History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 84

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 84
USA > Indiana > Noble County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 84
USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 84
USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II > Part 84

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).

There were five children: William A., who mar- ried Dorothy Steinbarger; John W., a graduate of the common schools and unmarried; Amelia M .. who completed her work in the local schools and is the wife of Harry Wiard; Laura L., a common school graduate, wife of Ira M. Keim, who served with the American forces in France, and is now at home; and Carl F., a graduate of the common schools. There are also the following grandchil- dren : Lawrence E., Florence M., Mildred M., John C., and Dona Belle.

JOSHUA J. METZ is spending the evening of life at his comfortable rural homestead in Otsego Town- ship. The energies of his manhood's prime were well bestowed, had ample · fruitage, and gained him not only sufficient of this world's goods but the esteem and good will of the community where he has lived so many years. Mr. Metz is an honored veteran of the great Civil war.

He was born at Baden, Germany, June 25, 1846. His father, Christopher Metz, was also born in Baden, Germany. He married in February, 1842, Eva Katherine Gretchman. She was born in Baden April 2, 1822, daughter of Carl and Marguerite Gretchman. Christopher Metz brought his family to America in 1854. They were 103 days on the ocean. One of their sons died in Germany, they buried a daughter at sea, and another daughter was buried in New York. When they embarked on the ship they carried with them supplies of clothing and other goods, but all these possessions were lost in New York. The family went on to Ohio and about 1862 came to Otsego Township of Steuben County, where with the exception of two years Christopher Metz spent the rest of his life. His children be- sides those above mentioned were: Catherine, who was born in Germany; Joshua; J. H .; William; Martha, and Nathan.

Joshua Metz was only nine years old when brought to this country, and he acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of Steuben County, in Otsego and York townships. In the time when all the young men of the country were aroused to a sense of patriotic duty, Joshua Metz showed un- usual patriotism and when not yet seventeen years of age, on Christmas evening of 1863, enlisted in Com- pany A of the One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth In- diana Infantry. He saw nearly two years of active service, and received his honorable discharge at Charlotte, North Carolina, August 29, 1865. He took part in some of the hardest fighting which broke the back of the Confederacy, including the battles of Resaca, Buzzard Roost, Fort Fisher, Five Forks, Goldsboro and numerous skirmishes.

When the war was over he returned to Otsego Township and in September, 1866, married Saralı

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Hantz, daughter of Jesse and Mary (Garman) Hantz.

After his marriage Mr. Metz farmed a year in Scott Township, was then in Otsego Township un- til 1872, and from there moved to Richland Town- ship for a year, lived in DeKalb County two years, and since then has spent his energies on one farm in Otsego Township, in section 13. He owns 120 acres and its improvements and buildings represent his individual labors and investments.

Mr. and Mrs. Metz are members of the Meth- odist Church. They have been married over a half a century, and while they had struggles and priva- tions at the beginning they have ease and comforts at life's decline. They are the parents of three children, John I., David E., and Lillian. John mar- ried Lora Avery, who died in 1917, leaving two children, Dorothy M. and Dawson. John Metz married for his second wife Mrs. Hattie Ferrel. David Metz married Lura Anspaugh, and has two children, Pauline L. and Sarah L.

ARTHUR B. COOKERLY. Of all the positions of trust and responsibility in LaGrange County none is more important to the welfare of the present and future generations than that of superintendent of the public schools. The present incumbent of that office is Arthur B. Cookerly, a man of high ideals in an educational way, of long training and thorough experience, and has been identified with practical school work as a teacher and administrator since early manhood.

He was born at South Milford, Indiana, April 3, 1884, a son of J. C. and Emma (Smith) Cooker- ly, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of DeKalb County, Indiana. J. C. Cookerly came with his parents to Jay County, Indiana, where he grew to maturity, acquired the trade of mechanic and for a number of years worked at Kendallville. Later he moved to Orland in Steuben County, had a blacksmith shop there, and later at South Milford, where he is now living retired. He and his wife have nine children, A. H., Arthur B., Zura, Mary A., Vennie, Archie, William, Edith and Richard. Archie and William Cookerly were both soldiers in the World war, and William was with the Ex- peditionary Forces in France.

Arthur B. Cookerly spent most of his early life in South Milford, and attended the public schools there, graduating from high school in 1904. He has always been a student as well as a worker in the practical lines of his profession and attended the State Normal School two terms, was for two years in Indiana University, and two terms at the University of Wisconsin. He taught his first school in 1904, and with the exception of one year his service in the profession was continuous until 1917. He served as principal of the Stroh School three years and assistant principal of the South Milford schools four years. Since 1917 he has been county superintendent of schools.

June 17, 1912, he married Zella Parks, daughter of H. R. and Minnie (Fites) Parks. Mrs. Cookerly was born at Montpelier, Ohio, September 24, 1893, and during her early girlhood lived with her parents in Chicago for eight years. She received most of her education in the public schools of Ashley and Stroh, Indiana. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at LaGrange. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cookerly are active in fraternal affairs. He is past grand and past chief patriarch of South Milford Lodge No. 619, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and South Milford Encampment No. 238, and has sat in the Grand Lodge. Both he and his wife are members of South Milford Lodge of Rebekahs No. 416. He is affiliated with LaGrange Lodge No. 144,

Knights of Pythias, with Philo Lodge No. 672, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master, with LaGrange Chapter No. 102, Royal Arch Masons, and with Kendallville Council No. 50, Royal and Select Masters. He and his wife are active members of the Eastern Star Chapter at LaGrange and Mrs. Cookerly is secretary. In politics his affiliations are democratic.

ABRAM F. SUMMEY, whose home is on a farm in Van Buren Township, has during his long and active life had a part in the clearing and developing of five farms in LaGrange County.

Mr. Summey was born in Wayne County, Ohio, September 26, 1858, a son of John and Lucinda (Plumb) Summey. His parents came from Wayne County to LaGrange County in 1866, settling on eighty acres in Newbury Township. Their first home was an old shack of a log house. The father cleared the land and improved it, and spent the rest of his career as a farmer. He was drowned in Shipshewana Lake January 22, 1897, when fifty-six years of age. His wife died in 1898, aged fifty-seven. He was a republican and liberal in his religious views. Abram F. Summey was the second born and is the only one living of six children, the others being Silas, John, Sarah, John and Lillie.

Abram F. Summey from the age of eight years grew up on the homestead in Newbury Township, attended public schools, and for several years farmed his father's place on the shares. He also spent a year farming in Missouri. On returning to LaGrange County he bought forty acres included in his present place in Van Buren Township, and has cleared and improved it with good buildings. Mr. Summey is a republican.

In 1881 he married Hannah J. Arnold, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1861. Her parents, Mathias and Amy Arnold, spent all their lives in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Summey had eight children : Anthony F., who married Elma Zuber; Eugene, who married Cora Lautenschlager ; Ada, wife of Mel Hawkins; Warren, who married Irene Bodish; Hazel, wife of Jay Mast; Wilma, wife of Percy Moser; and Macey and Arnold, both deceased.

C. W. DALLY, manager of the Fremont Lumber Company, is a good and substantial business man and has devoted a large part of his active business life to farming and public affairs in Steuben County. He served six years as a county commissioner.

He was born in Richland Township of Steuben County September 1, 1867, a son of Robert V. and Helen Jane (Morley) Dally. Robert V. Dally, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, January 28, 1824, a son of Isaac and Eleanor Dally, came with his parents to Richland Township in 1846. Robert Dally gave a service of great usefulness in this community for thirty-six years as a carpenter. All that time he owned a farm, and managed to keep its improvements up, and finally on leaving his trade devoted all his time to agriculture. He owned 100 acres. He died in October, 1905. He was an active member of the Christian Church.

Robert V. Dally married Helen Jane Morley, who was born in Ontario County, New York, June 16, 1829, and died September 5, 1903. She was a daugh- ter of Ebenezer and Celinda Morley, the former born in Connecticut April 26, 1792, and the latter in Vermont in 1797. Ebenezer Morley came with his family to Steuben County in 1842, and only five other families were living at that time in Richland Township. He settled in section 21 and was a basket maker and farmer, and died there in 1864. Robert V. Dally and wife had five children: An-

Jonathan Farver

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HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA

nette Celinda, who married A. Barren; Mary, who became the wife of Orson Parrett; Jessie, wife of Theron Gordon; Morton R., who married Della Ingle ; and C. W. Dally.

C. W. Dally attended public school in Richland Township and in early manhood hecame identified with farming in his home township. In 1906 he moved to York Township, and actively prosecuted his interests as a farmer there until 1917. He still owns a good farm of eighty-five acres in that town- slip. After a few months of residence at Angola Mr. Dally moved to Fremont, and for the past two years has given his time to the management of the Fremont Lumber Company. His service as county commissioner was from 1911 to 1918. Mr. Dally is a member of the Methodist Church and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. In 1896 he married Dora B. Duell, daughter of Byron and Mary Duell. Four children were born to their marriage: Charles E., who married Bessie Hall and has one son, Olan; Bernice, born in 1899 and died in 1908; Frank W .; and Herman R.

PAUL E. SIGLER. There are many reasons why the people of LaGrange County have been willing to entrust their public affairs to the management of Paul E. Sigler, who is now county commissioner representing the southern district of that county. Mr. Sigler has lived in LaGrange County all his life, is a practical farmer, and in all the relations of a busy life has proved true and deserving of confidence and trust. He was born in section 2 of Clear Spring Township August 22, 1861, a son of William and Lydia (Hime) Sigler. His father was born in Washington County, Maryland, October 20, 1820, and died June 20, 1902, at the age of eighty- two. His wife was born March 5, 1823, in Penn- sylvania, and died in 1903. They were married in Ohio December 29, 1841, and on October 2, 1852, came to LaGrange County. William Sigler at that time was poor in purse but had great ambition and enterprise, and in the course of years acquired 316 acres of land. While exceedingly busy, he was al- ways a liberal supporter of the church and did much to help out his neighbors and those in misfor- tune. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church and politically he was a republican and served as one of the early constables of Clear Spring Township. William Sigler and wife had eleven children, six of whom are still living: Amanda, widow of Lewis Moore; Samuel L., of LaGrange County; Matilda, wife of Emanuel Shelly; Solomon F., of Sturgis, Michigan; Amelia, wife of Allen Shoup; and Paul E.

Paul E. Sigler grew up on the old home farm and . attended the district schools. May 22, 1881, he mar- ried Jennie Todd. She was born in Lima Town- ship, LaGrange County, March 1, 1862, and acquired a good education and was a successful teacher be- fore her marriage. She is a daughter of Milton Todd, an early resident of Indiana. He married D. E. Rowan.

Mr. and Mrs. Sigler settled on the old Sigler farm, which he rented until after his mother's death, and then bought thirty-five acres of the land, and now has seventy-five acres. Besides farming he has been much occupied with public affairs. He served as assessor of Clear Spring Township six years, and for two years held the office of county drainage commissioner, resigning that to accept ap- pointment as county commissioner. He is an offi- cial member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been Sunday school superintendent.

Mr. and Mrs. Sigler have three children: Wil- liam C., who married Ora Updike; H. Ort, a grad-

uate of the LaGrange High School, formerly a teacher and now a farmer in Bloomfield Township, and who married Alta E. Seybert; and Lulu M., un- married and living at home.

JONATHAN FARVER. The business community of Shipshewana has one of its oldest and most force- ful figures in Jonathan Farver, veteran lumberman and lumber manufacturer, active head of the Farver Lumber Company.

Mr. Farver, who has lived in LaGrange County since early childhood, was born in IIolmes County, Ohio, June 6, 1857. He is a son of Abraham and Harriet (Snyder) Farver and a grandson of John Farver, who was born in New Jersey of French parentage. John spent most of his life as a farmer in Holmes County, Ohio. His children were named John, George, Jacob, Abraham, Wil- liam, Jonathan, Solomon and Barbara. Abraham Farver became a millwright by trade. His wife, Harriet Snyder, was born in Somerset County, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of Daniel Snyder. In 1863 the Farver family moved from Holmes County to Newbury Township of LaGrange County, acquir- ing a farm about four miles south of Shipshewana. While living in that locality Abraham Farver spent part of his time as a cabinet maker, but in the main operated his farming interests and lived on his farm until his death in 1892, at the age of sixty- six. His wife passed away in 1873. In religion he was a Presbyterian, while his wife was of the Men- nonite faith. They have six children, named Eliza- beth, Jonathan, William, Emma, Barbara and Moses.

Jonathan Farver, who was six years old when brought to LaGrange County, attended the district schools of Newbury Township and in early life fol- lowed in the same line as his father, learning the cabinet making trade. Mr. Farver spent about twenty-seven years as a building contractor. He became associated with his brother William in 1889 in the sawmill and lumber business in Shipshewana. Thus that industry has been established there under the Farver name for thirty years. William Farver dissolved the partnership by death in 1906, and until 1915 Mr. Farver continued the business alone. In the latter year the Farver Lumber Company was incorporated with Mr. Farver as president. His firm still operates a saw mill, manufacturing hard- wood lumber for both the wholesale and retail trades. In the yards at Shipshewana they handle all kinds of building material, cement and coal.

In 1882 Mr. Farver married Catherine Weaver, a daughter of David and Catherine Weaver and a sister of V. D. Weaver, cashier of the National Bank of LaGrange. Mr. and Mrs. Farver have five chil- dren: Laura, wife of Samuel P. Curtis; Belva, wife of James Beecher; Stewart, who died at the age of six years; Cuba, wife of Fred Lampman; and Irene. The daughter Irene, who completed her junior year in high school in 1919, has in all her school experience not a single case of tardiness nor absence recorded against her score. Mr. Farver is an active member of the Methodist Church at Ship- shewana.

CHRISTIAN K. PARSELL. A number of the pro- gressive agriculturalists of Northeastern Indiana are specializing on certain lines of activity, experiments proving to them that their farms are adapted for certain purposes, and if they desire to achieve the best results it is better that they utilize all the possi- bilities. One farmer will devote himself to the production of dairy products, another prefers to grow varied grain crops, while still another special- izes in breeding live stock. With the great demand

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for wool has come large profits in raising sheep, and the farmers of this section of the state are turning toward this branch of agriculture with profitable results. One of the men who is well known as a sheep breeder is Christian K. Parsell of Steuben Township, Steuben County.

Christian K. Parsell was born in Salem Town- ship, Steuben County, Indiana, February 7, 1865, a son of Wickliff W. and Elizabeth (Klink) Parsell, the former of whom was born at Millburn, New Jersey. About 1863, Wickliff W. Parsell came from New Jersey to Steuben County, and spent some time with his brother, William Parsell, in Jackson Town- ship. He was then married to Elizabeth Klink, a daughter of Christian and Mary Klink, and bought 160 acres of land in Steuben Township, on which he and his wife located in the spring of 1865, re- siding upon it the remainder of their lives. Their children were as follows: C. K., whose name heads this review; Blanche, who married W. A. Ferrier; and Bertha, who married a Mr. Meisner.

Christian K. Parsell was born in Salem Township and attended the schools of Steuben Township and those of Angola. After attaining his majority he be- gan farming on rented land in Steuben Township, but in 1890 he inherited seventy acres of land in the same township, and bought nine more, making eighty acres. On this tract he has since lived, carry- ing on general farming and stock raising and spe- cializing in the breeding of Oxford sheep, having been engaged in the latter line for the past twenty years, increasing his flocks to meet the demands of a rising market.

On December 1, 1887, Mr. Parsell was united in marriage with Ollie M. Gonser, a daughter of Daniel and Catherine Gonser. Mr. and Mrs. Parsell have four children, namely: Daniel Ward, Charles C. and Grace E., all of whom are living, and the third child, Warren, who died at the age of seventeen years. The family are very well and favorably known throughout Steuben County, and Mr. Parsell is recognized as an authority on sheep breeding, and his advice is often sought by those who wish to fol- low his example. He is a friend of the public schools, good roads and other improvements, realiz- ing that this is an age of progress and that any- thing calculated to advance the community raises the value of property, and offers more inducements to the rising generation to remain at home instead of going into the neighboring cities.

FRANK CHASE WADE, M. D. One of the busiest firms of physicians and surgeons in Northeast In- diana is that of Doctors Wade and Wade at Howe. They handle the practice for the Howe Military School and also a large general practice. Both are capable, talented young physicians, and men of the best qualifications for their chosen profession.

The older, Dr. Frank Chase Wade. was born at Mongo, Indiana, July 27, 1877, and is a son of Alfred A. and Emily Eleva (Chase) Wade. A sketch of the career of his father is given on other pages of this publication. Doctor Wade was eight years old when his parents moved from Mongo to Howe, where he attended the public schools and graduated from the Howe Military School in 1894. He completed his under graduate medical training at Detroit College of Medicine in 1900, and since then has taken post-graduate courses in New York City and at Harvard University in . Boston. He began active practice in 1900 at Howe and since 1909 his brother, Alfred A. Wade, Jr., has been associated with him. Doctor Wade is a member of the County, State and American Medical asso- ciations.

He is a prominent Mason, being affiliated with

the Lodge at Howe, LaGrange Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Council No. 50, Royal and Select Masters, at Kendallville, and with the Scottish Rite bodies and Shrine at Fort Wayne. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias at Howe. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church.

October 24, 1900, Doctor Wade, married Miss Minnie M. Schaeffer, daughter of James W. Schaef- fer of Howe. She died January 26, 1910, leaving one daughter, Rachel Elleva, who was born Decem- ber 20, 1903. On August 14, 1912, Doctor Wade married Miss Ruth M. Nelson, daughter of Myron Nelson, of Clear Spring Township, LaGrange County. Doctor and Mrs. Wade have two daughters, Mary Ann, born June 17, 1913, and Ella Jane, born January 14, ' 1916.

THAD K. MILLER, one of the prominent citizens of Steuben County, where he has lived for over half a century, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, August 2, 1847, a son of Samuel and Katharine (Kain) Miller, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. His mother died in Seneca County in 1853. His father came to Steuben County during Civil war times, and followed the trade of mill- wright. He died in 1891, at the age of seventy- nine.

Thad K. Miller grew up in Seneca County, had a good education in public schools and academy, and in 1862, at the age of fifteen, enlisted in Company A of the Sixty-First Ohio Infantry, and he saw some very hard service until June 10, 1865. He was at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign and the march to the sea. Mr. Miller came to Steuben County June 1, 1865, and has been a resident of the county ever since. He located in Jackson Township and acquired a farm there. For many years his chief work was as a marine engineer, and for several years he had his headquarters at Detroit. In 1895 he was elected county recorder of Steuben County, and filled that office with admirable efficiency for four years. He then took up the practice of law and has had many cases before the Department of Interior and the Treasury at Washington. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Chris- tian Church and is affiliated with the Lodge, Council and Commandery of the Masonic Order and is prominent in the different branches of Masonry.

April 18, 1869, he married Ellen M. Stout, of Steuben County. Her father, Hervey B. Stout, came to this part of Northeast Indiana in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had four children. Frank H., a railroad engineer living at Montpelier, Ohio, married Artie M. Davis and has six children: Harold E., a first lieutenant of infantry; Ralph, of Company A, One Hundred and Twelfth Supply Train, now in France ; Lois, John, Sarah and Thad K., Jr. Belle S. Miller is the wife of William Mabie, a farmer of Steuben County, and has a son Thad K., Jr. Harry W. is a merchant in South Dakota and married Ida Day. Katherine is the wife of A. G. Weldin, of Cold- water, Michigan, and their children are Ellen R., Marjorie D. and Leander M.

G. RILEY POWERS. From the time the Powers family landed in the woods of York Township. Steuben County, in 1837, much of the history, much of the development and many of the most im- portant influences that have shaped and moulded that community have had this family as their de- termining factor. In their case the term "old family" also means a race of strong people, indus- trious, capable. upholders of religion and education and valuable elements in the county and state.

The ancestry of the Powers family goes back to

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Ireland, where Arad Powers married Lydia Bruce, a native of Scotland. Coming to America before the Revolutionary war, they settled in Massachusetts. Their son Oliver Powers was born in Massachu- setts and married Lydia Winn. Oliver Powers was a Revolutionary soldier. After the winning of independence he moved to Oneida County, New York, and afterward to Ontario County.

Josiah Powers, son of Oliver, was born in Massachusetts in 1772, and married in 1799 Hannah Church. After their marriage they moved to Oneida County, New York, and in 1805 to Ontario County, where Josiah died in 1808. His sons, most of whom became connected with Northeast Indiana, were: Stephen, born in 1800; Winn, born in 1801 ; Clark, born in 1803; Josiah, born in 1806; and Cal- vin, born in 1808.

Winn Powers was born in Oneida County, New York, in December, 1801. He acquired a good education and taught school for a time. In 1825 he married Betsy Reeves, who was born in New Jersey in May, 1801. After their marriage the young couple moved to Allegany County, New York, and settled on a wild farm. About 1836 they con- cluded it was their duty to provide homes for their children, and they therefore sold their possessions in New York and started for Indiana, where the brothers Clark and Calvin Powers had entered land in the spring of the preceding year. The Powers family were really the first settlers of York Town- ship. Winn Powers started from Allegany County, New York, in May, 1837, with a two ox team, and drove all the way to York Township. From Fre- mont to Angola this was the first team to get through the woods. Winn Powers had to cut much of the brush and trees in the way. He took up eighty acres of heavily timbered land, and started out a poor man. They lived in a log cabin, and their lot was one of heavy labor, the endurance of many hardships, but in the course of time he had his chil- dren well established and Winn Powers had 200 broad acres to account for his own industry. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for about thirty years, was an active democrat, and he and his brothers did much to promote religious worship and education, providing for the Powers Church and the Powers Cemetery and also for the school known as the Powers School House. Winn Powers died June 24, 1883, and his wife on April 14, 1873. Their children were: Myron, born in 1826; Hannah, born in 1828; Edwin, born in 1831; Calvin, born in 1834; Mowry, born in 1836; Ann Eliza, born in 1839; and George Riley.

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History of Northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Volume II, Part 84

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