USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Steuben County, Indiana, together withbiographies of representative citizens > Part 61
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
Aldrich, Con .; Augustus Lines, I. G. The present officers are: E. A. Carver, N. G .; J. Biel, V. G .; W. W. Squier, R. S .; Law- rence Gates, Treas.
Heaton Encampment, No. 60, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 22, 1859, at Angola. The first officers were: George A. Milnes, C. P .; B. F. Dawson, H. P .; H. A. Wakefield, S. W .; Charles White, J. W .; Henry Linder, Scribe; Robert Patterson, Treas .; Alfred Osborn, Sent. The present incumbents of the various offices are as follows: E. A. Carver, C. P .; T. R. Moffett, H. P .; S. A. Powers, S. W .; W. C. Weicht, J. W .; Lawrence Gates, Scribe; H. Linder, Treas.
Angola Lodge, No. 1484, K. of H., was organized March 20, 1879, with twenty-three charter members. Lawrence Gates was Director and Samuel Beight, Reporter. At present E. H. Cred- itor is Dictator; Lawrence Gates, Treasurer; and A. F. Day, Reporter.
B. J. Crosswaite Post, No. 150, G. A. R., was mustered March 29, 1883, with charter members and first officers: B. F. Dawson, Com .; Lawrence Gates, S. V. C .; Lafayette Burket, J. V. C .; George B. Flemming, Adj .; Wm. H. Cole, Chap .; Andrew J. Snyder, Sur .; D. M. Webb, O. G .; Orville Carver, Q. M .; Thomas Legg, S. M .; Isaac Biel, Jesse H. Carpenter, Levi Claypool, Albert Arnold, John Carson, John P. Cole, Henry P. Beard, James H. Van Auken, William J. S. Bullard, Samuel Tinsley, Emanuel Kratzer, John G. Casebeer, and Lewis Griffith. The officers for 1885 are: A. J. Snyder, Com .; Robert Lutz, S. V. C .; Joseph Hust, J. V. C .; Wm. M. Carr, Adj .; John Carson, Q. M .; Jacob Burlingham, Chap .; Isaac Biel, O. D .; Frank W. Swam- baugh, -; Jesse H. Carpenter, S. M .; William Mass, Q. M. S .; Andrew Sommerlott, O. G.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Angola Fire Department was organized in 1873 by the cor- poration trustees, with the assistance of W. C. McGonigal, who acted as first Foreman and instructor of the company, consisting of twenty-three members. H. E. Burnham was Foreman from 1874 to 1880. Since then the position has been filled successively by O. H. Leas, Allen Jarvis and Charles Jordan. The Chief En- gineers since 1882 have been David Scoville, O. H. Leas, and G. W. Poland. There is now under consideration the building of an ad- dition to the engine-house, which has become too small for the in-
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creasing needs of the department. The membership is now about forty. During the twelve years of its existence the department has made a most creditable record, having thrice extinguished fires in the Morse House, twice in the court-house (one a serious blaze), and once in a store, besides many minor conflagrations.
At a tournament held at Angola June 17, 1880, the Babcock Hook and Ladder Company took the first prize of $100 and a silver trumpet. In September following, at Elkhart, the company again won $100 and a silver trumpet. In September, 1882, at South Bend, the Angola company took the second prize, $75.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Samuel Anspaugh, Superintendent of the Steuben County Poor Farm, was born in Florence, Williams Co., Ohio, July 16, 1852, a son of John and Sarah (Cain) Anspaugh. His parents were married in Williams County in 1846. They moved to Steu- ben County, Ind., in 1878 and located on the farin where they now live. They have had a family of seven children-Jacob A. J., Samuel, Hester Ann (wife of Charles Bowles), Benjamin F. (de- ceased), John L., Amanda J., and Henry G. Mr. Anspaugh was originally a Jackson Democrat, but being opposed to slavery he joined the Whig party, and since its organization has affiliated with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church. Samuel Anspaugh received a liberal education in his native county. He was reared on a farm and since reaching manhood has followed agricultural pursuits. In 1878 he was appointed Superintendent of the County Poor Farm, and has filled the position efficiently and satisfactorily. He is a member of Angola Lodge, No. 236, F. & A. M., an organization in which he takes a deep interest. He was married Jan. 1, 1876, to Maggie Cameron, daughter of John and Mary Cameron, early settlers of Steuben County.
Charles Bachelder, one of the early settlers of Steuben County, was born in Geauga County, Ohio, Jan. 21, 1821, a son of Solo- mon and Anna (Perry) Bachelder, natives of New York, who went to Ohio in an early day and were there married. There was a family of three children-Charles; Marancy, deceased, wife of James Rogers; Henrietta, widow of Martin Arnold. The father died Dec. 15, 1832. The mother afterward married Wyman Parker, and about 1850 they moved to Steuben County, Ind., where they died in 1864, on the same day, and were buried in the
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
same grave. Charles Bachelder was reared in Ohio, but in 1840 came to Steuben County and settled in Mill Grove Township, sub- sequently moving to Jackson Township. He has accumulated a comfortable property by his own industry and economy assisted by a noble and self-sacrificing wife. He was married in 1844 to Eliza Miller, a native of Massachusetts, daughter of Heber and Rhoda (Moon) Miller, natives of Rhode Island, who settled in Steuben County in 1836. Mrs. Bachelder died Dec. 20, 1883, after a married life of nearly forty years. She was an earnest Christian, an affectionate wife and mother, a kind neighbor and a true friend. She left one son-Charles A., a resident of Steu- ben County. Mr. Bachelder has been a resident of Steuben County nearly forty years, and has been cognizant of all the various changes that have transformed a wilderness to a state of advanced civilization, populous towns and a prosperous farming community. He has held several local offices of trust and has always performed his duties in a satisfactory manner. In politics he is an independent, giving his suffrage to the man he considers the most worthy. He is a member of Angola Lodge, No. 236, F. & A. M., and Angola Chapter, No. 58, R. A. M., and Angola Council, No. 27, R. & S. M. He has held the office of High Priest in the council and has represented his chapter and council in the grand lodge of the State.
A. J. Barjarow, carpenter and joiner, Angola, Ind., was born in Reading, Hillsdale Co., Mich., Jan. 24, 1845, a son of Rev. Timothy and Anna M. (Hayes) Barjarow, who settled in Ann Ar- bor, Mich., in 1835, and later in Hillsdale County. In 1854 they moved to Branch County, and in 1867 to Allegan County, where he still resides, a minister of the Free-Will Baptist church. Mrs. Barjarow died in April, 1852. She was a member of the Method- ist Episcopal church. A. J. Barjarow was reared and educated in his native State. When but sixteen years of age, in 1861, he enlisted in the Eleventh Michigan Infantry, and was mustered in at White Pigeon, Aug. 24. He participated in the engagements at Fort Negle and Shiloh. Nov. 26, 1862, he was mustered out of the Eleventh Regiment and immediately enlisted in the Fourth United States Cavalry. He was subsequently at the engagements of Stone River, Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain, and the fol- lowing winter was stationed at Paint Rock. Then participated in the engagements at Buzzard's Roost, Big Shanty, Peach Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta and Nashville. He was on the Forrest raid
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
and at his defeat at Selma. At the close of the war was at Macon, Ga., then went to San Antonio, Tex., where they were discharged Nov. 26, 1865. He then returned to Michigan, and in 1868 moved to Angola, where he has since resided. He was married in 1876 to Mary Waller. They have one child-Gertie M. Mr. Barjarow is a member of Angola Lodge, No. 236, F. & A. M., and of the Grand Army of the Republic.
William H. Beard was born in Huron County, Ohio, Oct. 15, 1840, a son of Elijah and Lucy (Horn) Beard. When he was ten years old his parents moved to Steuben County, Ind., and here he was reared and educated. In the summer of 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the engagements at Fort Donelson, Fort Henry, Shiloh, Corinth, Battle Creek, Buell's march to Nashville, Louisville, Perryville, Cedar Springs, Ringgold, Stone River, Murfreesboro,'Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and many others. While at Chattanooga his time expired; but he immediately re-enlisted in the same company and served till the close of the war. He was discharged at Nashville and mustered out at Indianapolis. He was wounded twice at Shiloh, in the neck and in the shoulder. After his return from the war he settled in Angola, where he has since resided. He was married in 1866 to Almeda Chandler. They have one child. Mr. Beard is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organi- zation he takes much interest in.
Levi Bigler, one of the enterprising farmers of Pleasant Town- ship, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 18, 1829, a son of Emanuel and Anna (Ewing) Bigler, natives of Pennsylvania, the father born Oct. 7, 1805, and the mother Sept. 7, 1809. His par- ents were married in Ohio in 1827. In 1832 they moved to Rich- land County, Ohio, and in 1848 to Steuben County, Ind., and settled on section 33, Pleasant Township, buying a tract of land, only twenty-five acres of which was cleared. The mother died Feb. 6, 1882, and the father the 4th of the following June. They were for many years members of the Lutheran church. Levi Bigler was three years of age when his parents moved to Richland County, where he was reared and educated, and in 1848 came with them to Steuben County, where he has since lived. Imbued by nature with ambition he has overcome all obstacles, and has made a success of his ventures. He now has a good farm of 102 acres, seventy-four acres being under cultivation and valued at $75 an acre. In 1878 he built a fine residence, costing over $2,100. Mr.
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
Bigler was married Oct. 15, 1854, to Catharine Staley, a native of Marion County, Ohio, born Aug. 5, 1830, daughter of John Staley. Mr. and Mrs. Bigler have a family of seven children-Frank, Viola, Scott, Augusta, Vivian (wife of A. W. Lewis), Bartt B. and Nina Maude. In politics Mr. Bigler follows in the footsteps of his father and is a supporter of Democratic principles.
John Cameron, deceased, was born in Scotland, Dec. 21, 1814, and died at his home in Richland Township, Steuben Co., Ind., April 4, 1878. He came to the United States in 1833, and located near Toledo, Ohio, where he was married in February, 1841, to Mary Carlin, and the following June they came to Steuben County, Ind. He bought three quarter-sections of land in Richland Town- ship, where he lived till his death. His widow still lives on the old homestead. For thirty-seven years they shared each others joys and sorrows, hardships and pleasures, each doing the work allotted and together made a home for their children. Mr. Cam- eron was for many years a member of the United Brethren church at Metz. He was held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens, and was three times elected Trustee of the township. He served as Justice of the Peace twelve or fifteen years. He was elected County Com- missioner in 1874 and re-elected in 1876. Upright and perfectly reliable in all his business transactions, he was honored and es- teemed by all who knew him. His family consisted of nine chil- dren, eight of whom are living.
R. V. Carlin, Superintendent of the schools of Steuben County, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Feb. 26, 1834, a son of Robert and Sarah (Perkey) Carlin, his father born in 1806 and his mother in 1811. They were early settlers of Ohio, and in 1840 moved to Indiana and located in Richland Township, Steuben County, thus becoming pioneers of two States. The mother died in 1865 and the father in 1868. They had a family of thirteen chil- dren, twelve of whom are living. R. V. Carlin was reared and ·educated in Steuben County. His father was in limited circum- stances with a large family to support, and aside from his early at- tendance at the district schools his education was obtained by his own efforts. When eighteen years old he attended Mount Union College, Stark Co., Ohio, and afterward Hillsdale College, Mich., from which he graduated in 1866. After his graduation he was employed four years as Principal of the Angola High School. In 1870 he was elected County Recorder, and served eight years. He then again engaged in teaching till June, 1883, when he was elected
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to his present position. Mr. Carlin was married March 31, 1868, to Miss Maria Kinny, who was born Nov. 18, 1831, a daughter of Joseph J. and Emily (Hitchcock) Kinny, natives of Vermont. who moved to Ohio in 1830, and to Steuben County, Ind., in 1851, where the father died in 1853, and the mother in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Carlin have one son-Clyde C., born July 28, 1870. They have an adopted daughter, Cora, a daughter of Mr. Carlin's brother. Mr. Carlin is a member of the Odd Fellow's order, lodge and en- campment, and in 1874 represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. In politics he is a Republican.
Jesse H. Carpenter is a native of Erie County, Ohio, born July 12, 1838, a son of Harlow J. and Fanny (Merry) Carpenter, his fa- ther a native of Vermont and his mother of Connecticut. In 1849 his parents settled in Otsego Township, Steuben Co., Ind., but he remained in Ohio for some time, on account of the better educa- tional advantages. After coming to the county he taught school a few terms, and when nineteen years of age was appointed a rail- road station agent at Lawrence, Ohio, a position he held three years. In 1861 he volunteered in defense of the Union; was mus- tered into the United States Marine Artillery service with Burn- side's expedition, and served a year and a half. Immediately after his discharge at Newbern, N. C., he enlisted in the engineer corps, and was appointed a Lieutenant in the same. On his return to Steuben County he engaged in farming with his father. He was a Trustee of Otsego Township five years, and in the fall of 1874 was elected County Auditor, and moved to Angola. A Na- tional in politics, he was elected to his office on the independent ticket. He made an efficient officer and performed his duties in an honest, upright manner, and by so doing, has won the respect and confidence of all, both supporters and opponents. He has made two political canvasses since as the candidate of the National or people's party, endorsed by the Democrats, one as State Senator of his District, and one as State Representative of his county, and in both cases his support was so flattering that his election seemed probable. Mr. Carpenter was married Sept. 29, 1870, to Frances Brown, a native of Ohio, daughter of William H. L. and Phœbe A. (Wilcox) Brown. They have one son-Robert H.
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James N. Carpenter, one of the early settlers of Steuben County, Ind., was born in Schoharie Connty, N. Y., July 24, 1824, a son of Samuel and Roxana (Lowden) Carpenter, his father a native of
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
New York and his mother of Connecticut, both born in 1797. They were married in New York in 1820 and in 1826 moved to Delaware County, Pa., and thence in January, 1829, to Portage County, Ohio. In February, 1843, they came to Steuben County, Ind., making the journey with teams, and coming by the way of Michigan. There were no roads nor bridges, and the way was rough. They settled in Scott Township on a tract of timber land, moving into a rude log cabin that was found there. There was two feet of snow on the ground and nearly as much on the upper floor of their cabin. They lived in this rude cabin till one could be built on section 19. There was no tame hay in the county, and as their stock would not eat marsh hay, they were obliged to cut bass- wood for it to browse on till spring. They then began to clear the land and prepare to raise a crop of corn. Mr. Carpenter be- came widely known in the county, and was one of the most promi- nent and influential citizens. In religion he was liberal in his views, but was an upright moral man. He died in 1859. The mother died in 1880. They had a family of eight children, but four of whom are living-James N., Harriet, Uriah, and Sarah; Orrison C., Eliza, Alexander and Almond are deceased. James N. Carpenter was reared in the wilderness of Steuben County, and educated in the pioneer schools. He was married May 18, 1847, to Polly E. Brown, a daughter of Erastus Brown, a Methodist preacher of Berkshire County, Mass. To them were born four children; two sons are living-Heman F. and Royal E .; two daughters are deceased-Roxana M. and Viola I. Mr. Carpenter lived on a farm till 1856, and then moved to Angola, and embarked in the grocery business, which he continued till 1862. He then sold out his grocery and formed a partnership with Mr. Merriman in the dry-goods business. Mr. Merriman soon sold his interest, and Mr. Carpenter conducted the business alone two years. He then retired from the mercantile business and looked after the in. terests of his farm for several years. In October, 1871, he formed a partnership with Mr. Burlingame in the wholesale and retail liquor trade. Fifteen months later he bought Mr. Burlingame's interest and is now carrying on the business alone.
William M. Carr was born in Stark County, Ohio, Aug. 24, 1839, a son of James and Mary (McKinley) Carr. His father died in 1851. His mother is living in Ohio. Mr. Carr learned the machinist's trade in his youth, serving an apprenticeship, and worked at it till after the breaking out of the Rebellion. In Au-
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
gust, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Nineteenth Ohio Infantry, and served till Nov. 28, 1865. He participated in the battles of Mill Springs, Shiloh, Corinth, on Bragg's raid, Stone River. Chica- mauga, Atlanta, and San Antonio, Tex. He was promoted to As- sistant Quartermaster on General Stanley's staff, and held the position at the time he was mustered out. He was wounded in the fort at the battle of Atlanta. In 1865 Mr. Carr came to Indiana and settled in Angola, where he has since resided. He was married in 1864 to Catherine Ingold. She died in 1877 in Massillon, Ohio, leaving one son-Frank P. March 9, 1880, Mr. Carr married Jennie C. Fetterhoff. They have three children- Mary C., Joseph Mckinley, and James F. Mr. Carr is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is Adjutant of his post.
Harrison Carter was born in Deerfield Township, Portage Co., Ohio, Feb. 8, 1823, a son of James and Elizabeth (McClarity) Carter. His parents were married in Maryland, and were among the early settlers of Deerfield Township, making the entire jour- ney from Maryland to Ohio on horseback. Forty-five miles of the way they carried a table. They were the parents of thirteen children; six sons and six daughters lived till maturity. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and were active workers in the early days of the church in Ohio. Harrison Carter remained on the farm with his parents till fifteen years of age and then began to learn the carpenter's trade, serving an apprentice- ship of four years, receiving $4 a month and his board. He was married in his native county to Rhoda Ann Case, a native of New York. In 1847 he came to Steuben County and settled on the farm where he now lives, at that time a tract of wild land. There were but three or four acres of land cleared between his claim and Angola. Game was plenty, and as Mr. Carter was an expert hunter they never were in need of meat. Jamestown was their nearest milling point. Although in limited circumstances when he came to Steuben County, Mr. Carter has, by his energy and industry, gained a comfortable home. He owns forty-eight acres of valuable land, upon which he has erected a pleasant and con- venient residence and good farm buildings. In the thirty-seven years that he has been a resident of the county he has witnessed many changes. What was then a dense forest has been cleared, and thriving villages and productive farms are now in its stead. Mr. Carter has followed his trade at intervals since coming to the county, working at it when not engaged on his farm.
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
Orville Carver, druggist, Angola, Ind., was born in Hebron, Tolland Co., Conn., Aug. 20, 1843, a son of Dr. Lewis E. and Frances A. (Porter) Carver. In 1845 his parents moved to Steu- ben County, Ind., and settled on a farm in Jackson Township, and in 1850 moved to Angola, where they have since resided. In 1850 Dr. Carver was elected County Treasurer and served three years, and was soon after elected Recorder. He was a strong anti-slavery man, his house being one of the depots for the under- ground railroad. He has affiliated with the Republican party since its organization. Five of his eight children are living. Orville Carver was reared in Angola, receiving his education in its public schools. In 1861 he enlisted in the Fourth Michigan Infantry and participated in the first battle at Bull Run, the pen- insular campaign, the second battle at Bull Run, Antietam, Shep- ardsville, Gettysburg, and Fredericksburg. He was mustered out at Detroit in July, 1864, and the following April enlisted in Han- cock's Veteran Corps, and served till a year after the close of the war. He then returned to Angola. In 1869 he was appointed Postmaster, and served fourteen years. At present he is Trustee of Pleasant Township. In June, 1884, he was a delegate to the National Convention at Chicago which nominated Jas. G. Blaine for President, and is Chairman of the Republican Committee of this county. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge and en- campment, also the Grand Army of the Republic, and in the spring of 1885 represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State. He was married in 1867 in Union City, Mich., to Miss Fronia Thayer, daughter of E. Thayer, formerly of New York State.
Captain W. H. Cole was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, Sept. 30, 1841, a son of Jacob V. and Sarah (Geer) Cole, his father a native of New Jersey and his mother of Connecticut. Of a family of fourteen children, twelve are living. Five were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion-four beside our subject. Samuel was a member of the Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry, and was killed at Lovejoy Station. Nelson also enlisted in the Seventy- fourth Indiana. John enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and was promoted to Captain. Charles was a member of Company K, One Hundred and Fifty- second Indiana Infantry. Jacob V. Cole was by trade a stone- mason, but after coming to Steuben County, in September, 1856, bought a large tract of land in Scott and Pleasant Townships,
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
and has since followed farming, being still a resident of Scott Township. W. H. Cole received a good education in his native county, and after coming to Indiana assisted his father on the farm. He enlisted Ang. 16, 1861, in Company A, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry. They were sent in pursuit of Morgan, and at Muldraugh Hill participated in their first engagement. Then camped at Warsaw till the following spring. Subsequently en- gaged in the battles of Munfordville, Bowling Green, Nashville, and Shiloh, where he was wounded in the foot. He was taken from the battle-field to a rebel hospital, and for forty-eight hours had nothing to eat. He was taken sick with typhoid fever, in ad- dition to his wound, and the surgeons all agreed that in order to save his life his foot would have to be amputated. This he would not consent to. He was afterward given a furlough and sent home, being fourteen days in making the journey, and in that time did not have his foot dressed. In February, 1863, he was discharged, but after his recovery, the following August, raised a company, which was assigned to the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regi- ment as Company A, and was commissioned its Captain by Gov- ernor Morton. In the fall of 1863 his regiment left Louisville and marched to Chattanooga, where they joined General Sher- man's command, and participated in the battles of Buzzard Roost, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, Lovejoy Station, and all the engagements till the fall of Atlanta, and then at Huntsville, Rome, the raid up the Chatta- hoochie, Franklin, and Nashville. They followed Hood's army to the Tennessee River, and were at the battles of Ft. Fisher and Kingston, N. C., where they had their last engagement. They were mustered out at Charlotte, N. C., Aug. 29, 1865 Captain Cole was married in November, 1867, to Nettie Gifford, daughter of Amaniah and Jane (Beard) Gifford, early settlers of Steuben County. They have had two children-a daughter, Carrie D., and a son who died in infancy. Captain Cole was one of the organ- izers of the Grand Army post in Angola, and has been one of its most enthusiastic supporters. He is a member of Angola Lodge, No. 236, F. & A. M. In politics he is a Democrat.
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