USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 103
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 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106
JOSEPH LAWRENCE WILLIAMSON.
The gentleman whose career is herewith briefly sketched is a well known and es- teemed citizen of South Whitley, and a rep- resentative of one of the pioneer families of Cleveland township, whose genealogy is outlined in the biography of Perry M. Wil- liamson on another page. Joseph L. Wil- liamson was born January 1I, 1841, in Preble county, Ohio, and in 1843 was brought by his parents to Indiana, since when his life has been closely interwoven with the history of Whitley county. Reared amid the scenes of the pioneer period, his youthful life partook largely of the nature of his environment, having early learned the lesson of independence and self-reliance which the spirit of those times appears to have inculcated in the majority of lads raised in close touch with nature. At the
proper age he attended school, taught in a diminutive log cabin, in which rough benches without backs were used by the primary pupils and a wide board resting on pins fastened to the wall answered the pur- pose of a writing desk, the interior being heated by a large fireplace, which occupied the greater part of one side of the room. In this back-woods college, which he attended two or three months of each winter season until a youth in his teens, young William- son not only mastered the rudiments of an English education but made considerable progress in the several branches then taught. the greater part of the mental discipline, however, being that kind obtained by com- ing in contact with his fellowmen in the various relations and transactions of every- day life. He grew to manhood on a farm and in the main has devoted his energies to agriculture, in which his success has been gratifying, as his present comfortable cir- cumstances abundantly attest. He owns a fine farm of one hundred acres, adjoining the place on which his father settled and his improvements compare with the best in the township. His buildings include a substan- tial modern residence, which is commodious, comfortable and convenient : a fine barn and other structures, all up-to-date and fully answering the purpose for which designed. while the system of drainage, consisting of over one thousand rods of well laid tile, bears evidence of the close attention devoted to the care and cultivation of the soil. Mr. Williamson is a farmer of advanced ideas, familiar with every phase of agricultural science and by adopting new and improved methods his labors have been rewarded with abundant harvests. He has also paid con-
830
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
siderable attention to live stock and the re- ceipts from its sale has added materially to his income.
December 17, 1864, Mr. Williamson was united in wedlock with Miss Susanna, daughter of Harmon and Edith ( Edwards) Smith, natives of Ohio and among the pio- neers of Whitley county, the father coming to Cleveland township as early as 1845 and dying a few months later, being one of the first men buried in Cleveland cemetery. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Williamson has resulted in the birth of seven children : Mary J., wife of Levi A. Burwell, of Love- land, Colorado; Edith May, proprietor of the Home Bakery and Restaurant at North Manchester: Sylvester, a farmer at Love- land, Colorado; Mina married Charles Earnhart, a railway employe at Elkhart; Cora Etta is the housekeeper for her father ; Harley manages his father's farm; Jessie Alice is engaged in the millinery business at South Whitley.
The mother died December 28, 1900. Two years later Mr. Williamson turned the management of the farm over to his son and moved to South Whitley, where he has since resided, owning a nice property and being well situated to enjoy a life of honor- able retirement. In politics he votes with the Republican party and the Baptist church, of which he has long been a consistent mem- ber, represents his religious creed.
MELVIN BLAIN.
Melvin Blain is a popular retired farmer and ex-official of the county, who was born in Troy township June 24. 1865, and is the
son of James and Jane (Scott) Blain. James was born in Ross county, Ohio, being the son of Alexander Blain, who moved to Indiana in 1840 and spent the remainder of his life in Troy and Etna townships. His wife was the daughter of John Scott, who came from Madison county, Ohio, to Whit- ley county in 1836 and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Etna township, upon which the village of Etna now stands. James and Jane Blain were married in Etna township, then included in Noble county. For some years he was a teacher in the northern part of the county and exerted a strong influence toward the intellectual and moral progress of his community. He was chosen justice of the peace, and so well did he prove adapted to the needs that he was repeatedly selected, serving a period of twelve years, his influence being ever to the peaceful settlement of disputes rather than resort to law.
He and his wife were devoted and ex- emplary members of the Baptist church, to which they gave faithful and liberal sup- port. Twelve children were born to them : Lafayette and John, both deceased; Mary Ellen, wife of Ambrose Kiester; Ida, widow of Ira Grant : William A., a fireman on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and killed in a collision, aged twenty-six: Minerva, deceased; Frances E., wife of S. E. Tem- pleton; Roxy, at home; Melvin; Della, wife of John Buckles; Thomas and An- drew, both deceased in infancy.
Melvin Blain was raised on the farm and educated in the common schools. At the age of twenty-one he assumed management of his father's farm, which he continued till 1899, when he removed to Columbia City to enter upon the duties of county treasurer,
831
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
to which he had been elected as the nomi- nee of the Democratic party, to which he had given faithful allegiance, being one of the recognized leaders of public opinion in his township, and had served it upon various occasions in conventions and at the polls. His conduct of the office of treasurer, coupled with natural affability, insured a re- election to the limit allowed by law. He is the present drain commissioner, the duties of which he is peculiarly well qualified to perform. He holds an interest and is a director in the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company and is also a stockholder in the Wawassee electric line. His social and fra- ternal relations are with the Modern Wood- men and Masons, being a Knight Templar.
December 27, 1888, he was married to Cora E. Goodrich, who was born in Iowa, October 15, 1867, and is the daughter of Silas and Adaline (Cook) Goodrich, early settlers in this county. To this union were born three children: Gladys, Ruth and James G. With his companion Mr. Blain holds affiliation with the Methodist church, being in accord not only with its teachings as to a future state but a sympathizer and co-laborer in all that makes for advanced citizenship.
WILLIAM I. MOWREY.
The parents of William I. Mowrey were John and Elizabeth (Schrader ) Mowrey, the father born in Wayne county, Ohio, July 15, 1832, the mother born November 28, 1838, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They were married April 5, 1860. Elizabeth was a daughter of Martin and Fanny ( Koons)
Schrader, who came to Whitley county in the fall of 1845. In 1859 John Mowrey moved to Whitley county and bought wild land in Jefferson township, which he cleared and improved and on which he lived as a prosperous tiller of the soil until called from earthly scenes July 22, 1899, being pre- ceded by his wife, who died March 24th, the same year. Of their nine children the fol- lowing are living: Mary, wife of William Yohe, of Jefferson township; William I .; Arthur S., who lives near Raber; Cora and Etta own and live at the old home; Mark V., a resident of the vicinity, and Ruth, who married Alvin L. Richards, a student of Yale College. The names of the deceased are Nannie, Charles and Cleone, all having reached maturity.
John Mowrey was a man of enterprise and through his own industry and superior business methods acquired an ample fortune, owning at one time realty to the amount of six hundred and forty acres, besides valu- able personal property, his estate, of which William I. and his brother Arthur S. were administrators, being conservatively esti- mated at $50,000. He was public spirited in the most liberal sense of the term, a leader of local enterprises for the material ad- vancement of the community and as a neigh- bor and citizen enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all with whom he had business or other relations or who came within the sphere of his influence. He was a Repub- lican and held religious belief with Ever- green Bethel Church of God, of which he was a member.
William I. Mowrey was born on the home farm July 26, 1863. His education embraced the usual course of the public
832
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
schools, but in a wider sense he received a training in practical matters of far greater value.
Mr. Mowrey has one hundred acres, for- merly included in his father's farm, the greater part under cultivation, and his im- provements consist of a beautiful modern residence of attractive design erected in 1897, a fine bank barn forty by sixty feet in dimensions and other buildings, besides a complete system of tile drainage and good fences, all of which bear testimony to the capable management and progressive spirit of the owner. He makes it a point to feed the product of his place to stock, in the rais- ' ing of which he has kept pace with the most successful stockmen in this part of the state, growing high-grade animals. Mr. Mowrey is a man of sound sense and wise discretion and not infrequently has been consulted in relation to important business matters, con- cerning which his judgment has seldom been at fault. He has acted as guardian of minor heirs at different times, and at the death of his father was one of the administrators of the latter's estate, the affairs of which were adjusted in an able and business like manner, creditable to himself and satisfactory to all parties concerned.
Mr. Mowrey is a Republican and a dili- gent worker for his party in all its opera- tions. He is influential and popular in po- litical circles and few citizens of his commu- nity are held in higher esteem by the public. Fraternally he holds membership with the Knights of Pythias in Columbia City and with his wife belongs to the Pythian Sisters. He is ready at all times to aid with his advice and means every project designed to increase the comfort and happiness of his fellowmen and for a number of years he has
been active in inaugurating and promoting public utilities and enterprises, having for their object the general welfare of the community.
December 3, 1890, Mr. Mowrey married Miss Clara, daughter of Joseph and Harriet E. ( Bronson) Cook, who moved to Whit- ley county from Ohio in 1845 and settled near Columbia City, being pioneers of Columbia township, one mile west of the city, where he made a farm from the woods, on which they passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Mowrey have two chil- dren: Sydney L. and Harriet I., both at home and students in the public schools.
GEORGE LEE.
George Lee, a well known contractor and builder, was born in Whitley county March 1, 1860, and is the son of James H. and Anna (Rosenfelter) Lee, the former a native of Stark county, Ohio, and the lat- ter of Germany. Her parents were George and Mary (Rickard) Rosenfelter, who came. to America about 1827 and settled on a farm in Stark county, which was then in a wild condition. James H. Lee was married in Stark county, in 1850, and came to Whitley county in 1855, engaging in the saw-mill business, his being the first steam saw-mill in Cleveland township. His mill was twice destroyed by fire and subsequently he bought a piece of land adjoining and there followed farming until his death in 1889. He was a member of the United Brethren church, as is his widow who survives him. They had six children: Frances, wife of Henry Wilson, and Ida, wife of Samuel
833
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Branenburg, both farmers of Cleveland township: Elijah, a carpenter in Hunting- ton : George : Lincoln, a farmer of Cleveland township: and Amanda, wife of Charles Howenstine. a carpenter of South Whitley.
George Lee was reared to farm labor and attended the common schools. Septem- ber 20, 1883. he was united in marriage with Miss Paulina, daughter of Martin and Sarah (Finkbone) Fettro, natives of Ohio, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have five children : Roy. Garnett, Nina, Edna and Clella. One year after marriage Mr. Lee left the farm and moved to South Whitley, where he engaged in general contracting. He carries a large and well selected stock of builders' materials, including paints, oils, lime, cement, etc. He also manufactures ce- ment blocks. During the busy season he gives employment to a force of twenty-five workmen, while he keeps five men constant- ly employed. Mr. Lee is public spirited, lends an active support and co-operation to every movement for the general good and is regarded in business and social circles as a gentleman of sterling worth and a loyal friend, whom to know is to honor and es- teein. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' State Bank and in the Farmers' Telephone Company. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and Modern Wood- men, while politically he supports the Re- publican party. He served as village trustee.
CHARLES HARRISON JONES.
Charles Harrison Jones, a retired farmer living in Columbia City, was born in Etna township, November 1, 1858, and is the son
of Eli R. and Anna (Crow) Jones, both natives of Wayne county. His parents were Levi M. and Mary ( Thomas) Jones, both natives of Virginia, but of Welsh descent. They came to Centreville. Wayne county. in 1815, where they conducted an old-time tavern. Mr. Jones died in October. 1823. leaving ten children. The widow removed to a farm in Wayne county, where she reared her children, living to see all reach maturity. Eli R. Jones was born at Centreville, Wayne county, in 1818, there grew to manhood and on October 20, 1840, was married to Anna Crow, who became the mother of ten chil- dren : Helen, wife of D. J. Bowman, of South Bend: Mary J., wife of Robert Blaine: Anna, wife of Samuel Orcutt, of Etna township: Edna, wife of William Long: Sarah, widow of Henry C. Scott; Alice, deceased wife of Wilson B. Cunning- ham: Emma. deceased wife of Herman Hartsock : Joseph, living at North Webster ; Oliver, died an infant, and Charles H.
In 1849, the family moved to Etna town- ship and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of native forest land, which is still owned by Charles H. Jones. The farm was well fenced and thoroughly underdrained, and in later years a large and elegant house and commodious barn were erected. The father was a Republican and both parents were members of the Baptist church. Both crossed the mystic river in 1898, honored and respected by all.
Charles H. Jones was born on the farm, attending the common schools and lived at home until manhood. being married No- vember 10, 1881, to Sarah A., daughter of Davis and Mary J. ( Whan) Earll, born in Noble county, January 30, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Earll.were natives of Ohio and Penn-
53
834
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
sylvania respectively, and came to Noble er. living on North Chauncey street. was county when children. Davis Earll died . born September 12. 1855, in Baltimore, November 19, 1863, while his widow now Maryland, and is the son of Joseph and Sarah ( Atcroft) Green, who were born and married in Staffordshire, England. In 1845 they came to Philadelphia and have lived at Baltimore, Maryland, Youngstown, Ohio, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was a moulder, a trade he followed successfully, now living a comfortable and retired life at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, surviving his com- panion who died in 1894. He rendered his adopted country faithful service as a soldier in the Civil war. Seven children were born to them. Jennie, the widow of Mr. William- son; David H., living in Mansfield. Ohio: James W., of Columbia City; George E., living in the state of Washington ; Abraham. and Frank, of Knox, Stark county, Indiana. resides with her children. The only other child is Joseph P. Earll, a farmer of Troy township. Having no children of their own Mr. and Mrs. Jones have adopted a son. Clyde E .. aged twenty-three, besides which they have afforded a home for eight years to Maude Wilson Jones, a school girl. Clyde was adopted as a child of ten. He passed through the high school and is now on the farm. He married Nevada Miller. Mr. Jones bought part of the homestead where they lived from the death of his fa- ther until retiring to Columbia City in 1906. He retains his one-hundred-and-eighty-acre farm to which most of his business life has been devoted and which he has brought to a high state of fertility by systematic culture and thorough drainage. It is well improved Abraham D. Green attended the com- mon schools and in young manhood learned the trade of brick-making, which he followed several years. In the spring of 1882. he moved to Columbia City and entered into partnership with his brother David and engaged in the manufacture of brick, which they continued until 1892. He then became a contractor and builder and constructed and has yielded liberal financial returns for the labor and attention bestowed. Mr. Jones is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and both belong to the Re- bekahs. He is a Republican and served as trustee of Etna township four years, the elegant central school building at Etna be- ing erected at a cost of twelve thousand dollars under his supervision. The family . many of the important buildings in the city, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and render due support and en- couragement to all means of social and moral advancement.
ABRAHAM D. GREEN.
Abraham D. Green, member of the Columbia City council, contractor and build-
among them being the Clugston Hotel, ice plant, Harper Company building, Presby- terian church, Brahm livery barn, electric light building. George H. Harper's shop and several of the most pretentious and modern residences. He owns valuable town property besides a productive farm of eighty acres in Troy township. His social and fra- ternal relations are identified with several secret societies, being a member of the Order of Ben Hur and Independent Order of Odd
835
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Fellows since twenty-one years of age, and a charter member of the Crystal Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He has been active in the work of these bodies, being representa- tive to the grand lodges of the two last named as well as of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a Republican and as such was elected to the city council in 1905 and is reckoned by his confreres as one of the most valued members, particularly on those committees having supervision of city buildings and public property. He stands for advanced and progressive methods and is an ardent believer in and supporter of municipal ownership of all public utilities.
October 27. 1906, Mr. Green was called upon to mourn the loss of his companion, who for nearly a quarter of a century had been a faithful helpmate, whose earnest de- sire was to work in harmony with her hus- band, and exerting a mother's love and in- fluence in shaping her children's characters for good and noble ends.
On April 16, 1882, Mr. Green was mar- ried to Mary Ellen, daughter of William and Harriet P. (Ward) Thompson, born in Troy township, May 2, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were early settlers in this town- ship and are now both deceased. Four chil- dren were born to them: Bessie, deceased at seven years; Dewitt, Arba and Frank.
JOHN MAGLEY.
John Magley, a pioneer farmer of this county, now living retired in Columbia City. was born August 22, 1823, in Oberlipp. (Canton of Berne, Switzerland, and is the
son of Christian and Elizabeth (Flickinger) Magley, who in 1831 migrated to the new world. Reaching Buffalo, New York, they were delayed all winter, the lake being im- passable. Here the family met with an irre- trievable loss, the wife and mother dying before their new home was established. The father moved with his family to Fairfield county, Ohio, in the spring of 1832, where he remained a few years and removed to Franklin county, where he died in 1839. The seven children were: Christian, de- ceased : John ; John U., living in California ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Mary, living in Colum- bus, Ohio; Anna and Jacob, deceased.
After the death of the father the chil- dren were bound out. except Christian and John, who being sixteen years of age, re- turned to Fairfield county, finding employ- ment on the farm by the day or month. He also learned the carpenter trade, which he followed successfully some years. In 1847. Mr. Magley returned to his native land and attended school there to more thoroughly familiarize himself with his native language but concluding that he had better advan- tages in the United States, decided to re- turn. In 1853, he was married in Colum- bus, to Elizabeth Magley, who was born in the same Canton, Switzerland, in 1830. They moved to Thorncreek township, Whitley county, in 1854, purchasing forty acres of heavily timbered, unbroken forest land. By industry and frugality, they in time acquired a competency including a ninety-acre farm but wishing to live less laboriously they moved to Columbia City in 1901. To them nine children were born: Benjamin F., of whom an extended notice is found elsewhere : William H., who married Mary Simonson
836
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
and lives in Columbia City, having one child, time and which was of great assistance as: Dorothy : John W., married Ida Scott and lives in Columbia City, with one child, Scott ; Ella. Louisa, and Adella, deceased; Ida, living at home ; Alice, deceased : and Homer.
While John Magley has spent his life as a farmer, in which he has been more than ordinarily successful, yet he has found time and pleasure to take an interest in local poli- tics. He is a Republican and as such was elected township trustee, serving four years with credit to himself and satisfaction of the public. He was also elected a justice of the peace, but refused to qualify. He was nomi- nated for the office of county treasurer, but the strength opposed proved too formidable.
After traveling as companions for nearly fifty years, he was left to continue to the end without his wife's advice and support, she responding October 9, 1896, to the touch of the angel of death. Yet with his. faithful daughter to lean upon in his de- clining years he reviews with pleasure the labors of the past and with faith as to the future awaits the summons to join those who have gone before.
CHARLES F. MARCHAND.
Charles F. Marchand, who is living re- tired in the town of Larwill, was born in Switzerland, December 23, 1833, and is the son of Frederick and Sophia (Geiauque) Marchand, who came to this country in 1836, settling in Holmes county, Ohio. Here he engaged in farming, but having learned the trade of shoemaker in his youth, found a local demand that required much of his
a source of cash income. In 1851, he- moved to Wayne county, Ohio, and retired from active labor, the management of the farm devolving upon the younger shoulders of his son, Charles F. It tested his physical as well as his mental capacity, but he met the requirements and responsibilities with courage and discretion, proving himself ful- ly capable to succed in almost any under- taking. Late in 1864 the family moved to Whitley county, Indiana, settling in Troy township, where the parents both passed to their final reward, he dying in 1868 and she in 1895.
Frederick Marchand gave nine years of his young manhood to the military service of his native country. participating in the battle of Waterloo under Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, and was there wounded. Of their eleven children ten reached maturity : Frederick, Jacob, Edward, Henry, all four deceased ; Charles F. ; Julia, wife of William Starett, living in North Manchester : Chris- tina, living in Cleveland, Ohio; William, Samuel, Mary, all three deceased.
Charles F. Machand was only two years old when the family came to this country. He grew to manhood on the farm and was trained to agriculture, receiving only such educational advantages as were to be ob- tained in the subscription schools. In 1856, he went to Iowa and operated a saw-mill with a couple of Arnold brothers. In four years, having saved one thousand dollars, he returned to Wayne county, Ohio, and soon engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Holmes county, continuing in the same four years and clearing sixteen hundred dollars. In 1864, he sold the mill and came-
837
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
to Troy township, Whitley county, pur- are living: Henry J., farmer and lumber- chasing two hundred and twenty acres of man of Lagrange: Jacob C .. living in Troy township : Samuel B., also a farmer of Troy township: Lyman S., who lives in Larwill. land, including a saw-mill. This required an investment of six thousand dollars, one thousand being paid in cash and ten per On Thanksgiving day in 1905, Mrs. Marchand suffered a stroke of paralysis while visiting in Cleveland, since which time she has been unable to walk, yet she bears the affliction with cheerfulness and Christian fortitude. Mr. Marchand is a Knight Templar Mason, exemplifying his faith in his daily life. cent. mortgage notes given for the balance. Eighty acres of the original purchase were sold, leaving nearly a quarter section which is today a splendid farm. In 1868, he sold the mill and purchased the old home farm consisting of a quarter section of fine land on which he continued to live till 1892, having been successful in acquiring a num- ber of valuable farms and business proper- ties. In addition to the two farms already mentioned, he owns one hundred and sixty JOHN F. MOSSMAN. acres of. land in Lagrange county, Indiana, one hundred and sixty acres in section 1, Troy township, one hundred and thirty acres in section 13, Troy township, some business blocks in Columbia City. two busi- ness rooms in Marion, Indiana, a few lots in Chicago, dwelling and business property in Larwill. besides the elegant residence in which he lives.
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.