USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 102
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Mr. Grawcock was married in Noble county to Miss Sarah E. Fulk, by whom he had two children, but one of whom, Arthur, survives. The mother died March 8, 1904. and September 29, 1906, Mr. Grawcock married Nettie, daughter of William and Sarah (Clemens) Shirley, also of Noble
county. Mrs. Grawcock was a successful teacher before her marriage, having taught nine years in her native county and two years in the public schools of Churubusco. She is devoted to church work, as is also her husband and her influence is exerted for the moral and intellectual advancement of the community. Mr. Grawcock is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Knight of Pythias.
FRANKLIN STAMETS.
This name has been familiar in Churu- busco for thirty-three years, owing to the connection with the town's business affairs of Mr. Stamets. He has achieved high standing in the business world and ranks as a good citizen, good friend and good neighbor. He also has to his credit an honorable record as a soldier during the war of the Rebellion and, like many other of the esteemed comrades, has shown him- self fully as deserving in peace as in war. John Stamets came from Ohio in 1858 and settled in Kosciusko county, where he spent the remainder of his life. By his wife Mag- daline he became the father of nine chil- dren. Franklin Stamets, the youngest of these, was born in Tuscarawas county. Ohio, March 30, 1845, and hence was thirteen1 years old when his parents came to Indiana. In the spring of 1862 he became a member of Company K. Thirty-fifth Regiment Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry, with which he inarched proudly to the front. His com- mand was attached to the Army of the Ten- nessee under General Rosecrans, and saw
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its first great battle at Stone river in the winter of 1862-63. Later on Mr. Stamets fought with his command through the vari- ous engagements of the Atlanta campaign and at the battle of Nashville. After the conclusion of hostilities Mr. Stamets re- turned to Kosciusko county and engaged in the sawmill business, continuing until 1872, when he came to Churubusco, which has proved his permanent residence. He em- barked in the lumber business, which he has pursued with various fortunes from that day to this. In July, 1903, he formed a partnership with Charles Frazier for the purpose of conducting a grocery business and this is still in progress under the name of Stamets & Frazier.
December 24. 1872, Mr. Stamets was married in Kosciusko county to Miss Cath- erine Drake, a native of that county. They lost two sons and one daughter by death before they reached maturity, but have a surviving daughter named Mabel, who is now the wife of Charles Frazier. Mr. Stamets is a Democrat.
LEONARD R. SCHRADER.
Jacob Schrader, founder of the western branch of the family of this name, came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. to Whitley county during the period succeed- ing the Civil war, was successful and now owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Columbia township, on which he is living in restful retirement. He married Mary Rumsyre, a native of Whitley county, by whom he had three children, Leonard, Lyman and Loren.
Leonard R. Schrader was born in Co-
lumbia township April 10, 1878. After the usual attendance in the common schools he entered Taylor University, where he re- mained three years. He then went to the State University, working his own way by teaching. He taught six years in Union and Columbia townships and in the Coesse high school. In 1904 he abandoned the school room to accept a deputyship in the county clerk's office under Jesse Glassly, retaining this position two years. Retiring, he became clerk in the Columbia City Na- tional Bank, but his service there proved brief, as on January 1, 1907, he resumed public work as deputy under Samuel F. Trembly. The mention of these facts shows. that Mr. Schrader is competent, reliable and popular. He is a member of the Masonic order and senior warden of Columbia City Lodge, No. 189. and is also past chancellor commander of the Pythian Knights. He is. popular with the younger element of the- Republican party, in which he has long been a worker.
December 27, 1905, Mr. Schrader was- married at Plymouth, Indiana, to Miss Har- riet, daughter of E. S. Bissell and formerly a teacher in the Columbia City schools. Mr. and Mrs. Schrader reside in a comfortable home on North Line street. Like his par- ents, Mr. Schrader is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, while his wife holds. communion with the Episcopal church.
DAVID N. HART.
Whitley county lost one of her respect- ed citizens in the death of David N. Hart, who had been identified with the public life
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of the county, successful in agriculture, of his improvements was the erection of a large brick house, one of the best in the township. the material for which he made on the farm. Starting in debt $5,000, at the end of seventeen years Mr. Hart had paid this, increased his land holdings to two hundred and five acres and was easily worth $10,000. In 1868 he was commissioned justice of the peace by Governor Baker, was twice re-elected and served in this office fourteen consecutive years. As Thorncreek township was normally Democratic, his pop- ularity is shown by his being the only Re- publican elected at those elections. He was nominated for sheriff, but the county's ad- verse political majority was too great to overcome. He was fond of politics and often attended and presided at Republican conventions. He was an inveterate reader, a close student of public questions and unusu- ally well informed. He was especially proud of his military service and enjoyed meeting his old comrades and recounting experiences of soldier life. He was repeatedly elected commander of the George W. Stough Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and frequent- ly attended national encampments. A mem- ber of the Baptist church from early life, he was a man of strict morals and high notions in all the transactions between man and man. He was a good off-hand speaker, ready in debate and had the general equip- ment that would have made him a distinct figure in any of the professions. In 1902 Mr. Hart purchased a home on Market street. Columbia City, and lived in retire- ment until his death, December 8, 1906. prominent in politics and popular in all the social relations, and there was sincere regret when "taps" called the old soldier to rest. The ancestors of this family were Germans who settled in Pennsylvania nearly a century ago. Frederick Hart was born in Somerset county and in early manhood migrated to Wayne county, Ohio. About 1851 the fam- ily removed to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating on a wild tract of land and their best efforts were required to improve and change it into a productive farm. Frederick Hart ended his days at the advanced age of eighty-five. His son, David N. Hart, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, De- cember 20, 1833, came with him to Indiana, remaining on the farm until the outbreak of the Civil war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Forty-fourth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, with which he served three years and four months, or until discharged for disability. Those familiar with the his- tory of the Civil war will recall the "old Forty-fourth" as one of the most gallant in the service, and whoever belonged to it necessarily passed through much hard fight- ing. Mr. Hart was in its hardest battles and was often detailed on important scout duty, especially while in Kentucky. Mr. Hart resumed work on his DeKalb county farm of forty acres, but in October, 1866, removed to Whitley county. He located in Thorncreek township on what is now known as the John Hoffer farm. These sixty acres were sold in 1875 and one hun- dred and sixty acres purchased a short dis- tance west. Mr. Hart did a great deal of June 17, 1855, Mr. Hart married Lucy Kimmont. of Crawford county, Ohio, a clearing, eventually making this one of the best improved farms in that vicinity. One lady of unusual attainments. Her father,
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William Kimmont, was an educated Scotch- man, who devoted most of his life to teach- ing and gained eminence as an educator. For many years he was in the schools at Cincinnati and there his daughter obtained her education, she also becoming a teacher. She died at the Columbia City home Febru- ary 9, 1904. There were eight children in the family besides the third son, who died in infancy. Owen T. is a real estate dealer at McHenry, North Dakota; Emerson C. is a commercial salesman for a wholesale drug house at Rock Island, Illinois; Anna married Wesley Allen and resides in Colum- bia City; Nellie, wife of William Doyle, is a resident of Monticello, Indiana; Joseph Kimmont Hart has gained prominence as a successful teacher. He taught in the high schools at Ottumwa, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois, and at present is an assistant teacher of history in the University of Chicago and is identified with the university extension course. He served in the Spanish-American war, making a creditable record. Bruce D. Hart, M. D., of Churubusco, is mentioned elsewhere. Ruth married Charles Miller and is a resident of Columbia City. An adopted member of the family is Miss Ba- tha, daughter of William Hart and Eliza- beth Kimmont, he a brother of David Hart and she a sister of Mrs. Hart. . Having lost her mother by death when three weeks old, Miss Batha was brought from Nebraska as an infant in arms by her uncle David. She has been the housekeeper for some years and watched over her uncle and aunt with tender care during their last days.
Fred W. Hart, the fifth, was born in Thorncreek township May 31, 1867. He remained on the farm until twenty-three
years old and then entered Franklin (Indi- ana) College, where he spent two years in the academic department. It was his in- tention to take the theological course, but ill health prevented and he engaged in mis- sionary work. He preached two years at Auburn, five in Oswego and one year at Decatur, Indiana. His health needing recu- peration, he retired to his father's farm, remained there two years and then located at Columbia City, where he traveled as a commercial salesman for five years and is now in the real estate business, promoting the sale of North Dakota lands. He was appointed by his father executor of his es- tate. December 29, 1890, Mr. Hart mar- ried Miss Julia, daughter of John and Anna (Born) Cotterly, a substantial and highly respected family of Thorncreek township. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have three children, Marguerite, Donald Kimmont and Robert Bruce.
JAMES WASHBURN
was born in the first courthouse in Colum- bia City September 12, 1843, and is the son of Thomas and Sarah (Cary) Washburn. The father was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1805, and the mother in Salem, Ohio, in 1806, and was the daughter of Jolin Cary. Their marriage occurred in Ohio, February 10, 1825, where they re- mained until 1842, when they came to Co- lumbia City, remaining there till the close of their lives. He was a carpenter and sur- veyor for a number of years and then be- came a merchant in the city, attaining con- siderable success and accumulating a large
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amount of valuable property. He served in zens. He was a charter member of George the state legislature as a Democrat in 1874. W. Stough Post, Grand Army of the Re- public. John L., an only son, married Ada Gougwer and resides in Columbia City. having also a son, James R. Mr. Washburn is a lifelong Democrat, taking an active part in local matters, and in 1896 was a dele- gate to the convention that nominated Bryan for the presidency. During his long and eventful life he en- joyed the confidence of a large circle of social and business acquaintances. He and his wife are now dead. Ten children were born to them: Nancy, deceased in infancy; Mary Ann, deceased wife of Warren Ma- son ; Eliza Jane, widow of Samuel Keefer; Jolin, a merchant for several years, but now deceased; Calvin, a soldier in the Civil war. now living in San Francisco; Charles and Silas died in infancy ; Alanson, formerly a PHILEMON H. CLUGSTON, merchant and soldier, died in Pittsburg : Cyrus, deceased, and James. James entered his father's store as a clerk in early man- hood, remaining for several years. In 1872 he engaged in the mercantile business for himself, which he conducted nineteen years, selling finally to Henry Giles. He then en- gaged in the real-estate business, which con- tinues to receive his undivided attention. In 1861, while employed in the newspaper busi- ness by A. Y. Hooper, he and three others of the same occupation enlisted in Company F. Twelfth Regiment Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, and served one year, when he re- enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment, and continued until the close of the war. November 12, 1867. he was married to Maryette. daughter of Daniel and Lucinda J. (North) Mitchell, who was born July 5, 1850. Her parents came to Indiana about 1863 and located on a farm where the mother died in 1905, but the father is still living in the enjoyment of good health and many friends. Mr. Wash- burn owns a large part of the property on the east side of the court house square and is reckoned among the most substantial citi-
A leading member of the Columbia City bar and an honorable representative of two of Whitley county's old and highly esteemed families, was born May 8, 1864, being the oldest son in a family of six children, whose parents were David B. and Margaret ( Mc- Lallen) Clugston, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of the state of New York. The McLallens settled in Whitley county as early as 1844 and have been prom- inent in its business and public affairs ever since, the father's family arriving in this part of the state in 1857 and taking an ac- tive and influential interest in the develop- ment and progress of the county from that year to the present time. David B. Clugs- ton, son of Asher and Catherine ( Ritten- house) Clugston, was of Scotch-Irish de- scent. When two years old he was taken by his parents to the state of Delaware, where he lived until his maturity, and in the year indicated came to Indiana, settling at Larwill, Whitley county, where in 1858 he become associated with E. L. McLallen in the dry goods business, the firm thus con- stituted winning immediate success and es-
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tablishing an honorable reputation among the leading mercantile houses in the north- ern part of the state. After the retirement of Mr. McLallen in 1873 Mr. Clugston con- tinned the business and later associated him- self with his brother, Asher R. Clugston and others in establishing a large store in Co- lumbia City, which soon became the leading enterprise of the kind in Whitley county, and still later he engaged in various other interests, notable among which was the Harper Buggy Company, a large manufac- turing concern that has done much to ad- vance the material prosperity of the com- munity. P. H. Clugston grew to manhood in his native county of Whitley and is today justly considered one of its most enterpris- ing and energetic sons. He received his elementary education in the public schools, later took a course in the Indiana State Uni- versity and then embarked upon a business career in Columbia City. After two years' experience in business he gave it up for the purpose of preparing himself for the legal profession. After the requisite preliminary study he was admitted to the bar in 1887. becoming a member of the long established and successful firm of Marshall & Mc- Nagny, with whom he continued in active practice until 1889, the meantime rapidly forging to the front in his profession and earning an honorable reputation not only as an able and successful lawyer, but as one ever loyal to the interests of his clients and eminently trustworthy in the transactions of all business placed at his disposal. In 1889 Mr. Chuigston was elected mayor of Colum- bia City and with such fidelity did he dis- charge his official functions that he was chosen his own successor in the spring of
1892, but in August of the following year he resigned his position to resume the prac- tice of his profession, becoming also associ- ated with Messrs. Marshall & McNagny in establishing the widely known and reliable- firm of Marshall, McNagny & Clugston, which has since become one of the leading law partnerships in northeastern Indiana. As a lawyer Mr. Clugston ranks among the leading members of the Whitley county bar. and compares favorably with his peers in legal learning. He possesses the ability and merit that win success and from the begin- ning his career has been eminently satisfac- tory. not only professionally but financially. An active mind, keen perception, combined with a knowledge of the principles of law, enable him easily to grasp the main points at issue, while his untiring industry, sup- plemented by strong common sense, have- fitted him for the branch of work to which he has given most attention. As the city's. chief executive Mr. Clugston's record was creditable to himself and satisfactory to the- people. His qualifications to discharge with ability the duties of such a trust being un- questioned, while his fidelity to the public welfare and the uniform courtesy that char- acterized his official conduct were factors of no little import in a record that compared favorably with that of the ablest of his predecessors or successors in the office. Mr. Clugston is a Democrat in politics and a strong advocate of the principles of his party and a persevering worker for its success at all times. He has rendered valuable service. in a number of campaigns. He is a member in high standing of the Masonic fraternity, having risen to the thirty-second degree and in all the subordinate bodies of the order tor
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which he belongs his activity and influence have contributed greatly to their efficiency and advancement. He is now serving as grand high priest of the grand chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Indiana.
In 1891 Mr. Clugston was united - in marriage with Miss Emma R. Thatcher, the union being blessed with two children, a daughter, Katherine, and a son by the name of Phil. Mr. and Mrs. Clugston are es- teemed members of the Presbyterian church in Columbia City, active in the discharge of their duties as Christians and ready at all times to do what they can. They are also liberal contributors to the material support of the congregation with which identified and for a number of years Mr. Clugston has held the important office of elder in the same.
GEORGE H. FOSLER.
George H. Fosler, representative agri- culturist and stockman and for a number of years actively identified with the develop- ment and progress of Whitley county, is a native of Indiana and the fourth of eight children, whose parents were George and Catherine (Heagy) Fosler, both born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where they married in 1835. George Fosler was a farmer and stock raiser. In 1838 they re- moved to Dayton, Ohio, and after spending about three years in that city changed resi- dence to Wayne county, Indiana, where they continued to reside until 1863. when they settled in Cleveland township. Mr. Fosler purchased land, developed a fine farm and in due time became one of the successful
agriculturists. In connection with his sons he built and operated the first steam mill in the county. He lived in retirement from 1874 until his death, ten years later, sur- viving his wife, who died in 1881. Their eight children were Samuel, Mary, Eliza- beth, George H., Marietta, Israel T., An- tillis and Thomas. Of these five were living in 1907.
George H. Fosler, whose birth occurred in Wayne county, Indiana, June 29. 1841, accompanied his parents to this county in 1863 and remained on the home place until his twenty-sixth year. At twenty-three years of age he assumed charge of his fa- ther's farm and was also associated with his father and brother in the manufacture of lumber, owning and operating a steam saw- mill for about fourteen years. In 1872 Mr. Fosler discontinued farming and moving to South Whitley turned his attention to deal- ing in horses, which he has since followed with most gratifying results, being not only the largest and most successful buyer and trader in the county, but one of the best known in northern Indiana, besides enjoying repute among the leading dealers through- out the country. He also owns and operates a fine livery barn, which is well equipped with all the latest and most approved conve- niences, his courtesy and wide acquaintance contributing not a little to the lucrative pat- ronage which he enjoys. Some idea of the success of Mr. Foster as a breeder may be gleaned from the fact that he owns five fine stallions, a Belgian, a Clyde, a Norman and two Wilkes, representing in the aggre- gate many thousands of dollars. Mr. Fos- ler has achieved well merited success in his enterprises, owning in addition to his barn
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a fine modern dwelling and other city prop- tery and a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres near Bloomington, Indiana. He has demonstrated ability as a financier, possessing foresight. discrimination and judgment. He was selected to settle the family estate, which was done to the satis- faction of all concerned, and his services have often been in demand in the adjust- ment of various interests. Mr. Fosler is justly considered a horse authority and to him more than to any other is due the credit of arousing an interest in fine horses and in leading the farmers to appreciate improved and blooded animals, many of which through his efforts have been introduced.
Mr. Fosler has not been unmindful of his duties as a citizen, having manifested a lively interest in the public weal and taken an active part in encouraging all movements having for their object the material ad- vancement of his city and county and the moral good of his fellowmen. He is a Republican, but not aspiring to official po- sition, and he is a regular attendant of the Methodist church.
Mr. Fosler has been twice married, first on Christmas day, 1868, to Miss Sarah, daughter of William B. Dunlap, who died the mother of two children: Clem D., his father's partner in business, and Enda M., wife of Abraham Crist, a millwright of South Whitley. His second marriage was in 1882 with Emma, daughter of Joseph Meyers, one of the old settlers and well-to- do men of Whitley county, the union being blessed with two offspring: Georgia, wife of Clyde Dressbach, a traveling salesman of Fort Wayne, and Catherine, who mar- ried Graham Davies, an electrician in Chicago.
SAMUEL FRAZIER TREMBLEY
was born in 1872 in Richland township. Whitley county, Indiana, near the town of Larwill, upon the John S. Trembley farm. He received his early education at the Hazel Hill school, afterwards attending the high school at Larwill, then attending the North- ern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he graduated from the scien- tific course with the class of 1896. After teaching school for a few years he and B. F. McNear formed a partnership for the pur- pose of selling buggies and harness under the firm name of Trembley & McNear, which firm by honest dealing and strict at- tention to business has grown to be the larg- est of its kind in northern Indiana.
Mr. Trembley was reared upon a farm and for the past fifteen years has had active management of the Trembley farm. He is considered one of the best judges of good farming and good stock in the county, and by his fair dealing has acquired the confi- dence of all who know him.
His father, John Sebron Trembley, was of Dutch and French descent, born in New Jersey in 1813. In 1842 he came to Whit- ley county, Indiana, locating upon the farm now owned by the Trembleys. He was a contractor and builder in early life, but later devoted his entire attention to farming and stock raising. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran church and politically a Republican.
He married Mary Ann Frazier Comp- ton in 1870 and to this union three children were born: Samuel Frazier Trembley, Vel- ma Virginia Trembley Evans and Mabel Effie Trembley, deceased. Mary Ann Fra- zier, his wife, was of Scotch-Irish descent,
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born in Muskingum county, Ohio, and edu- cated at the young ladies' seminary at Gran- ville, Ohio, has by her Christian life been an example of what the duties of a wife and mother should be.
Mr. Trembley was elected auditor of Whitley county November 6, 1906, by the Republicans, of which party he has been an active worker. His large acquaintance in the county and his standing with the business men made him an easy winner. The duties of which office he entered upon, January 1, 1907.
January 25. 1906, he was married to Winifred S. Wunderlich, of Columbia City, daughter of Joseph and Eva (Hall) Wun- derlich.
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