History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 65

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 65
USA > Indiana > Noble County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 65
USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 65
USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 65

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).

June 21, 1900, Mr. Hall married Miss Maude Lucile Lyon. She was born in Noble County April 4, 1879, a daughter of Abraham and Mary (Fuller) Lyon. Her parents in 1881 removed to Stryker,

Carl a. Hardy. -

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Ohio, where her father died in 1895, aged sixty- two, and her mother in 1894, aged fifty-three. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have three children: Gordon, born April 10, 1901, a graduate of the township high school; Mildred Catharine, born May 10, 1912, and Bruce Eugene, born Angust 19, 1913.

ERNEST MAXWELL is a native of Steuben County, started his career as a farmer with some experience and little capital, rented a farm, and finally got a place of his own, which he has done much to im- prove and render productive. He is considered one of the best farmers in Otsego Township.

Mr. Maxwell was born in Richland Township, May 3, 1870. His father, Samuel Maxwell, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, December 12, 1839, came to Richland Township before the Civil war. He was a blacksmith at Alvarado. On account of failing eyesight he sold his shop in 1881 and bought a farm in Pleasant Township, near Crooked Lake. After three years he sold that place and on March 6, 1884, moved to a farm four miles southeast of Fremont, was there four years and then located on a farm one mile south of Alvarado in Richland Township, where he spent the rest of his days. He died November 2, 1895. In 1865 Samuel Maxwell married Elizabeth Parrott. He was born in Spring- field, Ohio, December 28, 1847, and died August 23, 1909. Their children were: Ernest; Loren, born October 7, 1872; Emmet, born June 2, 1876; Clifford, born November 15, 1879; and Glenn, born November 25, 1881, and died October 9, 1900.

Ernest Maxwell lived on the several places of his father as above noted, and acquired his education in the public schools of Alvarado and the district schools of Pleasant and Fremont townships. He began his independent career as a farmer on August 21, 1895. At that time he rented land adjoining the place he now owns. Then followed ten years of hard work, thrifty management and saving, and on August 5, 1905, he secured the farm of his choice when he bought eighty acres in section 36 of Otsego Township. Mr. Maxwell is thoroughly modern in his farm practices, has put up a good silo and has remodeled many of the buildings and increased the facilities of the place by thorough and productive management.

Mr. Maxwell is a member of the Christian Church and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Masons and Grange, and with his wife is a member of the Pythian Sisters and the Eastern Star. Mr. Maxwell is a man of unusual intelligence and has an excep- tional memory which enables him to recall dates and facts readily without any reference to memoranda.

February 23, 1895, he married Martha Gilbert. They have no children. Mrs. Maxwell was born May 27, 1873, in Otsego Township, is a daughter of Hiram A. and Jane (Herriman) Gilbert. Hiram Gilbert was born in Otsego Township, July 24, 1852, son of Joseph and Martha Ann (Forder) Gilbert, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Portage County, Ohio, and grandson of John and Mary Gilbert. Joseph Gilbert came to Otsego Town- ship in Steuben County about 1852 and located on a tract of wild land which he cleared up and made into a good farm. Hiram Gilbert frequently drove the oxen while his father handled the plow. Hiram Gilbert lived in Steuben County the rest of his life. By his first marriage he had three children, Hiram A., Setta and Flora. He married Emily Case for his second wife, and their children were Alton J., Victor and Verna.

Hiram A. Gilbert attended public school in Steu- ben County and at the age of twenty-one began farming on the place he now owns. He has 156 acres and devotes it to general farming. Mr. Gil-

bert is a member of the Christian Church. He and his wife, Jennie Herriman, have two children, Martha, wife of Ernest Maxwell, and J. C. Gilbert.

JOSEPH H. LEHMAN. The Lehman family is an old and honored one in LaGrange County, where the greater number of its representatives have de- voted their time, money and energies to tilling the soil, and as a consequence have not only brought about a desirable improvement in their neighborhood but have gained for themselves a prosperity that is gratifying. One of these substantial farmers bearing the name above referred to is Joseph H. Lehman of Newbury Township, who is a native son of the township, having been born here October 21, 1869. His parents are Harmon and Christina (Hershbarger) Lehman.

Joseph H. Lehman was reared on his father's homestead, where he learned the fundamentals of farming, and at the same time he enjoyed the ad- vantages of the country schools. After assisting his father for some time he went into partnership with his father-in-law, Daniel Mast, and another son- in-law of Mr. Mast, Jonathan Eash, which asso- ciation continued for fourteen years, when it was dissolved, and Mr. Lehman began farming for him- self on a farm of 160 acres he bought in Newbury Township, which he is still conducting. Ever since taking possession of it he had been engaged in effecting improvements, and now has one of the best rural properties in this part of the county. Here he is carrying on general farming and stock- raising. Assisted by his excellent wife, Mr. Leh- man has earned all he now possesses, and they have reason to be proud of the result of their hard work and thrift.

On December 10, 1891, Joseph H. Lehman was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Mast, born in Newbury Township, May I, 1875, a daughter of Daniel H. and Leah Mast, farming people of this township, both of whom are now deceased, he pass- ing away at the age of sixty-nine years, and his widow, June 1, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Lehman became the parents of the following children: Lizzie, Al- bert, Ada, Perry, Emma and Erwin. Lizzie mar- ried Reuben Bontreger, and their children are: Erwin, Samuel, Joseph, and Mary. Albert mar- ried Anna Hostetler, and they have one child, Katie Ann. Ada is now Mrs. John Lambright, and has two children, Emma and Erwin. Mr. and Mrs. Lehman are members of the Amish Mennonite Church. They are very well known in their neigh- borhood, where they have made numerous friends. Sincere and upright in character, their word is ac- cepted at its face value, and if they give their sup- port to any measures their associates know that they have not done so without studying the matter over and then acting as their consciences dictate.

CARL A. HARDY, one of the comparatively new comers to Steuben County, has earned and well jus- tified a special distinction among the agriculturists of that section. Mr. Hardy is known far and wide as the chief onion grower in Steuben County. His own example has greatly stimulated that industry, and he has been the means of marketing much of the crops raised by other growers.

Mr. Hardy was born at North Madison, Lake County, Ohio, April 15, 1882, a son of Albert G. and Ellen (Buck) Hardy and a grandson of Parker F. Hardy. Albert Hardy was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in McCain County of that state. Al- bert Hardy was for many years one of the leading onion growers of Kendallville in Noble County, In- diana, and since 1900 has made his home in Ken- dallville. He keeps up his interest in onion culture,

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and every year raises a small crop, though he is now no longer in the business on a commercial scale. He and his wife have three children, Carl A., Ethel and Wilbur.

Carl A. Hardy acquired his early education in the schools of Lake County, Ohio, also attended school in Pennsylvania, and as a boy learned the interesting details of onion culture by work in his father's field. He had the normal ambition for ex- citement and experience, and from 1901 to 1903 he served in the United States navy. That was a serv- ice of great educational value to him. He spent much of the time in foreign countries, in South America, West Indies islands and Europe. Ever since leaving the navy Mr. Hardy has been actively identified with onion growing.

He moved to Steuben County and located in Hud- son Township in 1905. Practically all his time has been taken up with the onion industry. Several years he had as high as sixty acres of that crop, and from his fields has shipped fifty carloads in a single year. This is a big business in itself, as all who are in any degree familiar with onion culture realize. Be- sides looking after his own crops, from the plant- ing of the seed to the harvest, Mr. Hardy has bought from other local growers and has sent hundreds of carloads to the markets.

On October 24, 1907, Mr. Hardy married Gayle M. Pike, a daughter of Morgan B. and Della (Charl- ton) Pike. They have three children, Robert B., Ardelle Lee and Gordon A. Mr. Hardy is promi- nent in the Masonic Order, being affiliated with the Lodge and Chapter at Hudson, the Commandery at Angola, and the Scottish Rite and Consistory at Fort Wayne.

CHARLES E. HALL is one of the oldest business men in point of service at Fremont, and combining his own business with that of his father and other members of the family the Halls have been con- tinuously identified with the commercial enterprise of Fremont for over sixty-five years.

He was born at Fremont, March 25, 1861, a son of Joseph H. and Delia (Beach) Hall. Joseph H. Hall was born at Argyle in Washington County, New York, August 24, 1824, a son of John and Jane (Allen) Hall. John Hall served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1862. Joseph H. Hall in 1844, at the age of twenty, went West to Branch County, Michigan, and began work at the harness maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years. The first year his wages were $25.00 and the last $100.00 and board. In 1853 he came to Fremont, Indiana, and opened a harness shop, a business he continued until 1864. He then enlisted in Company A of the Twenty-Ninth Indiana In- fantry, and served in the quartermaster's depart- ment until mustered out. In 1873 he left his busi- ness at Fremont and moved to a farm, but finally resumed his trade and worked at it steadily until two years before his death, which occurred April 23, 1904. He was a republican, later a prohibition- ist, and held the office of justice of the peace eighteen years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1848, in Branch County, Michigan, he married Mary Beach, who was born in New York State November 13, 1839. They had four children, Ida, Effie, and two deceased. Mrs. Hall died in 1859, and in 1860 Mr. Hall married Adelia Beach. She is still living, and though eighty-seven years of age has never worn glasses. She became the mother of four children : Charles E .; Earl L., of Fremont; Irene, unmarried; and Joel, who died in infancy.

Charles E. Hall lived in the Village of Fremont until he was twelve years of age, when he went on

his father's farm in Michigan. At the age of twenty- one he returned to Fremont, and for a time worked for his uncle, C. J. Merwin, in a harness shop. In 1884 he engaged in the harness business for himself, and has continued it steadily for thirty-five years and has had the record of being the oldest merchant in Fremont. Mr. Hall was also one of the organizers of the Bank of Fremont, which later was consoli- dated with the First State Bank, and he has long served as a director and is now president of this bank. He began voting as a republican but later changed to the democratic party. He has been a member of the City Council and city treasurer, and is affiliated with Northeast Lodge No. 210, Free and Accepted Masons, Fremont Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and has always been active in every com- munity movement and especially in the interests of patriotism.

He has taken much satisfaction in the service of two of his sons in the war. In 1884 Mr. Hall mar- ried Miss Minnie Bovee, of Branch County, Michi- gan. Their four children are named Lillie, Frank, Burl and Clark, Frank was the first young man to join the National Army from Fremont. He en- listed May 24, 1917, joining the artillery, and is now stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. The son Burl enlisted from Havre, Montana, in the navy in November, 1917. He went to San Francisco, thence around by sea through the Panama Canal to New York, and having been assigned to the transport service it has been his distinction to cross the ocean in the great Leviathan thirty-two times. The Leviathan is the greatest ship afloat, and was the old German steam- ship Vaterland.

DANIEL J. STAHLY has played a useful part in the farming community of Newbury Township, La- Grange County, and his activities and example have done much to exalt the business of breeding and raising high grade livestock in the county. Mr. Stahly is a man of personal worth and esteem in his locality, and is a member of a family of numer- ous influential connections with Northeast Indiana.

His people were early settlers in Pennsylvania as well as in Northern Indiana. His great-grandfather, Henry Stahly, was born in Germany in 1750 and died in the old country in 1825. His first wife was a Miss Hahn, by whom he had one child, Magdalena. He married for his second wife Barbara Summer, who several years after the death of her husband came to America with her children in 1832. Her children were John, Catherine, Jacob, Christian, Magdalena and Henry.

Christian Stahly, who was born in Germany July 27, 1820, was twelve years old when brought to America by his mother, and as a young man he came to Elkhart County, Indiana, and was a pioneer in the southwestern part of that county, occupying land that is not included in the City of Nappanee. He lived and reared his family there, having made the journey to Elkhart County by wagon from Wayne County, Ohio. Christian Stahly married Fannie Housour, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in August, 1822. Their children were Peter, Barbara, John, Mary Ann, Moses, Magdalena, Catherine, Levi and Samuel.

John C. Stahly, father of Daniel J., was born in Elkhart County September 23, 1846. He grew up in his native county, and at the age of twenty-one moved to Newbury Township of LaGrange County, where he spent the rest of his life. He was a very successful and energetic man, accumulating about 500 acres of land. His death occurred February 16, 1912. John C. Stahly married Elizabeth Johns. She was born in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Her

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HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA

father, Daniel Johns, was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1819, and married Polly Yoder, who was born in the same County November 9, 1818. Daniel Johns was a son of Joseph Johns, and his grandfather was also named Joseph. Joseph, Sr., was born in Switzerland November 8, 1749, came to America in 1768 and married Franey Holly, of Berks County, Pennsylvania. This Pennsylvania pioneer from Switzerland is distinguished as the man who laid out the ill-fated City of Johnstown, Penn- sylvania in 1800. Joseph Johns, Jr., was born in Somerset County in 1792. He married Anna Blough, who was born in the same county in 1799. They were farming people in Somerset county. The fam- ily of Joseph Johns, Sr., consisted of the following children : David, born July 30, 1779, and died at the age of seventeen; Barbara, born January 22, 1782, and married John Borntrager; Franie, born January 22, 1786, married John Holly; Joseph, Jr., who was born January 19, 1792; and Sarah, born January 27, 1794, married Christian Eash.

Daniel Johns came from Pennsylvania to Newbury Township in 1853, and reared his family on a farm, but later moved to Elkhart County, where he died January 24, 1904. His wife passed away March 21, 1887. Their children were named Maria, Elizabeth and Catherine, the last becoming the wife of Joseph D. Miller.

The children of John C. Stahly and wife were: Daniel J .; Christian J., who married Anna Hostet- ler ; John, who married Maude Harper; Pauline, who became the wife of William Messner ; Fannie, deceased wife of S. E. Weaver; and Katie, wife of Samuel D. Miller. The parents of these children were members of the Amish Mennonite Church.

Daniel J. Stahly was born in Newbury Township October 14, 1869, acquired his education in the same locality, and from early manhood has farmed the place where he lives today in section 30. He built the house here, also improved the barn and has added many other facilities for comfort and con- venience. As a breeder of pure bred livestock he handles Hampshire and Shropshire sheep, the big type Poland China hogs, Jersey cattle, and has a number of blooded Percheron horses. Mr. Stahly is a director of the First State Bank of Middlebury, Indiana, owns 240 acres in his home farm and fifty- five acres in Springfield Township.

October 9, 1892, he married Libbie Sunthimer, a daughter of Adam and Susan (Schroch) Sunthimer. Mrs. Stahly, who died March 15, 1915, was the mother of ten children: Ernest, who is a member of the American Expeditionary Forces and now en- gaged in reconstruction work in France; Mabel, who married Noble Showalter, and at her death left one child, Stahly; Charles, Elizabeth, Beulah, Albert, Ruth, Franklin, Paul and Daniel J., Jr., who comprise the younger members of the family. Mr. Stahly since the death of his first wife married Minerva Thompson, daughter of Ervin H. Thomp- son, of Ionia County, Michigan. Mr. Stahly and family are all members of the Mennonite Church.

SOLOMON SPEAROW. More than three score and ten years have passed since the Spearow family came to LaGrange County. At that time Solomon Spearow, who is one of the leading farm owners of Springfield Township, was about three years old, and was one of the youngest in a large family, many of whom have spent their lives in LaGrange County, to the benefit and enlightenment of their respective communities.

Solomon Spearow was born in Stark County, Ohio, August 15, 1843. His parents were James

and Susanna (Stauver) Spearow, while his grand- parents were William and Rosanna (Ruth) Spearow. James Spearow was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1808, and his wife was born in the same state in 1801. They were married October 14, 1828, and about 1832 settled in Stark County, Ohio, where most of their children were born, and in the spring of 1846 they came west to LaGrange County. Here Susanna Spearow died in 1849. She was the mother of ten children. A brief individual record of these children is as follows: Mrs. Rosanna Helper, who was born July 25, 1829, was married August 5, 1857, and died January 6, 1913; John, born Jan- uary 12, 1831, was married October 24, 1863, and again in June, 1880, and died April 5, 1901 ; Sam- uel, born October 14, 1832, married December 25, 1857, and died March 3, 1905; Mrs. Susanna Neifer, born July 4, 1834, was married in 1857, and died August 30, 1872; William, born January 24, 1836, married June 24, 1858, and again on September 16, 1905, and is deceased; James, born November I, 1837, married October 15, 1863, and died Septem- ber 26, 1899; Daniel, born November 13, 1839, was married September 17, 1863, and died September 5, 1907; Jacob, born October 15, 1841, married August 25, 1857, and is deceased; Solomon, who was the ninth and next to the youngest of the children; and Mrs. Mary Hunt, who was born December 25, 1845, and was married November 28, 1869.

On September 13, 1849, James Spearow, father of these children, married Mrs. Martha Millis, widow of John W. Millis and daughter of Robert and Mary (Connel) Burk, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia and of Irish descent. Mrs. Spearow was born in Madison County, Kentucky, in 1811. By her first husband she had four children, named Elnora E., Helen S., Estella and Sarah C. James Spearow by his second marriage had three children: Sarah A. born May 15, 1851, and died March 17, 1853; Amelia, born April 9, 1853, was married March 18, 1874; Gibson, born September 17, 1855, and died July 5, 1856. James Spearow was a very active member of the United Brethren Church and for many years stead- ily affiliated with the republican party. For a num- ber of years he regularly carried the mail from Brushy Prairie to Kendallville, making trips in all kinds of weather and over all sorts of roads on horseback. He owned a fine farm of 240 acres in Springfield Township. The death of this hon- ored old time citizen occurred May 1, 1893, while his second wife passed away July 3, 1888.

Solomon Spearow grew up in the home of his parents in LaGrange County, and lived with his father until he was twenty-two years of age. On October 25, 1868, he married Mrs. Lydia A. Gage, widow of Samuel Gage and daughter of Elias and Roxia Gilbert. To their marriage were born four children, Addie, Hattie H., Flora and Rollin. Mrs. Spearow by her first marriage had a daughter, Ella R., now wife of Louis E. Deal.

The affairs of Solomon Spearow have prospered as a farmer and as a good citizen. He has been a sterling republican in politics, and an active mem- ber of the United Brethren Church.

Mrs. Spearow's father, Elias G. Gilbert, was born in New York state August 2, 1808, and when a boy went to Clark County, Ohio. In 1833 he married Mrs. Roxia (Hammond) Nickelson, of New York state. Two years later, in 1835. he came to LaGrange County, first settling on a farm belonging to Judge Seeley. Two' years afterward he bought eighty acres on Brushy Prairie in Spring- field Township, and from that time forward dili-

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gently improved his circumstances until at his death he owned 500 acres, well improved with good build- ings and other equipment. He died September 22, 1865.

Rollin E. Spearow, only son of Solomon, was born July 27, 1875. As a boy on the old farm he attended public schools, also the LaGrange High School, and has for twenty years been a practical farmer. He now owns a two-thirds interest in the farm of 160 acres in Springfield Township, and is giving a good account of himself as an agri- culturist and stock man. He is a republican and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias.

In 1896 he married Miss Florence Case, a native of Milford Township and daughter of Albert and Mary (Boley) Case, formerly of Milford but now of Springfield Township. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rollin Spearow: Retha and Stewart E., both graduates of the eighth grade, Wendall A., Harry S. and Luther A.

DAVID J. SCHAEFFER. Forty years is a long time, more than half a normal man's lifetime, to live and work in one locality. David J. Schaeffer, one of the well-known farmer citizens of Steuben County, has lived on his place in Fremont Township more than forty years, and his material success and his esteem among his neighbors and friends have grown cor- responding to the length of his residence. Mr. Schaeffer was born in the same township and lo- cality July 25, 1848, and is a son of John and Eve (Walmer) Schaeffer. Some of the interesting facts concerning his father, who settled in Steuben County in 1845, are told on other pages of this publication.

David J. Schaeffer grew up on the old homestead and at home learned a foreign tongue and was un- able to speak English when he first entered the dis- trict schools. After getting his education he began farming, also did ditching and carpenter work, and in 1875 established a home of his own by his mar- riage to Mary Easterday, daughter of Dr. Lewis and Elizabeth (Dauber) Easterday. Her father came to Steuben County from Williams County, Ohio, in April, 1866, and was a widely known physician with a busy country practice. Doctor Easterday and wife had the following children: Lewis, Mary, Henry, Elizabeth, Caroline, Catherine, Johnie, Jacob and William.

Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer moved to their present farm the year following their marriage. They have about seventy-five well cultivated acres and a good home, and are enjoying the rewards of long years of industry. They are members of the United Brethren Church in Fremont. Their two children are Henry F. and Margaret M. Henry F. Schaeffer married Florence Friday.

JACOB MISHLER. It is a generally admitted fact that whatever is worth having is worth working for, and also. that what is earned is doubly prized. Judged by these two statements Jacob Mishler must appreciate his prosperity, for he has worked hard for it, and has at the same time earned a reputation in his neighborhood for sincere uprightness of character that is unquestioned. Ever since he came to LaGrange County in 1858 he has sought to make himself a part of the constructive element, and his work in his county has been worth while, and at the same time his efforts of a personal nature have brought him excellent returns, as they should, for they were directed by a desire to make himself use- ful and provide for those dependent upon him. Jacob Mishler was born in Pennsylvania, August 18, 1840, a son of Christian and Barbara (Eash) Mishler, the former of whom died in January, 1857,

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History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 65

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