USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 69
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WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Isaac McConnell, died in Putnam county, Ohio, in 1857, at the age of thirty-nine, and his wife still survives him and makes her home with her son, William J. Mrs. Mc- Connell is a member of the Presbyterian church, as was her husband during his lifetime.
William J. McConnell was but two years old at his father's death and spent his boy- hood under the parental roof and at the usual age entered the common schools, ac- quiring a good education. In early life he turned his attention to farming and has never seen occasion to change his occupa- tion. March 8, 1877, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Louisa Ellen Hollabaugh. who was bom in Seneca county. Ohio, Oc- tober 7, 1856, and is the daughter of George and Charlotte (Hoffer) Hollabaugh, both natives of Pennsylvania. In early life they came to Seneca county, Ohio, where they were married and removed to Putnam coun- ty. He died in a hospital at Memphis, Ten- nessee, in 1862, of typhoid fever. He was in Company A, Fifty-seventh Ohio Volun- teer Infantry. His widow is still living at Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio. They reared a family of seven children: Mary, wife of Berry Paden, is a resident of Lima, Ohio; Amanda, wife of Samuel Buttermore, is a resident of Leipsic, Ohio; Jacob Franklin, who lives in Putnam county, Ohio; Louisa : Matilda, of Toledo, Ohio: Emma, wife of John Faber, is also a resident of Toledo; George resides in Leipsic, Putnam county. After his marriage Mr. McConnell lived on the farm with his mother for two years and then bought eighty acres of his own, on which he resided for seven years. In 1888 he came to Noble county, Indiana, where he
bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres and after living there ten years traded it for a larger tract of one hundred and eighty acres in Thorncreek township, and in 1898 bought forty more acres, making two hundred and twenty acres in all. His place is equipped with a neat and commodious eight-room house, a large and substantial barn and he has made of it a comfortable and attractive home. In his farming he makes stock raising a specialty. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell are the parents of five children : Bertha, wife of V. W. King, has two chil- dren, Lucile and Evylin ; Isaac William, who married Oma Diffendaffer in Noble county: George F., married Lila Pence; Mary Char- lotte and Arby Ross. Politically Mr. Mc- Connell is a Republican and fraternally he is a member of the Maccabees. He is on the township advisory board.
JOHN BORN.
John Born was born in the canton of Berne. Switerland, June 24. 1832. and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Born) Born. both also natives of Switzerland. These parents emigrated to America about 1833 and located in Fairfield county, Ohio. Later they removed to Licking county and in the fall of 1850 came to Whitley county. Indi- ana, where they located on the farm upon which John now lives. The country at this time was practically a wilderness and on the farm that Mr. Born purchased there had been only two trees cut down. He at once erected a log house and a stable and scon brought the land to a high state of cultiva-
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tion. Mr. Born died in 1854 and his wife in 1868. They were members of the German Reformed Church, and were the parents of five children: John; Anna, widow of Jolin Cotterly, and lives in Springfield, Ohio; Samuel, deceased in boyhood; Jacob, who died in hospital at Nashville, and Elizabeth, deceased wife of Solomon Pontius.
After the death of his father John Born took charge of the farm and helped his mother raise the family. April 12, 1853, he was .united in marriage with Miss Julia Fisher, who was born in Perry county, Ohio, June 7. 1834, the daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Emrick) Fisher, the former of whom was a native of Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher came to Whitley county in 1847 and located on a tract of wild land in Thorncreek township. comprising one hundred and sixty acres. They both died on the farm which they had made among the best. He died April 10. 1882. She died November 1, 1880. They were members of the German Lutheran church and had five children. Mr. Born is. now the owner of eighty-nine acres of good land, eighty being the old homestead, and his sticcess has won him a conspicuous place among the progressive agriculturists in this part of the state. His labors have been prose- cuted with energy and system, and in the management of his affairs his discretion and good judgment have enabled him to lay his plans so as to realize the largest possible re- turns. Mr. and Mrs. Born have three living children: Mary, who is the wife of Noah Bowers, of South Whitley, and has three children: Jacob, who married Susan Scott. and has two children : Sylvester, who married has two children; Sylvester, who married
Ella Bowner and lives in Noble county, a car- penter by trade. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Born base their faith upon the Bible alone and are earnest and consistent members of Thorn Creek Christian church. Jacob Born. the eldest son, operates the old home farm successfully. Of his two children, Arthur is a telegraph operator on the Cincinnati, Chicago & Louisville Railroad at Blounts- ville, Indiana, and Victorine is a seamstress now at home. In his political affiliations Mr. Born is a Democrat, but aside from defend- ing his principles and voting for the candi- dates of his party he takes little interest in public affairs.
CHARLES C. WEIMER.
Among the emigrants from Pennsylvania to the west in the early pioneer days were Joseph D. and Hannah Weimer, who set- tled in Stark county, Ohio, and engaged in farming. Some years later they removed to Indiana and located in Kosciusko county. where they resided until the death of Joseph. his wife being still a member of the fam- illy of her son Cyrus at North Webster and and now in the eighty-fourth year of her age. They had eight children : Cyrus, Dar- lisca. Rebecca, and Washington, deceased : Joseph P .. Savilla, Mary and Dessie Ameda. The parents were of sturdy, God-fearing stock and during their whole lifetime devot- ed members of the United Brethren church. Cyrus, the eldest of the first mentioned chil- dren, was born in Stark county, Ohio, and married Mary Ann Miller, of the same state, after both had become residents of Kosci-
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WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
usko county, Indiana, and they are still liv- ing at North Webster. In early life, Cyrus was a farmer but of late years has been a minister of the United Brethren church. He served worthily as a Union soldier during the Civil war and since that great struggle has done his part in life by fulfilling all the duties of a good man and good citizen. His children are: John W., a farmer of Kosci- usko county ; Charles C., the subject of this sketch: Ora M., wife of J. J. Kline. of North Webster; and Effie L., wife of Robert Page. of Elkhart, Indiana.
Charles C. Weimer, second in order of birth of the above mentioned children, was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, Decem- ber II, 1871. He grew up on a farm and by the time he had reached manhood had be- come inured to hard work, while learning the details of the farming business. He pick- ed up the usual rudimentary education to be obtained in the common schools, learned blacksmithing and worked at that trade for four years at Wilmot, in Noble county. In 1898. he removed to Whitley county and purchased seventy acres of land in Etna township, which has since been his place of residence. Mr. Weimer has met with reas- onable amount of success, considering the inevitable ups and downs of farming, and has succeeded in making not only a good liv- ing but something more. To do this he had to apply himself closely to business and exer- cise good judgment in buying and selling. His place is well improved and the buildings are all of modern construction and up-to- date conveniences. He operates a black- smith shop on the farm in connection with the regular business. In 1893 Mr. Weimer was married to Miss Olive Mabie, a native
of Kosciusko county. Her parents were Eli and Eliza (Beezly) Mabie, natives of Ohio, who came in early life to Kosciusko county. The mother is dead but the father is still liv- ing. Their children were John B., William, Rose and Olive. The parents were members of the Baptist church and enjoyed the es- teem of their neighbors and acquaintances. Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Weimer have had seven children, all girls. Their names are Elsie, Bernice, Florence, Aura, Mildred (died in infancy), Blanche and Hannah Gertrude.
DAVID GOFF LINVILL, M. D.
After a long and vigorous life in the active practice of medicine extended through fifty-seven busy years, the subject of this sketch achieved a high standing among the physicians of the state. During his long residence in Whitley county. extending over more than a half century, he enjoyed a widely extended acquaintance, occupied a position of prominence and influence and contributed his full share to the development of his adopted home. As his birth occurred February 1, 1821, in Fairfield county, Ohic, it will be seen that he dates from the pioneer period of his native state and his boyhood recollections are of the times that marked the rude beginning of that western move- ment whose culmination is one of the won- ders of the world. The ancestry of Dr. Linvill is both ancient and honorable. When William Penn came over on his last voyage in 1699, he was accompanied by Benjamin. William and Solomon Linvill, three sturdy natives of Wales, whose descendants were
D. G. LINVILLE, M. D.
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destined to exercise a large influence in various sections in the years to come. In 1730 three hunters of the name visited the fertile valley of that branch of the Shenandoah that bears their name-Linvill creek. Benjamin L., Sr., was a cabinet- maker by trade and made coffins as well as being a large landowner. In 1756 the family settled there and there Benjamin was born in 1791. William remained in Pennsylvania, and in subsequent years his descendants had become numerous and influential in the county of Lancaster settled near Strausburg and the Gap, and are found scattered throughout west Champaign county near Urbana. The name of Benjamin, as was the custom in those days, was transmitted from father to son and one of these, born on Linvill creek, Virginia, a lineal descendant and namesake of one of the original three, be- came the founder of the family in Ohio. In 1805 he rode a thoroughbred mare from Virginia to Ohio, carrying money to enter an entire section of land. Being pursued by robbers he saved his money and possibly his life only by the superior fleetness of his noble animal. He secured a section of land in Rush township, two miles from West Point station, on Rush creek in Fair- field county, Ohio, and shortly afterward married Sarah Swayze, the daughter of a near neighbor, Judge Swayze. formerly from New Jersey. Judge Swayze hrad al- ready erected a carding mill on Indian creek, and in company with his brothers, Joseph, Solomon, William, Hugh and Ben- jamin, built a mill and distillery. They were in partnership for a number of years. They shipped flour, pork, whiskey and other
commodities down the Muskingum, Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. They suffered severe financial losses after advent of the cholera, as a result of which it become necessary to sacrifice the old farm. Being a millwright, Benjamin went to Zanesville and in 1825, in company with his brother-in-law. William Perry, for a number of years there worked at his trade.
David G. Linvill's first schooling was at Zanesville, where he acquired the ele- mentary branches of an English education, reading, writing and arithmetic. For three years he lived with his grandfather, Judge Swayze, at New Salem, continuing his studies in winter seasons. When twelve years old he returned to his home at Zanes- ville, where his father had become a head miller. Young David had a job in a mill. his duties being to weigh wheat and other grain, and assisted his father in attending the farm, dressing burrs, ground all the corn and buckwheat. In 1838, his father having purchased and moved upon the farm of Judge Swayze at New Salem, David spent two years with him assisting in the general work incident to its cultivation. At nine- teen David determined to enter business on his own account, a program to which his fa- ther made no objection. His younger broth- ers. Daniel. Allen and Frank, remained at home, as also a sister, Elizabeth, who sub- sequently married Dr. Fisher. William and Amos Swayze, had been for some time engaged in the milling and factory business at Baltimore, Ohio. William and E. Vance opened up a general store in New Salem and offered David a position as clerk. Subsequently he served three years as clerk at Millersport, being deputy postmaster,
36
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chief clerk and bookkeeper for the owner of the store. E. Vance. During all his life. young Linvill had been ambitious for higher things and about this time he found and embraced the opportunity to improve his mind and enlarge his field of study under a competent teacher. He applied himself as- siduously and soon became proficient in grammar, geography. the higher arithmetic and other branches. While teaching a sub- scription school at New Salem for three years, he continued to apply himself and by diligent reading added much to his educa- tion. At this period occurred an event which proved to be the turning point of his career, and decided his whole future life. His uncle. William Swayze, having failed as a merchant in New Salem, took up the practice of medicine. David G. became a student under him, living at his house, but after one year of reading accepted a position as bookkeeper in a store at New Salem at sixteen dollars a month in order to piece out his income. One winter he was employed as an assistant teacher and availed himself of the opportunity to study algebra. He also studied dentistry at Lancaster and practiced that profession while keeping up his medical reading. In pursuing this calling he trav- eled considerably through that section of Ohio, deriving much benefit from his ex- periences, which proved of value in after life. Disappointed in his efforts to matricu- late in the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, he entered the Western Re- serve Medical College at Cleveland and graduated the following year. 1849. He resumed partnership with his uncle, Dr. William Swayze, but shortly afterward
decided to remove to Indiana. Dr. Swayze, who had a brother, Daniel Swayze, near Columbia City, went there in the spring of 1849, bought property and persuaded his nephew to join him. They brought three hundred dollars' worth of drugs and prac- ticed medicine successfully for the succeed- ing six years, but in 1855 the senior partner left Columbia City abruptly and David G. succeeded to the practice. Dr. Linvill con- tinued his practice with increasing popular- ity and success and eventually became the leading physician in Whitley county. All those who were in practice at Columbia City when he settled there, including Drs. McHugh, Cole and Rogers, have passed away. In 1890 he went to Oklahoma. leaving his large practice to his son, David for the purpose of locating a homestead. and practiced medicine somewhat during the two years that he remained in that territory. After acquiring possession of two hundred and forty acres of land near Kingfisher, he returned in 1892 to Columbia City, where he resumed practice of his pro- fession in partnership with his son, Dr. David Swan Linvill. In 1905 he re- tired after an active practice in Indiana of more than fifty-six years, beside the pre- vious work in Ohio. Aside from the men- bership of the board of pension examiners. which he held for nearly three years, he has never held office of any kind, prefering like a doctor of the old school to look to luis profession alone for his honors and emoli- ments. These he obtained in full meas- ure, besides host of friends secured during his long life of urbanity of disposition. courtesy in intercourse and integrity in all
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his dealings, which ever characterized him both in his professional life and in his social hours.
While a Methodist, the Doctor held most liberal views relative to his profession, to politics, to public matters and especially to religion, taking that broad and compre- hensive stand that a future life is not de- pendent upon church membership.
June 24, 1854, Dr. Linvill was united for life to Miss Martha J. Myers, whose brother, later a popular attorney of Colum- bia City, was then a contractor on the Pitts- burg & Chicago Railway. She was spend- ing the winter of 1853 with this brother while accompanying her parents from Car- rol, Ohio, to Washington. Iowa, where the Doctor followed to claim her as his bride.
Out of sixteen children born to the Doctor and Mrs. Linvill but four survive, nearly all dying in childhood or at least before thirty years of age. Dr. Lewis M. Linvill died at the age of thirty-six years, after a career as a practitioner that gave brilliant promise for a future career had life been spared. He practiced at Sidney and Peru, Indiana. Sarah Elbertine married Dr. Allen P. Mitten and died at the age of twenty-eight years; Josie A., the deceased wife of Jacob Allen Willitts; Frank B., a stenographer, and Edwin M., a medical student, each died at the age of twenty- three years. Those living are David Swan Linvill, M. D. ; Benjamin, a medical student in Michigan State University; Hayes, of Columbia City, and Daisy M., the wife of Irne G. Weidner.
In 1879-80 Dr. Linvill erected the present commodious brick residence on a site lie hal purchased years before and here. sur- is one of the most methodical farmers, as
rounded by friends, the decline of life was passed in a satisfaction in having not lived in vain and with a peace of mind undis- turbed as to what the future had in store.
With the death of Dr. Linvill at his home at Columbia City, February 17, 1907, the medical profession of northeastern In- diana suffered an appreciable loss. He was the last of the older practicing physicians of his section of the country and was long con- sidered the dean of the profession in his district. His death came as a distinct shock to the entire community, and his loss to the profession he adorned and to the countless friends who had known and admired him during his long and useful life is most keen- ly felt. The funeral services attendant on the burial of Dr. Linvill were in charge of the Royal Arch Masons, of which organiza- tion Dr. Linvill was a member, and were among the most impressive services of this kind ever held at Columbia City. The funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. E. F. Albertson, of the Methodist church, and the body of the aged physician was laid at rest in the Masonic cemetery.
JESSE MILLER.
One mile west of the little town of Etna is situated one of the best cul- tivated farms and one of the most commodious farm houses in all the county of Whitley. The inquiring vis- itor, impressed by the beauty of the place. will be informed that Jesse Miller lives there and he is also sure to learn that the owner
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well as one of the most popular citizens of Etna township. A few biographical details, therefore, giving an outline of his ancestry. his home relations and his life work will be read with interest by his many friends. His grandfather, Jesse Miller, was one of the early settlers of Ohio, locating in Delaware county, where he reared his family. Among his children was one named William, who married Elizabeth Jones, a native of Pennsyl- vania, with whom he came to Whitley coun- ty, and settled on a farm in Troy township in 1864. His wife died June 13 1881, and his own death occurred June 21, 1889. He was a plain and unpretentious farmer, his main ambition being to make a livelihood for his loved ones and rear them as moral and upright men. The family was brought up in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the parents were devoted members during their whole lives. The six children born to this union were: Sarah, wife of John Sellers, of Warsaw, Indiana; Martha, widow of Henry Sellers, of Etna ; Catharine, widow of Marion Coyle, of Troy township: Jesse, who died in infancy; the present Jesse and Mary, deceased wife of Clarence E. Doane, of Ohio.
Jesse Miller, fifth of the above named children in order of birth, was born in Dela- ware county, Ohio, April 4, 1850. He was fourteen years of age when his parents came to Whitley county and during this period obtained a meager education by irregular at- tendance at the primitive schools customary in the rural regions in those days. He re- mained at home until his majority was reached when he farmed awhile for his fa- ther and on rented land. In 1872 he took possession of the one hundred and twenty
acres of land which constitutes his present estate, but great has been the transformation from that day, thirty-five years ago. When Mr. Miller reached his future home he found it a tract of primeval forest, overgrown with the various kinds of timber characteristic of the Indiana wilderness, and realized that he had a prodigious amount of work to do be- fore this could be converted into a farm. It is pleasing to note the contrast between 1872 and 1907, as it is typical of what has been done by thousands of others to rescue Indi- ana from its original forests and make it one of the greatest agricultural states in the Union. The clearing of the land, together with its tiling and careful cultivation, has made the wilderness blossom as the rose and the beholder now sees before him a lovely landscape, enlivened by all the ornamenta- tion of a well tilled farm. In 1878, Mr. Mill- er erected a barn twenty-four feet high and with a length and breadth of forty by sixty- six feet. This improvement was followed in 1902 by an eight-room frame house, which is pronounced one of the neatest and most con- venient in the county. Mr. Miller does not attempt any fancy farming or breeding, but confines himself to the substantial and steady methods of the general farmer.
In 1872 Mr. Miller married Hannah E .. daughter of Washington Jones, a pioneer farmer of Whitley county, but she survived her marriage only two years and died with- out issne. In 1876 Mr. Miller married Elsie Sophronia Barber. daughter of Virgil and Anna (Patterson) Barber, the former from New York state, and the latter a native of Delaware county, Ohio. They came to Whit- ley county and settled in Troy township in 1855 and here they lived out their alloted
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years in the peaceful pursuits attendant upon cultivation of the soil. Late in life Virgil Barber established a store at Etna, where he carried on a general merchandise business. His five children were Mary, wife of John C. Marrs, of Chicago; Elsie Sophronia; Frances, wife of Perry Austin. of Etna; Charles, deceased, and Emma, wife of Isaac Crites, of New Mexico. Mrs. Miller and Frances are twin sisters. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Miller have five children : Clyde O., a farm- er of Etna township. who married Mand Pentecost and has one child. Jessie Alison ; William D., of Columbia City, married Ora Trumbull and has one child, Otto J .; Han- nah Nevada, wife of Clyde E. Jones, of Los Vegas, New Mexico : Dessie W .. and Bessie N. (twins), still at home with their parents. Mr. Miller is a member of the Methodist church, of the Odd Fellow's lodge at Etna, Republican in politics and has served on the advisory board.
WILLIAM C. LONG.
John Long, the emigrant ancestor of this family on the paternal side, came directly from Ireland about 1780. His wife, also a native of the Emerald Isle, accompanied him on the trip, and they settled in Northumber- land county, Pennsylvania, where all of their subsequent lives were spent. James Long. son of this couple, was born in the Keystone state in 1803, came to Ross county, Ohio, in early manhood and in 1833 married Cath- erine Blain, whose parents were both Scotch and settled in Pennsylvania, where she was born. In 1836 the newly married couple came to Indiana, lived two years in Kos-
ciusko county, and in 1838 settled in that part of Noble county which afterward be- came Etna township by annexation to Whit- ley county. James Long entered one hun- dred and sixty acres of government land in that section and spent the subsequent twenty- nine years in improving his estate. In 1867 he located in Pierceton, but after a residence there of seven years returned to his farm and remained there permanently. He was a man of prominence and influence in Noble county, as is proved by the fact that he served three terms as commissioner, the last being at the time that Etna withdrew and was annexed to Whitley county. These were days of Whigs and Democrats and he gave his allegiance to the latter. Often later in life he regaled his friends with stories of conditions prevailing in Indiana when he made his appearance among the first set- tlers. Indians and wild animals were nu- merous and he often paid his taxes with money allowed as bounty on the scalps of wolves he had killed. After a long, busy and useful life he passed away April 14. 1890, having survived his wife eight years, her death occurring in 1882. They had eight children : John, Sarah, Thomas, Mar- garet, Agnes and Mary Jane are deceased. John, the eldest son, became a farmer in Etna township, where he died when past seventy years of age. Thomas died in young manhood and is said to be the first person buried in the Snodgrass cemetery. Those living are Lucy, a resident of Chicago, and William C. Long. The latter was born July I. 1846. in Etna (then Washington) town- ship, Noble county, and remained on the pa- rental farm until his majority, when he en- tered into business for himself. His father
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