USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 64
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experience, made her an earnest and accept- able worker in. the Master's cause. In her last years poor health compelled retirement from more active duty but she never fal- tered in her one trust, dying with a blessed hope and confidence.
They had one daughter, Frances E., who remains at home with her father. Mr. Hively contracted a third marriage with Ella, daughter of Solomon Miller, one of the county's old settlers. Both were members of the United Brethren church and for twenty- six years Mr. Hively has been active in reli- gious work, especially in connection with Sunday school work. In politics he acts with the Prohibition party, as his principles make him an uncompromising opponent of . the liquor traffic.
GEORGE W. MILLER.
Letters were not numerous and neigh- bors were "far between" when in 1846 Jo- seph and Elizabeth Miller joined the ranks of pioneer farmers then struggling with the swamps and tall timber of Thorncreek township. He was a Virginian who, some years previous had emigrated to Perry county, Ohio, but later concluded that he could do better in the new state of Indiana. He bought a tract of land and put in many years of hard labor in its improvement and cultivation, but it is now valuable property and still owned by his descendants. This worthy couple were members of the Lu- theran church, quiet and unobtrusive people who passed uneventful lives and finally passed away at their home in Thorncreek township. He died September 22, 1850.
She, born in Pennsylvania, died January, 1870. They had three children. John died in Thorncreek in 1896, aged seventy-one. Jonathan died at thirty and Elizabeth died a maiden lady in 1876, aged fifty-three. Jon- athan was at one time surveyor of Whitley county, and did much work in that line. John the eldest son born September 29, 1825, was a young man when he came with his parents to Whitley county. He had at- tended the common schools as well as an academy in Ohio and was unusually well educated for that day. He taught school a number of years in Whitley and Noble coun- ties, farming between times, and in 1855 being licensed as a preacher by the Lutheran church he devoted much of his time to religious work until his death August 5, 1896. For several years he had charge of various churches in Whitley, Noble and Huntington counties. He once held a de- bate with Rev. Appleton of the Christian church which attracted a good deal of local attention. He was liberal in his views but never hesitated to advance his views. He often spoke on the liquor question. In early manhood he married Catherine Hively, who proved a devoted wife and at present lives on the old farm inherited by her husband from his father. They had five children, of whom two died in infancy. The living are George W., John F., a carpenter of Fort Wayne, and Calvin L., a farmer of Marshall county, Indiana.
George W. Miller, eldest of the family, was born in Whitley county on the Thorn- creek homestead, January 10, 1855. He remained at home with his father and helped in the farming until he reached early man- hood. Meantime he had picked up a fair education by attendance at the schools of
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Thorncreek township. The homestead hav- ing descended to his father and the latter being busy most of his time in church work, Mr. Miller had charge of the place several years. Finally he bought the seventy acres on which he now lives, which he has greatly improved by industry and good manage- ment. He erected an eight-room house, built in modern style, with all the conve- niences, has put up a good barn and other outbuildings, and altogether has a comfort- able home for himself and family. October 9. 1881, Mr. Miller was married to Mary Ann, daughter of Leonard and Ellen (Brumbaugh) Hyre, natives of Ohio, who became early settlers in Smith township, Whitley county. The father who survives his wife is living in Columbia City. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had four children : Mel- vin R., who married Juda Zumbrum and is a farmer in Smith township; Arnie M. and Retha F., still at home, and Mildred, who died in infancy. Mr. Miller is a Repub- lican in politics and a member of the Luth- eran church. His wife is a German Baptist in religious belief.
HOWARD SIMMON.
This pioneer farmer is pleasantly situ- ated in Thorncreek township, where he is passing the golden sunset of an honorable and successful life surrounded by friends and in the enjoyment of the comforts of a good home. He was born in Adams county. Pennsylvania, November 9, 1828, and is the son of John and Susan (Brame) Simmon, both natives of Pennsylvania.
In 1830 they moved to Starke county, Ohio, where they engaged in farming, al- though by trade he was a miller. They were industrious and successful and contributed their full share in building up all public en- terprises for the development of the country and betterment of mankind. The mother departed this life in 1850 in Carroll county, Ohio, and in 1851 he moved to Buchanan county, where he remained until his death when past seventy. They were members of the German Lutheran Church. Ten children were born to this union, namely: Leah, Sa- rah, Moses, John, Elizabeth, Henry, all six deceased, Howard, Enoch, living in St. Jo- seph county. Indiana, George, living at Lakeville in Marshall county, and William deceased.
Howard remained at home with his par- ents until he was twenty years of age, re- ceiving subscription school advantages dur- ing the winter months. He worked as a farm laborer and in the woods until about 1861, when he came to Whitley county and purchased thirty-two acres in Thorncreek township, where he remained about one year, selling the farm and moving to Etna township, where he rented a farm and there lived about one year, then moving to Kos- ciusko county, where he bought forty acres, when he made his final move locating on the farm of his father-in-law, David Baer. where he has continued to live to the pres- ent. September 18, 1853, he was married to Mary, daughter of David and Martha Baer, who was born in Starke county, Ohio, October 14, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Baer were natives of Pennsylvania, but came to Starke county, Ohio, in an early day, where they remained, until 1853, when they came to
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Whitley county and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by Mr. Simmon. Here they remained until both died, the wife's death occurring in 1871, and that of the husband in 1876. They were devoted mem- bers of the Mennonite church, though no society of that denomination existed near them. Seven children were born to them: Moses, Andrew, David, Martha, Susan, Sa- rah, and Mary, who is the sole survivor.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Simmon, Andrew, deceased in infancy. Val- lona, living at home, William and Emma Jane, both deceased, Samuel, married to Joan Plummer, living in Gratiot county, Michigan, George, who married Carrie Sny- der and lives at Mancelona, Michigan. Net- tie, wife of Levi Royer. of Marion, Indiana. All the remainder died in in- fancy. The family enjoys membership in the Thorncreek Christian church, giving it consistent service and generous support. Mr. Simmon is a Republican in politics, be- lieving that party advocates the principles best adapted to the advancement of the country. The Baer farm contained one hun- dred and seventy acres, of which Mr. Sim- mon owns seventy acres, most of which he has converted from its primitive condition.
JAMES M. LEAMAN.
James M. Leaman, a successful and en- terprising farmer of Whitley county, was born on the farm where he now lives July 22. 1865, and is the son of Daniel and Cath- erine (Quinn ) Leaman. Daniel's father was Samuel Leaman, who came to Indiana in 1836 and purchased a tract of wild land.
The country at this time was thickly inhab- ited with many wild animals, the greater number being wolves and deer. He departed this life at an advanced age, and was the father of six children, all of whom are now deceased. Daniel Leaman accompanied his father to Indiana when a lad of twelve and was reared to maturity on a farm. In 1854 he purchased seventy-nine acres of land. which he cleared and otherwise developed. and in due time he became a thrifty farmer and a citizen whom all his neighbors and friends were pleased to honor and respect. His death occurred in 1899. Catherine (Quinn) Leaman, mother of James M., was born in Starke county, Ohio. Her death took place in 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Leaman were the parents of six children : John, who died in infancy; Alonzo, who resides in Thorncreek township: Rozella, who died in infancy; James M., Charles. deceased ; and. Lewis, who is living in Fort Wayne.
The early life of James M. Leaman was spent amid the stirring scenes of country life and he grew up under the rugged but wholesome discipline of the farm. and, while still a young man, became accustomed to the various duties which such an experience entails. At the proper age he entered the district schools and during the summer months devoted his time and energy to the operation of the farm. October 21, 1888, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lea- man and Miss Valona Staples, who was born in Thorncreek township March 10. 1870, the daughter of James and Elizabeth (King) Staples. After his marriage James M. rented his farm and removed to Colum- bia City, where he lived for five years, when
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he again removed to a farm located near his father's place. After living there five years he purchased the old homestead upon the settlement of the estate. Being familiar with the quality of soils and their adapta- bility to the different grains and vegetables grown in this latitude, he is seldom mis- taken in the matter of crops and as a rule he realizes liberal returns from the time and labor expended on his fields. In brief he is a model farmer and has done much to ad- vance the standard of successful tillage in his part of the country. On his place is a neat and substantial house standing on an eminence where a fine view is had of the surrounding country with its many fine homes, valleys, hills and lakes, a large and commodious- barn, and other necessary buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Leaman have had nine children: Earl. Chloe, Effie, Grace, Vonnie, Daniel, Alva and Clarence, and one who died in infancy. . In politics Mr. Leaman is an earnest advocate of the Dem- ocratic party, but has never manifested an iota of political ambition in the seeking of official preferment. He has served at differ- ent times as road supervisor and discharged his duties worthily and well. He also rents land and deals some in timber. Mrs. Lea- man is a member of the United Brethren church.
JONATHAN MONROE HARTMAN.
A well-known and prosperous farmer of Richland township, living on the Larwill and Columbia City pike, was born in Shelby county, Ohio, March 9, 1849, and is the son of Peter and Sarah (Swander) Hart-
man, both natives of Ohio. They came to Indiana in 1853, and settled in Columbia township. They bought one hundred and sixty acres of land one mile south of Colum- bia City in the native forest and entered upon a task that would stagger the young man of today, that of making a home and farm where the sound of the ax had never been heard. They were equal to the emer- gency, and by industry and economy were soon comfortable and prosperous. They en- joyed membership in the Lutheran church, and were always liberal in public enter- prises and whatever was for the betterment of mankind. The death of the wife occurred about 1857, and was followed by the hus- band in 1864. Nine children were born to them, namely: The first dying in infancy : Benjamin, deceased : George, living in Kos- ciusko county; Jonathan Monroe; Cather- ine, wife of John Rittenhouse, living in Thorncreek township, Whitley county; Sa- rah and Florence, twins. Sarah is the wife of Thomas Roberts, living in Shelby county, Ohio. Florence is the wife of Andrew Rob- erts, brother of Thomas, of the same county. Eva Savilla, wife of John Fey, who also re- sides in Shelby county, Ohio; Lewis living in Columbia township. The old homestead is now known as the George Roberts farm. At his father's death Jonathan M. returned to Ohio, and worked a few years at farm work, attending school only in winter sea- sons, after which he came back to the old home and worked several years by thie month. December 20, 1878, he was united in marriage to Frances A., daughter of James and Barbara (Nolt) Myers, and who was born March 4. 1855, in Columbia town- ship, and granddaughter of Jonas Nolt, who
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owned over two thousand acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Myers were natives of Pennsylva- nia, and came to Indiana, the young people being married here. But the widow still lives in Columbia township, on the farm carved from her father's estate. They were the parents of four children : Mary, living at home with her mother; Frances A., Amos and John, each having part of the old home farm.
Soon after the marriage of Jonathan M. and wife they moved to their present farm of one hundred and eighty-three acres, now one of the most valuable and desirable in the county. being well drained and fenced, with modern house and barn and all the conve- niences for pleasant, profitable farming. It was but the beginning of a new farm with a few acres cleared. He now has about sixty acres in cultivation, the remainder devoted to pasture. Mrs. Hartman also owns an- other small farm which is operated in con- nection. Eight children were born to them : Mary Ellen, died at twenty-two; Nora, Lloyd, Pearl, Russel and Viola, all living at home, and two that died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Hartman believes in the principles of the Republican party, but does not aspire to public position. The family enjoys the esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
HENRY SCHRADER.
The gentleman whose name introduces this article is a well known and highly es- teemed citizen of Jefferson township and as a farmer ranks among the leading men of
his calling in the county of Whitley. The Schraders are of German lineage, but have been represented in the United States, com- ing to this country about the year 1825 and settling in Pennsylvania, where the sub- ject's grandfather, John Schrader, spent the remainder of his life. Martin Schrader, father of the subject, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1808, and at the age of thirteen accompanied his parents to America locating with the family in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he remained until he removed in 1845 to Whitley county, Indiana. On coming to this state Mr. Schrader engaged in merchan- dising at Columbia City, opening one of the first stores in the town and in addition to selling goods, did considerable work as a builder, having learned carpentry when a young man. After a residence of three years at the above place he discontinued both lines of business, disposed of his stock and moving to a farm devoted the remain- der of his life to the pursuit of agriculture, dying in the year 1863. He married in Pennsylvania Miss Fannie Kuhn, who be- came the mother of sixteen children only seven of whom survive. Martin Schrader was a man of ripe judgment and sound busi- ness capacity, broad minded and liberal in his views, and manifested a lively interest in public matters. He was a Republican in politics, but would never accept office at the hands of his fellow citizens, and in material affairs was quite successful, being the pos- sessor of a handsome competence at the time of his death.
Henry Schrader, the direct subject of this review, is a native of Whitley county, born on the 8th day of May, 1851. In com- mon with the majority of country boys, his-
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early life was devoted to the labor on the farm varied in winter seasons by attending the district schools, and while still young he learned the valuable lessons of industry, thrift and self-reliance, which has marked in- fluence in directing and controlling his sub- sequent career as an enterprising and public spirited citizen. In 1876 Mr. Schrader en- tered the marriage relation with Miss Katie E. Page, daughter of R. M. and Philuria (Lighttizer) Page, who has proven a help- mate as well as a loving and affectionate wife and mother presiding over her hus- band's household with becoming grace, and co-operating heartily with him in all of his efforts and contributing much to the suc- cess which he has achieved. She died in 1890.
Mr. Schrader has a beautiful and com- fortable home well supplied with the con- veniences and a few of the luxuries of life, owning an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres, of which one hundred is under cultivation. He is a progressive farm- er, devotes considerable attention to live stock and has been successful to the extent of placing himself and family in independ- ent circumstances, being one of the solid men of his township as well of the leading citizens of the community in which he re- sides.
From 1875 Mr. Schrader was a resident of Union township, where he owned a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres, but in the latter year disposed of his interest there and purchased the place in Jefferson township on which he has since lived and prospered. His methods in this line of agriculture are in keeping with the progressive spirit of the times and his pros-
perity is a monument to his thrift and ably directed efforts.
He is a Republican in politics, an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry and in religion belongs with his wife to the Church of God. Of broad humanitarian principles, earnest of purpose, and upright in his rela- tions with his fellowmen, he is widely known and greatly esteemed for his genu- ine worth. Mr. and Mrs. Shrader are the parents of four children : Cora (deceased) ; Ratie, wife of Verlin Morr; Merritt and Clara, now Mrs. Fred Geisler, of Columbia City.
In 1895 the subject was married the second time to Mary A. Clark, who was a native of Huntington county, Indiana, daughter of Otho and Elizabeth (Oaks), na- tives of Pennsylvania, but early settlers of Huntington county, but now both dead.
HENRY VOGELY.
To the ranks of the useful and honorable belongs the subject of this sketch, who- though an American by adoption is never- theless a true citizen of the Great Republic. He is an ardent admirer of the free institu- tions and firm in his loyalty and allegiance to its laws. Henry Vogely is a native of Swit- zerland, born in the city of Schauffhausen on March 20th of the year 1836, being the son of Jacob and Annie (Wurtenberger) Vogely, of the same place. These parents spent their entire lives in the land of their birth and with their ancestors and many other mem- bers of the family are now sleeping their last sleep beneath its historic soil.
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Henry Vogely spent his childhood and youth amid the romantic scenery of his na- tive land and received his educational train- ing in the schools of same and later thought to better his condition in a country abound- ing in more favorable opportunities than ob- tained in his own; accordingly in 1860 he came to America and for some time there- after made his home in Ohio. In 1863 he was married in Stark county, that state, to Miss Cathrine Smith and the same year transferred his residence to Whitley county, Indiana, settling on the farm in Jefferson township, which he still owns and cultivates and setting up his domestic establishment in an old abandoned schoolhouse. that served the purpose of a dwelling during the three years ensuing.
By persevering toil Mr. Vogely in due time cleared and improved his farm, erect- ing a substantial residence in 1869 and in 1876 built a large and commodious barn. which, with the dwelling is still in use and in excellent repair. Besides making many other improvements and bringing the place to a higher state of tillage, one of the im- provements was an excellent system of drainage, which was installed from time to time, the entire farm being underlaid with tiling, of which 2,000 rods have already been put down, with the result that the fer- tility of the soil has been greatly increased as the abundant crops attest. In 1869 Mr. Vogely revisited the land of his birth, and once more gazed on the scenes endeared to him by the recollections of youth, besides renewing acquaintances with a number of his erstwhile companions and friends, he learned that the majority of his early asso- ciates had grown to mature years and moved
to other places and countries, not a few of the number having passed on to that mys- terious bourne from which no traveler ever returns. After making quite an extensive tour of Switzerland he returned to his home in the New World, better satisfied than ever with conditions here. Still later, 1903. he made another trip to Europe, during which he spent three months in Switzerland, sub- sequently traveling over the greater part of that country, also France and Germany, re- turning at the expiration of the period indi- cated with the conviction that the masses of the people in the United States have greater privileges and opportunities and enjoy more of the blessings of life than those of any other country. Prior to becoming a citizen of the United States Mr. Vogely served three years in the Switzerland Army, dur- ing which time he took part in the war be- tween Switzerland and Prussia, where lie experienced many vicissitudes incident to camp life. march and battle, and earned an honorable record as a soldier. Since trans- ferring his allegiance to the government un- der which he now lives he has devoted his energies untiringly to agricultural pursuits and by thrift and sound judgment has so managed his affairs that he is now in com- fortable circumstances, with a sufficiency of this world's goods to insure an old age free from anxiety and care. He has always been public spirited and a leader in enter- prises for the material advancement of his township, serving four years as a trustee, during which time he inaugurated a num- ber of improvements, including the construc- tion of several highways, the erection of three new school houses, that are said to be among the best buildings of their kind
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in the county. He afterward served as as- sessor of his township four years. Mr. Vogely is a Democrat, and as such wields a strong influence in political circles, being a leader of his party in Jefferson township. He has been an earnest worker for the suc- cess in a number of local and general cam- paigns. Mr. and Mrs. Vogely have one child, a son, John, who married Miss Iva Crowell, of this county, and assists his father in running the farm.
SAMUEL HIVELY.
It was in 1836 that seven families moved into Whitley county, whose names, perpetu- ated by numerous descendants, were des- tined to become household words through- out this section of Indiana. The leader of the party was Daniel Hively who, before
Egolph, whose brothers came along with them on the weary journey from "old Lick- ing" to the heart of the Indiana wilderness. Samuel Hively, whose name heads this bi- ography, was a son of the early pioneer above mentioned and one of a large family, whose names are given elsewhere in this volume. He was born in Whitley county, Indiana, December 9, 1837, about a year after the time which witnessed the arrival of the Hivelys and Egolphs. Samuel grew up on the newly settled farm in Thorncreek township and learned all about what it meant to be one of the children of the pio- neers. As was usual with the farmers' boys of that day, he remained at home until of age, and then launched out for himself. He
partially improved a tract given him by his father and selling bought a second, but after about five years bought the present home, consisting of ninety acres, which was known as the McGrew farm, one of the oldest places in the neighborhood. He eventually erected the present residence in 1874 and in 1880 put up the present barns. He was a kindly, well disposed man, indulgent to his family and a good provider. He was a member of the Grange and took much in- terest in its meetings and discussions, and a member of Pomona Grange. When Mr. Hively died, April 12, 1890, his children were small and the mother had a struggle to keep them together and obtain a com- fortable support, but she was a woman of unusual energy and good sense, and dis- charged her parental duties in such a way as to receive general commendation.
December 9, 1860, Mr. Hively married Isabell Engle, who was born in Starke leaving Ohio, had married Catharine, county, Ohio, May 15. 1842. Her parents, David and Margaret (Beamer) Engle, came to Whitley county in 1847. The father purchased a place in Thorncreek township, built a log house and went through the usual hardships incident to pioneer life. Having lost his wife by death in 1864, Mr. Engle removed to Columbia City, where he died in 1887. He and his wife were active work- ers in the Baptist church, and were influ- ential in starting a society and in company with the Methodists built a small log church. and were altogether fine samples of the heroic race known as pioneer farmers. Their twelve children were Michael, William, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, David, Isabell, John, James, Margaret and one that had died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Hively had
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