USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Steuben County, Indiana, together withbiographies of representative citizens > Part 48
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Barton Collins (deceased) was the first of the pioneers of James- town Township, as before stated. His wife, who shared his lot and survived him a third of a century, was better known to the old set- tlers from her longer residence. She was married to Mr. Collins in 1820, and in 1835 they came to this State and county, being the first white settlers of Jamestown Township. They settled upon the farm where they both remained their natural lives, and which is now the property of George W. Collins. Mr. Collins died in January, 1849, after which Mrs. Collins lived on the homestead with her son until her death, July 16, 1882, at the age of eighty- five years, six months and fourteen days.
She was the mother of eleven children, and had the satisfaction of seeing them grow to be respectable and influential men and women. Five of them preceded her to rest, leaving six to mourn her loss, they being George W., Charles and Mrs. C. Mallory, re- siding in Jamestown; Mrs. Hastings, of Fremont, Mrs. Saxton, of Coldwater, Mich., and Mrs. Seeley, of Noble County. Mrs. Col- lins was a member of the Baptist church, in her native State, from which she brought a letter and afterward became identified with the society of that denomination organized at Jamestown, but which went down some years before her death. She retained her eyesight and faculties to a good old age, and was a great reader, taking much comfort in perusing the papers.
Michael Depue (deceased) was born in New Jersey, Jan. 17, 1805. His father moved to New York State and lived for some
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time near Rochester, and when Michael was a young man re- moved to Marion, Ohio. Mr. Depue married Angelina Drake at Marion in 1831, with whom he lived nearly half a century. They were the longest surviving couple of those who settled in James- town prior to 1840. Mr. Depue and wife came to Jamestown Sept. 8, 1836, and settled on the west half of the southeast quarter of sec- tion 15. They afterward made their home at Hall's Corners, Mich. Mr. Depue died at Hall's Corners, Feb. 17, 1880, aged seventy-five years and one month. having lived to see the forest melt away before the advance of civilization, and, like the sturdy oak spared by the woodman's ax, having seen liis comrades fall until but few were left.
Thomas Mugg (deceased) was born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 26, 1797, and while young moved with his parents to Yates County, N. Y., where he grew to manhood and married Miss Eliza Ireland, with whom he removed to Ohio, returning thence to New York some two years later. In 1837 he again came West, this time to Steuben County, settling upon the farm since owned by his son, just west of Angola. In that early day Steuben County was a wilderness. Hundreds of native Indians occupied a portion of the farm as a camping ground, and the wolves made night hideous with their howls in the vicinity of the pioneer's log cabin; everything, in fact, presented a striking contrast to the marks of civilization and advancement now visible on every hand. Great as is the change which has wrought the wonderful tranformation, we can but reflect that it is due to the enterprise, industry and energy of the pioneers, among whom the subject of this sketch and his worthy consort bore a conspicuous part. Mr. Mugg died April 16, 1879, in his eighty-second year. He was the father of ten children, only four of whom, three daughters and a son, survived his death. His first wife died in 1856. A year or two later he married a widow named Groves, who was his companion during the latter years of his life. Deacon Mugg, as he was universally called, had been a consistent member of the Free-Will Baptist church for a number of years, and as a kind neighbor and upright citizen had won the confidence and esteem of those who knew him. He had served the public as County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace, and in other offices of honor and trust.
Joseph Tousley (deceased), one of the very earliest settlers of this township and county, was born in Canada in February, 1812. He came to Steuben County and settled in Jamestown Township
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in February, 1836. He was for many years the village blacksmith in that town, and was an industrions, hard-working man. He was fully acquainted with all the hardships of pioneer life, and was one of the most interested and active members of the Old Settlers' Asso- ciation in this county. He died on Tuesday, March 5, 1878, at the age of sixty-six. His departure took away one of the most respected as well as one of the very first of the pioneers.
George W. Baker was born in Middlesex, Yates Co., N. Y., in 1829, a son of James and Lydia (Dresler) Baker, natives of New York State, of German descent. In 1842 his parents moved to Ohio, and lived in Huron County four years. In 1846 they came to Steuben County, Ind., and located on the farm now owned by George W., which at that time was wild land, but is now well cultivated, and a part of one of the best farms in the township. George W. Baker lived with his father till twenty-one years of age, and then bought eighty acres of land south of the homestead which he cleared and improved. He was married June 7, 1857, to Nancy J. Bowen, daughter of Michael and Mary (Critchfield) Bowen, old settlers of Jamestown Township, coming here with his father, Fred Bowen, in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have two children --- Della M., born Sept. 13, 1860, is the wife of Fred Walters, of Branch County, Mich .; Fred J., born Jan. 18, 1863, is in business in Fre- mont, Ind.
Hon. Ezekiel Brown was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1831, a son of Russel and Laura (Sweet) Brown. He was five years of age when his parents moved to Lagrange County, Ind., and there he was reared and educated in the old log cabin school- house. He remained with his parents till 1858, when he came to Steuben County and engaged in the mercantile business in Crooked Creek nearly a year and a half. He then bought 250 acres of land about 100 acres of which had the trees cut, but the stumps re- mained. He went to work with a will to make an ideal farm, which from his boyhood his fancy had portrayed. He has cleared his first purchase, and added to it 272 acres, and now has one of the finest farms in Steuben County. His residence and farm build- ings are unexcelled in the county, and his home is the embodiment of comfort and good cheer. Hospitality and a kind welcome greet all who visit them, Mr. and Mrs. Brown both taking pleasure in entertaining and making at home their guests. Mr. Brown was elected to represent his district in the Legislature in 1878, and per- formed all his duties satisfactorily, and with the same care be-
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stowed on his private affairs. Mr. Brown was married in 1855, to Mary C. Barry, daughter of John and Mary A. (Darrow) Barry, natives of Orleans County, N. Y., who came to Indiana in 1835. They have two sons-Frank M. and Clinton N., the latter an at- torney in Beatrice, Neb.
Russel Brown was born in Stephentown, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, 1805, a son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Greenfield) Brown, grandson of Stephen, great-grandson of John, and great-great- grandson of Ezekiel Brown, all of Windham, Conn. His father was born in 1773 and although too young to participate in the war for independence his ancestors were prominent in the struggle. His maternal grandparents, Smith, came from Dublin, Ireland. His uncles, William and Daniel Smith, became prominently identi- fied with the early history of Rhode Island. Elijah Brown's family consisted of six children-Sarah married Joseph Tinker and died in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1877; Paul na is the wife of Thomas Marsh, of Iowa; Daniel M. died in 1876, in Moravia, N. Y .; Russel; Hannah is the wife of Horace Rounds, of Cayuga County, N. Y .; Elijah E., of Niles, N. Y., who has represented his district in the Legislature several terms. Russel Brown was reared in his na- tive county, and was there married in 1828 to Laura Sweet, of Still- water, N. Y., daughter of William Sweet, of Massachusetts, whose name figures conspicuously on the rolls of the Revolutionary war. In 1836 Mr. Brown moved to Lagrange County, Ind., where he became prominently identified, assisting materially in the upbuild- ing of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Brown had a family of five children-Philena died at the age of fifteen years; Ezekiel, of Steuben County; Warren, of Lagrange County; Erastus, attorney at law and banker of Lincoln, Neb., and William, attorney at law, Angola, Ind.
George W. Collins is a native of Rutland County, Vt., born in 1829. In 1835 his parents came to Steuben County, and July 4 his father made one of the first entries in the township. The log house near his present home was the first in the township. His early schooling was limited to three months in the log-cabin schools. His early life was spent with his parents and he learned in his youth the precepts that have in later life made him a suc- cessful business man. He was married in 1856 to Avis Walter, daughter of Seymour W. and Orra (Coe) Walter, of Essex County, Vt., who settled in Steuben County in 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have five children-Stillman L., Seymour B., Orra E.,
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Lydia A., Bertie L, Their home is one of culture and refinement, and the stranger and friend are always welcome to share in the good cheer that prevails. Mrs. Collins's parents had a family of seven children-Norris Walter, deceased; Clifton, of Branch County, Mich; Sydney, of Steuben County; Avis, Betsey, de- ceased; Mary A., now Mrs. Poulson, of this township; and George, deceased.
Charles H. Cory is a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., born in 1843, a son of Ambrose and Eliza (Munn) Cory. His grandfathers were both drummers in the war of 1812. Ambrose Cory moved to Defiance County, Ohio, and in 1864 came to Steu- ben County and bought 160 acres of land in Jamestown Town- ship where he died in 1883, and where the mother still lives. They had a family of nine children-Charles H., Edward, Myron, Lucinda, Melvin, Ambrose, Frank, Orley and Nathan. Charles H. remained with his parents till manhood, receiving a common school education. He was married in 1871 to Sarah Reed, daugh- ter of William and Rachel Reed, old citizens of Lagrange County, Ind., and afterward residents of Steuben County. Mr. and Mrs. Cory have two children-Allie and Pollie. Mr. Cory has taken a special interest in educational matters and is a strong advocate of the free-school system.
Charles T. Dewey was born in Niagara County, N. Y., in 1830, a son of Truman C. and Wealthy (Foreman) Dewey. His parents moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, when he was a child, and sub- sequently to Kalamazoo, Mich. In 1849 they moved to Steuben County, Ind. Charles T. has been an industrious, energetic man from his youth and is now reaping the reward of his early years of toil. He owns eighty acres of the old homestead entered by his father and to that has added eighty acres. His thrift and good management have made his home one of the best in the township. He is a man of excellent judgment, strict integrity, and is one of the prominent and influential farmers of the township. He was married in 1852 to Amanda Burdick who died in 1861, leaving one son-Frank. In 1862 he married Elmira D. Shutts, daughter of Charles and Susan (Ritchie) Shutts. They have four children- Fred N., a teacher in the Orland High School; Alice R., a teacher of the Jamestown schools; Herman R. and Gracie M. Mr. and Mrs. Dewey are members of the Congregational church at Fre- mont. He is a member of Angola Lodge, No. 210, F. & A. M .; Angola Chapter, No. 58, R. A. M., and Council, No. 27, R. & S.M. 34
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Thomas Failing was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., March 20, 1796. He was married Dec. 8, 1818, to Catherine Klock, and to them were born five children-Ann, wife of Edwin Benedict; Elizabeth, widow of Abram Drygart; Nancy, widow of Jacob Young; Adam, and Mariette, wife of I. D. Miner, of Branch County, Mich. In 1835 Mr. Failing moved with his family to Tecumseh, Mich. In 1836 he came to Steuben County, Ind., and located land on section 35, Jamestown Township, and 160 acres in Scott Township. In 1837 he moved his family to Steuben County and settled in Jamestown Township, clearing and improving his land on section 35, and in 1860 he moved to section 33. He had $400 when he came to the county, which he laid out in land, and by hard work accumulated a large property and left his children in comfortable circumstances. He was in politics a Democrat, but cast his last Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, but there being no churches of their choice in the township when they settled here, never united with any church. Mrs. Failing died Oct. 24, 1871, after a married life of over fifty years. Mr. Failing died Nov. 18, 1883. He was an upright, honorable gentleman and had many friends, especially among the early settlers of the county.
George W. Goodfellow is a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., born near Syracuse in 1825, a son of Smiley and Permelia (Halstead) Goodfellow. In 1835 his Grandfather Halstead moved to Lenawee County, Mich., remaining there the rest of his life. In the fall of 1835 his parents moved to Lenawee County, and leaving his family there his father proceeded to Steuben County, Ind., and entered a tract of wild land two and a half miles east of the present site of Fremont. The following year he moved his family to the frontier home, and commenced to clear the land and till the soil. There were at that time very few families in the township, and their nearest mill was at Union, twenty-six miles distant. The father and mother spent their lives in the vicinity of their first settlement, and were among the most active in building up the material inter- ests of the township. George W. Goodfellow remained with his parents till manhood. In 1864 he bought forty acres of land on section 22, Jamestown Township, which he has cleared and im- proved and now has one of the pleasantest homes in the county.
Frank Haight is a native of St. Joseph County, Mich., born in 1848, a son of Mathias and Harriet M. (Cady) Haight, his father a native of New Columbia, Pa., and his mother of New York. His
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grandfather, William Haight, died in St. Joseph County at the age of ninety-seven years. His Grandfather Cady was a carpenter, and died at the age of ninety-three years, from the effects of a fall from the scaffolding of a church steeple. In 1852 his parents moved to Tama County, Iowa, at that time the extreme west of civilization. They had a family of six children-Gideon M., of Salem, Kas., enlisted in the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry and was captured at Fort Donelson, remaining a prisoner in Libby Prison five months. Henry, now of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was a member of the Twenty- eighth Iowa Infantry; Frank; John, of Jewell County, Kas .; Mary E., wife of Charles E. Sponsler, and Charles E., of Burr Oak, Kas. Frank remained at home till 1862 and then went to Burlington, Kas., walking the entire distance, 500 miles in fourteen days. He remained one summer, and then went to Toledo, Iowa, and remained a year and a half, when he moved to Union Grove. In 1873 he went to Albert Lea, Minn., and in 1874 came to Michigan. In 1876 he returned to Iowa and lived in Onawa one season; thence to Woodbury County, and two years later returned to Michigan. In 1882 he came to Steuben County, and located in Jamestown Township, where he does a general blacksmithing and wagon and carriage repairing business. He makes a specialty of treating the hoof and shoeing horses, and has met with remarkable success in his treatment. He travels a part of each year and has won a wide reputation. Mr. Haight was married in 1873 to Katie Welker, daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Laform) Welker, natives of Pennsyl- vania. They have two children-Fulmer D., born Sept. 23, 1874, and Verna B., born June 9, 1878.
William H. Lemmon was born in Townsend, Sandusky Co., Ohio, in 1837, a son of Uriah B. and Emily (McIntyre) Lemmon, natives of Tompkins and Livingston counties, N. Y. His Grand- father Lemmon was one of the first settlers of the Genesee Valley. His parents moved to Sandusky County in 1826, and still reside in Townsend. They had a family of seven children-William H .; John M., an attorney of Clyde, Ohio; Sarah A. Thorpe, of Grundy County, Iowa; Rebecca Gardner, of Clyde, Ohio; Cyrus A., of Durango, Col .; Morris B., attorney of Clyde; Elizabeth Hoch, of Clyde. William H. Lemmon passed his early years on his father's farm, attending the district school during the winter. When the war of the Rebellion broke out he enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Infantry. They were assigned to the Army of the Potomac and participated in the memorable bat-
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tles of that division. After his return home in 1865 he located in Kinderhook, Mich., and in 1866 moved to Steuben County, Ind.,. where he has been prominently identified with all interests of pub- lic benefit. He is an enterprising man and is always ready to assist in furthering any project that promises advancement to the community. He was married in 1860 to Lois McIntyre, daughter of William and Ann (Stephens) McIntyre. Mr. and Mrs. Lem- mon have eight children-Edith, wife of J. Stoddard, of Butler County, Neb .; Sherman, also of Nebraska; Wilton, Eva, Erdie, Elda, Ella and Homer. Mr. Lemmon has served Jamestown Township as- School Examiner and Justice of the Peace, and has been Marshal of Fremont. He was Treasurer of his township in Ohio.
Asa Mallory was born in Rutland County, Vt., Oct. 17, 1824, a son of David and Cynthia (Collars) Mallory. His early life was spent on the home farm, remaining with his parents as long as they lived. In the spring of 1850 he went to California making the trip overland, arriving in the Eldorado of the West six months after leaving home. He went to work in the mines and contracted ty- phoid fever. After several weeks of illness the physicians told him his only chance of recovery was to return to the States by water. After a voyage of fifty-five days he reached New York, but the exposures and hardships he had undergone left their impress in his system, and it was months before he regained his usual health. After his return home he assumed charge of the homestead and went to work to retrieve his losses in the West. The result was soon an addition of 125 acres to the original forty acres entered by his father, and good buildings and other improvements. Mr. Mallory was married in 1860 to Sytheria E. Wright, daughter of Sherman and Anna (Failing) Wright, old residents of Steuben County. Mr. and Mrs. Mallory have six children-Flora E., wife of Granville L. McClue; Cynthia B., Frank L., Herbert C., Clarence A. and Clyde L. Mr. Mallory is a man of strong political convic- tions, but has always refused to accept any official position. He has never voted any but the straight Democratic ticket.
Clayton Mallory was born in Rutland County, Vt., in 1816, a son of David and Cynthia (Collars) Mallory, of Irish descent. When fourteen years of age he left home and lived with his grand- parents four years, when he began working for farmers at $8 a month. When twenty years of age, in 1836, he came to Indiana, his father having preceded him in the early part of the year. As
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a result of the labors of the children they had $100, and with this the father bought forty acres of land a half a mile south of where Mr. Mallory now lives. In 1844 Clayton bought a tract of wild land, a portion of the school reserve. Not a tree had been cut on the land, but with a zeal characteristic of the man he soon brought it under a state of cultivation, and reaped a bountiful harvest as a reward for his labor. He has improved his farm till it is now one of the best in the township. He has been foremost in advancing all interests of public benefit and has served in nearly all the town- ship offices. He has been County Commissioner two terms, and was a Trustee when but one was required in the township. All trusts imposed on him have been fulfilled with fidelity and effi- ciency. Mr. Mallory was married in 1844 to Thirza Collins, daughter of one of the pioneers of Jamestown. She died in 1852 leaving one son-Oscar F., who married Edna Brooks, and has two chil- dren-Barton and Clayton. In 1853 he married a sister of his first wife, Jane Collins, and to them were born two children-Ella T., deceased, and Carrie A., who married T. A. Caswell and has two children-Ella J. and Ralph. After an illness of two years Mrs. Mallory died Aug. 30, 1883.
Elias Mallory was born in Rutland County, Vt., Jan. 30, 1822, a son of David and Cynthia (Collars) Mallory. He came West in 1837, and on attaining his majority entered eighty acres of school land. His father was in limited circumstances and he was early obliged to depend on himself for a livelihood. His edu- cation was very meager. When he began to clear his farm he was obliged to borrow his father's ax to split the rails to fence it. As a result of his untiring labor and energy and his strict honor and integrity he has succeeded in placing himself beyond the pale of want and surrounding himself with all necessary comforts. He now owns 250 acres of valuable land where he lives, well stocked and with first-class improvements, and 160 in Pawnee County, Neb. He has been an influential man in his township, but be- ing retiring in his nature has refused repeated solicitations to fill official positions, the only office be ever held being Treasurer of the township. To him is due the credit of Jamestown's cemetery, which is the most beautiful resting place for the dead in the connty. He, at his own expense, superintends the care of the grounds. Elias Mallory was married in 1844 to Rosilla A. Havens, daughter of George and Hnldah H. Havens. They have one son -George E., who, Nov. 3, 1878, married Miss Louie Wiage, a
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daughter of one of Branch County's most enterprising citizens.
Henry C. Miller was born in Elmira, Chemung Co., N. Y., in 1847, a son of John M. and Sarah J. (Smith) Miller, natives of Orange County, N. Y. His Grandfather Smith was a hero of the war of 1812. Jan. 1, 1868, Mr. Miller started for the West. He spent two years in Coldwater, Mich., and then came to Steuben County, Ind., and bought 160 acres of land in Jamestown Town- ship, on which he has erected some of the best buildings in the township. He was married in 1877 to Elvira L. Poland, a daughter of George W. and Sarah (Barr) Poland, old and influen- tial citizens of Steuben County. Mr. Miller is the youngest of four children. His sister Adeline is the wife of Amos Fenton, of Emporium, Pa. Harriet married A. P. Roberts, of Elmira, N. Y., and Philip G. married Susan Stryker and lives in Gosper County, Neb.
Lambert P. Persing is a native of Northumberland County, Pa., born in 1834, one of seventeen children of William H. and Nancy (Pitman) Persing. William H. Persing was born in 1791 and lived to the age of eighty-nine years. He was a miller by trade, and L. P. worked with his father in his boyhood. He followed the business in Columbia and Montour counties till 1870, when he came to Steuben County, where he has since remained, with the exception of two years. He is a practical miller, understanding every detail of the business. Mr. Persing was married in 1856 to Lydia A. Kanouse, a daughter of one of the prominent citizens of Columbia County, Pa., and a pioneer of Branch County, Mich. They have six sons-John, William, Abraham, Henry, Charles and Pardoe. Mr. Persing has taken an especial interest in the common-school system, and has served several years as School Director.
Herman C. Shutts was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, June 6, 1839, a son of Charles and Susan (Ritchie) Shutts, natives of Tompkins County, N. Y. His grandparents, Gabriel and Mary (Sailor) Shutts, were natives of New Jersey. Gabriel Shutts was a militia man in the war of 1812. In 1835 Charles Shutts moved to Ohio, and became one of the most prominent men of Sandusky County. He was a man of sterling integrity. He was for many years a Justice of the Peace. His family consisted of five children -Herman C .; Eliza, wife of C. N. Wilder; Mary J., wife of J. H. Wilder; Myra M., wife of C. T. Dewey; and Lucy C., wife of H. M. Calvin, of Osage City, Kan. Herman C. Shutts passed his
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early life on the home farm, receiving a limited education in the district school. His father died in 1859, and he then took charge of the farm, managing it a year when the estate was divided, and he came to Steuben County and bought the property where he now lives. He has devoted his energies to improving his land, and has brought it under a good state of cultivation and made it one of the best farms in the county. His residence and farm buildings are unsurpassed in the township. Mr. Shutts was married in 1862, to Mary Collins, daughter of Samuel and Betsey (Bush) Collins. They have four children-Charles, Lucas, Jennie and Erva. Mr. Shutts has taken an active interest in all measures that promised improvement to his township. He has filled many positions of trust and responsibility, and among others was Trustee several years. In the fall of 1885 he was elected County Commissioner.
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