USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 62
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Harry. a merchant at South Whitley, and an infant daughter.
Jesse A. Glassley was born in South Whitley, September 24, 1863, and attended school the greater part of each year, the rest of the time assisting his parents. He served a three-years' apprenticeship at the harness- maker's trade, but on mastering it, he turned his attention to other lines. He was a clerk with a dry goods firm of South Whitley until 1904. Meanwhile he became interested in political affairs and achieved some popularily and influence in the councils of his party. Mr. Glassley, in 1902, was elected clerk of the Whitley county circuit court, to the duties of which position he has, since 1904, devoted his entire time and attention, prov- ing a capable and judicious official, courteous in his relations with the public. Mr. Glass- ley is a type of the progressive, successful American and his career presents a series of advancements commendable alike to him- self and to the public. Broad minded and liberal in his view of men, there is nothing narrow in his make-up and thus far his life has measured up to the high standard of ex- cellence which indicates the courteous gen- tleman and the honorable wide-awake citizen who makes every other consideration sub- ordinate to duty and who ever strives to do the right as he sees and understands it. In manner he is pleasant and affable, with sym- pathies that express themselves in kindly deeds to others. Socially he possesses an attractive personality, being companionable and genial, and assists to the limits of his ability all measures and enterprises tending to promote the material, social, and moral welfare of the community.
The domestic life of Mr. Glassley dates from 1886, at which time he entered the
marriage relation with Miss Myrta E. Hoard, a native of Whitley county, and a lady of many estimable qualities of mind and heart, as is attested by the large circle of friends that held her in high esteem and affectionate regard. Mrs. Glassley's par- ents were natives of Ohio, the father having served throughout the war of the Rebellion in one of the regiments from that state. They came to Whitley county a number of years ago and here spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Glassley estab- lished a pleasant and hospitable home which has been brightened by the presence of four children : Ray H., being his father's official deputy; John A .; Sarah F., and Offie K. The mother departed this life in 1901, deeply lamented by all who knew her or came with- in range of her influence. She was a loving wife, an affectionate and devoted mother. and a zealous Christian, having been a faith- ful and respected member of the Methodist Episcopal chuch of South Whitley and greatly interested in all lines of good work under the auspices of the same. Mr. Glass- ley is a Mason of good standing and is also identified with the Odd Fellows fraternity and the Order of Modern Woodmen.
LEVI M. MEISER.
As the name indicates, Levi M. Meiser is descended from German ancestry and traces his family lineage back to an early period in the history of Pennsylvania, where John Meiser, his great-grandfather, settled over two hundred years ago. It is a fact worthy of note that the farm which this ancestor secured has always been held by some mem-
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ber of the family, being now owned by one same place; Winfield S., deceased, and John Meiser, a relative, who takes pardon- Levi M. able pride in its possession, as well as in the Levi M. Meiser was born in Columbia City, November 27, 1852. Much of char- acter and success in life depends upon the right kind of parentage, in which respect he was peculiarly blessed. In childhood there were implanted in his mind and heart the principles of rectitude and honor which in the course of time crystalized into sturdy moral fibre that grew with his growth and developed well defined purposes as he ad- vanced towards manhood's estate. Mr. Meiser began his business life at the age of thirteen as clerk in a general store and con- tinued in that capacity until his twenty-first year, when he became associated with David L. Worth in the tailoring and general cloth- ing trade. This partnership lasted about ten years when, meeting with financial re- verses during the panic of 1878, it was dis- solved. Mr. Meiser was then engaged in various commercial enterprises, in con- nection with which he also dealt quite ex- tensively in Kansas real estate during the boom in that state. He continued his busi- ness affairs in Columbia City until 1902. He was elected recorder of Whitley county, which office he has since held and in the man- agement of which he has earned an honor- able reputation as a capable and obliging public servant. honorable name of the various antecedents by whom it has been occupied. John Meiser, Sr., was a splendid type of the early German immigrant and by a life of industry, economy and judicious management developed a good farm and became one of the well-to-do and substantial men of his community. His son, John Meiser, left Pennsylvania in the last century and settled in Stark county, Ohio, with the pioneer history of which he was actively identified. He entered a tract of land, which he cleared and otherwise im- proved, and on which he spent the remainder of his life as an honest, upright and praise- worthy citizen, dying at the ripe age of eighty-three. His widow subsequently came with other members of the family to Indiana and died at the home of her son. Benjamin Meiser, after reaching the ad- vanced age of ninety-one years. Of the children born to this estimable couple, Eli Meiser was the youngest. He was born in Starke county, Ohio, and there continued to reside until 1848, when he moved to Whit- ley county, Indiana, and opened a general store in Columbia City, having previously had experience in that line in Ohio. He was successful in business, accumulated a handsome competence and conducted his mercantile interests until his death, in 1856. Harriet Sausser, wife of Eli Meiser and mother of the subject of this review, was a native of Ohio and of German lineage, both her parents having come from the old world. Her four children were Cynthia J., who married D. L. Worth, a merchant of Colum- bia City; Nathaniel C., a mechanic of the
Mr. Meiser was married October 31, 1900, to Miss Alice Souder, of Noble coun- ty, Indiana, whose father and mother were respectively of German and Irish descent, the union resulting in the birth of one child, Robert DeWitt. Fraternally Mr. Meiser is a member of the Masonic and Pythian broth- erhoods and, with his wife, belongs to
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the Evangelical Lutheran church. Mrs. Meiser is an active worker in the Order of the Eastern Star and the Rathbone Sisters. in both of which she is influential and highly esteemed. Mr. Meiser is staunchly Repub- lican in politics, but has many warm firends in the party of the opposition, as is attested by his election to the office he now holds by a majority of one hundred and sixty-two in a county normally Democratic by a very strong vote. He is an accomplished poli- tician and enjoys the reputation of being the best vote winner in the county. his great personal popularity having much to do in attracting to him his large and enthusiastic following. He conducts his office on strict business principles, looks carefully after the interests of the public, and it is not too much to say that Whitley county has never en- joyed the services of a more faithful. compe- tent and courteous official.
HENRY D. McLALLEN.
Henry DeWitt McLallen, vice-president of the First National Bank of Columbia City and one of the leading business men of north- eastern Indiana. is a native of Whitley coun- ty and the son of Henry and Lavinia Mc- Lallen, whose family history appears else- where in this volume. He was born Jan- uary 3. 1870. in the town of Larwill and after receiving a preliminary education in the public schools, entered the Columbia City high school, from which he was grad- uated in 1887. this training being afterward supplemented by a special course in the In- diana State University. Mr. McLallen be-
gan his business career in Chicago about 1890 with the firm of H. W. Caldwell & Sons Company, machinery manufacturers, and three years later removed to Velasco, Texas, where he spent one year in the inter- est of the firm. installing a large cotton-seed oil plant. The succeeding year he spent at various points in Central America, buying ginger root and crude rubber and in 1895 returned to the United States to become an active member of the firm of E. L. Mc- Lallen & Company in the management of the Farmers Bank of Columbia City, since re-organized as the First National Bank, with which he has since been identified and to the success of which he has very mate- rially contributed. As vice-president and director of this institution Mr. McLallen has earned more than local repute as a capable financier, whose views on monetary matters carry weight and inspire confidence. He is also connected with various enterprises that contribute to the business interests and ma- terial prosperity of his city and county, be- ing a director and one of the organizers of the Provident Trust Company and the Mc- Nown Manufacturing Company, and a di- rector in the Whitley County Building and Loan Association, in addition to the duties and responsibilities of which he finds time to devote to various interests of his own in other lines. Mr. McLallen springs from a long line of ancestors who for generations have been prominent in the business world as merchants, bankers and practical men of affairs and he combines many of the sterling qualities for which his family has long been distinguished, possessing rare business tact and executive ability of a high order, besides taking an influential part in matters and
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questions involving the public welfare and the advancement of the community along all lines of activity. He is an enthusiastic Free Mason, a member of the York and Scottish Rite bodies, including Cyrene Com- mandery, No. 34, Knights Templar, and has held important official positions in all the local branches of the order to which he be- longs. In politics he is an active worker in the Democratic party and a valuable ad- viser in its counsels, but has never sought nor accepted office at the hands of his fellow citizens, having neither taste nor inclination for public preferment. He is a member of Grace English Lutheran church. He . is possessed of a broad mind, a liberal spirit and generous nature, while his frank, genial disposition renders him the life of all social or business circles in which he moves. He is well known as one of those who "do things," when an emergency arises or occa- sion requires, and whose integrity is unquestioned.
Mr. McLallen was married September 2, 1896, to Miss Mabel Liggett. a daughter of William H. and Rebecca ( Mills) Liggett, whose birth occurred in Columbia City on September 6, 1871, the union being blessed with four children, namely: Walter F., deceased : Rebecca Catherine : DeWitt Lig- gett and Richard Vardell.
ANDREW A. ADAMS.
Andrew A. Adams, who has achieved success in his profession, was born in Whit- ley county, January 27, 1864, being the fifth son of John Q. and Christiana ( Elliott) Adams, both of whom are now deceased.
He was born on a farm and amid the envi- ronments of country life, his early years being spent in the district schools of the neighborhood. This elementary education was supplemented by a course at Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, where he spent three years. Later he entered the sopho- more class of Washington and Jefferson Col- lege, Washington, Pennsylvania. He grad- uated in June, 1884, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1887, the post- graduate degree of Master of Arts was con- ferred. He entered upon the study of law under the tutorship of Robertson & Harper. of Fort Wayne, and was admitted to prac- tice in state and federal courts in 1887, and until 1904 was associated with the late Judge James S. Collins. Besides attaining distinction at the bar, he is a clean, com- panionable gentleman, highly esteemed for his geniality. social standing and his fear- lessness and frankness of opinion. With methods honorable and upright. motives pure and unselfish, backed by clear intelli- gence and high moral conception, his popu- larity is well merited. An ardent Democrat, he has given his party loyal service in local, state and national affairs. Besides his pro- fessional interests, Mr. Adams is a stock- holder and director in the Columbia City National Bank and the Whitley County Telephone Company. He is president of the People's Free Library, which has done more than any other single influence to ad- vance the general intelligence of the commu- nity. Mr. Adams is a close student. not only of professional literature, but of the world's history and progress, especially of those great social movements that make for the freedom and advancement of mankind. He belongs to the Presbyterian church. in
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which he was reared, and is a Knight Tem- plar Mason. In 1890 he chose a life com- panion in the person of Miss Lois Andrew, the daughter of Hon. James M. Andrew, of Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have one son, Robert Andrew, a pupil in the Columbia City high school.
Mr. Adams was elected to the legisla- ture in 1888 and in 1890, and served on ju- diciary and ways and means committee. While his practice is general, he has been remarkably successful in criminal practice.
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John Q. Adams, deceased, was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, November 26, 1826, and was the youngest son of James Adams, whose ancestors came to the North of, Ire- land from Scotland. His mother was Jane Moore, being a member of the family that gave to the world Thomas Moore, the Irish poet. Jolin Q. Adams while yet a child came to New York with his mother and other members of the family. His mother died shortly afterward and he was taken itito the family of his uncle Andrew Adams, of Columbiana county, Ohio. Upon attaining manhood he became an expert machinist and worked for several years in the government ship-yards at New York and New Orleans. His health not being equal to the demands of this work, he came with his brother Andrew to Whitley county in 1849 and entered a tract of land near the Noble county line in Thorn- creek township. In 1854 he disposed of this land and purchased a farm of three hundred acres six miles northwest of Columbia City, and here spent the remainder of his days with the exception of a period of four years when he lived in Columbia City. In 1852 he was united in marriage with Miss Chris- tiana Elliott, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (McDonald) Elliott, the former
of whom was a native of Berwick-on-Tweed, England, and the latter of Inverness, Scot- land. A family of six sons was born to Mr. and Mrs. Adams: George, who died in 1884. at the age of thirty : John W., who is the editor and proprietor of the Daily and Weekly Post of Columbia City; Charles, who is a partner in the Adams Lumber Com- pany of Chicago and Tennessee ; James M., who died in 1882, at the age of twenty-one; Andrew A., who is a practicing attorney of Whitley county bar ; Frank E., who is asso- ciated with his brother Charles in the above mentioned industry. Mr. Adams was an enterprising and public-spirited citizen and served as county treasurer from 1866 to 1871. He was one of the active spirits in building the Eel River Railroad, and was for many years at the head of the Agriculture Association of this county. Both Mr. and and Mrs. Adams were zealous Presbyterians and were charter members of the Presby- terian church at Columbia City. in which Mr. Adams was an elder. Politically he was a Democrat, while fraternally he was connected with the Masonic order. He died at the homestead in Thorncreek township, September 23, 1902, and Mrs. Adams died at her home in Columbia City, on January 13, 1906. Possessed of distinct and forceful individuality, they left their impress upon the commercial. social and moral develop- ment of the community.
VALLOROUS BROWN.
Born and reared practically on the front- ier, and then taking up the burden of the fur- ther development of the newer part of our
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WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
country as it was in his young manhood, drawing, too, all his stature and his strength from the virgin prairie and obtaining his eduation in the public school of the primitive period of this region's history, and his force of character and manhood from communion with nature and the discipline of self-reliance to which he was subjected from his child- hood, Vallorous Brown, of Whitley county, one of the most substantial, influential and highly esteemed citizens of this portion of the state, is essentially in his physical, mental and spiritual make-up a product of the period of simplicity in life and iron seriousness of purpose, as the age of settlement in any country must ever be. He is, therefore, thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the sec- tion from which he sprang, and in full sym- pathy with the tendencies, aspirations and efforts of its people, so far as they are worthy. His life, too, is in a large sense an epitome of theirs, representing as it does all that faith has planted, energy has culti- vated, and triumph has reaped, according to his location and surroundings.
Mr. Brown was born in Knox county, Ohio, on May 23, 1846, and is a son of Wil- liam R. and Sarah (Pond) Brown, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They were the parents of three children, of whom Vallorous is the only one now living. The father was a farmer and in 1848, when his son, Vallorous, was but two years old, moved from Ohio to Noble county, this state. Three years later he changed his residence to Columbia town- ship, this county, where he remained a num- ber of years, then moved to Thorncreek township, where he died in 1870. The mother afterward married William Ream,
but she too has passed away. The son grew to manhood on the farm and secured his education in the public schools. At the age of twenty he began to repay to the state by teaching in the "great university of the peo- ple." somewhat of the benefit he had re- ceived therefrom, and he continued in this trying but important occupation four years. The next four years he devoted to farming, but at the end of the period he felt im- pelled to try his hand at mercantile life and he purchased a saw-mill three miles north of Columbia City. This he operated three years, then located in the city and engaged actively in the manufacture of lumber near the Eel River Railroad, afterward buying another lumber mill and successfully op- erating both until 1881. He then changed his base to Albion, Indiana, where he was in the lumber trade until January, 1882. At that time he disposed of all his lumber inter- ests and opened a hardware store at Column- bia City. The new line of merchandising was not. however, to his taste, and at the end of a year he returned to the lumber busi- ness with a mill at Churubusco and one at Mentone. In 1891 he helped to organize the Harper Buggy Company and was chosen its first president, and this office he has filled continuously since his first election to it.
But whatever other interests may engage his attention and employ in a measure his active and versatile mind, his farming in- dustry is now the most extensive one in which he is engaged. He owns six highly improved farms with a total extent of one thousand, six hundred acres, all of which are in an advanced state of cultivation and very productive. On this extensive tract of land he carries on general farming on a large
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scale, and also makes a specialty of raising Even in a war distinguished for exhibitions and feeding stock, handling the Black Angus of the highest courage and endurance, there could scarcely have been an example sur- passing this in determined fortitude. In the keeping of a citizen soldiery composed of men like Mr. Brown, a nation's honor is never in danger. Mr. Brown later received another severe wound, but this one was in the leg. He keeps the memories of the cam- paigns in which he took part, the dangers he passed, and the companionships that were so endeared by perils, alive by active mem- bership in the Grand Army of the Republic. On March 6, 1871, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Baker, and they now have four children, William, Laura, Charles and Daisy. The father has taken thirty- two degrees in Freemasonry and is a highly esteemed member of the order. strain of cattle and Poland China hogs. A recent shipment from his herd numbered four hundred head of fine cattle of the breed mentioned, two hundred of which went di- rect to Liverpool, England, and the average weight of these was one thousand five hun- dred pounds on reaching their destination. In every detail of his business, both farm- ing and raising stock, he is closely attentive to the most exacting requirements, believing that nothing but the best results are worthy of a man's efforts, and he brings to bear on his exertions a judgment ripened and solidi- fied by long experience and discriminating and studious observation. The rank his products have in the markets proves the wis- dom of his course.
But Mr. Brown's life has not been one of unbroken peace and quiet industry. In 1863 he enlisted in defense of the Union as a member of the Seventeenth Indiana Infan- try. His regiment was soon afterward mounted and assigned to the command of General Wilder as a part of his mounted in- fantry. Mr. Brown took part in all the raids, skirmishes and battles in whil his regiment engaged, and saw service of the most active kind from his enlistment to the close of the war in 1865. At the battle of Selma, Alabama, he was severely wounded by a musket ball which struck hiim just be- low the left eye, badly shattering his cheek bone and coming out lower down in his face. He was knocked down by the force of the ball and suffered intense pain with great loss of blood. But with characteristic nerve he soon remounted and resumed his place in the ranks by the side of his companions.
Enlivened with but little of incident or adventure, except during its war period, as the life of Mr. Brown has been, and given up to the commonplace fidelity to duty which makes up the prose and poetry of everyday existence, as it has been, the career of this excellent citizen and most estimable man is yet a very typical one and embodies much of what is presented in the general run of American experience. It is an inspiring il- lustration of that sturdy and unyielding cit- izenship and determined manhood which has made this country great at home and re- spected abroad, and given it to history as the most impressive example of rapid develop- ment, unhalting progress and all-conquering ingenuity and power that the world has ever seen. Mr. Brown recollects when he was a homely-clad urchin toiling from sun to sun on the farm, dreaming, perhaps, of wealth and prominence, yet not even then, most like-
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ly, widening the sweep of his vision to the horizon of his present fortunes. The land is one of boundless opportunites, and the men who have the capacity to see and use them always get ahead here. Mr. Brown made his own way in the world and is entitled to the full satisfaction attendant upon the triumph he has won. In politics he is an independent voter.
FREDERICK MAGLEY.
Frederick Magley, one of the substantial and highly respected farmers of Whitley county, was born in Berne, Switzerland. De- cember 28. 1837. and is the son of Conrad Magley. Conrad Magley came to America. accompanied by his family of nine children. and here was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Pitsbarger. He settled in Licking county. Ohio, where he remained for three years. when he removed to Thorncreek township. Whitley county, and here settled on a tract of wild and unimproved land. comprising sixty acres, which he purchased for three dollars per acre. With a resolute will he at once set to work to clearing the land and soon converted it into fields which brought forth an abundance of harvests. He afterwards moved to Laud and later to Bluffton, Indiana, where his death occurred at an advanced age. The nine children in- (icated were John. John N. and Jacob, de- ceased: Frederick: Mary Ann, Elizabeth. Margaret and Fanny, deceased : and Rose Anna. By his second marriage, he had the following children : Eliza, Henry, Caroline, Emma, Minnie, Clara, Ella, and Celia, of whom only three survive.
Frederick, the only survivor of the nine mentioned, was reared under the parental roof until he became twenty-two years of age, during which time he received a very meager education, and then started out in, life on his own account by working out as a farm hand by the month. January 23. 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Sumney, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 16th of February, 1838. and is the daughter of John and Phoebe ( Bucklow) Sumney, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and the lat- ter of Ohio. About 1840 they came to Whit- ley county, where the mother died when Elizabeth was a child of six years. He died at the age of eighty-six. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Sumney were born the following children : Samuel and William both died young men. William being killed while scouting in the army and Elizabeth. The three children were taken back to Ohio with an uncle, but when Elizabeth was twelve years old her father brought them back to Indiana, she being the housekeeper for some years. But for five years before marriage she made her home with Abraham Pence. an uncle. After Mr. Magley's marriage he rented a farm in Thorncreek township and there toiled and economized until he saved enough money to buy land of his own. In the meantime he purchased a saw mill and from time to time invested in land and to- day is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of as fine land as can be found in the country. His farm is well equipped with necessary buildings and other improvements which go to make up a complete homestead and the general appearance of the place indi- cates the owner to be a man of excellent
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