USA > Indiana > Wabash County > History of Wabash County, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 48
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
Digitized by Google
880
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
The father, who is now living retired, being venerable in years, was for many years successfully engaged in contracting and building, hav- ing learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, and he had much to do with the physical development and upbuilding of Warsaw, where he has also wielded benignant influence as a loyal and public- spirited citizen. His intrinsic partiotism led him to tender his services in defense of the Union when the Civil war was precipitated on a divided nation, and enduring honor is his for the faithful and gallant service which he rendered in support of a righteous cause and in per- petuating the national integrity. He first enlisted in the Twelfth Indi- ana Cavalry and later was transferred to a regiment of infantry, with which he took part in numerous engagements and continued in the ranks until virtually the close of the war. He perpetuates the more gracious memories of his military career through his active affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic, and his political proclivities are indicated by the stalwart support which he has given to the Democratic party. Christopher C. and Barbara A. Stoner became the parents of eight children, all of whom are living and concerning whom the follow- ing brief data is given: Mary, who was born in 1856, is the wife of John Goldsmith and they reside at Warsaw, Indiana; Agnes E., who was born in 1858, is the wife of A. D. M. Hare, of South Bend, Pacific county, Washington; Charles W., of this review, was the next in order of birth; Kate L., who was born in 1864, is the wife of Richard Len- drum, of La Fontaine; Alice M., who was born in 1868, is the wife of Herbert Brant, of Warsaw, this State; Horace O., who was born in 1872, maintains his residence in the city of Battle Creek, Michigan; Rose, who was born in 1874, is the wife of William B. Morrison, of La Fontaine; and Miss Martha remains at the parental home.
Charles W. Stoner was reared to maturity in the city of Warsaw and there he attended the public schools until he was fourteen years of age, when he became dependent upon his own resources in making provision for a part of his maintenance. He entered the employ of a lumber firm in his native place and at the beginning he received the princely stipend of fifty cents a day in recompense for his services. Through faithful and efficient service he won rapid advancement and eventually commanded a liberal salary. He remainel in the employ of the one firm for the long period of fifteen years, and for the ensuing ten years he was in the service of another representative lumber corpora- tion in Warsaw. As may well be understood, he had through this pro- tracted and practical experience gained a thorough knowledge of all details of the lumber business, in connection with which he matured an authoritative judgment as to values of all lines of building material.
In March, 1901, Mr. Stoner organized the La Fontaine Lumber Company, of which he has since been the executive head, and through his progressive policies and fair and honorable methods he has built up a large and prosperous business, the major part of his time and at- tention being given to the management of this important and represen- tentative enterprise.
Digitized by Google
1
1
881
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
With no predilection for prestige in the domain of political activity, Mr. Stoner accords a stanch allegiance to the democratic party, and his civic loyalty has caused him to not deny service in official position of local order, as he served four years, 1908-1912, in the village coun- cil at La Fontaine. He is affiliated with Lake City Lodge, No. 430, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand and which he has represented in the grand lodge of Indiana. In the Im- proved Order of Red Men he is past sachem of Peashwa Tribe, No. 83, at Warsaw, and he has represented this local organization in the Indiana great council of the order. Mr. Stoner has further extended his fraternal associations, as is evident when it is stated that he is past chancellor of La Fontaine Lodge, No. 211, Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the local tent of the Knights of the Maccabees.
On Christmas eve of the year 1885 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Stoner to Miss Alice Spencer, who was born in Whitley county, this State. They have one daughter, Ruth, who was born August 1, 1891, and who, after completing the curriculum of the La Fontaine high school was graduated also in the Marion Business College, at Marion, Grant county. She is now the wife of Frank Roberts, of Marion, and they became the parents of one son, Morris S., who was born May 2, 1913.
JOHN L. JOHNSON. Among the leading business men of La Fontaine, none stands higher in the confidence of his associates or in social charac- ter than John L. Johnson, the proprietor of a prosperous drug estab- lishment. A native son of the city, he has by his energy and steadfast- ness of purpose obtained a name in the commercial world well worthy of his labors and of which he has the strongest reasons to be proud. Mr. Johnson was born at La Fontaine, June 30, 1868, and is a son of George F. and Harriet (Lobdell) Johnson, the former of whom died in 1907, while the latter still survives and makes her home at La Fontaine. The father was born in Grant county, Indiana, and was educated in the public schools and reared to manhood in West Liberty, Ohio, where he was taken by his parents as a lad. He was married in Wabash county, Indiana, in 1867. While a resident of Ohio he enlisted for service in the Tenth Ohio Battery during the Civil War, being a member of that organization from 1862 until receiving his honorable discharge at the close of the struggle between the North and the South. A good and faithful service as a soldier was followed by an honorable career as a citizen. Following the war, Mr. Johnson came to Wabash county, Indiana. He had learned the trade of baker in Ohio, but subsequently turned his attention to the business of blacksmith, having a shop at La Fontaine. For many years he was successfully engaged in business, and was known as a man of industry, integrity and good citizenship. For a number of years he was affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, and also held membership in the local Masonic lodge, was popular in both and worked actively in their various movements. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, of whom four survive
Digitized by Google
882
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
in 1914: John L .; George Z., a telegraph operator; Kenneth C., who is a farmer in Alberta, Canada; and Jesse H., who is connected in a clerical capacity with the Lehigh Transportation Company, of Chicago, Illinois.
John L. Johnson attended the common schools of La Fontaine, and after his graduation from the eighth grade began his business career as a clerk in a drug store conducted by J. W. Hackney. Three years later he removed to Wabash, Indiana, and for ten years continued his activities as a drug clerk, then attaching himself to a civil engineering corps, with which he worked for eight years in different states, prin- cipally in surveying electric lines. Returning to La Fontaine in the winter of 1907-8, Mr. Johnson has continued to be engaged in the drug business to the present time, and is now in the enjoyment of an excellent trade, built up by his good judgment, courtesy and general ability. He has a modern, up-to-date establishment, with a full line of drugs and such other articles as are usual to the stock of a first-class pharmacy, and his careful preparation of prescriptions has gained him a substantial trade in this line. His associates have every reason to trust him implicitly, for he has never betrayed a confidence nor failed to be true to an engagement.
On August 19, 1908, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Rilla O. Criswell, daughter of G. W. Criswell. Mrs. Johnson came to La Fon- taine in 1885, and in the schools of this city received her education. She is a member of the Christian church, in which she has numerous friends. Fraternally, Mr. Johnson is connected with La Fontaine Lodge No. 295, F. & A. M., and the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Wabash.
ASA ROBY. Two townships of Wabash county have profited by the helpful activities and influence of Asa Roby,-Liberty township, where he is the owner of 160 acres, and Waltz township, where his holdings consist of seventy-two and one-half acres. Mr. Roby's property known as Home Good Stock Farm is a highly improved tract, where are bred Double Standard Polled Durham cattle and Oxford Down sheep, in the breeding of which Mr. Roby has met with well-merited success.
Mr. Roby was born November 26, 1860, in Waltz township, Wabash county, Indiana, and is a son of Elias H. and Mary B. (Grover) Roby, the former born in Ohio, of German descent, and the latter a native of the East. The parents of Mr. Roby were early settlers of Waltz township, where for many years they were engaged in agricultural pursuits and were known as people of sterling worth. They had a family of five children, namely: Alice, who is the wife of Jesse Old- ham; John, who is engaged in farming operations in Waltz township; Bert, who is a resident of Wabash; Asa; and Ira, operating a farm in Noble township, this county.
Asa Roby was reared on his father's farm in Waltz township, his education being secured in the district schools of that vicinity, and when nineteen years of age began operations on his own account on the homestead, which he rented from his father. He continued to
Digitized by Google
-
..
883
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
reside under the parental roof until his twenty-seventh year, and at that time, January 3, 1887, was married to Miss Ursula Lines, the daughter of Pleasant A. Lines, one of the old and honored residents of Liberty township, a review of whose career will be found on another page of this work. Mrs. Roby was born in Liberty township and after completing her studies in the common schools attended the high school at La Fontaine, from which she was graduated. One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Roby: Ethel, who was given good educa- tional advantages, attending the graded schools of Liberty township, the high school at Wabash and De Pauw University at Greencastle. She married Robert Langston, who is a graduate of Purdue University, through which he worked his own way and is now an architect and draughtsman in the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad, at Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Following his marriage, Mr. Roby settled on the farm on which he now resides. His early ventures were of a modest character, but each succeeding year found him adding to his acreage, his improve- ments and his stock, and at this time his farm, located one and one- half miles south of Treaty, is one of the attractive and valuable prop- perties of this part of Wabash county. An excellent judge of stock, Mr. Roby has concentrated his energies upon the breeding of Double Standard Polled Durham cattle and Oxford Down sheep for the market, where his excellent stock has attracted to him a prosperous business. His dealings have always been of such a nature as to inspire con- fidence in those who have had transactions with him and his knowledge of stock affairs and conditions has caused him to be frequently con- sulted by his fellow cattle raisers of this locality who rely absolutely upon his judgment. The greater part of his product is used for breed- ing purposes.
Mr. Roby is a republican, but has never taken an active part in politics. He is a man of solid and reliable traits of character, generous and consistent in his contributions to worthy causes, and a vigorous promoter of good citizenship, morality and education.
JAMES S. CROW. The claim of James S. Crow upon the good will and consideration of his fellow townsmen of Liberty township is based upon many years of honorable connection with the agricul- tural interests of this locality, upon his activity in promoting education and kindred movements of advanced civilization, and upon a broad and liberal charity which has assisted many of his fellow men in their struggles toward success. For twenty-six years he has been a resident of this township, and his industry, good management and perseverance have combined to win him well-merited success, and as proprietor of the Wacacona Stock Farm, a tract of 263 acres situated three miles west of La Fontaine, is known as one of the substantial men of his com- munity.
James S. Crow was born in Putnam county, Ohio, the son of poor but honorable people of the Buckeye state. As a youth he was called upon
Digitized by Google
884
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
to work hard in order to contribute to the family support, and as a result his education was of a limited character, although he made the most of every opportunity that presented itself for study. He was a youth of enterprise and progressive ideas, and when a young man joined his brother in dealing in potatoes, from the proceeds of the sale of which he really received his start, coming with this money to Wabash county in 1888 and investing it in land in Liberty township. He had come to Indiana in 1884, but had lived in Grant county four years. His first venture was of a modest nature, but as time went on and his re- sources permitted he added from time to time to his holdings, his equip- ment and his stock, until today he has one of the really valuable proper- ties of the county, with good buildings and the latest improvements of all kinds.
Mr. Crow is known as a man of charitable impulses, and not only gives freely to benevolent institutions, churches and educational insti- tutions, but also to worthy persons who are in straightened circum- stances, although he is a modest man, not given to display, and the amount of his benefactions in this line is known only to himself. He has long been a lover of live stock and is, perhaps, one of the best judges of animals in this part of the county. He has a herd of fine Hereford cattle and some of the finest horses in Wabash county, as well as a good grade of sheep and swine, it being Mr. Crow's boast that he has never kept a poor animal. His buildings are of modern, handsome architecture and well and substantially built. Mr. Crow is shrewd in his dealings and never misses an opportunity, but has always been honest and upright and has not taken advantage of those who have been un- fortunate to further his own interests. With those in his employ he has been liberal and generous, and as a result he is widely popular in his community. While farming and stock raising have been given the greater part of his attention, he has also engaged in other ventures, and has for some years been interested in the La Fontaine Bank, in which he was one of the original stockholders, for some years vice presi- dent and now a member of the board of directors. In political matters Mr. Crow is a republican, but public life has held out no attrac- tions for him. Mr. Crow is unmarried.
JACOB SAILORS. Liberty township is the home of some of the best farmers of Wabash county, who as a class have directed their efforts toward the betterment of the community and the development of its advantages. Prominent in this category is found Jacob Sailors, who is the owner of a handsome farm which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and who has also been prominent in the public life of this locality, having served as township trustee since 1908. Mr. Sailors was born on the farm on which he now resides, September 29, 1868, and is a son of William M. and Elizabeth (Sparks) Sailors.
Jacob Sailors, the grandfather of Jacob of this review, was born in North Carolina and in young manhood emigrated to Rush county, Indiana, and in 1845 came to Wabash county, locating on a farm in sec-
Digitized by Google
1
.
885
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
tion 20, Liberty township. The remainder of his life was passed in the pursuits of agriculture, and through a life of energy and industry he gained a handsome competence, so that at the time of his death, in July, 1876, he was the owner of a valuable and highly improved property and was known as one of the substantial men of his locality. He married Anna M. Milner, of Rush county, who died in February, 1876. Both were consistent members of the Baptist church and were honest, God- fearing people, who held the respect and esteem of their neighbors and acquaintances. William M. Sailors, father of Jacob Sailors, was born in Rush county, Indiana, September 28, 1838, and was a lad of seven years when brought to Wabash county, his education being secured in the primitive district schools of that day and his boyhood and youth being passed amidst pioneer rural surroundings. Early adopting farming as his life work, he continued to be engaged therein during a long and active career and when he died had accumulated a good farm. He was the father of five children, of whom two are living at this time : Jacob of this review, and Luella, who is the wife of Emerson Jack- son, of Frederick, Oklahoma. Martha A., who was the wife of C. E. Morrow of Wabash county, died in September, 1909, and Mary and Charlotte both died in infancy.
Jacob Sailors resided on the farm which he now owns until reaching the age of four years and was then taken away to a farm one-half mile south, there continuing his residence until he was twenty-seven years of age. His education was secured in the public schools of Liberty town- ship and the high school at La Fontaine, which he attended for one year, thus qualifying for the teacher's vocation in which he was engaged dur- ing eight winter terms, in the meanwhile farming during the summer months in Liberty township. Mr. Sailors was married to Arminda J. Tyner, who was born at North Manchester, June 4, 1896, and there reared. After his marriage he secured his present farm from his father's estate, although at that time it consisted of but fifty-seven acres, and to this he has continued to add from time to time until he now has 220 acres of as fine land as is to be found in the township. He has made numerous improvements of a substantial and attractive character, and has devoted his attention to general farming and the raising of stock, along both of which lines he has been successful because of his intelligent methods and constant industry.
Mr. and Mrs. Sailors have been the parents of three children, of whom two survive. Marie, the oldest, died aged four years, and Ruth and Russell, twins, born August 12, 1903, are attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Sailors are also raising a niece, Mazie J. Morrow, who is a daughter of Mrs. Martha A. (Sailors) Morrow. Mrs. Morrow left two daughters, Lora E. Morrow, who is now Mrs. Ray Shideler, of Liberty township, and Mazie J. Morrow. Mr. and Mrs. Sailors are members of the Baptist church at La Fontaine, in which he is clerk and a deacon. Politically a republican, in 1908 he was elected trustee of Liberty township, and since that time has served continuously in this office, in discharging the duties of which he has met with the highest commendation by his fel- Vol. II-27
Digitized by Google
886
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
low townsmen. Few men have rendered more faithful or conscientious public service and none has won the respect and esteem of his associates in greater degree.
ALVAH LINES. It has been the fortune of Alvah Lines, of Liberty township, to realize many of his worthy ambitions, and through the exercise of good judgment and business sagacity to wrest from his opportunities financial and general success. At this time Mr. Lines is engaged in agricultural pursuits, being the owner of a well-cultivated tract of eighty acres of land, and is also known in his community as a citizen of sterling worth and public spirit. Mr. Lines was born in Lib- erty township, Wabash county, Indiana, November 10, 1869, and is a son of Pleasant A. and Flora A. (Tyner) Lines.
ยท
Pleasant A. Lines was born in Rush county, Indiana, January 16, 1840, a son of Thomas H. and Nancy (Sailors) Lines, natives of that county, where they were reared, educated and married. In 1842 the grandparents of Alvah Lines came to Wabash county, locating in Liberty township, where the grandfather entered 1191/2 acres of wild land, which he subsequently developed into a good and valuable property. The remaining years of his life were passed here and his activities resulted in his becoming one of the substantial men of the township. Ten chil- dren were born to the grandparents, of whom four are still living: Pleasant A .; Marshall, who resides at La Fontaine; Martha A., his twin, also living at this place, who is the wife of Tobe Miller; and Monroe, who is engaged in farming in Liberty township.
Pleasant A. Lines was a child of two years of age when brought by his parents to Wabash county, and here his education was secured in the early district schools of Liberty township, which he attended during the winter months while spending the rest of the year in work on the home farm. When twenty years old he embarked upon a career of his own, first engaging in clearing land, later running a threshing machine with his father and brother, then splitting rails for several years, and finally engaging in agricultural pursuits, in which he has continued to be engaged to the present time. He is now one of the most substantial men of Liberty township and with his wife is the owner of 650 acres of fine land. In political matters he is a republican, and with his wife and children attends the Antioch Baptist church. He is a man of high integrity and has the esteem and respect of all with whom he has come into contact. Mr. and Mrs. Lines were the parents of three children, of whom two are living: Ursla, who is the wife of Asa Roby of Liberty township ; and Alvah.
The youngest of his parents' children, Alvah Lines was educated in the district schools of Liberty township and the high school at Treaty, Indiana, thus receiving a thorough training and being well fitted for any position in life which he might be called upon to fill. He remained under the parental roof and assisted his father until reaching the age of twenty- one years, at which time he embarked upon a career of his own, and since that time has continued to be successfully engaged in general
Digitized by Google
-
887
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
farming and stock raising, in both of which ventures he has met with prosperity. At this time Mr. Lines is the owner of a well-cultivated tract of eighty acres, upon which numerous modern improvements have been made, including a good set of substantial farm buildings. For a number of years Mr. Lines was affiliated with the republican party, but in 1912 transferred his allegiance to the progressive party. He has not cared for office, but has never failed to do his share in promoting his com- munity's interests and in contributing to its welfare.
Mr. Lines was married to Miss Grace Dawes, a sister of L. A. Dawes, who was born on a farm which is now a part of White's Institute, September 6, 1874, and was educated in the schools of Wabash. One child has been born to this. union: Pauline, educated at La Fontaine and Wabash, and now the wife of Rufus Clark, of Somerset, Indiana, and the mother of one son : Garnet.
C. L. DICKEN, M. D. During a period of thirty-three years Dr. C. L. Dicken has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at La Fontaine, and in this period of time has thoroughly established him- self in the respect and confidence of the people of this stirring Wabash county town. It very frequently happens that the men in a family will show an inclination towards a certain profession and there are often generation after generation of physicians, the sons inheriting their skill and inclination from their fathers. However, the physician and surgeon of today faces an entirely different proposition from the science as it was a half a century ago. Each day brings some new discovery, some improved methods, and to keep abreast of the times the suc- cessful physician must be a close and constant student. Doctor Dicken was born at Somerset, Waltz township, Wabash county, Indiana, Novem- ber 28, 1855, and is a son of the late Dr. James L. and Mary (Thompson) Dicken.
Dr. James L. Dicken was born in Fayette county, Indiana, April 15, 1821, and died at his home in La Fontaine, March 24, 1900, aged seventy- eight years, eleven months, nine days. His parents, Henry and Bettie Dicken, were born in Virginia, and moved from there to Kentucky, and afterwards to Fayette county, Indiana, in the year 1821, where their son James spent his boyhood days and a part of his manhood days. Early in life he showed a partiality for books and after attending the schools of those pioneer days, taught a few terms of school near the place of his birth. He was the youngest of a family of ten children, all of whom are deceased. On November 29, 1842, Doctor Dicken married Mary Thompson, at her home in Rush county, Indiana. In August, 1841, he became a member of the Church of Christ, at Little Flat Rock, in Rush county, and in that same year came to Wabash county on a visit and while here taught a term of school near the present site of the Boundary Line Christian church, one and one-half miles north of La Fontaine. At the close of his term of school, Doctor Dicken returned to Fayette county, and in the year 1846 moved with his family to Hunting- ton county, where he resided a short time on a farm five miles south-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.