USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Steuben County, Indiana, together withbiographies of representative citizens > Part 72
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where he now lives, which contains 200 acres of valuable land. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have had four children, three of whom are living -Cornelia, widow of Adhill Lemmon; George, of Cherokee County, Kas., and Ernest, on the homestead. Andrew, their eldest son, died Nov. 7, 1884, aged thirty-three years.
Samuel Carter, of Steuben Township, is one of the few remain- ing settlers of 1836. He is a son of Jonas Carter, who came here with his family from Delaware County, Ohio, in Jnly, 1837. Jonas Carter was a native of Worcester County, Mass .. where he was born in June, 1767. When a young man he started out from home, going to Luzerne County, Pa., where he bought considerable land, on which he located and resided for a number of years, and married there. Eight of his nine children were also born there. His wife was Catherine Wheeler, a native of New Jersey, born in 1774. She removed with her parents to Pennsylvania soon after the massacre of Wyoming. Jonas Carter removed with his family to Delaware County, Ohio, in November, 1815, for the second time entering upon a pioneer life. He was one of the earliest settlers of that county. Here he improved a farm, and here the children grew to manhood and womanhood. The first members of the fam- ily to enter land in Steuben County were two sons, Lewis and John, who, in October, 1835, entered several hundred acres of land, comprising parts of sections 13, 24 and 25. They returned to Ohio that fall. John came back with his family in the fall of 1836, having erected a log house in July of that year for the accommodation of his family, on section 24. Lewis, who also had a family, accompanied his father and family to the township for a permanent settlement in July, 1837. The father, Jonas, settled where his son Samuel now lives, moving into a log cabin which Samuel had built during the preceding winter. Jonas Carter resided in this log cabin till his death, which occurred in November, 1842. His wife died from the effects of a fall into the cellar while at the house of her son-in-law, Mr. Jackson, in 1853. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Carter were-Sarah, wife of John Curtis, of Delaware County, Ohio, where she died in September, 1869; Rufus died in Delaware County, Ohio; Lewis died in Steuben Township in 1850; Abigail died in Ohio; John N. died suddenly on the cars, while away from his home at Angola; Jonas died in Wood County, Ohio; James died in Steuben Town- ship, in April, 1881; Samuel, and Mary Ann, wife of T. Jackson. Samuel Carter was born in Luzerne County, Pa., June 27, 1814.
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
He first came to Steuben County in June, 1835, came permanently in 1836, and in that year entered about 620 acres of land in this township. He worked his father's farm till the death of the latter when he located on a part of the land which he had entered, and where he lived four years and then returned to the homestead. He married Sarah A. Frink, daughter of Selah Frink, also one of the pioneers of Steuben County. Mrs. Carter died in April, 1873. Mr. Samuel Carter has three children-Mary L., Sarah and Charles. He has lost three children-Lucy J., Ellen, and Celestia, wife of J. B. Lemmon.
Frank H. Chadwick is the junior member and business mana- ger of the firm Chadwick & Co., general merchants and produce dealers, Pleasant Lake. This business was established in April, 1876. Mr. Chadwick's partner, H. Linder, is a resident of Angola. Their building is a two-story and basement brick, 25 x 90 feet, with an L 20 x 30 feet in size. They carry a stock of about $15,000, consisting of dry goods, clothing, carpets, boots and shoes, gro- ceries, etc. The salesroom comprises the entire main floor and is presided over by Mr. Chadwick and his gentlemanly clerks, L. R. Weaver, Hampton Miller and C. V. Tuttle. The second floor is the clothing and carpet room. The basement is under the entire building and is large and commodious. They bny all kinds of produce and have suitable buildings for the accommodation of this branch of their business. The store is a model of neatness and the business is carried on in a systematic and successful man- ner. Mr. Chadwick is a young man of fine business ability. He was born in Jamestown Township, Steuben County, in October, 1854. He is a son of John Chadwick, a native of Licking County, Ohio, born in 1825, who came to Steuben County in 1847, settling in Jamestown Township. He afterward moved to Clear Lake Town- ship where he improved a farm; later moved to Pleasant Township, and still later bought what is known as the old Britton farm, in Steuben Township. He afterward moved to Branch County, Mich., and in 1874 to Kansas, and settled near Topeka, where he now lives. Frank H. was reared and educated in his native county. When eighteen years of age he began to work for Scoville & Lat- son, remaining with them three years, and in 1876 came to Pleas- ant Lake. He was married in October, 1876, to Arletta Snyder, daughter of John Snyder. They have one son-Guy.
William Charlton was born in Center County, Pa., July 13, 1810, a son of John Charlton. When he was a boy he removed
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with his parents to Ohio and settled in Stark County, where his father died. He was reared a farmer, and followed that vocation in Ohio till 1854 when he came to Steuben County, Ind., and bought the farm on section 31, Stenben Township, of Henry Hecklethorne, where he has since lived. The only improvements on his land were a small log house and a few acres cleared. He has improved the farm and erected good buildings, and now has one of the most valuable farms in the township. He owns sixty acres of choice land which is well adapted to raising small grains. Mr. Charlton has been twice married. His first wife was Nancy Teeters. His present wife was Mrs. Elizabeth (Teeters) Jennings. They have one daughter-Martha, wife of William Greenamyer, of Salem Township.
John Clink was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, in April, 1836, a son of George Clink, a native of Germany, who came to the United States when twelve years of age and settled in Pennsyl- vania, and subsequently settled in Sandusky County. He married Catherine Smith, also a native of Germany, remaining in Sandusky County till their death. In the spring of 1855 John Clink came to Steuben County, Ind. In 1860 he bought eighty acres of land on section 36, Steuben Township, forty acres of which were improved, on which was a log cabin and a log barn. He now has sixty-five acres improved and in 1867 he built a large and commodious barn. . In 1873 he built his residence, which is one of the best in the township. He has set ont an orchard and now has fifty bearing apple-trees, and cherry and peach trees, and small fruit of different varieties. He is one of the most success- ful farmers of the township, and an influential and public spirited citizen. He married Libbie Ritter, a daughter of Henry Ritter, of this township. They have seven children-George H., Ezra E., Charles K., Clara B., Cora E., David F. and Frederick J.
George W. Closson, farmer, section 36, Steuben Township, was born in Genoa Township, Delaware Co., Ohio, Jan. 8, 1816, and remained in his native county till 1852. He was married in Ohio, to Bertha Thornton Weeks, a native of that State, born in 1819. While a resident of Ohio Mr. Closson bought eighty acres of land in Steuben Township, forty of which were on section 36 and forty on section 35. A log cabin had been built and a small patch cleared for a garden. The timber had been cut from about seven acres, but the stumps had not been removed. In the fall of 1852 Mr. Closson moved his family to their new home. They lived in
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
their log cabin till 1869, when he built his present residence. About two years later he set out an orchard of about three acres. In 1862 he bought an addition to his farm, joining Washington McConnell on the south, and now owns 160 acres of fine land. He owns forty-five acres of land in Otsego Township, where his father, John Closson, settled in 1852, remaining there till his death. Mr. and Mrs. Closson have four children-Edgar W., Mary A., J. C. and Bertha M. Two children, Adelaide and an infant son, are deceased. Mr. Closson is one of the successful farmers of Steu- ben Township, and a representative citizen.
William Crampton resides on section 27, Steuben Township, where he settled Jan. 1, 1851. He was born in Lincolnshire, Eng- land, in 1817, and was there reared and married Mary Oldfield. In 1849 he came to the United States without his family, and the fol- lowing fall located land in Steuben County, Ind. In 1850 he sent for his family and they lived near Angola till the first of January, 1851, when they moved to their new home. He bought forty acres of wild land of Judge Thomas Gale, of Angola. He was a poor man and had not money enough to pay for his first forty acres. He has been a good manager, and industrious, and has added to his first purchase till he now owns one of the finest farms in the town- ship, and is one of the representative and influential citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Crampton have six children-Henry, John, Will- iam, Herbert, Jesse and Mattie. The sons are all married and have farms near the old homestead. John Crampton, the second son, was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1841. He has lived in Steuben County since 1850, with the exception of two years in De Kalb County and one year's absence in the army. He enlisted Oct. 1, 1864, in Company A, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served till the close of the war. He married Amelia Shaver, daughter of Franklin Shaver, who settled in Steuben Township April 17, 1851. He resides on section 33 where he has 120 acres, 100 acres of which are improved. In the summer of 1883 he built a fine brick residence and a good commodious barn. He is one of the repre- sentative farmers of the township.
Hiram Croxton, section 11, Steuben Township, bought his farm of 250 acres of Horatio Roby, Feb. 3, 1863. He has made several important improvements to the farm, building in 1872 a beautiful residence. He has erected a finc horse barn, and several minor farm buildings. His location is one of the best in the township, and his farm is productive and valuable. Mr. Croxton was born in Car-
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
roll County, Ohio, in 1824, whence he moved to Monroeville, Jefferson Co., Ohio, where he lived ten years. From Monroeville he removed tó Salineville, Columbiana Co., Ohio, and in 1863 moved to Steuben County, Ind. While at Salineville he was engaged in the furniture business, and for three years was Mayor of the town, and four years President of the Board of Education. In 1870 he erected the depot at Pleasant Lake and was station agent eight years, the first agent in the place. Mr. Croxton was married in 1847 to Martha Thompson, a native of , Beaver County, Pa., born in 1827, a daughter of John and Massa Thompson, who removed from Pennsylvania to Columbiana County, Ohio, and thence to Mahoning County, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Croxton have four children-John, Elvira, Worthy and Emmet. They have lost three children since their residence in Indiana -- Allie died at the age of twenty-three years, Willie aged sixteen years, and Ettie aged four years. In politics Mr. Croxton was originally a Democrat, but since its organization has affiliated with the Republican party.
Aaron Deller was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1848. His father, Nicholas Deller, was born in Switzerland in 1818, and came to the United States with his parents when nine years of age. They settled in Butler Township, Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he grew to manhood. His fatherdied on the old homestead in Ohio. His mother subsequently came to Steuben County, where she died at the age of eighty-three years. Nicholas Deller married Lydia Redman who died in 1848 leaving three children-George H., John A. and Aaron. Two children died before the mother. Mr. Deller married for his second wife Mary Ann Fetterhoff. To them were born six children; five are living-Serena, Loretta, I. D., Thompson and Perry N. In 1851 the family moved to Steuben County, Ind., and settled on section 8, Steuben Township, where the father died June 21, 1874. A few acres had been cleared and a small log house built, but with this exception the land was tim- bered. The farm now comtains 160 acres of valuable land, and the residence and farm buildings are among the best in the town- ship. Aaron Deller came with his father to Steuben County and was reared and educated in this township. He has always lived on the old homestead, and has since his father's death had charge of the farm. He was married Nov. 1, 1868, to Mary M. Ritter, daughter of Philip Ritter, of Steuben Township. They have five children-Estella, Laura, Mattie, Bertha and Howard Aaron.
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Ira A. Gardner is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Steuben County. His father, Ira M. Gardner, was born near Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., in 1810, and when a boy mnoved with his parents to Sandusky County, Ohio. He was reared a fariner and followed that vocation the greater part of his life. He was mar- ried in Ohio to Sally F. Knapp, who was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1819. In 1843 they moved to Steuben County and settled on section 23, Steuben Township, where they lived many years, when they moved to the village of Pleasant Lake. Mrs. Gardner died May 25, 1876, and Mr. Gardner March 4, 1882. They had a fam- ily of tive children-Delora, wife of Thomas Hendrickson; Ira A. ; Elisha, who enlisted in December, 1863, in the Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry, and died in the hospital at Chattanooga, June 25, 1864; Laura died at the age of six years; Lovica C. is the wife of Warren Fisk. Ira A. Gardner was born in Sandusky, Ohio, July 8, 1843, and came to Steuben County with his parents. He enlisted in 1861 in the Eleventh Michigan Infantry, but on account of sickness was discharged before going into service. In Febru- ary, 1864, he enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry and served till the close of the war. He was married to Aurilla J. Hart. They have four children- Laura K., Ira M., Bertha L. and Elisha M:
David W. Gaylord has been a resident of Steuben Township since Oct. 13, 1852, when he purchased a farm of eighty acres, on section 35, of James Perfect. A log cabin and a log stable had been built, and a few acres had been cleared of timber. Mr. Gay- lord cleared his land and made extensive improvements. In 1863-'4 he built a fine residence and set out an orchard and vineyard. He was very successful in the culture of grapes and fruit, realizing greater profits from this industry than from the raising of grain. In 1878 he sold his farm to his son-in-law, G. W. Gilbert, and now lives on a farm adjoining. Mr. Gaylord was born in Luzerne County, Pa., in 1806, and in 1814 removed with his parents, Ele- azer and Jemima (Wheeler) Gaylord, to Delaware County, Ohio, then a new, unsettled country. His father entered land and made a farm, residing there till death. Mr. Gaylord was married in Del- aware County, in 1841, to Jane Searle, daughter of Miner and Sarah (Brown) Searle, and a native of Luzerne County, Pa., born in 1816. Her father was a native of Connecticut and her mother of Pennsylvania. They were early settlers of Luzerne County, and later moved to Delaware County. Her father died in July, 1820,
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while engaged in surveying the State of Ohio. Her mother accom- panied her to Indiana, and died in September, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord have had three children, two of whom were born in Ohio and one in Steuben County-Henry D. is a resident of Otsego Township; Caroline is the wife of Joseph Woodhull, of Angola; Sarah is the wife of George W. Gilbert, and lives on the old home- stead. Mr. Gaylord was a Democrat in his early life and cast his first Presidential vote for General Jackson. Later he was a Whig, and since its organization he has affiliated with the Republican party.
Capt. Sylvanus B. George, the present Postmaster at Pleasant Lake, is one of the pioneers of Steuben County. He was born in Livonia, Livingston Co., N. Y., April 14, 1815. He removed in February, 1818, with his parents, Elnathan and Lydia (Haven) George, to Bellevue, Ohio, where his mother died. His father died in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he was engaged as a con- tractor in the construction of the Cleveland Canal, in October, 1830. Captain George was reared to the occupation of farming. He has been a resident of Steuben County since 1840. In 1849 he went over land to California, being about seven months on the route, traveling in a company of about sixty men. He was engaged while there in mining and trade. He returned in October, 1855, and has been a resident of this township since that time. Has lived at Pleasant Lake since October, 1875. He enlisted in August, 1862, in the Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry. He raised Company H of that regiment and on its organization was elected Captain. Commanded the company for fourteen months, when ill health compelled him to resign. He participated in the battle of Mul- draugh Hill, in Kentucky, the Confederates at that battle being commanded by General John Morgan; took part in the terrible bat- tle of Chickamauga on Sept. 19 and 20, 1863. In 1864 he was elected Sheriff of Steuben County, and served four years. Was appointed Postmaster at Pleasant Lake, in October, 1879, be- ing engaged in farming in the interval between serving as Sheriff and his appointment as Postmaster. He married Maria Perfect, a daughter of James Perfect, also one of Steuben's pioneers. James Perfect was born near Lexington, Ky., in 1795. He removed to Ohio with his parents about 1810, and there grew to manhood and married Sally Gaylord, who was born in Luzerne County, Pa., in 1799, and removed to Ohio with her parents when she was fifteen years old. Mr. Perfect came to Steuben County with his family
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
in October, 1836, and settled in Steuben Township, where he lived till his death in 1856. He was a soldier in the army of 1812. The circumstances attending his death have never become known. He was on his way to Iowa with John Carter, of this township, for the purpose of locating land. He took passage on a steamboat at Du- buque for Me Gregor, Iowa, from which place they intended to con- tinne West; while making this passage, Mr. Perfect suddenly disappeared in the night, and has never been heard of since. It is supposed that he fell overboard and was drowned. His wife died in April, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Perfect had eight children, four sons and four daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. Of the family, only three sisters are living. Hannah, wife of David Murray, of Pleasant Lake; Sophronia, wife of J. M. Forward, of Omaha, Neb., and Mrs. George, who was born in Marion County, Ohio, 1821. Mr. and Mrs. George have two children-Amanda E., wife of Mortimer Knapp, of Kansas, and William H. Their eldest son, James A., was born in 1847; he enlisted in 1863 in the same regi- ment with his father. After the return of the latter, he mnarehed with Sherman to the sea. He died in 1870, at home. Captain George is one of the prominent and respected citizens of Pleasant Lake, and a worthy representative of Steuben's pioneers.
David S. Gilbert is one of the representative pioneers of Steu- ben County. He is a son of Samuel and Fanny (Crawford) Gilbert, who came with their family to the county March 19, 1842. Sam- nel Gilbert was a native of Genesee County, N. Y., born in 1799, and married Fanny Crawford, a native of Vermont. They moved from New York to Lorain County, Ohio, and thence to Steuben County. Their family consisted of seven children; four are now living-Chauncey, in Kansas; John is deceased; David S .; Lucy, widow of Calvin Powers; Lester, of Pleasant Lake; Miles died in Indianapolis, while in the service of the United States, during the war; Cornelius, also a soldier, died at Gallatin, Tenn., in 1862. Samuel Gilbert settled on the northeast quarter of section 20, Sten- ben Township, where he bought 320 acres of wild land which, with the assistance of his sons, he converted into a fine farm. In 1862, al- though sixty-three years of age, he made arrangements to enter the Union army. He enlisted and went to Fort Wayne to be mustered in, but died suddenly of heart disease. His wife died a year and a half later. David S. Gilbert was born in Lorain County, Ohio, in 1827, and lived with his parents till 1852, when he joined a com- pany bound for California and crossed the plains, being five months
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on the way. He remained in California four years, engaged the most of the time in farming. In 1856 he returned to Steuben County and erected a saw-mill in Pleasant Lake, which he ex- changed the following year for a part of his present farm, and with the exception of one year, when he was engaged in the mercantile business, has since given his attention to agriculture. He is one of the prominent and successful farmers of the township. His farm contains 340 acres of valuable land. In 1874 he built a fine brick residence in the village of Pleasant Lake, where he now lives. He was married in the fall of 1857 to Lucy A. Gaylord, who died Feb. 19, 1864, leaving three children-Lewis H., Arthur C. and Miner, all of whom live on the farm. Mr. Gilbert subsequently married Permelia Grant, daughter of Abram Grant. Their two children, Frank and Grace, are at home in Pleasant Lake. In the spring of 1857 Mr. Gilbert was elected Justice of the Peace and served eleven years, when he resigned, but in 1873 was elected to the same office, and still holds the position. He is serving his sec- ond term as Township Trustee.
John Harpham, Sr., was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1810, remaining in his native country till twenty-six years of age, when he came to the United States and lived in Monroe County, N. Y., several years. He was married in Rochester, N. Y., in April, 1843, to Margaret Gillanders, a native of the north of Ireland, born in 1821, and came to the United States in 1841. The following fall they moved to Steuben County, Ind., and settled on section 17, Steuben Township, where they have since lived. There were no improvements on their land and but one house in Pleasant Lake, owned and occupied by Seth Murray. Mr. Harpham owns 110 acres of valuable land, ninety acres under cultivation, with a pleas- ant residence and good farm buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Harpham have had nine children; six are living-Martha, John, James, Sam- nel, Anna and George. Joseph, Mary Jane and Elizabeth are de- ceased.
John Harpham, Jr., was born in Steuben Township, Steuben Co., Ind., in 1851, a son of John and Margaret Harpham. He was reared and educated in his native county and since attain- ing manhood has given his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1871 he was married to Miss Loretta Deller, daughter of Nicholas and Mary A. Deller. In 1872 he bought sixty acres of land on section 17, Steuben Township, of Abraham Kinsley, one of the pioneers of Steuben County, and in 1877 bought eighty acres
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more adjoining, of the Grieves heirs. He now owns one of the best farms in Steuben Township. Mr. Harpham is one of the energetic and successful young farmers of Steuben Township. His interests have always been in his native county and he has always been among the foremost to assist every enterprise of pub- lic benefit. John and Loretta Harpham have had five children; two died in infancy; three daughters are living-Evvie May, Levada Dell and Carrie Ettie.
Daniel Hoffman was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 6, 1825, and when a child removed with his parents to Trumbull County. He is a son of Jacob and Mary M. Hoffman, who were among the first settlers of Trumbull County, and remained there till their death. In 1849 Mr. Hoffman came to Indiana and set- tled in Wells County, where he was married to Margaret Osborn, a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, born in 1831, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Osborn. Her father died in Ohio, and her mother is a resident of Pennsylvania. She came to Indiana with her brother Levi in 1850 and was married in October of the same year. Mr. Hoffman settled on an unimproved farm in Wells County, entering 160 acres in 1849. He improved his land and made of it a fine farm, living on it till 1866. In 1865 he came to Steuben County and bought 100 acres of land, eighty acres lying on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 26, and twenty acres on the north half of the southeast quarter of the same section. In April, 1866, he moved his family to their new home. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, devoting considerable atten- tion to raising short-horn cattle. He is an enterprising, progres- sive farmer, and is one of the representative citizens of Steuben Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have had ten children, eight of whom are living-Jacob A., of Cheyenne County, Kas .; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Ezekiel Harlan, of Paulding County, Ohio; Elias O., of St. Louis County, Mo .; John Charles, of Steuben Township; Lydia A., wife of James A. Renner, of Paulding County, Ohio; Margaret E., wife of Edward Teeters, of Steuben Township; Hannah Lois, and James L. Amanda Jane died at the age of sixteen years, in 1874, and Daniel W. was drowned in Maserva Lake, Steuben Township, while bathing, July 15, 1883.
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