USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 83
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106
W. S. SMITH.
W. S. Smith, the oldest of seven children that constituted the family of Oliver and Ma- linda (Berry) Smith, was born in Whitley county, Indiana, September 9, 1858, and spent
his early life on the home farm in Jefferson township. (See sketches of J. W. Smith and Daniel Berry.) Being the eldest son, much of the labor of the farm fell to him, with the result that he had little time to at- tend school. Upon reaching legal age he engaged in farming, which calling he has since continued, his position at the present time among the leading agriculturists of his township being the result of judicious labor and an enterprising spirit that hesitated at 110 difficulties, however numerous and for- midable.
Mr. Smith' has been fortunate in his en- terprises, his farm of two hundred acres be- ing one of the best improved and most pro- ductive in the township. His place, which is locally known as the Nind farm, is a kind of landmark, as it was one of the first set- tled in Jefferson township. A pioneer by the name of Nind purchased the land from the government in an early day and moved to the same when the country was almost a wilderness. Under Mr. Smith's excellent management the farm has been brought to a high state of cultivation and in addition to substantial buildings and other improve- ments it contains nearly a thousand rods of tile, which affords ample drainage. In con- nection with the crops of grain and vegeta- bles usually grown in this part of the state, he gives much attention to live stock, meet- ing with encouraging success in this branch of farming, especially in the raising of fine hogs and sheep, the latter being the Shrop- shire breed and noted for their value as wool producers.
In 1887 Mr. Smith married Miss Em- manuella, daughter of J. S. Merriman, of Washington township (see sketch of J. S.
670
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Merriman), and has six children : Mamie, Paris, Rhoda, Agnes, Levi and Nellie. Mr. Smith's wife died April 22, 1906.
Mr. Smith is a Republican, member of the Christian church and fraternally is iden- tified with the Modern Woodmen of America of Dunfee, in which organi- zation he carries a liberal insurance pol- icy. In the prosecution of his various interests he has exercised good business abil- ity, his reputation as a thoroughly honorable and conscientious man has never been im- peached and his integrity and honesty as a neighbor and citizen have ever been above reproach. Not only has he been successful in his acquisition of worldly wealth, but he has manifested a commendable purpose in its use. Every movement of public interest or benevolent enterprise finds in him a friend and advocate, and to the extent of his ability he has contributed liberally to the material and moral advancement of his township.
I. R. CONNER.
Thornton Conner, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1827 in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, and by occupa- tion was a cabinet maker. In early life he went to Waynesburg, Ohio, where he fol- lowed his trade until 1853 when he migrated to Linton county, Iowa, where he remained during the ensuing seven years, removing at the expiration of that term to Hunting- ton county, Indiana, and locating at the town of Roanoke. In 1862 he transferred his resi- (lence to Whitley county, where he followed farming until 1864, when he moved to Lake-
ton, in Wabash county, and engaged in the business of tanning, which he continued un- til his death a short time afterward. A lit- tle later the family returned to Roanoke and after a brief residence in that place removed to Jefferson township, Whitley county. The maiden name of Mrs. Thornton Conner was Sarah Roberts.
I. R. Conner was born May 10, 1850, in Stark county, Ohio, and accompanied his parents to their various places of residence in the states of Iowa and Indiana as de- scribed in the preceding paragraph. He en- joyed the advantages of a common school education and since his fourteenth year has been a resident of Whitley county, devoting his time and energies to agricultural pur- suits. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty-nine acres in Jefferson township, one hundred and thirty acres being in culti- vation. Mr. Conner holds high rank among the leading agriculturists and stock-raisers of Whitley county, and his career presents a series of successes such as few of his fel- low citizens have attained. While exten- sively engaged in general farming it is as a stockman that his chief reputation has been gained, being a successful breeder and raiser of fine blooded cattle and high grade hogs, making specialties of the Duroc, Poland- China and Jersey breeds, from the sale of which he realizes handsome profits.
In January, 1874, Mr. Conner married Miss Mary E., daughter of James and Mar- garet (Tyner) Broxon, of Logansport. The father for many years was a blacksmith of that city and a well known resident of Cass county. In 1856, he came to Whitley coun- ty, where he remained until his death. Five children have been born of this union : James,
671
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
formerly a teacher in Whitley county, now in the mail service; Virgil assists in operating the farm; Ida May, who is proficient in m11- sic, is prosecuting her studies under compe- tent instructors ; Chester and Zelda are stu- dents in the public schools.
Mr. Conner has always been interested in the general welfare and taken an active part in inaugurating and promoting public enterprises. He is a Republican, an uncom- promising advocate of law and order and as a member of the Christian church his life has been a potent factor for good in the community. He is likewise a self-made man, having realized all he owns by dliligent and persevering toil and that liis interests have been conducted judiciously is demonstrated by the ample competence he How enjoys.
THOMAS D. WATSON.
Thomas D. Watson was born in Whit- ley county, Indiana, September 8, 1855, on a farm in Jefferson township adjoining the beautiful and attractive home where he now resides. Paternally he is a Scotch-Irish descendant and on the mother's side comes of German ancestry. His great-grandfather, James Watson, was born in Ireland, but in early life came to the United States, settling in Maryland, where he reared a family, in- cluding a son, Thomas, whose birth occurred in that state. When a young man Thomas Watson went with his parents to Ohio and settled near Columbus, removing to Fair- field county, where he became a successful farmer, his ancestors for many generations
having been tillers of the soil and people of high social standing and sterling worth. He died in his adopted state a number of years ago, leaving several children, one of whom was Eli Watson, whose birth occurred in Walnut township, Fairfield county, January 14, 1826. Eli Watson was reared to agri- cultural pursuits in his native county and in his young manhood married Amanda M. Hare, whose people came originally from Germany and were among the pioneer set- tlers of Ohio. About 1855 he transferred his residence to Indiana and from that time until his death, April 15, 1899, was a leading farmer and honored citizen of Whitley coun- ty, owning two hundred and forty acres of fine land in Jefferson township, the greater part of which he cleared and otherwise im- proved. He was a man of liberal ideas, suc- cessful in all his undertakings and for a num- ber of years wielded a strong influence in po- litical circles, first as a Whig and later as a Republican. He was also active and influ- ential in religious matters, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal church, the local congre- gation with which he was identified profiting largely by his liberal contributions. Mrs. Watson is still living, making her home in Fort Wayne. Eli and Amanda Watson had four children, Thomas D. being the oldest ; Newton, the second in order of birth, lives on the old homestead in Jefferson township ; Jacob B. died at the age of twenty years, and William departed this life shortly after at- taining his majority.
Thomas D. Watson, besides attending the district schools, took a two years' course in the United Brethren College at Roanoke. Indiana, following which he spent two years in the college of Fort Wayne. He then en-
672
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
gaged in teaching, which profession he fol- lowed five years in the counties of Allen and Whitley, his work in the latter being con- fined to Union township, where he taught several terms and earned an honorable repu- tation as a capable and popular educator. Meantime he became a tiller of the soil and after quitting the schoolroom devoted his en- tire attention to agriculture, which he has since followed with profitable results, being the possessor of a valuable farm in Jeffer- son township, which is well improved.
Mr. Watson cleared all of his land and for several years lived in a small frame house which stood on a site occupied by the present commodious modern dwelling which was erected in 1906. He also has a fine barn forty by sixty feet in dimensions, admirably adapted to the uses for which designed, be- sides other buildings and the various im- provements usually found on first-class es- tates. Mr. Watson has a reputation as a raiser of good stock, his Poland-China and other grades of swine being among the best of the kind in his section of the county.
Mr. Watson is a Republican and keeps in close touch with party interests as well as the leading public questions of the day. He served twelve consecutive years as jus- tice of the peace of Jefferson township and made a creditable record for efficiency, but few of his decisions meeting with reversal in the higher tribunals. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined Forest Lodge, No. 546, June 15. 1887.
In 1880 he married Lucy J. Taylor, whose parents. Andrew and Susan (Day) Taylor, natives of Ohio, came to Whitley county in the fall of 1854 and here passed
the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have three children: Stella May, at home; Jeannette Maude, a teacher in the public schools, now pursuing her studies at the normal school at Angola; and Jacob B., who is still a member of the home circle. Mr. Watson has been prominent in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, a member of the grand lodge and has passed through all the chairs. He is also a charter mem- ber of lodge No. 765 at Dunfee, Indiana.
ABRAHAM ELDER. 1
Not many men now living in Whitley county date their arrival so far back in the pioneer period as the well known retired farmer, popularly known as "Abe" Elder. His life has been a busy one and so much a part and parcel of Troy township that his name is indissolubly linked with its early settlement and subsequent development. The family records show that the emigrant ancestor was John Elder, a Scotch-Irishman, who crossed the ocean to take part in the Revolutionary war, serving to the end, when he came from Pennsylvania and set- tled in Ohio. He was recognized not only as a brave soldier but a cultured old-school gentleman, and one who stood high in Ma- sonry, having attained the thirty-second degree. With the Revolutionary soldier was a son named after the great hero of the. war and the first President of the Republic, George Washington Elder. He married Sarah Rine, sister of Joel Rine, mentioned below as an early settler of Troy township. In 1838 he came to Whitley county, and
د
Abraham Elder
Mary A Elder
673
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
bought one hundred and sixty acres of part of the tract settled by his uncle, Joel wooded land, and began the task of his life to convert this wilderness into a habitable home.
Samuel Hartsough, a brother-in-law of George W. Elder, who arrived in 1836, and Joel Rine, who came in 1837. were his near- est neighbors, the former three miles east and the latter one mile west of the Elder farm, and who, with himself. were the first to locate in that part of Troy township. He at first built a small log cabin in which they lived until he could secure more help to erect a pretentious hewed-log house, which was subsequently replaced by a frame house in which George W. Elder died in 1857, his wife surviving him only a few years. Of their ten children, eight reached maturity and but two are living in 1907. One of these is Samuel Elder, who left Whit- ley county thirty years ago and now is a resident of Perry county, Arkansas.
Abraham Elder, the only survivor of the old stock now living in Whitley county, was born in Seneca county. Ohio, August II, 1834, and hence was but four years old when his father came to Indiana. On No- vember 29, 1855, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Henry Harpster, of Troy town- ship. The latter had come to enter his land as early as 1833, but did not settle on it for some years thereafter. Mrs. Elder's mother had died when she was young and she made her home with her maternal grandmother in Medina county, Ohio. At the age of four- teen she joined her father in Whitley coun- ty. and was his housekeeper until her own marriage at eighteen, after which her father lived with her. In 1865 Abraham Elder began to buy land, his first purchase being
Rine, and the remainder was secured by Henry Harpster. In this way Abraham Elder became by purchase the owner of two hundred and ten acres of land and his wife has one hundred and thirty-five acres, being her father's homestead. This united tract of three hundred and forty-five acres was long managed by Mr. Elder, who cleared and greatly improved the greater part of it, mak- ing it a valuable farm. What was known as the "Elder Ditch," which led to endless controversy, was finally put through by him, but not without a long and costly litigation with owners of land below in Kosciusko county. The completion of the ditch en- abled him by thorough drainage to put many acres into cultivation, which previously were of little value. He also did much tile drain- ing, amounting in all to about five hundred rods. In 1875 he built a fine residence, and through many other improvements made it one of the banner farms of Troy township. In 1895 he rented his farm to retire from active business, and took up his residence in Columbia City, where he has invested in several pieces of property, some having beenr sold on the monthly payment plan. Mr. Elder is a Democrat and was long connected actively with party affairs, often being a del- egate to conventions, and holding offices of trust, being justice of the peace for four years. For four years also he was trustee of Troy township, and made his administra- tion notable for public improvement. He built the first steel bridge in the township, which was soon followed by others of this pattern, and he inaugurated the system of gravel roads, which have proved of inesti- mable benefit to the township. Mr. and
43
WIUTLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Mrs. Elder have two children, of whom Henry, the eldest, died in infancy. Delbert married Winona Noble, and has three chil- dren, Ralph, Esther and Teddy. He is the manager of his mother's farm in Troy town- ship.
Mr. Elder's religious views are in har- mony with the teaching of the Presbyterian faith, while Mrs. Elder's affiliation has been with the Methodists.
GEORGE F. KISLER.
George F. Kisler, a prosperous and well known farmer of Troy township, was born February 5, 1836, in Delaware coun- ty, Ohio, and is the son of John and Susana (Robins) Kisler, natives of Penn- sylvania and Ohio, respectively. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812. He settled in the early pioneer days as a farmer. but in 1853 removed to Etna township, Whitley county, purchasing native forest land which he improved, making his home there until his death about 1866, the death of the mother occurring when George F. was a lad of six. His stepmother. Polly Toy. survived her husband several years. Six children were born to the mother of George. who was a second wife: Elizabeth, de- ceased : Diana, widow of Reuben Bennett, and living in Etna township: Sallie, de- ceased : George F., Amira and Mary, de- ceased. Two by the second marriage were : Silas and Mary. Of all these Diana, Elias and George survive.
George F. was about seventeen years of age when his father located in Whitley
county. He was educated in the common schools and traind to agriculture. In 1867 he secured his present farm of one hundred acres, which he has improved, it now being well fenced, thoroughly drained and under a high state of cultivation, equipped with an elegant eight-room brick house and com- modions barn and other small buildings to round up and complete the arrangement and conveniences of a very desirable and produc- tive farm.
February 4. 1858, he was married to · Julia A. Shoemaker, born in Delaware coun- ty, Ohio, November 24. 1834. and the daugh- ter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Jenkins) Shoemaker. from Pennsylvania and Virginia. respectively, who came to Indiana in 1844, settling in the native forest of Troy town- ship. where they remained until they depart- ed this life, the death of the mother occur- ring in 1892 and being followed by that of the father in 1894. To them nine children were born: Daniel, deceased at sixty-five ; Samuel died when a young man; Julia A .; Linton died as the result of army service; Starling died in childhood; Edwin; Almira, living in Stark county ; Alvira, living in Co- lumbia City; Sophia, living in Stark county; Clinton and Linton were twins, as were also Almira and Elvira. Five children were born to George F. Kisler and wife. John L., who owns the old Shoemaker homestead, married Frances O'Dell Elliott and has four chil- dren : Harry. Beatrice, Scotland and Bernice ; Anna Dell, wife of Samuel Western, living in Columbia City, has six children. Walter E .. Thelma. Asher. Shelton and Shirly. twins, and Velma. Nellie, wife of Clarence Nelson, lives in Garrett, Indiana, and has five children. Alpha. Dale, Guy E., Julia C.
675
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
and Burr. Jonathan and Walter died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Kisler are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Republican, but has not sought public office.
DANIEL BERRY.
This venerable citizen, one of the oldest residents of Whitley county, as well as one of the most highly esteemed, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1816, the year the state was admitted to the Union. Ac- cordingly his life and the history of the commonwealth have been contemporaneous, ninety-one years having dissolved in the mists of the past since the day of his birthi, a period characterized by marvelous events, phenomenal discoveries along every avenue of human progress and fraught with greater achievements and more wonderful possibili- ties in every sphere of endeavor than any like period of time in history. Mr. Berry has lived to see his native domain grow from a sparsely settled, undeveloped western wil- derness to its present proud position among the sisters of the American Union and not merely as a spectator but as a participant he has contributed to bring about the splendid results that now give especial prestige and prominence to Indiana as a state. Joseph and Sarah (Shaffer) Berry, parents of the subject, were Virginians, but at an early pe- riod joined the tide of emigration westward. About 1812 or 1813 they settled in Wayne county, Indiana, of which they were among the first pioneers. Joseph Berry secured land near Richmond, which he cleared and converted into a farm, and there he reared
his family of twelve children and spent the remainder of his life. Some time after his death his widow went to live with a daughter in the state of Michigan, where she spent her closing years, departing this life at the advanced age of ninety-six in 1896. Of the large family that once gathered around the hearthstone of the estimable cou- ple, only three remain to tell the story of their struggles and trials.
Daniel Berry was reared in his native county until four years of age, when his fa- ther moved to Ohio, where he remained un- til 1849, when he came to Whitley county. Being the oldest of the children, much re- sponsibility fell to him as soon as he was old enough to labor to advantage, and from early youth until grown he assisted his fa- ther with the work of the farm and contrib- uted to the family's support. He remained in Preble county, Ohio, until 1849, when, thinking to better his financial condition in the northern part of the state of Indiana, where land was cheap and easily obtained, he disposed of his interests there and moved to Whitley county. Locating in Jefferson township, he purchased land on which he erected a small log cabin and at once ad- dressed himself to the formidable task of removing the forest and developing a farm. In due time he succeeded in reducing the greater part of his land to cultivation, re- placed the backwoods cabin by a more com- fortable and pretentious farm edifice and in the course of years forged to the front among the leading farmers of his township, which standing he retained until advancing age obliged him to forego further active labor and spend the remainder of his days in retirement. Mr. Berry has devoted his
676
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
life to the pursuit of agriculture and though never ambitious to acquire wealth he has lived and been prosperous, owning a finely improved farm of one hundred and forty acres, the proceeds of which long ago placed him in independent circumstances and on which he is now gently passing down life's incline surrounded by an abundance of ma- terial blessings to render the rest of the jour- ney comfortable and free from care.
In 1837 Mr. Berry was married in Pre- ble county, Ohio, to Esther, daughter of James and Sallie (Cromm) Hasty, natives of Kentucky, subsequently removing to Ohio and from the latter state to Whitley county, Indiana, during the pioneer period, where the family became widely and favorably known. Mr. Berry's first wife died about 1886 and in 1889 he married Mrs. Malinda Snyder, widow of William Snyder. Mr. and Mrs. (Esther) Berry had twelve chil- dren: Malinda, wife of Oliver Smith (see sketch); Sarah, deceased wife of James Tay- lor; Martin, deceased; Enos, who married Bertha Robinett, manages the home farm; Emma, widow of Lewis Gerome: Jacob H., a resident of Fort Wayne; Lizzie, deceased, and the others died in infancy.
Originally Mr. Berry was a Whig, but when that old party had fulfilled its mis- sion and ceased to exist he became a Repub- lican and as such has voted his principles and defended his opinions to the present time. He has always been public-spirited and in local affairs has taken a leading part, having ever been foremost in inaugurating and carrying to completion enterprises that made for the material development of the community, while all measures for the moral welfare of his fellowmen have found in
him a warm friend and liberal patron, When a young man he united with the Meth- odist Episcopal church and began the sincere and earnest Christian life which he has since led and which during the sixty-five years of his church relationship has not only been above reproach but an inspiration to those with whom he has mingled. In 1850, as- sisted by his good wife, who was also a de- vout Christian, he organized the first Meth- odist class in Jefferson township and for a period of thirty years was an efficient and faithful leader. Indeed, he has been very ac- tive in all spheres of religious work, having filled every office within the gift of the local congregation to which he belongs. His be- nevolences, however, have by no means been bounded by denominational lines, his hands having ever been open to the deserving poor and his means liberally expended in behalf of worthy objects and enterprises.
Mr. Berry, as already stated, is the oldest resident of Jefferson township and his popu- larity as a neighbor and citizen is only lim- ited by the lines beyond which his name is unknown. He has lived a useful life, fraught with much good to his friends and to the world and having been a blessing to all who come within the sphere of his influ- ence. It is needless to state that the future awaits him with great and bounteous rewards.
JOHN UMMEL.
John Ummel was born in Whitley coun- ty, Indiana, February 28, 1858, and is the son of David and Rosanna (Gross) Ummel, natives of Germany, who came to this coun-
677
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
try and located first in Pennsylvania, then in Ohio and in 1850 came to Indiana, settling on the farm now owned by their son. They built a cabin and improved the place, living happily many years, the husband passing away in 1870. Twelve children were born to them, five of whom are still living, name- ly: Mary. John, Lucinda, H. H., of Pea- body, and Lavina. There are fifty-seven acres in the home farm, forty-five of which are well fenced, drained with four hundred rods of tile and in a good state of cultivation. the balance in pasture and woodland. There is a good house and barn and other conve- nient buildings, making a very comfortable home. The substantial improvements were made by John Ummel, present owner of the place. He was married in 1882 to Abbie, daughter of William and Sarah (Snyder) Bordner, who came from Ohio to Indiana about 1866, engaging in farming in Colum- bia township.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.