USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Noble County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 42
USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 42
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Engineers and is affiliated with Garrett City Lodge No. 537, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Garrett Chapter No. 129, Royal Arch Masons, Apollo Com- mandery No. 19, Knights Templar, and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. He is a republican in politics.
TIMOTHY H. DIRRIM, a resident of Hamilton, where he is practically retired, has enjoyed a life of unusual effort and experience. He has been a farmer, merchant, hotel proprietor, and when well past middle life he went to the Northwest and took up a homestead claim and developed it.
Mr. Dirrim, who represents one of the old and prominent families of DeKalb County, was born in Franklin Township of that county, May 23, 1857. His grandparents were Richard and Hannah (Wyckoff) Dirrim, the former a native of Dela- ware. Richard Dirrim died in 1875, at the age of ninety years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. At the time of his death his descendants numbered 142. Richard Dirrim moved to Wayne County, Ohio, in 188333 His children were Zachariah, Han- nah, James, Isaac, William H. and Eleanor.
William H. Dirrim, father of Timothy, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, July 8, 1820, and grew up in Ohio. September 12, 1839, he married Christiana Haughey, who was born in Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling, Virginia, in 1820, daughter of Robert and Hannah (Wyckoff) Haughey. William H. Dirrim was educated in Ohio and in 1844 came to DeKalb County, Indiana, and the following fall settled on 160 acres of wild land in section II of Franklin Township. The land was covered with heavy timber and the first winter he lived in a rude house without glass in the windows and with the openings covered with muslin cloth. The door was pinned and bolted together without the use of a single nail. His wife at that time spun all the wool for the clothing, and William H. Dirrim made the shoes for the family. For a term or two he and his wife both taught school in the neighborhood. The first wheat crop he raised brought him only 48 cents a bushel at Fort Wayne. It had to be hauled to Fort Wayne and in the absence of a team and wagon he paid one shilling a bushel for that service. Gradually the area of clearing grew until he had 100 acres under cultivation and had a good residence and other farm buildings. He served as assessor of Franklin Township two terms, was also township trustee, and he was a very prominent Methodist. For twenty years he served as district steward of the Methodist Church and had the ministry of the District Conference covering a period of fifty years. He and his wife had nine children : Hannah J .; Robert R .; William Samuel; Mary E., who died at the age of eight years; Mary Elizabeth; Christiana; Francis A., who died at the age of four years; Caroline, and Timothy.
Timothy H. Dirrim acquired his education in the public schools of Franklin Township and one term at Butler, Indiana, and one term at Hamilton. As a young man he farmed with his father on the shares, and in the spring of 1888 he moved to Hamilton and for about four years was clerk in a drug store. In 1892 he bought a furniture and undertaking business at Hamilton, and was one of the successful merchants of that place until he sold out in 1904. He then built the Fish Lake Hotel and was its landlord for five years. The hotel property he traded for a farm of eiglity acres in Otsego Township, and has since sold thirteen acres and owns the rest. In December, 1913, Mr. Dirrim went to Montana and filed on a homestead in Blaine County and spent four summers improving it.
Mr. Dirrim served as a notary public for sixteen years. He is a member of the Church of Christ.
In 1895 he married Miss Lulu Garver, daughter of Isaac and Emeline (Cummings) Garver. Her father was a farmer in Defiance County, Ohio, served as justice of the peace there for twenty-eight years, and during that time married over 200 couples. He was also a commissioner of Defiance County one term. The children of Isaac Garver were: Adella, Dora, Lula and Owen. Mr. and Mrs. Dirrini have two adopted children, Pauline and Harry.
JASPER N. SIGLER is one of the oldest residents of Milford Township, where after his marriage he began with a place of forty acres, and has prospered until he now owns a farm of 180 acres in section 7.
He was born in Wood County, Ohio, May II, 1842, a son of Jacob and Mary (Clark) Sigler. His father was born in Allegheny County, Penn- sylvania, February 19, 1813, and spent his early life in Ohio, where he was active in democratic politics and served as a township trustee. February 20, 1834, he married Mary Clark, who was of Irish descent and was born at Baltimore, Maryland, March 7, 1808. They came to Milford Township June 2, 1853, and spent the rest of their lives in that locality. Jacob Sigler was a Baptist and was a member of Lodge No. 380 of the Masonic Order. He and his wife had seven children, one of whom died in early childhood while the two living are David of Milford Township, and Jasper N.
Jasper N. Sigler was eleven years old when he came to LaGrange County and grew up on the farm where he lives today. He attended the com- mon schools, and remained at home until twenty- one years of age. He spent two years in California, and upon his return to LaGrange married Mary Fields on January 15, 1874. She was born in Lima Township of LaGrange County October 4, 1853, and had a common school education. Since their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Sigler have lived on their pres- ent farm. Their two children are Ulilla C. and Charles J. The daughter was born March 15, 1878, graduated at the age of eighteen from high school and taught two terms before her marriage to John Carry of Johnson Township. Charles, who was born March 28, 1884, married Sadie North and lives in Milford Township. Mr. and Mrs. Sigler have ten grandchildren, five boy's and five girls. The family are members of the Evangelical Church at Woodruff and the son is a trustee of the church. Mr. Sigler is a democrat in politics.
SAMUEL J. MILLER has had a substantial part in the affairs of Clear Spring Township, LaGrange County, for many years. He owns a valuable farm there and has frequently been honored with posi- tions of trust and responsibility by his fellow citi- zens.
Mr. Miller, whose home is four and a half miles southwest of LaGrange, was born in Newbury Township of the same county, November 15. 1863, a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Zook) Miller. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania. Jonathan Miller was brought to Indiana by his parents in 1836. The family were among the first settlers in Newbury Township. However, they soon left and returned to Pennsylvania. Jonathan Mil- ler married about 1858 and came west and settled in LaGrange County, and in 1871 answered another call or desire to visit Pennsylvania, and for seven years also was a resident of Kansas. He spent his last days in Pennsylvania. He and his wife were members of the Mennonite Church. In their family were three children: Samuel J., Levi D., a farmer
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of Elkhart County; and Daniel S., who remains in Pennsylvania.
Samuel J. Miller, though a native of LaGrange County, spent most of his boyhood in Pennsyl- vania. He afterward went to Kansas, in the pioneer days of that state, entered a quarter section home- stead in Pratt County, and remained on it until he got title to the land. He was unmarried at that time. From Kansas he came back to LaGrange County, and here he married Ida A. Bickle. They have two children: Carrie, a graduate of the com- mon schools, is the wife of Gale Anderson and lives in LaGrange County; and Ewart S., who re- ceived the degree Ph. G. from Angola College and is a prescription clerk at Goshen.
The family are members of the Lutheran Church at La Grange. Mr. Miller is active in the Knights of Pythias, and has served as master and member of the Grand Lodge. Politically he is a repub- lican. He has served as road supervisor in Bloom- field Township, and from March, 1914, to March, 1919, was superintendent of the Rogers Orphans' Home. Mr. Miller owns a fine farm of 185 acres. His wife is a member of the Pythian Sisters at Howe, Indiana.
JOHN J. COLE, a retired attorney living at Kendall- ville, is a man of wide and diversified experience in the law and in public affairs, and represents a notable family of brothers. He has nine brothers who are steadfast and sturdy republicans, and one of them, R. Clint Cole, is the present nominee for congress- man from the Eighth Ohio District.
John J. Cole was born near Findlay, Ohio, April 22, 1863, son of John W. and Sarah (McCree) Cole. His father was born near Ashland, Ohio, January 2, 1832, was educated in the common schools, grew up on a farm, and moved to Hancock County, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his life as a farmer. He developed a high class farm of 160 acres and lived there until his death in 1906. He was a member of the Methodist Church and in politics a republican, his sons taking after him in that respect. He served as township trustee and as a member of the school board. John W. Cole married Sarah McCree, a native of Aberdeen, Scotland. She was brought to the United States by an uncle at the age of nine years and lived at Aslıland until her marriage. She died in 1879. This couple became the parents of seventeen children, eleven sons and six daughters. Sixteen of them reached mature years and thirteen are still living. One other son, Hon. Ralph D. Cole, is a former congressman representing the Eighth District of Ohio, and is now serving with the rank of major in the One Hundred and Twelfth Military Police in France.
John J. Cole grew up on his father's farm near Findlay, attended district schools, and acquired much of his education through his own efforts. He read law while teaching, and in 1892 graduated LL. B. from the law department of the Ohio State Uni- versity. After that he taught another year and began practice at Cary, Ohio, transferring his offices to Findlay, and building up a splendid practice in Han- cock County. In the spring of 1911 he went to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and for two years served as deputy United States marshal of that territory. In 1913, returning east, he located at Kendallville, Indiana, and has since been busied with his private affairs. He is a republican, and is affiliated with Findlay Lodge No. 75, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
In December, 1893, Mr. Cole married Olive B. Tussing. She was born in Hancock County, Ohio, and was educated in the district and city schools.
They have one son, Richard R., born in April, 1903, now attending the Kendallville High School.
JONATHAN E. TAYLOR is classified as a retired farmer at Fremont, is still in middle age, and has made splendid use of his time and opportunities. He is one of the largest land owners in Steuben County, and has gained his prosperity almost en- tirely through the avenue of agriculture, showing that men with good judgment and industry do acquire wealth in that field.
He was born in York Township of Steuben Coun- ty, July 23, 1866. His grandparents were Jonathan and Anna (Smith) Taylor. Jonathan Taylor, the grandfather, was born in New York State and was an early settler in Northern Ohio .near Cleveland. It is said that he owned the first horse team ever in Dover Township, Cuyahoga County. Jonathan Taylor, by his first marriage, had the following children: Julia, Rebecca G., Enos S., Linus S. and Stirata.
Linus Taylor was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, February 17, 1830. He married Catherine Kellog, who was born April 19, 1833, a daughter of Hiram and Emeline (Fisk) Kellog. Linus Taylor was reared in Ohio and in 1852 went with a party of 100 men overland to California in search of gold. On the way he was left in Salt Lake City to die of Mountain Fever, but recovered, went on, and in California became one of the owners of the old Empire Claim. Later he sold out and returned east in 1855, being shipwrecked off the Isthmus of Pana- ma. After these experiences he settled in York Township of Steuben County, and was one of the leading citizens of that locality for many years. Late in life his mind became impaired, and he died in an asylum, May 9, 1909. He was the father of three children: Gibbs, who died in infancy; John H., born in 1858; and Jonathan E., born July 23, 1866.
Jonathan E. Taylor attended public schools in York Township and also the Tri-State Normal, be- ing a student in the second term of that institution's existence. He attended college about three years. He left school with a debt of $40, and he worked several months at wages of 75 cents a day to pay off that indebtedness. He also helped run the old homestead farm, and gradually he became an inde- pendent farmer and continued to make his home in York Township until 1903, since which year he has lived in Fremont. Mr. Taylor and family occupy one of the most beautiful modern homes in that little city. He now gives his time to looking after his farms, which comprise 900 acres in Steuben County and 500 acres in Michigan. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Masonic Order.
July 22, 1888, he married Lovina A. Wicoff. She was born May 23, 1870, a daughter of William and Armelia (Eldredge) Wicoff. William Wicoff was born July 25, 1830, a son of John and Margaret (Cassel) Wicoff. Armelia Eldredge, mother of Mrs. Taylor, was a daughter of Martin and Agnes Eldredge. William Wicoff and wife had three chil- dren : Willis M., born April 1, 1857; Peter B., born January 9, 1859; and Lovina A.
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were the parents of four children, the two oldest, Frank M. and Rush L., dying in early childhood. The two living daughters are Alice A. and Catherine.
NOAH J. YODER. For many years the name of Noah J. Yoder has been substantially identified with the interests of LaGrange County as a farmer, stockman, member and official of churches, and a leader in every worthy movement.
Mr. Yoder, whose fine farm home is in section
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4 of Eden Township, was born in Newbury Town- ship of the same county November 4, 1862, a son of Joseph C. and Susanna Yoder. The Yoder family is a prominent one and represents people of high standing in Northern Indiana. His first American ancestor was Christian Yoder, who was born in Switzerland in February, 1728, and came to the American colonies in 1744. The grandfather of Noah J. Yoder was Christian C., who was born December 13, 1790, and died November 17, 1867. His first wife was born July 24, 1789, and died No- vember 8, 1832, while his second wife was born Jannary 3, 1800, and died December 10, 1879.
There were six sons of Christian C. Yoder who came to Indiana, Joseph C., Jacob, Tobias, Felta, John and Herman. All settled in LaGrange County except Jacob, who founded the family in Elkhart County. All bought land, developed farms and be- came heads of prosperous families.
Joseph C. Yoder, father of Noah J., was born November 20, 1819, and in 1861 married Susanna Yoder. She died September 4, 1863, leaving one son, Noah J., then ten months old. The latter at- tended the district schools and at the age of seven- teen took up the task of making his own way in the world. He was a farm laborer six years. He spent four years in Wayne County, Ohio. Mr. Yoder married Fannie L. King who was born in Champaign County, Ohio, October 2, 1865, a daugh- ter of Christian C. and Lydia (Kauffman) King. Her parents were natives of Mifflin County, Penn- sylvania, and after their marriage in Logan County, Ohio, settled in Champaign County. Mrs. Yoder at the age of six years was left an orphan, and she lived with her guardian, Jacob K. Yoder, to the age of eighteen. She then spent three years in Cass County, Missouri, came to LaGrange County, Indiana, returned to Ohio, and was married to Mr. Yoder on February 5, 1891. Since that date Mr. and Mrs. Yoder have been in LaGrange Town- ship.
He owns 170 acres in Eden Township and sixty and three-quarters acres in Newbury Township, and carries on diversified farming, making a spe- cialty of Duroc hogs. Mr. Yoder has been prom- inent in the Mennonite Church and served as trustee for eight years. He has also been a school director and is a republican in politics.
He and his wife had four children: Alma F. is the wife of John Roth and lives in Tazewell County, Illinois. The three younger children, all at home, are Carrie B., Elmer D. and Ora C. All the chil- dren are graduates of the common schools.
WILLIAM H. HUTCHINS was born and grew up in Scott Township of Steuben County, and for the past quarter of a century has owned and lived on one of the best farms in that township. His affairs have been prospered and he is a man both of sub- stance and of influence in his locality.
He was born in Scott Township July 14, 1864, son of Nelsen and Phoebe (Jones) Hutchins. His father, who came to Steuben County in early man- hood, was born in Genesee County, New York, April 16, 1818, a son of Ezra and Mahala Hutchins, the former a native of Massachusetts. Ezra Hutch- ins and wife also came to Steuben County about two years after their son, and they both died in Scott Township. Mahala died in 1857. Ezra was born May 22, 1792, and died in 1882, at the age of ninety years. Nelson Hutchins married December 1, 1850,- Phoebe Jones, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, January 2, 1827. They were the parents of four children: Alice E., born December 2, 1852; Ella, born January 29, 1860; William H., born July 14, 1864; and Carry A., born September 24, 1865.
Nelsen Hutchins for many years filled the office of justice of the peace. He was a republican and his wife a Methodist. On coming to Steuben County he acquired eighty acres of land in Scott Township that had been entered direct from the Government by Isamon Brown. He cleared and improved that land and in the course of time had a farm of 200 acres. He lived there in prosperity and comfort and died October 20, 1896, while his wife passed away in 1903.
William H. Hutchins grew up on his father's farm, and lived there to the age of thirty. He had a public school education and early acquired habits of industry that have been very useful to him in sub- sequent life. On May 15, 1904, he moved to his present farm in Scott Township, comprising 190 acres. All the buildings and other improvements on the farm were erected under his ownership. He has always made it a policy and rule to combine stock raising with the staple crops. Mr. Hutchins cast his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harri- son and has been a steadfast republican. He is affiliated with and is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Fremont.
March 27, 1894, he married Miss Lorinda E. Wycoff. She was born in Williams County, Ohio, May 30, 1865, danghter of Peter B. and Jane (Hathaway) Wycoff. Her father was born in Holmes County, Ohio, March 12, 1837, and her mother in Morrow County, Ohio, on November 13, 1840, daughter of Richard Hathaway. Richard Hathaway was a pioneer of Williams County, set- tling near Columbia in 1853. Peter B. Wycoff was a son of John and Margaret Wycoff, who settled in Williams County in 1844. In 1869 Peter Wycoff took his family to Missouri, two years later moved down to Kansas, but after some experience in the Sun- flower State returned to Indiana and settled in York Township. Peter Wycoff was widely known in Steuben County, where he died May 7, 1907. His widow is still living in Fremont. In the family were eight children, Lorinda E., Zoa E., of Fre- mont, a teacher; Charles B., of York Township; Sarah J .; John R., deceased; Harry, of Alberta, Canada; Archie B., deceased; and James, of Clear Lake Township, Steuben County.
Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins have three children: Ruth L., born May 3, 1898, died at the age of four months; Nelson Bruce, born March 19, 1905, now in the eighth grade of the public schools; and William Judson, born March 3, 1908.
SAMUEL S. LANTZ began his career as a farm hand when fifteen years old, and has found his way to prosperity over the route of hard work and com- plete personal integrity. He and his wife are now owners of two-thirds of the stock and the business of the J. J. Yoder Hardware Store at Topeka. J. J. Yoder was one of the oldest hardware merchants of that village, and established the first store of the kind, continuing in business until his death. Mr. Lantz is now carrying on that business and making a success of it.
He was born in Elkhart Township of Noble County September 15, 1868, a son of Isaac and Sa- lome (Plank) Lantz, the former a native of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Ohio. His parents spent many years of their lives on farms in Noble County, passing their last days in Perry Township. They were members of the Mennonite Church and the father was a republican. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are still living: Fannie, wife of Henry Ramsey, of Alanson, Michigan; Solo- mon, of Ligonier; Ella, wife of D. K. Byler, of Coldwater, Michigan; Salome, wife of H. H. Kauff-
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HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA
man, of Denver, Colorado; Samuel S .; Edward I., of Los Angeles; and Mary, wife of John Leperd, of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Samuel S. Lantz until the age of ten lived on the farm in Noble County, then spent a year in Michi- gan, and up to the age of fifteen lived on a farm a mile south of Topeka. After acquiring only limited advantages in the common schools he began work- ing at monthly wages on a farm, and had made some progress toward an established position in the com- munity before he married. In 1896 he married Miss Anna Yoder, a daughter of J. J. Yoder, the pioneer hardware merchant of Topeka. She was born near that village and attended district school and before her marriage was a successful teacher both in La- Grange and Noble counties. Mr. and Mrs. Lantz are members of the Methodist Church. He is affil- iated with Topeka Lodge No. 688, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and with the chapter and council of Masonry at Ligonier. Politically he is a republican, and he also belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge at Topeka.
EDWARD AVERY. Several communities in Steuben County have known the presence and have benefited thereby in the Avery family, who have lived in that county for over sixty years. Edward Avery repre- sents the family in Salem Township, where for many years he has been one of the leading farmers.
He was born on the old Avery farm in Otsego Township, March 14, 1855, and is a son of Jesse W. and Eliza (Shumaker) Avery. Some references to this family are made on other pages of this pub- lication. Edward Avery attended public school in Otsego Township, was also a student in Angola, and for three terms taught a school in Otsego. He made his home with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age.
In February, 1879, he married Miss Hattie Dutter, daughter of George and Anna Dutter. With his marriage he began farming in Otsego Township, was there three years, farmed in Salem Township three years, then again in Otsego for ten years, was a resident of Scott Township three years, and in 1899 moved to his present home place of eighty acres in section 12 of Salem Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Avery had two children: Edna and Ethel, the latter dying in childhood. Edna is the wife of William H. Gochenaur. Mr. Gochenaur was born in Scott Township of Steuben County, May 24, 1880, a son of Henry and Lucinda (Smith) Goche- naur, and a grandson of Henry Gochenaur, a na- tive of Pennsylvania who came to Steuben County in early days. Henry Gochenaur, Jr., was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and his wife in Wayne County, Ohio. He settled in Steuben Town- ship of Steuben County in 1854, acquiring land near what is now known as the Lake Valley Church. He and his brother Joseph bought eighty acres, cleared it up and began with log buildings. After a few years he moved to Scott Township, and from there to Pleasant Township, where he continued farming until his death. Henry Gochenaur had three chil- dren, Elmer Ellsworth, Amelia and William, Amelia dying at the age of eighteen.
William H. Gochenaur after getting his education in the Sandhill School of Pleasant Township, went to work as a farmer there, rented for two years and then bought the old homestead near the Sand- hill School. He sold that property in 1911 and bought a farm in section 33 of Jackson Township. He owns 120 acres, built a good house, and is carry- ing on his affairs with a high degree of prosperity and spirit.
Mr. Gochenaur married Edna May Avery in 1905. They have two children, Leon and Ethel.
JONT M. BORNTRAGER. Of a family whose lives of integrity and industry have identified them per- manently with the best interests of LaGrange County, one who deserves special mention is Joni M. Borntrager, a successful farmer living seven miles southwest of Shipshewana, in section 5 of Eden Township.
He was born in section 5 of the same township, June 20, 1868, son of Manassas J. and Lydia (Yo- der) Borntrager, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter of Ohio. The Borntrager family originated in Germany and has been resi- dents of the United States for more than a century and a half. Manassas Borntrager was a son of John and Anna (Yoder) Borntrager, John being a son of John and Barbara (Johns) Borntrager, while the next generation was headed by Martin Borntrager, a native of Germany who came to the American colonies on October 5, 1767. Manassas Borntrager came to Indiana with his parents when he was six years old, and the family at that time located in section 4 of Eden Township. His wife also came to Indiana with her parents. Manassas Borntrager and wife had twelve children, eleven of whom reached adult life: Barbara, wife of Moses Lehman; Joni; John, who married Mary Easch and lives in Michigan: Catherine, wife of Christian D. Hostettler, of Eden Township; Daniel, who married Margaret Miller and lives in Eden Township; Benjamin, whose wife was Elizabeth Miller, and they live in Clear Spring Township; Manassas, who married Elizabeth Miller and lives in Eden Township; Noah M., who married Katie Glick and occupies the old home farm in Eden Township; Christian, who married Mary A. Miller and lives in Eden Township; Anna, wife of Joseph J. Raber, of Eden Township; and Lydia, wife of Andrew Easch, of Eden Township.
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