History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 14

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 14
USA > Indiana > Noble County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 14
USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 14
USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 14

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

C. A. Hickman's boyhood recollections are chiefly centered around the old farm in Greene Township. He attended district school there, and at the age of nineteen left home to make his own way in the world. For several years he worked at monthly wages, and by the time he was ready to marry and settle he had saved $350. That was the capital that provided for his first adventure in home making.

February II, 1886, he married Eva Tulley, who was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, in 1867. For sev- eral years Mr. and Mrs. Hickman rented land in Noble and Elkhart counties, and finally they bought their present farm in Washington Township. The Locust Stock Farm comprises 140 acres, and has a more than local reputation on account of its fine Belgian horses and Shorthorn cattle. His stock of these strains are in great demand by buyers both in the locality and from a distance.

Mr. Hickman is a democrat. He and his wife have three children: Sadie, a graduate of the common schools; Clarence, who is married and lives on a farm near his father; and Guy, a graduate of the common schools and still at home.

JAMES W. PORTER is one of the widely known citizens of Richland Township in Steuben County,

and is a son of a hard working and zealous pioneer minister in this section of Northeast Indiana.

His father, Rev. Joseph Porter, was born in Medina County, Ohio, in 1820, and in 1867 married Huldah Buck, also a native of Medina County. Soon afterward they came to Steuben County, In- diana, locating in Richland Township, where Rev. Joseph Porter did much to build up the interests in the United Brethren Church. He preached in a number of places and continued in ministerial work for many years. After about two years he moved to the vicinity of Nevada Mills in Steuben County and lived there until after the death of his wife. He was three times married. His nine children were: William, two that died in infancy, Samuel D., Edmond R., Henry, John, Gurden and James W.

James W. Porter was born in Wood County, Ohio, April 30, 1858, received his education in Steuben County, and learned the tinner's trade. He later took up farming, was a renter for several years in York Township, and in 1897 bought the farm he now owns adjoining the village of Metz and con- taining 108 acres. He is one of the prosperous citizens in that locality and has frequently been honored with stations of trust. He served as trus- tee of Richland Township six years and as assessor four years. He is a republican and he and his wife have been active in the United Brethren Church for over forty years.

In 1878 Mr. Porter married Miss Sarah M. Snider, who was born in Defiance County, Ohio, November I, 1857, a son of Solomon and Delilah Snider. Her parents came to Richland Township of Steuben County about 1882, and her father died here in 1889 and her mother in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Porter had five children: Minnie, wife of Lester Lechleid and the mother of two children, named Frances and Willis; Myrtle, who is married and has four chil- dren, named Helen, Wilma, Roscoe and Leota; Jennie, who died at the age of twenty-six; Roscoe, who died at the age of eight years; and Estelle, who died at the age of six.

JOHN JACOB YUNKER is making a specialty of Jersey cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs on one of the good farms of Lima Township, LaGrange County. He is a man of good education, with the advantage of youth, enthusiasm and unlimited energy, and is regarded as one of the most progressive men in his locality.

Mr. Yunker is an American in everything except birth and earliest infancy. He was born in Berne, Switzerland, December 23, 1882, and a few weeks later was brought by his parents, Rudolf and Rosetta (Lew) Yunker to this country. His parents were both Swiss, and Mr. Rudolf Yunker was educated in the common schools there and each year for twelve years took military training and drill. He was a stone mason by trade, and after his father's death he made his industry the chief support of his widowed mother. In 1883 he brought his fam- ily to America, arriving in New York City October 15th and coming directly to Howe, Indiana. Rudolf Yunker found work at his trade and always fol- lowed that occupation, though owning farms and living on them, allowing his sons to till the fields. He first bought twenty acres in Clay Township and cleared away enough of the timber to make a space on which to erect his log house. In course of time he had most of this tract under cultivation, and he and his family lived there until 1900, and after that spent three years in another part of Clay Town- ship, and in 1903 moved to the farm now occupied by John Jacob Yunker in Lima Township. Rudolf Yunker acquired eighty acres there and had the

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HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA

farm improved with good buildings before he moved his family. The farm remained his home until 1913, when he moved to Howe and was living retired when he died June 19, 1919. His wife died on the farm May 15, 1910. Rudolf Yunker and wife had eight children: Rudolf, Jr., Rosetta, John J., Ameil, Mary, Fred, Mabel, who died in April, 1918, and Howard.

John Jacob Yunker is a graduate of the Howe High School and spent one summer in the Uni- versity of Indiana and another summer in the Nor- mal School at Ypsilanti, Michigan. He gave three years of his early manhood to teaching, spending one year in the schools of Ontario and two years at Howe. Then for two years he was employed in the cold storage plant of Bollman Brothers, at Sturgis, Michigan, and since then has been farming either in Greenfield Township or over the line in Michigan. He has been directing head of the old Yunker farm since 1913. He is a member of the Methodist Church.

Mr. Yunker married Miss Mabel Kelly June 5, 1907. She was born in LaGrange County, a daugh- ter of Daniel M. Kelly. Mr. and Mrs. Yunker have an interesting family of five children: Gwendolyn E., Helen R., Marjorie E., Robert John and Jean H.

Daniel M. Kelly, father of Mrs. Yunker, was born in St. Joseph County, Michigan, August 27, 1861, son of John M. and Asenath M. ( Parham) Kelly, the former a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and the latter of Greenfield Township, La- Grange County. John M. Kelly was a son of Wil- liam and Rebecca (Tiley) Kelly, who in 1854 moved from Ohio to St. Joseph County, Michigan, and later came to LaGrange County. William Kelly spent his life as a farmer and lived on one side or the other of the Michigan-Indiana state line until his death. John M. Kelly had a common school education, and taught school in LaGrange County and in Michigan. Most of his active life was spent as a farmer in Greenfield Township. His wife died in 1909 on the old farm where she was born. Her parents were Thomas and Susan (Kenyon) Par- ham, the former a native of England, who came to America when a young man. The Parhams were early settlers of LaGrange County. John M. Kelly after the death of his wife retired to Sturgis, Mich- igan, where he died. He owned 620 acres in Mich- igan and Indiana, and at one time was township trustee in Greenfield. His family of six children are all living, named Daniel M., E. Morton, Susan R., Fidelia J., Mary E. and Albert M.

Daniel M. Kelly was one year old when his parents moved to Greenfield Township, and he has spent his life there prosperously and effectively, de- voted to farming and stock feeding. He owns 360 acres in LaGrange County and twenty acres across the Michigan line. He served on the township ad- visory board fourteen years. In 1884 Mr. Kelly married Miss Eliza M. Milliman, who was born in Branch County, Michigan, a daughter of Jerome B. Milliman. They have five children: Mabel A., Eva I., Edith L., Robert J. and Ralph.

SHIRLEY D. FEE, a grandson of the first settler in Otsego Township of Steuben County, has been a diligent and public-spirited factor in that commun- ity for many years, was formerly a farmer and is now proprietor of the Fee mills at Metz.

His grandfather, John Fee, was born in Southern Ohio, October 13, 1810, a son of William Fee, who about 1830 moved to Williams County, Ohio. John Fee in 1833 married Mary A. B. Houlton, who was born in Highland County, Ohio, in 1811, daughter of Samnel Houlton, one of the first settlers of Chilli-

cothe. The Houlton family were conspicuous for their pioneer activities in DeKalb County, Indiana. In 1835 John Fee came to Otsego Township, and his was the first white family to make its home there. He acquired 120 acres in section 32, and was well fitted for his pioneer environment, being a man of great energy and industry. In time he be- came one of the largest land owners in the county, owning about 1,500 acres. His lands also extended into DeKalb County, and comprised several farms. John Fee died April 2, 1873. He was the father of nine children.

Of these Frank Fee was born in Otsego Township in 1844, attended the pioneer schools of Steuben County, and had much of the enterprise and ability of his father. At the time of his death he owned 413 acres of land. He was a republican in politics. He married in Steuben County, Setta Gilbert, a native of that county. They were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom reached mature years: Myrtle, Shirley, Flora, John, Asa (who is now deceased), Clarence, Earl, Lloyd and Aldah.

Shirley D. Fee was born in Otsego Township in August, 1879. He grew up on his father's farm and had a public school education. Becoming familiar with farming as a boy, he followed it as a regular occupation for many years, and in 1907 bought a place of sixty-four acres in Otsego Township. On January I, 1919, he left the farm to take the active management of the Metz Mills, a property which he owns and which does a large business under his management. Mr. Fee is a republican and is affili- ated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge.

In 1901 he married Miss Alma Irene Gurtner, daughter of Henry Gurtner of Hamilton and mem- ber of a well-known family of Steuben County. They have one son, Walter Ray. born October 28, 1902, now a junior in the Metz High School.

JAMES W. HUNT, a farmer and livestock breeder in Washington Township of Noble County, is one of the interesting men of Northeastern Indiana, is widely traveled and variously experienced, and has seen a great deal of the world since his boyhood days in Indiana.

He was born in Etna Township of Whitley Coun- ty, September 3. 1867, son of Franklin and Martha J. (Long) Hunt. His grandfather, Smith Hunt, was a prominent resident of Wayne County, Indiana, and in the early days acquired vast tracts of Gov- ernment land in Whitley, Noble and Kosciusko counties. He never lived on this land, but kept his residence at Richmond, where he died. Franklin Hunt was born in Wayne County, February 22, 1828, and as a young man just turned of age in 1849 he left home and on horseback made the over- land trip to California. He was in the Golden West for two years, and on returning to Indiana settled in Whitley County, where he spent the rest of his days as a successful farmer. His wife, Martha J. Long, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, July 10, 1834, and is still living at the venerable age of eighty-four. Her father, Thomas Long, came to Indiana in 1847, locating in Whitley County.

James W. Hunt contented himself with the en- vironment of the homestead farm in Etna Town- ship until after he had attained the age of twenty- one. He then started out in the world, and in the course of his travels reached the far Orient in Korea, where he was connected with a gold mining company for a period of twelve years. Then after other travels and experiences he returned to Indiana and for a number of years has been giving all his time and energies to his farm of 160 acres in Wash-

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ington Township of Noble County. Mr. Hunt has never married. He is affiliated with Cromwell Lodge No. 705, Free and Accepted Masons, is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, and is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Ligonier and in politics is a republican.

FRANK GETTINGS. The Gettings family has played a part of unusual industry and enterprise in several localities of Northeast Indiana. Frank Gettings of this family was born in Noble County, spent part of his life in LaGrange County, and is now a promi- nent resident of Hamilton in Otsego Township of Steuben County.

He was born in Noble County, January 17, 1859, son of Adam and Lovina (Repine) Gettings. His father was an early settler in Noble County, first locating about two miles south of Kendallville and soon afterward buying a farm southwest of that city. He also lived in Kendallville, and was pro- prietor of the Air Line Hotel and entertained the traveling public for a number of years. He also conducted a livery and sales stable and became widely known as a dealer in horses. Finally selling his Kendallville interests he removed to LaGrange County, buying 160 acres in Milford Township. Later he bought forty acres where his son, James, now lives in that county, and on that place he died in 1888, when about sixty-seven years of age. His widow survived him until January 24, 1917, and was ninety-two years old at the time of her death. The father was a democrat, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife was a Method- ist. Their children were Frank, James and Alma, the daughter being now deceased. By a previous marriage Adam Gettings had three children : Thomas, William and Ella. Of these only the daughter survives.

Frank Gettings lived in Kendallville until he was twelve years old and while there attended the vil- lage schools. He also attended public school at Milford and for one term was in the college at Angola. His first farm comprised 40 acres in LaGrange County, but he sold that and bought 120 acres and in 1909 moved to Steuben County and bought 160 acres in Otsego Township. This farm is now under the active management of his son, Clair. He also acquired ten acres near the village of Metz, and that is his home and he uses the land and its facilities to conduct a dairy. He has been an extensive cattle feeder and very successful in handling all kinds of livestock.

Mr. Gettings is a democrat in politics. He mar- ried Miss Elsie Wright, daughter of Elbridge and Martha Wright, of Steuben County. They have two children: Zoa, at home, and Clair, who is manager of the farm. Clair married Elsie Snyder, and has two children, Esther May and Louise.

JESSE W. CAMP, one of the active and pushing men in the community of Smithfield Township, De- Kalb County, has spent his active career as a farmer, is prominent in fraternal work, and has been hon- ored by his fellow citizens with the office of trustee of Smithfield Township, of which he is the incum- bent today.

He was born on the farm where he now lives near Ashley May 10, 1877, a son of Aaron W. and Amanda E. (Husselman) Camp. His father was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 17, 1847. His mother was born in Fairfield Township of DeKalb County and is still living, an active member of the Methodist Church. Aaron W. Camp was an active member and at one time chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and was its chancellor when his son took the preliminary work. He was a democrat

and was serving as a member of the county council when he died. He and his wife had five children: Jesse W .; Maude B., wife of Frank Duncan, living near Olivet, Michigan; Eva H., wife of Forest Mil- ler of Ashley; Mabel C., who married H. T. Judson of Auburn, Indiana; and Ethel V., wife of Boyd Kirkland of Kenton, Ohio.

Jesse W. Camp, only son of his parents, grew up on the home farm, and since early manhood has been operating it. He has acquired other business interests and is a stockholder and director of the Commercial Bank of Ashley.

Mr. Camp married for his first wife Edna Hart- man. After her death he married Catherine Dono- van on September 30, 1917. She was born in Wa- bash County, Indiana, December 24, 1874, and her first husband was Thomas W. Millard. Mrs. Camp has a son, Warren J., who was born September 17, 1898, and is a graduate of the common schools. During the war he was in the aviation repair de- partment at Dallas, Texas, and at this writing is still a Government employe. Mrs. Camp is an active member of the Church of Christ. Mr. Camp is past chancellor of Ashley Lodge No. 394, Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife are members of the Pythian Sisters. Mrs. Camp is a past worthy matron of the Eastern Star and also a past noble grand of the Rebekahs. Mr. Camp is a democrat in politics and on that ticket was elected to his present office as township trustee.

JAMES ERIC GIFFORD has been numbered among the leading farmers of Steuben County for a number of years, is a native of Northeast Indiana, and he took up farming after a number of years spent in mechanical trades.

Mr. Gifford was born in Scott Township, Septem- ber 20, 1859, a son of Job and Hannah (Trobridge) Gifford. His father was born in Oswego County, New York, and his mother in Vermont. They were early settlers in LaGrange County, Indiana, and from there moved to Scott Township of Steuben County, buying a farm near the Gifford schoolhouse. Job Gifford died here in 1864 and his wife in 1872. Their children were: Lois, wife of Albert Wheaton; Lizzie, wife of Henry Arnold; Ida, who married Ed Hauselman; Freeman and Fremont, twins; Agnes; and James Eric.

James Eric Gifford grew up on his father's farm and attended Gifford schoolhouse. He left the farm in early life to go to work as a machinist, and was employed in machine shops for about fifteen years, and since that time has found both profit and pleas- ure in farming. He is a republican, and also a Mason and Odd Fellow.

In June, 1879, he married Ella Walgemuth. Their three children, all living, are Carrie, Eva and Graf- ton. Mr. Gifford married for his second wife Mrs. Sarah Jane (Dygert) Nisonger. She was born in Scott Township, January 6, 1858, a daughter of John and Caroline Dygert, representing an old family of this district. Mrs. Gifford married for her first hus- band on November 17, 1878, Jackson Nisonger. He was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, February 3, 1855, son of Christopher and Barbara (Arnold) Nisonger. His parents were early settlers in Steuben County, and located the land that is now in- cluded in the fine home of Mr. and Mrs. Gifford. They traded land in Kosciusko County for this place, and developed a farm of 107 acres. Mr. Nisonger died in 1874 and his widow is now living in Colorado at the age of eighty-seven. In the Nisonger family were five children, Jennie, Jackson, Jacob, Dora and Alice. Jackson Nisonger grew up on the home farm in Steuben County, had an education in the public schools, and was a successful agriculturist until his

HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA

death. He was a democrat in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Nisonger had two children, Merle and Caro- line.

THOMAS A. ANDERSON is one of the oldest resi- dents of Swan Township, Noble County, his home having been in that locality for over sixty years. His life has been spent quietly but profitably as a farmer, and he still gives his active supervision to his farm of seventy acres lying adjacent to the Hopewell Church.

Mr. Anderson was born in Pennsylvania, March 21, 1847, son of Thomas A. and Jane (Cooley) An- derson, both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1854 the Anderson family came to Indiana and located in Swan Township of Noble County, where the parents spent the rest of their lives. The father was an active churchman and served as an elder in the Swan Presbyterian Church. He was a republican. Of eight children three are still living: Mary J., wife of Frank Mills; Sarah, widow of James McCoy; and Thomas A.

Thomas A. Anderson was seven years old when his parents came to Indiana, and he grew up in a rather frontier community, procuring his education in a log school house. For fully half a century he has been identified with the business of farming.

May 21, 1874, he married Miss Mary E. Moore, daughter of Rev. J. P. Moore. To their marriage were born three children, only one of whom is now living, Joseph M. Joseph M. was born August 25, 1882, and married Miss Nora E. Weimer, daughter of Samuel Weimer. Mr. Anderson is an active member of the Presbyterian Church and has served as deacon. He is a republican.

FRANK STROCK. No small part of the business enterprise of Hudson moves to the accompaniment of Frank Strock, who is banker, elevator man, and both a producer and a dealer, well and favorably known in that community.

Mr. Strock was born in Wayne County, Ohio, August 28, 1881. His grandparents were George and Mary (Baumgardiner) Strock. His father, Daniel Strock, who was born in Wayne County in June, 1852, had a farm there but did a large business in the buying and shipping of hay and potatoes. and was owner of the elevator at Hudson, Indiana. He died in November, 1909. He married Addie Troutman, who was born in Wayne County, a daughter of Philip and Pleasant Troutman. She is still living in Wayne County. Her children were six in number: Frank, Jay P., Earl Wayne, Mary. Fannie and Florence.

Frank Strock acquired his early education in the public schools of Wayne County, and when a young man gained much business experience working with his father in the handling of hay and potatoes. He came to Hudson in August, 1903, to take the man- agement of the Hudson elevator, which was then owned by his father. He has been continuously in that business ever since, and since about 1908 has been owner of the establishment. Hudson is an important onion market, and Mr. Strock has had much to do with stimulating that production, grow- ing onions himself and also buying them. He is president of the Farmers State Bank of Hudson and is a director and stockholder of the Auburn Hardware Company at Auburn. Mr. Strock is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Hudson, also the Royal Arch Chapter, the Commandery at An- gola and the Scottish Rite Consistory at Fort Wayne and the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Eastern Star.

March 20, 1906, he married Ada Ketchem, a daugh-

ter of Joseph and Frances Ketchem. They have two children, Paul Wayne and Carl A.

CARL J. SWANK, though not yet thirty years of age, is one of the independent business men of Northeast Indiana, and is active head of the firm Swank & Company, proprietors of two first class furniture and undertaking establishments at Hudson and Ashley.

Mr. Swank, who is a graduate embalmer and a man whose ability is greatly appreciated in his pro- fession, was born near Ligonier in Noble County, Indiana, September 12, 1890, a son of Jerome and Almira (Retfrow) Swank. His father was born near Ligonier, and spent his active life on a farm there. He died in 1893. The mother is now living at Hudson, Indiana. They were married in Noble County and both were active members of the Meth- odist Church. In the family were two sons and one daughter, Grover, a barber at South Milford, In- diana; Carl J .; and Gertrude, wife of William Mar- shall of Noble County.

Carl J. Swank lived on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age. He attended the Topeka High School, and for four years followed the trade of barber. In 1910 he graduated from the Clark Embalming School at Cincinnati and at once re- turned to Hudson, where he followed his profession for four years. He then bought out the business of which he is proprietor. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Hudson and also the Knights of Pythias and in politics is a demo- crat. He and his wife are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church.

He married Esther M. Bidwell, whose former home was near Rome City in Noble County. Their two children are June Adel, born in 1913, and Wen- dall, born in 1918.

FRANCIS H. RAMSAY has had a long and varied experience in business affairs in several states, is widely known in Steuben County, lives at Angola, and owns and operates a fine dairy farm near that city. He has been a manufacturer, and farmer, and in various lines of business experience,

Mr. Ramsay was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, March 22, 1848. He came to the United States in 1858, at the age of twenty, first locating in New York State, where he remained about nine months, then moved to Canada, and in 1874 to Michigan. He was at Mount Clemens for several years and in 1883 moved to Hillsdale, and in 1889 came to Angola, Indiana. Here he was in the cooperage business, employing as many as eight men, and he continued that industry until 1906. Since then he has been engaged in the dairy business, owning a well equipped farm adjoining the corporation limits of Angola and other property in the city. He has been very successful in his affairs since coming to Steuben County.

Mr. Ramsay is a republican in politics, and is a justice of the peace, an office he has filled capably for thirteen years. For many years he has been a deep student of Masonry, is thoroughly impressed with its doctrines, and is proud of the fact that most of his sons are also members of the same order and some of them have attained the highest degrees. M :. Ramsay retains his affiliation in Hillsdale Lodge of Masons, Angola Chapter No. 58, Royal Arch Masons, and Angola Commandery No. 45, Knights Templar. He is a member of the Christian Science faith.

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History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 14

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