USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 104
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In 1855, he was married to Lodema, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Weaver) Trueman, who were natives of New York, the latter departing this life when her daughter was quite small. Her nine children were Levi, Lodema, and Lou- isa, living in Huntington, Indiana: Lewis and John. deceased : Lorinda, wife of James Bullers, of Larwill; Mary, wife of Jeremiah Zartman : Melissa and Martha, deceased.
Mr. Trueman was married the second time and in 1865 came to Indiana, settling in Troy township, where he died at the age of ninety-two years. Mr. and Mrs. March- and have had five children, of whom four
The progenitor of the branch of the Mossman family to which John F. belongs, appears to have been a soldier in the border wars and internal dissensions of Scotland during the reign of James V. the last King who ruled over that country. Family tra- dition says that this man was a personal attendant of the King, a member of his body guard, and that he distinguished himself on a number of battle-fields, besides per- forming other valiant services, which won the confidence of his ruler. He was en- trusted with the King's crown and built it into solid masonry when it was found one hundred years later. This retainer. how- ever, was executed for his loyalty to his King. The Monsmans or Mossman as the name afterward became, migrated from Scotland to Ireland, in both of which coun- tries the name is still familiar, there being at present in the city of Edinburgh two dis- tinguished sculptors of the first-class by the name of Mossman. From Ireland four
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brothers emigrated to America. The Moss- mans of Chicopee, Massachusetts, among whom was the sculptor who designed the equestrian statue of General Grant in Lin- coln Park, Chicago, are descendants, artistic talent and strong mental powers being char- acteristic of the family. One of the four brothers, John Mossman, settled in Pennsyl- vania, and finally went to Muskingum coun- ty, Ohio, where he died. His son, Francis Mossman, father of John T., was a Penn- sylvanian by birth, but in early life was taken to Muskingum county, Ohio., where he married Rhua Connor, from Virginia, and in 1842 moved to Whitley county, pur- chasing a quarter section of land in Rich- land township, on which he erected a log cabin. The following year he purchased a like number of acres in Union and trans- fering his residence immediately entered one hundred and sixty acres adjoining. He died in Columbia City in his ninety-fifth year, surviving his wife about one year. diana and has since been a resident of Whit- ley county, of which he is reckoned among its leading farmers and citizens. He worked on the home farm until his mar- riage, which was solemnized January 21, 1864, with Miss Susan M. Young, whose birth occurred near Baltimore, New York, August 28. 1845, being the daughter of John J. and Rachel (Hollenbeck) Young, who were also natives of that state. When Susan M. was four years old her mother, then the wife of James Worden, settled on the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Mossman now live, trading forty acres in New York for three hundred and twenty acres in the woods near Coesse. Her stepfather started this farm, the original buildings still stand- ing. He and her mother removed to Colum- bia City after Susan's marriage and both died there, he at about eighty years and she at sixty-five years. Her two children were Rachel Ann and Susan. Mr. Mossman purchased the farm of two hundred acres. The nine children who reached maturity . on which Mr. and Mrs. Mossman have lived since their marriage. Under his efficient labors and management it has be- come a profitable farm. The buildings are modern and well constructed, the house be- ing one of the best in the township. It is nicely located but a short distance from the railroad station and is a commodious and desirable home.
were John F .; Mary, the wife of Honord Pierce, of Chicago; Alcinda, widow of David Nickey and lives in Smith township; William E., an extensive manufacturer of lumber and knit goods and in the firm of Mossman & Yarnell, at Fort Wayne; George S., a lumber manufacturer of Huntington county where he died at about fifty years of age: Orpha, wife of A. B. Nickey, a lum- berman of Princeton, Indiana; Frank M., a farmer of Union township: James A .. county assessor, living at Columbia City : and Maximillian, wife of Nathan Daugh- erty, of Wabash county.
John F. Mossman was born February 14, 1837. in Coshocton county, Ohio, accompa- nied his parents upon their removal to In-
In 1880, Mr. Mossman was elected trustee of Union township and made an hon- orable record, doing much during four years' service to advance its material interests. He also served on the advisory board and in the county council. He is a Republican and is recognized as one of the party's consistent members.
Mr. Mossman has purchased additional
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real estate, being the owner of four hundred acres of fine land, the greater part in culti- vation and otherwise highly improved. He has been quite successful in business matters, being one of the substantial men of this county, few standing higher in public esteem or enjoying in greater degree the confidence and respect of his neighbors and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Mossman are the parents of six children : James F .. Orpha, Charles H .. Jessie E., Zella Z. and Mazie R. James F. lives in Coesse and is a farmer. He married Sarah Holoman. Orpha is the wife of Harmon Naber, of Wabash county. Charles H. was on the farm and died in his thirty- first year. Jessie E. is the wife of Bert Shelkett and she is with her parents. Zella Z. is also with her parents. Mazie R. is the wife of Lewis Oser, of Columbia City.
ELI L. EBERHARD, M. D.
Eli L. Eberhard. M. D., was born in Whitley county, June 23, 1857, his parents being George and Barbara (Nieble) Eber- hard. The paternal grandparents were George and Catherine (Sneider ) Eberhard, natives of Pennsylvania. They lived in Whitley county the greater part of their lives and were the parents of six children. Mr. Eberhard died in 1885 and his wife in the early 'seventies. George Eberhard was born in Stark county, Ohio, and accompanied his parents to Indiana about 1840. He mar- ried Barbara Nieble, who came from Wur- temberg, Germany, and followed farming in Columbia township, his widow still liv- ing on the old homestead. four miles south
of Columbia City. They were the parents of twelve children : Eli L .; Catherine, wife of Jeremiah Stearner, a resident of Colum- bia township; Frank, who resides on the old homestead: Fanny, wife of John C. Myers, of Columbia township; George, also near the old home: Ella, wife of Arthur Paige, of Washington township: Mary, wife of Edward Emery, of Huntington, Indiana ; Daniel, a farmer of Columbia township; Melissa, wife of Enos Goble, of Washington township; Charles, who died in infancy; Laura, wife of S. J. Paige, of Union town- ship; and Ettie, now Mrs. Bowman, of Columbia City.
Eli L. Eberhard passed his youthful days on the old farm, securing his academic edu- cation in the common schools and at the Valparaiso Normal school. Wishing to en- gage in the profession of medicine he early began his technical reading under the tutor- ship of Dr. I. E. Lawrence, entering the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, and in March, 1880, graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. March 15, 1880, he came to South Whitley and engaged in active practice, where he is now enjoying a large and lucrative patron- age. February 21, 1882. he was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Casner, who was born in Wooster, Ohio, the daughter of Frederick Casner, a native of Virginia and now deceased. Doctor and Mrs. Eberhard have one son, Fred G., a graduate of Culver Military Academy. Dr. Eberhard is a Dem- ocrat, though inclined to be independent. supporting the man regardless of strict party lines. His religious creed is in harmony with the Presbyterian church, while frater- nally he is a member of the Knights of
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Pythias and Masons. He is a member of the American Medical Association, The In- diana State Medical Society, the Whitley County Association and the American As- sociation of Railway Surgeons. He is ex- aminer for practically all the Legal Reserve Life Insurance Companies. He is also sur- geon for the Nickel Plate and the Vandalia Railroad companies. The Doctor has ever manifested a deep interest in medicine from a scientific as well as humanitarian stand- point and keeps fully abreast with the recog- nized advancement of this, the noblest of professions. Careful in diagnosis, pains- taking in care of patients, ever courteous in manner and kindly in disposition, his popularity professionally is thoroughly as- sured and his influence for social and moral advancement is firmly established.
MONROE W. WEBSTER, B. S. M. D.
Monroe W. Webster. B. S. M. D., of South Whitley, was born in Whitley county, October 8. 1851, and is the son of Albert and Sarah Henderson ( Elliott ) Webster. Albert Webster was born in Pennsylvania and accompanied his parents to Indiana in 1850. After his marriage he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of heavily tim- bered land in which the ax of the woodman had never been heard and thereon erected a log house. He was a cooper as well as a plasterer by trade and plastered the old Whitley county courthouse. He cultivated lis farm until he was able to retire and is now spending the evening of life in comfort on his two-hundred-and-forty-acre farm in
Richland township, at the patriarchal age of ninety-three years. Sarah Henderson (Elliott) Webster, who was a native of Del- aware and of Scotch extraction, died in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Webster had six children: Anna, who is living at home; George, a farmer in Richland township: James, who was killed in the battle of Chickamauga; Albert, operating the home- stead: David, deceased : and Monroe W.
Monroe W. Webster was reared on the farm, attended the district school and also the village school at Larwill, taught by the present Judge Adair, supplementing this by attendance at Hillsdale, Michigan, and at Butler University, Indianapolis. In 1880, he graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity at Delaware, Ohio, and entered the medical department of the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He was grad- uated from Rush Medical College at Chi- cago in 1882, and then came to South Whit- ley, where he has since been in active prac- tice with the exception of three years spent in Huntington. In 1885. he married Miss Ella, daughter of Joseph and Harriett (Guess) Stults, natives of Ohio, but later residents of Washington township, where her birth occurred in 1854. They have one daughter, Vivian, a student in the senior class of high school. Dr. Webster is a member of the Masonic order and of the Democratic party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church. A diligent student and careful investigator, Dr. Webster is fully in touch with modern medical thought and occupies a conspicuous place not only in the confidence of his patients and of the public generally, but also in the esteem of his pro- fessional brethren.
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DAVID W. NICKEY.
The history of Smith township was ma- terially advanced in every way financially, socially and religiously by the life of David W. Nickey, who contributed his full share toward the development and advancement of every worthy enterprise. The equality of man was one of his.cardinal principles and whatever promoted the public welfare received his cordial and faithful support. 'True he did not distinguish himself greatly in any one thing, yet he so completely dis- charged the duties of good citizenship that he easily won the reputation of a model cit- izen. It is almost a decade since his gen- erous spirit passed to that "bourne from whence no traveler returns," but his name continues a household word with the peo- ple generally.
He was born in Smith township, July 6, 1837, and was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Gradless) Nickey, both natives of Ohio. Samuel Nickey was born in Au- gusta county, Virginia, in 1809, accompanied his widowed mother to Ross county. Ohio, and there taught school and married in 1832. The next year in company with his wife's father, William Gradless, and Absalom Hyre, he came to Indiana, he and Hyre to Whitley and Gradless to Allen county. Mr. Nickey died in 1862 at the Gradless home- stead in Allen county, surviving his wife three years. Their children were: Rebecca, who became the wife of Silas Briggs; David W .; Mary H., who married Samuel Pierce, of Noble county; Martha E. and William A., deceased; and Addison B., of Allen county. David W. Nickey was married in 1860 to Alcinda, daughter of Francis and
Rheua ( Conner) Mossman, who was born March 26, 1840, in Muskingum county, Ohio. They were natives of Ohio, but set- tled in Whitley county in 1844, where they remained until the close of their lives. They were members of the Lutheran church, giv- ing it their punctual and regular attendance. and liberal support. The father died in 1900 and the mother in 1902. Nine chil- dren were born to them : John, a farmer liv- ing in Union township ; Mary, wife of How- ard Pierce, residing in Chicago: Alcinda ; William E., living in Fort Wayne; George, deceased at about forty years; Frank, a farmer living in Union township: James Al- bert, living at Columbia City: Maxie, wife of Nathan Dougherty, of Wabash county ; and Orpha, wife of A. B. Nickey and liv- ing in Princeton, Indiana.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nickey, Rheua E., who was married to Dr. George C. Steman and died in 1906 at their home in Denver, Colorado. They had two children, Ruth E. and David C. Alfred J. married Mildred Allen and is a farmer in Smith township. David W. Nickey, re- ceived a hundred acres of good land from his father's estate. which he improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. A modern brick residence, roomy and conve- nient and one of the finest in the county, was erected in 1869. A large barn adds not only to the convenience and value, but to the appearance and beauty of the farm. The farm, containing one hundred and forty-six acres, together with improvements, is con- sidered one of the best in the county.
Mr. Nickey was always a Republican. He was a member of the Methodist church and gave it liberal and faithful support. He
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departed this life June 15, 1897, and the Thebe, wife of Nathaniel Metsker, of Smith: widow continues to live on the farm, the township; Felix, a farmer in Oregon ; Peter, a barber in Kansas; and Benjamin F. management of which she directs in a gen- eral way. Being a member of the Masonic fraternity his funeral was conducted in ac- cordance with the last rites of that order.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HULL.
Benjamin Franklin Hull, dealer in mon- uments, building stone, etc., was born in Union township, September 8. 1859, and is the son of Henry and Jane ( Gardner ) Hull. Henry Hull was the son of Adam and Eliza- beth ( Heavner) Hull. both natives of Vir- ginia. Adam Hull came to Fort Wayne in 1826, and two years later started to the Elkhart prairies, but finding Eel river dangerous to ford, entered land in Eel River township. Allen county, and remained there until the close of his life. Nine children were born to them, namely: Adam, Rufus, Henry and Harvey, deceased. Peter, living in Kansas: Barbara and Jane. deceased : Elizabeth, living in Kansas, and Catherine. living in Churubusco. After the father's death, his widow married a Mr. Hensel, living with him until his death, which oc- curred in Noble county.
Jane Gardner was born in New York, and was the daughter of Benjamin and Per- melia Gardner, both natives of New York. who came to Union township in 1835. Henry and Jane Hull had nine children : William, a farmer in Oregon: Isaac, of Jewell county, Kansas; Elizabeth, wife of Lloyd Sifers, of Oklahoma: James K. died in infancy : Adam died in Colorado in 1904:
Benjamin F. Hull remained with his parents until reaching manhood. meantime receiving the advantages of the common schools. March 24, 1881, he was married to Loretta Elizabeth, daughter of Arthur and Lavina (Kratzer) Ruby, born in Allen county. June 9, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Ruby moved from Ohio, becoming prosperous and successful farmers of Allen county. They are the parents of four children: Loretta E., Frank and Ada, living in Fort Wayne, and William R., a Wabash railroad fireman of Peru. Indiana. Benjamin F.'s children are Hulburt, Ruby L .. Mary Jane, Laura Bell, wife of John Kaufman, a farmer of Union township; Arthur, Ada, deceased; Frank, Edward Wayne and Clyde. In 1883 Mr. Hull purchased a small farm in Union township, which he later sold and purchased the old home farm, containing eighty acres, where he remained until 1896, when he be- came the Democratic nominee for sheriff and his election followed with a handsome ma- jority. The systematic and efficient manner in which he conducted the business was gratifying not only to his personal and party friends, but to the public as well, so that a second term was readily accorded him. He is said to have made one of the most capable sheriffs the county has ever had.
Soon after retirement from the office he engaged in his present line of commerce to which he devotes his entire attention. He keeps a full line of monumental work and is prepared to supply cut and ordinary build- ing stone upon short notice: Mr. Hull is a Knight of Pythias and a Maccabee. He
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also affiliates with the Christian church though Mrs. Hull retains membership with the English Lutheran church.
GEORGE W. LAWRENCE.
This old and esteemed citizen, whose name is familiar in every part of Whitley county, hails from the historic common- wealth of Ohio. His parents, John A. and Sarah (Rouch) Lawrence, were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born January 22, 1808, the latter June 7, 1807. John A. Law- rence was taken to Ohio by his parents when about fourteen years of age and grew to manhood in Wayne county, where his mar- riage occurred September 28, 1827. He learned blacksmithing but gave little atten- tion to the trade, preferring the profession of civil engineering, in which he became quite proficient and which he followed for a number of years, serving several terms as official surveyor of Wayne county. He and his wife were stanch members of the Luth- eran church and are remembered as zealous and consistent Christians, whose characters were above reproach and whose lives were largely devoted to the good of the commu- nity. William Rouch, an uncle of Mrs. Lawrence, was a soldier under General Wayne in the war against the Indian tribes of Ohio and Indiana, at the close of which he settled near Wooster, in the former state, where he took up a large tract of government land, which he improved and on which the re- mainder of his life was spent, the old family homestead being still in possession of his
descendants. John and Sarah Lawrence had eleven children, all reaching maturity and of whom nine were living in 1907. Three of his sons were soldiers in the Civil war and rendered valiant service for the union. Henry was a member of the Six- teenth Ohio Infantry (see sketch). John F., who joined the One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Volunteers, on account of inflammatory rheumatism was incapacitated for regimental duty, but was detailed for service at headquarters. (See sketch.) Isaiah also served in an Ohio regiment and is now a physician at Columbia City.
George W. Lawrence was born Septem- ber 3, 1832, in Wayne county, Ohio, and there spent the years of his childhood and youth, receiving a fair education in such schools as the county afforded. In 1853 he came to Whitley county, and during the winter taught school in Jefferson township, in a small log building of primitive type, equipped with rough, backless benches and heated by a huge fireplace that took up the greater part of one end of the room. March 21, 1854, Mr. Lawrence was married in Ohio to Eva A. Mowrey, born in Wayne county, August 1, 1830, whose parents were natives of Pennsylvania of German and Irish blood respectively. The year follow- ing Mr. Lawrence, in partnership with his father, purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Whitley county, to which he at once moved his wife, who set up her domestic establishment in a little log cabin that stood in the midst of a twelve-acre clearing. He continued to enlarge the area of tillable land until one hundred acres were in cultivation, meanwhile adding a number of substantial improvements in the way of
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buildings and fences. To him belongs the credit of being the first man in Whitley county to reclaim land and enhance its pro- ductiveness by means of artificial drainage. In due time Mr. Lawrence purchased his father's interest in the farm and from year to year thereafter continued to make addi- tions until his farm contained three hundred acres, all but fifty of which are now under a high state of cultivation. The buildings are modern and of a superior type, the dwelling being handsome and commodious and the barn constructed after the most approved plans. In addition to the farm where he lives Mr. Lawrence owns other valuable lands in Whitley county, his holdings at one time amounting to nine hundred and forty acres, but these have been reduced to six hundred and sixty-four acres. "These are in three fine farms in Union town- ship. Mr. Lawrence has always been pub- lic spirited and a friend and advocate of im- provements, by means of which the inter- ests of the people might best be subserved. He was not only the first man in this part of the state to demonstrate the efficiency and value of artificial drainage, but to him alone is due the credit of constructing the first gravel road in Whitley county and of in- troducing the system of turnpikes. In poli- tics Mr. Lawrence is a Jeffersonian Demo- crat, believing in the principles of his party and proud of its history, traditions and great men. While well qualified to fill any office within the gift of the people, he has never been an aspirant for public honors, the only office he ever held being that of justice of the peace, to which he was elected in 1867 and in which he served until 1879. From 1882 to 1889 he was county com-
missioner. He was chosen president of the board during his entire service and it was during this time the new courthouse was erected.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have had four children, two of whom. Michael and John C., are farmers of this county. Harvey S. is a Lutheran minister in charge of a church at Springfield, Ohio. One son is dead. Fifty-eight years ago Mr. Lawrence united with the Lutheran church, since which time his life has been that of a faithful, humble disciple of the man of Nazareth. He has held membership with the congregation to which he now belongs for fifty-one years and for a period of thirty years has been an active and zealous worker in the Masonic fraternity, being a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the consistory of Indianapolis.
SYLVANUS H. MOWREY.
The subject of this review came from stanch patriotic stock and is well entitled to notice among the representative men of Whitley county. William C. Mowrey, fa- ther of Sylvanus, was born October 10. 1828, in Wayne county, Ohio, being the eldest of ten children, whose parents were Michael and Nancy ( Rouch) Mowrey, na- tives respectively of Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, and Columbiana county, Ohio, the former born June 6, 1805, the latter April 8. 1808. Michael Mowrey accompanied his parents to Columbiana county when a small boy and there worked in his father's mill and distillery until his twenty-third year.
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when he purchased a farm and engaged in agriculture. Later he exchanged this farm for land in the county of Wayne, where he resided until his death in 1881. William C. Mowrey remained with his parents until attaining his majority and on November 15. 1849, was united in marriage with Mary Ann Lawrence, whose birth occurred in Wayne county, in 1830, being the daughter of John A. and Sarah ( Rouch) Lawrence. Of the children born to William C. and Sarah Mowrey there are living at this time Sylvanus H. : Emma J., wife of John Deem, living at Warsaw; and John M., of Coesse. William C. and Mary Ann Mowrey moved to Whitley county in 1853 and purchased a quarter section of land in Union township. on which a small log cabin had been erected and about twenty acres of land cleared. Mr. Mowrey developed a fine farm from this land, added to it until he owned four him- dred acres and in due time made a number of valuable improvements, until it was recog- nized as one of the most desirable country homes in the county. He died May 1, 1901, his wife preceding him to the grave in No- vember, 1896.
Sylvanus H. Mowrey was born July 24. 1851, in Wayne county, Ohio, and when two years old was brought to Indiana, since which time he has been an honored resident of the county of Whitley. After finishing his education, he taught one term of school and then turned his attention to agriculture. first as a renter on his father's farm and later purchasel fifty acres of his own, which he improved and on which he lived for eleven years, when he bought the remainder of the original eighty. He later purchased eighty acres adjoining and has since added until
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