History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 32

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 32
USA > Indiana > Noble County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 32
USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 32
USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 32

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).

To his marriage were born six children: Josh J., Herman, Ruth, John, June and Helen. Herman and John are deceased. The others are all at home, and Josh and Ruth are graduates of the common schools.

C. P. BAKER, whose home is in section 21 of Sparta Township, Noble County, presents a good example of the man who has made a striking suc- cess from humble beginnings and against heavy odds. He was very young when his father died, was the only son in the family, and at a time when most boys are in school had to assume the burdens and heavy work of the farm. He started life after reaching his majority and after his marriage with very limited capital, and yet today he is one of the largest land owners, one of the most successful stock breeders, and one of the most liberal and public-spirited citizens in the county.

He was born in Champaign County, Ohio, August I, 1847, a son of Samuel and Nancy (Woods) Baker, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia. They were married in Ohio, and in 1850 settled in Turkey Creek Township of Kos- ciusko County, Indiana, where they spent the rest of their lives. The parents were zealous members of the Church of God. Samuel Baker was a re- publican in politics. They had six children, and all five of the daughters at one time or another taught school. The four children still living are: Anna, wife of Newton Rerrick, of Sparta Township; Josephine, wife of Milton Woods, of Kosciusko County ; Paulina, wife of Augusta Roach, of Burton Township; and C. P. Baker.

C. P. Baker was only three years old when his parents moved to Kosciusko County, and he re- ceived all his schooling in that locality. He was still a small boy when his father died, and he then took charge of the farm and lived there until he was about twenty-six years of age.

In February, 1872, he married Catherine Cole, of Noble County, Indiana. After their marriage they lived for a couple of years on the old farm, and then came to Noble County and bought sixty acres, which is included in the present extensive estate

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of Mr. Baker. He added other lands from time to time and now owns 310 acres, which of itself is a good indication of what he has done with his time and opportunities. Much of his success has come from his ability in raising and handling live- stock. He has always kept good horses, and has been an extensive breeder of Shorthorn cattle. His herd was headed by White Hall Sutton. He has also been a breeder of the big type Poland China hogs, his hogs being headed by Buster Wonderer.

Mr. Baker was the first president of the Sparta State Bank at Cromwell. He has taken an intelli- gent interest in local affairs, and was elected and served a term of six years as trustee of Sparta Township. He is a republican in politics.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker had three children, two of whom are still living, Gertrude and James Otis. Gertrude is a graduate of high school and had a commercial course and is now the wife of Robert Bouse. They live on a farm in Washington Town- ship, and their daughter is the wife of Roy Hontz. Mr. Hontz is train dispatcher at Garrett, Indiana. James Otis Baker is a graduate of high school and married Mattie Cramer. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one grandchild, Mabel Hontz.

PHILIP M. GAUSE. One of the prosperous farm- ers and well known men of Noble County, whose valuable farm of 200 acres in Swan Township repre- sents the toil and energies and savings of many years of his life, is Philip M. Gause, who was born in the township where he now lives, August 24, 1859.

His parents were John C. and Anna M. (Beard) Gause. His father was born in Wuertemberg, Ger- many, December 20, 1815. In 1841 he came to the United States, being then twenty-six years of age. From New York City he went West to Ohio, lived in that state two years, and in 1843 arrived as a pioncer in Noble County. Here he bought land, which could scarcely be said to be improved, in sec- tion 34 of Swan Township. He was a man of great enterprise, and handled large affairs outside of his farming. He took a contract to build a section of the plank road through this part of Indiana. He also had a contract for construction work on the Eel River, and that nearly proved disastrous, since he lost most of his capital. Later he had a contract for building some miles of the Lake Shore Railway. After a varied fortune in this line of work he finally devoted all his energies to the farm and lived on his land in Noble County until 1864, when he went to Allen County and took charge of the Judge Hanna farm of 1,040 acres. He used that extensive prop- erty for raising sheep, and was engaged in a suc- cessful business there for sixteen years. He then returned to Noble County and died here honored and respected and in advance age May 2, 1902. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and was very active in the democratic party. Of seven children three died in infancy. Of those living John C. is a resident of Missouri; Maggie is the wife of David Wert, of Quincy, Indiana; Katie is the widow of Joseph Peffer ; and Philip M. is the youngest.

Philip M. Gause grew up on a farm and had a common school education. He was at home with his parents to the age of twenty-one. After that for two years he found employment in Fort Wayne and also spent nine months in Michigan. Eventually he rented the old farm of his father and finally had progressed far enough to purchase the land out- right. He has continued its successful manager for many years. One specialty of the Gause farm is pure bred Duroc hogs.

October 24, 1884, Mr. Gause married Miss Mary J. Fogle. She was born in Allen County, Indiana,

August 14, 1861, and was reared and educated there. Seven children have been born to their marriage: Floyd, a graduate of high school, who also attended college, has been a successful banker, was first presi- dent and for three years has been cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and was also for a time an employe of the Fort Wayne postoffice; Anna is the wife of Clarence Freeman; Ora P. married Arthur Potter; John is a farmer at home; Trude is the wife of Merle Gump; Pearl is married and lives at home; George, the youngest of the family, wears the uniform and has seen service with the American Expeditionary Forces in France.

Mr. Gause has been a liberal supporter of church and allied causes. He is affiliated with Huntertown Lodge No. 689, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and has attained the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, in the Fort Wayne Consistory. Politically a democrat, he has aided his party and has been a live and public spirited factor in his own community.

CHARLES WELLER. "The Fairview Farm," which speaks for itself among the pleasant attributes of Swan Township, Noble County, is owned by Charles Weller in section I, comprising 120 acres. Mr. Weller is a very particular and careful agriculturist, and combines just the right amount of science with good practice, so that his ledger has always shown a comfortable balance on the credit side.

Mr. Weller was born in Butler Township, of De- Kalb County, Indiana, November 24, 1869, son of Philip and Elizabeth (Rakestraw) Weller. His parents were both natives of Ohio, his father of Clark County and his mother of Greene County. After their marriage in Ohio they moved to In- diana about 1860 and settled in DeKalb County, but in 1871 moved to section 1 of Swan Township in Noble County, and lived there the rest of their lives. They were members of the Methodist Prot- estant Church and in politics the father was a re- publican. Of eleven children six are still living : Martha, wife of Levi Treesh, of DeKalb County; Joseph, a farmer in DeKalb County; Oliver and Olive, twins, the former a resident of Ligonier, and the latter the wife of Henry L. Houser of DeKalb County; Emma, wife of David Heitz, of DeKalb County ; and Charles.

Charles Weller grew up on the old farm in Swan Township and had a district school education. Since the age of twenty-one he has been making his own way in the world. He married Ida L. Henry. She was born in Noble County, on the farm where she and her husband now reside. Her birth occurred July 12, 1870, and she received her education in the district schools. For three or four years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Weller lived in DeKalb County and then returned to Noble County and bought their present home. They have two chil- dren: Gertrude is a graduate of the Avilla High School and is the wife of Freeman Kelham, living in DeKalb County. Gladys is a graduate of the common schools and of the high school. Mr. and Mrs. Weller are members of the Methodist Prot- estant Church and he is one of the church trustees. He is a past master of Avilla Lodge No. 460, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons, and in politics is a republican.

HARVEY E. MUSSER has been a resident of DeKalb County since early infancy, and during his mature career of thirty years has been a member of the farming community of Franklin Township. He owns a farm of eighty acres in section 5 of that township.

Mr. Musser was born in Stark County, Ohio, Feb-

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ruary 23, 1863, a son of William and Catherine (Yutzler) Musser. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania. The mother was born in Switzerland and was fourteen years of age when she came with her parents to the United States. She grew up in Ohio and was married in Stark County. In 1865 the Musser family came to DeKalb County, Indiana, Harvey E. being then about two years old.

He was the oldest of seven children, and as a boy he attended the common school and acquired an education sufficient for his needs. He. is a member of Hamilton Lodge of Masons, also belongs to the Hamilton Grange and in politics is a democrat. He and his wife are members of the Eastern Star.

December 29, 1883, he married Ida Hamman. They have five children: Effie, wife of Ozro Richey; Sherman, who lives in DeKalb County, near Hamil- ton; Ethel, wife of Leroy Hodges; Edna, wife of Err Lemon; and Floyd, who married Laura Kauff- man.

Mrs. Musser is a daughter of Adam and Rebecca (Curry) Hamman. Her father was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 12, 1838, and her mother in Co- lumbiana County, that state, in March 1842. In the Hamman family were eleven children, and those liv- ing today are: Ida; Lydia, wife of Benjamin Dun- can; Jesse, of Williams County, Ohio; Cora, wife of John Rohrbaugh; Rebecca, wife of William May; and Miles, of Pleasant Lake Indiana. The Ham- man family settled in DeKalb County in 1854. Mrs. Musser was reared in Franklin Township and at- tended the public schools there.

ELBRIDGE E. BUTLER has spent nearly all his active years as a farmer in Salem Township of Steuben County. He was born there, grandson of one of the earliest settlers, and his own life has been in keeping with the high standards of industrious and good citizenship set by the earlier representatives of the name.

Mr. Butler was born in Salem Township Septem- ber 16, 1865. His grandfather was Jesse Butler, representing an old Vermont family. In June, 1838, Jesse and his brothers Loren and Daniel with their families started for Steuben County, Indiana. There were of course no railroads, and they made the journey by the feasible routes then in existence. They first proceeded to Albany, New York, crossed New York State on the Erie Canal, from Buffalo went by lake boat to Toledo, and near Toledo bought the teams and wagons which brought them to Salem Township in Steuben County. The three brothers bought 500 acres in sections 5 and 8, and they not only improved their lands from the wilderness into good farms, but were men of promi- nence in every way. The children of Jesse Butler were Seymour, Mary Jane, who became the wife of Newton Bodlie, Parthena and James W.

James W. Butler, father of Elbridge E., was born in Salem Township April 25, 1843, and died May 13, 1895. He married Elnora Wright. She was also a native of Salem Township, daughter of Elbridge and Martha (Cochran) Wright. Elbridge Wright was one of the early farmers of Salem Township. His children were Elnora, Henry, Cyrus, Monroe and Marion, twins, Elsie, who became the wife of Frank Gettings, and Dora, who married John Tritch.

James W. Butler received a public school educa- tion in Salem Township, also attended the academy at Orland, and from early manhood devoted himself to farming in his native township. He owned the 160-acre homestead of his father and lived there until his death. But besides looking closely aiter

the management of this farm he became noted as probably the most successful stock buyer in this part of Indiana. His wife died May 27, 1885, the mother of four children: Elbridge E .; May, who became the wife of Benjamin Hayward; Cora, who died at the age of thirteen; and Lura, wife of Edward Bussell.

Elbridge E. Butler attended the Butler School in Salem Township, and with the exception of two years when he was managing a livery business at Kendallville has devoted his energies to farming in his native township. In 1900 he bought his present farm in sections 4 and 9, and has 160 acres well fitted for staple crops and livestock. He is a breeder of Jersey cattle and as a farmer knows his business thoroughly. .

October 2, 1880, Mr. Butler married Elizabeth Emerson, a native of Salem Township and daughter of Avery and Elizabeth (Parsell) Emerson. The Emersons are a well known Steuben County family. Mrs. Butler is a sister of Fred Emerson of Angola. To their marriage were born four children: Monroe, who married Irene DeLong and has two children, Ruth and Jean; George Clifford who married Margaret Emerson ; James A., who died in child- hood; and John Elbridge. Mr. and Mrs. Butler also took into their home Cora Barkley at the age of seven years, and she has lived with them for the past fifteen years. Mr. Butler is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

JAMES T. IDEN. One of the farms longest occu- pied in Sparta Township is that of James T. Iden in section 25. Mr. Iden and wife have lived in that locality of Noble County nearly forty years, have cultivated innumerable crops, and have seen their efforts grow and prosper under their hand. In every sense of the word they are substantial citizens, good neighbors and upholders of the best com- munity spirit.

Mr. Iden was born in Licking County, Ohio, Sep- tember 4, 1854, a son of Samuel and Julia A. (Hull) Iden, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Ohio, and after some years of residence in Licking County moved to Noble County, Indiana, in 1864, settling near Indian Village in Sparta Township. The parents spent the rest of their days there, and Samuel Iden had a farm of 120 acres. He was a very active member of the Baptist Church and in politics a democrat. There were five children, and the three now living are: James T .; Alpheus J., a resident of LaMesa, California; and Sarah E., unmarried.

James T. Iden was ten years old when he came to Noble County. He had attended school back in Ohio and finished his education in the district schools of this county. After reaching the age of twenty-one he worked out by the month, and on April 17, 1881, married Anna S. Schlabach. She was born in Stark County, Ohio, November 9, 1859, and was only an infant when her parents came to Noble County. She was educated in this county in the common schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Iden located on the farm where they have lived ever since. They have 100 acres of land devoted to general farming and stock raising. Mr. Iden is a democrat in politics. He and his wife have no children.

William M. Schlabach, father of Mrs. Iden, was born in Pennsylvania. He went from that state to Ohio and married there Sarah Braucher. For many years they were farmers in Ohio, but in the spring of 1860 came to Noble County, Indiana, and located in Sparta Township, where they spent the

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rest of their lives and became well known and highly respected people of that community. Mrs. Iden's mother died in July, 1880, and her father passed away February 2, 1909. There were eight children in the Schlabach family, seven of whom are still living: Clara A., wife of Yangulph Werker; John R., who lives near Cromwell; Anna, Mrs. Iden; William O., of South Bend; Mary E., wife of J. W. Smith, of Ligonier; M. Schlabach, of Fort Wayne; Charles L., of Cromwell; and Ida E., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Schlabach were mem- bers of the Christian Church.

MRS. MARY E. THOMPSON, widow of the late Elza J. Thompson, is a member of the well-known Pan- cake family of Noble County, and is daughter of the late John Pancake, one of the most prominent citi- zens of this section of Indiana. He first settled in Elkhart Township of Noble County.

The late Elza J. Thompson was born three miles north of Albion in 1851, was educated in the dis- trict school and taught school, and on January 14, 1886, married Mary E. Pancake. Mr. Thompson died fourteen years later.

Mrs. Thompson has two children: Jennie E., born August 3, 1888, still living with her mother, and Forest P., who was born November 26, 1891. Mrs. Thompson has eighty acres in her home farm, 160 acres in Elkhart Township, and she owns her father's old home of 160 acres. She is a depositor in the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company at Ligonier and a stockholder in the Topeka Bank.

WILLIAM O. SHAMBAUGH has been an active man of affairs in Noble County for over forty years, and the greater part of this time has been devoted to the cultivation of his farm in Green Township. He owns one of the best homes and homesteads in that locality, and aside from his position as a successful farmer always carried much weight in public af- fairs.

Mr. Shambaugh was born in Ashland County, Ohio, January 18, 1855, son of Henry and Margaret (McKinley) Shambaugh, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. His father went to Ohio when a boy, grew up and married there, and two years after his marriage moved to Wisconsin, where he bought a farm. When the Civil war came on he went into the ranks as a sol- dier and served faithfully and bravely until the close of hostilities. Having sold his property in Wisconsin he returned with his family to Ohio, and bought the old homestead in Ashland County. In 1874 he moved to Noble County, Indiana, and lived the rest of his life in Green Township. He was a democrat in politics. Of four children born to the parents three are still living: William O .; Nancy, wife of Isaac Shambaugh, of Green Township; and Clara, wife of Lewis Sommers, of Green Township.

William O. Shambaugh grew up on his father's farm in Ohio, had a common school education, and was a member of the home circle until the age of twenty-one. On September 14, 1876, he married Miss Fannie E. Arthur. She was born near Green Center in Noble County, February 14, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Shambaugh have two children: Cora is a graduate of the common schools and the wife of Curtis Bonar now on Mr. Shambaugh's home farm; Franklin is a graduate of the common schools, lives in Green Township and married Della McCoy.

years at Kendallville. Mr. Shambaugh is one of the trustees of the parsonage of the United Brethren Church at Green Center, where he and his family worship. He has a record of efficient service as a trustee of Green Township, an office he held from 1900 to 1904.

CHARLES H. HOVERSTOCK, who is proprietor of the Hoverstock Garage at Topeka, has come into the automobile business by a natural process of evolu- tion, having in early life been connected with the manufacture of bicycles, and when that vehicle was largely superseded by the automobile he became agent for one of the pioneer cars of America, and for over fourteen years has sold the famous Buick.

He was born in Eden Township of LaGrange County November 18, 1875, son of James and L. (Parks) Hoverstock. His father was born in La- Grange County April 28, 1850, a son of William and Margaret Hoverstock, who came to this state from Ohio and settled near Topeka on a farm lying partly in Eden and partly in Clear Spring Township. James Hoverstock, who died April 15, 1913, was a promi- nent and wealthy business man, owning a livery establishment which he operated for many years, until he retired. He and his wife were active mem- bers of the Methodist Church and he was a repub- lican.

Charles H. Hoverstock, only son of his parents, grew up on a farm and received most of his educa- tion in the schools of Ligonier. For several years he was a foreman in a bicycle factory and in an as- sembly department at New Castle and Hartford City, Indiana. Fourteen years ago he took the local agency for the Buick automobile, and handles in ad- dition the Chevrolet car. He built his present com- modious garage in 1914. Mr. Hoverstock is a stock- holder in both banks in Topeka.

In 1897 he married Alice Lantz, daughter of Ezra and Susanna (Yoder) Lantz. They have three chil- dren: Kenneth W., associated with his father in business ; Caistro H., a student in high school; and Alice L., who is twelve years old and a student in the common schools. Mrs. Hoverstock is a member of the Baptist Church. He is a republican and is affiliated wth the Modern Woodmen of Amerca.

ALBERT L. ADDIS. One of the most interesting citizens of Noble County is Albert L. Addis, who owns the Arrowdale Stock Farm in section 14 of Noble Township. Mr. Addis is not only a capable farmer and an equally capable citizen, but is a man of scholarly tastes and pursuits and is probably the highest local authority on all subjects pertaining to archeology in Noble County. Much of his work has received official recognition from the foremost scholars and from the Government at Washington.

Mr. Addis was born on the farm where he now resides March 6, 1878, son of Milton and Mary (Kneener) Addis. His father was born in Monroe County, Ohio, May 2, 1838, a son of John Addis, who brought his family to Noble County in early days and spent the rest of his life here. Milton Addis was a young man when he came to the county, was married here, his wife coming from Darke County, Ohio, and he then bought the 115 acres where his son is now living. He was a soldier in the Civil war, and while in the army lost his hearing.

Albert L. Addis was the only child of his parents, both of whom are now deceased. All his life has been spent on the home farm. He acquired a com- mon school education, and has made use of oppor- tunity since leaving school to extend his studies and investigations in various channels, particularly

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shambaugh began farming in Green Township, and they now own a well cultivated and improved farm of 120 acres. Mr. Shambaugh also has property at Churn- busco. He and his wife and family lived for two 'in tracing and investigating the remains of

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aboriginal inhabitants in this section of Indiana. After the death of his father he took charge of the home farm, and on April 14, 1897, he married Mary M. Huff. She was born in Greene Township of Noble County January 27, 1881, daughter of Christ and Nancy J. Simmons Huff. Her father was born in Swan Township of Noble County June 18, 1843, and her mother in Darke County, Ohio, September 7, 1855. Mrs. Addis was reared in Greene Township. They have four children: Edna, Artie and Lawrence, who have all finished the work of the common schools, and Mabel, who is now in the seventh grade. Mrs. Addis is a member of the Baptist Church at Wolf Lake, and has been affiliated with that organization since 1907. Mr. Addis is a democrat.

It was about 1899 that Mr. Addis formally under- took the collection of specimens that would serve as a systematic evidence of the early occupation of aboriginal tribes in his section of Indiana. Later he sold this collection to a museum of American Indians in New York City. He was paid $3,000 for his collection in 1915. At the present time Mr. Addis is busily engaged in acquiring another col- lection. He also contributed for Noble County the account of aboriginal remains published by the Bureau of Ethnology.

EDMON F. SMITH. One of the excellent farmers and cattle feeders of Steuben Township, Steuben County, is Edmon F. Smith, owner of 120 acres of as good land as can be found in this part of the state. He was born on his present farm in section 29, Steuben Township, November 7. 1860, a son of Amos Smith and grandson of Michael Smith, a na- tive of Pennsylvania, who became one of the pio- neers of Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana. A few years after locating in that town- ship he came to Steuben Township, where he lived the remainder of his life. He married Elizabeth Fox, and they had the following children: Jacob, Amos, Emeline, who married John Fish, and Ada- line, who married Frank Slayball.

Amos Smith was born in Lancaster County, Penn- sylvania, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Wolfgang, was born in Pennsylvania, she being a daughter of Samuel Wolfgang. Coming to Steuben Township with his father, Amos Smith became the owner of 200 acres of land in Steuben Township, a portion of which is now owned by his son E. F. Smith. He and his wife had the follow- ing children: Sarah, who married Charles E. Shu- man; Edmon F., whose name heads this review ; and Della, who married Henry Mountz. Amos Smith became well known in his community as a man of sterling character and unquestioned integrity, and his verbal promise was considered as good as an- other man's bond.

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History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 32

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