History of Steuben County, Indiana, together withbiographies of representative citizens, Part 53

Author: Inter-state publishing co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 894


USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Steuben County, Indiana, together withbiographies of representative citizens > Part 53


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Henry Trecarten was born in Lubec, Washington Co., Me., May 18, 1837, a son of William and Sarah A. (Drake) Trecarten, natives of St. John, New Brunswick. There was a family of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, all of whom lived till ma- turity. Our subject was reared and educated in his native county, and learned the cooper's trade of his father. In 1863 he left Maine and went to Chicago, Ill., where he lived two years, and in 1865 moved to Steuben County, Ind., and settled in Fremont. He had


580


HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.


but $75 in money when he reached Steuben County, but he is a natural mechanic, and by energy and industry has accumulated a competency, having a pleasant home and surrounded with all the comforts of life. Mr. Trecarten was married in June, 1865, to Harriet (Tigns) Grant, widow of Harrison Grant, who died from the effects of disease contracted in the army. They have three children-Myrta M., Cassius M. and Cora E. Mr. and Mrs. Tre- carten are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Tre- carten is a member of Steuben Lodge, No. 231, I. O. O. F.


Charles White was born in Edinburg County, Scotland, Oct. 6, 1820, a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Watson) White. His mother died in 1823, leaving two sons, Charles and David. His father afterward married Fannie Gibbs, and to them were born six chil- dren-Ann, William, Jesse, Fannie, James and Jane. When four- teen years of age, our subject was apprenticed to learn the trade of a machinist, and served four years, his only remuneration being his board. He was married in his native country, in 1845, to Marian White, also a native of Scotland, born Oct. 16, 1823. To them were born ten children, but four of whom are living-Charles M., Lottie, wife of Jackson Little, Lillie and Annie. In the spring of 1850 he left his native heath and came to America in a sailing vessel. He located in New York, where he found employment in the navy yard, and the following fall sent for his wife. In Aug- ust, 1853, he moved to Detroit, Mich., and in 1859, to Angola, Ind., where he was engaged in the manufacture of sewing machines. The following fall he purchased and removed to the farm where he now lives, a mile and a half from Fremont. May 10, 1862, he en- listed in Company M, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, and participated in the battle of Salina, on the Cumberland River; was on the Morgan raid at the time 1,500 of his men were captured; the siege of Knox- ville and all the engagements against Longstreet. The regiment was then dismounted and sent to reinforce Sherman's army, and participated in the battles of Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Stone Mountain, siege of Atlanta and Stoneman's raid. They were capt- ured at Macon, Ga., July 31, 1864, and confined in Andersonville three months, Miller six weeks, Savannah two weeks, Blackshear one week, and Thomasville, Ga., till May 1, 1865, when they were released and sent to Jackson, Fla. His son Charles M. was a mem- ber of the same regiment, and was with him in all his experiences. Mr. White was a charter member of Angola Lodge, No. 180, I. O. O. F., and is now a member of Steuben Lodge, No. 231. He has


581


HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.


passed all the chairs and has been a representative to the Grand Lodge of the State. He is also a charter member of Heaton En- campment, No. 60, and of the Grange and Grand Army of the Re- public. He has been Master of the Grange six years. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church.


Jacob Wolf, one of the pioneers, and a prominent and influen- tial citizen of Steuben County, Ind., was born in Washington County, Pa., Nov. 19, 1815, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Wood) Wolf, natives of New Jersey, where they were married and lived till 1807 when he moved to Washington County, Pa., where the mother died in 1827. In 1828 the father removed to Tusca- rawas County, Ohio, where he died in 1837. They had a family of six children, two born in New Jersey and four in Pennsylvania- Ruth, now of White County, Ind., the widow of William Wolf; Peter, who settled in Steuben County, Ind., in 1836, and died in Branch County, Mich., in 1882; Abbie (deceased) was the wife of Ellis Hughes; Mary died in infancy; Jacob; Sarah (deceased) was the wife of Hugh Hughes. Jacob Wolf removed with his father to Ohio in 1828, and in the spring of 1837 came to Steuben County, and located in Angola, at that time a hamlet of a few log cabins. When he left Ohio he had 44 cents in money. He was by trade a blacksmith, and finding no employment in Angola, went to Union Mills, south of English Prairie, and worked at his trade a short time. Becoming discouraged he came to Fremont and ordered a suit of clothes made, intending to return to Ohio, but finally con- cluded to remain, and worked in different places till 1842, when he bought the farm where he now resides. He has been a hard work- ing man, and his beautiful home is the result of his many years of unabated toil. He is now one of the well-to-do farmers of the county, he and his sons owning 450 acres of land, all gained by his untiring industry. Mr. Wolf was married June 6, 1841, to Delilah Masters, daughter of Uriah Masters, a pioneer of Steuben County. They have had eight children, five of whom are living-Phoebe, wife of J. C. Bisby; Ann, wife of J. C. Tobias; William, John and Sarah. Mr. Wolf is in politics a stanch Democrat. . During the war of the Rebellion he was a loyal Union man, and gave of his means liberally for the support of the widows and orphans of the soldiers. He is a public-spirited, whole-souled man, supporting all projects of public benefit, and giving liberally to all benevolent objects. He and his wife joined the Methodist Episcopal church


37


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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.


in their youth, and ever remained true to its principles. Mrs. Wolf died Jan. 14, 1877, loved and lamented by all who knew her. Mr. Wolf is still an active business man. For the past eighteen years he has dealt extensively in stock, which has given him an ex- tended acquaintance throughout the county.


CHAPTER XV.


CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP.


THE NORTHEASTERN CORNER OF INDIANA. - DESCRIPTION. - GE- OGRAPHY .- CLEAR LAKE .- FIRST SETTLERS AND LAND ENTRIES .- FIRST BIRTH, MARRIAGE AND DEATH. - EARLY RELIGIOUS SERVICES. -DROWNED IN THE LAKE .- POPULATION .- AGRICULTURAL STA- TISTICS .- PROPERTY AND TAXATION. - POLITICS. - VOTE FOR PRESI- DENT SINCE 1852 .- DETAILED VOTE IN 1884 .- LISTS OF TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. - BIOGRAPHICAL.


The smallest township in the county, occupying the northeastern corner, not only of Steuben County, but also the State of Indiana, is Clear Lake. It is congressional township 38 north, 15 east, and is bounded as follows : On the north by Branch and Hillsdale counties, Mich .; on the east by Hillsdale County, Mich., and Williams County, Ohio; on the south by York Township, and on the west by Fremont Township. It is four miles north and south, by two and three-quarters east and west. Its area is therefore about eleven square miles, or 7,000 acres, nearly 1,000 being covered by water. The township derives its name from the beauti- ful lake that is situated nearly in the center, on the north banks of which two hotels were built, a few years ago, for the accommoda- tion of tourists. Clear Lake deserves to become still more popular as a resort. It was at one time proposed to build to it a branch from the railroad, but this plan was unfortunately given up. Be- sides Clear Lake, there are several smaller bodies of water, all connected with it. The soil is of a sandy nature, except in the south part of the township, which is of a rich, sandy loam. Most of the township is considered fertile. The surface is rolling, and interspersed with small rivulets which empty into the lake.


The first settler of Clear Lake Township was John Russell, who entered land on section 21, in March, 1836. He used his covered wagon for shelter when he first came, and the following summer or fall built a log cabin in the woods. With Mr. Russell came his sons Isaac, Anthony, Wayne, Hiram, John, George and Silas, and two daughters, mostly grown.


(583)


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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.


Levi Douglas and Thomas Cope entered land, the former on section 28 and the latter on 33, in April, 1836, and located the same year. Lewis Wells settled Dec. 19, 1836; Charles Throop entered land on section 33; George and Clark Throop on section 29, in 1836, and settled on the same in 1837. George Hotchkiss settled on section 28 in the winter of 1838. Hiram Throop and Erastus Brown settled in 1840. The Lords and Burroughs came soon after, at about which time the township began settling up rapidly. and continued so until the land was all taken.


The first white child born in Clear Lake was Noah Douglas, son of Levi and Abigail Donglas, in the winter of 1837, and the second was Loovica C., daughter of Charles and Sally Throop, in January, 1838. The first marriage took place in 1839, Rodney Beach and Charlotte Donglas being the contracting parties. The first person who died was Levi Douglas, the event occurring in 1839, and he was shortly followed by Lovica and Marian Throop, both of whom died in the same year. The first school-house was built at Harris's Corners, on section 33, in 1843, and the school was taught by Ariah Beach.


The first religious services were held at the house of Levi Douglas in 1838, by a Mr. Swiger. an exhorter of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the first preaching was by an itinerant Methodist preacher, at the funerals of Levi Douglas and the chil- d'en of Charles Throop.


At a picnic held at Clear Lake, July 4, 1858, a terrible accident occurred, in which eleven persons were drowned. This cast a gloom over the occasion, which is yet spoken of by those who were eye-witnesses of this sad occurrence, which was the result of care- lessness on the part of the man in charge of the boat, who was under the influence of whisky.


The population of the township in 1870 was 455; in 1880, 519 -- an increase of sixty-four.


The following leading crop statistics are for the last census year, 1880 : Acres of wheat sown, 967 ; average number of bushels grown per acre, twenty; total crop, 19,340 bushels; acres of corn, 522; average product of upland, forty bushels per acre, and of bottom, forty-five bushels; total crop, 21,250; acres of oats, 332; average product, thirty bushels per acre; total crop, 9,960; acres in meadow, 318; average product, one and a half tons of hay per acre ; total crop, 477 tons; acres in potatoes, forty; average prod- uct, seventy-five bushels per acre; total crop, 3,000 bushels.


O


585


HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.


In 1884 there were assessed 6,024.47 acres of land, valued at $45,735; value of improvements, $14,705; value of personal property, $15,990; total, $76,430; number of polls, 57; number of dogs, 43; total taxes levied, $1,772.71. As property is assessed on a basis of one-third, the wealth of Clear Lake may be estimated at $229,290.


The politics of Clear Lake are not very decided. They are as the Indian said of the white man, " mighty onsartin." In the days of the Whig party the township gave a small majority for that party. It was Republican from 1856 to 1864, and Demo- cratic from1868 to 1880. In 1884 it turned once more and gave seven more votes for Blaine than for Cleveland. The following is the vote for President each year since the organization of the township.


1852-Winfield Scott. 21


11


1872-Horace Greeley.


52


18


Franklin Pierce


10


John P. Hale. 1


1876-Samuel J. Tilden.


47


Rutherford B. Hayes.


. .


37


Peter Cooper. . ..


10


1880-Winfield S. Hancock .. . 53


14


James A. Garfield. .


39


James B. Weaver


1


1864 -- Abraham Lincoln. 33


9


1884-James G. Blaine. .


46


George B. Mcclellan ..


24


1868-Horatio Seymour.


50


Ulysses S. Grant.


41


9


7


S. Grover Cleveland ...


39


Benjamin F. Butler. . . .


4


John P. St. John.


2


The vote in 1884 on State, district and county ticket was as


follows:


Governor.


William H. Calkins. 46


7


Isaac P. Gray. 39


Hiram Z. Leonard.


4


Robert S. Dwiggings.


2


Congressman.


Theron P. Keator .. 46


Robert Lowry.


38


George F. Hartsuck.


4


Jesse M. Gale.


2


Prosecutor.


Henry C. Peterson.


46


3


Frank M. Powers.


43


Senator.


Nicholas Ensley.


47


5


Lafayette J. Miller


42


Representative.


Doak R. Best. .


46


1


Robert G. Morley.


46


1


Moses J. Parsell.


45


Coroner.


T. Ray Morrison


46


1


Adam Failing.


39


Commissioners (continued).


Thomas McClue.


7


Daniel P. Rummel.


46


7


Alvah Carpenter.


39


John Dygert ..


6


John M. Sewell.


39


39


Sheriff.


Allen Fast


46


Charles Squires.


39


Thomas R. Moffett,


6


Treasurer.


Clay Lemmon.


46


Edwin Jackson.


39


Martin V. Garn. .


6


Surveyor.


William W. Wyrick.


45


Commissioners.


Herman C. Shutts


46


7


Ulysses S. Grant.


34


10


1856-John C. Fremont. 33


James Buchanan.


23


10


1860 -- Abramam Lincoln.


48


24


Stephen A. Douglas. 24


8


7


Edward B. Simmons.


45


1


A


586


HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.


Following is a list of those elected to fill the various offices in Clear Lake Township, together with the years in which they were chosen :


Assessors-1852, Cyrus Hundy; 1854, William N. Wilbur; 1856, Meriah D. Potter; 1858, S. N. Teft; 1860, William Gowthrop; 1862, Wilson Teeters; 1864, M. B. Potter; 1866, D. B. Teeters; 1868, Nathan Odell; 1870, A. F. Throop; 1872, Wilson Teeters; 1874, David B. Teeters; 1878, Andrew J. Smith; 1880, William Lords; 1882, San Francisco McElhenie.


Justices of the Peace .- 1855, William N. Wilbur; 1858, George Sowle, 1859, Abram Grant; 1862, George Sowle; 1863, Alvin Pat- terson; 1865, Whitman Rathbun; 1866, A. J. Teeters; 1869, John McElhenie and David Harris; 1870, V. W. Rathbun; 1872, L. C. Young; 1874, V. W. Rathbun; 1876, Lewis I. C. Young; 1878, V. W. Rathbun; 1880, Henry Bennett; 1882, George A. Smith and Alvin Patterson.


Constables .- 1858, William Lundis and Martin Smith; 1859, Henry Leeds and S. A. Teft; 1860, S. A. Teft and D. C. Grant; 1861, J. E. McElhenie and Henry A. Lord; 1862, George B. Sowle and E. H. Brown; 1863, George B. Sowle, C. Hoffman and S. A. Teft; 1864, George B. Sowle, Martin Smith and E. P. Brown; 1865, G. B. Sowle and J. W. Sheets; 1866, H. Brooks and John May; 1868, Martin H. Smith and John Teeters; 1869, Wesley Cass and Martin H. Smith; 1870, Samuel Nelson and Joseph Cough; 1872, William Bloomer and John Teeters; 1874, James E. McElhenie and Sam Brooks; 1878, J. E. McElhenie and Jerry J. Shatto; 1880, Daniel Haines and Thomas Painter, 1882, Daniel H. Buck and Thomas Painter; 1884, James Shaw and William Bloomer.


Trustees .- 1859, Stephen A. Powers; 1860, same; 1861, same; 1862, Benjamin McClontt; 1863, Washington Newell; 1864, same; 1865, A. F. Throop; 1866, John Smith; 1868, Andrew J. Teeters; 1869, David B. Teeters; 1870, same; 1872, same; 1874, Martin V. Chapman; 1878, David B. Teeters; 1880, same; 1882, Valentine W. Rathbun; 1884, Samuel Lash.


BIOGRAPHICAL.


Morris L. Chandler is a native of Perryville, Madison Co., N. Y., born Sept. 12, 1818, a son of Simeon and Temperance (Post) Chandler. On his twelfth birthday the family were on Lake Erie, en route to their new home in Hartland Township, Huron Co.,


KG


587


HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.


Ohio, where his father purchased a tract of heavily timbered land. The family comprised six children -- Samantha, deceased, married H. Burnett; Morris L., Orrin P., Jerome, now of Montana; Enos and Thomas, of La Crosse, Wis. When Morris L. was twenty- one years of age he left home and located near Coldwater, Mich., where he remained twelve years. In 1851 he came to Steuben County and purchased the farm in Clear Lake Township where he now lives. He has been uniformly successful in all his business transactions and has acquired a competency for his declining years. He is an affable, courteous gentleman, and has been a useful and influential member of society. He was married in 1842 to Mary J. McMillan, a native of New York, who moved with her parents to Coldwater, Mich., in an early day. But one of their four children is living-Mary A., now Mrs. Wilson Teeters. Mrs. Chandler died and in 1857 Mr. Chandler married Lavina, daugh- ter of Wilson and Sophia (Smith) Teeters.


George H. Davenport, a pioneer of Steuben County, Ind., was born in Bethany, Genesee Co., N. Y., April 15, 1819, a son of Rufus and Nabby (Hall) Davenport, natives of Vermont, his father born in 1787, and his mother in 1793. They were the parents of ten children-Calvin, Betsey, William, Sylvia, George H., Sally, Rufus, Nabby, Marcus, Marshall, and one who died in infancy. They moved to Genesee County, N. Y., in an early day, and in 1830 to Cattaraugus County, where they died. In early life the mother was a member of the Baptist church, and afterward joined the Methodist Episcopal church. George H. Davenport was married in September, 1840, in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., to Lucina Lovejoy, born Jan. 25, 1824, a daughter of Almon and Hannah (Ames) Lovejoy. Their children were eight in number; four are living-Hannah, the wife of David Mowrey; Elizabeth L., wife of Marvin L. Perigo; Ellen M., wife of Augustus Stiles; Charles G., of Woodbridge, Mich. Their eldest son, William R., enlisted in the Second Michigan Cavalry, and afterward in the Eleventh Michigan Cavalry, and died in the hospital at Lexington, Ky .; Mary J. married Christian Estel, who was killed by lightning in July, 1870, and she died the following November. Two died in childhood. In November, 1842, Mr. Davenport moved to Steu- ben County, Ind., and settled in Clear Lake Township, moving to the place where he now lives in 1849. He built the first house on section 16. When Mr. Davenport left Lake Erie he had but one York shilling, and had to run in debt for having his goods hauled


G


588


HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.


to the county. Their children were educated in the log-cabin schools; their first teacher was Adeline Bailey. Mr. Davenport now has a pleasant home and is a respected farmer of the town- ship. Mrs. Davenport is a member of the Baptist church. Her father was born in 1792, and her mother in 1796. They came to Steuben County in 1842, and subsequently moved to Michigan, where the father died at the age of eighty-eight, and the mother aged eighty-four years, after a married life of sixty-seven years. They were members of the United Brethren church.


Samuel Lash was born in Ashland County, Ohio, June 25, 1845, a son of William and Barbara Lash, his father a native of New Jersey, and his mother of Pennsylvania. His parents were early settlers of Ashland County, where his mother died in March, 1885, and his father still lives, aged eighty-two years. Their family consisted of twelve children, seven of whom are living. In politics William Lash was in early life a Democrat, but now affiliates with the Republican party. He was Captain of a militia company several years. Samuel Lash was reared on a farm, receiving in his youth only limited educational advantages. He was ambitious and when not at work applied himself to study and gained a good, practical education. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Sixty-third Ohio Infantry, which at first was known as the home guards. They were subsequently sent to the field and participated in the battle of Petersburg, Sept. 14, 1865. He was married to Eliza, daughter of Frederick Brouse. They have had seven children, six of whom are living-Orville, Ada, Alta, Elmer, William and Eva. Mr. Lash is a Republican in politics. He is serving his fourth year as Trustee of Clear Lake Township. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.


Robert Mc.Elroy, farmer, section 33, Clear Lake Township, is one of the enterprising citizens of Steuben County. He is a prosperous farmer, owning 144 acres of land, 100 acres under culti- vation, valued at $50 an acre. He was born in Canada East, March 13, 1833, a son of Robert and Mary Ann (Hamilton) Mc- Elroy, natives of Ireland. They died when our subject was thir- teen years of age, and thus early he was thrown on his own resources. He was married in 1859 to Alz ina Brooks, of Huron, Ohio, daughter of Menshall Brooks. They have nine children- Joseph C., Mary J., Florence, Menshall, Ulysses, Bessie, Eliza, Katie and Hattie. In 1862 he enlisted in Huron County, Ohio, in the Twelfth Ohio Battery, and participated in the engagements at


589


HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.


Fredericksburg, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Buzzard Roost, Resaca. He was mustered out at the close of the war at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio. He was shot in the right shoulder by a picket while out on a pass, being inistaken for another man. He was also injured by his horse falling on him. Mr. McElroy is a member of Judson Kilpatrick Post, No. 45, G. A. R., at Fremont. In politics he is a stanch Republican.


Christopher Oberst, farmer, Clear Lake Township, was born in Ottawa County, Ohio, Aug. 26, 1840, a son of John and Barbara (Auldt) Oberst, natives of Germany, who came to America about 1835, and settled in Rochester, N. Y., removing three years later to Ottawa County, Ohio, where the mother died in January, 1856, and the father Sept. 12, 1877. They were members of the Lutheran church. Their family consisted of eight children, four of whom are living-Conrad; Maria, widow of Peter Bowman; Eliza- beth, wife of Martin H. Smith, of Washington County, Neb., and Christopher. Our subject remained in his native county till man- hood, and was there educated. He enlisted in 1861 in Company A, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and participated in the engage- ments at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River and Chicka- mauga, where he was wounded Sept. 20, 1863. The ball struck his shoulder and passed down into the right side where it still re- mains. He lay on the field ten days, having fallen into the hands of the rebels, and was then paroled and immediately sent to the hospital. In May, 1864, he joined his command at Chattanooga, and was mustered out the following November. After leaving the service he came to Steuben County, and bought the farm where he now lives. He was married Sept. 3, 1861, to Mary M. Lord, a daughter of Henry A. and Catherine (Flora) Lord, her father a native of Maine, and her mother of Richland County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Oberst have two children-Marian A. and George A. Mrs. Oberst's parents moved to Steuben County in 1849, and located in Clear Lake Township. The father died in Eaton, Mich., in 1866, and the mother in November, 1884. They had a family of eight children, six of whom are living-Mary M., Henry A., John M., James A., Edwin D. and Waldon B.


Valentine W. Rathbun one of the early settlers of Steuben County, Ind., was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., July 6, 1826, a son of Valentine W. and Roxanna (Smith) Rathbun, natives of the New England States, his father born in 1792 and his mother in 1795. In 1831 his parents moved from Cayuga to Huron County,


590


HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.


Ohio, thence in the fall of 1841 to Erie County, and in the spring of 1842 to Steuben County, Ind., and settled in Scott Township. The mother died in Scott, Ang. 28, 1858. She was a member of the Free-Will Baptist church and a sincere Christian. She left a family of eight children-Niles, Nancy L., Phidelia J., Valentine W., Joseph S., Roxanna P., Hannah and Charlotte. In 1859 the father married Isabella Hamilton, and to them were born five children-Mary D., Emma L., Nettie, Minnie I. and Homer R. Mr. Rathbun died May 16, 1876. He was a Drum Major in the war of 1812; in politics was a Whig and Republican. Valen- tine W. Rathbun, Jr., remained with his parents till manhood, receiving a good education for the early days. He was married June 4, 1851, to Paulina Hardy, a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., born Sept. 23, 1823, a daughter of Ephraim and Annis (Coburn) Hardy, natives of the New England States. Mr. and Mrs. Rath- bun have five children-Ginevra, A., wife of Samuel Davis of York Township; Albert Henry, married Catherine Kinsley; Charles D., of Iowa; Walter M., married Harriett Merrifield; Oscar Bradley, died in infancy. Mr. Rathbun was in limited circumstances when he began life but has by his industry and good management ac- quired a good property. He owns 261 acres of land, 186 acres under cultivation, valued at $50 an acre. When the war broke out he was examined but was refused on account of disability. He was appointed recruiting officer and assisted in raising volun- teers for the service. He has been Justice of the Peace sixteen years, and Trustee one term. In politics he is a Greenbacker, and his religion is as Thomas Payne's, who said "This country is my home, and to do good is my religion."


David B. Teeters was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, a son of Wilson and Sophia (Smith) Teeters, his father a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and his mother of Wilkes Barre, Luzerne Co., Pa. His parents moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, about 1812, and a few years later to Sandusky County, where they lived about twenty years. In 1854 they moved to Steuben County, Ind., and bought the land where our subject now lives, at that time partially improved. Wilson Teeters was a man of unlimited energy, and surrounded himself and family with all the comforts of life. He accumulated a large landed estate which was well improved. He became a prominent man in the township and served in several official capacities. He died in the spring of 1854 after a life of untiring zeal and well filled with noble deeds. His family com-




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