a landmark of that country locality, since it was standing before she was born. She was a daughter of Solomon and Mary (Shobe) Harper. Her father, who was born in Fayette County, Ohio, November 7, 1809, was a son of Philip Harper. Solomon came to Noble County in November, 1831, when this section of Northern Indiana was a vast wilderness, and with only here and there scattered settlements. He en- tered land including the present homestead of Mrs. Campbell, and was a man of influence, of great business activity, and at one time owned 480 acres. His first home was a small log cabin, constructed in the midst of the woods. He lived in that locality for over forty years, passing away in 1873. His wife survived him until July, 1891. Solomon Harper was a democrat in politics. He and his wife had twelve children, only four of whom are now living: Z. E. Harper, of Perry Township; Harriet, wife of George Snyder, of Ohio; Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell ; and Gideon, who lives in Ohio.

Elizabeth Harper grew up on the home farm and attended the nearby district schools. She is the mother of two children: Fannie, wife of William H. Smith, of Whitley County; and Homer, who is unmarried and lives at home with his mother. Mrs. Campbell owns eighty acres, and this land was part of the tract entered by her father eighty-five years ago, in 1834.

FRANKLIN J. MERRIMAN. When the history of the late war and the days immediately following it is written by the future generations a proper amount of credit is going to be accorded the efforts of the agriculturalists of this country, who through their willingness to work, their knowledge of their calling and their inherent patriotism made possible the re- lieving of the terrible famine conditions of Europe and the proper feeding of the people of their own land. Without the intelligent co-operation of these men the sacrifices of the soldiers might all be nulli- fied, and therefore they will be accorded a very prominent place in the records of this marvelous epoch. Indiana is furnishing a number of such men, and one of them most certainly is Franklin J. Merriman of Steuben Township, Steuben County, a farmer by inheritance and preference.

Franklin J. Merriman was born in Scott Town- ship, Steuben County, October 8, 1861, a son of Jerome Merriman and grandson of Rufus Merri- man, one of the pioneers of Steuben County, who came here about 1835. He walked from Lima, Ohio, his sole possessions being an axe, an auger and a

gun, to Steuben County, and located on some land 11/2 miles east of Angola, and clearing a small space on it erected a log shanty, which was in time re- placed by a comfortable residence. On this prop- erty Rufus Merriman remained the rest of his life. and continued to farm. His wife bore the maiden name of Dolly Gale, and they had the following children : Henry, Loren, Jerome, Alvira and an intant daughter. The daughter Alvira married Franklin Cary.

Jerome Merriman was born in Pleasant Town- ship, Steuben County, but became a farmer of Scott Township. When gold was discovered in California he was in the prime of life and excellent health, and made plans to take the trip across the plains, but the excitement probably brought about a condition that resulted in the development of tuberculosis, and he died of that malady in 1862. He was a man of many talents and was noted as a violinist. He was married to Laura Wickwire, a daughter of George W. Wickwire, and Franklin J. was their only son. Jerome Merriman was a Mason, and lived up to the highest conception of the ideals of that order.

After the death of his father Franklin J. Mer- riman was taken by his maternal grandfather, George W. Wickwire, with whom he lived until the latter's death in 1883, when Mr. Merriman went to Angola, and until the fall of 1913 carried on farm- ing in its vicinity. He then moved on his present fine farm of 110 acres of land in Steuben Town- ship, where he is engaged in general farming and stockraising, and has a good property, which he keeps in excellent order. His wife owns 120 acres of land in Oklahoma.

On July 3, 1895, Franklin J. Merriman was united in marriage with Ella Rowley, a daughter of James L. Rowley, and they became the parents of the following children: Jerome Rowley, who is one of the brave Steuben County soldiers, a member of the Nineteenth Observation Balloon Company; George Clem; and June Lois. Mr. Merriman belongs to the Knights of Pythias.

Mrs. Merriman is a granddaughter of Alva Row- ley, who after some years spent in farming in Erie County, Pennsylvania, came west to Western Ohio, where he combined gunsmithing and shoemak- ing with farming. One of his sons, James L. Row- ley, became the father of Mrs. Merriman, and he was born at Charlestown, Otsego County, New York, in 1818. His wife, Sabina (Miller) Rowley, was born in Cumberland County, Ohio, in 1836, a daugh- ter of John and Rebecca (Carl) Miller. James L. Rowley attended the public schools of Erie County, Pennsylvania, and in young manhood came to Steu- ben County, Indiana, arriving here in 1836. After a couple of years spent at Angola he returned to Ohio, but in 1842 came back to Steuben County, and here rounded out his life. After his return he lived for a time at Angola, and then moved on a farm in Jackson Township. In the meanwhile he studied dentistry, and when he had perfected him- self in that profession he went back to Angola, and was there engaged in an active practice for ten years. Owing to the partial failure of his eyesight he was obliged to abandon his practice, and so he went back to his farm of 141 acres, and there he died in 1898, his widow surviving him until 1913. Their children were as follows: Frank M., John J. and Ella, the latter being Mrs. Merriman.

Both the Merriman and Rowley families were established in Steuben County at a very early day, and their representatives have borne their part in the development of this region. They have been principally farmers, although a few have entered professional life, and many acres of valuable land

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now being cultivated were cleared through their efforts. It is such families as these that make up the great backbone of Americanism, and during the late war proved their love of their country and the country of their forefathers by their activities in behalf of the Government and soldiers.

IRA B. WALB grew up in LaGrange county, spent his first years in railroad contracting work, but is now numbered among the very substantial and active business men of LaGrange, where he is treas- urer and manager of the LaGrange Hardware Company.

He was brought to LaGrange County when an infant. His birth occurred at Grafton in Hunting- don County, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1876, son of Reuben B. and Susanna (Norris) Walb. His father was a native of Berks County and his mother of Grafton, Pennsylvania. They were married in that state, where the father followed the teaming business for several years. They moved to La- Grange County, Indiana, in 1878, and located in Clay Township, where Reuben Walb bought the farm where he still lives. He has been a prosperous farmer there for over forty years, and has 160 acres under a perfect state of tillage and cultivation. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a republican. Their five children are all living : Ira B., being the oldest; Clyde A. is a well-known business man of LaGrange; Bertha P. is a graduate of high school and of a school in Chi- cago, and is now a deaconess at Chicago; Vera, wife of Irvin Cook, of LaGrange County; and Ray, a graduate of the LaGrange High School, and now managing the home farm.

Ira B. Walb was reared on his father's farm in LaGrange County and from the district school en- tered the LaGrange High School, of which he is a graduate. For a time he was a teacher and then went to work for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Garrett, Indiana, and later as file clerk and assist- ant chief clerk in the general superintendent's office. He possessed too much initiative and enterprise to remain long under the confining discipline of a rail- road office, and finally embarked his modest capital and experience and engaged in the dredging business in Arkansas and Missouri. He followed contracting work in those states for about five years. In 1914. returning to LaGrange County, he acquired a half interest in the LaGrange Hardware Company, and is now active manager and treasurer of the com- pany. The firm does a large business, reaching out to all the communities of LaGrange County.

In 1912 Mr. Walb married Maude Self. They were married in the South, where her father is an extensive land owner, having about 1,500 acres. Mrs. Walb owns an interest in 100 acres in the South. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Walb is affiliated with the Lodge and Chapter of Masonry at LaGrange and in politics is a republican.

HARVEY WARREN CHASE MORLEY, editor of the Angola Herald since 1908, and founder and man- ager of the Farmers and Merchants Insurance Agency, Incorporated, at Angola, has had a much wider range of experience and service than falls to the lot of most men under forty-five.

He was born at Marshall, Michigan, February 26, 1876. His father, Jasper Morley, a son of Harvey Morley, before coming to Michigan lived at Wayland in Steuben County, New York, and dur- ing the Civil war was a member of the One Hun- dred and Eighty-Eighth New York Volunteers. The mother, Martha Lucelia Chase, was a daughter of Ira Warren Chase, also of Wayland, Stenben

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History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 105

Author: Ford, Ira, 1848- ed Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 618

Author: Ford, Ira, 1848- ed
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 618