USA > Indiana > Wabash County > History of Wabash County, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 57
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ANDREW URSCHEL. The growth and development of Wabash county has been steady and consistent, and its present general prosperity is due to the efforts of citizens who have been earnest and steadfast in their allegiance to its best interests. Essentially a farming community, the ranks of its substantial and helpful citizens have been filled by men who have confined their activities to the cultivation of the soil, who have grown with the county's growth and with its prosperity have prospered. In this class stands Andrew Urschel, of Chester township, who has been a resi- dent here for thirty-five years and is entitled to mention among its best citizens. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 2, 1841, a son of Daniel and Marie (Zinsmaster) Urschel.
Daniel Urschel was born in Germany, there grew to manhood and was educated, and adopted farming as his life work. After his mar- riage he decided that a better future and greater opportunities awaited him in the United States, and he accordingly emigrated to this coun- try and located in Stark county, Ohio. There he settled in the woods, built a small log home and other buildings, cleared off the timber, cul- tivated the land and became a substantial and highly respected farmer. It is related of Mr. Urschel that he was often heard to express his wonder of what "the people would do when all the land was cleared." He passed away after a useful and energetic life, aged eighty-six years, while the mother was also granted advanced age, being eighty-two when she passed away. In their family were eight children who grew to matur- ity and several who died in infancy.
Andrew Urschel obtained his education in the public schools of Stark county, Ohio, and there resided until he went to California in 1865, re- turning in 1871. Previously he had taught school six terms in Stark county. In 1879 he came to Wabash county. He had become a farmer on his own account when he attained his majority, and on locating in Chester county he settled on his present property, which has continued to be his home to the present time. Mr. Urschel was married (first) to Miss Maria Evans, a daughter of Henry Evans, and they had five children, as follows: Daniel Clay, Maggie May, Cora Alice (who died at the age of nineteen years), William E. and Ivy Myrtle. Mrs. Urschel died of consumption in 1884, and Mr. Urschel married (second) Miss Priscilla Wolford, a daughter of George and Catherine (Winters) Wolford. Mrs. Urschel was born in Allen township, Miami county, Indiana, a mem- ber of a family of eight children, of whom three were born in Colum- biana county, Ohio, and the remaining five in Miami county, Indiana, and three are now living: Mrs. Urschel, John and Rosette, the last named being unmarried. The parents of Mrs. Urschel were married in Ohio and became early settlers of Allen township, there being an old Indian trail which led to their farm of forty acres. Mr. Wolford was known as an enterprising and industrious agriculturist, who directed his opera- tions intelligently and gained a full measure of success from his work, at the same time winning and retaining the respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen because of his sterling integrity, his public-spirited citizenship and his loyalty to his friends. He was a stanch repub-
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lican in politics, but not an office seeker, and was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He passed away when seventy-eight years of age, while the mother survived him some years and died on her eighty-eighth birthday. Mrs. Urschel taught her first term of school when but fifteen years old, receiving fifty cents a day, and she taught for thirteen terms.
Mr. Urschel has always engaged in general farming, and his enter- prises have been crowned with success because he has given to his work an enthusiasm and knowledge that have overcome all obstacles which have arisen in his path. At this time he has a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, all secured by his own efforts, and he has an excellent set of buildings, with modern equipment and fixtures and up-to-date ma- chinery. His live stock is of a superior breed, and his entire property shows the owner to be a man of intelligence and enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Urschel are members of the Christian church, and have been active in its work. He is fraternally connected with the Odd Fellows, and has numerous friends in his local lodge, although he prizes the comforts of his home far beyond those to be secured in any fraternal organization. In political matters he has until recently been a supporter of democratic principles, but now votes independently, preferring to use his own dis- cretion in his choice of the candidates to represent the people.
AARON SINGER, a son of John and Lydia (Crumrine) Singer, was born in Waltz township, Wabash county, Indiana, March 3, 1855. His par- ents moved from Ohio in 1854 and settled on section 16, township 26, range 6. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools of this township, and at the age of seventeen went to Wabash, Indiana, and served his apprenticeship at the trade of blacksmith. After serving his time he set up shop in the country and worked at his trade until 1878 when he sold out his shop and began teaching common school. He taught for thirty- three winters in Waltz township, retiring from teaching in the fall of 1913. He served as township assessor from 1882 to 1890, was elected the first county assessor of Wabash county in 1892, and served four years, organizing the office after its creation by the legislature. He was appointed by Judge Shively as a member of the first county council in 1899 and he helped to organize that body and was afterwards elected for a term of four years, serving the full term.
Mr. Singer was made a Mason in Somerset Lodge, No. 383, F. & A. M., in 1878. He served as Worshipful Master for four years in this same lodge and in which he holds his membership. He is now one of the trustees of the lodge. He is also a member of Wabash Chapter, No. 26, R. A. M., and Wabash Council, No. 13, R. & S. M. He and his wife are members of Wabash Chapter, No. 90, O. E. S., and was Worthy Patron of this Chapter in 1896.
On December 24, 1881, Mr. Singer was married to Sarah E. Bright. To them were born Hugh Quintin, Gracie May, Ethel Agness, Mabel Joan, and an infant which died at birth. Grace May died September 22, 1896, at the age of twelve years; Hugh Quintin was married to Mazy
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Anderson, November 27, 1892; Ethel Agness married Harry W. Davis, January 31, 1906; Mabel Joan married Hurschal V. Nellans, March 13, 1909. Mr. Singer started housekeeping in his own home in 1882, on the Sommerset Pike, where he yet lives, at the age now of fifty-nine years. In politics he was always a republican until 1912, when he cast his lot with the progressive party, and he is now their candidate for County Assessor.
Mr. Singer is an associate editor of this work and is one of the best posted men in the southern part of the county.
CALVIN C. KING. During a period of more than forty-one years, the late Calvin C. King was identified with the agricultural interests of Wabash county. In this time it is doubtful if any one man accomplished. more for the advancement of farming here. Possessed of energy, ini- tiative and courageous self-reliance, he introduced new methods, pro- moted innovations and encouraged progress in every possible way, and while gaining personal fortune was able to contribute materially to his community's prosperity. His life was a useful and helpful one, and his name is deserving of being remembered among the men who assisted the county in its growth during the time of its greatest development.
Mr. King was a native of Wayne county, Indiana, and was born in October, 1833, a son of Dean and Esther (Carpenter) King. He was reared to manhood in Clinton county, Ohio, where he received only a common school education, and at the age of twenty-one years came to Wabash county, probably attracted here by the fact that people from his section in Ohio had come here and were prospering. Mr. King pur- chased land near Pioneer, which at that time had but few improve- ments. Some time later the parents of Calvin C. King came to this county and settled near Wabash, in Noble township. They subse- quently moved to Lafayette, and from there to Wayne county, near Richmond, where they passed the remainder of their days. Calvin C. King was hard working and industrious and with the passing of time accumulated considerable property, at one time owning 240 acres. He was married twice, his first wife being Mary Heston, by whom he had two children, and his second wife was Adeline Votaw, who bore him four children. His second wife was a daughter of John Votaw, who was one of the earliest settlers here, coming to Wabash county in 1841. Cal- vin C. King was a farmer of more than average ability. He was a sub- scriber to several agricultural periodicals, was an advanced thinker along scientific farming lines, and was a pioneer in the breeding of a higher grade of stock than the common scrub variety. He was one of the first to join in with other farmers to bring a thoroughbred Norman horse to Wabash county, and also, in a similar way, was a pioneer in the introduction of Short Horn cattle. He served as president of the Agri- cultural Society of the county and in many ways was a man of superior attainments. In religious belief he was a Quaker, but after being dropped from membership owing to having married outside of the church, he became a Methodist, and in that faith passed away in August, 1895. In
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politics he was a republican. He stood for all that was good for the best interests of the community, and was a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises. Charitable in his actions towards his fellow men, he com- manded universal respect, and had the regard of a wide circle of ad- miring friends.
JOHN HOUSEL DEPUY, M. D. Few men are sufficiently versatile to suc- cessfully pursue two separate and entirely different vocations during their lives. Rare indeed is the doctor who becomes a prosperous farmer, especially after he has attained middle age and become a man of sub- stance through his own efforts in the line of his profession. Such, how- ever, was the achievement of the late John Housel Depuy, for a number of years one of Wabash county's ablest medical practitioners, who in his later years answered the call of the soil, settled down to agricultural pursuits and accumulated some 1,500 acres of valuable farming land. His achievement is all the more remarkable, in that he started his career with but ordinary educational advantages and no capital or assistance from influential friends. His record is that of a self-made American, and is eminently worthy of being perpetuated among the representative citizens of Wabash county who have brought distinction to their county and their state.
John Housel Depuy was born in Northumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, August 30, 1820. He was of French lineage, being a descendant of one of three brothers who came from France at an early period and settled in New Jersey. John Depuy, the father, moved with his family to Stark county, Ohio, in 1823 and there the son, John H., grew up among pioneer surroundings. He assisted his father materially in thin- ning out the forest trees, in grubbing out the stumps and in clearing away the brush, and in the meantime, during the short winter terms, pursued his studies in the district school. At the age of seventeen years, with money which he had been able to save from his work, he continued his studies at Zanesville Academy. Having early decided to take up the study and practice of medicine as his life work, in 1841 he entered upon a course of private reading under the instruction of Dr. Henry Everts, of Cleveland, and later entered Willoughby Medical College. In 1845 he was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and in the following year embarked upon the practice of his profession at Lagro, Indiana. His advent in Wabash occurred in 1864, in which year he purchased a farm in the vicinity of the city, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, subsequently accumulating 1,500 acres of land and doing a large business in raising livestock. The Doctor was success- ful as a practitioner, and had built up a large and representative pro- fessional business. His ready sympathy, his kind heart and his gentle nature made him beloved by those who had occasion to call him in a professional capacity, and his devotion to the best ethics of his calling made him widely known in medical circles all over this part of the state. Yet, when he turned his attention to business matters, he was firm and unyielding in his decisions, although ever honorable. He gained ready
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recognition among the leading business men of Wabash by reason of his executive power and foresight, and his success in his real estate ventures fully equalled that which rewarded his efforts as a physician. Although never a politician he took a deep interest in civic affairs, and as a public- spirited citizen his standing was high. The city mourned when he passed away, July 20, 1904, at the age of eighty-three years, ten months and twenty days.
On September 28, 1847, Doctor Depuy was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Long, who was born October 17, 1825, a daughter of Stephen Long, of Wabash county, and to this union there were born two sons : Romeo L. and Frank. Mrs. Depuy, who survives her husband, makes her home in Wabash, where she is widely known and has hosts of appreciative friends.
NELSON G. HUNTER, one of the foremost practitioners of the Wabash county bar, where during his long years of experience he has been con- nected with many notable cases, was born November 3, 1847, in the village of Kewanee, Fulton county, Indiana. He is a son of John Hunter, a carpenter by trade, and a pioneer of Northern Indiana. He was born in Richmond, Indiana, in 1816, on a farm which was located on the present site of that city, and in the early '20s moved to Montgomery county, from whence he went to Logansport, at that time only a trading post. When he was about twelve or thirteen years of age his parents moved to Leister's Ford, on the banks of the Tippecanoe river, in Fulton county, and he there grew to manhood among the Indians and pioneer whites, sharing in the hardships and inconveniences attaching to pioneer life in any community. About the year 1844 Mr. Hunter was married to Miss Mary Lear, the daughter of William G. Lear, and he passed the remainder of his life working at his trade. Few men were more inti- mately connected with the early settlement of Northern Indiana than Mr. Hunter, and in his death, which occurred in September, 1892, the community lost a citizen who had done much to advance its best interests. He and his wife were the parents of six children, of whom three are now living, and the mother died in 1860.
Nelson G. Hunter was the oldest of his parents' children. He was largely reared on the farm of his maternal grandfather, and owing to having to help in caring for the family his educational advantages were decidedly limited. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in Company G, Seven- teenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry (Wilde's Brigade), and after joining his command at Louisville, Kentucky, went to Nashville and Gravelly Springs in Tennessee, and on to Selma, Alabama, and Macon, Georgia. At Nashville his regiment was assigned to what is known as the Wilson Command. At Ebenezer Church a skirmish was engaged in when they met Forrest's Cavalry, Company G meeting the entire brunt of the enemy's attack and being almost totally destroyed. Captain Taylor was killed in a hand-to-hand encounter with no less a noted personage than the great Confederate general himself. At Selma, about a week later, about 350 Union soldiers were lost, but the attack
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resulted in the capture of that place and its large quantity of stores. The regiment then moved up the Alabama, following the retreating enemy to Montgomery and Columbus, Georgia, and then to Macon, when the city surrendered, some 5,000 of the enemy surrendering. About a week after this Mr. Hunter was with others on detailed duty sent to release the Union prisoners at Andersonville, and still later sent to capture Jefferson Davis. He was mustered out of the service at Macon, and finally received his honorable discharge at Indianapolis, in September, 1865.
Returning to his home, Mr. Hunter resumed the pursuits of peace as a farmer, and continued to be so engaged for some two years. At the end of that time he moved with his family to Rochester, Indiana, and while there was able to find time to attend a public school under Prof. William H. Banta. He became proficient in penmanship to such an extent that he taught that branch for a number of years, and while thus employed came to Wabash county, July 12, 1879. This city has been his home ever since. In the early summer of 1877. Mr. Hunter began to read law with Maj. M. H. Kidd, and was thus engaged for four months, in the meantime teaching writing during the evenings and clerking during the day time in a store. Legal work was soon thrust upon him, and he later returned to continue his studies under Major Kidd, whose partner he became in a limited way in September, 1879, and in October was admitted to the bar before Judge Pettit. He continued in partner- ship with Major Kidd for some fourteen years, and has continued to be in active practice ever since. In 1882 Mr. Hunter gained much fame as a public speaker, when he introduced Major Kidd for the Congres- sional nomination, which he failed to receive, however. He has been active in democratic politics ever since, and in 1896 supported the gold standard platform.
In 1884 Mr. Hunter was induced to accept the editorship of the Times, a newspaper which he conducted through the campaign, then re- linquishing control for several months, when he resumed his position with John C. Eastman, now of the Chicago Journal, for five years. Even after this he continued to be connected with the paper, but eventually sold his interest to Charles Lovelace. During all this time he had kept up with his law work. In 1893 Major Kidd was appointed a member of the Indian Commission, and this necessitated the dissolving of a partnership that had been mutually congenial and beneficial. In De- cember of the same year Mr. Hunter became a partner of his brother-in- law, the late Judge Jacob S. Shirk, which continued for eleven years, and after three years alone Mr. Hunter, in September, 1903, became associated with Hon. Warren G. Sayre, this now being conceded to be the strongest legal combination in the city. Although Mr. Hunter's legal practice demands a great deal of his attention, he has found time to enter into other enterprises, and at this time is president of the Wabash Loan and Trust Company and the Home Telephone Company, and is a director of the Service Motor Company and its first president.
Mr. Hunter was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Holmes, of Rochester, Indiana, and to this union there have been born two children :
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Harry B. and Holmes. Mr. Hunter is a valued member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic.
MICHAEL SNIDEMAN, who served the Union cause during the Civil war and during his lifetime was prominent in the affairs of Wabash county, was of Indiana nativity, born November 12, 1841, in Henry county. He was of German descent, and his father, David Snideman, came to the United States from Germany when a young man, learned the cooper's trade at Baltimore, Maryland, and for seven years thereafter followed a seafaring life. David Snideman then settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he met and married Sarah Moyer, who accompanied him on his first trip overland to the west. They stopped in Montgomery county, Ohio, moving from there to Henry county, and thence in 1848 to Grant county, this state. For a time they resided in Wabash county, but finally moved to Miami county, where they passed the remainder of their lives.
Michael Snideman was the sixth child in a family of six sons and six daughters. His early life was passed on the home farm, much in common with the manner of the average youth of his period, and he bore his full share of the burden of clearing the wilderness farm and aiding in the support of the always large family. His schooling was but limited, though his lack of education was in a measure remedied in later years by studious reading and unfailing observation. He came with his family to Wabash county and lived with them on the home farm in Waltz town. ship until he volunteered for service in the suppression of the Rebellion In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, 75th Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, which later became a part of the Army of the Cumberland. At the battle of Chickamauga he was severely wounded in the breast by a fragment of a shell from the effects of which he was incapacitated from service for about three months. Upon his recovery he rejoined his com- mand and served with it until he was honorably discharged at the close of the war.
Returning to Wabash county, Mr. Snideman farmed for a time, then moved to the vicinity of Dayton, in Montgomery county, Ohio, where he continued in similar activity, moving one year later to Miami county, Indiana. For about fourteen years Mr. Snideman continued a resident there, then moved to a farm in Whittey county, which he had just pur- chased. From that place, after four years, he moved into North Man- chester, where he continued to live, retired from active business pur- suits, until his death.
Mr. Snideman was twice married. His first wife was Margaret Welsh, whom he married on December 21, 1865, and she died on Novem- ber 27, 1872. He later married Susan Swank, on December 2, 1879. Two children came of the second marriage. Andra E., married Samuel Conradt, and now is a resident of Ottumwa, Iowa; and Dr. Clora J. Snideman.
Dr. Snideman was born on the Miami county farm on August 1, 1878. He had his early education in the public schools of North Manchester,
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and followed that training with a course at Willenberg College at Spring- field, Ohio, covering two years of study. He was twenty years of age when he volunteered for service in the Spanish-American war, and was mustered into Company D, 157th Volunteer Infantry of Indiana on May 10, 1898. His command only reached Tampa, Florida, and on November 1, the same year, they were mustered out at Fernandina, Florida.
In September, 1899, the young man entered the Dental Department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and he finished his dental training in the Indiana Dental College at Indianapolis, being graduated therefrom in 1902. He began his dental practice in Wabash soon after his graduation, and here he has since been engaged successfully in his work.
Dr. Snideman is progressive in his political tendencies, and he is fraternally identified with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Two college frater- nities also claim him as a member.
On June 9, 1903, Dr. Snideman was married to Miss Annie L. Hess, a daughter of Captain Alex Hess of Wabash. They have three children : Mary Virginia, Richard and Susanne. Mrs. Snideman is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Michael Snideman was a man gifted with a greater than the average degree of good, practical sense. He thought and reasoned for himself and was a man of strong convictions all his days. During his life time he held various local offices in the various communities wherein he had his residence, the more important of which was the office of Commis- sioner of Wabash County, to which he was elected in 1894, and to which he brought a quality of service well worthy of him and of enduring good to the county. Always an ardent republican in the greater issues of politics, in voting he never permitted party politics to interfere with his ideas of right when he presented himself at the polls. He was ever stanch in his fealty to the Christian church, of which he was long an earnest and zealous member. While Mr. Snideman could be said to have no predominating qualities that made him conspicuous, he possessed a well rounded character that gained and won for him the constant esteem and regard of his fellows. Honest, unassuming and upright in all his deeds, standing ever for the best interests of the community, he repre- sented an honored type of American citizenship. He died on October 10, 1911, and his widow still survives him at this writing.
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