USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 76
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Isaac Humbarger was born on the old homestead, December 27, 1861. He has spent his whole life on the farm where he now lives, which is part of the homestead settled by his father more than half a century ago. He now owns one hundred and three acres of good land, lives in a comfortable house and all the surroundings indicate pros- perity and thrift. January 1I, 1883, Mr. Humbarger married Mary Ann McClain, who was born in Columbia township. March 3. 1861. She was the daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Wingent) McClain, the former born in Greene county. Ohio, in 1825, the son of Philip and Nancy McClain. Nancy Wingent was born in Clark county. Ohio. . May 30, 1831, daughter of Robert and Sarah (Rinearson) Wingent, the latter of Pennsyl- vania and the former of Ohio. They came to Indiana in 1853 and settled in Union township, where they spent the rest of their lives. Joseph McClain and Nancy Wingent were married in Whitley county in 1852. He was a plasterer by trade and died February 14. 1890. His wife is still living in Thorn- creek township, where she has lived for thir-
a resident of Thorncreek township; Sarah, wife of Virgil Compton, of Smith township; Philip, living in Thorncreek; Mary Ann; Charles, deceased; George F., resident of Columbia township; Ellen, wife of John Mc- Donald: Alfred, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Humbarger have two children: Gil- bert M. married Ketura Schroll and has one child, Mary L. : Hessie May, a school girl. The parents are members of the Lutheran church in Columbia City. Mr. Humbarger is a Democrat and member of the Modern Woodmen.
LOUIS FESTUS METSKER.
Nearly a century and a half has passed since the emigrant founder of this German American family first set foot on the shores of North America. Born at Strasburg in 1747, Frederick Metsker crossed the ocean in his twentieth year and became a settler of Pennsylvania. He engaged in farming near Barren Run and followed that occupation until his death in 1824. The children left by this old pioneer. now all long since dead. were named Frederick, George, Henry, Sam- tel, Nancy and Christian. The latter was born in Pennsylvania, March 25. 1795, and about thirty years later became a resident of Tuscarawas county, Ohio. He lived in Ohio some twenty-five years and seems to have met with financial success and achieved local prominence, as he founded the town of Stras- burg and named it in honor of his ancestral home. In 1850, he came to Whitley county and settled at what is now the town of Chur- ubusco, where he carried on the business of
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farming in connection with weaving, in early sixties supplemented them by attend- which trade he was something of an expert. In 1820, in Pennsylvania, he married Cath- erine, daughter of Christian Gnaga, a min- ister who came from Switzerland and settled in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. During a long residence in his adopted Penn- sylvania home he reared a large family, all long since dead, whose names are recorded in the family Bible as follows: Abraham, Michael. Fanny. Jacob, Christian, Elizabeth, Barbara and Catherine. The latter was born June 8, 1797, and died in Whitley county in 1862, the same year in which her husband died.
The children of Christian and Catherine Metsker were Mariah, Sarah, Anna, Leah, Sophronia, Christian, Nathaniel and Louis, all of whom are now dead except the last two mentioned.
Louis Festus Metsker, youngest of his father's family, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, June 12, 1840. He was ten years old when his parents made the over- land trip to this section and well remembers the rough ride for weeks in the awkward wagons. There was little in what is now smiling and prosperous Smith township that was calculated to please the weary travelers of that distant date. There were no roads worthy of the name, no decent houses, no conveniences of any kind, while the forbid- ding landscape was covered with marshes and virgin timber. Louis was especially anx- ious for an education, but the three months of the poor winter schools and the summer subscription terms, which were even worse, afforded litle chance to one who desired to go beyond the three R's. Louis, however, made the best of these opportunities and in the
ance at the Seminary of Alexander Douglas in Columbia City, which was conducted in the Old Baptist church standing on the pres- ent site of the Clugston Hotel. Having thus qualified himself with difficulty, Mr. Metsker entered upon a term of teaching and fol- lowed this occupation during several of the succeeding years. Tiring of this as unprofit- able, he eventually rented a small farm which he worked with some success until 1869, when he was able to purchase a place of his own. This sixty acres has been added to from time to time until at present Mr. Mets- ker owns two hundred and two acres of well improved land, desirably situated in Smith township, one mile south of Churubusco. This with its improvements makes one of the best farms in the county.
In 1863 Mr. Metsker married Claracy, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Briggs) Nickey, natives of Virginia. and her birth occurred in Smith. township, April 5, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Metsker have had eight chil- dren : Ella, a graduate of Chicago Univer- sity and is now Dean of Women and Profes- sor of Latin in the Denver University ; Rose, wife of John H. Grisamer ; Callie, who is in business with S. M. Nickey, of Denver; Grace is wife of S. M. Nickey, above men- tioned: Gertrude, wife of H. S. Lawrence, a Lutheran minister at Springfield. Ohio; Cathrine, wife of H. P. Barry, attorney, of Beaumont, Texas; Lois, a student in Indi- ana University; Christian Frederick, a sttt- dent of Purdue University. It is a singular fact that every one of the children have been teachers in the public schools, a trait prob- ably inherited from their father who has al- ways been interested in educational matters.
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Mr. Metsker is a Republican in politics, served two terms as trustee and is now and for some years has been a member of the county council. Himself and family are members of the United Brethren church.
AUGUSTUS W. JEFFRIES.
Augustus W. Jeffries was born in Smith township, October 20. 1843, and is the son of Wyatt W. and Eliza Jane (Jones) Jef- fries, both natives of Greenville county. Vir- ginia. In 1835 they came to Smith township. Whitley county, and entered eighty acres of land of the government. They were the parents of sixteen children, but only four of them lived to maturity, and Nancy Ann is the only one surviving. Industry and econ- omy was their motto and they soon became very successful, owning three hundred and forty acres of land. They were pioneers in the county and necessarily endured many pri- vations and hardships, but withal enjoyed themselves and contributed much to the es- tablishment and development of the county schools and churches and all that pertains to a civil and religious community. Both were identified with the Methodist church and gave it a liberal support and faithful serv- ice. Mr. Jeffries died February 14, 1869. and his wife October 20, of the same year.
Augustus W. Jeffries was. educated in the common schools, living at home until he was married to Mary J., daughter of Rich- ard and Ann E. (Scott) Akers, November 11, 1862, who was born in Tennessee, Octo- ber 29. 1842. Her parents moved from Ten- nessee to Ohio in 1851, where they contin- ued during the remainder of their lives.
There were twelve children in the family. To Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries were born ten chil- (Iren. Milton J. lives in Wyoming ; Walk- er W. lives with his mother on the old home farm: Albert A. lives at home with his moth- er and assists on the farm ; Edward H. died an infant; Georgia married Joseph Casey ; Frederick R. lives in Grant county, Indiana, and married Nellie Casey ; Anna M. married Jay Powers and lives in Chicago; William J. married Elizabeth Brown and lives in In- dianapolis ; Harry M. also lives at home with his mother ; Mollie J. died May 21, 1906, in her nineteenth year.
Mr. Jeffries was a very successful farm- er, far beyond the average, and at the time of his death, which occurred December 26, 1900, he owned three hundred and eighty- seven acres of fine land, including the old homestead, nearly all highly improved. The Republican party received his support. The family belongs to the Methodist church and is quite a factor in membership and sup- port. The widow lives with her children on the home farm, and this they have increased to four hundred and thirty-three acres. The sons are Republicans.
SAMUEL E. GEIGER.
A prominent and respected citizen of Thorncreek township, was horn November 30. 1864, in Fairfield county, Ohio, and is the son of David and Mary (Good) Geiger. The father was the son of Daniel Geiger. also a native of Ohio. He was a soldier in the war of the rebellion, distinguishing hin- self for bravery and soldierly conduct. After his discharge. he again engaged in agricul-
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ture in Ohio, where he remained to the end of his life, which occurred soon after the close of the war.
David Geiger grew to manhood on the home farm in Ohio, being trained to agricul- ture and receiving a common school educa- ion. He was united in marriage to Mary, daughter of Daniel Good and wife, who were farmers of Fairfield county, where they re- mained to the end of their lives. Mary was born in Ohio and was a member of he Church of God. Nine children were born to them, of whom six are living : Samuel E .. Sarah, wife of Matthew Wiegold: Arvilla. wife of Douglas Pumey : William, of Colum- bia City: Jennie, wife of Charles Marker : and Bert C., of Columbia City.
In 1867, David Geiger and wife moved to Illinois, where they remained a couple of years, when in 1869 they came to Indiana. settling in Jefferson township. Mr. Geiger engaged in the timber business, in which he still continues, being for twelve years associated with S. J. Peabody, and for two years a member of the Peabody Lumber Company. He has charge of the purchase of timber. Mr. and Mrs. Geiger now reside in Columbia City. Samuel E. Geiger was only five years of age when his parents came to Indiana, and grew to manhood on the home farm, where he rendered dutiful and faithful service, receiving the educational benefit of the common schools. On January 3. 1885. he married Mina, daughter of Daniel and Hannah ( Hutchinson) Williams, who was born September 12. 1867, at Cal- van, Michigan. The father was a native of Virginia, and is now living in Los Angeles, California. The mother is deceased. They were the parents of nine children, only two
surviving : John A., living in St. Louis ; and Mina.
After marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Geiger lived on a farm in Jefferson township, where they remained until 1903. when they pur- chased a farm of ninety-five acres in Thorn- creek township, known as the Old Ferner farm, and on which they continued to live, enjoying a comfortable and valuable home. In politics he is a Republican, enjoying the confidence of the party, being township com- mitteeman. He also fraternizes with the Modern Woodmen and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Columbia City. Two children were born to them: Mabel, who married George Long, and lives in Jefferson township, and has two children, Marie and Alice; and Winona, a school girl.
BENJAMIN F. MAGLEY.
Benjamin F. Magley, a prosperous farmer living in Thorncreek township, was born in this township December 9. 1858, and is the son of John and Elizabeth Magley, both na- tives of Switzerland (see John Magley sketch). With the exception of four years spent in Jefferson township. Benjamin F. Magley has beena life resident of Thorncreek. He was raised on the farm and educated in the common schools, supplemented by three terms in the summer normal school of Co- lumbia City. In 1877 he passed the exami- nation and secured a teacher's license for a term of twenty-four months to which profes- sorship he devoted six years, four in Thorn- creek township and two in Columbia. As a teacher he ranked among the best and did
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much to improve and develop the educational interests of the county. In 1881 he was mar- ried to Emma Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Helblig) Kessie, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1858, and was also a teacher in the public schools in her younger womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. Kessie were natives of Switzerland and came to this country in 1850, locating in Franklin county, Ohio, where they lived a number of years, removing in 1872 to Indiana, settling on the farm where Mr. Magley now lives. Mr. Kessie departed this life February 14, 1905, the widow being a member of the household of Mr. and Mrs. Magley on the old home farm. They were the parents of eight children: Jacob. living in Columbus : John, deceased : Mary, also living in Colum- bus; Mariah and Margaret, both deceased ; Elizabeth. of Whitley county: Carolina. widow of Christ Keller, is with her mother : and Emma C.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Magley: Rose L., wife of Lee F. Johnson, living in Columbia City ; Blanche G., a stu- dent in the senior class, Columbia City high school, preparatory to teaching ; Arnold, also a student in high school, and Benjamin H .: two who were twins died in infancy. For twenty years Mr. Magley has operated the old Kessie homestead, though owning an ad- joining farm of eighty acres. The family is allied with the Thorncreek Bethel Church of God, faithful in services and generous in support, and ever attentive in all social and public interests. In politics Mr. Magley is a Republican, and the party recognizing his ability placed him in nomination in 1902 for the very mportant office of member of the city council, and the people endorsed
the selection at the polls. He was re-elected in 1906 and then chosen chairman of the board at its organization. He has also served as a school director for nineteen years. While tliese offices are not remuner- ative, they are among the the most import- ant and it is gratifying that men of this type can be induced to accept them.
GEORGE W. OTT.
George W. Ott, a prosperous farmer and substantial citizen residing in Smith town- ship, was born in Noble county, Indiana, No- vember 13. 1853, and is the son of Jesse and Docia (Brown) Ott, both natives of Preble county, Ohio. The paternal grandfather was John Ott. a native of Pennsylvania. He had six children. Jesse Ott and Docia Brown were married in Preble county. Ohio, and came to Indiana in the early fifties. Here they happily lived until the angel of death visited the household and took from it the husband and father in May, 1903. Mrs. Ott is still living on the old homestead in Noble county. Mr. Ott was a very successful farmer and at one time owned almost a section of land. Unto Jesse and Docia (Brown) Ott were born eight children: Cornelius, who is a farmer of Noble county: Amanda J., wife of William T. Clucas, a resident of Noble county; John. a farmer of Noble county. lives on the homestead with his mother ; George W .: Frederick resides in Noble county : Abraham, also a resident of Noble county ; Eli lives in Thorncreek township. Whitley county ; Alpha, wife of C. C. Hover. is a resident of Elkhart county.
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WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
George W. Ott has spent his entire life in Noble and Whitley counties. At the usual age he entered the common schools and acquired a fair education. In early life he turned his attention to farming and has never seen occasion to change his occupation. The work is congenial to him and has also proved a source of good income. Year by year he has continued his work and year by year he has prospered as his crops and stock have been sold and have returned to him a good profit. He has thus been able to invest more and more largely in land and today is the owner of one hundred and nine acres of as fine land as can be found in Whitley county, lying three miles northwest of Chur- ubusco on the Goshen road. On his place is situated an elegant barn, which is said to be one of the most modern structures of the kind in the county. March 27. 1879, Mr. Ott was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Gaff, who was born in Smith township. December 2. 1857, the daughter of Alpheus B. and Rebecca (Molin) Gaff. both now deceased. He came from Stark county, Ohio, in the thirties with his parents, Robert and Mary (Deardorf) Gaff, who settled in Noble county. He was married in Noble county and soon settled near where Mrs. Ott now lives on the farm now owned by W. S. Gaff, and there both parents died, he at seventy- five and she at forty-nine years of age. There were eight children in the Gaff family to reach maturity and all these are living : Alonzo P .: Mary C .; Charles W. ; Winfield S. : Orange E. : \pheus H. ; Lovilla May : and Ivy M.
Mr. Ott gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and as every true American citizen should do, feels an interest
in the success and growth of the principles: which he believes right and which he thinks will best promote the welfare of the nation. He is now and has been for twelve years jus- tice of the peace, in which capacity he has served the public faithfully. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ott are of the highest respectability and the hospitality of the best homes of this portion of the county is freely accorded them.
WILLIAM LEWIS DEEM.
An energetic and prosperous farmer, re- siding on a fine farm in Smith township, two miles west of Churubusco, was born in Smith township January 3. 1875. and is the son of John M. and Emma (Mowery) Deem,. of whom more extended mention is found on another page. In 1898. William L. Deem married Laura, daughter of John and Mary (Hazen) Pence, who was born in Smith township. September 16, 1878. Her father died in 1895. but his widow still lives in the township. They were parents of four children : Alice, wife of John Lewis; Net- tie, wife of John Hedge : Virgil, and Laura. Mr. and Mrs. Deem have two children : Helen and Bernice. William L. Deem was educated in the schools of the township, later taking a two years' course in the Churubusco high school. In addition to this he had the benefit of a business course in the North Manchester school, when he became stenog- rapher in the office of E. K. Strong in Co- lumbia City. He then engaged as teacher in the public schools, which he continued for
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three years, when in 1901 he purchased the eighty-acre farm on which he now resides, giving it that skillful and systematic man- agement which insures abundant crops. The Republican party receives his support ; and his social and friendly relations are broad- ened and strengthened by membership in the K. of P. lodge. He is a member of the township advisory board.
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WILLIAM R. ANDERSON.
A well known and respected farmer of Smith township, was born in Darke county, Ohio, January 14, 1843, and is the son of Major and Elsie (Phipps) Anderson.
His father was a native af North Caro- lina and was the son of John Anderson, of the same state, who came to Indiana in a very early day settling in Randolph county, where he died about 1850. Major Anderson died in the boyhood of William R., leaving two children : William R., and Rosetta, who married Joseph Heck and is now deceased. His mother was again married to Major An- derson's brother Abner, who died in Ran- dolph county and was followed by that of his wife July 8, 1905. To this marriage two chil- dren were born: Mary, deceased ; and Jona- than, a farmer of Randolph county. In 1865 Mr. Anderson was married in Darke county, Ohio, to Louisa J., daughter of Zachariah and Rebecca (Coat) Green, who were natives of Ohio and both deceased. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson : George, living in Auburn ; Lewis, a street railway employe, lives in Fort Wayne; Clarence, at home; Ira, living in important engagements in which he took
Smith township; Alleary, a resident of Churubusco: Edward, living at home; Sadie, wife of George Linnvill, lives in Smith township; Minnie, bank stenographer at Churubusco; Lawrence, Ida and Rebecca, deceased : Charles M., a street railroad con- ductor at Fort Wayne.
MIr. Anderson has always been a farmer, starting at the bottom and building up suc- cessfully. As a boy he worked out, though he had spent some months with an uncle in Illinois. When fifteen years old he worked one year for $60 and board with three months of school. In early manhood he worked by the month, but in 1871 settled on a farm in Smith township, which he had purchased. In 1873 he purchased the farm on which he now resides, which is a splendid farm of one hundred and ninety-one acres. that he has made from the wilderness. It is well drained and is a productive farm devoted to general farming. He is a Republican and Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. On September 12, 1861, he enlisted in de- fense of the flag of his country, as a member of Company G, Fortieth Ohio Regiment. Volunteer Infantry, First Division, Fourth Army Corps, and Second Brigade, Army of the Cumberland, serving until June 10, 1865. He was taken prisoner at Lovejoy station. and from September 5, 1864, until Novem- ber 25, lay as a prisoner in Milan (Georgia) Prison, when he was paroled. After return- ing he served in the same company and reg- iment. He went through all of the Atlanta campaign. He was discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, as a paroled prisoner and saw no service after his capture. Among the
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part were the battles of Middle Creek, Ken- tucky, January 10, 1862; Chickamauga, the three days' fight, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge.
JAMES E. WITHAM.
The history of the village blacksmith, like that of the miller, forms an important chapter in the early history of the country. To him the farmer, the mechanic and the professional man as well come with their broken implements for repairs and are never turned away without relief. His whole thought seems to be a determination to so "mend" the misfortunes of life as to contrib- ute to the well-being and happiness of all. James E. Witham, the pioneer blacksmith of Churubusco, who was born in Washing- ton county, Ohio, September 15, 1835. is the son of Elisha and Lydia (Gates) Witham, both natives of Ohio, the latter being born near Delaware. They were married in Ohio and came to Indiana in 1839, settling in Smith township, Whitley county, and pur- chased unimproved land. This investment was followed in 1840, less than a year, by the death of the husband, leaving his wife with four children : Mary, who was married to Henry Knight, of Thorncreek township, but now deceased ; James E. : Miles died in infancy; Mary died about 1885. After the death of her husband Mrs. Witham was married to Adam Egolf, and to this union eight children were born: Rachel, George, Melissa, Jemina, Adam, Lydia Ann, Harvey, and Mariah. Mrs. Egolf lived to a ripe old age and in 1892 passed calmly and hopefully to her reward. At the age of fifteen James E.
Wiitham left home and went to Columbia City to learn the trade of blacksmith, where he remained four years. Being of a roving nature, he then went to Iowa and remained there seven years. In 1862 he returned to Indiana and settled at Egolf Corners, Thorn- creek township, where he remained until 1864, and then moved to Columbia City, remaining one year, then moved to Forest, Indiana. and remained until 1868, then moved to Churubusco in 1871, where he re- mained until 1883. when he moved on a farm, then to Decatur, Indiana, from which piace he moved in 1885 to Avilla, Indiana, engaging in his old trade till 1886, when he moved to Kansas, and remained seven years. In the spring of 1893 he moved to Dunfee and about one year thereafter went to Arcola, where he also lived about one year, and then made his final move back to Churubusco, where he resides at the present time. July 9, 1856, he was married to Mariah, daughter of Luther and Mary (Strain) Nott, who was born March 30, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Nott were natives of Stark county, Ohio, and came to Indiana, settling in Smith township. In 1851 they moved to Iowa, where they remained to the close of their lives. Ten children were born to this union: Clara, deceased ; Mariah ; Mary, living in Iowa ; Jane, deceased ; Polk; Frank, Sarah, Belle, Angie, and Anna Belle. all six living in Kansas. The subject of this sketch and wife had eleven children to reach maturity: Angeline, wife of John Nelson, living in Fort Wayne; Jennie, wife of James Vaughn, of Dunfee ; Lydia, wife of William Jones, living in Columbia City ; Frank, liv- ing in Churubusco, married Viva Miller, and has one child, Evaline; Alice, wife of George Criner; Flossie, wife of William
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Richardson ; Flora, wife of Isaac Brundage, of Wayne, and Walter and Libbie, deceased.
In politics Mr. Witham is a Prohibition- ist, believing the enforcement of the princi- ples of that party would promote the happi- ness of the people and elevate the standard of true citizenship. In religious faith he and his wife are identified with the Church of God, devoted to its service and exemplary in conduct. The culminating event of their lives occurred July 9, 1906, when the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage was duly cele- brated in an appropriate manner. All their children, together with the grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, were present. forming a grand reunion typical of the morning and evening of life. Many beau- tiful and valuable presents were received, being given to serve as a pleasant memory rather than for their intrinsic worth or value.
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