USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Steuben County, Indiana, together withbiographies of representative citizens > Part 62
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A. D. Crain was born in Upper Canada, June 4, 1825, a son of Ezekiel W. and Rebecca (Demary) Crain. His parents were mar- ried in 1823, and in 1834 moved to Washtenaw County, Mich., making the journey from Canada with ox teams. In the spring of 1836 his father came to Steuben County, Ind., and bought land,
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and in August built a log cabin. The following December he moved his family to his new home. He died in Steuben County in 1863, and his wife in March, 1880. They had a family of seven children, five born in Canada, one in Michigan, and one in Steuben County; all are living-A. D., Orange, Nicholas, Richard, Eliza- beth (now Mrs. William Carpenter), Benjamin and Chester. A. D. Crain has been a resident of Steuben County since his twelfth year, and has assisted materially in the growth and development of the country. Being the eldest son he was early obliged to assist his father, and thus learned lessons of industry and application in his youth which have been of lasting benefit in his later life. He was married Jan. 21, 1848, to Miss Harriet C. Perry, a native of Con- necticut, born Nov. 19, 1825, a daughter of Chester and Anna (Pearsons) Perry, who moved to Chautauqua County, N. Y., in 1826, and thence in 1831 to Washtenaw County, Mich., and in 1839 to Steuben County, Ind., settling in Pleasant Township, where Mr. Perry died in 1841, and Mrs. Perry Sept. 23, 1873. To Mr. and Mrs. Crain have been born ten children-Marcus F., a physi- cian of Fargo, Dak .; Martha, widow of A. T. Jordan, of Steuben County, a dentist, died in Leadville, Col. ; Mary E., wife of James McConnell, died March 23, 1883; Chester M., married Villa Kluik; Franeis M., a physician of Spink County, Dak .; Hiram M., mar- ried Mary Parcel; Lillie M., wife of Hiram Ritter, of Steuben County; Z. A .; Ida M., wife of Wm. M. Brown, and Martin L.
Alonzo Dunham, one of the pioneers of Steuben County, Ind., was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., Aug. 16, 1812, a son of John and Elizabeth (Hungerford) Dunham. His father was a native of Connecticut, and his mother of New York. They were married in New York, and in 1818 moved to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where the father died in 1847. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and a man of sound judgment, firm principles and upright integrity. The mother died in 1881. They had a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, nine of whom are living. Alonzo Dunham was reared in the pioneer days of Ohio, attending school in the log-cabin school-houses. He was married Jan. 31, 1835, to Julia Brainard, a native of Rush, Monroe Co., N. Y., born May 5, 1817, a daughter of John and Lucinda (Goff) Brainard. Mr. Brain- ard was drafted into the war of 1812, subsequently moved to New York, and about 1831 to Cuyahoga County, Ohio. In 1844 Mr. Dunham moved to Steuben County, Ind., and located on section 24, York Township, on a tract of heavily timbered land. He came
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to the county in 1842 and entered his land, and the next fall com- menced his clearing, and in the fall of 1844 moved his family to their new home, making the journey with teams, through an un- broken forest, and across unbridged streams. Deer and game were plenty, and wild hogs roamed the country at will. When they came to the county their financial resources were limited, but they were possessed of strong constitutions, energy and a determination to override all obstacles, and their efforts have succeeded and they are now the owners of a good property and can spend their declin- ing years in peace and prosperity. They have a family of three children-Priscilla, wife of Henry Austin; Lovina, wife of Na- thaniel Bennett, and Lucinda, wife of William Moss. In politics Mr. Dunhamn was originally an old-line Whig but now affiliates with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Disciples church.
Allen Fast, Sheriff of Steuben County, Ind., was born in Ash- land County, Ohio, Aug. 25, 1845, a son of Christian and Henrietta (Sowle) Fast, his father a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of New York. They went to Ohio in early life and were there married. In 1852 they moved to Steuben County and purchased land in Pleasant Township. The mother died in 1859. They had a family of eight children, six born in Ohio and two in Steuben County-Joseph, Rosanna, Allen, Eli, Mary, Rachel. John (de- ceased) and Henrietta. The father afterward married Rhoda Wells, and to them were born three children-Ira, Orla and Laura. Allen Fast has been a resident of Steuben County since seven years of age. He was educated in this county, attending school in the winter and working on the farm in the summer. He has always taken an interest in the welfare of the county, and in 1878 was elected to the office of Township Trustee and served four years. In 1882 he was elected Sheriff of the county and in 1884 was re-elected. He is a man of superior business ability and transacts the duties of his office on sound business principles. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' order, Mt. Pleasant Lodge, No. 239, and has served as Noble Grand several times. He has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of Indiana four times. Mr. Fast was married in 1864 to Julia A. Sowle, who died in 1866, leaving one son, Curtiss. She was a woman of rare intellect, a daughter of Isaac and Ann Marietta Sowle. In 1869 Mr. Fast married Emma, daughter of Asa and Emily Gaskell. They have four children-Stanley, Fred- erick, Ethie and May.
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Christian Fast is a native of Fayette County, Pa., born Feb. 12, 1814, a son of Martin and Catherine (Blosser) Fast. In 1816 his parents moved to Wayne, now Ashland, County, Ohio, and settled in Jackson Township. At that time there were but nine families in the township, and for three months his mother did not see the face of a white woman. They settled in the heavy timber, and there Christian was reared and educated, attending the old-fashioned log- cabin schools. He was married April 14, 1839, to Henrietta Sowle, a native of New York State, born Nov. 10, 1820. They had a family of eight children-Joseph J .; Rosanna, wife of Alonzo Burlingame; Francis A., Sheriff of Steuben County; Eli, a farmer; Mary E., wife of Orville Goodale, Clerk of Steuben County; Rachel, wife of Melville McGrew; John A., deceased; Henrietta. Mrs. Fast died Dec. 8, 1859, and Mr. Fast subsequently married Rhoda M. Wells, a native of Ashland County, Ohio, born Dec. 12, 1835. They have two children-Ira and Orla. Mr. Fast came to Steuben County in 1852 and settled on section 15, Pleasant Township, on a tract of wild land. He has been an industrious, economical man, and has accumulated a good property. He owns 160 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, valued at $75 an acre. His buildings are substantial and were among the best in the county at the time they were built, and every improvement has been placed on the land by his own hands. Mr. and Mrs. Fast are members of the Christian church, and among the most influen- tial citizens of the township.
William Ferrier .- Steuben County is highly favored in her nat- ural attractions, fertility of soil and beautiful scenery, but these have been largely enhanced by the zeal and energy of her pioneers. Pioneer life naturally develops the latent powers, and the early settlers of Steuben proved themselves possessed in a superlative degree of that force of character which overcomes all difficulties, and creates towns and villages out of uncultivated tracts. Promi- nent among those who assisted in the development and improve- ment of the county stands the name of William Ferrier. His grandfather, Andrew Ferrier, was born in Scotland in 1769, and in his youth came to America with his parents and settled in Penn- sylvania. He married Catherine Willoughby, and to them were born twelve children, David, the father of William, being one of the number. The family moved from Pennsylvania to Harri- son County, Ohio, where David was married to Susan Hendricks, a native of Maryland. To them were born the following children
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-William, George, Mary, John, Andrew, David, Jacob and Mar- tha. Andrew and Catherine Ferrier settled in York Township, Steuben Co., Ind., in 1844, where the former soon after died. The latter removed to Williams County, Ohio, where she resided till her death. William Ferrier was born in Harrison County, Ohio, May 24, 1823, and when eight years of age moved with his parents to Seneca County and settled near the present site of the town of Fostoria. This region was then the far frontier, the only house in the place being the humble abode of Charles Foster, father of Ohio's ex-Governor. After a residence of eight years in that vicinity they moved to Williams County, and thence in 1849 to Steuben County, Ind., and settled on a farm a half mile east of the present town of Metz. His father opened a small store and he was em- ployed as clerk four years. He then bought the stock and com- menced life for himself as a merchant. In 1868 he retired from business, but in 1869 formed a partnership with his brother Jacob and opened a store in Metz, but soon after bought his brother's in- terest and continued in business alone till 1872, when he retired from active business life. In 1875 he moved to Angola and has since been identified with her interests. He is a man of enterprise and public spirit; generous and benevolent; a liberal supporter of all religious and charitable institutions. In 1861 he was instru- mental in the building of the United Brethren church in Metz, giving largely for the purpose. Of this denomination the entire family are members. As a business man Mr. Ferrier was always known as straightforward and honorable, resorting to no trickery to accomplish desired ends. Though having but limited educational advantages, attending the log-cabin schools but eighteen months, he has increased his knowledge by observation and reading, and is one of the well-informed business men of the county. Realizing the disadvantages incident to a meager education he has exerted his influence to the ntmost to advance the educational interests of the county. Mr. Ferrier was married March 14, 1850, to Olive M. Thompson, daughter of Robert and Miriam Thompson, of Williams County, Ohio. She was born in Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, March 20. 1831. In her girlhood a school-teacher, she had an in- nate thirst for knowledge, which her new surroundings could not satisfy, and her life has been devoted to surrounding her family with all that would develop and cultivate their mental powers and elevate their moral tendencies. To Mr. and Mrs. Ferrier have been born three children-Amanda, wife of W. H. Waller,
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M. D .; William W., editor of the Angola Republican, and Dora, wife of Stephen A. Powers, an attorney of Angola.
Herman Freygang, harness-maker, Angola, Ind., was born in Uniontown, Stark Co., Ohio, March 4, 1840, a son of Charles J. and Fredericka (Weicht) Freygang. In 1836 Charles Freygang came to the United States from Saxony, Germany. At the time of his landing in New York the Presidential campaign of Clay and Jackson was at white heat. He informed himself on the questions and formed his political opinions, remaining ever after true to the Democratic party. He remained in New York a short time, then went to Bridgeport, Conn., and later to Ohio, where he met and married Fredericka Weicht, a native of Baden, Germany. In 1845 he moved to Steuben County, Ind., and located in Angola, where he opened the first harness shop in the place. He died in August, 1868. His family consisted of six children-Herman; Elizabeth, wife of George E. Young; Edward; Amelia, wife of Henry P. Hathaway; Julius, and Tillie, the wife of Major Joseph Burch. Herman Freygang received a liberal education and when a young man learned the trade of his father. He has been identified with the interests of the county forty years. At the time his parents
settled in Angola there was but one general store in the place. Since his remembrance the county seat of Steuben County has grown to be one of the most prosperous towns in Northeastern Indiana, log cabins giving place to large and substantial residences, and a thinly settled settlement to a thriving business town. In 1859 Mr. Frey- gang was married in Branch County, Mich., to Irene Wakefield, daughter of H. A. Wakefield. To them have been born four chil- dren ; three are living-Leon, Edward and Charles. Mr. Freygang is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Angola Lodge, No. 236; Angola Chapter, No. 57, and Angola Council, No. 27.
Orville Goodale, Clerk of Steuben County, Ind., was born in this county, March 11, 1846, a son of Burdette and Mary Ann (Macartney) Goodale, his father a native of Connecticut and his mother of New York City. Burdette Goodale came to Steuben County in 1837 or 1838, but did not settle permanently till 1842, when he located in York Township, where he died in June, 1855, leaving a wife and four children. Our subject received his early education in his native county. When seventeen years old he at- tended Hillsdale, Mich., College two terms, and subsequently at- tended Angola High School three terms, and Hiram College, Ohio, three terms, thereby acquiring a good English education. He
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then commenced teaching, following the vocation in Indiana, Ohio. and Illinois, devoting his summers to farming. In the fall of 1878 he was elected, on the Republican ticket, Clerk of Steuben County, and was re-elected in 1882. He is an efficient, careful officer, and fills his position in a manner satisfactory to his constituents. He is a strict temperance man in every sense of the word, using neither intoxicants nor tobacco in any form. He was married Nov. 3, 1867, to Mary Fast, a native of Ohio, born Feb. 13, 1850, a daughter of Christian and Henrietta Fast. They have three children-Win- ifred, Albert and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Goodale are members of the Christian church.
George Green, one of the pioneers of Steuben County, was born in Monroe County, N. Y., April 2, 1832, a son of John and Louisa (Culver) Green. His mother died June 27, 1835, leaving two children-George and Marvin, and his father afterwards married Diantha Olin. To them were born seven children-Francis was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion and died at Murfreesboro; Henry, Amos, Martha, Eliza, Emery and Allen. In 1836 the father came to Steuben County, Ind., and entered land in James- town Township, on section 36, and in September, 1837, moved his family to the county. He died on the old homestead Feb. 7, 1865. He was a member of the Baptist church many years. In early life he was a Whig, but later affiliated with the Republican party. George Green came with his father to Steuben County when but five years of age, and has been identified with her interests since his earliest recollections. He was reared on a pioneer farm, re- ceiving only such advantages for an education as were afforded by the subscription schools. He has lived to see the county change from a wilderness to an advanced state of civilization. He is an energetic farmer and owns fifty acres of valuable land, on which is a pleasant residence and good farm buildings.
Henry P. Hathaway, one of the early settlers of Steuben County, Ind., was born in Washington County, Pa., Nov. 25, 1822, a son of Dr. David P. and Elizabeth (Bennett) Hathaway, the former born in 1792 and the latter in 1791. His parents were married in Washington County in 1810. In 1836 they moved to Newark, Lick- ing Co., Ohio, and in 1849 to Steuben County, Ind., and settled on the present site of Hathaway's Corners, the place deriving its name from the Hathaway family. The Doctor died in 1850, and Mrs. Hathaway in 1878. Both were members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. They had a family of ten children, nine of whom
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attained adult life and seven of whom are living. Henry P. Hath- away came to Steuben County, Ind., in the fall of 1847 and entered eighty acres of land, and in the fall of 1848 moved his family to the county, and first lived in a log house built for a school-house. He improved his land, clearing it of timber, and made a good farm. In 1875 he moved to Angola and for eight years served as Deputy Sheriff. July 10, 1884, the partnership of Uhl & Hathaway was formed. They keep a complete stock of boots and shoes, clothing and gents' furnishing goods. Mr. Hathaway in politics is a Rc- publicar. He has held several local offices of trust, among others that of Assessor and Justice of the Peace. He has always taken an active in terest in all public enterprises. being one of the most public- spirited and influential men of the county. Mr. Hathaway was married in 1845 to Frances C. Jagger, a native of New Jersey. They have six children-Joseph M .; Esther R., wife of Amos C. Johnson; Sarah E., wife of Dwight Sowle; Emma L., wife of John Gillis; David P. and William H. Joseph was in the service of the United States in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in 1863, in the Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry. Mrs. Hathaway died Dec. 16, 1880, and May 22, 1882, Mr. Hathaway married Amelia Freygang. Mr. Hathaway tells many interesting reminiscences of early life in Steuben County, his experiences being a mixture of hardships and pleasures, the former being borne with the same cheerfulness as the latter.
Peter Hinwood was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, Oct. 18, 1827, of German parentage. His father died in 1829 and in 1840 he came with his mother to Steuben County, where he grew to manhood. He was early inured to the hardships of pioneer life, with no means but a pair of strong arms and a natural energy and deter- mination to make a successful issue of life. From a heavily tim- bered tract of land he improved and made one of the best farms in the county. Where log cabins once stood he has lived to see erected beautiful residences, and from a few log houses the growth of the county seat of Steuben County. Mr. Hinwood was married Nov. 15, 1851, to Elizabeth Kellogg. To them were born three children-George, a druggist in Washington Territory; Sylvester, deceased; and Bell, wife of Charles Buckland, in the Government printing office at Washington, D. C. Mrs. Hinwood died Nov. 2, 1859. Mr. Hinwood afterward married Mary Kamkamp, a native of Germany, born May 4, 1838, a daughter of John and Margaret (Hussman) Kamkamp, who came to America in 1845, and located
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in Steuben County. They have had five children-Atta, wife of R. E. Carpenter; Frank (deceased), Lena, Lola (deceased), and Ernest. Mr. and Mrs. Hinwood are members of the Christian church. In politics he is a strong Republican. He has served several years on the Angola City Board.
J. B. Hoff, photographer, Angola, Ind., was born at Lagrange, Ind., Aug. 18, 1856, a son of George and Mary (Berk) Hoff. He received a good education, attending the schools of his native town till twenty-one years old. His father was a harness-maker by trade, and when fourteen years of age J. B. began working with him, continuing, when not in school, six years. He then learned the art of photography and in 1878 located at Angola, where he has since conducted a successful business. He was mar- ried in 1880 to Della Bowrie, a native of Ligonier, Ind., daugh- ter of D. P. and Theressa (Driver) Bowrie. To them were born two children, a son and daughter-Tressa and Earl. Tressa is deceased.
Robert H. Johnson, Auditor of Steuben County, Ind., was born in De Kalb County, Ind., March 10, 1838, a son of Amariah and Jane (Wyatt) Johnson, his father a native of Ohio, born in 1809, and his mother of Pennsylvania, but an early settler of Ohio, where they were married and in the fall of 1837 moved to De Kalb County and settled in Jackson Township. The first school-house built in his district and church in his township, were built on the farm of Mr. Johnson. He and his wife were members of the Meth- odist Protestant church, and strict conformists to its principles. They had a family of twelve children, eight of whom are living-Robert H., Isaac, Nathan, William, Amariah, Zeruah, wife of M. V. Hettin- ger, of Michigan; Rebecca, wife of Henry Beams, of Allen County, Ind. ; and Libbie, wife of L. B. Shilling, of Auburn. The mother died in 1858, and the father in 1877. Robert H. Johnson was reared and educated in his native county, completing his education at the Newville Academy. He was one of the first to enlist when the Government called for troops in 1861, but as there was an ex- cess of men he was discharged. The following August he enlisted in Company H, Thirtieth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the engagement, at Corinth, Lawrenceburg, Ky., Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Atlanta, besides numerous other engagements. After the battle of Mission Ridge he veteranized in the same regiment and was appointed Corporal. He was soon afterward promoted to Hospital Steward, and in Feburary, 1865,
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to First Lieutenant and Adjutant, and served as Adjutant till the close of the war. After the siege of Atlanta the regiment was among the number who took part in the engagement at Jonesboro, and thence in pursuit of. Hood. Their last engagement was at Nashville. They then went to Texas, where their services ended. After his discharge from the service he returned to De Kalb County, and for a time engaged in mercantile pursuits, but not being suc- cessful, in 1868 he came to Steuben County and settled on a farm in Clear Lake Township. In 1878 he was elected Auditor of Steu- ben County, and moved his family to Angola. In 1882 he was re- elected. He has been an efficient, reliable officer and has gained the confidence of all fair-minded citizens. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and is also a strong supporter of the temper- ance cause. Mr. Johnson was married in May, 1866, to Emily A. Platter, daughter of John and Emeline Platter, early settlers of De Kalb County. They have three children-Edassa, Carl P., and Ira E. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Christian church.
Israel Kemery, proprietor of the Russell House, Angola, Ind., was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 5, 1830, a son of Jacob and Mary (Loubert) Kemery, his father a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Germany. There was a family of six sons; two died in infancy, one was killed at the battle of Jonesboro, Tenn., in the war of the Rebellion, and three are living. The father died in 1838. Israel remained on the farm with his mother till sixteen years of age, and then began to learn the saddle and harness-maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years. After completing his apprenticeship he engaged in business for himself in Ohio till 1856, when he came to Indiana and es- tablished the second harness shop in Angola. When he first visited Angola with the intention of locating the outlook was rather discouraging. The public square was lined with ox teams, there being only one horse on the square. Nothing daunted, how- ever, he completed his arrangements and soon the scene changed; horses gave place to oxen and his business became a lucrative one. In 1876 he was thrown from his buggy, receiving injuries which caused him to abandon his trade. For five years he was employed as a traveling salesman in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, and May 3, 1883, rented the Russell House in Angola, where he has built up a good business. He is a genial, attentive landlord, and his table is always supplied with the best the market affords. While
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engaged in the harness business he was elected and served as Constable two years, Justice of the Peace eight years, and Deputy Sheriff and Deputy Treasurer six years. He was also for fifteen years engaged in the fire and life insurance business in connection with working at his trade. He was married in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1850 to Anna M. Willhite, a native of Lancaster, born Nov. 22, 1830, daughter of George and Mary Willhite. To them have been born eight children-Mary E., wife of Allen Jarvis; George W. married Ida Phelps; Charles I. married Katie Henning, of Stryker, Ohio, and is now telegraph operator at Anderson, Ind .; Emma J. is at home; Nella died, aged two days; Frank T. mar- ried Lillie Chrisley; Effie L. and M. Nora are at home. Mr. Kemery has been a member of the Odd Fellows' order twenty-one years. He has passed all the chairs of his lodge, and has repre- sented it in the Grand Lodge of the State twice. He has served on important committees twelve years and as permanent Secretary eight years. He was a charter member of the Angola Lodge, K. of H., and was its first presiding officer and its first representative to the Grand Lodge. It is mainly through his influence that the lodge has attained its present prosperous condition. Mrs. Kem. ery's mother died when she was a child and her father in 1851. Their family consisted of four children-two sons and two daugh- ters. A son and daughter are deceased, and George is a resident of Wisconsin.
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