USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Steuben County, Indiana, together withbiographies of representative citizens > Part 51
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in the grocery business. In 1865 he returned to Fremont and bought the American House, which he exchanged three years later for a house in Waterloo, known as the Long House. He car- ried on this house six months and then sold out and returned to Fremont, and the following fall was employed as traveling sales- man. A year later he bought a mill which he ran but a short time when he bought a farm on which he lived six years. Feb. 22, 1883, he again moved to Fremont and rented the Hilton House. He keeps one of the best hotels in Northeastern Indiana. It is furnished in good style and the table is always supplied with the best the market affords. In connection with his hotel he has a fine livery stable where will be found both single and double teams, for either gentlemen or ladies. Mr. Caswell was married March 17, 1859, to Leonia C. Barker, daughter of Samuel Barker. They have two children-Alice A., and Carrie, wife of J. B. Langworthy. In politics Mr. Caswell is a Republican.
C. H. Dougherty, jeweler, Fremont, Ind., was born in Hardin County, Ky., July 7, 1833, a son of Samuel and Matilda (Brown) Dougherty. In 1850 his parents moved to Henderson County, Ill., where they spent the rest of their lives. When sixteen years of age he began to learn the jeweler's trade of C. B. Mathews, of Oquawka, remaining with him till the breaking out of the Rebell- ion when he enlisted in Company E, Tenth Illinois Infantry, being one of the first to respond to the call for troops. His regiment was assigned to Pope's division, and participated in the engage- ments at New Madrid, Island No. 10 and Fort Pillow. They were then ordered to the support of Grant, at Corinth, and subse- quently camped at Tuscumbia. They crossed the river and joined Negley's command at Nashville, where for several days they foraged for all their food, living part of the time on parched corn and coffee made of acorns gathered in the woods near. by. They were left at Fort Negley on guard duty and from there went to Bridgeport, Ala., the base of supplies for Rosecrans's army. While there an explosion caused the sacrifice of the lives of many of the Tenth Regiment. From there they were sent to relieve the Fifth Regular Infantry, and captured several prisoners and were then sent to Perry Ford to guard them. They were subsequently at Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Kene- saw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, and with Sherman to the sea. Thence by water from Savannah to Fort Buford, and Bentonville, S. C., where they fought their last battle. He was
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at the grand review at Washington and was discharged at Louis- ville, Ky., in July, 1865, having served over four years. He then returned to Henderson County, Ill., and worked at his trade with Mr. Mathews. In 1866 he went to Aledo, Mercer County, and re- mained two years, when he went to Keithsburg. In August, 1875, he came to Steuben County, and established his present place of business. He has a fine stock of goods, keeping constantly on hand everything in his line. He is honorable in all his dealings, genial and pleasant to customers, and has built up a good business. Mr. Dougherty was married Dec. 7, 1865, to Mattie Owen, of Hen- derson County, Ill. They have one child-Frank. Mr. Dougherty is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Adam Failing, the fourth of a family of five children of Thomas and Catherine (Klock) Failing, was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., and was a child when his parents moved to Steuben County, Ind. He was reared on a frontier farm, receiving his education in the common schools. He was married Nov. 23, 1876, to Susan- nah Gudey, who was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 25, 1855, a daugh- ter of John and Susannah Gudey, natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Dauphin County and the mother in Huntington County. Her parents came to Steuben County in 1860, and here the mother still lives and the father died. Nine of their eleven children lived till maturity. To Mr. and Mrs. Failing have been born two children-Edna Pearl, born Nov. 16, 1878, and Inez J., born Nov. 11, 1880, died in October, 1881. Mr. Failing has been identified with Steuben County the most of his life, and has assisted materially in advancing all interests of benefit to the community. He owns 804 acres of valuable land in Jamestown Township, 400 acres being under cultivation. He is a man of fine address and good business ability and is one of the leading citizens of the county. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' order, and the Grange, at Jamestown.
Almoron R. Follett, one of the enterprising farmers of Steuben County, Ind., was born in Berkshire County, Mass., July 23, 1826, a son of Rensselaer and Eliza (Powell) Follett, natives of Berkshire County, the father born in 1801 and the mother Dec. 3, 1802. Dec. 18, 1823, his parents were married and in 1830 moved to Monroe County, Mich., and a short time after to Ypsilanti, Wash- tenaw County, where they both died in 1838. They were. the parents of seven children-Eliza A., born Sept. 25, 1824; Almoron
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R., July 23, 1826; William H., July, 1828; Marcus M., April 28, 1830; Harriet C., February, 1832; James S., 1834; Adelia M., March 6, 1836. Marcus and Almoron are the only ones living. Left an orphan at the age of twelve years, our subject found a home with an uncle in Lake County, remaining with him till sixteen years of age. He tlien started out to make his own way in the world. He worked for wages several years till he had accumulated enough to buy some land and then began farming for himself. In April, 1855, he came to Steuben County, and purchased a farm two miles east of Fremont, on section 26, where he lived twelve years, and then bought the farm where he now resides. Mr. Follett was mar- ried in Perry, Lake Co., Ohio, March 28, 1849, to L ›vina Barker, a daughter of Samuel A. and Rebecca C. (Caldwell) Barker, her father born July 9, 1797, and her mother May 19, 1802. Mr. and Mrs. Follett have had five children-Elmer B., born Jan. 13, 1851; Adelia M., April 14, 1853, wife of Albert A. Koons; Harriet L., Aug. 16, 1855, wife of Dr. S. H. Fuller; Leonora L., Sept. 1, 1857; Lina, Aug. 20, 1863, died aged thirteen months. Mrs. Follett's mother died Dec. 20, 1850, and lier father in March, 1863. They were married July 4, 1817, and had a family of six daughters- Lorena L., Mary M., Melvina, Lydia L., Rebecca C. and Lovina C.
Jacob K. Fox, furniture dealer and undertaker, Fremont, Ind., was born in Dauphin County, Pa., Oct. 2, 1826, a son of Samuel and Margaret Fox, of German descent. His father first married Catherine Eyer, who died leaving two daughters. He then mar- ried our subject's mother, and to them were born three sons-Sam_ uel, Joseph (deceased) and Jacob. His father died in Dauphin County in 1845, and his mother in Carroll County, Ill. Jacob Fox was reared in his native county and in his youth was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, serving two years and ten months, receiv- ing as remuneration his board and clothes. In 1851 he came to Indiana, landing in Fremont, Nov. 2. He followed his trade twenty years, erecting some of the best dwellings and business houses in the town. In 1871 he formed a partnership with Joshua Michael, which continued till October, 1883, when he sold his in- terest to Mr. Michael. In December, 1884, he bought the under- taking stock of the estate of Joshua Michael, deceased, and formed a partnership with Jacob Michael in the furniture and undertaking business. Mr. Fox has been identified with the busi- ness interests of Fremont over thirty-three years, and has assisted largely in sustaining and advancing all her interests. He was
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married April 18, 1850, to Susan Michael, and to them were born eight children four of whom are living-Clara, wife of Peter Weaver; Lavina, Sadie and Cora. Mrs. Fox died Jan. 15, 1871, and Mr. Fox subsequently married Lavina Michael. Mr. Fox has been an active member of the Masonic fraternity twenty-nine years, and has been a representative to the grand lodge sixteen times. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was reared in the Dunkard church, his parents being members of that denomination.
Wakefield Gleason was born in Jackson Township, Steuben Co., Ind., Nov. 18, 1857, the youngest of nine children of Porter and Amy (Sams) Gleason, his father a native of New York and his mother of Fairfield County, Ohio. In 1839 his parents moved to Steuben County and settled in Jackson Township, where they en- tered land and experienced all the hardships and privations of pio- neer life. They are members of the Christian church. In early life Mrs. Gleason was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but after her marriage transferred her allegiance to the church of her husband's choice. Their family were-Adam, Amos, Lydia (deceased), Myron, James, Ellen, Philetus, Eoline (deceased), and Wakefield. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, receiving his early education in the district schools, and later attending the Angola High School. He was married Oct. 10, 1880, to Ellen Duke, a native of Jackson Township, born Sept. 8, 1860, a daugh- ter of Benjamin and Charlotte (Culf) Duke, natives of Mansfield, Ohio, and early settlers of Steuben County. Mr. Gleason has always been identified with the agriculturists of Steuben County, and is one of the most promising young men of his township. He has a good farm, well improved, which shows the effect of a thrifty and enterprising owner.
B. J. Goff, grocer, Fremont, Ind., was born in Erie County, Pa., June 29, 1834. His father, Orrin Goff, was a native of Mont- pelier, Vt., a son of Bethuel Goff, a soldier of the Revolutionary war. His mother was Emma Stanclift, a daughter of Lemuel Stanclift, also a Revolutionary hero and an early settler of Erie County. His parents were married in Erie County in 1824. Soon after their marriage they went to Medina County, Ohio, but re- turned again to Pennsylvania, where the father died in 1842. The mother is still living. To them were born four sons, three of whom were in the service of their country in the war of the Re- bellion. Azro resides in New York City. Osman D. served three
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months in the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and twelve months in the Eighty-third Pennsylvania as Second Sergeant, and subsequently as Sergeant-Major of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana. Orrin F. was a member of the Twenty- third Indiana Battery, and died of fever at East Tazewell, Tenn. B. J., the subject of our sketch, was reared in his na- tive county, receiving a liberal education. When twenty years of age, in 1854, he enlisted in the naval service of the United States, and served four years. When the war broke out, in 1861, he was one of the first to answer to the call for troops, and enlisted in the three-months' service. After the expiration of his term he re-enlisted, in August, 1861, in the three-years' ser- viee, in Company C, Eighty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant. He participated in the engage- ments at Centerville, Hampton Cross Roads, Big Bethel, York- town, White House Landing, Hanover Court House, Cold Har- bor, and Gaines's Mills, where he was wounded by a shell in the right side. He was sent to Annapolis Hospital. He was appointed Assistant Provost Marshal, with rank of Captain, and served as such about three months in the city of Baltimore; but not re- covering from his wound he resigned Nov. 1, 1862, and was dis- charged, his discharge being signed by General MeClellan. Mr. Goff was married in 1858 to Amy D. Swarthout, a native of Gen- esee County, N. Y., born Sept. 1, 1835. They have had six chil- dren; but two sons are living-James O. and Bethuel Arthur. While Mr. Goff was in the army his family moved to Montcalm County, Mich., and thither he went after his discharge. In the spring of 1863 he moved his family to Fremont, but in 1865 moved again to Michigan. In April, 1881, he came to Fremont, where he has since been successfully engaged in the grocery business. Mr. Goff is a man of firm, upright business principles, and is a noble accession to any community. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and with another comrade organized the post in Fremont, they paying all the expense of getting the char- ter. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows and Masonic or- ders.
William M. Goodell is a native of Oneida County, N. Y., born Sept. 15, 1822. His father, John Goodell, was born in Yorkshire, England, Dec. 19, 1799, and was married May 1, 1821, to Eliza- beth Mead, a native of the same county, born Feb. 2, 1800. They are living in Oneida County, having had a married life of sixty-
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four years. They are the parents of nine children-Sarah, Mary, Isabel, Jane, Adeline, Myra, William, Daniel, and Robert (de- ceased). William M. Goodell is the eldest son. He was reared in his native county on a farm, receiving a limited education. He was married in Waterville, Oneida Co., N. Y., Dec. 31, 1851, to Fidelia Olmstead, a native of Waterville, born Oct. 31, 1828, a daughter of Walter and Mary (Bennett) Olmstead. To them have been born five children, three of whom are living-Ira; Ella, wife of Elroy Carpenter, and Ray. Walter died Jan. 14, 1853, and Adelbert April 12, 1857. In March, 1860, Mr. Goodell removed to Camden, Hillsdale Co., Mich., and in the spring of 1865 to Fremont, where they have since resided. Mrs. Goodell's parents were natives of Connecticut, her father born March 17, 1805, and her mother Jan. 2, 1806. They had a family of six children- Caroline, Susan, Edmund, Ellen, Amelia and Fidelia.
Joseph H. Hall, harness-maker, Fremont, Ind., was born in Washington County, N. Y., Aug. 24, 1824, a son of John and Jane ( Allen) Hall, natives of Washington County. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Plattsburg. His mother died in 1832 and his father in 1862. They had a family of five children-Nancy, wife of James Arm- strong; John R .; Jane, wife of David Paul; J. H .; William, on the old homestead. J. H. Hall was reared and educated in his native county. When twenty years of age he came West to Branch County, Mich., and began to work at the harness- maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years. For the first year he received $25, and for the last $100 and his board, clothing himself. In 1853 he came to Fremont and opened a shop, where he continued in business until 1864, when he en- listed in Company A, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry. He was. appointed Quartermaster's clerk at Chattanooga, and subsequently was detailed as Sutler. He was mustered out at the close of the war, and again worked at his trade till 1873, when he sold out and moved to a farm. Mr. Hall has been identified with the busi- ness interests of Steuben County over thirty years, and has been one of the foremost to advance all her interests. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace eighteen years and Notary Public four years. He is a member of Greenleaf Lodge, No. 349, F. & A. M. In politics he is a Republican, in early life affiliating with the Whig party. Mr. Hall was married in Branch County, Mich., in 1848, to Mary Beach, a native of Genesee County, N. Y., and
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to them were born four children, but two of whom are living-Ida, wife of E. Hilton, and Effie. Mrs. Hall died in 1859, and Mr. Hall subsequently married Adelia S. Beach. They have had four children, three of whom are living-Charles, Earl and Irene.
William T. Heath, one of the most enterprising farmers of Fremont Township, and an early settler of Steuben County, was born in Columbia County, N. Y., July 27, 1816. His parents, Reuben and Sally (Bishop) Heath, were natives of Berkshire County, Mass., and early settlers of Columbia County. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom are now living. When twenty years of age our subject left his native county and went to Curtisville, Mass., and worked in a chair factory, and at the same time taught music in the surrounding country. He was married April 15, 1840, to Harriet D., daughter of Zenas and Ruth Wil- cox, of Berkshire County, Mass. Soon after their marriage they moved to Geauga County, Ohio, and in 1848 to Steuben County, Ind. In 1849 he settled on his present farm, the only house at the time being a small log cabin. In this the family lived five years. Five acres were cleared and with this exception Mr. Heath has made his beautiful home by his own industry. He is a man of keen perception, liberal education, dignified, yet easy in his manners, and is a general favorite in social circles. Inheriting from his father a talent for music, and having this talent cultiva- ted, he has become one of the most popular and successful teachers of vocal music in Northern Indiana, and has done more to advance and elevate the public in the art than any other teacher in this section. His daughters, Josephine and Belle, are both accomplished musi- cians and teachers. The latter is the wife of Prof. A. M. Hol- brook, a musician of wide reputation. Mr. Heath is not only admired for his superior musical talent but his upright and hon- orable dealing has gained him many friends. His readiness to assist all landable enterprises has often obliged him to devote time to the public at the expense of his personal interests. His obliging and generons disposition has made him forgetfnl of self, and has therefore added to his popularity and made him most highly esteemed by all who know him.
Benjamin B. Holcomb, harness-maker and saddler, Fremont, Ind., was born in Marcellus, Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 24, 1819. His parents, James and Hannah (Bentley) Holcomb, were married in Oneida County, N. Y., and settled in Onondaga County. In 1825 they moved to Monroe County, near Rochester, and in
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1836 started for the West via the lakes, on the steamer Dewitt Clinton. They landed at Toledo, at that time only a landing, the only house there being used as a hotel. With teams they pro- ceeded to Jackson County, Mich., and a short time after to Cam- den, Hillsdale County, where they entered land and made a per- manent home. The father died April 9, 1863, and the mother Aug. 7, 1871. They had a family of eight children all of whom lived to have families of their own-Harriet is the wife of A. Purdy, of Branch County, Mich .; Mary Ann, wife of Jesse Doyle, of Buchanan County, Iowa; Benjamin B .; Charlotte A., wife of Dr. L. M. Jones, died Feb. 4, 1883; Myron C., of Johnson County, Kas., married Susan Phenecie; Susan, wife of William Worden, of Coldwater, Mich .; George W., of Hillsdale County, Mich., married Permelia Hughs; Roxy C., widow of Charles Travis. The mother was a member in early life of the Close Communion Baptist church but later joined the Free-Will Baptist. The father was a member of the Universalist church. Benjamin B. Holcomb was reared on a farın. When a boy he learned the shoemaker's trade of his father and afterward learned the harness -maker's trade. He came to Steuben County and worked with J. H. Hall, his brother-in-law, who opened the first shop in Fremont, helping to make the first harness in the town. He also made the first Sweeney horse collar and the first pair of square lines in Fremont. Nov. 17, 1860, he moved his family to Fremont and formed a part- nership with Mr. Hall which continued a few years, when he en- gaged in farming. In 1873 he returned to Fremont and again opened a harness shop,and has continued the business to the present time. He has been a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders several years and has held many responsible positions in both orders. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, the only time he ever voted against the party being at the second election of President Lincoln. Mr. Holcomb was married in a log cabin in Branch County, Mich., to Sarah L. Beech, a native of Genesee County, N. Y., born May 1, 1819, a daughter of Samuel and Irena (Lawrence) Beech, who set- tled in Saline, Mich., in 1831. Of their three children but one is living-Jerome B., who married Hattie N. Phelps.
Thomas Johnston was born in Ontario County, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1820, a son of William and Polly (Walden) Johnston, his father a native of Schoharie County, N. Y., born in 1784 and his mother of Connecticut, born in 1791. In 1839 his parents moved to Oak- land County, Mich., where the father died in April, 1852, and the
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mother in 1867. They had a family of eleven children-Caro- line, wife of James Underhill, of Mill Grove Township, Steuben County; Emeline, wife of Jesse Underhill, also of Mill Grove Township; Louisa, widow of William Dillingham; Mary, wife of Augustus Woodworth; Thomas, Warren, Betsey (deceased), Rachel, widow of George Bruce; Henry (deceased), Theodore L., and Mercy, married Joseph Davids, both deceased. Thomas John- ston came to Steuben County, Ind., Feb. 26, 1840, having when he reached here but 18 cents in money, and went to work as a day laborer. In 1842 he entered land in Scott Township, where he built a log cabin and began to open up a farm. In 1846 he sold his land and bought a tract in Otsego Township, and in 1864 bought the Merriman homestead where he now resides. He has helped to clear the timber off of three farms in Steuben County. He now owns 138 acres of choice land in Pleasant Township, 100 acres improved and valued at $100 an acre. He also owns 160 acres in Lake County, Mich., valued at $1,500. He has been identified with the county forty-five years, and has witnessed all its varied changes and improvements, assisting materially in the transformation. He was married July 16, 1844, to Roselma Merriman, a native of Ohio. To them were born eight children, six of whom are living-Louisa, William, Emma, Leonora, Charles and Frank. Mrs. Johnston's father, Rufus Merriman, was a na- tive of Connecticut, born Jan. 23, 1794, and her mother, Dolly Merriman, of New York, born Sept. 13, 1803. They were mar- ried March 11, 1824, and in early life moved to Ohio, in 1835 to White Pigeon, Mich., and in 1836 to Steuben County, Ind. They died in 1864, the father May 10, and the mother June 10. They had a family of eight children-Lawson, Roselma, Richard, Alvin, Julia, Jerome, Henry and Alvira. Mrs. Johnston and Alvira, now Mrs. Carey, of Angola, are the only ones living.
Robert Mc Cuen, farmer, Fremont Township, was born in County Entrim, Ireland, June 23, 1824, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Nancy Maxwell. In 1853 he left his native county and came to America, locating in Detroit, Mich., where he was employed as watchman at the freight house of the Michigan Cen- tral Railroad. In 1859 he removed to Steuben County, Ind., and bought a farm in Fremont Township. He was in very limited cir- cuinstances when he came to the county, but he has been pros- perous, and has paid for his farm, and now has a pleasant and comfortable home. He owns eighty acres of land a mile from Fre-
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mont, valued at $50 an acre. His residence and farm buildings are all in good repair, and his home betokens a thrifty owner. Mr. Mc Cuen enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in the fall of 1864 in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-second Indiana Infantry, and served till the close of the war. His regiment was assigned to guard duty at Nashville and participated in the last battle at that place. While in the army he contracted rheumatism and heart disease, and has never fully recovered from its effects. Mr. and Mrs. Mc Cuen have had six children; five are living-Mary Ann, wife of Henry Grim; Elizabeth, Agnes, Kate and Lucinda. Agnes is attending Hillsdale College, and three of the daughters are successful school-teachers. Mr. Mc Cuen is a member of the Methodist and his wife of the Presbyterian church.
J. S. C. Mc Naughton, one of the pioneers of Steuben County, Ind., was born in Washington County, N. Y., March 28, 1830, a son of Alexander and Maria (Crawford) Mc Naughton, his father Scotch and his mother of Irish descent. In 1836 his parents moved to Steuben County, Ind., and settled on section 24, Fre- mont Township; ten years later they moved to section 13, same township, where the mother died March 30, 1867. The father died Jan. 24, 1884. They were members of the Reformed Pres- byterian church. Four children were born to them in New York, and two in Steuben County-Aun Eliza (deceased), J. S. C., Arch- ibald, Robert, Maria (deceased), and Sarah J. J. S. C. Me Naugh- ton was reared and educated in Steuben County, completing his education in the High School at Angola. He was married in 1S53 to Jannett Duguid who died Nov. 30, 1866, leaving four chil- dren-Theodore, Louisa J., Eleanor M. and Robert. April 17, 1869, he married Mary Jane Mitchell, daughter of James and Sa- rah J. Mitchell, and to them have been born five children-John French, Leslie E., Nettie B., Ada L. (deceased) and James H. Mr. Mc Naughton was raised in the old pioneer days and has ex- perienced all the varied phases of life in an early day, and since at- taining manhood has assisted materially all enterprises of public benefit. Mr. and Mrs. Mc Naughton are members of the Reformed Presbyterian church, at Ray, Ind.
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