History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 27

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 27
USA > Indiana > Noble County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 27
USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 27
USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 27

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).

March 20, 1883, he married Ida Zimmerman, of LaGrange County, daughter of Oliver Zimmerman, formerly of Noble County. Mr. and Mrs. Motsolf have one daughter, Effie, born February 5, 1885, and now the wife of David Ritter. Mr. and Mrs. Ritter have a daughter, Opal, born May 22, 1907. David Ritter is a son of David Ritter and grandson of Henry Ritter and member of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Steuben County.

CLEMENT G. ROUTSONG is proprietor of the only dry goods store at Wolcottville, and has been a

popular and successful merchant of that town for many years. He is a thorough business man and has earned the trust and confidence of his entire com- munity.

Mr. Routsong was born in Orange Township of Noble County September 13, 1874, a son of Benja- min and Julia (Routsong) Routzahn. His father was born in Stark County, Ohio, and his mother in Noble County, Indiana. Benjamin came to Noble County when a young man, bought a farm in Orange Township, and after selling it moved to Elkhart Township and acquired a place near Rome City. His last days were spent in Rome City, where his widow is still living. Both were active members of the German Lutheran Church. Benjamin Routzahn was a democrat and served as director of schools. Of his seven children the following brief record is given : Emory E., now retired from business and spending his summers in New Jersey and his win- ters in Florida; Sadie, wife of W. A. Hoke, of Hammond, Indiana; Ella, wife of Freemont Col- dren, of Canton, Ohio; Clement G .; Rose, wife of W. A. Myrick, of Newport, Arkansas; Tilla, wife of Ned Jennings, of Rome City; and Oscar, of Ham- mond, Indiana.

Clement G. Routsong grew up at his father's home in Noble County and acquired a good prepara- tion for his business career. He attended the com- mon and high schools, and finished with a business course at Fort Wayne. While he has given closest attention to his business affairs Mr. Rontsong has also been active in the democratic party. He received the nomination from his party for joint state sen- ator from LaGrange, Noble and Steuben counties, but that year the democratic ticket was defeated.

Mr. Routsong married Lura De Owen, daughter of M. F. Owen, of Rome City, where she was edu- cated, being a graduate of the high school. They have two children, Pauline De, a graduate of high school and now attending Defiance College in Ohio; and Maxine Jeannette, a high school girl.

Mr. Routsong is affiliated with Ionic Lodge No. 380, Free and Accepted Masons, is a past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Church.

JOHN H. WILSON. In Washington Township, Noble County, one tract of land and farm bears evidence of the labors and occupation of three generations of the Wilson family. John H. Wilson, of the third generation, is still living on a fine farm that was entered by his grandfather direct from the Government. The Wilson farm is six miles south of Cromwell.

His grandfather was Thomas H. Wilson, who came into the county in pioneer times and acquired 379 acres. He built a log cabin in the midst of the woods and for many years was busily engaged in making a home. All his efforts, however, were not confined to his farm, since he was one of the organizers and most active members of the Chris- tian Church. He and his wife had eight children, all of whom are now deceased.

Thomas J. Wilson, father of John H., was also born on the Wilson farm in Washington Township. He grew up there, had a common school education, and spent his life as a practical farmer. He died in 1892. He was a democrat and served one term as township trustee. He married Nancy Rider, and both were very active members of the church. Mrs. Thomas J. Wilson is still living. She was the mother of three children, one of whom died in infancy. The two survivors are: John H .; and Stella, wife of John P. Beasley, and they still occupy a part of the old Wilson farm.

John H. Wilson was born at his present home

HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA

in 1862 and has spent his entire life in that one locality. He owns 239 acres, and in addition to his extensive farming interests is a stockholder in the Sparta State Bank and in the Farmers State Bank at North Webster. He is a democrat, but has never taken much part in politics. Both he and his wife are members of the Church of God, and he is one of the deacons of the church at Wilmot.

In October, 1885, Mr. Wilson married Barbara A. Huber. She was born in Washington Township March 29, 1865, daughter of Tira and Nancy E. (Black) Huber, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Ohio and were early settlers in Washington Township of Noble County. Mrs. Wilson's parents are both now deceased. They were loyal church members, and her father was a Mason, a democrat, and for many years held the office of justice of the peace. He and his wife had six children, two of whom died in infancy. The four still living are: Lewis C., of Ohio; Nancy E., wife of John W. Bouse; Barbara A., Mrs. Wilson; and Jennie A., wife of Bert Himes. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had two chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy, and the other, Mary E., died at the age of fourteen.

RICHARD HERRICK is a native of Otsego Town- ship, is still living there, a prosperous and energetic farmer, and for nearly forty years has given the best of his energies and talents to his duties on the farm and in his community.

He was born June 10, 1854, son of W. C. and Lucy (Avery) Herrick. His father was born in Armenia Township of Dutchess County, New York, January 1, 1812, and died on the farm now owned by his son Richard April 7, 1872. His wife was born in Cayuga County, New York, March 18, 1813. W. C. Herrick was a son of James and Abi- gail (Castle) Herrick, who moved from Dutchess to Cayuga County, New York, where Abigail died. In 1833 James moved west to Sandusky County, Ohio, and spent the rest of his years there. W. C. Herrick came to Steuben County in 1840, settling in Otsego Township, on a tract of government land. Altogether he had 120 acres, and his individual labors cleared away the woods and made it produc- tive. His first home was a log house. He and his wife spent their last years there. She died in 1882. He was a democrat in politics, but during Lincoln's time became converted to republicanism. His three children were Malinda, Rufus and Rich- ard.

Richard Herrick lived at home with his parents to the age of twenty-four, and then went west and spent four years in different states and territo- ries. In 1881 he returned to Steuben County and located on his present farm, where he has done much to improve the condition of the land and erect new buildings. He and his wife together have 100 acres, devoted to general farming and stock raising. He is a raiser of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Herrick has been quite active in republican politics, though never a candidate for office him- self.

In December, 1881, he married Margaret Ann Willenner. She was born in Wood County, Ohio, in 1844, daughter of John and Mary (Crumb) Willenner. Her parents came to Otsego Township about 1863, and spent their last years here. Mr. and Mrs. Herrick have two children. Cordia is the wife of Earl Allwood, of Edgerton, Ohio, and she has three children, named Zeda, Bernice and Dorothy. Rufus Grant, who lives at Morley, Michi-

gan, married Nettie Halverson, and they have three sons, named Richard M., Donaldson and Herbert.

JAMES M. SCHLABACH is a member of a prominent and rather numerous family that has been identified with Noble County for over half a century. He has spent many years of his life as a practical and pro- gressive farmer, and is a stockman of good repute, well known as a horse buyer. His home is in Sparta Township, in section 33.

Mr. Schlabach was born in Pennsylvania, April 20, 1865, son of Henry and Mary A. (Young) Schla- bach, both natives of Pennsylvania. His parents came to Noble County, Indiana, in 1866, locating in Sparta Township. His father bought forty acres of land at first and later had a farm of seventy acres. He was for two years a Union soldier in the Civil war, but was always a democrat in politics, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church in Kimmel. Henry Schlabach and wife had a large family of ten children, seven of whom are still living, namely : Emma, wife of Henry Sparrow ; John, of Goshen, Indiana; Samuel, of Kimmel; Sarah, wife of Elmer Williams, of Fort Wayne; Ella, wife of Stephenson Schlantz, of Kimmell; James M .; and George, of Sparta Township.

James M. Schlabach has lived in Noble County since early infancy, spent his early life on his father's farm and attended the district schools, and at the age of twenty started out to make his own living. For several years he worked on neighboring farms at monthly wages. January 23, 1886, he married Ida A. McFarren. She was born in Wabash County, Indiana, and had a public school education. Mr. and Mrs. Schlabach have had two children: Sylvia Schlabach, who was born October 28, 1886, died August 24, 1888, age twenty-two months. Walter E., born April 1, 1895, married Minnie Saltz and had one daughter, Alecia, who was born in March, 1916, and died March 27, 1919.

Mr. and Mrs. Schlabach are members of the Christian Church and in politics he is a republican. His home farm comprises fifty-four acres.

MONROE KEMERY, owner of one of the good farms of Salem Township, is a member of an old and well known famly of Steuben Township. They came to this part of Northeast Indiana more than sixty years ago and have been participants in business and public affairs as well as in agriculture.

Monroe Kemery was born at Angola January 19, 1869, a son of Absalom and Rowena (Robbins) Kemery, and grandson of Jacob Kemery. Jacob Kemery was a native of Pennsylvania and died in 1838. His wife, Mary Loubert, was a native of Germany. Jacob and Mary had a family of six sons, two of whom died in infancy, one killed at the battle of Jonesboro in the Civil war, while all are now gone. One of them was Israel Kemery, long prominent in Angola as a landlord and also one of the county officials. He established the second har- ness shop at Angola in 1856.

Absalom Kemery was born at Lancaster, Ohio, and in 1855, on moving to Steuben County, settled on a farm 31/2 miles northeast of Angola in Pleas- ant Township. About 1860 he left the farm and moved to Angola, and in 1861 enlisted in the Fourth Michigan Infantry. He was in service one year and was then discharged on account of disability. After the war he farmed until about 1872, and from that time until his death lived on a small place about a mile north of Angola. He died in January, 1919, and his wife in May, 1916. They were the parents of four children: Monroe, Carl, Lettie and Ernest D.

HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA

Absalom Kemery was affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic.

Monroe Kemery attended school at Angola and when a young man went to work in the sawmill of Croxton & Butz. He was with that firm for twelve years. Since then his activities have been directed to agriculture. In 1904 he bought forty acres of section 24, Salem Township, and in 1909 sold that and bought eighty acres in section 23. He has improved his farm with good buildings, and is making steady progress toward independence and prosperity. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias.

In 1889 Mr. Kemery married Olive Huffman, daughter of Wilson and Maggie Huffman. They have two children, Odessa and Wilson. Odessa by her marriage to Arch Parker has two children, Monroe and Ulamda. Her second husband is Noah Angemyer.

EMMET W. BLACK is a member of one of the best known families of Noble County, and his own efforts and enterprise have been chiefly directed along the lines of farming and today he is pro- prietor of what is known as the Old Home Farm, comprising 156 acres located three miles southwest of Albion in York Township. Besides the home farm he also has a tract of sixty-two acres in the same township. This gives him all the land that he can handle, and he has kept this farm producing maximum crops for a number of years.

Mr. Black has spent most of his life in Noble County but was born in Stark County, Ohio, De- cember 14, 1862. His father, J. W. Black, was born in Stark County, Ohio. His mother, Matilda M. Tyler, was born in Michigan. They were married in Ohio and in 1866 came to Noble County and located five miles southwest of Albion, on the land now owned by their son Emmet. J. W. Black was one of the diligent pioneers, a hard-working farmer, and spent many useful years on the farm where his son now lives. He was a republican and for six years served as assessor of York Township. In the family were eleven children, five of whom are now living: John W., of Canton, Ohio; Emmet W .; Charles, of Noble County; Calvin, of York Township; and Jennie, wife of David Young.

Emmet W. Black grew up on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. After reaching his majority he bought ninety acres and farmed that for several years, finally selling it and buying the old home farm.

April 19, 1894, he married Miss Ella Blackman, daughter of Sylvester Blackman. Mrs. Black was reared on the old Blackman farm and is a graduate of the common schools. They have three daughters : Gladys, who has taken one year in high school, and Alma and Mary, both graduates of the common schools. The family are members of the Presby- terian Church and Mr. Black is a trustee. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Albion and in politics is a republican. Besides his extensive farming interests he is a stockholder in the Albion Grist Mill.

VIRGIL S. GOODSELL. There is no difficulty in identifying Virgil S. Goodsell as a resident of Mil- ford Township, LaGrange County. He has been a public official, a live business man, a farmer, and altogether associated with the best interests of the community for many years. He is one of the proprietors of the Cannon & Goodsell Lumber Com- pany at South Milford, and has recently closed a splendid term as township trustee.

He was born in Milford Township October 18, Vol. II-7

1872, a son of William M. and Catherine (Stoehr) Goodsell. His father was born in Milford Town- ship in December, 1840, and his mother was also a native of LaGrange County. Both are still living in Milford Township. The father is a democrat in politics. There were six children in the family, four of whom are still living: Angusta, wife of Frank Cochran; Treat M., deceased; Virgil S .; Nellie G., wife of A. E. Fraas; one that died in infancy; and Clara, wife of O. P. Newnam, of Milford Township.

Virgil S. Goodsell grew up on his father's farm, is a graduate of the district schools, and so far has been content with the status of a bachelor. He operates the old homestead, known as the Wigwam Farm, comprising 140 acres, situated five miles north and one mile east of South Milford. This farm is well known for its livestock, especially its thoroughbred Red Polled cattle. The Goodsells have produced some of the finest animals of this class, and their private sales are largely attended.

Mr. Goodsell is affiliated with South Milford Lodge No. 619, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a member of the Encampment. Politi- cally he is a democrat. He is a former secretary of the Mercantile Association of Mount Pisgalia, the oldest association of its kind in the United States. This is a co-operative farmers' club or association and handles a general stock of mer- chandise. Mr. Goodsell was elected trustee of Mil- ford Township in November, 1914, and closed up his term of office January 1, 1919. Many commenda- tions have been paid his record as trustee, and all of them have been deserved. The accountants ap- proved his books without a flaw, and he was espe- cially successful in keeping up the schools of the township to a high standard and paid higher wages than many other townships in this part of the state.

ALVA HITE. For over fifty years Alva Hite has been numbered among the best and most useful citizens of Perry Township in Noble County. With the exception of four years he has lived all his life on one farm, which is located five and a half miles northwest of Ligonier.

He was born there January 13, 1867, son of Thomas W. and Harriet (Teaford) Hite. His father was born in Jay County, Indiana, March 31, 1839. He was a soldier in the Civil war, serving nine months. Both families moved to Noble County in early days, and Thomas and Harriet were married there and then located on the land now contained in farm of their son Alva. Thomas Hite was a man of much enterprise, good business judgment, and acquired 214 acres. He also earned a great wealth of community esteem, was an active republican, and a liberal supporter of the church. He and his wife had ten children, nine of whom are still living: Nelson, of Perry Township; Alva; Clara B., wife of Frank Baker, of Detroit; Lanra M., wife of Har- vey Hartzler; Luella, wife of Robert Cooper, of Albion; Bessie, wife of Harry Pincheon, of Al- bion; Nona, wife of John Baker, of Ligonier; J. C., of Ligonier; and Homer, a farmer in Perry Township.

Alva Hite attended the district schools during his youth and learned all the principles of good farming during the lifetime of his father. At the age of twenty-four he married Cora Crockett. She died in July, 1897, mother of one child, Faye, who was born March 28, 1897, and is now a clerk in the Stansberry store at Ligonier. Mr. Hite married for his second wife Inez A. Milner. They have five children: Anna, attending high school, Dean, Dora,

HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA

Thomas and Robert, all of whom are living except Robert. The family are members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Hite is a republican in poli- tics. While he had as a start toward an independent career a capital of about two thousand dollars, he has earned and made all the rest of his prosperity. He owns the old homestead of 134 acres and also thirty-nine acres in LaGrange County. He is a stockholder in the Ligonier Elevator Company and was a member of the Township Advisory Board when the township graded school was built.

JASPER B. GERKIN is a representative of one of the old and substantial families of Washington Township in Noble County, and has spent practically all his life there. He owns a good farm and is a man of most substantial citizenship. His home is in section 4 of Washington Township, five miles southeast of Cromwell.

He was born in Sparta Township of the same county in November, 1853, a son of Harmon and Mary (Beamblossom) Gerkin. His father was a native of Germany and came to the United States when a young man, locating in Ohio, where he married, his wife being a native of that state. They then came to Noble County and spent the rest of their days in Sparta Township, living in different localities there. Harmon Gerkin was an active mem- ber of the Broadway Christian Church. After the death of his first wife he married again and had five children by that union. By his first marriage there were four children, and the three still living are: Sarah, wife of George Gunder, of Albion, Indiana; William, of Texas; and Jasper B.

Jasper B. Gerkin grew up on the home farm in Sparta Township, attended district school there, and since early manhood, a period of nearly fifty years, he has been closely identified with the farm- ing interests of that county. He is a general farmer and stock raiser, still giving active management to his farm of ninety acres.

Mr. Gerkin married Cecelia Knappe. She is a member of the old and prominent Knappe family of Washington Township and was born in Branchville, New Jersey, April 4, 1848, coming to Noble County with her parents in the spring of 1850. Mrs. Gerkin was well educated, and like her brothers taught school in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Gerkin had only one child, who died in infancy. They are prominent members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Gerkin is one of the trustees and his wife clerk of the church. He is a republican and is affiliated with Cromwell Lodge No. 408, Knights of Pythias.

CHARLES HAGERTY is the business partner and as- sociate of his brother Emmet B. Hagerty in the mercantile firm of Hagerty Brothers at Scott. Both brothers are veteran merchants, and Charles Hagerty in early · life had much practical experience as a farmer.

He was born at Scott in Van Buren Township June 28, 1858, a son of James and Amanda (Bond) Hagerty. He attended public school at Scott and in early manhood began farming in his native town- ship. In 1887 he bought the interest of Charles Munger, then associated with his brother Emmet, and has since been an active partner in the firm of Hagerty Brothers.

Mr. Hagerty married Clara L. Moak on January II, 1881. She is a daughter of Peter and Lovica (Satchel) Moak. Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty have a family of five children: Ethel, wife of Henry Ringler and mother of Oriel; Loa L., who was mar- ried to Fred Walton, and they have a daughter, Frances; Harold, who married Elizabeth Eash ;

Dewey; and Wreta. Harold enlisted December II, 1917, in Company Eighteen, Second Regiment, Air Service Mechanics, and left for overseas March 4, 1918. He saw service in France fourteen months, being discharged June 11, 1919. He was married after coming back from the war.

FERM BOWMAN. Of one of the most important institutions in the county, the Noble County In- firmary, Ferm Bowman is by virtue of appointment from the Board of County Commissioners superin- tendent. He is a young man of many qualifications for the office and his administration has already been productive of many of the results which his friends predicted.

Mr. Bowman was born in York Township of Noble County September 28, 1879, son of Ream and Alvira (Saltzgaber) Bowman. His father is still living in Fort Wayne. Mr. Bowman was only eight months old when his mother died, and he grew up at the home of his maternal grandfather in York Township. He had an education in the common schools and at the age of fourteen he left home and since then has been making his own way in the world, dependent entirely upon his own efforts.

In January, 1913, he married Nora Jones, of Wayne Township, daughter of Edward Jones of Rome City. They have three children: Bulah, Karl and Merton. Mr. Bowman is a republican in politics and was appointed superintendent of the County Infirmary on January 1, 1918. He took up his duties March Ist of the same year, and holds the office for a period of four years. For a num- ber of years before entering upon his present duties he farmed in Allen Township.

MINOR S. PERKINS is one of four brothers who are well known in the business, agricultural and civic life of LaGrange County. Minor S. has a well improved and valuable farm a mile west of Stroh.

He was born in Milford Township August 14, 1874, a son of Samuel and Emma (Mains) Per- kins. Some of the interesting particulars in this old and well known family are found on other pages. Minor Perkins grew up on the home farm, located a mile south of where he now lives, at- tended the district schools, and in 1903 married Etta Ringler. She was born in DeKalb County, In- diana, and was educated in the common schools. Since his marriage Mr. Perkins has lived on his present farm and has cultivated and improved it so as to win a livelihood and constantly increase its value. In 1911 he built a modern home, one of the best in the township.

Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have two children : Bertha, born in 1905, and Floyd, born in 1907. Mr. Perkins is affiliated with Philo Lodge of Masons and is a republican in politics.

Like his brothers he has been prospered in busi- ness affairs. He is a member of the firm Perkins Brothers, owners of the Stroh Grain Company at Stroh. Individually he owns a half section of land and is one of the directors of the Farmers State Bank at Stroh.

JOHN M. WEIMER, whose farm home is two miles north and one mile east of Avilla in Noble County, is an example of those straight thinking, upright and hard working Americans who begin life with no special advantages, without capital, and who by an unlimited expenditure of labor, thrift and intelli- gence win good homes and independence.

Mr. Weimer was born in Allen Township of Noble County, July 29, 1857, and has lived in that locality

Jasper B. Cushion Cecchia Serkin

HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA

practically sixty years. His parents were Adam and May (Hess) Weimer, both natives of Germany. They came with their respective families to the United States on the same vessel in 1848. Adam Weimer located at Toledo, where he worked at his trade, was also employed in the same line at Fort Wayne, and afterward married in Noble County, Indiana, and located on a farm near Avilla, where he spent his last years. He and his wife were mem- bers of the Lutheran church and he was a democrat. Of eight children six are still living: John M., Adam, Charles J. and Henry P., all farmers in Allen Township, Elizabeth, unmarried, and Paul, also in Allen Township.

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History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 27

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