History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 31

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 31
USA > Indiana > Noble County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 31
USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 31

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).

One of the early families to settle there was that of Kimball. Deacon Timothy Kimhall reached the Vermont settlement in 1836, and soon afterward built the first grist mill on the river just north of the settlement. The building of this mill proved a boon to the community, and was patronized by farmers for miles around. Deacon Kimball was also prominent in founding the First Presbyterian Church at Orland, and in many other ways lent a helpful hand. He married Abbie Baldwin, and they came with their seven children to Steuben County. They had left New York State in 1830, going to Detroit, and thence by wagon to Tekonsha in Calhoun County, Michigan. Deacon Timothy Kimball bought about 160 acres around Orland, and lived there the rest of his life. He was a local judge at one time. His children were: Augustus, William, Miles, Betsey, Julia, Abbie and Jerusha.

Miles B. Kimball was born at Whitehall, New York, August 29, 1826. He married Elizabeth Persis Birce on January 9, 1862. She was a native of Syracuse, New York. Miles B. Kimball attended the first public schools taught in Orland. In 1850 his spirit of enterprise impelled him to go to the California gold fields, and he stayed in the Far West until 1861. He was prospered in California, and after returning to the East he invested heavily in lands and bought and improved and sold a number of farms. He also conducted a hardware store at Orland, and at one time was owner of the flour mill known as the Greenfield Mill. He also did a large business in raising and dealing in sheep and cattle. He died September 1, 1895. He and his wife had four children: Martha B., who married James Canse, a member of the Eccles Wholesale Lumber Company of Ogden, Utah; Fred B .; Wil- liam, who was assistant law librarian and a member of the bar at Indianapolis at the time of his death; and Harry M., a resident and practising lawyer of Vicksburg, Michigan.

Fred B. Kimball was born at Orland, August 12, 1866, attended the public schools there, also Oberlin College at Oberlin, Ohio, and the Tri-State Normal College at Angola. He graduated in the commer- cial course at Angola. As a boy he had received some commercial training while helping his father in the hardware store. He engaged independently in business as a dealer in carriages and implements in Kansas City, and remained in that city for about twenty years. In 1904 he returned to Orland, bought a farm adjoining that town, where he has since lived, and has carried on extensive operations as a farmer, as a breeder of blooded Holstein dairy cattle and is, like his father, a stock dealer.

On June 14, 1905, Mr. Kimball married Mary A. Wilder, daughter of Charles H. and Jennie (Scott) Wilder. Mrs. Kimball is a graduate of the Orland High School, then taught two years in the Orland primary grade, after which she entered Hillsdale College in Michigan, and for two years after her course there was instructor in the Orland High School. In the fall of 1892 she went to California and became a teacher, and for ten years was con- nected with the high school at Tulare. In 1903 she accepted the post of librarian at Orland, being the first librarian. She is active in the Congregational Church and a member of the Eastern Star. Mr. and Mrs. Kimball have two children: Miles W.,

born June 3, 1906, and Charles Scott, born July 18, 1910.

SAMUEL STINE. Out of eighty odd years of his long and useful life Samuel Stine has spent more than sixty-five of them in LaGrange County, and the greater part of this time has been a resident on one farm in Lima Township. As a farmer he has achieved much success, represented in a large farm, and in every way has been substantially identified with the welfare and progress ot the community.

He was born September 19, 1836, son of Samuel and Catherine (Myers) Stine. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Maryland. The Stine family came to LaGrange County in 1852 and settled in Lima Township, on part of the land where Mr. Samuel Stine now lives. His father took up eighty acres in the midst of the woods, and the chief improvement was an old log house. He made better living arrangements by the addition of a wing to this house, and he lived there until his death six years later, February 10, 1860, at the age of fifty- eight years, eight months and twenty-five days. The widowed mother survived until July 5, 1877, dying at the age of seventy-two years, five months and two days. They had a family of eight children: Mary, wife of John Northway; Catherine, wife of Owen Holmes; Rebecca, wife of Hiram Mashon; Jane, wife of Abe Harding; Amanda, wife of Henry Wentworth; Jacob; Samuel; and Daniel, who died in infancy.

Samuel Stine was reared partly in Pennsylvania and partly in Ohio, and was sixteen years of age when he came to LaGrange County. Several years later he acquired forty acres of land in Clay Town- ship, and was busily engaged in its improvement and cultivation. About three years after his father's death he traded that land for 147 acres in Lima Township and still later he acquired the old home- stead. His possessions steadily grew for a number of years until he had 365 acres, improved with three complete sets of buildings. The house in which he now lives was erected in 1877. He has followed general farming and stockraising. Mr. Stine is a democrat. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church.

On February 4, 1874, he married Mary Jane Moul- ton. She was born in Ohio April 10, 1839, and died April 9, 1915, at the age of seventy-five. Mr. and Mrs. Stine had one daughter, Bertha Jane. She was born at the old farm on July 2, 1878, was educated in the public schools and on June 5, 1912, became the wife of Victor Camp. Mr. Camp, a widely known and prominent citizen of LaGrange Township, was born in Ohio in 1865, son of Jacob and Jane Camp, who came to LaGrange County and settled in Clay Township, where both of them spent their last years. Victor Camp attended public school in this county, also the LaGrange High School, and took a busi- ness course in Valparaiso. He was a teacher in La- Grange County for several years. In 1913 he was called from his farm to the duties of the office of county treasurer, and served one term. He has also been assessor of Clay Township and in other minor offices. Mr. Camp owns the old Camp homestead and is one of the directors of the elevator at Howe. Mr. and Mrs. Camp have one child, Stine J., born at LaGrange January 4, 1915.

Mr. and Mrs. Stine also reared two children, Eva McManus, a niece of Mrs. Stine, and Alton Went- worth, a nephew of Mr. Stine. Eva McManus is the deceased wife of Charles Eaton. Alta Went- worth is a machinist living at Mishawaka, Indiana.

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MORTON HANSELMAN, one of the men who have done most to promote and stimulate good farming in Steuben County, and owner of two valuable places in Otsego Township, is member of a family that has been identified with this part of northeast Indiana for several generations.

Mr. Hanselman was born on the old homestead in Otsego Township, a son of John Quincy and Margaret (Kankamp) Hanselman, and grandson of Aaron Hanselman, who brought his family to Steuben Township in pioneer times. Morton Han- selman grew up on the home farm and was well educated in the local schools. During his mature career he has acquired a good farm of eighty acres, which with valuable buildings constitutes a splendid place for general farming and stock raising. He also has another farm of 136 acres in Otsego Town- ship adjoining his home place, and with 216 acres in the aggregate he is able to direct his affairs somewhat leisurely, and spends much of his time on the farm.

August 29, 1900, he married Miss Etta Van Auken. She was born in Steuben Township November 10, 1874, a daughter of Horace M. and Elizabeth (McMillen) Van Auken, both natives of Ohio. Her father came to Steuben County when a young man with his parents, Jacob and Nancy (Straway) Van Anken, who were early settlers in Steuben Town- ship. Mrs. Hanselman's mother was the third white child born in Steuben County. Her parents had a family of eight children, three of whom died in infancy and the others were Ernest, Mary, Amy, Etta and Horace.

V. CLARE SIMON is the present trustee of Swan Township, Noble County, and his official position is only a sign and symbol of his general business and social standing in that community, where he has spent most of his life as a very successful and progressive farmer.

Mr. Simon was born at Goshen, Indiana, February 25, 1868, a son of Charles and Caroline (Perry) Simon. His family, especially on his mother's side, is identified with the earliest pioneer period of Noble County. Caroline Perry was born in section 36 of Swan Township when all that district was a wilder- ness. Charles Simon was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1838 and was ten years of age when his parents moved to Indiana and settled in Swan Township. V. Clare Simon was six weeks old when his grandmother brought him to Noble County. He was educated in the district schools and began farm- ing as soon as he reached his majority. On Febru- ary 25, 1895, he married Mary E. Jarrett. They then settled on their present place in Swan Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Simon have three living chil- dren. One son, Raymond P., is deceased. Ina is the wife of Don Brown; Walter is a high school stu- dent and Grace is also in the local high school. The family are members of the Lutheran Church and Mr. Simon was for twenty-two years on the church council.

Since early manhood he has always taken an in- terest in the republican party. He served as a mem- ber of the Advisory Board and was elected trustee of Swan Township in 1914. He entered upon his official duties in January, 1915, and his first term was of such constructive value and meant so much to the welfare of the local schools and other inter- ests entrusted to his charge he had the satisfaction of being returned to the office for another four year term on November 5, 1918. Mr. Simon looks after a good farm of 149 acres, is also a stock- holder in the Mutual Telephone Company, and is

agent for the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Noble County.

WILLIAM A. COCHRAN. While his interests first and last have been chiefly identified with the great business of farming and stock raising, William A. Cochran's influence has gradually spread from his farm to include many important affairs in Ligonier and elsewhere, and in every sense he has been one of Noble county's foremost citizens in progressive- ness and public spirit. He is owner of one of the noted farms of the county, known as the Maple Row Stock and Dairy Farm, comprising 290 acres lo- cated on the Haw Patch and White Pigeon road two miles northeast of Ligonier.

That farm is of the more interest to him because he was born there, Angust 9, 1857, son of Alfred and Cynthia (Hays) Cochran. His parents were both born in Perry County, Ohio, his mother being a daughter of John Hays. They were married in their native county, and soon afterward, in 1849, came to Indiana and located on the farm where their son now lives. Alfred Cochran at that time built a cabin and his industry gradually effected a number of improvements, some of which are in evidence today. He died on the old farm in 1883. He and his wife were active members of the Methodist Church and in politics he was a republi- can. Of their family of eight children four are still living: Mary E., widow of George W. Vedder ; Mahala, wife of A. J. Ramsbey; Melissa, widow of John Denney; and William A.

William A. Cochran grew up on the home farm and had a common school education, being a grad- uate of the district schools. On March 7, 1878, he married Luella Hays, daughter of William D. and Harriett E. (Smith) Hays. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of Indiana. Her father at one time owned about 500 acres near Ligonier. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran ever since their marriage have lived on the Maple Row Stock and Dairy Farm. Mr. Cochran altogether owns about 800 acres around Ligonier and vicinity, his property being in three different farms, and he has 260 acres in Oklahoma near one of the most productive oil belts. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers Co-operative Elevator at Ligonier, was one of the stockholders in the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Ligonier and is its vice president, and has been active in many community affairs. He gave much of his time to war auxiliary movements, serving as a member of the County Council of Defense, and was the first county chairman of the Y. M. C. A. in the state organization. He has served as town- ship chairman of Perry Township and is a republi- can. He and his family are members of the United Brethren Church at Ligonier, and he is one of the trustees and has been director of the choir of the church for the past forty years.

Mr. and Mrs. Cochran have three children. Edith, a graduate of the common schools, is the wife of C. R. Stage, of Perry Township. C. Deane, who attended school at Big Rapids, Michigan, married Eva Lance and lives at Ligonier. Florence Jessie is a graduate of the common schools, attended high school and is the wife of George Goshorn, living on the Maple Row Stock Farm with her father.

EMMET B. HAGERTY has spent his life in one of the best rural communities of LaGrange County, Van Buren Township, and for over thirty years he has served that community ably and well as a mer- chant. The firm Hagerty Brothers has been in busi- ness at Scott as general merchants since 1887.

Mr. Hagerty, who was born in Van Buren Town-

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ship July 3, 1862, represents a pioneer family in Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana. His grandfather, Patrick H. Hagerty, was a native of Ireland and brought his family to America in 1819. He lived for a time in New York and later at New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he spent the rest of his life. For many years he was a faithful employe of old Commodore Vanderbilt, founder of the great Vanderbilt fortunes. Patrick H. Hagerty by his first wife had four children, James, Michael, Mary and Sarah, and by a second marriage had a son, George.

James Hagerty, father of the Van Buren Town- ship merchant, was born in Donegal, Ireland, August I, 1816, and was three years old when brought to this country. He spent his boyhood days in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and when General Lafayette was on his last tour of America this boy had the honor of handing the great Frenchman a drink of water at New Brunswick. In 1834 he sought new opportunities in the new country of the middle west and settled in White Pigeon Township of St. Joseph County, Michigan. White Pigeon was then one of the principal towns in Southern Michigan. He ac- quired 160 acres of Government land, but after three years traded his land for a half interest in a grist mill at Scott, Indiana. He lived there the rest of his life, devoting much of his time to farming. For twelve years he was a justice of the peace. James Hagerty died in October, 1890. He married for his first wife Clarissa Munger, who died leaving one child, James E. For his second wife he married Amanda Bond, a native of Montour County, Penn- sylvania. She was the mother of Charles B., I. Adella, who married Chauncey Troyer and lives in Duluth, Minnesota; and Emmet B.

Emmet B. Hagerty attended the Scott schools in Van Buren Township, and had a thorough business training, at first for eight years in a general store at Scott. In 1884 he and Charles Munger bought the business, and in 1887 Munger sold his interest to Charles Hagerty, thus establishing the firm of Hagerty Brothers. The brothers rebuilt their store building in 1894, and conduct one of the best gen- eral merchandise establishments in the county. In 1902 the brothers also acquired the Junod farm in section 26 of Van Buren Township, and its manage- ment is another of their responsibilities. Emmet Hagerty is also vice president of the Farmers State Bank of Shipshewana and has been a director of that institution since it was organized. He is a char- ter member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Shipshe- wana, and he and his wife are active members of the Scott Methodist Church, which he serves as trus- tee and steward. Mr. Hagerty married Ida J. Walter January 1, 1892. She is a daughter of George and Catherine (Bickel) Walter.

SHERMAN C. BAKER. One of the oldest and best known families of Washington Township of Noble County is that of Baker, and one of its representa- tives is Sherman C., a progressive and successful farmer who has devoted the best part of his life to agriculture and has realized all the profits of experience and enterprise in that field.

He was born at Cromwell, Indiana, June 30, 1871, son of Jacob and Mary A. (Smith) Baker, both natives of Ohio. His mother came to Cromwell when she was a girl, grew up and married Jacob Baker, who owned a farm comprising a portion of the land on which the Village of Cromwell stands. Later he sold that property and bought 160 acres in Washington Township, where he continued the pursuit of agriculture until his death. His widow

is still living. Jacob Baker was quite prominent in local affairs, served three terms as trustee of Sparta Township, and was active in republican politics. Of seven children five are still living: George W., a farmer in Kosciusko County; Henry, of Denver, Colorado; Lewis, of Washington Township; Julia, wife of Rev. W. H. Budelmyre, of Indianapolis; and Sherman C.

Sherman C. Baker was about four years old when his parents came to Washington Township, and during his boyhood he attended the local schools and acquired a practical knowledge of the business which he has followed since early manhood. Mr. Baker owns a farm of sixty acres, devoted to gen- eral crops and livestock.

January 21, 1892, he married Lusina Burnheimer, who was born in Whitley County, Indiana, De- cember 1, 1869, daughter of Aaron and Julia (Welker) Burnheimer. Her father was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1842 and died in 1917. Her mother was born in 1847. Mrs. Baker spent her early girlhood in Whitley County, and was educated in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have two daughters: Bernice M., a high school graduate and wife of Leonard Van Vorest, of Kimmell; and Mildred I., who besides completing the high school course attended the Tri-State Normal at Angola and is now one of the successful teachers of the schools of Washington Township. Mr. Baker is a republican and is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Columbia City.

JESSE WARNER is one of the enviable citizens of Noble County, possessor of an ample farm, and has regulated his life and affairs in conformity with the best standards of citizenship.

The farm where he now lives was the scene of his birth on October 8, 1856. It is one of the oldest farms in one continuous ownership in Noble County. The Warner family in pioneer times moved West from New York State to Michigan, and later came to Indiana. They journeyed up the Maumee River on a boat which was urged against the sluggish current by poles, and after landing they made their way to Fort Wayne on horseback. They reached Fort Wayne in 1836, when there were only a few buildings in the city. The grandfather for a time worked in an old tavern at Fort Wayne and later moved to Noble County, locating near where Jesse Warner now lives. He built a little shack in the woods, and the grandparents spent the rest of their days in Swan Township.

Jesse Warner is a son of Corodon and Lydia (Simon) Warner. His father was a native of Genesee County, New York, and his mother of Ohio. His father spent all his life on the old farm in Noble County. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church and he was a republican. Of eight children only two are now living, Jesse and Losina. The latter is the wife of Dr. William Adair, of Idaho.

Jesse Warner grew up on the old farm, attended the common schools, and for thirty-five years or more has industriously cultivated and managed the land which was his father's before him. He has 130 acres in one body and strictly as a farmer he has provided liberally for all the needs of his family.

April 4, 1881, he married Sarah Gillet. They are the parents of the following children: Floyd, a graduate of the high school and of the Huntington Business College, formerly an employe of the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad and now at home; Odeyne, a graduate of Ferris Institute and a teacher; Jessie, a graduate of the Laotto High School and also a teacher; and Fern, who is a teacher. Mrs. Warner

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was also engaged in educational work before her marriage. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics Mr. Warner is a republican.

J. HOWARD MOORE. For over half a century J. Howard Moore has lived in Swan Township and Noble County, and his record throughout has been that of a trustworthy and efficient citizen, a good farmer, and a man whose life is open to inspection on every page.

He was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1853, son of Joseph P. and Mary (Bigger) Moore, the former a native of Washing- ton County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Beaver County in the same state. Joseph P. Moore was a highly educated man and a minister and teacher for many years. He graduated from old Washington College in Pennsylvania, taught in private schools and later founded the East Liberty Collegiate In- stitute, of which he was the head for about twenty- five years. He brought his family to Indiana in the spring of 1865 and settled in Swan Township of Noble County. The journey was made by wagons from Fort Wayne. Joseph P. Moore was an or- dained minister of the Presbyterian Church, and preached at Albion and Avilla among other charges in Northeast Indiana. He was a republican in poli- tics. Of their six children three are still living : Mary E., wife of Thomas Anderson; J. Howard; and William C., whose home is in Missouri.

J. Howard Moore was twelve years old when his parents came to Indiana, and besides a common school education he acquired much knowledge under the immediate direction of his father. On October 12, 1876, Mr. Moore married Osie May Mendenhall. She was born in Swan Township of Noble County and from the common schools entered the Method- ist College at Fort Wayne, where she took the lit- erary and musical course. Being gifted musically she taught that art for some years. Mr. and Mrs. Moore had three children. Lillian is a graduate of high school and the wife of Charles Hosler, liv- ing near Laotto. John P., also a graduate of the common schools, married Grace Bradley and has four children, Arthur R., born in 1905; Reuel and Ruth, twins, born October 25, 1910; and Leah May, born October 25, 1918. The youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Moore was Fiannai, or Fannie, who died aged twenty-one years. Mr. Moore lost his noble wife November 30, 1899.

Mr. Moore is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, is an active republican, and has served as party committeeman. For one term he was trustee of Swan Township, and gave a faithful administration of the affairs of that office. As a farmer he occupies the old home estate of his father, containing ninety- four acres, and through agriculture has made ample provision for his family and home.

CHARLES A. CAMPBELL. With the exception of seven years when he kept a lonely bachelor's cabin on the prairies of North Dakota, Charles A. Camp- bell has lived in Smithfield Township of DeKalb County all his life. He has been an industrious farmer, has made his work practical, and while look- ing after his own affairs he has not neglected the interests of the community. In every sense he has been a useful citizen. He was born on the farm that he now owns September 3, 1866, a son of John and Cornelia (Hemstreet) Campbell. These were pioneer families, the Hemstreets coming to DeKalb County in 1843 and the Campbells in 1847, both settling in Smithfield Township. John Campbell was born in Summit County, Ohio, November 14, 1835, and his Vol. II-8

wife in Huron County, that state, October 21, 1838. They were married in Smithfield Township in 1859, and then settled on the farm where their son Charles lives, and spent the rest of their days there. The father died March 2, 1904. John Campbell was a republican, but subsequently became affiliated with the democratic party. He served a term as trustee of Smithfield Township. He and his wife had four children : Jennie, wife of Carey Duncan, of Eastern Ohio; Sarah, wife of George Parnell, of North Carolina; Scott, of Montpelier, Ohio; and Charles A.

Charles A. Campbell grew up on the home farm and attended common schools. At the age of twenty-one he went west and homesteaded 160 acres in North Dakota, proving up on his claim and cul- tivating it for seven years. In 1895 he returned to DeKalb County and in 1898 married Sophia Schweitzer, who was born in Smithfield Township October 1, 1876, and had a common school educa- tion. Since their marriage, for over twenty years, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have occupied the old Camp- bell homestead, where he owns 102 acres devoted to general farming and stock raising. He is active in democratic politics, a member of the township ad- visory board, a member of the Ashley Co-operative Association and a stockholder in the Gleaner Clear- ance House. He and his wife are both members of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. During the World war Mr. Campbell served as township chairman for the Council of Defense and was active in all patriotic campaigns.

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History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 31

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