USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 65
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fourteen children : Mary C., and Jane, de- ceased; Ella, wife of Aaron Appleton; Wil- liam R., a resident of Thorncreek township; David E., of Smith township, married Min- nie Smith; Lizzie, widow of Melvin Hill, who was a painter in Columbia City, lives with her mother and has one son, Oscar; Daniel A., who married Josie Shock, resides in Wisconsin; Lowell married Florence Eagney and lives in Noble county ; Austin R., who resides in Thorncreek, married Minnie Fisher; Russell, a farmer of Thorn- creek, married Ora Zigler; Benjamin E., remains at home and manages the farm; Emma Jane, Lawrence and Rosa May, de- ceased. Mrs. Hively is a member of the Christian church, as was her husband dur- ing his life time.
HENRY J. PRESSLER.
As a general thing the lives of farmers are not eventful. Confined closely to the one object of tilling the soil, a very close, exacting business at best. But unless their work is done there can be no progress and the wheels in other departments will soon cease to turn around, if the work of the plow, the binder and the reaper should stop for a season. Therefore, though a quiet and unassuming class, the farmer is indispensable and everyone who has con- tributed in this line has not only helped himself but has helped the whole commu- nity. Henry J. Pressler, one of the Thorn- creek township farmers, is one of the many to whom the foregoing remarks apply, and he deserves, what should always be con- sidered high praise, the verdict of having
done his duty in the limited field to which he has been confined. His parents, Valen- tine and Diana (Dupler) Pressler, were Ohioans, who came to Whitley county in what the pioneer historians call "an early day." The father settled on a Thorncreek township farm and worked it industriously until the time of his death in 1894. His widow still occupies the homestead and is spending the evening of her life in the en- joyment of the affection of numerous de- scendants. They had the unusually large family of thirteen children: Elmira, de- ceased; John, a resident of Churubusco; Samuel D., Henry J., Emerson, David, Wayne, Willard, Charles, Bayard, Aldora, wife of John Scott, of Columbia City; Lan- dis, of Thorncreek township; and Jane, wife of Harcanus Leaman.
Henry J. Pressler, sixth of the family, was born on the homestead September 20, 1866, and spent most of his life on the Thorncreek township farm where he first saw. the light of day. In 1900 he purchased the farm where he now makes his home, consisting of eighty-six and a half acres bordering Crooked lake as also the county line eight miles north of Columbia City. It has comfortable build- ings, such as are needed on all farms, and everything indicates thrift and good man- agement. There is a welcome at the door for the visitor and signs of comfort within, characteristic of the contented farmer. No- vember 6, 1888, Mr. Pressler married Laura A., daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cromley) Leaman, and who is a sister of Harcanus Leaman. Mr. and Mrs. Pressler have five children : Amos M., Dorothy May, Homer L., Emmet V., and Blanch B.
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Mr. Presser is a member of the Democratic party, though he has never been an aspirant for office or concerned in active political work.
JOHN E. KATES.
The career of this gentleman has been eminently honorable, and in all things relat- ing to life he has dignified his station and made every other consideration subordinate to duty and right. He has long been one of the leading citizens of the township in which he resides, and as one of the few remaining representatives of the pioneer period, is en- titled to the esteem and publicity which in the nature of things belongs to those who, in the times that tested man's endurance, proved worthy of the trust reposed in them and builded wisely and well the foundation upon which the present prosperity of the country is based. Jolin E. Kates is a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, where his birth occurred on July 21, of the year 1836. His father, William Kates, was born Febru- ary 22, 1801, in New Jersey, and there mar- ried when a young man Miss Mary Eff, also a native of that state. Later this couple migrated to Ohio, where they lived until 1840, when they removed to Whitley county, Indiana, settling in what is now Washington township. The country at that time being largely as Nature had made it, with the exception of a few cabins at inter- vals like niches in the surrounding forests, Mr. Kates's first dwelling was a rude cabin of round logs, hastily constructed, having neither door nor window, the floor consist- ing of Indiana soil, and the only means of
entrance being an opening in the earth be- neath one of the foundation logs, sufficiently large to admit the different members of the family. In due time, however, this primi- tive habitation was replaced by a larger and much more comfortable edifice, and in the course of years the forest was converted into a fine farm with improvements of all kinds, second to no other in the township of Wash- ington.
Mr. Kates lived to the age of seventy- five and departed this life in 1876, his wife surviving him until 1879, when she, too, was called to her reward. They were the parents of five children whose names are as follows : Josiah, Henry, George, John E., and Mary E., the last two being the only members of the family living.
John E. Kates was four years old when his parents moved to their new home in the sparsely settled county of Whitley, and from that time on he experienced many of the vicissitudes that fell to the lot of the pioneers. Work in the woods and fields occupied his time as soon as he was old enough to labor to advantage, and when not thus employed he spent his leisure in the forest in quest of game, having early evinced a fondness for the sport and great skill in the use of the rifle, many deer, tur- keys, to say nothing of all kinds of smaller game then so abundant, falling before his unerring aim.
Mr. Kates remained with his parents un- til attaining his majority, when he started out to make his own way. selecting agricul- ture as the calling most suited to his taste and inclinations. In connection with farm- ing, he also established a nursery business and between the two his time was divided
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WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
until the breaking out of the late Rebellion, when he laid aside the implements of hus- bandry and entered the service of his coun- try, joining on October 9, 1861, the Fifth Indiana Battery, with which he shared the fortunes and vicissitudes of war until hon- orably discharged October 2, 1864. At the expiration of his period of enlistment, Mr. Kates's command was in the Army of the Cumberland and he took part in all the campaigns and battles in which the battery participated, including the bloody engage- ments of Perryville, Stone River, Chicka- mauga and the movement against Atlanta, in which they fought the battles of Resaca, Altoona, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro and many others, to say nothing of numerous skirmishes, some of which were as dangerous as any of the san- guinary conflicts enumerated. On leaving the service, Mr. Kates returned home and again addressed himself to his farming in- terests which, without interruption he has since conducted, meeting with encouraging success in the meantime and establishing an honorable reputation as an enterprising hus- bandman. In addition to agriculture, he was for eighteen years engaged in the manu- facture of drain tile, but since discontinuing that line of business he has devoted his at- tention exclusively to farming and stock raising, owning at this time a good farm of eighty acres in Washington township which is well improved and in a high state of cul- tivation.
Mr. Kates was married in 1866 to Miss Mary Henemyer, whose parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Snavely) Henemyer, moved to Whitley county in 1846 from the state of Ohio and settled in Washington town-
ship, where the father became a large land- owner and successful farmer, dying in 1902, his wife in the year 1862. They had a fam- ily of seven children, namely: David, Mar- garet. Benjamin, George, Elizabeth, Jacob and Mary, wife of the subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Kates four children have been born : Henry W., J. Perry, Malcon E., Bertie E., the last named deceased.
Politically Mr. Kates is a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party, and reli- giously subscribes to the creed of the United Brethren church, his wife being a member of the same congregation to which he belongs.
ALICE B. WILLIAMS, M. D.
Alice Baker Williams, M. D., who is suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of her pro- fession in Columbia City, was born at Ce- lina, Ohio, on September 18, 1866, and is the daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Schuy- ler) Baker. Joseph Baker was born at Ver- sailles, Ohio, in 1845, in which state he was for many years a successful merchant. He afterwards removed to Kansas, where his death occurred. Mrs. Baker then married Dr. Charles Williams, a graduate of Belle- vue College, New York City, and who for thirty-two years practiced his profession in Columbia City. Dr. Williams was coroner of the county for over twenty years. He was an active Democrat and was influential in his party's councils. His death occurred July 10, 1905, aged sixty-two. He was a promi- nent and active member of the Knights of Pythias and a stanch Presbyerian. Eliza Miller, great-grandmother of the subject, was a second cousin to George Washington.
aliceBaker Williams M.D.
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WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Alice Baker Williams accompanied her parents to Columbia City when thirteen years old. Upon the completion of her school life she read medicine under the in- structions of her stepfather. She then en- tered the Fort Wayne, now the Purdue Med- ical College, from which she was graduated March 13, 1894. Dr. Williams at once es- tablished herself in the active practice of her 'profession and has gained precedence and success in her chosen work and is rec- ognized as one of the able and discriminating practitioners. Her practice is extensive and she is held in high regard in professional, business and social circles. She holds mem- bership in the Allen County and the State Medical societies. She has been medical ex- aminer for the Lady Maccabees of Columbia City for twelve years and is present con- mander of this, organization. She is also medical examiner for the Royal Neighbors Society and has been since its inception. Dr. Williams is a member of the Pythian Sis- ters, the Daughters of Rebekah and of the Order of Ben Hur. She is also a member of the Presbyterian church. Doctor Williams believes in and practices the principles of good will and good feeling, her presence in the sick room buoying up the depressed and bringing hope to the despondent.
AMBROSE GERKIN.
There is no place on earth better for the development of true and noble manhood than the farm, where all the social virtues, religious sentiments and patriotic impulses culminate in a citizenship noted for strength
of character. Harmon Gerkin, the father of Ambrose, was a native of Germany, com- ing to this country when quite young; after spending a few years in New York city, he moved to Noble county, Indiana, and en- gaged in farming, where he remained until his death when Ambrose was but a lad. His first marriage was to a Miss Beanblossom and resulted in the birth of four children : William, living in Missouri; Jasper and John, both living in Noble county, and Sa- rah, widow of George Gunder. His second marriage was with Frances Mary Hynd- man, still living and making her home with Ambrose. The parents were faithful mem- members of the Christian church, and to them were born five children : Anderson, liv- ing in Marion. Indiana; Ambrose, Mary, widow of Alfred Gross; Belle, wife of Ver- ner Hersey, living in Cromwell, Indiana; Margaret, wife of William Brown, of Noble county.
The birth of Ambrose Gerkin occurred October 1, 1862, in Noble county. He grew to manhood on the farm, receiving a good common school education. The death of his father occurred when he was quite small, and he remained at home and rendered his mother valuable service until he was a young man, when he worked for others several years by the month. In 1885 he came to the farm on which he still resides, consisting of one hundred and thirteen acres of very pro- ductive land in Troy township two and one- half miles west of Etna. The buildings on the place at the time of purchase have been remodeled and a modern and commodious barn add comfort and convenience. Atten- tion has also been given to thorough drain- age and substantial fences, giving the farm
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WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
in its entirety an appearance of neatness and prosperity.
January, 1887. he was married to Cora E., daughter of Samuel and Anna (Jones) Orcutt, born in Troy township June 10. 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Orcutt were early set- tlers in Whitley county, and at this time are residents of Etna township. Four children were born to them, three now living : Helen, wife of George Deeter; David J., living in Troy township; Cora, wife of the subject. The fourth died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Gerkin are the parents of six children : 'Merl, who died in his eighteenth year of appendicitis ; he was a high school student : Hilbert, Willard, Ernest, Ruth and Alton. They are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Etna, and liberal and faith- ful in its support, while he is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Maccabee lodges.
CHARLES E. DE VINE.
The French, as a rule, are not disposed to emigrate and the proportion of this na- tionality found in our Western States, dur- ing the pioneer period was not large. Occa- sionally, however, a name like the above in- dicates the presence of a representative of that gallant nation, which has done so much for the civilization of the world. It was during the second quarter of the last cen- tury that Charles L. De Vine. a young Frenchman, came over to seek his fortune in the Western Republic. After living some time in Ohio he decided in 1850 to try the newer state of Indiana, and in due time be-
came a settler in Kisciusko county. He married Martha Peterson, by whom he had a family of five children: Mary A., Cather- ine, Angeline, William (deceased) and Charles E. The sisters are all living, but none in Whitley county. In 1857, shortly after the birth of the last named, the mother died and the father passed away in 1863 after surviving his wife a little over six years.
Charles E. De Vine, who was deprived of a mother's care in early infancy. was born March 20. 1857. and when about four weeks of age was taken in charge by Jo- seph Scott. a kind-hearted farmer of Troy township in Whitley county. He grew to manhood with his foster-father and re- mained a member of his household until his thirty-fifth year and about one year after the death of Mrs. Scott. Mr. and Mrs. Scott had one daughter, Mary Ann, who be- came the wife of E. C. Doke but died with- out issue. Mr. Scott lived with Mr. De Vine during his latter years, he dying Sep- tember 18, 1896, aged seventy-eight years. He had made provision for his foster son by deeding him one hundred and forty acres including one-half of his original en- try of one hundred and sixty acres. Decem- ber 25, 1892. he married Susan, daughter of Joseph and Lucinda (Hoffer) Welker, the former of Ohio, and the latter of Pennsyl- vania by birth. After marrying in Ohio they came to Whitley county in 1844. and settled in what is now Etna township, but which at that time was a part of Noble county. He died ten years since, surviving his wife about ten years. He died 1896. She died aged sixty-two, but their family of seven children are still living and named
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in order of their births as follows: Isaac, Julia, Matilda, Joseph, Levi W., Susan and Carrie. Mrs. De Vine, second to the young- est of these, was born on her parents' farm in Etna township, December 4, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. De Vine have had three children : Scott, who died when six years old; Don and Elenora. Mr. and Mrs. De Vine now live on a part of what is known as the old Scott farm, of which he owns eighty acres. He owns one hundred and fifty acres, most of which is under cultivation, and the place has been much improved under his man- agement. Fourteen years ago he erected a comfortable eight-room house, in which he has since made his home, and a few years ago a new bank barn forty by seventy was put up, which adds much to the appearance and convenience of the farm. Mr. De Vine does not attempt any fancy farming or breeding, but contents himself with raising of the cereals and other features known as general farming. He has done well and is now one of the prosperous farmers of his section. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, and he has served as assessor of Etna township. His wife is a member of the United Brethren church.
F. MARION GRABLE.
The founder of the Whitley county fam- ily of this name was John Grable who was not only an early settler but a man of prom- inence and influence in the fields of agricul- ture and politics. He settled on a farm in Thorncreek township, which he cultivated with success, and enjoys the distinction of having been the first treasurer of Whitley
county. He died many years ago, but left a worthy representative in the person of his son George, who also became a success- ful farmer, and followed agricultural pur- suits six miles north of Columbia City until his death, which occurred May 10, 1905. He married Sarah Lamon, who was born in Thorncreek in 1848. Her parents, John and Caroline (Keister) Lamon, were Penn- sylvanians who lived some years in Ohio and then came to Whitley county in pioneer days and settled on a farm in Thorncreek township, where they ended their days. He died in 1900. She died November, 1905. George and Sarah Grable had three chil- dren: Melvin, who owns part of. the old homestead in Thorncreek township; F. Marion and Mary Ellen, a twin sister, who died in childhood. Mrs. Grable still owns the old homestead.
F. Marion Grable, the second son, was born on the homestead September 2, 1876, where he grew to manhood. Besides at- tending the district schools, he attended the normal schools at Valparaiso, and Angola, He engaged in teaching at nineteen and fol- lowed this occupation for six consecutive winters in his native township. He put in six months as fireman in the employment of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Fort Wayne and also assisted his father on the farm during the closing years of the latter's life. His mother, who survives, is a member of the Christian church, as was her husband. In June, 1906, Mr. Grable bought the farm of ninety-five acres where lie at present resides, has erected a comfortable house and is otherwise improving the place. This is the old Hiveley farm bordering the county line.
June 3. 1903, Mr. Grable married Miss
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WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Nettie Paulus, a popular young lady of Noble county, of excellent family connec- tions. Her parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Waterfall) Paulus, are well-to-do farmers of Noble county. Mr. and Mrs. Grable have two children, Earl Kenneth and Ernest Keith, twins. Mr. Grable's political affilia- tions like those of his father are with the Democratic party, and he and his wife are members of the Christian church. He is one of the progressive and popular young farmers of Thorncreek township and bids fair to become one of its most useful and influential citizens.
, WILLIAM R. HIVELY.
A young, prosperous farmer, living in Thorncreek township, was born in this township July 5, 1866, is the son of Samuel and Belle (Engle) Hively, the former a na- tive of Whitley county. They experienced many of the privations of those in the early history of the county, but they were ever cheerful and enjoyed the regard and friend- ship of a large acquaintance. They were devoted and consistent members of the Christian church, and zealous in its ser- vice. The husband passed away in 1892, but the widow still resides on the old home- stead.
William R. has lived all his life in Thorncreek township, remaining at home till of age, performing the duties of an affectionate son and being educated in the common schools. He worked by the month for four years, carefully husbanding his means, when he bought a small farm, which
he sold later, and then in 1901 purchased his present farm of ninety-one acres, in the improvement of which he has spent much time and money. It is tile drained, well fenced and systematically managed and renders profitable results. It has an eight- room house, substantial barn and other con- venient buildings, and the entire farm pre- sents a thrifty and prosperous appearance. This farm was the homestead of Jacob Fisher, whose son, Adam Fisher, erected the house and his home till retiring to Colum- bia City. March 29, 1891, Mr. Hively was married to Elsie D., daughter of Adam and Mary (Stem) Fisher, the latter now de- ceased, while the former is still living in Columbia City. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hively, namely: Walter, Clarence, Irvin, Grace, Voyd and Alta, Both are members of the Christian church, contributing liberally toward its support. and are highly respected and esteemed by many personal and social friends. In poli- tics he is'a Democrat, and enjoys social and fraternal relations with the Order of Ben Hur at Columbia City. Mrs. Hively was born on the present farm September 21, 1868, and her childhood and active life passed on the farm.
ELISHA SWAN.
The subject of this sketch is descended from ancestors that came to America in the time of the colonies and were actively iden- tified with the history of the localities in which they settled. His great grandfather on the paternal side was a native of Hol-
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WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
land and for some time connected with the marine service of the country, later becoming Captain of an American merchantman which after many years of trade was lost at sea with all on board, the commander going to the bottom with the vessel. He settled in Maryland prior to the war of the Revolu- tion, and there reared a family, among his children being a son by the name of Henry Swan, who was born in Queen Ann county, in the year 1757. The Washington and Swan families were near neighbors and when George Washington was drilling the provincial militia preparatory to the War of Independence, he secured young Henry Swan as fifer, paying him three shillings per day for his services. Later Mr. Sawn re- moved to Westmoreland county. Pennsyl- vania, where he remained four years and at the expiration of that time migrated to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1815, being one of the first three settlers in what is now Sugarcreek township. when, he entered land, cleared a farm and became one of the leading citizens of his community. He was married in his native state to Lamenta Da- . vis, a relative of the family of Jefferson Da- vis, president of the southern confederacy, and became the father of ten children, all of whom have died.
William H. Swan, son of Henry Swan and father of the subject of this review, was born August 12, 1805, in the District of Columbia. He married when a young man Harriet Merriman, whose birth occurred in Wayne county, Ohio, in the year 1817, and in 1865 he moved to Whitley county, Indi- ana, settling in the woods of Washington township on the place now owned by the subject. In due time he cleared and im-
proved this farm, made a good home where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1893, his wife preceding him to the grave in 1865. Of the eleven children born to this estimable couple, six grew to maturity, five of the number living at the present time. The mother of Mrs. Henry Swan belonged to an old and highly esteemed family that was connected with a number of distin- guished people, among the number being Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of America's greatest philosophers and literary men.
Elisha, one of the five surviving children of William H. and Harriet Swan, was born February 9, 1846, in Wayne county, Ohio, and there spent his childhood and youth at the parental home, becoming inured to farm labor at an early age. In 1865 he accom- panied his parents upon their removal to Whitley county, Indiana, and for some years thereafter assisted his father in clear- ing and developing the farm in Washington township, since which time he has resided on the farm he now owns. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and his suc- cess has been commensurate with the intelli- gence and energy displayed in his chosen calling, being at this time one of the repre- sentative farmers and stock raisers of his township, owning seventy-eight acres of land.
Mr. Swan is a well educated and widely read man and his opinions on current events and the issues of the day have weight and influence among the friends and neighbors with whom he is accustomed to associate. In his younger days he was for several years one of the successful teachers of Whitley county, and has always been a friend of popular education, and an earnest advocate
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