USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 91
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this article to give a history of the county press or mention of the various journalists identified therewith, it is fitting to here give a brief outline of one of the oldest and most popular newspapers of northern Indiana, to- gether with a short review of the man who now occupies the editorial sanctum, and whose efforts have advanced it to its present influence among the local sheets of the state. The Columbia City Post has had a continu- ous existence since 1853 and from that time to the present has maintained an unques- tionable reputation of being one of the lead- ing political influences not only in the county of Whitley, but throughout this entire part of the commonwealth.
In July, fifty-three years ago. Joseph A. Berry began the publication of a Democratic party organ under the name of "The Pio- neer." It was a small sheet, decidedly out- spoken in sentiment, and the probability is that the proprietor was paid sufficiently well to enable him to issue a vigorous party or- gan at a time when the sentiment of the county would hardly justify the business wisdom of such a venture. Mr. Berry con- tinued the publication during the ensuing three years, the circulation attaining about four hundred. The enterprise not meeting the editor's financial expectations, nor prov- ing entirely satisfactory to some of its pat- rons by reason of its strong bias towards the Free Soil doctrine, it was sold in August. 1856, to P. W. Hardesty, a newspaper man of considerable experience, under whose inanagement it soon advanced in public fa- vor. It was purchased in 1858 by I. B. Mc- Donald, who turned over the editorial man- agement to F. L. and W. C. Graves. In 1859 Mr. McDonald and C. W. Graves be-
came editors, with S. H. Hill publisher. The following year E. Zimmerman bought an interest, succeeding Mr. Hill as publisher. Mr. McDonald then bought the "Jefferson- ian" and merged the two papers into one, the "Columbia City News." At the out- break of the Civil war Mr. McDonald en- listed and turned the paper over to his part- ners, though still retaining a business inter- est. In 1864 E. Zimmerman transferred his interest to Frank Zimmerman, Mr. McDon- ald resigning his military commission to re- summe the editorial chair. The paper passed into the hands of Eli W. Brown in 1865, who changed the name to the "Columbia City Post." In 1867 a power press was in- stalled, the equipment improved throughout and the paper enlarged to meet the growing demand. John W. Adams purchased an in- terest in April. 1879, and assisted in man- aging and conducting the paper. In April, 1881, Mr. Adams became sole owner, and as such has since continued. While an ex- ponent of orthodox Democracy and never swerving in his loyalty to the principles of the party, his aim has been to publish a clean, dignified family paper, filled with the latest general news together with the interesting local happenings of his own city and county. The Post is worthy of popular favor and to this end he spares no reasonable effort or expense, thus making its columns vibrate with the public pulse and reflect the current thought of the age.
John Wilson Adams is a native of Whit- ley county and the son of John Q. and Chris- tina Adams, the father born in Ireland, the mother in Columbiana county, Ohio, being of Irish and Scotch blood respectively. They lived for a number of years on a farm in
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Thorncreek township, and it was there that his birth occurred October 13, 1856. After attending the schools of Columbia City he entered the Northern Indiana Normal Uni- versity at Valparaiso, where he prosecuted his studies with the object of fitting himself for the varied duties which he was to en- counter in the greater school of practical life.
Mr. Adams was married August 22. 1883. to Miss Sophia D. Collins, the union resulting in the birth of three children : Don- ald C., James D., and John Q. As a citi- zen and neighbor he is highly esteemed, be- ing interested in the progress and general prosperity of his city, faithfully performing the duties of citizenship and discharging with commendable fidelity every trust re- posed in him by his fellowmen.
CYRUS HENRY KEISER.
Cyrus Henry Keiser, a prominent farm- er of Richland township, was born in Port- age county, Ohio, March 13, 1848, and is the son of Andrew and Margaret (Markle) Keiser. Andrew was a native of Pennsyl- vania and the son of Jacob, who lived some time in Ohio, but removed to Indiana about 1835. settling in Columbia township, and secured two hundred acres of land on which he lived till death. Margaret Markle was born in Germany and came to this country when about twelve years of age with her father, John Markle, who remained in Port- age county, Ohio, until the close of his life. Andrew and Margaret were married in Port- age county, Ohio, where they remained a
number of years, but came to Indiana in 1850 and settled in Columbia township, re- maining there until their respective deaths. that of the mother occurring in 1875. fol- lowed by the father in 1885. They were exemplary members of the Lutheran church and were the parents of five children : Cyrus ; John, living in Kosciusko county, Indiana; Mary, living in Iowa; Lovina and Sarah, both deceased in infancy. Cyrus H. Keiser was two years old when his parents moved to Whitley county and has remained here continuously to the present time. He grew to manhood on the home farm, assisting in the labors and receiving the benefit of the common schools. March 14. 1872, .he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Sarah Ann (Wise) Brown, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, November 20, 1850. Mrs. Keiser began to teach at the age of seventeen and taught in the Whitley county schools for six years. Her parents were natives of Ohio, and came to Columbia township in 1852, where they continued to live till death, that of the wife occurring in 1854 and of the husband in 1887. Ten chil- dren were born to them: Eli and Harriet, both deceased ; Eliza ; Lucetta, deceased : Jo- sialı : Theophilus, deceased : Sarah Ann ; Pe- ter; and Franklin, deceased.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kiser: Dora Alice, who died in early childhood: Otto L., who married Jessie A. Lower, lives in Troy township and has one child, Almeda Genevive: Leona L., at home. The first farm owned by Mr. Kiser was in Troy township, but in 1900 they purchased one hundred and fifty-nine acres in Richland township, on which they still live. This is the Lysander Joslin homestead, the former
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owner making the principal improvements, including the house. It lies five miles north- west of Columbia City near the village of Lorane. The farm is productive, well in- proved in every way and is a, desirable and pleasant home. In addition to general farm- ing, considerable attention is given to stock, thoroughbreds being kept in the line of hogs, cattle and horses. Mr. Keiser is a Demo- crat and has served the public as ditch com- missioner for several years. He has been a successful agent of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company and continues to give the business a part of his time. Mrs. Keiser is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Keiser is of social disposition and enjoys a game of baseball.
ISAIAH W. JOHNSTON.
A pioneer farmer, he is descended from a long line of pioneer farmers, who took part in rescuing Ohio and Indiana from the primeval wilderness in which they were clothed when the first settlers arrived from the east. James Johnston, the founder of the western branch of the family, who was one of the early settlers of Ohio, married Eliza- beth Yost, by whom he had six children : John, William, George, James, Mary and Eliza. The first three emigrated to Iowa and spent their lives in that then distant territory. Mary and Eliza are still living in Ohio. James, the fourth son, was married to Ra- chel Wells in Morrow county, Ohio, remov- ed to Indiana in 1837, but after a year re- turned to his old home. After three years he removed to Shelby county, Ohio, remained
there until April, 1845, and then came to Whitley county, where he bought a tract of land in Thorncreek township, on which he lived until his death from consumption in February, 1861. His wife was born in Pennsylvania, her parents being Isaiah and Elizabeth Wells, who removed to Ohio at a very early day and cultivated a farm. He came to Thorncreek township in 1837 and bought a large tract of land but afterward sold this property and returned to Ohio, where he died. He had four children : Ra- chel, Catherine. Elizabeth and Hannah. James and Rachel (Wells) Johnston had twelve children: Hannah Jane, deceased, Catherine, wife of Alex Wygant, of Noble county, Mary Ann, deceased. Isaiah, Wil- liam, a resident of Whitley county, James lives on the old home place in Thorncreek. John, deceased, George, a resident of Noble county, Sarah, deceased, Martha, widow of John Hill, Andrew, living in Noble county, Elizabeth, wife of Cornelius Rerrick, a resi- dent of California.
Isaiah W. Johnston, fourth in order in the foregoing list, was born in Morrow coun- ty, Ohio, December 10, 1835. He was four- teen years old before he opened a school- book and obtained but a meager education in the poor schools of those days. He re- mained with his father on the farm until he reached his twenty-fifth year. In 1861, he was married to Mary King, who was a na- tive of Virginia and who died in 1868. By this union there was one child, John, who died in childhood. In 1869 Mr. Johnston married Susan Scott, who was born in Lo- gan county, Ohio, December 13, 18.47, daughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Arahood) Scott. Samuel Scott, a son of John Scott,
GUN OF 24TH INDIANA BATTERY. ISAIAH W. JOHNSTON, GUNNER, AND HIS CANNONEERS. TAKEN ATTLEFIELD AT ATLANTA, G.A., OCTOBER, 1864.
MR. AND MRS. ISAIAH W. JOHNSTON.
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was a native of Madison county, Ohio, and his wife of Logan county. They came to Indiana in an early day, but three years later returned to Ohio. In 1864 they came back to Indiana, where he died at Larwill March 29, 1875, and his wife died with Mrs. John- ston September 28, 1891. They had five children : Mary, Sarah, John, who are dead; Sylvester, who lives in Larwill, Indiana; and Mrs. Johnston. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have had three daughters: Philena L. mar- ried Lewis Wolf, a farmer of Noble county, and they have eight children : Benjamin, Bes- sie, Everett, Ellery, Harry. Gertie, Ar- low and Herbert. She died October 9. 1906. Effie married John Pontzius, and they live with her parents, he operating the farm. Zona Iona died at thirteen of typhoid fever. After his marriage in 1861, Mr. Johnston settled on a part of his father's estate, where he has ever since lived. At the time he was contented with a hewed log house, but as he prospered he felt the need of a better home and some years ago built a comfortable frame structure. The place contains ninety- eight acres of good farming land, which is well improved and has a suitable barn and other outbuildings. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and he is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, by right of long and arduous serv- ice as a soldier in the army of the Union during the Civil war. October 22, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Indiana Bat- tery and served faithfully as gunner until discharged August 3, 1865. He took part in the following battles and minor engage- ments : Horse Shoe and Marrowbone, Ken- tucky. July 22, 1863, Philadelphia and Sweetwater, Tennessee, October 21, 1863,
Camp Bell, Tennessee, November 16, 1863, Siege of Knoxville, Tennessee, Novmber 17, 1863, Talbert Station, Tennessee, December 29. 1863. He went through the famous cam- paign of Sherman from Dalton to Atlanta and fought at Resaca. May 13. Dallas, Geor- gia, May 25 to June 4, Siege of Atlanta, July 22-28 to September 2, 1864. His bat- tery was sent with the forces after Hood, whose army he helped destroy at Nashville and Franklin, after which he was ordered to Louisville. This battery contained six guns, Mr. Johnston being gunner and promoted from the third to the first section. It was commanded mainly by Captain Alexander Hardy, of Logansport. Mr. Johnston has photographs of his gun and its quota of men taken on the Atlanta battlefield. He is a member of English Post, G. A. R. at Etna.
WILLIAM M. HUGHES.
William M. Hughes, a representative of one of the old and prominent families of Whitley county, was born in Columbia City, February 10, 1850, being a son of Charles W. and Mary (Davis) Hughes. He is a na- tive of Virginia and she of Ohio. Charles Hughes came to Indiana in 1842, settling in Columbia township, where he purchased and cleared eighty acres of land, to which he . added until at his death, in 1864, he was the owner of four hundred and fifty acres, one hundred and thirteen acres of which were in cultivation, the rest consisting of timber and pasturage. In addition to be- coming one of the leading farmers of the county he also took a leading part as a Re-
47
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WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
publican in political and public affairs. He was appointed auditor of the county in 1844. then served three years as probate judge and in 1847 was elected county treasurer, which office he filled for two terms. In 1856 he was elected county recorder, and during the Civil war was provost marshal for Whitley county, in all of which positions he displayed ability and conducted them so as to gain unqualified respect and approval. Retiring from public lite he turned his attention to stock dealing, which with the management of his farm and large private interests oc- cupied his time until the close of his earthly career. His widow, who is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-seven, makes her home with her son on the old homestead just north of Columbia City. Charles and Mary Hughes had three children : Martha Jane. wife of a Mr. Bainbridge, a merchant of Columbia City. both now deceased; Sarah Virginia, widow of Samuel Graham, resides in Chicago; and William M.
William M. Hughes was reared on his present farm, attended the public schools of Columbia City and on attaining his majority decided to continue in the same line to which he was accustomed. He has always lived on the family homestead, which now belongs to him, containing one hundred and twenty-five acres, and which by proper attention to de- tails is kept in a highly fertile condition. The Hughes residence, built in 1858, is a large, roomy house, standing on a rise of ground affording a fine view of the sur- rounding country, including the city. Mr. Hughes is a Republican, but acting on ad- vice of his father has refrained from public aspirations. Fraternally his connections are with the Masonic order.
Miss Jennie C. Yontz, who became the
wife of Mr. Hughes in 1872, is a native of Ohio, from which state her parents moved to Whitley county in 1864. Her father, Ben- jamin Yontz, was a prosperous farmer and praiseworthy citizen, and her brother Franklin Yontz, served with credit during the rebellion as a member of the Forty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are the parents of the following chil- dren : Charles Wesley, city electrician of Joliet, Illinois; Virginia, wife of Charles White, of Whitley county; and Mary, at home.
RICHARD M. PAIGE.
Richard M. Paige, deceased, was born in Chemung county. New York, May 4, 1823, and died March 1, 1897, surviving his brother Jedediah but two weeks. He was one of the twelve children of Rufus W. A. and Jane (Middaugh) Paige, he born in Massa- chusetts in 1790 and she in New Jersey in 1803. In 1837 he settled in Holmes county, Ohio, where he practiced medicine some six years, removing to Whitley county in 1843 and entering a half section of land two miles east of the county seat on Eel river. He practiced somewhat until his death in 1863. surviving his wife but a few months. Of the twelve children but one survives. Ma- tilda, wife of John Head, of the state of Washington. Seven sons reached maturity. Richard being the only one to raise a family in Whitley county. Four went to Califor- nia. but one of whom, Jedediah, ever re- turned, he dying about one year later, aged sixty-eight. Three daughters remained in this county. Jeannette becoming the wife of Elijah De Peu, her daughter Mary being a
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Mrs. Alexander, of Warren, Indiana. Je- rusha married William Rouch and occupied the old homestead, her surviving daughter being Lulu, wife of Herder Schrader, of Al- len county. Melissa was the wife of John McNamara, her only son, Charles, surviv- ing. Richard M. Paige became the owner of a fine farm of over five hundred acres bordering Eel river in Union township, upon which he, about forty years since, erected a large square brick house, which continued his home till the close of life. He was an extensive and prosperous farmer, becoming one of the substantial men of the county. September 6, 1855, he married Phylura A. Lighttizer, born in Wayne county, Ohio. May 24, 1834, and who at ten years of age came to Whitley county with her parents, Joseph and Jane (Morehead) Lighttizer. Her father died in 1856, her mother ten years later. Of their five children these are now living: George, of Pierceton, Indiana, and Delphna Bump. of Whitley county. The children of Richard M. Paige and wife were: Catherine E., who married Henry Schrader and died at thirty-three; Almira A .. who is with her mother, was a teacher, including two years in the College of the Church of God at Findlay. Ohio: Richard A. is a farmer of Washington township; John S. is in Union township; Simeon Jede- diah : Ida E., died at eighteen, and Russell M. at eight. Phebe E. at twenty-two and Phylura Elma at twenty-three. Both the latter were teachers.
Mr. Paige was county commissioner for six years and is remembered as a stanch Democratic worker. Himself and wife were members of the Oak Grove Church of God for many years and few men were more
widely or favorably known or had as many warm friends who unite in paying his mem- ory a kindly tribute.
Simeon Jedediah Paige was born in 1867 and attended the Columbia City high school as well as the Northern Indiana Nor- mal University at Valparaiso. During the ensuing eleven years he taught in the pub- lic schools, but not caring to make educa- tion his life work, he discontinued teaching and after traveling one year as a salesman of office furniture rented the home farm for three years. He then bought one hundred and two acres of fine land in Cleveland township and on this lived for eight years, making many substantial improvements. He leased the farm and three years later dis- posed of it and proceeded to develop an eighty-acre tract which he has since brought to a high state of tillage and otherwise im- proved. His place is in one of the most fertile parts of Union township near the old homestead.
Mr. Paige in 1884 entered the marriage relation with Miss Laura Everhard, whose parents came to Whitley county from Ger- many, four children resulting from the union: Russell, Katie, Melba and Ralph. Mr. Paige and wife belong to the Patrons of Husbandry and both are zealous and consistent members of the Church of God. Politically he is a Democrat.
HUGO LOGAN.
Hugo Logan, a well known and success- ful farmer and county clerk-elect, was born in Kinsman, Trumbull county. Ohio. April
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22. 1862, and is the son of Robert and Lu- cinda E. (Clark) Logan. His paternal grandparents were Charles and Rosana (Mc- Garra) Logan, the former of whom was an Irishman who crossed the ocean about 1796 and settled on a farm in Pennsylvania. Later he removed to Trumbull county, Ohio, where he died. His five children are now all deceased. Robert Logan and wife were married in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1857 and spent the remainder of their lives upon a farm in that county, the father dying in June, 1902, and his wife March 3, 1897. She was the daughter of David Clark, a na- tive of New Haven, Connecticut, who had six children.
Hugo Logan attended the common schools of Trumbull county, in 1880 grad- uated at Grand River Institute, Austinburg, Ohio, and later took a classical course in Western Reserve College at Hudson, Ohio. In the fall of 1882 he entered the employ of the Nickel Plate Railroad as clerk in the motive power department and one year later became a locomotive fireman. In 1887 he was promoted to the position of engineer and for ten years was in constant service at the throttle. Impaired health demanding that he leave the road, he again became a tiller of the soil. He was united in mar- riage with Miss Lesta E. Emerson, the daughter of Milton B. and Elizabeth (Scott) Emerson, and born in Whitley county. Sep- tember 7, 1869. They have three children : Rheua; Walter E., who was killed by a train when two years of age, and Boyd H. Mr. Logan deals considerably in real estate and served as trustee of Cleveland township four years. Ile was recently elected coun- ty clerk, winning easily in a county nor-
mally safely Democratic, and enters the of- fice January 1, 1908. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Masons. He and wife are members of the Pythian Sisters and Daugh- ters of Rebekah. Mrs. Logan is a member of the Eastern Star, while her religious af- filiations are with the Methodist church. Mr. Logan is favored with many fine personal qualities, possessing to a marked degree the happy faculty of making warm and lasting attachments.
ISAAC BRENNEMAN.
The family now under consideration has. enjoyed a varied and honorable experience and merits prominent mention in the his- tory of this county. Isaac Brenneman, one of its most worthy representatives, is living a retired life in a beautiful home in South Whitley, enjoying the comforts and many luxuries of the land and surrounded by a host of friends. He was born in Champaign county, Ohio, January 13, 1844, and is the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Rush) Bren- neman, both natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where they lived until they came to Ohio and settled in Champaign county, where they engaged in farming un- til 1851, when they moved to Whitley county and settled in Columbia township on a farm, where they remained until the end of their lives, the death of the wife occur- ring in 1866 and that of the husband in 1876. Both were members of the Baptist church, devoted and faithful in service and
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liberal in support. To them were born twelve children: John, Barbara, Catherine, Davis R. and Elizabeth, all deceased : Abra- ham, living in Leesburg, Indiana ; Mary, de- ceased ; Fanny, living in Iowa ; Henry, a sol- dier, died in 1863; Isaac, subject of this sketch; Levi, living in Chicago; Benjamin F., a resident of Columbia City. Isaac was only six years old when he came with his parents to Whitley county and, except dur- ing his military service, has since been a continuous resident of the county. In 1864, he enlisted in Company A, Thirteenth Regi- ment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Tenth Corps, participating in the battle of Fort Fisher and serving to the close of the war. On being discharged he returned home and engaged in the sawmill business for a cou- ple of years with his brother David. Fol- lowing this he farmed three years and then removed to Columbia City, entering the gro- cery business, which he conducted very suc- cessfully for fifteen years. In 1893 he moved to South Whitley and again invested in the grocery business, in which he contin- ued for four years, then secured gravel pit interests, in the working of which he round- ed out his career, as he is now practically retired. In 1867 he united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Schwartz, born in Stark county. Ohio, in 1844. The parents were natives of Penn- sylvania but moved to Ohio, where they re- mained until their deaths. Twelve children were born to them.
Mr. and Mrs. Brenneman have had three children: Oda Alice, deceased in in- fancy; E. O. died in his twenty-fifth year ; the third died in infancy unnamed. In politics Mr. Brenneman is a Re-
publican and has always taken an active interest in local matters. While in Columbia City he was a member of the town council and is now serving as councilman in South Whitley. He is also a member of William Cuppy Post, No. 195, Grand Army of the Republic, at South Whitley. Mr. and Mrs. Brenneman are members of the Baptist church. Their home is one of the most beautiful in South Whitley, the house being noted as the only one in the county built of building tile, con- sisting of nine rooms, with all modern conveniences.
WILLIAM V. HATHAWAY.
Among the many prosperous farmers of Whitley county, who date back to the war times, few have done more hard work and none have achieved more creditable results with the means at his disposal than he whose name heads this sketch. It was more than sixty years ago that his parents, Thomas and Melinda (Main) Hathaway, left their old home in Ohio to carve out a new one in the wilds of Indiana. Born in Ohio, January 25, 1845. William V. Hathaway was only eighteen months old when his father settled in Whitley county. He learned all about hard work as he grew up and was the prin- cipal factor in clearing the land on which the family made a living for some years after their settlement. In the course of time Mr. Hathaway found himself in possession of a good farm, consisting of one hundred and fifty acres of land, two-thirds of which is under cultivation. Mr. Hathaway de-
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