History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 67

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 67
USA > Indiana > Noble County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 67
USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 67
USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 67

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).

JOSEPH BUTLER. The activities of the Butler fam- ily have been a distinct contribution to the life and affairs of Steuben County for over eighty years. Joseph Butler is a lawyer of long and prominent record, but in the main has been devoted to his ex- tensive agricultural interests in Jackson Township, where he owns a large farm now under the man- agement of his son. His father was Justus Butler, who was born in New York State July 2, 1802, at Canandaigua, Ontario County. When a young man he removed to Lorain County, Ohio. November 23, 1829, he married Anna Clark. She was born in Ver- mont August 6, 1812, and was two years old when her parents removed to Lorain County. Justus Butler in 1836 came to Steuben County, accompanied by his wife's father, Samnel Clark. At that time he entered 315 acres in section 2 of Jackson Town- ship, and fifty-four acres in section 35 of Millgrove Township. Having entered the land and made some other preparations he moved his family to the new home in the spring of 1837. His first log house stood on the south side of Lake Gage, in the same locality where the enterprise of Joseph Butler has since developed an important summer resort. For fifteen years the labors of Justus Butler contributed to the improvement of his own land and the com- munity. He died March 1, 1853, and his widow sur- vived him until February 10, 1885. They were the parents of eleven children. Three were born in Ohio, Jackson W., Sarah Ann and Samuel E. Jack- son died at the age of eight years, Sarah Ann, on September 20, 1846, at the age of fifteen, and Samuel was killed by lightning and burned in a barn in 1854, at the age of nineteen. Of the children born in Steuben County only two reached mature years, Joseph and Mark Justus.

Mark Justus Butler, who was born in 1850, spent his active life in Nebraska. He died at Lincoln in that state February 28, 1914. He was a thirty-second degree Mason. He married Harriet N. Smith, who survived him and died at Boise, Idaho, May 6, 1919. Their children were Bessie Josephine, Maud Ann, Newell and Dorothy G.

On the old homestead farm in Jackson Township Joseph Butler was born July 24, 1846. He spent his early life on the farm and early became interested in politics. He was elected to the office of clerk of courts of Steuben County in 1874, and served in that capacity four years. This official experience kindled in him an ambition to become a lawyer, and

on leaving public office he entered the law offices of Woodhull & Croxton at Angola, and also took a course in the law department of the Illinois Wes- leyan University at Bloomington. In November, 1881, he formed a partnership for practice at Angola, being head of the firm Butler, Walls & Cline. After the spring of 1882 the firm continued as Butler & Cline until July, 1884. From 1891 to 1895 Mr. Butler was prosecuting attorney for Steuben and DeKalb counties.

Through all these years Mr. Butler has been one of the leading farmers in Jackson Township, has been the real head of the business for fifty-four years, but has gradually turned over the heavier responsibilities to his son. He also served a term as trustee of Pleasant Township.

In 1881 Mr. Butler married Salena Weicht, daugh- ter of Doctor Weicht of Angola. Two children were born to their marriage: Bessie Nola and Joseph William Justus Butler. Bessie Nola, born March 28, 1882, is the wife of Clarence Green and has three children, named Laura Mary, Josephine and Clara Elizabeth. Joseph W. J. Butler was born August 13, 1885, and married Maggie White. Their two sons were Josepli William and John White, the for- mer of whom died on October 4, 1917. The latter was born July 4, 1917.

It is expressing only a tribute which has been expressed a thousand times when some special ref- erence is made to Mrs. Joseph Butler, who died September 1, 1910. The influence of her personality radiated among hundreds of friends and neighbors. She was everyone's friend and through her life she expressed the highest nobility of womanhood.

Mr. Butler and his son are the owners of 360 acres of land in Jackson Township. For the last fifteen years part of this land has been used for a summer resort. There are five cottages on Lake Gage near the old farmstead, and during the sum- mer season these cottages are in great demand by city families. Mr. Butler and his son are members of the Masonic Lodge.

GEORGE WATSON is proprietor of Fairview Farm in Jackson Township, DeKalb County. He is a na- tive of DeKalb County, was left an orphan in early childhood, and for many years had to struggle against obstacles to win his place in life.

He was born in Jackson Township, September 13, 1869, a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Zimmerman) Watson, the former a native of Ashland County, Ohio, and the latter of DeKalb County, Indiana. .His parents were married in DeKalb County, and then settled on a farm in section 25 of Jackson Township. The father died there in 1875 and the mother in 1873. Both were members of the Method- ist Protestant Church.

George Watson was only six years old when his father died, and as an orphan child he was taken into the home of the W. H. Hollepeter family, with whom he remained seven years, and acquired his education in the local schools. On leaving the Hollepeters he started out for himself and ever since has been diligently working as a farmer, part of the time independently and part of the time for others.

In 1898 he married Alice C. Bailey of Allen County, Indiana. For twenty years Mr. Watson has owned his present farm of 100 acres. He does general farming, keeps good grades of livestock, and is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Spencerville.

Mr. and Mrs. Watson have one daughter, Gladys, who is now the wife of Ray Wasson, a railway man living at Spencerville. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church at Spencerville and

Joseph Butter.

J. m.g. Butler

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Mr. Watson is one of the trustees and is very active in the Sunday School.

LEROY W. MERONEY. This is one of the best known names in LaGrange County, and particularly in Eden Township Leroy W. Meroney is known and esteemed as a man of many varied interests. He is at present township trustee, is a banker and also an extensive farmer.

He was born in Eden Township September 9, 1877, a son of John R. and Isabelle (Latta) Meroney. His father was born near Benton, Indiana. His mother is a native of Eden Township and a daughter of Dr. Johnson Latta, for many years a prominent physician at Topeka. Dr. Latta's father was one of the earliest pioneers of Eden Township, and ac- quired and developed a large tract of land. John R. Meroney after his marriage located on a farm and was also quite prominent in politics and served several years as county ditch commissioner. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. Of four children one died at the early age of ten years. The other three are: Reader J., a farmer in Eden Township; Leroy W .; and Ruth, wife of Ralph Kerr.

Leroy W. Meroney grew up on a farm and ac- quired his education in the common and high schools. At the age of twenty-one he began farming for him- self, and on December 25, 1902, married Miss Minnie B. Harrington, a graduate of the common schools. They have two living children, Mildred in the high school, and Carlylite, who is seven years old. Mrs. Meroney is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

He is affiliated with Topeka Lodge No. 760, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past noble grand and a member of the Encampment. He also belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. Me- roney has been identified with the republican party since early manhood. He served six years as town- ship trustee, and in that office he is making a record that is giving Eden Township an enviable reputa- tion for its. schools and general management. Mr. Meroney as a banker is serving as cashier of the State Bank of Topeka, and as a farmer he controls the operation of 200 acres a mile west and a half- mile north of Topeka.

ELMER O. GRADY is one of the younger business men of LaGrange, an auctioneer by profession, connected with several of the substantial concerns at LaGrange, and is also a practical farmer and farm owner.

Mr. Grady was born at Milford in Kosciusko County, Indiana, April 7, 1881, a son of Amos and Nancy (Kenaga) Grady, the former a native of Holmes County and the latter of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. They were married after they came to Indiana, and lived for a time on Pretty Prairie, then moved to Milford, and finally located in La- Grange County. The mother died in 1912 and the father is now a resident of Angola. Elmer O. Grady is one of the two children of his mother. His brother, Clair Lloyd, was educated in the high school and is a farmer in Clay Township.

Elmer O. Grady grew up in LaGrange County. attended the LaGrange High School, and worked on the farm until he reached his majority.

February 18, 1904, he married Bertha Steuer- nagel, daughter of John and Rebecca (Long) Steuernagel, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Steuernagel had five children, three of whom are still living. Emma is the wife of Chauncey Kauff- man. William is a graduate of the State Univer- sity and for several years was in the government

service on the Geodetic Survey and is now a con- tractor. Bertha, born November 18, 1881, was edu- cated in the common schools of LaGrange County and has a keen and intelligent interest in the mak- ing of a home and in her husband's business af- fairs.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Grady lived on a farm in Greenfield Township, and they now own two good farms, one in Springfield and the other in Clear Spring Township.

Elmer O. Grady's father was an auctioneer for thirty-five years, and the son learned the business from him and has been crying sales on his own account now for eleven years. He is secretary and a stockholder in the LaGrange Combination Sales Company and is auctioneer for the firm. He is one of the directors of the LaGrange County Trust Company. In politics he votes as a demo- crat, and his wife is a member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. and Mrs. Grady have a modern home at LaGrange, which he built in 1913.

GEORGE O. WISEL, son of the late George K. Wisel, and member of the Wisel family which has figured so conspicuously in the affairs of Salem Township from earliest pioneer times, was born on the farm where he now lives, November 5, 1883.

He acquired his education in the district schools, the Tri-State College at Angola for two terms, and in the spring of 1903 began farming the home place. He farms eighty acres of the old homestead and owns forty acres in section 22. Mr. Wisel is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Hudson and his wife is a Methodist.

March 30, 1914, he married Agnes McClish, daughter of Artemus and Catherine (Kimble) Mc- Clish. At the time of her marriage she was the widow of Ross Watkins and has a daughter by that marriage, Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Wisel have three children : Catherine, born August 19, 1915; Loraine Elizabeth, born April 28, 1917; and George Artemus, born May 20, 1919.

JACOB HOYER, now in his eightieth year, is one of the interesting citizens of Steuben County, a man whose faculties are all preserved, who has lived a life of great energy and purpose, and in old age finds himself surrounded with children and grand- children and with the esteem of a large community in which he has resided for over thirty years.

Mr. Hoyer was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, November 13, 1839, a son of Samuel and Rebecca (Stahl) Hoyer. His father, a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, moved to Wyandot County, Ohio, in 1836, was a pioneer there, and in 1878, late in life, moved to a farm in section 17 of Steuben Township, Steuben County, Indiana. That was his home until his death in 1898, and his widow passed away in 1902. They had eight children, William, Jacob, Mary, John, Catherine, Samuel, William and Jane. It will be noted there were two Williams, the first dying in early childhood. All of the children are now deceased with the exception of Jacob, Cath- erine and Jane.

Jacob Hoyer acquired his early education in the district schools of Hancock County, Ohio, also at- tended school in Williams County, Ohio, and first came to Northeast Indiana in 1876, locating in Steuben Township. In 1878 he returned to Wil- liams County, but in 1888 joined his father on the farm. His father was then getting old, and told his son that if he would come and occupy the place and pay off the mortgage he might have full title. Jacob Hoyer fulfiled those conditions and has lived there and prospered for over thirty years. He formerly owned 100 acres, constituting a well improved

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farm, but has sold forty acres to his son Arthur, who now manages the whole place. Mr. Hoyer though fourscore years of age reads well without glasses and writes a steady hand.

He married Sarah A. Saul, a daughter of George and Hester (Fetters) Saul. Mrs. Hoyer died in 1916. A brief record of their children and grand- children follows. Their children are Ida, Charley (deceased), Dora, Hayes, Pearl and Arthur.

Ida, the first born, married Willard Chapman, and their children are J. O., L. I., Roy, Wilbur and Villa. J. O. married Helen Sanders, and has one son, Fred Wilbur, and L. I. married Wilma Shore. Dora, the third child, married Henry Sun- day, and they have two daughters, Vera and Dessie. Vera married Bert Snager, and has one son, Robert Ned. Hayes, the fourth child, married Emma Day- hoff and they have the following children: Wayne, Wyman, Bassil and Bernise (twins), Doris, Fay and Ray (twins), and Zema. Pearl, the fifth child, married Clark Wheaton, and has one son, Law- rence. Arthur, the sixth child, married Hattie Trich, and they have three children, Glyda, Paul and Merrie Anne.

George Saul, father of Mrs. Jacob Hoyer, was a pioneer of Williams County, Ohio, entering 120 acres of the wilderness land from the Government and eventually clearing it all and improving it with good buildings. He and his wife had a large family of children, named Sarah, who became the wife of Jacob Hoyer; James; Mary, deceased; Jacob, de- ceased; Edward; Leander and Alexander, twins, the latter deceased; Lydia, wife of Henry Ritten- house; Martha, who died in childhood; Emma, wife of Harmon Pasch; John; and Richard, deceased.

DAVID GUMP. A resident of DeKalb County over forty years, identified with the practical agriculture of that section and a man widely known for his good influence in the community, David Gump has a well improved farm of 120 acres in section 17 of Butler Township.

He was born in Miami County, Ohio, March 18, 1847, a son of Jacob and Sarah (Detrick) Gump, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. His parents were married in Ohio and from that state moved to Allen County, Indiana, and finally came to DeKalb County, where they spent the rest of their lives. They were active members and the father was for forty-five years a minister of the Church of the Brethren. In politics he was a republican. Jacob Gump and wife had eight children, and four of them are still living : Louisa, wife of Henry Kuhns, of Keyser Township; David; Emma, widow of Carl Fair; and Perry, who lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

David Gump was eighteen · months old when his parents moved to Allen County, Indiana, and he grew up there, acquiring a common school educa- tion. At the age of twenty-five he came to DeKalb County, and since that date has been identified with the farming interests of Butler Township. In Jan- uary, 1879, he married Amanda Rinehold. She was born in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1853, and when she was three months old her parents moved to DeKalb County, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Gump have four living children: Gary, who is a graduate of the common schools and is farming on his father's place; Perry, who married Bertha Downend; Lena, who is unmarried and at home; and Effie, a graduate of the Garrett High School and formerly a teacher. There were two children who died young, Jeremiah, who died aged eight years, and Arthur, who died aged thirty years. He married Mary Kelham. The family are members of the Church of the Brethren and Mr. Gump is a deacon. Politically he is a

democrat. Besides his farm he is a stockholder in the Garrett Elevator.

RUDY F. MILLER is one of the proprietors of the Butter and Creamery Company at Topeka, and has been a factor in varied business affairs in LaGrange County for many years.

He was born in LaGrange County July 27, 1862, grew up in LaGrange County and attended the com- mon schools and is a graduate in the commercial and scientific courses from Valparaiso University with the class of 1900. He had a successful experi- ence as a teacher and was formerly superintendent of the Topeka schools.

In 1898 he married Miss Alma Babcock, a native of Portage County, Ohio, and daughter of the late J. N. Babcock, whose career is a part of the history of LaGrange County and is described in a following paragraph. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one son, John Harold. Politically he is a republican.

Some years ago Mr. Miller bought the creamery at Topeka and by his energy developed it into a paying institution. He conducted it alone until six years ago, when he took in his brother-in-law, Lyman Babcock, as partner. The business now employs about twenty persons, and is one of the important institutions in the farming and dairying community around Topeka. Mr. Miller also has a farm of sixty acres in Clear Spring Township.

Jaynes N. Babcock, father of Mrs. Miller, was born in Portage County, Ohio, February II, 1846. He attended the common schools and took a com- mercial course in Hiram College. During a visit to a brother in Michigan he first became acquainted with LaGrange County, and while here took the examination for a teacher's license and taught a term of school in Clear Spring Township. He taught near Topeka for a number of years, and while in this country met and married his wife. For a time they lived on his father's farm in Ohio and then re- turned to Topeka and bought a place north of that village. Mr. Babcock farmed, taught school, and also did some work as a cobbler for a number of years. In 1916 he moved to the Village of Topeka and helped organize the State Bank. He was presi- dent of this institution until his death. He was also instrumental in establishing the Sycamore Literary Society, and a personal interview with Andrew Car- negie brought a contribution from that philanthro- pist to the cause of this institution. He was a liberal supporter of all good things for the benefit of his community, was an ardent republican and one time represented LaGrange County in the State Legis- lature.

Mr. and Mrs. Babcock had five children, four of whom are still living: Alma, Mrs. Miller; L. K. Babcock, who is a graduate from the law school of the State University, is an attorney by profession, and is adjustor for the Aetna Insurance Company, with headquarters at Indianapolis; Lyman, business associated in the creamery with Mr. R. F. Miller ; and Dena, a graduate of Hillsdale College in Michi- gan, and now a stenographer in the office of her brother at Indianapolis. Mrs. Miller took the scien- tific course in Valpariso University and was a suc- cessful teacher both before and after she graduated. At one time she was principal of the Topeka public schools and also taught in the grades.

CYRUS B. DIRRIM, who has long played an im- portant part in the business affairs of Hamilton, represents one of the oldest and most widely known families of Northeast Indiana.

He was born in Franklin Township of DeKalb County June II, 1873, a son of Peter R. and Han-

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HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIAN.

nah (Myers) Dirrim and a grandson of Isaac and Helen (Wycoff) Dirrim. Isaac Dirrim was born April 11, 1812, and settled in DeKalb County in 1844. He died in August, 1891, at Hamilton. He had moved to Steuben County in 1858. His wife survived him until 1901.

Peter R. Dirrim was born in DeKalb County October 12, 1851, and his wife on April 20, 1852. He has spent his active career as a farmer and is owner of a place of 132 acres in Otsego Town- ship. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Their three sons are Cyrus B., Frank E. and Bert.

Cyrus B. Dirrim was educated in the public schools and for twenty-one years has been a suc- cessful jeweler at Hamilton. He also filled the office of postmaster thirteen years and was a mem- ber of the Town Board when it was first organ- ized and was the first president of the Village of Hamilton. He is connected with the Steuben Oil Company, is a republican, a member of the Masonic Order, Knights of Pythias and the Christian Church.

In 1895 he married Miss Mary L. Nichols, of DeKalb County, daughter of Norman and Sarah (Holton) Nichols. They have one daughter, Vella May, born Angust 19, 1901, a student in the Ham- ilton High School.

GUSTAV WOLFF, who died at Hamilton, August 29, 1918, was for many years a business man of en- viable reputation in Northeast Indiana. He exempli- fied the principles that business success is only a return for an adequate service rendered, and the business he founded and which is still conducted as G. Wolff & Sons, grain merchants and elevator own- ers, has prospered because of the personality of the men behind it.

Gustav Wolff was born in Germany, June 12, 1849, and died at the age of sixty-nine years, two months and seventeen days. He came to America when a young man, and to an unusual degree realized the opportunities and benefits of this land of liberty. In 1877 he moved to Butler, Indiana, where he was in the mercantile business for a number of years. He moved to Hamilton in 1903 and 1913 established the firm of G. Wolff & Sons at Hamilton, being asso- ciated with his three sons in the business. The firm conducted the elevator at Hamilton and also eleva- tors at Edon, Ohio, and Lakeville, Indiana. It was Mr. Wolff's policies to do business on a narrow margin consistent with good service and he had the confidence of all the farmers and grain growers in his vicinity because of his liberal and fair treat- ment. He was equally public-spirited, kind and sympathetic and helpful to the man who needed his help. He was active in the republican party and became a member of the Masonic Lodge at West Unity, Ohio, in 1873, having his membership later transferred to Butler and still later to Hamilton. He was also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Maccabees, Eastern Star, Rebekahs, Pythian Sisters and the Jewish Order of B'Nai B'Rith, of Fort Wayne.

The Steuben Republican of Angola commenting; upon his death, said: "In the fifteen years of his residence in Hamilton, Mr. Wolff was a supporter of every movement for the good of the community. He was a kind and sympathetic friend to all applying to him for help or comfort. He was an upright business man and enjoyed the confidence of a large clientage."

In 1877. the year he located at Butler, Mr. Wolff married Jennie Hirsch at Waterloo, Indiana. They

had four children: Nettie, who died in infancy; Lee, Moses and Harry. The active manager of the business at Hamilton today is Moses Wolff.

JAMES A. LECOUNT, a native of Noble County, has spent nearly all his life here, has been a busy farmer and livestock buyer, and is identified with a number of the growing concerns and business interests of his locality. His home is on a farm at Indian Vil- lage, but he has now given up the active responsibili- ties of farming.

He was born in Sparta Township January 26, 1852, son of William and Hilinda J. (Terry) Le- count, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New York State. His grandfather, James Lecount, was a Frenchman by birth and ancestry, and on com- ing to the United States lived for some years in Ohio, and finally came to Indiana, and spent his last days in Elkhart County. William Lecount grew up on the farm and had a district school education. He lived in Kosciusko County for some time, and finally moved to Sparta Township, west of Cromwell, where he died. He was a republican in politics. He was the father of thirteen children, nine of whom are still living: Zachary, of Kosciusko County; James A .; Amanda, widow of Ansel E. Smith ; Warren, of Sparta Township; Naomi, widow of Jehn Davault; William, a farmer in Sparta Township, as is also Grant; Margaret, wife of James Holabaugh; and Angie, wife of Gross Galloway.

James A. Lecount remained on his father's farm in Sparta Township until he was twenty-one years of age. In the meantime he took advantage of the district schools. On leaving home he had some arduous experience as a worker in the pine woods of Michigan. Afterward he worked out by the month in Noble County, and thus continued until he was past twenty-three years of age.

January 13, 1875, he married Mary Stumbangh, who was born in Sparta Township July 15, 1857, a daughter of John and Susanna (William) Stum- baugh. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Ohio, in which state they were married, and two years later, in the spring of 1858, settled in Sparta Township of Noble County. John Stumbaugh, who died in May, 1911, saw eighteen months of service as a Union soldier. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, was a republican in politics, and he and his wife were very active members of the Christian Church.

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History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 67

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