USA > Indiana > Steuben County > History of Steuben County, Indiana, together withbiographies of representative citizens > Part 76
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William H. L. Brown was born near Batavia, N. Y., Nov. 16, 1812. When he was two years of age his father died and his mother subsequently married Samuel Clark and moved to Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He was married in 1838 to Phobe
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
Ann Wilcox, and to them were born four children-Statira, Fran- ces M., Livingston W. and Isabel; the latter is deceased. In 1848 he came to Steuben County and settled in Otsego Township. He experienced the hardships and privations of pioneer life, both in Ohio and Indiana, but his indomitable will and perseverance were equal to any emergency and all obstacles were successfully over- come. He was one of the kindest and most self-sacrificing of neigh- bors, never refusing assistance to any one who needed it. He had an enviable reputation for honesty and strict business integrity, and his firmness in the carrying out of every principle he conceived to be right won him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he had any dealings. He filled several official positions of trust in Otsego Township, and in politics was a Democrat. His wife died Oct. 18, 1865, and he survived her fifteen years, dying at the resi- dence of his daughter, Mrs. Jesse H. Carpenter, of Angola, Sept. 11, 1880.
Chester Burch was born in the State of Vermont, March 22, 1810, a son of Oliver and Anna Burch. His parents moved to New York, and in 1825 to Washington County, Ohio, where, Nov. 10, 1831, Chester married Polly Davis, a native of that county, born April 4, 1812. In 1837 they moved to Steuben County, Ind., and settled on section 15, Otsego Township, on land owned by James Clark. Three years later he bought eighty acres on section 10, where he lived till his death, Jan. 26, 1879. He was a mem- - ber of the Disciples church and his Christian life and honorable dealings won him the respect of all who knew him. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Burch-Nathan died in Ohio aged four years; Halbert was killed Nov. 31, 1872, by being thrown from a wagon; Cynthia is the wife of George Rummel; Louisa, wife of William Rummel, died April 6, 1873, aged thirty years; Chester lives in Scott Township; Asa is a resident of Steuben Connty: Florilla is the wife of Harvey Sugar, of Decatur, Ind.
Henry Burch, son of Oliver and Anna Burch, was born July 7, 1820. In the fall of 1837 he visited and worked for his brother Chester in this township, but returned to Ohio and remained till 1839, when he permanently located in Steuben County. He made his home with his brother till 1841, when he married Mary Ann Keith, who died, leaving five children-Emily, wife of Robert Wilkes; Hartwell, of Ohio; William, of this township; Lysander, of Jamestown Township; Elvy, wife of Elijah Shaw. He subse- quently married Mrs. Catherine (Williams) Teeters, widow of John
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Teeters. After twenty years of married life Mrs. Burch died, in 1879. Oct. 17, 1882, Mr. Burch married Polly (Davis) Burch, widow of his brother Chester. Mr. Burch owns a fine farm on section 1, Otsego Township. He and his wife now occupy the homestead of his brother on section 10. Mr. Burch is devoted to the principles of the Republican party. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Disciples church, and their upright Christian lives have placed them among the most respected citizens of the township.
William Cameron was born in Abernethy, Scotland, Oct. 22, 1817, the second of nine children of George and Janet Cameron, who left Scotland with their family in 1834, and came to America, settling in the Western district of Canada, where the mother died in 1838 and the father in 1848. Three of the children came to In- diana-John settled in Richland Township, Stenben County, where he died in April, 1878. Donald eame in 1842 and is living in Posey County, and our subject, who settled in Richland Township on section S, in 1841, making a fine farm of 160 acres of wild tim- ber. In 1864 he sold his farm in Richland Township and bought the home where he now lives, on section 29, Otsego Township. He was a poor man when he came to the county but by frugality and industry has accumulated a good property and is surrounded by all the comforts of life. He was married in March, 1843, to Sarah Carlin, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born Feb. 1, 1826, daughter of Robert and Sarah Carlin, who settled in Richland Township in 1841. To them have been born seven children. The eldest, Robert, died Nov. 16, 1866, in the twenty-third year of his age. The youngest died in infancy. Jane is the wife of Clay Lem- mon; Juliet married John Fee; Sarah is the wife of Ralph Bullard; John is at home, and Maria Viola is the wife of N. Griffin.
George II. Carpenter, son of Harlow J. and Fanny (Merry) Car- penter, was born in Erie County, Ohio, Oct. 23, 1841, and was nearly ten years of age when his parents moved to Steuben County. At the age of nineteen years he went to Dewitt County, Ill., and taught two terms of school, being absent a little more than a year. Since his marriage he has lived in Montgomery, Hillsdale Co., Mich., engaged in the drug business. With these exceptions he has been identified with Steuben County since first coming here, and the most of the time has lived on the old homestead, his present residence. In 1881 he erected a building for the purpose, and be- came established in the general mercantile business at Otsego Center, where by his genial, courteous manners he has built up a
Rev. H.S. Carpenter Rev.
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good trade which is constantly increasing. He is also Postmaster of Oufa postoffice, appointed in 1881. He was married July 4, 1863, to Lydia Griffithi, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, a daughter of John and Jemima Griffith. To them have been born five children; but three are living -- Bert, Sylvia and Lena. Their eldest, Leman, died aged nine years, and their third, Harlow J., aged fourteen months. In politics Mr. Carpenter is a Democrat.
Harlow J. Carpenter was born in Chittenden County, Vt., June 27, 1813. When twenty-one years of age he drove a team through to Pennsylvania for an elder brother, Joseph, and a few months later rode a horse to Erie County, Ohio. He was married in Erie County, Sept. 29, 1836, to Fanny Merry, daughter of Hosmer and Sally Merry. She was born in Milan, Ohio, Dec. 2, 1813, where her parents were pioneer settlers. In 1849 Mr. Carpenter be- came identified with Steuben County, buying and improving 120 acres of land on section 22, Otsego Township. Of his six children five were born in Ohio and one in Steuben County-Jesse H. lives in Angola; Sarah is the widow of Robert H. Humphreys; George H. lives on the old homestead; Emma died in Ohio at the age of three years; Betsey M. is the wife of Lewis Griffith; Julia is the wife of B. F. Griffith, and Carrie S. is the wife of L. W. Brown. Mr. Carpenter was an energetic, public-spirited, thrifty man; was active in the promotion of every good cause. The day he was twenty-one years old he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and from the first was an intelligent, active worker in the Master's vineyard. He was for many years a local preacher and was every- where known as Elder Carpenter, a title he worthily earned and wore. He was always ready to give religious instruction and his purse was always open to assist the poor and needy. After coming to Steuben County Mr. Carpenter officiated at 612 funerals, and it is not known how many marriages he solemnized. He was called to his reward April 30, 1883. Soon after his death the Methodist Episcopal church at Otsego Center, and to which in life he was much attached, was rededicated and named, as a tribute to honor his memory, Carpenter's Chapel. His worthy life companion sur- vives and is living with her widowed daughter, Mrs. Sarah E. Humphreys.
Levi Chard was born in Marion County, Ohio, May 7, 1814, a son of William and Susan Chard. His father was born in England and died in Lower Sandusky, Ohio, in 1823. His mother was a native of Ohio and died in Steuben County, Ind., at the residence
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
of her daughter, Mrs. Betsey Shaffer. Levi Chard was reared in Ohio and there married, Feb. 3, 1834, Lydia Harriman. In the fall of 1837 they came to Steuben County, and the first year lived on land rented of J. Croy, in Jackson Township. Mr. Chard then bought forty acres on section 18, Otsego Township, where they lived three years when they moved to Illinois, but subsequently returned to Steuben County and bonght forty acres on section 17, Otsego Township. To this he has added till he now owns 109 acres. Mr. Chard was a man who found pleasure in the life of a pioneer. Of a strong, robust habit, he was fond of out-door life and of the chase, deer hunting being his favorite pastime. Com- ing as he did in the early settlement of the county he has assisted materially in its development. The first time he visited Fort Wayne he passed but three houses from his home to the latter place. To Mr. and Mrs. Chard have been born eight children, but two of whom are living-Charles and Enoch. Charles married Anna Dotts and is a resident of Otsego Township. Enoch married Susan Dutter, daughter of George and Anna Dutter, and lives on the homestead. Phoebe Ann married William Dutter and died aged twenty-one years. Five died in infancy, the eldest a short time after coming to Steuben County, aged eighteen months. In politics Mr. Chard is a Democrat, but in local elections votes for the man he considers the best qualified for the office.
James Clark, deceased, one of the prominent pioneers of Otsego Township, was born in Ireland in 1806, and when eleven years of age his parents came to the United States and settled in Otsego County, N. Y., where the children, two sons and two daughters, were employed in a cotton factory until they became of age. James continued to work in the factory and became an overseer, and subsequently a stockholder. In 1836 he sold his factory stock and came to Steuben County and bought 400 acres of land in Otsego Township, making his home on section 10, where Aaron Teegar- den now lives. He was an active, influential man in the new county, and as he had what so few of the early settlers had, consid- erable capital, was able to assist materially in its development and improvement. He was one of the organizers of Steuben County and one of its first Commissioners, an office he held several years, proving himself to be the right man for the place. In politics he was in early life a Whig, and was one of the most active in the or- ganization of the Republican party. While not a member of any religious denomination he led a blameless life and always assisted
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every object worthy his consideration. In 1874 he moved to Quincy, Mich., where he intended living a retired life, but the death summons came for him Aug. 25, 1875, and his remains were brought back to his pioneer home for burial. He was married in New York to Eliza Swift, and to them were born five children- George, Susan, Edna, Halbert and Rowena. Susan died in New York. The fourth year of his residence in Steuben County his wife and four children died. June 9, 1840, he married Elizabeth Johnson, a native of Otsego, N. Y., born Nov. 9, 1819. Eight children were born to them-Eliza, widow of William Shaughniss; Menzie died at the age of two and a half years; Nancy, wife of Ranson Cory; Harriet, wife of Alvah Belot; Lucy, wife of John Babcock; John, of Reading, Mich .; James died aged six years; Jennie, wife of Mortimer Bennett. Mrs. Clark is living in Quincy, Mich., in the enjoyment of good health.
Solomon M. Cox was born in Knox County, Ohio, Sept. 17, 1840, a son of William and Margaret Cox, the former a native of Delaware, born Feb. 27, 1815, and the latter of Ross County, Ohio, born Jan. 1, 1820. They were married Sept. 1, 1837, and after a residence of. eleven years in Ohio moved to Steuben County, Ind., where the father died March 22, 1864. Since August, 1864, the mother has lived with her daughter in Fulton County, Ohio. Their family consisted of three children-Sarah died at the age of six years; Elizabeth is the wife of H. S. Persing, of Fulton County, Ohio, and Solomon. Our subject was reared in Steuben County, remaining at home till his marriage, Nov. 6, 1859, to Nancy Al- drich, who was born in De Kalb County, this State, Sept. 17, 1841, daughter of David and Mary (Jackman) Aldrich. After his mar- riage he settled on a farm he had previously bonght in Richland Township, where he lived till April 1, 1872, when he bought his present residence on section 13, Otsego Township. He owns eighty acres of good land, well improved, with a pleasant residence and comfortable farm buildings, and thirty acres of good timber in Richland Township. Aug. 25, 1861, Mr. Cox volunteered in defense of the Union and was assigned to Company A, Forty-fourth Indi- ana Infantry, and Jan. 1, 1864, veteranized and served till Sept. 14, 1865. He participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, siege of Corinth, Stone River and Chickamauga. At the two lat. ter he was on duty on General Vancleve's staff. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have two children-Mary Ann, born Jan. 21, 1861, was mar- ried to James Wilson Nov. 14, 1880, and has two children-Char-
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ley and Maggie; Schuyler C. was born June 19, 1869. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Lucius H. Crain was born in Eden, Madison Co., N. Y., June 6, 1827, a son of Lucius and Paulina (Frink) Crain. In 1836 his father visited Steuben County, Ind., and bought land on section 36, Steuben Township, and in September, 1837, moved his family to it. The following year they returned to New York, but in 1840 came West again and settled on their land where both parents died, the father Ang. 31, 1848. Lucius H. remained on the homestead till twenty-three years of age. He was married Jan. 29, 1851, to Nellie Aldrich, who was born in Vermont in 1830, a daughter of Isaac T. and Lovina Aldrich. Her parents came to Indiana in 1837 and settled in De Kalb County, where they both died. For nine months after his marriage Mr. Crain lived in De Kalb County, and then returned to Steuben County, and in 1853 settled on the farm where he now lives, on section 31, Otsego Town- ship, where he has a pleasant home. He is one of the representa- tive citizens of the township. In politics he is a Democrat. In early life he was a member of the United Brethren church but is now connected with no religious society. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have had a family of four children; three are living-Charles T., Mary and Edward. Their eldest child, Jane, died at the age of eleven years. Charles T. was married Nov. 23, 1872, to Martha Langley, a native of Harrisville, Ohio, and has two children-Cora Bell and Anna D. Mr. Crain's grandfather, Elisha Crain, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and one of the heroes of the battle of Bunker Hill. He died in Chautauqua County, N. Y., in 1848, in the ninety-ninth year of his age.
David H. Davis is a prominent farmer and business man of Otsego Township. He was born in England, Feb. 8, 1820, and in 1850 married Elizabeth Yates, also a native of England, born in 1820. In February, 1853, they came to the United States, land- ing in New York City, and after living abont eighteen months in Pittsburg, Pa., moved to Portage County, Ohio, where they lived twelve years. In 1867 they moved to Steuben County, Ind., and Mr. Davis has since been prominently identified with the business interests of the county and one of the most active citizens. He settled on section 10, buying a large farm, and now owns 250 acres, mostly improved. His residence and farm buildings are built with a view to durability and utility, characteristic of the
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man. In addition to his farm he bought, in company with Nathan- iel Parker, a steam saw-mill, which was built in 1855 by Mahood & Sons. In 1869 the mill was burned but was immediately re- built and enlarged, the old engine and boiler being used. In 1871 Mr. Davis bought his partner's interest and has since operated the mill in company with his son Frank, manufacturing dimension lumber, shingles, lath, etc., and also has a turning lathe. His mill is of twenty horse-power, with a capacity of 3,000 feet a day. Mr. Davis is known as a man of strict business integrity, his word being his bond, and has proved himself to be an honored member of the community and an influential citizen. In National politics he is a Republican, but iu local elections votes independent of party. His three children, Kate, Lucetta and Frank Y., are all at home.
George R. Farnum was born in Coldwater, Mich., Aug. 28, 1851, the only son of George V. and Frank C. (Willey) Farnum. He has always made his father's house his home, and in August, 1876, succeeded him in business. He received a good practical education which fitted him for the active business of life. He has a general stock of groceries, dry-goods, hardware, crockery, etc., and is doing a good business which is constantly increasing. Mr. Farnum is a genial, accom modating young man and is a general favorite with all classes of citizens, both in business and social circles. He is an honorable, enterprising citizen and in 1884 was elected one of the Justices of the Peace of Otsego Township. He was married Christmas day, 1876, to Frances E. Kepler, a native of Steuben County, born Aug. 19, 1855, daughter of Jere- miah and Susan (Griffith) Kepler.
George V. Farnum was born in Boston, Mass., Feb. 27, 1818. His father, George Farnum, died in Pennsylvania in 1826. His mother died in Massachusetts in 1847. When fifteen years of age he went to work in a dry-goods store in Boston and when seven- teen was sent out by them as a commercial traveler, visiting while in their employ twenty-six States and two Canadian provinces. He was married in Boston in May, 1836, to Charlotte Stone, who died six months later aged twenty-two years. In 1845 he married Frank C. Willey, who was born in Irasburg, Orleans Co., Vt., Aug. 22, 1817, living at that time in Connecticut. The year of their marriage they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where Mr. Farnum engaged in the construction of telegraph lines about a year. In the fall of 1846 he embarked in the mercantile business which he continued till June, 1848, when he moved to Burr Oak, Mich.,
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buying land with the intention of engaging in farming, but not liking that life he engaged a short time in keeping hotel and then moved to Coldwater and bought an interest in a wagon and paint shop. Two years later he sold out and became a resident of Steu- ben County, Ind., locating at Angola in 1859. He for a short time kept the Eldora House (now the Russell House), and in No- vember, 1859, moved to Hamilton, and at first kept a hotel and general store in the La Due property. In 1864 he established the business now conducted by his son George R. Mr. Farnum has led an active business life and has now a competency for his declining years. He has made many friends in his business career who value him for his many sterling and business qualities and genial, agreeable manners.
John Fee, the first settler of Otsego Township, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, Oct. 13, 1810. His father, William Fee, was a farmer and to that avocation the son was reared and made it the successful pursuit of his life. He was nineteen years of age when his father with family settled in Williams County, Ohio. He had a family of twelve children, of whom John was the sec- ond child. William Fee, after making a little improvement and shelter for his family, went back for money to pay for his land and on his return was taken sick and died before reaching home, leaving the family in limited circumstances. John Fee and Mary A. B. Holton were married April 9, 1833. She was born in High- land County, Ohio, April 9, 1811, a daughter of Samuel Holton, one of the first settlers of Chillicothe, Ohio. At the time of their marriage Mrs. Fee was residing with her brothers, Samuel and John Holton, in Williams County, Ohio. Samuel Holton settled in De Kalb County the same year and was the first settler of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Fee lived on Samnel Holton's farm as renters until 1835, when they came to this township, being the first white family to make their home here, and located 120 aeres on section 32. Mr. Fee was a man of great energy and force- the man for a new country. It gave him room, and brought into action his inherent force of character. He became one of the largest land owners in the county, at one time owned about 1,500 acres, not all in this county. £ His home farm on sections 32 and 33 and adjoining lands over the line in De Kalb County, contained about 700 acres, now making several farms, divided among his children. Mrs. Fee cooked and carried herself a din- ner to the men employed in raising the first building ever erected
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in Hamilton. Nine children were born to them, of whom seven are living-Calvin; Clarinda, wife of A. L. Nichols; Mar- garet R., wife of A. J. Carpenter; John; Ann, wife of L. T. Crain; William and Frank. Mr. Fee died April 2, 1873. The widow survives, strong in intellect, clear in recollection of pioneer days, but helpless from a stroke of paralysis. She is cared for by her son Frank and his wife at the pioneer home made one-half a cent- ury ago.
Lewis Fifer was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Oct. 13, 1842, a son of Adam and Elizabeth Fifer, his father a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1817, and his mother of Germany, born Feb. 15, 1821, her parents coming to the United States and settling in Ohio in 1826. Adam and Elizabeth Fifer were married in Ohio, and March 28, 1861, came to Steuben County and settled in Steu- ben Township, where the father died Nov. 2, 1883. The mother is now living at Pleasant Lake. Their family consisted of twelve children-Mrs. Elizabeth Hoffman, Lewis, Mrs. Margaret Shied'er, Lydia (deceased, wife of Dr. T. E. Berry), Franklin, Mrs. Mary J. Forward, Mrs. Jestinna Harpham, William, Mrs. Hattie Wheeler, Addison, and Loretta (died aged eight years), and one died in infancy. Lewis Fifer was married March 22, 1865, to Mrs. Martha (Harpham) George, daughter of John and Margaret Harpham and widow of Sylvanus B. George, who died April 18, 1863, leaving one son-Edward M., who was married July 3, 1884, to Emma Avery. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fifer-Mrs. Elva Jane Brown, Mrs. Margaret Leonora Oberlin, John Adamn, Or- lando and Jessie A. In 1873 Mr. Fifer became a resident of Ot- sego Township, buying 100 acres of land on section 18, where he has erected a good residence and farm buildings. He is one of the substantial farmers of the township, and an upright, honorable man in all his business dealings. In National politics he is a Re- publican, but in local elections votes independent of party. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.
Joseph A. Gilbert, one of the prominent farmers of Otsego Town- ship, lives on section 2. He was born in Adams County, Pa., Aug. 3, 1825, a son of John and Mary Gilbert. When he was eight years of age his parents moved to Portage County, Ohio, where he was reared a farmer, remaining with his parents till twenty-five years of age. In the fall of 1851 he came to Steuben County and lived the following winter on his brother John's place in York Township. In the meantime he bought 160 acres of
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
timber-land on section 2, Otsego Township, on which he built a small log cabin, and the next spring moved his family to it. He went to work to improve his forest home and was soon able to live comfortably. He has since erected a large, fine residence, and all his farm buildings are commodious and comfortable. To his first purchase be has added till he now has 265 acres, the most of it under cultivation. He was married Feb. 25, 1850, to Martha Ann Forder, who was born in Pennsylvania, July 28, 1833. To them were born six children-Alonzo, of this township; George W., died aged two years; Marietta, died in infancy; Almira and Alvira (twins), the former died in infancy and the latter is the wife of Frank Fee; Sarah Florence is the wife of Truman Bender, of Kansas. Mrs. Gilbert died Jan. 26, 1859. In February, 1861, Mr. Gilbert married Emily Case, a native of Orleans County, N. Y., born Jan. 14, 1835. Three children were born to them-Alton J., Victor and Verna. Mrs. Gilbert died April 12, 1884. Mr. Gil- bert, on his mother's side, is of a long-lived race. His maternal grandmother, Mrs. Mary Bachman, lived to the age of 106 years, and when 100 years old walked six miles to visit her daughter. His mother died Jan. 16, 1885, aged eighty-nine years, ten months and five days. At an early age she united with the German Lutheran church of which she was a member forty years, and after coming to Indiana transferred her membership to the United Brethren church. She was a kind mother, a generous Christian woman, and was always ready to help in any way she could the needy. Her husband died in 1861. Her children were eight in number, six of whom are living -- Hannah M., wife of Aaron Williams; John, of York Township; Jacob, of Big Rapids, Mich. ; Joseph A., our subject; Elizabeth, wife of John Kogen; Sylvester, of York Township. Jackson and Mary are deceased. Joseph A. Gilbert is in politics a Republican. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, Angola Lodge, No. 236, making their motto the guide of his life.
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